johncombest.com

Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - February 2014




        Friday, February 28
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill, Blunt:  Guard units play a critical role X
          KWMU:  McCaskill, Blunt step up concerns about proposed National Guard cuts
          KC Star:  Kansas City among eight cities in running for 2016 GOP convention +
          KSMU:  Roy Blunt, Billy Long pushing taxpayer transparency act
          P-D:  Federal workers mishandle 4,000 documents at North St. Louis County facility, audit reveals
          P-D:  Kacie Starr Triplett, former local spokeswoman for Barack Obama's campaign, fined for using campaign funds for personal use
          KWMU:  Former alderman Kacie Starr Triplette used campaign money to buy herself a wig, clothes, massages, drinks, and pay her mortgage
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Russ Monchil seeks to fill Libertarian ballot slot versus Sam Graves X
          Drebes:  A look at state parties and their relevance;  Missouri conservatives can rely on Sinquefield and other orgs, while Koster helps Dem party infrastructure
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Dave Schatz (R-Washington) to challenge Nieves
          Missourinet:  House sents photo ID bill, proposed constitutional amendment to Senate
          P-D:  Photo ID rule for voters moves closer to Missouri ballot
          KWMU:  Missouri House passes photo ID requirement for voting
          Missourinet:  Nixon announces trade mission to Canada
          AP:  Missouri Senate passes business truce with Kansas
          Missourinet:  Missouri-Kansas 'truce' bill clears Senate
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Process continues on state budget talks X
          JCNT:  Tax forum participants agree outdated Missouri tax code needs to change X
          AP:  Missouri bill expands access to proposed rules
          P-D:  Missouri DHSS disagrees with defense attorneys over possible DWI loophole;  No comment from DOR's Charles Gooch
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate passes student transfer bill in less than 24 hours
          Missourinet:  School transfer bill heads to House
          Missourinet:  Failing schools could get more help from the state
          KWMU:  Normandy pushes for caps on tuition for transfer students
          AP:  House passes bill to lengthen child abuse investigations
          JCNT:  Bill would allow private employers to refuse service based on religious beliefs X
          JCNT:  Sewer permits water testing bill heads to House X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Rep. Mike Lair (R-Chillicothe), hospitalized this week to return to work on Monday X
          The Missouri Times:  Association profile:  Missouri Alliance for Freedom
          P-D:  Laclede to hike natural gas rate by 9 percent
          CDT:  Federal judge rules Moberly not liable for Mamtek bonds X
          P-D editorial:  Insurers must catch up with new forms of cancer
          KC Star's Yael Abouhalkah:  Trolling local supporters of 2016 convention effort:  KC should withdraw bid +
          Shelly:  No permit required, and gun homicides spike in Missouri +
          P-D letter:  Missouri lawmakers should approve prescription drug database
          SE Missourian letter:  Wallingford's religious-freedom bill should be rejected +
          KC Star letter:  Woman says she will not patronize businesses that support Wallingford's bill +
          P-D letter:  The best election option is to vote everyone - regardless of their record or ideology - out of office
          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, February 27
       
KWMU:  Kansas City submits bid for 2016 GOP Presidential Convention
          P-D:  St. Louis declines invitation to bid on 2016 Dem Presidential Convention;  Rainford says city focusing on raising money for Gateway Arch ground
          P-D:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith to fight 'tooth and nail' over Ozark National Scenic Riverways
          USA Today:  Army disqualifies 588 soldiers after sexual assault review;  Comments from McCaskill
          Drebes:  Speaker Tim Jones' campaign says he'll have $1 million in the bank at end of current reporting period
          KC Star:  Jeff Roe expands;  Former 2006 Talent campaign intern Courtney Sheehan started at Axiom Strategies this month +
          P-D:  Lobbyist splits hairs over who bought lunch for committee hearing;  Rep. Caleb Jones (R-California) concedes arrangement "looks bad"
          CDT:  Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) questions colleagues' motives during hearing on ethics bills X
          AP:  Missouri Senate backs end to Kansas 'border war'
          Missourinet:  Debate starts on fairness of farmland values
          AP:  Missouri Senate backs limits on medical malpractice
          Missourinet:  House advances medical malpractice damage caps
          P-D:  Missouri introduces fix to newborn Medicaid enrollment
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Nixon brings education message to Chillicothe X
          P-D:  Missouri Senate endorses transfer law legislation
          P-D:  Private school transfer option survives chopping block in transfer law legislation debate
          KC Star:  School transfer bill clears major hurdle +
          JCNT:  Senate endorses school transfer bill X
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate gives first-round approval to student transfer bill
          AP:  Missouri Senate passes school-transfer legislation
          CDT:  Speakers support measure that would provide funding for preschool X
          P-D:  The debate on Common Core rages even as teachers are moving ahead
          The Missouri Times:  Truman State University has its day at the Capitol
          KC Star:  University of Missouri president one of 20 visiting Washington D.C. for sexual-assault meetings +
          Columbia Missourian:  University of Missouri president visits Washington D.C., listens to sexual-assault talk
          SE Missourian:  Sen. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau) files 'religious freedom' bill;  Area Dem party official equates proposal to Jim Crow laws +
          JCNT:  Sen. Brian Nieves (R-Washington) targets foreign laws, again X
          JCNT:  Senate committee hears two proposals to change damage awards X
          P-D:  Drunk drivers get a break from the fine print in Missouri regulations;  Clayton lawyer claims he pointed out loophole and Mo. Dept. of Revenue attorneys "pretty much laughed"
          AP:  Senators seeking quicker executions;  Sen. Dan Brown (R-Rolla) cites Hailey Owens' death
          SNL:  Lawmaker invokes Hailey Owens in filing bill to speed executions X
          AP:  Lawmaker wants more death penalty oversight;  Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) says bill would make lethal injection process more transparent and accountable to the public
          The Missouri Times:  In wake of execution, House hears bill adding oversight to Dept. of Corrections
          Daily American Republic:  Outdoorsmen opposes Dept. of Conservation oversight bills
          Missourinet:  Parents testify in favor of legislation to allow investigational drugs to terminal patients
          AP:  Rep. Jim Neely (R-Cameron) seeks to give terminal patients access to experimental medications
          AP:  Rep. Mike Lair (R-Chillicothe), 67, in hospital with undisclosed illness
          St. Joseph News-Press:  City still waiting for red-light camera decision X
          KC Star:  Liberal group "Good Jobs First" says Cerner is in top ten of state, local subsidy recipients +
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Rand Paul was right - GOP needs more tattoos and earrings
          JCNT editorial:  The wood stove debate:  Where there's smoke, there's state-federal confrontation X
          P-D editorial:  Keeping people healthy should be as important as killing them;  "Pretend you're trying to excute someone, governor. Get it done."
          KC Star editorial:  Weak payday loan bill would inhibit reform in Missouri +
          SNL editorial:  Dyslexia bill from Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) a good first step X
          P-D's Nicklaus:  Conservative DC-based Tax Foundation dislikes Missouri GOP tax cut ideas, says reforms should focus on cutting complexity
          SNL op-ed:  Missouri legislators should put a gun bill - one's that actually constitutional - on Nixon's desk and force him to veto it X
          KC Star's Sanchez:  Free speech at stake in quirky gun case +
          Washington Missourian letter:  MoPIRG's Naomi Roth:  McCaskill, Blunt want to give tax breaks to large corporations
          Washington Missourian letter:  Koster wrong to side with Missouri agriculture in egg dispute;  Hens should be given more room to make themselves comfortable and stretch out their limbs
          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, February 26
       
AP:  Kansas City pushes aggressively for GOP convention;  RNC co-chair insists there is no front-runner, yet
          KC Star:  Kansas City pitches for the GOP convention, privately +
          Politico:  Iran sanctions thwart McCaskill, Gillibrand proposals' floor votes
          MSNBC:  The next round on sexual assaults in the military
          AP:  First-day-of-filing summary:  Overall number of candidates is down;  Candidates say Kander's staff made process move smoothly
          The Missouri Times:  Republicans gather before filing opens;  Diehl encourages primary candidates to "keep it clean"
          The Missouri Times:  Sen. John Lamping (R-Ladue) not running for re-election, will chair Tom Schweich's auditor campaign
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Myron Neth (R-Liberty) not running for re-election
          CDT:  First-day-of-filing summary:  Democrat Kip Kendrick to take over Rep. Chris Kelly's seat next year X
          JCNT:  First-day-of-filing summary:  Most area legislators draw no opposition X
          P-D:  First-day-of-filing summary:  Rep. Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan) enters 26th Senate district GOP primary, where incumbent Sen. Brian Nieves is currently a candidate
          KWMU:  First-day-of-filing summary:  U.S. congressmen draw also-rans;  Chris Carter will take on Josh Peters in Dem state rep primary
          Joplin Globe:  First-day-of-filing summary:  Local state reps draw no opposition X
          SE Missourian:  Missouri Supreme Court rejects petition for special-election move +
          JCNT:  Lawmakers look to tweak term limits X
          P-D:  Ethics bills draw little praise from legislators;  Speaker Tim Jones:  "We're down here doing government work ... this isn't 'House of Cards'"
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers divided on ethics law process
          Missourinet:  House gives initial approval to voter photo ID
          AP:  Missouri House endorses photo ID requirement
          KWMU:  Bond pushes Medicaid expansion in Jefferson City
          SNL:  Bond pushes expansion of Medicaid X
          AP:  Bond makes case for Medicaid expansion
          CDT:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) introduces Fulton hospital bond plan X
          SNL:  Sen. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau) files 'religious freedom' bill X
          P-D:  Hunters in Missouri worry about bill to give lawmakers greater power over rule-making
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate begins debate on student transfer bill
          AP:  Missouri senators debate transfer legislation
          P-D:  Race issue is hot topic at hearing on Missouri's plan for failing school districts;  Nicastro says she's not surprised to hear "chains on their feet," other incendiary language
          KWMU:  Race at the forefront of public meeting;  Area man says, "I feel like I'm on a plantation," but another resident suggests rejecting "victim mentality"
          AP:  U.S. Supreme Court refuses to stop Missouri execution
          AP:  Gov. Jay Nixon (D) denies clemency for Michael Taylor
          KWMU:  New execution drug performs flawlessly
          KC Star:  Missouri executes killer of Ann Harrison +
          AP:  Missouri executes Michael Taylor
          Missourinet:  Michael Taylor is executed;  Audio of post-execution news conference
          Missourinet:  AG Chris Koster (D) on bringing convicted killer to justice:  Keep the innocent victim - and her family - in your prayers
          P-D:  Three red-light camera case appeals won't be heard by Missouri Supreme Court
          SE Missourian:  ACLU sues police officer on behalf of gun advocate +
          SE Missourian:  State award grants for Dutchtown +
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Find an execution-drug solution - and continue to use death penalty to bring murderers to justice X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri should help universities with building needs +
          P-D op-ed:  Webster University prof:  $10 minimum wage would benefit low-wage workers, Missouri's economy
          KC Star's Yael Abouhalkah:  Religious freedom bill from Sen. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau) must be killed +
          P-D letter:  Unemployed Bridgeton man shares hard-luck story, says he wants Medicaid
          Disclosure

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




        Tuesday, February 25  Missouri Secretary of State - Primary candidates filed page (filing opens at 8 a.m.)
       
