Missourian since '02 Last week Last month Classifieds Comments Calendar

Elections Candidates in 158th District race spar over Medicaid, taxes (01/23/08) Sparring over Medicaid cuts, right-to-life credentials and taxes made for a lively evening at a three-way candidate forum two weeks ahead of the special election to fill the 158th District Missouri House seat. More than 60 people attended the event sponsored by the League of Women Voters. ... Campaigns for April 8 elections underway (01/23/08) Four men and one woman have filed to compete for the change to replace Perryville, Mo.'s late mayor, Robert Miget. According to Perryville city clerk Tracy Prost, voters will decide among Marvin Ruehling, Mark Leuckel, Van Naeger, Jackie Patton and Debbie Gahan on April 8... Seven to run for Cape Girardeau school board (01/23/08) The Cape Girardeau school board election is shaping up to be more exciting than last year. Seven people are running for three seats, including incumbents Dr. Steve Trautwein, Martha Hamilton and Tom Reinagel. Last year the race was uncontested. Others who have filed are:... Campaign Reports (01/16/08) Judge rewrites ballot language on proposed affirmative action ban (01/08/08) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A judge on Monday rewrote the ballot language for a proposal banning most government affirmative action programs in Missouri, striking down a version originally crafted by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan as unfair. Supporters of the ballot measure rejoiced in the ruling, but Carnahan vowed to appeal... Two attorney general candidates visit area (01/03/08) State lawmakers seeking to step into the attorney general's office are using the last week before the Missouri Legislature convenes to hit the road in search of support. Senate President Pro Tem Mike Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, and state Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-St. Louis, made separate visits to the Southeast Missourian to explain their programs while on their way to other appointments... Eventful year may have led to more candidates for Cape school board (12/22/07) The Cape Girardeau School District's tumultuous year appears to have attracted a larger number of candidates than usual to run in the school board election. Last year, only two people ran for two available seats. This year, less than a week after filing began, four people have said they will run... Filing period for most elections starts today (12/18/07) The filing period for elections in many cities, school districts and boards begins today and continues through Jan. 22. Elections for these offices will be April 8. For more information, contact local election officials. Blunt seeks tougher state laws against illegal immigration; must be approved (12/18/07) CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt proposed a series of new state laws Monday that would crack down on illegal immigration. The measures would penalize businesses that employ illegal immigrants or transport them, and would prohibit the creation of so-called "sanctuary cities" that prohibit local police from checking immigration documents... Ex-auditor will run for Cape County commission (11/23/07) Weldon Macke moved from the fence to the field this week, announcing he is definitely seeking a return to county government as the District 1 commissioner for Cape Girardeau County. Macke, a former county auditor, had been considering the contest for the seat being vacated by 15-year commission veteran Larry Bock, citing financial concerns as the source of his reluctance. ... Two to compete for Cape city council seat (11/11/07) Steven Peel is tossing his name into Cape Girardeau's upcoming city council election. Peel, a Ward 5 resident, will run against candidate Mark Lanzotti. Peel said he has no particular beef with Lanzotti. "I just don't think anybody should run unopposed," Peel said. "I think people should have a choice."... Five may run for county commission (11/11/07) The list of people seeking the open seat on the Cape Girardeau County Commission is growing. Incumbent Larry Bock, a Republican who represents Jackson and most of the county's rural precincts, said in October that he will not seek another four-year term in the post he has held since 1992. ... Democrat to challenge Crowell for seat (10/30/07) Ellen Dillon has been a peace activist, a speech and communications instructor and a goodwill ambassador doing performances in Russia, Siberia, Jamaica and China. On Monday, Dillon said she's ready for a new role -- Democratic candidate for state Senate. Dillon, an instructor with the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Communications, hopes to unseat state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, in the six-county 27th Senate District... Bock not seeking re-election (10/22/07) Four years after winning his primary with less than one-third of the vote in a nine-way contest, Associate Commissioner Larry Bock said he won't seek re-election to the post he's held since 1992. Bock, who first won election by unseating incumbent Leonard Sander, said that at age 69 he's ready for retirement. ... Kasten enters race for 158th (09/20/07) Cape Girardeau Republicans will reach back into their past for a nominee in the Feb. 5 special election to replace Nathan Cooper in the Missouri House. Former state representative Mary Kasten, 79, will ask the 158th District House Republican Committee for the GOP nomination this evening during a meeting at Dexter Bar-B-Que. Kasten, who first won the seat in 1982, stepped aside in 2000 when her late husband, Dr. Melvin Kasten, fell ill... Prospective candidate bows out of House race (09/18/07) Retired Air Force officer Wayne Wallingford picked up an endorsement Monday in his bid for the Missouri House when one of his rivals for the GOP nomination stepped aside. Harry Rediger, a retired businessman and member of the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission, withdrew from the race in a letter sent to Holly Lintner, chairwoman of the Republican committee that will make the nomination... Two GOP members plan to seek nomination (09/11/07) At least two Republicans will publicly compete for their party's nomination to run in the special legislative election Feb. 5. Harry Rediger, a retired manager of J.C. Penney Co.'s Cape Girardeau store, and Wayne Wallingford, a retired Air Force officer and executive with McDonald's of Southeast Missouri, said Monday that they will pursue the GOP slot on the ballot. ... Democrats choose former postmaster for House race (09/07/07) The first person up for the Democratic Party was the last one standing. Mike Keefe, former Cape Gir­ardeau postmaster and chairman of the Cape Girardeau Parks Advisory Board, won the nomination Thursday evening as candidate for the 158th District Missouri House seat left open by the resignation of Nathan Cooper... Republicans looking for candidate to fill seat (08/28/07) Cape Girardeau Republicans will have a strong advantage in the February election to replace Nathan Cooper but potential candidates aren't hurrying to take on the race. During a meeting of the county's Republican Central Committee on Monday evening, Diane Diebold, vice-chairwoman of the committee, said no one has stepped up and told her they definitely want to run. ... Sales tax extension won't be on Nov. ballot (08/27/07) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County commissioners have decided not to ask voters for an extension of the half-cent sales tax for law enforcement this November. Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said Thursday that, for the time being, the county will not ask voters to renew the tax that expires Sept. 30, 2008. The deadline for placing items on the November ballot is Tuesday... Gov. Blunt picks date for special election (08/25/07) Party leaders seem content with Gov. Matt Blunt's decision to put off until Feb. 5 a special election for Cape Girardeau's seat in the Missouri House. Blunt announced the election date late Friday. In an e-mail response to a telephone message, spokeswoman Jessica Robinson pointed out that Feb. 5 is the next date when voters across the state will be going to the polls. The special election in Cape Girardeau and two other vacant districts will coincide with the presidential primary election... Three Cape council seats up for grabs (08/09/07) The next Cape Girardeau City Council election is more than six months away, but the groundwork for campaigning is about to begin. Terms for three city council members' seats will expire. One official can't run again. Another isn't sure. The third, Loretta Schneider, is already planning to compete... Parks tax could be on Feb. ballot (07/11/07) On Monday, Mike Keefe was optimistic about getting a half-cent tax increase on November's ballot. He changed his mind Tuesday. Keefe, chairman of Cape Gir?ardeau's parks and recreations advisory board, says there's not enough time to gather all the information the city council requested to meet an election deadline... Kinder unveils new high-tech campaign site (07/10/07) Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder wants to do something new for his re-election campaign. The Cape Girardeau Republican, first elected in 2004, is establishing a Web site that will feature a blog, a town-hall type forum area and Kinder providing video answers to questions submitted by users... Bollinger Co. makes sales tax permanent (04/04/07) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County voters decided Tuesday to make permanent a nearly 4-year-old half-cent sales tax. "I'm just extremely pleased with the citizens of this county. They saw there was a need, and without it, I don't know what we would have done. Now we can go on from here," said Presiding Commissioner Wayne Johnson... Perryville school bond fails (04/04/07) Voters for the second time in five months rejected a proposed $3.36 million bond issue to improve the Perryville school campus, while school tax measures in the Delta and Altenburg school districts passed. In Jackson, voters elected retired teacher Dan Stover and re-elected Gerald Adams to the Jackson school board Tuesday. ... Scott County rejects sales tax (04/04/07) BENTON, Mo. -- A half-cent sales tax extension for law enforcement in Scott County was defeated Tuesday in an election that saw only 14.84 percent of the county's 25,085 registered voters cast ballots. The vote was close and split largely along rural-urban and north-south lines. The tax extension was defeated 1,923 to 1,658, with most Sikeston-area precincts voting against the tax by large margins, according to unofficial vote totals... Mayor's race goes to Lohr (04/04/07) A return to peace on the Jackson Board of Aldermen will be a top priority for mayor-elect Barbara Lohr, who said Tuesday night she was disappointed by opponent David Reiminger's campaign during the last week of the race. Lohr defeated Reiminger by 81 votes, winning three of Jackson's four wards. Reiminger won only in Ward 2, which he has represented on the Board of Aldermen for 14 years. Write-in candidate John Graham ran well behind the leaders... Water district voters turn down $1.5 million bond issue (04/04/07) Voters in Cape Girardeau County's Public Water Supply District No. 2 on Tuesday defeated a $1.5 million revenue bond that would have extended and improved the waterworks system. The measure lost 190-107. The district supplies water to about 700 customers from west of Burfordville to Oak Ridge, including the Millersville area, and that number is increasing... Loretta Mohorc wins Chaffee mayor race (04/04/07) Chaffee voters selected their new mayor in Tuesday's election in a close vote between two sitting city council members, Loretta Mohorc and Jesse "Jack" Nordin, in a race that had no incumbent. Mohorc edged out Nordin 314 to 275, according to unofficial totals from the Scott County clerk's office. ... Newcomer beats incumbent in Jackson Ward 3 (04/04/07) Jackson voters retired the senior member of the board of aldermen Tuesday, giving newcomer Mark Dambach a narrow victory over 16-year Alderwoman Val Tuschhoff. Tuschhoff and her supporters seemed stunned when the results were posted that showed she had lost her Ward 3 seat by 33 votes. "I did 16 years for the people, and I guess they got somebody else to take a turn in the reins," she said... Perry County sales tax fails (04/04/07) Perry County voters rejected a three-eighths-cent sales tax to fund a $3.5 million project to repair and remodel the county jail and sheriff's office. The final results were 1,230 no votes to 1,188 yes votes. "I am, of course, disappointed that it failed but encouraged by the slim margin," said Sheriff Gary Schaaf. "It almost made it."