Patrol emphasizes safety over holiday weekend

During the Independence Day holiday the Missouri State Highway Patrol wants to remind the state's travelers of the importance of safety. The 2004 counting period for the Fourth of July holiday will begin at 6 p.m. today and will continue through 11:59 p.m. Monday. This year all available officers will be patrolling Missouri's roadways enforcing the speed limit, seat belt and alcohol laws. Troopers will also be available to assist motorists. Drivers who need help or who witness criminal activity while traveling can contact the nearest Highway Patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.

Holden signs state unemployment bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Unemployment benefits for people who lose their jobs will increase by 28 percent and businesses will pay more into the state unemployment fund under a bill signed into law Thursday by Gov. Bob Holden.

Ex-policeman charged in student's slaying

COLUMBIA, MO. -- A former Columbia police officer was charged Thursday with first-degree murder in the slaying of a University of Missouri-Columbia student. Steve A. Rios, 27, was also charged with armed criminal action in the June 5 slaying of Jesse James Valencia, 23. DNA matching that of Rios was found under Valencia's fingernails, according to a police report. Morley Swingle of Cape Girardeau has been appointed special prosecutor in the case.

Governor's campaign counters McCaskill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Bob Holden's campaign said it filed an ethics complaint Thursday alleging the money his Democratic challenger, Claire McCaskill, loaned to her own campaign should count as a contribution subject to state limits. The complaint cites the fact that loans totaling about $575,000 are listed on campaign finance forms as interest-free and show no pay-back deadline. State law limits contributions to gubernatorial candidates at $1,200. But there is no restriction on loans.

Jackson teen hurt in one-car wreck

A Jackson resident involved in a one-vehicle accident was taken to St. Francis Medical Center Wednesday with minor injuries. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Christopher Messmer, 18, was injured when his 1996 Ford left County Road 607 and struck a tree. The accident occurred about three miles east of Fruitland.

-- From wire reports