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Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - December 2017



    

        Sunday, December 31   New Year's Eve
       
KWMU:  Top photos of 2017:  Black Lives Matter trooper with desecrated American flag;  Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) posing;  protester attempting to instigate police;  more
          JCNT:  Lawmakers back in session Wednesday X
          Columbia Missourian:  2018 state legislative preview:  Taxes, education, lobbyist gifts
          Columbia Missourian:  A look at Boone County lawmakers' legislative records
          Columbia Missourian:  Analysis:  Legislators' effectiveness in passing bills coincides with power
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Randolph County official says state's 'unfunded mandates' are causing headaches for counties
          Missourinet:  On New Year's Eve, Missouri troopers to focus on areas with history of alcohol-related accidents
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  New Year's Eve safety advice from the Missouri State Highway Patrol
          CDT:  Options available to Missourians seeking to expunge criminal records X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Too early to make predictions for 2018 races, including McCaskill's X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Private firm wins state license office over Washington Chamber of Commerce X
          SNL op-ed:  Man seeking to fill Democratic ballot slot in 7th Congressional District:  Billy Long to blame for locals' decision to eat ramen noodles X
          The Chronicle of Higher Education op-ed:  Health and education in Missouri's Bootheel:  Region's obesity, poor health due to state legislators' refusal to expand Medicaid
          P-D letter:  Former congressional and state rep candidate Glenn Koenen (D):  Missouri Republicans' goal is to keep poor kids from eating
          Disclosure


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        Saturday, December 30
       
Sedalia Democrat:  Hartzler talks tax overhaul, McCaskill, more
          Missourinet:  Columbia College polisci prof Terry Smith says Hawley has a good shot at unseating McCaskill
          The Missouri Times:  Ethics complaint against Humphreys dismissed, commission finds no grounds of violation
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) launching 'The Big Risk Podcast' to share stories of risk and success in the business world
          Drebes:  Help Wanted:  St. Louis City seeks Democratic director of elections
          AP:  Minimum wage to rise yet again in Missouri
          KWMU:  "<X> things" journomeme:  Five (5!) things to know about population growth in Missouri, the country and the world
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Kathy Swan (R-Cape Girardeau) pushes for constitutional amendment to bar state board members from voting before Senate confirmation +
          SE Missourian:  Thanks to new state law, adoptees will have access to birth certificates Jan. 1 +
          Missourinet:  Hawley warns Missourians against insurance billing practice
          SE Missourian:  Two Bootheel farmers file lawsuit against Monsanto over dicamba herbicide crop damage;  Southeast Missouri State University rep says Monsanto offered proper warnings to farmers who chose to break state law +
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Tim Remole (R-Excello) presents House Resolution to veteran radio man
          Columbia Missourian:  Most-read online stories of 2017:  Japanese beetles (#1), REAL ID (#5), Sheena Greitens profile (#6), MU budget cuts and layoffs (#7)
          P-D:  Post-Dispatch names Lisa Brown as business editor
          KC Star:  Kansas City posts largest homicide total in 24 years X
          JCNT editorial:  Missouri must stop trying 17-year-olds as adults X
          SE Missourian's Jon Rust:  A thank-you note to those who read the Missourian in 2017 +
          P-D letter:  St. Louis sexagenarian wants Greitens to pardon Patty Prewitt
          Disclosure



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        Friday, December 29
       
AP:  Dems hope to use tax overhaul as a club against GOP;  Hawley campaign begins "Claire McTaxall" blitz
          Drebes:  Speaker's office news:  Kenny Ross and Ryan Nonnemaker
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Craig Redmon (R-Monticello) talks fuel tax, other revenue possibilities
          Missourinet:  Missouri commission's decision likely to dissolve Kansas City, Branson housing plans
          Missourinet:  Rowden wants to let school districts lease city buses
          Missourinet:  Missouri highway safety advocates warn about holiday drinking and driving
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri Republicans want to repeat Kansas' tax-cutting mistakes X
          The American Spectator op-ed:  Show-Me Institute's Andrew Wilson:  Five (5) government-shrinking steps Missouri legislators should take in 2018
          P-D op-ed:  Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel:  Former prosecutor Jennifer Joyce contributed to the Reggie Clemons ordeal
          P-D letter:  Farmington septuagenarian suggests each section of the Post-Dispatch has a quota for mopey liberal headlines
          Disclosure


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        Thursday, December 28
       
KWMU:  Blunt expects Congress to leave entitlements alone in 2018
          KMOV:  Video:  Blunt tours Washington, Mo., touts tax plan
          KC Star:  Missouri's Obamacare enrollment numbers virtually unchanged from last year X
          Missourinet:  Missouri Hospital Association's Dave Dillon shares thoughts on individual mandate, Medicare spending
          KC Star:  Hawley campaign maintains focus on McCaskill;  Comments from James Harris, others X
          The Missouri Times:  Dates set for 2018 Lincoln Days
          Drebes:  Twitter ads against Galloway
          The Missouri Times:  Rachel Hassani joins Hahn O'Daniel
          KWMU:  State legislative preview:  Greitens vs. Senate, 'right to work' ballot initiative, taxes, health care, campaign finance regulations, more
          AP:  Greitens proposes foster care changes
          Missourinet:  Rep. Jean Evans (R-Manchester) says bill would strengthen Missouri's competitiveness in sports event industry
          Missourinet:  Legislative preview:  Briefs on bills
          P-D:  Missouri officials fail to report effects of 2015 welfare cuts, Sen. Jake Hummel (D-St. Louis City) says
          KRES/KWIX:  MoDOT graded well by Missourians for 2017
          JCNT:  Governor's Prayer Breakfast next week X
          P-D editorial:  After divisive 2017, Missourians need less pizzazz, more progress from Greitens
          SNL op-ed:  Lt. Gov. Mike Parson:  Tax cuts will bring meaningful change, help Missourians X
          Disclosure


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        Wednesday, December 27
       
KTVI (St. Louis):   Video:  Blunt talks tax cuts, government shutdown, DACA, Russia, more
          P-D:  Overview:  McCaskill's 2018 re-election campaign;  Thoughts from 1/2 of P-D polisci prof pundit pool (Dave Robertson, UMSL), plus one-time appearance from MSU polisci prof Jeremy Walling
          Poynter.org:  As editorial pages shrink, the Kansas City Star chooses to to big instead;  Steve Kraske, Dave Helling, others lead surge in paper's editorial substance and sway
          AP:  Associate Press ranks top news stories of 2017:  St. Louis race riots (#1), GOP domination of statewide offices and Legislature (#2), Chappelle-Nadal and Love online agitation (#4), PDMP (#7)
          Drebes:  Help Wanted:  Victory Enterprises seeks digital account strategist
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) talks impact of federal tax bill, Missouri Senate's relationship with Greitens, campaign finance, more
          CDT:  MU economist:  Federal tax plan to cost $58 million loss to Missouri revenue X
          KC Star:  Schmitt, Eigel, Fitzwater promote tax cuts X
          The Missouri Times:  Court of Appeals rules governor did not overstep by withholding funds from public defenders
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Supreme Court rejects Planned Parenthood's challenge to 72-hour law
          Missourinet:  Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) files bill aimed at helping disabled have increased insurance coverage
          Missourinet:  Missouri expected to spend $17 million in correctional officer overtime costs this year
          CDT:  Legislators again sponsor school bus bill X
          Missourinet:  St. Louis NAACP President Adolphus Pruitt says state uses charter schools to "keep its foot on the necks ... of black children"
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) writes Grinch poem, accuses Dept. of Revenue of 'stealing'
          Missourinet:  Five Missourians died in Christmas holiday traffic crashes
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri leads national effort to remove X-LITE guard rails
          P-D:  Fishing around the Christmas tree:  MO Dept. of Conservation needs Christmas trees for Spanish Lake Park and St. Charles County's Busch Wildlife Lake #33
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri must stop prosecuting 17-year-olds as adults X
          P-D op-ed:  Rep. Tracy McCreery (D-Olivette):  Greitens should grant clemency to Patty Prewitt
          P-D letter:  Illinois man says he enjoyed paper's "Best of" photos feature, except for glut of photos of street mobs
          P-D letter:  St. Peters man responds to piece about urban homicide total, says fathers should start taking responsibility for the children they create
          Disclosure


