Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon called on the state’s education leaders Tuesday to hold Republican legislators accountable for polices he labeled as “abandoning” the state’s education system.

It wasn’t exactly like opening King Tut’s tomb, but the treasures found inside were priceless just the same. After taking over as head of the art department at Missouri Southern State University, Christine Bentley wanted to assess the department’s African art holdings.

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) – Two years after Muslims in Joplin suffered the traumatic loss of their place of worship at the hands of an arsonist, a new $2 million mosque is now open.Families gathered Monday for the first time at the new mosque to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a religious holy that marks the end of the holy month.Navid Zaidi, a pulmonologist originally from Pakistan, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/UzldC6 ) that the mosque means a lot to the small Muslim community in the southw…

Robert McDonald was unanimously confirmed by the Senate today for Veterans Affairs secretary, CNN reported. McDonald will replace Eric Shinseki, who led the VA until the health care scandal forced him to resign. McDonald is a former Army officer.

More than 35 percent of Americans have debts and unpaid bills that have been reported to collection agencies, according to a study released Tuesday by the Urban Institute.

Statement from Humane Society of Missouri Regarding Amendment 1 St. Louis, MO – On August 5th Missourians will be asked to make an important decision about the future of Missouri’s companion animals. The Humane Society of Missouri urges all voters who care about the welfare of defenseless animals to vote “no” on Amendment 1. Deceptively named “Right to Farm,” if passed, this unnecessary amendment to Missouri’s constitution will open the door to those who want to dismantle hard-won animal …

Joplin, MO – Northpark Mall and Blue Jeans Go Green™ Invite you to Lose Your BluesDenim Recycling Drive Benefits Communities in Need from July 28-August 31 Northpark Mall, in collaboration with Cotton Incorporated, invites you to Lose Your Blues by contributing your old blue jeans and any other denim apparel items to the Blue Jeans Go Green™ denim recycling program. From July 28 through August 31, simply drop off your denim for recycling in the designated receptacle in the Food Court. Denim …

The U.S. Geological Survey says an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.3 struck northern Oklahoma on Monday night.

A Texas company says four workers at a southeast Kansas oil refinery were burned in an early morning fire.

Shelling in at least three cities in eastern Ukraine has hit a home for the elderly, a school and several apartment blocks, adding to a rapidly growing civilian death toll Tuesday.