The Turner Report

• News-Leader: Judge in Pete Newman case ignored law with decision to close hearing

  When he was using a new law to close a preliminary hearing for former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman, Taney County Circuit Court Judge Tony Williams did not even check to see what the law said.
  
  Williams told the Springfield News-Leader:
  
  "They agreed to do it," [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 5:42am EST
  

• MSSU Board of Governors chairman blows off Chart

  The Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey production being provided by the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors and President Bruce Speck shows no signs of subsiding.
  
  In the latest edition of the campus newspaper, The Chart, Speck says he does not know what to do now that the [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 5:28am EST
  

• Stevenson among those writing letters of support for Steve Brown

  The St. Louis Riverfront Times prorides a list of those who wrote letters urging leniency for former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. Louis, prior to his sentencing Tuesday. Among those is Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City.
  
  The publication provided a sampling of those letters, as well as letters supporting [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 5:22am EST
  

• Government asks court to unseal letters of support for Jeff Smith

  Acting U. S. Attorney Michael Reap filed a motion in U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri today asking that letters of support for former Sen Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, who was sentenced to one year and one day in prison Tuesday, be made public:
  
  1. [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:15pm EST
  

• Leggett & Platt contributes $10,000 to Speaker of the House Richard

  Carthage-based Leggett & Platt dropped $10,000 into the campaign account of Speaker of the House Ron Richard, R-Joplin, according to a 48-hour report filed today with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
  
  Richard has received at least $22,750 from Leggett this year, according to Ethics Commission documents. [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 8:55pm EST
  

• Stouffer: Skelton losing touches with needs of rural Missouri

  In response to a report that discovered numerous problems with dispersal of stimulus funds, Fourth District Republican Congressional candidate Bill Stouffer issued the following statement today:
  
  “Missourians need real jobs, not made up numbers on a website,” said Stouffer. “Ike Skelton is losing touch with the needs of rural [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 5:42pm EST
  

• Palin media stance reminiscent of Ashcroft's gutless deal with MSU

  
  
  My prediction was right about the groundswell of protest when I dared criticize mavericky conservatiive icon Sarah Palin this morning.
  
  Along with those who think the media is evil, and think that it actually took courage for Sarah Palin to go [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 3:53pm EST
  

• Hartzler: Federal government can't run health care

  
  In her latest campaign news release, Fourth District Republican Congressional candidate Vicky Hartzler said the Obama Administration is incapable of running U. S. health care:
  
  
  Republican congressional candidate Vicky Hartzler said today that false job claims and gross errors by the Obama Administration demonstrate [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 3:34pm EST
  

• Cynthia Davis: I'm immune to swine flu

  
  In her latest column, Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O'Fallon shares her thoughts on the H1N1 virus:
  
  I like my school district. Here I am standing in front of their sign that announces the anticipated vaccination event was cancelled. The school district was going to host a' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 3:28pm EST
  

• Gutless Palin bars media from College of the Ozarks appearance

  
  I am sure this post will bring out the legions of Sarah Palin acolytes who believe the Alaska governor can do no wrong, but the agreement between Mrs. Palin and College of the Ozarks to bar the media from her Dec. 2 speech is indefensible [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 6:28am EST
  

• Deposition set for former DOR director in class action lawsuit

  Lawyers for the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against former Department of Revenue officials will take the deposition of former DOR Direcdtor Trish Vincent, according to documents filed Wednesday in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
  
  The deposition is scheduled to take place in [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 6:17am EST
  

• No mention of Pete Newman story in Branson Tri-Lakes News

  The Branson Tri-Lakes News website (formerly Branson Daily News) updated today, and despite the major developments in the Pete Newman sex case, not one word was mentioned.
  
  A school principal who eats fried worms made the homepage, and on the inside local news page, residents were urged to be [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 10:05pm EST
  

• Accused killer of Carthage couple admits to probation violation

  Darren Winans, one of two men accused of the October 2008 murder of Bob and Ellen Sheldon, owners of the Old Cabin Shop in Carthage, admitted that he violated the terms of his probation on a 2006 Barton County conviction.
  
