Blunt: DOD can take cuts

Missouri Senator Republican Roy Blunt says he is willing to accept potential cuts in the Department of Defense budget.

The debt ceiling crisis is now averted, Senator Blunt is focused on cutting spending across the federal government.

He says that the worst thing Congress could have done was increase the debt ceiling without changing behavior.

He now seems willing to accept cuts even in places his party’s platform traditionally supports.

"Everything should be on the table," Blunt said. "The Defense Department needs to justify like everybody else in the federal government does, what they do and why they are gonna do it. I think there’s room for some reductions in defense spending."

Senator Blunt says the cuts should not come lightly and there is not as much room to cut as some Democrats think.

All of this comes on the heels of the passage of legislation that raises the debt ceiling and is expected to shave about two trillion dollars off the debt in the next ten years.

Tim Filla, KRCU

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Candlelight vigil for Jacque Waller

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Jacque Waller’s family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil Monday night in Cape Girardeau. It’s been two months since the 39-year old mother of triplets disappeared. 

At least 100 people attended the prayer service in front of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, where Waller worked.

Many were family, some were friends. Others had never even met Jacque Waller, like Jennifer Will from Perryville. She was helping sell bracelets, bottled water, key chains and other items to raise money for Jacque’s family.

“I heard about the case around the 5th of June and I was so touched and moved by it and I wanted to do something to help. Me and my husband own a sound system and we’ve been donating equipment for the benefit dances as well as doing the bracelet sales for her family,” Will said.

Coworker Kat Elfrink of Jackson has also been helping raise funds for Waller’s three children. She has seen an outpouring of support both in Southeast Missouri and across the globe.

“I mean it would be impressive to know she made an impact on that many people. I mean, when you’re here, you hope that you affect somebody as some point, and that you’re remembered. But at this point, at 13000 people on her Facebook page, you know, there’s a big outpouring. She is remembered for sure,” Elfrink said.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department say that Jacque Waller’s husband, Clay Waller, is a person of interest in her disappearance. He is currently in custody at the Cape Girardeau County jail on stealing and harassment charges. The charges are unrelated to Jacque’s disappearance.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU
Photo: Friends and family launch balloons at a vigil in honor of Jacque Waller.

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City Council takes step closer to limiting parking near campus

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - An ordinance limiting daytime parking near Southeast Missouri State University’s campus took a step forward during Monday’s City Council meeting.

The streets that will be affected are Normal Ave., from Henderson to West End, Park Ave, and the stretch of West End from Broadway to Highland Drive.

The parking ban was sought by residents of the area who were tired of congestion on the streets due to university students.

Some residents sought a permit system to allow homeowners to park on the street, but the council decided it was unfair to allow preferential treatment on a public thoroughfare.

The counsel plans to amend part of the ordinance prior to the possible final passage at the next city counsel meeting.

In other business, the city announced the class of two-thousand twelve will be Cape Central High School’s Centennial class and that August two-thousand eleven is Fort-D Month.

Tim Filla, KRCU

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Public asked to comment on proposal to replace hundreds of trees near Gateway Arch

ST. LOUIS, MO (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO) - The National Park Service is bracing for the possible loss of more than 900 trees near the Gateway Arch. That’s what could happen if the emerald ash borer makes it to the St. Louis area.

The emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees since it was accidentally introduced to the U.S. in the early 1990s.

The small, bright green insect has already made its way to southeastern Missouri and northeastern Illinois.

Rob Lawrence, a forest entomologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, says it’s just a matter of time until the emerald ash borer spreads to St. Louis.

“It moves on its own slowly, but the problem is that emerald ash borer hitchhikes on firewood real easily so when folks are moving firewood around, it can jump several states in just a matter of a few days.”

The superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Tom Bradley, says the Park Service is seeking public input on a proposal for replacing the ash trees on the arch grounds.

