1:55 p.m. UPDATE    (AP) — Officials say at least 10 people have been hospitalized and others could be trapped after an explosion and partial building collapse at an Omaha animal feed processing plant.

Interim Omaha Fire Chief Bernie Kanger said he’s not sure how many workers could be trapped in the wreckage of the International Nutrition plant. The fire that followed the explosion around 10 a.m. Monday has been extinguished. Firefighters are gingerly searching the structure, fearing that more debris could rain down.

Kanger says one firefighter was among those injured. At least two of the injured were sent to a burn center in Lincoln.

Kanger declined to comment on possible fatalities. At the time of the blast there were 38 employees at work.

12:31 p.m.  (AP) — At least nine people have been hospitalized and others could be trapped after an explosion and partial building collapse at an Omaha animal feed processing plant.

Interim Omaha Fire Chief Bernie Kanger (KANG’-ur) said Monday that nine workers have been sent to hospitals. He says firefighters are searching the building for anyone who may have been trapped by the blast or the falling debris. He declined to comment on possible fatalities.

Family members who have gathered outside the International Nutrition plant say they’ve received cellphone calls from their loved ones inside who told them one or two people may be missing or trapped.

The fire and explosion were reported at 10 a.m. Plant officials declined to comment to The Associated Press.

11:a.m. (AP) — Firefighters and other rescue workers have been sent to the site of an explosion and partial building collapse in south-central Omaha.

There are reports from the scene Monday morning that some workers have been trapped or injured and taken to hospitals, but police and fire officials have not released any official information.

The fire and explosion were reported at 10 a.m. Monday at International Nutrition, which makes animal products. Smoke had been coming from the plant, but that has stopped. There appears to be some structural damage to the top of the building. Plant officials declined to comment.

(AP) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is asking the Legislature for $10 million to renovate a hospital for classes at Lincoln University.

Nixon says the project will allow the state capital’s historically black college to expand its nursing and culinary programs.

The proposed funds would let the state acquire and renovate St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City. The hospital is moving to a new site at the end of this year.

The governor has previously said he would recommend a $36 million increase for all of Missouri’s public universities and colleges for the fiscal year beginning in July. He has also urged the four-year institutions, including Lincoln, to freeze undergraduate tuition for the next academic year.

Nixon will present his entire budget plan Tuesday before his State of the State address. Listen to the address live on 680 KFEQ radio and watch it live on St. JosephPost.com. The broadcast is sponsored by The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

(AP) – Federal officials say Stockton Dam in southwest Missouri is expected to begin generating hydroelectric power by early June after an upgrade made to its turbine blades.

In 2009, one of the turbine blades at the dam broke, sending vibrations through the dam’s powerhouse. The turbine was welded back on and put back into service but it was always considered only a temporary fix.

A week ago, the last of seven curved blades – each weighing 17,200 pounds – was successfully attached to a giant metal hub.

Rod Hendricks, operations project manager of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam at Stockton Lake, says it was the first major upgrade to the hydroelectric system since it went into operation in 1973.

(AP) – The new chief executive of Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. sees a comeback in the near future for the Missouri-based company.

The company, which allows customers to customize and “build” stuffed animals, has seen its sales decline since in 2007, with only one profitable year in the last four years.

Sharon Price John, who became chief executive officer of the Overland-based company six months ago, says she is optimistic that changes initiated recently will help the company turn around.

John made her case to investors in a meeting last week at a conference in Florida.

She says the company declined in part because it did not respond to economic changes. Among other moves, the company is closing 60 underperforming stores and is updating its marketing.

 (AP) — Topeka police say a special operations division made several important arrests last year that helped take armed robbers off the streets.

In one case, seven people arrested last year have admitted to committing more than 40 armed robberies in the last six years. The seven were all charged under a federal statute and face long prison sentences.

Police Maj. Mike Haugen, the commander of the special operations division, says his division also helped break up a multistate robbery crew that hit Topeka. He says five people were involved in that ring, and they are all in federal custody. They are accused of robbing a Family Dollar and EZ Payday Advance in Topeka, as well as robberies throughout the Midwest and in Utah.

Congressman Kevin Yoder will hold a Town Hall Forum on Tuesday, January, 21st at Leawood City Hall. The Town Hall Forum is open to the public and open to the media.

“I always value the feedback I receive from constituents, and these town hall forums are a great way for me to hear directly from the Kansans I represent,” Congressman Yoder stated. “I look forward to giving an update on current legislation before Congress and answering questions from those who attend.”

Town Hall Forum Details

WHAT: Leawood Town Hall Forum

WHEN: Tuesday, January 21

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

WHERE: Leawood City Hall – Community Center (lower level)

Oak Room

4800 Town Center Drive, Leawood