johncombest.com

Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - January 2020



    

       
       
Friday, January 31, 2020
       
Missourinet:  Hawley wants to hear from Biden and Schiff, if Senate calls witnesses
          SNL:  Flu-related deaths hit 550 in Missouri;  No reported cases of coronavirus X
          The Missouri Times:  Mid-week update:  Scott Faughn on Missouri polls, Cleaner Missouri, Eric Greitens' next moves, much more
          CDT:  Gov. Parson weighs in on Cleaner Missouri X
          Missourinet:  Gov. Parson weighs in on political bias in audits, state employees supporting candidates
          AP:  Missouri gubernatorial candidates talk transparency
          SNL:  Campaign for Missouri recreational weed begins X
          The Missouri Times:  Group to seek signatures for recreational marijuana initiative
          AP:  Missouri ballot initiative pushes for recreational marijuana
          P-D:  Missouri marijuana backers will try to get recreational weed on 2020 ballot X
          AP:  If Missouri follows trends, some marijuana licenses will sell
          KWMU:  Profile:  Missouri Senate's Conservative Caucus
          The Missouri Times:  2019 Statesman of the Year:  Caleb Jones
          KWMU:  After all-night filibuster, Senate GOP promise return for state legislative redistricting measure
          The Missouri Times:  Inside the Cleaner Missouri redistricting fight in the Legislature
          KCUR:  Kansas City, Mo. won't tempt Kansas companies across the state line with big tax breaks
          AP:  Missouri Senate backs limits on tax breaks in floodplains
          KWMU:  Schmitt seeks to revive traffic fine caps for St. Louis County cities
          The Missouri Times:  House passes licensing reciprocity legislation to aid military families
          P-D letter:  Creve Coeur man irked by Post-Dispatch's "unrestrained liberal bias" X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis septuagenarian unhappy with Josh Hawley's defeat of Claire McCaskill, attempts baseball analogy X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis man scolds Missouri Republicans for bad policy behavior, wants them to "sit down and evaluate" what they've done X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Thursday, January 30, 2020
       
Brownfield Ag News:  USDA to spend $61 million on broadband in Missouri;  Comments from Gov. Parson
          KC Star:  Jason Kander quits voting-rights campaign as Let America Vote "merges" with larger group;  End Citizens United will retire Kander's attempt at non-profit and super PAC arms X
          SE Missourian:  At SEMO MLK event, political activist Angela Davis shares her testimony about racism, militarism, "heteropatriarchy," other American evils +
          KC Star:  Cleaver wagers KC BBQ in Super Bowl bets with Pelosi, other California Dems X
          Reuters:  Warren Buffett gives up on newspapers;  Berkshire Hathaway dumps unit on Post-Dispatch parent Lee Enterprises
          The Missouri Times:  Poll from Gov. Parson's PAC shows governor with commanding lead over Nicole Galloway
          KWMU:  Galloway's office faces questions from Missouri lawmakers about Hawley audit
          Missourinet:  Missouri House committee hears testimony from Galloway's office about ongoing Hawley audit
          Columbia Missourian:  Staffer removed from Hawley audit, but Galloway's office insists no bias occured
          AP:  Lawmakers question Galloway's office over Hawley audit
          AP:  GOP senators propose "Cleaner Missouri" ethics bill
          P-D:  Senate takes up GOP's "Cleaner Missouri" plan X
          Columbia Missourian:  Democrats oppose "Cleaner Missouri" ethics and redistricting plan
          KC Star:  Missouri Republicans offer redistricting plan X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  More than 80 state lawmakers calling for changes to Missouri bail rules X
          SE Missourian:  Bill from Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston) would enact statewide prescription monitoring program +
          AP:  Opioid prescriptions down significantly in Missouri Medicaid
          Columbia Missourian:  Bill from Rep. Steve Helms (R-Springfield) seeks transparency for health care costs
          Columbia Missourian:  Tired of spam calls?  Lawmakers learn they may not be much you can do
          KWMU:  Some St. Louis City aldermen criticize state lawmakers for officer-emancipation bill
          Columbia Missourian:  Law aiming to spur urban farming heard by House committee
          KC Star:  FBI won't run background checks on Missouri medical marijuana employees until law is passed X
          AP:  Missouri Capitol to shine red for Super Bowl-bound Chiefs
          Messenger:  Republicans turn backs on criminal justice overhaul in misguided attempt to upend bail rules X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Consumer Energy Alliance's Brydon Ross:  A solution in search of a problem - don't mess with Missouri's energy market
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Wednesday, January 29, 2020
       
KWMU:  Roy Blunt opposes impeachment, backs medical marijuana banking
          KWMU:  Trump trial showcases Missouri method of impeachment
          P-D:  Absentee voting starts for March 10 Missouri presidential primary X
          KC Star:  Kansas City caucus groupies follow Democrats around Iowa;  61-year-old man recounts thrill of walking hotel hallways and spotting Joe Biden wearing sweatpants X
          Columbia Missourian:  Hartzler meets with University Hospital officials, talks prescription drug proposals
          Brownfield Ag News:  USDA invests $61 million in rural Missouri broadband
          Columbia Missourian:  No coronavirus cases in Missouri, but health officials are paying close attention
          SE Missourian:  Gov. Parson appoints Lloyd Smith to SEMO Board of Regents +
          The Missouri Times:  'Milestone' reached as Missouri sends first batch of untested rape kits to lab, Schmitt says
          KWMU:  Missouri begins testing backlog of more than 7,000 rape kits
          SNL:  Abandoned airplanes sit at Missouri airports for years - and the airports can't touch them X
          KWMU:  Missourians will likely vote in 2020 how to draw Missouri General Assembly districts
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri House to investigate allegations of bias in Galloway's auditor office
          KMOX:  Mark Reardon show:  Rep. Justin Hill (R-Lake Saint Louis) explains how new bail rules let rapists, other criminals loose (begins at 16:45)
          KWMU:  Judge says proposed consent judgment on public defender workload is unworkable
          Columbia Missourian:  Lawmakers begin to tackle $35 million debt to county prisons
          AP:  House committee discusses state's success in reducing number of children on Medicaid
          P-D:  Lawmakers, officials showcase state's improvement in verifying Medicaid eligibility X
          Columbia Missourian:  Lawmakers discuss benefits of eligibility verification on Medicaid enrollment
          P-D:  Missouri House endorses plan to make it easier for military spouses to land jobs X
          The Missouri Times:  Wiemann's transparency bill given initial green light by House committee
          Missourinet:  Sports wagering bill is now heading to Missouri House floor
          JCNT:  Rep. Rocky Miller (R-Lake Ozark) pitches Osage River as potential gambling waterway X
          CDT:  House votes to block Grain Belt line
          Missourinet:  Missouri reviewing ways to boost mental health services in schools
          Columbia Missourian:  Legislation to limit use of seclusion rooms in schools approved by House committee
          Brownfield Ag News:  Ag Director Chris Chinn defends department's stance on feral hogs
          KC Star:  American Lung Association criticizes Missouri's smoking laws, wants higher taxes X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri lawmakers are cashing out for lucrative, taxpayer-funded state jobs X
          P-D letter:  Lake Saint Louis man details how he wrote Hawley a letter on impeachment and showed him what's what X
          P-D letter:  Florissant sexagenarian says bill on library standards forces her to "experience a range of emotions"
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


