Politics

Residents of Columbia’s Westwood Avenue neighborhood are split on the City’s decision to remove troublesome trees in the area.

Missouri lawmakers are considering a measure allowing casinos to loan money to patrons, something opponents say could make things worse for those with gambling addictions.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the House Financial Institutions Committee added the change onto a banking bill Wednesday with no debate. Committee members endorsed it by a 13-1 vote, sending the measure to the full House after the Rules Committee approves it.

Gamblers who pass a credit check would be able to borrow money and exchange it for electronic tokens and chips for wagering.

The Missouri GOP filed an ethics complaint yesterday against Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill. At issue are fundraising comments McCaskill made in an interview on MSNBC with Chris Mathews.

The dramatically swift democratic reform in Myanmar has been the geopolitical surprise of the past year. The new government -- headed by former military Thein Sein -- freed thousands of political prisoners and signed truces with rebel groups. 

The Columbia Fraternal Order of Police, or FOP, is calling for the removal of Police Chief Ken Burton.  The Mayor and City Manager were sent a 349-page complaint that detailed grievances against Burton and his alleged violations.  City Manager Mike Matthes responded with his support of the embattled police chief.