johncombest.com

Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - January 2014



    

      

        Friday, January 31
       
KWMU:  Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack meets with St. Louis leaders
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Air National Guard director visits Rosecrans X
          P-D:  'Philomena' inspires McCaskill to press for opening Irish adoption records
          AP:  Philomena Lee, McCaskill push adoption rights
          P-D:  Federal records workers in North County facility dumped, destroyed or lost 1,800 veterans documents
          KWMU:  Former Sen. Jim Talent (R) to be honored at STL County GOP event;  Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to be featured guest
          P-D:  GM plans to hire hundreds for new pickups to be built in Wentzville
          KC Star:  Delay by Missouri puts housing projects in peril;  Comments from Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) +
          P-D:  $400-per-kid tax credit for middle-income families backed by Missouri senators;  Missouri Budget Project supports Lamping's bill
          Brownfield Ag News:  First 'State of Missouri Agriculture' held;  Comments from Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown)
          Drebes:  Why county-property-tax bill from Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown) is needed
          AP:  State Senate endorses bill to curb governor's power
          The Standard (MSU):  Nixon:  Missouri tuition should freeze, Medicaid should reform
          CDT:  House panel considers Nixon's education spending plan X
          Columbia Missourian:  Boone County legislators discuss education funding at Harpo's
          Missourinet:  Chamber report says Missouri must step up digital education to meet Top-10-by-'20 goal
          KWMU:  Chamber study:  Missouri has 'fallen behind' in providing digital learning to K-12 students
          JCNT:  State chamber promotes for funding for virtual learning X
          KC Star:  Metropolitan Organization for Racial and Economic Equity calls on school board to delay vote, wants Nixon "to put a halt to this situation" +
          P-D:  KC-based Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, STL's Metropolitan Congregations United oppose CEE-Trust plan
          Washington Missourian:  Franklin County Assessor Tom Copeland wants state funding restored to assist operations
          KSMU:  Bill from Sen. Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors), supported by SOS Jason Kander, would toughen Missouri's domestic violence laws
          Washington Missourian:  As MoDOT halts projects, Route 47 Project may be victim
          KSDK:  Cities hope Missouri Supreme Court gives red-light clarity
          AP:  Attorneys for Herbert Smulls say state moves too fast on executions;  Koster asserts that Missouri is in the right
          KTVI:  Video:  Some Missouri officials had knowledge of pre-paid funeral scam;  Reporter confronts Nixon at auto show
          KC Star editorial:  2016 GOP convention:  KC should keep trying +
          P-D editorial:  Thumbs-down to plan from Rep. Courtney Curtis (D-Berkeley) to honor the high-five
          P-D op-ed:  Washington U. landscape architecture professor responds to P-D story on Ozarks Riverways regulations
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Florida-based U.S. Term Limits President Philip Blumel:  Missouri should keep term limits for lawmakers +
          KWMU op-ed:  "Editor's Weekly" feature:  Margie Freivogel congratulates her outlet on its execution coverage
          Washington Missourian letter:  Kit Bond, Missouri Chamber of Commerce see reality on Medicaid expansion
          Washington Missourian letter:  Labadie Environmental Organization agrees with Nieves on Ameren coal ash landfill
          Disclosure

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



        Thursday, January 30
       
SNL:  Sweeping farm bill agreement good for Missouri farmers, lawmakers say
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Regional officials cheer farm bill
          Politico:  McCaskill:  Rand Paul's comments 'infuriating'
          SE Missourian:  West Plains newspaper staff writer seeks signatures to appear as Independent candidate on 8th District ballot
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri Farmers Union opposes Right to Farm
          AP:  Hunting rights amendment touted;  Rep. Ed Schieffer (D-Troy) sounds alarm against "hyped-up vegans"
          KWMU:  Nixon visits Fort Zumwalt West high school;  On gay marriage, Nixon says he supports non-discrimination bill, but wouldn't go further than that
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder joins journo gang to discuss tax credits, right to work and Nixon
          AP:  Speaker Tim Jones files business border war bill
          The Missouri Times:  Labor hires GOP lobbyists to help block right to work;  Roster expands to include Steve Tilley, Bardgett's John Parris, Danny Pfeifer, Greg Porter
          CDT:  Lawmakers skeptical of Fulton plans;  Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) questions constitutionality
          P-D:  Lawmakers question finding money to fix Fulton State Hospital for mentally ill
          CDT:  Businesses to save money on taxes after debt retirement, Nixon says
          P-D:  In battle over anti-cancer drugs, Missouri insurers try to limit impact of 'parity' bill
          Missourinet:  House Speaker Tim Jones re-introduces conscience rights legislation
          KWMU:  Missouri House committee examines medical conscience bill
          CDT:  Anti-cloning talk leads to abrupt halt;  Lobbyist for Missouri Right to Life surprises representatives
          The Missouri Times:  Association profile:  Joe Ortwerth's Missouri Family Policy Council
          AP:  Nixon's nominees delayed in Senate panel
          SE Missourian:  Area schools hoping for more funding from state;  Comments from Reps. Steve Cookson (R-Poplar Bluff), Kathy Swan (R-Cape Girardeau)
          P-D:  Missouri Senate committee mulls school-transfer bills
          The Missouri Times:  Senate committee meets to discuss transfers, accreditation
          KC Star:  Parents sound off to state board about the future of KC schools
          JCNT:  Higher education leaders report to House committee
          CDT:  Curators approve flat tuition for in-state students
          Columbia Missourian:  UM curators freeze in-state undergraduate tuition, add new fees
          P-D:  Trustees vote to freeze undergraduate tuition at University of Missouri system
          AP:  University of Missouri to hold line on tuition
          KC Star:  University of Missouri curators freeze tuition for in-state students
          The Maneater:  Nixon calls for tuition freeze in 2014 State of the State
          CDT:  Mold mars 600,000 books in University of Missouri collection;  Library official says poor storage choice due to cuts in higher ed budget
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri Legislative Black Caucus strong despite political dust-up, members say
          AP:  Missouri executes man after appeals denied;  Death-penalty opponents "simply ... try to divert attention from what this guy did," says STL County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch (D)
          Missourinet:  Woman shot by Herbert Mulls attends his execution, says family suffered cruel and unusual punishment waiting so long for murderer to be brought to justice
          P-D:  Due process 'took flight,' judge says in removing Koster's office from murder case
          P-D:  Nixon names Franklin County Republican as new Warren County prosecutor
          AP:  New website shows hazardous waste sites across Missouri
          KWMU:  Anti-Peabody initiative makes April ballot in St. Louis City
          P-D:  Anti-coal initiative heading for April ballot;  ACORN, rebranded as MORE, to hold rally on Delmar today
          NY Times editorial:  Death penalty is barbaric and racist - and in Missouri, it's under a shroud of secrecy
          SNL editorial:  New ally in Medicaid fight;  Maybe Kit Bond can talk some sense into GOP lawmakers
          CDT's Waters:  If Kit Bond can help break GOP Medicaid logjam, good for him
          KPLR/KTVI's Charles Jaco:  GOP voter ID initiative seeks to keep the poor, the black/brown and the old from voting
          SNL op-ed:  Michigan think-tank rep:  Missouri needs to know that wages rise in right-to-work states
          P-D op-ed:  SLU prof James E. Fisher:  Parallels between marijuana legalization and Missouri's '90s expansion of gambling
          Shelly:  Stunning rebuke to Koster in Woodworth case
          KC Star's Diuguid:  Summary of talking points from Jeanette Mott Oxford's Missouri Association for Social Welfare, plus MASW contact info
          KC Star letter:  Drug testing for welfare recipients
          SNL letter:  State needs law to guarantee no election fraud
          Disclosure

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



        Wednesday, January 29
       
KWMU:  Congressional delegation, Slay react to SOTU
          KC Star:  Reaction to Obama's call for minimum-wage hike:  Comments from Missouri Jobs With Justice's Lara Granich, others +
          P-D:  Missouri among states debating its own minimum wage hike;  Video of elder P-D reporters' coffee-shop roleplay of conservative, liberal arguments
          CDT:  Assistance groups fear more food-stamp cuts X
          CDT:  Preliminary numbers show Missouri's unemployment rate at lowest point since 2008 X
          The Missouri Times:  Revenue projections serve as difference between GOP, Nixon budgets
          AP:  Missouri House panel endorses 2 income tax plans
          KWMU:  Tax cut proposal passes Missouri House committee, testimony heard on tax credit package
          AP:  Nixon says Missouri will pay off unemployment debt early
          P-D:  Missouri will pay back unemployment insurance debt early
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers take new tactic on cellphone towers
          The Missouri Times:  Sen. Brad Lager (R-Maryville) says cities mislead on telecommunications negotiations;  Comments from municipal govt., industry groups
          KC Star:  Schweich says he recused himself from education department review out of 'an abundance of caution' +
          CDT:  Missouri lawmakers hope new Bright Flight loans slow state's "brain drain" X
          AP:  Missouri House panel considers Bright Flight expansion
          SNL:  Senate debates bill to get posts filled quicker;  Dixon's legislation would apply pressure to Nixon X
          The Missouri Times:  Lawmakers ask Koster to investigate propane price increases
          KOMU:  MoDOT says it faces future funding crisis
          SNL:  Bill from Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick (R-Shell Knob) to combat indefinite detention gets tough reception X
          The Missouri Times:  Bill from Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) on state's handling of citizen information gets friendly hearing
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel adopts gun law nullification bill
          Missourinet:  Proposed jury duty exemption stirs discussion of breastfeeding age limit
          The Missouri Times:  Engler discusses revenge-porn bill, addresses hypotheticals involving elected official-secretary recreational intercoursing
          AP:  Nixon denies clemency for Herbert Smulls;  Governor calls murderer a "career criminal" who killed in a "cold-blooded, deliberate manner"
          Missourinet:  Nixon denies clemency to murderer
          KWMU:  U.S. Supreme Court justice temporarily halts execution of Missouri inmate
          AP:  Scheduled Missouri execution temporarily stayed
          AP:  Nixon:  Swimmer's suicide a "heart-breaking situation"
          KWMU:  Missouri appeals court puts brakes on Moline Acres speed cameras
          KWMU:  Station creates legislative bill tracker
          P-D editorial:  Rep. Mark Parkinson (R-St. Charles), lover of lobbyist largesse, cries crocodile tears over Normandy lobbying
          SNL editorial:  Just wait another 72 hours:  Sarcastic response to abortion waiting-period legislation X
          SE Missourian editorial:  Good to see students using Missouri's A+ scholarship program +
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Missourians should make voices heard about Arkansas company's power line X
          KC Star editorial:  University of Missouri's Tim Wolfe pushes zero tolerance for college sexual assaults
          CDT's Waters:  Right-to-work would win a vote of the people, but the Missouri Senate might choose to take a pass
          SNL op-ed:  Community worker:  Right-to-work won't improve kids' lives;  Instead, we must reduce income inequality and level the playing field X
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Missouri Municipal League's Dan Ross:  Local governments' oversight under assault by big telecommunications companies X
          P-D op-ed:  The tragedy of placing juveniles on sex-offender registry;  St. Charles County woman's son killed himself
          KC Star's Christine Vendel:  Self-defense claims can hamper justice in Missouri +
          P-D letter:  Reaction to Sunday piece on Ozarks national park
          SNL letter:  Former member of IBEW, Teamsters disagrees with Burlison on right-to-work X
          KC Star letter:  Independence woman supports Medicaid expansion;  Show-Me Institute's Patrick Ishmael says tax cuts should apply to all Missourians, not just Boeing +
          P-D letter:  Reaction to McClellan's Capitol mural column;  Creve Coeur woman says Speaker Jones is "incompetent, self-centered, small-minded, arrogant, egotistical, right-to-work [sic]"
          P-D letter:  Nixon, Legislature should proceed with fast-track plan to build Fulton State Hospital
          Disclosure