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        Tuesday, December 26   First Day of Kwanzaa
       
Politico:  Top 10 U.S. Senate races:  McCaskill-Hawley rated #2
          Drebes:  New committee former to oppose "Clean Missouri" and anti-"right to work" ballot initiatives
          Missourinet:  State Treasurer Eric Schmitt continues advocacy to lower taxes
          Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  Greitens spokesman Parker Briden's statement on education funding rated "Mostly False"
          P-D:  Charter-school advocates, critics debate value of annual performance report score
          Missourinet:  A snapshot of some pre-filed bills for upcoming Missouri legislative session
          KWMU:  Advocates for Missouri's young criminals eye two major changes in 2018
          KWMU:  Child psychologist:  Spending more money on child psychologists would keep black students from misbehaving
          AP:  Urban killings rise in clusters;  St. Louis City murderers have banner year
          KC Star editorial:  Remembering Neal Patterson, James Nutter III and Steve Glorioso X
          SNL op-ed:  The battle against opioid abuse requires more than just PDMP and more federal funding X
          Waters:  To fund transportation, state legislators should push for tax increases over and over again X
          P-D op-ed:  Show-Me Institute's R.W. Hafer:  Are Missouri businesses taxed too much? Yes.
          P-D op-ed:  Women's Foundation's Wendy Doyle:  Missouri should lead on parental leave for state employees
          Disclosure


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        Monday, December 25   Merry Christmas!
       
NY Times:  After a chaotic start, Congress has made a conservative mark;  Blunt says Trump has gained appreciation for process, and Blunt values Trump's "fresh set of eyes"
          Drebes:  Missouri State Medical Association shuffle
          Missourinet:  New administrator announced for troubled St. Louis Veterans Home
          CDT:  After LIHTC cuts, city leaders revisiting ways to support affordable housing X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) says tort overhaul has salvaged Missouri from its past as a "haven" for litigious types
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Revised model could give Missouri colleges extra funding X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Moberly Area Community College President Dr. Jeff Lashley praises area state reps and senators - "without exception" - for support of higher ed
          CDT:  Boone County pushes for state rental regulations X
          Disclosure


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        Sunday, December 24   Christmas Eve
       
Hannibal Courier-Post:  Local officials relieved tax bill didn't eliminate tax-exempt municipal bonds
          Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  Statement from Jason Smith on tax cuts and job creation rated "Mostly False"
          St. Joseph News-Press:  CDC puts Missouri on 'widespread' levels of influenza activity X
          SNL:  Greitens uses Facebook to maneuver around Missouri's mainstream news media X
          Drebes:  Supporter of Tim Meadows (D-Imperial) says former state rep is being recruited to run for state Senate
          CDT:  Housing tax credit cuts stymie Columbia Housing Authority plans X
          CDT:  Stores sell cannabis extract despite state regulations X
          Missourinet:  Rep. Don Rone (R-Portageville) available to constituents at diner every weekday morning he's in town;  Greitens name-checked Katie's Diner in his first State of the State
          P-D:  St. Louis City's homicide tally hits 21-year-high with Friday shootings;  Three black women shot dead
          Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  Statement from Rep. Cora Faith Walker (D-Ferguson) on black life expectancy rated "Mostly True"
          P-D:  St. Louis City gun buyback program attracts peaceful morning crowd;  St. Charles participant:  "The wrong people are turning them in. The gangbangers and criminals ... are still sleeping."
          P-D editorial:  Senior Republicans in Missouri pushing back against Greitens
          P-D letter:  Chesterfield octogenarian shares her thoughts on hens, pecks at Hawley over need for more regulations
          Disclosure


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        Saturday, December 23
       
KC Business Journal:  KC craft brewing scene cheers Blunt-sponsored provision in tax overhaul bill
          P-D:  Congressional votes for the week
          Columbia Missourian:  Truman Veterans' Hospital employees outscore their peers in national surveys
          P-D:  New interim director named for St. Louis Veterans Home
          Drebes:  Joe Adams kicks off bid for Chappelle-Nadal's seat
          The Missouri Times:  Court of Appeals rules governor did not overstep by withholding funds from Public Defenders
          SNL:  Local school leaders meet with Greitens, talk about ways to move forward X
          CDT:  Unions back GOP bills to protect mental health of police officers X
          KC Star:  White Missouri prison worker wins $1.4 million lawsuit against MO Dept. of Corrections over racial discrimination complaint X
          Missourinet:  More than 1,500 Missouri children adopted this year
          KC Star editorial:  Clay, Cleaver voting against disaster-relief funding is shameful and hypocritical X
          The Hill op-ed:  Indian financial-group leader:  McCaskill, drug companies plotted to infringe upon sovereignty of St. Regis Mohawks
          P-D letter:  St. Louis septuagenarian upset he got voice mail when calling Roy Blunt's office
          KC Star letter:  Kansas septuagenarian praises Missouri for making smoking-cessation programs a relatively low priority X
          Disclosure


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        Friday, December 22
       
Kraske:  Missouri pols' notable quotables of 2017 X
          KWMU:  Outside groups ramp up presence in Missouri's crucial U.S. Senate contest
          Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  McCaskill's statement on fentanyl deaths rated "Half True"
          KC Star:  Local hospital VP wants CHIP extension X
          Columbia Missourian:  Obamacare enrollment in Missouri nearly doubles in final days
          The Missouri Times:  DESE seeking input from public in search for next commissioner
          SNL:  Survey seeks input on qualities of Missouri's next education commissioner X
          KWMU:  Missouri Department of Mental Health to rule on proposed location for methadone clinic
          Drebes:  Cierpiot files roofing bill
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri Cattlemen's Association encouraged by state tax commission vote
          The Missouri Times:  How should Missouri assess state utility regulation?
          Missourinet:  Additional state troopers will be on the road for Christmas travel
          St. Joseph News-Press:  MoDOT planning major projects for 2018 X
          Missourinet:  MO DHSS:  Missouri's flu cases continue to take significant climb
          Missourinet:  Missouri 'safety net' hospital happy a tax credit will support its joint clinic in KC with YMCA
          Missourinet:  Hawley:  Predator is a pedophile "with a history of molesting female children"
          KWMU:  News Director Bill Raack to serve last day today;  Maria Altman to assume his duties
          KC Star letter:  Seattle, Wa. feminist takes umbrage with Cleaver's comments on sexual harassment "paranoia" X
          P-D letter:  O'Fallon sexagenarian wants defenders of homicidal rapist Reginald Clemons to apologize for prolonging pain of Kerry sisters' family
          Disclosure


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        Thursday, December 21   First Day of Winter
       
