I'M HERE AT THE MISSOURI DELEGATES' HOTEL IN BOSTON WHERE THEY'RE GETTING A CLEAR MESSAGE.AT THEIR MORNING MEETING IT CAME FROM ACTOR BEN AFFLECK.

FROM GENERAL WESLEY CLARK.

MISSOURI IS VIEWED AS A KEY SWING STATE FOR BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES.

RECENT POLLS SHOW PRESIDENT BUSH AND SENATOR JOHN KERRY ARE IN A STATISTICAL DEAD HEAT IN MISSOURI.

THERE'S FURTHER PROOF OF MISSOURI'S IMPORTANCE IN THE NUMBER OF HIGH-RANKING POLITICIANS WHO HAVE VISITED AND WILL VISIT THE STATE: PRESIDENT BUSH WILL BE IN SPRINGFIELD FRIDAY, VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY CAME TO SPRINGFIELD RECENTLY, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK CAMPAIGNED IN SPRINGFIELD LAST MONTH FOR U-S SENATE CANDIDATE NANCY FARMER.

SO, AS DEMOCRATS MEET THIS WEEK IN BOSTON FOR THE NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE FOCUS IS ON MOTIVATING PEOPLE TO WORK WHEN THEY RETURN TO THEIR HOMESTATE.

SPRINGFIELD RESIDENT AND NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE MEMBER JOE CARMICHAEL IS HEADING A NATIONAL GRASSROOTS EFFORT.

OTHER DEMOCRATS IN MISSOURI ALSO ARE TRYING TO ENERGIZE THE DEMOCRATIC BASE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JOE MAXWELL WHO ISN'T RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION HIMSELF IS URGING MISSOURI'S DELEGATES TO GET EXCITED AND TAKE THAT EXCITEMENT BACK TO MISSOURI.

HE TOLD THE DELEGATES THAT THE CONVENTION SHOULD BE A MOTIVATOR.

AND GENERAL WESLEY CLARK TOLD THE DELEGATES THAT THEY HAVE AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO TAKE BACK TO VOTERS IN MISSOURI ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ, A MESSAGE THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN NOVEMBER.

AS DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES RETURN TO MISSOURI WITH THAT MESSAGE, REPUBLICANS ARE GEARING UP TO GIVE THEIR OWN MESSAGE TO VOTERS.THEY ALSO VIEW MISSOURI AS A KEY STATE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.THEIR CONVENTION WILL BEGIN AUGUST 30TH IN NEW YORK CITY.

STEPPING INTO THE CONVENTION HALL FOR THE FIRST TIME IS AN OVERWHELMING EXPERIENCE FOR SOME OF THE FOLKS FROM MISSOURI.

DOUG BROOKS, A DELEGATE FROM JOPLIN, IS ATTENDING HIS FOURTH CONVENTION.

HE SAYS THE SEATS MISSOURI'S DELEGATES HAVE THIS YEAR AREN'T BAD.

MISSOURI'S 88 DELEGATES ARE SITTING TO THE LEFT OF THE STAGE.JUST BEHIND NORTH DAKOTA DELEGATES.

THE PRIME POSITIONING IMPRESSED FIRST TIME DELEGATE JON HAGLER.

THAT'S MISSOURI DELEGATE REGI BUMGARNER...THIS IS THE FIRST CONVENTION THE FORDLAND RESIDENT HAS ATTENDED.HE SAYS HE KNOWS WHY HE AND THE OTHER DELEGATES HAVE SUCH GREAT SEATS.

THE GOOD SEATS COME AS NO SURPRISE TO SPRINGFIELD RESIDENT JOE CARMICHAEL.HE SERVES ON THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.HE SAYS LEADERS IN THE NATIONAL PARTY KNOW MISSOURI IS KEY TO WINNING IN NOVEMBER.

AND CARMICHAEL SAYS BOTH PARTIES KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF MISSOURI IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

PRESIDENT BUSH IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT SPRINGFIELD THIS FRIDAY.

CARMICHAEL SAYS HE EXPECTS KERRY AND EDWARDS TO VISIT SPRINGFIELD THIS FALL.

KERRY AND EDWARDS WEREN'T IN BOSTON MONDAY NIGHT FOR THE OPENING OF THE CONVENTION.

INSTEAD, THE FEATURED SPEAKERS WERE FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND HIS WIFE SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON.

REGI BUMGARNER AND HIS WIFE LEESA WERE THRILLED TO HEAR FROM THE CLINTONS.

THE CONVENTION CONTINUES THIS EVENING WITH SPEECHES FROM MISSOURI CONGRESSMAN DICK GEPHARDT AND MEMBERS OF JOHN KERRY'S FAMILY.

AS DELEGATES AND PARTY OFFICIALS FILE INTO THE ROOM FOR THEIR MORNING MEETING - A COLORFUL ARRAY OF PARTY PATRIOTISM IS ON DISPLAY.

FROM KENNEDY TO KERRY, FROM BUTTONS TO HATS, MISSOURI DELEGATES ARE SPORTING THEIR DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT PROUDLY.

ONE MISSOURI DELEGATE STANDS NEXT TO THE DOOR OF THE CONFERENCE ROOM WEARING A SHIRT COVERED WITH A MAP OF MISSOURI.

THE ENTIRE TOP PART OF HIS SHIRT IS ALSO COVERED WITH BUTTONS.

REGGIE BAUMGARNER IS A MEMBER OF THE LABORERS UNION IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI.

BAUMGARNER SAYS HE'S LOOKING FOR LOT'S OF LOOT FOR THE GUYS BACK HOME.

AND REGGIE ISN'T THE ONLY THE ONLY TRYING TO GET NOTICED.

JUANITA CLARKE IS A MISSOURI DELEGATE WHO DESIGNED HER OWN HAT.

CLARKE SAYS SHE JUST FELT LIKE SHOWING OFF HER PATRIOTISM.

BUT WHERE DO ALL OF THESE BUTTONS COME FROM???

BUTTON BOB, OF COURSE.

BOB LEVINE HAS BEEN SELLING BUTTONS AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTON FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

HE'S EVEN PERFECTED HIS SALES PITCH TO MATCH EVERY CONVENTION.

BUT WHY DOES BOB DO IT?