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



        Tuesday, January 28
       
AP:  McCaskill among Dems clamoring for Hillary Clinton presidential run
          SNL:  Pre-SOTU anticipatory comments:  Billy Long wants to hear about Libya;  McCaskill wants to hear call for more government spending X
          Politico:  Senate pushes envelope on gridlock;  Comments from McCaskill
          Kraske:  Washington Post ranks KC in the middle of the pack for GOP convention +
          AP:  GOP media trainers use Akin, other foot-in-mouth examples to sell services to campaigns
          Drebes:  Former Rep. Terry Witte returns to Capitol;  Popular rep returns as chief of staff to Minority Leader Jake Hummel
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Gina Mitten (D-St. Louis County) new vice-chair of House Dem Caucus
          AP:  No quick decision in Missouri special election lawsuit
          Missourinet:  Court approves motion to expedite proceedings against Nixon in case of vacancies in Missouri Legislature
          AP:  Senate mulls voter ID laws again
          KWMU:  Opponents of photo ID proposal dominate state Senate hearing on bill;  Comments from SOS' John Scott, longtime ACLU lawyer Denise Lieberman
          P-D:  Proposed photo ID requirements meet with opposition in Jefferson City committee hearing
          Kraske:  "BuzzChatter" daily quote analysis:  Dempsey on education spending, Mehan on Missouri's digital-teaching tools, Kander on photo ID +
          AP:  House passes legislation making it easier for military personnel, handicapped to file for office
          SE Missourian:  University officials say they would welcome more state money +
          KC Star:  Stakes are high ahead of forum on plans to shake up KC Public Schools +
          P-D:  Normandy School District hires Andy Blunt to lobby on its behalf;  Comments from Rep. Tommie Pierson (D), Rep. Mark Parkinson (R), others
          Columbia Missourian:  House bill could speed deployment of Task Force One
          P-D:  Propane crunch squeezes rural Missouri
          Missourinet:  Koster investigating propane price hikes
          AP:  Senate panel weighs electronic privacy protection
          AP:  State AGs, including Koster, investigating for-profit education firms
          KC Star:  Missouri casinos' revenues slip in 2013 +
          AP:  Prosecutors back Missouri child sex abuse amendment
          KWMU:  Federal judge denies stay of execution for murderer
          AP:  Condemned man denied stay of execution
          P-D:  Federal appeals decision deals blow to Missouri death row inmates
          KWMU:  Three Missouri offices are responsible for controversial execution plans:  Gov. Jay Nixon (D), AG Chris Koster (D), Dept. of Corrections' George Lombardi
          KWMU:  Legal roundtable podcast:  50 minutes of legal opinions on "original intent" bill, health navigator regulations, possibility of voter ID law, jurisdiction of area judges, etc.
          KC Star:  Red-light violations rising since KC suspended enforcement of camera program
          AP:  MoDOT to study plans for better freight movement
          KWMU:  McCaskill weighs in on alleged sexual assault/suicide case at Mizzou
          P-D editorial:  Tax policy should prioritize education;  Freezing state-school tuition is a good step, but more work remains
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Legislature and cell phone towers;  City's zoning rights should be defended X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Taxpayers picking up the tab for ACT exams is a positive thing X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri using sneaky execution protocol +
          CDT's Waters:  Hubbub over execution drug a red herring to larger death penalty debate X
          P-D op-ed:  Gov. Jay Nixon (D), majority of Boone County delegation hostile to death-penalty exoneration proposals
          Columbia Missourian op-ed:  Missouri Municipal League's Dan Ross:  Local control of cell towers under attack in Legislature
          Disclosure

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



        Monday, January 27
       
CNN:  Blunt:  Obama 'has a lot of explaining to do'
          P-D:  Fixing immigration needs to be done piece-by-piece, Blunt says
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith presents VFW "Teacher of the Year Award" to Kennett instructor
          Missouri Viewpoints:  Part II of 'Right to Farm' coverage:  Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation's Bob Baker calls issue "fake problem" and "fake solution"
          Rosenbaum:  Showdown looms over 'Right to Farm' amendment;  Shoemyer says fighting Missouri Farmers Care "lets me be classic and populist Wes Shoemyer"
          Drebes:  Miles Ross, Derrick Good to lead regional Senate Majority Fund PACs
          Missouri Viewpoints:  Should Missouri become a right to work state?  Thoughts from Americans for Prosperity's Patrick Werner and Jobs With Justice's Martin Rafanan
          AP:  Minimum wage bills pushed in at least 30 states, including Missouri
          P-D:  Startup backers pushing for more state cash;  Nixon budget adds $2M to Missouri Technology Corporation funding
          AP:  Some Missouri education funding still shy of past peaks
          Hannibal Courier-Post:  Nixon promotes budget benefits at Veterans Elementary School
          P-D:  School districts step up efforts to track last year's graduates;  Where students end up factors into school's accreditation score
          KMOX:  Audio:  Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale) on SOTS, tax cuts, schools, more
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers to begin floor debate this week
          Brownfield Ag News:  Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) suspects price-fixing of propane;  Koster's office says it is currently investigating 25 complaints
          Missourinet:  Harvard's "Equality of Opportunity Project" assesses statistics of upward mobility in Missouri towns
          Missourinet:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) weighs in on MU's actions in wake of ESPN story on alleged rape
          JCNT editorial:  As with their 2002 snit, MoDOT would be better off to stop whining about funding and just do their job X
          P-D editorial:  Legislature or governor must find $5M for Normandy schools
          KWMU op-ed:  SLU prof Robert A. Cropf:  GOP wrong to criticize War on Poverty;  Legislature should expand Medicaid, pass LeVota's earned income tax credit
          P-D letter:  Response to education-funding editorial:  Correct approach requires more than throwing taxpayer money at the problem
          P-D letter:  Des Peres woman offers "shame on" list:  Shame on DESE, state reps, MO Supremes for schools mess;  Money should be spent on social workers, jobs for parents
          Disclosure

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



        Sunday, January 26
       
KWMU:  Blunt offers State of the Union 'prebuttal':  "We don't need more class warfare"
          P-D:  Doubts about the future of a national park in the Ozarks
          AP:  Battle over "right to farm" heats up
          SE Missourian:  Deer-breeding businesses are in it for the bucks;  Dept. of Conservation estimates deer hunting contributes $1B to Missouri economy +
          SNL:  Rep. Kevin Elmer (R-Nixa) will not pursue re-election, will run for judge in Christian County X
          CDT:  Missouri job numbers show recent growth, but long-term loss X
          P-D:  Legislators receive less than $60K in perks from MO higher ed over three-year period;  Longtime Mizzou advocate Rep. Chris Kelly (D) accepts less than $2K in tickets
          SNL:  States' rights push expands beyond guns;  Gay marriage issue, manufacturing also on agenda for some state lawmakers X
          Fox 2 St. Louis:  Video:  Charles Jaco talks right to work with St. Louis Labor Council's Bob Soutier and Lindenwood prof Howard Wall
          CDT:  Think tanks don't like tax cut on business profit X
          Fox 2 St. Louis:  Video:  Charles Jaco talks school-transfer conundrum with Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro
          AP:  Missouri taxpayers to start picking up the tab for students to take ACT college entrance exam
          JCNT:  Fulton State Hospital bonding plan could lead to fight X
          KRCG:  Pro-life groups hope for abortion-free Missouri;  Capitol event draws 800, with no pro-choice presence
          Missouri Digital News:  Abortion bills proposed on Roe v. Wade anniversary
          KY3:  Bill from Rep. Kevin Elmer (R-Nixa) proposes 72-hour wait time before abortion
          KWMU:  Federal judges rule execution drug supplier can be secret, but documents point to likely identity
          AP:  MoDOT warns of funding crisis, says it needs more money
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Region stands to suffer from MoDOT's funding crisis X
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  Sara Lampe visited the Capitol this week X
          Joplin Globe:  Arkansas company's power line route concerns Missouri;  MO PSC could opt to hold local public hearings X
          SE Missourian editorial:  Abortion-facility bill from Rep. Kathy Swan (R-Cape Girardeau) good news for those who value life and for women who have the right to expect safe medical care +
          SNL editorial:  Nixon right to boost preschool, K-12 funds X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Zweifel's statewide military partnership will yield benefits for northwest Missouri X
          Shelly:  Via lobbying contract, Bond sees the light on Medicaid expansion +
          KC Star letter:  Time to reduce outside influence on the Missouri Legislature +
          P-D letter:  Response to Ameren op-ed on coal ash safety
          Washington Missourian letter:  Franklin County using Ameren's coal ash to de-ice roads is a bad idea
          Disclosure

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



        Saturday, January 25
       
The Hill:  Sen. Roy Blunt offers prebuttal to Obama's SOTU, calls for GOP 'year of action'
          Roll Call:  Video:  Blunt offers SOTU prebuttal in GOP address
          SNL:  Blunt touts GOP priorities in advance of Obama's SOTU X
          ABC News:  Text of Blunt's GOP weekly radio address
          McClatchy:  Feds seek billions from firm that did Snowden's background check;  McCaskill's bill to strengthen oversight of third-party contractors has passed Senate
          Washington Post:  Justice Department says USIS submitted 665,000 incomplete background checks;  Comments from McCaskill
          WSJ:  McCaskill pushes for changes to security clearance process
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Graves helps retrieve Purple Heart medal X
          KC Star:  KC among cities considered by 2016 GOP site selection committee +
          AP:  Sen. Kit Bond says while he "still (is) one of the loudest opponents of Obamacare," Missouri should get off the sidelines and claim federal money
          KWMU:  Bond to lobby for Missouri to expand Medicaid
          P-D:  Share of American workers belonging to labor unions held steady in 2013 - but not in Missouri, where union membership percentage declined once again
          Kraske:  Meet Ryan Silvey, the thorn in Gov. Jay Nixon's big toe +
          KC Star:  Tax cut struggle resumes in Missouri +
          SE Missourian:  In Cape visit, Nixon says educators around the state are excited about plan to fully fund foundation formula +
          P-D:  Ferguson-Florissant sets hearing date for suspended superintendent
          CDT:  Wolfe will recommend tuition deal;  Nixon asked universities not to raise tuition costs X
          KWMU:  UM president will recommend no tuition increase
          CDT:  Lawmakers, trade groups call for inquiry into propane price spike X
          KSMU:  Lawmakers push for federal investigation amid skyrocketing propane prices
          AP:  Missouri senators want investigation into propane price
          AP:  Missouri execution set;  Michael Taylor and pal Roderick Nunley kidnapped girl from KC bus stop then raped her, stabbed her, and left her bleeding to death in the trunk of a car
          KWMU:  New report calls into question quality of execution drug
          P-D:  Pharmacy boards in OK, MO take no action on execution drug complaint
          St. Joseph News-Press:  On Missouri military tour, Zweifel lauds Rosecrans X
          AP:  Sales of Missouri's "I'm Pet Friendly" license plates raise $100K for shelters
          AP:  Man pleads guilty in death of MoDOT worker
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Nixon, Zweifel doing important work on behalf of Missouri military X
          JCNT editorial:  Lawmakers look to delete "revenge porn" X
          KC Star editorial:  Capitol Watch series:  "Right to Farm" vs. Shoemyer's group;  72-hour waiting period +
          P-D editorial:  Sinquefield should spend more money on international chess issues, not public policy matters in his home state
          CDT's Waters:  Construction bonds for state buildings:  Strike while the iron's hot X
          KC Star op-ed:  KC youth would benefit from abolishing the federal minimum wage +
          P-D letter:  Expanding Medicaid will improve treatment of mental illness
          P-D letter:  Don't blame teachers or funding;  School-transfer investigation would show "entitlement-dependent communities" simply produce lower-productivity/IQ/motivation students
          P-D letter:  Print edition of Post-Dispatch riddled with typos, grammar errors
          Disclosure