        Tuesday, January 28, 2020
       
Missourinet:  Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks in Jefferson City, says federal tax credit plan is "the conservative, federalist cure for what plagues American education" X
          JCNT:  U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos touts religious freedom in education in Jefferson City X
          CDT:  At education conference, DeVos touts tax credits X
          Columbia Missourian:  Title IX persecutions, federal oversight major themes of DeVos speech
          P-D:  DCCC puts Jill Schupp on "Red to Blue" list, says Dem will put up a fight in Ann Wagner's re-election X
          AP:  Missouri donation limits rise slightly for legislative candidates
          The Missouri Times:  Profile:  Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence's Colleen Coble
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri considers ads in airports amid Coronavirus outbreak X
          The Missouri Times:  Sen. Gary Romine (R-Farmington) appointed to State Tax Commission
          AP:  Gov. Parson taps third state senator for new job
          AP:  Gov. Parson appoints Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge to Missouri education board
          JCNT:  Gov. Parson, Blues fans rally around Stanley Cup at Capitol X
          JCNT:  President Pro Tem Schatz proposes investigation of state auditor X
          KWMU:  MoDOT tries pay raises to stem departures
          Columbia Missourian:  Fatalities involving commercial vehicles are rising in Missouri;  Thoughts from Missouri Trucking Association's Tom Crawford, others
          SNL:  College of the Ozarks makes another push for its own police force X
          AP:  Missouri House passes bill targeting wind energy line
          Columbia Missourian:  Grain Belt Express heads back to the Senate
          P-D:  Grain Belt Express power line gets thumbs-down in Missouri House X
          Columbia Missourian:  State senators discuss tracking opioid prescriptions, rape evidence kits
          Missourinet:  State racks up millions in unpaid bills owed to Amtrak
          Missourinet:  Missouri lawmakers draw attention to feral hog issue during budget hearing
          KWMU:  House Superminority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) talks legislative wish list:  Medicaid expansion, etc.
          CDT:  Rep. Greg Razer (D-Kansas City) calls for NCAA changes X
          P-D editorial:  Hawley's call for big-tech regulatory framework is misguided X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Missouri Farm Bureau's Eric Bohl:  Missouri farmers pleased to see action on trade
          Nicklaus:  Unions get bigger in anti-union Missouri X
          P-D letter:  Citizens for Modern Transit wants more money for public transit X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Monday, January 27, 2020
       
AP:  Missouri, three other states unite to try to limit flooding
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Early application for REAL ID encouraged by airport X
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Sen. Paul Wieland (R-Imperial) talks with Scott Faughn about Clean Missouri fix, pro-labor Republicans, Gov. Parson vs. Galloway, more;  Panel of Reps. Steve Roberts (D-St. Louis City) and Jim Murphy (R-St. Louis County), Joe Lakin, alderman candidate Anne Schweitzer (D-St. Louis City) talk Clean Missouri, Medicaid expansion campaign, impeachment, more
          AP:  Abortion among key issues in Missouri 2020 governor's race
          SNL:  As Missouri's weed market emerges, so do questions, lawsuits and conflicts X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Texting ban resurfaces in Missouri House X
          Missourinet:  Missouri lawmakers say Supreme Court got it wrong on 'disastrous' bail changes
          JCNT:  Small school districts say move to 4-day week helps attract, retain teachers X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri Legislature is AWOL, so it's up to KC Council to ban texting and driving X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  MSSU takes a deeper dive into college students' voting X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Sunday, January 26, 2020
       
P-D:  Photo gallery:  Anti-war protesters rally outside Boeing;  Woman with bull nose ring shouts unironically into bullhorn;  Signs include "Boeing Kills," "War Pigs," other compelling intellectual appeals X
          SNL:  Former Gov. Scott Walker will deliver keynote at Missouri Lincoln Days X
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri Farm Bureau's Blake Hurst says federal water rule fight is not over
          SNL:  Blunt, Hawley praise rollback of Obama-era water rules;  Local Sierra Club woman unhappy X
          Washington Missourian:  Four Franklin County businesses approved for medical marijuana sales X
          KC Star:  Failed applicants for medical marijuana licenses complain about selection process;  Woman who dumped $160k of retirement funds into business scheme calls setback "kind of a mystery" X
          SNL:  Here are 3 things Gov. Parson's budget could mean for Springfield X
          P-D:  Diverse policy views from Gov. Parson and GOP lawmakers leads to rigorous debate on state budget, tax incentives, taming urban crime, other topics X
          KC Star:  State data shows Buchanan County leads the way in prosecuting deadbeat parents for non-support X
          SNL:  Kerfuffle over Hailey's Law involves definition of "clickable links" in emergency alerts X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) explains motivation behind his rural broadband bill
          Missourinet:  College of the Ozarks security bill to be heard by Missouri House committee on Monday
          P-D editorial:  Missouri's prohibition of plastic-bag laws is worse than doing nothing X
          P-D editorial:  Ameren seeks a rate cut of pennies. Regulators say it should be dollars. X
          P-D letter:  Sexagenarian "environmental philosophy" professor says Blunt and Hawley impeachment positions are frightening X
          P-D letter:  Maplewood woman wants Blunt and Hawley to flip-flop on impeachment process X
          P-D letter:  Creve Coeur septuagenarian questions Gov. Parson's patriotism X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Saturday, January 25, 2020
       
