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Sharp divide on border wall illustrates differences between McCaskill, Hawley in Missouri Senate race

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Among the big policy disagreements between the two Missouri candidates for U.S. Senate, this November is whether to build the border wall President Trump is demanding.

Josh Hawley – R – with reporters after speaking to the Missouri Farm Bureau 8-10-2018

Since missing one of the President’s visits to Missouri in August of 2017, Republican Josh Hawley has vigorously supported most all of Trump’s priorities with a few exceptions.

He emphatically proclaimed to a gathering at the Missouri Farm Bureau last Friday that he stands with the President on the border wall issue.  “I’m for building the wall,” said Hawley.  “I am for securing our border.  Look, I’m your chief law enforcement officer in this state right now.  It’s my job to enforce our laws.  And what I see going on at the southern border is just a matter of law enforcement.”

Hawley was elected to his very first elected position as Missouri’s Attorney General in 2016.  He told the audience of farmers and ranchers that funding to build the wall needs to be secured and said border laws need to be enforced.

While talking about immigration, Hawley expressed support for a Trump administration plan to add a question to the 2020 Census asking people whether they’re U.S. citizens.  He stated that too many people have been allowed into the country who don’t have skills and drive down wages.  He said the needs of farmers who use immigrant laborers can be met through the U.S. visa system which limits the duration of a foreigner’s stay.

Democratic incumbent Senator Claire McCaskill is a noted skeptic of the idea of building a wall on the southern border.  She visited a border area in Texas in February of 2017 and noted that border patrol personnel expressed a need for better technology and said extending the wall would require the acquisition of private land coveted by farmers who currently own it.

Senator Claire McCaskill – D – with reporters after speaking to the Missouri Farm Bureau 8-10-2018

McCaskill also spoke before Farm Bureau members last Friday where she said the wall is far down the list of needs voiced by border security personnel.  “Frankly, in some parts of the border they don’t want a wall, because they want to be able to have vision,” McCaskill said.  “They need to be able to see.”

McCaskill is the ranking minority member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

In March, she released a report along with other Democrats on the committee which found that additional personnel and technology are the top border security needs identified by agents.  It said less than one-half of 1 percent of the solutions border patrol agents proposed for closing gaps along the southwest border referenced a “wall.”

The Democratic staff of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued a report in April 2017 which said the border wall could cost almost $70 billion to build and $150 million to maintain per year. An internal report by the Department of Homeland Security pegged the cost at $21.6 billion without figuring maintenance.

Since winning the Republican Senate nomination last week, Hawley has accused McCaskill of being in favor of illegal immigration and open borders while stumping around the state on a flatbed trailer.

McCaskill recoiled at such a suggestion while speaking to Farm Bureau members Friday.  “It just makes me hopping mad when my opponent says I’m for open borders,” said McCaskill.  “Nothing could be further from the truth.  I’m a prosecutor.  I’m the only candidate in this race that’s looked at a jury in the eye and put criminals in prison.  The only one.  I believe in the rule of law.”

McCaskill was elected Jackson County Prosecutor in Kansas City in 1992.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CPB) employs 23,079 CBP officers and 19,437 Border Patrol agents.  On an average day, it conducts 851 apprehensions between U.S. ports of entry.

After hearing from Hawley and McCaskill speak Friday, the Farm Bureau resoundingly endorsed Hawley of Senate by a margin of 82-4.

Chillicothe to put up signs designating it as a Purple Heart City

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Chillicothe is placing signs soon to show its support for America’s soldiers who have received the Purple Heart medal. City Administrator Darin Chappell tells Missourinet affiliate KCHI in Chillicothe the signs will state the northwest Missouri town is known as a “Purple Heart City” to pay respect to the medal recipients who have been wounded or killed in combat.

Chillicothe City Hall

“It’s something that many communities across the state have done,” he says.

Missouri has more than 120 cities, villages, counties and organizations recognizing Purple Heart medal soldiers in such a way.

Chappell says the declaration process is more than a year in the making.

“There will be four signs purchased for $100 each,” he says. “There will be one north and south on Highway 65 and one east and west on Highway 36.”

The signs will go up at the city limits.

Tom Tingerthal of Missourinet affiliate KCHI in Chillicothe contributed to this story.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Missouri Congressional member proposes enhancements to VA doctor recruitment

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A U.S. House committee is considering whether to let VA hospitals recruit and hire future doctors up to two years prior to completion of required training. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, R-Missouri, is proposing the bill that she says would include a competitive hiring timeline. Hartzler tells Missourinet doctor offices and hospitals recruit future doctors while they are completing their residency.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler

“They (VA hospitals) currently do not do that until the very end and I think that puts us at a disadvantage,” she says.

Hartzler, whose district includes Columbia’s Truman VA Hospital, says her bill would help veterans receive better care.

“The veterans hospitals in our area, including Truman VA there in Columbia, will be able to have a level playing field when recruiting the best physicians possible to serve our veterans,” she says.

Hartzler goes on to say she thinks failing to recruit doctors during the residency period has contributed to a shortage of VA doctors nationwide. The bill comes at a time when the VA reports more than 30,000 vacant positions.

