JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A California man pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a conspiracy that distributed more than $6.6 million in synthetic marijuana from and to central Missouri businesses.

Federal prosecutors say 40-year-old Michael James Butler, of Sacramento, California, pleaded guilty Tuesday for his role in money-laundering and mail fraud conspiracies. Both conspiracies occurred between December 2012 and July 2015 and were related to the distribution of synthetic marijuana, also known as K2.

Prosecutors say Butler managed a co-conspirator’s company that was used to send FedEx packages containing K2 to wholesale customers across the U.S. Butler established another company, Butler-Whayne Industries, which sent K2 packages to locations in Callaway County.

Butler is one of eight people who have pleaded guilty in the case.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has begun debate on a bill that would ban most abortions in the state at 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The GOP-controlled chamber started debating Tuesday night. Republicans are expected to pass the legislation, which would be a victory for Iowa conservatives seeking to restrict abortion.

House Republicans expressed interest in changing the bill, which would require another vote from the GOP-led Senate. The Senate passed a version of the legislation last month. GOP Gov. Terry Branstad, who spoke recently at an anti-abortion rally at the Capitol, has indicated support for a 20-week ban. A spokesman says the governor reserves judgment on the legislation.

The ban on most abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy is based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage. Nearly 20 states have passed similar legislation in recent years.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House has given initial approval to a state budget plan that boosts funding for public schools, cuts it for colleges and prohibits it for other things including abortions and drunken driving checkpoints.

The House endorsed the $27.8 billion operating budget for next year after a daylong debate. A second round of votes is needed to send it to the Senate.

The House plan would provide K-12 schools with more money than recommended by Gov. Eric Greitens. It softens his proposed cuts to higher education, though most institutions would still get a 6.6 percent reduction. The University of Missouri would be cut by 9 percent.

The budget bars money from going to DWI checkpoints, toll roads, Medicaid expansion and in-state tuition rates for students living illegally in the U.S. since childhood.

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoe chain Payless ShoeSource is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, becoming the latest retailer to succumb to increasing competition from online rivals like Amazon.

The Topeka, Kansas-based retailer said Tuesday that it will be closing nearly 400 stores as part of the reorganization. It has over 4,400 stores in more than 30 countries and was founded in 1956.

Payless plans to reduce its debt by almost 50 percent, lower how much it pays in interest and line up funds. The company says some of its lenders have agreed to make available up to $385 million to keep the stores running.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City voters will decide whether to approve a bond issue for infrastructure improvements, a sales tax measure for development in a neglected area, and reduction of penalties for some marijuana possession.

The City Council is asking voters on Tuesday to approve the borrowing and spending of $800 million on the city’s infrastructure during the next 20 years. The money would be used for streets, bridges, flood control and city buildings including a new animal shelter.

Social justice advocates are pushing a 10-year, one-eighth-cent citywide sales tax to generate about $8.6 million annually for economic development in the central city.

A third ballot measure would, if approved, lower the maximum municipal fine from $500 to $25 and eliminate jail time for possession of 35 grams of marijuana or less.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Six steers that escaped from a slaughterhouse in north St. Louis will be rewarded with a life of leisure.

The steers ran from the Star Packing Co. last Friday.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the animals were picked up Monday from the slaughterhouse and taken to an area farm. They will wait there for a few weeks and then go to an animal sanctuary.

Gentle Barn co-founder Jay Weiner says his animal sanctuary intends to keep the steers either at its Tennessee farm or a new one. If that’s not possible, they will stay together and go to another animal sanctuary.

A crowd-funding page started by Adam Brewster of Chicago to help the animals has raised $16,500 as of Monday. The money was donated to The Gentle Barn.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Missouri State says it will drop its field hockey team and make other adjustments in response to budget problems.

Athletics Director Kyle Moats announced Monday the school will replace field hockey with beach volleyball.

The Springfield News-Leader reports 17 current and seven incoming students are on the field hockey team. Current players will keep their scholarships and stay at the university or could transfer to another school and begin playing immediately. Incoming recruits will be released from their national letters of intent.

Moats says the moves will save the school about $300,000 annually.

Other reductions include cutting operating expenses between 7 and 12 percent in each athletic program, reducing scholarships and cutting apparel expenses.

Moats says the efforts are expected to save the school more than $1 million annually.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House has passed a bill to ban cities and counties from using red-light cameras.

House members voted 125-30 Monday to send the bill to the Senate. The measure would prohibit the use of cameras to catch traffic violations such as speeding and running red lights.

Supporters say it should be up to law enforcement to hand out tickets for running red lights and that some municipalities use cameras to generate revenue.

But critics say it should be up to cities and counties to decide whether to implement the cameras.

The bill comes after the Missouri Supreme Court struck down red-light camera laws in some Missouri cities but gave what some considered guidance for how to legally and constitutionally use the devices.

IOLA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a Kansas police officer was hurt when his patrol vehicle was stolen.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the theft happened Sunday morning in Allen County. The patrol says the Iola police officer was injured after letting go of the stolen vehicle and skidding down the road.

The vehicle came to a stop when it hit a tree about three miles south of Iola.

The officer and the Oklahoma suspect were taken to a hospital. Authorities haven’t said what led up to the vehicle theft.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State Fair board members are discussing a master plan that would eliminate the century-old racetrack.

The Hutchinson News reports that’s one suggestion in a master plan presented to the board Thursday. None of the proposals are close to being approved.

The plan would replace the southern curves of the track with a new horse exhibition area and practice arena.

Fair Manager Susan Sankey acknowledges that removing the track will be unpopular with some people. But she says it’s a business decision designed to modernize the fair and generate revenue.

The master plan also includes a permanent stage for entertainment and a new dirt area for demolition derbies and tractor pulls.

The next step is for board members to choose priorities for the plan and set a timetable.