Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe

CPS superintendent sends letter to parents after drag queen controversy; encourages return to civil conversation

February 2, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe (second from left) poses with performers after the January 19, 2023 Columbia Values Diversity Celebration. Mayor Buffaloe tweeted after the event that “as hate crimes against drag show locations and performers are being committed in other communities, we want to reaffirm that Columbia is a community that supports all” (photo courtesy of Columbia Mayor Buffaloe’s Twitter page)

The Columbia Public Schools (CPS) superintendent has written a letter to CPS families that apologizes to parents frustrated about the level of communication regarding a January 19^th diversity breakfast event that included three drag queens who performed before district students.

The event at Columbia’s Holiday Inn Expo Center, which was organized by the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs, has been blasted by Missouri’s GOP governor and attorney general and by some CPS parents.

Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood’s letter says that for some, the event demonstrated the importance of inclusion. He also apologizes to parents who’ve expressed frustration about the level of communication provided to parents. Dr. Yearwood’s letter says CPS will review its permission slip process that incorporates feedback from parents.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) says transporting students to a drag show likely violates state law. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe has said that they wanted to reaffirm that Columbia is a community that supports all.

Dr. Yearwood’s letter also encourages “a return to civil and respectful conversation and further express my support of every scholar in our school district.”

Mayor Buffaloe has defended the January 19 breakfast, tweeting that “drag is a cross-cultural art form with a long and rich history that is fun and encourages self-expression.” The mayor says that as hate crimes against drag show locations and performers are being committed elsewhere, she and others wanted to reaffirm that Columbia is a community that supports all.

Columbia Democratic lawmaker and former state party chair defend mayor from criticism over drag queen performance

January 24, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (left) speaks to St. Louis Public Radio political correspondent Jason Rosenbaum at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on January 18, 2023 (photo courtesy of Governor Parson’s Flickr page)

“Nothing short of deplorable.” That’s how Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) describes Thursday’s Columbia diversity celebration that featured three drag queens who performed before 1,000 people, including about 30 Columbia Public Schools (CPS) students.

A key mid-Missouri Democratic state lawmaker, a former state party chair and the Boone County clerk are defending the event.

Attorney General Bailey is blasting Columbia Public Schools (CPS) and Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, telling “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that the drag show is an outward expression of desired sexuality.

“This issue is about protecting children. And if the school officials who are charged with the care, custody and control of those kids aren’t concerned about what’s in the best interest of the child and protecting our children and giving the parents a voice, then we will step up and do it for them,” Bailey says.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on February 7, 2022 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The attorney general says all options are on the table, adding that he’s committed to ensuring that our school system is educating children, not indoctrinating them.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) has written a letter to Mayor Buffaloe, supporting Thursday’s Columbia Values Diversity celebration. Representative Smith writes that “those who criticize the city, the school district or others in supporting diversity must not be allowed to damper our spirit of inclusion.”

CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood says although CPS was unaware what the performance by NClusion+ at the Holiday Inn Expo Center would entail, it was not an adult performance. Dr. Yearwood’s letter to Governor Mike Parson (R) says the attorney general is misrepresenting what happened at Thursday’s breakfast. Bailey disputes that and takes exception to Yearwood’s letter.

“Well the superintendent says well look, we didn’t really know what was going to be at the event. Okay so that’s an admission of willful negligence. If that’s true it’s an admission of willful negligence. But I disagree with that, I reject that. They had an affirmative duty to know and several school officials were listed on the program, so I think they did know,” Bailey tells listeners.

The attorney general says the drag queen performance was inherently sexual.

“I am calling for the resignation of termination of any school official that knew that the drag show was going to be part of the event and willfully took children to the event. They need to resign or be terminated immediately,” says Bailey.

Former Missouri Democratic Party chair Stephen Webber, a former Columbia state representative, defends the event and is grateful to Mayor Barbara Buffaloe. Webber tweeted, in part: “We can’t let incendiary, bad faith attacks against vulnerable communities go unchallenged.”

Boone County clerk Brianna Lennon, who attended the breakfast, also defends the performance. She tweeted “I want to echo support for the CoMo Values Diversity planning committee, CPS, the city and the participants for creating a beautiful program to reflect our community. I’ve attended many breakfasts and this year was one of my favorites.”

Click here to listen to Wednesday’s full “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” interview with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.

Missouri’s AG says Columbia drag queen performance likely violated state law; Councilwoman Waner slams Governor Parson

January 22, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor, attorney general and numerous GOP state lawmakers are slamming Thursday’s Columbia diversity celebration, which included three drag queens who performed before a sold-out crowd that included Columbia Public Schools (CPS) students.

Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and second ward councilwoman Andrea Waner defend the event, with the mayor saying they want to reaffirm that Columbia is a community that supports all.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sees it differently, saying transporting students to a drag show likely violates state law. He’s referring to a law approved by Missouri lawmakers in 2022 that criminalized providing certain sexual material to a student. The law took effect in August. Attorney General Bailey is slamming Mayor Buffaloe and CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood, saying they deliberately subjected a group of middle-schoolers to an adult-themed drag show performance and failed to report the incident. Bailey writes “This kind of performance has no place in the public educational system.”

