Good morning! Here are some of today's starting headlines:
Interstate 70 between St. Louis, Kansas City could be come toll road
The head of the Missouri Department of Transportation says the agency will propose turning Interstate 70 into a toll road. The idea of charging motorists to use the main highway between St. Louis and Kansas City has been mentioned for years but the Kansas City Star reports that MoDOT director Kevin Keith said Wednesday his department is preparing to propose it to the Legislature. MoDOT began a cost-cutting campaign earlier this year aimed at saving more than $500 million by 2015 as the agency's budget for major road projects dwindles.
SIUC faculty strike is over
The union representing striking workers at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale has announced the walkout has ended. SIU Carbondale Faculty Association spokesman Dave Johnson said late yesterday that while no tentative agreement has been reached in talks with university officials, there has been enough progress that the union is advising its members to return to work. Johnson said union officers have the latest university proposal and will put together a package to present to Faculty Association membership. Johnson said striking faculty members will return to classrooms today, adding "we begin working together to make the university all it can be."
Ill. House votes down gambling expansion legislation
The Illinois House is saying "no" to gambling expansion six months after approving a similar bill. The bill needed 60 votes to pass and 71 votes to survive a veto by Gov. Pat Quinn. The final result last evening was 58-53. The House approved a larger gambling bill in May with 65 votes. That version was sidelined by opposition from Quinn. The latest version was meant to pick up more support. It dropped some ideas like slot machines at Chicago airports and strengthened regulatory oversight. But instead of picking up support, it lost ground.
Sandberg, Oquendo interview for Cardinals manager spot
Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and longtime Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo have interviewed for St. Louis' managing opening. That's according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. The Cardinals have interviewed six candidates as possible replacements for Tony La Russa.