(Missourinet) – A leak to a key gasoline pipeline isn’t affecting fuel prices in Missouri…yet.

The damaged section has been closed for more than a week after roughly 250,000 gallons spilled out in rural Alabama.  So far, a number of states in the south have experienced dry pumps and price spikes of between ten and twenty cents.

Mike Right with AAA Missouri in St. Louis is confident appropriate steps are being taken to reopen the pipeline quickly.

“Everybody is very much aware the criticality of getting this pipeline back in service because a lot of people are going to be adversely impacted by the lack of adequate fuel within their communities,” Right said.

The pipeline carries gasoline from the gulf coast to the eastern United States.  Right says if it remains shutdown, there’ll be a diversion of fuel from other parts of the country, which could affect delivery into Missouri.

“If it goes on for an extended period of time, obviously there’s going to be some diversion of product from other parts of the country to service the needs of the east coast,” said Right. “Whether that’s a diversion of gasoline that’s destined for Middle America that’s diverted to the east coast or not, that would have an impact throughout the Midwest.”

Governors across the South issued executive orders last week allowing truckers to stay on the road longer to bring gasoline into the region.  Monday, the governor of Georgia issued an order aimed at preventing price gouging.

Colonial Pipeline of Alpharetta, Georgia, which owns and operates the pipeline, issued a statement Monday regarding its efforts alleviate fuel shortages.  It said, “In an effort to minimize supply disruptions, last week Colonial Pipeline gathered gasoline from Gulf Coast refiners in order to ship supplies on its distillate line to markets throughout the affected region.  As a result, following around-the-clock operations to effect this contingency plan, supplies of gasoline have been delivered and/or are in route to terminal locations in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina.  Delivery times to mainline and stubline terminals in these markets vary.”

The pipeline system runs from Houston to Linden, New Jersey.  The leak occurred in a rural part of Shelby County in Alabama.

(Missourinet) – The parent corporation of hospitals in Kirksville, Moberly, Poplar Bluff and Kennett is exploring a possible sale of the properties along with its 149 other hospitals.

Community Health Systems lost $1.43 billion in the second quarter of 2016, and the value of its stock has plunged 75% in the past year.

Wayne Smith, the CEO of Community Health Systems, confirmed Monday the company was looking into the possible sale.

(Missourinet) – A key Missouri lawmaker worries about a “pending disaster” involving the Zika virus in the state.

Representative Marsha Haefner (R-Oakville) chairs the House Appropriations Committee on Health, Mental Health and Social Services.

“I would say probably when, not if, it makes its way to Missouri, not only will it have tragic results for infants, but this could be a huge cost to the state,” Haefner said.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Division Director Harold Kirbey said it’s developing a state plan to help prevent and assist those dealing with the Zika virus.

“We’ve worked really hard especially with our local partners to put this plan in place, and actually I believe we submitted the rule to add Zika to our reportable conditions,” Kirbey said. “It’s not been there before, it was kind of alluded to and it says novel viruses should be reported.”

He said the Department has contracted with Missouri State University to collect mosquitoes in the Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis areas.

“It starts in Kansas City, goes down and comes back up in St. Louis is what we’ve surveyed so far, and also working with Columbia/Boone County too to get some samples there,” Kirbey said. “So far, we have not found any of the aedes aegypti, the one that they’re most concerned about.”

DHSS says there have been 29 cases found in Missouri from people who have traveled to countries where the virus is actively spreading.

Zika is transmitted sexually and by infected mosquitoes. Some mothers who had Zika while pregnant have also given birth to babies with serious brain birth defects.

(Missourinet) – State lawmakers who serve on Missouri’s Human Trafficking task force describe trafficking as a “rapidly-growing” criminal industry.

The panel will hold a September 29 hearing at 3 p.m. at Mizzou’s Old Alumni Center in Columbia. That’s located on Carrie Francke Drive.

State Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) chairs the task force. He tells Missourinet he aims to get input from three different perspectives at the hearing: from law enforcement, those who helped victims escape trafficking and victims.

Haahr describes the task force work as bipartisan. He’s worked closely on the issue with Senate Democratic Leader Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors) and State Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis).

The task force will submit a report and recommendations to the Legislature by January 1.

(Missourinet) – A major hunting season has officially started in Missouri.  People are now free to pursue deer and turkeys using archery methods.

The season started Thursday and will continue through January 15th, with a notable pause in mid-November for firearms hunting of deer.

Joe Jerek with the Missouri Conservation Department says the state has many locations where there are large numbers of deer. “Missouri’s a great place to hunt deer” said Jerek.  “There are spots in areas all around the state both on public hunting grounds and on private property”.

Since 90 percent of Missouri is privately owned, most hunting takes place on private land, although there are several hundred public conservation areas which are open for deer hunting.  Jerek says any deer hunter would need to contact and work with the property owner prior to any hunting on private property.  “That is part of common hunter courtesy and ethics.”

In a typical year, a quarter of a million deer are harvested in Missouri by half a million people.