... 3 seek to lead Jackson as mayor (04/01/07) When the contest to become the next mayor of Jackson officially began in December, the race quickly stacked up as a choice between two city hall insiders with modest differences on city issues against an outsider who wanted to shake up the status quo... Candidates in Leopold suggest boundary change (03/31/07) Allegations that as many as 42 students in the Leopold School District -- nearly a fourth of total enrollment in the small, rural school system -- are enrolled illegally have the district's school board candidates suggesting school boundary lines need to be changed... School board candidates (03/31/07) Two seats will be filled in each school board election, except in the Altenburg School District where three positions will be filled Tuesday. Perryville and Zalma candidates will appear in Sunday's Southeast Missourian. Scott City School District Incumbent... Candidates in Delta say time for arguing over (03/30/07) The candidates for the Delta Board of Aldermen are agreed -- it is time to put the bickering behind and concentrate on serious problems confronting the south Cape Girardeau County town of about 500. In the past two years, the four-member board has had 10 people seated for varying lengths of time. ... Bond issue would extend water lines (03/30/07) On Tuesday's ballot, voters in Public Water Supply District No. 2 of Cape Girardeau County will decide on a $1.5 million revenue bond to extend and improve the waterworks system. More houses have been built in the area from west of Burfordville to Oak Ridge, including Millersville, and the number of users on the current water line has increased from 500 to about 700 since 2001. The board has plans to dig another well, although it does not yet have the money to do so... Bollinger Co. pushing to make sales tax permanent (03/29/07) Bollinger County voters will decide Tuesday whether to make a nearly 4-year-old half-cent sales tax permanent. County officials say they need the money just to tread budgetary water. "We're not asking for a sales tax increase. We're just wanting to maintain what we've got already. And if we don't get it we'll probably have to make some cuts," Presiding Commissioner Wayne Johnson said... 3 schools have tax plans on ballot (03/29/07) Future school construction in three Southeast Missouri school districts could hinge on the outcome of tax issues on Tuesday's ballot. The small, rural Delta and Altenburg school districts have issues on the ballot in an effort to secure more state aid, and the Perryville School District has a bond issue on the ballot for the second time since November... Cairo official charged with four felonies (03/29/07) CAIRO, Ill. -- City Councilman Elbert "Bo" Purchase launched into a obscenity-laced verbal attack on Mayor Paul Farris and five city employees last September that included physical threats and racial slurs, according to documents included with a criminal complaint filed against Purchase... Mo. independent candidates could face same filing deadlines (03/27/07) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Independent candidates would need to file for office at the same time as those running in political party primaries, under legislation given initial House approval. Current law requires independents to file for office by the 15th Monday before the general election, which puts the deadline shortly before Missouri's August party primary election... Jackson hopefuls say new school needed (03/21/07) The Jackson School District will need to build a new elementary school at some point to handle growing enrollment, school board candidates said Tuesday night. Three of the four candidates seeking two positions on the school board attended a candidate forum at the Jackson Middle School library. The candidates -- Dan Stover, Marc Harris and incumbent Gerald Adams -- answered questions posed by a moderator and members of the audience... Officials campaign to extend sales tax (03/19/07) As the April election approaches, Scott County commissioners are engaging in a public-relations campaign, talking to county residents and municipal officials about their proposal to indefinitely extend the half-cent sales tax for law enforcement. Over the past few weeks the county's three commissioners -- Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger, First District Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn and Second District Commissioner Ron McCormick -- have made their case for the tax to municipal boards throughout the county, and at other public opportunities.. ... Clintons, Obama honor activists (03/05/07) SELMA, Ala. -- Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton crossed campaign paths for the first time Sunday as they paid homage to civil rights activists who they said helped give them the chance to break barriers to the White House. The two candidates and former President Clinton, making his first appearance with his wife since her campaign began, linked arms with activists who 42 years ago were attacked by police with billyclubs during a peaceful voting rights march. ... Cairo ousts Farris (02/28/07) CAIRO, Ill. -- Cairo voters rejected Mayor Paul Farris' bid for a second term Tuesday while at the same time nominating three incumbent city council members for new terms. The closely watched primary election -- observers were on hand from the Illinois Attorney General's office and the state Board of Elections -- was the voters' verdict on four years of bitter fighting between Farris and a council majority that fought him on most major issues... Two Jackson mayoral candidates make their case to club (02/16/07) Two members of the Jackson Board of Aldermen vying for a promotion took their case Thursday to the Cape Girardeau County Pachyderm Club. David Reiminger and Barbara Lohr are seeking to replace seven-term Mayor Paul Sander. In their presentations to about a dozen members of the Republican club, each cited a resume of civic involvement and a commitment to continued growth in the city of 12,750 people... Term-limited Republicans hovering for offices (02/12/07) ST. LOUIS -- In the childhood game of musical chairs, participants walk in a circle, all lunging for a seat when the song stops. One person gets left out. Now consider if some of the participants were already seated as others walked in a circle around them. When the music stops, it sure would be hard to grab a seat... Voters OK library tax by 119 votes (02/07/07) Tuesday was a night of churning stomachs for library supporters, but in the end Cape Girardeau voters approved the expansion of the public library by 119 votes. The measure asked for an $8.9 million addition to the Cape Girardeau Public Library to be funded by doubling the portion of the property tax for library use on homes within the Cape Girardeau district. The final tally was 1,249 votes for the measure, 1,130 against... Former Jackson mayoral candidate will not be placed back on ballot after losing lawsuit (02/07/07) The field in the contest for mayor of Jackson was set Tuesday when John Graham, a businessman who filed a lawsuit to win a ballot slot, lost a ruling from Judge Benjamin Lewis. At the end of more than 90 minutes of argument and testimony, Lewis ruled Graham's failure to pay his property taxes before the last day to file for the mayoral job made him ineligible to run. ... Extension of Scott Co. law enforcement sales tax to appear on April 3 ballot (01/25/07) Scott County will ask voters to keep its current law enforcement sales tax this April. County Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said the commission has placed a question on the April 3 ballot that will ask voters to extend the current half-cent sales tax for law enforcement that is set to expire in September 2008. The extension would not be time-limited, said Burger... Swingle to open nepotism probe involving Delta mayor, brother-in-law (01/24/07) Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Tuesday he will investigate allegations of nepotism against Delta Mayor Carol Collins. But the probe, begun as a result of a complaint from a Delta resident, isn't a top priority for the office, Swingle said. ... Delta candidate bumped from ballot (01/23/07) DELTA, Mo. -- A convicted felon resigned Monday from the Delta Board of Aldermen and withdrew as a candidate on the April ballot after questions surfaced about his qualifications to serve. A second incumbent alderman seeking re-election was barred from the ballot for failure to pay property taxes... Library expansion plan banks on vote (01/22/07) There are several ways of looking at the proposal to increase property taxes for an $8.9 million plan to expand and renovate the Cape Girardeau Public Library. One way is to look at the tax in isolation, which means that the portion of the property tax most city residents pay for the library will almost double. Another way is to look at the total property tax bill that will be due in December. The tax measure will stand alone in a special election Feb. 6... Jackson mayoral candidate out of the running due to unpaid property taxes (01/20/07) Jackson businessman John Graham, who wanted to be the first outsider to win the mayor's job in decades, was kicked off the ballot Friday because he hasn't paid his 2006 property taxes. The certified ballot omitted Graham because records at the Cape Girardeau County Collector's office showed the delinquency, said Mary Lowry, Jackson city clerk. Graham had been the first to file for mayor Dec. 12... Cairo has no ballots for city election (01/19/07) CAIRO, Ill. -- No applicants have been seeking to cast absentee ballots for the Feb. 27 municipal elections in Cairo, Alexander County Clerk Kent Thomas said Thursday. That's good, he said, because there aren't any ballots yet. "No one has been turned away," Thomas said. "No one has even tried yet."