State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) represents Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles, Lincoln and Pike counties in the Missouri Senate. He joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” and tells listeners he’s seriously considering a run to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) on Capitol Hill. Senator Fitzwater confirms he’s praying about the issue and notes opportunities like this don’t come along often. Missouri’s massive third district includes Columbia, Boonville, California, Jefferson City, Fulton, New Florence and Wentzville. Senator Fitzwater says it’s important to have a mid-Missourian in that seat. He also discussed his proposed constitutional amendment to reduce the Missouri House’s size from 163 to 102 and to modify term limits for state lawmakers. Missouri’s current term limits allow lawmakers to serve up to eight years in both chambers for a total of 16 years in Jefferson City. Senator Fitzwater’s proposed constitutional amendment would allow lawmakers to serve up to 16 years in the Legislature, regardless of which chamber. If lawmakers approve Senator Fitzwater’s measure, the issue would be placed on the statewide ballot this August or November:
Veteran mid-Missouri congressman not seeking re-election
A congressman who represents part of Columbia and much of mid-Missouri will retire in December, after seven two-year terms on Capitol Hill.
U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) made his announcement on Thursday, saying it’s been an honor to serve Missouri’s third congressional district over the years. Congressman Luetkemeyer represents Columbia south of Broadway, as well as southern Boone County towns like Ashland and Hartsburg. His sprawling district also includes Jefferson City, Fulton, Boonville, Linn, Eldon and New Florence.
Congressman Luetkemeyer was first elected to northeast Missouri’s old ninth congressional district in 2008, a district that included Columbia at the time. The old ninth district did not include Jefferson City. Luetkemeyer beat State Rep. Judy Baker (D-Columbia) by about 9,000 votes out of approximately 322,000 ballots cast.
NWS: Hail and damaging winds are possible Saturday in mid-Missouri
Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening across the 939 the Eagle listening area. That includes Columbia, Jefferson City and Fulton.
Golf-ball sized hail and damaging winds are possible.
National Weather Service (NWS) St. Louis meteorologist Chris Kimble tells 939 the Eagle that tomorrow’s potential timeframe is from 4-10 pm. The bigger threat is areas to the east of Columbia and Jefferson City, which include Linn, New Florence, Montgomery City and Warrenton.
Keep your radio tuned to 939 the Eagle for updated forecast and weather information and keep fresh batteries with your radio.
Dateline NBC special on mid-Missouri’s Renick killing airs tonight
Production crews from “Dateline NBC” have been in Columbia and mid-Missouri for the past few months, filming scenes and interviews for tonight’s brand-new episode of the Lynlee Renick case.
The two-hour special airs at 8 pm. Lynlee Renick is the Columbia spa owner convicted of killing her husband Ben in 2017 near New Florence, 50 miles east of Columbia. The victim’s brother Sam tells “Dateline” that the murder should have been prevented.
“Anyone could have stopped this murder by calling 911, but they did not,” he tells Dateline NBC. He’s referring to others who knew about the murder plot but did not contact authorities.
Dateline’s Andrea Canning traveled to Jefferson City for an excusive interview with Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Devin Foust, who’s the lead investigator in the case. The victim was shot at least eight times, according to testimony during the trial.
The Missouri attorney general’s office says Lynlee Renick killed her husband for sex, money and freedom. She says she’s innocent, and that Michael Humphrey of Jefferson City killed her husband. Humphrey is serving a life prison sentence.
“Dateline NBC” to feature new two-hour episode on mid-Missouri snake breeder’s murder
A high-profile mid-Missouri murder case that’s received national media coverage will be featured in a brand-new episode tomorrow night on “Dateline NBC.” It will air from 8-10 pm central time.
It’s the Lynlee Renick case. Dateline correspondent Andrea Canning has an exclusive interview with Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Devin Foust, who’s the lead investigator in the case.
Convicted killer Lynlee Renick, the former owner of Ascensia spa in Columbia’s Cherry Hill, also speaks on-camera from prison. She’s serving a 16-year prison sentence in Chillicothe for the gruesome murder of her husband Ben in his New Florence snake barn. New Florence is a small town about 50 miles east of Columbia.
The victim was shot at least once in the back of the head, once through the jaw and several times in the back. The murder scene was so gruesome that authorities originally thought a 500-pound anaconda had attacked him.
The case has ties to Columbia, Jefferson City and New Florence. Lynlee is serving a 16-year prison sentence for second degree murder and armed criminal action. She has maintained her innocence, saying Michael Humphrey of Jefferson City killed her husband. Lynlee’s attorney told the jury that Michael Humphrey had used meth on the day of the murder.
But Humphrey testified for the prosecution at Lynlee Renick’s trial, telling the jury that she is the one who shot and killed her husband. Both admit they were at the scene, and they blame each other for the murder. Both Lynlee Renick and Michael Humphrey have been convicted of murder and are incarcerated. He’s serving a life sentence for second degree murder and will be eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of 30 years. Lynlee Renick’s first parole hearing is set for 2034.
Click here to watch “Dateline NBC’s” trailer of the new episode.