News

Today Paul Pepper visits with KIT SALTER about the second half of 2017's Osher Saturday Morning Book Talk series! The next 'talk' will feature Jill Orr, author of "The Good Byline." Come for the conversation, stay for the pastries and coffee - it all begins at 9:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month! June 28, 2017

The Family Health Center in Columbia will have a new CEO as of July 1.

The new CEO is Jack Kelly, who has served as the Chief Operating Officer for the organization for nearly seven years. 

Kelly said he was originally inspired to work in community healthcare after being a nursing home administrator for nearly 30 years.

Missouri senators won't reconvene until at least after the July 4 holiday to consider legislation on abortion.

Republican Majority Leader Mike Kehoe on Tuesday announced the next Senate meeting is scheduled for July 6. But he said that's a technical session and no work will be done.

Republican Gov. Eric Greitens called lawmakers back to the Capitol for the second time this summer to work on abortion policy.

Missouri members of the NAACP and others are rallying against legislation to make it more difficult to sue for discrimination.

Roughly 40 people protested Tuesday at the Capitol and taped opposition notes outside Gov. Eric Greitens' office. The bill is pending on Greitens' desk. The Republican governor has not said if he'll allow the bill to become law or veto it.

In part because of the bill, the state NAACP issued an advisory telling travelers to be careful while in the state because of a danger that civil rights won't be respected.

The Missouri Supreme Court says it's constitutional to commit sex offenders to secure confinement after prison.

In two rulings Tuesday, the high court supported the Missouri law, which allows sexually violent offenders to be committed indefinitely to mental institutions.

A man convicted of sodomy and a man convicted of rape challenged their commitments and the constitutionality of the law.

Today Paul Pepper visits with HEATHER HARLAN, Phoenix Health Programs, about a new approach to helping family members who are, in turn, helping loved ones who are suffering from substance abuse issues and may not want to seek professional counseling themselves. At [4:04] actors BARB TUTTLE and LARRY SHAW invite everyone to come see Maplewood Barn's production of "Laughing Stock"! The very meta storyline - behind-the-scenes struggles at a local theatre company - will keep you 'laughing' from start to finish. Curtain goes up this Thursday! June 27, 2017

The Kansas City Press Club announced the winners of the Heart of America Awards at its banquet in Kansas City on Saturday. KBIA was honored with 24 awards, including 9 Gold Awards, 5 Silver Awards, 7 Bronze Awards, and 3 Honorable mention awards.

The Missouri NAACP is issuing an advisory telling travelers to be careful while in the state because of a danger that civil rights won't be respected.

The advisory cites a bill passed by lawmakers and awaiting action by Gov. Eric Greitens that would make it more difficult to sue for housing or employment discrimination.

State chapter President Rod Chapel said Monday that the organization is considering a full boycott of the state. The NAACP in February launched an economic boycott in North Carolina.

Today Paul Pepper welcomes back the Boone County Hams! They're teaming up with the African Children's Choir for a special concert this Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Columbia. Before they take the stage, the Hams perform three songs for us: "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die" [1:48]; "I Believe" [3:29]; and "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" [7:12]. June 26, 2017

The University of Missouri Libraries is asking book lovers for some help.

Library officials have a wish list of more than 400 books that they hoped to buy but are not able to because of budget cuts.

The number of Missouri House races lacking major-party opposition has been on the rise.

An analysis by The Associated Press of last fall's elections found that 60 percent of Missouri House races lacked a Republican or Democratic candidate — ranking in the top tier of states nationally.

The University of Missouri's Board of Curators has voted unanimously to revoke an honorary degree it granted to Bill Cosby.

University system President Mun Choi recommended that the board strip the comedian of a doctorate in humane letters he received in 1999. Choi cited allegations from several women that Cosby sexually assaulted them. Choi says Cosby's actions do not reflect the university's values.

Today Paul Pepper welcomes back ANGELA SPECK, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Missouri. Angela takes us on tour of www.greatamericaneclipse.com - a great way to find out just how long you'll get to enjoy the path of totality during this summer's solar eclipse! June 23, 2017

Missouri Republican Gov. Eric Greitens says he prefers a ramped-up House version of a bill to tighten state abortion laws

Greitens told reporters Thursday in Jefferson City that he supports the latest House iteration, which has more stringent restrictions than what senators had initially approved.

A Missouri circuit judge says Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's office wrote a confusing and grammatically incorrect summary of a referendum to repeal right to work.

A summary is meant to help voters understand ballot measures. But Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Green on Thursday ruled the right-to-work summary could confuse voters.

One way MU can make some money as it struggles with declining enrollment and lagging state support is to rent out empty residence halls to football fans, eclipse watchers and others who come to town to visit.

Today Paul Pepper welcomes back JANE WHITESIDES from the Missouri Symphony Society. This Sunday's "Mostly Mozart" concert at First Baptist Church in Columbia features, among others, resident opera artist SAMUEL WRIGHT and accompanist MUN-TZUNG WONG. They join us in studio to perform a sneak preview at [2:48]. Enjoy! June 22, 2017

A lawmaker says Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens will sign his bill to ban people convicted of sex offenses against children from coming within 500 feet of children's museums.

Cassville Republican Sen. David Sater said Wednesday that he's meeting with Greitens for a bill signing in Jefferson City Thursday.

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi wants the university to rescind an honorary degree given to Bill Cosby nearly 20 years ago.

The system's Board of Curators will vote Friday on Choi's recommendation. A university staff memo sent to the curators says sexual assault allegations against Cosby are "incompatible" with the honorary doctorate in humane letters given to him in 1999.

A federal judge in St. Louis is set to hear an update on the progress Ferguson, Missouri, has made in its agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The St. Louis suburb has been under scrutiny since the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in 2014. Brown, who was black and unarmed, was fatally shot by white Ferguson officer Darren Wilson during a street confrontation, leading to months of unrest.