Missourinet:  Military spending cuts would cost Missouri $34 million, hundreds of troops
          KWMU:  Rep. Ann Wagner (R) on GOP leadership role, sex trafficking and 2016
          Chicago Tribune:  Health fraud lawsuit echoes 'Wolf of Wall Street;'  McCaskill organized 2013 hearing to examine fraudsters
          US News & World Report:  How Washington became a permanent Oscar campaign stop;  PR firm attributes "The Invisible War" Oscar nomination to McCaskill
          SE Missourian:  USPS postpones closure of Cape mail-processing center;  Area union boss "cautiously optimistic about this" +
          Rosenbaum:  Despite national focus, Missouri's minimum wage vote faces murky future
          The Missouri Times:  Matt Blunt's family, allies say history looking back more kindly on his tenure as governor
          The Missouri Times:  Q&A with Kinder on lengthy primary seasons, special elections, more
          P-D:  Lamping won't run for re-election;  GOP still seeking credible candidate to take on Dem candidate Rep. Jill Schupp (D-Creve Coeur)
          SE Missourian:  120th District committee hopes for earlier special election +
          The Missouri Times:  Political neophyte seeks to fill Democratic ballot slot versus Rep. Noel Torpey (R-Independence)
          Drebes:  Since departure of Dolan, Missouri Health Care Association splits duties between Lorie Towe and Nikki Strong
          AP:  Senators vote to restrict governor's budget power
          SNL:  Missouri House endorses change to income tax brackets X
          AP:  Missouri House endorses plan to adjust tax brackets
          The Missouri Times:  Committee hears bills to put right to work on the ballot
          AP:  Missouri House panel rejects Medicaid expansion
          AP:  Missouri Chamber of Commerce panel on Medicaid, to be held today, will feature former Gov. Kit Bond
          Missourinet:  Legislators announce plan to pay for new Fulton State Hospital;  Nixon supportive
          JCNT:  House pitches new plan for Fulton State Hospital X
          KWMU:  Missouri House Republicans unveil plan to pay for new Fulton State Hospital
          P-D:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) says Fulton State Hospital funding proposal would save Missouri taxpayers $120 million
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers propose plan for Fulton Hospital
          The Missouri Times:  Lawmakers announce plans to rebuild Fulton State Hospital
          JCNT:  Changes sought to welfare system;  Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) eyes tighter rules, access to farmers markets X
          The Missouri Times:  Committee hears TANF, SNAP bills
          AP:  Missouri House panel ignores disability wait list plan
          P-D:  Assessment shows low marks in reading for St. Louis Public School students;  Nearly 4,300 second-through-eighth graders are at least two years behind
          JCNT:  Lawmakers consider sentencing changes for juvenile murderers X
          Missourinet:  State says it's ready for execution of convicted kidnapper/rapist/murderer Michael Taylor tonight
          KWMU:  Federal judge denies stay of execution for Michael Taylor
          P-D:  Labor talks stumble at Harris-Stowe;  Professors will stage "silent stand-in" today
          KC Star:  Chelsea Clinton visits UMKC for women's hall of fame event +
          AP:  Proposal from Sen. Mike Cunningham (R-Rogersville) will allow non-profits ability to serve home-cooked food at charitable events
          The Missouri Times:  Association profile:  Jerry Sage's Missouri Independent Bankers Association
          Missourinet:  Ameren vs. Noranda update:  Missourians for Balanced Energy Future says Noranda wants lower rates amid profitable growth
          AP:  US attorneys challenge Missouri National Guard policy on civilians called to active duty
          Missourinet:  Missouri volleyball team drops by Capitol, poses for pictures
          P-D:  Update:  Former SE Missourian reporter Scott Moyers receives suspended imposition of sentence, won't go to jail if he stays clean
          P-D editorial:  A stinging audit and fast fixes.  Good work by Auditor Tom Schweich and St. Louis Public Schools leadership
          Joplin Globe editorial:  MSSU makes right call holding the line on tuition X
          CDT's Waters:  Thinking about Medicaid expansion costs X
          SNL op-ed:  Workers' comp lawyer Darren Morrison:  Bill from Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) levels the workplace playing field X
          P-D letter:  Olivette man is upset over GOP stance on health care navigators, offers sarcastic suggestions for legislative requirements:  IQ, Constitution test, etc.
          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, February 24
       
P-D:  Missouri Republicans seek a truce - with themselves
          KSMU:  Recap of Blunt, Rand Paul Lincoln Day speeches
          Missourinet:  Lincoln Day Friday night summary:  Brief audio snippets from Jason Smith, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Roy Blunt
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter weekday quote analysis:  Sentences pulled from four weekend stories via links found here +
          AP:  Federal wood-burning rule prompts rural backlash
          P-D:  Boeing machinists approve new contract aimed at winning new work
          SNL:  Nixon says GOP govs give insight on Medicaid expansion;  On marijuana, gov says Missouri has "better ways to grow our economy and improve our schools than legalize recreational drugs" X
          AP:  Missouri candidates begin filing for office this week
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Preview of likely area candidate filings X
          JCNT:  Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City) builds big campaign warchest;  List of all donors in latest reporting period X
          JCNT:  Jeanette Mott Oxford's Missouri Association for Social Welfare to hold forum on taxes Wednesday X
          Fulton Sun:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) to unveil new Fulton State Hospital funding plan today X
          KC Star:  Payday lending rules could change in Missouri, but not enough for some +
          The Maneater:  Missouri Senate considers minimum wage increase
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Funeral protest law faces revision X
          The Maneater:  Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) says Michael Sam pre-draft publicity has given new life to anti-discrimination bill
          KWMU:  Some Missouri Republicans talk impeachment, but chances are slim
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  MoDOT holds Highway 412 expansion public hearing, says funds are available to complete section
          Missourinet:  Three inmates' attorneys argue against setting of their execution dates
          Drebes:  KC vs. KC: Will Kraus' bill would reconfigure political party committees in Jackson County
          Washington Missourian:  Washington Area Chamber of Commerce will continue to run state license office
          P-D editorial:  Weaker gun laws mean more deaths in Missouri
          KC Star editorial:  Halt the executions, Missouri +
          CDT op-ed:  Point-counterpoint:  Rep. Chris Kelly (D):  Medicaid expansion is right business move X
          CDT op-ed:  Point-counterpoint:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R):  New commitments would sink Missouri budget X
          KC Star's Diuguid:  To improve KC Public Schools, district should hold "truth and reconciliation" hearings that address racist transgressions of the past +
          P-D letter:  P-D caterwauling over death penalty forgets crime's victim
          Disclosure

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



        Sunday, February 23
       
KWMU:  Rand Paul says GOP future hinges on attracting folks with tattoos, and without
          SNL:  Rand Paul says 2016 nominee cannot be 'cookie-cutter' X
          P-D:  Rand Paul calls for relaxation of drug laws in Missouri speech
          P-D's McDermott:  Fact-checking Lincoln Day speeches:  Correcting Luetkemeyer on jobs, Blunt on inequality
          KWMU:  Missouri Republicans see 'Right to Farm' ballot proposal as aid to GOP turnout
          AP:  Missouri GOP endorses 'Right to Farm' ballot measure
          SNL:  Gubernatorial candidates compete for attention, while party endorses "Right to Farm" X
          P-D:  Catherine Hanaway steps down from GOP committee to pursue governor's race
          AP:  GOP stresses unity as gubernatorial primary looms
          SNL:  Fort Leonard Wood to lose military, civilian positions in Army realignment X
          KC Star:  Al Gore brings climate-change message to Kansas City +
          St. Louis Business Journal:  Missouri is once again fastest-growing state for IT jobs
          Drebes:  Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) to Nixon:  Stop "throwing incendiary press bombs"
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers considering changes to payday loans
          St. Joseph News-Press:  MoDOT compiles project wish list, says it needs more money X
          JCNT:  Accreditation issue likely to touch many districts X
          KWMU:  Plaintiffs in school desegregation suit say goals remain elusive after 60 years
          SE Missourian:  Bev Randles, wife of former GOP gov primary candidate Bill Randles, hosts surgeon and aspiring GOP presidential candidate Ben Nelson in Sikeston +
          JCNT editorial:  Death penalty issue deserves direct approach X
          SE Missourian editorial:  Missouri's pseudoephedrine laws may be controversial, but they work +
          CDT op-ed:  Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation's Jeff Stack:  It's time to halt Missouri's rush to kill;  Nixon's reputation harmed by supporting the racist death penalty X
          P-D letter:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) should know better - getting elusive tobacco money is an easy fix
          KC Star letter:  People should take note and pay attention to how bad Missouri Republicans are +
          SE Missourian letter:  18-year-old home-school student defends state-flag idea he provided to Rep. Jeff Roorda (R-Barnhart) +
          P-D letter:  Bosley case shows how lawyers use kid gloves when doling out "punishment"
          Disclosure

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



        Saturday, February 22   The Official 2014 Missouri Lincoln Day Bingo Card
       
KWMU:  Missouri Republicans predict victory as long as focus is solely on Dems;  Comments from emcee Diehl, 2016 candidates Hanaway and Schweich, Brunner
          SNL:  GOP seeks unity among members at Lincoln Days X
          P-D:  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder reminds Missouri GOP convention of his record - but which office will he seek in 2016?
          KSMU:  Blunt's legislation would honor Monuments Men;  Movie with same name tells story of men and women who sacrificed to recover art and artifacts stolen by Nazis
          P-D:  Students at Reform Jewish congregation travel to D.C. to lobby for abortion rights
          KC Star:  Division over Affordable Care Act persists, even among those it helps +
          Politico:  Video:  Interview with Jay Nixon;  Gov talks Medicaid expansion, tax cuts, 2016
          Politico:  Nixon emphasizes he's on board with Hillary Clinton, but won't rule out presidential run if former First Lady takes a pass
          Politico:  Sunday talk show tip sheet:  Gov. Jay Nixon to appear on CNN's "State of the Union"
          Drebes:  Former Sen. Jon Dolan (R-Lake St. Louis) headed to New Jersey as news president and CEO of Health Care Association of New Jersey
          The Missouri Times:  Former state Rep. Dan Hegeman receives Graves endorsement, Johnson drops out
          The Missouri Times:  Q&A with Jeff Roe on Axiom's 2014 targets, more
          JCNT:  MoDOT sales tax petition withdrawn X
          Missourinet:  State agency says Medicaid expansion would create 24,000 jobs
          AP:  Nixon's Department of Economic Development says Medicaid expansion would great 24,000 jobs
          P-D:  Long line for Medicaid leaves many unsure of eligibility
          KC Star:  College is worth it, UM System President Tim Wolfe says +
          Joplin Globe:  MSSU board:  No in-state tuition increase next year X
          The Missouri Times:  Education leaders to spar over Stream's school-transfer bill
          P-D:  Child molester at center of SORTS sentencing dispute wins freedom on fourth try
          AP:  Execution date set for another Missouri inmate;  Jeffrey Ferguson abducted 17-year-old girl from her job at a St. Charles gas station, raped her, then strangled her
          AP:  Police chiefs seek court action on red-light laws
          KC Star "Capitol Watch" editorial:  Republicans should wear dunce hats +
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Missouri gun bills are bad policy X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Telecommunication industry's cell-tower legislation should be stopped X
          JCNT editorial:  Missouri should ban texting while driving for all motorists X
          P-D editorial:  Solutions to improve St. Louis region:  Missouri should raise taxes, and area should unify its school districts
          Horrigan:  Study from DED shows Medicaid expansion is a no-brainer
          Priddy:  Waiting to hear from Americans for Poverty;  Unclear press release headlines;  Thoughts on Insane Clown Posse and "Missouri's Woodstock" of 1974
          CDT's Waters:  Mary Still (D-Columbia) deserves credit for laying payday-loan-reform groundwork X
          SNL op-ed:  Bill from Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) not needed to protect students' religious freedoms X
          Columbia Missourian op-ed:  Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys:  State criminal code revision would provide critical tools for public safety
          KC Star letters:  Missouri Republicans focusing on issues that don't matter;  Right to work a bad deal for workers +
          P-D letter:  Bill Haas (D):  Combining school districts not going to happen as long as city schools are bad
          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, February 21   The Official 2014 Missouri Lincoln Day Bingo Card - participate to win prizes and help Missourians in need
       
