Jefferson City Archives

Schatz: The Stanley Cup is coming to the Missouri Capitol this month (AUDIO)

January 20, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The state Senate leader says the Stanley Cup will be coming to the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City by the end of January.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, visits with House members on May 17, 2019 in Jefferson City (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, made the announcement during a live interview on Missourinet, after the governor’s State of the State Address.

“We may not get the Blues (to the Capitol), obviously they’re in the middle of the season,” Schatz says. “But I do believe we’re going to see the Stanley Cup, will be sitting in this building towards the end of the month.”

Pro Tem Schatz predicts fans will want to head to the Statehouse, to see the Cup.

“I don’t know the exact day, but it’s coming,” says Schatz. “And I’m kind of hesitant to put it out there (on a live statewide radio interview) because you know what, a lot of people could show up that day if we told them exactly what day it’s going to be here.”

The Blues beat the Boston Bruins last year, to capture the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 52-year history.

Meantime, thousands of hockey fans from North America will be traveling to St. Louis for this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game at the Enterprise Center.

The game, which will be broadcast nationally on NBC, will be played Saturday night at 7 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.

All-Star weekend will also feature a Fan Fair at Union Station, and a 5K run Saturday morning in downtown St. Louis.

There will also be an NHL learn-to-play skills jamboree this weekend at the Winterfest Rink in Kiener Plaza.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, which was live on Missourinet on January 15, 2020. The discussion about the Stanley Cup and the Blues is near the end of the interview:

KMRN: Five tractor trailers jackknifed Friday on icy I-35 in northwest Missouri (AUDIO)

January 17, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Law enforcement officials in northern Missouri’s Harrison County are asking residents and travelers to stay off the roads there, until heavy freezing rain and sleet stops.

A Missouri state trooper assists a motorist who slid off the road in mid-Missouri on January 17, 2020 (photo courtesy of MSHP Troop F Twitter)

National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Andy Bailey notes heavily-traveled I-35 runs through Harrison County.

“Lots of slide offs, lots of accidents there and Harrison County has actually put out a request for people not to travel,” Bailey says.

Harrison County is located on the Missouri-Iowa border. Impacted towns include Bethany, Brooklyn and Gilman City.

The freezing rain also caused conditions to deteriorate Friday morning on I-35 between Cameron and Kearney. Reporter Jeremy Shields from Missourinet Cameron affiliate KMRN (AM 1360) reports he saw five tractor trailers jackknife this morning in that area. Shields says truck drivers struggled in the ice.

The NWS warns that road conditions across northern Missouri will be treacherous throughout the afternoon, because of heavy freezing rain and sleet. Bailey is urging motorists to stay off the road, if possible.

“If it is still snowing in northeast Missouri, that will probably change in the coming hours as that warm air overspreads the area turning things over to freezing rain up there,” says Bailey.

Freezing rain has also been happening in Trenton today.

As for mid-Missouri, Bailey says temperatures in Jefferson City and Columbia will stay at or below freezing until about 5 p.m., when they are expected to go above freezing. He emphasizes that one degree is critical.

Ice has been reported across central Missouri today, including Jefferson City, Columbia and Boonville.

Bailey also says overpasses and side streets were problematic earlier today in the Kansas City metro. A Lee’s Summit fire truck overturned this morning.

Meantime, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield has issued a flood watch through Saturday morning, across the Ozarks. Impacted towns include Springfield, Branson and Lebanon.

More than an inch of additional rainfall is possible tonight, into Saturday.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Pleasant Hill meteorologist Andy Bailey, which was recorded on January 17, 2020:

National Weather Service warns Friday’s commute will be hazardous across much of Missouri (AUDIO)

January 16, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter weather advisory for northern, west-central, western and southwest Missouri.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has updated their forecast for January 17, 2020 (map courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter)

NWS Pleasant Hill meteorologist Scott Blair says Kansas City, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Columbia and Jefferson City will see snow and ice on Friday.

“What we’re looking at is a wintry mess out there and really it’s going to be a transition of precipitation types throughout this whole event,” Blair says.

He says the storm system will be moving from southwest to northeast Missouri.

The storm is expected to begin Friday morning in the 3-8 a.m. time frame. Blair tells Missourinet that Friday’s morning and evening commutes will be hazardous for Kansas City, Warrensburg, Columbia and Osage Beach.

