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By Steve Bell

Kansas City – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today signed a bill to limit non-economic damages in lawsuits. At the Kansas City signing, Blunt predicted that the law will end the problem of high medical malpractice premium rates. Opponents say premiums will decrease slightly if at all, and the change won't offset the effects of Blunt's Medicaid cuts.
The Missouri Secretary of State has suspended Waddell's license as a broker-dealer for 14 days, pending a hearing. That hearing could result in censure or banning the investment company from the state. Waddell and Reed reportedly switched companies providing annuities, resulting in $10 in costs to investors but earning the broker $37 million.
Kansas City, Kansas attorney James Scherzer has pleaded guilty to voting in both Missouri and Kansas in the 2000 and 2002 primary and general elections. He faces up to a year in jail and a possible fine of $100,000.
The Corps of Engineers says the Missouri River barge season will be restricted to 60 days or less this year. The corps blames light snowfalls at the river's origin and predicted continued lack of rainfall in the upper Midwest.