Santorum Wins MO Primary
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won Missouri's nonbinding Republican presidential primary Tuesday, claiming momentum in his challenge against national frontrunner Mitt Romney even though the victory won't earn him any delegates. Missouri's primary was essentially a glorified public opinion poll. That's because state Republicans chose to award their delegates to theRepublican National Convention using a caucus system that will begin in mid-March. Voter turnout in Jasper and Newton Counties was quite low.  Just 5.43% in Jasper County and 7.5% in Newton County.  You can find the latest numbers at: <a href="http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/allresults.asp?eid=336">http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/allresults.asp?eid=336</a>.

MO Term Limits
Missouri lawmakers could soon have more flexibility in deciding how many years they serve in each of the Legislature's chambers. Currently, state lawmakers generally are limited to eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate. A House committee endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday that would allow lawmakers to serve 16 years in the state legislature, either the House or the Senate. Initially, the proposed constitutional amendment would have allowed lawmakers to serve up to 12 years in each chamber. But the House Elections Committee made changes. Committee chairman Tony Dugger, a Republican from Hartville, says the new 16-year proposal is closer to what voters would want. If approved by the legislature, the bill would go to voters in November.

Bustamante To Be Sentenced Wednesday
A judge in Jefferson City says she will decide the sentence Wednesday for an 18-year-old girl who killed her 9-year-old neighbor. Alyssa Bustamante was 15 when she killed Elizabeth Olten in October 2009. Bustamante pleaded guilty to second degree murder last month. She could get life in prison.

Seat Belt Enforcement
Friday night Missouri State Troopers were part of a seat belt enforcement effort along Route 66. Sergeant Mike Watson of the Highway Patrol tells News Talk KZRG they made several arrests in Southwest Missouri. "We had ten arrests for failing to wear seat belts.  In addition to that, we also made three driving while intoxicated arrests as well as two felony drug arrests." Watson says the bottom line is to get you to buckle up.  He points out that in last year's Missouri traffic fatalaties, two-thirds of those who died weren't wearing seat belts.

Carthage Area United Way Beats Fundraising Goal
"Well, we're elated, to say the least." Jenny Mansfield, executive director for the Carthage Area United Way, on surpassing their 2011 fund-raising goal. They raised nearly $321,000, beating their goal of $300,000. Mansfield tells News Talk KZRG the May 22nd tornado may have had something to do with United Way surpassing its goal. "I think people felt the need to give more and their reaction was unbelievable." Carthage Area United Way supports 14 local agencies.

Resisting Arrest & More
A Neosho man who wouldn't leave a Sarcoxie video store wound up in jail. 29-year-old Zacharia Harris was in his car outside the store Friday night and the store called the Jasper County Sheriff's office because he wouldn't go. Deputies asked him several times to get out of his car, but Harris wouldn't. "I guess he had his window rolled down a little bit and Harris grabbed one of the deputies' arms and tried to pull him into the vehicle.  The passenger side window had to be broken out in order to safely remove Harris from the vehicle because he just insisted on not leaving the vehicle." Sharon Rhine of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office says once Harris was out, he spit on the deputies' boots and pants legs and threatened him. Harris was arrested for resisting arrest, third degree assault on a law enforcement officer and a criminal warrant.

Brown Waives Preliminary Hearing
A Joplin man accused of killing his child's grandmother waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday. 40-year-old Gerald Brown is accused of killing 63-year-old Alicia Ball at her home on Garrison back in December. Ball's two-year-old granddaughter was also there at the time. She wasn't hurt. Brown is charged with first degree murder.

Parsons Police Chief Retiring
 The police chief in Parsons is turning in his badge. John Keele announced yesterday he'll be retiring on March 23rd after 35 years on the job. He started as a Public Safety Officer in 1977, working his way up to Chief in 2008. The City will be holding a special reception in his honor... it hasn't yet been scheduled.

No Charges Sought In Slur Painted On Church
The pastor of a Barton County church isn't seeking charges against two teens accused of writing a racial slur aimed at Hispanics on his building. Pastor Greg Earl says he doesn't want the teens to have a record. He wants them to come to his Golden City church, Mission of Encouragement, and get to know the Hispanic members there.

