© 2024 St. Louis Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Morning headlines: Friday, August 10, 2012

(via Flickr/Indofunk Satish)

Recounts likely in Missouri

Five candidates who ran in this week's Missouri party primaries appear eligible for recounts. Missouri allows candidates who lose by less than 1 percent to request a recount. Two Democrats who appear to have lost races for the U.S. House and the Missouri House plan to do just that.

Unofficial election results show there also could be recounts in Republican races for two state House districts and secretary of state. In the 2nd Congressional District near St. Louis, Democrat Harold Whitfield says he'll request a recount of a race he appears to have lost by 49 votes. A Democratic state House candidate trailing by a single vote also plans to seek a recount.

Downtown closures this weekend

All lanes and ramps on westbound I-64 downtown between the I-44/I-55 ramps on the Poplar Street Bridge and 21st Street on the double deck structure will be closed starting at 10 a.m. this morning.

MoDOT crews will continue work to remove and replace the driving surface. Up to two eastbound lanes will be closed for safety during the work. Most westbound lanes will be reopened by 5:30 a.m. Monday morning.

The detour for the closure is westbound I-44 to Jefferson and back to westbound I-64. This is the fourth of seven westbound I-64 closures projected for repair.

Utility regulators seek to help low-income consumers

Missouri utility regulators are examining ways to help low-income consumers cope with higher electric rates.The Public Service Commission will look into creating a new rate class for low-income consumers.

Regulators also plan to examine how other states help the poor. The commission has approved opening a formal docket on the issue. That allows briefs to be filed by industrial energy users, utilities, advocacy groups and the state official who represents utility customers.

Public Service Commissioner Robert Kenney says regulators have been hearing about the effect of rising rates on the poor. He says the review allows officials to explore ways to help ease the burden.

Follow St. Louis Public Radio on Twitter: @stlpublicradio