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



         Friday, January 24
        
KWMU:  Blunt calls for end on government "war on coal" 
           KC Star:  McCaskill urges Commerce Dept. to keep weather repair jobs in KC +
           KC Business Journal:  McCaskill asks NOAA to keep weather centers in KC +
           KC Star:  Missouri Chamber of Commerce hires Kit Bond to lobby Legislature for Medicaid expansion;  Mehan says group opposed Obamacare, but encourages realistic approach
           Columbia Missourian:  Medicaid expansion's impact on emergency room visits has complex causes
           Drebes:  Dems beware:  Tim Jones, Kurt Schaefer, Eric Schmitt have substantial war chests already
           Joplin Globe:  Marijuana forum draws crowd in Joplin X
           KSMU:  Lawsuit challenges Nixon's order to allowing same-sex married couples to file joint taxes
           KWMU:  Missouri Transportation Commission stops adding projects, says more revenue is needed
           JCNT:  MoDOT says its funding future bleak, asks legislators to place one-cent transportation tax on ballot X
           P-D:  MoDOT chief:  Funding shortfall threatens Missouri transportation
           JCNT:  Nixon defends use of bonds to build mental hospital X
           CDT:  Nixon defends Fulton hospital plan as lawmakers question method X
           CDT:  Schaefer, Rowden take hard line on Nixon budget in committee hearings X
           P-D:  House Budget Committee questions Nixon's revenue growth estimate
           KWMU:  Nixon calls Senate tax cut 'fiscally irresponsible'
           AP:  Missouri Senate panel approves income tax cut plan
           AP:  Senate panel considers dropping E15 gasoline
           AP:  Sen. Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City) proposes check on gov's education budget-cutting powers
           SE Missourian:  Nixon set to visit Central High School today;  Cape Girardeau School District doesn't expect funding increase +
           KC Star:  Public school enrollment shows some shifts;  KC Public Schools shows major drop +
           AP:  Missouri Senate to take up bill limiting acting executive-department heads
           P-D:  Gun, drone regulations questioned during Missouri legislative hearing
           AP:  Rep. Kevin Elmer (R-Nixa) seeks longer waiting period for abortions
           KC Star:  For the first time in four years, Missouri loses lead in per-capita black homicide victims;  Nebraska is new leader +
           AP:  Citing federal budget restrictions, MO DNR denies horse slaughter application
           CDT:  Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) surprised, angered by diesel fuel inspections X
           JCNT editorial:  Nixon, GOP legislature very far apart X
           Washington Missourian editorial:  Kudos to SOS Jason Kander for being forward-thinking on online registration issue
           Washington Missourian editorial:   Nixon, other involved in works-training effort deserve credit for award
           Shelly:  Nixon's State of the State was better than Brownback's +
           KWMU op-ed:  Normandy instrutional coach Inda Schoenen:  Normandy school reform is already light years ahead of state officials
           NY Times op-ed:  Documentary at Sundance Film Festival focuses on Missouri girl;  "Sarah's Uncertain Path" explores hard-knock life of a 15-year-old pregnant girl on food stamps
           Joplin Globe op-ed:  Missouri Republicans should stop giving breaks to corporations and start putting welfare of the people first X
           KC Star letters:  Nixon right to call for more education money;  Plan A is best choice for Missouri riverways +
           P-D letter:  Remembering MLK's struggle for black rights flows naturally into supporting LGBTQIA rights through Missouri Non-Discrimination Act
           P-D letter:  Wal-Mart's abuses show what's wrong with right-to-work laws
           Disclosure

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



         Thursday, January 23
        
KCUR:  Sen. Roy Blunt on child abuse prevention, Benghazi and data security
           St. Louis Business Journal:  Federal spending bill could give Boeing life in St. Louis
           Bloomberg:  Congress throws Boeing a lifeline for Super Hornet
           JCNT:  Treasurer Clint Zweifel explains need for "Military Partnership" X
           Brownfield Ag News:  New Ag Director Richard Fordyce leads Missouri Ag Conference
           Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri "State of Agriculture" event planned;  Sen. Brian Munzlinger (R) organizes event, says Fordyce will speak
           Brownfield Ag News:  Newly formed group mounts opposition to Right to Farm;  Missouri Farmers Care's Dan Kleinsorge says Shoemyer group is a front for HSUS
           KWMU:  Kinder says he's tired of being ignored by Nixon, says governor is "a true loner and avoids human contact when he can"
           SNL:  Ozarks Technical Community College chancellor unhappy with Nixon's 'inequitable' funding proposal X
           CDT:  Local reaction mixed to Nixon's education funding proposals X
           SNL:  Nixon spells out plan to boost preschool funding X
           KSMU:  Nixon pushes education funding, says budget estimate differences "relatively small"
           P-D:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) calls Nixon's budget "absolute political fiction"
           JCNT:  Nixon visits Fulton to promote bonding plan X
           AP:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer concerned that Fulton hospital bonds wouldn't go to a vote of the people
           AP:  Republicans, Nixon $370M apart on budget
           97.1 FM (St. Louis):  Audio:  Speaker Tim Jones talks to Dana Loesch about "Santa Jay Nixon," discusses SOTS, school transfers, right to work, more
           AP:  Missouri tobacco, gambling revenues falling short
           AP:  Missouri House panel mulls Medicaid asset limit changes
           Washington Missourian:  Education groups - Missouri Association of School Administrators, MNEA, MSTA - give legislative priorities
           KWMU:  "5 Things to Know" listicle theme:  Takeaways from CEE-Trust report
           KC Star:  School transfer bills get their first hearing in Missouri +
           AP:  Senators tackle Missouri school transfer law
           KWMU:  Five bills heard jointly seek to restructure Missouri's student transfer law
           P-D:  Normandy schools face sobering short-term realities as long-term plans are debated
           KWMU:  Normandy board skeptical of new plans for state intervention
           SE Missourian:  Scott City schools on track with Common Core +
           KWMU:  Politicall Speaking podcast:  Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) talks SOTS, Non-Discrimination Act, revising criminal code
           AP:  Republicans have varied responses to Nixon's non-discrimination theme;  Rep. Anne Zerr (R-St. Charles) says govt. should "stay out of the bedroom," while other Rs disagree
           P-D:  Chief Justice Mary R. Russell says criminal code may need an update
           Missourinet:  Legislation to create crime of 'revenge porn' brought back for 2014 session
           Columbia Missourian:  House bill would add Columbia site for umbilical cord collection
           St. Louis Review:  Legislation seeks to keep a closer eye on abortion clinics
           P-D:  Committee hears bills on 72-hour waiting period for abortion
           AP:  Lawmakers mull 72-hour waiting period for abortions
           JCNT:  Abortion on 2014 legislative agenda X
           P-D:  Parents seeks answers and documents in their child's death;  Rep. Jill Schupp (D-Creve Coeur) seeks to toughen home day care safety laws
           JCNT:  Bill would expand privileges of foster parents X
           Missourinet:  Rep. Ron Hicks (R-St. Peters) saves woman's life in state Capitol
           KWMU:  In light of investigations, murderer's lawyers ask courts to stay execution
           Missourinet:  Sen. Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph):  Corrections' secrecy 'baloney'
           KC Star editorial:  Nixon's investments would lift Missouri +
           P-D editorial:  Want to compete?  Education needs more than $493 million
           KC Star's Diuguid:  Path to improving Kansas City public schools must include 'greater good' +
           SNL op-ed:  Workers' comp lawyer:  Monkeys and workers' comp claims X
           JCNT letter:  Union rep Ken Menges:  Right to work not about protecting workers' rights - rather, its goal is to destroy the middle class X
           KC Star letters:  Kansas man weighs in on KC Public Schools issue;  Missouri chapter of American Association of University Women wants Missouri to pass Equal Rights Amendment +
           P-D letter:  St. Louis teachers' union president Mary Armstrong:  Fix, don't abandon, our neighborhood public schools
           Disclosure

