In brief: Show horse bill faces uncertain future in Capitol

Washington – With lawmakers divided over a bill to stop the abuse of show horses, advocates for the measure brought the animals to the Capitol Wednesday for a demonstration designed to pressure Congress to ban some of the painful procedures, known as soring, used to make horses step higher in the ring.

The bill by Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., would forbid the use of “action devices,” such as chains that rub on horses’ legs made sensitive with chemicals, and pads that hurt the hooves to achieve the crowd-pleasing exaggerated high gait known as the “Big Lick.”

The measure would end the industry’s self-policing, and has attracted 291 co-sponsors, drawing support from both parties.

But other influential lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., say the bill goes too far.

Its future is far from certain, with time running out to pass this year, given a congressional calendar that includes the upcoming monthlong August recess and other breaks before the midterm elections in November.

Tornado clobbers town in central South Dakota

Wessington Springs, S.D. – A tornado hit a small town in central South Dakota on Wednesday night, damaging homes, destroying several businesses and injuring at least one person, according to the National Weather Service and local officials.

Meteorologist Todd Heitkamp said law enforcement in Wessington Springs reported the tornado went right “through the heart of town” just before 8 p.m.

Dedrich Koch, a county prosecutor who serves as a spokesman for the city during emergency operations, said late Wednesday night that everyone in town had been accounted for.