Drowning cases on the rise in Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – Missouri has already seen nearly as many drowning cases in the first seven months of this year than in all of 2014. The Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/1LA4k16 ) reports that two recent drowning deaths pushed the total number in the state this year to 26, two fewer than all of last year.…

Appeals court upholds Illinois fracking rules

ST. LOUIS (AP) – An Illinois appeals court has upheld the state’s rules for the high-volume oil and gas drilling technique known as fracking. The appellate court sided with a Madison County judge who rejected an environmental group’s legal challenge. The 5th District Appellate Court on Friday issued an opinion agreeing with a November ruling…