An important story from KCUR: "African Americans make up about 13% of the area's population but account for almost half of newly diagnosed HIV cases, according to the local health department." The story details a grassroots effort to stop the spread of the virus. [...] 
The local Catholic Key blog has an interesting take on a search engine ad during The Superbowl that falls in line with their world view and ignores all of the funny and pervy stuff in the Google recommended searches terms. [...] 
Happy in Bag captures all of the contradictions in Jackson County incredibly summed up in one awesome license plate. [...] 
You may have thought the controversy surrounding last year's "Modern Militia" report from the state highway patrol had died down, seeing how it wasn't nearly as evil as Peter Kinder and GOP state legislators were alleging. If so, you'd be wrong.
Last week, I noted with some pleasure Missouri Chief Justice William Ray Price Jr.’s call for a less punitive approach to nonviolent offenders in our legal system. In an editorial today, the Post-Dispatch praises Price and offers some concrete recommendations for reform:
• Drug courts need more funding. This [...]
Last year, the American Journal of Medicine included a disturbing story about bankruptcy in America. In that study of five states (California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas), it was found [...]
You may have found Cynthia Davis' interview about health care reform with FOX Business confusing and unintelligible; fear not. I have been hard at work translating her words into something more digestible for the masses. Her language is shown in italics below -- it's too hot to' [...]
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. David Paterson is lashing back at what he calls an assault on his character that includes accusations about womanizing and drug use.
The Democratic governor told The Associated Press on Monday that news media and New York politics have hit new lows. He says [...]
Plog: A 35-year-old man claims he was raped outside of Missie B's nightclub at 39th and Southwest Trafficway Saturday evening. [...] WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Claire McCaskill accused Missouri officials of political dishonesty Monday for bashing big spending by Washington while using federal stimulus money to help balance the state budget.
McCaskill didn’t call out anyone by name, but the Democratic senator generically targeted Republicans who control both the Missouri House and [...]
Gov. Nixon named Maj. Ronald K. Replogle as the new superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Republicans aren't excited about President Obama’s invitation to discuss health care in a bipartisan, televised setting later this month, part of the White House effort to revive the stalled legislation.
The St. Louis' [...]
February 3, 1910 TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR. Kansas City's Chinese Colony Be-ginning to Make Arrangements.
My Two Census declares the Census Bureau’s marketing campaign a flop, based on data from its YouTube channel:
The Portrait of America video has just over 6,500 hits…which would sound pretty pathetic for a 10 month campaign if only it wasn’t revealed that the other six videos posted 10 [...]
Fun piece of Kansas political trivia: Of all the statewide officers elected in Kansas in 2006, only one - Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger - now remains in the job they were elected to do.
Recall:
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius - resigned in 2009 to become U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Lt. Gov. Mark [...]
Erstwhile Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Illinois Scott Lee Cohen said today that dropping out of the race was the hardest things he’s ever done.
Watching his teary press conference today could be No. 2.
For the…
[...]The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement endorsing the 1 percent Kansas City earnings tax.
A petition drive is under way that could lead to a citywide vote on repealing the levy. The drive is sponsored by a group funded by St. Louis businessman Rex [...]
Maj. Replogle
JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Jay Nixon moved Monday to put his stamp on the Missouri Highway Patrol, selecting Maj. Ronald Replogle as superintendent of the agency.
Replogle will succeed Col. James Keathley, who plans to retire at the end of this…
[...]
ST. LOUIS -Last week, a veteran’s advocacy group unveiled an ad attacking congressman and Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Roy Blunt for his opposition to cap-and-trade environmental legislation.
Today, the Missouri Republican Party offered a stinging comeback, after — for…
[...]Gov. Jay Nixon today named Maj. Ronald K. Replogle as the new superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Replogle (REPP-loh-gull), a 26-year veteran who rose through the ranks to become commander of the Highway Patrol’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, will become superintendent at the end of February following the retirement of [...]
The USDA announces that the secretary of agriculture has appointed new members to the National Mango Board. I didn’t know we had a National Mango Board, although until today, I didn’t know about the popcorn, avocado, or watermelon boards, either. (There’s no board for raspberries [...]
Yesterday, the Post-Dispatch ran a front-page article about efforts to ban texting while driving, and compared them to the crackdown on drunk driving 30 years ago. There are a number of studies showing that texting while driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving, and I do believe the [...]
WASHINGTON (AP) — By now, it is abundantly clear that Michelle Obama loves french fries.
The first lady talks about this “guilty pleasure” all the time, trying to ward off any notion that she is a nutrition nanny even as she cajoles Americans to eat better.
Now, her conversation with the public [...]
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans gave a chilly reception Monday to President Barack Obama’s invitation to discuss health care in a bipartisan, televised setting later this month, part of the White House effort to revive the stalled legislation.
