News for Thursday, May 23, 2013

McCluster hurt hamstring

At Chiefs camp

KANSAS CITY — Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster hurt his hamstring early in Thursday’s voluntary workout, while defensive back Neiko Thorpe and linebacker Mike Catapano also picked up minor injuries.

Angels hit four home runs, beat Royals 5-4

Mike Trout and Albert Pujols hit solo home runs, and Mark Trumbo hit a two-run shot to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Thursday night.

Chiefs sign another draft pick

Sanders Commings

KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Chiefs have signed safety Sanders Commings, the fifth of their eight draft choices to agree to terms on a contract.

Area state track qualifiers

In Class 3 and 4

Here are the area qualifiers for the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3-4 Track and Field Championships, which will be held Friday and Saturday at Dwight T. Reed Stadium:

County sheriff’s pot busts draw ire in Columbia

A local ordinance that in some cases treats marijuana possession as a minor municipal violation isn’t being followed by Boone County sheriff’s deputies who have stepped up patrols within Columbia’s city limits, an attorney says.

Bad start for Missouri

Falls in softball to Washington

COLUMBIA — The Washington Huskies scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings Thursday night to edge the Missouri Tigers 2-1 in an NCAA Super Regional softball contest at University Field.

Kander opens 2 initiative petition proposals to public comment

Secretary of State Jason Kander announced this week that his office has approved the form of two initiative petitions, amending Articles VIII and IX of the Missouri Constitution. Both petitions were submitted by Todd Jones of the St. Louis-based Missouri Roundtable for Life.

St. Louis TV anchorman fired over Facebook posting

A veteran TV anchorman has been fired in the wake of comments he made on the station’s Facebook page claiming “pressure” by the IRS following his 2012 interview with President Barack Obama.

KC man pleads guilty to bungled bank robbery

A Kansas City man faces up to 20 years in prison after admitting his role in a hapless attempt to rob a bank.

State will not seek death penalty in SW Mo. death

The state will not seek the death penalty against a farmhand charged with killing a southwest Missouri woman in 2009, but prosecutors have not made a similar decision for the victim’s husband, who is also charged in her death.

Procter & Gamble brings back A.G. Lafley as CEO

Household products giant Procter & Gamble Co. is hoping its former CEO can work his magic once again.

Thursday's American League Capsules

Games played May 23, 2013

AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP: Drew Stubbs and Mark Reynolds drove in three runs each and Cleveland had 16 hits in the Indians’ 12-3 win over the Boston Red Sox in manager Terry Francona’s return to Fenway Park on Thursday night.

Jurors deadlock on Jodi Arias penalty; retrial set

The jury in Jodi Arias’ murder trial was dismissed Thursday after failing to reach a verdict against the woman they convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend in a case that captured headlines worldwide with its sex, lies, and violence.

Thursday's NHL Playoff Capsules

Games played May 23, 2013

NHL ROUNDUP: Jakub Kindl scored on a power play in the second period, Daniel Cleary had an empty-net goal and Jimmy Howard made 27 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings hold on for a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Thursday's Golf Capsules

Tournaments played May 23, 2013

GOLF ROUNDUP: Colonial member Ryan Palmer shot an 8-under 62 on Thursday to match the first-round record at Hogan’s Alley and take a one-stroke lead over John Rollins.

Campbell buying Plum Organics baby food maker

Campbell Soup said it’s buying Plum Organics, which makes food for babies and kids, for an undisclosed amount as it looks to move into faster-growing categories.

IRS replaces official in controversy

A day after she refused to answer questions at a congressional hearing, Lois Lerner was replaced Thursday as director of the Internal Revenue Service division that oversaw agents who targeted tea party groups.

Hobby Lobby seeks exemption on birth control coverage, up for federal appeal

In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. is asking a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage that includes access to the morning-after pill.

Obama sees narrower terror threat

President Barack Obama sought Thursday to advance the U.S. beyond the unrelenting war effort of the past dozen years, defining a narrowing terror threat that still imperils the nation but now is defined by smaller networks and homegrown extremists rather than the grandiose plots of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida. He defended his controversial drone-strikes program as a linchpin of the U.S. response to the evolving dangers.

Stocks edge lower as investors reassess Fed fears

Investors recovered their poise after a shaky start to trading on Wall Street that sent stocks sharply lower.

