JEFFERSON CITY - Illinois today became the first state to offer citizens direct assistance with importing low-cost prescription drugs from other countries. Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell says House Speaker Catherine Hanaway and drug company lobbyists are keeping Missouri citizens from enjoying the same benefit.

JEFFERSON CITY - Five Mid-Missouri Counties say voter registration phone scams are targeting them. Laclede, Taney, Boone, Cole and Jackson counties each say the phone scam has hit their area. Callers ask for personal voter information including social security number.

JEFFERSON CITY - Money needed to compensate for higher gas prices comes out of MoDOT's road preservation budget.

As a result, the higher gas prices go, the less money there is to maintain Missouri's roads.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Energy Center was set up by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to help people conserve energy. With gas prices skyrocketing, the center has taken steps to soften the blow to Missourians.

JEFFERSON CITY - Natural gas prices are roughly twice as high as they were two years ago.

JEFFERSON CITY - Gas price spikes are causing school districts to cut back on activities like field trips. Gas increases are also hurting student ransportation companies profits. First Student provides services to Lindbergh and Hancock schools. First Student Contract Manager says if prices do not go down his company will have to raise prices for next year.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Highway Patrol hasn't exceeded their budget for gasoline yet. But if costs keep going up, they might have to cut back on patrols.