WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says police are justified in making a traffic stop even if it turns out the officers are mistaken in thinking the driver broke the law.

The justices said Monday that such a stop does not violate the Constitution’s protection against unreasonable searches.

The ruling came in a North Carolina case in which a police officer pulled over Nicholas Heien’s car because the right brake light was out, although the left one still worked. A search led to the discovery of cocaine in the trunk.

A state appeals court said the stop was impermissible because state law only requires a car to have one functioning brake light. But the state’s highest court reversed, finding that the officer’s misunderstanding of law was reasonable. The Supreme Court agreed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress has approved legislation  introduced by U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) to help boost jobs by supporting international tourism to the United States. The “Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act” was included in the bipartisan omnibus agreement, which was approved by the U.S. Senate yesterday and is heading to President Barack Obama’s desk. Blunt previously introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill reauthorizes Brand USA, a public-private partnership that enhances tourism in Missouri and nationwide. In 2013, Brand USA generated 1.1 million additional international visitors who spent an estimated $3.4 billion, strengthening local businesses and stimulating economic growth.

“Travel and tourism are important to jobs in Missouri and nationwide, and Brand USA has produced great results attracting more visitors to the United States,” Blunt said. “I introduced this bill several times in the House, and I’m pleased that Senator Klobuchar and I were able to get a five-year extension included in the omnibus so we can continue to promote increased international travel to the U.S. and bring revenue and jobs to communities across the nation.”

Additional Background Information:

In April 2014, Klobuchar and Blunt introduced the bipartisan “Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act” to reauthorize Brand USA through 2020. The House companion bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (Fla.) and Peter Welch (Vt.).

Brand USA is funded by international visitors and private contributions – not U.S. taxpayers. Half of its budget comes from the private sector through cash and in-kind contributions. The rest of the budget – up to a maximum of $100 million – is funded by a nominal fee assessed on visa-free international visitors screened by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Brand USA can only collect up to $100 million from ESTA fees paid by foreign travelers visiting the U.S., and amounts collected in excess of the cap are returned to the U.S. Treasury to help reduce t

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch privacy watchdog is ordering Google to make changes to the way it handles users’ personal data or face fines of up to 15 million euros ($18.7 million).

The College for the Protection of Personal Data announced Monday it is giving the Internet giant until the end of February to comply with measures aimed at giving consumers more clarity about how their personal information is used across the suite of Google services.

Privacy watchdogs in six European countries, including the Netherlands, opened investigations into Google after it amended its privacy policy early in 2012.

Al Verney, a spokesman from Google, says the company is disappointed with the order, “especially as we have already made a number of changes to our privacy policy in response to their concerns.”

HARPER, Kan. (AP) — Kansas weather is often unpredictable but Sunday was a particularly odd day in the state.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings Sunday evening in Harper, Kingman and Reno counties in south-central Kansas. A tornado briefly touched down about five miles northeast of Harper but no injuries or serious damage was reported.

Later Sunday evening, snow began falling in Cheyenne County in far northwest Kansas.

Much of the rest of the state experienced rain and misty conditions.

Meteorologist Chris Jakub told The Wichita Eagle  the unusual weather occurred when warm and moist conditions met a strong upper-level system. He said the mix of weather was unusual for mid-December in Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police say a 16-year-old boy wounded in a drive-by shooting has died from his injuries.

The Kansas City, Kansas, police department says Kahlif Hampton died Sunday after being shot in the head on Friday. Officers say a woman who was also injured in the home shooting is expected to survive.

Police say suspects fired multiple shots into the townhouse from a vehicle in the back alley.

The department is investigating the shooting and is searching for two suspects. No arrests have been reported.

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) — Independence police are investigating after a decomposing body was found in a wooded area.

Police responded Sunday afternoon after a person found the body near Highway 291 and Truman Road. They say the body showed signs of decomposition.

The age and gender of the person haven’t been released.
The Jackson County medical examiner is working to identify the victim and determine the cause of death.

KANSAS CITY (AP) – Missouri’s Liberty Memorial in Kansas City is one step closer to gaining ramped up national status.

The U.S. Senate last week passed legislation that would designate the landmark as the nation’s World War I Museum and Memorial.

Other monuments with that status include the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Both Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee and pushed for the provision in this year’s annual defense bill.

The bill now heads to the House for approval.