JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Two Missouri state senators are proposing a 1-cent sales tax for 10 years to pay for transportation needs.
Republican Mike Kehoe, of Jefferson City, and Democrat Ryan McKenna, of Crystal City, scheduled a news conference about the plan Tuesday along U.S. 50, several miles east of the of the state Capitol.
Missouri transportation officials say funding for construction and improvements fell from $1.2 billion to less than $700 million during the past year.
State Transportation Commission Chairman Rudy Farber called earlier this month for a temporary, 1-cent increase in the state sales tax to financelocal and state projects. Officials estimate the tax would generate $7.9 billion over its 10-year life.
Republican Mike Kehoe, of Jefferson City, and Democrat Ryan McKenna, of Crystal City, scheduled a news conference about the plan Tuesday along U.S. 50, several miles east of the of the state Capitol.
Missouri transportation officials say funding for construction and improvements fell from $1.2 billion to less than $700 million during the past year.
State Transportation Commission Chairman Rudy Farber called earlier this month for a temporary, 1-cent increase in the state sales tax to financelocal and state projects. Officials estimate the tax would generate $7.9 billion over its 10-year life.
Tagged under
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A confidential Justice Department memo says it is legal for the government to kill U.S. citizens abroad if it believes they are senior al-Qaida leaders continually engaged in operations aimed at killing Americans.
The document, first reported Monday night by NBC News, provides a legal rationale behind the Obama administration's use of drone strikes against al-Qaida suspects.
The 16-page document says it is lawful to target al-Qaida linked U.S. citizens if they pose an "imminent" threat of violent attack against Americans, and that delaying action against such people would create an unacceptably high risk. Such circumstances may necessitate expanding the concept of imminent threat, the memo says.
"The threat posed by al-Qaida and its associated forces demands a broader concept of imminence in judging when a person continually planning terror attacks presents an imminent threat," the document added.
A September 2011 drone strike in Yemen killed Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan, both U.S. citizens linked to al-Qaida.
The memo does not require the U.S. to have information about a specific imminent attack against the U.S.
"A decision maker determining whether an al-Qaida operational leader presents an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States must take into account that certain members of al-Qaida ... are continually plotting attacks against the United States" and that "al-Qaida would engage in such attacks regularly to the extent it were able to do so," says the document.
The document also says that a decision maker must take into account that "the U.S. government may not be aware of all al-Qaida plots as they are developing and thus cannot be confident that none is about to occur; and that...the nation may have a limited window of opportunity within which to strike in a manner that both has a high likelihood of success and reduces the probability of American casualties."
© 2013 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Learn more about our PRIVACY POLICY and TERMS OF USE.
The document, first reported Monday night by NBC News, provides a legal rationale behind the Obama administration's use of drone strikes against al-Qaida suspects.
The 16-page document says it is lawful to target al-Qaida linked U.S. citizens if they pose an "imminent" threat of violent attack against Americans, and that delaying action against such people would create an unacceptably high risk. Such circumstances may necessitate expanding the concept of imminent threat, the memo says.
"The threat posed by al-Qaida and its associated forces demands a broader concept of imminence in judging when a person continually planning terror attacks presents an imminent threat," the document added.
A September 2011 drone strike in Yemen killed Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan, both U.S. citizens linked to al-Qaida.
The memo does not require the U.S. to have information about a specific imminent attack against the U.S.
"A decision maker determining whether an al-Qaida operational leader presents an imminent threat of violent attack against the United States must take into account that certain members of al-Qaida ... are continually plotting attacks against the United States" and that "al-Qaida would engage in such attacks regularly to the extent it were able to do so," says the document.
The document also says that a decision maker must take into account that "the U.S. government may not be aware of all al-Qaida plots as they are developing and thus cannot be confident that none is about to occur; and that...the nation may have a limited window of opportunity within which to strike in a manner that both has a high likelihood of success and reduces the probability of American casualties."
© 2013 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Learn more about our PRIVACY POLICY and TERMS OF USE.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens carried off the Lombardi Trophy. Their beaten opponent has a better chance of doing it next season.
San Francisco running back Frank Gore insisted the 49ers were the more talented team even after losing 34-31 to the Ravens in Sunday's Super Bowl. The scoreboard said otherwise, but when the conference champions meet at the Meadowlands next February - yes, outdoors in the dead of winter for the NFL crown - the Niners easily could represent the NFC.
Again.
"I'd say we've got a great group of guys in the locker room, great warriors," Gore said, "and I'm not going to promise anything next year, but we're going to fight to get back here."
The toughest fight might be in their own division with Seattle and rapidly improving St. Louis. The Seahawks were the only team to allow fewer points than the 49ers, and their rivalry - including the semi-feud between coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll - adds spice to the NFC West.
But the 49ers have to be the NFC favorite after losing in overtime to the Giants for the conference title last year, then barely falling to the Ravens on Sunday night.
"This is kind of tough, to get this far and let everything slip away through your hands," said Ahmad Brooks, part of the best linebacking corps in the league, along with All-Pros Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman. "The funny thing about it is, within the next few months, we're going to start trying to get back to the same place that we're at right now."
As will the Ravens, but their challenge is more imposing.
Unlike the 49ers, who figure to lose virtually no important parts - receiver Randy Moss, perhaps, but he was a marginal player in 2012 - the Ravens have bid adieu to their greatest player, linebacker Ray Lewis. Not only will they miss his performances on the field and his presence in the locker room, but he was the emotional engine in Baltimore.
The leadership burden will fall on two players whose contracts have expired but likely will be back with the Ravens: Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco and veteran safety Ed Reed.
Flacco almost certainly will get the franchise tag at more than $14 million if he can't agree to a long-term deal. But in the current NFL, winning without a top-level QB is impossible, and there can be no arguing now about Flacco belonging in that class.
Reed wants to return and the Ravens recognize how unwise it would be to let both Lewis and Reed leave at the same time - even after winning their second Super Bowl in 12 seasons.
"I always said when I came into the league and got drafted that I didn't want to be one of those guys jumping from team to team," Reed said during Super Bowl week.
Regardless, the Ravens will be a force - odds makers have placed them behind New England and Denver in the AFC next season - and one of the NFL's most prolific offensive teams.
Flacco throwing to the superb trio of wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith and tight end Dennis Pitta, plus the versatility of running back Ray Rice and a stud backup in Bernard Pierce says so. Flacco's protection from the line and All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach was impeccable in the postseason, helping Flacco throw for a record-tying 11 TDs with no interceptions.
The defense, oddly enough considering Baltimore's reputation, needs some work. But linebacker Terrell Suggs will be even healthier - he came back quickly from a torn Achilles tendon - and top cornerback Lardarius Webb returns from a knee injury.
Just like the 49ers, the Ravens have a tough task in their division. Cincinnati is young, but has made the playoffs the last two years. Pittsburgh never remains dormant for long.
Should these two clubs make it to the first outdoor Super Bowl at a cold-weather site, would Baltimore have the edge because it's used to such conditions? And because it's a three-hour drive from MetLife Stadium, will Ravens fans be out in force even more than they were in the Big Easy?
Or would the 49ers' immense talent base be overwhelming?
Food for thought over the next 11 months.
"We've got to look at this as a blessing because we didn't have to be here, but we made it," tight end Vernon Davis said. "We've always got next year; we've got next season. We might as well look forward to next season, keep our hopes high and continue to climb."
---
Online: HTTP://PRO32.AP.ORG/POLL and HTTP://TWITTER.COM/AP-NFL
© 2013 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Learn more about our PRIVACY POLICY and TERMS OF USE.
San Francisco running back Frank Gore insisted the 49ers were the more talented team even after losing 34-31 to the Ravens in Sunday's Super Bowl. The scoreboard said otherwise, but when the conference champions meet at the Meadowlands next February - yes, outdoors in the dead of winter for the NFL crown - the Niners easily could represent the NFC.
Again.
"I'd say we've got a great group of guys in the locker room, great warriors," Gore said, "and I'm not going to promise anything next year, but we're going to fight to get back here."
The toughest fight might be in their own division with Seattle and rapidly improving St. Louis. The Seahawks were the only team to allow fewer points than the 49ers, and their rivalry - including the semi-feud between coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll - adds spice to the NFC West.