JCNT:  Local pro-life advocates take part in March for Life X
          P-D:  Galloway posts Sunshine requests online;  In 2016, DSCC asked for audits of Roy Blunt's secretary of state office from 1985-1993 X
          SNL:  Missouri issues complete list of licensed medical marijuana dispensaries X
          CDT:  Columbia to have 7 marijuana dispensaries X
          SE Missourian:  State approves four medical marijuana dispensaries in Cape, one in Jackson +
          KC Star:  Missouri approves 40 medical marijuana dispensaries in the Kansas City area X
          P-D:  Dozens of marijuana dispensaries licensed across St. Louis area X
          Columbia Missourian:  Mizzou's online portal offers new "pronoun" categories:  Options for "non-binary" and "gender nonconforming" humanoids include "Ze/Hir" and "Ey/Em"
          SNL:  Why Speaker of the House Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) wants a Hyperloop X
          Joplin Globe:  MoDOT's Pat McKenna:  High turnover puts agency in 'triage mode' X
          AP:  Missouri prisons paring back as prison population drops
          AP:  Lawmakers slam Missouri Supreme Court over bail rules
          P-D:  Deposition brings to the fore familiar names in Gardner, Greitens drama X
          The Missouri Times:  With jobs on the line, Spire will appeal court's rejection of its infrastructure system replacement process
          The Missouri Times:  Evergy, hedge fund disagree on best approach to maximize shareholder value
          KC Star op-ed:  Dave Roland:  Gov. Parson should call special election to fill KC's Dem state Senate seats X
          Priddy:  Legislature should change law on casino admission fee and help pay for National Steamboat Museum (1,868 words)
          KC Star letter:  Albany sexagenarian disagrees with Blunt and Hawley on impeachment, reminisces about Stuart Symington X
          P-D letter:  Pacific sexagenarian disagrees with Schatz on gerrymandering, says non-citizens should be counted as legal citizens X
          P-D letter:  Chesterfield man says gas tax increase should be accompanied by electric car tax X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Friday, January 24, 2020
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  Hawley:  Impeachment managers not making their case X
          SE Missourian:  Political activist Angela Davis to be keynote speaker at MLK dinner next week +
          KWMU:  Elections 2020:  People can vote in Missouri without photo ID
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri unemployment rate remains low in December
          Columbia Missourian:  Corrections, criminal justice highlight initial Senate budget discussions
          Missourinet:  What you need to know about Gov. Parson's proposed prison budget
          Missourinet:  Schatz:  Rural Missouri hospitals are critical to their communities
          Columbia Missourian:  Area lawmakers support increase in Precision Health Initiative budget
          SNL:  Drag queens plan Capitol protest of library standards bill X
          SNL:  Missouri begins announcing medical marijuana dispensary licenses one day early X
          KWMU:  Missouri awards 192 dispensary licenses for medical marijuana program
          Missourinet:  State awards 192 licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries
          CDT:  State issues marijuana dispensary licenses X
          P-D:  Missouri begins licensing medical marijuana dispensaries X
          P-D:  Ameren agrees to cut rates, but disagrees with state over size X
          Missourinet:  Hunters at odds with Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Forest Service over feral hog restrictions
          P-D editorial:  Show-trial atmosphere is angering Republicans, as Blunt and Hawley are learning X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Indifference, not ignorance, drives violations of Missouri Sunshine Law X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Library standards bill goes too far X
          SE Missourian editorial:  Drugs are a scourge on society - causing death in southeast Missouri +
          KC Star op-ed:  Democratic attorney general primary candidate Rich Finneran:  AG Eric Schmitt wrong to file Obamacare lawsuit X
          Columbia Missourian's David Rosman:  Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) wrong to propose Clean Missouri fix
          SNL op-ed:  Missouri State Public Defender's office's Sarah Johnson:  Support bill from Rep. Ingrid Burnett (D-Kansas City) to give juvenile delinquents a second chance X
        P-D letter:  Olivette woman disagrees with Blunt and Hawley on impeachment X
        P-D letter:  Maplewood woman says GOP efforts on gerrymandering are "shenanigans" X
          SE Missourian letter:  Cape Girardeau man opposes bill from Rep. Ben Baker (R-Neosho) to tighten standards for drag queens campaigns X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Thursday, January 23, 2020 
       
Fox News:  Sen. Josh Hawley says Nadler was playing to his base before chief Justice John Roberts admonished him
          P-D:  George Herbert 'Bert' Walker III dies at age 88 X
          JCNT:  Jefferson City area to benefit from federal disaster recovery grant X
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice George W. Draper III notes his own historic tenure, court's bicentennial
          The Missouri Times:  Draper touts criminal justice overhaul efforts in State of Judiciary address
          JCNT:  Chief justice:  Missouri public defenders need more funding X
          KWMU:  Chief Missouri justice urges more funding for public defenders, court technology in annual address
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers try again with voter ID after court loss
          SNL:  Republicans look to revive voter ID law X
          The Missouri Times:  Ashcroft promotes initiative petition changes before Senate committee
          JCNT:  Proposed measures tackle initiative petitions X
          Joplin Globe:  Panel hears proposals to raise the bar for changing state constitution X
          Columbia Missourian:  Corrections, criminal justice highlight initial Senate budget discussions
          KWMU:  Missouri lawmakers likely to end residency requirement for St. Louis City police
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers propose longer prison sentences for fentanyl
          Missourinet:  MoDOT director calls turnover rate 'a crisis'
          The Missouri Times:  More than 80 state representatives ask Supreme Court to reverse course on pre-trial bail rules
          KWMU:  St. Louis County drug monitoring program continues to grow across Missouri
          Missourinet:  Bipartisan Missouri House resolution describes NCAA's sanctions against Mizzou as "appalling"
          P-D's David Nicklaus:  Missouri unions add 47,000 members, putting total at 15-year high X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis City septuagenarian displeased by proposed Clean Missouri fix X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Wednesday, January 22, 2020
       
P-D:  Hundreds of citizen soldiers from Missouri gear up for Afghanistan X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Hawley praises trade deal, keeps wary eye on China X
          SNL:  How Rep. Billy Long broke his shoulder X
          SNL:  HUD awards $1 million to local agencies X
          AP:  Corps trim water flowing into lower Missouri River
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Sen. Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby) on budget revenue estimate, low-income housing tax credits, redistricting, Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan
          AP:  Lawmakers debate approaches to curbing urban criminal behavior
          JCNT:  GOP bills stiffen penalties for violent criminals
          P-D:  Republicans propose tougher sentences for gun criminals X
          KWMU:  House Democrats propose gun control measures to tame urban violence
          Columbia Missourian:  Lawmakers take various approaches to urban gun violence
          The Missouri Times:  Bipartisan group of lawmakers band together to push for parole changes for minors
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers ask Gov. Parson to grant clemency to Bobby Bostic
          KOMU:  Bill from Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon) would update criminal sentencing for minors
          P-D:  Major League Soccer group "full steam ahead" despite tax credit setback X
          P-D:  More money for busing school kids could be on fast track in Missouri Senate X
          KWMU:  Bill from Rep. Chrissy Sommer (R-St. Charles) would tighten up standards around "emotional support animals"
          P-D:  Rep. Jim Neely (R-Cameron) sponsors legislation to lower sales tax on tampons X
          Columbia Missourian:  GOP legislation would reduce tax on feminine hygiene products
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers consider tampon legislation
          Missourinet:  Drag queens to hold Capitol protest in March to oppose proposed library standards
          The Missouri Times:  Grain Belt Express:  What to know about the transmission line project
          Waters:  Proposed gerrymandering fix sets up the political fight of the season X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


        Tuesday, January 21, 2020
       
This Week in Missouri Politics:  Guests David Barklage and Jane Dueker talk with Scott Faughn about Dem presidential primary, Gov. Parson's re-election, Medicaid, infrastructure;  Panel of Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), Missouri Strategies' Earl Simms, NAACP's John Bowman, Planned Parenthood's Jesse Lawder on Gov. Parson's State of the State, Medicaid expansion, Clean Missouri and gerrymandering, more
          AP:  Police:  Armed guard 'saved lives' at urban KC nightclub shooting;  Shooter Jahron Swift, 29, put down after injuring 15 partygoers
          Missourinet:  Deadly KC shooting not believed to be gang related
          The Missouri Times:  Victory Enterprises launches new digital media company;  Joe Lakin will serve as CEO of Objective Media
          P-D:  Post-Dispatch promotes campaign-contribution database;  App will provide no data on PACs, "dark money," or local elected officials X
          Missourinet:  Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake Saint Louis) says Gov. Parson is defying Trump by continuing to accept refugees
          Missourinet:  St. Louis City police chief, AG Eric Schmitt support bill to emancipate city police officers from urban subjugation;  Comments from Rep. Ron Hicks (R-Dardenne Prairie)
          The Missouri Times:  DHSS refutes claims of 'scoring irregularities' with medical marijuana licenses
          KC Star:  Missouri judge to consider if Independence medical marijuana rules are too restrictive X
          P-D:  Amid consumer gripes, Missouri again seeking to hang up on robocalls X
          P-D editorial:  Oath of impartiality is serious. Blunt and Hawley must honor it. X
          KC Star editorial:  Gov. Parson forgets what he told KC mayor about gun laws. How convenient. X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  State law should say if games are slots or not X
          KC Star op-ed:  Pain management specialist Shavonne Danner:  Scare tactics skew the conversation about monitoring prescription drugs in Missouri X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis man upset over Blunt and Hawley support for Trump X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Monday, January 20, 2020  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day - a state holiday, by order of Gov. John Ashcroft
       
KC Star:  2 dead, at least 15 wounded at urban KC nightclub;  Armed security guard puts down shooter X
          P-D:  Missouri identifies 110,000 previously uncounted addresses ahead of 2020 Census count X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri Republicans outraise Democrats ahead of 2020 election X
          Missourinet:  Dem gov candidate Nicole Galloway blames late 2018 tax refunds on 'dysfunction' of Gov. Parson administration
          Missourinet:  Gov. Parson's proposed K-12 schools budget boosts spending by $10 million
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri's workforce development benefits rural communities, too;  Comments from Gov. Mike Parson
          P-D:  Gov. Parson calls for more consolidation of prison space X
          Missourinet:  Schatz:  The Stanley Cup is coming to the Missouri Capitol this month
          KC Star editorial:  Child sex abuse victims in Missouri should have more than 10 years to file civil lawsuits X
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Tom Kruckemeyer:  State lawmakers should raise tobacco taxes X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Sunday, January 19, 2020
       
KC Star:  Hawley 2024:  Missouri Republican could be 'Donald Trump 2.0,' say conservative supporters;  Comments from James Harris, Gregg Keller, others X
          P-D:  Photo gallery:  Women's March:  Caucasoid male wearing yarn-labia hat beats African drum;  Obese cosplayer portrays Marie Antoinette;  Signs include "Ban Viagra," "No Women's Liberation Without Socialist Revolution," "Down With the Patriarchy," other efficacious and realistic messages X
          Columbia Missourian:  Anti-Trump activists congregate downtown
          CDT:  Anti-Trump rally organizers seek to rebrand event, say event is not about Trump X
          SNL:  Voter ID law gutted by Missouri Supreme Court X
          SNL:  Here's how Missouri Democrats responded to Gov. Parson's State of the State:  Thoughts from gov candidate Nicole Galloway, Senate leader Gina Walsh, House Superminority Leader Crystal Quade X
          JCNT:  Gov. Parson supports improving teacher pay X
          SNL:  Teacher pay starts below $32k in half of southwest Missouri districts;  Gov. Parson seeks to increase salaries X
          Joplin Globe:  Missouri proposals would boost teacher pay, strengthen recruitment and retention X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Bill targets use of seclusion rooms in public schools X
          P-D:  Pot business license denials spur appeals alleging scoring flaws X
          SNL:  Missouri court orders delay in one medical marijuana dispensary license decision X
          JCNT:  Democrats:  Gov. Parson doesn't do enough to support gun control X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri Sheriffs Association calls for changes to DOC policy X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  State of the State recap X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Questions surround the future of medical pot in Missouri X
          McClellan:  Taking the high road on pot X
          Columbia Missourian op-ed:  With no online options, Missouri limits choices for gamblers
          P-D letter:  Kirkwood woman criticizes Blunt and Hawley on impeachment, attempts "Show Me" punchline X  
          KC Star letter:  Clean Missouri volunteer expresses anger over legislators' gerrymandering fix X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Saturday, January 18, 2020
       
CDT:  Boonville hospital closes;  Woman who seeks to fill Democratic ballot slot against Vicky Hartzler blames incumbent's opposition to Obamacare X
          Missourinet:  Poplar Bluff, Sedalia, Bloomfield, Columbia, and Wentzville highlighted in Missouri State of the State
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Rosenbaum, others talk Gov. Parson's State of the State, medical marijuana campaign's donors, more
          KWMU:  Missouri succeeds in getting residents off Medicaid rolls;  Rep. Deb Lavender (D-Kirkwood):  "We are setting the pace in the nation at how many children have dropped off"
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Bill aimed at limiting "drag queen story hour" campaigns angers local librarian X
          Washington Missourian:  City preps for first medical pot business X
          KWMU:  More school closures coming for consistently shrinking St. Louis Public Schools
          SE Missourian:  Solar farm project in Cape County stalls +
          SNL:  Excessive algae bloom puts Lake Springfield on impaired waters list X
          KC Star editorial:  China infiltrated University of Missouri with propaganda - with our permission X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  AG Eric Schmitt's online tracking of rape kits keeps victims aware, fosters transparency X
          JCNT editorial:  Missouri needs to improve maternal health X
          CDT op-ed:  Phill Brooks:  Gov. Parson proposes a historic change in Missouri's highway funding X
          P-D op-ed:  Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice/Empower Missouri joint op-ed:  Gov. Parson should pardon murderer Eric Clemmons X
          KC Star letter:  Kansas septuagenarian wants AG Eric Schmitt to flip-flop on Obamacare X
          P-D letter:  St. Peters man wants Blunt and Hawley to take a harder line on President Trump X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis woman disagrees with Gov. Parson's pro-life stance X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Friday, January 17, 2020
       
KOMU:  Blunt:  President Trump deserves to make his case
          Missourinet:  Ashcroft:  Battle not over on voter ID
          P-D:  Missouri Democrats fail to keep pace with Republicans in fundraising X
          P-D:  Groups to begin collecting ballot signatures to legalize recreational marijuana X
          P-D:  Push for Medicaid expansion could conflict with GOP work requirements X
          KWMU:  Gov. Parson reiterates commitment to Second Amendment;  Reaction from House superminority leader
          KWMU:  St. Louis faith leaders discuss value of churchgoers protecting themselves and others with firearms
          KC Star:  Bill from Rep. Ben Baker (R-Neosho) would restrict taxpayer-funded "Drag Queen Story Hour" sessions X
          SNL:  Baker bill would put limits around drag queen campaigns X
          JCNT:  Veterans hosting suicide-prevention program;  Former WCW star Marc Mero/Johnny B. Badd among key speakers X
          KC Star editorial:  Sen. Roy Blunt blasted Democrats for impeachment secrecy, but now wants to limit access X
          P-D editorial:  Gov. Parson speaks forcefully on tackling urban gun violence X
         P-D editorial:  Gov. Parson should be leading on Medicaid expansion X

          KC Star op-ed:  Take off the red and blue jerseys, Missouri should lead in fixing health care X
          JCNT letter:  Jefferson City septuagenarian wants Blunt and Hawley to support impeachment X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Thursday, January 16, 2020
       
AP:  KC Democrat apologizes to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver for Bill Cosby-related tweet;  "Gender fluid" humanoid plans to appear on Dem primary ballot versus incumbent
          JCNT:  Gov. Parson, lawmakers come together to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. X
          JCNT:  Local lawmakers praise Gov. Parson's vision, passion X
          JCNT:  Gov. Parson's budget includes 2% state worker pay hike X
          The Missouri Times:  State of the State 2020:  Parson continues fight for workforce development, education opportunities
          KWMU:  Gov. Parson calls for more funding to schools, public safety in State of the State
          SNL:  Four big things from the State of the State X
          Columbia Missourian:  Gov. Parson prioritizes education, workforce development in budget
          Columbia Missourian:  Gov. Parson asks lawmakers to work together
          AP:  Gov. Parson talks budget, pitches plan to tame urban crime
          KC Star:  Gov. Parson warns of "massive tax increase" that Medicaid expansion would bring X
          KC Star:  In State of the State, Gov. Parson promises to build new Buck O'Neil Bridge X
          P-D:  Gov. Parson delivers State of the State address against 2020 election backdrop X
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  Ray Hartmann, KWMU's Rachel Lippmann on changes to St. Louis City police residency requirement
          Columbia Missourian:  MU cuts ties with Confucius Institute following federal guideline changes
          KWMU:  Missouri has more than 350 blighted lakes and rivers - some might be in your backyard
          P-D editorial:  Missouri voter ID court ruling is message for GOP to stop impeding democracy X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri schools' use of isolation rooms and restraints is inhumane X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri lawmakers must fix unconstitutional public defender system X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin (R-Shelbina):  Nicole Galloway must take a stand on impeachment
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Wednesday, January 15, 2020
       
KC Star:  Blunt explains concept of Senate's closed session for impeachment trial;  Reporters unhappy X
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  Iranian civil rights attorney complains about life in America, blames President Trump for "other-izing all of us"
          Columbia Missourian:  League of Women Voters meeting focuses on changing Electoral College process
          Missourinet:  Ashcroft says court ruling "eviscerates" state voter ID law
          KC Star:  Ashcroft:  Missouri Supreme Court ruling "eviscerates" state's voter ID law X
          AP:  Missouri court permanently blocks key part of voter ID
          P-D:  Missouri's voter ID rules dealt blow by court ruling X
          The Missouri Times:  KC Democrats Jason Holsman, Shalonn "Kiki" Curls depart state Senate for new roles
          AP:  Gov. Parson appoints two Democratic senators to new jobs
          AP:  Missouri Republicans offer gerrymandering fix
          P-D:  Missouri Republican bundles gerrymandering fix with other ethics changes X
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  House Budget Chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage) talks consensus revenue estimate, DOC lawsuit, Medicaid expansion, more
          Missourinet:  Cody Smith:  Missouri revenue has been strong enough to avoid withholds
          P-D:  Senate launches crackdown on gaming machines X
          P-D:  Lawmakers, advocates push legislation to remove time limits from child sex abuse lawsuits X
          SNL:  UM System chief wants more money for schools X
          KWMU:  Harris-Stowe interim president wants more money from lawmakers, says staff is entitled to "a living wage"
          KWMU:  Lawmakers likely to end residency requirement for St. Louis City police
          P-D:  Plan to lift residency requirements for St. Louis cops gets warm reception X
          Missourinet:  Missouri Dept. of Corrections, Missouri Association of Sheriffs on different pages about release of convicted felons
          AP:  Dept. of Corrections officer says he smuggled dope into prison
          AP:  Lawsuit charges St. Louis City prosecutor Kim Gardner with Sunshine Law violation
          KWMU:  Gardner receives support from black prosecutors after filing federal lawsuit;  Union leader calls conspiracy allegations "the last act of a desperate woman"
          AP:  Black prosecutors back Gardner, complain about racism
          P-D editorial:  Gardner's frivolous lawsuit accuses detractors of vast, racist conspiracy X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Tuesday, January 14, 2020
       
The Missouri Times:  Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe picks up several Missouri ag endorsements
          SNL:  Sinquefields were among donors to failed medical marijuana campaign X
          Missourinet:  Two KC Democrats to leave Missouri Senate this week:  Jason Holsman headed to PSC, Shalonn "Kiki" Curls to Labor Commission
          JCNT:  Multiple ways to watch tomorrow's State of the State X
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri higher education institutions state their case for more funding
          KWMU:  Missouri lawmakers seek to crack down on seclusion rooms, restraint in school
          Columbia Missourian:  Lawmakers show bipartisan support for bills restricting seclusion, restraint in schools
          JCNT:  Rep. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) calls Hyperloop an opportunity for state X
          P-D:  Push for Hyperloop begins in Missouri Legislature X
          Missourinet:  Missouri Farm Bureau wants state's newly-created broadband program to be permanent
          Columbia Missourian:  Grain Belt Express debate renews, transportation questions rise in committee hearing
          P-D:  After misfire last year, Missouri lawmakers again trying to stop Grain Belt Express X
          Missourinet:  Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) wants to tax vaping products like tobacco merchandise
          P-D:  No spending plan yet for millions in Missouri medical marijuana money slated for vets X
          P-D:  Proposal would give attorney general power to prosecute some criminal gang cases X
          P-D:  Local deaths:  St. Patrick Center founder and former St. Louis County Councilwoman Edith Cunnane (R) X
          The Missouri Times:  Joint op-ed:  Americans for Prosperity, ACLU, Empower Missouri:  Legislators should be bold and continue push for change in criminal justice laws this session
          KC Star letter:  KC septuagenarian urges Blunt to vote to convict President Trump X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Monday, January 13, 2020
       
KWMU:  Young liberals from Clayton High School head to Iowa to volunteer for Democratic presidential campaigns
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Guest Greg Razer (D-Kansas City) talks with Scott Faughn about transportation, MONA, Dem priorities;  Former Reps. Jeremy LaFaver and Kevin Corlew join Missouri GOP Chairwoman Kay Hoflander to talk Clean Missouri and gerrymandering, online sales tax, Medicaid expansion
          P-D:  James Buford remembered as longtime Urban League leader 'respected by all' X
          P-D:  Residency repeal for St. Louis City police among first items on lawmakers' agenda X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville) places odds on legal sports betting X
          JCNT:  Missouri Nondiscrimination Act introduced again X
          KWMU:  Rep. Raychel Proudie (D-Ferguson) talks legislative priorities for House Committee on Urban Issues
          Joplin Globe:  One manufacturing license awarded in southwest Missouri for medical marijuana
          CDT:  Boone County businesses lose bids for medical pot licenses X
          Joplin Globe:  Missouri American Water continues to gather data for reservoir phases X
          Joplin Globe:  Scientists watch deer disease for species jump X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri law enforcement, clinics see increase in heroin users X
          P-D editorial:  Gov. Parson's welcome note to refugees refreshingly bucks the conservative trend X
          Messenger:  Missouri Ethics Commission finding brings Missouri's marijuana industry out of its smoky haze X
          KC Star op-ed:  Former Missouri Dept. of Social Services Director Steve Roling:  Good work is being done in the foster system, but we must devote more resources X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Sunday, January 12, 2020
       
Columbia Missourian:  Members of GOP congressional delegation sign amicus brief calling for Roe reconsideration
        Columbia Missourian:  Ashcroft, area legislators talk presidential primary, fuel tax, online sales tax, more
        JCNT:  Gov. Parson:  More work needed to improve Dept. of Corrections, law enforcement standards X
        Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri Cattlemen's Association's Mike Deering talks legislative priorities
        SNL:  Jay Wasson says Post-Dispatch piece on road fund program was misleading X
        KCUR:  Planned Parenthood again challenges Missouri's cutoff of Medicaid payments
        JCNT:  86 medical marijuana manufacturing facilities approved X
        KC Star:  Public defenders in St. Joseph complain about workload X
        Columbia Missourian:  Get the flu vaccine this year, DHSS recommends
        CDT:  Tribune staffers hope move into new office will improve performance, say newspaper will try to do better X
        P-D letter:  Florissant sexagenarian expresses anger over Gov. Parson's health care insurance, GM incentives X
        Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Saturday, January 11, 2020
       
KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  Lacy Clay blasts President Trump, won't pick a candidate in Dem primary
          P-D:  Bloomberg presidential campaign rents 28 Missouri staffers X
          KWMU:  EPA gives Jefferson County $227k to educate residents about lead
          The Missouri Times:  AG Eric Schmitt himself prosecutes violent crime, secures guilty verdict
          P-D:  Sinquefields among dark-money donors to group that backed medical marijuana question X
          SE Missourian:  Medical marijuana manufacturing facilities approved +
          SNL:  Weed licenses:  Missouri announces manufacturing wins X
          Missourinet:  Missouri issues licenses for medical marijuana-infused product manufacturers
          KWMU:  Area sisters, both physicians, have divergent views on patients' medical marijuana "needs"
          SNL:  Clif Smart pitches lawmakers on more money for MSU X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  MoDOT is prepared for weekend weather
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Rep. Rasheen Aldridge (D-St. Louis City) on urban violence, Ferguson, serving in superminority, etc.
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Paying college athletes:  no perfect answers to big-money corruption X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Missouri Farm Bureau's Eric Bohl:  Rural broadband getting state, federal push
          P-D letter:  Creve Coeur man wants Blunt and Hawley to push for rigorous impeachment trial X
          KC Star letter:  Raytown woman upset at Hawley over impeachment resolution X
          P-D letter:  University City man says building higher levees for development is a bad idea X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Friday, January 10, 2020
       
KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air preview:  Congressman Lacy Clay on impeachment, Iran, more
          Columbia Missourian:  Columbia's resident impeachment expert weighs in on process, Hawley proposal
          JCNT:  HUD's Ben Carson, Gov. Parson discuss visions of leadership through faith X
          Missourinet:  HUD Secretary Ben Carson says proposed changes will not roll back fair housing regulations
          CDT:  Corps trying to make more space for Missouri River runoff X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Corps updates local entities on levee improvements X
          AP:  Gov. Parson outraises Galloway
          The Missouri Times:  Catalyst names Jasmine Wells and Ethan Wilson to team
          KSDK:  AG Eric Schmitt secures murder conviction in killing of refugee
          KTVI:  Schmitt obtains guilty verdict in St. Louis murder case
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  St. Louis City police chief says Post-Dispatch mischaracterized crime crackdown
          SNL:  Taming criminals through gun control:  Thoughts from Missouri lawmakers, professors X
          JCNT:  Gov. Parson honors employee teams for quality, productivity X
          The Missouri Times:  Mary Fox named Missouri State Public Defender System director
          P-D:  St. Louis district supervisor picked to run Missouri's public defender office X
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate leaders make redistricting change prime priority in 2020 session
          Columbia Missourian:  Senate leadership urges civility, lays out session goals
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. John Wiemann (R-O'Fallon) files legislation on transparency in local government
          CDT:  Anti-CAFO activists oppose bill on inspections X
          KWMU:  Recruitment and salary increases part of effort to retain teachers in Missouri
          JCNT:  State medical marijuana staff field concerns about vaping X
          The Missouri Times:  MoCannTrade questions DHSS over 'possible systemic problems' with scoring system
          P-D:  Hemp launch opens new era in Missouri agriculture X
          JCNT editorial:  Gov. Parson made good choice to accept refugees X
          KC Star editorial:  Gov. Parson's pal talks about 'scorned' opponent Nicole Galloway like it's 1697 X
          KC Star editorial:  If two KC state senators resign, city will get short shrift in Legislature X
          Messenger:  Hawley needs refresher course on what happens in 'normal courtroom' X
          P-D op-ed:  UMSL associate research professor Rachel Winograd:  Missouri can't afford to go backward in effort to combat overdose deaths X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis County septuagenarian wants Blunt to stop supporting Trump, says president's actions on Iran are part of re-election scheme X
          P-D letter:  Illinois sexagenarian cheers Trump impeachment, fantasizes about Hawley-Durbin fight X
          P-D letter:  Wentzville man demonstrates ability to read other people's minds, says Josh Hawley is scared about impeachment X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Thursday, January 9, 2020
       
Missourinet:  HUD Secretary Ben Carson to keynote Governor's Prayer Breakfast this morning
          St. Joseph News-Press:  SNAP restrictions won't affect Missouri;  State legislators already passed standards for handouts years ago X
          SNL:  Kellyanne Conway will headline 2020 Missouri Lincoln Days in Springfield X
          The Missouri Times:  Gov. Parson rakes in $540k in Q4 fundraising
          KC Star:  Former Speaker Steve Tilley defends himself after Galloway campaign attacks, says state auditor is "scorned" after he rejected her pleas for cash
          Faughn:  Spring of senior year in Jeff City:  Thoughts on commission appointments for senators, GOP intraparty budget battles, congressional redistricting, Galloway and impeachment, much more
          CDT:  Gov. Parson cites 2019 high points, cooperation in Chamber talk X
          Columbia Missourian:  Gov. Parson speaks at Chamber of Commerce quarterly meeting
          P-D:  In talk to senators, Rowden preaches cooperation X
          AP:  Redistricting, urban violence top agenda for Missouri lawmakers
          KWMU:  Missouri Legislature reconvenes with redistricting, urban crime on the agenda
          Missourinet:  Legislative preview:  Taming urban violence, legalizing sports wagering
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Republicans seek gerrymandering fix X
          Columbia Missourian:  Gerrymandering, fuel tax increases among top issues this session
          P-D:  No consensus yet on state transportation funding X
          Columbia Missourian:  Boone County lawmakers discuss priorities for new legislative session
          JCNT:  2020 Missouri General Assembly session opens X
          Missourinet:  Missouri voters could decide if they want riverboat gambling along Osage River
          The Missouri Times:  Profile:  Senate doorkeeper Jim Bauer
          SNL:  Jay Wasson, two others appointed to MSU board X
          JCNT:  Highways and Transportation Commission approves cost-share funding X
          SE Missourian:  MoDOT to address 'poor' condition of I-55 Exit 93 interchange at public meeting +
          JCNT:  Missouri Highway Patrol to open shooting range training facility X
          KC Star letter:  Kansas man disagrees with anti-Hawley editorial X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Wednesday, January 8, 2020
       
KWMU:  With more flooding possible this year, FEMA urges residents to get flood insurance
          SNL:  HUD Secretary Ben Carson coming to Jefferson City this week for Governor's Prayer Breakfast X
          Missourinet:  Gov. Parson outlines priorities for Missouri's 2020 legislative session
          Missourinet:  Missouri Legislature gets down to business today
          P-D:  Missouri Republicans hold diverse views on budget issues X
          Missourinet:  Missouri House or Senate coffee?  The longtime discussion brews again
          KC Star:  Down to the wire, Kansas City hires The Giddens Group to lobby in Jefferson City X
          P-D:  Town and Country Mayor Jon Dalton shuts down campaign committee, says state law on lobbying restrictions is "contradictory and conflicting" X
          KWMU:  NEXT Missouri works to bring more focus on Missouri startups
          KWMU:  Missouri's new medical marijuana industry puts banks in a tough spot
          JCNT:  Amtrak, MoDOT to offer free companion travel X
          P-D:  Former state senator appointed to Missouri State University board of governors;  Jay Wasson's real estate company also completes competitive process to receive transportation matching funds X
          P-D editorial:  Missouri Republican lawmakers wrong on wide range of 2020 session issues X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Hope springs eternal for Legislature X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  The sound of silence should give lawmakers their cue on Clean Missouri X
          KC Star editorial:  Lying to Missouri lawmakers is a crime? Politicians should play by the same rules X
          KC Star editorial:  Does KC need an army of lobbyists in Jefferson City? And how much does this cost us? X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Missouri Air Conservation Commission's Ron Boyer:  Initiative petitions would outdo California with radical Renewable Energy Standard
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Tuesday, January 7, 2020
       
Fox News:  Hawley to introduce measure to dismiss impeachment, says Pelosi "disrespecting the Constitution"
          KC Star:  10 Republicans back Hawley's proposal to dismiss Trump impeachment X
          SNL:  Blunt, Hawley, Long applaud Iran strike X
          Joplin Globe:  Deadlines to register for first round in presidential election fast approaching X
          P-D:  New charges against Vance Pearson signals likely guilty plea;  UAW capo, who once led Hazelwood-based region, charged with embezzlement conspiracy X
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri Department of Agriculture awards "food desert" matching grant
          AP:  Missouri revenue collections up 5.2%
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  2020 legislative session preview
          KC Star:  2020 legislative session preview X
          P-D:  2020 legislative session preview X
          Columbia Missourian:  Clean Missouri gerrymandering to be discussed by legislators;  Comments from Missouri House Democrats' spokesman Marc Powers
          The Missouri Times:  Republican leaders vow to protect gun rights for Missourians
          KWMU:  Missouri Coalition for the Environment unhappy with Gov. Parson's advisory group recommendations
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  STL Business Journal's Jacob Kirn talks state incentives for MLS stadium
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri Farm Bureau president wants legislative fix for Rock Island Railroad corridor deal
          Missourinet:  Bipartisan backers of changing state's HIV law say it's a matter of life and death
          Missourinet:  Rep. Rocky Miller (R-Lake Ozark) wants riverboat gambling along Lake of the Ozarks
          SNL:  Resolution could allow casinos on Lake of the Ozarks
          JCNT:  Capitol workers prepare for session X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  State begins taking industrial hemp applications X
          KWMU:  A St. Louis guide to legal marijuana in Missouri and Illinois
          SE Missourian:  Cape Girardeau considering agreement with DOJ to house federal inmates +
          KC Star editorial:  Hawley's 'loony' plan to dismiss impeachment unfair to everyone - even Trump X
          KC Star op-ed:  Missouri State Public Defender Interim Director Greg Mermelstein responds to critical op-ed from former prosecutor X
          P-D letter:  Crystal City man says Blunt sold his soul to support Trump X
          SNL letter:  Area women recognize woman who led Kit Bond's Parents as Teachers program in Springfield X
          P-D letter:  Oakville septuagenarian appalled by St. Louis City's early 2020 homicide numbers, says thugs have no values X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Monday, January 6, 2020
       
KC Star:  Democratic women filling ballot slots against Ann Wagner and Vicky Hartzler won't commit to supporting Medicare for All X
        P-D:  Soldiers Memorial vandalized with "No War", hammer-and-sickle graffiti X
        This Week in Missouri Politics:  Schatz talks upcoming gerrymandering fix, tort overhaul, transportation funding, urban crime, more;  Panel of Jean Evans, AFL-CIO's Mike Louis, Jack Coatar talk Dem presidential primary, Clean Missouri, Nicole Galloway's position on impeachment, more
        KWMU:  Missouri farmers see challenges in 2020 around trade, weather, commodity prices
        KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia) anticipates session's charter school debates
        St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri making progress toward higher ed degree goal X
        Missourinet:  Rep. Rasheen Aldridge (D-St. Louis City) proposes stolen-firearm legislation
        JCNT:  Legislative Library Administrator Nathan Elwood's services extend past legislators and into the public X
        P-D editorial:  Trump administration wrong to move USDA jobs to Kansas City X
        P-D "The Bottom Line" video series:  Business columnists David Nicklaus and Jim Gallagher say Missouri's special taxing districts lack transparency X
        P-D letter:  St. Louis septuagenarian wants Blunt to support impeachment X
        Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


