Missouri Lawmakers Grow Budget By $700M, Mainly For Medicaid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers have approved an additional $700 million of spending this year, primarily to fund higher-than-expected costs in the Medicaid health care program for low-income residents. The Senate gave final approval Thursday to the supplemental budget bill, sending it to Gov. Eric Greitens. The House approved it earlier this month.…

Speaker Ryan Is Expected To Seek Re-Election; Will He Stay?

By LISA MASCARO, AP Congressional Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — Paul Ryan’s future as House speaker has been such a topic of speculation that even the simple question of whether he will seek re-election to his Wisconsin seat remains secret. Officially, Ryan says he’s still deciding. But a person familiar with Ryan’s thinking told The Associated Press…

Cosby’s Legal Team Pressuring Judge To Quit, Delay Retrial

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, Associated Press NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Bill Cosby’s lawyers are expected to make a last-ditch effort on Thursday to postpone the comedian’s sexual assault retrial by pressuring the judge to step aside after losing their bid to overturn his ruling allowing up to five additional accusers to testify. The defense first demanded…

Judge Reopens Fact-Finding In St. Louis Police Shooting Suit

By SUMMER BALLENTINE, Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge reopened fact-finding in a wrongful-death civil lawsuit over a former St. Louis police officer’s fatal shooting of a black man. Attorney Al Watkins, who represents Anthony Lamar Smith’s family, on Wednesday confirmed U.S. District Judge Jean Hamilton’s decision to reopen discovery. It comes…