Missouri

 More state news from Gannett    Springfield News-Leader

Tuesday, November 14
Columbia - Some parents who start saving early for their children's college expenses through the state's college savings plan can earn $500 annual scholarships to the University of Missouri system's four campuses, officials announced. Starting in fall 2007, the 80 scholarships will be divided among the Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis campuses.

Monday, November 13
St. Louis - The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Missouri case in which a federal judge imposed a sentence lower than that recommended by federal guidelines. Under those guidelines Mario Claiborne of St. Louis would have faced 37 to 46 months in prison for two cocaine-related crimes, but Judge Carol Jackson sentenced him to 15 months, saying the guidelines were "excessive" for someone with no prior criminal record.

Friday, November 10
Kansas City - Federal regulators fined a bridge-painting company $2.3 million for safety violations they said led to two fatal falls from a Kansas City bridge earlier this year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration charged Thomas Industrial Coatings Inc. with 41 violations of federal safety rules, including 31 the agency considered intentional violations.

Wednesday, November 8
Troy - A motel handyman stands accused in the beating death of his boss. Charles Benoit, 42, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Saunak Kapadia, 56. Both lived at the Budget Inn and Suites in Troy, about 60 miles north of St. Louis. Kapadia owned the motel; Benoit did odd jobs.