But the 49ers have to be the NFC favorite after losing in overtime to the Giants for the conference title last year, then barely falling to the Ravens on Sunday night.
"This is kind of tough, to get this far and let everything slip away through your hands," said Ahmad Brooks, part of the best linebacking corps in the league, along with All-Pros Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman. "The funny thing about it is, within the next few months, we're going to start trying to get back to the same place that we're at right now."
As will the Ravens, but their challenge is more imposing.
Unlike the 49ers, who figure to lose virtually no important parts - receiver Randy Moss, perhaps, but he was a marginal player in 2012 - the Ravens have bid adieu to their greatest player, linebacker Ray Lewis. Not only will they miss his performances on the field and his presence in the locker room, but he was the emotional engine in Baltimore.
The leadership burden will fall on two players whose contracts have expired but likely will be back with the Ravens: Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco and veteran safety Ed Reed.
Flacco almost certainly will get the franchise tag at more than $14 million if he can't agree to a long-term deal. But in the current NFL, winning without a top-level QB is impossible, and there can be no arguing now about Flacco belonging in that class.
Reed wants to return and the Ravens recognize how unwise it would be to let both Lewis and Reed leave at the same time - even after winning their second Super Bowl in 12 seasons.
"I always said when I came into the league and got drafted that I didn't want to be one of those guys jumping from team to team," Reed said during Super Bowl week.
Regardless, the Ravens will be a force - odds makers have placed them behind New England and Denver in the AFC next season - and one of the NFL's most prolific offensive teams.
Flacco throwing to the superb trio of wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith and tight end Dennis Pitta, plus the versatility of running back Ray Rice and a stud backup in Bernard Pierce says so. Flacco's protection from the line and All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach was impeccable in the postseason, helping Flacco throw for a record-tying 11 TDs with no interceptions.
The defense, oddly enough considering Baltimore's reputation, needs some work. But linebacker Terrell Suggs will be even healthier - he came back quickly from a torn Achilles tendon - and top cornerback Lardarius Webb returns from a knee injury.
Just like the 49ers, the Ravens have a tough task in their division. Cincinnati is young, but has made the playoffs the last two years. Pittsburgh never remains dormant for long.
Should these two clubs make it to the first outdoor Super Bowl at a cold-weather site, would Baltimore have the edge because it's used to such conditions? And because it's a three-hour drive from MetLife Stadium, will Ravens fans be out in force even more than they were in the Big Easy?
Or would the 49ers' immense talent base be overwhelming?
Food for thought over the next 11 months.
"We've got to look at this as a blessing because we didn't have to be here, but we made it," tight end Vernon Davis said. "We've always got next year; we've got next season. We might as well look forward to next season, keep our hopes high and continue to climb."
---
Online: HTTP://PRO32.AP.ORG/POLL and HTTP://TWITTER.COM/AP-NFL
© 2013 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Learn more about our PRIVACY POLICY and TERMS OF USE.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- NFL officials were sure they'd get the Super Bowl finished on Sunday night.
And if they couldn't, the league championship still would not have ended where it temporarily stopped, with less than two minutes gone in the third quarter. The Lombardi Trophy goes to the winner after 60 minutes, not 32.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday the Superdome had a backup power system which was about to be used during the Super Bowl's electrical outage. It wasn't needed because power started coming back at that time, he said.
Superdome and utility officials were still trying to nail down the precise cause of the 34-minute Super Bowl blackout, but league officials said that, because of the backup system, the game wasn't in danger of being postponed.
"That was not a consideration last night," NFL vice president of business operations Eric Grubman said at a news conference Monday. "That is not what was at play."
Goodell was sitting with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the game. The Meadowlands will host next year's Super Bowl.
"We already had the conversation," Goodell said about avoiding a repeat of the blackout. "This is clearly something that can be fixed, and it's clearly something that we can prepare for. And we will."
Grubman said Goodell has the "sole authority" to enforce any contingency plans, and was in perfect position to do so Sunday night.
"He was there and he had the full reports," Grubman said. "We were quickly able to determine we did not have a situation that would cause a permanent interruption in the game. There were no safety issues, we had multiple equipment and sources of power."
And if they didn't?
While declining to be specific, Grubman said the league has "backup plans" for continuing the game. Those plans all focus on playing the full 60 minutes, regardless of whether it is the same day or on another day.
