News

What is the appropriate way for the news media to cover a suicide? Last week, when Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, it was front-page news. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch released a voicemail Schweich left for Editorial Page Editor Tony Messenger moments before firing the shot. Was publishing a violation of Shweich’s privacy or in the best interest of the public? 

  The House Education Committee passed a bill on Monday which would require public school activities to be available to home-schooled students in the area.

Wentzville Republican Bryan Spencer says the taxpayers deserve this option.

“With these people paying taxes I think that they should get something for the dollars that they are contributing to the public school system," Spencer said.

  Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth has suggested that political bullying led Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich (shwyk) to fatally shoot himself.

Danforth delivered the eulogy Tuesday during a memorial service for Schweich that was attended by many of Missouri's top elected officials and hundreds of others.

Danforth was a close friend, co-worker and political mentor to Schweich, who had planned to run for governor.

  The state budget director says increases in Missouri's revenues are holding steady at close to a 5 percent growth from last year.

Budget Director Linda Luebbering on Tuesday reported 4.9 percent growth in general revenue this fiscal year, close to Gov. Jay Nixon's estimate of 4.6 percent.

Nixon's used that number to guide spending restrictions on hundreds of millions of dollars approved for use by the Legislature last session. Luebbering says about $690 million is still being withheld.

Today Paul Pepper and VAL GERMANN, Central Missouri Astronomical Association, talk about tomorrow night's (March 4) unique ability to see the planet Uranus through a pair of binoculars, as well as Thursday night's (March 5) "mini moon." As usual, Val has brought more stunning images from outer space - check them out! March 3, 2015

The Columbia City Council voted Monday night to withdraw the single-use plastic bag ban from the agenda until more research is done and community involvement is higher. There’s no estimate for exactly how long it would be before the issue might be brought up again, but City Manager Mike Matthes said it would be a “substantial” amount of time.

The Boonville police officers are now using body cameras. Last week, the police department received 20 body cameras for its full-time police officers. The department received a grant to purchase 7 cameras while the city paid for the rest. Each body camera costs $738. Boonville Detective Randall Ayers said the cameras have only had minor software glitches so far. He said the new body cameras will benefit the police department.

The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education will present Mexico High School speech and theater teacher Sara Given with the Creativity and Innovation in Teaching award. Given will be recognized for creating the first ever Jellybean Speech Olympics competition.

The Columbia City Council voted to issue about 20 million dollars in bonds to fund multiple sewer projects.

10 percent of the funds raised from the bonds will be used to create a sewage extension to the Midway area. The project would create a means to annex the area.

Members of the Ferguson Commission reported on their first 100 days of operation at a meeting Monday night at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis.

Governor Jay Nixon created the commission in October to examine the root causes of the unrest following 18-year-old Michael Brown’s death in August.

Kansas City Public Schools has settled a lawsuit over how it handled students protesting during a speech by Governor Nixon last year.

The students were protesting the shooting of Michael Brown during a speech at the Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in November, when they were ordered to sit down.

The Funeral for Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich is Tuesday, and Missouri lawmakers are clearing their schedules.

The Missouri House and Senate canceled most committee hearings scheduled for Tuesday and moved back the start time to 4 PM, to accommodate the earlier funeral.

Today Paul Pepper chats with HEATHER HARLAN, Phoenix Health Programs, Inc., about a free mental health screening for kids and young adults, ages 9-21. Why would you have a child screened? Two words: early intervention. Heather explains - watch! March 2, 2015

Officials say construction on Kansas City's downtown streetcar project is nearly 50 percent complete and is on track to finish this fall.

The city of Fulton is asking its residents what kind of changes they would like to see in their local parks. City officials recently launched a ten-year master plan to improve its facilities, and they want people’s opinions on what those improvements should entail. Mayor LeRoy Benton says that the city is focused on expansion.

Local choir Boonslick Chordbusters performed with the African Children’s Choir Wednesday night in a benefit concert at First Baptist Church off of East Broadway.