... No surprises as filing closes for Cape County elections (01/17/07) The last day of filing brought no new candidates in the open contest for Jackson mayor. And in Delta, six candidates filed for four seats on the Board of Aldermen. The last time the mayor's job in Jackson changed hands in 1993, Paul Sander defeated 20-year incumbent Carlton Meyer... Candidates file for seats on area school boards (01/17/07) The following candidates have filed as candidates for area school boards. The deadline to file was 5 p.m. Tuesday. Unless indicated, two positions are to be filled on each board. Under state law, no election will be held where there are only as many candidates as positions available. Those candidates automatically will take office after the April election... Today is filing deadline for school board candidates (01/16/07) Filing for school board seats ends today. But voters already are faced with deciding contested races for school board in the Jackson and Cape Girardeau school districts. In Jackson, four people have filed for the two seats including incumbent Gerald Adams. The latest candidate to file is Brian Dameron, a mechanical engineer... Filing deadline nears for local offices (01/15/07) In all, there are 24 political subdivisions that will hold candidate elections in Cape Girardeau County April 3. The elections range from seats on local fire protection district boards to town councils. The only countywide election is for two seats on the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center Board of Trustees. Incumbent Roland Sander was the only candidate as of late last week. Diane Howard is the other incumbent... Challenger joins Jackson race (01/09/07) A lifelong Jackson resident pushing "quality of life" issues filed late last week as a challenger to 16-year incumbent alderwoman Valerie Tuschoff in the city's Third Ward. Mark Dambach, 50, shop supervisor for Biomedical Services at Southeast Missouri Hospital, is making his first foray into politics. ... Qualifications of some candidates questioned (01/04/07) The list of candidates for city offices in Cairo, Ill., could be shortened Friday when a panel of officials hears evidence of whether some contenders don't meet the qualifications set out in state law. When filing closed last month, 10 candidates for mayor and 26 candidates for city council seats had declared their interest and brought petitions bearing at least 16 nominating signatures to city offices. ... Chaffee mayoral candidates number four with recent filings for April election (01/03/07) Chaffee's field of mayoral candidates has expanded to four with less than two weeks left in the filing period for the April municipal election. The most recent candidate to enter the race is Ron Davis, a general contractor with 15 to 20 years of experience in Chafee's city government as a councilman. Davis, a Chaffee resident for about 40 years, said he thinks the city government should be run similar to a business, providing service as efficiently as possible to its customers, city residents... Carnahan won't run for governor (12/28/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Secretary of State Robin Carnahan said Wednesday that she will not run for governor in 2008, squelching speculation of a Democratic primary showdown against Attorney General Jay Nixon. Carnahan, the daughter of the late governor Mel Carnahan and former Sen. Jean Carnahan, told The Associated Press she had seriously considered a gubernatorial bid but will instead seek re-election as secretary of state... Two people file for Cape School Board (12/20/06) Two people filed for Cape Girardeau school board Tuesday, including board member Laura Sparkman. Cape Girardeau resident Don Howard Jr. also filed as a candidate. They joined Paul Nenninger, who filed as a candidate on the first day of filing Dec. 12... 10 file for mayoral post in Cairo (12/19/06) CAIRO, Ill. -- The list of mayoral candidates grew to 10 Monday as filing for office ended, with another 26 Cairo residents seeking the six seats on the city council. The most prominent new candidate to file Monday was 12-year council veteran Carolyn Ponting, who immediately drew an endorsement from outgoing councilman-at-large Joey Thurston. ... Lawmakers face clamor for cash (12/18/06) When the Missouri Legislature returns to work Jan. 3, its spending choices will be dramatically different than they were as recently as two years ago, when legally mandated spending was projected at more than $1 billion more than revenue. The Republican-controlled legislature, along with new GOP governor Matt Blunt, responded by changing the laws that governed their budget choices, cutting thousands from Medicaid rolls and rewriting the formula for distributing aid to public schools. ... Seven file to become Cairo mayor (12/16/06) CAIRO, Ill. -- Seven candidates have filed to become the mayor of Cairo, which has been politically paralyzed for much of the last four years by a feud between incumbent Paul Farris and the city council. Farris was among the first to file, as was one of his chief antagonists on the council, Bobby Whitaker. ... Two Chaffee council members enter mayoral race (12/14/06) Two members of the Chaffee City Council have put their names into the race for Chaffee's open mayoral seat after the first two days of filing for the April municipal election. Current council members Loretta "Rhetta" Mohorc, Ward 2 and Jesse "Jack" Nordin, Ward 4, filed for the position along with Hope Huey, who does not serve on the council... Jackson to elect mayor, four aldermen (12/10/06) Five job openings for Jackson residents offer low pay and some late work hours but include a good benefits package for anyone who can stick with the work for five years or more. One hitch, however, is that candidates must pitch their resumes to several thousand bosses... Attorney general says automated political calls should be added to no-call law list (11/16/06) ST. LOUIS -- The novelty of an automated political call from former President Clinton, Sen. Kit Bond or other political celebrities apparently wore off quickly for some Missourians this political season. Attorney General Jay Nixon, urging protection from automated political calls on Wednesday, said some Missourians reported receiving as many as eight of them in a single night in the final days of the midterm elections... Voter errors delayed returns in some Southeast Missouri counties (11/09/06) Election night difficulties led to late returns from some area counties Tuesday night, causing final vote counts to be delayed until near midnight in some cases. In both Stoddard and Mississippi counties, several ballots were rejected by optical scan machines and had to be taken before a resolution board to verify voter intent... Winners planning for new jobs; losers, next race (11/09/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian The barrage of on-air advertising, direct mail and telephone calls is over, and Marble Hill, Mo., voter Lela Green was ready for it to end after voting Tuesday. Green, who at 80 has been voting since Harry Truman was president, said she was almost unable to use her telephone with all the intrusive pleas for a vote... Stem-cell opponents to continue seeking restrictions in Missouri (11/09/06) The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Supporters of a groundbreaking constitutional amendment protecting stem-cell research in Missouri hoped for a mandate from Tuesday's narrow victory. Instead, they could be facing a backlash. Despite being outspent by nearly $27 million in an effort that had backing from the state's Republican governor and its business leaders, opponents of the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative took solace Wednesday in a defeat by fewer than 47,000 votes out of a total of nearly 2.1 million cast.. ... Light rail finally gets green light in K.C. (11/09/06) The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- City officials in Kansas City were reeling Wednesday, a day after voters approved a ballot initiative that requires the city to build a light-rail system. Expected to go down in flames like six previous ballot attempts had, the initiative instead passed overwhelmingly in four metro area counties, despite what critics said was a lack of specifics on how the project would work and a source of money too small to do the job... Democrats gain full control of Congress with win in Virginia (11/09/06) By BOB LEWIS The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. -- Democrat Jim Webb won Virginia's pivotal Senate race Wednesday, unseating Republican George Allen and giving the Democrats total control of Congress for the first time in 12 years. After GOP Sen. Conrad Burns' loss in Montana, the Virginia contest was the last undecided Senate race in the country. Webb's victory gave the Democrats 51 Senate seats and majorities in both the House and Senate for the first time since 1994... Dow Jones hits another record following Democratic congressional wins (11/09/06) By TIM PARADIS The Associated Press NEW YORK -- Wall Street rose for a third straight session Wednesday, with the Dow Jones industrials reaching another record close as investors grew more confident that a huge victory by Democrats in congressional elections would result in gridlock and keep lawmakers out of the way of business interests... Lewis defeats Heisserer second time for judge seat (11/08/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian In a race that ended in a mirror image of the 2004 contest, Circuit Judge Ben Lewis won two of three counties in the 32nd Judicial Circuit to win a full six-year term on the bench. In 2004, a big win in the smallest constituency, Bollinger County, provided Lewis, a Republican, with the edge needed to take the seat from John Heisserer, a Democrat. In this year's race, Bollinger County went to Heisserer while Lewis captured Perry and Cape Girardeau counties... Republican candidates sweep Bollinger County races (11/08/06) By SCOTT MOYERS Southeast Missourian MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Two incumbents won easily, but a third candidate had to sweat out an evening of ups and downs before winning in a Republican sweep in Bollinger County races for circuit clerk, recorder of deeds and treasurer... Vote totals show Stewart ahead of McGlynn in appellate court race (11/08/06) Southeast Missourian A Southern Illinois judge pushing for more diversity in the Metro East-favored 5th Judicial District of the Illinois Appellate Court appeared to unseat the incumbent judge. Saline County Judge Bruce Stewart ran on the Democratic ticket against Republican Judge Stephen McGlynn in Tuesday's election for the appellate district, which encompasses Illinois's 37 southernmost counties... Democrats, Republicans split Ill. 115th, 118th House seats (11/08/06) Southeast Missourian MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- Two Illinois state representatives, one a Republican and the other a Democrat, appeared to be headed for victory Tuesday night in their re-election bids. State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, Ill., was winning by more than a 6,500-vote margin with results in from five of 11 counties in the 118th House District late Tuesday night... Voters back Democrat's bid for Union County sheriff (11/08/06) By KYLE W. MORRISON Southeast Missourian ANNA, Ill. -- There's a new sheriff in Union