Local Station News
Missouri and Illinois Receive High Speed Rail Funding
High speed travel between St. Louis and Chicago is one step closer to reality. Missouri's and Illinois's Transportation Departments received $1.1 billion in federal grants today to construct a high speed rail between the major cities.
Fulton and Columbia Schools Brace for Cuts
The outline for state education funding was announced last week leaving school districts with the prospect of making hard choices about what they can keep funding.
KBIA's Ben Stewart has more on two mid-Missouri districts bracing for what could be lean times ahead.
Audit Finds MODOT Underestimated Funds Needed for Road and Bridge Repair
A new state audit finds that the Missouri Department of transportation underestimated how much money they would need for road and bridge repair over the next 20 years.
Governor Stops at Newsy to Promote Jobs Package
Just one day after his State of the State Address, Governor Jay Nixon made a quick tour of Missouri Thursday outlining his three pronged 2010 Jobs Package.
One stop included Newsy dot com in Columbia.
Ameren's Pure Power Program Under Scrutiny
Ameren UE's Pure Power program is under scrutiny by the Missouri Public Service Commission. Regulators say the utility's customers don't know what they're getting when they agree to pay extra to support renewable energy development.
Local Relief Agency Needs More Donations for Haiti
Gov. Jay Nixon wants Missourians to keep their donations coming to help the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake. Nixon announced in a statement Tuesday that new links on the state's Web site will direct people to sites where they can donate to relief efforts.
Forsee Asks MU Employees to Partcipate in Online Survey
Some faculty and staff at MU are concerned about their pay and benefits after en e-mail that President Gary Forsee's office sent out Monday. Forsee sent an e-mail asking employees to participate in a confidential online survey about their pay and benefits.
UM Furloughs Still Off the Table For Now
Despite a reduction in state funding, University of Missouri leaders say the option of furloughs is still off the table for now.
Missouri's Tax Revenues Down
Missouri's tax revenues plunged 10.6% in the first half of the state's budget year.
New Incentives for Companies Staying in Missouri
Governor Jay Nixon says he wants to create a more level playing field for businesses that have been in Missouri for several years. He stopped in Springfield and Kansas City today to outline his new "Missouri First" proposal.
More Plans for the Old Jefferson City Penitentiary
The state is moving forward with its plans to redevelop the old Jefferson City Penitentiary site. The Office of Administration this morning unveiled the plan that includes government use, private business, and historic preservation
Nanotechnology Funding Coming to Columbia
A Columbia-based consortium dedicated to nanotechnology research and industry is set to receive its first major round of funding.
Mid-MO Health Care Nonprofits Receive Grants
A handful of mid-Missouri nonprofits have received grant funding from the Missouri Foundation for Health, in its most recent round of funding.
MO State Parks Needs Millions of Dollars For Repairs
Missouri State Parks leaders say they need millions of dollars to deal with repair and maintenance issues.
Paquin Towers Receives Money For Rec Program
An organization has donated money to help fund recreational programs for residents with low-income and disabilities.
Legal Status Ahead for Margarine in Missouri
Missouri state laws currently bans grocery stores from selling something you likely have in your fridge. Margarine is an illegal substance.
AG Sues Former Columbia Property Developer
A former Columbia development business is under fire for violating the Clean Water Act. KBIA's Maureen McCollum has more on the attorney general's lawsuit.
Boone County Sales Tax Revenue Declines
The Boone County Commission is tightening its spending targets as its primary funding source - sales tax revenue - declines.
Jefferson City Citizens Debate New Recycling Plan
Mandatory curbside trash and recycling pickup may have begun weeks ago in Jefferson City, but some residents are still fuming at the idea. Those against the service have now come together to form a citizen action committee group. They say they aren't stopping until they see results. The City though, is standing behind its decision.
Adair County Officials Vote for Cost of Living Hike
Adair County elected officials have voted to give themselves a cost of living hike next year.
Corrupt Broker Investigation Continues
Former Edward Jones broker Craig McClaskey is accused of moving $52,000 of an elderly Moberly woman's savings into a Florida real estate investment that named him as a co-owner. Other accusations include changing several of the 85-year-old woman's investments to designate him or his wife as the beneficiary, as well as entering into an agreement to purchase his client's home for a dollar.
Downtown Development Project Withdrawn
The proposal for a downtown apartment and retail project has been withdrawn.
Homebuyers Could Save on Next Year's Property Taxes
The state of Missouri would pay the first year of property taxes for some homebuyers, under a new proposal.
Public Broadcasting Stations Deal with Budget Cuts
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.
Budget Cuts Affect Missouri's Arts
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
A new spending recommendation in Boonville may lead to increased resources and public safety in the city.
Chancellor Deaton Reacts to Budget Cuts
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.
Few Businesses Taking Advantage of Low Interest Loans
It's no secret, Missouri is in an economic slump. Bust so few businesses are applying for low interest loans from the state that officials are worried this stimulus program is a secret to local businesses.
Columbia Community Birth Center Closing at End of Year
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
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.
