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Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - December 2016


    

       
       
Saturday, December 31
       
P-D:  Trump advisers says Cardinal Dolan choice for inaugural an example of desire to reach out
          AP:  McCaskill's tweet spree expresses displeasure with Trump's comments on Putin
          P-D's Chuck Raasch:  "<X> questions" journomeme:  4 questions regarding Trump:  Impact on St. Louis area businesses, McCaskill's re-election
          P-D:  Clay says he won't remove painting in U.S. Capitol tunnel depicting police officers as pigs
          TonysKansasCity.com:  Political power rankings:  Sen.-elect John Rizzo triumphs over city's vindictive girl-power cabal;  Sen. Jason Holsman keeps radicals at arms-length and can work with GOP;  Rep. Deron McGee an up-and-coming House superminority member
          SE Missourian:  Peter Kinder prepares to leave political office after 24 years +
          The Missouri Times:  Ryan McKenna appointed to State Tax Commission
          The Missouri Times:  Inauguration Day 2017:  What you should know
          The Missouri Times:  Profile:  Greitens campaign manager Austin Chambers
          P-D:  Greitens brings in former aide Paul Eisenstein to help in hiring process
          KC Star's Jason Hancock:  Former Huffington Post editor Jimmy Soni to take role in Greitens administration;  Recap of Gawker.com's original 2014 reporting, plus unattributed criticism from former HuffPo co-workers who didn't like him and/or thought he was flirting with interns +
          KWMU:  Jay Ashcroft transition team continues work, names SOS staff:  Steele Shippy as deputy COS, David Minnick to lead Securities Division
          P-D:  Ashcroft says he has had "great discussions" with Kander regarding SOS transition
          P-D:  Nicole Galloway says birth of third child won't interrupt work
          KWMU:  Election Commissioners pick Rick Stream as GOP director for St. Louis County
          P-D:  St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners taps Stream for GOP director post
          P-D:  Sweeping changes to Missouri's criminal code take place tomorrow
          CDT:  UM Review Commission recommends change to law capping tuition X
          CDT:  Meeting to complain about new school behavior/punishment standards draws less than a dozen;  Woman complains of "cultural bias" in punishing bad behavior X
          P-D:  Tesla's license to sell cars in Missouri expiring
          The Missouri Times:  Cybersecurity Task Force releases action plan to improve
          P-D:  New state park in Jefferson County will open next week
          KWMU:  Supporters of convicted rapist/murderer Reginald Clemons uphappy with request by Jennifer Joyce (D) to move prosecutorial duties to AG office
          Disclosure


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        Friday, December 30
       
USA Today:  Thanks to Blunt, Trump's inauguration will have a Missouri flavor
          The Missouri Times:  New magazine to debut at Capitol next month:  A sneak peek at Top 10 quotes of 2016
          Rosenbaum:  A look back at Missouri's eventful and exhausting political year:  Trump landslide, Blunt-Kander, GOP statewide primaries, SJR 39, much more
          KWMU:  Mannies, Rosenbaum and statehouse reporter Marshall Griffin review the year in Missouri politics
          KWMU:  Our favorite photos of 2016:  17 featuring African-Americans, 2 (two) starring Caucasoids - including overhead shot of Missouri House members
          SNL:  Top stories of 2016:  Man exercises concealed-carry rights to protect wife from knife-wielding savage;  Primary election coverage;  More X
          The Missouri Time:  Greitens camp says they're close to announcing Chief Operating Officer
          KWMU:  Greitens plans to chart a new path in Jefferson City, with no parade
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens camp says new gov is 'serious' about ethics push
          Missourinet:  Greitens' first State of the State address won't include budget talk
          P-D:  Greitens likely to block push for new tax breaks
          The Missouri Times:  Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake Saint Louis) receives 'Family Champion' award from Missouri Family Policy Council
          Drebes:  Rep. Jason Chipman (R-Steelville) was elected House Caucus Secretary - what does it mean?
          KWMU:  Democrats Fred Wessels, Donna Baringer leave behind safe aldermanic seats to join House superminority
          P-D:  Missouri campaign contribution limits remain in place after latest hearing
          Dexter Statesman:  Thanks to Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, state building to be named for Mike Keathley +
          Columbia Missourian:  Marijuana law in Missouri eases up with new year
          P-D:  Missouri panel calls for big changes on campus with regards to tuition
          Missourinet:  UM System Review Commission releases report;  two-year funding cycle recommended
          KWMU:  Occupational diversity, 2-year budgets among recommendations for University of Missouri System
          AP:  Proposal from Rep. T.J. Berry (R-Clay County) offers solution for LGBTQIA* marriage debate:  Remove the state
          Missourinet:  Bill from Rep. Becky Ruth (R-Festus) would add two more life-threatening diseases to newborn screenings list
          KFEQ (St. Joseph):  National Guard training site to be built in Buchanan County;  Comments from Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  Rep. Don Rone (R-Portageville) to submit dicamba legislation next week;  One of three proposals will raise accountability for farmers who choose to misuse herbicide and damage neighbors' crops +
          The Missouri Times:  New report shows decrease in nationwide crime, increase in Missouri incarceration
          P-D:  Judge agrees to assign retrial in Chain of Rocks murders to state attorney general;  Reginald Clemons and pals raped two Hazelwood East grads, pushed them off bridge to their death
          P-D:  Radiation testing concludes after after two Bridgeton homes are checked
          Waters:  Greitens and new GOP legislators might be "relative no-nothings," but life could turn out okay after all X
          Huffington Post op-ed:  Jason Kander:  What being a liberal in a red state has taught me
          Disclosure


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        Thursday, December 29
       
KODE:  Blunt visits Boys & Girls Club in Joplin, reads to children and takes questions from middle-schoolers
          KZRG:  Blunt visits Joplin Boys & Girls Club
          SNL:  Blunt, family visit Ozarks Food Harvest;  12-year-old Charlie saved allowance to make donation to group X
          Washington Examiner:  Kander continues national campaign by baiting Trump via Twitter, makes cutting remark about president-elect's relationship with deceased father;  No response from Trump
          P-D:  A year later, scars from winter flooding remain
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens announces pre-election "thank you" tour;  List of cities, dates and times
          P-D:  Greitens to embark on "thank you" tour of state next week
          Missourinet:  Nixon reflects on time in office
          Drebes:  New state Capitol access protocol, security steps to take effect in January
          Missourinet:  Provisions involving changes to Missouri's gun laws begin January 1
          Missourinet:  Sen. Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane) proposal would provide health-information booklet to women being referred out of state for abortions
          CDT:  Charter schools could see growth under Greitens X
          SNL:  Task force recommends MSU gain flexibility in expanding doctoral, professional programs
          KC Star:  Former UMKC Chancellor George Russell dies at 95 +
          KMIZ:  Mizzou a big factor in 2016's Boone County tourism increase;  Missouri Dept. of Tourism's Dan Lennon says football team (2-6 in SEC) joining high-profile conference has had positive impact
          The Missouri Times:  Ridesharing, fantasy sports legislation highlight pros and cons of markets acting before government;  Comments from Brian Grace, Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield), Becky Lohmann, Danny Pfeifer
          The Missouri Times:  Major Gregory Kindle's retirement marks another leadership departure from Highway Patrol
          The Missouri Times:  PSC files proposed Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA) revisions with Secretary of State
          The Missouri Times:  Shareholders supporting Ameren, KCP&L energy-efficiency goals
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Higher ed pathways clarified;  Some schools will be able to offer degrees outside state-defined mission X
          P-D's Kurt Erickson:  GOP tax cuts will blow a hole in the state deficit;  Greitens offers few budget specifics, while Republican legislators seek breaks for the country club crowd
          P-D op-ed:  Fathers' Support Center CEO Halbert Sullivan:  When Greitens meets with mothers of young miscreants, he shouldn't forget about the role of their fathers, too
          SNL op-ed:  Area paleface drives north to deliver cold-weather gear to Indian protesters, stays in South Dakota fishing lodge X
          KC Star letter:  Member of KC gay men's chorus appreciates coverage of area mom who let 4-year-old son start dressing up like a girl +
          P-D letter:  Paper's roundup of 2016 deaths should have included former state Sen. Betty Sims (R-Ladue), whose worked touched thousands of area Girl Scouts
          Disclosure


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         + = 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, December 28
       
Missourinet:  Blunt emphasizes jobs, opportunities and nutrition during tour of Boys & Girls Club of Columbia
          CDT:  Blunt promises work on child nutrition, mental health during Boys & Girls Club visit
          Columbia Missourian:  Boys & Girls Club host annual visit from Blunt
          KMIZ:  Blunt visits Boys and Girls Club of Columbia, talks job creation, Trump and Greitens
          CNN:  Trump's Supreme Court short list includes Spanish Lake, Mo. native Ray Gruender
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Blunt urges support for contract air towers
          KWMU's 2016 Diversity Fellow Jenny Simeone:  Hostility in high school hallways - caused by Donald Trump - subsides in Ladue;  School district says it will remedy teenagers' interpersonal drama by giving hiring preference to non-whites
          The Missouri Times:  10 This Week in Missouri Politics episodes to count down the new year:  Nixon, Greitens, Don Gosen, more
          Rosenbaum:  After 8 years, Nixon's governorship leaves important lessons
          Helling:  Q&A with Jay Nixon;  Governor shares thoughts on campaign finance laws, economic accomplishments, non-partisan approach to job, Ferguson ("perhaps I wasn't the savior or savant or whatever there"), sports team successes
          The Missouri Times:  Agriculture community agrees:  Greitens' pick for ag director is a slam dunk
          Missourinet:  Fifth-generation farmer Chris Chinn chosen to lead Missouri Department of Agriculture
          Columbia Missourian:  Greitens names Chris Chinn new state agriculture director
          AP:  Greitens picks Chris Chinn as Missouri's new agriculture director
          P-D:  Greitens names Chris Chinn new director of Missouri's Department of Agriculture
          KODE:  Speaker Pro Tem Ron Richard urges caution on eliminating corporate taxes, says Missouri doesn't want to be like Kansas
          KWMU:  "Curious Louis" series:  Jason Rosenbaum explores why Missourians are forced to pay personal property taxes
          The Missouri Times:  Speaker Pro Temp Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) names Phillip Arnzen new chief of staff
          KWMU:  Missouri criminal code rewrite includes looser pot penalties and a new felony class
          KWMU:  Raising marriage age seen as a weapon against human trafficking
          Missourinet:  Record holiday travel nationwide mirrored in Missouri
          Missourinet:  Majority of people killed in Missouri crashes over Christmas not wearing seat belts
          P-D:  Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) among dozens of legislators pre-filing bills;  Recent carjacking victim files bill regarding stolen guns
          P-D:  EPA begins testing homes in Bridgeton;  Area couple claims their own "independent" test found radioactive dust, wants cash payout from landfill operators
          P-D editorial:  Trump warplane trade-in deal just won't work. Too bad for St. Louis.
          Messenger:  Update on man unhappy about being arrested in Ferguson
          P-D op-ed:  St. Charles man wants Nixon to commute death sentences for every murderer on death row
          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.
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        Tuesday, December 27
       