WHETHER THEY GET A BUTTON FROM BOB OR THEY MAKE THEIR OWN HAT - MISSOURI DELEGATES SAY.THEY WANT SOMETHING TO WEAR WITH FLARE.

OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM THE U.S. AND ACROSS THE GLOBE GET A CHANCE TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION, HOLD A MOCK CONVENTION OF THEIR OWN AND MEET INLUENTIAL POLITICAL LEADERS.

KATIE BROOKS IS A PARKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, WHO WAS PICKED FOR THE PROGRAM, L EAD AMERICA 2004.

BROOKS SAYS THE PROGRAM WORKS TO INSTILL LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE IN PEOPLE HER AGE BY STAGING MOCK CONVENTIONS.

BROOKS SAYS PART OF HER INTEREST IN POLITICS AND POLITICAL ISSUES STEMS FROM EARLY DEBATE CLASSES IN HIGH SCHOOL.

A SPRINGFIELD NATIVE - BROOKS SAYS SHE EXCITED THAT SHE GET'S TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE HER AGE WHO ARE FROM DIFFERENT AREAS.

SHE SAYS IT GIVES HER A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE DIVERSITY OF DIFFERENT IDEAS.

BROOKS IS BEING EXPOSED TO MORE THAN DIFFEREN'T PERSPECTIVES, THOUGH.

SHE SAYS SHE MIGHT ALSO BE GETTING A GLIMPSE OF HER FUTURE CAREER.

BROOKS ALSO HAS HER OWN MESSAGE SHE SAYS SHE WANTS TO GET OUT TO PEOPLE HER AGE.

KATIE BROOKS WILL BE IN BOSTON FOR THE CONVENTION UNTIL FRIDAY.

SHE SAYS WHEN SHE GETS BACK TO SPRINGFIELD SHE HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THANK FOR GIVING HER THIS OPPORTUNITY.

FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN BOSTON.I'M KATIE HUMMEL FOR K-S-M-U NEWS.

REGI AND LEESA BUMGARNER CAME TO BOSTON ALL THE WAY FROM THE SMALL SOUTHWEST MISSOURI TOWN OF FORDLAND.

WHILE THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE CONVENTION, THEY SAY THEY'RE DISAPPOINTED THEY'RE NOT GETTING TO STAY WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE DELEGATES AT THE MARRIOTT LONG WHARF IN THE CITY.

THEY'RE STAYING AT THE HOLIDAY INN IN SOMERVILLE, A NEIGHBORING TOWN.

LEESA SAYS SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE BEING SNUBBED BECAUSE THEY'RE OUTSPOKEN SUPPORTERS OF STATE AUDITOR CLAIRE MC-CASKILLTHE STATE AUDITOR IS CHALLENGING GOVERNOR BOB HOLDEN IN THE AUGUST DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

REGI BUMGARNER SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PARTY LEADERSHIP IS SNUBBING THEM.

AND IT'S NOT JUST THE BUMGARNERSFORMER HOUSE SPEAKER JIM KREIDER OF NIXA IS ALSO STAYING AT THE HOTEL IN SOMERVILLE.

HE'S ALSO A STRONG MC-CASKILL SUPPORTER.

JIM KREIDER SAYS HE WON'T BACK DOWN FROM SUPPORTING MC-CASKILL, WHO IS NOT SCHEDULED TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION.

KREIDER SAYS IT'S TOO BAD THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS TREATING HIM AND THE OTHER MC-CASKILL SUPPORTERS THIS WAY.

BUT THE CHAIR OF THE MISSOURI DEMOCRATIC PARTY, MAY SCHEVE SAYS SHE AND OTHER PARTY LEADERS ARE NOT TRYING TO SNUB THE MC-CASKILL SUPPORTERS.

AND THE GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY IS GETTING HEATEDBOTH HOLDEN AND MC-CASKILL HAVE SEVERAL TELVISION COMMERCIALS AIRING AROUND THE STATE.

SCHEVE SAYS EVEN IF THE PRIMARY IS HEATED, THE MISSOURI DEMOCRATIC PARTY WILL COME TOGETHER AFTERWARD TO PRESENT A UNITED FRONT THIS FALL.

BUT KREIDER SAYS IT'S HARD TO CREATE A SENSE OF UNITY WHEN THE DELEGATES AREN'T ALL SLEEPING UNDER THE SAME ROOFDESPITE THAT, HE'S HAVING A GOOD TIME.

BUT LIKE THE BUMGARNERS, KREIDER SAYS HE EXPECTS OTHER SNUBBS FROM THE PARTY LEADERSHIP

AT A RECEPTION SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE BOSTON MARRIOTT LONG WHARF, MISSOURI DELEGATES MINGLED WITH DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS LIKE CONGRESSMAN IKE SKELTON AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JOE MAXWELL.

THE EVENT WAS HOSTED BY ST LOUIS CONGRESSMAN LACEY CLAY.

AMONG THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE SPRINGFIELD BUSINESSMAN SAM HAMRA, HIS WIFE AND SON.

HAMRA ISN'T A DELEGATE BUT HE DECIDED TO COME TO BOSTON FOR THE CONVENTION ANYWAY.

HAMRA SAYS SINCE HE'S NOT A DELEGATE, HE'LL GET A CHANCE TO SEE FELLOW DEMOCRATS HE MET WHEN HE WAS A DELEGATE AT PREVIOUS CONVENTIONS.

MINGLING IS SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF THE CONVENTIONS.SOME PEOPLE COMPLAIN THE CONVENTIONS HAVE BECOME LITTLE MORE THAN A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO MINGLE SINCE EVERYONE KNOWS WHO THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE WILL BE AND CHOOSING THE NOMINEE IS ONLY A FORMALITY.

BUT HAMRA SAYS THE CONVENTIONS ARE STILL VALUABLE TO THE POLITICAL PARTIES EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT LIKE THEY USED TO BE.

WHILE HAMRA AND HIS FAMILY ARE NOT HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF THE CONVENTION, STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHARON BROOKS IS IN BOSTON TO SERVE ON THE CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE AND TO HELP HONOR A GROUP OF DELEGATES WHO CREATED A STIR AT A PREVIOUS DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

AND BROOKS SAID SUNDAY NIGHT, EVEN THOUGH THE CONVENTION HAD NOT OFFICIALLY GOTTEN UNDER WAY, SHE WAS ALREADY EXCITED ABOUT CAMPAIGING FOR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES WHEN SHE RETURNS TO MISSOURI.

