State briefs 7/18/04

Casino opponents roll out TV, radio spots

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Opponents of an amendment to allow a casino in southwest Missouri are rolling out television and radio ads that play on fears of expanding gambling.

The TV spot is to begin airing Monday in the Kansas City and St. Louis markets to counter the ads from casino supporters that have run statewide for a few weeks. The radio spot will run only in St. Louis, organizers said.

Missourians will vote Aug. 3 on a constitutional amendment that would allow a casino in Rockaway Beach along the White River, a few miles from Branson. The Missouri Constitution now limits casinos to towns along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

Supporters of the casino project say it will revitalize the town's economy, but critics fear it will hurt the Branson area's family-friendly image.

Commission adopts rule allowing community referral service

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Public Service Commission said Friday it has established the framework for companies to provide a community referral service through a free phone call. The commission earlier this year adopted a temporary rule change to allow a 211 community service system for callers on a trial basis and now has adopted a permanent rule, effective Oct. 1. The Federal Communications Commission has designated the phone number as a national dialing code for community information and referrals -- covering everything from housing to counseling services -- that are urgent but not handled by 911 emergency operators. The Heart of America United Way is the only entity so far that has won commission approval to provide 211 service. It will offer the service in SBC Communications Inc. exchanges in 16 western Missouri counties on a pilot basis, with the potential to expand later. The United Way hopes to have the service running by Feb. 11.

Bush to visit St. Charles next week

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- President Bush will return to Missouri early next week, attending a rally at the Family Arena in this St. Louis suburb, a spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign said Friday. Danny Diaz said doors for the event open at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, and a worker at the campaign's St. Louis office said the doors close two hours later. Ticket information is available from Bush-Cheney Missouri headquarters, (314) 427-4917. No other details were immediately available. Bush, who carried Missouri narrowly in 1990, has made frequent trips to the state since taking office in January 2001. Vice President Dick Cheney will be in Columbia on Monday to speak at a Bush-Cheney campaign rally at Boone County Millwork's showroom and production site.

Fisherman catches gator in Stockton Lake

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Stockton Lake fisherman made a curious catch this week -- an alligator. The reptile, roughly 2 feet long, was snagged Wednesday. The angler brought it to the Greenfield Trading Post, where it waited in a tank until being taken to the Dickerson Park Zoo on Thursday. Zoo officials plan to let the gator grow and join two others already on display. Dave Illig, the reptile keeper at the Dickerson Park Zoo, said the alligator was likely a pet dumped by its owner after outgrowing its aquarium. "They're not cute and cuddly," Illig said. "The bigger they get, the more dangerous they can become."

Appeals court upholds class status in H&R Block lawsuit

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A federal appeals court has affirmed the certification of a nationwide class in a lawsuit accusing H&R Block Inc. of inducing customers who wanted their tax refunds fast into getting high-interest loans. The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld class-action status Friday for millions of customers in the suit, which alleges Kansas City-based H&R Block and its banking partner, Household Finance, violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. H&R Block, the nation's largest tax preparer, and Household Finance are accused of illegally gouging customers by providing "refund anticipation loans" at interest rates frequently exceeding 100 percent.

-- From wire reports