The “Washington Post” is reporting this morning that a federal government shutdown looks more and more likely. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore), whose district includes Columbia, Centralia, Hallsville and Harrisburg, is hopeful that can be avoided with a 30-day continuing resolution to keep the federal government running through October. Congressman Alford wants to see a secure border included in that version. He tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that there are five members of his caucus who are prepared for a shutdown. Congressman Alford tells listeners that while federal spending has been bloated, he asks if you punish a nation to get your point across. He also addressed the strike involving the United Auto Workers (UAW) union:
UPDATE: Power restored to much of storm-damaged mid-Missouri
The severe thunderstorms that rolled through mid-Missouri Wednesday evening at about 6 knocked out power to hundreds of residents in mid-Missouri’s Boone and Callaway counties.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Boone, Callaway, Howard and Randolph counties. Ameren Missouri’s has restored power to several hundred residents in Callaway County, in the Holts Summit and New Bloomfield areas. Ameren Missouri crews have been working around-the-clock to restore power. Our news partner KMIZ reports the Carrington area was also hard-hit.
Utility crews from Columbia-based Boone Electric have worked around the clock in heavy rains and winds to restore power to residents impacted by the storms and strong winds. Boone Electric has restored power to more than 1,000 customers.
National Weather Service (NWS) St. Louis meteorologist Fred Glass tells 939 the Eagle that Columbia received about three-quarters-of-an inch of rain during the storms.
Our news partner KMIZ reports the storm impacted areas near Columbia, Harrisburg and Prathersville.
MSHP: Three deadly crashes at busy Boone County interchange since 2017
Missouri state troopers say there have been three fatal traffic crashes at the Highway 63 and 124 interchange in northern Boone County in the past six years. One of them happened in late April.
939 the Eagle News obtained the crash information in a records request from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Several listeners have described that interchange as dangerous, with line-of-sight, speed and other issues. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio), who chairs the House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill, tells 939 the Eagle that while it’s more of a state than federal issue, he’s concerned about 63 and 124, which is just south of his district.
“I know that the state is looking into and I think the University of Missouri is doing some studies as well, how to make intersections like that (63 and 124) safer, so that people don’t have to worry or get into terrible accidents like what we just recently saw,” Congressman Graves says.
Missouri state troopers say 79-year-old Joan Broxton was killed in the April 25 collision. The Patrol’s crash report says Ms. Broxton tried to enter a median J-turn and traveled into the path of a second vehicle, which struck Broxton’s driver side.
Congressman Graves hopes Mizzou can come up with solutions. His district includes Moberly, Mexico and Higbee.
“Hopefully they’re going to be alleviate the problem in that specific one (intersection) and then others around the state once they figure out what a good solution is,” says Graves.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says there have been three fatal crashes at 63 and 124 since 2017: one in 2017, one in 2021 and the April incident which killed Ms. Broxton.
Veteran Missouri lawmaker Basye accepting new position with area congressman’s office
A veteran mid-Missouri state lawmaker who’s served as the powerful Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee chairman has accepted a new position.
State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) is finishing his fourth and final House term, due to term limits. He says he’ll finish his term, which expires on December 31. Basye will be working for U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth).
“I’ll be working in his office starting in January,” Basye tells 939 the Eagle.
In addition to serving as chairman of the House education committee, Basye also serves on the Joint Committee on Education. His primarily rural district includes parts of Columbia, along with Harrisburg, Higbee and Renick.
Congressman Luetkemeyer’s sprawling district includes parts of Columbia, as well as Jefferson City, Fulton and Linn.
UPDATE: Flash flooding warning extended for northern Boone County
UPDATE: The National Weather Service (NWS) has extended the flash flood warning for northern Boone County until 1:03 pm. HERE IS OUR ORIGINAL STORY: Centralia, Hallsville, Harrisburg, Sturgeon and all of northern Boone County remain under a flash flood warning until 7:03 this (Tuesday) morning, due to heavy rain overnight. National Weather Service (NWS) St. Louis …