Briefly 9/6/18

$10M marijuana crop discovered

GALLATIN, Mo. -- Federal prosecutors say two men are facing federal charges after nearly 2,500 marijuana plants valued at $10 million were discovered growing in rural northwest Missouri.

The men, 44-year-old Sergio Medina-Perez and 27-year-old Miguel Pulido-Maldonado, were charged Wednesday with manufacturing or distributing more than 1,000 marijuana plants.

Local and federal law enforcement agents raided the operation in Daviess County, northeast of Kansas City, in late August. The plants were in a clearing inside a large stand of timber.

Union looks to block name release

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis police union is requesting a restraining order to prevent the release of the names of officers whose cases prosecutors will no longer pursue.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the union sought the order Tuesday against St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's office and a police commander. A judge hasn't ruled on it.

Gardner said last week her office drew up a list of 28 officers who won't be permitted as primary witnesses in criminal cases. She hasn't said specifically why other than citing credibility concerns.

Zoo wants to build $75M acquarium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Zoo wants to build a $75 million saltwater aquarium.

The Kansas City Star reported two city council members are proposing the city contribute $7 million toward the 750,000- gallon aquarium. And zoo director Randy Wisthoff said Tuesday the zoo has identified a little more than $20 million in potential private funding. Other funding would come from a 1/8th-cent sales tax in Jackson and Clay counties.

Plans call for the aquarium to open in late 2021, possibly in an area of the zoo that once housed bears. Wisthoff said officials would like it to include sharks and immersive features, such as tunnels, where visitors would be surrounded by sea life.

-- From wire reports