DAVID A. LIEB, Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth has suggested that political bullying led Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich to fatally shoot himself.

Danforth delivered the eulogy Tuesday during a memorial service for Schweich that was attended by many of Missouri’s top elected officials and hundreds of others.

Schweich fatally shot himself last Thursday in what police say was an apparent suicide.

Danforth was a close friend, co-worker and political mentor to Schweich, who had planned to run for governor.

Danforth said that in the days before his death, Schweich was upset about a negative radio ad that mocked his appearance and was distraught by what Schweich perceived as an anti-Semitic whispering campaign against him. Schweich was Christian, but had some Jewish ancestry.

Danforth said: “Words do hurt. Words can kill.”

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The state budget director says increases in Missouri’s revenues are holding steady at close to a 5 percent growth from last year.

Budget Director Linda Luebbering on Tuesday reported 4.9 percent growth in general revenue this fiscal year, close to Gov. Jay Nixon’s estimate of 4.6 percent.

Nixon’s used that number to guide spending restrictions on roughly $700 million approved for use by the Legislature last session.

The Tuesday announcement also notes February’s revenues increased 4.4 percent compared to the same time last year.
Individual income tax collections grew 5.6 percent in February and 6.4 percent so far this fiscal year.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The Columbia City Council has withdrawn a proposal to ban the use of plastic bags at groceries, convenience stores and pharmacies.
The Columbia Missourian reports council members voted Monday to withdraw the plan because of opposition from many constituents. They also cited a need to allow for more public education and discussion of the proposal.
City Manager Mike Matthes said city staff will work on the issue and plan to bring it back to the council when more residents support it.
Supporters of the ban argue it would protect the environment and reduce litter. Opponents say it goes too far and questioned whether the city can ban a legal product.

KANSAS CITY (AP)— Authorities have captured a Jackson County inmate who escaped while being treated from a Kansas City hospital.

Kansas City police say 25-year-old Willie J. Sanders escaped from Truman Medical Center early Tuesday. He was captured without incident about 7:30 a.m. in east Kansas City.

He is being held in Jackson County on charges of kidnapping, burglary and assault in a case from last year.

Sanders was wearing a hospital gown over an orange Jackson County jail jumpsuit, as well as broken leg shackles, when he escaped.

Details of how he escaped and why he was being treated at the hospital were not immediately available.

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KANSAS CITY (AP) – Authorities are searching for a Jackson County inmate who escaped while being treated from a Kansas City hospital.

Kansas City police said 25-year-old Willie J. Sanders escaped from Truman Medical Center early Tuesday.

He was being held in Jackson County on charges of kidnapping, burglary and assault in a case from last year.

Sanders was wearing a hospital gown over an orange Jackson County jail jumpsuit, as well as broken leg shackles, when he escaped.

Details of how he escaped and what he was at the hospital were not immediately available.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A man who arranged the shooting death of a disabled man he cared for has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

A Boone County circuit judge on Monday sentenced 25-year-old James R. Thompson for first-degree murder. He was convicted in January for giving another man $10,000, a car and a gun to kill 46-year-old Brian Daniels in April 2013.

Daniels was an artist who had been awarded an almost $5 million settlement after he suffered severe injuries in a fire at his Warrensburg apartment nearly 10 years ago.

Prosecutors said Thompson forged Daniels’ will and power of attorney so he could inherit Daniels’ fortune.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that Casey Lewis, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, was convicted last week of first-degree murder for helping with Daniels’ death.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — An 88-year-old Columbia man has pleaded guilty in the stabbing death of his 86-year-old wife.

The Columbia Daily Tribune  reports Donald Rowland pleaded guilty in Boone County Circuit Court on Monday to first-degree involuntary manslaughter. His sentencing has been scheduled for April 13.

Rowland was originally charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of his wife, Betty Rowland, but prosecutors reduced those charges last month.

Authorities have said an adult daughter called police after going to the couple’s home in October and finding her parents together in bed, both with stab wounds.

Police say Rowland told officers he killed his wife and tried to take his own life, because he didn’t want them to be a burden on their family.

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Southwestern Missouri authorities said a man has died in a house fire.

The Springfield News-Leader reports the man’s identity hasn’t been released.

The Springfield Fire Department said crews responded Monday morning to a 911 call at a Springfield home, where five other adults and one child managed to escape the blaze. The man’s body was found in the home’s kitchen.

The department said two firefighters suffered minor injuries from falling debris while trying to put out the blaze.

An investigation is ongoing into what caused the fire.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri House panel has approved a proposal to allow homeschooled students to play sports at public schools.
A House education committee voted 9-2 Monday in favor of the measure.
Republican Rep. Elijah Haahr of Springfield’s bill would allow homeschool high school students to participate in activities sponsored by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
Homeschooled students would have the same opportunity to try out for sports in their home district as their peers in traditional public schools.
The bill states they’d be subject to the same eligibility and performance requirements as other students, such as grade standards.
But Democrat Ira Anders of Independence says there’s less state oversight of homeschooled students and their grades, which might give them an advantage over public school athletes trying out for teams.