johncombest.com

Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - January 2018



    

       
       
Wednesday, January 31
       
Missourinet:  Missouri delegation's communications staffers pen reactions to Trump's State of the Union address
          Missourinet:  SOTU reactions:  Interview with Jason Smith, statement written by Lacy Clay's staff
          SE Missourian:  McCaskill explains opposition to GOP tax cuts +
          CDT:  Grad student to run for Congress;  Hallie Thompson seeks to fill Democratic ballot slot for Vicky Hartzler's re-election X
          SNL:  Greitens comes to Springfield to promote plan to reduce taxes for '97 percent' X
          P-D:  Analysis shows Greitens' tax package would cut $374 million, but aides say it's $800 million
          KWMU:  Some Missouri Republicans want tax cuts, but many lawmakers fear impact on state's bottom line
          CDT:  University leader:  Higher ed warned not to seek tuition hike waivers X
          The Missouri Times:  Hawley updates Budget Committee on state's legal expense fund, up to $415 million in potential claims
          AP:  Parson requests budget for driver;  Lt. gov has smallest staff of all statewide officials
          SE Missourian:  Lawmakers set sights on repealing, overhauling prevailing wage law +
          Drebes:  Neely's medical marijuana bill garners more than token support, likely to roll on
          KC Star:  Hyperloop One says KC to St. Louis is a top 5 route, begins closer study +
          Missourinet:  Missouri coalition launches study about hyperloop
          AP:  Feasibility study to examine Missouri hyperloop system
          Columbia Missourian:  House committee hears testimony on 20-week abortion ban
          Columbia Missourian:  Hummel, Nasheed push to roll back changes in law governing anti-discrimination lawsuits
          KWMU:  Profile:  Charles Robinson, St. Louis Public Schools truancy officer
          Missourinet:  Greene County sheriff still wants Galloway to hand over whistleblower complaints
          P-D editorial:  The good ideas are buried deep in Greitens' tax reform plan
          SE Missourian's Jon Rust:  Jason Smith details the pro-business, anti-red-tape provisions he's helped turn into law;  Greitens' higher ed cuts could cripple Missouri's prospects +
          KC Star's Mara Rose Williams:  Greitens wants more charter schools, which may choke the life out of KC district schools X
          Columbia Missourian op-ed:  Addiction doctor:  Rolling back Medicaid will worsen Missouri's opioid crisis
          Columbia Missourian's David Rosman:  Marriage bill from Rep. T.J. Berry (R-Kearney) is unnecessary
          KWMU's Kae Petrin:  "Income inequality," unfair expenses conspire to keep local African-Americans down;  Area man explains trauma of cell-phone data plan, costly wi-fi, other atrocities
          KC Star letter:  KC sexagenarian thinks print media - especially the unbiased New York Times and Washington Post - is more truthful than Trump X
          Disclosure



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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Tuesday, January 30
       
Politico:  Blunt, other Republicans seek to tame Trump on trade
          Washington Times:  Blunt says memo on FISA warrants needs to be released
          KWMU:  The EPA could propose a cleanup plan for West Lake Landfill. Here's what to expect.
          P-D:  Liberal mega-donor George Soros bigfoots into "Clean Missouri" ballot initiative campaign
          The Missouri Times:  Twitter bots follow Greitens by the thousands, mostly avoid other lawmakers
          Drebes:  James Murphy, father of Wieland's Jamie Murphy, to run for state rep
          The Missouri Times:  Chez Monet to open in the Capitol Cafeteria next week
          Missourinet:  Hawley says he can help if Gardner requests aid in Greitens investigation
          Missourinet:  Hawley presents budget to House committee and faces questions from Democrats
          Columbia Missourian:  Greitens' tax cut plan gains fans in rural Macon
          SE Missourian:  Greitens proposes tax cut for most Missourians
          KWMU:  Greitens reveals more details of tax proposal as lawmakers mull their options
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  House Superminority Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City) talks to Mannies & Rosenbaum about opposition to tax cuts, support for more spending, Republicans' heartless budgetary policy, etc.
          KWMU:  Ryan Silvey talks about why he left the Missouri Senate for the Public Service Commission
          AP:  Missouri not considering selling 4 closed state parks
          P-D:  Missouri not considering selling any of four mothballed state parks, official says
          The Missouri Times:  Walmart, GM and more ask lawmakers to consider Missouri Energy Freedom Act
          Columbia Missourian:  House debates series of bills overhauling foster care
          SE Missourian:  SEMO to discontinue classes at Malden site
          Daily American Republic:  Missouri Highway Patrol receives overdose medications
          Missourinet:  MADD wants lawmakers to restore state funding for DUI checkpoints
          P-D:  Missouri Department of Conservation's netting operation puts Creve Coeur Lake carp in the crosshairs
          AP:  Hawley defends AG office over failure to timely produce documents in "police brutality" case
          KWMU:  Arch City Defenders' new executive director complains about perceived injustices, expresses anger over St. Louis City's new public safety director suggesting that black people are responsible for black-on-black crime
          P-D editorial:  EPA chief's only true option is to remove West Lake's radioactive hazards;  The most expensive option is definitely the best
          KC Star editorial:  Is Greitens trying to recreate the Kansas tax cut disaster?
          P-D editorial:  Does Missouri owe sick prisoners a super-expensive cure?
          P-D's Raasch:  Blunt a "lead cheerleader" for Trump's good economic news
          KC Star letter:  KC sexagenarian says former Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders willfully broke the law
          P-D letter:  Ellisville woman wants PSC to reject Missouri American Water's request for rate increase
          Disclosure


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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Monday, January 29
       
This Week in Missouri Politics:  Guests U.S. Reps. Vicky Hartzler, Jason Smith talk Trump's first year in office, government shutdown, much more
          Drebes:  Help Wanted:  Missouri Department of Social Services seeks Missouri Medicaid Director
          KCUR:  Q&A on Satanic Temple's challenge of Missouri abortion laws
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Greitens to vist Moberly today;  Comments from Rep. Tim Remole (R-Excello)
          SNL:  Greitens wants to change state worker rules. Lawmakers say they don't know what he means. X
          P-D:  Hiring, firing and rewarding state employees should be easier, Greitens says, but offers no details
          SE Missourian:  Vargas:  Southeast faces 'bad' funding cuts under governor's budget plan +
          SNL:  Greitens wants to expand A+ scholarship program to private school students X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Ag Director Chris Chinn talks department priorities, collaboration between state agencies
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Munzlinger talks about progress of his industrial hemp legislation
          Columbia Missourian:  Local hair braider defends cosmetology requirements over deregulation bill
          AP:  Missouri Highway Patrol ends field tests for drugs over concerns about powerful fentanyl
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri sees widespread influenza activity on par with other states
          KCUR/Kaiser Health News:  Missouri faces costly conundrum:  How to treat inmates carrying Hepatitis C
          KCUR:  Rep. Barbara Anne Washington (D-Kansas City) talks about serving in Democratic superminority, Greitens' affair, juvenile criminals, more
          P-D editorial:  GOP lawmakers, led by Reps. Robert Cornejo and Scott Fitzpatrick, continue their war on the poor
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Lawmakers should strengthen protections for student journalists X
          P-D op-ed:  Concerned Women for America's Stephanie Rubach Marshall:  McCaskill should support bill to limit number of low-skilled immigrants
          Messenger:  Death of Terry Schlemeier is reminder of simpler times in Missouri politics
          The Missouri Times' Jennifer Bukowsky:  Lift the ban on felons selling alcohol and lottery tickets
          KC Star's Jason Hancock:  Swamped in scandals, Greitens faces conflict with his own party X
          Columbia Missourian's new "Conversations" feature:  Comments, pulled from social media, on Greitens' higher ed budget
          P-D letter:  Missouri Sierra Club's John Hickey on impact of shutdown on EPA
          P-D letter:  Arnold sexagenarian says she wants Greitens to stop acting like such a Navy SEAL
          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 28
       
KWMU:  At first St. Louis area town hall, McCaskill opines on government shutdown, weighs in on state Legislature
          Missourinet:  McCaskill does not expect February shutdown, predicts border security deal
          KC Star:  Missouri man calls Hartzler's Columbia office, makes second threat in recent weeks against government X
          JCNT:  March for Life attendees say the tide is turning X
          Drebes:  St. Louis Community Colleges seek government and community relations liason
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Nate Walker (R-Kirksville) expects more funding will be added to higher ed
          JCNT:  Area college administrators, lawmakers unhappy with governor's budget proposals X
          JCNT:  Greitens cites disparity between teacher and administrator pay X
          P-D:  School districts struggle to find qualified black teachers
          P-D:  Graph:  Medicaid's budget burden, 2013-2017
          P-D:  Chart:  Five most expensive services and programs in 2017 Medicaid budget
          P-D:  Graph:  Handicapped population had largest increase in Medicaid spend per person
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Greitens' package of higher-ed cuts are a dumb idea X
          JCNT editorial:  Proposal would put needed teeth into Sunshine Law X
          CDT op-ed:  Phill Brooks:  Missouri heading for a looming budget cliff X
          SNL letter:  Springfield septuagenarian lists legislative wishes:  Tax online purchases (except medicine for olds), punish trucking industry for road usage, more X
          KC Star letter:  MEDA's Trey Davis responds to Libla letter on Ameren and electric rates 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 27
       
KMIZ:  In afternoon speech to Columbia Chamber of Commerce, McCaskill talks bipartisanship, opioid legislation, more
        CDT:  In nighttime speech to Columbia Democrats, McCaskill takes aim at Hawley, makes jokes about Greitens' sex scandal X
        Columbia Missourian:  McCaskill says she will execute "the most aggressive grassroots plan that has ever been devised"
        Columbia Missourian:  McCaskill speaks at Mizzou College Democrats event;  DACA protesters interrupt (in English)
        KC Star:  Former Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders pleads guilty to wire fraud charge X
        Drebes:  Bits:  Dana Loesch profiled by NY Times Style section;  Jonas Hughes to Chappelle-Nadal's office;  Lucas Dieckhaus drops out of state rep race
        Columbia Missourian:  Nicole Galloway speaks to local Democratic group
        The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  Week of January 22, 2018
        Missourinet:  Lawmakers seek ways to implement Greitens' proposed permanent pay raise for state workers
        KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Craig Redmon (R-Canton) talks higher ed funding, transportation funding
        KWMU:  Next week's legislative action:  SNAP handouts, lobbyist gifts, budget
        The Missouri Times:  Rep. Jean Evans (R-Manchester) says marriage-age bill protects children from those who would do them harm
        Washington Missourian:  Sharp decrease in gun permits issued due to change in state law
        CDT:  Centralia seeks change to state law regarding sales tax increases X
        SNL:  Missouri Foundation for Health study:  Death rates for white Missourians increasing at higher rates than that of minorities;  Opioid abuse one factor X
        St. Joseph News-Press:  Chillicothe seeks state status as creator of sliced bread X
        Missourinet:  Advocacy group gives Missouri poor marks on highway safety and auto safety
        The Missouri Times:  State of Missouri settles lawsuit regarding West Lake Landfill while Pruitt mulls decision on site
        P-D:  St. Louis City selection committee votes unanimously to give Rex Sinquefield's Grow Missouri role in airport privatization
        KC Star editorial:  With a guilty plea, Mike Sanders' downfall is complete X
        SNL editorial:  Courtland Sykes is a sexist X
        KC Star editorial:  Greitens bears responsibility for the latest blow to UMKC downtown conservatory X
        CDT op-ed:  Show-Me Institute's Rik Hafer:  Education and its economic impact in Missouri X
        Disclosure


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



        Friday, January 26
       
Newsweek:  In Facebook post, GOP U.S. Senate candidate Courtland Sykes speaks out against feminists, encourages young women to develop homemaker skills
          KWMU:  Area solar panel importer opposes higher tariff on solar panels
          KMBZ:  Former Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders to plead guilty in federal court
          KC Star:  'Clean Missouri' takes $250,000 in pass-through cash from George Soros;  Liberal billionaire's group gave $300k to "MOVE Ballot Fund," which kept $50k vigorish X
          Rosenbaum:  Lawmakers want to place firewall between candidates and PACs
          Drebes:  New committee formed to support initiative petition to raise taxes on long-term capital gains and dividends
          Missourinet:  Parson to represent state in historic USS Missouri ceremony at Pearl Harbor
          The Missouri Times:  State workers could see a raise in the next fiscal year
          SNL:  Top Republican lawmakers speak out against Greitens' higher education cuts, refund loan idea X
          Columbia Missourian:  At Boone County legislative forum, legislators talk higher ed funding
          KWMU:  GOP leaders balking at Greitens' plan to establish line of credit
          AP:  GOP not behind all of Greitens' proposed budget
          Missourinet:  Greitens touts increase in K-12 budget, but proposal falls short of key benchmark;  Comments from AlignEd's Linda Rallo, MSBA's Brent Ghan
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Putnam County superintendent discusses funding expectations for Foundation Formula and transportation
          Missourinet:  Fitzpatrick says Missouri pension system is strong, despite some poor returns
          The Missouri Times:  Senators discuss impeachment on chamber floor;  Ron Richard says Senate 'won't get in the middle of an ongoing investigation'
          Columbia Missourian:  Legislature unsure of role in investigating Greitens
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R-Jackson) wants to legalize medical marijuana +
          The Missouri Times:  'First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account Act' from Rep. Becky Ruth (R-Festus) heard in committee
          The Missouri Times:  House passes bill on degrees at public institutions, three others
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Residents ask Missouri PSC to ease water rate hike X
          P-D:  Missouri weighs use of Volkswagen settlement for school bus upgrades, other emission-reduction projects
          CDT:  Bill seeks 'crash course' in police training for those with military background X
          Columbia Missourian:  Proposal would require warrant for gathering information from cell phones
          The Missouri Times:  Bill from Rep. Justin Hill (R-Lake Saint Louis) would standardize probation drug, alcohol testing
          Missourinet:  Sen. Shalonn 'Kiki' Curls (D-Kansas City) wants Missouri Dept. of Agriculture to apply for federal seniors farmers' market nutrition program
          Missourinet:  DHSS says Missouri flu cases increase by about 200 from previous week
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri Gaming Commission donates to kids, challenges others to do the same
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Greitens should step aside, let Mike Parson take the reins
          JCNT editorial:  Human trafficking bill well-intended, but flawed X
          P-D letter:  Bissinger's CEO thanks McCaskill for helping lower the price of sugar
          KC Star letter:  Raytown septuagenarian applauds McCaskill for working with Republicans on budget X
          P-D letter:  Webster Groves septuagenarian says Greitens is arrogant
          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 25
       
Washington Post:  Blunt disapproves of Trump's tariff stance
          SE Missourian:  Jason Smith:  NAFTA faces 'bumpy' road in coming months +
          Missourinet:  Congress reauthorizes CHIP
          Washington Examiner:  Blunt looking for opioid-research funds, says grant programs to state hold promise
          KC Star:  McCaskill votes against Brownback nomination X
          USA Today:  McCaskill teams with Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) for anti-"pork" eating stunt;  Senior senator promotes Arthur Bryant BBQ sauce
          Washington Post:  EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to rule soon on West Lake landfill
          CDT:  Obituary:  Veteran lobbyist Terry Schlemeier;  Memorial celebration to be held tomorrow in Columbia X
          AP:  Democrats:  Greitens should sign affidavit about affair
          P-D:  Missouri Democratic Party wants Greitens to sign affidavit certifying his denials
          The Missouri Times:  In State of the Judiciary speech, Fischer calls treatment courts the 'front lines' of opioid battle
          JCNT:  State of the Judiciary focuses on opioid treatment funding X
          Missourinet:  Supreme Court chief justice says 15 Missouri counties have no access to treatment court
          KWMU:  Missouri chief judge calls for drug court expansion in State of Judiciary message
          SNL:  Missouri Department of Social Services ends annual reports X
          SNL:  Springfield wins protest of Missouri welfare contract award X
          The Missouri Times:  Fitzpatrick shoots down Greitens' budget proposal for tax anticipation loans
          Missourinet:  Prevailing-wage bills make return
          The Missouri Times:  Johnson's broadband bill aims to get rural Missouri connected
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Ag Director Chris Chinn talks rural broadband access
          Columbia Missourian:  Proposed broadband grant system may provide relief for rural areas
          Brownfield Ag News:  Munzlinger sponsors industrial hemp bill
          Columbia Missourian:  Proposal from Rep. Jason Chipman (R-Steelville) would remove state-school students' mandatory health fees
          JCNT:  Fitzwater advocates for computer science in schools X
          P-D's Kristen Taketa:  Area liberals angry over school board candidate's social media posts;  Comment from 1/2 of P-D polisci prof pundit pool (SLU's Ken Warren)
          SNL:  Missouri lawmakers to consider free needle exchange legislation X
          Columbia Missourian:  Senate committee hears utility-rate bills
          SE Missourian:  Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources teams with cops to help Special Olympics +
          SE Missourian:  State, city, county governments deny responsibility for Common Pleas Courthouse basement stairs +
          Columbia Missourian:  Riddle's bill would change Missouri's statute of limitations for product liability
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Sen. Jeanie Riddle previews legislation:  foster care, addressing child abuse and neglect, MoDOT utility corridor, keeping protesters from blocking interstates
          The Missouri Times:  Reiboldt aims to clarify animal trespass bill
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri lawmakers must step up and do what Gov. Greitens cannot - lead X
          JCNT editorial:  Greitens' state pay raise proposal a start X
          SNL editorial:  Missouri can't thrive by cutting higher education X
          P-D editorial:  This year, Ameren seeks just a little bit of regulatory relief. The case isn't strong.
          Messenger:  Judges send message to Missouri AG Josh Hawley:  Do your job.
          KC Star op-ed:  Walmart Director of Military Programs:  Missouri veterans deserve a better pharmacy system X
          P-D op-ed:  University of Central Missouri's Chuck Ambrose:  State should spend more money on higher ed
          Columbia Missourian's Tyler Wornell:  Performance-contingent funding makes matters worse for state schools
          CDT op-ed:  Craig Van Matre:  Remembering Terry Schlemeier X
          P-D letter:  Kirkwood man responds to editorial mocking Trump's intelligence, suggests editorial board and columnists take cognitive test and publish results
          SNL letter:  Branson septuagenarian wants Greitens to do more to attract businesses to Missouri X
          Disclosure


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



        Wednesday, January 24
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill, Blunt find optimism in shutdown's aftermath X
          KWMU:  Profile:  Area illegal alien, facing deportation, evades immigration authorities
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  How you can help local alien breaking the law and evading immigration authorities
          Drebes:  Candidates with the most cash on hand:  January quarter
          KC Star:  "Rep. Donna Fautsch [sic]" announces plans to seek re-election to Missouri House in 2018 X
          Faughn:  What I learned when I got knocked off my horse:  On owning up to mistakes, Greitens, and dark-money attacks on state's journalists
          P-D:  St. Louis City circuit attorney has broad power over Greitens probe but little to go on, experts say
          AP:  Satanic Temple member fights Missouri abortion restrictions
          KWMU:  Missouri Supreme Court weighs Satanist's challenge to state's informed consent law
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court hears Satanist's challenge to abortion laws
          Missourinet:  Hawley wants subpoena power in open records cases, penalties for violators
          CDT:  Cartwright:  State cuts would compromise University of Missouri goals X
          Missourinet:  Rowden calls Greitens' higher ed cuts 'lazy and shortsighted'
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers raise concerns about school busing cuts
          The Missouri Times:  Ways and Means committee debate heats up over income tax
          The Missouri Times:  Prevailing wage dominates House Economic Development Committee
          The Missouri Times:  No support for Hegeman's bill on historic tax credits in Local Government and Elections
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate weighing tax credit cuts and banning lobbyist gifts
          SNL:  Jeff Notes briefs:  Senate debates 'circuit breaker' tax credit X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Jim Hansen (R-Frankford) seeing improvement from Department of Corrections
          Columbia Missourian:  Bill from Rep. Jim Neely (R-Cameron) would criminalize 'revenge porn'
          Missourinet:  Rally against human trafficking has a bipartisan tone
          AP:  Missouri bill pushes expungement for trafficking victims
          JCNT:  Missouri a battleground for human trafficking X
          Missourinet:  Consumers Council of Missouri wants utility companies to lower rates
          JCNT:  Joe Maxwell's Organization for Competitive Markets wants legislators to prohibit foreign interests from buying Missouri farmland X
          KC Star editorial:  Cuts to colleges and Medicaid:  Greitens' budget speeds up Missouri's slide to mediocrity
          P-D editorial:  Greitens' new budget is just like the old one, only worse
          KC Star editorial:  A good week for transparency:  What Josh Hawley is doing right X
          KC Star editorial:  Electric rate bill tries to evade Missouri Public Service Commission X
          Messenger:  Don't let Greitens swipe left on Missouri college funding
          SE Missourian's Jon Rust:  On Greitens and being a gentleman +
          P-D op-ed:  University City woman:  Questions Greitens should be asking himself
          Columbia Missourian's Steve Spellman:  After Greitens affair, do we have the capacity to forgive?
          P-D letter:  Maplewood man wants Greitens to resign
          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 23
       
KC Star:  Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) praises McCaskill for role in shutdown negotiations
          Missourinet:  Hartzler critical of Senate Democrats for shutdown
          SNL:  In Facebook post, GOP U.S. Senate primary candidate Courtland Sykes compares liberals to Disney villains;  McCaskill compared to Ursula in "The Little Mermaid"
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Republicans raising big money to fill Schaaf's state Senate seat
          The Missouri Times:  Jordan Presnell drops out of Democratic primary for Gary Cross' state rep seat
          KWMU:  Hawley wants lawmakers to beef up Sunshine Law
          AP:  Hawley wants penalties for officials violating records laws
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens' budget adds more money for elementary and secondary education, roads and bridges
          JCNT:  Greitens' proposal for state budget includes pay raises for some state workers
          KWMU:  Greitens unveils next year's state budget, but media focus remains on his personal life
          P-D:  At budget press conference, media press Greitens about photographing semi-nude woman
          Missourinet:  Key points in Greitens' 2019 budget proposal
          CDT:  Central Missouri legislators oppose Greitens' higher ed cuts
          Columbia Missourian:  Elementary and secondary education to see increases with Greitens' budget
          P-D:  Greitens' budget increases funding for roads and bridges, trims higher ed
          AP:  Greitens' budget boosts funds for K-12 schools
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Rep. Marsha Haefner (R-Oakville) chats with Mannies & Rosenbaum about calling for Greitens' resignation, impact of tax cuts, more
          The Missouri Times:  House committee signs off on arbitration agreements, takes up venue bill
          The Missouri Times:  Senate committee hears legislation on false liens, expungement for prostitution, and raising the age for juvenile criminals
          The Missouri Times:  Munzlinger's hemp bill heard in committee
          Missourinet:  Munzlinger proposes industrial hemp program
          P-D:  Missouri lawmakers considering plan to allow 17-year-olds to be tried in juvenile court
          Missourinet:  Rep. Curtis Trent (R-Springfield) hopes Amber Alert bill gets quick action in 2018
          Missourinet:  Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis City) to hold sex-trafficking awareness rally at Capitol today
          Columbia Missourian:  Proposed bill would allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees
          CDT:  Echoes of fall 2015 race agitation apparent at University of Missouri provost forum
          P-D editorial:  Hawley's pursuit of Sunshine Law violators serves notice to both parties
          Waters:  On the death of Terry Schlemeier
          P-D letter:  St. Louis man says Greitens is morally bankrupt
          P-D letter:  Florissant septuagenarian says Greitens needs a dose of morality
          P-D letter:  Webster Groves feminist angry over Women's March article placement
          P-D letter:  Maryville man responds to ArchCity Defenders promotional profile piece, says poor people can avoid jail by following the law
          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 22
       
Fox Business:  Blunt on Fox's "Sunday Morning Futures":  Government shutdown hurting military and nation's defense
          Missourinet:  Blunt, McCaskill prepare for vote on funding resolution
          KWMU:  Montreal meetings on NAFTA could impact thousands of Missouri workers
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Guest Courtland Sykes talks about resume, primary campaign against Josh Hawley, says candidates with "secret lifestyles" should not run for office;  Panel of Reps. Phil Christofanelli (R), Peter Meredith (D), Gina Mitten (D), Nate Walker (R) talk Greitens and subsequent investigatations, lobbyist-gift ban, more
          The Missouri Times:  Courtland Sykes discusses his U.S. Senate campaign on This Week in Missouri Politics
          KTVI (St. Louis):  Video:  Greitens talks about affair, family and political fallout
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court to hear Satanic Temple's challenge to state's abortion regulations
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Bill from Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) would keep deadbeat dads from receiving SNAP handouts
          P-D:  Two-time killer, not state leaders, changes smoking policy in Missouri prisons
          JCNT:  Bill would double width of utility corridors X
          P-D:  New executive director of ArchCity Defenders complains about Sen. Bob Dixon's pushback against municipal-overhaul overreach, other injustices
          Columbia Missourian:  Area liberals to hold panel on perceived racial discrimination, LGBTQIA* issues, marijuana, etc.;  Panelists include NAACP's Nimrod Chapel, Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia), Rudi Keller
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Human trafficking in Missouri makes for modern-day slavery X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Savings on state car fleet set a good example X
          P-D editorial:  Missouri's scuzzy green lakes are likely to stay that way
          SE Missourian's Lucas Presson:  Options for Women helps save young lives by providing alternatives to abortion;  Wallingford named to top Senate committee +
          KC Star's Andy Marso:  Corizon Health has $2 billion contracts with Missouri and Kansas, but there's little accountability X
          Waters:  In dispute with Galloway, Greitens is not to be believed X
          Columbia Missourian's Sandy Davidson:  Missouri must stay a step ahead and pass a 'revenge porn' law
          P-D letter:  Sen. Doug Libla (R-Poplar Bluff):  Ameren promotes bill that would raise electric rates
          Disclosure


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        Sunday, January 21
       
Columbia Missourian:  At GOP rally, attendees praise Trump and slam McCaskill
          JCNT:  Supporters of the president say he has America on the right track again X
          KWMU:  Anti-Trump march makes it way through St. Louis;  Comments from Clay primary challenger Cori Bush, Missouri legislative staffer smuggled into the United States as a child, others
          P-D:  Anti-Trump crowd marches through St. Louis City
          P-D:  Photo:  Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) leads anti-Trump march
          CDT's Claire Colby:  Organizers claim anti-Trump march drew 1,650;  Speakers include Michela Skelton, seeking rematch against "Sarah [sic] Walsh" X
          Columbia Missourian:  Anti-Trump march numbers down;  Last year's protest drew 3,600
          JCNT:  Marchers at Columbia rally complain about Trump X
          AP:  Greitens:  'No blackmail,' 'no violence' in affair
          KTVI (St. Louis):  Teaser:  Greitens to talk about blackmail allegations on Fox 2 tonight
          P-D:  Schaaf says he has spoken to FBI about Greitens
          SNL:  Sunshine request update:  Greitens and team met with charter school advocate Ken Zeff in July X
          Missourinet:  Hearing on Munzlinger's industrial hemp bill Monday
          P-D: St. Charles County officials at odds over whether Legislature must OK river bluff subdivision
          P-D editorial:  Payday lenders find friends at the Consumer Financial Destruction Bureau;  Luetkemeyer has received $36,900 (or 1.4% of his campaign cash) from payday lenders
          P-D letter:  Area "future health care provider" unhappy with GOP approach to Medicaid
          Disclosure


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        Saturday, January 20
       