A large majority of deer hunters use guns, which is why the firearms season is only 10 days.  Jerek says there are further restrictions connected to the type of deer being pursued.  “We want to remind hunters that they may only take two antlered deer, or bucks, during both the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.”

Hunting of does is unlimited during the current four-month archery season as long as proper permits are acquired.  Two deer and two turkeys are allowed per permit, which cost $19.00 each.  There’s also an archery permit for harvesting of one antler-less deer for $7.00.  Jerek notes the state is more lenient with permits for antler-less deer, or does, because there are many more of them on the landscape.  The Conservation Department stresses proper permits for any hunting or fishing in the state are always required.

Jerek says most deer hunters are looking forward to two particular days in November.  “Fall firearms opening weekend is by far the most popular time for deer hunting in the state of Missouri.”  Those dates are November 12th and 13th.

(Missourinet) – The state Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday over whether a ballot initiative should be part of November’s election.

Opponents of the proposal, which would raise cigarette taxes, claim signatures required to place the measure before voters should be disqualified because its language was changed after those signatures were gathered.

Attorney Jane Dueker represents the initiative’s backers, Raise Your Hand for Kids.  She claims the opponents are trying to invalidate the effort far too late in the process.

“You have all the signatures, everything done that was required of you at the time, and you’re trying to retroactively invalidate” said Dueker.  “So, what they’re seeking to do is to have the opponent’s rights actually trump the constitutional rights of the citizen proponents.”

Dueker calls the suit the “easiest case for the court, hardest for the opponents.”

Attorney Chuck Hatfield, who represents the opponents, says the law is clear in what’s permissible to place before voters in a ballot initiative.

“The legislature has put together a process to make sure people aren’t misled into putting things on the ballot.”

He argues the altered language placed in the ballot initiative after people signed the petition renders the document unconstitutional.

“If someone proposed an initiative petition to throw every one of the Muslim faith out of the state of Missouri, that’s a clearly unconstitutional proposal.  Are we going to allow that to be put on an initiative petition, and to be voted on by the people?”

Dueker says the claim of language being changed between the time voters signed the petition and the later date when the ballot title was certified by the secretary of state is moot.

“The (state) constitution does not require that there be an official ballot title on the petition that’s circulated to signers.  It only requires that there be an official ballot title when it goes to the electorate.”

An appeals court has ruled against the proposal submitted to petition signers.  Money from the cigarette tax would go toward early childhood programs.

It’s not certain how ballots, which are  being printed and sent out for early voting in the next week, will be affected by the Supreme Court decision.

The way the initiative is drawn up, major brand cigarette cigarettes would have a 60 cents tax increase while smaller brands would see hike of $1.27, which would escalate every year.

Among the group’s opposing the measure is the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

Tobacco giant Reynold’s American has gave several million dollars to the group backing the proposal, Raise Your Hand for Kids.

(Missourinet) – Of the twenty bills vetoed this year by Governor Jay Nixon (D), seven have been sustained. The legislature’s annual veto session was held Wednesday at the Missouri capitol in Jefferson City. Here’s a recap of Nixon’s vetoes that have been upheld:

MODOT ‘platooning’ test program
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Davis (R-Webb City), would have allowed the state Transportation department to create a so-called “platooning” pilot program. Platooning involves semi-automated long-haul trucks. Several key Republicans voted to sustain Nixon’s veto, including representatives Joe Don McGaugh (R-Carrollton), Tom Flanigan (R-Carthage) and Mike Leara (R-Sunset Hills).

E-verify exemptions for some businesses
State lawmakers have failed to override a bill that would have exempt some businesses from being required to check if job applicants are authorized to work in the U.S. It would have allowed employers to opt out if doing so would be costly. The measure also would have extended a tax incentive package to small businesses. The measure was sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).

Expert witness testimony standard
Senator Mike Parson’s (R-Bolivar) bill would have changed the standard for who is considered an expert witness in a Missouri courtroom. The proposal would have expert witness testimony allowed only if it is based on “sufficient facts” and “reliable principles and methods.”

Proposed fee changes at license offices
License offices could have charged $2.00 for sending a document electronically or an electronic look-up for a document that a person applying for a license did not have in their possession. The bill sponsored by Senator David Sater (R-Cassville) would also have charged a $2.00 fee if someone wanted a document notarized at license offices.

Court evidence for medical expenses
The legislature failed to override a veto of Senator Ed Emery’s (R-Lamar) bill for those seeking damages from an injury, illness or disability. Plaintiffs at trial could have introduced evidence of the actual cost, rather than the value of the medical care given.

Financial disclosures
A bill sponsored by former Rep. Tony Dugger (R-Hartville) would have required that certain financial reports be filed electronically. The measure assigned the Missouri Ethics Commission as the required body for filing reports by removing local election authority filing as an option for certain reports. It specifies that committee and candidate reports are included. The bill was not brought up for an override vote during the veto session.

Department of Social Services appropriations
Rep. Tom Flanigan’s bill called for appropriating money for expenses, grants, and distributions of the Department of Social Services. An override attempt of the proposal did not occur.

Conflict of interest protections for county commissioners
The measure specified that it’s not a conflict of interest for any county commissioner to discuss any matters, including budget matters, of any board or commission on which the commissioner serves, including the University of Missouri Extension Council. The House did not attempt an override on Rep. Caleb Rowden’s (R-Columbia) bill.

(Missourinet) – Missouri lawmakers have overridden a veto of a sweeping gun measure which allows people to carry a concealed weapon without training or a permit.

The bill also expands individual rights of protection with fire arms in public and private places.

Republican Senator Brian Munzlinger, who sponsored the bill, claims its common sense legislation.

“The basis of this whole bill is that it allows law abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families” said Munzlinger. “What it does not do is allow those illegals to legally carry. And there are some people that have said it would allow anyone to carry.”

Democratic Senator Jason Holsman claims the measure will intensify gun violence in urban areas, such as his district in Kansas City.

“(It’s what) our prosecutors, and our police officers, and our mayor, and our city council have to deal with when a hundred people a year get killed by gun violence.”

The floor debate on the gun measure in the Senate lasted two hours before Republicans used a procedural move to force a vote.

The measure will expand an existing law which lets homeowners use deadly force against intruders, by giving house guests the same right.  It also includes a “stand your ground” provision, which lets people who are in a place where they’re legally allowed use deadly force, without retreating.  The Senate voted 24-6 largely on party lines. The Republican super majority in the House also defeated the Governor’s veto by voting mostly as a block 141-12.

(Missourinet) – An effort is underway to boost public awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property.

According to state figures, there were 62 crossing crashes and trespass incidents leading to 23 fatalities and 26 injuries in Missouri last year. In 2014, there were 69 crashes and trespass incidents resulting in 10 deaths and 50 injuries.

Lindsey Douglas with Union Pacific Railroad says the romance associated with trains has led to a risky trend where people are having their photos taken on tracks.

“There really is no safe way to do that,” Douglas said.  “I even saw a photographer use a trick where she says if you place a penny on the railroad tracks, you can hear it coming. There’s absolutely no safe way to take photos on railroad tracks.”

Tim Hull with “Operation Lifesaver,” a non-profit group dedicated to eliminating rail related injuries and deaths, points to an incident where a crew was filming a movie on a railroad trestle in Georgia.

“(They) didn’t tell the railroad about it,” Hull said.  “They were out there filming it and along comes a train. Not everybody can get off a trestle.  So they had one person killed and several people injured in that situation.”

Hull agrees with Douglas that photography has become a big safety issue, particularly with senior high school and sports team photography.

In addition to incidents of trespassing, Hull notes accidents at rail crossings continue to be a major concern.  He says more than half of car-train collisions in Missouri occur at rail crossings with flashing lights and gates, which offer the most protections against accidents.

“The gates are down.  So they have to drive around them in order to be hit by the train”.

However, all five crashes resulting in deaths in Missouri this year occurred at intersections which only have railroad “cross-buck” signs.

At a recent operation in Sedalia, Union Pacific sent a railroad engine on several runs across U.S. 50 at a crossing with flashing red lights, but no gates. In videos below drivers illegally cross, close to train:

Several of the company’s police units were stationed adjacent to the crossing, where they pursued and pulled over drivers who illegally crossed the tracks after the lights started flashing. The officers issued citations or warnings for the infraction, which is a moving violation.

The operation in Sedalia, known as “Officer on a Train,” is repeated at other railroad crossings around the state.

Union Pacific’s Douglas points to a demonstration which she says illustrates the dangers when vehicles collide with trains.

“(The demonstration) shows a pop-can,” Douglas said. “And a pop can getting run over by the car is similar to a vehicle being impacted by a train.”

Douglas mentioned that a fully loaded train pulling 120 cars travels a mile before coming to a stop after its conductor/operator pulls an emergency brake.

Hull with “Operation Lifesaver” says modern technology allows trains to run smoother and quieter, increasing the possibility pedestrians and driver won’t know when one is close by.

Operation Lifesaver along with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are devoting this week to safety issues along railways.

(Videos courtesy Missourinet)

(Missourinet) – A legislative committee will discuss Tuesday how Missouri’s high school sports practice calendar affects tourism.

Missouri State High School Activities Association spokesperson Jason West says some schools want to start practice in August, while some want to start in July.

“When you start talking about starting practices in July, even though it’s the last day in July, there’s a whole different mindset there,” says West. “Now it’s like well where has summer gone. Where’s our time to be away and things like that. That’s the concern is when we start creeping into July.”

Member schools must complete 14 practices for any sport before the first game is played.

“The discussions are do we push our seasons back a week to allow for back into August when we start. Does that encompass shortening seasons? We lengthened a few seasons a few years ago with adding a week and starting a week earlier,” says West.

Nearly 600 Missouri schools are members of the Association.

The legislature’s Joint Committee on Education will also hear testimony about the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s System Review Task Force. State senator Gary Romine (R-Farmington) chairs the committee.

Tuesday’s hearing will be at 9 a.m. at the Missouri capitol in Jefferson City.