  Winans was not in court during the probation violation [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:57pm EST
  

• Seventeen defendants to be dismissed from class action suit against Department of Revenue

  Lawyers for the plaintiffs in the newly certified class action lawsuit against the Department of Revenue filed a motion today to dismiss 17 defendants, all lower-level DOR employees.
  
  If the judge approves the motion, the remaining defendants would be former Source for Public Data, Shadowsoft, former DOR Director Trish [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:23pm EST
  

• Government accepts El-Amin pre-sentence investigation

  The government has accepted the pre-sentence investigation for former Rep. Talibdin El-Amin, D-St. Louis, today, according to a document filed in U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
  
  El-Amin pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges Sept. 24, the same day he resigned from the House. El-Amin's' [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:08pm EST
  

• Brown waives right to appeal

  This should come as no surprise, considering he received no prison time, but former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. Louis, filed a waiver of his right to appeal today in U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
  
  Brown was sentenced to two years of probation and a [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 8:54pm EST
  

• Latest poll; Carnahan, Blunt in virtual tie

  A new Public Policy Polling survey gives Secretary of State Robin Carnahan just a one point lead, 43 percent to 42 percent over Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt in the battle to replace retiring U. S. Senator Kit Bond.
  
  The margin of error is 3.6 percent, meaning Ms. [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 6:13pm EST
  

• Smith: I squandered what I loved the most

  In a note of contrition before he was sentenced to one year and one day in prison Tuesday, former Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St Louis, said his desire to do anything he could to win his Congressional race against Russ Carnahan, brought about his downfall.
  
  
  "I was raised" [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:16am EST
  

• Class action suit against Department of Revenue certified

  It is official. Thanks to an order issued by U. S. District Court Judge Nanette Laughrey Tuesday, a lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Revenue, the Source for Public Data, and Shawdowsoft has been certified as a class action.
  
  In the lawsuit, filed by Emily Roberts, Jefferson City, and [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 6:53am EST
  

• Smith's treasurer placed on probation

  While former Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, received one year and one day in prison following a one hour, 10 minute court session Tuesday, his co-defendants will not serve any prison time.
  
  As noted in The Turner Report Tuesday, former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. Louis, was placed on probation [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 6:45am EST
  

• Affidavit: Newman, underage boys played naked Truth or Dare, had sex at spiritual locations

  Investigative reports filed in Taney County Circuit Court indicate former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Mewman indulged in naked truth or dare games with an underage boy at the Big Cedar Lodge in Taney County, and had mutual masturbation sessions with a 12-year-old at the K Dome, a place of worship [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:15am EST
  

• Newman waives preliminary hearing, charged with new sex crimes

  Former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday and will return to court Dec. 17.
  
  Meanwhile Taney County prosecutors filed new charges against Newman, bringing the total to 10. Judge Tony Williams increased Newman's bond by half a million dollars to $650,000.
  
  With the new [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:03am EST
  

• Former Neosho band teacher waives hearing on sex charges

  Former Neosho High School band teacher Brian Rash waived the reading of charges against him Monday in Ottawa County Circuit District Court. His arraignment on felony sex charges is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 24.
  
  Rash, who also taught for a time in joplin Catholic Schools, is charged with first [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 10:17pm EST
  

• Pete Newman charged with additional felony sex crime

  An additional count of enticement of a child, a felony sex offense, was filed today against former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman, according to online Taney County Circuit Court files.
  
