News

Today Paul Pepper visits with MARILYN McLEOD, League of Women Voters, about National Voter Registration Day. Marilyn tells us that while most people are registered, if you're not, September 26th is a good day "to just get it done." If you are looking to 'get it done', the League will be registering people that day at the Columbia Public Library! At [4:14] GAIL HUMPHRIES MARDIROSIAN tells us about Stephens College School of Performing Arts' 70th season, now underway with "Intimate Apparel." Still to come: Blithe Spirit, Anything Goes, Into the Woods and a whole lot more! Watch for details. September 19, 2017

The city completed its budget process Monday night, and Columbia residents can expect to see a slight increase on their utility bills next year.

A plan seven years in the works to improve the city's electric system took yet another turn Monday night.

  City Council Monday night unanimously voted to approve two studies that will evaluate the city's electrical distribution system. City officials cited rising growth and demand in the south side of town as major reasons for the studies.

Columbia’s Department of Public Health and Human Services will offer free flu shots this year for children ages six months to 18 years, Monday to Friday at 1005 W. Worley St. without an appointment.

Eric Stann, the Community Relations Specialist at the department of Public Health and Human Services says, the flu season begins around October 1, but as preventative measures people should be staying home if sick, covering coughs and sneezes with an elbow or a shirt sleeve. They should also frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water.

Westminster College will host its 12th annual Hancock Symposium this week. This year’s theme is “Advocacy and Activism: Leading from Where You Are.”

The symposium will be hosting a diverse group of speakers ranging from an expert in terrorism, to a Native American activist, to the founder of the first coding school for girls in Afghanistan, according to a press release.

Dr. Leah Gunning Francis will be speaking about her book “Ferguson and Faith: Sparking Leadership and Awakening a Community.” She describes her experience in Ferguson and interviews a dozen clergy members who were actively involved in the movement for racial equality.

The Columbia City Council is planning to vote on the budget for fiscal year 2018 on Monday night. Council Member Michael Trapp says monthly utility rates will increase by approximately $3.87, and that almost all  utility rates increase each year.

“I think we keep our rates as low as we can. A goal of the city is to keep rate increases for all of the utilities less than $5 a month,” said Trapp.

Today Paul Pepper welcomes back local singer/songwriter LARRY BROWN! Larry performs William Spencer's "Harvest Time," [2:26] a hymn he says appealed to people affected by hard economic times at the turn of the century, but has since waned in popularity. Find out why he thinks interest faded over the years. September 18, 2017

After 36 years, the tiny central Missouri village of Lupus is calling off its annual chili festival because it's become too popular.

In recent years, the Lupus Chili Fest has drawn thousands to the Moniteau County town of about 30 people.

The Columbia Missourian reports festival organizers announced last week that this year's event was canceled because the village couldn't handle the anticipated crowds.

Resident Jim Denny says more than 2,000 people attended last year. The festival organizers say the town doesn't have the infrastructure to ensure safety and comfort for that big of a crowd.

The festival started in 1982 as a small word-of-mouth party, but crowds have grown steadily since people began promoting it on social media.

Fulton Medical Center officials say the hospital has been sold and the new owners intend to keep it open.

Hospital officials said Friday the hospital was sold to EmpowerHMS, a health care management company based in Kansas City.

The Jefferson City News-Tribune reports the terms of the sale state that EmpowerHMS will keep the hospital open and its 37 beds available for patient care, with most employees being retained.

The previous owners of the hospital had announced in July they planned to close it on Friday, Sept. 22. It is the only hospital in Callaway County.

Ownership cited financial strains from low patient numbers and a deteriorating facility as the reason. MU Health Care sold its 35 percent stake in the hospital July 18 citing low patient volume.

Fulton Mayor LeRoy Benton and other officials met with the new owners Friday. Benton said he was relieved and elated with the news.

The sale price was not released.

The Latest on protests over the acquittal of a white former St. Louis police officer in the killing of a black suspect (all times local):

9:30 p.m.

St. Louis police have at least seven people in custody as crowds angry over the acquittal of a police officer broke windows and damaged property for a third night.

Buses carrying police in full riot gear and shields arrived near the downtown location where police said significant property damage was reported following an hours-long nonviolent protest Sunday afternoon and evening. After protest organizers asked people to disband, some remained behind, as they had the previous two nights.

State Rep. Bruce Franks, who has participated in the protests, said those who are violent and vandalizing "are not protesters," saying they are part of a group separate from those marching as part of organized demonstrations.

Franks said he was trying to calm the situation.

Police tweeted that a bike officer was taken to a hospital with a non-life-threatening leg injury.

Each year, with the release of traffic stop data by the Missouri Attorney General's Office, the problem of racial profiling comes into sharper focus — and validates the suspicions of people who say they've been pulled over because of the color of their skin. Community groups like the NAACP and the newer Race Matters, Friends, have asked Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton to, first, acknowledge the problem and then take steps to solve it.

A $21.6 million gift from the Novak family to the University of Missouri School of Journalism will establish what the university calls the world’s first center for communication and marketing-based leadership education.

The Novak Leadership Institute will provide students with hands-on experience in leadership and development, organizational communication, entrepreneurship and service. 

David Novak, the retired chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, says he gave to the university because there is a need to train students to become effective leaders.

Today Paul Pepper visits with JOHN HOWE, author of "The Foolish Corner: Avoiding Mind Traps in Personal Financial Decisions." John tells us how a pre-mortem can help in making the initial choice to invest in a sunk cost. John also touches on how to automate your savings.  September 15, 2017

Hickman High School will dedicate the Coach Arnel “Spanky” Monroe Memorial Pavilion Friday night as a tribute to the former football coach who died unexpectedly of a heart attack one year ago.

The ceremony prior to the game against Rock Bridge will be led by J.D. Coffman, Hickman High School athletics director and assistant principal for athletics and activities. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. near the side of the pavilion between the football and baseball stadiums.

A medical examiner has an autopsy on the death of a developmentally disabled Missouri man whose body was found in April encased in concrete.

The Fulton Sun reports Fulton Police Chief Steve Myers said Thursday the autopsy on 31-year-old Carl DeBrodie was received within the last week.

Columbia ACT scores are ranked higher than the state in a five-year period, according to ACT compiled data beginning in 2013. The Columbia Public School District’s average composite score is 21.5, ranking higher than the state average.

Community Relations Director Michelle Baumstark says the students get a chance to have the ACT curriculum taught to them in the classroom where they can receive extra practice.