MISSOURIANA

Absent-minded Missourians consider it a victory if they have stopped writing last year's date on checks by the time the governor delivers his State of the State address.

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More plans have been offered to improve Missouri's highways than there are accountants in the highway department.

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Pope John Paul II got the red-carpet treatment in St. Louis, which helped smooth out some of the state's rough roads.

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The last time St. Louisans became so excited over visitors to their city occurred when Confederate troops were sailing up the Mississippi River.

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It was exciting to have the pope in Missouri. It was reassuring to know we were safe from tornadoes, blizzards and earthquakes for at least 30 hours.

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Pope John Paul had a visit with Vice President Al Gore before flying back to the Vatican. The papal physician thought it was safer than sleeping pills.

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Gov. Mel Carnahan announces the state has finally reached record employment, made possible in part by Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson's new part-time job.