  Newman is also charged with two counts of statutory sodomy, another count of enticement of a child, and sexual [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 4:24pm EST
  

• Ruestman issues report to Missouri Women's Council

  In her latest capitol report, Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, reprinted the report she wrote for the Missouri Women's Council. The text is featured below:
  
  Missouri had its first “hit”!
  I couldn’t be more excited and proud. I was the House sponsor of House Bill 152 which was signed into [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 4:20pm EST
  

• Missouri college tuition to stay at same level

  A deal has been reached between Gov. Jay Nixon and Missouri's higher education institutions to keep undergraduate tuition level for the next school year The following news release was issued:
  
  .
  ST. LOUIS - For the second year in a row, in-state, undergraduate students at Missouri's four-year, public colleges [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 4:15pm EST
  

• Prosecutor asks Judge to revoke Pete Newman's bond

  When the preliminary hearing for former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman starts in less than an hour, one issue that will be taken up is a motion filed by Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey Merrell to revoke Newman's bond.
  
  The bond was initially set at $50,000 but was increased' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:19pm EST
  

• Jeff Smith sentenced to one year and one day in prison: Steve Brown gets probation

  A federal judge sentenced former Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis to one year and one day in jail this morning. He will also have to pay a $50,000 fine. The judge rejected Smith's attempt to get off with community service and house arrest.
  
  Former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:11pm EST
  

• Newman attorneys object to decision on child witnesses

  Online Taney County Circuit Court records indicate former Kanakuk Kamps director Pete Newman's attorney, Tom Carver of Springfield, objected to the prosecuting attorney's motion to use Missouri's new Child Witness Protection Act during today's preliminary hearing.
  
  Newman is charged with four felony sex crimes involving underage boys.
  
  Judge [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:46am EST
  

• New Missouri tourism director has history of ignoring law

  
  After Katie Steele Danner was named director of the Missouri Division of Tourism last week, I was fascinated by the savage way in which any mention of her previous brushes with the law was immediately decried as partisan or outright lies in the comments left on [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:24am EST
  

• Smith, Brown sentencing less than three hours away

  
  
  Former Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, will be sentenced in less than three hours for his role in obstructing a federal investigation into monkey business during Smith's unsuccessful 2006 Congressional primary campaign against Russ Carnahan.
  
  Also scheduled to be sentenced are [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:05am EST
  

• Judge closes courtroom for Pete Newman's preliminary hearing

  
  In the United States, the public has the right to know.
  
  Unless, of course, you are in Judge Tony Williams' courtroom in Taney County Circuit Court. According to a post on the Crime Scene blog, Williams is banning the public from Pete Newman's preliminary [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 10:07pm EST
  

• McDonald County white supremacist's trial pushed back to January

  The trial of McDonald County white supremacist Robert Joos has been pushed back to January after a federal judge approved Joos' motion for a continuance today during a hearing in Springfield.
  In addition to a charge of being a felon illegally possessing firearms, Joos also faces two counts of' [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 9:31pm EST
  

• Jeff Smith responds to government's response to his sentencing memorandum

  The battle of the sealed responses continues on the eve of the sentencing of former Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St Louis, former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. Louis, and Smith's former campaign treasurer Nick Adams, on federal election crimes.
  
  Smith's attorneys filed a sealed response this morning to the government's response [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 7:34am EST
  

• Stouffer examines 2010 Missouri budget

  In his latest report to constituents, Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, a candidate for the Fourth District Congressional seat currently held by Ike Skelton, provides the first of two reports on the state's budget for 2010:
  
  It will probably come as no surprise to anyone that the budget will be' [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 6:13pm EST
  

• Shields appoints Rob Mayer to replace Nodler as budget chairman

  Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields appointed Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, to replace Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, as Appropriation Committee chairman Friday. The following news release was issued:
  
  Senate Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, today announced that he will appoint Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, as the new chairman of the Senate [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 6:09pm EST
  

• Natural Disaster to play at benefit next Saturday

  The Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre cast of Godspell and Natural Disaster will be among the acts featured during a variety show benefit 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, November 21, in the East Middle School Auditorium in Duquesne.
  
  Proceeds will go for new books for the East Middle School Library' [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 10:57am EST
  

• First signing set for "Newspaper Days"

  
  
  The first signing for my new book, Newspaper Days, will be held 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Hastings in Joplin.
  
