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Two teachers, three grades
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
In the middle of reading "The Red Stone Game" with her first-grade students, Geri Beussink pauses to pass out vocabulary worksheets to her second-grade students. She looks at her desk, already overflowing just an hour into the school day, and wonders if she'll have time to get through all of her lessons today...
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Seven-state database a potent repository of personal data
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
NEW YORK -- A federally funded crime database run by seven states is looking increasingly to privacy advocates like a potent substitute for the data-mining program the Pentagon scrapped after public rebuke. Law enforcement officials and the private company that manages the database, known as Matrix, say it merely streamlines police access to information about suspects...
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Hanging by a chad-Report says only piecemeal improvements made
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
The presidential campaign season is under way, yet when voters go to the polls this year, the election systems in many states will still be susceptible to the same flaws that caused the 2000 stalemate in Florida. A report released Thursday found that -- despite promised reforms -- only a few states made comprehensive changes to voting machines and registration in the last three years. ...
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NASA - No data transmitted from Spirit Mars rover
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA's Spirit rover stopped transmitting data from Mars for more than 24 hours, mission managers said Thursday, calling it an "extremely serious anomaly." NASA received its last significant data from Spirit early Wednesday, its 19th day on Mars. ...
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People talk 1/23/04
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
Young royal headed to Africa on charity trip LONDON -- Prince Harry will spend two months in Africa working on projects that help young mothers and disadvantaged children, his father's office said Thursday. The office at Clarence House -- London home of Prince Charles, 19-year-old Harry and 21-year-old Prince William -- said the eight-week African trip will take Harry to a number of locations and community projects. ...
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Nation briefs 1/23/04
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
Prison standoff enters fifth day; held guards OK BUCKEYE, Ariz. -- Two prison guards held hostage inside a watch tower by a pair of inmates have sent a message that they are all right, authorities said as the standoff entered a fifth day Thursday. The voice contact was at least the second time negotiators have spoken with the officers over the course of the ordeal at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis, a 4,400-inmate medium- to high-security prison west of Phoenix...
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Ohio to enact same-sex marriage ban
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Senate has approved one of the most far-reaching gay marriage bans in the nation despite charges from some lawmakers that the legislation was mean-spirited and discriminatory. The measure says same-sex marriages are "against the strong public policy of the state," and would prohibit state employees from getting benefits for domestic partners, whether they were gay or unmarried heterosexual couples. ...
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Movies about culture clashes lead nominees
(Entertainment ~ 01/23/04)
LOS ANGELES -- Five movies about culture clashes and strangers in strange lands collected nominations Thursday for best original movie script from the Writers Guild of America. Among the contenders for best original screenplay were "Bend It Like Beckham," about the daughter of a traditionalist Indian Sikh family in England who dreams of playing soccer; "Lost in Translation," with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as lonely Americans in a Tokyo hotel; and "Dirty Pretty Things," about a Nigerian immigrant who uncovers grim dealings in London's underbelly.. ...
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Ashcroft- Nations must fight corruption
(International News ~ 01/23/04)
DAVOS, Switzerland -- Attorney General John Ashcroft on Thursday urged nations that rallied against terrorism after Sept. 11, 2001, to unite again to fight corruption, which is costing the world economy more than $2 trillion every year. In a speech to the World Economic Forum, Ashcroft attacked government officials who pocket payoffs and deprive their people of money for better roads, cleaner water and more modern schools...
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China's president Hu Jintao shows common touch
(International News ~ 01/23/04)
BEIJING -- It was a visual made for television, and for the Chinese president's own image, too: Hu Jintao surrounded by villagers Thursday, stuffing dumpling skins with seasoned pork for the Lunar New Year. As China's communist leadership pushes its agenda of making the people feel they're cared for, small pastiches that make them appear more human are leading the propaganda push...
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Missouri's Supreme Court hears concealed guns arguments
(State News ~ 01/23/04)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The intense battle over whether Missourians should have the right to carry concealed weapons reached a pinnacle Thursday, as state Supreme Court judges questioned whether a new law allowing hidden guns violates an old constitutional provision...
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Democrats battle in final debate before N.H. primary
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Democratic presidential contenders attacked President Bush's handling of the economy and postwar Iraq on Thursday night in the final debate before the New Hampshire primary, each one adding he was best positioned to defeat the Republican incumbent. "I look forward to that fight," said Sen. John Kerry, winner of this week's Iowa caucuses and leader in the polls for Tuesday's first-in-the-nation primary as well...
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Advertisers compete for the top Super Bowl commercial
(Professional Sports ~ 01/23/04)
NEW YORK -- They're an odd bunch: the hobbled grandparents fighting over potato chips, the boisterous family building motorcycles, and the heavyset gangster demanding a cream puff. All are off-field contenders for the other prize up for grabs on Feb. 1 -- best Super Bowl TV ad...
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Otahkians fail to take advantage of Tech troubles
(College Sports ~ 01/23/04)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Not having their head coach on the bench at all and having their best player on the bench for most of the game was apparently all it took for Tennessee Tech to finally knock off Southeast Missouri State University's women. Tech's Bill Worrell was not in the Eblen Center Thursday night because of a one-game Ohio Valley Conference suspension for being ejected from the Eaglettes' previous contest against Eastern Kentucky...
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Tech prevails with game on the line
(College Sports ~ 01/23/04)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech and Southeast Missouri State University played on even terms for nearly the entire 40 minutes Thursday night. But a free throw with just 2.8 seconds remaining -- on a non-shooting foul -- sent the Indians to their second consecutive heartbreaking Ohio Valley Conference loss at the hands of the Eagles...
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Parents want state to keep Cottonwood's doors open
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
The state of Missouri's plan to close a Cape Girardeau residential treatment center for children with emotional and behavioral problems has sparked anger and frustration in parents whose children have been helped at the center. "It isn't right," said Tami Binkard of Cape Girardeau, whose 15-year-old son is currently undergoing treatment at the center. She termed the Missouri Department of Mental Health cost-cutting plan "crazy."...
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County officials, sheriff revive contract
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
After several rounds of discussions, the Cape Girardeau County Commission and Sheriff John Jordan came to an agreement Thursday that would allow a revenue-generating transportation agreement to continue. The commission agreed that a part-time officer could be hired for transporting federal prisoners to and from court. The commission also gave the sheriff an extra communications officer, with most of that salary to be paid out of the sheriff's crime-reduction fund...
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Holden says closing Cape treatment facility was not his choice
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
A handful of mental health-care workers appeared Thursday afternoon at a news conference by Gov. Bob Holden to ask why he's calling for budget cuts that will eliminate jobs and, they believe, hurt some of the state's most vulnerable children. Holden visited the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority office near Scott City to further outline his State of the State address and to talk about Jobs Now, a plan for immediate job creation. About 40 people attended the news conference...
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Prosecution proved effectiveness of hate crime statute
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Although he successfully used Missouri's hate crimes statute to pursue criminal charges in 2002 for a cross burning incident, Howard County Prosecuting Attorney Mason Gebhardt supports legislation that would specifically outlaw the practice...
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Historic steam locomotive passes through area
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
FRED LYNCH * flynch@semissourian.com Union Pacific Railroad's Challenger steam locomotive No. 3985 slowly rolled to a brief stop in Scott City Thursday afternoon as train enthusiasts gathered to watch and take pictures.Southeast Missourian School children and train enthusiasts in Southeast Missouri got a glimpse of history Thursday as the Union Pacific steam engine Challenger No. 3985 passed through Scott City...
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Holden explains Jobs Now plan, budget needs
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
Just as in his State of the State address, Gov. Bob Holden spent Thursday explaining his mission to capitalize on Missouri's recent economic gains with his Jobs Now plan and why higher cigarette and casino taxes could help schools. Speaking at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority office to a crowd of about 40 people, Holden outlined a three-pronged effort to move the economy forward:...
