Corps: Spring rise starts at midnight today

WASHINGTON -- The disputed artificial spring rise on the Missouri River will begin at midnight today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday. A corps spokesman said water conditions are right to begin releasing water from upstream reservoirs in South Dakota to encourage spawning of an endangered fish. The amount of water released will steadily increase to a two-day peak on Sunday and Monday. Starting Tuesday, releases will be gradually reduced. State officials fear the release of water could flood thousands of acres of Missouri farmland along the river. Corps officials say they carefully considered downstream water levels before approving the spring rise.

Ameren totals cost of dam; rates questioned

ST. LOUIS -- Damages from the collapse of the Taum Sauk reservoir in December will cost between $53 million to $73 million, and that does not include the potential cost if the reservoir is rebuilt, according to Ameren Corp. The utility, which owned the reservoir, provided the estimate Wednesday in a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On Thursday, The Missouri Public Service Commission said it has launched a formal investigation to determine if Ameren Corp.'s wholly owned subsidiary AmerenUE is charging fair rates for its electricity. A week earlier, Ameren informed the commission it would seek a rate increase in July, which the investigation won't prohibit.

Mo.'s homeland security program criticized

ST. LOUIS -- State Auditor Claire McCaskill said Thursday that Missouri has lagged behind neighboring states in establishing a center designed to investigate and prevent potential terrorist threats. The finding was part of an audit of Missouri's homeland security program, which found seven major areas of deficiency and covered two years that ended in June 2005.

-- From wire reports