SHE SAYS SHE'S EAGER TO HEAR FROM THE PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE JOHN KERRY AND HIS RUNNING MATE JOHN EDWARDS.

BROOKS IS ONE OF EIGHTY-EIGHT DELEGATES FROM MISSOURI.SHE AND THE OTHERS BEGINNING TONIGHT WILL TAKE THEIR SEATS AT THE FLEET CENTER AND PARTICIPATE IN CHOOSING JOHN KERRY AS THEIR PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE.

THE 2004 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IS PROFILING A NUMBER OF FEMALE POLITICAL LEADERS AS KEY SPEAKERS THIS YEAR. THERE WILL ALSO BE A NUMBER OF FEMALE SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATING IN THE CONVENTION ALTHOUGH NOT A DELEGATE, FORMER MISSOURI LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HARRIET WOODS IS HERE TO GENRATE SUPPORT FOR U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE NANCY FARMER.

FARMER IS CHALLENING THE INCUMBANT REPUBLICAN. SENATOR KIT BOND.

WOODS SAYS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SUPPORTS ISSUES THAT MORE WOMEN CARE ABOUT.

WOODS ALSO SAYS SHE THINKS FEMALE POLITICAL LEADERS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHOOSE OFFICES THAT ALLOW THEM TO CONNECT WITH THEIR COMMUNTIY.

WOODS SAYS SHE IS JUST PROUD THAT MISSOURI HAS SO MANY WOMEN HOLDING STATE OFFICES, REGARDLESS IF IT'S A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN.

ALTHOUGH SHE'S NOT A DELEGATE THIS YEAR, WOODS SAYS SHE HAS SERVED AS A DELEGATE AT SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTIONS IN THE PAST.

AND AT ONE OF THOSE CONVENTIONS, WOODS SAYS SHE SERVED AS THE CHAIR OF THE DELEGATION.

REPORTING FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN BOSTON.. I'M KATIE HUMMEL FOR KSMU NEWS

Springfield is in need of energy. City utilities recently conducted studies of the population and the amount of energy consumed. The studies showed that Springfield will be in need of a new source of energy to power the growing community. Their projections show that by 2008 the current plant will not be sufficient and a new power source will be needed.

What is still to be determined however is whether or not a new coal-fired power plant is needed to solve this problem. If approved, the new and updated facility would be constructed right beside the current power plant. Mark Viguet is the Director of Marketing for City Utilities, and he believes that there are a number of benefits to constructing this new facility in Springfield.

But a group called the Southwest Missouri Citizens for Clean Air has voiced opposition to coal-fired power. Stan Van Velsor is a member of the group and gives some reasons why this plant should bot be built.

The issue of pollution has been a concern for many plants that have been built nationwide, but Viguet says that City Utilities is prepared for the challenge of keeping pollution to a minimum.

Once again, Stan Van Velsor

The Southwest Missouri Citizens for Clean Air believe that building the new plant could be put off for years if City Utilities would focus more on warning the public about energy concerns and promoting energy conservation.

City Utilities is currently conducting tours and passing out information to try and inform the public about their views and their plans for the proposed power plant.

For KSMU I'm Justin Pointer

DR. DONAL STANTON IS A PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AT S-M-S AND A LONG-TIME STRATEGIST AND CONSULTANT FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH HIM AND ASKED FOR AN ANALYSIS OF THE DEBATES.

Shelton: Was there a clear winner or clear loser?

Stanton: Clear winners and losers in this kind of contested, inner-party fight will be in the minds of the beholders. There was nothing in the debates that would move someone who was undecided. It was the same as what we've seen in their ads.

Shelton: Who do you think won?

Stanton: I thought it was a draw. I used to hear political consultants tell candidates to say whatever you want, no matter what the question is. They call it bridging. Ignore the question and bridge it on over to what you want to talk about. So, there was very little clash. In that sense, it's not really what, as a debate person, I would call a debate.

Shelton: How did we get to this point? Was it surprising Claire McCaskill mounted this challenge of an incumbent governor?

Staton: I wasn't surprised because Bob made some mistakes that he hasn't been able to climb over. I know a lot of people in the party pushed Claire to get involved, with the argument that if Holden is the nominee, we're probably going to lose the governorship. The only chance we have is with someone new coming in. I don't know if that's right or not but that was the thinking.

Shelton: McCaskill and Holden have alread spent a lot of money...Will this put them at a disadvantage in the General Election?

Stanton: I can tell you from the viewpoint of political history that every time there's been an emotional, contested primary in either party, that party's lost. In 1992 when Carnahan was elected, there was a spirited primary with three of the bright, young stars in the Republican party, Roy Blunt, Wendell Bailey, and Bill Webster. That was a very tough primary which Webster barely won. I remember I was working as an aide to Governor Teasdale when he was challenged by Jim Spainhour. Teasdale managed to win the primary rather easily then lost a close General Election. In the last 50 years or so, when there have been contested primaries that have caused a lot of peopel to get emotionally involved, that's been a bad signal for the success of that party in November.

Shelton: I've been speaking with Dr. Donal Stanton, an SMS Communications Professor and long-time strategist for the Democratic party.

THE FORMAT WAS SIMILAR TO THE DEBATE FORMAT USED IN THE PREVIOUS NIGHT IN KANSAS CITY.

A PANEL OF FOUR JOURNALISTS ASKED THE CANDIDATES QUESTIONS.

AND THE CANDIDATES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION EACH OTHER.

AND THAT'S WHEN THINGS STARTED TO GET PERSONAL.

STATE AUDITOR CLAIRE MC-CASKILL ASKED GOVERNOR BOB HOLDEN WHY HIS CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN ATTACKING HER HUSBAND, WHO WORKS IN THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY.

AND EXCEPT FOR THAT QUESTION, THE CANDIDATES DID FOCUS PRIMARILY ON ISSUES AFFECTING MISSOURIANS.

THEY COVERED SOCIAL ISSUES LIKE ABORTION, CONCEALED WEAPONS, AND GAY MARRIAGE.

THE TWO CANDIDATES ARE BOTH PRO-CHOICE, OPPOSE CONCEALED WEAPONS AND SAY THEY'LL VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON GAY MARRIAGE.

BUT THE CANDIDATES DISAGREED ON RAISING TAXES.

