Proving that state senators can have the occasional sense of humor, Sen. Jeff Smith of St. Louis offered a dramatic announcement yesterday on the floor of the Senate that caught the august body by surprise. Right before adjournment for the day, Smith rose to be recognized and told the body some truly shocking news. One of the Democrat’s legislative aides (whose name will not be mentioned to protect the innocent) was just engaged to state Sen. Jason Crowell, a Republican who is about as far on the other side of the ideological fence from Smith as can be imagined. After the senators soaked it in, and Sen. Tom Dempsey of St. Peters – who was presiding at the time — noted that there must be somebody for everybody, Smith let his fellow senators in on the joke.

April fools.