News

If you use a cellphone instead of a landline, you aren’t alone. More people are dropping their landlines in exchange for a cellphone-only existence.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released estimates today showing a two year increase in Missouri and Illinois households making the switch to cellphones.

In Missouri:

Update: A 2 p.m. scheduled press conference with Gov. Nixon on this topic was canceled without explanation to the press.

Updated at 3:46 p.m. April 20, 2011:

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says officials are making progress toward completing an agreement on a dog-breeding law to make revisions embraced by the governor.

The Legislature earlier passed legislation to rewrite a dog-breeding law that voters approved last year. Nixon didn't say Wednesday if he'll sign or veto that legislation.

The Missouri Senate has passed a funding plan for public schools as it begins debate on a $23 billion proposed budget.

• A Senate budget bill approved Wednesday would provide schools $3 billion in basic aid next year - the same amount as this year but an estimated $179 million less than called for under the school funding formula.

Legislators and Gov. Jay Nixon say the state cannot afford to pay schools the full amount they are due.