HOLDEN SAYS HE'S PUT TOGETHER A TAX PACKAGE THAT TARGETS CERTAIN TAXPAYERS AND BUSINESSES.

BUT MC-CASKILL HAD A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON RAISING TAXES.

IN MAKING HER CASE TO VOTERS, MC-CASKILL HAS SAID IF ELECTED, SHE'LL IMPLEMENT 100 AUDIT FINDINGS IN 100 DAYS.

BUT HOLDEN CRITICIZED HER FOR FAILING TO PUSH FOR THESE CHANGES AS AUDITOR.

MC-CASKILL OFFERED THIS REBUTTAL.

LAST NIGHT WAS THE SECOND AND LAST FACE-TO-FACE DEBATE FOR THE TWO CANDIDATES.

A COALITION OF NEWS ORGANIZATIONS IN SPRINGFIELD, INCLUDING K-S-M-U AND OZARKS PUBLIC TELEVISION HAD INVITED THE CANDIDATES TO DEBATE HERE.

MC-CASKILL AGREED BUT HOLDEN'S CAMPAIGN SAID IT COULD NOT WORK IT INTO HOLDEN'S SCHEDULE.

SO, THE CANDIDATES WILL TAKE QUESTIONS SEPARATELY FOR THIRTY MINUTES FROM A PANEL OF JOURNALISTS...THAT PROGRAM WILL BE BROADCAST ON K-S-M-U AND K-Y-3 JULY 28TH AT 8 P-M.

IT WILL BE RE-BROADCAST ON OZARKS PUBLIC TELEVISION JULY 30TH AT 8 P-M.

THE CANDIDATES TOOK QUESTIONS FROM THE PANEL OF JOURNALISTS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION FUNDING, JOB CREATION AND CONCEALED WEAPONS.

BUT THE MORE INTERESTING QUESTIONS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SPECIFIC ISSUES...LIKE THIS ONE FROM KCPT PUBLIC TELEVISION, EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER NICK HAINES.

STATE AUDITOR CLAIRE MC-CASKILL ANSWERED THE QUESTION FIRST.

THEN, IT WAS GOVERNOR BOB HOLDEN'S TURN.

BESIDES TAKING QUESTIONS FROM THE PANEL, THE CANDIDATES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION EACH OTHER.

FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, THE HOLDEN AND MC-CASKILL HAVE BEEN USING TELEVISION ADS TO CHALLENGE EACH OTHER'S RECORD...MONDAY NIGHT, THEY GOT THE CHANCE TO DO THAT IN PERSON.

HOLDEN ASKED THE FIRST QUESTION.

THEN IT WAS MC-CASKILL'S TURN TO QUESTION THE GOVERNOR.

AT ONE POINT DURING THE DEBATE, HOLDEN ASKED MC-CASKILL WHY SHE DIDN'T STAND WITH HIM IN HIS BATTLE WITH THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE. MC-CASKILL HAD THIS TO SAY IN RESPONSE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL FACE OFF AGAIN TONIGHT IN ST LOUIS. YOU CAN HEAR THAT DEBATE LIVE HERE ON K-S-M-U AT 7 P-M.

ROCKAWAY BEACH, MISSOURI IS NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS. UNTIL ABOUT THE 1960'S, IT WAS A BUSTLING RESORT TOWN...NOW, IT'S MORE LIKE A GHOST TOWN.

BUT NOT LONG AGO, SOME RESIDENTS OF THE SMALL TOWN SAW AN OPPORTUNITY: BRING IN A CASINO, CREATE NEW JOBS.

CHARLES WALTERS IS A ROCKAWAY BEACH COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND A SUPPOTER OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

HE SAYS THE NEW CASINO COULD TRANSFORM THE ECONOMICALLY-DEPRESSED TOWN THAT SITS BESIDE THE WHITE RIVER IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI.

BUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT HAS BEEN MET WITH OPPOSITION FROM NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.

PETER HERSCHEND IS THE CO-OWNER OF SILVER DOLLAR CITY AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN AND AROUND BRANSON.

HERSCHEND FILED SUIT IN COLE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT TRYING TO PREVENT THE ISSUE FROM APPEARING ON THE AUGUST 3RD BALLOT...THAT EFFORT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.

HERSCHEND SAYS HE FEELS THE NEW CASINO WOULD DESTROY THE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE OF THE OZARKS.

BUT CHARLES WALTERS AND OTHER CASINO SUPPORTERS OFFER A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

HE SAYS THE CASINO WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE AREA.

BUT PETER HERSCHEND SAYS IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THE BOTTOM LINE.

HE SAYS HE WANTS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY'S CHARACTER, SOMETHING HE BELIEVES WOULD BE THREATENED IF A CASINO WERE TO COME TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURI.

WALTERS SAYS WITHOUT NEW JOBS, THERE WON'T BE PEOPLE OR CHARACTER LEFT IN ROCKAWAY BEACH TO PROTECT.

EVEN IF VOTERS APPROVE THE PROPOSED CASINO FOR ROCKAWAY BEACH, IT WOULD NOT BE A DONE DEAL. THE PROPOSAL WOULD STILL NEED THE MISSOUIR GAMING COMMISSION'S SUPPORT.

DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JIM LEPAGE SAYS HE FEELS HIS DEGREE IN ECONOMICS WILL HELP HIM HANDLE AN IMPORTANT ISSUE IN MISSOURI.

LEPAGE SAYS HIS STANCE ON ABORTION WILL ALSO SET HIM APART FROM OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.

THERE'S ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE WHO'S POSITIONING HIMSELF AS A MAVERICK IN THE PARTY, JEFFREY EMRICK.

EMRICK SAYS HIS MAIN CONCERN IS PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS.

EMRICK SAYS HE ALSO SUPPORTS THE VALUE OF THE AMERICAN DOLLAR.

EMRICK SAYS HE BELIEVES HE HAS A VISION FOR MISSOURI.

AND THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES ALSO HAVE VISIONS FOR THE STATE OF MISSOURI.

RANDY LANGKRAEHR IS A LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY.

LANGKRAEHR SAYS HIS VISION IS OF A SIMPLER MISSOURI.

FROM DEMOCRAT TO LIBERTARIAN IDEAS AND BELIEFS VARY GREATLY.