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Former Cape municipal judge dies
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
Judge Edward Eugene Calvin, a lawyer who served as municipal judge in Cape Girardeau in the 1980s and 1990s, died Thursday at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was 73. Calvin, a Democrat, was named municipal court judge in 1982 after working as a lawyer in the city for nearly a decade. He retired as municipal court judge in 1998. He ran unsuccessfully for associate circuit judge in 1990...
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Old time is still a-flying
(Column ~ 01/23/04)
When I was a youngster growing up on a farm in Killough Valley in the Ozarks over yonder, time passed so slowly, especially in the weeks before Christmas or a birthday or anything special that changed the routine in a farm boy's life. Back then I never understood adults who said things like, "Boy, time really flies, doesn't it?"...
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Rubicon as tough as rocks
(Column ~ 01/23/04)
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon offers new adventure in off-road travels. Isolation, solitude, seclusion -- that describes my idea of a vacation. The perfect vacation destination? Moab, Utah. Or more precisely, the desert, canyons, arches and other bizarre geology surrounding Moab and accessible only by rugged mining trails. The perfect vacation vehicle? A Jeep. Or more precisely, a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon -- the classic symbol of off-road rambling...
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La Russa has rough landing in plane incident
(Professional Sports ~ 01/23/04)
ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Thursday he was unfazed when a small jet on which he was riding skidded a day earlier off a snow-covered Colorado runway, joking he's had equally -- if not more -- troubling times in a baseball dugout...
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Perry grabs lead at Hope Classic
(Professional Sports ~ 01/23/04)
LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Kenny Perry is in his prime two decades after making his tour debut. Perry shot a 6-under 66 Thursday to go to 14 under and take the second-round lead in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Phil Mickelson, playing his first tournament of the year after a disappointing 2003 season, had another good round, a 63 that left him one shot behind Perry...
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Notre Dame pulls away from Sikeston for 4th win
(High School Sports ~ 01/23/04)
Bulldogs clamp down on Sikeston's 3-point attack in Superman Classic. Notre Dame's boys basketball team put in one of its most complete performances of the season in a 73-52 victory against Sikeston on Thursday at the Superman Classic in Metropolis, Ill...
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Sports briefs 1/23/04
(Professional Sports ~ 01/23/04)
Baseball Roy Halladay could have waited two more seasons and gone elsewhere. Instead, the AL Cy Young Award winner decided to remain with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a $42 million, four-year contract. Halladay, 22-7 with a 3.25 ERA last season, gets $6 million this year, $10.5 million in 2005, $12.7 million in 2006 and $12.8 million in 2007. He would have been eligible for free agency after the 2005 season...
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Congress clears spending bill
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
WASHINTON -- The Senate overcame Democratic delaying tactics Thursday and sent President Bush an overdue $373 billion bill financing a vast swath of government and bearing a bushel of victories for the White House. Senators approved the measure 65-28 a month after House passage. The bill finances agriculture, veterans and most other domestic programs for the budget year that began Oct. 1 -- nearly four months ago...
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Vernon Chester
(Obituary ~ 01/23/04)
TAMMS, Ill. -- Vernon "Bud" Chester, 82, formerly of Tamms, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004, in Norfolk, Va. Crain Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.
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Kenneth Clifton
(Obituary ~ 01/23/04)
ANNA, Ill. -- Kenneth D. Clifton, 69, of Marion, Ill., formerly of Anna, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004, at Herrin Hospital in Herrin, Ill. He was born Nov. 21, 1934, in Illinois, son of Roy L. and Irene V. Schooley Clifton. He and Shirley Morgan were married Nov. 14, 1989, in Jonesboro, Ill. She died Feb. 6, 1999...
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George Eaton
(Obituary ~ 01/23/04)
OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- George L. Eaton, 70, of Olive Branch died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, at his home. He was born May 19, 1933, at Zalma, Mo., son of Henry and Grace Whitehead Eaton. Eaton was employed 35 years at Brass-Mill Co. in East Alton, Ill...