County, one who promises to help curb the drug problem in the area. Following the retirement of Jim Nash, Democrat David Livesay beat out Republican Steven J. Hoepker to become the county's new sheriff in Tuesday's election... Perry Co. rejects school bond issue (11/08/06) Southeast Missourian PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Voters rejected a $3.36 million general obligation bond issue Tuesday that would have paid off debt for past school improvements and freed up money to further upgrade the Perryville public schools. The vote was 2,531 for the bonds to 3,514 against. The measure needed just over 57 percent approval to pass... Hodge wins 161st District seat for Dems (11/08/06) By MATT SANDERS Southeast Missourian CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Late returns from Mississippi County Tuesday night show Democrat Steve Hodges will replace Rep. Lanie Black in the 161st District of the Missouri House of Representatives. With all 36 precincts in the district reporting their unofficial totals to the Missouri Secretary of State's office, Hodges held a 153-vote lead over Republican Gary Branum, a New Madrid farmer. ... Republicans swept most legislative seats in area (11/08/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian Republicans swept all but one of the contested area legislative races, losing the seat GOP committees spent more than $150,000 to defend. The only Democratic victory was in the 161st District, where Steve Hodges of East Prairie defeated Republican Gary Branum of New Madrid in a narrow victory... Jo Ann Emerson defeats former MSTA president Hambacker for sixth term (11/08/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, celebrated her election -day victory with more than 200 supporters at the Drury Lodge. Emerson beat Veronica Hambacker, 59-year-old former president of the Missouri State Teachers Association from Salem, Mo., and will enter her sixth term in Congress... Jones elected to fourth term as presiding commissioner (11/08/06) Southeast Missourian Cape Girardeau Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones cruised to a fourth term Tuesday, winning a landslide victory over challenger Victor Farrow. Jones, a Republican, ran on a record of sound fiscal management and economic expansion. Farrow, a Democrat, was almost invisible on the campaign trail, not attending many events or campaigning to any extent... GOP newcomer wins 160th (11/08/06) By MATT SANDERS Southeast Missourian SIKESTON, Mo. -- This year voters in the 160th District of the Missouri House of Representatives had a choice between two political newcomers -- Republican Ellen Brandom and Democrat Larry Tetley. Both are former business owners, both espoused conservative values, both are from Sikeston. On election night, voters overwhelmingly selected Brandom... Cooper wins first run as incumbent (11/08/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian State Rep. Nathan Cooper, R-Cape Girardeau, fended off a challenge from Democrat Matt Hill Tuesday to retain his seat in the 158th District of the Missouri House of Representatives by a comfortable margin. In Cooper's first run as an incumbent and first general election with a Democratic opponent, he received 62 percent of the 11,938 total votes cast... Wright retains seat in 159th District (11/08/06) By MATT SANDERS Southeast Missourian DEXTER, Mo. -- For the second time in two years voters in southwestern Cape Girardeau County appeared to have delivered the 159th District of the Missouri House of Representatives to Billy Pat Wright. In 2004, Cape Girardeau County voters in the 159th District helped put Wright in the Missouri House of Representatives for the first time... Voters in 156th District re-elect House speaker (11/08/06) By MARK BLISS Southeast Missourian MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton was re-elected Tuesday to a fourth two-year term in the legislature. Jetton, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Michael Winder, an ironworker from Marquand, Mo... 70 Missouri counties reject Amendment 2 (11/08/06) By ALAN SCHER ZAGIER The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- The eyes of scientists, politicians and business leaders across the country were on Missouri and its proposed constitutional amendment to protect stem-cell research Tuesday. Known as Amendment 2, the ballot measure was the only one nationally in Tuesday's election to directly address the disputed research technique... McCaskill, Talent race for Senate one of nation's closest (11/08/06) By DAVID A. LIEB The Associated Press Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill sought to take away the seat of Republican Jim Talent on Tuesday in one of the nation's tightest -- and potentially pivotal -- Senate races. After a $40 million contest that consumed thousands of campaign miles, early election results confirmed what polls had predicted: a close race... Blagojevich deflects scandal to win re-election (11/08/06) By CHRISTOPHER WILLS The Associated Press CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich persuaded Illinois voters to put aside any doubts about his honesty Tuesday and give him the chance to tackle an ambitious second-term agenda. His optimistic message -- coupled with millions of dollars worth of negative ads -- overwhelmed Republican Judy Baar Topinka's efforts to focus on federal investigations of the Blagojevich administration and the state's financial problems... Will rain wash out voters? (11/07/06) Voters in the Cape Girardeau area likely will face showers when they go to the polls today. Whether rain will affect the Election Day parade of voters remains to be seen. Light rain blanketed the area Monday, and forecasters said similar weather could greet people today with temperatures climbing into the mid-50s to low-60s... Changes could confuse vote (11/07/06) Whatever else you do in the voting booth today, don't circle the symbols. Despite the fact that the party symbols -- the Democratic donkey, the Republican elephant, the Independent Statue of Liberty and the Progressive leaf -- are still prominently displayed on the ballot, voters no longer have the option of voting a straight-party ticket... Campaigns frustrate voters (11/07/06) Thank goodness it's Election Day. By now, most Americans are sick and tired of all the negative political advertising. Television is saturated with so many political commercials this time of year that it's painful to watch. In addition, we're flooded with postcards urging us to vote for this candidate or that candidate. We're hounded by phone calls from various candidates and issue campaigns... House control rides on election outcome (11/06/06) WASHINGTON -- House control at stake, President Bush campaigned Sunday in endangered Republican districts across GOP-friendly middle America. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, hoping to become the first female speaker, stumped for Democratic challengers in the left-leaning Northeast... Talent lobbies for voter support, rallies troops at Cape stop (11/06/06) Two days before the midterm elections, U.S. Sen. Jim Talent made a final stop in Cape Girardeau Sunday asking voters for their support on Tuesday. During his visit to Cape Girardeau, Talent spoke about his accomplishments in the Senate and his record on issues like promoting renewable fuels, fighting methamphetamine and passing a Medicare prescription drug plan for seniors... McCaskill up all night pursuing votes; better-rested Talent flying around state (11/05/06) By SAM HANANEL The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Like a student cramming for final exams, Claire McCaskill pulled an all-nighter. The Democratic Senate candidate, scrambling for votes before Tuesday's election against Republican Sen. Jim Talent, embarked Friday night on a fast-paced tour of the St. Louis area. Her itinerary included more than 30 stops over 24 straight hours, and was to end with a rally Saturday night... Parties making last-minute push (11/05/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian In the last hours before the Nov. 7 midterm election, Democrat and Republican officials believe there is still time for races to be won or lost. "Missouri is a swing state. Missouri's margins are so small that this makes the difference. It made the difference in 2004, and it will make the difference in 2006," said Josh Haynes, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson... County clerks predict high voter turnout (11/05/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian A hotly contested U.S. Senate race and an emotional debate over stem cells should lead to a busy day at area polling places, area election officials said late Friday. Absentee voting in the region is running well ahead of past off-year elections, leading officials to predict a strong turnout... Perryville schools asking voters to approve $3.36 million bond (11/05/06) By MARK BLISS Southeast Missourian PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perryville school officials want voters to approve a $3.36 million general obligation bond issue in Tuesday's election. The measure would increase the school district's tax levy by 31 cents per $100 assessed valuation for six years to pay off the bonds... Political system flush with cash heading into final days of campaign (11/04/06) By JIM KUHNHENN The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Wealthy Americans and legions of small donors are helping finance an onslaught of last-minute political advertising and a fierce voter turnout drive over the next three days, closing out a midterm election that is projected to cost more than $2.6 billion... Opponents in race for state representative focus their campaigns on business climate (11/04/06) HARRISBURG, Ill. -- State Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Harrisburg Democrat, says he's worked to bring jobs to Southern Illinois. But his Republican opponent, Rhonda Belford of Rosiclare, Ill., contends he hasn't done enough to improve the business climate and the economy in Illinois' largest geographical district... 