News for Monday, December 31, 2012

Deal will prevent spike in milk prices

White House and congressional bargainers have agreed to prevent milk price increases as part of their compromise to avert the "fiscal cliff."

Democratic officials: Fiscal 'cliff' deal reached

Racing the clock, the White House reached a New Year's Eve accord with Senate Republicans late Monday to neutralize across-the-board tax increases and spending cuts in government programs due to take effect at midnight, according to administration and Senate Democratic officials.

'Fiscal cliff' deal to block pay hike for Congress

Legislation to prevent the government from going over the so-called fiscal cliff will also block a $900 automatic pay hike for members of Congress.

Clemson edges LSU 25-24 on last-second FG

Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 14 Clemson a wild 25-24 win over No. 9 Louisiana State in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Monday night.

Chiefs fire Crennel, restructure organization

The Kansas City Chiefs are doing more than looking for a new coach after firing Romeo Crennel on Monday. They're changing the entire structure of the organization.

Georgia Tech beats Southern California in Sun Bowl

Southern California was ranked No. 1 at the beginning of the season, and Matt Barkley was a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy. The year ended with Barkley on the sideline as the Trojans lost to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.

Eagles fire Andy Reid after 14 seasons

Andy Reid stuck around after he was fired by the Philadelphia Eagles, meeting with players, encouraging staff and shaking hands with the man who let him go.

Flu bug hinders Richardson in 31-17 loss to Tulsa

Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson felt terrible heading into his first bowl game. And the redshirt freshman still managed to put together a fast start against Tulsa.

Resolving to be a smarter shopper

A good 2013 resolution may be to make your money go further

There are different ways to accumulate wealth. You can earn more income or, when you make purchases, you can get more for your money. While earning more is nice, it might be easier to make your money go further.

Turnovers cost NC State in Music City Bowl

The North Carolina State Wolfpack struggled away from home this season, and nothing changed on a neutral site in Music City.

Al-Qaida carves out own country in Mali

Deep inside caves, in remote desert bases, in the escarpments and cliff faces of northern Mali, Islamic fighters are burrowing into the earth, erecting a formidable set of defenses to protect what has essentially become al-Qaida's new country.

Want to eat healthy in 2013? Here's how

eMeals suggests some small changes that can make a big difference

In an effort to give you a real shot at keeping at least one new year's resolution, the online meal planning service eMeals offers the following tips.

The companies and brands that angered you the most in 2012

There were plenty of companies that didn't get it right this year

Here's a look at a few of the companies that were on consumers' minds in 2012. These companies were selected not on the basis of how often they were reviewed but rather, how often consumers viewed their pages on our site.

Snow emergency in JC

The declaration will be in effect from 1:30 p.m. on Monday until noon on Tuesday. No person shall stop, stand, park, or abandon a vehicle in a manner which obstructs or impedes traffic on a snow route.

Four retailers to stop sale and recall Nap Nanny recliners

The actions are prompted by reports of five infant deaths

Four major retailers -- Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com and Toys R Us/Babies R Us -- are announcing a voluntary recall to consumers who own Nap Nanny recliners made by Baby Matters of Berwyn, PA.

Your Opinion: Opinion letters provide service

I happen to feel the letters to the editor section of the Opinion Page performs a real public service.

Danger: popping a Champagne cork is no joke

A flying cork moves with enough force to cause significant eye damage

It's been a staple of Hollywood comedies for decades; the misguided popping Champagne cork that hits another object or person. A sight gag almost guaranteed to bring a laugh. But it's no joke.

McCaskill seeks action on Mo. levee project

Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill is joining two Republican colleagues in calling for federal agencies to move ahead with plans to close a 1,500-foot gap in a southeast Missouri levee, a project long delayed over environmental concerns.

Snow blankets Missouri

A storm system is bringing Missouri a round of wintry weather to usher in the new year.

Mo. lawmaker proposes drone surveillance measure

A northwestern Missouri lawmaker is seeking to limit the use of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles.

Sober Driver Program operating for New Year's Eve

With the inclement weather and the New Year’s Eve holiday, the Jefferson City Police Department (JCPD) would again like to remind all those who take part in the annual festivities to be responsible and designate a driver.

Cause of chemical leak at St. Louis water plant investigated

Authorities in west St. Louis County are trying to determine what caused a chemical leak at a water plant that forced workers to be evacuated and nearby roads to close.

Statewide effort to distribute venison growing

A statewide effort to share extra venison taken by deer hunters is bringing in record donations.

Couple makes cycling occupation

In days gone by, bicycle shops tended to be repair garages first and retail boutiques second.

Times Square packed with security for New Year's Eve

When revelers pack Times Square for the annual New Year’s eve celebration on Monday night, police will observe a tradition of their own: giving them lots of company.

Analysis: GOP marks 10 years atop Legislature

When Tom Dempsey arrived at the Missouri Capitol as a freshman lawmaker, he was assigned an office so small he had to lie diagonally on the floor if he needed a nap. Dempsey was, after all, one of the least senior Republicans in a building dominated for a half-century by Democrats.