P-D:  On the tax cuts, the information wars have only begun;  Thoughts from McCaskill, Blunt
          Missourinet:  Missouri delegation, communications staffers weigh in on tax cuts
          The Missouri Times:  Impact of federal tax reform on Missouri
          KWMU:  EPA's plan to clean up Missouri's lakes may not be strong enough to prevent pollution
          Faughn:  Build that wall - to keep East Coast bureaucrats from infesting our state;  Thoughts on Greitens following Parson and Messenger's lead, Hawley and Sunshine, much more
          The Missouri Times:  Hawley's office launches investigation into Greitens' and staff's use of Confide app
          KWMU:  Greitens' use of texting application is under investigation for breaching open records laws
          AP:  Greitens under review over messaging app
          Missourinet:  Hawley to investigate alleged covert messaging
          Missourinet:  Sifton taking a wait-and-see approach to Hawley's investigation of Greitens
          KWMU:  Bill from Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon) would relieve firefighters from proving they got cancer on the job
          Missourinet:  Greitens supports bill to boost workers' compensation for fire fighters
          AP:  Greitens backs workers' compensation boost for firefighters
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Kathy Swan (R-Cape Girardeau) introduces bill to control tax credits;  seeks to reinstate film tax credit +
          Missourinet:  Missouri transportation task force to recommend primary seat belt law
          P-D:  Sen. Jake Hummel (D-St. Louis City):  Missouri officials fail to report effects of 2015 welfare cuts
          Drebes:  On HB 1273, MOHELA, and millennials' habit of borrowing more money than they can pay back
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Missouri PSC:  Week of December 20, 2017
          SE Missourian:  State software glitches affecting revenue distribution to cities, counties +
          Missourinet:  Greitens signs order releasing Judy Henderson from prison
          AP:  Greitens commutes life sentence in 1981 crime
          P-D:  Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) wants new investigation into 2013 shooting;  Criminal led police on chase, pointed Glock at police officers before being put down
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens' secret text messages will get needed scrutiny in attorney general's investigation X
          Disclosure


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        Wednesday, December 20
       
Washington Post:  Democrats unlikely to force DACA vote this week, probably averting shutdown;  McCaskill says she's "not drawing a line in the sand" on timing
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri's Obamacare enrollment falls
          AP:  McCaskill announces that Dept. of Homeland Security approves St. Louis Cardinals' Safety Act proposal
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Area man seeks to fill Democratic ballot slot in Graves' re-election X
          KWMU:  Mannies, Rosenbaum, Marshall Griffin recap top stories of 2017:  Greitens' first year as gov, St. Louis race riots, more
          Drebes:  Rep. Bill White contributes $100,000 of his own money into his campaign for state Senate
          AP:  Missouri revenue chief expects minor federal tax effect
          AP:  Missouri unemployment drops lower
          The Missouri Times:  Parson, Schmitt defend rural Missouri with 'no' votes on ending low-income housing tax credits
          KWMU:  Greitens succeeds in push to halt low-income housing tax credits
          Missourinet:  Missouri ditches low-income housing tax credit
          The Missouri Times:  21st Century Transportation System Task Force holds final meeting, report expected within next week
          Missourinet:  Missouri transportation task force to recommend gasoline and diesel tax increase
          Columbia Missourian:  State approves new performance-based funding measures for higher ed
          Missourinet:  Bill from Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon) would set age restriction for tanning beds
          AP:  Missouri House Democrats pitch bill on opioid abuse
          Columbia Missourian:  Lack of maternal health care puts pregnant women at risk in rural Missouri
          AP:  Missouri sees high mortality rates for pregnant women
          Missourinet:  Missouri lawmakers differ on fixing St. Louis area landfill before EPA head decides
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court sides with Bayer against 85 out-of-state plaintiffs
          KC Star editorial:  Children in foster care in Missouri deserve better X
          P-D editorial:  More victims of Reggie Clemons:  defendants who might actually be innocent
          KC Star's Andy Marso:  Mortality rate for pregnant Missouri women is high. Why? Because legislators won't expand Medicaid X
          KC Star letter:  Gravois Mills sexagenarian wants full-time Water Patrol;  KC sexagenarian unmoved by Graves' pro-tax-cut constituent newsletter X
          P-D letter:  Chesterfield woman thanks Messenger, Rick Stream for advocacy on behalf of Missouri veterans
          Disclosure


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        Tuesday, December 19
       
P-D:  Congressional votes for the week
          KC Star:  Conservative group says Galloway is violating Sunshine Law, wants AG to investigate
          KC Star:  Greitens adviser Nick Ayers linked to nonprofit that funded attacks against GOP rivals
          The Missouri Times:  Halfway through FY2018, over $165 million currently restricted
          Drebes:  Under Trump, Missouri has more freedom to change food stamp laws;  Hoskins and Sater have pre-filed legislation
          P-D:  Correction:  Paper corrects name of Rep. Kathie Conway (R-St. Charles) without acknowledgement
          P-D:  Hearing cancelled for lawmaker who hoped on Facebook for hanging of vandals
          The Missouri Times:  Democrats call for rescheduled ethics hearing for Love
          Missourinet:  House Superminority Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City) outraged that Legislature isn't prioritizing hearing on lawmaker's Facebook post
          Missourinet:  Bill from Rep. Bill Kidd (R-Independence) would help protect U.S. companies from rulings under foreign law
          SE Missourian:  Former Scott City mayor files defamation suit against Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston), two others
          KWMU:  Casino deal involves thousands of St. Louis area workers and millions in taxes
          P-D:  $2.8 billion deal will change ownership of several St. Louis area casinos
          P-D:  Murderer pleads guilty - a second time - to Chain of Rocks murders;  Reginald Clemons and pals befriended two sisters at gathering, robbed them, gang-raped them, then pushed them off bridge to their death
          KWMU:  Reginald Clemons pleads guilty to Chain of Rocks murders
          AP:  Ex-Missouri death-row inmate re-sentenced to life in prison
          P-D editorial:  Protect Missouri's employees and make government accountable with whistleblower protections
          P-D letter:  Ballwin sexagenarian dislikes Trump, says he will not be voting for Ann Wagner when she's re-elected
          KC Star letter:  Independence septuagenarian mocks Greitens' incessant chestpuffery, offers sarcastic suggestions for other macho-man stunts
          Disclosure


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



        Monday, December 18
       
The Standard (Missouri State):  Sen. Roy Blunt speaks at fall commencement
          Missouri Farmer Today:  Missouri officials aim to cut regulations;  Thoughts from Gov. Eric Greitens, farmer/Ag Director Chris Chinn, rancher/Lt. Gov. Mike Parson
          Kirksville Daily Express:  Missouri Democratic Party promotes "Farmer's Bill of Rights";  Chairman Stephen Webber takes aim at Munzlinger Chief of Staff Pat Thomas
          Drebes:  Former state Rep. Sue Allen (R-Town and Country) to run for Town and Country City Council, replacing Linda Rallo
          JCNT:  Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City), local brewery owner hold ring-off for Salvation Army X
          Missourinet:  Missouri transportation task force prepares to make recommendations
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Lawmakers to discuss texting-and-driving ban ... again X
          P-D:  Some I-44 bridge work is nearly done, but there's a lot more to come
          Missourinet:  Kansas City charter school loses sponsorship, two others get probation
          P-D's Kurt Erickson:  Missouri still grappling with shortage of prison guards;  Comments from St. Charles GOP "Rep. Kathy [sic] Conway"
          SE Missourian:  Forum on juvenile-justice system draws sparse crowd;  Fewer than 12 show up to complain about discrimination, education system, other perceived injustices +
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri announces first wave of dicamba penalties
          P-D:  Penn National to buy Pinnacle Entertainment in $2.8 billion deal;  Missouri Gaming Commission will have to approve transfer of control
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri legislators should stand up to Greitens in 2018 X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Ending low-income housing tax credits would hurt Joplin's seniors, poor X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri should spend tobacco settlement money on helping smokers kick the habit X
          Messenger:  Secret texts a metaphor for all that has gone wrong in Greitens' first year
          KC Star letters:  KC liberal thinks calling Blunt's office will affect support of tax cuts;  Local septuagenarian takes pride in paper's news/editorial campaign against Greitens 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.



