This Wednesday was the scheduled opening of an 18,000 square-foot Planned Parenthood clinic in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The "mega-clinic," located 13 miles from Missouri's last remaining abortion clinic in St. Louis is set to provide both surgical and chemical abortions and will see as many as 11,000 patients annually.
 
The facility has been under construction for the last year, mostly in secret. Planned Parenthood used a shell company to construct the facility to "avoid protestors and delays." In addition, the abortion clinic was not required to obtain a license from the Department of Public Health, as that requirement was removed with the passage of the Illinois Reproductive Health Act this year.
 
Since the clinic was announced a few weeks ago, pro-life activists have regularly gathered at the site to pray and to protest the new clinic.

This week, the Interim Committee on Tax Credit Efficiency and Reform met for the third time to explore Missouri's various tax credit programs. The committee is tasked with examining the social and cost analysis benefits of the programs, their return on investment, economic development incentives and other goals for tax credits. The chairwoman of the committee, Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin (R-Shelbina), said the committee is focusing on the "dominant" low income housing tax credit program, the senior citizen circuit breaker, Missouri Quality Jobs Act, and the historic preservation and Missouri Works tax credit programs. At Monday's hearing, numerous witnesses told the committee of the oversight that goes into awarding their tax credits and the benefits to the community. The tax credit programs have cost the state in excess of $500 million a year since 2009, which is 5-6% of General Revenue. The committee expects to issue a final report on recommendations for tax credit reform in the near future.

The MCC has supported tax credit programs that benefit seniors, low-income citizens and women facing unplanned pregnancies over the years and will report on the committee's report in future Updates.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is asking private landowners to help with declining populations of birds. Studies have shown declining populations of birds throughout the U.S. over the last half century, raising concerns on a number of fronts. According to Sarah Kendrick, MDC wildlife ecologist, Missouri's grassland birds are really the ones that have taken the biggest hit in terms of population. Birds play an important role in controlling insects, spreading seeds, and pollinating plants. Because 90% of Missouri land in held by private citizens, the MDC needs help to make the program a success. Landowners can help by planting native species of plants, making windows safe for birds, and helping keep track of bird populations. For more on how to help in the effort, click here.

Things happen all the time that make us doubt our faith in humanity. But here is a story that will restore your belief and prove that we can do extraordinary things when we work together.
 
Last year in Kazakhstan, a dog was stranded at the bottom of a canal surrounded by rushing water. It wouldn't be long until it would be swept away. A young man saw what was happening and went into the water to save it. He was able to get the dog to the side of the canal, but the foreboding steep slope prevented a solo rescue.
 
Passing strangers quickly leaped the fence and locked hands to form a human chain, but they were still one hero short. They quickly regrouped with extra help to pull to pooch to safety. Click here to watch this inspiring story.