The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Tuesday, January 22, 2013  Obama and his aides approached the inaugural speech with a belief that the president had replenished his political strength with his re-election and with his end-of-year deal with Republicans that raised upper-income tax rates on some of the wealthiest Americans.

Monday, January 07, 2013  The tough talk on the Sunday morning talk shows doesn't bode well for voters who are frustrated by the political gridlock.

Thursday, February 23, 2012  Republican candidates continue to make errant claims during debate, misstating facts about the auto bailout, taxes and other topics.

Friday, August 05, 2011  The S&P downgraded the United States' credit rating to AA+ citing issues with the debt ceiling compromise.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011  Default dodged: Debt-limit bill passed by Senate, Obama quickly signs it to defuse crisis

Tuesday, August 02, 2011  Debt limit bill moves on to Senate, passage expected; then on to Obama for signature

Monday, August 01, 2011  Even though mid-Missouri’s two U.S. representatives are both republican, they did not share the same vote on a bill to keep the government from defaulting on its debts.

Sunday, July 31, 2011  The debt limit deal is breaking the partisan cold snap on Capitol Hill, at least for now.

Saturday, July 30, 2011  Missouri officials say there should not be immediate problems if debate about raising the federal borrowing limit causes a temporary halt to some federal payments to the state.

Saturday, July 30, 2011  In Saturday’s Facebook Story of the Day we found out how one of Missouri’s senators is connecting with her constituents.

Thursday, July 28, 2011  House GOP sets vote on revamped debt-limit bill despite veto threat and naysaying Senate Dems

Thursday, July 14, 2011  Obama demands debt-limit results as Moody's, Bernanke issue warnings about default

Friday, April 15, 2011  Missouri Senator Roy Blunt wants President Obama to make significant reforms to the budget process to control the deficit or he’ll vote no on raising the debt ceiling.