An ape escape kept zoo patrons caged for two hours, curators announced an MU-system tuition increase & more: Top stories of the week on Steve Bell's KCUR Saturday News Review.
Shon Pernice Confesses
After denying involvement for three years Shon Pernice admitted that he struck his wife, who was divorcing him, during an argument and she fell down a flight of stairs, he panicked and disposed of the body. Pernice faces a 15-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter.
Progress in school situation
As Missouri lawmakers debated dissolving the Kansas City school district, things took a turn for the better. Superintendent Steve Green announced that the district would pick up two points toward accreditation this year. That would leave it only one point short of provisional accreditation. Department of Education regional supervisor Tony Stansbury commented that district cooperation level with state education officials has improved remarkably since Green took over the district, and that the state will work with the district on regaining accreditation.
Pitt helps repurpose Bancroft School
Long-abandoned Bancroft school, midtown, got a new lease on life. Brad Pitt's “Make it Right” foundation is donating more than $2 million to the project that includes a community center and TMC branch clinic. Mayor Sly James and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver said the work will go to local contractors and labor.
Court voids MOSIRA law
Platte County State Senator Luanne Ridgeway was among the disappointed when a Missouri judge ruled the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act unconstitutional. Ridgeway said MOSIRA was important in competing with incentives offered by the Kansas Bioscience Authority. The court decision was based on the way the bill was linked to a failed one to restructure Missouri tax credits. State Attorney General Chris Koster will appeal it.
Gorillas out, patrons locked in
Two gorillas caused a two-hour visitor lockdown at the Kansas City Zoo by entering zookeepers-only area. Zoo Director Randy Wisthoff said the two employees found themselves sharing space with the 400-pound primates were the only humans endangered, but disciplinary measures face those who left the door open to ape escape.
MU-system eases tuition hike plan
In-state MU-system undergrads got the welcome news that fall tuition increases will be held to 3 percent, not 7 or 9, but system president Tim Wolfe said that means the four campuses will have to trim spending by as much as $47 million. Out-of-state undergraduate tuition will go up 8.5 percent.
Park board warning on budget cuts
Parks board member Ann Gramowsky warned Kansas City's city council that still another budget cut would devastate the city's parks and recreation centers and jeopardize the parks department's portion of snow removal. Gramowsky said the parks staff has been cut 35% in 12 years.
In the legislatures
The Kansas House voted to move proof-of-citizenship for voter registration up to apply before the presidential election and to reduce some unemployment benefits. But the so-called “health care freedom” act died in the Senate, as did Governor Brownback's request for more power in appointing appellate judges.
The Missouri Senate passed a bill ending drivers license testing in languages other than English. The House advanced one to make the no call list apply to robocall ads, but not political ones.