JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri is one of the only three states to allow the use of video games in state correctional facilities.

Maine and West Virginia are the only two states to permit the use of video games by prisoners, according to a survey by the American Correctional Association.

JEFFERSON CITY - Because of a court order in August, Secretary of State Matt Blunt will publish a rule in the Missouri Register allowing unions representing state workers to collect fees from non-union members. Blunt had been calling the collection of such fees unconstitutional since Gov. Bob Holden issued the executive order allowing such a practice in June 2001.

Blunt has said he will rescind the order when he becomes governor.

JEFFERSON CITY - A lawsuit aimed at reclaiming tax dollars handed out to Planned Parenthood opened up Monday in Cole County Circuit Court.

St. Charles native Daniel Shipley argues that the family planning organization must refund the money because of their connections to abortion clinics -- something he says is against state law.

JEFFERSON CITY - The reorganization of state legislative offices follows every year election year.

For whatever reason--term limits, resigniation or the failure to win reelection--Senate and House members are moving--some out and some to better offices.

JEFFERSON CITY - New shipments of flu vaccines entering Missouri in the coming week will easy the state's shortage on shots, but a full remedy has yet to be found, a spokeswoman for the state department of health said Friday.

The department is urging at-risk Missourians to seek out shots, but still recommends that healthy adults forgo vaccination.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon announced his support for two bills requiring judges to listen to crime victims before releasing felons early from prison.

A similar bill last legislative session did not pass.

JEFFERSON CITY - State leaders meet to discuss how to raise more money for road construction.

Senator John Dolan said tolls, a gas tax adjusted to inflation, and licensing fees are all options.

JEFFERSON CITY - After the presentation of her lastes audit finding, Claire McCaskill talked about her future political career as state auditor, a job she says she wants to do again after 2006.

With her opponent now in the governor's office, McCaskill said she will work hard to keep Missouri government accountable.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri has no record on the amount of recipients in the I-SaveRx program, after more than a month.

The four participating states have no direct control over the program.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's Joint Interim Committee on Multimodal Transportation is considering new ways for the state to subsidize Amtrak.

Currently Amtrak receives more than six million dollars from the state.

JEFFERSON CITY - Blunt named five key players to his gubernatorial team on Tuesday. Included are Ken McClure as chief of staff, John Russell

as the deputy chief of staff for administration, Rob Monsees as the deputy chief of staff for policy, Lynne Angle as director of

operations, and Carolyn Loethen as the director of scheduling.

JEFFERSON CITY - Congressional negotiators have come to an agreement with the White House on the details of intelligence reform. One of the main points of the proposed bill is that state driver's licenses not be assigned to foreigners illegally in the country.

Missouri law already prevents illegal immigrants from getting a license.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Homeland Security Director Tim Daniel announced his resignation today, effective Dec. 7, 2004. He had held the position since it was created Sept. 11, 2002. Before becoming the homeland security director, Daniel was a special advisor for homeland security.

Gen. Dennis Shull, Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard will act as interim homeland security director.

Daniel could not be reached Monday afternoon for comment.

JEFFERSON CITY - A spokesman for Governor-elect Matt Blunt said recent reports criticizing the management of Missouri's Medicaid system show that a reorganization of the program needs to be seriously considered.

Inadequate computer systems, poor organization and mistakes by staffers have allowed taxpayer dollars to be misspent, according to two reports issued by the Committee on Legislative Research on Monday.

JEFFERSON CITY - A spokesman for Attorney General Jay Nixon said that he will defend the state's current school foundation formula.

The decision will allow the lawsuit to proceed into the legislative session.