News

A pay raise for state elected officials in Missouri that would have automatically taken effect Saturday has been blocked.  The Missouri Senate voted overwhelmingly to kill the raises, which would have increased lawmakers’ salaries by 11 percent.  The governor and other state elected officials would have gotten an 8 percent raise. 

Republican Senator Mike Cunningham from rural southern Missouri argued that state workers should be the ones getting a raise.

On the second day of his campaign for Governor, Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich continued swinging at well-financed Republican primary opponent Catherine Hanaway.

“I'm very concerned about one billionaire in St. Louis who seems to be intent on not only buying the governor's mansion, funding over 70 percent of the campaign of my primary opponent, but also trying to buy certain legislators," said Schweich.

The State Senate has approved a bill that will create incentives for Missouri’s dairy farmers.

  The bill passed in the Senate 32-2 and will continue on to the House, where its own version of this legislation was initially approved.

The legislation will provide subsidies to help dairy farmers pay for insurance, along with a scholarship for students studying farming and funds for research on the industry.

The funds for the incentives would have to be approved separately from this bill, and would come from an already existing sales tax on dairy products.

According to a press release sent out this evening, Michael F. Alden is stepping down as the University of Missouri’s Director of Athletics.

"After several months of contemplation, I have decided that it is time for a change, both for me and for the University that I so dearly love," said Alden in a press release.

Scientists have noticed a change in the atmosphere. Plants are taking in more carbon dioxide during the growing season and giving off more carbon in the fall and winter. Recent research shows the massive corn crop in the Corn Belt may be contributing to that deeper breath.

Today Paul Pepper meets the new Executive Director of The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, Lindsay Lopez. Find out her goals to help the people who are a part of the staggering statistics that is 'food insecurities'. January 29, 2015

  Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich says he is running for governor in 2016.

Schweich announced his candidacy Wednesday at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. It sets up the potential for a high-profile Republican primary against Catherine Hanaway, a former Missouri House speaker and U.S. attorney.

  Missouri lawmakers and state elected officials likely will be getting a pay raise.

Legislative efforts to prevent the raise stalled Wednesday after a filibuster by some state Senate Democrats, who say the current $35,915 a year isn't enough considering the amount of work by lawmakers.

  Assistance for Missouri's dairy farmers appears to be one of the first bills the Legislature will send to Gov. Jay Nixon.

The House gave initial approval to the dairy farm bill Wednesday and the Senate is expected to pass its version Thursday.

The Missouri Department of Revenue is looking to add a second DMV in Columbia. Big cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield all currently have multiple locations to best serve its citizens.

Missouri's attorney general says police should wear body cameras more frequently but that the public and media shouldn't have unfettered access to the recordings.

Attorney General Chris Koster said in a letter sent to lawmakers Tuesday that concerns about individual privacy made current public records laws unsuitable for widespread use of body cameras.

The Missouri House is putting an end to committee meetings at country clubs and restaurants.

House Speaker John Diehl said Wednesday that, effective immediately, all House committee meetings will be held at the Capitol.

Missouri lawmakers and state elected officials likely will be getting a pay raise.

Legislative efforts to prevent the raise stalled Wednesday after a filibuster by some state Senate Democrats, who say the current $35,915 a year isn't enough considering the amount of work by lawmakers.

Today Paul Pepper and JEAN HOWARD, Central Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, talk about the importance of Vitamin D; how much does your body really need? At [4:32] KEVIN CASSON, aka "Prince Charming" in Columbia Entertainment Company's production of "Cinderella," and JEREMY BLOSS, talk about what went into making the show happen and why you should by a ticket (or two!). January 28, 2015

Nearly 38 percent more Missourians than last year have signed up for health insurance under the federal exchange.

Missouri Republican lawmakers want to expand notification requirements for minors in the state seeking abortions.

Current state law requires only one parent to give consent for a minor to get an abortion; the other parent does not have to be notified.

 State officials say Missouri's Medicaid program will save an estimated $4.2 million in fiscal year 2016 by using a newer, cheaper drug to treat hepatitis C.

  An investigation by Missouri's state auditor has found that Governor Jay Nixon is the biggest user of the state's aircraft.

The audit, released by Tom Schweich's office, states that 80 percent of state plane travel is conducted by the governor's office. Nixon said he had not seen the audit but said the plane helps him visit every part of the state.

  Governor Jay Nixon told a packed room of Missouri veterans that he's working to make sure the state's veterans’ homes will continue to serve their needs.

The governor said he's not only committed to renovating four of the state's existing veterans homes but also wants to secure funds to build a new home for those still looking for care.

"For every veteran receiving quality medical care and services at one of our veterans' homes, there's a veteran on a waiting list because there's not enough space," Nixon said.

  The Missouri secretary of state is pushing a bill that would allow the state to keep human trafficking victims' addresses secret.

Secretary of State Jason Kander on Tuesday announced legislation that would expand the Safe at Home program to cover those victims.

The program gives confidential addresses to survivors of domestic violence, rape and some other crimes. The aim is to prevent the victims' assailants from tracking where they live and potentially harming them again.

Parts of the east coast were clobbered with more than two feet of snow. But is it a national story or a regional one? From live reporters standing waist-deep in fallen snow to the CNN Blizzardmobile driving around New York City during a statewide travel ban, we'll break down the coverage.

  St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman says he is running for attorney general in 2016.

Zimmerman announced his candidacy Tuesday, setting up a potential Democratic primary against state Sen. Scott Sifton of St. Louis County, who already has entered the race.

The Missouri attorney general's office will be open next year because Democratic incumbent Chris Koster is running for governor.