Bob Watson

Critics attack small modular reactors

Florida state Sen. Mike Fasano is warning Missourians, and the leaders of other states, to be careful about making things easy for the nuclear power industry — especially if customers would pay during construction for power plants that never may be built.

Arraignments delayed in murder case

Two of the three men charged with second-degree murder in the April 22 shooting of Keith Mosely, 34, Columbia, still haven’t been arraigned on the charges.

Parties to choose Cole County circuit clerk candidates

Cole County Democrats should know tonight who their candidate will be in the Nov. 6 election to complete the last two years of resigned Circuit Clerk Brenda Umstattd’s unfinished term.

Mo. prayer measure to appear on August ballot

Gov. Jay Nixon has placed the proposed “right to pray” constitutional amendment to the Aug. 7 primary election ballot.

Tobacco tax increase clears legal hurdle

If supporters of a proposal to raise taxes on tobacco products gathered enough signatures on their initiative petitions, Missourians will see that issue on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

Voters’ photo ID amendment off ballot

Missouri voters can cast ballots for at least two more years without being required to show a government-issued, photo-identification card as their only proof-of-identity.

Senator to continue Medicaid questions during interim

State Sen. Jim Lembke, R-Lemay and chairman of the Senate’s Governmental Accountability Committee, wants to continue studying a situation where the state has cut the number of companies managing Medicaid services.

Kehoe learning about Senate debate — by running it

Although still a “freshman” ending his second year in the Missouri Senate, Mike Kehoe this year was given several chances to control some of the pace of lawmaking — by presiding over the Senate’s debate.

Blair Oaks graduates 91

In an outdoor ceremony under a clear sky, the Blair Oaks School District created 91 more alumni Saturday night.

Local legislators generally pleased with session

For Rep. Jeanie Riddle, a former teacher, passing a number of education-related bills was important.

Mid-Missouri lawmakers cite successes

Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, and Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, noted the Legislature’s support for extending the work of the Joint Interim Committee on State Employee Wages.

Court change to be part of Nov. 6 ballot

Missouri lawmakers want voters to consider changing the way judges are appointed to the state’s appeals and Supreme courts.

Green to hear another ‘innocence’ case

Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green is to meet with attorneys this morning in another case where a prison inmate is seeking release on a claim of innocence of the original crime.

Last day for Missouri Legislature's session

Today is the day of reckoning.

Conservatives plan Saturday rally

From Saturday, the Nov. 6 general elections will be just under half a year away.

Vehicle sales tax issue added to license bill

State senators seeking to undo a January Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday added their plan to a House bill aimed at making Missouri’s temporary license plates more tamper-proof.

Continued state employees’ salaries study inches forward

With three days to go in this year’s session, state Rep. Mike Bernskoetter’s plan to continue the special committee studying state employees’ salaries could be up for Senate debate.

Supreme Court sides with former prosecutor’s pay complaint

Former Phelps County Prosecutor Courtney George left office over a year ago. But thanks to Tuesday’s unanimous Missouri Supreme Court ruling, she’ll get another paycheck from the south-central Missouri county’s government.

Bills added to Missouri Senate debate

Just a few minutes before the state Senate went into the first of its last five days of debate this session, the General Laws Committee on Monday afternoon heard testimony on — and then endorsed — three more House bills for possible debate.

Lawmakers to start final week

Missouri’s Constitution gives them no choice.

School board to finalize surtax, discuss summer plans

Jefferson City’s Board of Education on Monday will be asked to approve the final agreement in the ongoing Cole County surtax controversy.

Postal service promoting direct mail services

Although the USPS just recently began promoting the service, it’s had the authority to provide direct mail for a year, said Angela Bradley, a St. Louis-based customer relations coordinator for the Postal Service’s Gateway District.

Bar leaders gear up for selection vote

The election is months away. But the two sides in an ongoing battle over how Missouri selects its appeals and Supreme Court judges are getting ready for the public debate aimed at getting Missourians to vote.

‘Shear Institute’ debate kept out of budget

Lawmakers warn colleges against political activity

The budget lawmakers sent Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday doesn’t eliminate the Sue Shear Institute for Women In Public Life.

Veteran’s hunger strike could end with House passage of bill

Air Force veteran Bill Fairbairn of Stover on Wednesday celebrated the Senate’s passage of a bill providing a more permanent funding stream for Missouri’s veterans homes and cemeteries.

Despite impasse, Senate hopes to finish by deadline

Missouri lawmakers have one main constitutional duty when they gather each year: to pass a budget for the next business year that begins July 1, no later than 6 p.m. on the “first Friday following the first Monday in May.”

Committee sends judicial amendment to full House

Opponents outnumbered the supporters Monday afternoon during a House committee hearing on a proposal to change the way Missouri’s appeals and Supreme Court judges are placed on the bench.

Higher ed funding a key to veterans funding compromise

State Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, helped stage an 11-hour filibuster — until 3:30 a.m. Tuesday — because he was unhappy lawmakers were adding $2.3 million to the budget for two programs at Southeast Missouri State University in his hometown.

Blind Missourians decry cuts

Gretchen Maune graduated from Blue Springs High School about a decade ago and then went to the University of Missouri in Columbia — and now she’s doing graduate work in MU’s Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs.

Joint panel recommends higher pay raise

With no debate, the House-Senate Conference Committee on the budget agreed to give a 2-percent raise to all state employees who earn up to $70,000 a year, in the state budget for the business year that begins July 1.

‘Appointed clerks’ bill sent to House for debate

The full Missouri House soon may debate a proposal to have Cole County’s circuit judges appoint the circuit clerk, rather than voters continuing to elect that official.

Conference Committee recommends House pay raise plan

A final committee vote still must be taken.

Gary Waint to be county’s interim court administrator

Retirement isn’t lasting very long for Missouri’s former Deputy Administrator in the Office of State Courts Administrator.

Civil War presentation offers glimpse into past

National divisions found a mirror in Missouri society

For nearly half an hour late Saturday morning, more than 50 Mid-Missourians heard “U.S. President Abraham Lincoln” and Missouri “Provisional Gov. Hamilton Gamble” talk about the times and the pressures leading up to — and during — the Civil War.

Senate confirms Cook as Lincoln curator

Add Donald W. Cook Sr., Manchester, as the newest Lincoln University curator.

Missouri Senate backs transportation resolution

Missouri lawmakers should study the state’s transportation future, and ways to pay for it, state senators said Thursday.

Service groups urge lawmakers to restore charity tax credits

For some state lawmakers, “tax credits” is a dirty word. But for representatives of 10 different charity agencies — and the people they serve — tax credits are a way to generate more money and serve more people than state or local governments could reach on their own.

Legislation targets county posts

Cole County’s circuit clerk would become an appointed position, and the county auditor would have to approve payable claims as a “ministerial” duty, if the Legislature passes and Gov. Jay Nixon signs two of the bills the state Senate debated Tuesday.

Ford demonstrates its vision of future automobiles

Rep. Caleb Jones drives a Ford Taurus.

Pay raise issue not only one facing legislative budget writers

State budget deadline nears

Missouri government employees may be on track to see some kind of pay raise this summer, for the first time since 2008.

Mahoney considers 7 years of accomplishments

Greg Gaffke, a Jefferson City native and Lincoln University graduate who currently works for CenturyLink, and Dana Tippin Cutler, a Kansas City lawyer whose family has strong LU ties, were named Friday as co-chairs of the committee searching for a new Lincoln president.

Stories by Bob

Lawmakers warn colleges against political activity

National divisions found a mirror in Missouri society

State budget deadline nears

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National divisions found a mirror in Missouri society