President declares state of emergency in Missouri

President Barack Obama declared that an emergency exists in the State of Missouri on Thursday.

He ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the regions struck by the flooding that has swamped the state since June 1.

The action authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to coordinate all disaster relief efforts.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.

Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

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President declares more disaster areas in Missouri

President Barack Obama declared six more Missouri counties as disaster areas following the April 19 storms and the subsequent flooding.

Bollinger, Dunklin, Pemiscot, Reynolds, St. Francois, and Phelps Counties are now added to the list that already included much of Southeast Missouri.

Individuals affected by the floods and storms who reside or have a business in these counties may qualify for tax relief or other assistance.

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Gov. Nixon requests federal disaster declaration

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon requested a major disaster declaration for the state of Missouri from President Barack Obama, as a result of the high winds, tornadoes and severe flooding that have affected the state since April 19.

The disaster declaration would provide assistance to individuals and public agencies.

Gov. Nixon declared a state of emergency in Missouri effective Friday, April 22. That order activated the State Emergency Operations Center and enabled the state to mobilize its resources – including the State Emergency Management Agency, or SEMA, and the National Guard and Highway. Since that time, more than 750 members of the National Guard have been mobilized to provide assistance where needed, and some 150 Highway Patrol troopers have been assigned to help with the flooding response.

The governor seeks federal assistance for individuals and for cost of responding to tornadoes in the St. Louis area and severe – and in many cases, record – flooding in southern, southeast Missouri.

Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt joined Nixon in his request.

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Blunt calls Bin Laden raid "appropriate"

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt is calling the death of Osama bin Laden a huge moment for America.

Blunt, a Republican, praised President Obama’s decision to send Special Forces into bin Laden’s Pakistani compound, rather than conducting a bombing raid.

"The risk was appropriate, rather than sifting through the rubble of a compound to try to determine whether or not Osama bin Laden might have been there at that moment," Blunt said.

Blunt hopes the death of Osama bin Laden creates "confusion and chaos" inside al-Qaida and other Islamic extremist groups.

The Senator says it’s clear that al-Qaida cells in countries like Yemen and Somalia have operated more or less independently for several years, carrying out attacks inspired, but not directly ordered, by bin Laden.

"Having him removed as a figure to rally around is important. Eliminating both his money and his ability to raise money is important," Blunt said.

Blunt also praised the decision to bury bin Laden at sea to eliminate a rallying point or a shrine.

He downplayed the idea that bin Laden’s death will inspire revenge attacks, saying al-Qaida affiliates are trying every day to harm American and its allies.

Blunt says although bin Laden has not had operational control of al-Qaida for years, he was an important figurehead and source of financing.

In statements released Sunday night, other area politicians called the raid "justice served" – echoing a phrase the president used during his late-night address.

Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio

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Musial given President Medal of Freedom

At the White House today, former St. Louis Cardinal great Stan Musial was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.


The Hall-of-Fame outfielder and first baseman was among 15 recipients of the award, which is the highest national honor that can be bestowed on a civilian. President Obama highlighted Musial’s achievements, calling “Stan the Man” brilliantly talented as well as humble.


“He was the first player to make, get this, $100,000. Even more shocking, he asked for a pay cut when he didn’t perform up to his own expectations. You can imagine that happening today,” Obama said.


“Stan remains to this day an icon, untarnished and a beloved pillar of the community, a gentlemen you’d want your kids to emulate. ‘I hope I’ve given baseball nearly as much as I’ve gotten from it,’ Stan wrote in his memoirs, knocking it out of the park one more time.”


Musial, who turned 90 years old last year, wore his trademark Cardinal red blazer for the ceremony. It was his 14th trip to the White House as guest of a U.S. President.


Among the other recipients of the Medal of Freedom today was poet and author Maya Angelou, who was born in St. Louis.


Bill Raack, St. Louis Public Radio

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