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



        Wednesday, January 22
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  Blunt leads effort to help fund child advocacy centers X
          CDT:  BJC Healthcare president says federal laws led to lower revenue X
          Missourinet:  Budget chief Linda Luebbering:  Missouri's economy doing better than all surrounding states
          KOMU:  Nixon plans new spending for next budget year:  Linda Luebbering gives details
          Missourinet:  Video:  Gov. Jay Nixon's State of the State address and GOP response from House Speaker Tim Jones
          AP:  Text of Gov. Jay Nixon's State of the State address
          AP:  Text of Speaker Tim Jones' response
          KC Star:  Nixon outlines an aggressive spending plan +
          CDT:  Nixon finds little Republican support for budget full of new state spending X
          Missourinet:  Student transfers, transportation funding, tax credits, campaign contribution limits take back seat in Nixon's State of the State address
          KWMU:  Nixon proposes to restore state spending lost since 2008
          P-D:  Nixon wants more money for schools, spurns GOP tax cut
          P-D:  Nixon's focus on education funding may spur tug-of-war with Legislature
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri lawmakers back Nixon's proposals on education funding, mental hospital
          AP:  Nixon proposes $278M school aid hike
          JCNT:  Budget includes 3 percent raise for state workers X
          AP:  Nixon proposes 3 percent pay raise for Missouri workers
          JCNT:  Nixon:  Failing to expand Medicaid is punishing Missourians X
          AP:  Nixon renews call for Medicaid expansion
          Missourinet:  House Republicans want Nixon to propose more policy, less spending
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Area GOP lawmakers:  Nothing new in Nixon's address X
          The Missouri Times:  SOTS reaction:  Soundbites, punchlines from Dem, GOP reps
          JCNT:  Nixon pushing bonds to pay for Fulton hospital X
          Fulton Sun:  Rep. Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane) happy Nixon mentioned Fulton State Hospital, but still concerned the funding won't be there
          Missourinet:  House Republicans say they haven't spent time discussing bill banning discrimination against LGBTQIA employees
          AP:  "5 Things to Know" listicle theme:  State of the State edition
          The Missouri Times:  Liberal group Progress Missouri hands out baseball-card type promotional materials, targeting Republican ALEC members and supporters
          JCNT:  Legislators debate slimmed-down version of tax cut X
          AP:  Sen. Scott Rupp (R-Wentzville) says Nixon will appoint him to PSC on March 14, clearing the way for Dem nominee Daniel Hall's approval by Senate
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel considering gun law nullification
          Missourinet:  Corrections Director cites litigation, pending execution for not talking to Oversight Committee
          KC Star:  Sen. Paul LeVota (D-Kansas City) files bill urging provisional accreditation for KC schools +
          KC Star:  Under a cloud of possible state takeover, nine file for KC school board seats +
          SE Missourian:  Local black students struggle to realize MLK's dream;  Proficiency exams show area black youths lag white counterparts, other minorities +
          KC Star:  Social services agencies deal with homeless teens;  One estimate shows number of homeless Missouri students rising +
          P-D editorial:  "Shell game" campaign finance series, Part II:  Spotlight on Rex Sinqufield, Steve Tilley (R), Rep. Casey Guernsey (R)
          JCNT editorial:  Faith Voices for Jefferson City to address "social equity, economic dignity," more;  Group will turn out more than 300 people tomorrow night X
          P-D op-ed:  Missouri Right to Life's Pam Fichter:  Why we march
          Shelly:  Nixon's new tone;  Gov didn't get much cooperation from Republicans before, so at least now he's sounding like a Democrat +
          P-D op-ed:  Timothy McBride, Wash U.'s Brown School of Social Work:  Medicaid expansion is a no-brainer
          McClellan:  North County native attributes poor health to playing in Coldwater Creek as a child;  Man receives Medicaid and food stamps, but feels he deserves more
          KC Star op-ed:  Rutgers university professor:  CEE-Trust overhaul report earns an 'F' +
          P-D letter:  AFSCME's Jeff Mazur responds to comments of workers' boss in piece on Sexual Offender Rehabilitation and Treatment Services (SORTS)
          P-D letter:  By blocking Medicaid expansion, Missouri legislators prevent mental health care - and they should hang their heads in shame
          P-D letter:  Missouri River floodway is the worst place for Ameren to dump their coal ash
          Disclosure

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



        Tuesday, January 21
       
KWMU:  Annual Roe v. Wade piece:  Battle over abortion being waged in the states
          KC Star:  Big drop in Missouri River water levels becoming critical problem +
          KC Star:  U.S. attorneys build a case for themselves as moneymakers for the feds;  Comments from Tammy Dickinson, U.S. attorney for Western Missouri +
          KOMU:  Obama's comments stoke marijuana debate in Missouri
          Missourinet:  State of the State will be streaming on Missourinet.com
          Columbia Missourian:  Local reps offer anticipatory remarks on Nixon's address
          Priddy:  SOTS perspective:  Event drones on 40 percent longer than it should, because gov plays show-and-tell with guests in the gallery and his party constantly applauds
          SNL:  Schools look to Nixon for full aid;  Superintendents air their hopes for tonight's SOTS X
          Missourinet:  Nixon, legislators already split on budget
          The Standard (Missouri State University):  Same-sex tax ruling faces challenges
          P-D:  Legislators want answers on death penalty
          CDT:  Nixon pitches $10M hospital renovation to aid Lincoln University X
          JCNT:  St. Mary's offers to give old hospital to state X
          JCNT:  St. Mary's goal was always to benefit health education, officials say X
          AP:  Nixon recommends hospital renovation for classes
          P-D:  Nixon wants to renovate hospital for nursing classes
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Bill from Sen. Rob Schaaf addresses spying, cell phones X
          Hannibal Courier-Post:  MoDOT reports salt supply low, not out
          P-D editorial:  Army's effort to oust 'toxic' leaders should intensify;  McCaskill a leader on sexual-assault issue
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Great Northwest Days at the Capitol are Feb. 4-5 X
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Blunt is wrong - Impact of Obamacare isn't devastating at all X
          P-D op-ed:  McCaskill, Blunt, Clay should support food-stamp funding
          KC Star's Abouhalkah:  McCaskill tweets her disapproval of firing-squad idea +
          P-D letter:  No plans address how little Missouri spends on low-performing schools
          KC Star letters:  CEE-Trust, Medicaid expansion, right to work +
          Disclosure

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



        Monday, January 20   State holiday - Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
       
P-D:  Construction skills boot camp in Wellston for unemployed minorities shut down;  State, federal funding runs out
          AP:  Urban streets named for MLK still struggle;  Six-mile North St. Louis stretch provides clientele with "open-air drug markets," pawn shops, liquor stores
          P-D:  If Martin Luther King were alive today, he'd be concerned about GOP photo ID requirements, says local community college engineering science professor
          Missourinet:  Follow-up on week-old Hillary vs. McCaskill book story
          KC Star:  Peggy and Terry Dunn to chair KC finance committee for 2016 GOP convention +
          Rosenbaum:  Will any Democrat be willing to take on Tom Schweich?  Roy Temple frames expectations, while Rosenbaum looks at the lineup of Dems who'll take a pass
          SE Missourian:  Summary of area state rep campaign finance reports +
          JCNT:  Summary of campaign finance reports from GOP reps Jay Barnes, Mike Bernskoetter X
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Former Rep. Kevin Wilson (R-Neosho) not optimistic about campaign finance proposals passing X
          Drebes:  GOP veteran Aaron Baker to work for Kristen Blanchard's Axiom lobbying arm
          KWMU:  Nixon's State of the State to call for education funding, Medicaid expansion
          Missourinet:  Opponents of tax cuts state their case;  Audio of Jim Moody, Missouri Budget Project's Amy Blouin
          KC Star:  Bill from Sen. Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) targets hospital billing practice +
          AP:  Wisconsin to recognize Missouri gun permits
          Missourinet:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) not planning legislative response to KSDK-induced school security scare
          Joplin Globe:  Neosho board to huddle more on Common Core X
          Carthage Press:  Sarcoxie district stops using Facebook;  Superintendent says page had become "forum for negativity"
          St. Joseph News-Press:  University of Missouri Alumni Association honors Rep. Mike Thomson (R-Maryville) X
          KWMU:  Republic services will expand carbon monoxide testing at Bridgeton landfill;  Koster had made the original call for more testing
          KWMU:  Interviews with 17 area young people in politics:  State reps Michael Butler, Courtney Curtis, Paul Curtman, Joshua Peters, others
          KWMU:  Video:  Interviews with all 17 area elected officials, staff, activists featured above;  Includes Charles Hinderliter, Molly McCann, Mary Ellen Ponder, more
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Thanks to Secretary of State Jason Kander, voting just got easier X
          JCNT editorial:  Avoid haste on marijuana legalization X
          KC Star editorial:  States should rethink capital punishiment;  Brattin's firing-squad bill doesn't deserve a committee hearing +
          Priddy:  What if convicted murderer Herbert Smulls wants to die via gas chamber?  Thinking through execution hypotheticals and contingencies
          P-D letter:  Republican positions on Medicaid expansion, unemployment benefits and utility-bill subsidization are causing people to go hungry and freeze in their homes
          Disclosure

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



        Sunday, January 19
       
KWMU:  Universities' citizenship study:  Missourians more likely to volunteer, less likely to talk politics
          Nextgov:  Social media campaign from Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's Congressional Civility Caucus lasted three weeks
          St. Joseph News-Press:  'War on Poverty' still being fought;  Comments from area poor woman, AFL-CIO rep X
          AP:  Funding for Missouri River study again stripped;  Comments from Luetkemeyer's office, Corps, Sierra Club
          KC Star:  Would ending Net neutrality mean a better Web or a digital divide?  McCaskill, Blunt staff provide statements +
          P-D:  Shortage of psychiatrists, funding issues create crises in mental health care
          CDT:  Requests for state money roll in as revenue is expected to increase X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Anticipation varies for Nixon's State of the State;  Local GOP reps anticipate "a lot of presents (Nixon) can't pay for" and budgetary "smoke and mirrors" X
          SE Missourian:  House Speaker Tim Jones lays out "4G" agenda during Cape visit +
          SNL:  Battle looming over Right to Work issue;  Union leaders cite "corporate greed," say RTW proponents "have been gaining a little ground year by year" X
          SNL:  Sinquefield's "pro-free market" Grow Missouri seeks to go around lawmakers on tax policy as legislators offer new proposals X
          JCNT:  Schmitt, Kraus present new tax-cut proposals X
          JCNT:  Nixon to make education announcement tomorrow morning at Lincoln University X
          P-D:  Missouri's neighbor seeks to transform failing schools;  Tennessee parents, administrators weigh in on charter school for urban youths
          CDT:  Bill to curb bond sales criticized by Columbia Public Schools official X
          JCNT:  "Faith Voices" to advocate for Medicaid expansion, early-voting initiative;  More than 300 will attend Thursday night event at A.M.E. church X
          AP:  Bill from Rep. Kathy Swan (R-Cape Girardeau) seeks reviews of four Missouri abortion facilities
          JCNT:  Missouri revises execution protocol X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Like it or not, America has a welfare state;  Time to require those receiving extended unemployment to work for their handouts
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Kander's campaign-finance proposal is long overdue and demonstrates Missouri-inspired values
          SNL editorial:  Time to fix 'broken' system;  Missouri DSS and Children's Division are entrenched, fearful, and unwilling to respond to reasonable requests X
          JCNT editorial:  Wise approach to revise criminal code X
          P-D editorial:  Firing squads in Missouri?  It's the silly season.
          CDT's Waters:  Some kind of campaign finance reform, and/or term limits, needed X
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  The State of the State is the single most tiring legislative event for reporters to cover X
          CDT op-ed:  Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia):  Let voters weigh comprehensive 1-cent sales tax X
          CDT op-ed:  Attorney Craig Van Matre:  Term limits have corrupted our legislature X
          SNL op-ed:  Environmental activists:  It's time to protect our air and water from Ameren's coal ash and other threats X
          P-D letter:  Rolla woman says she's suing Nixon because she and others have constitutional right to a state representative
          KC Star letter:  IBEW's Jim Cianciolo on right to work:  Much like a homeowners association, you shouldn't enjoy benefits of a union without paying your dues +
          SNL letter:  Williamsville man says Tim Jones supports corporations, not workers X
          Disclosure

