Kansas Republicans prepared for the caucuses. Missouri Legislators argued over Rush Limbaugh. And all charges were dropped against five men in a high-profile sex-abuse case. Steve Bell revisits those and other top stories of the week on KCUR's Saturday News Review.
Abuse Charges Dropped
Two years after the first allegations of child sex abuse were made against six men in the Burrell Moler family, all charges against the five still living were dropped. Rebecca Randles, attorney for the alleged victims, told TV-9 she thought Lafayette County Prosecutor Kellie Wingate Campbell had some explaining to do because she had never indicated that she did not believe the allegations. Campbell said she did believe the accusations, but did not believe she had the evidence to make a case in court.
Rush and Judgment
Plans by Missouri House leadership to induct Rush Limbaugh into the Hall of Famous Missourians created an uproar after Limbaugh repeatedly called a Georgetown University law student a “slut” and a “prostitute” for advocating mandatory health coverage for contraception. House Member Sara Lampe was among those who said the presence of a bust of Limbaugh would be “embarrassing.” House Speaker Stephen Tilley responded that the area is not called the “Hall of Universally Loved Missourians,” but is the “Hall of Famous Missourians.” Democratic Minority Leader Mike Talboy suggested that if it was about notoriety, Frank and Jesse James should be included.
School Transfer Decision Reversed
The matter of students who want to transfer out of the unaccredited Kansas City school district was left up in the air until at least next fall, when the Missouri Supreme Court overturned a St. Louis court's order that such students were entitled to an immediate transfer. The matter was sent back to the St. Louis judge because of legal technicalities, not a ruling on the state's transfer law.
Kansas Prepares for Caucuses
Rick Santorum made his pitch to Johnson County Republicans before the weekend's Kansas caucuses. Romney skipped Kansas and commented that it would take “an act of God” to stop his recent momemtum. Ron Paul campaigned in Lawrence and Wichita, including at a Tea Party event.
In the Legislatures
The Missouri Legislature left for Spring Break, and House Leadership said it had accomplished “70 percent of its agenda.” But so far the combined chambers have sent Governor Nixon only two bills – and he very well may veto both.
The work-comp bill is virtually identical to one he vetoed last year. The other bill sent to Nixon's desk redefines discriminatory firing, stating that discrimination must be the “motivating factor” for the firing to be actionable. Nixon also vetoed a bill very similar to that one last year.
Before adjourning for the break, House Budget writers finalized a budget bill. Kansas City's Ryan Silvey noted that the process moves fast when the state has little money to spend. The Kansas House Budget Committee was also wrapping up its work.
Groundbreaking at Bloch School
Symbolic ground-breaking was held for a $32 million addition to UMKC's Bloch School of Business. Henry Bloch himself was the major contributor. The new building will be called The Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.