Romney accuses Democrats of using Akin to attack Republican Party
In the run up to his party's nomination for president this week, Republican Mitt Romney is again distancing himself from embattled Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin.
The presumptive Republican Presidential nominee told Fox News on Sunday morning that Democrats are using the uproar over Akin's comments on rape and abortion to attack the rest of the Republican Party.
"He was wrong, and obviously it's being used by Democrats to try and cast a shadow on our entire party, and it's not," Romney said. "Leaders of our party have pretty much unanimously said, you know, Mr. Akin get out of the race. You said something which is highly offensive."
The Akin campaign could not be immediately reached for comment on Romney's remarks to Fox News.
At a press conference in Chesterfield last week, Akin reiterated to local reporters that he has no intention of giving up his bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill.
With almost all outside Republican groups withdrawing money from his campaign, Akin raised more than $200,000 in individual donations last week.
Southwest plane makes emergency landing at Spirit of St. Louis Airport
There were tense moments Sunday after a Southwest Airlines jet was forced to land at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield. Southwest Flight 3789 was carrying 137 passengers from Denver to St. Louis and was scheduled to land last night at Lambert Airport. But because of bad weather, the pilot decided to land at Spirit, which is normally an airport for smaller planes. The plane was also in need of fuel.
Passengers were bused to Lambert from Spirit. No additional flights were diverted. No injuries were reported.
Investigation continues in southwestern Ill. sexual abuse case
Authorities in southwestern Illinois are continuing their investigation of a man charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse in connection to a St. Louis teenager who claims she was held captive in his home for three years.
Police charged Steven Johnson of Washington Park with several crimes, including promotion of prostitution. But none of the charges, so far, allege that the woman was held against her will. His mother, Owida Johnson, faces two counts of child endangerment.
Washington Park Police Chief David Clark says the investigation is ongoing. However, he declined further comment Sunday, four days after several police officers raided the Washington Park house. Authorities say both suspects are in custody. Their family members allege the victim isn't being truthful.
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