Kristofor Husted

Regional news coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Sen. McCaskill supports Hillary Clinton super PAC
• Local support for UM System change to same-sex benefits
• Missouri moves to lift ban on foreign farm owners

Regional news coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• U.S. Rep. Jason Smith's first piece of legislation in Washington
• Kansas City loses thousands of jobs over past decade
• Gov. Nixon contemplates cash-advance bill

The University of Missouri System Board of Curators approved its 2014 budget Friday. UM System President Tim Wolfe says the budget identifies strategic areas for funding to help strengthen the university brand.

Drought conditions in much of the country have eased, but the Great Plains region is still in rough shape. Last year’s dryness pushed the nation’s cattle herd to its lowest numbers since the 1950s. Dry conditions this summer could cause the herd to dwindle even further. As Harvest Public Media's Luke Runyon reports from Colorado, that means beef prices are on the rise this summer just in time for grilling season.

On this week's Business Beat: 47 million Americans are enrolled in the SNAP program, or food stamps, including nearly 16 percent of Missourians.  SNAP is the biggest spending item in the farm bill. And the program has a big bulls eye on it as Congress debates new legislation. As Grant Gerlock reports for Harvest Public Media, the economic considerations go beyond who receives SNAP benefits to how and where the money is spent.

Regional news coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Battle High School officially opens for first day of summer school
• Missouri Department of Natural Resources temporarily shuts down three beaches
• Flooded Missouri River still causing problems

Updated 4:12 p.m. with quotes and graphics

 The University of Missouri announced today that all employees working in MU's main administrative building, Jesse Hall, will be moved to a new location to allow for the installation of sprinkler systems, improvements to the heating and cooling systems, and an additional elevator. Nearby Swallow Hall which houses MU's Museum of Anthropology, will also undergo repairs including an increase in classroom, lab and office space totaling up to 5,000 square feet.  The project, called "Renew Mizzou," will cost more than $22.8 million.

Dozens of Ste. Genevieve County residents met last night (Tuesday) with the company applying to open up a sand mine in their neighborhood. Locals fired questions at Mark Rust, owner of Summit Proppants, for four hours about health concerns, traffic safety and property values.

Dozens of Ste. Genevieve County residents met Tuesday night with the company applying to open up a sand mine in their neighborhood. Locals fired questions at Mark Rust, owner of Summit Proppants, for four hours about the mine’s potential impact on the community.

The biggest points of contention between locals and the company included regulation on air and water quality, the 50 semis traveling in and out of the facility daily, the possible decrease in property value and a guarantee that the company would only operate during the day.

Regional news coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Farm Bill hits the Senate floor for debate
• Mo. lawmakers to study failed measures before 2014 session
• Mo. Social Services Director Freeman resigns after 5 months