Man Who Tried Selling Baby on Craigslist Sentenced
A Joplin man accused in a baby-selling scam is going to prison for five years. Wilks Sims was sentenced Monday. In December 2010, he and his wife Alice put an ad on Craigslist to sell their unborn baby. Except there was no baby. Alice Sims is serving a four year sentence

Joplin Council Denies Rezoning Requests
Monday night the Joplin City Council spent a good deal of time discussing requests from four Highview Avenue residents to have their property rezoned from residential to commercial. The four lost their homes in the May 22nd tornado and want to sell the land, with the idea of expanding the business district off Range Line. Mayor Mike Woolston tells News Talk KZRG more requests like this could

MO Primary Election Tuesday
"This election is insignificant." Jasper County Clerk Bonnie Earl tells News Talk KZRG why a low voter turnout is expected for Tuesday's Republican primary election. "The parties have decided to have a caucus and so they will choose the candidate.  So this election is really insignificant." Earl says she's not expecting more than an 18 percent turnout for today's election. Polls are open from 6am until 7pm Tuesday.  If you live in Jasper County and you're not sure where to vote, there's a link that can help you: <a href="http://www.jaspercounty.org/clerk/voting/polling_places.htm">http://www.jaspercounty.org/clerk/voting/polling_places.htm</a>.

Pittsburg HS Bomb Threat
Pittsburg Police say they evacuated the high school this afternoon because of a bomb threat. The threat was called in shortly after 2pm. Students were sent to the nearby Country Side Christian Church and School. Police tell News Talk KZRG no suspicious devices were found. If you have any information, call Pittsburg Police at 620-231-1700.

Loughner In Springfield Another 4 Months
A federal judge has ruled that the suspect in the Tucson shooting that wounded Gabrielle Giffords will remain four more months at a federal prison facility where officials are forcibly medicating him. U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns ruled Monday at a hearing in San Diego after the chief federal psychologist of Jared Lee Loughner informed the court that she believes he is still not competent to stand trial. Burns says he is extending the stay because the psychologist says Loughner is making progress at the facility in Springfield, Mo. Loughner has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges stemming from the Jan. 8, 2011, shooting in Tucson that killed six people and injured then-Congresswoman Giffords and 12 others.

OK State of State
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin is laying out more details of her plan to cut the personal income tax for all Oklahomans and streamline the state's tax code. In her State of the State address on Monday to kick off the 2012 legislative session, Fallin proposed deep cuts to the income tax that would take effect on Jan. 1, 2013. Her plan would cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue each year, and it's not clear exactly how Fallin would offset the lost revenue. She says she plans to pay for the tax cut by eliminating ``tax loopholes, carve-outs and other exceptions,'' but the governor's office has not released details on which exemptions would be eliminated. Under Fallin's plan, those earning $30,000 or less would pay no taxes.

Webb City Will Test Sirens on Mondays
Webb City residents will have to get used to hearing storm sirens on Mondays. Assistant Police Chief Don Melton tells News Talk KZRG the sirens will be tested every Monday at noon. "It's going to be during the spring and summer and fall months, months that we typically have a storm threat." Melton says they don't test storm sirens during the winter. He says if there's inclement weather on a Monday, the siren test will be on Tuesday at noon.

Bustamante Diary Read At Sentencing Hearing
A journal entry written by the Missouri teen convicted of killing her 9-year-old neighbor offers a chilling look at the killer's thoughts after the murder. The passage, presented in court in Jefferson City Monday during the sentencing hearing for 18-year-old Alyssa Bustamante, was dated Oct. 21, 2009, the day a then-15-year-old Bustamante stabbed and strangled young Elizabeth Olten. The passage read: ``I just (obscenity) killed someone. I strangled them and slit their throat and stabbed them now they're dead. I don't know how to feel atm. It was ahmazing. As soon as you get over the ``ohmygawd I can't do this'' feeling, it's pretty enjoyable. I'm kinda nervous and shaky though right now. Kay, I gotta go to church now...lol.'' The entry was scratched out, but a forensic expert deciphered the writing. Elizabeth's mother, Patty Preiss, tearfully pleaded with the judge to give the maximum sentence possible to Bustamante, whom she repeatedly described as an ``evil monster.'' Bustamante pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action last month. She is 18 now, but was 15 at the time of the murder. She is being sentenced as an adult.

Davis: MO Primary Still Worth Participating In
The Missouri Presidential Primary is tomorrow... but does it even matter? With Republicans using a caucus system this year to decide who gets the party's nomination, you'd think not. State Representative Charlie Davis thinks differently. "It is very important that everyone go out to the polls, because those of us going to the caucus and who are going to be delegates need to look

Police Investigating Log Splitter Theft
 Someone made off with a log splitter from the Tractor Supply store in Joplin early Friday morning. Joplin Police Lieutenant Brian Lewis tells News Talk KZRG it was secured to the front of the store, but that didn't seem to matter. "It was apparent that someone was able to get past the security measures in place to keep the equipment in front of the business, and they were

Joplin School Board Approves Bond Issue
The Joplin School Board unanimously approved putting a $62-million bond issue on the April ballot at a special meeting this morning. About one-third of the money raised - if approved - will go toward building a new Joplin High School, expected to be twice the size of the old one. But does Joplin need one that big? Superintendent Dr. CJ Huff says explains the size difference. "I think

OK Senator Refuses To Endorse Gingrich
Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn says he can't support former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's campaign for president. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Edmond Saturday, Coburn said he has served under Gingrich's leadership and doesn't believe he has, quote ``the moral rudder that is required to lead this country.'' The Republican said after the town hall he isn't endorsing

Arrest Made In Hit-and-Run Incident
A Pittsburg man has been arrested for a hit and run accident that sent one man to the hospital. Friday afternoon, Police were called to the Big Lots store, where a car waiting to leave the store was hit by a 2000 Dodge pickup. The truck driver fled the scene. A passenger in the car, 46-year-old Michael Slocomb, was injured and taken to Via Christi Health Center. Investigators got a description of

McCaskill Addressing Post Office Closures
Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill will be in Kansas City today to talk about keeping rural post offices open. McCaskill is proposing cutting costs by reducing agency payments that fund future retiree health benefits. She's also asking for a new business model that would return the Postal Service to financial health within a year. The Postal Service is expected to lose a record $14.1

Joplin Council To Vote On Schifferdecker Pool Development
Tonight the Joplin City Council will vote on a proposed agreement to develop a new swimming pool and aquatic center at Schifferdecker Park. The Joplin City Council meeting starts at 6pm on the fifth floor of City Hall. News Talk KZRG will be there and have full coverage for you afterwards.

Nixon Announces 35-Home Build for Joplin
Missouri's pro sports teams, the University of Missouri and Kansas Speedway are joining forces to help Habitat for Humanity build 35 homes in Joplin this summer. Governor Jay Nixon announced the project Saturday. "Each participating organization will sponsor a neighborhood. Professional contractors will oversee the construction, and the sports organizations will provide their

Joplin Superintendent Hopeful Bond Issue Gets Voter Support
The Joplin School Board hopes voters will approve a bond issue to bridge a $62-million gap between insurance money and what will be needed to rebuild after last May's tornado. But what if voters turn it down? News Talk KZRG brought that question to Superintendent Dr. CJ Huff. "Obviously, I don't want to think too much about that, since it brings some challenges. But the

Joplin Habitat Challenge
Missouri's pro sports teams, the University of Missouri and Kansas Speedway are joining forces to help Habitat for Humanity build 35 homes in Joplin. Governor Jay Nixon announced the project Saturday. "Each participating organization will sponsor a neighborhood with a total of 35 homes to be built this summer.  Professional contractors will oversee the construction and the athletic organizations will provide their visibility, encouragement and support for the project." A $3.6 million Community Development Block Grant from the State will cover purchasing the land and materials, hiring construction leaders and managers and hiring a volunteer coordinator. You can volunteer with one of the seven teams and get more information at: <a href="http://joplinchallenge.mo.gov/">http://joplinchallenge.mo.gov/</a>.

Special Joplin School Board Meeting Monday
The Joplin Board of Education is scheduled to vote Monday morning on a $62 million bond recommendation for rebuilding schools destroyed in the May 22 tornado, as well as renovating elementary schools and building community safe rooms. The district estimates the total cost of all the projects at $185 million. Depending on the school board's decision, the issue could go to voters on April 3. A $62 million bond would increase your property tax levy by 35 cents, from $3.31 to $3.65 per $100 of assessed valuation. The Joplin School Board meeting starts at 7:30am Monday.

McCaskill Post Office Plan
Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill will be in Kansas City today to talk about keeping rural post offices open. McCaskill is proposing cutting costs by reducing agency payments that fund future retiree health benefits. She's also asking for a new business model that would return the Postal Service to financial health within a year. The Postal Service is expected to lose a record $14.1 billion this year.

MO US House Redistricting Map Upheld
A state trial judge has upheld Missouri's new congressional map, rejecting arguments that the redrawn districts don't meet the requirements of the state constitution. The new eight-district U.S. House map was challenged in two lawsuits that claimed the districts weren't sufficiently compact. Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green rejected the argument in a ruling Friday, following a three-day hearing earlier in the week. Last month, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered further legal review of the redistricting map.

Animal Cruelty Arrest
A Pittsburg woman has been arrested for cruelty to animals. Police got a tip about the welfare of dogs at a residence on West 18th Street Thursday afternoon. Officers saw two dogs in the backyard that appeared to be malnourished. Inside, there were two more dogs that looked malnourished and three dead puppies in the basement. 21-year-old Savannah Smith is charged with seven counts of cruelty to animals. The four surviving dogs have been taken to the Pittsburg Animal Shelter. 

Joplin Turned Down For Individual Storm Shelters
The City of Joplin's request for funding for individual storm shelters has been turned down by the State Emergency Management Agency. Assistant City Manager Sam Anselm tells News Talk KZRG the state put a priority on helping areas flooded along the Missouri River. "They basically just didn't have enough funding to fund all of the projects.  And the state's priority is on community shelters above residential storm shelters." Anselm says the City is still looking for ways to help pay for individual storm shelters.

Joplin Master Developer Applicants
The next step of Joplin's recovery from last May's deadly tornado is taking shape. Jane Cage of the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team says six groups have applied to become the master developer in the recovery effort. "The deadline was Tuesday afternoon at 5 and we got six responses back." And did that meet expectations? "You know, I don't think we really knew what to expect.  I can tell you I'm really pleased with what we got back so far." Cage tells News Talk KZRG what role a master developer will play is still being determined, but one responsibility will be to help figure out how to spend $45-million in federal grant money the city will be getting.

St. Mary's Gets $3,000 Donation For Music Program
 The music department at St. Mary's Elementary School in Joplin got a welcome boost yesterday from the Vivian Leon Fund for the Musical Arts, to the tune of $3,000. Vivian Leon herself tells News Talk KZRG the fund usually issues money to classical music programs, but the May 22nd tornado changed things. "This year, because of the tornado, we'd like to help with the

Two Killed, One Hurt In Early Morning Crash
 Two Joplin men were killed today in an early morning crash in Joplin. Corporal Dan Haskins of the Joplin Police Department tells News Talk KZRG it happened near the intersection of West 32nd and Ashwood at just after 2am. "It was a single vehicle crash, a 2004 Infinity. It was westbound on 32nd, lost control at Ashwood, went into the ditch and vaulted end

Joplin Schools Prepare For Project Graduation
The Joplin School District's gearing up for one final party for the class of 2012. Fundraising Chair Debbie Franks says she's looking to raise $30,000 for Project Graduation. "It's a party that's held all night. It's a lock-in party that's alcohol, drug, and smoke-free. It'll be at The Bridge on the evening of May 20th." JHS Senior Julia Lewis tells

St. Mary's Principal: "We're So Crowded"
 While plans to rebuild St. Mary's Elementary School in Joplin are not on the table at the moment, according to Bishop James Van Johnston, the school's principal thinks it's inevitable. "We're very crowded. We're very tight. We have just the same number of people we had before the tornado, but we're squished elbow to elbow," says Principal Steven Jones,

Pittsburg Man Arrested After Stealing Truck
Someone stole a pickup from a Pittsburg car dealer Wednesday morning. Police say the truck was left running and unattended when someone took off with it. A salesman saw the theft, followed the truck, but lost sight of it. The Kansas Highway Patrol and Crawford County Sheriff's Department found the truck in a field unattended. With the help of a Highway Patrol plane from Chanute, the thief was

Bishop: "Unclear" on St. Mary's Rebuilding
 Southwest Missouri's Catholic Bishop is still unsure whether or not Joplin's St. Mary's Elementary School will be rebuilt. Bishop James Van Johnston says at the moment, there are no plans to rebuild the school. He wants to wait until public schools are done rebuilding, as well as see how the city's economy and demographics look in the coming years, saying he wants to see how

Crowder Tuition Hikes Proposed
 It could soon cost more for you to attend certain classes at Crowder College. President Alan Marble says a proposal in front of the Board of Trustees would mean a 20% hike in tuition for certain programs. "It would be limited to the veterinary tech program, occupational therapy, and we're looking at nursing. Those particular courses don't always cover their

Joplin's Students: 8 Months Post-Tornado
 The tornado that came through Joplin last may was an event that is surely capable of creating mental and emotional scars. Joplin Schools Superintendent Dr. CJ Huff tells News Talk KZRG his staff is keeping an eye on each and every student as a result. "We've got 3,000 kids in Kindergarten thru 12th grade that experienced that storm up close and personal, and we're

Joplin Deadline for Tornado Demolition Plans Fast Approaching
Time's running out if you haven't gotten started with taking care of your tornado-damaged property in Joplin. City Spokeswoman Lynn Onstot tells News Talk KZRG they want to give you as much time as possible to get started, but you can't have forever. "If we don't hear from property owners, we'll have to start the 90-day Building Board process with them, where they can

Joplin Businesses Reopening
It's going to be a busy day for shoppers in Joplin, as two stores destroyed by the May 22nd tornado reopen today. Academy Sports and Outdoors held a ribbon cutting and private shopping spree for about forty students from Irving Elementary School yesterday... today's their first official day open to the general public. Also, Payless ShoeSource will be holding a grand opening ceremony

Genandt Death Accidental Drowning
Authorities have a better idea how Ronnie James Genandt of Joplin died. The 33-year-old man was found Tuesday night in a pond near the 4000 block of East 7th Street. A preliminary autopsy says his death was an accidental drowning. Captain Derek Walrod of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office tells News Talk KZRG they're still trying to piece together Genandt's last days. "We've narrowed it down and we have people that have seen or talked to him in early January, but nobody has seen or talked to him since approximately January 4th to the time we found the body." Genandt's body had been in the water for at least 48 hours by the time he was found Tuesday night.

Schools Demolition Still On Track
Demolition of Joplin school buildings seems to have hit a snag. There have been reports of bickering between the contractor hired to do the job and sub-contractors. Superintendent Doctor CJ Huff tells News Talk KZRG he'd like the arguing to stop. "When you have multiple contractors working together on a project, sometimes you have conflict. And right now there seems to be some conflict between the contractor and some of the subs, so hopefully they get all those issues worked out so we can get back on track." Huff says the contractors are working on removing asbestos from Joplin High School and the old South Middle School.  He says demolition should resume in seven to ten days with the demolition completed in two to four weeks.

Spence on Degree Flap: "Not Like I Was Making Cupcakes"
It's a non-issue, end of story. That's how Missouri Republican Candidate for Governor Dave Spence describes the flap over his degree listing on his website in an interview with News Talk KZRG. Initially, Spence's website listed him as having a degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in economics. It was later revealed to actually be a Bachelor's degree in home

Supreme Court Orders Hearing On MO Redistricting
The Speaker of the Missouri House says he’s confident the map of new US House districts drawn up by the legislature will be upheld by a lower court. On Tuesday, the state Supreme Court ordered a trial judge to hold a hearing to decide whether new congressional districts meet constitutional muster. Speaker Steven Tilley says he’s confident they do. "We feel pretty

3 Accused of Stealing Jesus
The mystery of the disappearing Jesus has been solved. The Macon County sheriff's department began getting complaints last weekend about Jesus figurines and other decorations disappearing from Nativity scenes. Deputies say they tracked down the five missing Jesus figures and the other items, and arrested three teens from the area on suspicion of misdemeanor theft.