Trade, manufacturing at forefront of Clinton-Sanders race
DETROIT (AP) – Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are putting the global economy at the center of their pitch to Democrats, trading charges about who would best represent American workers as their presidential campaign shifts to a series of Rust Belt primaries. Clinton planned to deliver a policy address Friday in Detroit outlining ways to…
Illinois House OKs $3.7B funding bills with GOP opposed
(KTRS) The Democratic controlled Illinois House has passed legislation to allocate nearly $3.7 billion dollars for colleges and various human service programs amid criticism from Republicans who called it a pre-primary sham because the state has no money. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget office sent a letter to House lawmakers before the vote saying he opposes…
Man pleads guilty to defrauding women he wooed online
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) – The leader of a group operating in South Africa that targeted and stole from hundreds of women across the United States has pleaded guilty to fraud charges in an Illinois federal court. The U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday that 32-year-old Olayinka Ilumsa Sunmola of Nigeria pleaded guilty to fraud…
Fight brewing over beer-cooler bill in Missouri Legislature
(KTRS) A fight is brewing over a Missouri proposal to allow beer-makers to lease coolers to stores to keep ales frosty. The Senate passed the measure 18-14 Thursday, a tight vote and the minimum needed to send it to the House. Sponsor Sen. Eric Schmitt says the bill would help consumers and the beer industry…
Coast Guard cleaning spill on Mississippi River near Granite City
(KTRS) The Coast Guard says it is responding to a fuel spill on the Mississippi River near Granite City. Authorities report that the vessel was damaged Thursday while using Lock and Dam 27. The fuel tank holds approximately 20,000 gallons and is reportedly contained inside the lock and dam. The Mississippi River is closed at Lock and…
Missouri Legislature passes limits on paycheck union fees
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri lawmakers have passed a bill requiring public employees’ to give permission every year for union dues to be withheld from their paychecks. The House voted 109-49 Thursday to send the legislation to Gov. Jay Nixon. The Senate passed the bill 23-7 earlier this week. The Democratic governor vetoed a similar…
Missouri House sends prescription drug monitoring program to Senate
(KTRS) – A bill that would create a statewide prescription drug monitoring program is headed to the Missouri Senate. The margin of victory in the House was closer than similar bill had in previous years. If approved, the bill would create a database to track all Schedule II through IV drugs, that includes many opioid…