P-D:  Congressional votes for the week
          Missourinet:  Anti-Trump march expected to draw at least 8,000 in St. Louis
          KC Star:  Two anti-Trump marches are happening in Kansas, but none in KC X
          P-D:  Missouri's March for Life attendees feel like Washington is moving their way;  Group hears from Blunt, Hartzler, Long, Luetkemeyer, Smith, Wagner
          Missourinet:  Thousands of St. Louis area pro-life advocates attend DC march
          JCNT:  Area students energized by pro-life march's message X
          P-D:  Former VA shop foreman gets 20 months for kickback scheme
          Drebes:  Public Policy Polling (D) says Democrats are gaining momentum in Missouri
          P-D:  Greitens' campaign operation sharing office building with his non-profit
          The Missouri Times:  Charlie Davis pulls out of SD 32 race
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  Week of January 15, 2018
          CNN:  FBI opened inquiry into Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens
          KC Star:  Greitens' attorney calls on CNN to retract report on FBI probe X
          SNL:  As Jefferson City rumor mill cranks out Greitens resignation reports, GOP lawmakers focus on their work X
          KWMU:  Jo Mannies, politics editor Fred Ehrlich weigh in on how Greitens scandal has affected his efficacy as governor
          Columbia Missourian:  Dim prospects for Greitens, Columbia College prof tells "silver-haired Muleskinners;"  Terry Smith gives advice on beating Trump to elderly Democrats
          AP:  Failed bid to land Amazon HQ had $2.5B in incentives
          JCNT:  DNR cutting 86 vehicles from fleet X
          JCNT:  MOSERS replaces Watson as director, names replacement X
          KWMU:  Legislature prepares for state budget, more bills, keeps an eye on Greitens scandal
          The Missouri Times:  REALTORS tout legislative agenda in annual Capitol Conference
          KC Star:  After K-9 death, sheriff supports bill from Rep. Robert Cornejo that could increase penalty of assaulting law enforcement animals X
          KRCG (Jefferson City):  'Swatting' death leads to bill from Rep. Bill Kidd (R-Independence) for tougher penalties
          CDT:  Rep. Kip Kendrick (D-Columbia):  University of Missouri might see 10 percent state cut X
          Columbia Missourian:  New elementary school name suggestions accepted starting in February;  "Lee" to be erased due to connection to Civil War history
          The Missouri Times:  Spire lays to bed old claims of increased rates with proven savings in latest rate case
          Daily Journal:  MO Dept. of Conservation to accept applications Feb. 1 for turkey hunts
          P-D:  St. Louis City man gets 12 years for robbery of Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City);  Tavion Bell also carjacked two women as they left Christmas Mass
          JCNT editorial:  Greitens embarrasses state, but resignation calls premature X
          SNL editorial:  Greitens should not seek to cut corporate tax rate X
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Missouri is aiming to stop opioid addiction, and St. Joseph groups should compete for funding X
          P-D's Chuck Raasch:  In Shutdown City, the blame game is never-ending
          P-D letter:  University City sexagenarian responds to letter responding to Messenger column responding to Greitens' response to blackmail allegations
          KC Star letter:  Independence octogenarian says user fee, based on odometer readings, is the best way to pay for Missouri roads X
          Disclosure


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        Friday, January 19
       
KC Star:  McCaskill plays key role in sending surveillance bill to Trump's desk X
          Newsweek:  Profile:  Craig O'Dear, KC attorney who claims he'll run for U.S. Senate as an independent
          P-D:  Ed Martin terminated from CNN 'for cause,' he says
          KWMU:  Racial divide splits "Women's March" crowd;  Some sects offended by last year's labia-shaped hats because "bright pink tone marginalized women of color" and excluded self-identified "women" with male genitalia
          Columbia Missourian:  Anti-Trump march to be held tomorrow;  Speakers include MU astronomy professor, state rep runner-up Michela Skelton
          KWMU:  As ballot measures loom, some Republicans want Legislature to take lead on medical marijuana
          CDT:  Union carpenter steps into contest to challenge Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) X
          Drebes:  Mary Scruggs, who worked legislative affairs for Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperatives, retires
          SE Missourian:  Area lawmakers postponing judgment in Greitens' affair scandal +
          KC Star:  Greitens counsel Lucinda Luetkemeyer attends weekend event at Mar-a-Lago X
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Rep. Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) talks Greitens, in-home care cuts, budget, higher taxes, more
          SNL:  Jeff Notes:  Greitens issues statemens on tax plan, deregulation progress;  Democrats complain about 2015 welfare changes X
          KWMU:  Greitens unveils highlights of his tax plan, but holds off on full details
          CDT:  Greitens outlines tax cut goals, but offers no details X
          Missourinet:  Greitens calls on Legislature to pass tax-cut plan
          Missourinet:  Greitens releases overview of tax plan
          P-D:  Greitens avoids spotlight, releases tax-cut plan
          Columbia Missourian:  Senate leaders say Greitens controversy won't slow down chamber's business
          The Missouri Times:  Amazon passes over Missouri for second headquarters
          Missourinet:  Missouri does not make the cut for Amazon's second headquarters
          Missourinet:  How much did Missouri offer to Amazon in tax incentives? Billions.
          The Missouri Times:  Senate confirms three interim-appointed directors
          The Missouri Times:  Collective bargaining and 'paycheck protection' get a hearing in Senate Committee on General Laws
          Missourinet:  House committee hears bill on worker claims against employers
          P-D:  If Missouri gets hit by big snowfall, MoDOT says worker shortage will mean tough sledding
          The Missouri Times:  Kelly withdraws earned paid family leave bill
          P-D:  Bill would lift Missouri's tuition cap
          Missourinet:  State Department of Mental Health says survey involving LGBTQ questions is not school requirement
          SNL:  Greitens' staff met with board members before education officials' firing, appointee says X
          KWMU:  State-appointed board endorses returning power over St. Louis schools to elected board
          P-D:  Appointees tell state school leaders:  Bring back elected board in St. Louis City
          P-D:  Sprawling backlog of DNR permits is winnowing - maybe too quickly, critics say
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Missouri PSC:  January 20, 2018
          Missourinet:  Rep. J. Eggleston (R-Maysville) donated kidney
          KWMU:  Hawley accuses Stenger of violating state's open records law
          KWMU:   Arch City Defenders outraged after black Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards suggests black people are responsible for black-on-black crime
          P-D editorial:  State budget picture is more dire than usual. Where's that tax-cut boom?
          P-D editorial:  Hawley's lawsuit shines light where Stenger prefers darkness
          Kraske:  Greitens survives first full week after blackmail allegations X
          Washington Missourian letter:  Anonymous letter-writer dislikes Greitens X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis septuagenarian cares little about Greitens affair and more about state campaign-finance laws
          P-D letter:  Shrewsbury man says Democrats should support 'right to work'
          Disclosure


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        Thursday, January 18
       
P-D's Chuck Raasch:  "Blaine Lutekemeyer [sic]" has almost $2.6 million in campaign coffers   Update:  Fixed at 7:15 a.m.
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  Immigration advocates say Trump policies helped limit the number of refugees landing in St. Louis last year
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri joins national voter registration accuracy, access initiative
          The Missouri Times:  January 2018 quarterly reports:  What we learned
          The Missouri Times:  January 2018 quarterly reports:  Statewide officials
          The Missouri Times:  January 2018 quarterly reports:  Missouri House
          AP:  Lawmakers say Greitens scandal distracts from tax-overhaul effort
          The Missouri Times:  Statewide startup investment fund may become reality
          AP:  Amended lawsuit seeks to overturn firing of state Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven
          KWMU:  Task force recommends St. Louis public schools return to local control ... eventually
          The Missouri Times:  Lobbyist gift ban on to the Senate
          AP:  House approves lobbyist gift ban
          KWMU:  Missouri House sends three bills to Senate, including a ban on lobbyist gifts
          The Missouri Times:  Human trafficking bill flies through Missouri House
          AP:  House targets child trafficking with measure
          The Missouri Times:  Emery's utility bill passes committee with 9-1 vote
          Missourinet:  Missouri Hospital Association:  Missouri had 921 opioid overdose deaths in 2016
          The Missouri Times:  Out of their hair:  House passes braiding bill
          SNL:  Sheriff called state lawmakers on whistleblower bill. It wasn't about Galloway, he said. X
          P-D:  Hawley alleges open-records violations by Stenger's staff
          KC Star:  Missouri is epicenter of national flu outbreak, according to 'smart thermometer' app X
          SE Missourian:  Chronic wasting disease found in 2 Southeast Missouri deer;  whether disease transferable to humans unknown +
          P-D editorial:  For Greitens, prolonged silence can be politically deadly
          P-D editorial:  Semi-good news on kids' health care program in Missouri. Why not share it?
          JCNT editorial:  Adult high schools a good investment for future X
          Waters:  Greitens' plight offers a lesson to voters X
          SNL op-ed:  MU prof Aaron Hedlund:  Greitens has delivered substantial results for Missouri, and citizens should give him a break X
          P-D op-ed:  CEO of senior-citizens health care group:  Lawmakers must find money fix for Medicaid
          CDT op-ed:  Why Mike Parson's 'Buy Missouri' misses the mark X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis County woman disappointed by Messenger's hatred for Greitens
          Disclosure


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        Wednesday, January 17
       
KWMU:  Illegal aliens, other DACA supporters to rally outside Blunt's office today
          KWMU:  Change of management at St. Louis Veterans Home pleases relatives
          KWMU:  Greitens among the state's top money-raisers
          The Missouri Times:  January 2018 quarterly reports:  State auditor
          The Missouri Times:  January 2018 quarterly reports:  State Senate
          Drebes:  Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake Saint Louis) announces new staff
          KWMU:  Republican lawmakers ramp up pressure for Greitens to step aside
          CDT:  Greitens posts apology as GOP lawmakers' calls for resignation begin X
          Missourinet:  Five GOP lawmakers call for Greitens' resignation
          AP:  Greitens:  Scandal won't deter work
          SNL:  As pressure mounts, Greitens issues new apology X
          SNL:  More details emerge on Democrats' knowlege of Greitens affair during gov race X
          P-D:  Missouri Republicans debate whether Greitens should stay or go
          P-D:  Lawyer for scorned ex-husband distributes more recordings of secretly-recorded conversations
          KC Star:  Five GOP lawmakers call on Greitens to resign X
          Columbia Missourian:  Local lawmakers weigh in on Greitens affair scandal
          The Missouri Times:  On his new radio show, Ed Martin calls for resignation of Greitens
          Columbia Missourian:  New state position created to coordinate broadband efforts, Greitens announces
          The Missouri Times:  Eigel, Koenig tag-team tax overhaul in Senate Ways and Means Committee
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Lindell Shumake (R-Hannibal) says most of his constituents are not convinced Missouri needs to boost fuel tax for transportation;  Survey also revealed district thoughts on nonviolent offenders, religious freedom for business owners
          Missourinet:  Senate Minority Leader Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors) says funding fix for disabled Missourians is still urgent
          The Missouri Times:  Asbestos case, arbitration agreements lead to lively debate in Special Committee on Litigation Reform
          Dunklin Democrat:  Medicinal marijuana may not be legal in Missouri, but local woman says CBD oil has benefits
          SNL:  Rep. Dean Dohrman (R-LaMonte):  No college degree in Missouri without passing citizenship test X
          P-D:  Missouri's plan to improve worst-performing schools gets federal seal of approval
          Missourinet:  Dogan:  It takes more training in Missouri to braid hair than it does to be a police officer
          Missourinet:  Missouri's deer hunting season totals spike
          Missourinet:  Deer hunting businesses, Conservation Department do battle in Missouri Supreme Court
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens can't stay in hiding if he wants to do his job X
          KC Star Editorial Page Editor Colleen Nelson:  Editorial board adds diversity with addition of Toriano Porter;  Board now consists of 3 white men, 2 white women, 1 Hispanic woman, 1 black man X
          P-D editorial:  Three weeks ago:  Post-Dispatch editorial board profiles its writers:  3 white males (ages 68, 61, 61), 1 white woman (64), 1 Hispanic man (58)
          P-D letter:  St. Louis septuagenarian says she is disappointed that Greitens has given Illinois residents something to laugh at
          Disclosure


