JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Senate heard a bill that would increase penalties for drunk drivers who cause fatal accidents.

Under the bill, they could spend up to thirty years in prison, depending on their blood-alcohol content.

JEFFERSON CITY - While restoring many of the cuts the House Budget Committee made to Medicaid, the Senate leveled a 5 percent cut to higher education.

The change irked House Democrats, many of whom have said appropriations to higher education were insufficient before the cuts.

JEFFERSON CITY - The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday night that would allow midwives to legally practice in Missouri.

Missouri is the only state where it is a felony for midwives to deliver babies without a doctor present.

JEFFERSON CITY - State Auditor Claire McCaskill, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, and Attorney General Jay Nixon met in St. Louis after the inaguration of Mayor Francis Slay.

No one would confirm definite candidates, but Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, has expressed interest.

JEFFERSON CITY - Currently, Missouri law prevents licenced massage and physical therapists more performing that kind of treatment on dogs or cats.

The level of support for animal services in Missouri is very strong.

JEFFERSON CITY - Democratic Senator Victor Callahan is filibustering Republican John Loudon's bill that makes it easier for nonunion workers to work in the state of Missouri.

Callahan says the bill lowers the bar for quality assured jobs, and is fighting to require extensive benefits and job training to workers of contractors who win governement bids.

JEFFERSON CITY - Senate approval came after hours of filibuster by a handful of Democratic opponents.

The measure contains a number of anti-abortion provisions -- restricting who can perform abortions, expanding reporting requirements and banning abortion information from some sex education materials.

The measure also contains a provision letting parents sue any person who assists a minor in obtaining an abortion without parental consent.

The proposal faces one more Senate vote before going to the House.

JEFFERSON CITY - The proposed constitutional amendment would limit the growth of state spending.

The proposal would require statewide voter approval.

Missouri's constitution already has a limit in the growth of tax revenue the state can keep and another provision that requires voter approval for any significant tax increase.

JEFFERSON CITY - The bill would toughen penalties for minors caught with alcohol and adults providing the liquor.

Minors caught with alcohol would lose driving privileges until the age of eighteen. Minors caught drinking and driving would lose their licenses for two years.

Adults providing alcohol would face up to a year in jail.

JEFFERSON CITY - Shortly after the Catholic church announced the new pope, Missouri legislators expressed their happiness with the decision. Joseph Ratzinger was one of the most conservative cardinals in the church.

St. Louis Senator Jon Dolan says it's a joyous day for Catholics and non-Catholics around the world.

JEFFERSON CITY - Bill Alter was sworn into the state senate today.

But election results from Jefferson County have not yet been recounted.

JEFFERSON CITY - Individual consumers aren't the only ones hurting from higher gas prices.

State departments are also having to budget and conserve.

JEFFERSON CITY - Jackson County Representative Bryan Pratt has proposed a bill to regulate programs installed on personal computers without the user's knowledge.

The bill targets spyware and adware programs that can slow down computers and track users.

JEFFERSON CITY - At the Joint Committee on Tax Policy, Claire McCaskill said that she is not getting the proper access to information on tax credits.

The committee plans to continue to meet so that the issue of Missouri taxes can be addressed broadly.