“Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn will be the guest speaker at the February 19 Cole County Lincoln Days event at Jefferson City’s Capitol Plaza Hotel. Dinner begins at 6 that evening, and U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) and a number of state lawmakers are also expected to be there. Mr. Faughn joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” We discussed the dinner, the Freedom Caucus controversy with Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), and legislation from State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) that would allow charter schools to operate in the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) district, without local school board sponsorship. Scott also addressed the Magnitude 7 closing in southeast Missouri’s New Madrid. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) has filed legislation aimed at saving the plant, and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) has called on President Biden to invoke the federal Defense Production Act, noting 30 percent of the nation’s aluminum is produced at the Bootheel plant. Senator Hawley says it’s an issue of national security:
(LISTEN): Red Slipper Warrior Project founder Tim Tinnin discusses Hollywood Nights on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
The founder of the Jefferson City-based Red Slipper Warrior Project (RSWP) says a good support system is critical for those who are battling cancer. Jefferson City’s Tim Tinnin founded the RSWP after his late wife Angie was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. The Red Slipper Warrior Project has expanded to Columbia-based MU Health Care. Every little girl receiving cancer treatment at MU Health Care now receives a go-bag, sparkly slippers and a stuffed bunny rabbit, so they know they’re not fighting alone. Mr.Tinnin joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” to preview the February 3 Hollywood Nights event at Jefferson City’s Capitol Plaza Hotel. All proceeds will benefit the RSWP:
(LISTEN): New Missouri highway commissioner Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) has appointed former State Sen. Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby) and former St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (D) to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. Both men will need to be confirmed by the Missouri Senate by the end of January. Hegeman served as the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chair for several years and fought for funding for rural roads during that time. He joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” from the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast at Jefferson City’s Capitol Plaza Hotel, where he discussed the appointment, the importance of rural road funding and Missouri’s $2.8 billion plan to expand and rebuild I-70 across Missouri:
(LISTEN): Mid-Missouri foster care gala is Friday; Boone County has hundreds of foster children
A Friday night fundraiser will be held in Jefferson City to benefit an organization that aims to foster safe and nurturing homes for children and to facilitate heartfelt adoptions.
The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association’s (CMFCAA) “Puttin’ on the Ritz” gala will take place Friday evening from 5:30-8:30 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. CMFCAA spokesman Gerry Tritz says gala proceeds will directly bolster the association’s vision.
“This year we added an extreme family finding program and we added an advocacy program. The extreme family finding program just tries to find family and extended family for kids in the system who are in danger of aging out,” Tritz says.
Mr. Tritz says single tickets are $50, with couple tickets at $90. Dave and Tori Baker will provide the musical backdrop. The CMFCAA’s aim is leading foster children toward safety and permanency, ultimately to a forever home.
There are about 500 children in foster care in Boone County. Mr. Tritz tells 939 the Eagle that the CMFCAA now includes 24 counties. Columbia, Jefferson City and Fulton are all served by the organization:
“We go as far as south as Dallas County and north to Randolph County. You know we have a lot in between,” says Tritz.
Mr. Tritz says gala proceeds will directly bolster the association’s vision of advocating for children, fortifying families and reshaping lives. State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) will be the keynote speaker at Friday evening’s event, which will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Capitol Plaza hotel.
Mizzou AD Reed-Francois to keynote Zonta luncheon; Stephanie Bell is a nominee
A few hundred people are expected to pack Jefferson City’s Capital Plaza Hotel for today’s (Tuesday) Zonta Women of Achievement yellow rose luncheon, which is taking place at Capitol Plaza Hotel.
The luncheon begins at 11:30 am. “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” co-host Stephanie Bell, a Jefferson City attorney and Ashland alderwoman, is a nominee, along with nine other women.
Longtime United Way of Central Missouri director Linda McAnany will be presented with a Weldon lifetime achievement award. The award is named for Mrs. William Weldon, the former publisher of the “Jefferson City News-Tribune.”
Mizzou athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois will be the celebration speaker. This year’s theme is ”celebrating women without limits.” The Zonta Club of Jefferson City was founded in 1947.