Politics

Republican Todd Akin is up with two new television ads, as his US Senate race enters its final eight days.

One spot features former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who also campaigned for Akin in the primaries. In that ad, "Strong as Steel," Huckabee calls Akin a good Christian man and a courageous conservative who can’t be bought.

Several Metro East communities want to negotiate electricity supply costs for their residents and businesses.

A 2009 law allows Illinois cities and counties to contract with suppliers in order to negotiate prices with electric utilities.

It’s called "municipal aggregation" and referendums are on the ballot in Belleville, Collinsville, and Edwardsville. Click here for a complete list.

Nearly 250 Illinois municipalities already have done so, including Alton and Glen Carbon.

There has been a lot of talk this year about changing I.D. requirements for voters, but Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) wants residents to know that the law hasn’t changed in Missouri.

Carnahan says voters can bring a driver’s license or other photo I.D. to the polls if they so choose, but that photo identification is not mandatory.