Panama Canal expansion could impact Missouri ports

MODOT officials say the widened canal will open more freight shipment opportunities to Missouri.

Franklin School construction proceeds as planned

The $10 million project is being constructed next to the old school. It will open for the 2012 school year.

Dino's Pizza damaged by fire

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department estimates $250,000 in damages, but the building is not a total loss.

Mississippi River Basin nitrate pollution remains high

Nitrates flowing from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico contribute to the formation of areas known as dead zones.

Showing posts with label Brian Pepoon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Pepoon. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Governor supports Prop B compromise

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - The Governor backed a compromise to Proposition B headlined by weaker regulations and more than one million dollars added to its budget.

Jay Nixon said in a press release the proposed legislation is a compromise among voters, animal rights groups, and Missouri's agricultural industry.

The agreement would add $1.1 million to the budget and also allow breeders to own more than 50 dogs, a reversal of the original regulations.

Senator Mike Parson sponsored the original bill. He agrees with the compromise, but says he's worried with the interference from the United States Humane Society.

"That's a disappointing fact that people from out of the state of Missouri don't even want to compromise when all the animal rights groups in Missouri are agreeing to this," Parson said.

The US Humane Society opposed the revised proposition.

Parson also says he is unsure if the compromise will have time to pass through both legislative houses by the end of the session.

Executive Director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation Bob Baker says he is pleased with the compromise.

“It gives the dogs much more space and room, it will entitle them to much better access. It will prohibit wire in the flooring, it will provide that they have a veterinary exam compared to veterinary inspection,” Baker said.

The amended bill will have to go through the entire legislative process.

Brian Pepoon and Meghan McGinnis, Missouri Digital News

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Mo. Dept. of Health: No need to worry about trace nuclear material

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - A Department of Health spokesperson says there is no need for concern of radiation in Missouri despite the nuclear meltdown from Japan.

Trace amounts of nuclear material have been found in states bordering Missouri, according to the EPA.

In the aftermath of Japan's nuclear meltdown in March, speculation has arisen about radioactivity.

Department of Health communication director Jacqueline Lapine says there is nothing to worry about. She says the amounts found around the country are hundreds of times below the regulation limit.

"Currently we have not received any reports of increased radiation from the EPA testing sites," Lapine said.

Lapine says the public should not be concerned with radiation and should live life normally.

The EPA’s David Bryan says there have been no readings of radioactive material in any of Missouri's four reading stations.

Trace amounts of radioactive material have been found in Illinois and Iowa, but Bryan says there is no need to be concerned.

"In none of those samples have we found anything that represents a health hazard," Bryan said.

Bryan says though trace amounts have been found in other states, the readings are well below any dangerous levels.

Brian Pepoon, Missouri Digital News

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Mo. House considers statewide psuedoephedrine bill

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban over-the-counter sales of medicines containing the drug pseudoephedrine.

Several law enforcement officials testified in front of the House Crime committee in support of a bill that would make medicines such as Sudafed available only by prescription. 

Currently, Missouri tracks and limits the amount of pseudoephedrine a person can buy. 

This is because it is the main ingredient of the drug methamphetamine. 

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan says police officers are not properly trained or equipped to handle activities occurring in meth labs. 

"We're supposed to be cops, not chemists. We're supposed to be in uniforms, not white chemical resistant suits, taking down labs," Jordan said.

Lobbyists for the pharmaceutical and retail industries spoke in opposition to the measure. 

No further action was taken on this bill.

Brian Pepoon, Missouri Digital News