115th District race pits Republican against Green Party candidate (11/04/06) MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- A fixture in Southern Illinois politics, state Rep. Mike Bost has served in the legislature for more than a decade. First elected in 1994, the Republican is once again seeking re-election to the 115th House District seat. He faces a challenge from Green Party candidate Charlie Howe, 62, of Carbondale, Ill... Thomas says state auditor's job not political 'stepping stone' (11/03/06) Missouri's state auditor post has seemingly been a jumping-off point for politicians like former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, U.S. Sen. Kit Bond and even current auditor Claire McCaskill, who is running for the U.S. Senate. But Sandra Thomas, the Republican state auditor candidate who was in Cape Girardeau Thursday, said that's not the case for her... Southern Ill. county sheriff candidates focus on improving communication (11/03/06) By KYLE W. MORRISON Southeast Missourian ANNA, Ill. -- In an open race for Union County sheriff, one challenger hopes to bring about change while the other plans to build on past successes of the department. Democrat David Livesay and Republican Steven J. Hoepker are vying for the open position left by a retiring David Nash... Candidates for commission seat want to boost county's economy (11/03/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian CAIRO, Ill. -- At various times over the past year, motorists driving through Alexander County could spy a solitary figure walking along the road, sometimes carrying a sign touting his candidacy for county office... Illinois sheriff's candidates aim to improve communications (11/03/06) By KYLE W. MORRISON Southeast Missourian CAIRO, Ill. -- Regardless of who takes the Alexander County sheriff's seat on Tuesday, the county's residents will be the winners if the candidates' similar plans come to pass. Both Democrat David Barkett and Republican Richard Grapentin are pushing 24-hour sheriff communications as one of their main goals in the upcoming election... RNC chairman optimistic about Tuesday vote (11/02/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, arrived at the Republican Party headquarters at 500 Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday for an unpublicized drop-in to motivate volunteers making phone calls for local candidates... U.S. Senate race finds opponents lobbying for votes in Cape (11/02/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian Missouri's two major party candidates for U.S. Senate made Cape Girardeau their battleground Wednesday with Republican incumbent Jim Talent reaching out to shore up his conservative base and Democratic opponent Claire McCaskill hoping to energize area supporters... Republicans pouring big bucks into 161st District campaign (11/02/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian There's a big target on the 161st District Missouri House race and Republicans have made an enormous commitment to winning the contest by spending almost $150,000 to promote the GOP candidate. That spending is more than Republican Gary Branum and Democratic nominee Steve Hodges have raised in their combined efforts. The seat is being vacated by Rep. Lanie Black, R-Charleston, who is being forced out by term limits... Candidate: Government not helping war veterans (11/02/06) Southeast Missourian Congress needs to provide more funding to the Veterans Administration to improve medical services for veterans returning from the Iraq war, Democratic congressional candidate Veronica Hambacker said Wednesday in Cape Girardeau. Hambacker and ex-Marine Cloy Richards of Salem, Mo., said veterans who were injured in the war are returning home to find that they can't get timely medical care at VA hospitals... Voters to decide contested races for county office (11/02/06) By SCOTT MOYERS Southeast Missourian MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Six candidates are vying for three seats in Bollinger County races for circuit clerk, recorder of deeds and treasurer. And the candidates themselves are touting a need for change or the value of experience, depending on whether they're the incumbent or the challenger... Baptists oppose stem-cell measure (11/02/06) Delegates overwhelmingly supported a resolution against Amendment 2. By LINDA REDEFFER Southeast Missourian In the final day of its annual meeting, the Missouri Baptist Convention voiced overwhelming opposition to Missouri's proposed stem-cell amendment in a show-of-hands vote Wednesday... Major contributors in the 159th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Billy Pat Wright, Republican; Boyce Wooley, Democrat Major contributors in the 160th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Gary Branum, Republican; Steve Hodges, Democrat Major contributors in the 156th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Rod Jetton, Republican; Michael Winder, Democratic Major contributors in the race for Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner (11/02/06) Gerald Jones, Republican; Victor Farrow, Democrat Major contributors in the 160th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Ellen Brandom, Republican; Larry Tetley, Democrat Major contributors in the 158th District Missouri House race (11/02/06) Nathan Cooper, Republican; Matt Hill, Democrat Major contributors in the 32nd Circuit judicial race (11/02/06) Ben Lewis, Republican; John Heisserer, Democratic Challenger hopes to block presiding commissioner's bid (11/01/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones is making one more lap around the political circuit as he seeks a fourth term as presiding commissioner. Opposing Jones is Teamsters Local 600 business agent Victor Farrow, who hasn't raised any money, put out many yard signs or appeared at many campaign functions... Democrats, Republicans battle for control of House seat (11/01/06) For eight years, the 161st District of the Missouri House of Representatives has been under Republican control. But the situation used to be much different. Before Charleston resident Lanie Black won election to the seat in 1998, the 161st District was a faithful Democratic seat for decades. His first election was the exception, not the rule... Newcomers attempt to lay claim to House district (11/01/06) Voters in the 160th District of the Missouri House of Representatives will face a tough choice Nov. 7. The two political newcomers competing for the seat, Republican Ellen Brandom and Democrat Larry Tetley, place strong emphasis on conservative social values... GOP faithful flock to Cape to campaign for Sen. Talent (10/31/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian U.S. Sens. Jim Talent and Kit Bond and a veritable who's who of Missouri politicians are traveling around the state to drum up support in the last days before the neck-and-neck Senate race. On Monday in Cape Girardeau, Talent instructed people in the enthusiastic crowd to do their part to get out the vote... Judicial race repeats '04 match-up (10/30/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian The outcome of most area elections wasn't in doubt after ballot counting began in 2004. One contest, however, wasn't over until the last votes were tallied. Democratic incumbent Judge John Heisserer survived an avalanche of straight-party Republican votes in Cape Girardeau and Perry counties only to fall by 272 votes to Republican Ben Lewis on the strength of the GOP vote in Bollinger County... Eighth District opponents keep to the high road (10/30/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, is taking nothing for granted in her race for a sixth term in Congress. "I think I have visited 26 of the 28 counties in the district over the past four weeks, and hopefully by Tuesday I'll visit the last two," she said in a phone call Friday afternoon when a rained-out campaign stop gave her a chance to "take an hour for myself."... Blue-collar challenger seeks to unseat speaker (10/30/06) By MARK BLISS Southeast Missourian Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton says the state has improved its roads in recent years, but Democratic challenger Michael Winder contends that a major highway in Jetton's district remains a driving nightmare. Winder's sister and several of his friends died in traffic accidents on Highway 34, a narrow, two-lane highway with sharp twists and turns... Like state, area split on stem cells (10/29/06) By RUDI KELLER Southeast Missourian Local voices taking part in the stem-cell research debate mirror the split statewide over Amendment 2, the highest-profile issue on the Nov. 7 ballot. Supporters highlight the hope embryonic stem-cell research raises to find cures for some of the most debilitating diseases afflicting humans. ... Battle lines drawn over tobacco tax (10/29/06) By TJ GREANEY Southeast Missourian On Nov. 7, Missourians will be asked to vote on Amendment 3. If approved, the change to the state constitution would increase taxes on tobacco products by 80 cents. Missouri's tobacco tax is currently 17 cents, the second-lowest rate in the nation... Measure could make raises easier for state officials (10/29/06) By MARK BLISS Southeast Missourian Missouri's judges, legislators and statewide elected officials could find it easier to get pay raises under a provision of constitutional Amendment 7 on the Nov. 7 ballot. The issue has sparked debate among lawmakers with some charging it's a sneaky way for colleagues in the legislature to vote themselves pay raises. Others say it's a way to fix a broken salary system... Proposition B asks voters to raise minimum wage in Missouri (10/29/06) By SCOTT MOYERS Southeast Missourian For years, Tim Weatherly paid his Southeast Missouri State University student employees the bare minimum -- $5.15 an hour. But the regional district manager for Chartwells, which operates the university's dining facilities, found staying competitive increasingly difficult as employees opted to take jobs at a higher rate of pay... Mo. Baptist Convention to address stem-cell issue (10/27/06) When 2,000 Missouri Baptist Convention members convene in Cape Girardeau next week, the state's proposed stem-cell amendment is expected to be one of the controversial issues addressed. The 172nd annual meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention opens at the Show Me Center on Monday and continues through late Wednesday morning... Stem-cell issue attracts stars, merging with Senate race in Missouri (10/26/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The battle over stem-cell research in Missouri certainly doesn't lack star power. Ailing actor Michael J. Fox, rock star cancer-survivor Sheryl Crow, Super Bowl hero Kurt Warner, Wednesday's starting World Series pitcher Jeff Suppan and celebrities galore have all given voters their two cents... State Senate candidates stake hopes on rural votes (10/23/06) CLINTON, Mo. -- At a beauty salon along Main Street in this small, western Missouri town, Debbie Cross vents her frustration over the lingering Iraq war, gas prices and a litany of other national woes. "I feel like it's turning into another Vietnam," said the 48-year-old bank teller from nearby Appleton City. She voted for Republican Sen. Jim Talent four years ago, but says she's leaning toward his Democratic opponent, state Auditor Claire McCaskill, on Nov. 7 in the closely contested race... Papers sound off on Senate race, stem cells, tobacco tax (10/23/06) ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Sunday endorsed state auditor Claire McCaskill for Missouri's next U.S. senator, citing "her independence, her attitude and her grasp of the real problems" faced by Missouri and the nation today. The Post-Dispatch and The Kansas City Star both endorsed the stem-cell initiative, while the Springfield News-Leader urged its defeat. ... Election judge acknowledges casting two absentee ballots (10/22/06) MAPLEWOOD, Mo. -- A veteran Republican election judge will not be allowed to work at the polls Nov. 7 after acknowledging he illegally cast two absentee ballots. St. Louis County Election Board chairman John Diehl said the man -- the second judge caught double-voting this year -- was elderly and told election officials that he hadn't meant to vote twice. Diehl declined to identify the judge... Major contributors in the 32nd Judicial Circuit contest (10/19/06) Major donors in the contest for circuit judge in the 32nd Judicial Circuit. Donors are from Cape Girardeau unless otherwise noted. John Heisserer, Democrat: Tom O'Loughlin, Oak Ridge, $325; Teresa O'Loughlin, Oak Ridge, $325; Byrd Township Democrats, Jackson, $325; Norman Robert, $100; Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee, $325; Electrical Workers Local No. ... Major contributors in the 161st District contest (10/19/06) Steve Hodges, Democrat: Gary Branum, Republican: Plaza Tire Service Inc., Cape Girardeau, $325; Howard Wood, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Joyce Wood, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Construction Co. LLC, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Management, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Bonne Terre Land Co. ... Major contributors in the 158th District contest (10/19/06) Donors are from Cape Girardeau unless otherwise noted. Matt Hill, Democrat: Larry Dixon, Arlington, Mass., $325; Jennie Cooper, $100. Nathan Cooper, Republican: 32nd District Republican Legislative Committee, Kansas City, Mo., $3,000; John Tlapek, $325; Fred Wilferth, $100; Government Affairs Committee, St. ... Major contributors in the 160th District contest (10/19/06) Larry Tetley, Democrat: Ellen Brandom, Republican: Robert and Linda Brandom, Parkville, Mo., $200; Deborah Hutter, Quincy, Ill., $295; Robert Hutter, Quincy, Ill., $325; Gary Rust, Cape Girardeau, $325; Missouri Association of Insurance Financial Advisors PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $250; Loren and Deborah Miller, Cincinnati, Ohio, $300; Big River Aviation, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Construction, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Management, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Big River Land Co., Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Larry Braden, Sikeston, Mo., $325; Richard and Christy Montgomery, Sikeston, Mo., $325; Howard Wood, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Joyce Wood, Bonne Terre, Mo., $325; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City PAC for Missouri, Kansas City, Mo., $325; 158th Legislative District Committee, Cape Girardeau, $325; Mike and Dawn Parker, Sikeston, Mo., $200; Missouri Cable PAC, Independence, Mo., $325; Missouri GOPAC, Kansas City, Mo., $325; Missouri State Teachers Association, Columbia, Mo., $325; Missouri Pharmacy PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $250; Missouri Hospital Association Health PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $150; Realtors PAC, Columbia, Mo., $325; Vernon Rhodes Family Partners, L.P., Cape Girardeau, $175; Plaza Tire, Cape Girardeau, $325; Southeast Missouri Dental PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $200; Missouri Dental PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Committee to Re-Elect Jay Knudtson Mayor, Cape Girardeau, $150; Charles and Carole Ozean, Cape Girardeau, $325; Citizens for Bearden, St. ... Democrats rally fund-raising forces, lag behind GOP (10/19/06) Most area Democrats seeking state offices improved their fund-raising records during September, but only one candidate, judicial hopeful John Heisserer, has exceeded his GOP opponent for the entire year. According to campaign reports filed this week, Heisserer, who is trying to regain the judicial post he lost to Ben Lewis in 2004, has raised $54,704. Lewis, a Republican hoping to win a full six-year term as circuit judge, has raised $23,140... Major contributors in the 156th District contest (10/19/06) 156th Legislative Democratic Committee, Fredericktown, Mo., $525; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, St. Louis, Mo., $325; Madison County Democratic Club, Fredericktown, Mo., $325; Madison County Democratic Central Committee, Fredericktown, Mo., $200; Committee to Elect Hambacker, Salem, Mo., $150; Collin Follis, Fredericktown, Mo., $100; Merritt Gerlach, Cape Girardeau, $300; Cape Area Democratic Meet Up Group, Cape Girardeau, $325; Law offices of V. ... Major contributors in the 159th District contest (10/19/06) Donors are from Dexter, Mo., unless otherwise noted. Boyce Wooley, Democrat: Wayne County Democratic Central Committee, Williamsville, Mo., $150; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Educational Committee, Washington, D.C., $100; Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee, Jackson, $325; United Transportation Union PAC, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; L.W. Maddox, Clarkton, Mo., $325; Nixon for Governor, Jefferson City, Mo., $325; Ryan Holden, $325... Court rules against state voter ID law (10/17/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters won't need to show a photo ID at the polls after all, after the state Supreme Court on Monday struck down the new requirement. A lower judge ruled last month that the ID requirement was an unconstitutional infringement on the fundamental right to vote. The Supreme Court agreed in a 6-1 unsigned opinion... Community leader candidates part of Dems' bid to win Statehouse seats (10/16/06) ST. LOUIS -- Missouri Democrats' strategy to recruit well-known community leaders to run in next month's election has resulted in tight races in more than a dozen swing districts around the state. The Democrats stand to win back some seats in the Statehouse, a point acknowledged by the legislature's Republican leaders. But while no one expects the party to seize control of either chamber, Democrats say they would be happy just to halt a 20-year slide... Foley scandal, Iraq war topics of Emerson speech at GOP picnic (10/14/06) Local Republicans hoped to energize their base with a picnic Friday night at Cape County Park. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, state Rep. Nathan Cooper and others spoke to more than 100 of the party faithful. Polls have shown a high level of dissatisfaction among Republicans over handling of the scandal surrounding Mark Foley and the Iraq war... State Supreme Court rules tobacco tax increase can appear on ballot (10/12/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters can consider a proposal to raise the state's tobacco tax on Nov. 7, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The court unanimously held that proponents of the increase collected enough valid signatures from voters to secure a ballot spot for proposed Amendment 3 to the Missouri Constitution... Election officials allege group submitted hundreds of bogus voter registration cards (10/12/06) ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis election officials say hundreds of potentially bogus voter registration cards were submitted by a group that's been repeatedly criticized by other election leaders for registering invalid and potentially fraudulent voters. The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now -- or ACORN -- on Wednesday stood by the integrity of its not-for-profit mission, to send paid and volunteer workers around cities to sign up new voters... Kruse stumps for Talent at Cape campaign stop (10/11/06) Missouri Farm Bureau president Charlie Kruse, hoping to help U.S. Sen. Jim Talent win a full term, sought Tuesday to paint Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill as a liberal opposed to issues important to farmers. During a rally at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Kruse touted Republican Talent as an important ally for renewing farm support programs, helping agribusinesses and pushing the use of farm products to make fuel. ... Political sign set ablaze in area woman's yard (10/10/06) In the last four weeks, the pro-Democrat sign on Linda Sanders' property on County Road 618 off Interstate 55 has been vandalized twice. The latest on Friday involved arson, a felony. "I don't care if they burn my whole yard down, but I'm not taking my sign down," Sanders said... Blunt urges area Republicans to support Talent at Monday's GOP rally in Cape (10/10/06) Republican state leaders took credit for low unemployment, reduced methamphetamine use and a full state treasury during a stop Monday at Cape Girardeau County GOP headquarters. Gov. Matt Blunt, House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, and Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, urged about 100 people crammed into the Kingshighway office to work hard for more Republican victories on Nov. 7... Eighth District candidates to attend forum at tech center today (10/10/06) The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri will hold a candidate forum at 7 p.m. today at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. The league invited candidates for Eighth District U.S. Representative, State Auditor, Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner and Missouri House candidates in the 158th, 159th and 160th Districts... Missouri auditor's race takes negative turn (10/09/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Like pumpkins before Halloween, October is ripe with negative politics in an election season. Yet something seems just a little peculiar about the criticism arising in the state auditor's race. Put simply: The attacks just aren't the type of things people typically understand... Missouri Senate candidates clash on Foley scandal (10/09/06) WASHINGTON -- Candidates in Missouri's hotly contested Senate race clashed Sunday over the congressional page sex scandal and the war in Iraq, with the Democratic challenger saying House Speaker Dennis Hastert should quit. State Auditor Claire McCaskill said Hastert, R-Ill., and other GOP leaders failed to properly investigate when they first learned of former Rep. Mark Foley's e-mails to congressional pages... Obama stumps for McCaskill in Senate race with Talent (10/08/06) KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, headlining a rally for Senate candidate Claire McCaskill, whipped a Democratic crowd into shouts and applause Saturday by criticizing President Bush and saying Democrats must do more than complain to win November's elections... Election officials proceeding despite uncertainty over tobacco tax (10/07/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Nov. 7 election is only about a month away, and election officials still don't know for sure if a tobacco tax increase will be on the ballot. But at this late date, they're proceeding anyway. By law, absentee ballots had to be available by Sept. 26. A judge ordered the tobacco tax proposal onto the ballot Sept. 11, but the Supreme Court heard an appeal Wednesday and has yet to make a decision... Both sides take stem-cell debate to Southeast students (10/06/06) Experts on both sides of the embryonic stem-cell debate made their case to Southeast Missouri State University students Thursday night. More than 100 people listened as Lindsay Holwick of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures and Dr. Michael Wulfers of Missourians Against Human Cloning gave slide shows supporting their views... Outside money fuels Missouri Senate race (10/04/06) WASHINGTON -- Outside money is streaming into Missouri's U.S. Senate race as national political parties try to sway the outcome of a contest that polls are calling a dead heat. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee so far has spent about $1.4 million on television ads to boost State Auditor Claire McCaskill and slam her opponent, Republican Sen. Jim Talent, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission... One week left to register for next month's election (10/04/06) Time is running short for anyone who wants to vote on Nov. 7 to become registered. Voter rolls for the election close Oct. 11, said Patty Schlosser, director of elections for Cape Girardeau County. New voters can register in Jackson at the Administration Building and in Cape Girardeau at the county annex on Lorimier Street... Candidates for state representative races lobby for votes (10/03/06) When Laverne Nothdurft goes to the polls Nov. 7, she has a better idea of which Missouri House of Representative candidate she'll vote for. The retired Sears assistant service manager attended an informational forum sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County AARP on Monday. Candidates in the Missouri House 158th district race, incumbent Nathan Cooper and Matt Hill, and 159th district race, incumbent Billy Pat Wright and Boyce Wooley, met with about 35 retirees at their monthly meeting... Democrats target GOP at Cape picnic (10/01/06) Republican leaders in Washington, D.C., and Jefferson City came under fire Saturday for the ballooning federal debt, unclear war aims and indifference to the plight of working people, the poor and disabled during a Democratic Party picnic in County Park... Cape library to propose tax increase (09/30/06) The Cape Girardeau Public Library will ask voters to approve a 15-cent property tax increase in a special election Feb. 6. The tax increase would fund a $9 million project that would double the size of the facility on Clark Avenue to 38,860 square feet, library officials said... Missouri scientists quietly conduct stem-cell research (09/30/06) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The attention-grabbing TV ads, boisterous billboards and raucous radio spots offered at times by both sides in the growing debate over human embryonic stem-cell research obscure a more modest reality: Only a handful of scientists in Missouri are actually doing such work... Accusations by both sides heat up state auditor campaign (09/29/06) Missouri's Democratic candidate for state auditor, Buchanan County Auditor Susan Montee, says her campaign was reluctant to make an election issue out of reported discrepancies in her opponent's job performance, but calls to her campaign office forced her hand on the issue... Talent, McCaskill question each other's 'facts' (09/25/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Whether debating the nation's energy policy or war against terror, Missouri's U.S. Senate candidates are spouting facts and figures galore while each accusing the other of stretching the truth. What's fact, what's fiction and what's fuzzy? That's sometimes hard to determine... Carnahan: Democrats only need to tell truth to win Nov. 7 (09/24/06) Local Democrats are confident that voters will see things their way in November. At the Cape Girardeau County Democrat Central Committee's annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan bolstered that confidence. Carnahan was the keynote speaker at the event, held on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. ... Two aldermen eye mayor's post (09/22/06) Jackson voters are likely to see at least one familiar candidate vying for mayor on the April ballot. After serving on the Jackson Board of Aldermen for the past four years, Barbara Lohr announced this week she will file in December for the mayor's seat... Judge strikes down voter ID law (09/15/06) A judge struck down Missouri's new voter identification law Thursday as an unconstitutional infringement on the right to vote. The ruling, from Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan, was handed down a day before a traveling van bringing the opportunity to obtain a free photo ID was scheduled to visit VIP Industries in Cape Girardeau... McCaskill: Missouri lacking in nursing home oversight (09/15/06) ST. LOUIS -- Missouri is doing a poorer job overseeing private nursing homes than it was three years ago, according to an audit released Thursday by State Auditor Claire McCaskill. McCaskill, speaking at a news conference in St. Louis, said she was discouraged by the new audit, which found a decline in the state's regulation of nursing homes during 2005 despite two previous audits that recommended 32 ways to improve oversight... Other states watching Missouri as vote on stem-cell amendment nears (09/15/06) COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Ensconced in their research labs on the banks of the Charles River near Boston, Harvard scientists Kevin Eggan and Chad Cowan would seem to have little stake in the outcome of an election half a continent away. Yet on Nov. 7 when Missouri voters consider a proposed state constitutional amendment protecting embryonic stem-cell research, the two Harvard researchers -- bankrolled by a combined $10.65 million from 82-year-old Kansas City billionaire James Stowers Jr. ... Recount has Thomas as victor in auditor primary (09/14/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A recount has confirmed Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas as the victor in a close Republican primary for state auditor. The secretary of state's office said Wednesday that Thomas' victory margin actually grew by 28 votes, compared with the original count, over second-place finisher Rep. ... Hambacker focuses effort on health care, minimum wage (09/13/06) Taking on a well-funded congressional incumbent is a daunting task, but Veronica Hambacker said Tuesday that she can be successful by waging a grass-roots, county-by-county effort in the Eighth Congressional District. Hambacker, a Democrat who has raised a little more than $20,000 in her effort to unseat U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, said voters will reject the status quo on Nov. 7. Emerson has raised more than $800,000 to win her sixth term and had $339,000 in the bank in July... Judge orders tobacco tax onto Missouri's ballot (09/12/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state judge on Monday ordered a proposed tobacco tax increase to appear on Missouri's Nov. 7 ballot, ruling that supporters had gathered enough valid petition signatures. The decision by Cole County Circuit Judge Thomas Brown overturns a decision last month that the amendment had fallen 274 names short of the required mark in the Kansas City area... Republicans out-raising Democrats for 2 seats (09/11/06) Democrats hoping to upset the Republican juggernaut that transformed Southeast Missouri's legislative delegation into a GOP bastion find themselves far behind in fund raising with just eight weeks until election day. In two open seats stretching from southern Cape Girardeau County to the Bootheel, both won for the GOP in 1998 by fewer than 100 votes, the Democratic candidates face a cash advantage for Republicans of 10- and 20-to-1... Former president Clinton stumps for McCaskill (09/10/06) ST. LOUIS -- Former president Clinton on Saturday said Democrat Claire McCaskill would be a "proud successor" to Harry Truman, who rose from Missouri's U.S. senator to national prominence after daring to challenge the status quo during wartime. Clinton, in his first formal visit to Missouri in nearly six years, gave two rousing speeches to the Democratic Party faithful in St. ... Area candidates filling campaign chests (09/08/06) Incumbent Republican state Rep. Nathan Cooper scored big in fund-raising last month, bringing in more than 30 times the amount collected by Democratic challenger Matt Hill. Cooper, who is seeking his second term representing Cape Girardeau in the Missouri House, collected $26,175, from July 28 to Sept. 2, according to a report filed this week with the Missouri Ethics Commission... State bar evaluates judges facing retention (08/30/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Aiming to help voters decide whether to retain certain judges this November, The Missouri Bar issued a report Tuesday summarizing evaluations of the jurists by lawyers and, in some instances, by jurors as well. Judges on the state Supreme Court, the three-district Court of Appeals and five circuit courts in the St. ... Candidate asks for hand recount in state GOP auditor primary (08/25/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Second-place finisher Jack Jackson requested a statewide hand recount Thursday in Missouri's Republican auditor primary, tempering his hope by acknowledging a slim chance of actually reversing Sandra Thomas' victory. The statewide recount is just the fourth requested since 1900... Thomas officially wins auditor primary (08/24/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas on Wednesday officially was declared the winner of a close Republican state auditor's primary and immediately went on the offensive against her Democratic opponent. Second-place Republican finisher Rep. Jack Jackson, meanwhile, said he plans to ask for a recount today. That would trigger a statewide ballot reverification that by law could take until Sept. 13 to complete... Missouri voter ID law is the latest in national test cases (08/21/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- In court, unlike in coin-flipping or some sporting events, there is no "best two-out-of-three" option to determine the ultimate winner of a contest that at first goes one way and then another. But in some sense, that is what is occurring beginning today in a Missouri courtroom just a few blocks from the Capitol... Senate candidates Talent, McCaskill meet cordially at Missouri State Fair (08/18/06) SEDALIA, Mo. -- There were no harsh words, no critical glares, just plenty of friendly banter and ham as Missouri's Senate candidates met Thursday at the state fair's annual political breakfast. The must-do event for Missouri politicians took on extra significance this year because both Republican Sen. Jim Talent and Democratic challenger State Auditor Claire McCaskill are aggressively courting rural voters for the Nov. 7 election... 300 rally against stem-cell measure (08/18/06) Amendment 2 provides a stark choice for Missourians, opponents whipping up religious opposition told a crowd of 300 Thursday night. Speakers at the Christians Against Human Cloning rally painted the proposal as the next step in a satanic onslaught, using promises of cures to promote tyranny and death... Question for voters Nov. 7 boils down to worries versus hopes (08/18/06) No politicians anywhere actively support the creation of cloned human beings. And talk of cloning raises the specter of sci-fi classics such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or "Brave New World." But for those opposing Amendment 2, the horror of cloning extends to the petri dish, where the techniques first pioneered to produce Dolly the sheep could be used to foster stem-cell lines identical to a living donor... County Democrats, Republicans elect committee leaders (08/17/06) Cape Girardeau County's two major political parties elected new leaders Tuesday evening. Educator Brenda Woemmel of Cape Girardeau was elected chairwoman of the Democratic Central Committee, replacing photographer Tom Neumeyer. John Voss, a Cape Girardeau city councilman and manager at Procter & Gamble, was elected chairman of the Republican Central Committee, replacing Leonard "Fritz" Sander of Jackson... Talent, McCaskill forum to be Sept. 15 (08/16/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republican Sen. Jim Talent and Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill will meet in a candidate's forum Sept. 15. The Missouri Press Association said Tuesday the two Senate candidates have agreed to participate in the forum during the group's annual convention at the Lake of the Ozarks... Blunt says ballot proposal to boost minimum wage could harm economy (08/13/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt says a November ballot proposal to boost Missouri's minimum wage could harm the economy and make it more difficult to recruit businesses to the state. If approved by voters, the proposal would raise Missouri's minimum wage from the current federal level of $5.15 to $6.50 effective Jan. 1. The wage rate would automatically rise each year thereafter to keep pace with inflation... Energy, health costs top issues for voters, Emerson says (08/13/06) Constituents in the 8th Congressional District have two major concerns, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said Saturday -- energy costs and health-care costs. Emerson said at her 11th annual picnic Saturday she gained greater understanding of those concerns after a tour last week that stopped at farms in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Stoddard counties and the floodwall in Cape Girardeau... Election win creates opening on county commission (08/11/06) BENTON, Mo. -- With the election over in Scott County, an uncertainty remains -- who will be the next commissioner to represent the county's northern half? Current 2nd District Commissioner Jamie Burger won the Democratic party nomination for presiding commissioner Tuesday, all but guaranteeing him the seat since no Republican is challenging him... Glitches delay vote count in Bollinger County (08/10/06) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County's election Tuesday dragged on late into the night as election officials wrestled with technical glitches to count all the votes. All the votes were counted by 11 p.m., County Clerk Diane Holzum said. None of the contests was close, and the final tallies didn't change the outcomes... Prop 1, Clark beat expectations (08/10/06) Tuesday's election results in Cape Girardeau County included two stunning turns of fortune. Paul Sander, longtime mayor of Jackson, filed for the county clerk's job Feb. 28. Conventional wisdom suggested that Sander, latest in a family line of officeholders, would be a formidable if not unbeatable candidate... Jackson sales tax may be on back burner (08/10/06) Asking voters to approve a fire safety sales tax in Jackson may be put on hold for a while after a countywide half-cent sales tax narrowly passed Tuesday. Jackson officials have been working on a proposal to build another fire station in the city. They had been considering asking voters to approve a sales tax for the substation but were waiting for the results of the county proposal... Sales tax passes by 131 votes (08/09/06) Cape Girardeau County voters narrowly approved a proposed half-cent sales tax Tuesday in an election that had all three county commissioners eagerly awaiting returns from every precinct. All three commissioners and Sheriff John Jordan, who together led the public relations campaign for the tax, agreed Proposition 1 would have lost heavily if the vote had taken place three weeks ago... Newcomer to be clerk; incumbent wins presiding commissioner race (08/09/06) A political newcomer upset a 20-year fixture on the area political scene Tuesday to win the Republican nomination for Cape Girardeau County clerk. Kara Clark, a Cape Girardeau native who returned home two years ago to help care for her ill father, easily won her first election by defeating Jackson Mayor Paul Sander. Clark received 62 percent of the vote to Sander's 38 percent, winning 4,901 to 3,016... Newcomer wins Perry Co. commissioner race (08/09/06) PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A former UPS driver beat out two seasoned politicians and another candidate to win Perry County's presiding commissioner seat. Carl "Topper" Leuckel won the post vacated by retiring Presiding Commissioner Thomas Sutterer by nearly 600 votes. He beat out lawyer and former Perryville mayor Kim R. Moore and former state representative and current 1st District Commissioner Patrick A. Naeger, all Republicans... Hambacker wins Democratic primary in race for Congress (08/09/06) Veronica Hambacker won Tuesday's three-way Democratic primary for the 8th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. According to unofficial results from the Missouri secretary of state's office, Hambacker, of Salem, Mo., took the Democratic nomination with about 40 percent of the votes... Meadow Heights bond issue passing (08/09/06) PATTON, Mo. -- Voters in the rural Meadow Heights School District appeared Tuesday to have approved a $1.5 million bond issue to upgrade the school complex. Technical problems delayed vote counting in Bollinger County. With most of the votes counted late Tuesday night, the bond issue was passing 434 to 182... Election briefs 8/9/06 (08/09/06) Sen. Lieberman loses Connecticut primary Three-term Sen. Joe Lieberman fell to anti-war challenger Ned Lamont in Connecticut's Democratic primary Tuesday, a race seen as a harbinger of sentiment over a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 2,500 U.S. ... GOP primary for state auditor a tight race (08/09/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Buchanan County Auditor Susan Montee cruised to victory in the Democratic state auditor's primary Tuesday while Republicans awaited the outcome of a tight three-way race in their primary. Montee had 69 percent of the vote in her contest against Columbia accountant Darrell Wattenbarger, with 58 percent of statewide precincts reporting results... Horman upsets Mann; Burger fends off Pinkerton (08/09/06) BENTON, Mo. -- Scott City resident Cindy Gray went to the polls early Tuesday afternoon primarily for one reason. "I basically came out to vote for judge," Gray said. Danny Brown of Scott City was there for the same reason. In fact, he had little interest in the race for the county's presiding commissioner seat at all... County sales tax, Fulbright set to win by wide margins in Bollinger County (08/09/06) MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- With all but three precincts reporting, Bollinger County voters appeared to overwhelmingly support a countywide sales-tax increase as well as a deputy recorder of deeds to run to replace her retiring predecessor. Technical problems with the vote tabulators pushed the finals late into the evening, but with 10 of 13 precincts reporting and absentee ballots counted, the eighth-cent tax increase -- which would generate $70,000 a year for the Tri-City Senior Citizens Nutrition Center -- was all but assured victory with 1,023 voters saying yes and 541 casting no votes.. ... U.S. Senate seat hopefuls to appear on 'Meet the Press' (08/08/06) Two contenders for a Missouri U.S. Senate seat will appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" for a debate this fall. Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Talent and his challenger, Democratic candidate Claire McCaskill, will appear on the program Oct. 8, according to a news release from McCaskill's campaign. ... Prop 1 decision comes down to tax tradeoff (08/06/06) As voters prepare to make a final decision on Proposition 1, the half-cent county sales tax for roads and law enforcement, supporters are asking that people take a close look at their property-tax bills. The first line on the bill indicates how much the tax collector received for either the county road and bridge fund or the Cape Special Road District... Each precinct in area to have touchscreen voting machine (08/06/06) A new method for voting will be on hand at area polling places Tuesday to make sure disabled voters can vote easily and in privacy. Most voters, area county clerks said, will see no change in the way ballots have been cast in recent years. But the new machines, mandated by the Help America Vote Act, could be the wave of the future... Sales tax for parks, soil conservation up for extension Tuesday (08/06/06) On Tuesday, Missouri voters will decide whether to extend a little tax that supporters say has paid big dividends. Amendment 1, if approved, would add 10 years to the life of the statewide 1/10-cent sales tax for state parks and soil conservation. The tax provides about $82 million annually that is split between state parks maintenance and upgrades and soil conservation projects... Primary election list (08/06/06) Voters will make choices Tuesday for the following races and ballot issues. Incumbents are noted with (I). Republican Party Isaiah Hair Jr. Jim Talent (I) Joyce P. Lea Roxie L. Fausnaught Scott Babbit Democratic Party Bill Clinton Young Claire McCaskill... Stoddard County political group files new disclosure reports (08/05/06) The Stoddard County Republican Central Committee filed new disclosure reports this week detailing transactions that earlier reports claimed never occurred. The two reports, originally due April 15 and July 15, reported a total of $8,095 in fund-raising and $8,032 in spending since the beginning of the year. Those totals include $6,000 received from a Dexter, Mo.-based political action committee that was moved to Gov. Matt Blunt's campaign fund... Officials make last pitch for Prop 1 tax (08/05/06) The final public pitch for Proposition 1 Friday sounded familiar themes of better roads and improved county law enforcement. With only a few days remaining before Tuesday's vote, Cape Girardeau County officials seeking the half-cent sales tax increase made their case before the biggest audience so far, about 175 people attending the monthly Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce breakfast gathering... Second lawsuit seeks to block voter photo ID law (08/04/06) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Opponents of a new state requirement for voters to show a government-issued photo identification filed a second lawsuit Thursday, claiming it could discourage or prevent people from voting this November. The lawsuit's plaintiffs include several Missourians qualified to vote who say they lack an acceptable ID under the new law and hence could not cast a regular ballot in the Nov. ... Three Democrats vying for chance to face Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (08/04/06) Democrats will decide Tuesday between two familiar faces and one newcomer in their primary with the winner taking on longtime incumbent Jo Ann Emerson in the 8th Congressional District. Three candidates -- Veronica Hambacker, Gene Curtis and Earl Durnell -- are vying for the right to face Emerson, who won by a 3-to-1 margin in 2004 in a district that has consistently voted Republican since 1980... Opponent says Jetton's fund-raising letter violates agreement to run clean campaign (08/03/06) House Speaker Rod Jetton last month issued an urgent call to supporters for money to fuel his re-election campaign after his Democratic challenger reported outraising the three-term incumbent. "Unfortunately, his support amounts to a tidal wave of money, activists and slander headed my way," Jetton wrote. "I believe we are facing the most serious challenge we have ever seen. The scariest part of this whole conspiracy is that it is actually working!"... Jackson restaurant gettin