Excerpt:
This week, the corps has been considering what it has avoided doing for 74 years: busting a gap in the Birds Point levee to flood as much as 130,000 acres and relieve some of the flooding expected when the swollen Ohio River crests near Cairo, Ill., this weekend and surges into the Mississippi at the rivers' confluence.
But the corps has encountered a tidal wave of opposition from Missouri lawmakers — including U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt, a Republican, and Claire McCaskill, a Democrat — who joined U.S. Rep. JoAnn Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, in urging President Barack Obama to direct the corps to consider alternatives to the levee-busting plan.
"The known and unknown risks of blowing the levee and releasing over one-half million cubic feet per second are sufficient to demand the highest level of attention and accountability," the three lawmakers wrote in a letter sent to Obama on Wednesday.
Asserting that the Birds Point floodway plan is "untested under modern conditions," the members of Congress added: "We are extremely concerned about the consequences of this action and strongly urge that alternative measures be identified."
National Guard doubles its presence in flood stricken Southeast MissouriThe Missouri National Guard continues operations in southeast Missouri, now with 530 Service members spread over the affected areas, said task force commander, Col. Wendul G. Hagler, commander of the 70th Troop Command of Jefferson Barracks. Initially, 200 guardsmen were deployed at the Governor’s order on Monday.
http://www.missourinet.com/2011/04/27/national-guard-doubles-its-presence-in-flood-stricken-southeast-missouri/
http://www.missourinet.com/2011/04/27/national-guard-doubles-its-presence-in-flood-stricken-southeast-missouri/
Memphis Corps of Engineers moves barge with explosives up the Mississippi
The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has moved barges loaded with explosives and equipment upriver on the Mississippi. The Corps plans to operate the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway. Overnight, the barges made their way from Memphis, Tenn., to Charleston, Mo.
http://www.missourinet.com/2011/04/27/memphis-corps-of-engineers-moves-barge-with-explosives-up-the-mississippi/
The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has moved barges loaded with explosives and equipment upriver on the Mississippi. The Corps plans to operate the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway. Overnight, the barges made their way from Memphis, Tenn., to Charleston, Mo.
http://www.missourinet.com/2011/04/27/memphis-corps-of-engineers-moves-barge-with-explosives-up-the-mississippi/
Senate approves cutoff of TANF benefits for druggies (where will the children go) ...cal
A proposal cutting drug-using welfare recipients off the state welfare rolls is nearing passage at the capitol. The goal is to protect children in welfare homes where one or both parents are using drugs.
http://www.missourinet.com/2011/04/26/senate-approves-cutoff-of-tanf-benefits-for-druggies-audio/
Excerpt:
A proposal cutting drug-using welfare recipients off the state welfare rolls is nearing passage at the capitol. The goal is to protect children in welfare homes where one or both parents are using drugs.
http://www.missourinet.com/2011/04/26/senate-approves-cutoff-of-tanf-benefits-for-druggies-audio/
Excerpt:
Senate approves cutoff of TANF benefits for druggies (AUDIO)
A proposal cutting drug-using welfare recipients off the state welfare rolls is nearing passage at the capitol.
The goal is to protect children in welfare homes where one or both parents are using drugs. The legislation would cut off Temporary Assistance to Needy Family benefits–TANF, the program is called–while making sure the children continue to get their benefits. The bill that has passed the House says welfare case workers who reasonably suspect a benefit recipient of using drugs can order a test for the five most popular drugs. If the person tests positive or refuses the test, that person’s benefits are in jeopardy.
The senate had added a provision saying a TANF recipient who uses drugs but who goes into a treatment program and stays clean for six months from the start of the program will not lose benefits during that time. If that person tests positive a second time, benefits will be cut off for two years. A third-party will handle the benefits for children, to keep the user from spending the money on drugs instead of on Cheerios.
The senate has sent the bill back to the house for acceptance of some changes.
Listen to the debate 1:00:19 mp3
The goal is to protect children in welfare homes where one or both parents are using drugs. The legislation would cut off Temporary Assistance to Needy Family benefits–TANF, the program is called–while making sure the children continue to get their benefits. The bill that has passed the House says welfare case workers who reasonably suspect a benefit recipient of using drugs can order a test for the five most popular drugs. If the person tests positive or refuses the test, that person’s benefits are in jeopardy.
The senate had added a provision saying a TANF recipient who uses drugs but who goes into a treatment program and stays clean for six months from the start of the program will not lose benefits during that time. If that person tests positive a second time, benefits will be cut off for two years. A third-party will handle the benefits for children, to keep the user from spending the money on drugs instead of on Cheerios.
The senate has sent the bill back to the house for acceptance of some changes.
Listen to the debate 1:00:19 mp3 
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