The American Legion has voiced their support for the bill by saying, “The VA Hiring Enhancement Act will help address the shortcomings in recruitment and retention of highly qualified physicians. The bill, addressing health care within the VA system, is especially welcomed by some at a time when Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) like American Legion have expressed growing concern about the privatization of veterans’ health care.”

The bill would release physicians from non-compete agreements to serve in Veterans Affairs. It would also update the minimum standard for VA physicians to include the completion of a postgraduate medical residency.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

U.S. House passes bill that would name post office after fallen Missouri soldier

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Columbia’s downtown post office building could be named in honor of a fallen mid-Missouri soldier. The U.S. House has passed a bill that would honor Army specialist Sterling William Wyatt, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012. West-central Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler is sponsoring the legislation.

Army Spc. Sterling William Wyatt

“Although Sterling was taken from us too soon, this bill will enshrine his memory in our community for posterity so everyone can know this brave soldier and be reminded that freedom is not free,” Hartzler says. “As representatives of the people who bravely serve our country, especially those who pay the ultimate sacrifice, we owe it to their lives and memories to never forget all that they have done for us.”

Wyatt, who was 21 years old, was killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Kandahar.

He was a graduate of Rock Bridge High School in Columbia. Hartzler’s district includes Columbia.

“Specialist Wyatt’s dedication to serving his community and country were a testament to his faith and his family,” Hartzler says. “Maybe, when others learn about Sterling’s story and sacrifice, they too will put service above self and answer the call to serve, which is the noblest and most honorable action anyone can take.”

The legislation heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Hartzler supports Trump’s attempt to get NATO countries to boost defense spending

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President Donald Trump says NATO’s member countries have agreed to significantly heighten their military spending. Trump has complained that the U.S. pays a disproportionate amount of funding for NATO and has called many times on alliance members to boost their defense budgets. West-central Missouri Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler tells Missourinet the U.S. spends 3.6% on defense efforts while most of the other nations struggle to meet their commitment.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler

“Several years ago, they (other countries) agreed to build up their own individual military spending 2% of their GDP on their own defense,” Hartzler says. “Only a few nations have met that goal. Many of them have been dragging their feet.”

At last week’s NATO summit, Trump reportedly suggested NATO countries should raise their goal from 2% to 4% or the U.S. could withdraw from the 29-member alliance.

Hartzler says keeping the NATO alliance strong is important, but the member countries must do their part.

“They have a vested interest in this, as they are the closest countries in proximity to Russia,” she says. “They have the greatest amount to lose. It’s time for them to step up. With the threats facing us and with what Russia did with Ukraine, I think it behooves them to shore up their own national defense and to invest more in building up their capabilities.”

French President Emmanuel Macron rejects Trump’s claim that NATO countries have pledged to strongly increase their spending. He points to a communique that recommits members to pay 2% of their national GDP by 2024.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Highway sign honors Missouri Korean War soldier for shielding troops from grenades

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A sign has been placed on a stretch of roadway in southeast Missouri to honor a Korean War soldier. Those traveling east and west on Highway PP in Poplar Bluff can view the sign that reads “Pvt. Billie G. Kanell, Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Highway”.

Photo courtesy of Congressman Jason Smith’s Facebook page

In 1951, Kanell was among a group of soldiers who came under heavy enemy fire in Pyongyang. A grenade was thrown at them and Kanell jumped on the explosive to protect his fellow soldiers from the blast. A few seconds later, another grenade dropped in their location. Kanell, who was seriously wounded, rolled himself on top of the second grenade. The sequel killed the 20-year-old Poplar Bluff Army Private who went above and beyond the call of duty that day.

Overlooking Highway PP, about 75 people packed into New Covenant Church in Poplar Bluff on Tuesday for a special ceremony to unveil the sign. Family members, the city’s mayor, members of the military and southeast Missouri Republican Congressman Jason Smith were among those in attendance to hear a military gun salute and Taps echoing throughout.

Rob Callahan tells Missourinet he and two others have been working on the sign project for at least two years. With the help of Tucker Davis and Jeff Schawn of Poplar Bluff, they raised money in the community to fund the sign. Callahan says the roadway was named years ago after Kanell but he wanted to bring attention to the soldier putting his life on the line for America.

“I felt that a lot of people, not just people that live here but people who travel through Poplar Bluff, don’t know why that’s named Kanell Boulevard. People now know why this is named Kanell Boulevard. They now know what Billie did,” says Callahan, who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. “They know that he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. It brought a lot of recognition to him, the family and to the sacrifices Billie made through his service all those years ago.”

Kanell saved at least two comrades during that September 7th day.

“We don’t know who they are. We don’t know who their sons, their grandsons or what the extended family members have done with their lives. But, they were able to do what they did because of Billie’s sacrifice,” Callahan says.

Kanell, who is buried in nearby Fairdealing, is one of nine children in his family. His childhood home still stands in Poplar Bluff.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

One of Missouri’s military bases gears up for biggest fireworks display around

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One of Missouri’s military bases gears up for biggest fireworks display around

More than 10,000 to 15,000 visitors are expected today at Fort Leonard Wood’s Independence Day celebration. A press release from the base says the post’s fireworks show is the largest and most expensive in central Missouri.