CDT:  Blunt bill seeks recognition, medals for 'monuments men' X
          Washington Missourian:  Worst yet to be seen from Obamacare, Luetkemeyer says
          AP:  Nixon to lead panel on National Guard and emergency preparedness at national governors meeting
          Missourinet:  Nixon signs bill making it easier for military, handicapped candidates to file for office
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Rep. Delus Johnson (R-St. Joseph) withdraws from state Senate race X
          Drebes:  Missy McDaniel laying the groundwork to take over Mike Colona's Dem state rep seat in 2016
          Missourinet:  House proposes change to budget restriction process in Constitution
          Missourinet:  House approves two tax-cut proposals along party lines
          P-D:  Tax cut passes in House without GOP schism that doomed last year's bill
          AP:  GOP sticks together on income tax cut
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate sends gun control nullification bill to House;  House version passes committee
          P-D:  Federal gun law nullification one step closer in Missouri
          SNL:  Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) lone Republican to vote against gun bill X
          AP:  Missouri House panel hears bill to block Common Core standards
          The Week:  Video:  Jon Stewart mocks proposal from Rep. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) and his constituents' thoughts on religion in schools
          Missourinet:  Governor, lawmakers disagree on emergency $44K for K-12 education
          KC Star:  Missouri bill would fund student transfers to private schools +
          AP:  Senate panel endorses school transfer measure;  Private-school portion added at urging of Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City)
          KWMU:  Wide-ranging student transfer bill passed by Missouri Senate committee
          P-D:  Missouri Senate panel moves closer on school transfer law bill
          Missourinet:  Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro tells Normandy students they will graduate this year
          P-D:  Nicastro to Normandy:  School will stay open at least through the end of the year
          KWMU:  Schweich issues St. Louis Public Schools audit follow-up, encouraged by process
          P-D:  Schweich praises progress at St. Louis Public Schools
          CDT:  Schaefer introduces bill to give state choice of execution method X
          P-D:  Missouri finds new drug source, says execution of murderer can go forward
          Missourinet:  Despite court challenges, state prepared to execute Michael Taylor next week
          CDT:  Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) criticizes return on investment in diesel fuel inspection program X
          P-D:  St. Louis insurance company, PR consultant Glenn Jamboretz fined for depicting state senate candidate as "The Mad Hatter"
          KWMU:  New Bridgeton Landfill data shows underground fire still far from radioactive waste
          AP:  Senate adopts Ozark Riverways resolution
          AP:  Officials plan burns at Ozark riverways in SE Mo.
          P-D:  Arnold to stop issuing red-light tickets
          SE Missourian:  Show-Me Institute's David Stokes at Pachyderm meeting:  Use tax may help businesses in region +
          P-D profile:  Legal Services of Eastern Missouri's Dan Glazier
          P-D editorial:  Health navigator brouhaha leads to the return of the Mean Boys Club:  GOP Sens. Kurt Schaefer and Mike Parson
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Stranger than fiction:  Nieves, Nasheed and legislative nuttiness
          Washington Missourian's Bill Miller:  Higher ed costs:  Four-year colleges have made life too comfortable for students;  We need community colleges more than ever before
          P-D's Nicklaus:  Noranda electric-rate case raises novel questions for Missouri
          CDT's Waters:  Red-light cameras:  A legal mishmash X
          P-D letter:  University City firehouse a good example of well-spent stimulus money
          P-D letter:  Post-Dispatch should extend sympathy for children in day cares to children still in the womb
          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, February 20
       
P-D:  Fort Leonard Wood to lose 1,000 troops;  Reductions will be part of budget cuts throughout the U.S. military
          P-D:  Blunt seeks Congressional Gold Medal for 'Monuments Men'
          KWMU:  Blunt hopes to honor 'Monuments Men'
          McClatchy:  Ex-Marine's suit over sexual assault case faces uphill battle;  Comments from McCaskill
          P-D:  Boeing, area machinists union reach tentative deal on long-term contract
          AP:  Missouri marijuana advocates will delay campaign, wait until 2016
          SE Missourian:  Some can't afford insurance;  Local insight on Missouri Medicaid struggles
          JCNT:  Nixon, Barnes add voices to mental-health rally
          SNL:  Hailey Owens tie-ins:  Legislation would have made child kidnapping a lesser crime until changed earlier this month
          KWMU:  Missouri House endorses tax-cut deals
          The Missouri Times:  House gives initial approval to multiple tax-cut deals
          AP:  House backs pair of income tax cut plans
          The Missouri Times:  Tax plan from Rep. Jon Carpenter (D-Kansas City) uses tiered system
          KWMU:  Audio:  Rep. Jake Hummel (D-St. Louis):  Minority leader says Dem tax-cut plan will get token hearing;  Dems will continue to oppose right-to-work, photo ID measures
          Missourinet:  Republicans say Nixon has turned funding for Fulton State Hospital into "political football";  Comments from Rick Stream, Jeanie Riddle
          KC Star:  House Speaker Tim Jones says Nixon is lying about denial of funding for new state hospital
          P-D:  Missouri Senate approves requirement for extended repayment of payday loans;  Sen. Scott Sifton (D) says, "(I)n many cases, I think it will prevent the cycle of debt"
          Missourinet:  Payday loan bill advances
          JCNT:  Senate advances bill to tighten payday loan rules
          The Missouri Times:  Oral chemo parity bill passes Senate
          AP:  Missouri Senate begins debate on abortion measure lengthening waiting period from 24 hours to 72 hours
          JCNT:  Bill from Sen. Jason Holsman (D-Kansas City) targets lawmen's tracking ability
          CDT:  Senate gives higher education performance funding initial approval
          CDT:  Speakers talk UM System funding at Legislative Day panel
          SNL:   Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) seeks easier access to resources for dyslexic children
          P-D:  Missouri House committee endorses $100 million increase in Foundation Formula
          CDT:  House panel cuts proposals for new education funding
          AP:  Rep. Mike Lair (R-Chillicothe) jabs at Common Core opponents, suggests budget line for "tin foil hats"
          Missourinet:  "Tin foil hats" line, aimed at Common Core opponents, puts Rep. Mike Lair at butt end of prank
          JCNT:  House bill would raise test standards for high school diplomas
          AP:  Senate panel to consider Missouri school legislation
          KC Star:  Missouri Senate panel will take up student transfer bill
          KWMU:  Normandy board members don't like losing financial control
          KWMU:  Missouri has a new execution drug supplier
          KC Star:  Missouri says it has a new supplier for upcoming execution
          AP:  New methods of execution would be allowed under Missouri proposal
          AP:  Missouri Senate to take up gun nullification bill
          AP:  Rep. Robert Ross (R-Yukon) to chair panel on regulations
          Drebes:  Mindy Brissey, formerly with American Federation of Teachers, to run for Jay Swearingen's open House seat
          The Missouri Times:  Ron Casey's colleagues remember his life
          SE Missourian:  23-year-old first-year online reporter at Washington Post speaks at annual event;  Michael Davis Lecture series honors student killed by fraternity hazing
          St. Louis Business Journal:  Lee Enterprises, parent of Post-Dispatch, to refinance more debt, implement pay walls in 'larger markets' - likely including St. Louis
          JCNT editorial:  Navigating state efforts to change federal health care law
          SNL editorial:  Cell towers issue:  In battle between local control versus what is best for state, telecommunications industry is going to win this one
          KC Star op-ed:  A border-war truce would hurt KC-area growth
          P-D op-ed:  EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks:  EPA is working toward a remedy at West Lake Landfill
          SNL letter:  Billy Long is the "Boss Hogg" of the 7th District, and is a "tea-party crybaby"
          P-D letter:  National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse:  Missouri is irresponsible to miss out on tobacco settlement money
          P-D letter:  Neglect case shows Missouri needs stronger caretaker laws
          Columbia Missourian letter:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) should support Medicaid expansion
          P-D letter:  Gun, voter ID proposals will keep young entrepreneurs away from Missouri
          JCNT letter:  Criticism of Ameren is inaccurate, unfair
          P-D letter:  Paper's fervent gay coverage a demonstration of advocacy journalism
          P-D letter:  Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transsexual/Queer/Intersex/Asexual citizens need to start standing up for themselves
          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, February 19
       
KC Star:  With support of postage-rate increase, McCaskill may vote against Hallmark on the Senate floor +
          KC Star:  Court issues order to garnish Emanuel Cleaver's congressional wages in car wash case +
          Drebes:  Judy Dungan, former District Office Director for Kit Bond, joins Missouri Children's Leadership Council as Director of Policy
          KSMU:  EPA provides an additional $2.5 million to Joplin's lead contamination clean-up
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Jason Smith visits classes at Central High School +
          AP:  GOP committee selects Rolla businessman Shawn Sisco to fill Jason Smith's long-vacant state rep seat
          AP:  Judge rules against special-election lawsuit
          Missourinet:  2016 GOP gov primary candidate Catherine Hanaway says she supports right to work
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri marijuana legislation advocates decide to wait for 2016
          KWMU:  Missouri Chamber of Commerce endorses new bill expanding Medicaid to low-income workers
          P-D:  Bill from Rep. Noel Torpey (R-Independence) would require those receiving expanded Medicaid to work for a living
          JCNT:  Rep. Noel Torpey (R-Independence) files Medicaid reform bill X
          The Missouri Times:  Right-to-work legislation leaves committee
          The Missouri Times:  Some conservatives wary of Nixon/Kraus tax compromise
          Kraske:  "BuzzChatter" daily quote analysis:  Rep. Jon Carpenter (D-Kansas City) has a tax plan, too +
          AP:  House backs measure on budget-cutting powers
          P-D:  Fulton State Hospital funding not included in supplemental bill passed by Missouri House Budget Committee
          KC Star:  Missouri lawmakers look at ethics reform proposals +
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers consider Sunday motorcycle sales
          Missourinet:  Chemotherapy parity bill advances
          AP:  Missouri Senate passes chemotherapy parity bill
          AP:  Nixon signs bill making filing easier for military and handicapped candidates
          JCNT:  Bill proposes to limit lawmaker/lobbyist deals X
          AP:  Senate panel weighs cooling-off period;  Measure would force departing legislators to wait two years before lobbying, disallow current officials from serving as consultants
          P-D:  Missouri Senate endorses higher education performance funding bill
          CDT:  UM System supporters rally at the Capitol for Legislative Day X
          JCNT:  Wolfe leads rally for MU funding X
          KC Star:  Missouri intervention plan pleases Kansas City school district X
          P-D:  State surprises Normandy schools by taking financial control
          AP:  State Board of Education to oversee Normandy's finances
          CDT:  Senate strips stolen-gun provision after NRA pressure X
          SNL:  House panel looks to ban all texting for Missouri drivers;  Three STL-area Dems each have their own proposals X
          JCNT:  Bills target texting while driving X
          The Missouri Times:  Lobbyist profile:  Mark Rhoads
          St. Louis Business Journal:  Missouri public defenders "worse off than we thought"
          P-D:  Sex offender faces different kind of limbo;  Macon Baker has been held in jail for six years as three juries disagree on his fate
          KWMU:  Nixon:  State still plans to carry out execution of kidnapper/rapist/murderer Michael Taylor
          P-D:  Dept. of Corrections says it's ready to execute convicted murderer - the question is how
          KMWU:  Another judge criticizes Missouri for haste in carry out executions
          AP:  Shortage of execution drugs becomes more acute
          Missourinet:  Noranda says Ameren raising rates more than authorized amount
          Joplin Globe:  Advocates make case for the poor at hearing on Missouri Gas Energy rate hike X
          AP:  Barnes, MO Dept. of Conservation disagree over proposal to block executive branch rules
          P-D:  Landfill neighbors seek action after surface fire, more odors
          P-D:  State of Missouri wants Freeman Bosley Jr.'s law license suspended for two years;  Former mayor admitted to mishandling clients' funds
          SNL editorial:  NRA in charge in Jefferson City;  Vote stripping revision to gun nullification law reveals group's power X
          SE Missourian editorial:  Flag panel proposal from Rep. Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart) appears to be a waste of time +
          KC Star editorial:  Chris Nicastro's plan for failing schools in Missouri is sound and flexible +
          P-D editorial:  Time for the Spainhower solution:  Unify St. Louis schools
          P-D op-ed:  AG Chris Koster (D):  Missouri not as business-friendly as some claim:  State needs to cut taxes and expand Medicaid
          KWMU op-ed:  Former Citizens for Modern Transit chief Tom Shrout:  One-cent sales tax for transportation may not help cities
          CDT's Waters:  Higher-ed funding:  Do schools like Lincoln - "with student bodies of more middling qualification" - deserve same level of funding as Mizzou and Truman? X
          McClellan:  Wellston parents with five kids do their best to manage school-transfer logistics
          P-D op-ed:  Build-a-Bear founder and local Democratic donor Maxine Clark:  Suburban school districts acting like bullies
          P-D letter:  EducationPlus' Don Senti:  Post-Dispatch demanded good schools accept transfer students, now complain when those districts accept money
          P-D letter:  Show-Me Institute's James Shuls:  Local school leaders can be the heroes in transfer debacle
          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.



