UPDATE: Power was restored about 1 p.m. Ameren spokeswoman Susan Gallagher told the Associated Press that a black snake that slithered between two cables near the Capitol was the culprit.

During the outage, staffers, lobbyists and visitors were forced to…

Sen. Bond

WASHINGTON — Months ago, Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond seized on the issue of President Barack Obama’s decision to close the detention center at Guantanamo Naval Base. The president said it would be necessary within a year to begin repairing America’s diminished standing in the…

Roy Blunt

WASHINGTON — Republicans are moving aggressively to take advantage of divided public opinion on one of President Barack Obama’s first decisions — closing the detention camp at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.

The president made his decision in January. But…

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri House of Representatives passed a 125-29 a resolution that would urge the U.S. government to not move detainees through the state.

Bill sponsor Rep. Clint Tracy, R-Cape Girardeau, said his concerns are twofold: “No. 1 public…