JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – A Missouri lawmaker is writing a bill to allow accreditation of individual schools, rather than entire districts.

Versailles Republican Rep. David Wood says he plans to file the legislation in December. The measure would allow students in a failing school to transfer to better-performing buildings within their own district.

He says the legislation also would enable other schools to stay open if only a few buildings in a district perform poorly.

Currently, unaccredited school districts must pay tuition for students transferring to an accredited school districts, and that the receiving districts must accept those students.

A similar measure failed last session as part of a more expansive education package after a veto by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

Wood says his bill has a better chance of passing by itself.

Still, a Missouri School Boards’ Association spokesman says there might be challenges for districts with only one elementary, middle school or high school.

For a list of accredited school districts click here.

GENE JOHNSON, Associated Press
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) — The grand jury that declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson was focused on whether he might have acted in self-defense when he shot and killed unarmed, 18-year-old Michael Brown.

But the case raises another question: Could Wilson have avoided getting into a spot where he had to make that split-second, life-or-death decision?

Departments around the country have in recent years stepped up their training in “de-escalation” — the art of defusing a tense situation with a word or a gesture instead of being confrontational or reaching for a weapon.

Proponents, including the Justice Department, say the approach can improve trust and understanding between police and residents, curtail the unnecessary use of force, and improve the safety of officers and civilians alike.

SCOTT McFETRIDGE, Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After several tough years, the nation’s Christmas tree growers are happy to see higher prices, but customers shouldn’t worry too much.

Any price increase shouldn’t be enough to dampen their holiday cheer.

Bryan Ostlund, executive director of the Salem, Oregon-based Pacific Northwest Tree Association, says growers this year will get about $20 for an average tree. That’s a couple dollars more than last year.

But Ostlund says the price paid to growers is only one of many factors in what a tree actually costs at a lot. Consumers might end up paying just a little more.

John Tillman, a grower in southern Washington, says it’s a relief to see prices rise and supplies come closer to demand. He says many farmers quit the business because of low prices.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Several colleges in Kansas and Missouri are starting food pantries to help students survive the ever-increasing costs of higher education.

In Kansas, Emporia State University and Washburn University opened pantries this month, while Pittsburg State opened one in October. The Kansas City Star  reports that the University of Missouri-Kansas City student activities office is working on opening a food pantry in March.

The nonprofit Feeding America said in its 2014 report on hunger that one in 10 hungry U.S. adults is a student. Two million are attending school full-time, and 1 million go part-time.

Feeding America spokeswoman Elaine Waxman says her agency has seen an increase in calls from colleges and universities inquiring about starting a campus food pantry.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Toyota is recalling about 30,000 Sienna Minivans worldwide, saying the 2015 models’ overhead assist grips can detach when an air bag deploys.

The automaker says that the grips, which are mounted to the minivans’ roof rails, could detach from the mounting bracket under some conditions, potentially injuring passengers.

Toyota says it’s not aware of any injuries or fatalities caused by the problem.

Dealers will modify the headliner under the second row overhead assist grips at no cost to owners.

Separately, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas is recalling some of its Open Country Tuff Duty and Nitto Dura Grappler tires due to potential tread separation.

Toyo knows of two crashes involving the malfunction.

The free recall involves about 175,310 SUV and van tires.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Two men no longer faces charges connected to the disappearance of a Jefferson City man.

The Jefferson City News-Tribune  reports that prosecutors have dropped a tampering with a witness charge against Richard Love and a tampering with physical evidence charge against Adam Moore-Duncan.

The charges against the 25-year-old Jefferson City men were filed after Christopher Cray went missing. Cray was last seen at a supermarket on May 20, and his abandoned vehicle was found May 26. Police suspect he was killed and that his body was thrown into the city landfill. But his body wasn’t found after almost a month of searching the landfill.
Love has been sentenced to five years in prison in a drug distribution case. Online court records show no other felony charges against Moore-Duncan.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Columbia is looking into a partial ban on single-use plastic shopping bags.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that a commission that advises the city council on environmental issues was asked last month to review a proposal.

Affected retailers would be required to charge 10 cents for reusable paper bags. Environment and Energy Commission member Jan Dye says the intent is to encourage customers to use reusable bags rather than to make them choose paper over plastic.

The ban would not apply to bags for produce or meats that are intended to prevent the product from coming into contact with other items.

DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — For some Americans on opposite sides of a national debate, Michael Brown has become a symbol, epitomizing their polarized views on who bears the blame for the toll of young black men killed by police officers.

Brown was a gentle giant, in one version. A defiant troublemaker, in another.

Yet as more details of the 18-year-old’s life and death emerge, his legacy in the eyes of many is more nuanced, reflecting the ups and downs and challenges faced by many young Americans.

Brown, who was black and unarmed, was shot and killed Aug. 9 by white Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. A grand jury declined to indict Wilson on Monday, sparking national protests.

The intense scrutiny of Brown’s life and the accompanying moral judgments have angered some of those following the case.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this week issued the following statement following news of an extension of P5+1 nuclear negotiations with Iran:

“Given the President’s worrisome admission that a year of diplomatic dialogue failed to bridge the ‘significant’ gaps between P5+1 negotiators and Iran, I am skeptical of what this extension can accomplish,” Sen. Moran said. “As negotiations carry on, Congress must continue to demand terms that secure lasting and verifiable dismantlement of Iran’s illicit nuclear program. Any sanctions relief must be dependent on evident compliance by Iran. The world has too much at stake to accept a dangerous deal that disregards the concerns of Congress and the American people.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2014, Sen. Moran and 42 Senate Republicans sent a letter to President Obama to explain the costs of striking a weak nuclear deal with Iran. The letter also urges the Obama administration to be steadfast on negotiating conditions previously outlined by Congress and the administration.