K-S-M-U TRIED REPEATEDLY TO CONTACT LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE JOHN SWENSON BUT COULD NOT REACH HIM FOR THIS REPORT.

REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JEFF KILLIAN SAYS HE FEELS HIS BACKGROUND IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND HIS DOWN HOME VALUES ARE JUST WHAT MISSOURI NEEDS IN 2004.

KILLIAN SAYS HE'S NOT ASKING MISSOURIANS FOR MUCH EITHER.

KILLIAN SAYS, IN RETURN, HE WOULD LIKE TO FIX SOME IMPORTANT PROBLEMS IN MISSOURI.

AND WHILE REPUBLICANS MAY SHARE BELIEFS ABOUT GOVERNMENT, THEIR PRIORITIES MAY DIFFER FROM TIME TO TIME.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE KAREN MEMHARDT KNOWS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO HER IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI.

MEMHARDT SAYS SHE IS CONFIDENT THAT HER OWN EXPERIENCES IN LIFE CAN HELP HER WORK AT SOME OF THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THE STATE OF MISSOURI.

JEFF KILLIAN AND KAREN MEMHARDT ARE JUST TWO OF THE SEVEN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI IN THE 2004 RACE.

K-S-M-U COULD NOT REACH REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES MARTIN LINDSTEDT AND JENNIE LEE SIEVERS.

THOUGH WE WERE UNABLE TO INTERVIEW REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ROY LANG, HE DID SEND K-S-M-U SOME CAMPAIGN MATERIALS INDICATING HIS PRIORITIES ARE REDUCING THE SIZE AND COST OF GOVERNMENT AND ENCOURAGING ETHANOL PRODUCTION.

K-S-M-U WAS ABLE TO GET THE COMMENTS OF REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ROY LANG. HE EXPLAINS WHAT HIS PRIORITIES WOULD BE IF HE'S ELECTED GOVERNOR.

LANG SAYS HE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH SMALL BUSINESSES.

YOU CAN HEAR EXCERPTS OF INTERVIEWS WITH MOST OF THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR BY GOING ONLINE TO K-S-M-U DOT ORG.

HIS NAME, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WILL BE ON THE BALLOT THIS AUGUST.

7/6/04 Local Reaction to Kerry's Running Mate: Interview with Dr. George Connor

CONNOR SAYS HISTORICALLY, VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE USED TO BALANCE THE TICKET. HE SAYS THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT JOHN EDWARDS IS THAT KERRY BEAT HIM IN SOUTHERN STATES SO EDWARDS DOESN'T BALANCE THE TICKET GEOGRAPHICALLY. INSTEAD, CONNOR SAYS EDWARDS ENHANCES THE TICKET BECAUSE HE'S A "NEW DEMOCRAT" WHERE KERRY IS VIEWED AS AN "OLD DEMOCRAT."

CONNOR SAYS EDWARDS' CHARISMA WILL ENHANCE THE TICKET AND WILL APPEAL TO CERTAIN TYPES OF VOTERS--PERHAPS YOUNGER VOTERS, DISENCHANTED VOTERS. HIS CHARISMA WILL HELP THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

CONNOR SAYS EDWARDS WILL HELP KERRY CAPTURE SWING VOTERS, NOT NECESSARILY SWING STATES.

CONNOR SAYS THE BUSH-CHENEY CAMPAIGN WON'T WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE...THEY MAY SAY HE DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE. CONNOR SAYS THE CURRENT V.P. HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WHERE EDWARDS IS ONLY SERVING HIS FIRST TERM.

7/6/04 Local Reaction to Kerry's Running Mate

EARLIER TODAY, MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR JOHN KERRY ANNOUNCED THAT NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS WILL BE HIS RUNNING MATE.

KERRY IS THE PRESUMPTIVE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE.

JOE CARMICHAEL IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE WHO LIVES HERE IN SPRINGFIELD.

HE SAYS EDWARDS WILL HELP KERRY WIN VOTES IN MISSOURI, WHICH IS CONSIDERED BY MANY POLITICAL OBSERVERS TO BE A KEY SWING STATE.

THOUGH CARMICHAEL SERVES ON THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE, HE SAYS HE AND OTHER PARTY MEMBERS HAD LIMITED INFLUENCE OVER WHO KERRY CHOSE AS HIS RUNNING MATE.

THE FACT THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WASN'T CLOSELY INVOLVED IN KERRY'S DECISION-MAKING PROCESS DOESN'T SURPRISE DR. GEORGE CONNOR.

HE'S A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY.

CONNOR SAYS FROM A POLITICAL SCIENTIST'S POINT OF VIEW, EDWARDS IS AN INTERESTING CHOICE FOR VICE PRESIDENT.

INSTEAD OF BALANCING THE TICKET, CONNOR SAYS EDWARDS ENHANCES THE TICKET.

CONNOR SAYS REGARDLESS OF WHAT EDWARDS BRINGS TO THE TICKET, TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT ISN'T LIKELY TO PHASE THE BUSH CAMPAIGN.

AND IF YOU ASK BILL MAUK, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GREENE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY, HE DOESN'T THINK TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT MATTERS TO SUPPORTERS OF PRESIDENT BUSH.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT JOHN EDWARDS WILL BE KERRY'S RUNNING MATE CAME AT A NEWS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING. THE SHORT LIST OF POTENTIAL RUNNING MATES FOR JOHN KERRY INCLUDED MISSOURI CONGRESSMAN DICK GEPHARDT.

07/02/04 Springfield Church Opposes Gay Marriage Ban

SURROUNDED BY RETIRED MINISTERS, SOME MEMBERS OF HIS CONGREGATION, AND HIS FELLOW PASTORS AT THE NATIONAL AVENUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, SENIOR PASTOR ROGER RAY ON THURSDAY ANNOUNCED THE CONGREGATION BOARDS OPPOSITION TO AMENDMENT 2 WHICH WILL BE VOTED ON IN AUGUST. THE AMENDMENT ASKS THIS QUESTION: SHALL THE MISSOURI CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED SO THAT A MARRIAGE SHALL EXIST ONLY BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN. WHILE SUGGESTING THERE IS NO ETHICAL REASON TO TAKE RIGHTS AWAY FROM THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY, ROGER RAY ASKS THIS QUESTION.

STATE SENATOR SARAH STEELMAN REPRESENTS MISSOURI'S 16TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT AND LIVES IN RALEIGH. STEELMAN IS A SPONSOR OF THE BILL THAT PUTS AMENDMENT 2 ON THE BALLOT.

MARY HILZEBECK AND HER PARTNER HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR 17 YEARS, THEY HAVE 2 CHILDREN. MARY SAYS THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE PAPERWORK IN PLACE, CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN COULD BE IN QUESTION IF SHE WOULD PASS AWAY.

AGAIN, STATE SENATOR SARAH STEELMAN.

EDDIE LYONS IS THE PASTOR OF THE HIGH STREET CHURCH IN SPRINGFIELD.

AGAIN, NATIONAL AVENUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH SENIOR PASTOR ROGER RAY.

I THINK ROGER RAY READS HIS BIBLE.

EDDIE LYONS IS THE PASTOR OF THE HIGH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. PASTOR ROGER RAY ADMITS THE ISSUE OF INCLUSION HAS COST ITS CHURCH SOME MEMBERS AND SOURCES TELL KSMU NEWS THAT THE NATIONAL AVENUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH BOARD WAS NOT UNNIMOUS IN ITS DECISION TO OFFICIALLY OPPOSE AMENDMENT 2, BUT RAY MAKES NO APOLOGIES FOR THE ACTION.

MISSOURIANS CAN VOTE ON AMENDMENT 2 AUGUST 3RD.

FOR KSMU NEWS I'M MIKE SMITH.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING LAWMAKERS IN CONGRESS IS THE ONGOING INVOLVEMENT OF U-S FORCES IN IRAQ AND THE WAR ON TERROR.

NOT LONG AFTER THE ATTACKS ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, CONGRESS PASSED THE PATRIOT ACT, A LAW DESIGNED TO GIVE MORE POWER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, ESPECIALLY THOSE INVOLVED IN INTELLIGENCE GATHERING OPERATIONS.

CIVIL LIBERTARIANS HAVE CRITICIZED THE LAW FOR BEING TOO FAR-REACHING.

FARMER SAYS SHE SUPPORTS SOME PROVISIONS OF THE PATRIOT ACT BUT WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME PORTIONS OF IT REVISED.

BEYOND THE PATRIOT ACT, FARMER SAYS SHE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THE WAR ON TERROR IS BEING FUNDED.

SHE SAYS THERE ARE FUNDING DEFICIENCIES THAT LEAVE THIS COUNTRY VULNERABLE TO FUTURE ATTACKS.

FARMER SAYS THE IRAQ WAR DID LITTLE TO HELP WITH THE WAR ON TERROR.

SHE SAYS NOW, IT'S MORE CRITICAL THAN EVER TO INVOLVE OTHER NATIONS...FOR THE SAFETY OF THE TROOPS SERVING IN IRAQ.

AS FOR DOMESTIC ISSUES, FARMER SAYS SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT EDUCATION FUNDING.

SHE SAYS SHE'S TRAVELED THE STATES AND TALKED TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WHO SAY THERE'S ONE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" ACT.

SO HOW DOES FARMER PLAN TO FIND THE MONEY TO FULLY FUND THE "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT?"

FARMER DOES FACE CHALLENGES IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY THOUGH SHE'S CONSIDERED THE FRONT RUNNER.

SHE'LL FACE OFF AGAINST CHARLES BERRY OF ST LOUIS AND RONALD BONAR OF VERSAILLIES.

NANCY FARMER HAS SERVED AS STATE TREASURER SINCE 2000. BEFORE THAT, SHE WAS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOUR YEARS.

AS SHE CAMPAIGNS FOR A SEAT IN THE U-S SENATE, SHE SAYS SHE'S FOCUSING HER EFFORTS ON SEVERAL IMPORTANT AREAS...AMONG THOSE, EDUCATION.

SHE SAYS SHE'S SPENT TIME TALKING WITH TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS AND OTHER LOCAL OFFICIALS ABOUT THE "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" ACT OR N-C-L-B FOR SHORT...AND SHE SAYS THERE'S ONE CONSISTENT COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FEDERAL LAW.

TO FULLY FUND THE "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" ACT, LAWMAKERS WOULD HAVE TO CUT MONEY FROM OTHER PROGRAMS OR RAISE TAXES.

FARMER OUTLINES HER PLAN TO GENERATE MONEY FOR EDUCATION.

BESIDES EDUCATION FUNDING, HEALTHCARE FUNDING IS A MAJOR TALKING POINT FOR CANDIDATES IN STATE AND FEDERAL RACES.

THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, STATE LAWMAKERS TALKED ABOUT WAYS TO REIGN IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

WITH ENROLLMENT GOING UP, THERE'S A DEMAND FOR INCREASED FUNDING.

SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS SUGGESTED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNNEL MORE FUNDS INTO GOVERNMENT-FUNDED HEALTH CARE.

FARMER SAYS ADDRESSING MEDICAID FUNDING GETS AT ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM.

SHE SAYS SHE'S MOST CONCERNED ABOUT GIVING EVERYONE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.

AN ISSUES CLOSELY RELATED TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE IS JOB CREATION.

FARMER SAYS MANY SMALL BUSINESSES CAN'T AFFORD TO OFFER THEIR EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS SOMETHING FARMER IS FOCUSED ON AND SHE SAYS SHE'S THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO IS NOT ACCEPTING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM COMPANIES THAT SEND JOBS OVERSEAS.

SHE SAYS CONGRESS SHOULD CHANGE THE PARTS OF THE TAX CODE THAT ENCOURAGE OUTSOURCING.

FARMER SAYS SHE PLANS TO CONTINUE TO TRAVEL THE STATE AND LISTEN TO WHAT ISSUES CONCERN CITIZENS THE MOST.

THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ON THE K-S-M-U WEBSITE, K-S-M-U DOT ORG.

THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS DEBATED WAYS TO REIGN IN MEDICAID, A PROGRAM WITH AN ENORMOUS BUDGET THAT INCREASES ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

SOME HOUSE REPUBLICANS PROPOSED REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE.

BUT THE LIKELY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, SECRETARY OF STATE MATT BLUNT SAYS HE DOESN'T ENDORSE THAT PROPOSAL.

BLUNT SAYS THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO CONTROL THE PROGRAM BESIDES REDUCING ELIGIBILITY.