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        Tuesday, January 16
       
The Hill:  Blunt would "be pleased" to see Romney run for U.S. Senate
          SNL:  Jeff Notes:  MU's Aaron Hedlund not challenging Josh Hawley in U.S. Senate primary X
          Missourinet:  Cori Bush, challenging Lacy Clay in 1st Congressional District Democratic primary, speaks to new liberal group in Springfield
          The Missouri Times:  Deadline to register for statewide Lincoln Days coming up
          The Missouri Times:  How we got here:  An anthology of controversies and conflict between Greitens and the General Assembly - and a look at the quickness with which John Diehl, Paul LeVota, and Don Gosen chose to resign
          The Missouri Times:  GOP megadonor David Humphreys mum on Greitens
          P-D:  Lawyer for scorned husband releases audio of phone conversation with Greitens counsel Lucina Luetkemeyer, recorded prior to KMOV report;  Luetkemeyer declined lawyer's suggestion to call back from state landline
          KWMU:  With political future in peril, Greitens holds off on tax plan tour
          Missourinet:  Greitens reschedules tax cut tour
          AP:  Greitens delays tax policy tour after admitting to affair
          P-D:  Greitens postpones statewide tour on tax overhaul
          KC Star:  Remington Research poll shows Greitens' approval rating takes 10-point hit in wake of scandal X
          Missourinet:  UCM political science prof Robynn Kuhlmann says history shows Greitens will survive sex scandal
          The Missouri Times:  Town ordinance takes center stage in HD 39 Democratic nomination of city officer
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens' COO tells cabinet to prepare for $300 million in reductions
          KWMU:  Missouri's spending on early childhood education could increase, but not by much, school leaders say
          Missourinet:  Legislative panel continues work to overhaul climate within Missouri's prisons
          Missourinet:  Missouri Municipal League outlines 2018 priorities
          KWMU:  State and federal wildlife officials launch assault on Asian carp
          P-D:  Blacks killing blacks is a problem African-Americans have to address, St. Louis public safety director says;  McCaskill among politicians making appearance at MLK event
          P-D editorial:  Greitens evades responsibility with social media pseudo-apology
          St. Joseph News-Press' Ken Newton:  Three decades ago, Kit Bond made Missouri a leader in early childhood education X
          P-D op-ed:  National Safety Council's Deborah Hersman:  Missouri can lead with practical roadway safety improvements
          P-D's Samantha Liss:  Funding for Missouri kids' insurance program will run out soon, and the handicapped will pay the price
          SE Missourian letter:  Jackson sexagenarian says she frequently writes to Blunt's office with criticism, but appreciates his response to Trump's expletive about lesser countries +
          KC Star letter:  Orrick man says Fodor's anti-Missouri mention shows publisher's East Coast agenda X
          P-D letter:  Richmond Heights man wants Greitens to leave Missouri
          P-D letter:  Manchester feminist attempts to tie Greitens' alleged S&M activities to political ideology and state legislation
          P-D letter:  Arnold sexagenarian looks forward to reading more "grime and slime" from Greitens' scandal
          P-D letter:  Shrewsbury liberal recommends Greitens reinvent himself by flip-flopping on state issues and embracing progressive policies
          Disclosure


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        Monday, January 15  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King State Holiday
       
P-D:  Under Trump, EPA Superfund delistings spike - including Wildwood
          Missourinet:  Mid-Missouri financial planner expects federal tax cut to spur "huge" boost in construction
          Drebes:  Missouri Chamber spins off GovWatch
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Reps. Kathie Conway (R-St. Charles), Jean Evans (R-Manchester), Tracy McCreery (D-Olivette), Democratic lawyer Jane Dueker discuss Greitens affair and political implications
          KC Star:  Greitens' political future in doubt;  Comments from Florida pollster X
          Missourinet:  Hawley provides update on human trafficking, Confide app and the former Mississippi County sheriff
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Fodor's "no-visit" label for Missouri based on oversimplification of SB 43, NAACP publicity gimmick X
          Messenger:  Greitens finds himself on a deserted island surrounded by snakes
          The Missouri Times' Jennifer Bukowsky:  Briefs:  On nudity and invasion of privacy laws, freedom for ex-cons to work at convenience stores, hair braiding, Greitens appointees
          KC Star letter:  KC liberal wants Blunt to criticize Trump X
          Disclosure


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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Sunday, January 14
       
KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Vicky Hartzler talks infrastructure spending, Trump's plan for public-private partnerships
          Sedalia Democrat:  Area woman seeks to fill Democratic ballot slot against Vicky Hartzler X
          SNL:  Could foreign hackers mess with Missouri elections?  Jay Ashcroft doesn't think so. X
          JCNT:  Profile:  Kelli Jones;  Lt. Gov's communications director goes from teaching to practicing her skill X
          CDT:  Greitens in political peril X
          Washington Missourian:  Local legislators take wait-and-see approach with Greitens X
          AP:  Recap of various Greitens controversies
          JCNT:  Transportation task force recommends changes in public policy, funding methods X
          JCNT:  State cutting 30 vehicles from Office of Administration fleet X
          AP:  Lawsuit over drugs for Missouri's foster kids proceeds
          KC Star:  Jackson County officials want Hawley to look at County Executive Frank White's taxes, finances X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Hoodwinked:  Eric Greitens should resign - not for extramarital affair, but because he's a political poser X
          CDT editorial:  Allegations against Greitens follow pattern of deceptive behavior X
          P-D editorial:  Greitens and Trump are the Thelma and Louise of American politics
          SNL editorial:  On Greitens, Galloway, and predictable partisanship X
          SNL op-ed:  Phill Brooks:  Evaluating success of legislators requires more than a metric X
          SNL letter:  Neosho sexagenarian expresses anger at Blunt, Long for supporting tax cuts X
          P-D letter:  Olivette sexagenarian notes Post-Dispatch's consistent sloppiness, inability to properly punctuate headlines
          P-D letter:  St. Louis man wants Nasheed to focus on alleged misdeeds of Steve Roberts as intently as she focuses on those of Eric Greitens
          Disclosure


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        Saturday, January 13
       
Missourinet:  Democratic poll shows McCaskill-Hawley race within margin of error
          Drebes:  Alex Curchin joins Speaker Todd Richardson's staff as senior counsel to the Speaker
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  Week of January 8, 2018
          Rosenbaum:  Greitens railed against 'career politicians,' now few are coming to his rescue
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking:  Mannies and Rosenbaum talk about week's happenings, with comments from David Barklage, John Hancock, state legislators
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens' attorney calls story 'a political hit piece,' and Roy Temple responds
          CDT:  Roy Temple denies being source of Greitens allegations X
          AP:  Greitens seeks path forward after affair admission
          P-D:  Greitens strategizing for survival;  Comments from Hancock, national GOP pollster Frank Luntz, 1/2 of P-D polisci prof pundit pool (SLU's Ken Warren)
          SNL:  Woman at center of Greitens affair breaks silence via written statement, asks for privacy;  Ex-husband responds via statement X
          P-D:  Woman at center of Greitens story asks for privacy;  Greitens asks lawmakers for forgiveness
          SNL:  Greitens picks a new judge from St. Louis City prosecutor's office;  Democrat Kim Gardner's office says appointee was not involved in Thursday's investigation announcement X
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  KMOV reporter Lauren Trager, KWMU executive editor Shula Neuman talk about journalism ethics and Greitens case
          P-D:  Audio:  Politics editor Christopher Ave, reporters Kevin McDermott and Jack Suntrup talk about ethics of reporting Greitens story
          SNL's Stephen Herzog:  Why KMOV shouldn't have run woman's story without her consent X
          SE Missourian:  Sen. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau) holds key chairmanship in tax reform effort +
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri health officials say it's too early to tell if flu shot was less effective
          SE Missourian:  City of Oran rates violate state law, auditors find;  report details financial-management problems +
          West Plains Daily Quill:  15 new cases of chronic wasting disease out of nearly 18,400 deer tested
          P-D:  Black activist Frankie Freeman dies at 101
          P-D editorial briefs:  Blunt family lobbying empire expands;  Dogan's hair-braiding bill a sensible step to cut regulation
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens avoids tough issues and focuses on the easy stuff in State of the State +
          Messenger:  With presidential campaign aspirations gone, Greitens must focus on Missouri
          CDT op-ed:  Sen. Claire McCaskill:  What's so scary about holding town halls? X
          P-D op-ed:  State Auditor Nicole Galloway:  Taxpayer-funded nondisclosure agreements can hide big problems
          JCNT letter:  Jefferson City septuagenarian disagrees with GOP agenda, accepts reality that Luetkemeyer will keep getting re-elected X
          SNL letter:  Willow Springs sexagenarian wants Greitens to resign X
          KC Star letter:  Belton man says Chappelle-Nadal's comments were more serious than Love's;  KC sexagenarian says Fox News and "talk radio" brainwashed Missourians into voting for Greitens X
          Disclosure



          X
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        Friday, January 12
       
P-D:  GOP U.S. Senate candidate Austin Petersen raises about $93,000 in fourth quarter of 2017
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air audio:  Mannies, Rosenbaum, Marshall Griffin discuss how Greitens sex story overshadowed State of the State
          The Missouri Times:  As gubernatorial sex scandal unfolding, Republican leaders call for accountability
          The Missouri Times:  Libla, Romine lead the Senate in call for Hawley to investigate allegations against Greitens
          Missourinet:  Romine says if allegations against Greitens are true, the governor should resign or face impeachment
          Missourinet:  Libla wants investigation into sexual allegations against Greitens
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Local legislators condemn Greitens, shy away from impeachment X
          P-D:  St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner (D) launches criminal investigation of Greitens
          Talking Points Memo:  Veteran Democratic consultant Roy Temple talks about reaching out to scorned ex-husband in 2016, visiting man's house twice to get details, more
          P-D:  Missouri statutes clearly outlaw non-consensual photos;  'blackmail' issue is less clear
          P-D:  Audio:  Excerpts of woman, recorded by husband without her knowledge or consent, describing sexual encounters with Greitens
          The Missouri Times:  How the impeachment process works in Missouri
          The Missouri Times:  After news of affair and alleged blackmail, gubernatorial tour spot in Poplar Bluff cancels
          Clayton Times:  STL County Executive candidate/Greitens campaign donor shuns governor after scandal
          AP:  States addressing shortcomings in sex misconduct policies
          KWMU:  Untangling the legal issues in the wake of governor's admission
          KWMU:  By the numbers:  What's behind Missouri's tardy tax refunds
          The Missouri Times:  COO's Task Force on Fleet Management finds more than $2 million in potential savings
          The Missouri Times:  Emery's utility bill returns with new provisions, opposition remains the same
          Missourinet:  Legislative update:  Dems skeptical of Greitens' upcoming tax plan;  Basye's bill to provide insurance to the disabled
          SE Missourian:  Official:  Steel mill 'still looking to operate' and New Madrid 'still very much in the running' +
          KWMU:  Substance abuse and poor mental health drive up deaths among Missouri's rural whites
          P-D editorial:  Hypocrisy, thy name is Eric Greitens;  Governor should expect no sympathy
          P-D editorial:  Greitens falls victim to his own relentless ego
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens' affair wasn't criminal, but extortion and coercion would be X
          Riverfront Times' Sarah Fenske:  Eric Greitens is in the hot seat. But we're wrong to let a scorned ex drive this story.
          KWMU Executive Editor Shula Neuman:  We had the Greitens story too, and chose not to run it
          Kraske:  An affair and blackmail allegations:  How well did Missourians really know Eric Greitens? X
          Columbia Missourian's Sandy Davidson:  Greitens' personal life becomes political tragedy
          P-D letter:  Public transit group supports gas tax hike
          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 11
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  Congressional delegation's committee roles reflect lawmakers' expertise, state needs X
          Kansas City Business Journal:  Former Roy Blunt aide Tom Salisbury becomes SBA's new regional director
          The Missouri Times:  Withdrawing from NAFTA could be a 'catastrophe' for Missouri;  Comments from Blunt, MO Ag Director Chris Chinn
          AP:  McCaskill introduces bill to end Postal Service quirk for northern Missouri residents
          KWMU:  Greitens admits he engaged in affair before he entered politics;  Sheena Greitens:  "I want ... those who wish to peddle gossip to stay away from me and my children"
          KMOV (St. Louis):  Blackmail alleged as Greitens admits to extramarital affair
          SNL:  Greitens admits to extramarital affair X
          P-D:  Greitens admits affair and denies blackmail allegations
          KWMU:  Greitens calls for more cuts in taxes, more trims in state government
          KWMU:  Mannies, Rosenbaum, Marshall Griffin to analyze State of the State at noon today
          The Missouri Times:  State of the State 2018:  Governor outlines priorities, leaves out the budget
          CDT:  Greitens calls for more tax cuts in State of the State address X
          SNL:  'Many Missourians still struggle,' Greitens says while pledging to work hard X
          JCNT:  Governor extols state government, doesn't mention state pay X
          AP:  Greitens pledges bold tax overhaul
          P-D:  Greitens promotes possible tax cuts in State of the State address
          Drebes:  On taxes, Ron Richard doesn't want "a Brownback thing"
          Missourinet:  Audio:  Gov. Eric Greitens' State of the State address
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers react to Greitens' State of the State address
          Missourinet:  Audio:  Dem response by House Democratic Superminority Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City)
          Missourinet:  Comparing Greitens' first State of the State to last night's
          SNL's Will Schmitt's "Jeff Notes" blog:  Hawley reports state made $30 million in legal payouts last year X
          The Missouri Times:  DHSS confirms PDMP is up and running
          AP:  Missouri House advances bill on gifts from lobbyists
          CDT:  Choi, Cartwright pitch plans for University of Missouri to state lawmakers X
          Missourinet:  Missouri bill would require high school students to complete computer science course
          P-D:  Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) seeks to help cities deal with overreach of 2015 court-fines legislation
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon) kicks off tanning bill with coalition of support
          JCNT:  Coalition pushes for more restriction on tanning bed use X
          P-D:  State approves Ameren transmission line for northeast Missouri
          KWMU:  Federal appeals court weighs future of lawsuit over Michael Brown's death
          SE Missourian editorial:  New Missouri law should help adoptees with family medical history +
          JCNT editorial:  Greitens, MO Dept. of Revenue let Missourians down on tax refunds X
          P-D editorial:  A blueprint for overhauling Missouri's broken corrections system
          KC Star editorial:  Warren Love should not get off scot-free X
          Disclosure


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



        Wednesday, January 10
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  Lawmakers may debate the return of earmarks;  Comments from McCaskill X
          KC Star:  Donald Trump-Steve Bannon split spells trouble for U.S. Senate hopeful Josh Hawley;  Comments from GOP primary challengers, conservative radio host Jamie Allman X
          Messenger:  KC lawyer claims he'll run for U.S. Senate as independent;  Man says people are tired of partisan politics, it's time for a new approach, etc.
          KC Star:  KC lawyer claims he'll run for U.S. Senate as independent X
          Columbia Missourian:  Opioid crisis drives decline in Missouri life expectancy
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Democratic Reps. Kip Kendrick, Martha Stevens talks Dems' rural efforts, dark money, more
          The Missouri Times:  State of the State, one year later:  How did Greitens fare on delivering his promises?
          Missourinet:  Missourinet to have live coverage of State of the State and Democratic response
          AP:  Greitens touts Missouri's own plan to keep lakes clean
          Missourinet:  Missouri veterans leader wants embattled St. Louis Veterans Home chief gone
          AP:  Leader recommends head of St. Louis Veterans Home be fired
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Galloway:  Missouri not paying tax refunds on time, pays more than $400,000 in interest X
          AP:  Missouri revenue growth lags behind expectations
          SNL:  Citing federal tax bill, Missouri cuts state revenue growth projection in half X
          Missourinet:  Steep drop in revenue projections could mean fewer cuts to services
          The Missouri Times:  Is the third time the charm? Fitzpatrick reintroduces bill limiting unemployment benefits
          The Missouri Times:  Kelly introduces paid family leave legislation
          SE Missourian:  Southeast to cut workforce to meet budget needs caused by state cuts +
          P-D:  Layoffs, buyouts affect SEMO amid budget uncertainty
          The Missouri Times:  Anti-trafficking bill passes House committees
          Missourinet:  Proposed restrictions to lobbyist gifts heads to Missouri House floor
          Missourinet:  Democrats file multiple ethics bills, criticize Greitens
          The Missouri Times:  House's Special Committee on Litigation Reform hears DeGroot's interpleading bill
          SNL:  Sierra Club argues against selling 3 closed state parks X
          SE Missourian:  Missouri Cattlemen Association calls for protection of those found not guilty of animal abuse +
          AP:  University of Missouri officials speak at Missouri House Special Committee on Urban Issues
          KC Star editorial:  Should Missouri raise taxes for road and bridge repairs?  Let the voter decide +
          P-D editorial:  Governor's meddling on education creates giant mess;  Actions prompt lawsuit from appointee "who Greitens' [sic] dumped"
          Columbia Missourian's Steve Spellman:  Legislative preview:  State revenue, transportation, PDMP, marijuana and hemp, ethics
          P-D letter:  Glendale conservative dislikes McCaskill-Blunt plan to remove Jefferson's name from Arch grounds
          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 9
       
AP:  McCaskill raises $2.9M for re-election bid
          P-D:  McCaskill raises $2.9 million in last quarter of 2017, record $11.8 million for year
          P-D:  City Dems to host fundraiser for McCaskill
          SNL's Will Schmitt's new "Jeff Notes" blog:  Catherine Hanaway, Gregg Hartley, Andy Blunt form new firm to lobby federal and state lawmakers X
          P-D:  Jesse Jackson to speak at St. Louis Public Library Black History Month event
          Drebes:  Cara Hoover leaves KCP&L to start her own contract lobbying firm
          Missourinet:  Preview:  Tomorrow night's State of the State
          JCNT:  State pay tops 2 area lawmakers' wish list for State of the State message X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri lawmakers may consider gas-tax hike X
          CDT:  Galloway blasts Greitens for slow refunds, interfering with work X
          The Missouri Times:  New audit shows more and more Missourians receiving late tax refunds
          KWMU:  Galloway says money shortfall and Greitens are to blame for late income tax refunds
          AP:  Audit:  Missouri increasingly late on tax refunds
          Missourinet:  Galloway slams Greitens administration for jump in late tax refunds
          P-D:  Greitens administration obstructed audit of Missouri tax refund process, Galloway says
          KWMU:  Lack of quorum is delaying search for next Missouri education commissioner
          Missourinet:  Ten applicants, thousands of comments on Missouri education chief post
          P-D:  Amid controversy, scant interest shown in top school post
          JCNT:  State Board of Education hears testimony on desired commissioner traits X
          JCNT:  Judge keeps state education 'Sunshine' lawsuit going X
          Rosenbaum:  5 loose ends from first week in Jefferson City:  Silvey, LIHTC, transportation tax, more
          The Missouri Times:  House looks to push ethics bill to floor quickly
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Lindell Shumake (R-Hannibal) calls ethics bill "pretty strict"
          KC Star:  Lobbyist-gift totals continue downward trend;  lawmakers discuss gift ban X
          Missourinet:  Contentious 2017 utility bill is back in Missouri Legislature
          The Missouri Times:  Five certificates of need approved, one denied
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri's ag groups praise Greitens for comments against EPA's proposed rule
          Missourinet:  New Missouri coalition:  Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed in America
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court to hear regulation case as state reports increase in deadly deer disease
          P-D editorial:  Fuel tax increase is the fastest, most direct way to meet state transportation needs
          P-D editorial:  Greitens' use of Confide app violates his transparency pledge
          P-D letter:  Illinois sexagenarian disagrees with Ann Wagner on financial regulations
          KC Star letter:  KC sexagenarian wants intelligence test to prohibit "dummies" from voting, claims to be "registered Democrat" despite no party registration in Missouri X
          Disclosure


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




        Monday, January 8
       
P-D:  Under GOP tax law, parents in Missouri can now claim tax deductions for private school tuition
          Wall Street Journal:  Trump nominee to lead Indian Health Services faces claims of misrepresentation;  Former workers at Missouri hospital question leadership roles of Robert Weaver
          P-D's Kevin McDermott:  Democrats line up to fill ballot slot for Ann Wagner's November re-election;  Comments from 1/2 of P-D polisci prof pundit pool (UMSL's Dave Robertson)
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Lt. Gov. Mike Parson chats with Rosenbaum about veterans homes, low-income housing tax credits, transportation, more
          Missourinet:  Seat belts and texting-while-driving highlighted in Missouri transportation task force report
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  MoDOT's Brian Haefner says Missourians are willing to spend more on roads to improve quality
          Missourinet:  Missouri House committee expected to vote on ethics bill today
          SNL:  Greitens' sidelined Missouri school board appointees to meet with senators X
          KWMU:  Parents still wary of Normandy schools
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Briefs:  Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging lay out legislative agendas X
          Columbia Missourian:  Rural broadband feature:  Broadband access helps farmers stay competitive
          JCNT:  Missouri Dept. of Conservation plans Missouri Master Naturalist training in Camdenton X
          Missourinet:  California company bashes Missouri as travel destination, draws heavily from NAACP "travel advisory" promotional campaign
          JCNT editorial:  Let voters decide fuel tax X
          The Missouri Times columnist Jennifer Bukowsky:  Tell state legislators to stop treading upon our right to self-defense
          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 7
       
P-D:  Blunt, Clay speak at annual MLK event
          CDT:  VA Secretary acted to end dispute between MU, Truman Memorial X
          KC Star's Max Londberg:  Iowa-based gimmick t-shirt company peddles anti-Greitens t-shirt X
          August 2015:  KC Star:  Iowa-based gimmick t-shirt company peddles anti-Missouri Legislature shirt
          AP:  Greitens calls for new veterans hiring law
          SNL:  Missouri revamps HR policy for state workers after research project by COO's former firm X
          SNL:  Bridge tolls, pay-by-the-mile, DMV fees suggested as future Missouri highway funding X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Schaaf opposes Greitens' move on education board X
          Columbia Missourian's:  Rural broadband features:  Greitens brings in over $40 million for broadband in rural schools, but it's not enough
          Columbia Missourian:  Rural broadband feature:  Little legislative progress on improving Missouri broadband
          Columbia Missourian:  Rural broadband feature:  In rural schools, teachers prepare for the unexpected
          Columbia Missourian:  Rural broadband feature:  Broadband allow students to get creative with technology
          Columbia Missourian:  Rural broadband feature:  Telehealth gives rural Missouri greater access to health care
          Columbia Missourian:  Rural broadband feature:  Many Missourians are forced to live off the grid
          JCNT:  LED lighting at the Capitol expected to pay off in the long run X
          P-D editorial:  Trump's Justice Department wants to undo Obama's work in Ferguson
          Washington Missourian editorial:  No matter the federal designation, the Arch is still the Arch X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri faces a choice:  Cut taxes or invest in the state's future X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Legislators should give Missourians the chance to vote on transportation tax X
          SNL editorial:  After ranch allegations, state should reconsider religious exemptions X
          Columbia Missourian op-ed:  Missouri Farm Bureau's Eric Bohl:  Transportation funding, broadband should top list of legislative priorities
          KC Star's Jason Hancock:  Greitens' first year:  Ethical clouds, unforced errors X
          P-D letter:  Local trial attorney:  Bring Missouri in line with other states on juvenile sentencing
          P-D letter:  Florissant sexagenarian disagrees with NRA on state gun laws
          SNL letter:  Septuagenarian Mountain View couple wants Senate to reject Greitens appointee "Eddie [sic] Justice," others 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 6
       
Agri-Pulse:  McCaskill, Blunt seek 2019 funding for Mississippi River waterways
          St. Joseph News-Press:  St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce lays out top federal, state legislative priorities X
          The Missouri Time:  Hickory County Democrat seeks to fill ballot slot for Warren Love's re-election
          Drebes:  Senate Dems still not putting Chappelle-Nadal back on committees
          The Missouri Times:  Freshman senators Rowden, Hoskins step up to committee chairmanship
          The Missouri Times:  State Board of Education rendered ineffective with Greitens' re-appointments, so what now?
          SNL:  Video:  Rep. Kevin Corlew (R-Kansas City) on transportation task force X
          Brownfield Ag News:  Proposed Missouri law would add oversight to animal abuse training
          KC Star:  Fired Missouri trooper in Lake of the Ozarks drowning case wants his job back X
          KMIZ (Columbia):  Trooper fired for actions that led to drowning sues Highway Patrol to get his job back
          Missourinet:  MoDOT warns of slick Missouri roads tomorrow
          CDT:  Terri Leifeste named new Tribune publisher;  Gatehouse Media tasks 57-year-old with serving advertisers and engaging with readers X
          Columbia Missourian:  Tribune gets new publisher
          P-D editorial:  Eigel's proposal to make first day of deer season a holiday will irritate "the 94 percent of us" who aren't hunters
          Helling:  After a year of conflict, Greitens just might be learning how to work with Missouri lawmakers X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis septuagenarian wants legislators to legalize marijuana
          KC Star letter:  KC sexagenarian expresses anger over Ryan Silvey's PSC salary, attempts analogy comparing appointment to "It's a Wonderful Life" X
          Disclosure


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




        Friday, January 5
       
SNL:  Citing GOP tax overhaul, Springfield bank to pay bonuses to all employees X
          The Missouri Times:  Former Cruz chief joins Axiom's PR arm as new president
          SNL:  Missouri GOP to celebrate Trump's first year with event Jan. 20 X
          The Missouri Times:  January 2018 Tip Sheet:  Statewides and State Senate races
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Buchanan County GOP to interview potential candidates to ensure they are actually Republicans X
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Speaker Todd Richardson chats with Rosenbaum about gas tax hike, Amendment 2 consequences, "dark money," Greitens, and future plans
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers attend Governor's Prayer Breakfast
          JCNT:  Prayer Breakfast speaker urges courage in politics X
          The Missouri Times:  Official portrait of Nixon unveiled
          Missourinet:  Nixon's portrait presented in Jefferson City
          SNL's Will Schmitt:  New "Jeff Notes" blog:  Briefs on Nixon's portrait, state tax brackets X
          The Missouri Times:  Richardson:  No reason to decouple Missouri's tax code
          The Missouri Times:  Senate confirms appointments of Kraus, Silvey to Tax Commission and Public Service Commission
          KWMU:  Silvey resigns from Missouri Senate to join Public Service Commission
          Missourinet:  Silvey confirmed to PSC
          The Missouri Times:  Crowell appointment to Missouri Housing Development Commission withdrawn
          The Missouri Times:  Sen. Jeanie Riddle (R-Callaway County) aims to revamp Missouri's boards and commissions
          Columbia Missourian:  Columbia Chamber of Commerce urges legislators to stabilize UM System funding in 2018
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Warren Love (R-Osceola) renegs on oath to abide by Ethics Committee decision, citing confusion
          SNL:  Love says hanging comment has been blown out of proportion X
          SNL:  Video:  Rep. Warren Love takes questions from Democrats X
          KWMU:  House Ethics Committee considers sanctions against Love
          Missourinet:  No discipline for legislator who said that monument vandals should be hanged
          P-D:  Love evades punishment over Facebook comment, for now
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Missouri PSC:  January 3, 2018
          SE Missourian:  Missouri DNR meeting in Cape to focus on Mississippi River flood management +
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Blunt champions tax credits X
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens and lawmakers must reach a truce in the battle over Missouri Board of Education X
          CDT editorial:  Greitens' actions drawing too much controversy for him to be effective X
          JCNT editorial:  Celebrating fewer deaths on Missouri roads in 2017 X
          P-D letter:  Greenway Network's Greg Poleski wants Greitens to re-open four state parks
          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 4
       
AP:  White House, lawmakers hopeful after 'positive' budget talks;  Comments from Blunt
          AP:  AG Jeff Sessions names Timothy Garrison interim U.S. attorney for western Missouri
          KWMU:  Senate approves bill to change city's landmark to Gateway Arch National Park
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Sue Meredith (D-St. Louis County) will not seek re-election
          Clayton Times:  Clayton Township Democrats to hold monthly meeting tonight;  Guest speakers include Adam Kustra, who managed Bernie Sanders' 2016 Missouri campaign, and Ferguson Councilman Wesley Bell, who represents the ward where police officer Darren Wilson was attacked
          The Missouri Times:  Kehoe defining his legacy through infrastructure policy, patient dealmaking;  Jefferson City lawmaker named 2017 Missouri Statesman of the Year
          Missourinet:  ACLU to appeal judge's dismissal of Missouri voter ID lawsuit
          KWMU:  Missouri foster children top agenda for First Lady Sheena Greitens
          Drebes:  Speaker-to-be Elijah Haahr lists legislative priorities
          KWMU:  Ethics and appointments highlight first day of Missouri 2018 legislative session
          AP:  Missouri Legislature begins 2018 with focus on ethics, tax changes
          SNL:  Missouri House appears ready to go, but Senate starts with griping at Greitens X
          SNL:  Videos:  Missouri House Republicans, Democrats lay out session priorities while posing in fig-leaf positions X
          Missourinet:  House GOP, Dems outline 2018 priorities
          The Missouri Times:  With session underway, questions about Board of Education appointments arise
          The Missouri Times:  Greitens withdraws, reappoints five members to State Board of Education
          CDT:  Greitens, Senate wrestle over Board of Education nominees X
          SNL:  Greitens' appointee do-over paralyzes Missouri school board X
          Missourinet:  Ron Richard undecided about holding hearings for school board appointees
          AP:  Work stalls on finding Missouri education leader
          P-D:  On first day of legislative session, Greitens tries to buy time for school picks
          Columbia Missouri:  Education board drama dominates first day of legislative session
          KC Star:  Procedural move gives Greitens' appointees more time for Senate confirmation X
          The Missouri Times:  21st Century Transportation System Task Force releases report, calls for 10-cent fuel tax increase
          KWMU:  Airbnb to collect state tax in Missouri after reaching agreement with state
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Lindell Shumake (R-Hannibal) modifies veterans homes bonding bill to ameliorate colleagues' concerns
          Washington Missourian:  Local lawmakers file 32 bills
          Hannibal Courier-Post:  Rep. Jim Hansen (R-Frankford) tries again to ban texting while driving
          P-D:  'We won, you know?' Nasheed wants to put Confederate monuments in a museum
          SE Missourian:  Cape autism institute hopes for restoration of state funding this year to prevent closing +
          CDT:  Tax cuts prompts PSC to look at electric, gas rates X
          Missourinet:  Visiting bird continues to capture interest of Missourians;  Comments from Missouri Department of Conservation's Sarah Kendrick
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri Dept. of Conservation offering handgun workshop for women
          P-D:  St. Louis City's new police chief thinks he'll handle protesters well
          AP:  At start of legislative session, Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) refuses to pledge allegiance to the flag
          SNL editorial:  2018 state legislative wish list:  Increase fuel tax, restore in-home care, fund community colleges, trim the tax-credit fat, more X
          JCNT editorial:  Greitens, legislators must be more transparent regarding dark money and Confide app X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri prisons must prepare for mass nicotine withdrawal when smoking ban takes effect X
          P-D editorial:  Bobby Bostic - who as a teen was into robbing, shooting, carjacking and fondling his victims - deserves a state parole hearing to show how he's changed
          P-D op-ed:  University of Missouri should not sell land for private development
          P-D letter:  Crestwood man dislikes Greitens' "fast-track" approach to inevitable presidential bid
          P-D letter:  Ballwin man mocks P-D editorial board's self-glorifying profile piece, says notion of separate editorial and news functions is "institutionally arrogant"
          KC Star letter:  Area sexagenarian recommends brushing up on road rules by reading Missouri and Kansas drivers manuals every year X
          Disclosure


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



        Wednesday, January 3
       
CNN:  The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2018:  Missouri at #3
          St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill, Blunt talks 2018 agendas X
          Rosenbaum:  2018 listicle:  Ten (10!) political questions to be answered this year:  McCaskill-Hawley, Greitens, dark money, Galloway, unions, St. Louis City race-riot aftermath, more
          Drebes:  Pat Thomas files "Missouri Values" initiative petitions for conservative causes
          KC Star:  Ethics complaint against David Humphreys is dismissed X
          KWMU:  Mannies, Rosenbaum, Marshall Griffin preview 2018 legislative session
          The Missouri Times:  Ryan Silvey appointed to PSC, waiting until confirmation to leave Senate
          AP:  Silvey appointed to PSC
          P-D:  Greitens appoints KC lawmaker to Public Service Commission
          KC Star:  Greitens appoints Silvey to PSC X
          The Missouri Times:  Sunshine Project files lawsuit against Greitens over alleged use of Confide app
          AP:  Organization files lawsuit against Greitens over use of app
          KC Star:  Lawsuit filed over Greitens' use of Confide app X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Missouri AAA spokesman talks seat belt law, texting-while-driving ban
          CDT:  Task force proposes fuel tax hike, new fees on electric cars X
          KWMU:  Transportation task force wants Missouri lawmakers and voters to raise fuel tax
          Missourinet:  Corlew:  Missouri's transportation system "intersects with every part of life"
          Columbia Missourian:  Task force recommends bringing gas tax hike to voters - again
          JCNT:  State task force proposes fuel tax increase X
          AP:  Panel recommends 10-cent gas tax increase
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Interim education commissioner talks Missouri transportation funding and impact on rural districts, says he doesn't expect situation to improve anytime soon
          Missourinet:  Greitens' moves with education board to be early hot topic in Missouri Legislature
          KC Star:  Only one person so far wants Missouri's big education job X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Bill targets law that St. Joseph School District was sued over X
          P-D:  State board approves college budget recommendation, tying dollars to performance
          P-D:  Profile:  New Mizzou Chancellor Alexander Cartwright
          CDT:  House Democratic superminority jabs at Greitens with ethics proposals X
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Democrats push for ethics legislation
          CDT:  House Dems propose 10-bill ethics package X
          P-D:  Missouri weighs proposal on domestic abusers and guns
          KC Star:  Legislative preview:  Taxes, appointments, campaign finance, open records, health care X
          SNL:  Greene County sheriff sues state auditor X
          Missourinet:  Greene County sheriff sues Galloway for not releasing whistleblower complaints
          Missourinet:  Some Missouri New Year's crash figures improve, others go downhill
          KC Star editorial:  Greitens' meddling has scared off applicants for Missouri education commissioner X
          P-D editorial:  When it comes to corporate welfare, Wisconsin leaves Missouri in the dust
          P-D editorial:  Missouri should protect domestic violence victims from guns
          KC Star editorial:  St. Louis City just took 842 guns off the streets. Why doesn't Kansas City do the same? X
          Messenger:  Mission Impossible?  Attorneys sue Greitens over disappearing texts
          KC Star letter:  Empower Missouri's Jeanette Mott Oxford dislikes Eigel's tax-overhaul proposal X
          P-D letter:  Pacific septuagenarian liberal blames ALEC for Missouri Republicans' tax-cutting agenda
          P-D letter:  Chesterfield sexagenarian conservative says Post-Dispatch has turned into print version of MSNBC
          P-D letter:  St. Ann sexagenarian says she doesn't doesn't use text messaging, wants law to punish those who text while driving
          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 2
       
KWMU:  Both parties banking on tax bill as a 2018 campaign issue
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Luetkemeyer preparing cybersecurity bill
          Drebes:  Another Amendment 2 update from the Missouri Ethics Commission
          KWMU:  Mannies, Rosenbaum, Marshall Griffin to discuss 2018 legislative session on air today, seek listener questions
          SE Missourian:  Area lawmakers:  transportation, tax credits on legislative agenda +
          Missourinet:  Former Gov. Jay Nixon's portrait to be presented Thursday;  Comments from Nixon spokesman Scott Holste
          AP:  Missouri to ban smoking in prisons this year
          St. Joseph News-Press:  After Missouri cut funding for test-taking, ACT organization still offering fee waivers to poor students X
          Missourinet:  House Dems talks agenda;  Comments from Superminority Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City), others
          P-D editorial:  Mini-profiles of Post-Dispatch editorial writers:  Kevin Horrigan (68), Deb Peterson (64), Ray Farris (61), Tod Robberson (61), Gilbert Bailon (58)
          Dallas Morning News' Carl Leubsdorf:  Tongue-in-cheek predictions for 2018:  Jason Kander to announce presidential bid in September
          P-D op-ed:  Legal Services of Eastern Missouri's Joel Ferber:  Medicaid's advances fight deadly diseases
          KC Star letter:  Liberty sexagenarian appreciates Star's newfound interest in investigative journalism X
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        Monday, January 1   Happy New Year!
       
December 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        November 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        October 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        September 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        August 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        July 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        June 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        May 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        April 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        March 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        February 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2017 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2016 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2015 Missouri political news headlines
        January 2014 Missouri political news headlines
        P-D's Chuck Raasch:  "<X> things" journomeme:  Five (5!) keys to 2018 politics in Missouri
        Washington Missourian:  Blunt touts tax credits during visit X
        Drebes:  MOScout End-of-Year Readers' Poll:  Legislators:  Who does their homework, best on floor, most sincere, most likely to be governor, more
        Missourinet:  Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) previews 2018 legislative agenda
        Missourinet:  AAA Missouri gives a thumbs-up to efforts of transportation task force
        Washington Missourian:  Pacific Chamber of Commerce loses bid to retain management of Pacific license office
        St. Joseph News-Press:  State relies on hotline to help smokers quit
        KMZU:  Trenton resident named to National Dairy Board
        JCNT editorial:  End antiquated residency requirement for Missouri's attorney general X
        KC Star editorial:  A 2018 agenda for Missouri lawmakers:  Republicans should expand Medicaid, flip-flop on SB 43, raise taxes, etc. X
        KC Star letter:  Kansas septuagenarian wants Missouri legislators to start raising taxes X
        Disclosure



          X
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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


         





       

       


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