News

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says exploring natural gas supplies in Illinois and making tax credits for renewable energy permanent could be ways to lower soaring gas prices.

Kirk told reporters Monday that federal officials need to research possibilities for harnessing natural gas from New Albany shale in the Illinois basin.

The Republican also says he'd like to see permits granted more quickly for off shore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and reduce so-called small gasoline monopolies.

Harold L. Volkmer, a 10-term Democratic congressman from northeast Missouri, has died. He was 80.

The James O'Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal. Mo., says Volkmer died there Saturday after several bouts of pneumonia.

Volkmer served in the Missouri Legislature before being elected to Congress in 1976. He served on several House committees, including Judiciary and Agriculture, and chaired the Agriculture Subcommittee on Small Farms and Forests.

Sen. Thomas Eagleton nicknamed Volkmer "The Roadrunner" for his tirelessness.

IL residents can weigh in on redistricting

Residents of the Metro East will have an opportunity to voice their opinions today on how state lawmakers should redraw Illinois'  Congressional and state legislative districts.

A ceremony will be held on the Gateway Arch grounds tomorrow to honor a woman who was struck and killed by a charter bus while walking in downtown St. Louis nine years ago.

Susie Stephens was a strong advocate for bicycle and pedestrian safety, and was attending a conference on the issue in 2002 when she lost her life near the Adam's Mark Hotel. Her mother, Nancy MacKerrow, has been planting trees around the country in Susie's honor for years, but this is the first in St. Louis.

St. Louis Public Radio and the University of Missouri-St. Louis broke ground on a new midtown facility at Grand Center today.

The new St. Louis Public Radio is being built on a parking lot currently being used by the Fox Theater.