Sources: Reid won't be back as Eagles' coach

Andy Reid's time is up as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Legislators reveal priorities for 2013 session

The Legislature convenes Jan. 9, and representatives in the Missouri House have priorities they would like addressed during the 2013 session.

Lloyd Smith to seek 8th District nomination

The executive director of the Missouri Republican Party says he will seek to be nominated as a candidate for the 8th Congressional District.

St. Louis County makes $2M tax error

St. Louis County's Department of Revenue neglected to add a surcharge on tax bills for about 200,000 property owners, leading to a loss of about $2 million that will be recouped.

Hillary Clinton hospitalized with blood clot

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is under observation at a New York hospital after being treated for a blood clot stemming from the concussion she sustained earlier this month.

Finding of barrels of waste raises concerns

Three barrels recently uncovered in west St. Louis County are drumming up bitter memories and raising new concerns about tainted land.

9 die as tour bus crashes on icy Oregon highway

The stretch of rural Oregon interstate where a tour bus crashed through a guardrail and 100 feet down a steep embankment is so notorious that state transportation officials have published a specific advisory warning of its dangers.

Some North Kansas City school buses getting Wi-Fi

Some of the North Kansas City school buses that are outfitted for longer trips will also soon be wired with Wi-Fi access.

Arbitration trial over Rams' future starts in January

Arbitration regarding the future of the St. Louis Rams is scheduled to begin in January, pitting the NFL team, which wants a much-improved football stadium, against the agency that runs the Edward Jones Dome, which wants a renewed lease for the stadium.

Your Opinion: Democrats push communist goals

The following is a partial list of current communist goals that were read into the Congressional Record on Jan. 10, 1963:

NY plaintiff: Gay benefits ‘bigger than marriage’

At age 83, Edith Windsor gets plenty of compliments for her courage to take on the federal government in a landmark case that has put attitudes about gay America squarely before the Supreme Court.

Missouri Guard assumes national, global leadership role in 2012

The year 2012 will forever be remembered in the Missouri National Guard as a year where we made great strides both as soldiers and airmen serving around the world, and as leaders at home and abroad.

Nobel scientist dies in Rome

Rita Levi-Montalcini, a biologist who conducted underground research in defiance of Fascist persecution and went on to win a Nobel Prize for helping unlock the mysteries of the cell, died at her home in Rome on Sunday. She was 103 and had worked well into her final years.

Shiites in Pakistan kills 19

A car bomb targeting a bus carrying Shiite Muslim pilgrims killed 19 people in southwest Pakistan, officials and eyewitnesses said.

US family pleas for couple missing in Afghanistan

The family of an ailing, pregnant American woman missing in Afghanistan with her Canadian husband has broken months of silence over the mysterious case, making public appeals for the couple’s safe return.

Some New Millennium Bank customers to get refunds

Bank settles with FDIC and exits the credit card business

In a settlement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), New Millennium Bank has agreed to make restitution to certain credit card customers.

Home builder Pulte leads the year's gainers

The following is a list of the five biggest gainers and the five biggest losers in the Standard & Poor's 500 index in 2012.

Financial stocks were the biggest gainers of 2012

Financial stocks had a stellar year in 2012, leading the industry groups in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. Utility companies were the worst performing group. Nine of the 10 sectors in the index advanced in 2012.

Book Review: Dick Wolf's 'The Intercept' is compelling

"The Intercept" (William Morrow), by Dick Wolf

Dick Wolf, creator of the popular TV series "Law & Order," has jumped into the literary world with "The Intercept." Wolf makes it look like he's been writing novels his entire life. The tight prose, great characters and the intense twists are all signs of a master at work.

A look back at memorable days on Wall Street

2012 had its fair share of big days on the stock market. Here's a look back at what set off the biggest moves in the Dow Jones industrial average.

Sunday's NFL Capsules

NFL ROUNDUP: RG3 and the Washington Redskins are NFC East champions.

'La Boheme' transformed in 2012 stagings on DVD

Various Artists, "La Boheme" (Electric Picture, Deutsche Grammophon)

Two contemporary stagings of Puccini's "La Boheme" from 2012 have been released on DVD: director Stefan Herheim's reimagining that opened in January at the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo (on Electric), and Damiano Michieletto's staging that premiered in July at the Salzburg Festival in Austria (on DG). Both are equally fascinating and frustrating.

Sunday's NBA Capsules

Games played Dec. 30, 2012

NBA ROUNDUP: Jamal Crawford scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Utah Jazz 107-96 on Sunday night for their 17th consecutive victory, becoming the third team in NBA history to record a perfect month.

'The Hobbit' stays atop box office for third week

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" continues to rule them all at the box office, staying on top for a third-straight week and capping a record-setting $10.8 billion year in moviegoing.

Journal: feds may expand mortgage refinance program

Currently, the program helps only homeowners whose mortgages are owned by Fannie or Freddie

The government has a program that helps struggling homeowners refinance their mortgages, but a number of criteria must be met in order to participate. For example, your loan must be owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Vikings RB Peterson finishes 9 yards shy of record

Adrian Peterson ran right past everyone this season. Past all those running backs before him who couldn't make it to 2,000 yards in a season. Past every doubter who dared to think he wouldn't make it back from a devastating knee injury.