Low-budget Spirit Airlines to begin flying out of Kansas City Spirit Airlines will begin offering five daily flights out of Kansas City in August. The low-budget airline announced Wednesday that it would offer flights to Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, beginning Aug. 7. A roundtrip flight to Houston will begin Aug. 8. The airline, based in Miramar, Fla., offers inexpensive flights but also charges for amenities such as soft drinks, carry-on bags and assigned seats. It ...

Man admits causing fire that damged his home A Springfield man pleaded guilty Wednesday to arson charges for causing a fire at his own home. 34-year-old Doyle Huskey was charged with 2nd degree arson for the December 2013 fire at his home on North Hillcrest Avenue. Fire crews had responded to reports of heavy fire in the attic of the two-story house. While inside the home, crews found a propane tank that had been ...

THE GARDEN SPOT: Small is beautiful Dan and Steve talk about gardening in small spaces. ...

Mo. Senate backs potential for preschool ratings -- but not by government Missouri senators endorsed legislation that could lead to the development of a preschool rating system by private or nonprofit groups.  The bill given initial approval Wednesday comes two years after a law was enacted barring the creation of a preschool rating system by the state, higher education institutions or quasi-governmental entities. The new legislation would leave intact the prohibition on government involvement but would allow publicly ...

Mo. House panel considers impeaching governor A Republican-led House committee is holding a hearing on multiple measures that would impeach Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon. The hearing on three separate impeachment resolutions includes one citing Nixon's decision to allow same-sex couples who married legally in other states to file joint tax returns in Missouri.  Another measure is critical of the amount of time the governor took to call special elections to fill legislative ...

Missouri House wants to drop motorcyclist helmet requirement The Missouri House endorsed a bill that would let motorcyclists over age 21 forgo helmets.   Current law requires motorists to wear helmets or face a fine of up to $25 for each offense. Supporters say adults should have the freedom to decide whether to wear a helmet and argue Missouri misses out on tourism because of the current law.  Opponents say the helmet law protects riders ...

Images released of shipwreck in San Francisco Bay
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal ocean scientists have released images of the wreckage of a steamship that sank in San Francisco Bay in 1888, a disaster that killed 16 people.

Study: Gene therapy may boost cochlear implants
WASHINGTON (AP) — Australian researchers are trying a novel way to boost the power of cochlear implants: They used the technology to beam gene therapy into the ears of deaf animals and found the combination improved hearing.

Indiana cat missing 5 years reunited with owner
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — A cat that went missing five years ago has been reunited with its owner in Indiana thanks to an implanted microchip.

US stocks edge lower after a six-day rise
NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market slipped Wednesday, after rising for six straight days, as investors worked through another round of quarterly earnings reports from U.S. companies. Intuitive Surgical was among those announcing disappointed results. A worse-than-expected report on the housing market also weighed on the broader market.

Syrian activists accuse Assad of new gas attacks
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian government forces have attacked rebel-held areas with poisonous chlorine gas in recent weeks and months, leaving men, women and children coughing, choking and gasping for breath, according to Associated Press interviews with more than a dozen activists, medics and residents on the opposition side.