KBIA NewsRoom

Public Broadcasting Stations Deal with Budget Cuts

Columbia, MO (2009-11-20) Budget cuts to the Missouri Arts Council have affected a number of state agencies and organizations. Public broadcasting is no exception. The public broadcasting budget was sliced in half...meaning stations won't receive expected state funds for the rest of the fiscal year.

Missouri Department of Economic Development Receives Federal Grant

Jefferson City, MO (2009-11-20) Unemployment figures show Missourians are getting back to work, and the Department of Economic Development says its recent gift will compliment the growing economy. The $1.2 million grant from the Federal Government is aimed at researching methods to train Missouri's workforce in green techniques.

Budget Cuts Affect Missouri's Arts

Columbia, MO (2009-11-06) In October, Governor Jay Nixon announced another round of cuts to the state budget. This round adding up to $200 million. Among the sectors affected are humanities, arts, and history. Missouri's Department of Economic Development oversees the Arts Council, Humanities Council, Public Broadcasting, Historic Preservation, and State Library Network...all of which have seen their state budgets sliced in half.

Boonville May Expand Airport and Fire Department

Columbia, MO (2009-11-19) A new spending recommendation in Boonville may lead to increased resources and public safety in the city.

Chancellor Deaton Reacts to Budget Cuts

Columbia, MO (2009-11-18) Missouri's higher education leaders have to get serious about what to do with budget reductions. Governor Jay Nixon announced this week that state universities and colleges would take a 5% budget cut across the board. That goes along with university and college officials not raising tuition for in-state, undergraduate students. KBIA's Maureen McCollum has more on the steps Mizzou's campus will have to take.

Columbia Community Birth Center Closing at End of Year

Columbia, MO (2009-10-30) Women seeking midwives to assist them in childbirth can no longer rely on a local Birth Center.

Millions of Dollars Cut From MO Budget, Hundreds of Jobs Lost Jefferson City, MO (2009-10-28) Governor Jay Nixon is cutting nearly 204 million dollars from Missouri's current state budget, as state revenues continue to decline. Almost 700 state jobs are being eliminated, nearly 500 of which are part-time.

Humane Society Forms Committee to Review Adoption Changes

Columbia, MO (2009-10-28) A change in the procedure for adopting a pet from the Central Missouri Humane Society sparked a small feud not long ago. However, after last night's board meeting, things seem to be resolved.

Scrap Metal Company Expanding in Moberly

Columbia, MO (2009-10-28) After months of work and research, a business is set to expand and relocate in Moberly. Shapiro Brothers Incorporated is a scrap metal processing company that mainly handles scrap disposal needs. It also provides full demolition and railroad services. The Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation has been working with the Shapiro Brothers in its expansion and improvement efforts.

Mexico Airport to Get Makeover Columbia, MO (2009-10-09) The Mexico Memorial Airport will soon be getting a makeover.

Special Legislative Committee Appointed to Improve Energy Columbia, MO (2009-08-12) A special committee on state energy policy has been established. So far, it includes five state senators, including Columbia's Kurt Schaefer, and will soon include five house members. The committee will hold hearings and submit a report to the general assembly by December on suggested legislative changes to keep Missouri in a position of having affordable and reliable power for the next 25 years.

Missouri Gets $15 Million for Electric Vehicle Projects

Kansas City, Missouri (2009-08-05) Missouri is getting more than 15 million dollars in federal grants tied to developing electricity-powered vehicles, the Department of Energy announced today.

Missouri Bids for $200 Million in Stimulus Funding for Rail Projects

Jefferson City, Missouri (2009-08-05) The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission voted today (Wednesday) to seek 200 million dollars in federal funding for several railroad projects.

Federal Grant to Help Improve School Technology

Columbia, MO (2009-08-04) Federal stimulus funds continue to be awarded in Missouri, and this time, it's to help improve technology in schools.

Gates Foundation Awards Missouri State Library $1 Million Colubmia, MO (2009-07-31) Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced today that the Missouri State Library has been awarded more than one million dollars in grant money from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bond To Speak At Bridge Columbia, MO (2009-07-31) Senator Kit Bond will deliver the opening remarks today at a groundbreaking for the COLT Railroad Bridge in Northern Columbia.

Columbia's Proposed Budget Down From Last Year's

Columbia, MO (2009-07-30) Next fiscal year's budget for Columbia includes cuts, preservations, and goals for the city. City Manager Bill Watkins presented it Thursday.

UM Board of Curators Urges State to Priortize Ellis Fischel Funding

Columbia, MO (2009-07-29) The University of Missouri Board of Curators wants the state to make certain capital projects a top priority. They approved the decision last week, to urge the legislature to make a few Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative projects first in line to receive funding in fiscal year 2011.

MU Veterinary College Receives $1 Million Gift

Columbia, MO (2009-07-29) The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine received a major award Wednesday in honor of two late golden retrievers.

Jefferson City Employees May Receive Pay Raise, Columbia's Give Back

Columbia, MO (2009-07-28) Jefferson City city employees may be getting a pay increase. Mayor John Landwehr proposed a 2% cost-of-living and a 1% percent merit-based increase in the city's 2010 budget. Landwehr says every city cannot be expected to have the same financial situations. But...even cities as close to the Capital as Columbia are proposing different budgets.

Record Breaking Attendance at Boone County Fair Columbia, MO (2009-07-28) More than 158,000 people passed through the Boone County Fairground gates last week, setting a record in attendance. That's up 47% compared to last year's turnout.

Kirksville to Participate in Sales Tax Holiday; Columbia Will Not Columbia, MO (2009-07-28) The sales tax holiday is next weekend. Kirksville is participating, but a number of towns are not.

MO Cyber Crime Units Receive Stimulus Funds

Columbia, MO (2009-07-27) The federal government has awarded $1.5 million in stimulus funds to Missouri's internet crime task forces.

UM System Wants Stae to Make Projects Top Priority

Columbia, MO (2009-07-24) The University of Missouri System is asking the state to make certain projects a top priority next fiscal year. The Board of Curators met this morning and approved plans to request appropriations from the state in fiscal year 2011.

National Minimum Wage Surpasses Missouri's Rate Jefferson City, MO (2009-07-24) Missouri's minimum wage of $7.05 cents an hour was surpassed today with the rise of the national minimum wage to $7.25 an hour. The higher minimum wage is not welcome news to the state's business interests.

Ameren UE Asking for Rate Increase St. Louis, MO (2009-07-24) Ameren UE wants to raise electric rates for Missouri customers by 18-percent.

Budget Cutbacks Could Threaten Missouri Water Patrol Columbia, MO (2009-07-23) A proposal to help tighten Missouri's budget - should it need to be cutback - could leave the Missouri Water Patrol with fewer officers.

TIF Applications Approved for Downtown Projects

Columbia, MO (2009-07-21) The Columbia City Council has okayed two applications of private investors seeking public funds for downtown building projects. KBIA's Maureen McCollum has more on the TIF projects

Ground Broken on New Parking Garage Columbia, MO (2009-07-21) The city broke ground Tuesday on a parking garage that will include space for stores, offices and restaurants at the street level. The garage will be Columbia's first mixed-use parking structure and will include 703 parking spaces and 13-thousand square feet for retail.

MO Grain Dealer Charged in Ponzi Scheme Jefferson City, MO (2009-07-20) A mid-Missouri grain dealer has been charged with swindling farmers out of millions of dollars.