  The book features my look back at 22 years as a newspaper reporter and editor, beginning at the Newton County News [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 9:13am EST
  

• Hartzler to campaign in Lamar Friday

  Former state representative Vicky Hartzler, a GOP candidate for Fourth District Congress, will be at the Blue Top Restaurant in Lamar 3:15 p.m. Friday, according to an itinerary of her two-day listening tour through the district.
  
  According to her campaign's news release:
  
  Declaring this campaign is about bringing' [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 9:11am EST
  

• Washington Times profiles Ike Skelton

  In the wake of a column by Steve Kraske of the Kansas City Star which described Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton's health care vote as some kind of cowardly political move, the Washington Times ran an article this morning which more accurately describes Skelton as a "Harry Truman Democrat.":[...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 9:02am EST
  

• Government responds to attempts by Smith, Brown and Adams to reduce sentences

  In sealed documents filed Friday with the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, the government opposed efforts by former Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. Louis, and co-defendant Nick Adams to challenge the recommendations in their presentencing reports.
  
  The three man, [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 8:28am EST
  

• Nexstar Broacasting revenue down third percent in third quarter

  Nexstar Broadcasting's third quarter revenue was down 14.1 percent from 2008, according to a news release filed Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but the drop was expected, according to CEO Perry Sook. The news release is printed below:
  
  Nexstar’s net revenue for the quarter ended September 30,' [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 8:10am EST
  

• Kraske: Health care vote shows Skelton is running scared

  In his latest column for the Kansas City Star, Steve Kraske suggests that Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton's vote against the Democratic health care proposal is a sign he is running scared:
  
  The recent House vote on health care reform said one thing very clearly: 17-term Democratic Congressman' [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 7:51am EST
  

• Nodler resigns as Budget Committee chairman

  
  Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, a candidate for the Seventh District Congressional seat currently held by Roy Blunt, announced this morning he is stepping down as Senate Budget Commitee chairman. The following news release was issued:
  
  Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, today announced he will resign [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 10:07am EST
  

• Government responds to Jeff Smith's objection to pre-sentence report

  With only five days left before sentencing, the government filed a memorandum today responding to the objections of former Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis to the pre-sentence investigation. As usual, the documents were sealed.
  
  Smith pleaded guilty Aug. 25 to federal election conspiracy charges stemming from his unsuccessful 2006 [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 10:09pm EST
  

• Dee Wampler to represent former Globe intern charged with sex crime

  
  Springfield defense attorney Dee Wampler has signed on as former Joplin Globe intern Colby Williams' lawyer, according to an entry of appearance filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
  
  Williams, 24, a senior at Missouri Southern State University, is' [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 9:35pm EST
  

• Cynthia Davis: Keep an eye on those Muslims

  
  Considering the murders at Fort Hood, Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O"Fallon in her latest column, says we need to keep an eye on those of the Islamic faith in our military:
  
  When we heard the news last week about Army officer, Nidal Hasan, who opened fire" [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 7:24am EST
  

• Stopping robo calls

  In his latest Crowell Connection, Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, explains options available on Missouri's no-call list:
  
  Nothing can disrupt a quiet dinner more than a badly timed phone call, but when that call is an unwanted telemarketer, it can truly be frustrating. This is why Missouri offers relief' [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 7:24am EST
  

• Some thoughts about Ron Lankford's career in public education

  (The following is my column for this week's Newton County News.)
  
  One of the things that has made Dr. Ron Lankford one of the most effective school administrators in Missouri is his ability to remember faces and names.
  
  When I became the area reporter for The Carthage Press' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 5:46am EST
  

• Superintendent of the Year Lankford to retire at the end of school year

  
  Superintendent of the Year Dr. Ron Lankford has announced he will retire June 30.
  
