News

Reporting from Illinois Public Radio's Amanda Vinicky used in this report.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's proposed budget is virtually ignored in the Illinois House leaders' bipartisan plan.

Saving money by consolidating school districts and revisions to the tax code.  These were highlights of the governor's budget plan.

But they may be doomed.  Speaker Mike Madigan dismissed them.

"I have no comment on them, I just don't plan to pursue them," Madigan said.

Missouri’s state budget for next year has been passed by the State House. 

The $23 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2012 holds current K-12 funding levels in place while cutting funds for higher education by seven percent.

Via two conference calls today, Missouri's Senators shared their opinions on the continuing situation in Libya.

Democrat Claire McCaskill says she's concerned about conditions in Libya.

While the Senator is awaiting briefings from military officials, she says it appears there has been a reversal over the last 24 hours.

McCaskill says the U.S. effort must have a clear timeline.

Will be updated as more information becomes available

Firefighters in the city of St. Louis got some better news today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that the department will receive $3.2 million federal funds over the next two years in the form of a SAFER grant. (That stands for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response.)

Vendors shouting to sell their popcorn and peanuts, ticket turnstiles rotating with that familiar clickity-clack, excited fans chatting and laughing with their friends - you're enveloped in the sounds of Opening Day with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

But at the 7th inning, when that familiar Budweiser jingle fills the air, and the Clydesdales float across the center field Jumbotron, you may not realize it, but something is missing.

Well, someone.