The Associated Press

Reporting from Sean Crawford, Illinois Public Radio also used in this report.

An Illinois appellate court has thrown out legalized video gambling and higher taxes on liquor and candy that were supposed to fund a $31 billion state construction plan.

The court ruled the 2009 law violated the state Constitution's prohibition on bills that deal with more than one subject.

A Missouri Senate committee has approved legislation that bars all drivers from texting while driving.

Currently, only drivers 21 years old and younger are prohibited from sending cell phone text messages while driving.

But what's the problem with that system according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol?

It's hard to tell how old a driver is if an officer sees them texting.

A Virginia judge has granted bond to a former CIA officer from O'Fallon accused of leaking government secrets about Iran to a reporter for the New York Times.

Jeffrey Sterling had been in custody since his arrest on Jan. 6 on charges that he illegally disclosed classified documents to reporter James Risen between 2001 and 2006.

East St. Louis' community development director and a Missouri businessman are facing federal charges that allege bogus documents were used and a bribe paid in a failed $5.6 million affordable-housing project.

Sixty-one-year-old Arthur Johnson of East St. Louis faces three counts in an indictment alleging he accepted benefits in connection with business conducted with the Community Development Block Grant program he heads.

An attorney who successfully challenged Missouri's photo ID law for voters in 2006 plans a new legal argument if the requirement is revived.