State Capitol news in brief: Bomb squad bill passes the House

A bill allowing members of municipal fire department bomb squads to make arrests and carry firearms passed in the House with a vote of 71-9 on Wednesday. Rep. Stephen Meeks, R-Greenbrier, urged colleagues to approve the bill, saying their votes could determine whether bomb squad technicians are able to defend themselves when responding to potentially dangerous situations. "If we don't do this today, it's your fault and my fault if one of these guys loses their life because they are not able to defend themselves," Meeks said. In discussions Tuesday,...