  The story was broken tonight by The Fuse Joplin, continuing its growing reputation of landing big scoops at the expense of the traditional area media (and this blog, for that [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 11:02pm EST
  

• Jeff City brought to a crawl by non-hostage crisis

  Jefferson City was the center of an alleged hostage situation for a few hours today, even though it eventually turned out to be much ado about nothing. Jason Rosenbaum posted this video which shows a little bit about what it was like in the capital today:
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 10:20pm EST
  

• New law may be used in Pete Newman sex case

  
  The Taney County Prosecuting Attorney filed a motion Monday to protect the child witnesses expected to testify about former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman when he comes to trial on felony sex charges. If Judge Tony Williams approves the state's motion, it will be one of' [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 7:30am EST
  

• Here we go again! Abortion issue set to derail healthcare reform

  Missouri's only president, Harry S Truman, first proposed nationalized health care in 1947 and watched as it was derailed by the moneyed interests who were making a killing keeping the system the way it was at that time.
  
  The first step toward making sure everyone was covered came in' [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 7:09am EST
  

• TV revenue down for KOAM, KFJX owner

  Third quarter television revenue was down 12.2 percent for Saga Communcations, owner of KOAM and KFJX in the Joplin/Pittsburg market.
  
  The company reported $4.3 million in TV revenue, down from $4.9 million during the same quarter last year.
  
  Operating income dropped from $1.3 million to $751,000.[...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 5:13am EST
  

• Jeff Smith's former treasurer also angling for lighter sentence

  With only eight days to go before his sentencing on felony election conspiracy charges, Nick Adams, who served as treasurer for Jeff Smith's 2006 Congressional campaign, is doing his best to trim the length of his sentence.
  
  Adams' lawyer filed a sealed sentencing memorandum in U. S. District Court [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 9:44pm EST
  

• Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Barton County Sheriff's Department

  The family of a 22-year-old inmate who committed suicide Nov 10, 2006, in the Barton County Jail, filed a wrongful death suit against former Sheriff Shannon Higgins, the Sheriff's Department and deputies Jauson Keys and Michael Weston, today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
  [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 8:31pm EST
  

• Goodman: Another candidate spreading rumors about my dropping out of the race.

  In a wide-ranging interview with The Fuse Joplin, Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, says rumors about him dropping out of the race are being spread by another candidate, though he does not name the candidate.
  
  As far as fundraising is concerned, Goodman said, his main opponent is the front [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 7:39pm EST
  

• H1N1 vaccine clinic scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Joplin

  Access Family Care, in collaboration with Joplin and Jasper County Health Departments, will be providing a H1N1 Flu Vaccine
  The following news release was issued this afternoon by the city of Joplin:
  
  Clinic on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Clinic will be [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 3:47pm EST
  

• Kinsley Committee shuts down

  The campaign committee of former KZRG radio personality Mark Kinsley, who dropped out of the 129th District state representative race just a few weeks after entering it, shut down Friday, according to documents filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
  
  Kinsley raised $175 in funding- $100 of it a loan [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 6:28pm EST
  

• Skelton one of 39 Democrats to vote against health care bill

  Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton was one of 39 Democrats to vote against the House health care bill, which passed 220 to 215 this evening.
  
  Earlier this week, Skelton issued the following statement:
  
  “I oppose the creation of a government-run public insurance program and continue to have serious [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 11:31pm EST
  

• Blunt: House health care bill is 2,000 page roadmap to government takeover

  One of the best quotes among those who opposed the health care bill which just passed the House by a 220 to 215 margin, came from Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt:
  
  "It's a 2000 page roadmap to a government takeover of health care," Missouri Republican Roy Blunt [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 10:56pm EST
  

• Honoring the service of America's veterans

  In his weekly column, Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton honors our nation's veterans:
  
  As a youngster growing up during World War II, my heroes were the men and women who wore our nation’s uniform. I will always remember the time my best friend’s older brother, Walter, who was on [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 10:49pm EST
  

• Blunt: We can't afford this bill

  Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt spoke against the health care bill earlier today on the House floor:
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 10:43pm EST
  

• House passes health care bill

  In a vote completed moments ago, the U. S. House passed the health care bill by a 220 to 215 vote.
  