“What we’re going to be seeing is snowfall starting out in these places Friday morning,” says Blair. “And as a little bit warmer weather moves into the area we’ll see that precipitation type change to a little bit of sleet and then eventually some freezing rain,” says Blair.

Springfield, Lebanon, Rolla and West Plains are also expected to see ice on Friday.

The Highway 63 corridor will see the heaviest amounts of ice, with up to a quarter-of-an-inch expected in Jefferson City, Columbia and Kirksville. Far western Missouri’s Butler and Nevada could also see up to a quarter-of-an-inch of ice.

The NWS says northwest Missouri will see the heaviest snowfall on Friday, with more than three inches expected in Maryville and Bethany.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Scott Blair, which was recorded on January 16, 2020:

Cody Smith: Missouri revenue has been strong enough to avoid withholds

January 14, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor will outline his legislative priorities and will release some details of his budget blueprint during Wednesday’s State of the State Address in Jefferson City.

Missouri House Budget Committee Chair Cody Smith, R-Carthage, speaks during a joint budget committee hearing on May 7, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Governor Mike Parson (R) signed a $29.7 billion state operating budget into law last summer, which included a three percent pay raise for state employees. It also included an $8 million retention pay plan aimed at wage increases for state Department of Corrections (DOC) staff.

State Budget Director Dan Haug will unveil the Parson administration’s budget blueprint to Capitol reporters, before Wednesday’s State of the State Address. The governor will deliver his State of the State Address at about 3 to a joint session of the Legislature.

One of the biggest things we’ll learn on Wednesday is whether Governor Parson’s proposed budget includes a pay increase for state employees. More than 14,000 state employees work in Jefferson City, making state government the town’s largest employer.

State revenues have been increasing.

Director Haug announced last week that net general revenue collections for 2019 fiscal year-to-date increased 5.2 percent compared to December 2018, from $4.31 billion last year to $4.53 billion this year.

Haug says Missouri’s individual income tax collections increased 5.1 percent for the year, from $3.1 billion last year to $3.26 billion this year. Corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections jumped almost 21 percent for the year.

House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, tells Missourinet that revenue has been strong enough to avoid withholds.

The state Constitution requires Missouri lawmakers to approve a balanced budget by early May.

Once the governor unveils his proposed budget, each agency and statewide elected official will testify before the House Budget and Senate Appropriations Committees. Those hearings traditionally go well into February.

Missouri House GOP and Democratic leaders focused on urban violence

January 9, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Addressing the increasing violence in St. Louis and Kansas City is a priority for Missouri House Republicans and Democrats during the 2020 session, which began Wednesday in Jefferson City.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Color Guard presents the flags to start the 2020 session in the Missouri House on January 8, 2020 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, tells Capitol reporters that the cities need support for witness protection.

“When you have a city like the size of St. Louis facing almost 200 homicides a year, both the police force is sort of overwhelmed and their investigatory unit is sort of overwhelmed,” Haahr says.

There were 194 murders in St. Louis in 2019, along with 148 homicides in Kansas City.

U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison has said that St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield are three of the top 15 most violent cities in the nation, on a per capita basis.

As for House Democrats, they are outnumbered this year in the Missouri House 114-48, with one vacancy. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, is also focused on increased support for witness protection. But she also tried to draw a distinction between the two parties, during her opening day press conference.

“We will not accept that children dying from gun violence on a weekly basis is the price that we pay for freedom,” says Quade. “And we will demand that common sense be restored to Missouri law to make it harder for the bad guy with the gun to get the gun in the first place.”

At least 13 children were killed in St. Louis City shootings in 2019.

Quade says House Democrats want to punish crime, not poverty.

The Missouri Senate Interim Committee on Public Safety is expected to come up with recommendations to address gun violence, for the 2020 session. The committee is chaired by State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff.

Speaker Haahr and Leader Quade held back-to-back press conferences at the Statehouse, on opening day.

Meantime, the Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Gaming released its report in December. The committee views the legalization of sports betting as a “legitimate opportunity to increase state revenues” for education and other programs.

18 states will have implemented sports wagering by this year.

Speaker Haahr tells Missourinet there’s a lot of discussion about sports wagering legislation at the Capitol.

“I don’t think any of that discussion particularly falls along party lines,” Haahr says. “I think it sort of cuts across both caucuses and so, we’ll consider those bills as they are filed.”

The House Special Interim Committee on Gaming’s report concluded that Missouri would likely lose revenue if it doesn’t remain competitive with other states.

