Cardinals win 18th pennant
The St. Louis Cardinals are the National League champions following an outstanding offensive display in Milwaukee last night.
David Freese belted one of the Cardinals' three home runs while going 3-for-4 with three runs scored in a 12-6 rout of the Brewers in Game 6 of the NLCS. Freese smacked a three-run shot to put the Cardinals ahead 4-0 in the first inning. Rafael Furcal launched a solo blast in the second and Albert Pujols did the same in the third. Pujols and pinch-hitter Allen Craig each finished with two RBIs.
It's the third NL pennant for the Cardinals since 2004 and their 18th overall. The Cards will host the Texas Rangers in the first two games of the World Series, beginning Wednesday.
U.S Court of Appeals to hear Kinder's challenge to federal health law this week
More than a year after he first voiced opposition to health reform, Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder will finally have his day in court.
The eighth circuit court in St. Paul Minnesota is scheduled to hear arguments in Kinder's lawsuit this Thursday. Kinder filed the suit last year as a private individual. Then in April, a federal judge ruled Kinder did not have legal standing to bring many of the claims and dismissed the lawsuit. Now, Kinder is appealing that decision and specifically alleges that a key part of the federal health law, requiring that most people buy health insurance, is unconstitutional.
Officials from more than twenty states have filed briefs in support of Kinder's challenge, and at least ten have filed briefs against it. Ultimately, The U.S. Supreme court is expected to decide on the constitutionality of the health law and will likely take up the case by this summer.
Mo. Senate to discuss state economic development today
Missouri senators are meeting today, and Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer says the chamber plans to ask House members for a formal negotiating session over the economic development legislation.
The House is not scheduled to meet today.
The Senate also plans to consider legislation abolishing Missouri's February 2012 presidential primary election. The primary remains on the books but lost much of its significance when the Missouri Republican Party decided to pick national convention delegates through a caucus process.