  Two hundred nineteen of the 220 votes came from Democrats. [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 10:24pm EST
  

• Nodler's first major endorsement comes from lobbyist who brought Jack Abramoff into his firm

  Those who are looking for signs of problems in Gary Nodler's Quixotic third effort to become Seventh District Congressman, need look no further than his first major endorsement.
  
  As Dave Catanese reported in the KY3 Notebook Nov 3, former Roy Blunt aide Gregg Hartley, now a lobbyist with the [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 1:39pm EST
  

• Talboy's three-year haul in lobbyists' gifts- $27,607.29

  
  "Poverty in downtown Kansas City is another important issue. With fewer job opportunities, those without work find it difficult to find new employment. Health care has become a central focus for many families as it becomes more expensive to maintain insurance. Changes in Medicaid and Medicare" [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 12:32pm EST
  

• Ike Skelton to appear on Face the Nation

  Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, will be one of the guests on the CBS show Face the Nation Sunday morning. [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 8:47am EST
  

• TAMKO's Humphrey drops $10,000 into Schweich campaign

  David Humphreys of TAMKO in Joplin, contributed $10,000 to Republican state auditor candidate Thomas Schweich, according to a 48-hour report filed Friday with the Missouri Ethics Commission. [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 1:50am EST
  

• Barbre may alternate with Tauscher

  Allen Barbre, rumored to be heading to backup status for this week's Green Bay Packers game with Tampa Bay, may alternate with others on the offensive line, according to media sources:
  
  Packers coach Mike McCarthy might be toying with the idea of playing Mark Tauscher and Chad [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 7:42pm EST
  

• Hartzler: Obama, Pelosi, Skelton not doing anything about jobs

  In a news release issued today, Vicky Hartzler, a Republican challenger to Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton, ripped Skelton and other top Democrats for their failure to reduce unemployment:
  
  Former state representative Vicky Hartzler stated, "While President Barack Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Skelton remain focused on what government" [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 7:39pm EST
  

• Cleaver: Health care bill offers best choices possible

  
  In his EC from DC report, Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver explains why he supports the House health care bill:
  
  This weekend, something that has not happened in our nation’s history will finally come to fruition. After 50 years of promise, hundreds of previous bills, [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 7:29pm EST
  

• Honoring our veterans

  In her latest capitol report, Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, pays tribute to our veterans:
  
  Wednesday marks the 90th Veterans Day to honor those who have served and fought for our country in the armed services. We should all thank our veterans for the sacrifice they have given to protect [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 7:12pm EST
  

• Sealed documents: Jeff Smith jockeying for lighter sentence

  
  Disgraced former Sen. Jeff Smith is jockeying for less time when he is sentenced Tuesday, Nov. 17, but none of us are going to be able to tell just what reasoning Smith and his lawyer are using in their efforts.
  
  Following the same formula applied [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 4:52pm EST
  

• Judge seals Steve Brown sentencing memorandum

  
  Former Rep. Steve Brown's plea for leniency in his sentencing can no longer be viewed by the public.
  
  U. S. District Court Judge Carol E. Jackson approved a motion from Brown's attorney Thursday to seal the memorandum, which was first revealed in the Nov. 4 [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 4:35pm EST
  

• Globe runs story of reporter accused of sex with 14-year-old girl

  Though it is not on the homepage of the Joplin Globe website as of this writing, the Globe has posted an article on the arrest of one of its former reporters on a charge involving sex with a 14-year-old girl.
  