        Sunday, December 17
       
P-D:  Ed Martin, CNN's controversial Trump surrogate, keeps smiling
        KWMU:  McCaskill opines on federal tax bill and net neutrality at town hall
        CDT:  Financial stakes drive battle over tax credits X
        CDT:  Mini-profiles:  Low-income housing residents X
        AP:  Analysis:  Board picks help Missouri governors promote policy change
        Drebes:  Help Wanted:  MOHELA seeks Chief Information Officer
        SE Missourian:  Jay Knudson resigns as president of Board of Regents at Southeast +
        KC Star:  Missouri trooper in handcuffed drowning case slapped with final discipline protocol X
        St. Joseph News-Press:  Rep. Stacey Newman (D-Richmond Heights) to introduce more gun legislation this session X
        Washington Missourian editorial:  Schatz's willingness to propose gas-tax increase sets him apart from "me-first" legislators X
        P-D editorial:  Children's deaths should trouble everyone about lax home-school regulation
        Washington Missourian editorial:  MU's 2015 race agitation has not significantly hurt its fundraising X
        SNL editorial:  Sending good thoughts to Springfield Chamber's Matt Morrow X
        Columbia Missourian's Lucille Sherman:  Responses to "NoMORedTape" not what Greitens was hoping for
        P-D letter:  Jefferson County woman would prefer having urban diner owner as governor instead of Greitens
        KC Star letter:  Kansas man attempts punchline involving traffic tickets and Confide app X
        Disclosure



          X
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        Saturday, December 16
       
The Hill:  White House still eyeing gas tax hike to pay for infrastructure plan;  Sam Graves says it could be a nonstarter in the House
          The Missouri Times:  Hawley unveils 'Claire McTaxAll' website in first shots at Democratic incumbent
          P-D:  Top 10 most-read stories of 2017:  Chappelle-Nadal assassination wish (#10), Ferguson rioter/Twitter celebrity Edward "@eyeFLOODpanties" Crawford kills himself (#6), Stockley riots (#1)
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  Week of December 11, 2017
          The Missouri Times:  A look at the Justice Reinvestment Initiative
          AP:  Change in Missouri health-insurance plan would affect fewer than 100 AIDS carriers
          Missourinet:  Missouri House Ethics Committee schedules hearing to discuss August Facebook post from Rep. Warren Love (R-Osceola)
          SNL:  Galloway offers to investigate Greene County for 'free' X
          P-D editorial brief:  Legislation from Rep. Justin Alferman (R-Hermann) will help protect against food-prep sabotage
          SNL's Cheryl Whitsitt:  Upcoming editorials on Greene County audit issue will not include participation of editorial board member married to county spokeswoman X
          Waters:  Democrats' Alabama fantasy must meet reality:  Liberals who pray for Trump's demise should recognize that Missouri is no longer a bellwether
          St. Joseph News-Press letter:  Chairman of Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations applauds Greitens for shaking up veterans commission X
          SNL letter:  MSU English prof calls Greitens a phony, says he is wrong on every issue X
          Disclosure


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        Friday, December 15
       
P-D's Chuck Raasch:  Dems hope Alabama race bodes well for Missouri;  Comments from U.S. Senate candidates, 1/2 of P-D polisci prof pundit pool (UMSL's Dave Robertson)
          Kraske:  Democrats waltz into 2018 with optimism in their eyes X
          P-D:  GOP U.S. Senate candidate Austin Petersen accepting Bitcoin donations
          Missourinet:  Blunt praises GOP tax plan
          AP:  Blunt pleased with FCC vote on net neutrality
          Joplin Globe:  McCaskill, Blunt:  Joplin granted extension for tornado-recovery funds X
          Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  Trump statement on Missouri unemployment rated "False"
          KWMU:  Illegal alien living in St. Louis gets the boot from immigration authorities, heads back to Mexico
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  Beat reporters for arts/culture/protests/LGBTQIA* topics recap favorite stories of 2017:  Local feminists coping with pain of Hillary Clinton's November 2016 loss, area boy dressing up as girl, movie celebrating St. Louis riots, more
          KC Star:  Former Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders takes leave from law practice in wake of FBI probe
          SNL:  Missouri Democratic Party makes rural stops, promotes "Farmer's Bill of Rights" X
          P-D:  Missouri Democratic Party takes aim at Hawley over appeal of money for blind Missourians
          Missourinet:  Missouri Alliance for Freedom runs ads targeting Nicole Galloway
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri House Democrats look to expand superminority
          The Missouri Times:  Fitzwater joins Eigel in push for tax overhaul in Missouri
          Washington Missourian:  Schatz files 10-cent fuel tax hike proposal, files 22 bills for 2018 session X
          Missourinet:  Boone County Presiding Commissioner:  I-70 must be highest priority for Missouri transportation task force
          Missourinet:  Speedy search underway for new Missouri Education Commissioner
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri State Board of Education to open search to applicants starting Friday
          KWMU:  Greitens' picks for State Board of Education accelerate commissioner search process
          KC Star:  After ousting education commissioner, state board haggles over hiring new leader X
          Reuters:  Missouri issues first fines over dicamba in 2016;  Minority of farmers chose to break law by misapplying herbicide
          AP:  Greitens praises help for CAFOs
          The Missouri Times:  Spire rate case could signal change in precedent at PSC
          P-D editorial:  Greitens wrong to appoint farmers to Clean Water Commission
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Obsessed with tough-guy photo ops, Greitens doesn't follow through on campaign promises and runs a secretive operation X
          Messenger:  E-mails, secret texts and your right to know. A Missouri Sunshine Law tale
          P-D letter:  Chesterfield septuagenarian says paper's anti-Greitens series demonstrates its brand of yellow journalism
          P-D letter:  St. Louis woman wants a Democratic governor, as well as a Missouri Nondiscrimination Act
          Disclosure


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        Thursday, December 14
       
The Hill:  After Moore's loss, Blunt says slim majorities can be easier to manage
          P-D's Chuck Raasch:  Lacy Clay, Ann Wagner demonstrate partisan double-standards on sexual harassment allegations
          KWMU:  Locals weigh in on net neutrality debate
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Sen. Gary Romine (R-Farmington) talks with journduo about Vandeven ouster, Greitens' lack of communication with Senate, running for Senate president pro tem, more
          Missourinet:  Romine files bill in response to education commissioner turmoil
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Moberly school board bashes Greitens' education moves;  Superintendent says governor's approach is short-sighted
          Missourinet:  Missouri veterans leader resigns, another put on leave
          P-D:  Missouri veterans chief resigns under pressure from governor
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens targets Schupp with accusations regarding issues in veterans homes
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri legislators eyeing their own tax reform X
          KWMU:  Republican lawmakers seeking more tax relief
          Missourinet:  Tax overhaul plan gains support among GOP legislators
          Drebes:  GOP Rep. Elaine Gannon's education bill
          AP:  University of Missouri endowment tops $1B for the first time
          KC Star:  UMKC new building project funded with millions in gifts and state money X
          Missourinet:  Speeding, seat belts and funding dominate discussion at Missouri transportation meeting
          Columbia Missourian:  Task force hasn't given up on Missouri Hyperloop
          Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  McKenna's statement on Hyperloop rated "Half True"
          Missourinet:  Missouri First Lady Sheena Greitens stresses need to improve foster care before legislative panel
          Missourinet:  Missouri task force to consider improvements in behavioral health network
          Columbia Missourian:  Task force recommends mental health support for released prisoners
          Missourinet:  Southeast Missouri steel mill series:  New Madrid leader is optimistic about steel mill, and prepared if it doesn't happen
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Missouri PSC:  Week of December 13, 2017
          SE Missourian:  Forum on juvenile justice set for Saturday +
          AP:  Bourbon virus not found in ticks at Meramec State Park
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri Ethics Commission should do more to find kickback schemes like those of former Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders
          P-D family columnist/beauty-product reviewer Aisha Sultan:  Community college sociology prof promotes anti-gun postcard sent to Blunt
          P-D op-ed:  Housing developer:  Greitens takes the money, but not the politics, out of tax credit program
          P-D letter:  Fenton septuagenarian thanks Post-Dispatch for its anti-Greitens series
          KC Star letter:  Kansas septuagenarian wishes Greitens was more like Gov. Sam Brownback
          Disclosure