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



        Saturday, January 18
       
AP:  National Transportation Safety Board:  Southwest Airlines pilots confused by wrong airport's lights
          Washington Post:  McCaskill's D.C. party pad up for sale
          KC Star:  Cerner officially launches its $4.3B Three Trails office campus;  Nixon attends event +
          Missourinet:  Cerner expands in KC, will add 15,000 new jobs
          AP:  Challenge for Missouri lawmakers:  What to do with all this extra money?
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Local legislators give updates;  "Rosy" revenue predictions, tax-credit revamps, performance-based funding for higher ed X
          KC Star:  Execution drug spurs a Missouri tug-of-war +
          AP:  Lawyers for convicted murderer on death row:  State of Missouri improperly stored new lethal injection drug
          P-D:  In response to execution-drug brouhaha, Rep. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) offers bill to allow firing squads
          Missourinet:  Rep. Rick Brattin discusses firing-squad proposal
          KWMU:  Campaign-report summaries for state Senate, city officials:  Lamping's retirement-year total is low, Schmitt's bankroll hefty, Slay adds to the re-election kitty
          KSMU:  Missouri Association for Social Welfare, others issue report on poverty in Missouri
          P-D editorial:  Columbia developer Jeffrey E. Smith - Missouri's king of tax credits - is up to his old money-laundering tricks
          Joplin Globe editorial:  No more free lunches:  Lawmakers should pass campaign-finance and lobbyist-gift bill from Rep. Kevin McManus (D-Kansas City) X
          CDT's Waters:  Wide-ranging thoughts on Missouri campaign fundraising and reform options X
          SNL op-ed:  Springfield Democrat Andy Dalton:  Shane Schoeller doesn't want Democrats to vote, and is also controlled by Rex Sinquefield X
          KC Star letter:  Raymore woman says new grand plan for KC schools will be bad for unions +
          P-D letter:  Olivette man skeptical of Ameren's claims on coal ash
          Disclosure

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


        Friday, January 17
       
Politico:  Obama nominates Steve Bough to Western District of Missouri
          KC Business Journal:  Obama nominates Bough to federal bench
          SNL:  Panel OKs Harpool judicial nod X
          KWMU:  Obamacare advocates celebrate first month of expanded coverage;  Comments from Missouri Health Care for All's Jen Bersdale, others
          KSMU:  McCaskill asks Missourians to share their experiences of weight-loss scams
          AP:  Budget bill essential blocks all horse slaughter operations;  Missouri company says it will file claim
          KWMU:  St. Louis chosen for "Strong Cities";  Obama program to park federal employee inside Slay's office
          P-D:  They're from the government, and they're here to help;  St. Louis one of seven cities to be assigned federal "experts"
          SNL:  Plan to help state workers investigating neglect, abuse brings cautious optimism;  Advocates say money is not cure-all against child abuse X
          SNL:  In the trenches:  State director visits Springfield X
          P-D:  Emails point to internal struggles at Missouri's lockup for sex predators;  MO Dept. of Mental Health plays down e-mail from former head Schafer, says it is out of context
          AP:  Sen. Gary Romine (R-Farmington) files Medicaid overhaul plan
          P-D:  Missouri at center of new GM, Ford pickup rollouts
          AP:  Nixon proposes additional $4.5 million for Missouri Works Training
          AP:  Missouri tax-cut backers, foes both cite Kansas cuts
          CDT:  Missouri Senate committee weighs three income tax cut bills X
          Missourinet:  Schmitt, other tax-cut proponents promote bills
          KWMU:  House Speaker Tim Jones to deliver response to Nixon's "State of the State" next Tuesday
          Missourinet:  Jones calls lifting of med-mal caps a top priority
          KWMU:  House Speaker Tim Jones makes medical malpractice caps a top priority for 2014
          JCNT:  Speaker Tim Jones:  Malpractice reform a priority for 2014 X
          AP:  Speaker Tim Jones wants reinstated lawsuit limits
          AP:  Missouri bill would allow execution using firing squad
          P-D:  Abortion-related legislation draws emotional testimony in Missouri House
          The Missouri Times:  Former Sen. Wes Shoemyer creates PAC to fight "Right to Farm" proposal
          AP:  Missouri House panel considers 'revenge porn' bill
          CDT:  Senate committee hears bill that could increase funding for Missouri universities X
          Missourinet:  Education officials want state money for Normandy School District
          CDT:  Fairview Elementary teacher wins award, is recognized by McCaskill X
          P-D:  Schweich's growing campaign nest egg clears the auditor election field - for now
          Drebes:  In Lamping/Schupp Senate District, Republicans seeking to recruit Wesley Jones, hope to assign him a moderate persona
          CDT:  Ameren Missouri begins cleanup of Columbia Superfund site X
          JCNT editorial:  Fears and flaws connected with capital punishment X
          McClellan:  Hillary probably still mad at McCaskill;  Meandering thoughts on baby boomers, hippie ponytails, etc.
          Helling:  Politicians may soon have to take marijuana legislation seriously +
          Columbia Missourian's George Kennedy:  Rep. Chris Kelly continues to represent Boone County well
          KWMU op-ed:  KWMU's Margie Freivogel congratulates her reporters on campaign-finance reporting, weighs in on Rex Sinquefield
          SNL op-ed:  Jason Kander on his campaign-finance proposals X
          P-D letter:  State gets poor grades in taking over failing schools
          Disclosure

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



        Thursday, January 16
       
Missourinet:  Blunt calls Benghazi report 'troubling'
          Missourinet:  Congress passes Luetkemeyer amendment to fund Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan
          Bloomberg:  McCaskill wants Target to provide info on breach
          SNL:  FAA looking at pilot error in airport mix-up, senators say X
          P-D:  Area residents lament inability to pay their utility bills;  Urban League distributes taxpayer dollars in St. Louis, Wellston
          KWMU:  Koster's Missouri Medicaid fraud unit recovers $47 million in 2013
          CDT:  Bill seeking requirements for health exchange navigators gets favorable reception X
          AP:  Koster reports $1.6M in bank account for 2016:  A look at Jones, Schaefer, Schweich totals
          AP:  Democrat Jay Swearingen drops bid for state auditor
          The Missouri Times:  Statewide officeholder, potential candidate reports:  Money raised, cash on hand
          The Missouri Times:  House campaign finance reports:  House GOP leadership, House Dem leadership, other GOP reps
          The Missouri Times:  Senate campaign finance reports:  Key races, incumbents
          CDT:  Kander, Dem rep introduce ethics reform bill, criticize level of gift limits proposed by Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) X
          KWMU:  Backers consider petitions to legalize marijuana in Missouri
          P-D:  Petitions for legalization of marijuana are approved for circulation
          Drebes:  Determining when an issue goes before the voters
          SNL:  Nixon to propose $6 million in new funds for Children's Division X
          KC Star:  Nixon seeks millions in funding for Missouri Children's Division +
          Missourinet:  Legislators could ask voters to define governor's budget restriction powers
          KWMU:  An in-depth look at right-to-work:  Major players and motivations
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel taking up tax-cut legislation
          Missourinet:  Anti-poverty groups oppose tax-cut proposals
          Joplin Globe:  Reviews mixed for Nixon's higher-ed funding proposal X
          KWMU:  Nicastro:  Normandy schools headed for bankruptcy;  Rep. Genise Monticello (D-St. Louis) directly calls for resignation
          Missourinet:  Schweich's office to review contract awarded to CEE-Trust
          P-D:  Schweich's office to review education department's awared of CEE-Trust contract
          P-D:  Superintendent says Normandy has no plans to close despite money woes
          AP:  Washington U. to sponsor all-girls charter school;  DESE must give approval
          P-D:  Missouri legislators weigh coverage of anti-cancer drugs
          AP:  Speaker Tim Jones plans health care conscience bill
          AP:  Missouri senators consider criminal code overhaul
          AP:  Governor's Conference on Agriculture gets underway today
          CDT:  Tarnished reputations:  A National Guard officer in Columbia alleges retaliation, discrimination a part of Guard culture X
          AP:  Appeals court to hear Missouri flag desecration case
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Options diminish for Missouri horse slaughter startup X
          P-D:  North County residents blame health maladies on Coldwater Creek;  Women's informal survey contradicts state health department's facts
          KMOX:  Facebook survey associates North County natives' health problems with living near Coldwater Creek
          P-D editorial:  Analyzing the CEE-Trust report
          SNL editorial:  Shane Schoeller is wrong - election fraud is not the top election issue;  Candidates should focus on voter turnout, election costs X
          Priddy:  Analogizing Nixon appointment of former Rep. Dennis Fowler (R) to The Sopranos;  Tim Jones : Tony Soprano :: Dennis Fowler : Massage-parlor owner
          Disclosure

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



        Wednesday, January 15
       
P-D:  Blunt says he's not surprised that young adults are not signing up for Obamacare
          KC Star:  Liberal groups urge McCaskill to support taxpayer-funded phone program;  Senator has been critical of Lifeline's waste, mismanagement
          The Hill:  McCaskill, other Dems call for briefing, hearing on Target hack
          KC Star:  McCaskill, Blunt want answers in case of wrong-airport landing
          SNL:  At hearing, McCaskill cites alleged role of air traffic controllers in Southwest airport mix-up
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri Corn Growers Association lobbies lawmakers for renewable fuel standard reversal
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Statement from Graves' staff praises federal relief for volunteer fire departments
          AP:  Provision of federal spending bill puts future of Missouri horse breeders in jeopardy
          AP:  Auto parts maker to build facility in Warrensburg;  Nixon says project could create 164 full-time jobs
          KWMU:  Sinquefield still reigns supreme among state's biggest individual donors
          P-D:  Approaches vary for strengthening Missouri's ethics laws
          AP:  Secretary of State Jason Kander proposes ambitious campaign finance overhaul;  Bill to be sponsored by Rep. Kevin McManus (D-Kansas City)
          Missourinet:  Kander proposes major campaign ethics law changes
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Mannies & Rosenbaum on right to work;  Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) joins to discuss Medicaid expansion
          AP:  Missouri House Democrats elect leaders;  Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) replaces Rep. Steve Webb (D-Florissant)
          KWMU:  Missouri House Democrats propose alternate tax cut plan
          SNL:  Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) seeks changes to appointments process, says move will help fill vacancies faster
          JCNT:  Lawmakers again asked to define 'misconduct' by fired workers
          JCNT:  Bill would expand prenatal care for Missouri's poor
          KC Star:  Kansas City school district releases its own turnaround plan
          AP:  KC coalition releases plan for improving schools
          Missourinet:  CEE-Trust details plan to turn failing schools in Kansas City around
          KC Star:  Mayor Sly James supports "elements" of CEE-Trust plan
          KWMU:  Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) calls for Chris Nicastro's resignation
          P-D:  Chappelle-Nadal calls for Nicastro's resignation
          AP:  Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal calls on Nicastro to resign
          CDT:  Rep. Mike Thomson (R-Maryville), Brady Deaton receive Geyer Award from Mizzou alumni
          SNL:  New MSU governors commited to their alma mater
          AP:  Bill from Sen. Scott Sifton (D-St. Louis) would let emergency workers vote absentee
          Missourinet:  Bill proposes moratorium on, and study of, state executions
          Drebes:  Adrianne Marsh departs McCaskill's office for Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future;  Group lists legislative priorities
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri Cattlemen's Association's top priority:  Help inform voters about Farming Rights Amendment
          P-D:  Sen. Scott Rupp (R-Wentzville) says challenging County Exec Steve Ehlmann "still in the realm of possibility"
          CDT:  Judge rules 250 Missouri municipalities - plus St. Louis County - won't refund AT&T taxes
          SNL editorial:  Efforts by Gov. Jay Nixon, Clint Zweifel to defend federal defense spending in Missouri is important
          KC Star's Joe Robertson:  History tells us to expect a fight in remaking the Kansas City school district
          P-D op-ed:  Ameren's Charles Naslund:  Concrete reasons not to fear coal ash landfills
          Disclosure

