JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon filed the state's first lawsuits against companies violating the new anti-spam law.

The law, which took effect Aug. 28, is aimed at limiting unsolicited e-mail. Under the new law, solicitors must label commercial e-mails with the phrase "ADV:" in the subject line.

The suits, filed in St. Louis Circuit Court, seek injunctions to prevent both defendents from further violations, as well as a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation. One suit is against Phillip Nixon of Palm Beach, Fla. The suit claims Nixon sent five unsolicited e-mails without the proper labeling.

The second suit names Fundective.com of Boca Raton, Fla. The suit charges that the company also violated the new anti-spam bill regulations.

JEFFERSON CITY - The American Bankruptcy Institute issued a report this week which listed Missouri as the leader in the nation's bankruptcy rate per capita. This figure was nearly double the nation's average.

State Chamber of Commerce officials said the state's government has the means to implement laws to correct this bankruptcy statistic.

JEFFERSON CITY - Associated Press reports that a federal judge will issue an order blocking a law that would require an abortion be delayed for 24 hours after a physican is contacted.

The measure, which was put into law when lawmakers voted to override the governor's veto in September, is scheduled to take effect on Saturday.

AP quotes U.S. District Judge Scott Wright's clerk said a restraining order blocking the law would be issued on Friday, pending a full hearing scheduled for late January.

JEFFERSON CITY - A St. Louis circuit judge has been asked to block implementation of the state's new concealed weapons law that is scheduled to take effect Saturday.

The suit was filed by a group of opponents, including some legislators who had voted against overriding the governor's veto of the measure.

JEFFERSON CITY - A planned lawsuit against the state's system for funding local schools is dividing Missouri's school districts. Although the lawsuit is being prepared by a group of more than 200 districts, other districts warn that a successful lawsuit could lead to deep cuts in state funding for school districts in areas of economic growth.

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JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri will be getting federal funds to help reverse its growing childhood obesity rate. Approximately 21.5% of Missouri children are overwieght, eight points above the national average. Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services will receive $200,000 of a nation-wide USDA grant to promote healthy eating habits among children.

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JEFFERSON CITY - A tax that would have paid for enhanced 911 cell phone service in Missouri has been rejected on two occasions. Currently, a task force is looking at revamping the bill.

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JEFFERSON CITY - MoDOT is delaying the release of a harshly critical report that faults the department's leadership for many of the state's transportation woes. Members of the independent blue ribbon panel responsible for the report say they needed more time to polish the report. A preliminary draft of the report says MoDOT is overly centralized and lacks the vision, direction, and leadership necessary to lead Missouri's transportation infrastructure into the next century.

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JEFFERSON CITY - The state of Missouri does not have a state law that allows a governor recall election. Right now, a Missouri governor could only be removed through the impeachment process.

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JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri State Penitentiary may be the state's next tourist trap.

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JEFFERSON CITY - House Budget Director Carl Bearden, R-St. Charles, is calling on Gov. Bob Holden to release $240 million in withholdings because state revenue is up. State budget director Linda Luebbering said it is too early to consider releasing the funds.

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Bob Holden announced plans to draft emergency rules to prohibit concealed weapons in all state buildings.

The proposed ban drew criticism from Republican Rep. Larry Crawford. He questioned the governor's decision to prohibit concealed weapons in state buildings saying that state employees and visitors will not be safer as a result of the ban.