Missouri's 2025 legislative session began a week-and-a-half ago, and new House Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley (R-Springfield) says the Missouri House will deliver on what he describes as big, conservative ideas that House Republican candidates campaigned on. Republicans have a 110-52 supermajority in the Missouri House again this year. Leader Riley joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that he and House Speaker Jonathan Patterson (R-Lee's Summit) wanted to get off to a fast start. Leader Riley predicts the House will approve legislation this session that would provide tax cuts, protect the Second Amendment and legislation involving transgender issues. We also discussed heavily-traveled I-70 and I-44 during the interview. Missouri lawmakers has approved a $2.8 billion plan to rebuild and expand I-70 to six lanes across Missouri, from Wentzville to Blue Springs. They've also approved funding to three-lane I-44 in the Springfield, Joplin and Rolla areas. Leader Riley tells listeners that the state doesn't have the $10-billion to expand I-44 across the state, noting I-44 has numerous hill and more bridges that I-70:

The Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) was founded in 1956. Its mission is to provide safe, healthy and affordable housing to low-income Columbia/Boone County residents and families. That includes vulnerable residents. It also includes elderly residents who live at Oak Towers and elsewhere. Columbia Housing Authority chief executive officer Randy Cole joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour this weekend on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Mr. Cole grew up in western Missouri’s Liberty, which is a Kansas City suburb. He also spent time in Kearney and Smithville and earned a baseball scholarship to Graceland College in Iowa. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mizzou. Mr. Cole has held numerous jobs in his career, including a stint in then-Columbia city manager Ray Beck’s office. He also managed weatherization and low-income energy assistance for Central Missouri Community Action. Mr. Cole tells listeners that he grew to love Columbia and has stayed here. The Columbia Housing Authority currently serves about 2,000 households and about 4,000 residents. Mr. Cole emphasizes that the Columbia Housing Authority provides supportive services to residents. “We do everything from case management … families seeking to move on and up out of poverty to case management of elderly and disabled persons are going to be with us for an extended period of time or through the end of their life,” Mr. Cole tells listeners. He also touts the 20th anniversary of the “Moving ahead” program, that involves young people. Mr. Cole tells Mr. Parry that it’s a sophisticated operation. The Columbia Housing Authority transports the students from school to the Blind Boone Center and feeds them and tutors them. They also take the students on field trips. The Columbia Housing Authority has about 75 employees. The CHA is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by Columbia’s mayor:

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) received almost 60 percent of the vote in his November election win over Democrat Elad Gross. General Bailey was sworn-in for a full four-year term this week. General Bailey appeared live today on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri" and tlls listeners that it's been a great two years and he's looking forward to four more. General Bailey tells listeners there is an appetite for juvenile justice reform in Missouri. He also addressed the issue of social media and protecting children during the interview. He tells listeners that we will see his office roll out some initiatives that utilize the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act:

Public safety remains a top priority for new Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, who emphasized it several times during Monday’s inaugural address. Governor Kehoe says securing Missouri’s future begins with public safety and that too many Missourians don’t feel safe and that because of that, they cannot be productive. The governor signed six executive orders in his office after Monday's inaugural speech that involve public safety. One is “Operation Relentless Pursuit” which would designate full-time Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) investigators in each of the nine troop regions. Another executive order launches the Blue Shield program, which Governor Kehoe says recognizes local governments for their dedication to effective law enforcement and community safety. Governor Kehoe joined us live this morning at the governor's prayer breakfast in Jefferson City, and tells listeners that he will unveil more details about crime

during his January 28th State of the State address. The governor also discussed the breakfast itself, noting he chaired the governor's prayer breakfast for four years when former Governor Matt Blunt (R) was in office. Governor Kehoe also praises the work the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce did in organizing the breakfast. He's also a big fan of Mizzou men's basketball coach Dennis Gates. The Tigers upset #5 Florida last night 83-82. It's Mizzou's first top-five true road win since 2012:

Veteran U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Salem), the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee chairman, traveled to Jefferson City to witness Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe's inauguration on Monday. Congressman Smith joined us during live inauguration coverage on KMIZ Channel 17 and on 939 the Eagle, telling listeners that Governor Kehoe will govern the state like a business, with integrity. Congressman Smith says the governor will do great things, noting Kehoe's farm in Phelps County is in his congressional district. Congressman Smith tells listeners that the governor knows every county and every issue in his southeast Missouri district, which is impoverished. Congressman Smith acknowledges this, describing his district as "Ozark Appalachia." He believes the district will have economic success under Kehoe. We also discussed the recent winter storms, which caused numerous power outages in Smith's district. Congressman Smith tells listeners that the storm left tens of thousands without power. Many schools in his district were out for weeks:

While Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe (R) and Republicans are pushing for another income tax cut, House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City) would rather see the elimination of the sales tax on groceries. Leader Aune joined us on live inauguration coverage on KMIZ Channel 17 and on 939 the Eagle, saying that the people who benefit the most from an income tax cut are those who make a lot of income. Leader Aune says she and her caucus would rather eliminate the sales tax on groceries. NFIB Missouri director Brad Jones joined us live on "Wake Up Missouri" this morning, saying he's open to Leader Aune'e idea on eliminating the sales tax on groceries. But Jones also wants to see state income tax cuts and tells listeners that business owners will hire more employees with that extra money. Mr. Jones is optimistic about 2025:

While Republicans have a 111-52 supermajority in the Missouri House, House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City) is optimistic about this session. Leader Aune joined us live this morning during inauguration coverage on news partner KMIZ Channel 17 and on 939 the Eagle. Leader Aune tells listeners that there are issues her caucus will agree with new Governor Mike Kehoe (R) on, and areas where they disagree. Leader Aune says both parties seem to have similar ideas of the challenges facing Missourians and hopes to find common ground solutions. For instance, she says both parties know that life has gotten too expensive. While Republicans favor another state income tax cut, Leader Aune and her caucus want to eliminate the sales tax on groceries and look at other options. Leader Aune also explained on-air why she is optimistic about new Missouri House Speaker Dr. Jonathan Patterson (R-Lee's Summit):

You’ll want to wear your winter coat and your gloves, if you’re heading to today’s Missouri inauguration events in Jefferson City. Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies met Saturday and Sunday to finalize plans and operations for today’s inaugural events in Jefferson City. Capitol Police chief Zim Schwartze tells 939 the Eagle that the weather will be cold and to dress appropriately. Today’s high in Jefferson City will only be about 23 degrees. Chief Schwartze also reminds you that parking will be at a premium today and that those attending should plan accordingly. A unified command post has been set up. "Missouri Times" publisher Scott Faughn joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri" to preview the inauguration events and to discuss security measures. He encourages anyone going to wear long johns and to bundle up. Mr. Faughn also tells listeners that today will be a terrific homecoming for what he calls common sense Republicans:

Columbia’s municipal elections are less than three months away. Columbia mayor Barbara Buffaloe is seeking a second term in April and has at least two challengers: businessman Blair “Murph” Murphy and Mizzou journalism instructor Tanya Heath. Ms. Heath also ran in 2022. Mr. Murphy co-owns Johnston Paint and Decorating on Buttonwood. Comobuz publisher Mike Murphy, who also anchors afternoon newscasts on 939 the Eagle, discussed the April municipal elections in-detail Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Murphy tells host Fred Parry that police and the Laborers Union are unhappy with both Mayor Buffaloe and with Fourth Ward Councilman Nick Foster, who is also seeking re-election in April. Murphy says the fourth ward and labor support provided the votes to propel Buffaloe to victory in 2022, noting she beat businessman Randy Minchew by about 800 votes citywide. Murphy says the margin of victory for Buffaloe in the fourth ward was about 1,200 votes, adding that the Laborers Union provided a lot of support after Minchew mentioned the word “privatization” at a public meeting before the 2022 election. Mr. Parry and Mr. Murphy also discussed April’s election in Columbia’s third and fourth ward, and they also discussed April’s Columbia school board race and Columbia Public Schools’ (CPS) search for a new superintendent. Murphy tells listeners that no one has stayed elected on Columbia’s school board without the blessing of the local teachers union, which is the NEA. The school board held four public forums and one online session last week aimed at gathering input on the qualities and characteristics the community wants to see in the next CPS superintendent. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark says the board will review applications this week and will screen semifinalists during the week of January 27. Mike Murphy tells listeners that the school board doesn’t have a lot of experience hiring a senior executive. “They’re like what do you want in a superintendent, what should we hire. They’re doing this public thing and they’re discussing it among themselves. Hold it. When you’re going to hire a CEO (chief executive officer) of an operation like this, you evaluate what you need. You say what is it that we want, where do want to be. What’s our short-term problem, what’s our long-term problem,” Murphy tells listeners. He and Fred also tackled numerous other issues during the one-hour interview, including last week's week’s winter weather, which has featured ice, snow, sleet and more snow and school closings across the entire 939 the Eagle mid-Missouri listening area:

Missouri Republicans have supermajorities in both legislative chambers again in 2025. They control the Missouri House 111-52 and control the Senate 24-10. State Rep. Jim Schulte (R-New Bloomfield) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that the House and Senate GOP leadership have been meeting with Governor-elect Mike Kehoe (R) and his team to come up with a "game plan" to help Missourians. Rep. Schulte predicts the GOP-controlled Legislature will be united in 2025, adding he's an eternal optimist. We also discussed the winter storm, which has dropped four to five inches of snow in mid-Missouri's Callaway County this morning. Many of the schools in Rep. Schulte's district have been closed this week from ice, sleet, snow and now more snow. He praises the work that school officials have done to try to open and praises state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews and other road crews as well. Representative Schulte also praises the work MoDOT is doing on the $405-million stretch to rebuild and six-lane I-70 between Columbia and Kingdom City: