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Top Of The Morning News: December 20, 2012

National Weather Service

The KC metro area experienced its first winter storm. Missouri Senators weighed in on legislation to curb gun violence. Kansas tied for last when it comes to public health preparedness. Those stories & more from KCUR.Winter Storm Hits Metro

The National Weather Service predicted one to three inches for the Kansas City metro area overnight in the season's first winter storm. Rain moved in early Wednesday afternoon and changed to snow early this morning. Read more about it here.

Related weather stories:

Gusting Winds Cause Difficulties For Drivers

KCMO Snow Plow Crews At The Ready

Rep. Cleaver On 'Plan B' And The 'Fiscal Cliff'

The U.S. House of Representatives is likely to vote today on a proposal advanced by Speaker John Boehner to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff." Boehner has dubbed his proposal 'Plan B,' and touts it as a fallback to talks going on between him and the President. Listen to an interview with Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver here.

Missouri's Senators Don't Agree On Gun Legislation

After the tragedy in Connecticut, many are now looking to Congress and the President to enact legislation that will curb gun violence. But Missouri’s Senators don’t agree on what that response should be. Find out more here.

State Legislators In Missouri Discuss Firearms In The Classroom

Legislation pre-filed in the Missouri House would allow teachers to carry firearms in their classrooms. If passed, teachers and administrators who also happen to have valid conceal-carry permits would be allowed to bring their guns onto school property and to keep possession of them while at work. Read more about it here.

Topic Of Mayors' Letter: Gun Violence

Kansas City Mayor Sly James is among the latest to sign a letter being sent the President and Congress. The subject: gun and ammunition control. The letterhead is the United States Conference of Mayors. Sly James added his to the names of Chicago’s Rahm Emanuel, New York City's Michael Bloomberg, and others. Find out more about the story here.

Kansas Tied For Last In Public Health Preparedness

A new report out this week finds that Kansas and Missouri are vulnerable in key areas when it comes to being prepared for a public health emergency, like a disease outbreak or natural disaster. Read the story here.

Kansas City Council Proposes Taxing Non-Profit Conventions

Kansas City is reportedly the only state in Missouri to exempt non-profit conventions from paying the city’s convention tax, at an estimated loss of more than $3 million for the city. According to The Kansas City Star, City Council members are proposing “leveling the playing field," asking residents to remove the exemption with an April vote. Find out more about the proposal here.

Kansas City is known for its style of jazz, influenced by the blues, as the home of Walt Disney’s first animation studio and the headquarters of Hallmark Cards. As one of KCUR’s arts reporters, I want people here to know a wide range of arts and culture stories from across the metropolitan area. I take listeners behind the scenes and introduce them to emerging artists and organizations, as well as keep up with established institutions. Send me an email at lauras@kcur.org or follow me on Twitter @lauraspencer.
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