Sears reports bigger-than-expected first quarter loss

Sears Holdings Corp. reported a steeper-than-expected loss for its first quarter with the beleaguered retailer blaming a cooler spring for falling sales.

US rate on 30-year mortgages rises to 3.59 pct.

Average rates on fixed mortgage rose for the third straight week, hitting their highest levels since mid-March. Still, mortgage rates remained close to historic lows, a trend that should help sustain the housing recovery.

US, Israel raise hopes for Mideast peace restart

The United States and Israel raised hopes Thursday for a restart of the Middle East peace process, despite little tangible progress so far from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s two-month-old effort to get Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table.

Muslim hard-liners ID suspect in London attack

A man seen with bloody hands wielding a butcher knife after the killing of a British soldier on the streets of London was described as a convert to Islam who took part in demonstrations with a banned radical group, two Muslim hard-liners said Thursday.

NASA head views progress on asteroid lasso mission

Surrounded by engineers, NASA chief Charles Bolden inspected a prototype spacecraft engine that could power an audacious mission to lasso an asteroid and tow it closer to Earth for astronauts to explore.

Japanese climber, 80, becomes oldest atop Everest

An 80-year-old Japanese mountaineer became the oldest person to reach the top of Mount Everest on Thursday — although his record may last only a few days. An 81-year-old Nepalese man, who held the previous record, plans his own ascent next week.

Body of 2nd child found in deadly Minn. landslide

Authorities on Thursday recovered the body of a second child killed when a rockslide hit a group of fourth-graders in a St. Paul park a day earlier, and announced that the popular fossil-hunting area would be closed indefinitely.

Missing Iowa girl’s blood found

Investigators have discovered the blood of a missing 15-year-old Iowa girl on the truck of a registered sex offender suspected of kidnapping her Monday, diminishing the chances of finding her alive, a lead investigator said Thursday.

Khaled Hosseini’s new book is another tear-jerker

“And the Mountains Echoed” (Riverhead Books), by Khaled Hosseini

My main goal in reading Khaled Hosseini’s new book, “And the Mountains Echoed,” was to avoid crying. I failed within the first 20 pages. And by the last page, I was bawling.

Documentary is an ode to NYC playground basketball

A new documentary, “Doin’ it in the Park,” is a loving ode to the blacktop world of New York City pickup. With more than 700 courts, it’s the mecca of pick-up basketball.

Music Review: Hart, Bonamassa simmer on ’Seesaw’

Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa, “Seesaw” (J&R Adventures)

Singer Beth Hart and guitarist Joe Bonamassa have a soulful and sultry new album out with “Seesaw.”

On top of big salaries, companies pile on perks

Wynn Resorts pays for founder and CEO Steve Wynn’s residence at its tony Las Vegas hotel and casino at a cost of nearly $452,000.

New Xbox elegant, but much unknown

Microsoft wants the Xbox One to be central to your living room, so it packed the new Xbox with such features as the ability to change TV channels through voice commands.

AG Koster reaches settlement with defunct JC medical spa

Attorney General Chris Koster announced Thursday a settlement with Skin Rx, LLC and its owner, Laura Rackers.

Mo. motorcycle riders had good legislative year

Missouri motorcycle riders had several favorable bills sent to Gov. Jay Nixon during this year’s legislative session, but a big priority could not cross the finish line.

Military jet from Mo. clips power lines

A low-flying military jet from a western Missouri Air Force base clipped several power lines, but officials said no injuries were reported.

Your Opinion: Appreciation for Honor Flights

The 2013 Honor Flights have begun again with the 22nd flight just recently completed.

Your Opinion: Tax cut shouldn’t be controversial

As primary authors of broad-based tax cutting legislation that will provide relief to every Missouri employer and individual taxpayer, we at Associated Industries of Missouri can’t understand why the plan is so controversial.

Our Opinion: Care reduces mayhem on roadways, waterways

We encourage motorists and boaters to use care this Memorial Day weekend, because law enforcement officers certainly will.

One arrested after strong armed robbery in JC

A man was arrested Wednesday after a strong armed robbery in Jefferson City.

Mo. House speaker plans legislative tour

Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones plans to tour the state to talk with voters and community leaders about legislative issues.

Mo. adds 40 to state elk population

Missouri conservation officials have added 40 elk to the state’s population as part of a project to restore the animals to the state.

Committee to continue review of bus service

City wants to hire facilitator, establish ‘visionary group’

Jefferson City is continuing discussions behind the scenes on how to move the city’s transit system forward.

Cole County roads to be resurfaced

Commissioners award contract for asphalt work

The Cole County Commission has approved a bid from Jefferson Asphalt for the annual asphalt overlay program for roads around the county.

Storm protection for students spotty in tornado zones

‘Safe rooms’ for schools?

The federal government offers money to schools in some states if they decide to install reinforced safe rooms. But doing so can still be a daunting financial decision. That dollars-and-cents reality has resulted in a patchwork of protection in tornado-prone areas — sometimes with tragic results.

Jury opt-out option argued at high court

Lincoln County case could impact past high profile cases

For several years, jurors in Lincoln County could opt-out of jury service, by paying a $50 administrative fee and pledging to do “community service.” The issue of improper jury selection has reached the Missouri Supreme Court.

Library panel will review strategic plan

MRRL to tackle goals to better serve patrons

Missouri River Regional Library Director Helen Rigdon presented a tentative strategic plan for 2013-16. The goals are: to enhance e-collections, strengthen virtual presence and improve the physical experience for patrons.

31.2M drivers to take Memorial Day road trip

It’s going to be another busy Memorial Day weekend on the nation’s highways.

Joplin remembers tornado, pushes for recovery

The draft beer and whiskey shots flow freely at the sparkling new Joplin Elks Lodge 501, a distant hallway plaque the only visible reminder that three members and a bartender cleaning up after Sunday bingo died in a monster tornado that forever grafted a little-known southwest Missouri city into the nation’s disaster lexicon.

Boy achieves family dream with geography bee win

Passion for geography runs deep in Sathwik Karnik’s family.

Faith healers charged with murder after 2nd death

A Philadelphia couple who believe in faith healing over medicine and who were on probation in their son’s pneumonia death were charged with murder Wednesday after a second young child died under what a prosecutor called “eerily similar” circumstances.

Man shot to death while questioned in Boston probe

A Chechen immigrant who was being questioned about his ties to one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects was shot to death early Wednesday after he lunged at an FBI agent with a knife, officials said.

Despite struggles on track for Patrick

Danica Patrick refuses to get down on herself even though her first full season on the Sprint Cup series has been a struggle.

Fox show brings messy workplaces to television

This time “you’re fired” is more than a Donald Trump catchphrase. Fox is turning the firing of real people from real jobs into prime-time entertainment starting this week.

The pope and the devil: Is Francis an exorcist?

Pope Francis’ obsession with the devil took on remarkable new twists this week, with a well-known exorcist insisting Francis helped “liberate” a Mexican man possessed by four different demons despite the Vatican’s insistence that no such papal exorcism took place.

Median CEO pay rises to $9.7 million in 2012

CEO pay has been going in one direction for the past three years: up.

GM recalling Cadillac SUVs to tighten wheels

General Motors Co. is recalling more than 27,000 Cadillac SUVs worldwide because the wheels can fall off.

Tesla uses stock, note sale to repay government

Tesla Motors, which makes a highly acclaimed $70,000 electric car, has paid off a startup loan from the U.S. government nine years early.

Lyons leads Cardinals past Padres 5-3

Tyler Lyons pitched seven solid innings in his major league debut on the same day St. Louis lost Jaime Garcia for the season, and the Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 5-3 on Wednesday night.

Fort Hood suspect wants to represent self

The Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood attack wants to represent himself at his upcoming murder trial, which means he could question the nearly three dozen soldiers he’s accused of wounding in the shooting rampage.

Lincoln women set to compete for Division II national title

Usually second place in the country is a nice finish. But not when you’re used to finishing first. After three straight second-place finishes, the Lincoln women’s track team will look to get back on top when they open the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships today in Pueblo, Colo.

Missouri hosting Washington in softball Super Regional

Another year, another Super Regional. The Missouri softball team will look to advance to the College World Series for the fourth time in five years when it opens up Super Regional play against Washington today (8 p.m. ESPN-TV) at University Field in the first game of a best-of-three series.

UMKC fills out men's basketball staff

Missouri-Kansas City basketball coach Kareem Richardson has completed his first coaching staff by hiring Angres Thorpe as associate head coach and Sean Bledsoe and Jason Sautter as assistant coaches.

Vt gov signs novel law against false patent claims

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin signed into law Wednesday a novel measure aimed at protecting companies from so-called patent trolling, the practice of making deceptive claims of patent infringement in the hopes of collecting licensing or settlement money.