News

By Kevin Lavery, KWMU

St. Louis, MO. – Transportation officials are hopeful several new safety measures along a stretch of Interstate 44 near Six Flags in west St. Louis County will reduce fatal crashes there.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has awarded a $73,000 grant to the Eureka city police department to step up patrols.

The agency will also increase signs and install remote cameras. District Engineer Ed Hassinger says MO-DOT was working on the problem even before a crash in July that killed five people.

By AP/KWMU

Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Department of Conservation is looking to buy a new airplane, but not everyone is pleased about that.

The agency expects to spend about $1.8 million dollars for an eight-passenger Cessna. The department's assistant director, Denise Garnier, says the purchase would save money in the long run because the agency would give up its four-passenger plane and its half-ownership of another jet. The agency would keep its
existing two-passenger plane.

By AP/KWMU

Dunn, MO – A Highway Patrol trooper died Thursday after being struck by a pickup truck in south-central Missouri.

Donald Floyd is the fourth Missouri trooper to die in the line of duty this year. That's an all-time high for the patrol.

Floyd, who would have turned 46 on Saturday, was hit while working with the agency's aircraft on speed enforcement along U.S. 60 in Texas County.

By AP/KWMU

Chicago – Jury selection continues Thursday in the racketeering trail of former Illinois Governor George Ryan.

A key question right now is whether Ryan's wife, Lura Lynn, can attend the proceedings.

She'll likely testify during the trial. Prosecutors say rules bar potential witnesses from being in the courtroom.

But Ryan wants his wife there for emotional support.

One possible compromise would allow Mrs. Ryan in the courtroom, but she'd have to leave during witnesses whose testimony might overlap with hers.

By AP/KWMU

Philadelphia, Pa. – A report released Wednesday by a grand jury in Philadelphia includes allegations of sexual abuse by a St. Louis priest.

Joseph Monahan is listed in a report that details widespread abuse and cover-ups in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Monahan is accused of abuse 35 years ago, when he was a priest in Philadelphia.