        Tuesday, February 18
       
AP:  Missouri lawmakers look to crack down on health care 'navigators'
          AP:  Supporters pressing early-voting initiative in Missouri
          KC Star:  Jackson County Council puts off anti-marijuana resolution, sends it to committee +
          SNL:  Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) proposes new process for redistricting X
          JCNT:  Dixon proposes removing judges from redistricting process X
          AP:  St. Louis area technology firm plans expansion;  Nixon's office says Netelligent could create 60 new jobs
          KC Star:  Another rumble in border war looms over Missouri's ban on Sunday motorcycle sales +
          Priddy:  Dancin' Jay maneuvers around information access questions;  Veteran reporter compares Nixon to gov in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"
          P-D:  Catholic leaders, public school supporters disagree on tax credit proposal
          Joplin Globe:  Educators say bill mandating calendar, summer attendance reduces local control X
          AP:  House panel mulls school security issue
          Missourinet:  Rep. Stacey Newman (R-Richmond Heights) criticizes KSDK's botched school-security stunt
          KMOX:  Bill from Rep. Stacey Newman would punish journalists for causing hysteria
          Drebes:  A different kind of cap:  Proposal from Sen. Ron Richard (R-Joplin) would cap attorney fees
          Missourinet:  Bill proposed to address sentencing of juveniles convicted of murder
          AP:  Missouri Senate backing off reporting of stolen guns
          SNL:  Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis City), on floor of Missouri Senate, says Nieves allowed NRA to "punk" him X
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate strips gun theft reporting amendment from nullification bill
          The Missouri Times:  Senate dials back amendment after NRA announces opposition
          Missourinet:  Senate reverses itself on gun theft
          KWMU:  Koster visits Bridgeton Landfill, calls for improved protocol to handle problems
          Fox 2 (St. Louis):  Koster looking for answers to surface fire at landfill
          KWMU:  Oklahoma pharmacy agrees to not sell execution drug to Missouri
          AP:  Oklahoma pharmacy won't give drug for Missouri executions
          KWMU:  Missouri reclaims second-highest beef cow count in U.S.
          The Missouri Times:  Association profile:  Missouri Insurance Coalition:  Comments from Calvin Cal, Brent Butler
          KC Star editorial:  JE Dunn takes sides in contraception case;  Can companies exercise religion? +
          KC Star's Yael Abouhalkah:  JE Dunn and Catholic hypocrisy +
          KC Star's Barbara Shelly:  University study argues for stronger gun-licensing laws +
          SNL op-ed:  Owner of counseling services company:  Mental health care should remain under state-run system X
          P-D letter:  GOP photo ID proposal discriminates against minorities, women, handicapped, poor
          P-D letter:  IDs already required for most activities of functional, productive adults;  Legislators should help constituents obtain them
          P-D letter:  Large electricity users such as Noranda should not get a rate cut
          KC Star letters:  Kraus right on taxes;  Nieves wrong on guns;  Homosexuals wrong to compare their plight to that of blacks;  Bible seems to send unclear messages on 2014 Missouri legislative issues +
          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, February 17
       
USA Today:  Soldier hired by company she awarded lucrative contract;  McCaskill calls deal "troubling," vows that her panel will continue to investigate
          SNL:  Blunt makes push for tighter security standards X
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  Mike Downing sworn in as Missouri's Director of Economic Development +
          Missouri Ruralist:  A focus on progress, promise:  Richard Fordyce once again attends Governor's Conference on Agriculture, this time as new ag chief (pdf)
          Missouri Ruralist:  Governor's Conference on Agriculture photo gallery:  Nixon breaks bread with FFA youngsters, more (pdf)
          Fox 2 (St. Louis):  Missouri welfare cards being used for purchases in Virgin Islands, strip clubs;  Comments from Schweich, DSS' Brian Kinkade (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri marijuana legalization advocates use opinion polls to determine next move
          Columbia Missourian:  Bill from Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) proposes regulating marijuana like alcohol
          AP:  Hanaway vs. Schweich shows early start to primaries is the new norm
          Fulton Sun:  Rep. Ed Schieffer (D-Troy) running for state Senate;  Term-limited rep discusses legislation, says he is "100% pro-life"
          Drebes:  Republicans still seeking candidate to take on Schupp;  Susan Benigas, wife of Town and Country Alderman Jon Benigas, visits Capitol to build support
          P-D:  Former Rep. Ron Casey (D-Crystal City) dies from injuries from fall;  Visitation on Tuesday, funeral on Wednesday
          JCNT:  Profile:  Rep. Charlie Norr (D-Springfield) talks about life in the Navy X
          KWMU:  Missouri voters would have to approve photo IDs before details are worked out
          SNL:  Telecom legislation moves forward in Missouri General Assembly;  Correlating campaign contributions and lobbyist gifts to proposals' progress X
          KC Star:  Abortion bills multiply in Missouri, Kansas and other increasingly-conservative states +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Capitol Briefs:  Schaaf takes on state health care system;  Rep wears red tie for heart health;  Sunday motorcycle sales;  Kids take field trip to Capitol X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  University leaders optimistic in tough budget climate X
          KC Star:  To attract students, law schools at KU and UMKC engage in a tuition border war +
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  Missouri Foundation for Health teams with Kennett Public Schools to fight child obesity +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  State struggles to find resources to offer child-care subsidies X
          AP:  Nixon says state is ready to go for next execution
          Missourinet:  Bill from Rep. Tim Remole (R-Excello) would help Missouri get out in front of potential EPA wood-burning restrictions
          AP:  Zweifel's office returns $1 million in unclaimed property since November
          KWMU:  Surface fire occurs at Bridgeton Landfill, is unrelated to underground fire
          KSMU's Scott Harvey:  A jocular look at last month's high-five story;  Explanation from Courtney Curtis (D), cantankerous curmudgeonry from Charlie Norr (D), MSU campus walk-through
          SNL letter:  Billy Long should have explained CBO job numbers in more detail X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis Family and Community Partnership's Ruth Ehresman:  State oversight, standards assure children's safety in day cares
          JCNT letter:  Republicans refuse to help the needy by expanding Medicaid X
          KC Star letter:  Take the time to contact the Missouri Legislature - which constantly rescinds women's rights - and urge them to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment +
          JCNT letter:  Legislators do not care about average citizens, or else they would limit campaign contributions and support red-light cameras X
          P-D letter:  Call them yellow-light cameras instead;  Documenting only true red-light infractions would cut into American Traffic Solutions' profits
          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, February 16
       
P-D:  Webster University brings in former NAACP head Ben Jealous for Black History Month
          JCNT:  Obamacare series:  Affordable Care Act to cover kids;  Missouri Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to get funding through 2019 X
          KC Star:  With its support of Hobby Lobby, JE Dunn joins cultural debate;  Comments from Missouri NOW, ACLU, UMKC law prof +
          AP:  Gay marriage foes scramble after setbacks
          Kraske:  Analysis: A long and expensive GOP gubernatorial primary would not be good for Republicans +
          CDT:  Liberal, conservative groups aligned against Nixon's tax-cut compromise X
          Missouri Digital News (MO School of Journalism):  Nixon enters negotiations on cutting taxes
          Dexter Daily Statesman:  Former GOP Rep. Dennis Fowler says he's done with politics;  "They never even called me to go before the committee ... it was strong-arm tactics" +
          P-D:  Missouri Legislature favors Little Tobacco in cigarette wars;  Comments from Koster, legislators, and lobbyists
          Missourinet:  Arts groups push renewal of athletes, performers tax
          P-D:  Missouri lawmakers consider measure to boost nonprofit startup group Arch Grants
          Washington Missourian:  Union School District officials watching bills;  Superintendent says district "really supporting the governor's proposed budget"
          CDT:  New preschool bill in state legislature has bipartisan support X
          SNL:  "Your Tax Dollars" series:  $159.9 million transferred from Missouri Lottery to help fund public education X
          SNL's Shorman:  Nasheed and Nieves shoulder-to-shoulder "one of the stranger things I've seen" in year covering the Capitol X
          AP:  Missouri criminal code bill headed to Senate floor
          P-D:  Lethal injection questions could delay killer's execution again
          P-D:  FAQ about Missouri death penalty
          AP:  Noranda's request would raise consumer's power bills
          Washington Missourian:  Sierra Club, Labadie Environmental Organization urge governor to halt new coal ash dumps
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers target municipal traffic cameras
          SNL:  News-Leader adds more pages to print edition, throws in syndicated USA Today content for free;  Paywall still limits free access (until reader clears cookies from browser) X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Schweich pursues embezzlers with zeal;  Even with our crooks, at least Missouri isn't as bad as Illinois
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Missouri tax cuts, tax credits and education funding are all connected X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Give Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Columbia) credit for pushing transportation funding - instead of all the silly issues that have distracted MO GOP in recent years
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Filing for state office opens - and we need more moderates, not far-out radicals
          JCNT editorial:  Catering to enhance our majestic Capitol X
          CDT op-ed:  MU's William Miller:  Missouri must be realistic on energy;  Coal, nuclear power are crucial to power needs X
          KC Star letters:  Area man says men who smoked crack before kidnapping, raping and killing a 15-year-old girl should be spared, while area woman disagrees +
          SE Missourian letter:  By supporting Common Core, Nixon is promoting the dumbing-down of our children +
          P-D letter:  Ferg-Flor Board President:  Decision to fire superintendent was not related to school transfers
          P-D letter:  State should do something about failed school districts;  Getting rid of standardized tests is a good start
          P-D letter:  Stop blaming decent districts;  Riverview/Normandy/St. Louis City parents should get off their collective butts and start taking responsibility
          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, February 15
       