THERE'S ANOTHER HEALTHCARE ISSUE THAT THE NEXT GOVERNOR LIKELY WILL ADDRESS.

SKYROCKETING MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE RATES ARE DRIVING DOCTORS OUT OF MISSOURI, ACCORDING TO SEVERAL PHYSICIAN GROUPS.

LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL THIS PAST SESSION THAT WOULD'VE LIMITED JURY AWARDS IN LIABILITY LAWSUITS.

GOVERNOR BOB HOLDEN VETOED THE BILL BECAUSE IT WENT BEYOND MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASES.

BLUNT SAYS HE BELIEVES THERE'S AN URGENT NEED TO LIMIT JURY AWARDS, WHERE LAWSUITS CAN BE FILED AND WHO CAN BE SUED IN LIABILITY CASES.

BLUNT SAYS BY ENACTING LIMITS ON LIABILITY LAWSUITS, THE STATE WILL CREATE A MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.

HE SAYS THERE'S ALSO A NEED TO CHANGE THE REGULATIONS PLACED ON BUSINESSES.

THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT K-S-M-U DOT ORG. CLICK ON THE LINK FOR ROAD TO THE CAPITOL. THERE, YOU'LL ALSO FIND STORIES BROADCAST EARLIER THIS WEEK HIGHLIGHTING THE VIEWPOINTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT GOVERNOR BOB HOLDEN AND HIS DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER STATE AUDITOR CLAIRE MC-CASKILL.

TRANSPORTATION IS A KEY ISSUE FOR ALL CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

IN 2002, VOTERS REJECTED A TAX INCREASE PACKAGE FOR TRANSPORTATION.

SECRETARY OF STATE MATT BLUNT SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY AND CREDABILITY BEFORE VOTERS WILL APPROVE ADDITIONAL TAXES FOR TRANSPORTATION.

BLUNT SAYS THERE SHOULD BE INCREASED RESPONSIBILITY PLACED ON THE GOVERNOR FOR MEETING THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE STATE.

BLUNT SAYS HE'D LIKE TO KEEP THE HIGHWAY COMMISSION IN PLACE...THE COMMISSION HELPS SET THE TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES FOR THE STATE.

BESIDES TRANSPORTATION, BLUNT SAYS HE'S FOCUSING HIS CAMPAIGN ON EDUCATION.

HE SAYS IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT IT'S BECOME A POLITICAL ISSUE IN RECENT YEARS.

THERE'S ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE RELATED TO EDUCATION FUNDING FOR WHOMEVER IS ELECTED GOVERNOR...A LAWSUIT IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURTS...IT QUESTIONS THE FAIRNESS OF THE FUNDING FORMULA THE STATE USES TO DISTRIBUTE MONEY TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BLUNT SAYS LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR SHOULD'VE BEEN WORKING ON WRITING A NEW FORMULA INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR A RULING.

ANOTHER ISSUE BLUNT SAYS IS A PRIORITY? JOB GROWTH.

HE SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THE STATE SHOULD DO TO ENCOURAGE JOB CREATION.

WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM SECRETARY OF STATE MATT BLUNT THIS AFTERNOON DURING ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. THE REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT THIS ELECTION YEAR. IF YOU MISSED HEARING FROM THE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT BOB HOLDEN AND HIS DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER STATE AUDITOR CLAIRE MC-CASKILL, YOU CAN LOG ON TO OUR WEBSITE, K-S-M-U DOT ORG...CLICK ON THE LINK FOR ROAD TO THE CAPITOL.

EDUCATION FUNDING IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT GETS ATTENTION AND DISCUSSION DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION EVERY YEAR...IT'S OF INTEREST TO REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A LEGAL BATTLE OVER THE WAY THE STATE FUNDS EDUCATION.

MORE THAN 240 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE PART OF A COALITION THAT CONTENDS THE CURRENT METHOD IS UNFAIR AND DOESN'T PROVIDE ENOUGH MONEY.

MC-CASKILL SAYS SHE HAS HER OWN IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE THE EQUITY AND ADEQUACY OF SCHOOL FUNDING.

BESIDES DISCUSSING EDUCATION FUNDING, LAWMAKERS THIS PAST SESSION TALKED ABOUT WAYS TO CHANGE THE MEDICAID PROGRAM...THE COST OF THE PROGRAM GOES UP ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

SOME HOUSE REPUBLICANS PROPOSED REIGNING IN THE PROGRAM BY LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT-FUNDED HEALTHCARE...THEY SAID THAT WOULD ALLOW MEDICAID TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES TO THE MOST NEEDY.

BUT MC-CASKILL SAYS THAT'S THE WRONG APPROACH.

ANOTHER MAJOR HEALTHCARE ISSUE FACING THE STATE IS THE RISING COST OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE.

PHYSICIAN GROUPS SAY DOCTORS ARE LEAVING THE STATE BECAUSE PREMIUMS ARE SO HIGH.

INSURANCE COMPANIES BLAME THE PREMIUM INCREASES ON LARGE JURY AWARDS GIVEN TO VICTIMS IN MALPRACTICE CASES.

LAWMAKERS SENT THE GOVERNOR A BILL THIS PAST SESSION THAT WOULD'VE LIMITED LIABILITY LAWSUITS.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT SAYING HE WANTED A BILL DEALING EXCLUSIVELY WITH MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS.

MC-CASKILL SAYS THERE'S ONE PART OF THE EQUATION THAT HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE GOVERNOR OR LAWMAKERS.

THE SCOTT DECISION ALLOWED MULTIPLE NON-ECONOMIC JURY AWARDS PER INJURY IN MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASES, RENDERING INEFFECTIVE THE CAPS THAT HAD BEEN SET ON JURY AWARDS.

AND FINALLY, ONE OF THE ISSUES GOVERNORS MUST DEAL WITH IS THE DEATH PENALTY.

UNTIL 1999, MC-CASKILL WAS JACKSON COUNTY PROSECUTOR.

SHE SAYS THAT GIVES HER AN INSIDE UNDERSTANDING OF WHEN THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE APPLIED.

THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT K-S-M-U DOT ORG. YOU CAN ALSO FIND THE COMMENTS OF THE INCUMBENT, DEMOCRAT BOB HOLDEN AND REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER SECRETARY OF STATE MATT BLUNT ON OUR WEBSITE. BE SURE TO JOIN US TOMORROW WHEN WE BROADCAST THE VIEWPOINTS OF MATT BLUNT ON ISSUES IMPORTANT IN THIS ELECTION YEAR.