The House and Senate GOP leaders said Obama and his fellow Democrats must shelve [...]
Snow and freezing temperatures have blanketed Washington, but the heat continues to rise in the spat between Missouri Sen. Kit Bond and the White House over the interrogation of the Christmas day bomber.
President Obama’s top counterterrorism advisor raised the mercury Sunday by accusing Bond and other top Republicans [...]
February 2, 1910 BOY AFRAID OF AUTOS KILLED BY BIG CAR. Frank Smoot, 15, Crushed Under Overturned Delivery Van -- Had Premonition of Disaster.
WASHINGTON — The old joke is that the D.C. plow has a tough time handling much snow.
For many in Washington, the time for joking is past after the third storm in a week — referred to by President Barack Obama as “snowmageddon”…
[...]The Pitch’s Charles Ferruzza has news that Wesport institution Corner Restaurant has closed on the eve of its 30th birthday. Midtown oldsters tell tales of a wildly popular in recent years the story has been one of a disinterested owner milking a business of every last penny. and refusing [...]
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina judge wants a security officer to accompany a former John Edwards aide as he goes to retrieve a sex tape of the two-time presidential candidate, increasing the court’s control of the disputed video.
Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones said in an order released [...]
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson is telling DC donors about the threat from Democratic challenger Tommy Sowers in invitations for an upcoming event at a downtown DC steakhouse.
Tommy Sowers – my Democratic opponent – spent 11 years in the U.S. Army, including an assignment as a Special Forces officer [...]
UPDATED: (With GOP response, below).
****
Rep. Ike Skelton met with The Star's Editorial Board Monday -- and defended his votes against the House health care reform package, for cap-and-trade legislation, and for both the stimulus package and the TARP bank bailout bill in the fall of 2008.
"They were the [...]
The Missourian had a really interesting story yesterday about the Missouri NAACP's calls for AmerenUE's wealthy industrial customers to pay the same rates as residential customers. And despite the current disparity, the company is asking the state Public Service Commission for approval to raise residential rates and lower industrial' [...]
from ap
WASHINGTON - The lawmakers now investigating Toyota's recall include a senator who was so eager to lure the Japanese automaker to his state that he tramped along through fields as its executives scouted plant sites, and a congresswoman who owes much of her wealth to a Toyota supplier.
They [...]
The Jennings School District bought more than 2,500 hand-held computers back in 2006. Now, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports, the district is getting rid of them. They were purchased with high hopes:
Students could use them to graph math equations, take notes, draw charts, and even, coupled with external probes, [...]
Back in September AO told its fee office staff that it would receive 17 fee offices. If that sounds like a hopeful prediction, or even a best guess, note that they specifically claimed they would receive the Deer Creek office in St. Louis. And they got it.
It [...]
Palinthe National Ledger
Sarah Palin is being mocked for notes the former Alaska Governor had scribbled on her hand that were caught by photographers and also on video when she spoke this weekend at a "Tea Party" convention. AOL's TMZ.Com got the ball rolling after the [...]
This pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the awesomeness of the FOX Business channel. Posted in three parts to YouTube, via CynthiaDavis.net.
[...]
A puppy rescued from a mill last year/Photo by PD's J.B. Forbes
ST. LOUIS — Approached this weekend by a congenial woman with a clipboard in her hand and puppy pin on her lapel?
Meet the Humane [...]
Yesterday on Meet the Press, White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan said that Kit Bond and three other GOP leaders were personally briefed on Christmas night about the arrest of accused underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, and that none of them raised objections. CQ [...]
ThornburghKansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh will step down Feb. 15, about a year early, he announced this morning.
Thornburgh, a Republican, will be taking a job in Olathe.
“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve my fellow Kansans as Secretary of State for the last [...]
Sitting down with former Missouri Speaker Jetton
New trees could ruin Gillham Park
Mayor Joe Reardon is not running for U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore's seat, questions for those who oppose a move to eliminate income tax in Missouri, and a U.S. Air Force [...]
"I got an application in to drive a garbage truck, and I got turned down to sell appliances..I've got no reputation. I have no money. I've got nothing."
~ Former Speaker Rod Jetton, speaking with the Post-Dispatch's Tony Messenger about life after politics
[...]Careful out in Eastern Jackson County…
January 21st, man found lying in the street with gunshot wounds, Pitch.
February 4th, burglars hold family at gunpoint, KMBC.
February 6th, armed robbers accost men on the street, Examiner.
[...]
Joe Miller catches a veteran political consultant doing all thing things we assume veteran political consultants do i.e. gossiping with elected officials. Still, the way Miller writes it up and makes it seem even more sinister is definitely worth a read. [...] 
Crime Scene KC reports things are getting colder in JoCo: Jogger says he was literally whipped in Overland Park. [...] 
KC Currents: 
For once, 
