Moberly Monitor-Index reporter Erik Cliburn joins us to discuss the March flu spike and how it relates to snow days earlier this year in Randolph County. We also talk about the League of Women Voters local election forum and which candidates stood out from the pack.

Boonville Daily News reporter Brendan Crowley joins us to discuss Boonville's water, sewer and trash rate increases to keep up with the rising operation costs. We then talk about flooding throughout the Midwest and the ongoing CAFO debate, currently centering around a bill in the Missouri legislature proposing to remove and prevent local health ordinances that block concentrated animal feeding operations from counties and municipalities.

The Mexico Ledger's Charles Dunlap joins us to discuss the massive pipeline explosion that occurred March 3. We also hear from a Mexico resident who was awoken by the roar of the flames and describes how they rushed out of their home to check on an elderly neighbor. 

Dunlap also describes two bright stars of the Mexico High School academic team who earned a place in national competition but decided they will probably skip it so they can compete with their team in districts.

Host Allen Fennewald and Moberly Monitor-Index reporter Erik Cliburn discuss the many ways area residents can get involved in the Missouri 2021 Bicentennial celebration as well as the Randolph County Outlook business edition. Several people in Randolph are working on bicentennial and other local history projects such as Moberly historical downtown improvement efforts, which is highlighted in the Outlook. The edition also includes updates from businesses throughout the county.

Erik Cliburn of the Moberly Monitor-Index tells us about a dog training program that area residents can take advantage of in which inmates train shelter dogs for their new owners. He also talks about the local reaction to our coverage of Bud Prewitt's 60th anniversary as a celebrated local barber. In other news, results of the county health assessment are in, and Randolph has plenty of room to improve in some key areas. We talk about where the county health officials would like to see improvement and how they will begin to raise awareness on issues like obesity, smoking and access to healthy foods.

Boonville Daily News reporter Brendan Crowley joins us to discuss a new group tutoring program that has helped several students improve their math scores. We then talk about the bond to fund projects like new roofs for school buildings. Lastly, a tax increase is expected to allow for teachers to receive a pay raise and the possible hire a new school resource officer.

The Mexico Ledger's Charles Dunlap joins us to discuss the large field for the Mexico school board race. We then dive into the ongoing discussion about SSM Audrain hospital ending some of its maternity services as the company continues discussions with MU Health Care on a potential purchase of the facility and others in Jefferson City. This edition closes with a wider view on the challenges of providing health care in rural areas.

This edition opens with a few moments dedicated to Isaac Naranjo, a 12-year-old Boonville boy whose skull was fractured by a falling tree branch while he was shoveling snow Jan. 12. As of Jan. 16, he was falling in and out of sleep, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help with Isaac’s recovery costs.

In our regular programming, the Monitor-Index's Erik Cliburn comes on to talk about how the city and county are preparing for yet another winter storm looming in the coming weekend after have just cleared nearly two feet of snow from the roads.

He also describes Randolph County's proposed "911 cellphone tax" which would add $1 to resident's cellphone bills to help fund emergency communication operations. The proposal will come to a vote in April.

Boonville Daily News reporter Brendan Crowley speaks with host Allen Fennewald on the Missouri Clean Water Commission's decision to uphold the Tipton East CAFO permit, as well as an update on related lawsuits that will soon be heard in court.

Moberly Monitor-Index reporter Erik Cliburn joins host Allen Fennewald to discuss Moberly's purchase of the Heritage Hills Golf Course and the new day facility for people with developmental disabilities, Palmer's Home Care.