JEFFERSON CITY - The bill would make it illegal to assist any minor in getting an out-of-state abortion without parental consent. Supporters of the bill say they want to stop minors from secretly crossing state lines into Illinois to get abortions.

Illinois does not require parental consent. Opponents say the bill would make it more difficult for women to have safe and accessible abortions.

JEFFERSON CITY - A bill being pushed through the Senate would give small towns immunity from deaths or injuries that occur at small fairs or festivals in those small towns.

Despite attempts to remove the language, the senate voted to keep it in and the bill is now waiting a final vote.

JEFFERSON CITY - A bill being pushed through the Senate would stop water companies from turning off your water when your sewer bill is late.

Right now, the water can be turned off automatically for late sewer bills.

JEFFERSON CITY - A multi-hundred million dollar bond, slated higher education "life science" construction projects statewide, took a step forward Wednesday evening when the Senate gave the bill first-round approval. Although winning preliminary approval, several provisions were added on that could cause the bill to face strong opposition in the House.

JEFFERSON CITY - The bill would make the regulations the same as those at the Federal level in the No Child Left Behind Act.

Some opponents say the bill would lower Missouri's reporting standards, but Senator Gary Nodler says Missouri's standards were already higher than those required by No Child Left Behind.

JEFFERSON CITY - Members of a House and Senate conference committee agreed to boost funding for higher and lower education.

Higher education would net an additional $20 million under the plan. An extra $106 million would also flow to public school's as part of the Foundation Formula.

Rep. Carl Bearden says that the allocation could take some pressure off the lawmakers for previously cutting funding for higher education.

JEFFERSON CITY - Governor Bob Holden vetoed the bill which would have placed restrictions on liability lawsuits. He said the bill favored companies rather than injured individuals seeking to recover damages in court. Supporters of the bill said by capping jury awards in medical malpractice lawsuits, it would have lowered medical malpractice insurance rates. Both sides agree skyrocketing insurance rates are driving doctors out of the state. The governor said he wants lawmakers to send him a bill giving the state's Insurance Department the ability to approve rate increases. The governor said nothing in the bill he veto was totally objectionable but he said it was missing insurance regulations.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri House of Representatives gave first round approval to a bill that would allow parents to sue anyone assisting their minor child in crossing state lines to get an abortion. Supporters say it will reinforce the current law, opponents say it doesn't protect rape victims well enough.

JEFFERSON CITY - More than twenty five hundred workers gathered to fight for unemployment benefits and workers compensation benefits. Workers say they don't think republicans are doing enough to support their rights.

JEFFERSON CITY - Springfield Senator Norma Champion threatened to filibuster a bill containing the proposed merger between Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri system. Champion says she'll block the merger as long as MU opposes dropping the regional designation from the name Southwest Missouri State University, a school in her district. Champion offered an amendment that would've made the merger contingent upon passage of the SMS name change bill. The Senate rejected her proposal.