Power goes out in Missouri Capitol

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The power has gone out at the Missouri Capitol.

The electricity went out shortly after 11 a.m. Monday at the Capitol and several nearby buildings. The cause was not immediately clear.

State Administration Commissioner Kelvin Simmons said crews from utility provider Ameren Missouri were attempting to identify the cause and restore power.

Ameren spokesman Mike Cleary said the power outage also was affecting a nearby state office building as well as a Catholic church and school. Cleary said the cause of the power outage is not yet known.

Some state employees left the dark Capitol. Others used the break as an opportunity for exercise -- walking laps through the dim hallways.