It's not every day you get a call from champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. But, after the Tour of Missouri, Aarmstrong called Gov. Jay Nixon to thank the governor for finding money to host the 3rd annual bike race last month.

Armstrong also encouraged Nixon to attract corporate sponsorship so the race can be held next year. Several Missouri Democrats have also pledged support to continue the race. An estimated 500,000 fans watched the race, spending a little more than $38 million.

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How do you manage Missouri's surburban deer herd? The St. Louis suburb of Town and Country has an idea.

Later this year, the city may hire sharp shooters to reduce the number. The city is also talking about hiring veterinarians to sterilize the animals.

About one deer a week is killed in car collisions in Town and Country.

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A new survey shows Missouri has the fourth-highest number of smokers in the nation, but the second-lowest cigarette tax.

Missourians pay a tax of 17 cents per pack. Only South Carolina smokers pay less.

On the other hand, only Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia have more smokers than Missouri.

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Six mid-Missouri counties are receiving about $300,000 in federal grant money to update their 911 technology.

The new technology will give emergency workers the ability to trace cell phone calls. Most emergency calls are made on cell phones.

The counties include Callaway, Macon, Maries, Moniteau, Pettis, and Saline.