It's sinus infection season, and guest host Randy Tobler STUNS us with his hilarious advice for conquering them. State Senate Majority leader Cindy 'Laughlin discusses her priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

State Rep. Jim Schulte (R-New Bloomfield) says state transportation officials will begin the state's $2.8 billion I-70 expansion plan in mid-Missouri. Representative Schulte joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri", telling listeners that he expects construction on I-70's Columbia to Kingdom City stretch to begin this summer. While he knows traffic will be difficult, Representative Schulte says the project must happen:

GOP Governor Mike Parson remains in the Missouri Governor's Mansion in 2024 and Republicans will have supermajorities in both legislative chambers in the new session. It begins on Wednesday January 3 at high noon in Jefferson City. Republicans control the Missouri Senate 24-10 and the Missouri House 111-51. Missouri Senate Majority Leader Cindy O'Laughlin (R-Shelbina) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" to preview the 2024 session. Leader O'Laughlin expresses frustration with a term that's used sometimes in Jefferson City: RINO. That means Republican in name only. Senator O'Laughlin tells listeners that some of her GOP colleagues don't want to compromise, adding that you must compromise to get 18 votes in the chamber. Senator O'Laughlin also doesn't think the controversial slot machine issue will be resolved during the 2024 session:

One of Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick's top 2024 legislative priorities involves audits of cities, municipalities, etc. when alleged wrongdoing is happening. Auditor Fitzpatrick, who was sworn-in in January, notes current law only allows the state auditor's office to conduct an audit when citizens petition for one or the political subdivision's governing body approves a resolution requesting one. Auditor Fitzpatrick describes that as a barrier to fraud concerns. Mr. Fitzpatrick joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri":

Longtime mid-Missouri Judge Kevin Crane announced last week that he will not seek re-election in 2024. 13th judicial Circuit Judge Crane says it's been a privilege and honor to serve the citizens of Boone and Callaway counties for the past 34 years. Judge Crane will serve his final year in office in 2024. Former Deputy Missouri Attorney General Jesus Osete has announced he will run for the position. Counselor Osete joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri', telling listeners that this will be an old-fashioned grassroots campaign. He plans to knock on as many doors as possible in both Boone and Callaway counties, and predicts it will take about $100,000 to run for this race. Counselor Osete has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the Missouri Supreme Court:

Hannah got a couple of pretty terrible Christmas gifts last week, but did a six year old have it worse? STL Politico Christopher Arps discusses how minimum wage increases are impacting communities.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis makes headlines for being super cringy over the holiday weekend.

Boone County Clerk Breanna Lennon discusses preparations for the upcoming 2024 elections. Our favorite things of 2023.

Boone County clerk Brianna Lennon has outlined presidential caucus information for the Boone County Republican Party, the Boone County Democratic Party and the Boone County Libertarian Party on her website. Counselor Lennon joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri". She tells listeners that the political parties in Missouri will administer their own presidential preference selection process. Clerk Lennon tells listeners that Boone County Republicans will caucus at 10 am on March 2, 2024 at the Family Worship Center on East Boone Femme Church road in Columbia. She says the Boone County Democrats' selection process includes mail-in voting and in-person voting. Boone County Democrats will host in-person voting on March 23, 2024 from 8 am to noon at a location to be determined. Boone County Libertarians can participate in their state convention on February 24, 2024, Counselor Lennon says:

The Columbia Police Department is currently 41 officers short, according to CPD assistant chief Jeremiah Hunter. Columbia Police Officers Association (CPOA) president Matt Nichols is concerned about that number and about staffing levels. Mr. Nichols joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" this morning, telling listeners that one detective left the department because of the way the community is leaning. Mr. Nichols and CPOA are also disappointed because Columbia's city council has not allocated any federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars as premium/hazard pay for law enforcement officers and other essential workers who were unable to work from home during the COVID pandemic. Mr. Nichols tells listeners that one-time money would help retain Columbia Police officers, as well as bus drivers and garbage collectors. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe has noted Columbia's city council approved a fiscal year 2024 budget in September that saw an across-the-board increase in pay, and an increase in starting salary for police officers. While Mr. Nichols acknowledges those two points, he says inflation has eaten a lot of that raise: