Mid-Missouri Regional Review Podcast

Columbia Daily Tribune business reporter Philip Joens joins host Allen Fennewald during his last week with the Tribune before he joins his home state's paper, The Des Moines Register. They discuss the underwhelming opening of Missouri's medical marijuana operation application process and the progress of the state's hemp as these sprouting industries try to find fertile soil.

Regional Editor Allen Fennewald and Moberly Monitor-Index Reporter Erik Cliburn discuss the details of a school-based health clinic that was approved by the Moberly Board of Education in early July. The clinic is meant to provide basic health services to uninsured and uninsured students in the district, but still has several more steps before it can be set up.

In this Trib Talk/Regional Review crossover episode, Regional Editor Allen Fennewald and reporters Erik Cliburn and Phillip Joens discuss a new state labeling law that allows distillers to use the term "Missouri Bourbon" under certain requirements. Area distillers pushed for the new law, hoping to bring Missouri spirits in line with the popularity of the state's beers and wines.

Reporter Brendan Crowley joins host Allen Fennewald to discuss flood relief efforts as waters recede from the bottomlands after the Missouri River rose over levees and flooded communities well more than a month ago. Unlike Boone County, Cooper and Howard counties have yet to be added to the list of counties eligible for FEMA disaster relief, but that could change as officials continue assessing damage.

UPDATE: Counties eligible for FSA emergency loans include all those that the federal government declared to be in a state of emergency, as well as adjacent counties, like Cooper and Howard.

Reporters Charles Dunlap and Erik Cliburn join host Allen Fennewald to discuss the pre-submitted applications to open medical marijuana facilities in Moberly, Mexico and Laddonia, as well as how they fit into the local ordinances.

Simone Esters, the recently crowed Miss Missouri of 2019, joins host Allen Fennewald in studio to discuss her victory, the life of a pageant contestant and how she intends to use her new notoriety to promote mentorship programs for young people.

Ayanna Shivers, Mexico's first black, female mayor,  joins host Allen Fennewald and Mexico Ledger reporter Charles Dunlap in studio to talk about her background in Mexico and how she hopes to help shape its future, especially be inspiring young people to help make a difference in their community.

Moberly Monitor-Index reporter Erik Cliburn joins tells us about Moberly Police Department's pursuit of a white man who allegedly tried to get a child near North Park Elementary school to approach his white van. 

We also talk about the results of the Wisconsin Population Health Institute's County Health Rankings, which found that violent crime and teen births while there is room to improve with issues like obesity and health care access.

Newly-elected Moberly City Councilman Cole Davis meets with Moberly Monitor-Index Reporter Erik Cliburn to speak about his goals as council member and some of the issues he would like to see corrected in Moberly. Topics of discussion include the city's aging infrastructure, contract negotiations between the city and local firefighter union and efforts to attract new business and tourism to Moberly.

The Mexico Ledger's Charles Dunlap joins us to talk about the election of Mexico's first African American female mayor, and we hear from Ayanna Shivers herself in clips from Charles' interview with her after the announcement. We also discuss the successful test of a pipeline that exploded outside Mexico early last month, the election of school board candidates and discussions about how to best update a school soccer field.