Missouri

CLARKSVILLE, Mo. -- Communities along the Mississippi River and other Midwestern waterways eyed and in some cases fortified makeshift levees holding back floodwaters that meteorologists said could worsen or be prolonged by looming storms.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy compares watching Marshall Henderson to watching NASCAR.

The wrecks are both unpredictable and inevitable.

The Rebels’ colorful, polarizing guard led the SEC in scoring this season, helping them win the SEC tournament and earn an NCAA tournament berth for the first time since 2002. That thrust him into the national spotlight, where he’s become the guy opposing fans love to hate.

ST. LOUIS — A fan made a half-court shot before the Missouri Valley Conference tournament final, but missed a $50,000 jackpot because he forgot to hit a 3-pointer first.

Alex Pertmann of Maryland Heights, Mo., made a layup on his first try and free throw on his second effort, then scampered to mid-court, where he hit nothing but net with a couple of seconds left on a 24-second clock Sunday. After being informed of the error, and with no time remaining, Pertmann went back to the 3-point line and missed a couple of attempts.

 ST. LOUIS — Blinding snow, at times accompanied by thunder and lightning, bombarded much of the nation’s midsection Thursday, causing whiteout conditions, making major roadways all but impassable and shutting down schools and state legislatures.

ST. LOUIS — Stan Musial, one of baseball's greatest hitters and a Hall of Famer with the St. Louis Cardinals for more than two decades, died Saturday. He was 92.

Stan the Man won seven National League batting titles, was a three-time MVP and helped the Cardinals capture three World Series championships in the 1940s.

The Cardinals announced Musial's death in a news release. They said he died Saturday evening at his home in Ladue surrounded by family. The team said Musial's son-in-law, Dave Edmonds, informed the club of Musial's death.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Andy Reid arrived in Kansas City on Friday, and the Chiefs are close to making an official announcement that he will become their next coach.

Reid and the Chiefs have reportedly agreed to a deal giving the longtime Eagles coach broad authority over football decisions. His deal came hours after the Chiefs announced they had parted with general manager Scott Pioli after four tumultuous seasons.

ST. LOUIS — Saint Louis University is hosting a public memorial service Friday for basketball coach Rick Majerus.

Hundreds are expected at the service at Chaifetz Pavilion to honor Majerus. He coached for 25 years, the last five at Saint Louis University, where he led the Billikens to the third round of the NCAA tournament in March. He was 517-216 for his career and led Utah to the NCAA finals in 1998.

Majerus died of heart failure on Dec. 1. He was 64. A funeral Mass is Saturday in his hometown of Milwaukee.