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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri House Republicans have given a resounding `no' to Democratic plans to expand Medicaid.

Two separate House committees rejected the plan Monday. One shot down an attempt to add funding for a Medicaid expansion to the 2014 budget. Another panel defeated legislation that would have authorized the expansion of Medicaid coverage to an estimated 260,000 lower-income adults.

Both committees voted along party lines, with Republicans opposing the Medicaid expansion and Democrats supporting it. More than 30 people representing health care, business and social services groups testified in support of the proposed expansion.

The Medicaid expansion is called for by President Barack Obama's health care law and supported by Gov. Jay Nixon.

House Republicans are working on an alternative that may include a more modest expansion combined with cost-savings measures.

The trial of a man accused of murdering two Steak 'n Shake employees in November 2008 is underway.

23-year-old Oundre Akins allegedly killed the two employees during a robbery. Akins decided this week, to waive a jury trial and will allow the judge to decide his guilt or innocence. In exchange for that move, prosecutors took the death penalty off the table.

Prosecutors say Akins' brother, Anthony Akins was also involved in the crime. Anthony had murder charges reinstated after he refused to testify against his brother, and prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty is he is convicted.

Another local government is weighing in on the debate as to what to call the new Mississippi River Bridge.

KSDK reports the St. Clair County Board will vote tonight to name the bridge "The Veteran's Bridge". There have been proposals in both Missouri and Illinois to name the bridge after Stan Musial. The bridge is set to open in 2014.