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        Wednesday, December 13
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill fears bill's language will hinder inspector general probes X
          P-D:  Wagner's sex-trafficking bill advances, but it's garnered fresh opposition
          Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  Hartzler statement on Missouri's FEMA cases rated "Mostly True"
          SNL:  Former Ashcroft aide and current Springfield Chamber of Commerce President Matt Morrow battling cancer X
          The Missouri Times:  Democratic lawyer extraordinaire Chuck Hatfield says Hawley could choose to investigate or sue Greitens over texting app
          Springfield Business Journal:  Mini-profile:  Elijah Haahr set to become youngest Speaker of the House in history
          The Missouri Times:  Employees seek compensation for lost wages in lawsuit against Dept. of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration
          Columbia Missourian:  House subcommittee continues discussion on potential work-study program
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Columbia schools involved in public transportation bill;  Comments from Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport)
          KWMU:  Utilities and environmentalists call for Missouri to spend VW funds on electric vehicles
          AP:  Missouri commission OKs two CAFOs
          KWMU:  State appeals court blocks Darren Wilson grand juror from speaking about the case
          P-D editorial:  A governor devoted to transparency should have no use for Confide app
          KC Star editorial:  Officials' text messages are public records, and we should be allowed to see them X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Greitens should embrace transparency X
          JCNT letter:  Holts Summit woman expresses anger that Luetkemeyer has not responded to her letters, threatens to plop down in district office X
          CDT letter:  Columbia man disagrees with "Vickie [sic] Hartzler" on tax cuts X
          KC Star letter:  Kansas man attempts analogy involving Confide app and Revolutionary War muskets X
          Disclosure


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        Tuesday, December 12
       
P-D:  U.S. Senate candidate Josh Hawley says allegations against Roy Moore are "very serious"
          Clayton Times:  Former candidate for U.S. House District 2 blasts Democratic primary opponents
          Drebes:  Saundra McDowell could join GOP primary for state auditor
          The Missouri Times:  Republican Danny Busick will seek Nate Walker's state rep seat
          The Missouri Times:  Republicans lining up to fill Paul Curtman's shoes in 109th District
          KWMU:  Greitens wants state veterans administrators fired after problems at St. Louis Veterans Home
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens replaces five Missouri Veterans Commissioners, calls for removal of Carter and Kay
          Missourinet:  Veterans home investigation prompts Greitens to demand new leadership
          AP:  Greitens calls for investigations into veterans homes, leadership change at St. Louis facility
          P-D:  Problems at St. Louis Veterans Home prompt governor to call for administrator's firing
          Missourinet:  Schupp says Greitens may be stacking veterans commission panel to fire top leaders
          The Missouri Times:  The search for a new commissioner:  What will they be looking for?
          AP's Summer Ballentine and Margaret Stafford:  Analysis/evaluation:  Why is Eric Greitens obsessed with showing off his physical fitness?
          Columbia Missourian:  Liberal gals take pride in being blocked by Greitens' social media
          AP:  Hawley to form program to help with legal problems
          Missourinet:  Greitens downplays KC Star piece on messaging app, says "liberal media outlet" is desperate to attack his agenda
          AP:  Hawley weighs in on Confide messaging app
          P-D:  Hawley says text messages are public records
          Columbia Missourian:  Governor, state agencies largely exempt from Hawley's scrutiny
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Tim Remole (R-Excello) previews budget talks, education and social services funding
          Missourinet:  Rep. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville):  'We pay for personal property or real property taxes forever'
          Missourinet:  Missouri House Committee looks for waiver from Obamacare while Congress makes moves
          Missourinet:  Far-reaching foster care study announced by First Lady Sheena Greitens
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. TJ Berry (R-Kearney) files bill to cap electric rates and modernize Missouri's energy grid
          SNL:  Avoiding state audit lets county sidestep Sunshine Law X
          KWMU:  Missouri's Department of Agriculture places restrictions on Monsanto and DuPont's dicamba products
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri is making it easier to get away with sexual harassment in the workplace X
          P-D editorial:  Greitens acts, finally, to address veterans home issues
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens should have helped veterans sooner, but he was too busy staging chest-puffing photo-ops X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Jennifer Bukowsky:  If women want to be taken seriously in Missouri politics, they should avoid sexual misbehavior
          Messenger:  Greitens finally seeks change at veterans home. Good. Lives are at stake.
          P-D's Kurt Erickson:  Greitens travels too much
          Waters:  UM President Mun Choi is making a difference X
          SE Missourian letter:  Poplar Bluff man opposes term-limit extension, supports ban on lobbyist gifts +
          P-D letter:  Chesterfield octogenarian opposes Greitens' appointments to Clean Water Commission, recounts what water was like in the old-timey days
          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.



        Monday, December 11
       
The Hill:  Spending bill mathletics:  House Republicans could jam bill with defense-first package and dare vulnerable McCaskill to vote against it
        KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  State Treasurer Eric Schmitt on federal tax overhaul, McCaskill vs. Hawley, retooling Missouri pensions, more
        This Week in Missouri Politics:  Guest Eric Schmitt on federal tax reform, Trump's support in Missouri, Greitens, McCaskill vs. Hawley, more;  Panel of Ray Hartmann, Sarah Wood Martin, Jon Prouty, and Jennifer Bukowsky on Greitens and Vandeven, federal tax cuts
        KWMU:  Area Muslims march against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital
        Drebes:  Missouri House Committee shuffling
        KWMU:  Group seeking to prevent infant deaths is raising cash through private donations;  Group finds path forward after $20k state contract was reallocated
        P-D's Jack Suntrup:  Greitens' first year in office:  Assessments of legislative accomplishments, relationships with legislators, rock-climbing/rappelling machismo, more
        Missourinet:  Legislative preview:  Rep. Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho) files seat-belt legislation
        Missourinet:  Legislative preview:  Rep. TJ Berry (R-Kearney) to reintroduce marriage legislation
        Missourinet:  Legislative preview:  Rep. Richard Brown (D-Kansas City) proposes gun legislation
        KC Star editorial:  McCaskill is correct:  More men should jump on harassment wave
        P-D editorial:  Correction to anti-Greitens series editorial
        KC Star editorial:  Who else was involved in former Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders' kickback scheme?
        The Hill op-ed:  Brain & Behavioral Research Foundation's Scientific Council President Herbert Pardes:  Heartening to see Roy Blunt, others lead the way on mental health funding
        Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin:  Distinguished pols of the week:  McCaskill, other Dem gals show coordinate their disposal of Franken
        SNL op-ed:  Greitens did right thing on Board of Education
        P-D letter:  Fenton man says P-D anti-gun editorial was hypocritical
        P-D letter:  Manchester feminist alarmed by provisions in Senate Bill 5 six (6) months after passage
        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 10
       
