“Missouri Independent” deputy editor Rudi Keller is the dean of the Missouri Capitol Press Corps in Jefferson City. The 65-year-old Keller joined host Fred Parry for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. They spoke in-detail about Missouri’s budget, the Chiefs, friction between Republicans and Democrats in the Missouri Senate and about news media coverage of state government in Jefferson City. Rudi’s main focus for the Missouri Independent is the state budget, although he handles day-to-day legislative coverage as well. He tells listeners that the Missouri Independent is doing a service to keep Missourians informed. Mr. Keller also addressed “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn’s recent purchase of the “Jefferson City News-Tribune”, the “Fulton Sun” and the “California Democrat”, adding that revenue in newspapers now is almost nonexistent. Rudi addressed the friction as well in the Missouri Senate between the two parties and says 2025 was a watershed year. He also addressed the Chiefs’ planned move to Kansas with a new domed stadium there. Mr. Keller earned his degree from the University of Missouri and did two stints at the “Columbia Daily Tribune”, one from 1987-1999 and the second from 2010-2020, when he left to join the new “Missouri Independent.” Rudi’s coverage of Moberly’s Mamtek scandal was one of the biggest stories he covered early in that second stint. Rudi Keller and host Parry also discussed Rudi’s recent marriage. Missouri Supreme Court Judge Paul Wilson performed the ceremony:

A Missouri congressman who represents southern and southeast Missouri on Capitol Hill says Americans will see larger tax refunds than ever, thanks to the "big, beautiful bill" that he sponsored. U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Salem) joined Randy Tobler and Stephanie Bell live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that tax refunds will be up 26 percent. Congressman Smith is the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee chairman. Chairman Smith tells listeners that the average tax refund will be about $1.000 for every American. Chairman Smith says the GOP tax cuts will put more money into the economy. Democrats say they will primarily help the wealthy. Chairman Smith also tells listeners that Social Security and Medicaid will be insolvent by 2034 unless Congress takes action. He says those two programs must be protected:

State Rep. Will Jobe (D-Independence) has filed a House resolution and wants to impeach Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) over the issue of new congressional maps and signatures. Secretary Hoskins joined hosts Randy Tobler and Stephanie Bell live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri" and responded to the House resolution. Secretary Hoskins tells listeners that he's been doing his job. He says he will continue to do his job, follow the Missouri Constitution and follow state law. He also discussed other issues in Missouri's 2026 legislative session:

Columbia Police have captured a 17-year-old male juvenile for Saturday night’s shots fired incident and carjacking at the busy Shoppes at Stadium. CPD is crediting Flock Safety cameras and assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol in capturing the suspect. Columbia Police have arrested him for three counts of first degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, vehicle hijacking, property damage and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. CPD says this is still an active investigation. The case remains in juvenile court. Columbia Police chief Jill Schlude joined 939 the Eagle's Mike Murphy live on the "Eagle Eye Drive at 5," telling listeners that the incident began with a few disturbances "between two groups" that happened before the shots were fired. Chief Schlude says the two groups ended up at Dick's Sporting Goods and that someone pulled out a gun and fired eight to ten shots inside the store. She says it's a miracle that no one was injured. Chief Schlude tells listeners that the 17-year-old suspect then allegedly carjacked a woman who was in the Chick-fil-A drive through. Chief Schlude also addressed Sunday night's deadly triple shooting at the Greens, telling listeners that it was domestic violence related:

Missouri's 2026 legislative session begins Wednesday at noon in Jefferson City. Republicans will once again have large majorities in both chambers, including a 24-10 supermajority in the Missouri Senate. Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O'Laughlin (R-Shelbina) joined Randy Tobler and Stephanie Bell live this morning on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri". President Pro Tem O'Laughlin tells listeners that she wants to have a good relationship with Democrats, but reminds them that Republicans have a 24-10 supermajority. She is also calling for performance-based budgeting and says spending in Jefferson City has been unsustainable:

The retired Landmark Bank chairman who has studied economic trends in Columbia/Boone County for 38 years says the decision by Central Bank to go public is a smart move. Former Landmark Bank chairman Jeff MacLellan joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. “What they’ve done is they now have access to capital markets. And for a bank to grow you really need, particularly if you’re going to grow quite a bit, you need access to capital markets. And if you look at their performance over time, they’ve always done really well,” Mr. MacLellan tells Fred Parry, who asked him what he means by capital markets. Mr. MacLellan tells listeners he is referring to stock. Mr. MacLellan also discussed Columbia’s economy since he arrived in 1987 and says it’s been resilient. The biggest change he’s noticed is Columbia’s population. “When I came here in 1987, the population was about 67,000. And today it’s somewhere north of 131,000. So the town hasn’t quite doubled but almost. I mean it’s really close,” he says. Mr. MacLellan tells listeners that the common denominator for that growth is the University of Missouri. He and Fred also discussed Jefferson City’s population, crime in Columbia, the real estate market and other topics during the interview. He says Columbia Board of Realtor numbers show the average days on market for a home in Columbia last year was 32 and that it’s now 38 days. Jeff MacLellan was born and raised in Mexico City, before he enrolled at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri at the age of 14 and graduated from there. He remains on the board of directors at Missouri Military Academy and says it’s a great facility. After serving in Guam in the U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam war, he earned multiple degrees from SMU in Dallas, a campus known as “The Hilltop”:

Missouri's 2026 legislative session starts Wednesday at noon in Jefferson City. State Sen. Nick Schroer (R-St. Charles County) wants to cut personal property taxes, describing them as theft. He joined Randy Tobler and Peter Thiele live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that you shouldn't have to pay taxes on something you already own. Senator Schroer is also calling for state lawmakers to cut spending in Jefferson City, adding that he votes against projects that are not core functions of state government. Senator Schroer also addressed alleged fraud in Minnesota involving day cares and says every tax dollar is important in Missouri. He also emphasizes the importance of whistleblower protection in Missouri:

The “Missouri Times” publisher has purchased the Jefferson City “News-Tribune", the "Fulton Sun" and the "California Democrat." Faughn Media made the announcement during a Monday news conference in Jefferson City. Scott Faughn joined hosts Randy Tobler and Stephanie Bell live this morning on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri". Mr. Faughn tells listeners that the three newspapers have a good subscriber base and that continuity is important. He says he loves newspapers and is a consumer of them and that owning newspapers is good business. Mr. Faughn also pledges to continue publishing the three newspapers in central Missouri. He also addressed Monday's article in the "Missouri Independent" which outlines Faughn's past. Mr. Faughn tells listeners that the article is a "hit piece" and says progressive reporters hate him, even though he says he treats legislative Democrats fairly. He says Democrats are also frequently on his "This Week in Missouri Politics." Mr. Faughn also reacted to the current publisher's comments that the three newspapers haven't been profitable:

The “Missouri Times” publisher has purchased the Jefferson City “News-Tribune" the "Fulton Sun" and the "California Democrat." Faughn Media made the announcement during a Monday news conference in Jefferson City. Scott Faughn joined hosts Randy Tobler and Stephanie Bell live this morning on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri". Mr. Faughn tells listeners that the three newspapers have a good subscriber base and that continuity is important. He says he loves newspapers and is a consumer of them and that owning newspapers is good business. Mr. Faughn also pledges to continue publishing the three newspapers in central Missouri. He also addressed Monday's article in tjhe "Missouri Independent" which outlines Faughn's past. Mr. Faughn tells listeners that the article is a "hit piece" and says progressive reporters hate him, even though he treats legislative Democrats fairly:

A company headquartered in mid-Missouri’s Holts Summit has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the nation for nine straight years. The company is PFS Brands, the parent company of Champs Chicken, Hangar 54 Pizza and Cooper’s Express. Company founder and chief executive officer Shawn Burcham joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” The company credits its rapid growth to a company culture that thrives on making retailers successful. Mr. Burcham tells listeners that his company has a concept that can grow across the country. He credits hiring great people for the company’s success, emphasizing the importance of integrity. “We service 42, 43 states now. The only states we’re not in is the far northeast sector and Hawaii,” Burcham says. He notes the company’s humble beginnings, noting Champs Chicken started selling chicken breading out of a garage in southwest Missouri’s Willard. Mr. Burcham says Champs Chicken now sells in about 400 locations. While Burcham was born in Columbia, he grew up in southeast Missouri’s Farmington. He describes Farmington as a great town and a great place to grow up. He earned his college degree from Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State University) in Springfield. Mr. Burcham got his start in the food business as an intern at Mid-America Dairymen in Springfield, now known as Dairy Farmers of America: