News

A package of bills that Gov. Jay Nixon says is about "dignity and practicality" for the 100,000 Missouri individuals with a developmental or intellectual disability is now law.

Gov. Nixon signed the legislation today at Paraquad, one of the largest centers in the country dedicated to helping disabled individuals live independently. Its founder, Max Starkloff, died Dec. 27.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will reduce water releases from Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota, a sign that major Missouri River flooding could be nearing an end.

The corps' Omaha District construction chief, Robert Michaels, says the corps will decrease the water volume gradually from its current 160,000 cubic feet per second. The corps plans to drop the flow to 155,000 cubic feet per second on July 31 and cut it to 150,000 cubic feet per second on Aug. 1.

Good morning! Here are some of today's starting headlines:

Mo. Gov. Nixon to sign legislation related to disability issues

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is preparing to sign legislation addressing several physical and mental disability issues. The governor has scheduled a signing ceremony for this morning at Paraquad Independent Living Center in St. Louis.

Governor Jay Nixon has signed into law legislation designed to protect Missouri farmers from dishonest or financially struggling grain dealers.

The measure comes out of what state officials call the largest grain fraud scheme in Missouri history:  Prosecutors charged Cathy Gieseker with defrauding 180 grain farmers out of at least $27 million as her business went under.  She pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and is now in prison.

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The Missouri Department of Transportation will unveil its plans for the new Jefferson Avenue Bridge on Tuesday.

MODOT Spokeswoman Kara Price says the new bridge will be a significant upgrade over the current structure.