So the Ravens, ahead 28-6 at the time of the partial blackout, wouldn't have simply been declared the winners. This isn't baseball, where half a game is considered official.
In the end, Baltimore still won, beating San Francisco 34-31. The momentum shifted tremendously after the lights went back on, however, with the 49ers rallying to make it 31-29 at one point in the fourth quarter, and missing a 2-point conversion pass that would have tied it.
Having to replay - or finish - the Super Bowl on another day would clearly have been a major headache for the NFL.
The Super Bowl invariably is the highest-rated television show of the year. Playing it any other time but Sunday evening would create trouble for the networks.
There also are travel and hotel considerations because the game is played at a neutral site, attracting thousands of visitors to the host city.
Most importantly, there are health and safety concerns. Making teams play a Thursday night game after one on Sunday has been heavily criticized by the players' union. A quick turnaround, such as finishing the Super Bowl on Monday, could be dangerous.
Plus, there are competitive balance decisions to weigh. What might be fair to one team could be a hindrance for another.
Several major sports, including the NFL, have dealt with emergencies that forced schedule changes. Just last year, the Daytona 500 was moved from Sunday afternoon to Monday night because of rain. But NASCAR often is forced to move races due to bad weather.
Same with golf tournaments, and if the USGA's major events are not won on Sunday, they end the next day with an 18-hole playoff.
Baseball, of course, is vulnerable to rainouts, too.
In the 2008 World Series, Game 5 at Philadelphia was stopped in the sixth inning because of rain with the Phillies and Tampa Bay tied at 2. The storms stuck around, and when play resumed two days later, the Phillies won the game and clinched the championship.
In the 1989 World Series, an earthquake rattled Candlestick Park minutes before the San Francisco Giants were set to host Oakland in Game 3. The Series resumed 10 days later, and the Athletics won twice to complete a sweep.
In 1988, the NHL dealt with a blackout very similar to what happened in the Superdome on Sunday night.
Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals between the Bruins and Oilers in Boston was tied 3-3 in the second period. Edmonton led the series 3-0.
A power outage eventually forced cancellation of the game, and the teams headed back to Edmonton for the next game, as previously scheduled. The Oilers completed their sweep 6-3 at home.
The other matchup that compares to the Super Bowl is the World Cup final at the end of the monthlong soccer tournament. FIFA has provisions for a replay, but in the era of penalty-kick shootouts, that won't happen - unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Such as a power failure.
So FIFA demands that local organizers to ensure that every stadium has an emergency independent power generator.
The NFL requires its stadiums to comply with all applicable local building codes and laws, which normally require the kind of backup system the Superdome has.
---
AP Sports Writers Ben Walker and Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this story.
© 2013 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Learn more about our PRIVACY POLICY and TERMS OF USE.
And if they couldn't, the league championship still would not have ended where it temporarily stopped, with less than two minutes gone in the third quarter. The Lombardi Trophy goes to the winner after 60 minutes, not 32.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday the Superdome had a backup power system which was about to be used during the Super Bowl's electrical outage. It wasn't needed because power started coming back at that time, he said.
Superdome and utility officials were still trying to nail down the precise cause of the 34-minute Super Bowl blackout, but league officials said that, because of the backup system, the game wasn't in danger of being postponed.
"That was not a consideration last night," NFL vice president of business operations Eric Grubman said at a news conference Monday. "That is not what was at play."
Goodell was sitting with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the game. The Meadowlands will host next year's Super Bowl.
"We already had the conversation," Goodell said about avoiding a repeat of the blackout. "This is clearly something that can be fixed, and it's clearly something that we can prepare for. And we will."
Grubman said Goodell has the "sole authority" to enforce any contingency plans, and was in perfect position to do so Sunday night.
"He was there and he had the full reports," Grubman said. "We were quickly able to determine we did not have a situation that would cause a permanent interruption in the game. There were no safety issues, we had multiple equipment and sources of power."
And if they didn't?
While declining to be specific, Grubman said the league has "backup plans" for continuing the game. Those plans all focus on playing the full 60 minutes, regardless of whether it is the same day or on another day.
So the Ravens, ahead 28-6 at the time of the partial blackout, wouldn't have simply been declared the winners. This isn't baseball, where half a game is considered official.
In the end, Baltimore still won, beating San Francisco 34-31. The momentum shifted tremendously after the lights went back on, however, with the 49ers rallying to make it 31-29 at one point in the fourth quarter, and missing a 2-point conversion pass that would have tied it.
Having to replay - or finish - the Super Bowl on another day would clearly have been a major headache for the NFL.
The Super Bowl invariably is the highest-rated television show of the year. Playing it any other time but Sunday evening would create trouble for the networks.
There also are travel and hotel considerations because the game is played at a neutral site, attracting thousands of visitors to the host city.
Most importantly, there are health and safety concerns. Making teams play a Thursday night game after one on Sunday has been heavily criticized by the players' union. A quick turnaround, such as finishing the Super Bowl on Monday, could be dangerous.
Plus, there are competitive balance decisions to weigh. What might be fair to one team could be a hindrance for another.
Several major sports, including the NFL, have dealt with emergencies that forced schedule changes. Just last year, the Daytona 500 was moved from Sunday afternoon to Monday night because of rain. But NASCAR often is forced to move races due to bad weather.
Same with golf tournaments, and if the USGA's major events are not won on Sunday, they end the next day with an 18-hole playoff.
Baseball, of course, is vulnerable to rainouts, too.
In the 2008 World Series, Game 5 at Philadelphia was stopped in the sixth inning because of rain with the Phillies and Tampa Bay tied at 2. The storms stuck around, and when play resumed two days later, the Phillies won the game and clinched the championship.
In the 1989 World Series, an earthquake rattled Candlestick Park minutes before the San Francisco Giants were set to host Oakland in Game 3. The Series resumed 10 days later, and the Athletics won twice to complete a sweep.
In 1988, the NHL dealt with a blackout very similar to what happened in the Superdome on Sunday night.
Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals between the Bruins and Oilers in Boston was tied 3-3 in the second period. Edmonton led the series 3-0.
A power outage eventually forced cancellation of the game, and the teams headed back to Edmonton for the next game, as previously scheduled. The Oilers completed their sweep 6-3 at home.
The other matchup that compares to the Super Bowl is the World Cup final at the end of the monthlong soccer tournament. FIFA has provisions for a replay, but in the era of penalty-kick shootouts, that won't happen - unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Such as a power failure.
So FIFA demands that local organizers to ensure that every stadium has an emergency independent power generator.
The NFL requires its stadiums to comply with all applicable local building codes and laws, which normally require the kind of backup system the Superdome has.
---
AP Sports Writers Ben Walker and Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this story.
© 2013 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Learn more about our PRIVACY POLICY and TERMS OF USE.
Latest News
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Friends and family of victim call for investigation int…
Dozens of protesters demonstrated outside St. Louis city police headquarters Wednesday, determined to continue pressuring for an investigation into the shooting death of a St. Loui...
Larry Conners no longer with KMOV
Long-time KMOV reporter and anchor Larry Conners is no longer with the station. KMOV President Mark Pimentel issued the following statement: "We regret to announce that Larry Co...
Roads closed in advance of Senior PGA Championship
Some roads are already closed in Town & Country as Bellerieve Country Club as preparations continue for the Senior PGA Championship. From 6AM until 8PM through Sunday, Ladue R...
Man runs from traffic stop, into police headquarters
A St. Louis man redefined the phrase, out of the frying pan and into the fire. Clayton police were conducting a traffic stop when the suspect jumped out of his car and started run...
Police investigating reports of illegal taping at Illin…
BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- AP —Police in Belleville say they’re investigating reports that female students at a Catholic high school secretly were videotaped by one of the school’s sports...
Priya, the elephant calf, makes public debut
Visitors to the St. Louis Zoo got their first look at the newest resident of the elephant exhibit. Priya, the Asian Elephant calf, made her debut today. A zoo spokesperson says th...
Gov. Nixon considering expansion to adoption benefits
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is weighing whether to sign legislation that would allow children's non-related legal guardians to receive adoption subsidies. C...
Missouri's infrastructure gets a "C-"
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Civil engineers say Missouri's infrastructure gets only a C-minus. The regional chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers released the letter gra...