P-D:  Missouri Guard implicated in national recruiting scheme
          KC Star:  Farm bill isn't perfect, but it has something for everybody +
          AP:  John Brunner announces he's considering run for governor, says he won't talk about it until after 2014 elections
          KC Star:  Missouri may lack law, but NFL says teams must follow its non-discrimination policy +
          South County Times:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) says he doubts that efforts of Bond, MO Chamber will change GOP minds on Medicaid expansion
          Missourinet:  Video:  Rep. Stanley Cox (R-Sedalia) on criminal code rewrite and drug penalties therein
          The Missouri Times:  Staff profile:  Travis Gregory, Hazelwood East graduate and legislative assistant to Rep. Courtney Curtis (D-Berkeley)
          KWMU:  Update:  Judge orders pharmacy not to sell execution drug to Missouri, for now
          SNL:  State tried to intervene to help children;  3-year-old girl was starved, kept in cage X
          AP:  Noranda asks PSC to reduce electric rates
          P-D:  St. Louis red light cameras can continue as judge puts hold on own order
          KWMU:  St. Louis gets green light to turn red light cameras on for now
          KWMU:  Report for EPA says underground Bridgeton Landfill fire poses little risk
          P-D:  Anti-Peabody group does "valentine" protest at City Hall, urges Mayor Francis Slay to "break up" with St. Louis-based employer
          KC Star Capitol Watch editorial:  NRA and Nieves-Nasheed; Nixon, GOP and tax cuts +
          JCNT editorial:  Database would curb prescription drug abuse X
          P-D editorial:  Toward a second St. Louis movement;  Metro residents should be willing to sacrifice for unity and the greater good
          CDT's Waters:  GOP push for photo ID intended to keep poor, old, young and minorities from voting X
          Washington Missourian's Miller:  Michael Sam is very good, not great;  True to form, White House embraces pre-draft proclamation
          Communist Party USA's People's World:  Hospital social worker:  My patients suffer because Missouri GOP rejects Medicaid expansion
          SNL letter:  Missouri legislators willing to tank Missouri economy by rejecting Medicaid expansion X
          P-D letter:  University City woman says the wide gamut of pro-Medicaid-expansion arguments don't seem to be working
          P-D letter:  Response to Show-Me Institute's Michael Rathbone on tax-reform letter
          P-D letter:  Missouri should remove the barrier of higher out-of-state tuition
          P-D letter:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R) is wrong about Ozark Riverways plan
          KC Star letters:  Legislature wrong to stymie Tim Dollar's appointment;  Kansas resident says KC Star wrong to publish op-eds from Missouri Farm Bureau +
          P-D letter:  Post-Dispatch editorial should have been harder on Koster for siding with agriculture over animal-rights activists
          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, February 14
       
KSMU:  Blunt co-sponsors bill to limit IRS targeting of conservative groups
          MSNBC:  McCaskill answers military sexual-assault questions from people who watch/read MSNBC
          Politico:  Morning Score:  Hanaway leads Koster by two points
          The Missouri Times:  Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee's Summit) says he's reached compromise with Nixon on tax cut, will introduce measure next week
          CDT:  Nixon announces support for income tax cut, with conditions;  Governor says he's had productive discussions with Kraus X
          KC Star:  Nixon outlines conditions for potential tax cut deal +
          P-D:  Nixon outlines state income tax cut that he would sign
          KWMU:  Nixon outlines requirements for tax-cut plan he could support
          Missourinet:  Nixon lays out specifics of tax cut he says he'd like to see
          AP:  Nixon outlines potential tax cut plan
          AP:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) proposes giving taxpayers refund on unspent money, says it would encourage stewardship
          AP:  Nixon won't rule out presidential run;  Governor's spox says he still plans on supporting Hillary Clinton, if she runs
          KWMU:  Nixon says he'd like to see another public vote on gay marriage
          AP:  Nixon says he supports repealing gay-marriage ban
          KC Star:  MOGOP Chairman Ed Martin slams ACLU's gay-marriage lawsuit +
          CDT:  Voter ID rules pass House committee on party-line vote X
          KC Star:  Missouri gun rights bill draws NRA opposition +
          KWMU:  Nieves, Nasheed say NRA misrepresents language in nullification bill
          Missourinet:  Nieves says NRA is untruthful in its opposition to his bill
          The Missouri Times:  Nieves, Nasheed respond to NRA criticism
          Washington Missourian:  ECC president reviews legislative agenda priorities;  Community colleges will ask for additional $15M
          P-D:  Sen. Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles) asks State Board of Education to let legislative process 'run its course'
          Missourinet:  House Budget Chairman Rick Stream offers school transfer law fix
          AP:  Stream files school legislation
          KWMU:  Two new bills would help Normandy avoid bankruptcy
          P-D:  Sen. Shalonn "Kiki" Curls (D-Kansas City) proposes ending lifetime food stamp ban for felons
          CDT:  Department of Revenue guts diesel fuel inspections in response to outrage from Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) X
          AP:  Missouri transportation panel gets new chairman;  Vice chairman Stephen Miller of KC switches places with chairman Joe Carmichael of Springfield
          The Missouri Times:  Noranda vs. Ameren, Redux;  Comments from Fair Energy Rate Action Fund (FERAF), Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future
          P-D:  Noranda seeks Ameren rate cut to preserve smelter jobs
          Missourinet:  Another article of impeachment filed against Nixon, this one from Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove)
          AP:  Rep. Mike Moon wants to impeach Nixon over elections
          P-D:  Second Republican lawmakers wants Nixon impeached
          Kraske:  "BuzzChatter" daily quote analysis:  House Minority Leader Jake Hummel (D-St. Louis) pokes fun at GOP impeachment talk +
          CDT:  Court picks former judge to oversee Mamtek case X
          P-D editorial:  National Guard's recruiting fraud needs full accounting;  McCaskill's subcommittee should make sure heads roll
          JCNT editorial:  One subjective criteria for letters to the editor:  Don't be mean X
          Shelly:  For-profit colleges deserve a comeuppance;  Koster involved, to some extent, in nationwide effort to hold them accountable +
          KC Star letters:  Blue Springs woman supports CEE-Trust plan;  Ag industry supports Koster;  Lawrence, KS animal-rights activist opposes Koster;  "Border war" not a bad thing for businesses +
          JCNT letter:  Frequent Ameren critic:  Ameren makes plenty of money and doesn't need any more help X
          JCNT letter:  Holts Summit woman creates analogy:  lobbyist : legislator :: john : prostitute X
          Disclosure

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



        Thursday, February 13
       
CDT:  Graduate students raise interest rate concerns with "Grads Have Debt 2" campaign;  Comments from McCaskill
          NPR:  Democrats McCaskill, Gillibrand clash in military sexual assault debate
          Stars and Stripes:  McCaskill calls for another JPAC oversight review
          KOLR:  McCaskill reacts to National Journal ideological rankings:  'Compromise is not a dirty word'
          LA Times:  Obamacare enrollment slows down in Missouri;  almost 30,000 enrolled in December, but only 24K in January
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Corps of Engineers has a plan to abate spring flooding in Missouri
          CDT:  Committees hear pleas for state funding;  Interests testify in the House
          CDT:  Voter ID rules pass House committee on party-line vote
          P-D:  Photo ID requirement for voters gets OK from Missouri House committee;  Rep. Stacey Newman (D-Richmond Heights) says bill would hurt women
          Missourinet:  House gives approval to 'conscience rights for medical workers' bill;  Rep. Stacey Newman says bill would hurt women
          The Missouri Times:  House gives first-round approval to medical worker "conscience rights" bill;  Ten Democrats join GOP in voting yes
          AP:  Missouri House endorses health care conscience bill
          Missourinet:  Military proxy bill goes to Nixon
          P-D:  Fight for gay and lesbian marriage in Missouri mirrors efforts across country;  ACLU lawyer says group has "50-state strategy," but "we're not ready to discuss it today"
          AP:  ACLU sues Missouri for not recognizing gay and lesbian marriages
          AP:  Bill would make Missouri lawmakers follow Sunshine Law
          CDT:  Schaefer explores ways to save higher education dollars in committee hearing
          AP:  Some states move to allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrants;  Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) comments on Justus' bill
          P-D:  Western Governor's University students now eligible for in-state financial aid;  Lawmakers voice concern
          The Maneater:  Senate Committee rejects Nixon's Board of Curators appointment
          JCNT:  Bill would check on Missouri scholarships:  Bright Flight, A+ Program and Access Missouri to be evaluated
          AP:  Hip-hop artist set to deliver lecture at Northwest Missouri State;  Chuck D teamed with Flavor Flav on seminal early-'90s album "Fear of a Black Planet"
          JCNT:  Gun law's constitutionality still under debate
          SNL:  NRA opposes amendment to firearms law nullification bill
          P-D:  NRA voices opposition to Nieves' bill that would nullify federal gun laws
          The Missouri Times:  NRA may score vote on SB613
          Missourinet:  Senate advances gun bill;  Audio of debate
          P-D:  $72K fine for $4 diesel-fuel violation provokes a Senate inquiry;  DOR says it is unsure how long it has been receiving federal grant money and how much is for inspection program
          SE Missourian:  Nixon explains "Good Schools, Good Jobs" proposal to Jackson Middle School students
          JCNT:  Change sought in school-district bidding laws
          P-D:  Missouri Senate committee hears ninth transfer bill
          JCNT:  Education panel looks at new school transfer legislation, condensing nine bills into one or two
          AP:  House Budget Chairman Rick Stream:  Legislature likely to provide taxpayer money to bail out Normandy
          Drebes:  Sen. Joe Keaveny (D-St. Louis) introduces anti-spanking bill
          AP:  Company blocked from selling execution drug in Missouri
          Missourinet:  Effort to update synthetic pot listing being considered
          Missourinet:  Drug case might change definition of 'immediate family';  Testimony from Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar)
          JCNT:  Bills advance to allow food, beverage sales at Capitol and Missouri State Penitentiary
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Ron Hicks (R-St. Peters) receives award for life-saving effort
          P-D:  St. Louis hopes to rev up its red-light cameras despite legal setback
          Washington Missourian:  Ameren puts city on long waiting list for solar power
          Capaha Arrow (Southeast MO State):  Annual event honors black student killed by fraternity hazing;  23-year-old first-year Washington Post reporter to speak
          P-D editorial:  Lawmakers continue to ignore deadly day cares
          SNL editorial:  Solar farms being planted;  One could end up on land leased from Sen. Jay Wasson (R-Nixa)
          P-D editorial:  Traffic-camera conundrum now officially ridiculous;  Missouri Supreme Court needs to clear the issue up
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Now's the time for area residents to attend Missouri PSC meeting to discuss Missouri Gas Energy rates - and more
          Washington Missourian letter:  Union rep opposes right to work
          P-D letter:  Legislators should support Nixon's proposal to help people with developmental disabilities
          KC Star letter:  Paper shows its liberal bias:  Pages and pages promoting gay football player's public declaration, and not a single word on National Guard returning from Afghanistan
          P-D letter:  Maryland Heights man claims P-D coverage of gay football player shows politically-correct agenda, says not every effeminate man engages in homosexual activities
          P-D letter:  Unitarian Universalist Rev. Molly Housh Gordon says Legislature should pass non-discrimination legislation
          P-D letter:  Town and Country woman attempts to tie gay football player to creationism-evolution debate
          Disclosure