P-D:  2016 in review, photo gallery:  Biden greets female stranger at St. Louis campaign stop, presses his face against hers (#14);  Urban Hispanics celebrate Mexico's Independence Day by bashing Trump pinata, weeks before Americans elect Trump president (#13)
          AP:  2016 in review:  GOP dominance, Ferguson settlement, anti-police violence, changes at University of Missouri
          Missourinet:  Jason Smith:  America's health care system must be patient-centered
          KWMU:  One year later, communities still recovering from flooding
          KWMU:  City and federal government soon to sign agreement on land for NGA facility
          P-D:  Gov. Jay Nixon's exit interview:  Paper assigns retrospective of 30+-year public servant to two first-year Capitol reporters
          97.1FM (St. Louis):  Allman in the Morning:  Sen. Bob Onder (Lake Saint Louis) with guest host Tim Jones on how 'right to work' will help union members (12:45), tort reform (15:30), keeping law-abiding citizens safe even in St. Louis City (17:00), more
          Missourinet:  Washington University sociology professor/union advocate Jake Rosenfeld criticizes 'right to work';  Comments from Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston)
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Incoming Rep. Fred Wessels (D-St. Louis City) on expectations upon joining House Democratic superminority
          Drebes:  St. Louis Regional Chamber expects Greitens to support earned income tax credit
          KWMU:  Q&A with MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna on transportation funding, expectations for Greitens, more
          SNL:  Hoping to spur exports, Missouri advertises trade shows in the United Arab Emirates X
          P-D:  Dispute offered over degree offerings from Missouri State and the University of Missouri
          The Missouri Times:  Dept. of Higher Education, task force set to improve degree programs
          Missourinet:  Ag Director Richard Fordyce:  Missouri's rice and biodiesel industries rank high
          P-D editorial:  Misbehaving in school shouldn't make a kid a felon
          CDT op-ed:  Terry Ganey:  Trump & Co. turn to lies and statistics;  At electors' vote, Missouri state rep drives by liberal protesters and mocks them:  "Wah, wah, wah!" X
          KC Star letter:  Gladstone sexagenarian warns McCaskill, Blunt and Graves that they better not cut Medicare benefits - or else +
          P-D letter:  O'Fallon liberal wants GOP supermajority and Republican governor to repeal last year's business tax breaks
          P-D letter:  Valley Park septuagenarian appreciates Post-Dispatch adding conservative Stacy Washington to help balance paper's liberalism
          Disclosure



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        Monday, December 26
       
KOLR:  Missouri State University polisci prof Brian Calfano:  Trump correct in calling out questionable military spending
          Missourinet:  Former U.S. Senate candidate Jason Kander continues raising national profile, appears on MSNBC to criticize Trump's cabinet picks
          Washington Missourian:  Nixon lauds progress on future Rock Island Trail State Park X
          AP:  With Greitens' blessing, lawmakers aim for lobbyist-gift ban
          KC Star:  School-choice advocates see opening in Missouri +
          AP:  Cape Girardeau student pulls rare feat:  Perfect ACT, SAT test scores;  Minority female chooses to work hard, achieves success
          SNL:  New TSA signs at airport note looming deadline for REAL ID fix X
          Daily Journal:  Incoming state Rep. Mike Henderson (R-Desloge) looks forward to working with new colleagues
          P-D editorial:  With Donald Trump as president, Missouri schools should spend more money to fight "rape culture"
          P-D editorial:  Carl Icahn, famed St. Louis business villain, is now a presidential adviser
          Messenger:  Nixon's last stand:  Does St. Louis want to be Major League, or not?
          P-D's Nicklaus:  'Right to work' passage may be fait accompli, but St. Louis leaders must focus on all-important talent-attraction strategy
          KC Star letter:  Kansas City sexagenarian uses Sheena Greitens' robbery to criticize gov-elect's position on Second Amendment +
          P-D letter:  St. Louis City community organizer disagrees with conservative columnist's suggestions for dealing with Missouri's budding criminals
          P-D letter:  St. Charles septuagenarian wishes everyone would stop being so doom-and-gloom and start embracing 2017
          Disclosure


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         + = 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, December 25   Merry Christmas!
       
Missourinet:  Missouri electors not penalized if they fail to back the party's nominee;  Insight from Hartzler press secretary Steve Walsh
          SNL:  Missouri growing, but not as fast as nation as a whole
          CNN:  Minimum wage set to rise yet again in Missouri
          AP:  Republican majorities in Missouri, other states will focus on 'right to work' in 2017
          SNL:  Let hogs loose, pay huge fine under bill from Rep. Sonya Anderson (R-Springfield)
          KC Star:  LGBTQIA* advocates in Missouri expect to play defense in upcoming legislative session
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri counties show high conviction rates
          CDT op-ed:  Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia):  Response to Waters' column dismissing ethics legislation
          Messenger:  Update on woman who left two toddlers alone for hours to fend for themselves in apartment;  Firefighters had to pull toddlers out of smoky abode after fire broke out
          P-D letter:  Ferguson septuagenarian wonders why Bruce Franks left his car doors unlocked while sitting in a dark parking lot
          P-D letter:  Chesterfield man says rehabbing drug offenders wastes money that could be spent on social programs for law-abiding Missourians
          SNL letter:  Feminist MSU English prof disagrees with Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) on abortion
          KC Star letter:  Area octogenarian female says "good-looking, shapely women" should avoid Donald Trump;  Unattractive and/or amorphous blobs presumed to be safe
          Disclosure


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         + = 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, December 24   Christmas Eve
       
The Missouri Times:  Jason Smith looking forward to change in new U.S. House leadership role
          P-D:  Providers say women are seeking longer-term birth control before Obamacare is repealed and replaced;  Comments from Planned Parenthood, young woman, hospital rep
          P-D:  2016 in review:  Voters turn Missouri redder:  Comments from one-half of Post-Dispatch polisci prof pundit pool (Ken Warren, SLU)
          KC Star:  Local woman's transgender-tot fundraising campaign gets boost with National Geographic cover photo;  Debi Jackson's son decided at age 4 that he wanted to be a girl +
          Missourinet:  South-central Missouri VA office expands its business hours
          Missourinet:  Missouri State Highway Patrol to have more troopers on the road this weekend
          The Missouri Times:  Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake Saint Louis) picks Ryan Nonnemaker as new chief of staff
          The Missouri Times:  Rep.-elect Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City), ArchCity Defenders legal team sue Berkeley Police Department over 2014 arrest, want cash payout
          P-D:  Franks wants cash payout for "physical and psychological injuries" suffered at protest arrest
          AP:  Nixon pardons 12 more convicted of theft, drug crimes
          KWMU:  Despite hysteria, school fights could already result in felony charges in Missouri
          KWMU:  New year, old issue:  Lawmakers will try again to change student transfer rules
          KC Star:  Homeowners associations from hell:  more horror stories, more fraud - and prospect of legislative action;  Comments from Rep. Bryan Spencer (R-Wentzville) +
          P-D:  Missouri DSS helps in lost-baby case;  Chesterfield woman tells cops elaborate tale of "losing" her baby while visiting Normandy, gets charged with criminal abuse/neglect of child
          McClellan:  Former P-D columnist provides health update
          P-D letter:  Bridgeton man responds to paper's criticism of Greitens transition, wonders why Post-Dispatch doesn't let public sit in on all of its private meetings
          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, December 23
       
Buzzfeed:  Pro-Obamacare group gears up for repeal fight;  "Protect Our Care" claims credit for rallies in Missouri, other states
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Obamacare advocate on enrollment numbers;  Nixon on his economic legacy;  Rep.-elect Jean Evans (R-Manchester) on human trafficking +
          SE Missourian:  Local car dealers:  "Pre-election jitters" spooked buyers, but sales have been up since election;  Ford dealer says people "feel more comfortable making decisions that involve a considerable amount of money" +
          KWMU:  Ads from "Right Way Initiative" urge McCaskill to support Trump agenda;  501(c)(4) keeps its donors secret
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Peter Kinder reflects on career, his work to build modern-day GOP supermajorities, and his future
          Drebes:  Help Wanted:  Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement
          Brownfield Ag New:  Missouri Farm Bureau study shows agriculture's impact on Missouri's economy
          Missourinet:  Missouri Chamber, Missouri NFIB optimistic about chances for tort-law overhaul
          SNL:  Nixon touts economic achievements in Springfield visit X
          The Missouri Times:  Nixon touts growing attendance at Missouri state parks
          Missourinet:  MoDOT program to promote traffic safety to teens gets fresh face
          P-D:  Festus urges county to set up program to monitor prescription drug sales
          AP:  Appeals court:  Missouri college's drug tests of all students illegal
          CDT:  Educators use breakfast to lobby legislators for more state funding X
          Columbia Missourian:  Despite STEM focus and funding, low-income students continue to disappoint with poor test scores;  School administrators minimize value of testing
          P-D:  Schools say violent kids, bullies could be charged with felonies;  State legislation passed in 2014 sought to protect majority of children from their most savage, disruptive peers
          KWMU:  ACLU files emergency motion to change Ferguson-Florissant election process;  Group says established at-large elections, in place for decades, unfair to black candidates
          SNL:  Missouri Department of Conservation reports halfway mark on results of deer samples being tested for chronic wasting disease X
          Brownfield Ag News:  Former state ag directors highlight livestock disease successes
          P-D:  Police nab trio that fired shots at St. Louis City police officers;  Two men, woman lead cops on chase, get caught in Town & Country
          Washington Missourian editorial:  It's over, accept it:  Trump dominated in Missouri and won the presidential election X
          P-D editorial:  The canary in the opioid-epidemic coal mine
          SE Missourian's Joe Simpson:  A few thoughts about all those stadiums in St. Louis +
          SNL letter:  Republic man responds to McCaskill comments about crooked politicians, makes airplane reference X
          Disclosure


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         + = 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, December 22
       
SE Missourian:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith:  Congress will replace Obamacare;  roundtable discussion focuses on high cost of health care +
          SNL:  Less than 200,000 in Missouri sign up for Obamacare X
          KC Star:  Report shows 185,000 Obamacare enrollments in Missouri +
          AP:  Obamacare enrollments in Missouri grew by less than 4%
          NY Times:  McCaskill, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) aim to stop firms from "buying up drugs and jacking up prices"
          AP:  McCaskill urges action to block drastic drug-price hikes
          KWMU:  McCaskill highlights report showing increased number of older Americans unable to pay their student loan debts
          KWMU:  Program created by Blunt will bolster Missouri mental health clinics
          P-D:  Missouri one of eight states participating in mental health treatment expansion pilot program
          P-D's Chuck Raasch:  16 marks that '16 left:  The horror wrought by voters turning to non-mainstream ("fake") news, GOP victories in Missouri, more
          KWMU:  Missouri's new donation limits bolster power of political parties - and outside groups;  Thoughts from John Hancock, Todd Graves, Stephen Webber
          P-D:  Police find car stolen at gunpoint from state Rep.-elect Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) in St. Louis City;  Criminals remain on the loose
          P-D:  Nixon says state tax credits are ideal to clear St. Louis site, with or without a soccer stadium
          Missourinet:  Nixon 'unaware' of Missouri Dept. of Corrections allegations
          P-D:  Nixon said he had no knowledge of Corrections Department issues "until some of that stuff burbled out in the press"
          The Missouri Times:  North Carolina corrections official Anne Precythe tapped as new head of DOC
          KC Star:  New chief named for embattled Missouri prison system +
          Missourinet:  Greitens names director of Missouri Department of Corrections
          AP:  Greitens chooses new director for Department of Corrections
          P-D:  Greitens names new Missouri prison chief
          Columbia Missourian:  Area women push for developmental-disabilities legislation;  Comments from Rowden, Basye, Stevens
          Missourinet:  Legislative preview:  Medicaid
          Missourinet:  Empower Missouri unhappy about changes to state welfare programs
          AP:  Onder says he won't revive religious-objections bill
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  Auditor Nicole Galloway:  Dunklin Co. public administrator cited in push for new state anti-corruption law +
          The Missouri Times:  Rep.-elect Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon) looks to pass crime bills in first session
          The Missouri Times:  Rep.-elect Jean Evans (R-Manchester) files marriage age bill aimed at fighting human trafficking
          The Missouri Times:  PSC wraps up final agenda meeting of 2016
          Missourinet:  Record 20 million people visit Missouri state parks in 2016
          SNL:  Missouri Dept. of Conservation sets upcoming deer and turkey hunting dates X
          KWMU:  Cumulative voting for Ferguson-Florissant school board on hold
          P-D:  Ferguson-Florissant School District will keep at-large voting for April election
          P-D editorial:  Galloway audit shows Pine Lawn Municipal Court continues abuses. Time for intervention.
          Priddy:  Part III of anti-term-limits series
          Disclosure


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         + = 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, December 21   First Day of Winter
       
SNL:  Obamacare defense campaign:  Supporters demonstrate outside Blunt's office;  Three liberal groups join forces to turn out forty (40) protesters X
          Columbia Missourian:  Obamacare defense campaign:  Missouri Rural Crisis Center press conference features Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia), others;  Man who chooses to be obese complains about finding diabetes coverage
          KOMU:  Obamacare defense campaign:  Press conference features health care crusaders, human backdrops holding campaign signs
          Missourinet:  Obamacare defense campaign:  Washington D.C. hunger group supports Obamacare, says repealing it will hurt Missouri
          KWMU:  Obamacare defense campaign:  Supporters focus messaging on pre-existing condition themes;  Stats from Kaiser Family Foundation, sad stories from area gals with diseases
          Missourinet:  Wash U. prof says details of repealing Obamacare will prove challenging for Republicans
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Blunt on inauguration;  Greitens' transition team's agreement to not speak publicly +
          SNL:  Bass Pro Shops' Johnny Morris to co-chair Trump charity event X
          McClatchy:  Senate's homeland security panel has a new top Democrat watchdog:  Claire McCaskill
          Drebes:  McCaskill gives $10k of her own money to Missouri domestic violence group
          P-D:  St. Louis prosecutor Jennifer Joyce (D) uncovers 'important evidence' in voter fraud probe, turns over case to feds
          P-D:  Bruce Franks adds new detail to robbery account, says thieves took his gun too;  Incoming state rep says he couldn't describe perps, but surveillance video provides details
          AP:   Nixon warns Democrats against shifting left;  Party should stop with "identify politics" division, try talking to "working folks"
          Helling:  Greitens should set strong tone early by slowing aggressive GOP policy plans and focusing instead on ethics legislation +
          The Missouri Times:  MLS stadium vote cancelled by investors after Greitens' criticism
          KWMU:  After Greitens opposition, soccer stadium backers hold off on state tax credits
          AP:  Group postpones meeting over St. Louis soccer stadium plan
          Missourinet:  Nixon says he disagrees with Greitens on soccer stadium funding
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens taps Anheuser-Busch exec Michael Roche as chief of staff, Lucinda Luetkemeyer as general counsel, Jennae Neustadt as legislative director, Will Scharf as policy director
          AP:  Greitens names Anheuser-Busch official Michael Roche to be chief of staff
          The Missouri Times:  Co-ops ask for restraining order in campaign finance lawsuit
          Missourinet:  Redmon expects 2017 to be tough budget year;  Speaker appoints Canton Republican to chair powerful new subcommittee
          Missourinet:  Missouri ranks in top 10 for high school graduation rate
          KWMU:  Two St. Louis schools closing in June;  a third gets a reprieve
          P-D:  Facing continued enrollment declines, St. Louis public schools will close two more schools
          Missourinet:  Airbnb begins PR, lobbying campaign in Missouri
          P-D editorial:  Greitens red-cards $40 million in state spending on soccer stadium
          P-D editorial:  Greitens condemns backroom dealers, then hides in a back room
          Messenger:  CDC issues call to action on opioid abuse. Will Missouri listen?
          St. Joseph News-Press' Alonzo Weston:  Bag Head Christmas 2016:  Sexagenarian columnist has anti-conservative conversation with imaginary homeless friend Baghead Jheri (Curl) X
          Disclosure



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        Tuesday, December 20
       
The Missouri Times:  Despite pressure from those unhappy about election results, Missouri electors cast their votes for Trump
          KWMU:  Electoral gathering at Capitol draws total of 100 attendees, most anti-Trump;  Some protesters break decorum, scream after electors' votes are read
          Missourinet:  Trump opponents fail to sway Missouri electors
          P-D:  Missouri electors unanimously cast their votes for Donald Trump
          P-D:  As chair of Trump inauguration, Blunt puts it in context of history, tradition
          Columbia Missourian:  Federal grant would help city hire four new police officers
          AP:  Obama pardons Missouri cocaine dealers:  Tammy Twyone Francis, Derwayne Williams, other dope slingers
          P-D:  State-rep elect Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) robbed at gunpoint in St. Louis City;  Carjacking hoodlums drive off with phones, other possessions after victim visited Schlafly Tap Room
          KTVI:  Incoming state rep attempts to enjoy night out in downtown St. Louis, gets robbed in parking lot of popular restaurant at 7:30 p.m.
          Rosenbaum:  Assessing the emergence of an urban Republican governor in Missouri
          P-D:  Greitens transition team members sign agreement to not discuss publicly their activities
          KWMU:  Q&A with incoming Mike Parson:  Incoming lt. gov. talks Greitens, thoughts on Russ Carnahan, more
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Nixon on his approach to governing;  Rep. Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) on ethics legislation +
          Missourinet:  House Budget Chair Scott Fitzpatrick (R-Shell Knob):  $150 million in spending restrictions likely ahead
          The Missouri Times:  Lawmakers voice concerns about new state parks
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens opposes taxpayer funding for new St. Louis soccer stadium
          Missourinet:  Greitens blasts proposal for taxpayer-funded St. Louis soccer stadium
          AP:  Greitens opposes St. Louis soccer stadium funding
          P-D:  Greitens calls public money for stadium "welfare for millionaires"
          The Missouri Times:  Captive cervids bill hopes to expand ability of farmers to raise deer, elk
          AP:  State audit:  Pine Lawn fails to fix its municipal courts
          P-D:  State Auditor Nicole Galloway:  Pine Lawn fails to fix court problem after poor audit
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Corlew's bill a workable compromise on REAL ID X
          Columbia Missourian's C.W. Dawson:  Kwanzaa celebration to take place Dec. 30;  Seasoned citizen dislikes his fellow black men calling each other "dog" or "gangster," yearns for days when men "called our women 'baby'"
          Disclosure



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        Monday, December 19
       
Riverfront Times:  Area women organize anti-Trump "silent demonstration" protest at Capitol today;  Liberal gals seek to prove point by trying to keep their their mouths shut
          Missourinet:  Missouri NFIB says national group's "Optimism Index" has skyrocketed since Trump's election
          KC Star:  KC-area flood control projects receive $565 in federal money
          P-D:  New leader of St. Louis VA tries to stabilize embattled health care agency
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Guest Jay Ashcroft;  Panel of Jason Crowell, John Gaskin, Becky Lohmann, Brian Wahby talk Greitens' first year, Trump, and most impressive campaigns of 2016
          Kraske:  Missouri's Teddy Roosevelt:  Nixon cements his legacy as one of state's top conservation governors
          KDNL (St. Louis):  The Allman Report:  Nicole Galloway:  We need to recover lost tax revenue;  State auditor talks bipartisan anti-corruption legislation, more
          SNL:  Democratic lawmakers push package of ethics-overhaul bills to mimic Greitens' campaign pledges
          Columbia Missourian:  GOP supermajority will tweak concealed-carry law to protect women from domestic abusers
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Bill from Rep. Galen Higdon (R-St. Joseph) takes aim at prison overcrowding
          Missourinet:  Rep. Charlie Davis (R-Webb City) to introduce proposal involving automated long-haul trucks
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R-Jackson) prefiles bill to allow Jackson public-safety tax vote
          JCNT:  State approves future concerts on Missouri State Penitentiary grounds
          AP:  Birds previously rare to Missouri becoming more common
          KWMU:  Fate of at least two North St. Louis City schools top Special Administrative Board agenda Tuesday
          SE Missourian editorial:  Jason Smith showing strong signs of leadership in U.S. House
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Legislation allowing guns on campus is asinine
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Bipartisan legislation puts corrupt public officials on notice
          KC Star Public Editor Derek Donovan:  Readers are right - Star headline about Obama and Trump was biased toward Democrat
          Priddy:  Thoughts for incoming legislators
          KC Star op-ed:  Leader of urban "social, therapeutic and economic community-building services" dislikes Missouri photo ID laws
          Washington Missourian's Bill Miller:  What's the future of St. Louis City?  Lots of great attractions easily overshadowed by near-daily shootings
          P-D letter:  St. Louis woman wants Legislature to pass laws cracking down on sex trafficking
          KC Star letter:  Octogenarian woman who chooses to live in Kansas expresses anger at H&R Block, other corporations for donating whopping $5k to GOP campaign committee
          Disclosure


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        Sunday, December 18   MoDOT traveler map
       
KC Star:  Anti-Trump forces plan massive protest tomorrow in Jefferson City +
          AP:  Missouri electors say they plan to stick with Trump
          CDT:  Columbia Police Officers' Association follows national group in showing support for Trump;  Union leader:  "Conservative politicians are the ones out there talking about law and order." X
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Jason Smith asks Trump to eliminate 14 federal rules, regulations +
          JCNT:  Nixon looks back at public career X
          Kraske:  Two governors may be departing amid clouds, not sunshine;  Lawsuits provide "dark coda" to Nixon's term, but Speaker Todd Richardson has taken steps to improve Jefferson City culture +
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in Missouri Politics preview:  Guest Jay Ashcroft;  Panel of NAACP's John Gaskin, lobbyist Becky Lohmann, former Sen. Jason Crowell and STL City Dems' Brian Wahby talk Trump, 2016's best campaigns, more
          Drebes:  Ryan Silvey vs. Dan Brown for approps chair
          SNL:  Former state Rep. Sara Lampe (D-Springfield) to receive honorary degree from Missouri State University X
          Missouri Farmer Today:  Missouri Public Service Commission's Grain Belt Express hearing draws both sides
          KC Star:  Missouri Dept. of Conservation seeks to bring back the dinosaur fish that lost its reproductive mojo:  The pallid sturgeon +
          P-D:  Mizzou hands honorary degree to centenarian Frankie Freeman
          Columbia Missourian:  Civil rights activist Frankie Freeman handed honorary degree, complains about lack of diversity
          JCNT editorial:  Let success of prison tours propel Missouri State Penitentiary redevelopment X
          P-D's Nicklaus:  Boeing move hurts St. Louis' pride but should strengthen defense division
          SE Missourian letter:  St. Joseph sexagenarian dislikes 'right to work,' attempts 'right to live' analogy +
          P-D letter:  Brentwood woman suggests state study whether four-day school week is effective
          SNL letter:  St. Louis County man disagrees with GOP legislators on spending, taxes X
          Disclosure


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        Saturday, December 17  MoDOT traveler map
       
KMOX:  MoDOT advises to stay off the road through tonight
          Missourinet:  MoDOT issues winter weather advisory for reduced travel;  Mizzou graduation ceremonies still on
          P-D:  MoDOT says it pretreated roads, but slick conditions persist
          KMIZ:  Icy roads cause hundreds of crashes, cancellations
          P-D:  Anti-Trump activists hassle Missouri GOP electors;  Jan DeWeese received 9,722 e-mail messages in 24 hours
          KC Star:  Area woman seeking online donations gets 9-year-old son on the cover of National Geographic;  Debi Jackson has enjoyed media attention since 2014 for letting boy dress up as girl and call himself "Avery," enrolling him in Girl Scouts, other fundraising stunts +
          The Missouri Times:  Profile:  Alex Zumsteg:  From MSU legislative intern to MRP grassroots director and back to Capitol - for now
          Brownfield Ag News:  Study focuses on Missouri agriculture's economic impact
          Missourinet:  Missouri Budget Project opposes Kraus' tax-cut plan
          Columbia Missourian:  Kurt Schaefer's claims of UM System funding fall short
          Missourinet:  Missouri to add three state parks
          Columbia Missourian:  MU medical students' complaints describe dramatic emotional struggles;  One student unhappy that attractive females seem to be given preferential treatment;  Female resident accused of "bullying" female student by setting "impossible expectations"
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri Dept. of Conservation announces next year's deer and turkey hunting dates
          P-D:  Juror can't reveal details about unanimous decision in Darren Wilson self-defense case, judge says
          P-D editorial:  McCaskill on feds' bunny regulations
          Waters:  Missouri Republicans will take credit for ethics legislation;  Kip Kendrick's idea to impose term limits on statewide officeholders is a bad one X
          Dallas Morning News' Carl Leubsdorf:  Missouri Democrats' weakness forces ambitious candidates like Jason Kander to tilt at national windmills
          P-D letter:  Ladue man says MICDS' anti-Trump pandering has made it clear - the once-proud institution is no longer a strong, objective school
          P-D letter:  St. Louis County septuagenarian recalls days when city's street urchins peddled newspapers, didn't rob politicians' wives
          Disclosure



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        Friday, December 16
       
KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Departing Missouri GOP chairman leaves on a high note;  John Hancock talks Trump's impact, Todd Graves, competitive 2018 primaries, more
          Missourinet:  Todd Graves to focus on widening GOP victory gap through more votes in suburban and minority communities
          Kraske:  The Chat:  John Hancock on Todd Graves;  Claire McCaskill on GOP's Obamacare alternatives
          AP:  Don't look to the Electoral College to upend Trump;  Missouri's Hector Maldonado among electors unmoved by liberals' pestering
          Missourinet:  Missouri Ag Director Richard Fordyce weighs in on future trade relations with Cuba
          AP:  Report finds flaws in mental health care at St. Louis VA
          Missourinet:  Desoto man pleads guilty to role in conspiracy through kickback scheme involving contracting at Cochran VA
          KWMU:  Local Muslim group wants stronger U.S. response to war-torn Aleppo
          St. Louis Jewish Light:  Missouri legislators visit Israel on Jewish Federation mission
          The Missouri Times:  'Right to work' opponents look to ban legislation as Republicans push forward
          Drebes:  Notes on two 2018 state Senate campaigns
          Missourinet:  Missouri state workers raise over $1 million for charities
          AP:  Pay raises recommended for Missouri elected officials
          Washington Missourian:  East Central College president dislikes campus carry law
          CDT:  Nixon cuts ribbon on engineering school expansion;  Comments from project's legislative sponsor, former Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia)
          AP:  Lombardi won't seek to work under new governor
          P-D:  Missouri prison chief to depart in wake of reports of harassment, retaliation among staff
          KC Star:  Missouri corrections chief signals he's resigning, but will stay until end of Jay Nixon's term
          The Missouri Times:  Prevailing wage audit finds issues with Division of Labor Standards' investigation
          Missourinet:  Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston) says needle exchange programs lower cases of HIV
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Nixon extols regional lake plan
          AP:  Missouri psychiatric building to be named after Gov. Nixon
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA),  Missouri Chamber react to annual "judicial hellhole" rankings
          Missourinet:  Missouri's tort system to be front and center issue in upcoming legislative session
          The Missouri Times:  Midwest Cyber Security Alliance urges legislature to focus on Missouri cybersecurity
          SE Missourian:  Ameren putting finishing touches on $84 million upgrade in Cape
          KWMU:  State court rejects request by grand juror in Darren Wilson self-defense case to speak about process
          Disclosure


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        Thursday, December 15
       
Politico:  McCaskill says she's open to replacing Obamacare, but skeptical that GOP will produce plan:  "They've had six frickin' years to figure it out."
          CDT:  Deadline looms to enroll in Obamacare X
          P-D's Chuck Raasch:  For Blunt and other Republicans, the finessing of Trump takes a turn;  Lacy Clay says he's open to hearing GOP ideas that could benefit constituents
          KWMU:  Weekly edition of Trump Terror Tale Hour:  Wash U. sociology prof cites Southern Poverty Law Center statistics, frets over "huge uptick" of meanies hurting feelings
          KPLR (St. Louis):  Three Clayton High School students post mean Instagram comments about classmates;  President-elect yet to be named as co-conspirator
          SNL:  Rabbit regulations have McCaskill hopping mad;  Federal regulations require area magician to submit disaster plan for his bunny, report all overnight trips X
          Platte County Landmark:  Greitens chooses new Missouri Republican Party chairman;  Todd Graves talks about how he was selected, how much time he plans to dedicate to the role, more
          The Missouri Times:  Graves gets widespread praise from Missouri Republicans;  Greitens announces support for GOP stalwarts Pat Thomas, Nick Myers, Kay Hoflander
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Ryan Silvey on his budget experience;  Wash U prof on the future of Missouri labor unions;  Kip Kendrick on Greitens' campaign promises +
          Drebes:  Doc Brown gifts son's campaign $200,000
          KWMU:  Missouri House Democrats push ethics bills they say are based on Greitens' campaign pledges
          Missourinet:  Kraus looking to double down on his own tax-cut law
          The Missouri Times:  Analysis:  How Missouri would fare in another recession
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Bills aim to protect those who protect;  Proposals would classify anti-police savagery as hate crimes +
          The Missouri Times:  Abortion fight enters new chapter in Missouri after Whole Women's Health decision
          The Missouri Times:  Prevailing wage audit finds issues with Division of Labor Standards' investigations
          P-D:  Recently-departed Richard Teitelman named as top lawyer
          Missourinet:  Turnover rate of Missouri's prison guards continues to climb
          Missourinet:  House Superminority Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City) wants Corrections Department leadership changes
          The Missouri Times:  Superminority Leader Gail McCann Beatty's letter to Gov.-elect Greitens
          P-D editorial:  Boeing move to D.C. makes perfect sense, but it still stings
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Trends in drugs:  Meth to opiates is like going from "bad" to "also bad" X
          P-D op-ed:  Wash U School of Social Work Dean Mary McKay:  We must protect the feelings of young people;  Trump's election is to blame for teenagers' mean behavior
          P-D letter:  State should do more to advertise Safe Place for Newborns Act
          KC Star letter:  Local sexagenarian reacts to piece on GOP campaign committee's fundraising, attempts sarcastic analogy +
          Disclosure


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        Wednesday, December 14
       
KWMU:  Former U.S. Attorney Todd Graves tapped to be new head of Missouri Republican Party
          KC Star:  Greitens taps KC attorney Todd Graves to lead MRP +
          KC Star:  Trump terror tales:  On "farmer" theme night at Warrensburg High School basketball game, student displays Trump-Pence sign;  Black woman complains, school district apologizes +
          P-D:  Four (4) MICDS alumni say conservative students' complaints are indicative of privilege
          P-D:  Boeing moving defense headquarters from St. Louis to D.C.;  Move will impact 12 exec and some support staff, total of 50 jobs
          AP:  Missouri AFL-CIO President Mike Louis seeks to ban 'right to work' laws via initiative petition
          P-D:  Efforts to legalize pot hit roadblock via Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Richardson
          CDT:  Rowden campaign reports $900k in donations on latest report X
          The Missouri Times:  Michael Steelman becomes newest addition to Catalyst team
          AP:  Jobs rise, unemployment declines in Missouri
          Missourinet:  Sen. Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City) seeks top spot on powerful Missouri Senate committee
          Missourinet:  Sen. Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby):  Proposal to modify selection of high court judges meant to help applicants
          KWMU:  Bill from Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) would strengthen penalties for official misconduct, increase accountability
          SNL:  Galloway, Dixon push new punishments for corrupt public officials X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Auditor Nicole Galloway, prosecutor discuss anti-graft measure
          The Missouri Times:  Democrats file ethics legislation;  Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia) aims to box Greitens into a corner on campaign-trail pledges
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Marsha Haefner (R-St. Louis County) re-files bill to make assault on law enforcement a hate crime
          CDT:  Columbia Board of Education focuses on funding in legislative priorities X
          KWMU:  City sides with charters in lawsuit filed by St. Louis Public Schools
          P-D:  St. Louis City and Confluence Academies file briefs for charter school parents to have say in lawsuit
          KC Star:  Current form of Missouri driver's license may not be accepted ID at KCI in 2018 +
          P-D:  Lawyers for Missouri botch appeal in $3.8 million sexual discrimination case
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri offices honored with prestigious CS050 Award for cybersecurity program
          SNL:  Legacy fund in honor of former Sen. Roseann Bentley (R-Springfield) announces first project:  Reading nook at health center X
          The Missouri Times:  Women's Foundation testifies in favor of sick leave rule changes
          P-D editorial:  Slow growth and faulty assumptions portend budget problems for Greitens
          Daily Dunklin Democrat op-ed:  University of Missouri Extension's Mike Milam:  The economics of soil health:  Amendment 1's passage will help +
          P-D letter:  Columbia man appreciates pro-Amendment 2 slant and contribution-limits crusade of Post-Dispatch editorial, reporting
          KC Star letter:  Raytown woman dislikes Will Kraus' push to cut taxes +
          St. Joseph News-Press letter:  Area sexagenarian mocks 'right to work' proposal X
          Disclosure


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        Tuesday, December 13
       
KWMU:  Trump beats out LBJ when it comes to winning number of Missouri votes, sets state record for presidential candidate
          Missourinet:  UMSL's Dave Robertson:  Democrats have tough road to regain statewide offices
          St. Joseph News-Press' Ken Newton:  Tom Vilsack says Democrats have forgotten the middle of the country;  Clinton campaign's paltry Missouri efforts hurt statewide candidates
          P-D:  St. Louis City pulls in nearly $30 million of federal taxpayer money
          KWMU:  Taxpayers pump another $30 million into North St. Louis City
          KWMU:  Profiles:  St. Louisans who joined North Dakota Indian riots compare situation to Ferguson:  Local Indian, kemosabe describe their valiant struggle against "police brutality," "oppression," etc.
          P-D:  Ballwin officer Michael Flamion honored with Medal of Valor, Purple Heart;  Career criminal Antonio Taylor of St. Louis City ambushed officer day after attacks on Dallas officers
          Drebes:  Help Wanted:  Two Missouri Lottery jobs, one Jefferson County government job
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Phill Brooks on benevolent lobbyist gifts to seasoned citizens;  Kraus on corporate tax;  Munzlinger on the new "deplorable"
          Columbia Missourian:  RedRightNow seeks to help GOP candidates raise campaign cash
          KC Star:  Missouri Senate Campaign Committee's KC event raised less than $60k
          The Missouri Times:  What does it take to make a successful transition of government?  Thoughts from Office of Administration's Doug Nelson, GOP vet Rob Monsees
          KWMU:  Q&A with incoming Attorney General Josh Hawley
          The Missouri Times:  High number of initiative petition filings puts strain on auditor's office
          The Missouri Times:  Sen.-elect Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) files state earned income tax credit bill
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Bill from Rep. Kevin Corlew (R-Kansas City) would make Missouri's IDs federally-compliant
          CDT:  Pro-life activists rally against lawsuit in front of Planned Parenthood clinic
          Columbia Missourian:  Planned Parenthood seeks preliminary injunction to resume abortions
          AP:  Missouri Planned Parenthood seeks to expand abortion access
          Missourinet:  Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) wants St. Louis Planned Parenthood's license revoked, investigation of ambulance visits
          SNL:  Moon, handful of pro-life activists gather outside Planned Parenthood
          Missourinet:  Rep. Stacey Newman (D-Richmond Heights) says she hopes robbery of unarmed Sheena Greitens by pack of hoodlums will change gov-elect's stance on guns
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Lottery receives clean audit, on pace for another productive year
          KWMU:  Ferguson-Florissant school board appealing changes in election process;  Judge Rodney Sippel (D) wants to change election rules to help elect more black candidates
          Quincy Herald-Whig editorial:  Pentagon should should make efficiency report public;  McCaskill vows to hold bureaucrats accountable
          P-D editorial:  HUD's cash dump will help North St. Louis City;  Businessman Rodney Hubbard is of "questionable integrity" and shouldn't "have his fingers in the pie"
          P-D op-ed:  Spanish Lake native Ray Gruender would be an outstanding choice for the U.S. Supreme Court
          Bloomberg op-ed:  McCaskill's work shows that minority-initiated Congressional investigations can be just as dangerous as majority-initiated investigations
          SE Missourian letter:  Area man says GOP will dominate southeast Missouri for years to come
          Disclosure



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        Monday, December 12
       
P-D:  Obama's HUD Secretary Julian Castro visits STL today to deliver more taxpayer-funded gifts for North St. Louis City residents:  More social services, new community center, beautification of housing project, etc.
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Trump trade policies will impact farmers;  MO Ag Director Richard Fordyce (D) praises Trump's selection of Terry Branstad as ambassador to China X
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Mike Parson on goals as lt. gov, helping Greitens understand agriculture, more;  Panel of Sens. Jason Holsman and Ryan Silvey, Sen.-elect John Rizzo, Noel Torpey talk GOP legislative agenda, Trump, McCaskill vs. 2018 GOP contenders, more
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown) on Dems' demise in rural Missouri, transportation tax, 'right to work,' Greitens, more
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Nixon, Sen. Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby) on gov's Supreme Court prerogative;  Mike Moon on Planned Parenthood +
          Drebes:  Fight over state deer regulations may go to the voters
          P-D:  Lobbyist gifts to Missouri legislators have dropped significantly
          Phill Brooks:  Exploring lobbyist expenditures reveals discovery never mentioned by media:  Gifts given to elderly Senate doorkeepers, other staff X
          Missourinet:  Incoming House Budget Chairman Scott Fitzpatrick (R-Shell Knob) looking at state's Legal Expense Fund in light of investigation, payouts
          Missourinet:  Sen. Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) wants to stop use of state money for stadiums
          St. Joseph News-Press:  State increases training requirements for officers X
          Missourinet:  Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) to offer 'personhood' amendment again
          JCNT:  Missouri State Capitol Commission Chair Dana Miller keeps focus on upcoming 100th anniversary of state Capitol X
          SNL:  Nixa High School state champions in Missouri Bar's Show Me the Constitution competition X
          KWMU:  Student barred by city magnet school presses bias lawsuit
          Columbia Missourian:  "Worley Street Roundtable" event draws 20 to discuss district policy for state anti-bullying law;  Diversity group wants "restorative justice" rather than discipline, fewer white people in positions of influence, etc.
          P-D editorial:  Clean the swamp?  Schaaf puts his Senate colleagues to the test
          Messenger:  Trump terror tales:  One (1) student in Rockwood School District mocks city transfer students via Instagram;  President-elect Donald Trump probably to blame
          KC Star letter:  KC sexagenarian states, unsarcastically, her belief that the national media was biased against Hillary Clinton and in favor of Donald Trump +
          Disclosure



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        Sunday, December 11
       
Washington Examiner:  Dems struggle to reclaim coal country from Trump, GOP;  McCaskill says Republicans are trying to "(intercourse) over the widowers and pension owners"
          Drebes:  MoScout poll:  McCaskill job approval
          P-D:  Boeing wants to build Super Hornets in India;  Comments from local union boss
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in Missouri Politics previews:  Guest Mike Parson;  KC panel of Sens. Jason Holsman and Ryan Silvey, Sen.-elect John Rizzo, former Rep. Noel Torpey preview legislative session, budget challenges, more
          CDT:  RedRightNow hopes to become Republican counter to Dems' ActBlue;  Tim Jones, Franc Flotron among GOP stalwarts advising on project X
          KC Star:  Nixon accepts job with St. Louis-area law firm +
          P-D:  Q&A about statewide offices' transitions:  Details about keys and locks, computer hardware, other logistics
          Drebes:  MoScout poll:  Galloway job approval
          JCNT:  Profile:  Mike Lear:  Former Learfield (Missourinet) news director wears many hats:  Multimedia services coordinator for Missouri House of Representatives, prison tour guide, father of five girls X
          Joplin Globe:  Group wants to raise minimum wage even higher;  Comments from Give Missourians a Raise's Lew Prince, Missouri Chamber's Brian Bunten X
          KWMU:  Only questions about Missouri's impending 'right to work' law:  Scope and timing
          JCNT:  Nixon explains $2.3 billion in budget withholds X
          AP:  Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee's Summit) proposes ending business tax slammed by Trump
          JCNT:  Fulton State Hospital receives final funding for project X
          JCNT:  Nixon:  Missouri State Penitentiary tours example of state's tourism growth X
          KWMU:  St. Louis Community College will spend resources on "diversity" efforts
          P-D:  State plans to place two proposed sulfur dioxide monitors around Labadie coal plan
          KC Star:  Katy Trail now links Kansas City area with St. Louis +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Drug update:  Local meth production down, but Mexican manufacturers and distributors fill the void;  Heroin/opiates usage up X
          P-D:  Lee Enterprises, parent of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports drop in fourth quarter earnings
          SNL editorial:  Legislative wish list:  Spend more on public defenders;  Spend more on education;  Spend more on roads;  Tax Internet sales;  Restrict payday loans;  More X
          JCNT editorial:  Time to make the Missouri Capitol completely smoke-free X
          SNL op-ed:  Claire McCaskill:  Why earmarks must not return X
          P-D letter:  Richmond Heights' Bill Borst:  With abortion editorial, Post-Dispatch editorial board shows it is "a mean, old nasty Grinch"
          Disclosure



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        Saturday, December 10
       
Kraske:  The legacy of Peter Kinder?  GOP dominance +
          KWMU:  "Behind the Headlines":  LGBTQIA* beat reporter Nancy Fowler attributes horror of mean Facebook comments to Trump's election (1:30);  Diversity Fellow Jenny Simeone says illegal immigrant's tale of woe "stresses me out" (14:45)
          P-D:  Jury convicts man who shot two officers at Ferguson protest
          P-D:  Obama administration official to be in St. Louis Monday;  HUD secretary to announce millions more taxpayer dollars spent on North St. Louis City social services, beautifying subsidized housing projects, etc.
          P-D:  McCaskill says she'll vote against temporary spending bill
          KWMU:  Benefits for retired coal workers uncertain as Congress spars over federal spending;  Comments from McCaskill
          P-D:  St. Louis area delegation's votes for the week
          Brownfield Ag News:  At annual meeting, Missouri Farm Bureau sets federal farm bill priorities
          The Missouri Times:  Funds flood in before campaign limit deadline
          SNL:  Political campaigns rake in millions before deadline X
          SNL:  Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) says he and pro-life forces have information that will set Planned Parenthood 'back on its heels' X
          93.9FM The Eagle (Columbia):  Rep. Courtney Curtis (D-Ferguson) questions Hank Foley as permanent Mizzou chancellor
          KWMU:  Interim UM president tells curators he's 'optimistic' diversity plan will bring change;  Middleton, Choi to dine with Gov-elect Greitens tomorrow night
          KC Star:  University of Missouri System curators elect a new chairman:  Maurice Graham +
          CDT:  Before Concerned Student 1950 protests, UM System enrollment increased 19 percent between 2005 and 2015 X
          Missourinet:  MoDOT says pedestrian fatalities rising
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Nixon pardons 15 criminals X
          SNL:  Nixon pardons 15, including Springfield businessman X
          KC Star:  Ex-Missouri House Leader Gracia Backer (D) wins $2 million settlement in age, sex discrimination case +
          Missourinet:  Report:  Missouri to pay out $1.2 million to settle case with Gracia Backer
          P-D:  Missouri settles employee discrimination lawsuit for $2 million
          The Missouri Times:  Galloway to audit legal defense fund after claims of harassment
          Missourinet:  Galloway to conduct immediate review of fund used for state employment lawsuits
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  Bader Farms vs. Monsanto;  Attorney Bev Randles says Monsanto should have predicted that lawbreaking farmers would choose to damage neighbors' crops +
          P-D editorial:  Greitens' suggestion that he would have handled the criminals who robbed his wife is "chilling"
          P-D columnist Stacy Washington:  Robbery of Sheena Greitens underscores need for law and order, support for police trying to do their jobs
          P-D letter: Town and Country woman spooked by Greitens' "vigilante" bravado
          P-D letter:  Wentzville man appalled by Tony Messenger's attempt to link robbery of Sheena Greitens with murder caused by pipe-wielding savage
          Disclosure


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        Friday, December 9
       
P-D:  Trump to nominate former St. Louis lawyer Andy Puzder as labor secretary;  Hardee's CEO opposes unions' $15/hr. "living wage" push
          P-D's Chuck Raasch:  Looking for parallels between Trump, Greitens transitions
          P-D's Kurt Erickson:  Trump transition team includes California consultant hired by Greitens campaign;  No conversations with sources or original reporting, but quotes pulled from two tweets
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Congress sends defense bill to the president;  Comments from McCaskill, Blunt X
          KC Star:  Blunt, Kander, outside groups set Missouri record by spending $75 million on Senate race +
          SE Missourian:  Jason Smith leads effort to pass insurance bill for dialysis patients +
          KWMU:  EPA to propose nutrient pollution rules next year to settle Missouri Coalition for the Environment lawsuit
          KWMU:  "Behind the Headlines": LGBTQIA* beat reporter Nancy Fowler and 2016 Diversity Fellow Jenny Simeone to discuss their reporting on the terror that Trump's victory has brought hypothetical victims
          KWMU:  Greitens, Koster spent close to $60 million in Missouri's hard-fought contest for governor
          Drebes:  MoScout poll:  Greitens' top budget priority
          The Missouri Times:  Lawsuit filed against Amendment 2
          Drebes:  Tony Dugger may have waited too long to file as a lobbyist
          The Missouri Times:  Rob Carson:  KC native is Missouri's 'Music Man' of political satire
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Nixon on Missouri's fiscal fitness;  Speaker Todd Richardson on Dept. of Corrections complaints +
          AP:  Missouri Supreme Court strikes law denying bail to illegal immigrants;  Lawyer for alien won't say what country criminal client is from
          P-D:  Missouri Supreme Court:  State law barring bail for illegal immigrants is unconstitutional;  Faustino Lopez-Matias snuck into U.S. and forged Social Security card
          KWMU:  Nixon says he's 'ready to appoint' Missouri Supreme Court judge - if he gets the chance
          KWMU:  St. Louis asks for $40 million in state tax credits for proposed soccer stadium
          Washington Missourian:  Local legislators get head start filing bills for 2017 X
          Missourinet:  Rehder, Schaaf to go another round in battle over prescription drug monitoring program
          Missourinet:  Rep. Diane Franklin (R-Camdenton) proposing to increase tracking of fetal tissue
          Columbia Missourian:  Uncertain future of state funding looms over UM curators meeting
          P-D:  Missouri utilities gearing up for legislative fights
          SE Missourian:  Utility case prompts Wallingford to file bill to prevent future steep rate hikes +
          KWMU:  Legislators to make second push for student suicide prevention bill
          Washington Missourian:  Bills to honor slain MoDOT employee filed last week
          Missourinet:  National gun-control group unhappy about Missouri's existing and proposed pro-gun laws
          Missourinet:  Missouri welcomes 41 million visitors in FY16, shattering previous tourism record
          SNL:  Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R-Cape Girardeau) wants tougher poaching penalties in Missouri X
          The Missouri Times:  Conservation Federation of Missouri offering new monthly podcast
          P-D editorial:  Missouri Dept. of Corrections paid out millions to abuse victims. Where's the accounting?
          Messenger:  What Missouri's blind pension can teach us about the homeless
          Disclosure


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        Thursday, December 8
       
Bloomberg:  McCaskill among 8 incumbent Dems running in Trump states;  Senior senator says she's "open" to working with president
          Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:  McCaskill takes aim at Pentagon waste X
          KWMU Diversity Fellow Jenny Simeone:  Trump terror tales:  "Reporter" laments campaign's "anti-immigrant rhetoric," prods immigrants to discuss feelings
          KCUR:  Trump terror tales:  Public school librarian wears diaper pin to help comfort students who might feel "vulnerable and scared" about election results
          SNL:  Profile:  Former state Sen. Roseann Bentley (R-Springfield) - a champion for children and a pioneer for women - to retire X
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Greitens wants to meet the women who spawned young stick-up kids +
          AP:  Lawsuit filed over state's campaign contribution limits
          KWMU:  Opponents file suit against Amendment 2
          P-D:  Lawsuit seeks to stop campaign contributions limits;  Comments from attorney Chuck Hatfield
          The Missouri Times:  Blake Hurst re-elected Missouri Farm Bureau president
          The Missouri Times:  Daryl Duwe's lobbying firm to merge with Blunt's Statehouse Strategies
          The Missouri Times:  Elijah Haahr prepares to assume pro tem mantle at the apex of Republican power
          The Missouri Times:  Nixon restricts further $51 million in spending
          Missourinet:  Nixon restricts another $51 million to address budget shortfall
          KWMU:  Nixon withholds $51 milion - mostly Medicaid money - from state budget
          AP:  Nixon blocks budgeted Medicaid spending
          P-D:  Nixon cuts another $51 million from budget
          CDT:  State issues $97.2 million to complete Fulton State Hospital construction X
          Missourinet:  Speaker Todd Richardson wants Dept. of Corrections investigation to make culture at Missouri prisons 'better than it is today'
          P-D:  Richardson calls for investigation into Missouri Department of Corrections
          Missourinet:  Rep. Marsha Haefner (R-Oakville) pushes bill identifying hate crimes against first responders
          KWMU:  Appeal filed in charter school funding case;  Black parents want children to attend safe, decent schools
          P-D:  Charter school parents file federal appeal in desegregation lawsuit
          CDT:  UM System releases diversity audit and response;  Photo of overfed student unnecessarily shouting into megaphone, a device which amplifies sound X
          P-D:  St. Louis Community College will force Board of Trustees members to sit through diversity training;  University of Missouri "diversity audit" recommends UMSL hire fewer Caucasoids, spend more taxpayer money on "diversity and inclusion" office, etc.
          Columbia Missourian:  UM System diversity task force issues recommendations for MU
          KWMU:  "Diversity," "equity," "inclusion":  UM task force issues recommendations for improvement
          Missourinet:  Nixon praises Missouri Christmas tree growers, helps decorate Capitol tree
          Missourinet:  Galloway:  Audit shows new, questionable actions by former Wright County Collector
          Chicago Sun-Times editorial:  McCaskill, others help Trump identify where to start cutting wasteful spending
          Waters:  In chancellor search, Mun Choi should proceed as if Hank Foley isn't already the predetermined choice X
          Disclosure