KBIA (Columbia):  Area alien shares feelings on DACA;  Mexican coed tells harrowing tale of paperwork required for Europe jaunt
          Drebes:  Kate Whiting joins St. Louis Realtors as new Assistant of Government Affairs
          CDT:  As costs increase, state funding for school busing goes down X
          P-D:  Starved, beaten and forgotten:  Child deaths in Missouri and Illinois expose how predators exploit home-school system
          Joplin Globe:  Prefiled bills tackle bump stocks, prevailing wage, abortion
          JCNT:  Rep. Karla May (D-St. Louis) files land-grant funding bill for Lincoln University X
          SNL:  In critical statement, Galloway again calls for Greene County to request investigation X
          P-D:  Best of photographer Christian Gooden's 2017 shots:  Black Lives Matter crowd burning American flag, protesters attacking police officers, protesters attacking motorists, more
          P-D editorial:  Anti-Greitens series promo, Part II:  Centerpiece quote from "state Rep. [sic] Doug Libla (R-Poplar Bluff)"
          McClellan:  For 2020 presidential hopes, Claire McCaskill offers Dems a much better chance than fake Indian Elizabeth Warren
          P-D letter:  Local Democratic campaign consultant Mark Travers:  Ann Wagner, Jason Smith wrong on guns
          P-D letter:  St. Louis Equity Fund's John Kennedy wants state to continue low-income housing tax credits
          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 9
       
P-D:  Ann Wagner's bill on online sex trafficking gets key test in House next week
          KY3:  McCaskill, Blunt say they support CHIP funding
          Sedalia Democrat:  Local Presbyterian pastor thanks Hartzler for opportunity to give opening prayer for U.S. House of Representatives
          The Missouri Times:  Activist group claims congressional delegation supports their position on West Lake Landfill
          Drebes:  Former Missouri politico Gina Loudon pens Breitbart piece in support of Alabama's Roy Moore
          Washington Missourian:  Despite internecine GOP battles, Rep. Justin Alferman (R-Hermann) anticipates ethics bill passing the House
          SEMO Times:  Sen. Gary Romine (R-Ste. Genevieve) talks with Scott Faughn about discrimination bill, Greitens' team not sharing information, praise for Democratic Sens. Scott Sifton and Gina Walsh, transportation funding, more
          P-D's Kevin McDermott:  Greitens' onetime vows of transparency now lost behind a veil of dark money
          P-D's Kurt Erickson:  Lack of sunshine under Greitens leads to information underload
          P-D:  Sen. Scott Sifton (D-Affton) calls for investigation after report of Greitens' use of text-deleting app
          KC Star:  Greitens' self-destructing texts inspire call for AG investigation;  Letter to AG sent by "Sen. Scott Sifton (D-St. Louis [sic])" X
          P-D correction:  Editor Gilbert Bailon acknowledges error in yesterday's kickoff editorial for anti-Greitens series
          P-D:  Change in law could end residency questions for Missouri AG Josh Hawley;  Bill sponsored by "Republican state Rep. Lindall [sic] Shumake"
          KWMU:  Pre-filed bill would strike down requirement for Missouri attorney general
          Dunklin Democrat:  Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber promotes "Farmer's Bill of Rights" in rural areas +
          P-D:  Greitens' long-awaited prescription drug monitoring program is up and running
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Area independent living center hopes for funding this legislative session X
          P-D:  Agencies weigh options to fight Big River erosion and lead contamination
          P-D:  David Steelman elected to be next chairman of University of Missouri Board of Curators
          CDT:  Board of Curators elects David Steelman as chairman X
          Missourinet:  UMSL-sponsored urban charter school to close;  Students produced disappointing test scores
          SNL:  Advocates for raising Missouri's criminal prosecution age make their case X
          P-D:  St. Louis City could break 200-homicide mark in 2017;  Mayor blames guns
          KWMU:  Mayor's Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards talks gun buyback:  "I don't expect the criminals and crooks to come in here and bring me a gun."
          KC Star editorial:  Cleaver was right to vote 'no' on Trump impeachment X
          P-D editorial brief:  Mocking Chillicothe GOP Rep. Rusty Black for seeking to honor his hometown
          The Weekly Standard's Tony Mecia:  McCaskill and other Dems' phony, vapid case against tax cuts
          Columbia Missourian op-ed:  Americans for Prosperity's Jeremy Cady:  McCaskill's stance on tax overhaul is politics as usual
          P-D letter:  Man who lives in Wildwood claims to make only $25,000/yr., disagrees with Blunt on tax cuts
          P-D letter:  St. Louis septuagenarian says Chris Koster lost votes for governor because he sided with Missouri egg producers over animal-rights activists
          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.



        Friday, December 8
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill, Blunt push for fair rewriting of NAFTA X
          Missourinet:  Blunt, Hartzler take to Senate and House floors, respectively, to promote GOP tax cuts
          Missourinet:  Missouri's liberal advocacy groups oppose GOP tax cuts
          JCNT:  Protest at Luetkemeyer's office draws fewer than 20 to complain about tax cuts X
          JCNT:  Luetkemeyer hosting annual constituent days X
          Missourinet:  McCaskill defends Obama-era Internet regulations
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  Immigration law expert Jim Hacking, area Muslim activist promote town hall on Trump terrorist ban
          Missourinet:  EPA to roll out plan in January for West Lake Landfill
          Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  Blunt's pro-accuser statement regarding sexual harassment rated "Half True"
          KC Star:  Former Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders used quadriplegic friend to run illegal kickback scheme X
          The Missouri Times:  Seasoned feminist Rep. Stacey Newman (D-Richmond Heights) endorses Joe Adams over Sharon Pace for Chappelle-Nadal's seat
          Drebes:  John Simmons to run for Paul Curtman's House seat
          The Missouri Times:  A 30-year retrospective on the career of Jay Nixon:  Part IV
          The Missouri Times:  A 30-year retrospective on the career of Jay Nixon:  Part V
          P-D:  Preview:  "Mission accomplished?" weekend series to focus on Greitens' dark money, lack of transparency, frequent travel, and inattentiveness to Post-Dispatch reporters' demands
          The Missouri Times:  Some Greitens staffers use Confide app on their personal phones
          P-D:  Missouri owes $19 million in refunds for federal child care subsidies, audit says
          The Missouri Times:  Looking to 2018:  Prefiled bills that could play a major role in the upcoming session
          Missourinet:  Munzlinger's plan would increase size of Missouri Conservation Commission
          P-D:  Hundreds of homes planned on University of Missouri-owned land around Missouri Bluffs Golf Club
          SNL:  In sign of the times, homeschool group from southwest Missouri calls it quits X
          P-D:  The secret world of investigating prison deaths in Missouri
          KWMU:  Missouri Air Conservation Commission approves plan to show EPA that Jefferson County air is cleaner
          P-D:  State says Jefferson County meets sulphur dioxide standards
          KWMU:  Area transgenders hope online telethon raises cash;  Facebook-streamed show to feature makeup-for-men tutorials, burlesque from "The Derriere Beyond Compare"
          P-D editorial:  "Mission accomplished?" weekend series kickoff:  Greitens attacks Nicole Galloway with dark money, as she's "the only Democrat on the 2018 statewide ballot [sic]"
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens is making Hillary Clinton look like a secrecy amateur X
          P-D editorial:  Missouri wrong to embrace "the more guns, the better" philosophy
          P-D op-ed:  The trucking industry should foot the bill for Missouri road improvements
          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 7  
Pearl Harbor Day
       
P-D:  McCaskill, other Senate women call for Al Franken to resign
          KCUR:  McCaskill, other Democratic women call for Franken to resign
          SNL:  McCaskill:  Male senators need to lead on sexual harassment X
          Missourinet:  Blunt holds hearing to explore options for fighting opioids
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Luetkemeyer talks tax cuts and repeal of individual mandate, says his barbershop crew would rather pay fines than be forced into Obamacare
          Brownfield Ag News:  House Agriculture Committee's ranking Democrat, Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), talks 2018 Farm Bill at Missouri Farm Bureau forum
          SeekingAlpha.com:  Lee Enterprises, parent company of St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Q4 earnings call transcript:  Revenue down, with more price increases for subscribers on the horizon (free registration required)
          Columbia Missourian:  Sean Spence named KOPN general manager;  Former Democratic campaign consultant previously served as director of Mid-Missouri Better Business Bureau
          Washington Missourian:  Lucas Dieckhaus to seek state representative seat
          AP:  Greitens praises Trump's decision on Israel
          KWMU:  Dueling philosophies between Greitens and Democrats on Missouri's agriculture industry
          P-D:  Chesterfield trial lawyer unhappy with Greitens' pro-agriculture appointments to Clean Water Commission
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Moberly superintendent opposes Greitens' charter-school agenda, wants to hear governor's vision for education
          Columbia Missourian:  Eddy Justice says he wasn't pressured by Greitens to fire education commissioner
          JCNT:  House committee questions safety on LU, MU campuses
          KWMU:  National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse St. Louis Chapter leader Howard Weissman wants Jefferson City to "get its act together" on PDMP
          SNL:  Galloway:  Whistleblowers need protection X
          Missourinet:  Galloway, Democratic superminority wish to change SB 43
          SNL:  Galloway urges investigation of Greene County after potential misuse of public resources X
          SNL:  Why Galloway is asking permission to investigate Greene County X
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Missouri PSC:  December 6, 2017
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court to decide if self-defense was improperly left out of murder case
          Missourinet:  Rep. Alan Green (D-Florissant) wants legislators to sit through "Unconscious Racial Bias Training;"  Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) questions efficacy
          SE Missourian editorial:  Pearl Harbor Day is time to reflect and thank World War II vets +
          SNL editorial:  Teacher pay report shows need for collaboration X
          P-D editorial:  Greitens' platitudes don't match the numbers on education
          KC Star editorial:  Josh Hawley's egg lawsuit unnecessary
          KC Star editorial:  To catch more rapists, Missouri must test more rape kits
          CDT op-ed:  Tim Jones:  Three ways the Senate tax plan helps Missourians X
          KC Star op-ed:  Missouri Charter Public School Association:  Charter schools play a major role in educating Kansas City
          KC Star's Jason Hancock:  Greitens' penchant for secrecy goes digital with messaging app that leaves no trace
          P-D letter:  St. Louis man disputes claims from low-income housing tax credit critics, including Post-Dispatch
          Disclosure



          X
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        Wednesday, December 6
       
P-D:  McCaskill, Blunt weigh in on potential victory of Alabama's Judge Roy Moore
          P-D:  Lee Enterprises, parent of Post-Dispatch, reports fourth quarter 2017 results:  Lower total revenue, with 0.6% rise in subscription revenue from charging customers more
          The Missouri Times:  A retrospective on the 30-year career of Jay Nixon:  Part III
          Dunklin Democrat:  Dunklin County Democratic Women host holiday party;  Comments from MDP Chairman Stephen Webber, woman seeking to fill Democratic ballot slot against Jason Smith, others +
          Missourinet:  Missouri State Employee Charitable Campaign raises more than $1 million
          SNL:  Eigel's big tax overhaul proposal involves slowly doing away with personal income taxes X
          KWMU:  Galloway report finds school superintendents' pay increases outpacing teachers
          SNL:  Vandeven:  Greitens never shared vision for education X
          KWMU:  Board of Education Member Eddy Justice defends Vandeven ouster
          Columbia Missourian:  Educators unsettled, state board divided after Vandeven's ousting
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Rep. Gina Mitten (D-Richmond Heights) weighs in on Vandeven brouhaha, campaign contribution restrictions, and Dem dreams of picking up GOP legislative seats in 2018
          CDT:  Rep. Martha Stevens (D-Columbia) proposes needle exchange to prevent disease X
          Missourinet:  Missouri prisons struggle with critical correctional officer shortage
          KWMU:  State appeals court sides with Tesla in dispute over dealerships
          KWMU:  Environmental activists demand tougher laws to address runoff in Missouri's large lakes
          Missourinet:  Hawley releases investigation on Stockley civil lawsuit wrongdoing
          P-D:  'Clear discovery violation' during negotiations with Anthony Lamar Smith family, Missouri AG says
          P-D editorial:  Josh Hawley takes another crack at the great Missouri egg case
          SNL op-ed:  U.S. Rep. Billy Long:  No time to waste in addressing opioid crisis X
          Columbia Missourian's David Rosman:  List of Missouri GOP transgressions, with attempted punchline involving climate change and "hot air"
          P-D op-ed:  George Washington University coed dislikes Missouri's new laws for abortion providers and their customers
          KC Star letter:  Lee's Summit septuagenarian opposes GOP tax cuts, thinks writing letters to Congress will make a difference X
          P-D letter:  Wentzville sexagenarian says Greitens was too soft on urban rioters and too ham-handed with Vandeven
          P-D letter:  Manchester woman responds to letter responding to poverty coverage, says men should take responsibility for the children they create
          Disclosure


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        Tuesday, December 5
       
Hoosier Ag Today (Indiana):  McCaskill opposes GOP estate tax break, says it does not benefit Missouri farmers
          The Missouri Times:  Retrospective on the 30-year career of Jay Nixon:  Part II
          Drebes:  Help Wanted:  Supreme Court of Missouri seeks government relations counsel
          The Missouri Times:  Parson calls for ouster of St. Louis Veterans Home administrator
          Missourinet:  Lt. Gov. Mike Parson wants new leadership at embattled veterans home
          AP:  Parson wants new veterans' home head
          KWMU:  Hawley continues Koster's legal fight against California over egg regulations
          AP:  13 states, including Missouri, launch new legal challenge to California egg law
          Missourinet:  Hawley announces renewed push in egg lawsuit against California
          SNL:  State audit supports Greitens' claim about teacher pay disparity, especially charters X
          P-D:  Missouri schools are spending more on superintendent pay, other non-classroom costs
          SNL:  Missouri school board to start commissioner search next week after controversial firing X
          SNL:  Greitens' education tactics could spark filibuster X
          JCNT:  Missouri Democratic Party promotes "Farmer's Bill of Rights" to oppose large agriculture companies X
          Missourinet:  Members of House Democratic Superminority to introduce symbolic spending bills
          Missourinet:  Rep. Cora Faith Walker (D-Ferguson) introduces CHIP-funding bill
          Missourinet:  Missouri DHSS:  Flu season hits Missouri hard and early
          SNL:  #lovemynewspaper day promotion:  Compliment the News-Leader for their coverage and win beer, other prizes X
          KWMU:  The Evening Whirl keeps on spinning in St. Louis;  City's premier black newspaper takes pride in calling suspects 'crooks,' other politically-incorrect straight talk
          KC Star editorial:  Republicans Blunt, Graves wrong to support GOP tax bills X
          P-D editorial:  A win for Greitens is a big loss for Missouri public education
          KC Star op-ed:  Blue Springs teacher:  Some questions for Greitens about education priorities X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis liberal disagrees with Blunt on tax cuts
          KC Star letter:  Sugar Creek man seeks to punish GOP lawmakers for tax cuts, assumes he'll still be around to vote against Blunt in 2022 X
          Disclosure


