Former Missouri-Columbia head to keep bulk of old salary

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – The former chancellor of the University of Missouri’s flagship Columbia campus will get more than $344,000 a year in his new role heading up the school’s research. The Associated Press obtained Loftin’s transition agreement Monday under Missouri’s open records law. It shows that R. Bowen Loftin will earn three-quarters of the…

Illinois US Senators split over how to handle Syrian refugees

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois’ U.S. Senate candidates are divided over whether the United States should accept refugees from the crisis in Syria following recent terrorist attacks. Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk said Monday no Syrian refugees should be allowed in the U.S. unless the Obama administration “can guarantee with 100 percent assurance” they aren’t ISIS…