Biden plans stops in Columbia, St. Louis area

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Preparations continue for Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden's visit to Missouri on Tuesday.

The Delaware senator will host a town hall meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the Activity and Recreation Center in Columbia. At 2 p.m., he'll speak to voters at Mehlville High School in south St. Louis County. Those planning to attend either event are urged to arrive early.

Democrats have targeted Missouri as a key state for winning the White House this fall.

Biden will debate his GOP counterpart, Alaska's Republican Gov. Sarah Palin, at Washington University in St. Louis on Oct. 2nd.