Politics

Former Missouri Governor Roger Wilson was sentenced to probation in federal court today for one count of misdemeanor campaign finance fraud.

Wilson pleaded guilty in April to accusations that from 2009-2010 he helped funnel $8,000 in campaign contributions to the Missouri Democratic Party.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation that could shorten the time some nonviolent offenders have to spend behind bars and on parole or probation.

The legislation enacted Friday allows nonviolent offenders on parole or probation to receive 30 days of credit toward their sentences for every month they go without a violation. It also allows 120-day "shock" jail sentences for felons who violate probation or parole for the first time, instead of returning them to prison to finish their original sentences.