"Ultimately we’d like to chose the species or cultivar that’s the replacement tree, and then decide how we’re going to take this on — replacing these 900 trees," Bradley said. "Are we going to do it all at once, or break it into zones? That’s just a big question."

The public has until August 24th to provide comments.

Véronique LaCapra, St. Louis Public Radio
Photo: An adult emerald ash borer. Photo by David Cappert, Michigan State University.

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Catholic Social Services of So. IL may join lawsuit

Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois will find out today if it will be allowed to join a lawsuit against the state over foster placements to gay couples.

Peter Breen is executive director and legal counsel for the Thomas More Society, a national public interest law firm based in Chicago. He is an attorney representing Catholic Social Services in its lawsuit against the state.

Breen says the diocese based in Belleville wants to join the dioceses in Springfield, Peoria and Joliet in the suit because there is a question whether the judge's order would cover Catholic Social Services.

“They wanted to make sure that we have a consistent result across the state, and so we’re glad to have them join. They’ve always been in support of a lawsuit, but had not joined officially up to this point,” Breen said.

The Department of Children and Family Services ended its foster-care and adoption services with Catholic Charities July 1st because it says the group discriminates by not allowing gay couples to take kids.

Sangamon County Judge John Schmidt has ruled that the foster-care contracts must stay in place until an August 17th hearing.

Brad Palmer, WSIU

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Doctors in short supply in rural Missouri, report says

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCUR) - A new report finds that rural Missouri is on track to face greater health care challenges than its urban counterpart.

Herb Kuhn heads the Missouri Hospital Association, which issued the new analysis of state population and physician data.

Kuhn says rural areas are experiencing greater doctor shortages. And, it’s on track to get worse.

"About 55 percent of all physicians in the state are age 50 and over. But in rural areas it’s much higher – 62 percent. So what this means is that we’re going to have physicians in the rural areas in the state retiring earlier than in the urban areas. And, since we have so many fewer physicians in the rural areas, it does raise some issues in terms of access to care in the future," Kuhn says.

Kuhn says this will be an even bigger problem come 2014: that’s when another half million Missourians are expected to gain health coverage through provisions under the federal health law.

The report recommends the state look into new ways to avert the crisis – Kuhn says that could include better use of information technology, revamping student loan-assistance programs, and improving secondary science education and med school preparation in rural areas.

Myra Evans heads a critical access hospital in Fairfax, Missouri, about 100 miles north of Kansas City. She says the new report really resonates with the situation in her region.

"Three years ago a physician that was 57 left to be closer to his grandchildren, and then we had two physicians that were over 80 years old still practicing that retired. So we actually are down to three physicians and we’re trying recruit at least two to our area. And that’s been kind of difficult right now," Evans said.

Evans says her hospital is the only one serving about 11,000 people in the two-county area. She says one way they’ve dealt with the shortage of doctors is by bringing in more nurse practitioners. The Missouri Hospital Association reviewed population and health data, as well as existing workforce studies, for the new report.

Elana Gordon, KCUR

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Chuck Berry statue dedicated in U-City

ST. LOUIS, MO (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO) - A nearly two-year effort to raise money for a statue of St. Louis native Chuck Berry in the city came officially to a close Friday as dignitaries gathered with the man they call the father of rock and roll to dedicate the sculpture.

The eight-foot tall figure shows a younger Berry jamming away at his guitar. It sits right across from Blueberry Hill in the Loop, where the 84-year-old still performs once a month.

Harry Weber, another native, designed the sculpture. He called the project a great challenge and privilege.

"Chuck is a part of history that goes beyond music. He created a new means of expression through rock and roll that inspired generations of young people to find their voice," Weber said. "He has shown us all what it means to have a calling, always find joy in what he does, and sharing that joy with everyone who hears his music."

Private donations covered the $100 thousand cost.

The statue generated some controversy. Berry is a convicted felon, and University City residents protested the fact that it’s on city property, making the city responsible for lighting and maintenance.

Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio

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