Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) expresses frustration with the Senate Freedom Caucus, saying they “bloviated” on the Senate floor before essentially taking a deal he offered them two weeks ago. Pro Tem Rowden joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that he made it clear all along that initiative petition reform would be taken up quickly, once gubernatorial appointments were made. Pro Tem Rowden tells listeners that initiative petition reform and what he describes as education reform may come up next week. Republicans have a 24-10 supermajority in the Missouri Senate. Senator Rowden says he has a good working relationship with Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo (D-Independence). He says Leader Rizzo represents a red district, while Rowden represents a blue district. He expects more partisan debate later this session:
Columbia’s city council members are discussing priorities and communication at their Independence retreat
Columbia’s seven city council members, city manager De’Carlon Seewood and department directors are heading to Independence this morning for a two-day council retreat at the Stoney Creek hotel.
Independence is a Kansas City suburb, a town of about 122,000 residents.
They car-pooled early this morning and are currently having breakfast at the hotel, before starting the retreat at 10 am. Topics will include trends, communication and governing together. City spokeswoman Sydney Olsen tells 939 the Eagle that they’ll discuss alignment and priorities tomorrow, including moving in the same direction.
City clerk Sheila Amin and Ms. Olsen are also attending the retreat, which will end at midday tomorrow.
(AUDIO): Kansas City sports authorities say NFL draft crowds will help with momentum for World Cup
More than 100,000 football fans are expected to pack the grounds of Kansas City’s Union Station and the National World War I museum again today (Friday), for day two of the NFL draft.
Kansas City Sports Commission spokesman Elliott Scott says the NFL draft experience will again be on the museum’s south side.
“That’s things like concessions, interactive exhibits, games, autograph signings, all of that stuff will be on the south side. And then the north lawn is an additional viewing area into the draft theater,” Scott says.
The NFL draft experience opens again today at noon and runs through 10 pm. The draft’s rounds two and three begin at 6 pm and will air nationally on ABC and ESPN. Motley Crue will also perform tonight in Kansas City.
Meantime, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Chiefs superstars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Alabama football coach Nick Saban and the Jonas Brothers are just some of the stars in Kansas City for the draft, a draft that’s also being watched by millions of people across the globe on television. Kansas City Sports Commission spokesman Elliott Scott tells 939 the Eagle that it’s helping Kansas City’s brand.
That is an incredible boost for our local economy and certainly positions Kansas City very well especially heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Scott says.
Kansas City has also been named as a 2026 World Cup host city. Missouri Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo (D-Independence) has told 939 the Eagle that the 2026 World Cup will generate $695-million in economic activity for Missouri. Rizzo compares this to multiple Super Bowls over a 30-day period.
UPDATE: Missouri’s governor to sign World Cup legislation Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium
UPDATE: Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) plans to sign bipartisan World Cup legislation Thursday afternoon at Kansas City’s GEHA field at Arrowhead Stadium. The bill-signing ceremony begins at 2:05 in the stadium’s north club. HERE IS OUR ORIGINAL STORY THIS MORNING: The top Democrat in the Missouri Senate says a bipartisan bill approved by lawmakers …
Monday is a Missouri holiday for Truman’s bithday
Most state and county offices will be closed on Monday to observe Truman Day for the nation’s 33rd president. Former President Harry Truman was born in 1884 in southwest Missouri’s Lamar, and later moved to Independence. President Truman issued the executive order that integrated the U.S. military, and started the Truman Doctrine. He also implemented …