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        Monday, December 4
       
JCNT:  Hartzler talks new farm bill at Missouri Farm Bureau forum X
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Guest Jay Nixon on campaign contribution limits, tone of political discourse, transportation funding, advice for new candidates;  Panel of Jack Cardetti, David Barklage, Reps. Robert Cornejo (R-St. Peters) and Tracy McCreery (D-Olivette) talk Nixon's legacy, Greitens and DESE
          The Missouri Times:  Retrospective on the 30-year career of Jay Nixon:  Part I
          Drebes:  MO SOS filing shows Leadership for America's board of directors
          SNL:  Hawley challenges California egg law again X
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R-Jackson) proposes change to term limits +
          Missourinet:  Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) introduces major tax overhaul
          Missourinet:  Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon) says Missouri is one of only five states that prosecute all 17-year-olds like adults
          KSMU:  Springfield Public School superintendent issues statement following firing of Margie Vandeven
          Missourinet:  Missouri Board of Education Member Mike Jones (D) says next education leader will be "tainted"
          Washington Missourian:  Opioids not only drugs killing area residents - meth still on the scene X
          CDT:  Most local pharmacies selling overdose antidote X
          P-D:  Cash-strapped St. Louis City could see a state audit if some residents get their way
          P-D:  Small groups of protesters traipse through Galleria, chant anti-profit ditty
          USA Today op-ed, 11/28:  Former Obamacare chief Andy Slavitt:  "The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office expects everyone's insurance to rise 10%";  Bad news for "Americans who have serious chronic conditions or pay for nursing home care or high-cost medications"
          P-D family columnist Aisha Sultan:  "The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office expects everyone's insurance to rise 10%";  Bad news for "Americans who have serious chronic conditions or pay for nursing home care or high-cost medications"
          KC Star's Mary Sanchez:  Josh Hawley speaking to evangelical group this weekend - and Christians should disavow Donald Trump
          CDT op-ed:  Phill Brooks:  A challenge to constitutional independence:  On Greitens' Board of Education machinations X
          CDT op-ed:  National Institute for Labor Relations Research's Stan Greer:  'Right to work' states have a higher standard of living X
          Disclosure


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        Sunday, December 3
       
Columbia Missourian:  Politifact rating:  Blunt's statement on Missouri's mental-health leadership rated "Mostly True"
          Drebes:  In St. Charles, Trump praises historic tax credits - though they may be stripped from tax bill
          P-D:  Greitens speaks at ribbon-cutting for Monsanto's $400 million Chesterfield expansion
          SNL:  Ban on bump stocks, teen tanning among Missouri lawmakers' early proposals X
          AP:  Missouri a 'high risk' state for deer accidents
          P-D photo gallery:  Photographer David Carson's best of 2017, from rioters to wild animals on the loose
          P-D editorial:  Attendance records at Riverview Gardens merit thorough audit
          CDT Editor Charles Westmoreland:  Please detach yourself from the Tribune of the past and accept the better version that exists today;  Don't compare us to the Columbia Missourian, which has "the advantage of free labor and government subsidy" X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis woman wants state lawmakers to pass "Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights"
          KC Star letter:  Kearney septuagenarian dislikes Trump, Greitens, Cierpiot - and the Democratic Party too
          Disclosure


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        Saturday, December 2
       
NY Times:  Senate tax bill votes:  McCaskill no, Blunt yes
          Missourinet:  Blunt:  New tax policy puts us in great position for coming growth
          The Hill:  McCaskill:  Lobbyists gave Dems a list of GOP amendments to tax bill
          The Hill:  Democrats defeat GOP bid to shield conservative college from endowment tax;  McCaskill says provision was written for DeVos family
          P-D:  Blunt says he's tried to limit contact with Trump as Intelligence Committee probe continues
          SNL:  Blunt won't say if Trump pressed him to 'wrap up' Russia probe X
          KC Star:  Obamacare enrollment brisk in Missouri, but deadline looms
          KWMU:  Behind the Headlines:  Jo Mannies talks Trump visit, says she knows better than to take Trump's "fake news" applause line personally
          KWMU:  Behind the Headlines:  St. Charles Police Department Lt. Chad Fisk talks preparations for Trump visit
          The Missouri Times:  HRCC names Wes Sutton finance director
          Drebes:  Newly-minted House Floor Leader Rob Vescovo staffs up with esteemed Joe Engler and Leslie Korte
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  Week of November 27, 2017
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens gets his way in second round;  Vandeven fired as commissioner
          KWMU:  Greitens gets his way on second try;  Vandeven fired as education leader
          SNL:  On second try, state school board fires commissioner X
          Missourinet:  Vandeven departs, says "schools are the soul of Missouri"
          AP:  Greitens appointees oust Missouri education leader
          KWMU:  Normandy sheds unaccredited status in long turnaround effort;  Students still lag far behind state average for achievement, graduation rate
          AP:  Missouri's only unaccredited school district gets upgraded
          Missourinet:  Under Munzlinger plan, Missourians would vote in 2020 on conservation sales tax
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Missouri PSC:  Week of November 30, 2017
          SE Missourian:  Sunday newspaper delivery to be replaced with Saturday "Weekend Edition" delivery, adapting to shopping habits and weekend schedules +
          Dunklin Demorat:  Jeff Dorris named editor of Dunklin Democrat +
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens bullies his way to firing the Missouri education commissioner. But for what?
          P-D editorial briefs:  St. Louis Regional Chamber should not have honored Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar);  Conservative blogger Jim Hoft is "trash"
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Margie Vandeven:  I know Missouri will stay strong in its commitment to our children
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Former Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau):  Lawmakers must reform Low Income Housing Tax Credit program +
          SE Missourian letter:  Jackson septuagenarian conservative T. Robin Cole III wants McCaskill to support tax cuts +
          P-D letter:  Ladue septuagenarian wonders why Post-Dispatch highlights black social justice warriors, but never black murderers, rapists and robbers
          Disclosure



          X
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        Friday, December 1
       
P-D:  Blunt, GOP leaders increasingly confident tax cuts will pass
          Drebes:  Staff updates:  Kyle Aubuchon headed to work for U.S. Rep. Jason Smith;  More
          KWMU:  St. Louis On the Air:  Area humanoids provide update on politically-correct transgender lingo:  Proper pronouns, "non-binary," "queer," "dead name," etc.
          Faughn:  November's winners and losers:  Post-Dispatch and Tony Messenger, for their coordinated campaign against low-income housing tax credits;  Greitens' preference to build more Pruitt-Igoe slums rather than meaningful rural housing projects;  More on Eigel, Romine, Ron Richard, KC Star, and Governor's Five Dwarves of DESE
          P-D:  Democratic fundraiser Matthew Liberman charged with racially-motivated gun crime in St. Louis City
          The Missouri Times:  Galloway requests dismissal in Missouri Alliance for Freedom's Sunshine case
          Missourinet:  Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) discusses proposed tax cut and St. Charles County's superior growth
          The Missouri Times:  PSRS/PEERS concerned pensions could be hurt by provisions in federal tax reform legislation
          SNL:  Planned Parenthood unhappy over costs of new abortion regulations X
          SNL:  Locals plead to save low-income housing tax credit that Greitens says wastes money X
          The Missouri Times:  Lawsuits and resignations:  What you need to know ahead of the next Board of Education meeting
          KWMU:  Court decisions, state Board of Education resignation once again put Vandeven's job in jeopardy
          AP:  Appointee resigns from embattled Missouri education board
          SNL:  Greitens' appointee to state school board resigns X
          SNL:  Judge rules against man removed from state Board of Education X
          SNL:  Missouri State Teachers Association:  Turnover on state school board unprecedented, troubling X
          Missourinet:  Judge blocks ousted state school board member from keeping his seat ahead of Friday meeting
          P-D:  Judge rejects plea to stop Greitens' ouster of Missouri school board chief
          KWMU:  Normandy schools poised to move up from unaccredited status
          Missourinet:  Munzlinger says Missouri is "missing the boat" on industrial hemp
          CDT:  Law making it easier to expunge criminal records in Missouri takes effect Jan. 1;  Comments from Missouri Bar's Farrah Fite X
          Missourinet:  Hailey's Law to be pre-filed today
          P-D:  Merger could affect four of six St. Louis-area casinos
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Voter fraud is found in Missouri X
          P-D editorial:  Missouri lawmakers should place more regulations on gun stores
          P-D letter:  Creve Coeur liberal wants McCaskill to oppose GOP tax cuts
          Disclosure


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