A Missouri state representative says he’s upset that two high school students were wearing gay-supportive T-shirts while working at an elementary school book fair.

Rep. Kevin Elmer, a Republican from Nixa, said Thursday that he saw the shirts for the Nixa High School Gay-Straight Alliance at his third-grade child’s elementary school.

Elmer says he has no complaints with high school students belonging to the gay-straight group. But he says it’s inappropriate to promote sexual relationships of any kind at an elementary school.

A spokeswoman for a gay advocacy group says parents should have age-appropriate conversations about the topic with their children.

(AP) — The College of the Ozarks is considering adding elementary and middle school grades to the high school it started in August 2012.

The evangelical Christian school near Branson says in a news release that it is conducting a feasibility study and is asking area residents for input on the idea.

The release says the school wants to provide younger students with affordable, quality Christian education.

The Springfield News-Leader reports (http://sgfnow.co/19eKdBH ) students at the School of the Ozarks don’t pay tuition. They are responsible for book and uniform fees and many earn their way through work programs.

Sue Head, dean of character education, says younger students would be expected to meet the same standards, in an age-appropriate way.

State Rep. Chris Kelly, a Democrat from Columbia, says he won’t seek re-election next year.

Kelly is serving his ninth term in the Missouri House. In order to run for another term, Kelly would have to move from his current home in the 50th district to the 45th district. The 45th district was created as part of legislative reapportionment in 2011.

Webber, who represents the 46th House District, said he still plans to run for re-election next year but has not ruled out running for the state Senate in 2016.

(AP) — A Joplin High School social studies teacher has won a prestigious teaching award and a $25,000 cash prize.

Tobin Schultz learned at a surprise presentation Thursday that he was receiving the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said in a news release that Schultz has been an educator for 11 years. He previously taught social studies and coached football at Carthage High School. In Joplin, he’s also the varsity football defensive coordinator.

Joplin High School principal Kerry Sachetta says high school teachers who can be equally successful with at-risk students and those who are highly motivated are “very special.”

Deputy Education Commissioner Ron Lankford was in Joplin to take part in the presentation.

AP) — Clay County authorities are investigating the apparent drowning of a 19-month-old girl in a pond near Holt.

The victim, Josslyn Crawford, was found in the pond about 10 p.m. Wednesday. Holt Fire Chief says family members were performing CPR on the girl when emergency workers arrived at the scene but the she did not survive.

Josslyn lived with her mother, grandparents and other members of her extended family. Several people, including girl’s mother, were questioned. Investigators are awaiting results of an autopsy.

U.S. Senator Clair McCaskill, who had no communication via social media during the government shutdown, is back on Facebook. She reports of her efforts to help a Missouri man with a 3 year battle of inaccurate information on his credit report.

“As the government reopens and thousands of Missourians are able to return to work, there’s a story you might have missed highlighting the importance of Claire’s work in the Senate to ensure consumers are protected against fraud, errors and abuse.

As Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee, Claire stepped in and helped a young Missouri man clear his credit history of errors not created by him, but were so large they were impacting his purchasing ability. “You shouldn’t have to get a United States Senator to fix it for you. You should be able to fix it for yourself, quickly and efficiently,” said McCaskill.”

(AP) — The end of the partial federal shutdown means the reopening of several campsites and recreational facilities in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Kansas City planned to open visitors’ centers, boat ramps and other facilities Friday at the 18 lakes it manages in the three states.

In Missouri, the corps operates campsites Truman, Pomme de Terre and Stockton lakes.

Kansas campsites managed by the agency are located at Clinton, Kanopolis, Melvern, Milford, Perry, Pomona, Tuttle Creek and Wilson lakes.

Also reopening is the corps-managed campsite at Harlan Lake in Nebraska.