Daily brief (3/17): Top picks from the Springfield media

Today will be partly sunny and warm, with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. The high will be 75.

Sunday will have a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, and the high is expected to hit 78.

By Monday, storm chances increase to 70 percent, and rain is likely during the early part of the week. The high will be 73 on Monday.

Today’s picks

• News-Leader: Smoke-ban compromise may be in the works. Proponents of Springfield smoking ban sent a letter to the City Council outlining potential exceptions to the city’s overall ban on smoking in public places. (Other coverage: KY3)
• OzarksFirst: Santorum visits Missouri just before weekend caucuses. Santorum hopes his nonbinding primary victory will inspire caucus-goers to choose him as the GOP candidate for Missouri. (Other coverage: Q&A on caucuses: News-Leader | Guide to the caucuses: KSPR)
• KSPR: Tornado assistance available for Stone, Taney and Dallas counties. The Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans for victims of the Leap Day tornadoes.
• News-Leader: Homicide victim found in James River identified. Greene County authorities identified the body of James B. Richardson, 27, who was found Thursday in the James River. They are investigating the crime as a homicide. Anyone with information about the crime should call the department at 868-4040. (Other coverage: KY3, OzarksFirst)
• OzarksFirst: Springfield’s 32nd annual St. Pat’s Parade set for today. The annual St. Pat’s Parade is set to begin at 2 p.m. today on Commercial Street. (Other coverage: News-Leader, KY3, KSPR)