JEFFERSON CITY - Legislative caucuses were given hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from lobbyists in 2005.

Now, two bills are set to curtail the number considerably.

JEFFERSON CITY - The bursting of the real estate bubble means higher unemployment numbers in the field of construction.

Some say this will affect the economy.

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JEFFERSON CITY - Senator Jason Crowell says he wants to ban abortion all together with legislation and eventually a constitutional amendment.

Crowell says the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade was a wrong decision and must be overturned.

JEFFERSON CITY - The same group that protested the funeral of a St. Joseph soldier killed in Iraq, stormed the Capitol Building today to protest the new law.

The law says that people cannot protest one hour before and one hour after a funeral.

JEFFERSON CITY - As avian flu outbreaks continue their westward spread from Asia into Europe, Missouri is ratcheting up preparedness

in case of a pandemic migration to the states.

JEFFERSON CITY - The once cut Ticket to Work program, which allows disabled Missourians to work and collect state health insurance, is on its way to being reinstated.

But Democrats aren't happy with the bill.

Republicans defeated an amendment to lower the premiums required for the program.

JEFFERSON CITY - Rich Wehnes, Fisheries Unit Chief for the Missouri Department of Conservation, says the drought could adversely affect fish populations in Missouri.

However, the long-term effects will be minimal.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri House Budget Committee amended the UM System's budget request for fiscal year '07 Wednesday.

The original request was for $466 million, but it was reduced to $409.3 million in the House Education Appropriations Committee

JEFFERSON CITY - Warned that the governor might veto the bill, the Senate reconsidered last week's vote to repeal the program.

But the result was the same with repeal winning by just a one-vote margin.

Repeal of the inspection program was added as an amendment to a bill change the auto emission testing program in the St. Louis area.

JEFFERSON CITY - Senate President Pro-tem Mike Gibbons proposes a bill to tax vehicles carrying nuclear waste on Missouri Highways.

This fee would be similar to those currently charged in Iowa.

JEFFERSON CITY - The house fire in Monett, MO, in mid February sparked conversation over whether rural fire departments should respond to non-members house fires.

Legislators are working on bills that will keep rural Missourians safe and, at the same time, won't hinder volunteers' ability to operate.

JEFFERSON CITY - A proposed bill would allow for a person to defend themself with deadly force if they are attacked by an unlawful intruder in their home.

The bill would protect the person against any civil charges the intruder could bring against them if the intruder is harmed in any way.

JEFFERSON CITY - Sen. Chuck Graham introduced a bill aiming to confirm the legalization of selling Missouri's student loan authority on Tuesday. The bill would also ensure that assets from the sale would go where they belong.

The bill was unveiled Tuesday, one day before the filing deadline.

JEFFERSON CITY - Rep. Kathlyn Fares, R-St. Louis County, has picked a lesser known edible fungus for the state's official mushroom.

Some legislators questioned why the chanterelle, and not the more commonly known morel, was chosen for the honor.

JEFFERSON CITY - The President Pro Tem of the Senate Michael Gibbons wants to give back to Missouri citizens whose names are cleared, but did not qualify under current state law.

The bill would give $50 a day for each day the person was wrongfully in prison.

JEFFERSON CITY - Secretary of State Robin Carnahan issued a statement Monday that she is being treated for breast cancer.

Carnahan said the cancer was caught at an early stage and that her doctors expect her to make a full recovery after treatment.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's House Budget Committee is scheduled to vote on the state's higher education budget for the next fiscal

year and the governor's proposal to eliminate higher education spending to a 2 percent increase.

JEFFERSON CITY - A fifth grade class from southwest Missouri proposed the crayfish become the state's official invertebrate.

Rep. Dennis Wood is sponsoring the legislation.

JEFFERSON CITY - After Hurricane Katrina, more than 1,000 students traveled to Missouri to continue their education.

Now, the federal government plans to pay back the state.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Monet Rural Fire Department charges a yearly fee for protection.

Firefighters stood by as Bivaldo Rueda attempted to put out a fire in his garage.