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



        Wednesday, February 12
       
Washington Times:  McCaskill predicts success for Democrats in November
          KC Star:  McCaskill:  If I was running this year, I wouldn't campaign with Obama +
          Politico:  McCaskill:  Democratic candidates don't need Obama
          KCTV:  McCaskill says federal phone-handout program filled with fraud;  Reaction from woman whose mother "don't have [sic] a land line" and exceeds alotted cell minutes (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          P-D:  Schweich announces his campaign for gov - ...er, auditor
          KWMU:  Schweich sends 2016 message via fall re-election announcement:  Campaign dignitaries include Danforth, Talent, moneymen Fox & Walker, fundraiser Karen Mohan Day
          The Missouri Times:  Schweich lists campaign team for 2014, prepares for 2016 gubernatorial run
          AP:  Schweich outlines re-election team
          CDT:  Koster rallies faithful at Boone County Democratic Party's annual chili supper X
          Drebes:  Dem special election and primary for Webb's seat to be held the same day - but the primary is the one to win
          P-D:  Fight over Ozark rivers isn't waiting for park service's decision
          AP:  Ozark Riverways users criticize feds' park plan
          Missourinet:  Via Twitter, Kinder and Kelly arrange debate over Ozark riverway management
          CDT:  Kelly, Kinder to debate Ozark riverways management at Shannon County Courthouse X
          TonysKansasCity.com:  Local official's resolution opposing marijuana legalization in Missouri gets tabled
          AP:  Missouri Jobs With Justice not collecting petition signatures, hopes legislators pass minimum-wage increase;  Comments from U. City burrito artist, Washington U. prof, groups representing employers
          Brooks:  State lacks radical ideas;  Missouri could use some fresh thinking on highway funding, urban schools, consolidating higher ed and DESE, welfare, more X
          AP:  Missouri Senate bill would curb insurance-exchange navigators
          P-D:  ACLU suing Missouri over its ban on same-sex marriages;  Comments from PROMO's A.J. Bockelman, area lesbians
          CDT:  Sen. Scott Sifton (D-Affton) uses Michael Sam publicity to promote anti-discrimination proposal X
          AP:  State panel ponders changes to state flag;  Bill from Rep. Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart) would create commission
          P-D:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) says college presidents should answer for schools' success or failure
          P-D:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) readies bill on school transfers, calls for 'serious change'
          SNL:  Sen. Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City):  Tie tax cut to funding for education X
          Missourinet:  Senators debate tax cuts, funding for elementary and secondary education
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Myron Neth (R-Liberty) - whose district includes Claycomo plant - says right to work could cost House GOP some seats
          AP:  Senate panel endorses rules oversight change
          Missourinet:  Senate advances gun bill
          P-D:  Missouri Senate endorses bill that would nullify federal gun laws
          AP:  Senate endorses gun nullification bill
          CDT:  Schaefer proposes bill that would require more details on tobacco sales;  Chuck Hatfield says bill is not needed X
          AP:  Senate panel backs chemotherapy parity bills
          Missourinet:  House gives initial approval to prescription drug monitoring program
          P-D:  Prescription drug database gets first-round approval in Missouri House
          AP:  House OKs bill targeting synthetic drugs
          P-D:  Missouri child-care assistance is Catch-22;  A look at funding proposals
          P-D:  St. Louis judge orders stop to city's red-light camera enforcement
          NY Times editorial:  Army auditors' shock and awe;  McCaskill right to demand accountability
          SNL editorial:  Blunt's bill for abused children needs support, and Obama should eventually sign it into law X
          P-D editorial:  Stop the milk-money shakedown;  Better suburban districts take money from the unaccredited, but don't hire new teachers or staff
          KC Star editorial:  Making progress to end the costy border war +
          KC Star's Yael Abouhalkah:  A banner week for Kansas' bible thumpers and Missouri's gun lovers +
          Jensen:  Michael Sam being gay is not news - but the mainstream media is obsessive about their push to expand the openly gay community +
          P-D letter:  Show-Me Institute's Michael Rathbone:  On tax deduction issue, Missouri Budget Project offers no proof for its doom-and-gloom claims
          KC Star letters:  Michael Sam publicity and advocacy journalism;  Reaction to 6-year-old boy dressing up like a girl;  Legislators should reject all gifts, or maybe just those over $50 +
          Disclosure

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



        Tuesday, February 11
       
Missourinet:  McCaskill, Blunt sign on to bill that would bring in offshore money to pay for infrastructure projects
          KC Star:  KC seeks new Homeland Security funds, but McCaskill is not optimistic
          KC Star:  Blunt, Graves criticize Obamacare delay, but don't want to overturn it
          KC Star:  CNN says KC among cities meeting with GOP about convention
          Missourinet:  McCaskill, Blunt among Senators signing letter on propane shortage
          KSMU:  McCaskill, Blunt sign letter on propane price relief
          CDT:  Demand for heating assistance falls, despite harsh winter
          MSNBC:  Submit your questions for McCaskill regarding sexual assaults and the military
          AP:  Chelsea Clinton to speak this month at UMKC
          KWMU:  Catherine Hanaway announces bid for governor in 2016, catching GOP off guard
          AP:  Catherine Hanaway to run for governor in 2016
          AP:  Hanaway bio
          Missourinet:  Hanaway says time away from state government has prepared her to lead the state as governor
          P-D:  Hanaway running for governor
          Kraske:  "BuzzChatter" daily quote analysis:  Hanaway announces, so what are Schweich's 2016 intentions?  Also, Dems can't hide the fact they have no one to run for auditor
          Drebes:  Dems have candidate for Chris Molendorp's open House seat:  Attorney Patty Johnson
          KC Star:  Jackson County local official wants county on the record as opposing legalized marijuana in Missouri
          AP:  Missouri House committee endorses right to work
          JCNT:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) renews effort to modify state Constitution's right to bear arms language
          Missourinet:  Sen. Jason Holsman (D-Kansas City), Brian Nieves (R-Washington) debate school employees' right to carry on school grounds
          SNL:  ACLU plans to sue state over gay marriage
          P-D:  Sen. Scott Sifton (D-St. Louis County) ties Mizzou football player's sexual-orientation declaration to anti-discrimination bill
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri bills support cattle industry;  Comments from Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown)
          P-D:  Missouri School Board debates the scope of its role in failing schools
          KC Star:  Missouri School Board starts discussing fate of children in unaccredited schools
          JCNT:  Education officials eye remedies for struggling schools
          AP:  Missouri officials mull struggling school plans;  No ideas voted on during Monday's lengthy work session
          AP:  Missouri School Boards' Association details accreditation proposal
          JCNT:  Education groups offer solution to transfers controversy
          JCNT:  Blind federation members lobbys lawmakers on issues:  Braille for blind kids, special voting machines
          SNL:  Felons could forfeit state pensions under bill from Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield)
          Missourinet:  State officials testify to House committee about execution procedures
          KWMU:  After controversy surrounding executions, state officials testify before House committee
          KC Star:  Missouri corrections chief defends secrecy surrounding execution drug
          AP:  Missouri corrections officials defend executions
          P-D:  Casino revenue drops again
          SE Missourian:  Washington Post correspondent Wesley Lowery to deliver lecture at Southeast
          JCNT editorial:  A truce in the tax incentive border war
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri must equalize costs of cancer treatments
          P-D editorial:  Paper's reaction to football player's pre-NFL draft sexual orientation publicity:  Republicans wish gay people would just go away
          KC Star's Diuguid:  What a brave new world:  2014 Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference allows men and women to see each other in the bathroom
          P-D's Nicklaus:  Analysis of David Stokes' privatization study:  Privatization isn't a step toward smaller government - it's a step toward better government
          P-D letter:  Woman treated for depression says Medicaid expansion would help those with mental problems
          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, February 10
       
KWMU:  Ed Martin, Roy Temple lay out visions for state party success heading into fall elections and 2016
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Capitol briefs:  Ed Martin says GOP will keep Lager's Senate seat;  Nixon appoints area residents to various boards
          Gateway Journalism Review:  Sen. Brian Nieves (R-Washington) bars television coverage of committee session
          Politico:  Pentagon vexed by inability to solve ethics lapses;  Comments from McCaskill
          Missourinet:  Veterans to legislature:  Stop spending our money
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers may fund university buildings
          P-D:  Missouri's early childhood education needs more money but lawmakers split on funding
          P-D:  Transfer funds hurt troubled districts as they accumulate elsewhere
          KWMU:  Neighborhood watch programs could get state funding under proposed bill from Rep. Michael Butler (D-St. Louis)
          Fox 4 KC:  Push to change Missouri's "Blue Law" on Sunday motorcycle sales (link via TonysKansas City.com)
          Missourinet:  Patients, doctors ask lawmakers for 'parity' between oral, IV chemotherapy coverage costs
          KC Star:  KC company company makes a run at the marijuana trade with seed-to-weed software;  Competitor does not expect legalization in "red state" Missouri
          Quincy Herald-Whig:  Koster's office to take over prosecution in Hannibal, Mo. convenience store death
          JCNT:  Missouri State Penitentiary repairs moving forward
          P-D:  Bridge opens;  Comments from people who drove on it
          KWMU:  Recap of the first day in court for anti-Peabody proposal
          JCNT editorial:  Conflict on budget estimates, gubernatorial power demolishes hope for bipartisanship
          P-D editorial:  Koster unlikely to prevail in egg lawsuit
          KC Star op-ed:  CEE-Trust CEO Ethan Gray:  Let teachers lead so Kansas City schools can succeed
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Show-Me Institute's David Stokes:  Privatization of services - with good results - on display throughout Missouri
          Disclosure

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



        Sunday, February 9
       
The Missouri Times:  Catherine Hanaway announces that she's running for governor
          Drebes:  Scott Sifton may run for AG in 2016 - but ultimately, Koster gets to pick his own Dem successor
          MSNBC:  Video:  Secretary of State Jason Kander discusses opposition to GOP photo ID proposal
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Infrastructure funding gets a look from Washington X
          Joplin Globe:  Blunt seeks funding for child advocacy centers X
          SNL:  National expert on poverty visits to boost local efforts X
          Washington Missourian:  IRS audit of local VFW angers post commander
          CDT:  Lawsuit over Columbia-based Bluebird Network's use of federal stimulus funds may go to trial soon X
          St. Louis Business Journal:  40 Under 40:  Dentons' Brian Grace
          St. Louis Business Journal:  40 Under 40:  Sen. Scott Sifton (D-South St. Louis County)
          CDT:  Bill from Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) proposes live video stream of House, Senate hearings X
          SNL:  Dispute on taxes looms again in Jefferson City;  Comments from GOP tax-cut proponents, Missouri Budget Project's Amy Blouin X
          P-D:  Missouri regulators:  Autism insurance costs minimal
          AP:  Missouri targets developmentally disabled wait list
          CDT:  Local school districts wonder about funding amid state budget battles X
          JCNT:  Bills could bring more academic credits for career and technical courses, dual-credit reimbursement X
          JCNT:  With a table full of school-transfer plans, state officials wrangle with fixing accreditation problems X
          KC Star:  New Orleans offers lesson for Kansas City school district +
          KC Star:  Transgender children face a society slow to accept them;  6-year-old boy says he'd rather be a girl, while schools attempt to manage cross-dressing and bathroom logistics +
          SNL:  Springfield says it has 727 homeless students;  Regional numbers run higher than statewide average of 2 percent X
          AP:  Criminal code proposal could lower drug penalties
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  Burlison once watched an execution;  Dixon's bill would speed appointments X
          Washington Missourian:  Differing views on high court ruling in Franklin County lawsuit;  Legislature's wording at center of debate
          P-D:  New Mississippi River bridge touted as traffic reliever
          P-D:  FAQ about new Mississippi River bridge
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Scandals a hurt to veterans;  McCaskill's subcommittee investigates
          KC Star editorial:  Don't embrace the experimental overhaul of Kansas City schools +
          JCNT editorial:  Kander's "Safe at Home" proposal, sponsored by Sen. Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors), would protect women from stalkers and other psychotics X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Newspapers are not dying - for example, Seattle residents bought lots of commemorative copies the day after the Super Bowl
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Reminder:  Keep your letters to the editor short
          CDT op-ed:  Missouri School of Journalism's Phill Brooks:  Historical context in the debate to allow greater media access to legislative actions X
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Celebrating Johnson's War on Poverty:  Cape woman's struggle shows we shouldn't blame the poor, but rather blame external factors +
          SNL letter:  ALEC supports right to work legislation X
          P-D letter:  Response to anti-Bright Flight editorial:  Why does newspaper have such a problem with intelligent students?
          P-D letter:  Say no to minimum-wage increase;  Raising the earned income tax credit is better option for the working class and the poor
          KC Star letter:  Koster wrong to side with Missouri agriculture instead of animal rights +
          Disclosure

