State briefs 1/20/16

Dorena-Hickman Ferry reopens

HICKMAN, Ky. -- The Dorena-Hickman Ferry on the western tip of Kentucky reopened after weeks of high water. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd said the ferry that connects Hickman to near Dorena, Missouri, reopened on its winter schedule Tuesday. It had been closed for weeks after floodwaters covered the ferry landing on the Kentucky side. The ferry is the only direct route from Missouri to Kentucky, because they are the only border states in the U.S. that aren't directly connected by a road.

Teen turns self in after girl killed

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis police are investigating the death of a 14-year-old girl shot in the back at a friend's home. Police said a 14-year-old boy turned himself in Monday to answer questions about the shooting. Jamyha Luss died Sunday afternoon at her friend's home in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood. She was a student at Gateway Middle School. Police said it is unclear what led to the shooting.

Harry's Restaurant closes in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- Another mainstay of downtown St. Louis is closing its doors, the latest of several restaurants to shutter. Harry's Restaurant & Bar will close after nearly two decades of operation after a celebration Jan. 29 and 30. Co-owner Tim Pieri said the closing is because of several factors, including the economy and development of Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium. The news came days after it was announced another downtown restaurant, Mike Shannon's Steaks and Seafood, will close Jan. 30. Prime 1000, the Dubliner and Joe Buck's are other restaurants that closed in recent months.

State considers voter ID measure

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Proposals to tighten Missouri's voting requirements are under consideration in the Senate as the House nears an expected vote on similar measures. The Senate's elections committee heard testimony Tuesday on a bill and a constitutional amendment aimed at requiring photo identification to vote. The committee could vote on the measures as soon as Monday. Supporters of photo ID said election irregularities in St. Louis and Kansas City undermined the voting system. But the Missouri secretary of state's office said those requirements could disenfranchise more than 200,000 voters. Similar legislation is scheduled for a House vote this week. Amending the Missouri Constitution would need voter approval. Lawmakers want to amend the constitution because the Missouri Supreme Court has ruled a photo-ID requirement would violate Missourians' right to vote.

Expert-witness bill advances in Senate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A bill to add requirements for expert testimony in Missouri court cases won initial Senate approval. Senators voted 19-12 in favor of the measure Tuesday. The bill would require expert witnesses to base testimony on sufficient facts and data and apply reliable principles and methods. Missouri's current law applies primarily to the facts, not the method by which they are analyzed. The proposal wouldn't apply to cases in juvenile or family courts. Majority Leader Mike Kehoe said the bill could be up for a final Senate vote Thursday.

-- From wire reports