Kristofor Husted

Regional news coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Mo. House Speaker Tim Jones to give GOP response to state of the state
• Mo. SOS Jason Kander giving public comment period on ballot initiatives
• KC Medical School looking to open up shop in Joplin

The pentagon announced Thursday the lifting of a ban on women serving in combat. With the policy reversal, women will have the opportunity to serve in combat if they meet certain "gender-neutral standards."

Farmers and ranchers across the country expected to start the New Year with a new farm bill, the all-important legislation setting agricultural policy for the next five years.

Regional new coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Gov. Nixon sets the special election date for Jo Ann Emerson's seat
• Revamped GED to launch in 2014
• Increase in passengers at St. Louis' Lambert Airport

Gov. Jay Nixon plans to set June 4 as the special election date to fill the vacant seat in the Eighth District in southeast Missouri.

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson sent Nixon a letter Tuesday notifying him that her resignation from the seat would be effective at 11:59 p.m.

Columbia mayoral candidate Sam Allison has announced his withdrawal from the city-wide race.

Columbia Public Schools announced Wednesday an expansion of an electronic reading program throughout the district.  With the myON reader program, students can log on to a website and have access to thousands of free electronic books.

Superintendent Chris Belcher calls it “amazon.com” for kids. He says the district has purchased a password to access the site for every 4-year old in the district.

The lingering drought continues to keep the Mississippi River at historically low levels. But now the Army Corps of Engineers says the river will likely stay open for transportation at least through this month. But many grain and energy industries that send products up and down the river aren’t yet breathing a sigh of relief. Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters reports from the Corn Belt where a lot of grain begin its journey south down the Mississippi.

Regional news from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Nixon Sworn In As Mo. Governor, Begins Second Term
• Jovan Belcher autopsy results show he was drunk at time of crime
• State Sen. John Lamping calls out Gov. Jay Nixon on Twitter

Regional news coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Nixon calls for lengthening Mo. school year
• Mo. auditor confirms insolvency of disability fund
• Republican: Akin 'partly right' on rape comment