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



        Tuesday, January 14
       
KSHB:  McCaskill says wording in defense bill means A-10 jets will stay at Whiteman Air Force Base this year
          National Journal:  McCaskill's package of moderate reforms stymies Gillibrand's controversial push in sexual-assault battle
          Politico:  McCaskill on Hillary's hit list;  Selected excerpts from new book
          P-D:  'Hate is too weak a word':  P-D draws selected excerpts from Politico's selected excerpts from new book
          AP:  Obamacare website attracts disproportionate amount of aged Missouri females
          Missourinet:  Lacy Clay calls for Target, Neiman-Marcus credit breach investigations
          AP:  Boeing postmortem: Documents show Missouri bid was alive until Washington machinists struck fatal blow
          KWMU:  Democrats edge out Republicans in big donations in 2013;  Presumptive Dem gov nominee Chris Koster rakes it in
          Missouri Wonk's Linda Rallo:  Infographics:  Graphical representations of campaign contributions, 2011-2013
          Drebes:  Rep. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), defending seat in swing district, raises $105K this quarter
          AP:  Kander, Rep. Kevin McManus (D-Kansas City) to unveil campaign-finance proposals today
          KMOX:  Audio:  Lamping on anti-Obamacare legislation, Nasheed on raising minimum wage
          AP:  House Dems propose raising taxes on upper-income Missourians, cutting taxes for lower- and middle-income individuals
          KWMU:  Right to work bill praised, blasted during House hearing
          AP:  Missouri House panel hears right-to-work bill
          SNL:  Right to work supporters, foes clash during hearing X
          P-D:  Lively debate at five-hour right-to-work hearing
          The Missouri Times:  Right to work hearing held
          KC Star:  CEE-Trust presents its proposal to remake Kansas City's public schools +
          P-D:  Proposal would disband failing districts
          AP:  Consultant proposes dismantling failing districts
          KMOX:  More testing this week at Bridgeton Landfill
          AP:  Schweich to examine corrections department
          P-D:  Former Met Darryl Strawberry owes Missouri $15K
          JCNT:  Opponents of death penalty press reforms X
          AP:  Missouri death penalty foes mark 25 years of executions
          Missourinet:  Statewide Amber Alert starts second decade
          CDT:  New lawsuits seek millions of dollars from Mamtek's collapse X
          P-D:  Ameren Missouri plans to build solar energy center
          AP:  Ameren plans solar energy plant in O'Fallon
          KC Star:  As more fail to pay their utility bills, funding for assistance dwindles;  Federal taxpayer money to subsidize low-income users has dropped significantly since 2009 +
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Tenacious McCaskill:  Senior senator's doggedness leads failed lt. general to retire X
          P-D editorial:  Special elections simply a boon for political consultants;  Nixon should stand his ground, leave seats vacant until fall election
          SE Missourian editorial:  Military election filing bill a common-sense move +
          KC Star editorial:  Kansas City school proposal intriguing but risky +
          CDT's Waters:  Federal government, not states, should administer money for crumbling highways X
          KC Star op-ed:  University of Missouri law prof James Hawley:  Hobby Lobby's legal challenge to Obamacare is about conscience +
          Shelly:  Six takeaways from the CEE-Trust report on Kansas City Public Schools +
          P-D op-ed:  D.C.-based animal-rights activist:  AG Chris Koster wrong to side with state's egg producers
          JCNT letter:  Jefferson City woman responds to Luetkemeyer op-ed, says Keystone XL is a bad idea and GOP is too busy ginning up hate X
          SE Missourian letter:  Puxico woman whose unemployment checks ran out says no jobs are available +
          Disclosure

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


        Monday, January 13
       
The Hill:  New book on Hillary explores relationship with McCaskill
          UPI:  McCaskill and Hillary Clinton:  An early jab, "epic tears," apologies, more tears, non-endorsement, mended fences, a 2016 endorsement, residual emotions and more
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  McCaskill takes on weight-loss scammers;  Rep. T.J. Berry (R-Kearney) to try again on tax cuts X
          KWMU:  Nixon promotes Missouri auto jobs during visit to Detroit
          KWMU:  Crowd of initiative petitions will soon compete to get on ballot
          Drebes:  Speaker Tim Jones' camp suggests he'll have $900K on hand this quarter
          KC Star:  MLK service's fiery rhetoric links Obamacare to King's message +
          P-D:  New attack on Obamacare filed in Missouri Legislature
          AP:  Missouri House panel to hear 'right to work' bill
          AP:  Nixon, GOP lawmakers disagree over budget figures
          Missourinet:  House to have multiple options for tax cuts
          AP:  Rep. Jon Carpenter (D-Kansas City) to release details on Dem tax-cut bill today
          AP:  Conservative lawmakers plot new strategy to undermine federal laws' "chilling effects" on gun ownership
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  Sen. Doug Libla (R-Poplar Bluff) hopes session helps businesses;  Senator opposes Medicaid expansion, wants economic development and tax cuts
          KC Star:  Missouri wrestles with school transfer rules as KC braces for potential student flight +
          Fox 2 (St. Louis):  Revisiting the school transfer program;  Charles Jaco talks it over with Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale) and Scott Sifton (D-Affton)
          KWMU:  Missouri lawmakers call for investigation into state's execution method
          Missourinet:  Audit will probe Corrections Department execution procedures, drug procurement
          Missourinet:  Sen. Jay Wasson (R-Nixa) pushes for sinkhole protection
          KC Star's Diuguid:  Food insecurity, income disparity hurt neighbors;  Missouri's hard-knock numbers should be blamed on wealth gap +
          KC Star's Sanchez:  Missouri is going too far on death penalty secrecy +
          SNL letter:  "Open letter from an angry voter" to Sen. Roy Blunt;  Senator should stop wasteful spending, should start taking his own lunch to work, other suggestions X
          P-D letter:  Metropolitan Congregations United President Jim Sahaida:  Extending unemployment benefits is the moral thing to do
          Disclosure

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




        Sunday, January 12
       
KWMU:  Blunt praises community mental health services
          St. Joseph News-Press:  After Boeing, what's next?  Sen. Brad Lager (R-Maryville) says Missouri won't attract manufacturers until right to work is a reality X
          AP:  Bill seeks limit on acting department directors
          SNL:  Numbers crunch has Children's Division investigators feeling the pressure;  Comments from Rep. Bill Lant (R-Pineville) X
          Drebes:  How Joe Driskill's lack of education experience could benefit DESE and State Board of Education
          AP:  CEE-Trust to make draft recommendation to state Board of Education tomorrow
          JCNT:  Bill from Rep. Rocky Miller (R-Tuscumbia) requires independent wastewater studies before permits modified X
          Kirksville Daily Express:  Annual preview of area lawmakers' top legislative priorities
          St. Joseph News-Press:  More wind power blowing into region X
          SNL editorial:  Legislature's to-do list:  Medicaid expansion;  no right to work;  funding formula;  county reimbursement from state;  pseudoephedrine restrictions X
          Kirksville Daily Express editorial:  Mental health funding must be priority for Missouri Legislature
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  KCP&L projects promising X
          Messenger:  Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar) tells the truth about right to work - it will help push worker wages down
          KC Star's Steve Rose:  Credit Jay Nixon for standing up against "hair-brained [sic]" tax cuts +
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  Reporters should start asking elected officials more faith-based questions;  Briefs on right to work, Haahr's tuition-payback plan X
          P-D letter:  Florissant conservative dislikes "liberal reporters' logic" on STDs and Medicaid, school punishment of young miscreants
          P-D letter:  Kirkwood liberal says GOP majority should ban all cellphone use by drivers
          KC Star letter:  Response to recent Nicastro, other education op-eds +
          Disclosure

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



        Saturday, January 11
       
USA Today:  Reports of sexual assault dip at military academies;  Statement by McCaskill's staff
          St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill and Blunt have different philosophies, but still find some common ground X
          AP:  Nixon going to Detroit for auto show
          P-D:  Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) says Nixon lashed out at her after she sided with Kinder on tax issue
          KWMU:  Nixon announces partnership to protect and enhance military presence in Missouri
          AP:  Nixon creates Missouri military partnership
          AP:  Missouri lottery makes third largest education transfer
          JCNT:  Missouri state employee buys lottery ticket at Truman Office Building, wins $71,000 jackpot X
          CDT:  Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) introduces funding formula bill for higher education X
          KSMU:  Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) files bill that would introduce new payback option for student loans
          Columbia Missourian:  Legislators attend Legislative Forecast Breakfast;  On Boeing, Sen. Kurt Schaefer says, "we got played"
          Washington Missourian:  Bills from Sen. Brian Nieves (R-Washington) seek to disregard actions of federal government, U.N.;  Senator did not return phone calls
          Fox4 (Kansas City):  Proposal from Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar) would track domestic violence suspects with ankle bracelets (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          Drebes:  Bill from Rep. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) would outlaw "revenge porn"
          AP:  Schweich's audit criticizes regulatory board vacancies
          AP:  Growing concerns over Missouri execution drug
          SNL:  Shane Schoeller takes aim at voter fraud, announces bid for Greene County Clerk;  Missouri GOP political director to step down in February X
          JCNT editorial:  GOP senators shouldn't punish Fowler for siding with Nixon on tax cuts X
          P-D editorial:  Missouri bypasses the constitution in its fumbling hurry to kill
          CDT's Waters:  2014 will be another bad year for health care in Missouri;  What we need is a public single-payer insurance option X
          KC Star letter:  Man employs sarcasm to mock GOP plan to drug-test welfare recipients +
          Disclosure

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



        Friday, January 10
       
Missourinet:  McCaskill, Blunt take opposing views to extending unemployment benefits
          Politico:  Journalists take part in panel celebrating LBJ's War on Poverty, congratulate themselves on awareness-raising efforts;  Comments from SNL's David Stoeffler
          Washington Post:  Homeland Security's IG nominee tells supportive panel he is ready for challenges;  Comments from McCaskill
          St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill lauds scrutiny of scams involving weight-loss claims X
          CNN:  Video:  McCaskill calls weight-loss ad claims "good old-fashioned horse manure"
          AP:  Nixon, Zweifel to tour military bases
          KWMU:  KC court to hear challenge to campaign finance limits
          KWMU:  Conservatives file suit again Nixon's order regarding same-sex couples' tax filings
          P-D:  Lawsuit challenges executive order on same-sex couples tax filings
          KWMU:  Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) steps down as head of Missouri Legislative Black Caucus
          AP:  Kinder wants meeting on housing tax credits
          KWMU:  Nixon stands behind appointee for state Board of Probation and Parole
          AP:  Nixon denies politics in parole board appointment
          Washington Missourian:  Transportation sales tax bill expected in legislative session
          Mike Ferguson's Missouri Viewpoints:  Missouri Farmers Care Executive Director Dan Kleinsorge:  Missouri needs a Farming Rights Amendment
          CDT:  Divergent story lines emerge as as General Assembly begins session;  Jones, Nixon spin same job numbers X
          Joplin Globe:  New MSSU board appointment ends chairman's tenure on panel X
          P-D:  Division on changes to school transfer law
          Missourinet:  Rep. Margo McNeil (D-Florissant) files proposal for changing school transfer law
          P-D:  Snow leaves many transfer students without transportation
          AP:  Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) wants tax exemption for old cars
          Daily Journal:  Rep. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) seeks to aid pregnancy centers;  Bill would increase cap on tax credits
          Missourinet:  Early push for new criminal code
          Drebes:  Reaction to readers' poll:  Schaaf's Chris Dunn should have made list
          AP:  Koster wants more data on Bridgeton landfill
          KWMU:  Attorneys for the poor lament Missouri's "justice gap"
          P-D:  Nixon nominates Republicans John King, John Maupin for St. Louis County Board of Elections
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Boeing proposal unsuccessful, but it was worth the effort
          SNL editorial:  New "it's just common sense" series:  Blunt and small farm operations, MO Legislature and life vests for kids X
          KWMU's Margie Freivogel:  Analogizing the Legislature to the snow storm:  "slippery slopes," inescapability, more
          KC Star letter:  Man attempts to analogize GOP agenda to snow storm +
          P-D op-ed:  Blaiming Blaine:  Congressman's constituent survey proves he and uber-capitalists "bitch about the poor causing all of our problems"
          CDT's Waters:  A higher minimum wage would transfer wealth from consumers to workers - so what are we waiting for? X
          Columbia Missourian's George Kennedy:  Lots of good things - like Medicaid expansion - should happen this year, but thanks to Republicans and Rex Sinquefield, they won't
          Shelly:  Speaker Tim Jones, Sinquefield want to see KC Public Schools destroyed and hope other districts face turmoil +
          SNL op-ed:  Amanda Good, Missouri State Director for HSUS:  D.C. lobby group distorts HSUS X
          P-D letter:  Reaction to Medicare readmission piece;  in many cases, patients ignore discharge instructions, and that's "their own darn fault"
          SE Missourian letter:  Show-Me Institute's Patrick Ishmael:  Legislators supported tax cut for Boeing;  ipso facto, they should support tax cut for everyone +
          Disclosure

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



        Thursday, January 9
       
KWMU:  McCaskill, Blunt at odds over extending unemployment benefits
          Washington Post:  Air Force general to retire after criticism for handling sexual-assault case;  Comments from McCaskill
          Reuters:  U.S. general who overturned sex assault conviction to leave military;  Comments from McCaskill
          Politico:  Air Force official out over sexual assault decisions
          KWMU:  Court to hear challenge to campaign finance limits
          CDT:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer seeks added requirements for health insurance navigators, cites "a real threat"
          P-D:  School choice, labor laws illustrate GOP differences
          Columbia Missourian:  Session opens;  Comments from majority leadership, local reps
          KWMU:  Session opens;  Comments from majority, minority
          AP:  Session opens;  Comments from majority, minority
          SNL:  Session opens;  Comments from majority, minority X
          KC Star:  Session opens;  Comments from majority, minority +
          AP:  Senate Republicans block Nixon's parole board appointment of former Rep. Dennis Fowler (R-Advance), say plum job is payoff for opposing tax cuts
          SNL:  Republicans rally on right to work ahead of session start;  Comment from liberal group Progress Missouri X
          KSMU:  On first day of session, Nixon touts Missouri Rx program in Springfield
          AP:  Nixon wants to renew Missouri Rx program
          Washington Missourian:  Local superintendent opposes bill that would decide start, end date of school year
          KC Star:  Misuse of suspension needs to be challenged, Obama officials say;  in Missouri, black students make up 24.4 percent of enrollment but represent 64% of those sent to out-of-school suspension +
          AP:  Nixon elevates two acting department directors
          AP:  EPA plans more tests at Bridgeton landfill
          P-D:  Nixon appoints retired Ironworkers official James J. Hunt to Edward Jones Dome board
          Joplin Globe:  Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments in '07 murder case X
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri Highway Commission suspends new construction projects under two programs
          P-D:  MoDOT will raise half-mile stretch of Highway 94 next year to reduce flooding
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Missouri's effort on 777X not fruitful, but it did impress Boeing
          P-D editorial:  Missouri legislators should say yes to longer school year
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Annual first-day-of-session editorial;  Legislature should work for the people, etc.
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Missouri already a pro-gun, low-tax state that allows "legalized murder" via abortion; MO should expand Medicaid, enact campaign limits, put sales tax for roads on ballot
          KC Star editorial:  It's time for a moratorium on death penalty for Missouri's convicted killers +
          KC Star editorial:  Wind energy and efficiency finally get top billing at KCP&L +
          P-D op-ed:  The case for rebuilding Fulton State Hospital now
          Washington Missourian letter:  Franklin County Democratic Party webmaster Darin Gilley:  Kinder pushes right to work, which is bad for Missouri
          SNL letter:  Missouri Republicans' agenda is business as usual:  Drug-testing those on the dole, not expanding Medicaid X
          KC Star letter:  Polsinelli's Phillip Zeeck:  On lobbyist gifts, Missouri's foxes are guarding the henhouse +
          Disclosure

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



        Wednesday, January 8
       
P-D:  Missouri Legislature to convene amid election-year pressures
          AP:  Legislative preview:  Nixon, GOP legislators differ on priorities
          AP:  5 things to know about new legislative session
          KWMU:  Legislative preview:  UMSL's Terry Jones joins Mannies & Rosenbaum to discuss the upcoming session
          Washington Post:  Missouri debates how much - not whether - to cut taxes
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Secretary of State Jason Kander joins journo gang to discuss ethics reform legislation, voter ID, more
          SE Missourian:  Bill from Sen. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau) would relax filing laws for candidates in military overseas +
          Missourinet:  Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) wants state's Boeing docs to be made public
          SNL:  Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) seeks upgrades for Children's Division software X
          KWMU:  Nicastro says more funding needed for student assessments under Common Core
          KWMU:  Lawmakers set to weigh changes in school transfer law
          Missourinet:  Proposed background check extension, other gun bills back in front of lawmakers
          AP:  Bill from Rep. T.J. Berry (R-Kearney) would cap fines levied by traffic cameras
          AP:  Bill would bring rural Missouri speed limit to 75 mph
          AP:  Missouri bill would force more children to wear life vests
          Drebes:  Lobbyist tipster:  Rep. John Wright (D-Columbia) consolidating Dem support for state treasurer
          Kraske:  Daily "BuzzChatter" quote analysis:  Missouri Right to Life on Girl Scouts, Speaker Tim Jones on Boeing and unions +
          SNL:  Unemployment extension splits McCaskill, Blunt X
          KMBC:  RNC leader says KC is strong contender to host 2016 convention (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          TonysKansasCity.com:  Rep. Emanuel Cleaver undergoes knee surgery
          AP:  Schweich announces routine audit of Missouri Department of Agriculture
          P-D:  Nixon names new associate circuit judges in Warren, Lincoln counties
          P-D:  State office refuses plea deal with Freeman Bosley, Jr. over mishandling of funds
          KC Star:  KCP&L will increase wind power and energy conservation +
          P-D editorial:  Time to get beyond 'build now, pay later' economic development
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Credit Patty Richard, wife of Sen. Ron Richard, for speaking out about dense breast tissue and screenings;  Legislature should pass bill from Sen. Dan Brown (R-Rolla) X
          Jensen:  EPA's onerous rules affect companies like Noranda, and costs get passed along to consumers +
          P-D op-ed:  Five years after Tennessee incident, Missouri faces own impending coal ash disaster
          Disclosure

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



        Tuesday, January 7
       
KWMU:  Missouri property rights advocates laud end of Blueways program;  Comments from Rep. Jason Smith, Sierra Club's John Hickey
          KWMU:  Ronnie White, Doug Harpool renominated to federal bench in Missouri
          Politico:  Gregg Keller leaves American Conservative Union to form his own company, Atlas Strategy Group
          Kaiser Health News, via P-D:  Medicare identifies hospitals with high readmission rates;  Five are located in St. Louis area
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Providers await influx from health law X
          KWMU:  Departure of Sen. Ryan McKenna (D-Jefferson County) leaves Nixon with special election conundrum
          JCNT:  Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City):  State should release all documents submitted to Boeing X
          KWMU:  As special session opens, Missouri Legislature may refight old battles but resolve some new ones
          KSMU:  Legislative preview:  Medicaid expansion, tax cuts, guns
          Columbia Missourian:  Annual preview of area lawmakers' top legislative priorities
          97.1FM (St. Louis):  Speaker Tim Jones talks to Dana Loesch about right-to-work prospects for 2014, both through Legislature and August ballot
          Missourinet:  School transfer issue not a top priority for Speaker Tim Jones
          Missourinet:  Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey says transfer issue as a priority, sees chasm between upper body and House
          KC Star:  Former interim KC superintendent named to Missouri Board of Education +
          Politico:  For right, Common Core fight prelude to bigger agenda;  Mentions of Sen. Ed Emery (R), Show-Me Institute (link via Twitter, @ssnich)
          KC Business Journal:  AIM's Ray McCarty says border war bill may be unconstitutional (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          CDT:  Bill from Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) would limit lobbyist gifts to legislators X
          SNL:  Are horses livestock?  Missouri DNR weighs question, considers horse-slaughter permit X
          AP:  New Mexico horse slaughterhouse company sues state AG for slander;  Missouri company says politics is also to blame for delays in Missouri
          AP:  Jury duty hoax hits Missouri county;  Scammers tell targets they must pay fine in money orders
          CDT:  Columbia interests to stress need for I-70 work to state Highways Commission X
          KC Star editorial:  MO Legislature could beat expectations by limiting contributions, expanding Medicaid, stopping death penalty, fixing school transfers, ending border war and not cutting taxes +
          JCNT editorial:  A tangle in the branches of government:  How much budgetary authority should Missouri's governor have? X
          CDT's Waters:  Missouri's attempt to lure Boeing was symbolic;  Credit Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) for being a lone sane voice X
          Shelly:  Troubleshooter to represent KC on state Board of Education +
          P-D letter:  Perennial candidate Bill Haas weighs in on TIFs, says Koster is right to call it a zero-sum game
          Disclosure