STATE AUDITOR CLAIRE MC-CASKILL IS MOUNTING A CHALLENGE AGAINST THE INCUMBENT WHO, LIKE HER IS A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

MC-CASKILL HAS CRITICIZED HOLDEN FOR HIS HANDLING OF SEVERAL KEY ISSUES.

SHE SAYS HE'S FAILED TO ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE STATE.

MC-CASKILL SAYS SHE WANTS TO KEEP THE HIGHWAY COMMISSION, WHICH SETS THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR THE STATE.

BUT SHE SAYS THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE THE ONE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAILURES IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

IMPROVING TRANSPORTATION IS ONE PART OF MC-CASKILL'S PLAN TO REVIVE THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

SHE SAYS HER PLAN ALSO INCLUDES AN EMPHASIS ON INCREASED FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

SHE SAYS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HAVE SUFFERED FROM BUDGET CUTS IN RECENT YEARS.

JOB GROWTH IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE THIS ELECTION YEAR.

BOB HOLDEN HAS TOUTED HIS JOBS NOW PACKAGE WHICH PASSED THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE UNANIMOUSLY THIS PAST SESSION.

BUT MC-CASKILL QUESTIONS GIVING STATE REVENUE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

WE'LL HAVE MORE COMMENTS FROM CLAIRE MC-CASKILL ON KEY CAMPAIGN ISSUES THIS AFTERNOON DURING ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.

AND TOMORROW, WE'LL BRING YOU THE COMMENTS OF SECRETARY OF STATE MATT BLUNT, THE LIKELY REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.

THIS PROGRAM AS WELL AS THE COMMENTS FROM BOB HOLDEN AND MATT BLUNT ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT K-S-M-U DOT ORG.

AS THE INCUMBENT, BOB HOLDEN IS FOCUSING HIS CAMPAIGN ON WHAT HE'S DONE DURING HIS FIRST TERM.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE STATE IS FIXING CRUMBLING ROADS AND BUILDING MORE HIGHWAYS.

HOLDEN SAYS OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, HE'S IMPROVED CREDIBILITY WITHIN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

HOLDEN SAYS AS THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO REGAIN THE TRUST OF VOTERS, THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE TO GO TO THE VOTERS WITH A TAX INCREASE FOR TRANSPORTATION.

HOLDEN HAS CALLED FOR HIGHER TAXES TO HELP INCREASE FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.

HE SAYS EDUCATION IS UNDER FUNDED IN MISSOURI.

LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR WITHHELD NEARLY 200 MILLION DOLLARS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A MOVE CRITICIZED BY MANY REPUBLICANS.

BUT HOLDEN MAINTAINED IT WAS NECESSARY TO WITHHOLD THE MONEY BECAUSE OF PROJECTED BUDGET SHORTFALLS...HOLDEN EVENTUALLY RELEASED ALL THE MONEY.

STATE REVENUES APPEAR TO BE ON THE RISE AND HOLDEN SAYS EDUCATION FUNDING IS A KEY PART OF THAT ECONOMIC TURN AROUND.

HE SAYS HE'S CAMPAIGNING ON A JOB CREATION PLAN THAT INCLUDES BETTER FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

A SCALED BACK VERSION OF HOLDEN'S JOBS NOW PACKAGE GAINED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

IT PROVIDES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

WHILE THERE WAS BI-PARTISAN AGREEMENT ON THAT ISSUE, PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM PUT THE GOVERNOR AT ODDS WITH SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.

HOLDEN EXPLAINS WHY HE OPPOSED LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED HEALTH PROGRAM.

YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT WHERE BOB HOLDEN STANDS ON KEY ISSUES, THIS AFTERNOON DURING ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. YOU'LL HEAR FROM DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER CLAIRE MC-CASKILL ON THE ISSUES TOMORROW AND REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE MATT BLUNT WILL SHARE HIS POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES WEDNESDAY. EACH PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT K-S-M-U DOT ORG.

WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS NEXT JANUARY, ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES FACING LEGISLATORS AND THE NEXT GOVERNOR IS THE RISING COST OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE.

PHYSICIAN LOBBY GROUPS ARE PUSHING FOR LIMITS ON LAWSUITS, INCLUDING WHERE LAWSUITS CAN BE FILED AND HOW MUCH JURIES CAN AWARD VICTIMS.

LAWMAKERS SENT GOVERNOR BOB HOLDEN A BILL THIS YEAR BUT IT DIDN'T DEAL EXCLUSIVELY WITH MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS. IT WAS MORE EXPANSIVE AND LIMITED MOST LIABILITY LAWSUITS.

HOLDEN VETOED THE BILL FOR THAT REASON.

HOLDEN SAYS HE ALSO WANTS TO MAKE SURE LEGISLATION LIMITING MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS INCLUDES REGULATIONS ON THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

ONE OF THE OTHER IMPORTANT HEALTHCARE ISSUES DEALS WITH MEDICAID.

SOME REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE PROPOSED LIMITING WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED HEALTHCARE PROGRAM.

THEY SAY MANY DOCTORS REFUSE TO TAKE MEDICAID PATIENTS BECAUSE THEY GET LITTLE OR NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE.

BUT HOLDEN SAYS INSTEAD OF REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE PROGRAM.

DURING HOLDEN'S FIRST TERM, REPUBLICANS WON CONTROL OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

HOLDEN AND REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE HAD CONTENTIOUS DISAGREEMENTS OVER A NUMBER OF ISSUES BUT HOLDEN SAYS...

AS THE INCUMBENT, HOLDEN SAYS HE'S RUNNING ON THE RECORD HE ESTABLISHED DURING HIS FIRST TERM.

HE SAYS THE STATE IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

TOMORROW MORNING, TUNE IN FOR THE COMMENTS OF STATE AUDITOR CLAIRE MC-CASKILL. SHE'S CHALLENGING HOLDEN IN THE AUGUST DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

AND BE SURE TO JOIN US WEDNESDAY WHEN WE TALK TO REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE MATT BLUNT.

HE'S THE LIKELY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

YOU'LL FIND ALL THESE PROGRAMS ON OUR WEBSITE, K-S-M-U DOT ORG.