Major League Baseball (MLB) representative Jeremy Kudon traveled to Jefferson City in November to testify before the gaming committee. He testifies that Missourians are expected to wager $5.5 billion annually on sports, if it’s legalized.

The House has adjourned for the week, and they’ll return to the Capitol on Monday. Next week’s schedule will be light, except for Governor Mike Parson’s State of the State Address on Wednesday.

Speaker Haahr says about 800 House bills have been filed, adding that about 100 will be referred to committee this week. He expects House floor debate to begin during the week of January 20.

HUD Secretary Carson to keynote Thursday breakfast in Jefferson City

January 8, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The nation’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will deliver the keynote address Thursday morning in Jefferson City at the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.

North Sarah Apartment resident Lonnie Nunn (left) welcomes U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson into her home in St. Louis on March 29, 2019 (file photo by Bill Greenblatt UPI)

Former presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson is the nation’s 17th HUD Secretary.

Hundreds of people are expected to pack the Capitol Plaza Hotel near the Missouri Capitol for the breakfast, which is an annual interfaith event for Missouri lawmakers and citizens.

Governor Mike Parson (R) will speak at the breakfast, and Secretary Carson will deliver the keynote. State lawmakers from both political parties attend the breakfast, which is from 7:30 to 9.

Event organizers say the purpose of the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast is to seek God’s guidance for state and legislative leaders at the start of the legislative session.

Missouri’s 2020 session began Wednesday in Jefferson City.

Secretary Carson was in Missouri in March 2019, to speak in St. Louis about the federal “Opportunity Zones” program. The program offers capital gains tax relief to those who invest in economically-depressed areas.

Dr. Carson spoke that day at the North Sarah Apartments, a HUD-supported housing complex that’s located in an opportunity zone.

Backers of modernizing Missouri’s HIV law say it’s matter of life and death

January 6, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Legislation aimed at modernizing the state’s current HIV laws has been filed by a bipartisan group of Missouri lawmakers, who say the current laws are based on information that is no longer scientifically accurate.

State Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, briefs Capitol reporters on December 11, 2019 in Jefferson City. State Rep. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, is at left (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at Missouri House Communications)

State Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, hopes legislative leaders help push House Bill 1691 through quickly.

“Let’s work on these things (HIV and her prescription drug monitoring program legislation) and get them done to actually truly affect people’s daily lives at home,” Rehder says.

Supporters of the Rehder legislation want to see the laws change, so there is no longer an incentive to not get tested for HIV. They say current law treats HIV as a crime.

State Rep. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, joined Rehder at a December press conference at the Statehouse in Jefferson City. McCreery has filed her own version of the bill, which is similar to the Rehder bill. Representative McCreery tells Missourinet that modernizing the laws is critical.

“It’s a matter of life and death and it’s one of those issues that affects both rural and urban, suburban Missouri,” says McCreery. “And that’s why we’re working together.”

The Rehder and McCreery bills would both eliminate HIV-specific language in state law.

A coalition of groups ranging from Empower Missouri to the Missouri HIV Justice Coalition to the AIDS Project of the Ozarks is supporting the legislation. Spectrum Healthcare Executive Director Cale Mitchell tells Capitol reporters the state’s current laws are medically inaccurate.

“Diagnosis of a chronic illness should not be punitive and that’s what we have seen historically with the HIV laws that are in place,” Mitchell says.

Missouri’s current law has felony-level penalties if an HIV-positive person cannot prove that they disclosed their HIV status before engaging in sexual activity.

As for Rehder, she notes President Donald Trump (R) has aimed to cut HIV cases by 90 percent within ten years.

Empower Missouri says of the top 220 counties in the United States that are at risk of rapid dissemination of HIV infection among those who inject drugs, 13 counties are in Missouri.

All 13 of those Missouri counties are south of Interstate 70. They are Bates, Cedar, Crawford, Hickory, Iron, Madison, Ozark, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Washington, Wayne and Wright.

Missouri’s 2020 session begins Wednesday at noon in Jefferson City.

Retired Missouri state trooper serves as Santa Claus for Operation T.O.Y.S. (AUDIO)

December 24, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

A retired Missouri State Highway Patrol captain says serving as Santa Claus again at the recent Operation T.O.Y.S. event in Jefferson City is a rewarding experience.

Longtime Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Tim Hull served as Santa Claus at the December 15, 2018 Operation T.O.Y.S. event in Jefferson City. He was joined by his daughter, Paige Anderson (file photo from Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth)

Tim Hull, who spent 32 years with the Patrol before retiring, met individually with about 100 children during this month’s event, which took place at Walmart East.

