(AP) – It’s opening day at the Missouri Capitol, where lawmakers are gathering for the start of their annual session.

The session that begins at noon Wednesday will officially be known as the Second Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly. It will run through May 16.

The agenda will be topped by an effort for the second straight year to cut income taxes, and proposals to revamp a Missouri law allowing students in unaccredited districts to transfer to other nearby schools.

For the first time in a while, lawmakers also will be operating under different revenue projections than Gov. Jay Nixon. Those financial differences could be magnified when the Democratic governor outlines his budget proposals Jan. 21.

Republicans outnumber Democrats 108-52 in the House and 24-9 in the Senate.

 (AP) — An adventurous peacock had to be rescued by Chicago-area firefighters after he flew from his heated pen to a nearby tree and froze to a branch in subzero temperatures.

The Blue the peacock is recovering after Tuesday’s misadventure that lasted about 90 minutes.

Blue managed to fly from his enclosure at the Randall Oaks Barnyard Zoo in Dundee and perched atop a nearby pine.

Firefighters with a ladder helped zoo staff pluck the wayward bird from the tree. Temperatures at the time were 12 degrees below zero.

Brian Mangiaracina is Randall Oaks’ park and division manager. He says the whole thing was a “freakish accident” and that Blue is in quarantine.

Dundee is about 35 miles northwest of Chicago.

(AP) — Kansas City Power & Light Co. says it will expand its use of wind energy and other energy-efficiency programs.

The company announced Tuesday it will double its wind-generating capacity and open rebate programs to all Missouri customers.

The Kansas City Star reports (http://bit.ly/1kqnZ8a ) KCP&L plans to buy 400 megawatts of power from two new wind turbine facilities, increasing its wind energy portfolio to 939 megawatts. The sites will be in Coffey County, Kan. and Holt County, Mo. They are expected to produce power by early 2016.

No rate increase is expected because of the expansion and KCP&L says it doesn’t plan any increases in the next two years.

The utility also says it wants to expand energy-efficiency programs that promote such things as improved lighting and recycling older appliances.

(AP) – A Missouri House member wants to cap fines at $50 for traffic offenses that don’t add points to a driver’s license.

Republican T.J. Berry, of Kearney, has filed his proposal for the annual legislative session that was starting Wednesday.

Berry says the measure targets automated speeding cameras that assess fines but don’t affect a driver’s standing. Current law allows speeding cameras to be posted in school, work and designated “Travel Safe” zones.

Berry says traffic offenses serious enough to carry heavy fines should also carry points. He added that his measure could also affect red light cameras and other parking tickets.

Following a New Year’s announcement of new actions to crack down on fraudulent and pervasive weight-loss scams, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is asking Missourians to weigh in with their personal experiences with deceptive advertising of fake weight-loss products, as she lays the groundwork for a Senate hearing into the issue.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s top consumer protection agency, announced $34 million in settlements against marketers of fraudulent weight-loss products who deceived consumers with baseless claims for products that include food additives, skin creams, and dietary supplements. Additionally, the FTC issued updated guidance for publishers and broadcasters on how to spot phony weight-loss claims when screening ads for publication.

McCaskill applauded the new guidelines and enforcement actions by the FTC, but said she is certain there is more to be done.

“It’s a good thing that action is being taken against these scam artists, but I refuse to believe these fraudsters are the only ones out there” said McCaskill, Chairman of the Consumer Protection Subcommittee. “I think this is just the tip of the iceberg, and that’s why I’m calling on folks across Missouri to tell me their personal experiences with these types of scams, so we can raise the curtain on these deceptive practices, and rein them in. Losing weight and improving our health is tough enough as it is, and the last thing consumers need is a dead-end product that delays their goal of a healthier, more fulfilling life.”

To report weight-loss scams, Missourians can use the ‘Submit Your Scam’ tool at www.McCaskill.senate.gov, which
allows constituents to submit personal stories and tips to help McCaskill crack down on scams and protect consumers.

McCaskill is also calling on publishers and broadcasters to quickly implement the FTC’s new guidelines for spotting false weight-loss claims in advertising. By adhering to these new rules, media outlets will be able to protect their reputations and prevent harming their customers by running claims known to be false.

After collecting Missourians’ first-hand accounts about weight-loss scams, McCaskill plans to lead a Senate hearing during the first half of 2014 to shine light on the widespread deception being aimed at consumers by marketers of weight-loss products and to determine what more can be done to protect consumers from these abuses.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A spokesman says developers of a state-owned casino in Kansas City, Kan., want more time to start building a promised hotel.

Vice president of marketing Dean Doria said Tuesday that Hollywood Casino won’t be able to break ground on the hotel in February. The casino is at Kansas Speedway.

The Kansas Lottery owns the rights to the gambling and receives some profits, but developers built the casino and manage it. They had promised to start building a 250-room hotel within two years of its February 2012 grand opening, or pay financial penalties.

Casino officials are scheduled to outline their new plans later this week to the commission of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan.

State Auditor Tom Schweich announced Tuesday that a routine audit of the Missouri Department of Agriculture is underway.

The last audit of the entire department was released in 2008.

Those who would like to provide information during the audit process of the Missouri Department of Agriculture are encouraged to contact the State Auditor’s office at 800-347-8597 or by email atmoaudit@auditor.mo.gov.

(AP) – Missouri lawmakers open their annual session Wednesday with some different priorities than those of Gov. Jay Nixon.

Republican legislators plan to pursue an income tax cut again after the Democratic governor vetoed last year’s attempt.

House Speaker Tim Jones wants to consider “right to work” legislation that prohibits union bargaining fees from being a condition of employment. Nixon has said he would veto such legislation, so lawmakers may consider bypassing Nixon by referring it to the ballot.

Nixon has made Medicaid expansion a priority for a second straight year. But it’s still not a priority for Republican legislative leaders.

There is agreement among the governor and some lawmakers that Missouri should change its student transfer law affecting unaccredited school districts. But so far, there is no consensus on a specific plan.

A variety of issues await Missouri lawmakers returning Wednesday to the state Capitol for the 2014 legislative session. The session runs through mid-May. Here are five things to know about the Missouri legislative session:

1. FORMALITIES _ Little legislative heavy lifting is expected on opening day. The House and Senate convene at noon and are likely to spend the first day with formalities. No legislators require swearing-in, and House Speaker Tim Jones and Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey were elected to two-year tenures at the start of the 2013 session. Committee assignments also remain in place from the 2013 session.

2. MONEY AND SCHOOLS _ The Republican-led Legislature plans to try again at enacting an income tax cut after their proposal last year was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon. Disagreement also has arisen about how much money is available for the state budget taking effect July 1. Legislative budget leaders have said they agreed to an estimate without Nixon and that the governor wanted a higher number. Nixon already has said his budget will include tens of millions of dollars focused on higher education. Dempsey has made addressing a student transfer law for unaccredited districts a key priority. About 2,000 students already have transferred from their home districts near St. Louis and more could follow suit in Kansas City. Jones would like to prohibit payment of union fees as a condition for employment.

3. THE CALENDAR _ Legislative hearings can begin once the session starts. Nixon is to release his budget recommendations and deliver his State of the State speech on Jan. 21. The next benchmark is a weeklong break in March that has marked the session’s traditional halfway point. After spring break will come crunch time and deadlines: May 9 for passage of a state budget and May 16 to pass legislation.

4. PARTISAN IMBALANCES _ Republicans hold overwhelming majorities in the Senate and House but no longer can count upon a veto-proof supermajority in the House because one GOP member left for Congress and a second resigned after he was appointed to the state parole board. House Republicans hold a 108-52 majority with three vacancies. The GOP controls the state Senate by a veto-proof 24-9 margin with one vacancy.

5. THE POLITICS _ Many lawmakers will be able to kick off their next political campaigns during the legislative session. Candidacy filling runs Feb. 25 to March 25. One House Democrat is planning to skip re-election to run for state auditor. Legislative term limits mean others will be barred from remaining in their current chamber. Three senators and 10 House members cannot seek re-election to their current seats.

MANHATTAN – Kansas Farm Bureau has released a new educational app based on its best-selling children’s book series.

The free app, which is available for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, focuses on the popular “Milk Comes from a Cow?” children’s book written by retired KFB CEO Dan Yunk.

Readers can follow Kailey as she learns that milk comes from a cow, not the grocery store. The app comes with a host of bonus features and videos.

“We’ve had tremendous luck with our book series and connecting with children and parents,” Yunk says. “The time was right to move in to the electronic era and build upon what’s worked—telling the story of agriculture in a fun way.”

Also recently released is a Kansas Farm Bureau governmental relations app that includes tools and information on the latest issues affecting agriculture.

Both apps are available in the Apple and Google online stores.

Kansas Farm Bureau represents grassroots agriculture. Established in 1919, this non-profit advocacy organization supports farm families who earn their living in a changing industry.