News Tribune on Tap

A Civil War marker on Moreau Drive depicting a moment when a Confederate general decided not to attack Jefferson City has recently become a point of contention in the community between those who say it is a piece of the Capital City’s history and those who say its facts are wrong and it promotes racism. Jefferson City government reporter Emily Cole explains how the future of the marker will be determined by city government.

With the "fake news" culture overtaking the media industry, the News Tribune is trying to encourage community engagement and transparency through its coverage and events. In this week’s episode, Community Engagement Editor Nicole Roberts shares some of the efforts and events she and other staff members at the News Tribune undertake in an effort promote involvement and conversation within the community.

Lately, Jefferson City has become the site of protests regarding crime legislation that is being considered at the Missouri General Assembly. Public safety reporter Jeff Haldiman shares why the protesters are protesting in Jefferson City and why the protests — just one week apart — ended so differently.

It's "back to school" month for many students, but this year is a little different. Due to the pandemic, local schools are implementing re-entry plans in hopes of containing the coronavirus and keeping both educators and students safe. Layne Stracener, News Tribune education reporter, chats with Managing Editor Gary Castor about how schools in Jefferson City plan to offer classes this fall, and whether those plans are achievable.

Randy Allen retired from the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce on July 1 after more than a decade. He reflects on his time with the chamber and how it and Jefferson City has adapted, both during the 2008 recession and the current coronavirus pandemic. He also describes what he sees are the economic challenges and opportunities facing Jefferson City and the chamber.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, cities around the nation are considering or have already passed ordinances to require face coverings in public. Whether Jefferson City creates a mask ordinance is uncertain, but the possibility may be influenced by case numbers in the area.

In today's episode of News Tribune on Tap, Gary Castor, managing editor of News Tribune, chats with Emily Cole, city government reporter, about the council's thoughts on a mask ordinance and what may happen in the future.

Story: https://www.newstribune.com/news/local/story/2020/jul/12/city-council-mask-ordinance-dependent-rise-cases/833992/#/questions

Sports Editor Tom Rackers explains how Major League Baseball plans to get the "boys of summer" on the field on the field again, as well as tries to make the case for designated hitters in America's pastime. He failed to persuade the host.

In today's episode of News Tribune on Tap, state government reporter Phillip Sitter chats about ways Missouri is trying to combat the spike in coronavirus cases and what the state's next steps are.

"Play ball!" Those welcome words have returned to multiple ballparks around Mid-Missouri after several sports were canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Sports Editor Tom Rackers and Assistant Sports Editor Greg Jackson share how baseball is played during the pandemic, as well as forecast just what the sports world might look like in the months ahead.

As America struggles with how to address issues of structural racism in today's society, Missouri NAACP President Rod Chapel explains racism is fundamentally wrong because America should be a place for everybody. The beginnings of a solution, he says, is creating an environment of empathy and understanding for all.