  Reporter Jeff Lehr, quite properly, included Williams' connection' [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 5:29am EST
  

• Star editorial: Restore campaign contribution limits

  In an editorial published Thursday, the Kansas City Star recommended the restoration of campaign contribution limits:
  
  Missouri moved into dangerous territory by lifting caps on donations. Big donors bring big expectations. Why put taxpayers at risk of favors going to deep-pocket contributors? Or put politicians at risk of [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 5:24am EST
  

• GateHouse Media CEO: Cash flow stabilizing

  In the news release detailing his company's third quarter results, GateHosue Media CEO Michael Reed noted that this company's cash flow and revenue trends are stabilizing. The news release is printed below:
  
  GateHouse Media, Inc. (the "Company" or "GateHouse Media") (OTC Pink Sheets: GHSE) today reported financial results [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 5:18am EST
  

• Skelton opposes House health care bill

  Some Democrats, including Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton, oppose the House health care plan outlined this week by Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
  
  “I oppose the creation of a government-run public insurance program and continue to have serious concerns about its unintended consequence for Missourians who have private insurance plans [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 5:10am EST
  

• Former Joplin Globe reporter Colby Williams accused of sex with 14-year-old

  
  A felony sex charge involving an underage girl has been filed against a reporter whose byline graced the Joplin Globe's newspaper through early August.
  
  Documents filed in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri indicate Colby Williams, 24, Joplin, has been charged' [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 7:01pm EST
  

• Blunt at House Call Conference: Republicans have better ideas

  During a brief speech at the House Call Conference this morning, Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt ripped into Democrat health care plans and said the Republicans are the ones with the better plan:
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:56pm EST
  

• Obama condemns Fort Hood shooting rampage

  President Barack Obama has issued a statement condemning the shooting spree at Fort Hood today, which left 12 dead and 31 injured:
  
  "These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk, and at times, give their lives to protect the rest of us" [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:28pm EST
  

• Kinder issues statement on Fort Hood shooting

  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder issued the following statement concerning the shootings today at Fort Hood:
  
  
  "Today, our nation mourns for those who have lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. At this hour, we know at least one Missourian, Keara Bono, 21, of Independence, was injured" [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:23pm EST
  

• Cynthia Davis, a pistol-packing mama

  
  
  In her latest column, Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O-Fallon, addresses gun laws and lets the world know she now has a permit to pack heat.
  
  Here I am at my St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department to pick up my permit. I paid $100 for the [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 7:11am EST
  

• Court filing: Steve Brown's aid to FBI should result in lighter sentence

  
  In a memorandum filed Monday in U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, former Rep. Steve Brown, D-St. Louis, says he should receive a lighter sentence on his felony election conspiracy charge due to his work in helping the FBI nail his co-conspirator, [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 5:26am EST
  

• Hartazler: Skelton must oppose abortion language in healthcare bill

  In a news release issued Tuesday, Fourth District Republican Congressional candidate Vicky Hartzler said her Democratic opponent, Ike Skelton, should join opponents of "abortion language" in the new Democratic health care bill:
  
  Hartzler made this demand of Skelton as a bipartisan coalition of pro-life Representatives presses for the right [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 5:10am EST
  

• Report; Barbre may lose starting job

  The Green Bay Gazette reports former Missouri Southern State University and East Newton High School lineman Allen Barbre may lose his starting position for the Packers' next game:
  
  Third-year pro Allen Barbre has started every game this season at right tackle with mixed results. He didn’t give up' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:45pm EST
  

• Long: Election results show Americans rejected Obama

  Seventh District Congressional candidate Billy Long says today's election results show American are rejecting Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi:
  
  “Today Americans overwhelmingly rejected President Obama and Speaker Pelosi’s radical agenda—an agenda that obstructs economic freedom and increases the financial burden on future generations. These elections should send a [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:24pm EST
  

• Dwight Douglas: Forget the faculty vote, Bruce, keep doing what you're doing

  You would think a 140 to 44 no-confidence vote would give any intelligent person the thought that something might be wrong at Missouri Southern State University.
  