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        Wednesday, December 7   Pearl Harbor Day
       
The Riverfront Times:  Inside the Eagle Forum internecine war:  National, local conservatives criticize Ed Martin;  Martin defends his actions, impact
          KWMU:  McCaskill sides with Boeing, for now, in dispute over Air Force One
          Politico:  McCaskill, others weigh in on Trump's approach to Air Force One
          AP:  McCaskill criticizes Pentagon for alleged cover-up of cost-cutting study
          Kraske:  The Chat:  McCaskill takes dead aim at Defense Dept;  Stephen Webber on future prospects of Missouri Democratic Party +
          KC Star:  Area federal employees express angst at rumors of federal hiring freeze
          KWMU LGBTQIA* beat reporter Nancy Fowler:  Trump terror tales:  Area lesbian claims mystery man driving truck spotted her, ascertained her sexuality, increased driving speed while simultaneously rolling down window and shouting full anti-LGBTQIA* sentence, then swerved to try to hit her;  Victim miraculously survives unscathed
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  NPR CEO visits KWMU studio;  Jarl Mohn talks about newsmagazines' efforts to hire more black faces to put "front and center," networks' "rigorous statistics" to ensure more non-white guests and sources, etc.
          Columbia Missourian:  Campaign workers on both sides process the outcomes, consider their futures;  Thoughts from Sara Walsh, Kander intern Jamie Seibert, Webber's Emily Waggoner, McClintic's Michael Ousley
          The Missouri Times:  Bradley Bates joins lobbying firm started by Jay Hahn and Whit O'Daniel
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens, wife preach justice, forgiveness after robbery
          Missourinet:  Greitens says he and wife will forgive young criminals who robbed incoming first lady
          P-D:  Greitens talks about wife being robbed;  McCaskill calls miscreants' behavior "disgusting";  Mugshot of criminal Marquay Beard
          AP:  Marquay Beard, 19, charged with tampering, may face other charges;  Juvenile hoodlums may be charged as adults for car theft, other crimes
          Messenger:  If Eric Greitens wants to show compassion, he can begin by pardoning prisoner;  Eric Clemmons admitted to murdering white college student by bashing his skull with a metal pipe
          SNL:  Rep. Stacey Newman (D-Richmond Heights) uses robbery for Sheena Greitens to promote gun-control stance;  Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) fires back X
          KWMU:  Pre-filed bill would allow gun owners to sue 'gun-free' businesses
          Drebes:  Rep. Kirk Mathews (R-Pacific) on future on Missouri pro-life agenda
          SE Missourian:  MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna:  Missouri needs law to ban motorists from using handheld cell phones while driving +
          KWMU:  EducationPlus names Paul Ziegler new executive director
          The Missouri Times:  PSC prepares for hectic schedule, sets more hearings in Great Plains-Westar merger
          The Missouri Times:  PSC lays out guidelines for new legislation on Missouri utilities
          P-D:  Peach farmer sues Monsanto;  Nearby farmers chose to break law by using old, volatile herbicide formulation - not sold by Monsanto - atop Monsanto seeds
          Missourinet:  Bev Randles sues Monsanto on behalf of peach grower;  Company says responsibility for damage caused by other companies' herbicides belongs to farmers who chose to break the law
          KWMU:  Ferguson update:  Missed deadlines, but 'significant progress' made in consent decree compliance
          P-D editorial:  Missouri parole board should consider inmate's plea to die at home
          SE Missourian editorial:  Veteran Cape Chamber of Commerce CEO John Mehner to be recognized by Missouri Chamber +
          Jensen:  Will banning out-of-school suspensions for budding St. Louis miscreants help their behavior?  Unclear, but civilization process begins with decent parents +
          P-D letter:  University City man responds to editorial page editor Tod Robberson's "plaintive" column, blasts paper's hypocritical partisanship
          Disclosure


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        Tuesday, December 6
       
The Missouri Times:  Meet Aaron Willard, the man behind Donald Trump's victory in Missouri
          P-D:  Student at MICDS says the school has been unwelcoming to Trump supporters;  Young woman imagines outrage if teacher's anti-white tweets targeted minorities instead
          Kraske:  Missouri elector on anti-Trump pressure campaign;  Stephen Webber's Knute Rocknian pep talk to defeated Dems;  Todd Richardson talks to gals about paid family leave +
          The Missouri Times:  Registration begins for Lincoln Days 2017
          Missourinet:  Stephen Webber's top priority:  Getting Claire McCaskill re-elected
          P-D:  McCaskill contractor whistleblower bill headed to Obama to become law
          KC Star:  Columbia man, calling himself an "atheist-civil rights activist-musician-trans woman (he/she)," gains fleeting attention with vulgar anti-Trump tweet +
          Drebes:  Dems' Senate counsel Chris Schappe starts PAC
          The Missouri Times:  Gov-elect Greitens' wife robbed at gunpoint in St. Louis City;  Three teenage hoodlums captured
          P-D:  Sheena Greitens robbed at gunpoint in Central West End;  Young miscreants stole a vehicle, robbed other victims before crashing car and getting captured
          KWMU:  Sheena Greitens 'safe - but shaken' after being robbed in Central West End
          Missourinet:  Details of Sheena Greitens robbery, including description of perps
          AP:  Voters' preference for GOP legislatures nationwide opens door to amending Constitution
          AP:  Increased budget costs add to state budget issues
          Missourinet:  Local union boss says "corporate Missouri" does not want 'right to work';  Rehder urges union members to study issue closely
          The Missouri Times:  House, Senate leaders prepare for action on ridesharing bills
          AP:  Richardson plans push for ride-hail legislation
          CDT:  University of Missouri System hires contractor for chancellor search;  Foley interested in job X
          Columbia Missourian:  Search for new MU chancellor announced
          AP:  University of Missouri hires search team for chancellor
          Missourinet:  State legislators weigh in on Foley as permanent chancellor;  Rep. Courtney Curtis (D-Ferguson) says Mizzou should go in different direction
          Missourinet:  Nation's top business school is in Missouri, and it's not a state school
          SNL:  Another session, another non-starter gun bill from Stacey Newman;  Seasoned liberal legislator says Missouri Republicans have been "bought and sold" by NRA X
          Missourinet:  Environmental group says Missouri DNR ignores water safety at state parks
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri hunters harvest 6,505 wild animals in anterless portion of season
          AP:  Eyes of nation on Ferguson, lead monitor tells town hall;  City succeeds in filling slots with black employees, but police force struggling to recruit officers
          SE Missourian editorial:  Proposed 'Blue Alert' system could be useful +
          P-D letter:  Florissant octogenarian disagrees with Stacy Washington's column on abortion
          P-D letter:  Cedar Hill nonagenarian disagrees with Stacy Washington's column on abortion
          Disclosure


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        Monday, December 5
       
SNL:  60k in Missouri have signed up for Obamacare since enrollment began X
          KWMU:  Local Obamacare recipients talk about their care, options
          Missourinet:  Wash U. law prof weighs in on effort to disrupt electoral college
          Missourinet:  Kinder receiving encouragement to join Trump administration, as non-lobbying offers pile up
          AP:  Free trade group says hypothetical retaliation from China against Trump's trade policies would hurt soybean farmers in Missouri, other states
          CDT:  Local activists weigh in on Indians' Dakota pipeline protest;  Comments from Perry Bigsoldier, area palefaces X
          Rosenbaum:  Stephen Webber aims to lead Missouri Democrats out of political oblivion;  Q&A with new party chairman
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Panel of David Barklage, Jane Dueker, Jefferson County Exec Ken Waller (R) and attorney David Sweeney talk Trump, Greitens, future of Missouri Democratic Party
          Kraske:  The Chat:  Rep. Michael Butler (D-St. Louis) on Chris Koster;  Budget Chair Scott Fitzpatrick (R-Shell Knob) on Nixon, Greitens and budget cuts +
          KWMU:  Latest Missouri budget challenge recalls money woes when Nixon became governor
          Drebes:  Eric Schmitt seeks general counsel
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Schaaf brings ethics legislation to top of agenda X
          Columbia Missourian:  Suicide series:  Mental health professionals in Missouri not required to receive specific training
          Columbia Missourian:  Suicide series:  Mental health professionals face stigma, discrimination in workplace for personal struggles
          KWMU:  Riverview Gardens transfer parents react to district's classification upgrade
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Utility outlines stance ahead of hearings X
          KWMU:  Sierra Club:  Missouri air quality regulators need to better represent urban areas;  DHSS says blacks five times more likely than whites to visit ER for asthma "emergencies"
          P-D editorial:  Abortion restrictions will mean more children in Missouri foster care system
          Messenger:  Richard Teitelman dispensed compassion, love one note at a time
          P-D letter:  St. Louis County woman relishes voting against Post-Dispatch endorsement selections
          Disclosure



