Walk raises $23,000 for heart research

About 100 people turned out for the 12th annual American Heart Walk at Capaha Park on Saturday. The event raised $23,000 for education programs and research on heart disease and stroke. Among businesses, Drury Inn raised the most with $4,428. The top Walker was Harold Bollinger, who raised about $900.

State report says malpractice claims fell

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The number of medical malpractice claims filed and paid is declining in Missouri, yet physicians' premiums are rising, according to a report from the state Insurance Department. New medical malpractice claims dropped 14 percent in 2003 to what the department said was a record low, and total payouts to medical malpractice plaintiffs fell to $93.5 million in 2003, a drop of about 21 percent from the previous year. The report found that doctors' malpractice insurance premiums rose by 121 percent between 2000 and 2003 .

-- From staff, wire reports