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Pauline Finney
(Obituary ~ 01/23/04)
ADVANCE, Mo. -- Pauline Esterlee Finney, 85, of Advance died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 4, 1918, in Obion, Tenn., daughter of Johnny Lee and Pearl Hudson Mobbs. She and Raymond "Goob" Finney were married Sept. 4, 1937, at Portageville, Mo. He died Dec. 5, 1974...
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Doris Preisler
(Obituary ~ 01/23/04)
PATTON, Mo. -- Doris Zene Preisler, 77, of Patton died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 28, 1926, at Marquand, Mo., daughter of Francis Henry and Ellen Susie Fulton Yount. She first married Raymond Tinnin. She later married Frank Preisler...
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Judge Edward Calvin
(Obituary ~ 01/23/04)
Judge Edward Eugene Calvin, 73, of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Virginia Davison
(Obituary ~ 01/23/04)
THEBES, Ill. -- Virginia Fay Davison, 69, of Thebes died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, at her home. She was born Jan. 18, 1935, in Paducah, Ky., daughter of Thomas Ruel and Merva Lee Coke Fox. She married Roy L. Davison. Davison was a member of Apostolic Lighthouse Church...
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Prosecution proved effectiveness of hate crime statute
(Births ~ 01/23/04)
Weibrecht Son to Randy J. Weibrecht and Juanita Mares of Perryville, Mo., Southeast Missouri Hospital, 12:36 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004. Name, Ryan Michael. Weight, 7 pounds 4 ounces. Second son. Ms. Mares is the daughter of Magda Mares and Ramon Madera of Puerto Rico. Weibrecht is the son of Gary and Darlene Weibrecht of Perryville...
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Out of the past 1/23/04
(Out of the Past ~ 01/23/04)
10 years ago: Jan. 23, 1994 Maple Avenue United Methodist Church has moved to corner of Cape Rock Drive and Jean Ann, site of former Scriptural Evangelical Lutheran Church. Southeast Missouri State University's athletic program took major step forward as NCAA Division I member when Marvin Rosengarten Athletic Complex was officially dedicated yesterday afternoon...
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Everybody's a critic - 'Along Came Polly'
(Entertainment ~ 01/23/04)
Two stars (out of four) Combine the movies "When Harry Met Sally" and "Dumb and Dumber" and you get "Along Came Polly." It has plenty of star power with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston, yet it seems to have to rely on its supporting cast, gross bathroom humor and even a pet ferret for its few laughs...
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Artifacts 1/23/04
(Entertainment ~ 01/23/04)
Christian Writers Circle forming Monthly meetings for new writers and a forum for critiquing work are part of the Christian Writers' Circle, which will hold its organizational meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the First Free Will Baptist Church education room...
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Rock roots run deep in the South
(Entertainment ~ 01/23/04)
New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, London: These are the cities that come to mind when thinking about the places that spawn rock 'n' roll bands. But every great once in a while, rural America will produce a grouping of musicians who get noticed and go on to make hit records and become forever enshrined as objects of American pop-culture adoration -- rock stars...
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Norman Fisher
(Obituary ~ 01/23/04)
OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Norman "Casey" Fisher, 72, of Olive Branch died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 23, 1931, in Elco, Ill., son of Harry and Myrtle Jordan Fisher. Fisher had worked at Silica Mill...
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Falcons flying high
(College Sports ~ 01/23/04)
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- They aren't that tall -- these are Air Force cadets, remember - and the team hasn't had a winning season in 25 years. But basketball is back at Air Force. Behind a patient offense and the nation's stingiest defense, the Falcons are on a school-record 10-game winning streak and a surprising 12-2 overall - the best start in Air Force history...
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Supreme Court clashes over new frontier in death row appeals
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
WASHINGTON -- Five times this month, the vote of one Supreme Court justice would have stopped the execution of a convicted killer who claimed it was unconstitutionally cruel to use chemicals to carry out a death sentence. The executions went forward, even though four of the nine high court justices wanted to grant at least a temporary reprieve. The 5-4 votes, all announced without comment by any of the justices, are the latest illustration of the deep rift on the court over capital punishment...
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Recession panel says it is re-examining starting date
(National News ~ 01/23/04)
WASHINGTON -- It turns out that President Bush may have inherited a recession after all. The president often makes that claim when talking about the economy, prompting Democrats to charge he is fudging history since the recession began in March 2001, two months after he took office, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research...
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World briefs
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
Attackers kill nine people in Iraq violence BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Attackers killed nine people in an outburst of violence, including four Christian women headed to jobs at a U.S. military base and two American soldiers. South of the capital, the security chief of Spanish troops in Iraq was shot in the head during a raid. ...
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Cape County Commission action 1/23/04
(Local News ~ 01/23/04)
COMMISSION ACTION The Cape Girardeau County Commission took the following action Thursday: Reappointed Dr. Hal Ridings, Donna Shirrell, Mary Robertson, Marcia Ritter and George Jedlicka to the county Mental Health Board...
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Police report 1/23/04
(Police/Fire Report ~ 01/23/04)
Cape Girardeau The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Jamie N. Lamburth, 24, of 1115 N. Spanish, Cape Girardeau, was arrested Wednesday on a Cape Girardeau warrant for contempt of court...
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Key economic gauge rises to highest level ever
(Business ~ 01/23/04)
NEW YORK -- A key measure of future economic activity rose 0.2 percent in December to its highest level ever, helped by relatively strong consumer spending and growing indications the job market is improving. The report released Thursday coincided with government data suggesting that the employment picture may be improving. ...
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Citigroup adopts corporate policy to protect environment
(Business ~ 01/23/04)
NEW YORK -- Citigroup intends to become more environmentally friendly. The nation's largest financial institution announced Thursday that it is adopting a corporate policy to carefully evaluate requests for project financing that could adversely affect the environment...
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Stewart's attorney - Would-be jurors confused
(Business ~ 01/23/04)
NEW YORK -- Too many prospective jurors in the Martha Stewart case wrongly think she is charged with insider trading, her lawyer complained to the judge, according to transcripts released Thursday. In the transcripts from the closed-door jury selection process, Robert Morvillo said Wednesday that U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum shared blame for the misunderstanding because of her own choice of words. The judge replied that she would make sure the jury is properly informed...
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Kodak to cut 12,000 to 15,000 jobs
(Business ~ 01/23/04)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Eastman Kodak Co., which turned picture-taking into a hobby for the masses a century ago, is cutting 12,000 to 15,000 jobs, or close to a quarter of its work force, as it struggles to make the wrenching transition from film to digital photography...
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The price of support
(Editorial ~ 01/23/04)
Springfield News-Leader We now know state Sen. Ken Jacob's price tag to stop blocking a name change for Southwest Missouri State: $190 million. Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder filed a bill to change Southwest Missouri's name to Missouri State University. He's also filed a bill that would issue $190 million in bonds for the four University of Missouri campuses, including Jacob's hometown of Columbia. .....
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MoDOT needs a map, not a rearview mirror
(Editorial ~ 01/23/04)
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has publicly apologized for its decision five years ago to give up its ambitious 15-year plan created in 1992. Now it's time to focus on the future rather than dwelling on the past. The 15-year plan became the center of controversy when the highways and transportation commission announced in 1998 that it would take an additional $1 billion a year to complete the plan on schedule. ...
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Forgo this skid-control device for now
(Column ~ 01/23/04)
Dear Tom and Ray: Hi, guys. We are in the market for a new sedan, and our priorities are safety and reliability, as well as good mileage and low emissions. Having been long-time Honda owners, we are seriously considering the Honda Accord EX four-cylinder, which, as you know, gets excellent ratings in all of the above features. ...
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Shinedown labels its sound as 'super rock'
(Entertainment ~ 01/23/04)
Like the band they've been opening for, Shinedown also hails from the Deep South. But instead of coming from small-town Mississippi, Shinedown has its roots in a large Southern city with an established tradition of music, Jacksonville, Fla., the home of Lynyrd Skynyrd...
Stories from Friday, January 23, 2004
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