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




        Monday, January 6
       
P-D:  Battle over state income tax will be revived in Missouri Legislature
          AP:  Prospects remain slim for Missouri Medicaid expansion
          Missouri Wonk's Brian Schmidt:  Predicting the next Speakers of the House based on four variables;  Top contenders for the gavel among incoming Class of 10, Class of 12
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Jasper-Newton County Lincoln Day dinner to feature Long, Schweich, Richard;  Richard's wife supports mammogram bill X
          KC Star:  New Bancroft school apartments are seen as a spark for urban core redevelopment +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Lake project receives state funding from MO DNR X
          KC Star's Sanchez:  Repercussions loom in Missouri's failed courting of Boeing +
          KC Star letter:  Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R) does not appear to be concerned with workers or the unemployed +
          P-D letter:  Missouri should accept federal money to expand Medicaid and help to the rural poor
          P-D letter:  Reform the sales tax system;  there's no reason farm equipment should be exempt
          Disclosure

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



        Sunday, January 5
       
P-D:  Boeing's 777X is gone to Seattle. So what now for St. Louis?
          CDT:  Boeing chooses Washington state over St. Louis for 777X;  Rep. Stephen Webber (D-Columbia) says state should focus more on education and less on "glittery objects" like Boeing X
          AP:  Seatttle's local labor influence takes hit in Boeing contract;  Local union leader laments workers' vote to keep jobs, calls vote "turning point in the labor movement"
          JCNT:  Obamacare may dramatically affect pharmacists, patients
X
          KC Star:  Paper seeks readers' stories of what Obamacare has meant to them +
          Kraske:  Setting the scene for an unproductive 2014:  Nixon, free from burden of facing voters, can act like a Democrat again, while Tim Jones seeks to score points in attorney general primary +
          KC Star:  Missouri's no-limit legislature stokes debate over ethics landscape +
          CDT:  Missouri lawmakers prepare for cash quarrel;  Money to be at center of most debates this session X
          Drebes:  Daniel Hall is at Missouri Department of Natural Resources after interim PSC appointment was yanked at special session
          SNL:  Annual preview of area lawmakers' top legislative priorities X
          JCNT:  Annual preview of area lawmakers' top legislative priorities X
          JCNT:  Wednesday's "Taste of Jefferson City" to welcome lawmakers, their staff and the public X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri Democrats seek minimum wage hike X
          Washington Missourian:  Voting bill shows need for new election machines, Franklin County clerk says;  Debbie Door weighs in on bill from Sen. Brian Nieves (R-Washington)
          JCNT:  RIP, GED;  Missouri using new high school equivalency exam X
          Turner Report:  National education blogger Diane Ravitch takes aim at Rex Sinquefield (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          Fox 4 KC:  Mother seeks answers after 14-year-old daughter runs away from state facility;  Rep. Brandon Ellington (D-Kansas City) says issue raises questions for state (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          SNL:  Officials site road improvements, education in reduced traffic deaths in Missouri X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Richard Fordyce, Missouri's new agriculture director, is equipped to lead X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Newspapers owned by chains often "driven to the dogs" by bottom-line mentality;  Buffett's recent investment in papers a good sign
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Viticulture:  If Missouri's biggest state school teaches journalism and produces a newspaper, why not teach grape growing and make wine?
          KC Star op-ed:  Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro:  The floor is open for ideas on education in Kansas City +
          St. Louis Magazine's Ray Hartmann:  Highway robbery by government;  Missourians must end the scourge of traffic cameras run amok
          P-D letter:  Sebelius must have been drinking Christmas eggnog if she thinks Obamacare is good for Missouri's poor;  A single-payer system is the way to go
          P-D letter:  D.C.-based Fair Election Legal Network's attorney Jon Sherman praises Kander on voter registration changes
          Disclosure

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




        Saturday, January 4
       
KWMU:  Washington state machinists narrowly approve contract to build Boeing's 777X
          Missourinet:  Washington state union vote means Boeing airliner won't be built in Missouri
          P-D:  Boeing machinists in Seattle approve contract tied to 777X
          AP:  Seattle machinists OK contract tied to 777X
          AP:  Interior Department ends federal 'Blueway' program;  Comments from Missouri-based Ozarks Water Watch, Missouri's Nature Conservancy, others
          SNL:  The next 20 years:  Plan seeks public input on how to manage Jacks Fork, Current River Park X
          Drebes:  Results of MoScout Reader Poll:  Most effective legislators (R, D), best consigliore, toughest job, top lobbyists, more
          AP:  Nixon to give State of the State speech Jan. 21
          KODE:  Video:  In visit to Joplin, Speaker Tim Jones shares legislative agenda
          KC Star:  Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro meets with KC Star editorial board, says not everyone will like final plan for unaccredited districts +
          P-D:  Transfer process for Normandy, Riverview Gardens students begins again next week
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  Kennett High School working hard to meet new state standards +
          KMOX:  Audio:  Host Charlie Brennan on UMSL considering offering illegal immigrants in-state tuition
          Missourinet:  Speaker Tim Jones considering legislative investigation of Corrections Department's handling of executions
          CDT:  Missouri Supreme Court lets Moberly out of Mamtek lawsuit X
          AP:  Leaders out at Missouri Soybean Association in wake of United Soybean Board audit
          KC Star:  Influential business leader, philanthropist and occasional political donor R. Crosby Kemper of UMB dies in California +
          P-D editorial:  Missouri Waltz:  A pathway for Missouri Republicans to accept reality and expand Medicaid - and, indirectly, help fix school transfer issue
          CDT's Waters:  Missouri Republicans block billions in free federal money just because it's Obamacare - and surely, they'll pay a price X
          KWMU op-ed:  KWMU's Margie Freivogel congratulates reporters on execution-drug story, says KWMU demonstrates "the best tradition of watchdog journalism"
          Disclosure

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



        Friday, January 3
       
AP:  Some workers set to reach $100K pay in Boeing deal
          TonysKansasCity.com:  List of cities competing with KC for GOP national convention
          KSMU:  Nixon pushes for Medicaid expansion in 2014
          AP:  Study finds Medicaid expansion drives up ER visits
          KWMU:  Shoppers fuel huge increase in Missouri's sales tax collections
          AP:  Missouri revenues up 2.8 percent at budget midpoint
          SNL:  On statewide tour, Speaker Tim Jones calls for debate on "right to work" legislation X
          KWMU:  House Speaker Tim Jones launches tour to promote 2014 agenda
          Lebanon Daily Record:  Speaker Tim Jones makes Lebanon stop, says federal government should leave states alone
          AP:  Speaker Tim Jones travels state to tout agenda
          AP:  Lawsuit seeks to compel Nixon to set elections
          Washington Missourian:  Franklin County Clerk Debbie Door (R) expresses displeasure with online voter registration
          P-D:  Attacks in schools sometimes lead to restraining order;  Francis Howell girl victim of savage attack
          KWMU:  Convicted murderers' lawyers ask Missouri Board of Pharmacy to act before execution
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers consider legislative action in response to death penalty controversy
          Missourinet:  Koster's office doesn't believe Target's claim that customers' compromised PIN info is safe
          AP:  Koster sues St. Louis-area web designer for bilking customers
          St. Louis Business Journal:  Brian Grace, Sen. Scott Sifton (D) win publication's prestigious "40 Under 40" award
          Missourinet:  Man/MoDOT vs. Snow:  The $40M fight
          TonysKansasCity.com:  MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry, at center of Romney/race brouhaha, to deliver MLK speech at UMKC
          P-D editorial:  Region moves forward as tuition discrimination ends in junior college district
          P-D op-ed:  Wash U. teen program director and George Soros Fellowship winner Dr. Katie Plax:  Raise minimum wage to $15/hr. to improve child health and well-being
          KC Star's Diuguid:  Drug testing of welfare recipients needs to go +
          Helling:  14 things we don't yet know:  Uncertainty about the future of GOP convention, Boeing, Medicaid, tax cuts, outcome of baseball and football seasons +
          Disclosure

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



        Thursday, January 2
       
P-D:  St. Louis' 777X hopes hinge on Seattle union vote
          KMOX:  Former local labor leader Bob Kelley predicts Seattle machinists will reject Boeing's offer
          Missourinet:  Boeing weighs future of F-18
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Sen. Roy Blunt lauds Supreme Court injunction of contraceptive mandate X
          Missourinet:  Minimum wage rises in Missouri
          Rosenbaum:  Transportation tax supporters still aim for 2014 vote
          AP:  Lawmakers mull changes to governor's budget power
          KWMU:  Hazelwood still waiting for Emerald Automotive to find the millions it needs to build van plant
          TonysKansasCity.com:  Rep. Brandon Ellington (D-Kansas City):  "I have no more faith in DESE than KCPS"
          Drebes:  Alexander McArthy, a Cottleville alderman, to run for term-limited Rep. Doug Funderburk's seat
          Missourinet:  Koster's office 'looking at all legal options' in Target card breach
          SE Missourian:  State audit gives Bollinger County a low rating +
          AP:  Missouri resident among first to buy marijuana in Colorado (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          Kraske:  "BuzzChatter" daily quote analysis:  Local control (via KWMU piece linked here yesterday), Nixon-Fallon bet (via AP piece linked here yesterday) +
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Another politically incorrect year;  Paper pokes "sensitive" nature of gay marriage debate, "Indians" vs. "Whitees" and "Crackers" as team names, more
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder:  State - not the federal government - better equipped to manage parks +
          KWMU op-ed:  M.Z. Guzy responds to P-D editorial calling for Nixon to pardon convicts
          Disclosure

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



        Wednesday, January 1   Happy New Year!
       
Bloomberg:  Americans on wrong side of pay gap run out of means to cope;  KC's Latoya Caldwell, a six-year Wendy's vet, says it's unfair "CEO makes $5.8 million and he's sitting in an office"
          KWMU's Politically Speaking:  Top 2014 state stories:  Tax cuts, ballot proposals, Tom Schweich's re-election as auditor, state legislative races
          JCNT:  Nixon says he's optimistic about state's economic fortunes in 2014 X
          P-D:  Nixon calls of Legislature to reform Medicaid, tap federal money
          Missourinet:  Nixon renews call for Missouri to expand Medicaid eligibility
          AP:  Nixon renews push for Medicaid expansion in Missouri
          KWMU:  Without Medicaid expansion, 193,000 Missourians left in coverage gap
          Drebes:  Ryan Burns joins Office of Administration as public information officer
          The Missouri Times:  Joe Lakin moves to Victory Enterprises;  Alex Curchin to replace Lakin in Diehl's office
          TonysKansasCity.com:  Good news from politicians in 2013:  KC Dem Reps. Brandon Ellington, John Rizzo team up, raise money and awareness to feed the homeless
          TonysKansasCity.com:  KC Entrepreneur of the Year:  Former Dem state Rep. Jason Grill
          KWMU:  St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson calls transition to local control "seamless"
          AP:  Nixon, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) bet food on Cotton Bowl game
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Kander's online voter registration a good move toward making voting process more inclusive X
          The Missouri Times' Collin Reischmann:  "Young and ambitious," Missouri Optometric Association's Jay Hahn - also available for contract work - "has reputation as a charming pragmatist, making him a valuable hire"
          P-D letter:  Reaction to coverage of unemployment;  Program wasn't intended to last forever
          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.



       


       



       



       


       E-mail John Combest at john {at} johncombest {dot} com
       John Combest bio