Peralta has surgery

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) – St. Louis shortstop Jhonny Peralta has undergone surgery for a left thumb injury. He will most likely miss about 10-to-12 weeks. Offseason acquisition Jedd Gyorko is likely to get the first chance to fill in at shortstop. The Cardinals also have utility man Greg Garcia and prospect Aledmys Diaz…

Missouri Senate passes religious objections plan

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Senate has passed a proposal creating religious protections for those objecting to gay marriage. The Republican-led Senate voted 23-7 Thursday for the proposed constitutional amendment after this week halting a Democratic filibuster that lasted 37 hours. The measure would prohibit government penalties against those who cite religious beliefs…

Illinois jobless jumps in January

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) – The Department of Employment Security says Illinois’ unemployment rate rose again in January, reaching 6.3 percent. The department’s monthly report on Thursday also noted that U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revised December’s figure upward to 6.1 percent rather than the originally reported 5.9 percent. The department said January unemployment was up…