  Not when it's former Board of Governors Chairman Dwight Douglas and the policies University President Bruce Speck has been following have been his.[...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 10:00pm EST
  

• Nixon: Stage has been set for Missouri's economic rebound

  In a message sent out today, Gov. Jay Nixon said Missouri is well-positioned for an economic rebound:
  
  
  As we approach the one-year anniversary of my election as Governor, I wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You" yet again. It is a tremendous honor to serve the [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 8:39pm EST
  

• MSU president steps down

  Missouri State University President Michael Nietzel has announced his intent to resign by Dec. 31, 2010.
  
  Any bets Missouri State will interview more than one person before naming a replacement? [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 8:34pm EST
  

• Blunt: H1NI vaccine should not be distributed to Guantanamo detainers during shortage

  Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt ripped into the Obama administration today for decisions that allowed Guantanamo detainees to receive H!N1 vaccinations when a shortage of the shots are available:
  
  "President Obama called this pandemic a 'national emergency,' but the federal government continues to fail at one of its" [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 8:19pm EST
  

• MSSU faculty has no confidence in Bruce Speck

  The Missouri Southern State University faculty expressed its displeasure with President Bruce Speck today, casting 144 ballots for no-confidence. Only 44 full-time faculty members supported Speck. [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 8:18pm EST
  

• Leon leaves Empire District Electric Board of Directors

  Former Missouri Southern State University President Julio Leon will leave the Empire District Electric Company Board of Directors after reaching the mandatory retirement age, according to a company news release:
  
  Randy Laney, chairman of the board of directors for The Empire District Electric Company, today announced that, after reaching [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 8:12pm EST
  

• Faculty no-confidence vote on Speck set for today

  The Missouri Southern State University faculty will hold a no-confidence vote today on President Bruce Speck.
  
  The Joplin Globe's Derek Spellman and Greg Grisolano have a comprehensive look at the situation in today's edition.
  
  And while I commend the Globe's stories from today and the Sunday edition,' [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 5:29am EST
  

• Nodler accepts $61.14 in lobbyists' gifts in September

  The two state senators who are in the running for Seventh District Congress took different approaches to lobbyists' gifts in September.
  
  Gary Nodler accepted them; Jack Goodman didn't.
  
  Documented posted today on the Missouri Ethics Commission website show Nodler, R-Joplin, accepted $61.14 worth of gifts, including $32 in [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 10:06am EST
  

• Stevenson tops Joplin area representatives in lobbyists' gifts for September

  Rep. Bryan "Big Gun" Stevenson, R-Webb City, collected more in lobbyists' gifts, $623.86 in September, than the other five legislators combined, according to documents posted today on the Missouri Ethics Commission website. Stevenson's total for the first nine months of 2009 is $1,978.80.
  
  Stevenson's total included $320 from Catherine' [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 9:48am EST
  

• Lamar woes highlighted in New York Times article

  The ongoing economic woes of the city of Lamar are featured in an article in today's New York Times, which includes quotes from City Administrator Lynn Calton and Mayor Keith Divine:
  
  The manufacturing industry has shed hundreds of thousands of jobs during the recession as plants have closed' [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 9:36am EST
  

• Website updated but Branson newspaper still has no information about Pete Newman

  The definition of news must be different in Branson than it is in the rest of the country.
  
  Considering the national reputation of Kanakuk Kamps, the news that one of the people most associaed with the Christian sports camp, in fact, the man who was pretty much the face [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 9:24am EST
  

• Kansas City Democrat tops $13,000 in lobbyists' gifts

  
  One of the strongest arguments for ethics reform in the Missouri Legislature is being provided by the man who will become Speaker of the House if the Democrats regain the majority in 2010.
  
  Documents posted today on the Missouri Ethics Commission website show that Rep. [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 9:07am EST
  

• Nexstar Broadcasting to announce third quarter results

  Nexstar Broadcasting, owner/operator of KODE and KSNF in the Joplin market and KOLR and KSFX in the Springfield market, issued the following news release:
  
  Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST) announced today that it will report its 2009 third quarter financial results before the market opens on Wednesday, November [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 8:54am EST