        Sunday, January 5, 2020
       
KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer talks airstrike that killed Iranian military leader
          CDT:  Refugees who opened restaurant welcome Gov. Parson's decision X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Gov. Parson makes four stops in northeast Missouri, discusses grants
          JCNT:  2020 legislative session preview:  Gaming machines, tort overhaul, more X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Impact of Missouri's minimum wage hike is unclear X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Work remains for new marijuana business X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Gov. Parson's decision on refugees makes sense X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Answers needed for medical marijuana growers X
          CDT op-ed:  Bob Roper:  Missouri fails to act on school choice X
          McClellan:  The conundrum of the prison guards in Missouri X
          KC Star's Dave Helling:  In Kansas City and St. Louis City, momentum still moves forward X
          Washington Missourian letter:  Washington septuagenarian praises MoDOT for design of new bridge X
          P-D letter:  Ladue septuagenarian wishes for a less liberal and more objective Post-Dispatch editorial board X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


        Saturday, January 4, 2020
       
SNL:  Hawley to introduce motion to dismiss Dems' impeachment charges X
          P-D:  Mayor wants Legislature to repeal residency rule for all city employees, not just police X
          P-D:  Missouri prison guard wins $85,000 settlement over wrongful firing X
          P-D:  Ex-chief investigator for St. Louis City circuit attorney ordered to sit for deposition in perjury case;  Special grand jury indicted William Tisaby for perjury in Greitens case X
          Washington Missourian:  Pauline Masson retires as editor of newspaper's Pacific edition X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Gov. Parson made the right call on refugees X
          KC Star editorial:  Gov. Parson says yes, we'll welcome refugees in Missouri. It's the least we can do. X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Report on Missouri utility costs is flawed, but raises some interesting points X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Missouri Farm Bureau's Blake Hurst:  Farm Bureau legislative priorities include property rights, broadband
          Messenger:  Two murderers want clemency from Gov. Parson X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


        Friday, January 3, 2020
       
KC Star:  Sen. Josh Hawley floats measure to dismiss 'bogus impeachment for lack of prosecution' X
          SE Missourian:  Social Security cost-of-living adjustment to affect nearly 1.3 million Missourians +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Coordination, new thinking key for flood group X
          SNL:  County mulls approving local immigration program X
          SNL:  Gov. Parson defends decision to accept legal refugees X
          KWMU:  Missouri minimum wage hikes continue, hit $9.45/hour
          KWMU:  2020 legislative preview:  Budget, Medicaid, Clean Missouri
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Rep. Jim Murphy (R-St. Louis County) on redistricting, gun control, media literacy, circumventing soft-on-crime prosecutors, more
          Columbia Missourian's Emily Wolf:  2020 legislative preview:  Transportation funding bills from Democrat [sic] Doug Libla, others
          P-D:  Gov. Parson's stance on gaming machines at odds with highway patrol X
          Columbia Missourian:  Efforts to pass Missouri Nondiscrimination Act resume
          Missourinet:  MoDOT replacing 91-year-old bridge in southeast Missouri;  first project in "focus on bridges" plan
          Joplin Globe:  Judge denies Sarcoxie Nursery owner's request for restraining order against state X
          Columbia Missourian:  Judge denies restraining order in rejected marijuana grower's lawsuit
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Worst of flu season still to come in Missouri X
          SE Missourian:  Missouri Dept. of Conservation reports new CWD cases in Perry County X
          KC Star's Allison Kite:  State gun legislation could help Mayor Quinton Lucas decrease urban criminal behavior X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis woman says anti-Trump/anti-Wagner protesters are hypocrites X
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


        Thursday, January 2, 2020
       
KC Star:  In 2019, Kansas City achieves its all-time record for homicides X
          P-D:  2019 homicide total is second-highest of decade for St. Louis City X
          P-D:  Five homicides in first morning of 2020 in St. Louis City X
          Columbia Missourian:  Columbia's minority students lag behind same subgroups in other districts
          P-D:  Gov. Parson-appointed flood group issues list of policy recommendations X
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Public Service Commission opens investigation into Spire's record-keeping, customer service practices
          St. Joseph News-Press:  MoDOT to study region's sinkholes X
          Joplin Globe:  MoDOT finishing internal review of Bella Vista Bypass plan X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Backed by Blunt and Hawley, new law restricting robocalls is a good first step X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Big Marijuana have cultivated an easygoing and carefree image, but the reality is quite different in Missouri X
          SE Missourian's Jon Rust:  The future of newspapers:  the Southeast Missourian will eventually reduce number of daily paper editions, and the transition to digital-only subscribers is growing
          KCUR's Aviva Okeson-Haberman:  Missouri should tax e-cigarettes at the same rate as tobacco
          Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Wednesday, January 1, 2020   Happy New Year!
       
January 2019 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2018 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2016 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2015 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2014 Missouri political news headlines
        Columbia Missourian:  Sen. Roy Blunt visits Columbia food bank
        KWMU:  Gov. Parson-appointed advisory group calls for more flood protection for rural areas
        The Missouri Times:  Gov. Parson to Trump administration:  Missouri will continue to resettle "lawfully admitted" refugees
        P-D:  Gov. Mike Parson says Missouri will continue accepting refugees X
        KWMU:  2019:  The year in photos:  Caucasoid women at Planned Parenthood rally;  Multiple shots of urban women enduring hardships involving free college and free transportation;  Father of man who assaulted police officer Darren Wilson wears hat indoors;  Other inspirational images
        P-D:  Familiar faces take new roles advocating for Missouri employers:  Justin Alferman with nonprofit SSM Health, Alex Curchin with Centene X
        The Missouri Times:  Ethan Todd joining Capitol City Research as vice president, senior partner
        Missourinet:  Missouri's mimimum wage rate increases again
        Missourinet:  Sen. Mike Cierpiot (R-Lee's Summit) files Missouri Korean War Memorial legislation
        Joplin Globe:  Sarcoxie Nursery lawsuit gets support from provider of medical marijuana X
        SNL:  Missouri medical clinic shuts down, blaming 'other providers';  Woman rages at DHSS for "running all the good businesses ... out" and licensing a competitor X
        KC Star:  Area public defenders unhappy about monetary bond for criminals;  Jackson County lawyer wants murderer to be supervised by mother, not jail X
        Disclosure


          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


         





       

       


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