Every legislative session seems to script its own catch-phrases… “skin in the game” and “Gucci suits and alligator shoes” were tossed around last session. The early front-runner for this session’s catch-phrase is “game-changer.”
[...]
Another year in the Kansas Legislature, another debate about a tougher seat belt law.
A Kansas Senate committee this morning reviewed a bill to crack down on motorists who don’t buckle up. Every year, it seems, a tougher seat belt law wins votes in the Senate only to die a tortured death in [...]
from msnbc
ELKHART, Ind. — If there were a report card for the promises President Barack Obama made a year ago in this struggling city in northern Indiana, he would probably get a C. It’s a passing grade, but it’s not the strong performance that people might have hoped for in [...]
Outgoing Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh enjoyed lots of public "atta-boys" Monday after he announced he was stepping down next week to take a job in the private sector.
The four-term Republican was first elected in 1994.
But on Monday evening, the appreciate streak came to an end when the conservative Kansas [...]
from the nyt
PHOENIX - J. D. Hayworth is a large man, and to compensate for his indulgences, he hits the elliptical trainer every morning at 4, zipping along to an incongruous soundtrack of Elvis Costello, Frank Sinatra and old advertising jingles.
Until recently, he would then repair to a local [...]
Cartoon: McCaskill and Skelton pulling right
Thornburgh leaves a legacy after 15 years as Kansas Secretary of State
Why Republicans don't want President Obama to succeed
Thoughts on the potential connection between health care costs and personal bankruptcies in Missouri, a variety of opinions on recent speeches by former Gov. [...]
I think I am going to get this game for my son and his sons. [...] 
In the right-wing Washington Times:
Sen. Christopher S. Bond regularly railed against President Obama's economic stimulus plan as irresponsible spending that would drive up the national debt. But behind the scenes, the Missouri Republican quietly sought more than $50 million from a federal agency for two [...]
The Star: Murder convict "Scott Roeder said in an interview released Monday that he has little sympathy for Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller's family." [...] 
UMKC Play "Slammed! KC Speaks Out on the Recession" is based on interviews with Kansas Citians who have been hurt by the economy. [...] 
NBC Action News: "Officers are asking the public for help in locating Scott Case and Jessica McGannon. They are accused of stealing donations at a Culver’s Restaurant for Haitian earthquake victims." [...] 
ABOVE: Vew from a bus in Seattle, WA
I no longer have issues with taking a bus if that is that is the only public transportation choice I have. This was not always the case with me. I still prefer streetcars [...]
Competing sovereignty bills sponsored by state senators Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, and Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, both of whom are competing for the Seventh District Congressional seat currently held by Roy Blunt, are examined in an article in today's Springfield News-Leader. [...] 
The KCPD shoots non-lethal bean bag rounds at a 48-year-old woman in the street armed with a steak knife with a history of mental illness and fortunately no lives were lost. [...] 
Penrose On Politics takes a brilliant peek at local Democrat leaders taking a right turn heading into election season. [...] 
KC Lunchspots takes us to Jerry's Woodswether Cafe which is kinda cool because I'm never going.' [...] 
An important story from KCUR: "African Americans make up about 13% of the area's population but account for almost half of newly diagnosed HIV cases, according to the local health department." The story details a grassroots effort to stop the spread of the virus. [...] 
The local Catholic Key blog has an interesting take on a search engine ad during The Superbowl that falls in line with their world view and ignores all of the funny and pervy stuff in the Google recommended searches terms. [...] 
Happy in Bag captures all of the contradictions in Jackson County incredibly summed up in one awesome license plate. [...] 
You may have thought the controversy surrounding last year's "Modern Militia" report from the state highway patrol had died down, seeing how it wasn't nearly as evil as Peter Kinder and GOP state legislators were alleging. If so, you'd be wrong.
Last week, I noted with some pleasure Missouri Chief Justice William Ray Price Jr.’s call for a less punitive approach to nonviolent offenders in our legal system. In an editorial today, the Post-Dispatch praises Price and offers some concrete recommendations for reform:
• Drug courts need more funding. This [...]
Last year, the American Journal of Medicine included a disturbing story about bankruptcy in America. In that study of five states (California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas), it was found [...]
You may have found Cynthia Davis' interview about health care reform with FOX Business confusing and unintelligible; fear not. I have been hard at work translating her words into something more digestible for the masses. Her language is shown in italics below -- it's too hot to' [...]
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. David Paterson is lashing back at what he calls an assault on his character that includes accusations about womanizing and drug use.
The Democratic governor told The Associated Press on Monday that news media and New York politics have hit new lows. He says [...]
Plog: A 35-year-old man claims he was raped outside of Missie B's nightclub at 39th and Southwest Trafficway Saturday evening. [...] 
Sen. Claire McCaskill at Friday's forumWASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Claire McCaskill accused Missouri officials of political dishonesty Monday for bashing big spending by Washington while using federal stimulus money to help balance the state budget.
McCaskill didn’t call out anyone by [...]
Gov. Nixon named Maj. Ronald K. Replogle as the new superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Republicans aren't excited about President Obama’s invitation to discuss health care in a bipartisan, televised setting later this month, part of the White House effort to revive the stalled legislation.
The St. Louis' [...]
February 3, 1910 TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR. Kansas City's Chinese Colony Be-ginning to Make Arrangements.My Two Census declares the Census Bureau’s marketing campaign a flop, based on data from its YouTube channel:
The Portrait of America video has just over 6,500 hits…which would sound pretty pathetic for a 10 month campaign if only it wasn’t revealed that the other six videos posted 10 [...]
Fun piece of Kansas political trivia: Of all the statewide officers elected in Kansas in 2006, only one - Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger - now remains in the job they were elected to do.
Recall:
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius - resigned in 2009 to become U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Lt. Gov. Mark [...]
Erstwhile Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor of Illinois Scott Lee Cohen said today that dropping out of the race was the hardest things he’s ever done.
Watching his teary press conference today could be No. 2.
For the…
[...]The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement endorsing the 1 percent Kansas City earnings tax.
A petition drive is under way that could lead to a citywide vote on repealing the levy. The drive is sponsored by a group funded by St. Louis businessman Rex [...]
Maj. Replogle
JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Jay Nixon moved Monday to put his stamp on the Missouri Highway Patrol, selecting Maj. Ronald Replogle as superintendent of the agency.
Replogle will succeed Col. James Keathley, who plans to retire at the end of this…
[...]
ST. LOUIS -Last week, a veteran’s advocacy group unveiled an ad attacking congressman and Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Roy Blunt for his opposition to cap-and-trade environmental legislation.
Today, the Missouri Republican Party offered a stinging comeback, after — for…
[...]Gov. Jay Nixon today named Maj. Ronald K. Replogle as the new superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Replogle (REPP-loh-gull), a 26-year veteran who rose through the ranks to become commander of the Highway Patrol’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, will become superintendent at the end of February following the retirement of [...]
Joe Miller has a bit more 
NBC Action News: 
KC Currents: 
For once, 
