KCUR

By Jennifer Moore, KSMU

Springfield, Missouri – As kids get ready to stuff their backpacks with school supplies and head into to a new school year, their teachers and administrators might be getting some financial relief from the federal government.

The U.S. House has passed a $26 billion jobs bill to protect 300,000 teachers and other nonfederal government workers from layoffs.

By Jacob McCleland

Kansas City, MO – Governor Jay Nixon outlined a $49 million federal award yesterday to expand rural high speed broadband access.

The state of Missouri is partnering with Big River Telephone Co., Finally Broadband, and Socket Telecom to bring the last mile of fiber optic line to rural homes, businesses, and hospitals.

By AP/KCUR

In the race to replace retiring Missouri Senator Kit Bond, Roy Blunt, a congressman from southwest Missouri, won a nine-way Republican Senate primary over tea party contender Chuck Purgason. Blunt had 71 percent of the vote to Purgason's 13 percent. But Purgason says the race was worth the effort.

By AP/KCUR

Kansas State Rep. Kevin Yoder of Overland Park won the Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District. That covers all of Johnson and Wyandotte counties and the eastern portion of Douglas County, including parts of Lawrence.

Yoder, the House Appropriation Committee chairman, defeated eight other Republicans yesterday. His closest challenger was former state House member Patricia Lightner of Olathe.

By AP/KCUR

A law professor who helped draft Arizona's new immigration statute won the Republican primary for Kansas secretary of state.

Kris Kobach defeated two other GOP candidates Tuesday- Shawnee County Election Commissioner Elizabeth Ensley of Topeka and former chief executive officer of the National Association of Government Contractors J.R. Claeys of Salina.

Kobach had linked illegal immigration to voter fraud. Because of his immigration work critics question whether he will be a full-time secretary of state.

By AP/KCUR

With most of the votes counted, Kansas Congressman Jerry Moran had just shy of 50 percent to overcome Representative Todd Tiahrt's 45 percent. Two minor candidates split the rest.

"I'm honored by your enthusiasm," said Moran. "Let's take this enthusiasm and take it to November and restore America."

Only a few thousand votes separated the candidates at the end. Moran goes into November facing Democratic primary winner Lisa Johnston who is a dean at Baker University. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932.

Kansas City, MO – Missouri improved and Kansas held steady in a survey of child well-being in the annual Kid's Count report. The study looks at child poverty, teen pregnancy, high school graduation rates, and other measures.

Missouri ranked 31st among all states, up from 33rd last year.

Kansas was ranked 13th overall, and held on to that status. The number of Kansas children, however, in families at or below the federal poverty level went up 25 percent.

By Courtney Flatt

Columbia, MO – US Senator Claire McCaskill says the misplacement of hundreds, and possibly thousands of buried military personnel at Arlington National Cemetery. McCaskill says fixing the mismanagement that has caused the problem at Arlington National Cemetery will be easy. The challenge lies in the more emotional questions.

By KCUR News / Associated Press

Jefferson City, MO – The people who challenged a Missouri ballot measure on health care have decided not to appeal a judge's decision dismissing their lawsuit. Attorney Chip Gentry says his clients don't plan to take the case to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Last week a circuit court judge rejected a lawsuit seeking to strike the proposal from the Aug. 3rd ballot. The lawsuit claimed legislators violated the state constitution in the way they drafted the measure.

By Missouri Department of Transportation

Kansas City, MO – KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Engineers at the Missouri Department of Transportation closed the westbound I-470 interchange to westbound I-435, as well as northbound Route 71 to westbound I-435 at 3 Trails Crossing yesterday. The damage from a sink hole at that location has expanded, making it necessary to immediately close the roadway.

Kansas City, MO –

By Jennifer Moore, KSMU

Springfield, Missouri – For families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, it's been a long time coming. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed into law a bill that requires insurance companies regulated by the state to provide coverage to children with autism. KSMU's Jennifer Moore attended the bill-signing press conference in Springfield yesterday and has this report.

Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri House gave initial approval Monday to a ban on a widely available chemical that attempts to mimic the effects of marijuana. The measure would ban synthetic compounds that are sprayed on dried herbs and flowers to give users a marijuana-like high.

House members rejected an amendment legalizing medical marijuana in the state. An amendment to require prescriptions for a decongestant used to make methamphetamine also was rejected.

Washington, DC – Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore won't seek re-election next year.

Moore, a Democrat who represented Johnson, Wyandotte and a portion of Douglas counties for six terms, is expected to finish out his term, which ends in January 2011.

Spokesman Brandon Naylor said Monday that Moore will issue a statement later in the day explaining his decision.

The move likely will open a rush by both parties to succeed him.