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



        Saturday, February 8
       
P-D:  National Journal's annual ideological ranking places McCaskill at 49th most-liberal, Blunt as 42nd most-conservative
          SNL:  Blunt backs funding of child advocacy centers X
          AP:  Nixon endorses federal plan for Ozark Riverways
          Kraske:  Impeachment talk is silly;  "It would just be our luck to go through an impeachment trial without any talk of illicit sex" +
          Drebes:  Missouri Scout poll on state's top issues:  Right track/wrong track, right to work, minimum wage, contribution limits, Right to Farm, marijuana legalization, more
          P-D:  Pro-pot backers in Missouri trying bills and petitions to change law
          Missourinet:  House budget chief shuns Nixon proposal, reverts to FY14 spending plan
          P-D:  Bill would end rules for Missouri's rural day cares
          AP:  Union submits plan for failing Missouri school districts
          CDT:  Many Columbia teachers like new Common Core standards, despite national controversy X
          CDT:  Columbia schools expanding digital teaching tools, but state lags behind X
          Joplin Globe:  Local high school counselor, parents support Missouri taxpayers footing the bill for ACT exams X
          KC Star:  Execution secrecy draws criticism +
          Missourinet:  Openly-gay Rep. Mike Colona (D-St. Louis) discusses impeachment effort over same-sex tax filing
          AP:  Rep. Steve Hodges (D-East Prairie) apologizes for DWI arrest
          AP:  Missouri State Highway Patrol says snow caused over 1,000 accidents in two-day period
          P-D:  No need to pay red-light tickets in Arnold;  Court ruled municipality's ordinance was in conflict with state law
          P-D:  New I-70 bridge aglow in 'aesthetic' lights
          AP:  St. Louis river bridge set for weekend opening
          P-D:  Missouri approach to new Mississippi River bridge named for worker who died
          JCNT:  Federal court orders Moniteau County to issue inmate marriage licenses X
          St. Louis Business Journal:  Lee Enterprises - parent company to Post-Dispatch - profit falls in Q1, a 17.7 percent drop from same period in 2012
          P-D editorial:  'Dinin' Doug' Funderburk (R-St. Peters) takes lobbyist largesse to delicious new heights;  A look at the recent trend of hosting public meetings at private restaurants
          Joplin Globe editorial:  With cell-tower vote, Missouri Senate shows it's ready to hand over power to telecommunications giants X
          KC Star "Capitol Watch" editorial briefs:  Weekly update on GOP transgressions:  Brattin and creationism, GOP reps and impeachment talk +
          SNL op-ed:  Blunt, Billy Long and the Republican Party pander to old white voters and don't care about the poor and middle class X
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Missouri Dept. of Mental Health Director Keith Schafer:  Fulton Hospital is state's moral responsibility X
          KC Star op-ed:  Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst:  Farming deserves more respect +
          KC Star Public Editor column:  Family featured in snow-days-are-tough article not covered by cold weather rule, as they had stopped paying their bills long before freezing temperatures kicked in +
          Washington Missourian op-ed:  Cell towers emit electromagnetic frequencies that have an unknown effect upon our bodies
          KC Star letter:  In support of cell-tower legislation +
          JCNT letter:  Area liberal says Luetkemeyer is less popular than Obama X
          Disclosure

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



        Friday, February 7
       
P-D:  Crunch time nears for Boeing's Super Hornet line;  McCaskill, Blunt have urged more funding for program
          Washington Post:  McCaskill plan would require military health plan to cover breast pumps
          The Hill:  McCaskill, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) expand data breach probe
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Blunt says movie could help his bill honoring 'Monument Men' X
          The Hill:  McCaskill vs. Gillibrand sexual assault fight renewed
          AP:  Nebraska congressman to host Graves at small-business forum in Omaha
          Kraske:  "BuzzChatter" daily quote analysis:  GOP impeachment bill, McCaskill on rural post offices +
          P-D:  Missouri House won't use Nixon's budget, plans smaller education increase
          KWMU:  Missouri GOP scraps Nixon's budget proposal
          KOMU:  Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) wants shoppers to know where tax money goes
          The Missouri Times:  Senators weigh in on tax-cut proposals;  Comments from Schmitt, LeVota, Justus
          AP:  Missouri Senate takes no action on Fowler nomination
          AP:  Missouri Senate blocks appointment of Tim Dollar to Conservation Commission;  GOP says it is frustrated by lack of communication with governor
          P-D:  Missouri Senate approves two appointments to state Board of Education
          P-D:  Bill highlights tug-of-war over Missouri day care regulation
          AP:  Missouri Senate backs cellphone tower legislation
          JCNT:  Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) pushes 4 privacy-rights bills X
          SNL:  The propane predicament:  Shortage of propane puts big hurt on Missourians X
          Washington Missourian:  East Central College president 'interested' in Bright Flight expansion
          JCNT:  Lincoln University curators approve helping Missouri A+ students X
          AP:  Senate panel plans hearing on proposed constitutional amendment protecting schools from budget cuts made by governor
          Drebes:  "Protect Missouri Children" campaign committee created;  Proposal would allow criminals' prior convictions to be admissible in court
          St. Louis Review:  Guttmacher Institute reports abortions at all-time low;  Missouri among states with lowest rates of abortion
          St. Louis Review:  Bills would give women more time to consider abortion
          The Missouri Times:  Bill from Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) would give legislative oversight to state execution procedures
          Missouri Viewpoints:  Death penalty in Missouri:  St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch (D) vs. Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty's Kay Parish
          P-D:  Lawsuit claims Missouri's program for sexually violent predators should be shut down
          AP:  Missouri public defenders seek pay raise
          AP:  Senate bill lets candidate's proxy file for the disabled and soldiers abroad
          AP:  Missouri Senate committee OKs mammogram notice measure
          The Missouri Times:  Breastfeeding bill needs discretion language to move through committee
          AP:  Rep. Nick Marshall (R-Parkville) seeks to impeach Gov. Nixon
          SNL:  Republican files impeachment orders against Nixon X
          KOMU:  Rep. Steve Hodges (D-East Prairie) arrested for DWI
          KC Star:  Missouri Gas Energy failed to follow safety rules on day of fatal JJ's explosion, Missouri Public Service Commission says +
          AP:  Missouri Public Service Commission staff says Missouri Gas Energy violated rules before blast
          P-D editorial:  Access to sex education and birth control yield 40-year low in abortion rate
          St. Louis Review editorial:  What we should take away from the Guttmacher study on the decrease in abortions
          P-D's Nicklaus:  Pass-through tax cut a tax break for lobbyists;  Comments from Missouri Budget Project's Amy Blouin
          KWMU op-ed:  Normandy School District instructional coach Inda Schaenen:  When is Normandy's plan not a plan?  When nobody knows it's there.
          CDT's Waters:  Cell towers:  Pushing to bypass city control X
          KWMU op-ed:  St. Louis Beacon's Margie Freivogel:  The Beacon was - and KWMU is - much better than Patch, and will be better than next wave of outlets, too
          P-D letter:  Republicans want to help rural Missourians with propane needs, but not help people who want Medicaid
          SNL letter:  700 people will die if Missouri does not expand Medicaid X
          KC Star letter:  Right to work would lower wages +
          P-D letter:  Riverview Gardens NEA:  State's plans for Riverview Gardens inject instability, chaos
          P-D letter:  Difficult to trust Ameren on coal ash pollution
          Disclosure

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


        Thursday, February 6
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill, Blunt vote for farm bill;  Measure provides safety net for farmers and ranchers, cuts billions in spending X
          P-D:  Michelle Bachmann to headline St. Louis Eagle Forum luncheon in March
          KWMU:  Missouri general revenue income drops dramatically in January
          KWMU:  Missouri lawmakers try to end 'border war' between Missouri and Kansas
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers hear plans to end Kansas tax break war
          Missourinet:  Proposed tax increase for transportation considered in House committee
          P-D:  Caps on medical malpractice lawsuits wins OK from Missouri House panel
          AP:  Missouri Senate defeats Medicaid expansion in party-line vote
          P-D:  In first vote this year on Medicaid expansion, Senate says no in party-line vote
          SNL:  Program helps thousands - including those no longer on Medicaid - pay for prescriptions;  Missouri Foundation for Health provided seed money for program X
          JCNT:  Bill defines who can make health care decisions for you X
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel blocks MU curator appointments;  Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale) says J. Michael Ponder failed to ask tough questions as a member of state ed board
          The Maneater:  HB1308 from Rep. Mike Thomson (R-Maryville) would allow forgivable loans for in-state students
          The Standard (MSU):  Missouri tuition freezes - as long as you're a resident
          Washington Missourian:  Union School District superintendent wants Chamber to lobby legislators for school funding
          P-D:  Senate committee hears two additional bills addressing the transfer law
          KWMU:  DESE hears pleas to keep public in charge of public schools;  Normandy School Board member attributes district's poor performance to racially-biased tests
          KC Star:  Snow days can be miserable for low-income families;  In some KC areas, more than 90% of parents rely upon schools to provide children free or subsidized meals +
          P-D:  Ruling could clarify Missouri's executioner secrecy law
          SNL:  State's execution rules need legislative oversight, Burlison says X
          CDT:  Rep. Caleb Jones (R-Columbia) sponsors bill to target mugshot websites X
          SNL:  Lawmakers asked to clarify status of 911 board X
          JCNT:  Senate committee hearing tackles water-quality control X
          KMIZ:  Officials warn about tow-truck price gouging in winter storms;  Comments from Assistant AG Joe Bindbeutel
          KWMU:  Court hearing set on anti-Peabody proposal;  Mayor Francis Slay says measure would force many major businesses to leave the city
          AP:  Missouri Supreme Court:  Archdiocese must release names of those accused of sexual abuse
          P-D:  Missouri's top court orders Archdiocese to name accused priests
          AP:  St. Louis man, affiliated with Anonymous, sentenced for Koch subsidiary cyberattack
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Keystone XL would hook into a pipeline in northern Missouri - and the project deserves to move forward
          KC Star editorial:  Chris Koster is off the mark with bad egg lawsuit +
          P-D op-ed:  Money to boost Bright Flight can be spent better
          SNL op-ed:  Former state Rep. Tom Long (R-Springfield):  I started out flipping burgers - and with a decent work ethic, created a pretty good life X
          KC Star's Sanchez:  UMKC's acceptance of bisexual, lesbian, gay and transgender students is welcome +
          P-D letter:  Response to employees at North County federal center dumping veterans' records in the woods
          Disclosure

