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:
(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.
(AUDIO): Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft discusses ERIC and voting on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) and election officials in Florida and West Virginia have departed from a system called the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). Secretary Ashcroft tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that voter confidence is compromised when individuals vote in more than one state and nothing is done. Ashcroft tells listeners that ERIC is not making the necessary changes to address his concerns. Ashcroft also commented on the “Missouri Times” honoring Missouri Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo (D-Independence) as the statesman of the year tonight:
(AUDIO): Missouri’s Senate Democratic leader to be honored tonight in Jefferson City
About 400 people are expected to pack Missouri Farm Bureau headquarters in Jefferson City this evening as Missouri’s Senate Minority Leader is honored as the statesman of the year.
State Sen. John Rizzo (D-Independence) was first elected to the House in 2010 and served three terms before being elected to the Senate in 2016. He was re-elected in 2020.
State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City), who’s served with Rizzo in both chambers, says Rizzo is well-respected on both sides of the aisle.
“We were talking about the second degree murder bill and I’ve been working with him and the colleagues on the Democratic side and he’s always trying to make sure that the Republicans and the Democrats are working together,” Senator Bernskoetter tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.”
The Missouri Times is hosting tonight’s event, which begins at 6 o’clock. Senator Bernskoetter is expecting what he calls a fantastic turnout tonight.
“I’ve never really had any trouble working with Senator Rizzo and it’s a very well-deserved honor for all the things that he’s done as a floor leader for the minority party,” Bernskoetter says.
Leader Rizzo has worked closely with members of both parties on key issues, including a bipartisan bill last year that he says was crucial for Kansas City being named as a 2026 World Cup host city. Governor Mike Parson (R) signed Rizzo’s Senate Bill 652, which provides a sales tax exemption for 2026 World Cup tickets to matches at Arrowhead Stadium.
“And when you commit to a city, what had happened in the past was shortly before the tickets went on sale, they would jack up the sales tax on all the tickets. So it was almost a requirement by FIFA to be able to have some assurances that their sales tax rates weren’t going to get hiked up, making the tickets go through the roof,” Rizzo told 939 the Eagle in June.
Leader Rizzo predicts the 2026 World Cup will generate $695-million in economic activity for Missouri. Rizzo compares it to multiple Super Bowls over a 30-day period.
(AUDIO): State lawmaker says MoDOT is already starting to remove dead deer, ahead of legislation
A mid-Missouri state lawmaker says recent legislation approved by a House committee has prompted state transportation officials to prioritize removing dead deer and large dead animals from roads.
State Rep. Tim Taylor (R-Speed) serves on the Missouri House Transportation Accountability Committee, which has approved a bipartisan bill requiring the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to remove and bury dead deer that are large enough to impede traffic.
“All of us who are on the committee got a letter sent to us. MoDOT and Conservation got together and had a meeting. They discussed it. MoDOT said specifically that it’s their responsibility to take care of this and that they will do that,” Taylor says.
Under bipartisan legislation from State Rep. Kent Haden (R-Mexico) that’s been approved in committee, MoDOT would be required to remove the dead deer, with the Missouri Department of Conservation paying those expenses under the one-page House Bill 404. Representative Taylor tells 939 the Eagle that this is important for safety reasons and for appearances.
“It’s more than just the deer to me. It really is trying to get MoDOT to get that cleanup at a higher level on the priority list,” says Taylor.
Representative Taylor notes the World Cup is coming to Kansas City in 2026, bringing large numbers of soccer fans from across the globe. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo (D-Independence) has predicted that the 2026 World Cup will generate $695-million in economic activity for Missouri. Rizzo compares it to multiple Super Bowls over a 30-day period.