Top Of The Morning News: Friday, January 13, 2012

A daily digest of headlines from KCUR:

• Missouri Supreme Court Hears Redistricting Lawsuits
• Brownback’s Budget Proposal Restores Some Arts Funding
• New Play Tackles Bullying and Disability

Missouri Supreme Court Hears Redistricting Lawsuits

The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments over whether the so-called “Grand Compromise Map” fails to meet the State Constitution’s compactness requirement.  Attorney Gerry Greiman argued for the plaintiffs in one of two lawsuits against the map.  He says like-minded people should be joined together in the same district. Solicitor General Jim Layton defended the congressional map.  He says it meets standards established by past court rulings in Missouri and in other states.  Read more here.

Brownback’s Budget Proposal Restores Some Arts Funding

Governor Sam Brownback’s budget proposal would reinstate some funding for arts programs, but would do away with the Kansas Arts Commission. The Kansas Film Commission and Arts Commission would be combined to become the Kansas Creative Industries Commission.  Read more here.

New Play Tackles Bullying and Disability

Two area theaters for young audiences are staging plays about bullying this month, and in the case of a new play at Theatre for Young America, specifically looks at bullying against the disabled with a disabled actor in its cast.  Read more about the plays here.