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ST. LOUIS (AP) - More than 11 years after Mitchell Osburn was arrested in the stabbing deaths of three Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District workers, the case is finally resolved.

Osburn entered an Alford Plea Tuesday to three counts of each of first-degree murder and armed criminal assault. The plea is not an admission of guilt but a concession that there is enough evidence for a conviction.

Sentencing will be July 12.

The three workers in their 40s - Steven Weiss, Joseph Bisso and Robert Whitson - were among five sewer district workers socializing after a day of work at Lion's Park in the St. Louis County town of Valley Park on March 8, 2002.

Police said Osburn attacked them with a knife. He did not know the victims.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri lawmakers are asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would protect the rights of farmers.

The House passed the amendment 132-25 on Tuesday. The Senate approved the proposal 28-6 just after the House vote. The measure will be on the November 2014 election ballot.

Rep. Bill Reiboldt of Neosho says his amendment would allow farmers to continue raising livestock and producing quality food for the state.

Voters will be asked if the constitution should be amended to "ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall not be infringed."

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois Senate proposal to allow the carrying of concealed weapons would let large cities add to the list of places considered off limits to guns.

Sen. Kwame Raoul told The Associated Press Tuesday he doesn't expect many cities to declare separate gun-free locales because there already are many statewide restrictions in the bill.

Lobbyist Todd Vandermyde says the National Rifle Association will oppose "any local control" on concealed carry. The local option would be limited to "home-rule units" - generally cities over 25,000 in population. Raoul's legislation includes a statewide gun prohibition in schools, liquor stores, stadiums, amusement parks and more.

Illinois has until June 9 to comply with a federal court order to enact a law allowing concealed guns in public.