Executions at lowest level since 1991
WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of people executed in the United States this year dropped to the lowest level since 1991, as states impose fewer death sentences and defendants in capital cases have access to better legal help. The Death Penalty Information Center, a group that opposes executions and tracks the issue, says 28 inmates…
St. Louis man found unconscious in Monroe County jail dies
WATERLOO, Ill. (AP) – Authorities are investigating the death of a St. Louis man who was found unconscious in a jail cell in Illinois. The 39-year-old man was found in a Monroe County Jail cell around 9:30 a.m. Monday. He was transported to a St. Louis County hospital, where he died. Monroe County authorities hadn’t…
Blues erase deficit, beat Jets 4-3 on late goal from Stastny
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) – Paul Stastny scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:38 left in regulation, and the St. Louis Blues fought back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 on Tuesday night. After Jets forward Mark Scheifele hit the post with a shot, the Blues moved the puck the other way and…
Chicago aldermen hold hearing on police shooting of teen
CHICAGO (AP) – Aldermen have pressed top Chicago authorities about the 2014 police shooting of Laquan McDonald ahead of a meeting with U.S. Department of Justice officials. A hearing of the human relations and public safety committees stretched into late Tuesday. It was called amid fallout of the release of a video showing white officer…
Missouri unemployment rate falls to 4.7 percent
( KTRS ) Missouri’s unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point since 2006. The state Department of Economic Development reports that Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in November. That’s down from October and is the lowest mark since April 2006. Missouri’s seasonally adjusted employment rose by 2,200 jobs from October to November.…
Data show Illinois 20th in high school graduation rates
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – New data from the U.S. Department of Education show that 86 percent of Illinois students graduate from high school. That’s the 20th-highest graduation rate in the country. The department said Tuesday that the 82.3 percent national graduation rate for the 2013-14 school year was the highest recorded since it started using…
Backlash begins over University of Missouri protest response
( KTRS ) A backlash has begun over how the University of Missouri handled recent turmoil on its Columbia campus. A newly proposed bill that could punish the university, would also revoke scholarships of student athletes who strike. The measure is in response to the Mizzou football team supporting the protests. Legislative leaders say funding for the…
Board of Aldermen perfect stadium financing bill; set up final vote for Friday
(KTRS) – UPDATED: The full St. Louis Board of Alderman approved final wording of the bill that provides funds from the city of St. Louis for a new NFL stadium. The bill was approved by a 17-10 vote. The latest version of the bill calls on the city to supply $145 million in funding: $70 million…