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Columbia-based Socket Internet is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Socket was founded in 1994 and moved its headquarters to its "new" location on Columbia's Clark Lane in 2007. Socket’s network operations center operates an extensive network throughout Missouri, featuring redundant connections to the internet from both Kansas City and St. Louis. Socket serves hundreds of cities, including Columbia, Jefferson City, Ashland and many small towns like Moberly, Boonville, Sturgeon, Centralia and Sedalia. Socket president and co-owner Carson Coffman joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Mr. Coffman grew up in north Missouri's Callao, a farming community in Macon County. He graduated with Mizzou with a degree in civil engineering and was working 80-hour workweeks before he joined Socket part-time. He eventually went full-time and is now Socket's president and co-owner. Mr. Coffman tells listeners that the biggest challenge Socket faces is access to capital. Socket's home service offers television, phone and internet. Mr. Coffman says only about 50 percent of residents in Boone County have a sufficient level of high-speed internet. He also says 60 to 70 percent of customers get Socket's one-gig service. Mr. Coffman emphasizes the importance of serving everyone, including rural farming communities:

Democrats and Republicans on the Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee criticized the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) during a hearing this week in Jefferson City. Major delays in childcare payments are impacting daycares and Missouri families across the state. State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) serves on the committee. She joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri," telling listeners that the call center is a disaster and that Missourians are on hold for hours and that even if you reach a human, they can't help you. She says the agency has the funding and is demanding that the situation is rectified. She is calling on DESE to have some personnel work seven days a week until the issue is resolved. She says they have the funding to do it:

Missouri's annual veto session was fairly short Wednesday at the Statehouse in Jefferson City. Both chambers have GOP supermajorities, and they did not override any of Governor Mike Parson's (R) vetoes. State Rep. Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", telling listeners that one of the big highlights from Wednesday's veto session was farewell speeches from lawmakers who are term-limited, have lost primaries or are retiring. Chairman Griffith tells listeners that State Rep. Mike Haffner (R-Pleasant Hill) delivered a powerful House floor speech about September 11, 2001. Rep. Haffner was a U.S. Navy pilot who flew over New York patrolling the skies. Griffith says it was a powerful speech, adding that several lawmakers cried. Rep. Griffith praises three other Missouri lawmakers who are leaving: State Reps. Deb Lavender (D-Manchester), Kevin Windham (D-Hillsdale) and Travis Smith (R-Dora). Griffith admires Representative Lavender's passion for nursing home funding, and thanks Rep. Windham for all of his bipartisan help in obtaining funding for Jefferson City's Lincoln University. Griffith tells listeners that Windham was instrumental in that. Griffith also praises outgoing State Rep. Travis Smith (R-Dora) for bring the hazing issue to the forefront on the House floor:

You’ll be heading to the polls in November in Missouri to cast ballots on Amendment 3, which would essentially enshrine abortion in the Missouri Constitution. The Missouri Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday morning in Jefferson City, before issuing a one-page ruling hours later. The Missouri Supreme Court has reversed Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh’s decision. Judge Limbaugh ruled Friday that the November abortion ballot measure didn’t comply with state initiative petition requirements. The Missouri Supreme Court, by a majority vote, has ordered Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to certify “to local election authorities that Amendment 3 be placed on the November 5, 2024 general election ballot and shall take all steps necessary to ensure that it is on said ballot.” The Missouri Supreme Court said its decision was by a majority vote, but it’s unclear what the vote was. The state Supreme Court has seven members. Columbia attorney Jesus Osete, who is running for judge in the circuit that covers Boone and Callaway counties, joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" to explain the ruling. Counselor Osete, a Republican, tells listeners that the Missouri Supreme Court had four options. Counselor Osete is encouraging listeners to trust the courts and to read the ruling. He also says it's possible that Missourians could be voting on the measure again down the line, citing the Amendment Four ballot issue in Kansas City involving KCPD funding:

The Columbia Police Officers Association (CPOA) is warning about what they describe as rampant lawlessness and rampant violence in the city. We saw two high-profile crimes on Sunday and Monday. Missouri's Probation and Parole Board is expected to revoke the parole of the suspect who allegedly led numerous law enforcement officers on Monday morning’s high-speed pursuit across Columbia and Boone County. The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed into a Boone County Sheriff’s vehicle near Memorial Stadium. The deputy was not injured. 46-year-old Rickey Ross Deford of mid-Missouri’s Huntsville is a parolee with a lengthy criminal record. And a weekend Columbia shooting suspect remains jailed without bond this morning, after being charged with three felonies. Boone County prosecutors have charged 21-year-old Kadean Cunningham with first degree assault, armed criminal action and domestic assault for the shooting that happened on Jacobs place, near Highway 63 and Broadway. Columbia Police say the victim suffered non-life threatening injuries. Court documents allege that Cunningham pistol-whipped the male victim and also shot him in the thigh. Cunningham is also accused of head-butting a woman and choking her, causing the victim to vomit. CPOA executive director Matt Nichols joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", telling listeners that enough is enough. He says criminals aren't afraid of the police anymore. Nichols also says the CPOA is looking for a pro-law enforcement candidate to challenge Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe in April:

The Missouri Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Tuesday in Jefferson City in a high-profile case that ultimately will decide whether or not you will be voting on an abortion measure in November. Abortion rights supporters are appealing Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh’s ruling on Friday that a November abortion ballot measure didn’t comply with state initiative petition requirements. The “Missouri Independent” reports that potentially means Amendment three won’t be on your November ballot. The “Independent” says Judge Limbaugh ruled that the coalition behind Amendment three failed to meet a sufficiency requirement “through a failure to include any statute or provision that will be repealed, especially when many of these statutes are apparent.” Judge Limbaugh’s ruling says he found a blatant violation of Missouri state law. The group called "Missourians for Constitutional Freedom”, which backs the November ballot measure, tells the newspaper that they’ll appeal. "Missouri Times" publisher Scott Faughn joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", and praises Judge Limbaugh for giving time to appeal. Mr. Faughn tells listeners that the Missouri Supreme Court has three options tomorrow: they can affirm Judge Limbaugh's ruling, they can overturn it or they can do nothing, which would leave Judge Limbaugh's ruling intact. Scott also previewed tonight's "Missouri Times" event in Jefferson City recognizing House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson (R-Lee's Summit) and the 30 under 30 event. Mr. Faughn tells listeners that all proceeds will benefit the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center in Jefferson City:

Columbia residents have noticed the increase in homelessness in the city, especially near the I-70 exits and in the downtown area. 939 the Eagle’s Fred Parry, a former Boone County commissioner who hosts the “CEO Roundtable” on 939 the Eagle, says churches and their congregations are carrying a large part of Columbia’s social services burden, including helping the homeless. Mr. Parry’s guest on Saturday morning was the pastor of a brand-new church in Columbia. The King’s church meets at Woodcrest Chapel on West Nifong, and their Sunday service is at 6 pm. Pastor Colby Corsaut is the pastor of the new church. He joined Fred in-studio for the hour, telling listeners that he grew up in a secular home in Oklahoma, saying his father was a drug user and that his mother worked as a bartender. Pastor Corsaut attended the University of Oklahoma and later Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Theological seminary. He says he has ministered in France, Guatemala and Brazil. Fred Parry asked Pastor Corsaut why he came to Columbia, and the pastor says the churches here aren’t keeping pace with the population. Pastor Corsaut tells listeners that 60 to 85 percent of Columbia residents identify as non-religious, adding that the number is even higher among college students. The pastor describes Columbia as “post-Christian”, and Parry pressed him on what that means. “That means at one time, the people that planted some of the legacy churches that are here are no longer here. And you have a younger population that more and more identifies as non-religious,” the pastor tells Mr. Parry. While he hopes mid-Missouri residents will give his church a try, Pastor Corsaut tells listeners that he doesn’t believe that the King’s church is the only church in Columbia that needs to grow and be healthy. He wants other churches to thrive for religious purposes, but also to help struggling residents with social services. “We want to see a lot of healthy churches here. I think that’s good for the city. I think that’s good, as you mentioned, for the social services and the things that churches do just to care for people’s needs,” he tells Mr. Parry. Pastor Corsaut also addresses critics who say there are already enough churches in Columbia, and how the local community can support his church’s efforts:

The Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday afternoon in Jefferson City to investigate the causes and impacts of delays in issuing childcare payments by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) says the issue is urgent, saying the delays in issuing childcare payments are having an impact on Missouri families and childcare providers. Speaker Plocher wants answers, saying the GOP-controlled Missouri House has made historic investments in public education. DESE Commissioner Karla Eslinger is expected to testify on Tuesday. "Missouri Times" publisher Scott Faughn joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" to preview the hearing and discuss other issues. Mr. Faughn tells listeners that Commissoner Eslinger will face tough questions from lawmakers. He says Eslinger has "inherited a terrible mess" at DESE, saying the agency is struggling and can't cut the checks. Mr. Faughn tells listeners that the agency is dysfunctional, adding that people can't reach employees at DESE because some are only in the office one or two days a week. He predicts Commissioner Eslinger will get checks cut before Tuesday's hearing:

Retiring Stephens College president Dianne Lynch is in her 16th and final year as president of the nation’s second-oldest college. Stephens College was founded in Columbia in 1833 and has a rich 190-year history. President Lynch joined host Fred Parry in-studio this weekend on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. Stephens has welcomed its largest undergraduate class in a decade, with its fall class up 60 percent from last fall. Lynch credits the big jump in undergraduate enrollment to the college’s adoption this fall of a “block schedule”, where students enroll in one class at a time, with each class running three-and-a-half weeks. President Lynch tells listeners that it’s time for her to retire, saying there is a reason and a season for leadership. “And after 16 years, it’s time for somebody else. Fresh eyes, fresh ideas, fresh leadership style, to arrive and embrace this extraordinary community and to be the next president that does great things at Stephens.” She tells listeners that Stephens has been her life’s work. Board chair M. Anne Murphy praises President Lynch, saying Stephens has flourished under her leadership, adding that President Lynch’s impact on Stephens “will be felt for generations to come.” One of President Lynch’s signature achievements was securing the largest gift in Stephens’ history: a $2.5 million annual donation in perpetuity, effective doubling Stephens’ endowment. The school has also invested $13.5 million into campus improvements in the past three years, including roof work, air conditioning work and windows. President Lynch also updated Fred and our listeners on the nursing program at Stephens, and about how Boone Hospital Center is doing:

Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude admits violent crime statistics are a bit complicated, without an understanding of how they work. Chief Schlude joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", telling listeners that violent crime in Columbia has increased by four percent this year. Chief Schlude says violent crime includes murder, rape, robbery and assault. Chief Schlude met this week with CPD's analyst to get the new numbers. We also discussed the proposed Flock camera system during the live interview. Columbia Police have drafted a policy regarding the appropriate use of the proposed Flock Safety camera program system. CPD recently held eight sessions across the city to get feedback on the issue, and Chief Schlude tells listeners that many of the comments are supportive, while some are against it. CPD says Flock Safety technology would be used to combat crime in the city. CPD hopes to purchase and implement automatic license plate readers in the city. CPD says Flock Safety cameras support law enforcement by offering objective evidence that’s crucial for solving cases. CPD says the cameras would provide real-time alerts to law enforcement when they detect stolen vehicles or suspect vehicles listed in local, state or national crime databases. CPD says Flock Safety cameras record license plate numbers and vehicle details like make, model and color, but don’t capture identifiable images of people or their faces. CPD says vehicles are involved in 70 percent of crimes. Chief Schlude tells listeners that she's optimistic that Columbia's city council will approve the Flock proposal in September. She says she's worked with city manager De'Carlon Seewood and others to address concerns raised by the city council during the FUSUS camera discussion. Chief Schlude describes herself as an eternal optimist: