Trib Talk Podcast

Host Allen Fennewald and Roger McKinney, the Columbia Daily Tribune's education reporter, discuss the legal debate regarding whether University of Missouri employees on campus have the right to store firearms in their vehicles and carry their guns with a concealed carry permit. A battle of the expert witnesses took place in the trial Wednesday. The MU police chief and UM System president spoke against guns on campus Thursday to conclude the trial. The judge will make a decision after the lawyers file proposed finding of facts and conclusions of law by Sept. 30.

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.

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.

The Tribune's Rural Divide series concludes with an in-depth look at Columbia, the city that won't stop growing.

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.

Allen Fennewald and Pat Pratt discuss alternatives to incarceration, and the lack of prison alternatives in many Mid-Missouri counties.

Erik Cliburn discusses his article looking at poverty in the region, and the proposed solutions to combat it.

Charles Westmoreland and Charles Dunlap discuss changes to mid-Missouri farmland over the last 40 years, and the role specialization is playing.

This week the Trib Talk podcast discusses the need for infrastructure in Mid-Missouri, from road improvements to broadband internet, and what's being done (or said) about both.