Supreme Court judge Limbaugh hospitalized

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Supreme Court Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. has been hospitalized because of a blood clot in his lung. Limbaugh, 53, was absent Wednesday and Thursday as the rest of the seven-member Supreme Court heard arguments on a variety of cases. Court spokeswoman Beth Riggert said Thursday that Limbaugh had checked into a hospital in his hometown of Cape Girardeau earlier this week because of a pulmonary embolism. She said the judge expects to be released from the hospital this weekend and back at work within two weeks. A pulmonary embolism is a blocked artery in the lungs, typically because of a blood clot. The condition requires Limbaugh to remain still, but he has remained in contact with the court several times a day, Riggert said. Limbaugh is the son of U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Sr. and the cousin of radio commentator Rush Limbaugh.