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) speaks on the Senate floor in Jefferson City on January 26, 2022 (file photo courtesy of Harrison Sweazea at Senate Communications)

Mayor Buffaloe disagrees, tweeting that “drag is a cross-cultural art form with a long and rich history that is fun and encourages self-expression.” The mayor says that as hate crimes against drag show locations and performers are being committed elsewhere, she and others wanted to reaffirm that Columbia is a community that supports all.

Attorney General Bailey will be live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” at 7:35 on Monday morning, to discuss the incident and the new law he’s referring to.

Meantime, GOP Governor Mike Parson is also weighing in, blasting Columbia’s Values Diversity Celebration. Thursday’s event took place at the Holiday Inn Expo Center. Governor Parson says the middle school students were “subjected to adult performers during what is historically a MLK Day celebration,” adding that is unacceptable.

Columbia second ward Councilwoman Andrea Waner is blasting the governor’s comments, tweeting that “to characterize a three-song, 8:30 am drag set as ‘adult performers’ is incredibly dangerous. You know what you’re doing here and that, my guy, is what’s unacceptable.” Governor Parson says CPS parents weren’t clearly informed of the program’s contents, and the governor says adult performances are not diversity. He is calling on CPS to prioritize math, reading, writing, science and history.

Then-State Rep. (now State Sen.) Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon) speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on March 3, 2022 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Mayor Buffaloe says Columbia is a community that supports all, tweeting that “We felt that it was important and appropriate to showcase members of our LGBTQIA+ community during a celebration about our diversity.” Thursday’s celebration was organized by Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs. There were a number of complaints about the event from parents and Columbia-area residents, during Friday afternoon’s “Randy Tobler show” on 939 the Eagle. The CPS district boundaries extend outside of Columbia.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) says CPS has responded to his request for a meeting with Superintendent Yearwood and school board members to discuss what happened on Thursday. Senator Rowden tells 939 the Eagle that they’re working on a time for this week. He says his office has been inundated with phone calls and emails about the drag queen performance, including from upset parents whose children attended. Rowden says he wants to hear from Superintendent Yearwood and the board on the process that led to the event.

State Sen. Nick Schroer (R-O’Fallon) is calling on CPS to testify before the Missouri Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee, saying parents are outraged. Senator Schroer serves on the committee.

125 mid-Missourians turn out for MLK memorial celebration in Columbia

January 17, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Rev. James Gray (right), with microphone, prepares to present awards to Dick Walls, Daryl Williams and Reid Millard on January 16, 2023 at St. Luke’s church in Columbia (photo courtesy of Columbia’s Tanya Heath)

About 50 mid-Missourians participated in last night’s MLK candlelight walk in downtown Columbia to reflect on the life of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Former Columbia mayoral candidate Tanya Heath tells 939 the Eagle that about 50 people participated in the walk, which began at the Armory.

Participants then attended the MLK memorial celebration at St. Luke United Methodist Church on East Ash. This year’s theme was “the struggle is not over.”

Ms. Heath tells 939 the Eagle that church pews were full, with about 125 people in attendance. The event included a sermon, a proclamation from Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, singing and poetry reading. Awards were presented to several people, including Douglas Park volunteer Daryl Williams, businessman Reid Millard, Dick Walls and Camren Cross. Millard established a scholarship for tech, and Ms. Heath notes Walls created many programs behind the scenes to help so many. Mr. Cross is the Blue Thunder track club director and co-director of the Armory. Heath notes it began with 50 people and has grown to more than 250 youth. He’s seeking additional volunteers.

Columbia’s Camren Cross, in purple, runs Blue Thunder and the Armory downtown (January 16, 2023 photo courtesy of Columbia’s Tanya Heath)

Dr. King was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis. Then-President Ronald Reagan signed bipartisan legislation in 1983 creating the MLK federal holiday. It was first observed in 1986.

UPDATE: Two juveniles killed in Columbia apartment fire; investigation continues

December 14, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia fire chief Clayton Farr briefs reporters about the deadly blaze on Claudell during a December 14, 2022 press conference at Columbia city hall (photo courtesy of city of Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen)

Columbia officials say two juveniles have been killed in that overnight blaze at an apartment complex near Bernadette. Columbia fire chief Clayton Farr is not releasing the names nor ages of the victims at this time, out of respect to the families.

Chief Farr, Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Police chief Geoff Jones and city spokeswoman Toni Messina briefed reporters during an emotional Wednesday morning press conference at city hall. Chief Farr credits a quick response from CPD and Columbia firefighters in preventing more deaths.

“We’ve had two families that have suffered the unthinkable loss of two precious lives this morning. I want to thank our fire, our Columbia Police, our EMS partners, as well as our emergency communications partners for all that they did to make this as successful an outcome as was possible. While we did sustain the loss of two lives, we were able to save the lives of 20 other occupants who were in this building,” Chief Farr says.

The fire broke out at about 1:30 am at the Columbia Square apartments on Claudell lane, which is near Best Buy. Chief Farr says there were no working smoke detectors in the apartment, which had an upstairs and a downstairs. An emotional Mayor Buffaloe joined the chief at the press conference, saying their hearts go out to the impacted families. The mayor also encourages residents to donate to the American Red Cross, which is on the scene.

Columbia authorities say one adult and 11 juveniles were inside the apartment when the fire began. Two of the juveniles died, and Chief Farr tells 939 the Eagle that three others sustained injuries. A Columbia Police officer who ran into the burning complex also sustained smoke inhalation and has been treated and released from a hospital.