Topic: Jay Nixon

Midwest sees record floods, road closures, runaway barges, and evacuations

After a week of torrential rains, six Midwestern states are struggling with massive flooding. Two Mississippi River bridges and part of the river have been closed as the waters continue to rise.

Spring storm brings ice and snow, sure, but why tornadoes?

A record-setting spring storm has killed three people, downed power lines, snapped large trees, and closed roads, schools, and businesses across the Midwest and Southeast.

USA Update Tornadoes, ice, and snow knock out power across the Midwest (+video)

Cleanup begins in Missouri and Arkansas, as a strong storm system heads for eastern Ohio and the mid-Atlantic. Meanwhile, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin face ice and snow.

Snowstorm moves through Midwest, threatens New England (+video)

The blizzard currently pummeling Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas is threatening to drop the third massive snowstorm on New England in as many weekends.

Focus Obamacare countdown: States all over the map on insurance markets

States have until Dec. 14 to decide whether they will implement their own insurance exchanges under 'Obamacare' or have the federal government do it. Many governors have already refused to set up exchanges.

Obamacare won't be repealed. States now must act.

As House Speaker John Boehner said this week, the presidential election confirms that the Affordable Care Act 'is the law of the land.' But the fight over 'Obamacare' is not over as states decide whether to craft their own insurance exchange program or leave it to Washington.

Focus Drought: Farmers dig deeper, water tables drop, competition heats up

A drier 'new normal' is forcing US farmers to dig deeper wells. That affects water tables and municipal supplies, and, if climatologists are right about global warming, it could also mean more competition for less water in the future.

Deadly Joplin tornado remembered, one year later (+video)

Residents of Joplin, Missouri awoke Tuesday morning with memories still fresh in their minds of the deadly twister that struck their city one year ago.

Joplin seniors graduate after year of tragedy and triumph

A year ago, the deadliest tornado in six decades leveled Joplin, Missouri; President Obama commemorated that anniversary with a speech to the high school graduates who persevered. 

Health-care protest bills get Missouri OK

Health-care bills taking a swipe and President Obama's health-care program passed the Missouri legislature this week. One allows employers to refuse health insurance for birth control; the other would let voters decide whether to allow the creation of a health-insurance exchange.

Five major SOPA supporters

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate counterpart, the Protect IP Act or PIPA, would allow the US government to seek a court order and even shut down websites that contain content or links “committing or facilitating online piracy.”  Moreover, advertisers and Internet service providers would be banned from doing business with violators.However, payment and advertising networks, search engines or service providers that take voluntary action to redress detected violations – by terminating businesses with transgressor sites or comply with the law – will be granted immunity from liability charges.On Sept. 22, 2011, more than 350 trade associations, professional and labor organizations, and businesses signed a letter urging Congress to enact legislation to stop “rogue sites” from copyright infringement.Here are five key SOPA and PIPA supporters:

New Missouri 'Facebook bill': Let school districts make their own rules

The Missouri legislature wants to limit 'improper communications' between students and teachers, but its first 'Facebook law' was blocked by the courts. Now, it's trying a toned-down version.

Missouri Facebook Law: why can’t teachers and students be friends?

Christina Thomas and the Missouri Teachers Association are contesting The Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. But what's behind the legislation?

Will Missouri 'Facebook Law' spook teachers away from social media?

Some say Missouri's new 'Facebook Law' blocks useful student-teacher communication. Others call it a new gloss on an old rule: Teachers shouldn't be too chummy with students.

Joplin tornado: With one-third of homes gone, where will residents live?

Since the Joplin tornado, nearly 5,000 people have signed up for housing help. FEMA is involved, and Home Depot has set up a makeshift lumberyard that's seeing brisk business.

Obama speaks at Joplin memorial for tornado victims

The president attended the memorial after touring the scene of last week's tornado, which killed at least 120 people in Missouri.

Obama tours tornado-devastated Joplin

The president walked through a destroyed neighborhood before attending a memorial service for those killed in Missouri's deadly tornados.

Obama returns home, turns to domestic issues starting with Joplin tornado

After six days overseas focusing on foreign policy, President Obama returns home Saturday evening and turns to domestic issues starting Sunday with a quick trip to Joplin, Missouri, to meet with those affected by last week’s major tornado.

Closure eludes tornado-beaten Joplin amid search for the vanished

Aside from the overwhelming physical destruction, killer tornadoes can leave behind a terrible mystery: Where did the vanished go? How Joplin, Mo., is managing the crisis of the missing.

Missouri tornado killed at least 89 according to officials

Missouri tornado: Authorities warned that the death toll could climb as search and rescuers continued their work.

Vilonia, Ark., Poplar Bluff, Mo. hammered by spring storms

Vilonia, Arkansas and Poplar Bluff, Missouri have endured a deadly tornado and extensive flooding in the past 24 hours. The twister cut a wide swath of damage in Vilonia.

Severe weather from Chicago to Boston as monster storm arrives

Severe weather, in the form of snow, is headed for St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, and Milwaukee. A monster storm could dump up to two-feet of snow and drifts piled up to 10 feet.

Tuition at public colleges jumps 8 percent, College Board reports

Tuition at four-year public universities rose again this year, outpacing inflation, according to a report released Thursday by The College Board. Federal aid to states and students softens the bite.

Five top Republicans urge health reform? Well, 6 Dems don't.