Region digest 06/16/04

Carnahan endorses Cook for lieutenant governor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Former Sen. Jean Carnahan has endorsed Bekki Cook, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, as she ramps up her campaign in advance of the Aug. 3 primaries. Cook is running against state Senate Minority Leader Ken Jacob of Columbia. Cook, of Cape Girardeau, was appointed secretary of state by then-Gov. Mel Carnahan in 1994 and later won election to a full term.

Woman passes out on Interstate 55, hits vehicle

A Jackson woman was taken to St. Francis Medical Center on Tuesday after she passed out while driving and struck another vehicle. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Martha Feeney, 57, driving a 2000 GMC, struck a 2004 Dodge parked on Interstate 55 five miles north of Jackson at 3:20 p.m. The driver of the Dodge was not injured.

-- From staff, wire reports