“I like to volunteer to do stuff in the community and get involved, and this is one way to do that,” Hull says.

Operation T.O.Y.S., which stands for Taking Our Youth Shopping, is an opportunity for children who otherwise would not be able to celebrate the holidays.

Hull says it’s a good bonding experience for the children and the officers, adding that he loves doing it. It’s his sixth straight year serving as Santa.

“Also keep my ties with law enforcement that I’ve had for so many years, so it’s a good fit for everybody,” says Hull.

Hull has participated in the Jefferson City event in various roles since 1992.

The 100 children now have Christmas presents for themselves and their families, thanks to Operation T.O.Y.S. Hull tells Missourinet that the kids bought for their families, before themselves.

“I saw one little girl in there with a hammer in her cart, so you know that’s got to be for mom or dad or grandma or grandpa or somebody in the family,” Hull says.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Scott White tells Missourinet some of the children bought shoes and coats for their siblings.

Law enforcement officers from mid-Missouri raised money throughout the year to help purchase Christmas presents at the event. Fundraising done by officers and civic groups allowed each child to purchase $150 in gifts for family members and themselves. Groups include the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #19, the Elks Lodge, Lions Clubs and Kiwanis.

Nine law enforcement agencies participated in the event. They were Jefferson City Police, Cole County Sheriff’s deputies, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Capitol Police, Lincoln University Police, Holts Summit Police and corrections officers and personnel from three Missouri Department of Corrections facilities: the Algoa, Jefferson City and Tipton Correctional Centers.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and retired Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Tim Hull, which was recorded on December 14, 2019 in Jefferson City:

Missouri state offices to close at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve

December 23, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor has signed an executive order that closes most state offices on Christmas Eve at 1 p.m.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson speaks to Missourinet on September 23, 2019 at Jefferson City’s Memorial Park (Brian Hauswirth file photo)

“Teresa and I hope this gives our state team members extra time to spend with their loved ones, as it is our family and close friends who truly make Christmas a joyful time of year,” Governor Parson said in a statement. “May we take a moment over the holiday to rejoice, give thanks and reflect on the special relationships we have in our lives. From our family to yours, we wish everyone peace, joy and a very merry Christmas.”

The order does not impact emergency services such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol and state prisons, which operate 24 hours a day.

There are more than 14,000 state employees in Jefferson City, making state government the town’s largest employer. State offices are also closed on Christmas Day, which is one of 12 official state holidays.

Click here to read Governor Parson’s executive order.

Winter weather advisories and watches issued for Missouri; Chiefs fans urged to be cautious

December 14, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued a winter weather advisory and a winter storm watch for much of Missouri, with a winter storm on the way.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued winter weather advisories and watches for much of Missouri (December 14, 2019 map courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter page)

The NWS’ winter weather advisory takes effect Sunday morning and goes through Monday night for a large portion of western and southwest Missouri. The advisory includes Kansas City, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Clinton and Waynesville.

A winter storm watch will go into effect Sunday at noon through Monday night. The watch area includes Columbia, Jefferson City, Fulton, Mexico, Kirksville and Macon.

The newest forecast from NWS in Pleasant Hill indicates the Columbia and Jefferson City areas could see higher snow totals than originally thought, with three to five inches now possible. Moberly, which is about 35 miles north of Columbia, could see almost six inches of snow.

The Kansas City metro area and I-70 communities like Concordia and Odessa should see about five inches of snow, by Monday.

National Weather Service Pleasant Hill meteorologist Spencer Mell has been urging you to get a full tank of gasoline for your vehicle, before the storm hits. He’s also urging you to pack a winter weather kit in your car and to charge your cell phone.

Meantime, the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has been treating roads and bridges in advance of the storm. MoDOT is urging motorists heading to Sunday’s Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to use extreme caution. Kickoff for Sunday’s Chiefs-Denver game at Arrowhead will begin at noon, and MoDOT says travel after the game will be more challenging that travel to the game.

MoDOT is also recommending that people delay their Monday morning commute, as the complex weather system has the potential to produce ice accumulations in some areas. MoDOT notes freezing rain and ice is expected to move into northwest Missouri early Monday morning.

You can check road conditions anytime at MoDOT’s traveler information map. Those without internet access or who want additional information can call the MoDOT customer service center anytime. That number is 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636). You can call it 24-7, 365 days a year.