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JEFFERSON CITY — Denied in the Capitol, some abortion foes are taking advantage of a relatively new state law to try to create a “Choose Life” license plate without needing approval of the full legislature or the governor.

The slogan is one of several proposed specialty plates submitted to the Department of Revenue by nonprofit groups willing to fork over $5,000 and line up the first 200 purchasers of the plates.

The evolution unit at Rock Bridge High School will take two weeks. The controversy discussion will wrap up in 20 minutes. The impact will be confounded by other, arguably more influential factors: It’s 7:50 in the morning, the homework is due, mechanical pencils are scratching in symphony, and it’s time to pass papers to the front.

The students in Kerri Graham’s sophomore biology class habitually slump into their seats, apparently unfazed that they are at the bull’s-eye of the intelligent design movement, whose “teach the controversy” slogan intends to rile up high school classrooms just like this one. Intelligent design theorists contend that a purposeful creator is responsible for the beginning and diversification of life on the planet. But these sleepy teenagers care more about reaching driving age than the age of the Earth.

“Some belong to the Rotary Club, some to Kiwanis, but my idea of community service is law enforcement,” said Chuck Wilson, a reserve sergeant for the Boone County Sheriff’s Department.

Wilson, 60, has worked as a reserve officer ever since former Sheriff Ted Boehm started the program about 20 years ago.

Nellie Owen arrives 45 minutes before her Friday afternoon riding class begins. She likes coming early, she says. It’s her time to smell the horses.

She sits by the fence to watch an earlier class that’s still in session. Each horse that passes in front of her she greets like an old friend.

Although most people associate Henry Ford with the assembly line and the Model T, MU history professor Steven Watts wanted his book to be about more than that. He wanted to convey that Ford’s mass production techniques encouraged the idea of consumer societies and the perception of America as the land of opportunity.

“The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and The American Century,” published by Knopf, is due to come out Aug. 9.

Columbia police are investigating two sexual assaults that occurred in central Columbia within hours of each other early Saturday.

Police said a woman was sexually assaulted and robbed in her home in the 100 block of West Ash Street at around 4:20 a.m. Saturday after a man forced entry through the front door.

Gunfire was reported near a nightclub in north central Columbia early Saturday after a fight broke out between several people.

Columbia police were responding to a report of people fighting outside the Silhouette Nightclub, 3405 Clark Lane, when shots were fired, police Sgt. John Worden said.

An adult Columbia man received a single gunshot wound to the side of the leg Sunday night. Columbia Police officers found the victim in the 2700 block of Quail Drive after being dispatched at 5:54 p.m.

Police declined to give the victim’s name. Sgt. Brian Richenberger said evidence at the scene showed signs that the wound may have been accidentally self-inflicted.

ST. LOUIS — After landing a job at a prestigious law firm, Jennifer Joyce was making good money with an office overlooking the Gateway Arch — and was miserable.

So, she took a job at half the pay as an assistant prosecutor, sharing a dingy office with three other lawyers and one computer.

Until the Washington Wild Things came to town, it hadn’t been customary for Mavericks’ right-hander Steve Soja to fraternize with the opposition.

He might want to reconsider his habits. Soja’s teammates haven’t been particularly supportive of his win-loss record this season.

Three months ago, Meghana Bharadwaj of St. Louis didn’t know how to swim.

That, however, didn’t stop the 5-year-old from winning a medal in Sunday’s Show-Me State Games synchronized swimming competition.

Joe Powell and Byron Ollendike walk the same narrow path every Thursday. After a good meal, with two different desserts, they join a small group of retirees and spend a couple hours skeet shooting.

But on Sunday, the two walked the same path for another reason.

Jim Ducoulombier is going to remember his trip to Columbia for the Show-Me State Games.

The 16-year-old Park Hill native hit three home runs in five games, helping his team to an undefeated run in the 16-and-under baseball division.

LOS ANGELES — Jim Edmonds was supposed to get a day off. He knew better and kept himself prepared for anything.

Edmonds drove in three runs with a pinch RBI double in the seventh inning and a two-run home run in the 11th, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-5 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Steven Campbell, 20, picked up the soccer ball as it rolled toward the goal.

With a quick glance down the field, he took three steps and booted the ball as his teammate, Steven Reineke, 20, sprinted past the defense, trailing in the shadow of the ball as it flew high overhead.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mark Hendrickson took a new mental approach into his latest start, and wound up keeping his spot in Tampa Bay’s rotation.

Hendrickson took a one-hitter into the eighth inning and Travis Lee hit a home run as the Devil Rays completed a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 6-2 victory Sunday.

Vanessa Van Bleisem held the ball tightly as her eyes rapidly searched for an open purple jersey. The coach and crowd yelled for someone to get open.

But one voice was missing from the crowd.

The players on Team Key Sport don’t hesitate to make fun of each other.

“My last name is Pickup,” said Robin Pickup, organizer of Team Key Sport. “You know, like the truck.”

David Couts takes the “race” part of racewalking seriously.

As a gunshot signaled the beginning of the Show-Me State Games racewalk at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Couts was off with a look of concentration on his face.