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        Sunday, December 4
       
KWMU:  Missouri Democrats select Stephen Webber as their new leader
          The Missouri Times:  Democrats select Stephen Webber as new chairman
          CDT:  Stephen Webber elected to lead Missouri Democratic Party X
          Columbia Missourian:  Stephen Webber elected as Missouri Democratic Party chairman
          AP:  Stephen Webber elected chairman of Missouri Democratic Party
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in Missouri Politics preview:  Panel of David Barklage, Jane Dueker, Jefferson County Exec Ken Waller (R) and attorney David Sweeney talk Trump, Greitens, future of Missouri Democratic Party
          JCNT:  Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City), Rep. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) preview legislative priorities X
          JCNT:  Uber, Lyft prospects driven by state legislation X
          KWMU:  Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston) pre-files needle exchange bill
          AP:  Missouri meth lab seizures down sharply in 2016
          KC Star:  Overview of major bills pre-filed for 2017 +
          JCNT:  City to exert its voice, issues to legislators X
          SNL:  MSU revises, clarifies campus firearms policy X
          P-D:  Traffic fatalities are rising in Missouri
          P-D editorial:  Legislative forecast calls for conservative with a chance of extremism;  Cutting taxes, passing 'right to work' are bad ideas
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Wishing good luck to new University of Missouri President Mun Choi X
          SE Missourian letter:  Area woman advocates for prescription drug monitoring program +
          P-D letter:  Crystal Lake Park Democrat Norman Pressman remembers Richard Teitelman
          P-D letter:  Manchester woman lays out minimum wage logic:  Donald Trump is wealthy, and other people are wealthy too;  ipso facto, fast-food workers should be paid $15/hr.
          KC Star letter:  Octogenarian who chooses to live in Kansas mocks UCM College Republicans for high guy-to-gal ratio +
          Disclosure


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        Saturday, December 3
       
SE Missourian:  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder weighs in on Trump's win, possibility of joining Trump administration
+
          Missourinet:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith urging Trump to overturn some Obama executive orders, including Waters of the U.S. rule
          P-D:  Former St. Louis lawyer and current Hardee's CEO Andy Puzder being considered as Trump's labor secretary
          CDT:  University of Missouri Health Care CEO Mitch Wasden:  Obamacare repeal could mean more patients pay up front X
          KTVI (St. Louis):  Anti-Trump activists wants Missouri electors to vote for Hillary Clinton
          KWMU:  Missouri Democrats meet today to select new leader;  Stephen Webber, close to McCaskill, is the current frontrunner
          The Missouri Times:  House Speaker Todd Richardson (R) speaks at gals' KC confab, promises paid family leave
          SNL:  Bill could lead to prescription drug monitoring program X
          SNL:  Bills would make attacks on law enforcement officers a hate crime X
          SNL:  Bill would allow lawsuits over gun-free zones X
          SNL:  Bill would take marriage out of government, let churches decide X
          KC Star:  UM System's new president gets grand welcome at UMKC +
          SNL:  University of Missouri president stresses safety, diversity X
          KWMU:  Riverview Gardens gets stamp of approval from state board for January upgrade
          KC Star:  Nixon to connect KC with the Katy Trail +
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Housing Development Commission re-approves $9 million in funding for 2017
          P-D editorial briefs:  Unions foolish for orchestrating rush-hour protests that divert police resources
          Kraske:  A trip home to see dad reminds us all of some valuable life lessons +
          Columbia Missourian letter:  Missouri Farm Bureau's Leslie Holloway:  Missouri should hold firm on Grain Belt Express
          Disclosure



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        Friday, December 2
       
Washington Post:  Trump's Midwest swing could have implications for Senate races, including McCaskill's
          SNL:  Springfield elder abuse expert testifies before McCaskill committee X
          The Hill:  McCaskill leads effort to tackle retaliation against military sexual assault victims
          Missourinet:  Cleaver wants to see Nancy Pelosi go - but not just yet
          P-D:  St. Louis City hopes final round of Obama-era grant helps north side
          Kraske:  The Chat:  At Mizzou, male "gender-equality" speaker emotional about Trump's victory;  House Superminority Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City) says GOP is "obsessed" with 'right to work' +
          SE Missourian:  Trump terror tales:  Jackson High School "Cool Kids Against Bullying" sponsor Marissa Higuera says one student claims to have heard "go home" once, and another claimed to have been called a mean name +
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Rep. Michael Butler (D-St. Louis) chats with Mannies & Rosenbaum, says Dems "sold our soul" to support Chris Koster, talks about Missouri Dems' failure to engage rural Missourians, more
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Ethics Commission looks to provide answers about Amendment 2
          KWMU:  Politicians fatten coffers before Missouri's new campaign-donation limits kick in
          Drebes:  New state rep committees:  Sara Walsh, Damon Haymer
          KWMU:  Hundreds mourn Judge Richard Teitelman, remembered as gracious, generous, brilliant
          The Missouri Times:  Richard Teitelman celebrated at memorial service
          KWMU:  'Right to work' among bills pre-filed on the first day Missouri legislators could act
          KWMU:  'Right to work' overview:  Thoughts from Missouri Chamber's Dan Mehan, St. Louis Labor Tribune's Ed Finkelstein;  Context and analysis from Jo Mannies
          Missourinet:  House Superminority Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City) dislikes 'right to work' bill
          Missourinet:  Rep. Diane Franklin (R-Camdenton) hopes incoming administration will help make Missouri water patrol changes
          Missourinet:  Missouri Dept. of Conservation is conducting detailed pay study;  Comments from Rep. Craig Redmon (R-Canton)
          Missourinet:  Rep. T.J. Berry (R-Kearney) says his bill would diffuse some controversy in gay weddings resolution
          The Missouri Times:  Ameren, business leaders stress grid modernization at symposium
          CDT:  Mun Choi promises focus on student success, research during MU campus visit X
          P-D:  New UM System president's tour makes stop in Columbia
          Columbia Missourian:  Mun Choi emphasizes UM System growth, land grant mission in visit to MU
          AP:  Missouri won't be forced to reveal supplier of drug used to put down the condemned
          SE Missourian:  Mary Frances Berry to speak at MLK dinner;  Septuagenarian East Coast "social thought" prof will appear at Jan. 18 event +
          KC Star letter:  Area liberal, upset over Trump's election, mocks op-ed from Americans for Prosperity's Jeremy Cady +
          P-D letter:  St. Louis man wants Greitens to make mental-health spending a priority
          P-D letter:  Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis' Felipe Martinez:  Trump's election has led to anxiety, and school leaders must protect the feelings of legal immigrants and illegal aliens
          Disclosure



          X
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        Thursday, December 1
       
KC Star:  Trump's call for ban on flag-burning is the latest round of fiery debate;  Comments from UMKC history prof +
          Columbia Missourian:  At Mizzou talk, male "gender equality" activist laments Donald Trump's victory
          SE Missourian:  Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to meet Tuesday in Cape;  Commissioner Michael Pace says he's encouraged by Trump's comments on infrastructure +
          KC Star:  Independence neighborhood deals with Syrian refugees and their offspring;  Ibraheem Alkhwaja, wife don't work or speak English +
          P-D:  St. Louis employers adjust as overtime rule now in limbo
          Columbia Missourian:  Columbia employers brace for new overtime rules but federal judge puts them in limbo
          Kraske:  The Chat:  St. Louis City Police Chief Sam Dotson (D) on nuisance created by minimum-wage protesters;  Sinquefield's Travis Brown on futility of Amendment 2 +
          Drebes:  In NY Times transcript, Trump says he helped Blunt in final days of campaign
          KC Star:  Jason Kander to speak to liberal group Progress Iowa +
          Drebes:  GOP alternative to ActBlue donation platform launched;  List of Missouri consultants on board
          CDT:  Democrats make second attempt to elect state committee members;  Protests were lodged after Nov. 11 vote X
          KDNL (St. Louis):  The Allman Report:  Follow-up to piece on Post-Dispatch editors'/reporters'/beauty-product reviewers' post-election caterwauling over "fake news"
          AP:  Missouri Supreme Court resumes work after Richard Teitelman's death
          The Missouri Times:  Nixon orders flags at half-staff to honor Richard Teitelman
          Missourinet:  Richard Teitelman's replacement likely to be picked by Eric Greitens
          SNL:  Greitens attends new-governor seminar X
          Missourinet:  Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston) to file 'right-to-work' bill today
          Missourinet:  Departing Rep. Keith English (I-Florissant) says passing 'right to work' may take Republicans more than one year
          KWMU:  Planned Parenthood sues to overturn Missouri abortion restrictions
          SNL:  Lawsuit aims to allow Springfield's first abortions since 2005 X
          AP:  Planned Parenthood sues in three states, including Missouri
          Missourinet:  Planned Parenthood sues in Missouri, other states
          P-D:  Planned Parenthood files federal lawsuit challenging Missouri's abortion restrictions
          Washington Missourian:  Rep.-elect Nathan Tate (R-St. Clair) prepares for first state legislative session X
          KWMU:  Profile:  Missouri Public School Charter Commission's Robbyn Wahby
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Public Service Commission finalizes format for Grain Belt Express hearings
          P-D editorial:  Trump will harm Missouri's working families - and the Post-Dispatch, and others, tried to warn them
          P-D editorial:  Planned Parenthood's lawsuit to expand abortion rights is gutsy move
          P-D editorial page editor Tod Robberson:  Rationalizing how zero (0) of Post-Dispatch's endorsed statewide candidates won;  three weeks after election, criticism of longtime dedicated public servant Chris Koster for failing "impromptu civics test" from editorial board
          P-D op-ed:  Former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Wolff:  Remembering Richard Teitelbaum
          Columbia Missourian's David Rosman:  Liberal columnist provides "advice" to Gov.-elect Greitens, works in mention of former career working for feminist Pat Schroeder, quotes favorite t-shirt slogan, etc.
          P-D letter:  Oakville man dislikes Schaaf's proposal on campaign contribution tax deductions
          SNL letter:  Springfield woman wants state legislators to cap payday loan rates X
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