A military program there contributes $130,000 toward the July 4 event with most of the money coming from recycling dollars.

The free celebration will include live entertainment, a car show, inflatables, pony rides, petting zoo, 50-Gun Salute to the Union, the massive fireworks show, among other things. It kicks off at 3 p.m. and is open to the public.

The Kansas City Disc Dogs, with canines doing tricks with flying discs, will perform at 4 p.m. and again at 5:30 p.m.
At 6:15 p.m., local rockers ChristiAna take the stage. The band is fronted by lead singer Christiana Ball, a former drill sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood and the 2013 winner of the Army wide Operation Rising Star.

At 7:45 p.m., audiences can watch the annual 50-Gun Salute to the Union, highlighting each state.

At 8:15 p.m., Smallpools will perform. The Los Angeles-based indie pop band consists of Sean Scanlon, Mike Kamerman and Beau Kuther, who provide a variety of original music that earned them an appearance on “Late Night with Seth Myers” and a promotional video for SnapChat.

At 9:30 p.m., the event’s main attraction — the Fireworks Spectacular — is scheduled to get underway.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

World War II Traveling Memorial Wall visits Missouri

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Photos courtesy of FreedomsNeverFree.com

A World War II Memorial Wall traveling the country for the past year has made its way to the Show-Me State. It is a scaled-down version of the wall in Washington, D.C. and includes more than 4,000 stars representing American soldiers killed, among other things. Today, about 200 veterans, Patriot Guard riders and State Patrol officers escorted the large display from eastern Missouri’s Festus down to Piedmont.

The Piedmont Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Freedom’s Never Free Traveling WWII Memorial. The wall is the only Traveling WWII Memorial available in the United States.

Tracey Bennett, one of the organizers, says the traveling memorial will be in Piedmont just in time for Independence Day.

“We’re going to get it all set up,” he tells Missourinet affiliate KREI in Farmington. “Any veterans that want to visit the wall are going to be able to tonight through July 7.”

A parade tonight at 6 p.m. in Piedmont will feature WWII veterans on a float and other patriotic entries.

A closing ceremony in Piedmont is set for 3 p.m. Saturday.

Hawley says Trump’s progress on North Korea talks is ‘monumental’

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U.S. President Donald Trump motions to the crowds as he exits Air Force One upon his arrival at St. Louis-Lambert International Airport in St. Louis on March 14, 2018. Trump is in St. Louis for a roundtable meeting with Boeing officials and to attend a fund raising dinner for U.S. Senate hopeful, Missouri Attorney General, Josh Hawley. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley supports President Donald Trump’s attempts to get North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program. As part of his “100-stop Working Tour” Thursday in St. Charles, Hawley says Trump’s progress on the issue is monumental.

“We’ve seen new news that they are going to engage in demolition of a site,” Hawley says. “I think it is tangible sort of proof that this was great. There is a lot of work left to do, as Secretary Pompeo said. But, I don’t know how you can be anything other than thrilled.”

Critics say an agreement between Trump, a Republican, and North Korea’s dictator includes intentions to denuclearize with no clear details about how to make it happen.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, D, is not sold on Trump’s work with North Korea.

“I am not optimistic that a guy (Kim Jong Un) who’s willing to kill his family to stay in power is going to give up nuclear weapons,” she says.

Hawley is the presumptive Republican front-runner for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by McCaskill.

Todd Sauter contributed to this story.

B-17 bomber flights will be offered this weekend in Chesterfield

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(This story is written by Missourinet St. Louis contributor Todd Sauter)

The B-17 Flying Fortress at Chesterfield’s Spirit of St. Louis Airport (May 28, 2018 photo courtesy of Missourinet St. Louis contributor Todd Sauter)

The Liberty Foundation has organized a “Salute to Veterans” tour near St. Louis, which gives you the chance to fly this weekend in a B-17 bomber that’s never been available to the public for flight experiences.

The B-17 Flying Fortress is regarded as the most famous bomber of World War II, and the “Madras Maiden” is one of just 12 still flying, with flight and tour opportunities available.

“For those that cannot afford to spend $450 to ride on a B-17, we open the airplane at the end of the day when the rides are complete to the public, free of charge, and they can tour the airplane. Families can come out and they can go through the airplane front to back,” volunteer Captain Bob Hill tells Missourinet.

The airplane is an educational outreach tool, and flights are available this Saturday and Sunday (June 2-3), with proceeds going to keep the plane flying.

A flight costs $450 this weekend at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, which is near the Missouri River. Each flight experience lasts about 45 minutes.

This B-17, which was built in 1944, has nine available seats on each flight.

The B-17 Flying Fortress, from a different angle at Chesterfield’s Spirit of St. Louis Airport (photo courtesy of Missourinet St. Louis contributor Todd Sauter)

The airport’s website notes Spirit has a 7,485 foot all-weather runway, along with a 5,000 foot parallel runway.

You can find more information about this weekend’s flights by visiting www.libertyfoundation.org or by calling (918) 340-0243.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet