Some Missourians could soon have their criminal records expunged
Missourians could be able to get some criminal misdeeds expunged from their records.
Under newly approved state legislation, people could ask the courts to erase their criminal history after 10 years for a misdemeanor and after 20 years for a felony.
Those seeking to have criminal records expunged would need to have completed their prison terms, probation and parole. They also would need to have paid restitution and not have committed another crime.
About a dozen offenses would be eligible, such as passing a bad check, fraudulent use of a credit device and trespassing.
State Republican Sen. Brad Lager says the measure was designed to be narrowly tailored and started as an effort to help people regain firearm rights. Prosecutors and the Missouri Press Association raised concerns.
Ill. universities asked to save money in hiring
State universities in Illinois will no longer be able to use outside firms in most hiring searches.
Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law Saturday to limit the practice as a way to save money.
Starting next year, public universities will have to rely on their own personnel to cast a net for top talent. Outside firms will only be allowed in the hiring of university presidents or when a current president and board of trustees can demonstrate a need for such services.
Search firms can charge hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Quinn says Illinois wants the best talent but that "recruiting should not come at the expense of the education of our students."
The law goes into effect Jan. 1. Universities have six months from that date to implement it.
Busses will shuttle some MetroLink between stations today
Some travelers should budget extra time into their commute today.
St. Louis Metro Transit Authority will not operate trains between the Wellston MetroLink Station and the North Hanley MetroLink Station today.
The agency will operate bus shuttles between those two stops, and it says travelers should plan on adding an extra 20 to 25 minutes to their commute. Riders can find more information on the shuttles here.
The service interruption is due to construction at the University of Missouri St. Louis South MetroLink station.
And Metrolink will continue to operate on a single track at the Eads Bridge seven days a week during the rehabilitation of that bridge.