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



        Wednesday, February 5
       
P-D:  Medicaid applications from Healthcare.gov called flawed;  Missouri enrollment dips
          AP:  Obama administration IDs 25 key metro areas for Obamacare signups, none in Missouri
          KC Star:  Farm bill gets 'Yes' votes from every member of Missouri delegation - except Lacy Clay, who didn't vote +
          KWMU:  McCaskill blames military recruitment scandal on lack of oversight
          USA Today:  McCaskill, others blast Army over recruiting fraud scandal
          NY Times:  Fraud in Army recruiting bonus program may cost nearly $100 million
          Washington Post:  Army probes allegations of fraud by recruiters and others in enlistment referral program
          National Journal:  The Army's recruiting-fraud problem
          LA Times:  National Guard recruitment bonus scandal probed by Senate panel
          AP:  Army probing hundreds in recruiting scheme
          Reuters:  U.S. Senate panel holds hearing on fraud in Army recruiting program
          P-D:  Local employer Emerson sees potential in Keystone pipeline
          P-D:  Another delay for Arch grounds renovation;  Current projection:  14 months behind schedule
          KWMU:  Winter storms blow into government coffers
          AP:  Snow prompts Missouri House to cancel hearings
          AP:  Missouri revenues up slightly for the budget year
          Missourinet:  Proposed change to governor's budget powers gets bipartisan approval
          AP:  Missouri Senate endorses limit on government vacancies
          Missourinet:  Kehoe lays out road-funding strategy, discusses sales-tax ballot initiative vs. legislative action
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel mulls one-cent transportation sales tax
          CDT:  Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) files bill to legalize marijuana X
          The Missouri Times:  Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee's Summit), Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis City) weigh in on voter ID proposal
          CDT:  Bill from Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) would make it easier to find new state rules and tax rates X
          AP:  States look to rein in government surveillance;  Comments from Sen. Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph)
          JCNT:  Mid-Missouri lawmakers:  State still needs nuclear expansion X
          SNL:  Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) wants state to look at alternative college payment program X
          SNL:  Koster among those looking into business practices of for-profit colleges X
          AP:  Koster challenges California egg law
          SNL:  Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) wants to see Nixon impeached over special elections X
          KWMU:  Bridge opening should give commuters more breathing room;  Comments from MoDOT
          P-D:  Man convicted in rape, murder of Kerry sisters on Chain of Rocks Bridge appeals to Missouri Supreme Court
          KWMU:  Missouri Supreme Court hears Reginald Clemons case
          AP:  Missouri death row inmate seeks new trial, again;  Walter Barton sexually assaulted 81-year-old Gladys Kuehler, then stabbed her at least 50 times
          Columbia Missourian:  Decline in Share the Harvest donations consistent with deer harvest
          KC Star:  Missouri Supreme Court gives Clay Chastain a victory in light-rail case +
          KC Star editorial:  Give American workers a reasonable raise;  Missouri wages already above the federal minimum, and STL Mayor Francis Slay is even more generous to city employees +
          SNL editorial:  Bill from Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) would protect students' faith X
          JCNT editorial:  Assessing the validity - and constitutionality - of requiring governor to fill vacancies in a more timely manner X
          P-D editorial:  Let the cleanup of West Lake Landfill begin
          CDT op-ed:  Veteran lobbyist Terry Schlemeier:  Incentives hand taxpayer money to stockholders X
          KC Star's Maria Rose Williams:  Implementing a prove-it-or-lose-it funding plan for Missouri colleges +
          P-D op-ed:  University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe:  A college education is still valuable
          Shelly:  Missouri's payday loan industry won't like plan to offer loans at Post Office +
          Columbia Missourian's David Rosman:  Sarcastic take - "handshake lobby" punchline, etc. - on high-five legislation news from last week
          KC Star letter:  Retired nurse Bertha Payne shares her passion for Obamacare;  STL animal activist accuses Koster of siding with agriculture over HSUS as part of 2016 campaign +
          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.




        Tuesday, February 4
       
KC Star:  McCaskill to hold hearing on "one of the biggest fraud investigations in Army history" +
          USA Today:  Recruiting fraud, kickback scandal rocks Army;  McCaskill calls episode "discouraging and depressing"
          Joplin Globe:  Plan for Joplin VA clinic remains tentative X
          SNL:  Nixon:  $15M for heat bills;  Federal grants to be given to help relieve rising propane prices X
          AP:  Nixon announces increased propane subsidy
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri dairy bill on margin insurance;  Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany) says legislation will "dovetail nicely" with federal farm bill
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Rep. Delus Johnson, former Rep. Dan Hegeman to run in GOP primary for Lager's seat X
          P-D:  Liberal group Progress Missouri files complaint about GOP Sens. Kraus, Nieves blocking video access to Senate committee hearings
          KWMU:  Nieves, Missouri Journalism School icon Phill Brooks disagree over tripod placement and committee access;  Nieves says he's ignoring activist phone calls on issue
          AP:  Committee hears GOP "paycheck protection" bill
          KWMU:  SEIU, CWA oppose GOP "paycheck protection" bill
          SNL:  Bill from Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) proposes tool to check all taxes X
          JCNT:  Lager renews effort to limit 'whistle blowing' X
          AP:  Panel mulls proposal over governor's budget power
          AP:  Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar) wants to alter state's impeachment proceedings
          JCNT:  Impeachment process scrutinized X
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) seeking GOP support to impeach Nixon over special elections
          SNL:  OTC's Hal Higdon part of push for "fair funding;"  Community college leaders want same state funding as 4-year schools X
          AP:  Missouri Legislature will be considering whether to triple preschool funding
          SE Missourian:  DESE, partners develop "Smarter Balance" revised assessment plan +
          SNL:  State wants all juniors to take ACT X
          KCTV:  Schweich reveals problems uncovered in Lee's Summit schools
          KC Star:  Lee's Summit earns 'good' audit, but with some issues +
          P-D:  Far fewer students are transferring from Normandy and Riverview Gardens
          AP:  Riverview administrators seek $5M bailout
          AP:  Nationwide, a record number of exonerations;  In Missouri, Reggie Griffin and Ryan Ferguson set free
          SE Missourian:  Limbaughs Sr., Jr. tell area's proud history of advancing civil rights +
          JCNT:  Council endorses Kehoe bill to allow alcohol sales at Capitol, Missouri State Penitentiary X
          The Missouri Times:  House committee passes red-light camera bill
          AP:  Autism insurance beneficiaries rising under Missouri law
          Drebes:  Paul Snyder, formerly of KCP&L, moves to solar-power company Brightergy
          P-D:  Ameren says study shows no coal ash threat to drinking water
          CDT:  Judge to appoint 'master' for Mamtek case X
          KWMU Politically Speaking podcast:  St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green has no plans to run statewide, says she likes Chris Koster
          Joplin Globe editorial:  More of the silly season:  Berkeley Democrat Courtney Curtis and high-fives, Senate's self-involved obsession with seersucker "debate" X
          P-D op-ed:  Missouri Farmers Union:  Right to Farm would favor the corporations - even the Chinese - over Missouri family farms
          P-D letter:  GOP state rep candidate Dennis Broadbooks:  Right to Farm amendment would protect Missourians from HSUS' radical agenda
          JCNT letter:  Response to Luetkemeyer on economy, jobs X
          P-D letter:  Post-Dispatch should catalog all the terrible things about Missouri in one big story, and then the people would be motivated to rise up against injustice
          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, February 3
       
KOLR:  U.S. Rep. Billy Long:  Propane is available, hard to get
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Cold weather blast hits area propane supplies X
          AP:  Feds plot future of Ozark Riverways in Missouri
          P-D:  Transportation sales tax backers postpone signature-gathering
          Drebes:  Sen. Joe Keaveny (D-St. Louis City) takes McKenna's spot on Senate Economic Development Committee
          JCNT:  Proposed law would give state boards, commissions new members X
          KC Star:  Missouri debates rules covering pill-based chemos +
          Missourinet:  Rep. Mike Thomson (R-Maryville) talks about plan to add loan feature to Bright Flight program
          St. Joseph News-Press:  School officials cautious on full funding X
          Missourinet:  Legislation would give students more digital offerings
          SE Missourian:  Local group forms to oppose Common Core, other federal and state initiatives;  Concerned Women for America rep to speak at meeting +
          Missouri Digital News:  Missouri lawmakers move to protect rodeos (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          KWMU:  After supplying for three Missouri executions, pharmacy plans to register in state
          P-D editorial:  Farm bill cuts food stamps out of meanness or greed - either way, McCaskill and Blunt should vote no
          P-D editorial:  Park Service plan to protect Ozark Riverways is a good one
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Missouri is a conservative state - and tuition freeze shows state schools reflect that mentality
          The Maneater letter: Opposing 72-hour waiting period for abortion
          Disclosure

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



        Sunday, February 2
       
SNL:  Medicaid expansion:  Hospitals feel pinch as Missouri, other states debate X
          SNL:  As Missouri digs in again over Medicaid expansion, other states push compromise plans X
          SNL:  Some Missouri lawmakers warm to idea of expanding Medicaid in Missouri X
          JCNT:  Medicare, insurance companies placing caps on rehab visits X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Immigration reform might have a new pulse this year;  Comments from McCaskill, Blunt, Graves X
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  At local Lincoln Day dinner, Billy Long says GOP can take U.S. Senate;  Gov hopefuls Tom Schweich, Catherine Hanaway speak X
          KC Star:  Missouri enlisting in the egg wars;  Koster sues state of California on behalf of Missouri farmers +
          KC Star:  Power line opponents surge against wind energy transmission project +
          JCNT:  Nixon administration cites savings from efforts to reduce leased spaces X
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  Dixon and fitness-center tax;  Missouri criminal code wording;  Nieves is being a bully just because he can X
          JCNT:  Pro-life group wants tax credit to exclude research on human cloning, stem cell X
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers plot new plan for juvenile lifers
          KC Star:  Mayor convenes private meeting on Kansas City school district plans +
          P-D:  Crowd turns out in response to Normandy school crisis
          AP:  UMKC hosts gay, transgender conference
          JCNT:  House bill from Rep. Mike Kelley (R-Lamar) would raise speed limit X
          P-D:  An in-depth look, and update, on former SE Missourian news reporter Scott Moyers' battle with addiction
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Graves' vote on farm bill advanced interests of the region X
          SNL editorial:  Right to work bad for Missouri X
          JCNT editorial:  The cost of inaction on mental hospital X
          P-D's Nicklaus:  Washington University prof authors new study on income inequality
          St. Joseph News-Press' Ken Newton:  The people pushing voter photo ID proposals probably aren't very smart X
          P-D letter:  American Automotive Policy Council President Matt Blunt responds to Nicklaus piece:  Trade agreement must protect against currency manipulation
          KC Star letter:  Unintended effects of minimum wage increase +
          P-D letter:  Legislature has done nothing to address school transfer issue
          P-D letter:  Post-Dispatch should stop blaming Republicans and the Legislature - Normandy's community created its own school mess
          P-D letter:  Daisy resident Pee Moore [sic?] opposes Common Core
          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, February 1
       
KC Business Journal:  McCaskill warns of infrastructure funding crisis
          National Journal:  Subcommittee report sides against Gillibrand on military sexual assault;  Comments from McCaskill
          US News & World Report:  Powerful panel says commanders should keep sex assault oversight
          KWMU:  Sebelius puts a price and face on health insurance coverage in Missouri
          P-D:  Sebelius, in St. Louis, pushes Healthcare.gov;  Slay will mail letter encouraging sign-ups to 3,000 area businesses
          KSMU:  Poverty expert coming to Springfield this month
          SNL:  Local pastor to give opening prayer for Congress X
          KWMU:  Nixon calls special elections for vacant House seats
          Missourinet:  Nixon sets special elections
          AP:  Nixon sets August vote for vacant House seats
          P-D:  Nixon sets special elections date for House seats
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany) not running for re-election, Senate seat X
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers move against Nixon's appointments power
          P-D:  Medicaid-expansion advocates say that among more than 6,000,000 Missouri residents, between 218 and 700 people could die if coverage isn't expanded
          P-D:  Transmission line to send Kansas wind-generated power eastward through Missouri and Illinois concerns some lawmakers
          P-D:  Hazelwood, Fort Zumwalt districts to receive more money under Nixon's foundation-formula proposal
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) files Student Religious Liberties Act
          Columbia Missourian:  Moldy books in Columbia cavern leave large price tag for MU Libraries;  "This disaster is a direct result of underfunding," says curator professor
          Joplin Globe:  Lawmakers introduce bill opposing power-line plan X
          KWMU:  Tilley on right-to-work lobbying news from earlier in the week
          SE Missourian:  Jim Maurer wins Rush H. Limbaugh Award for contributions to community;  Cape's Sen. Wayne Wallingford, Rep. Kathy Swan present resolutions +
          Drebes:  Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life seeks assistant director
          P-D:  Lawsuit seeks to block anti-Peabody measure from ballot;  Top Dem attorney/adviser Jane Dueker says activists deceived signers of the petition
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Firing-squad idea is silly, but transparency around executions deserves discussion X
          JCNT editorial:  Voter ID considerations, including requiring photo ID to register X
          KC Star "Capitol Watch" editorial briefs:  ALEC and cell-phone towers, Nieves and press/public access, high-five proposal +
          Priddy:  Execution-themed parody of "One Day More" from Les Miserables
          JCNT letter:  Time to build new Fulton State Hospital 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.



       



       


       



       



       


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