U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) says St. Louis-area residents have had their water, air and soil poisoned by radioactive waste that dates back to World War II. Senator Hawley says those residents are asking for justice, not a handout. State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit), whose district includes part of St. Charles County, says there’s been a significant rise in cancer in the St. Charles area, due to the radioactive waste. He says drinking water has also been impacted. Senator Fitzwater joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” and expresses frustration that his Senate resolution to expand the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act died in May due to GOP filibuster infighting in the Senate. Senator Fitzwater’s SCR 16 would have expanded the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include Missourians exposed to nuclear waste from the Manhattan project:
(AUDIO): State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) discusses Senate GOP priorities and nuclear waste on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) says Missouri’s legislative Republicans are pushing an agenda that’s important to citizens. He says those items include protecting children, expanding busy I-70, approving a budget that funds priorities and initiative petition reform. Senator Fitzwater is also hopeful that the Senate will approve his bipartisan bill that asks Missouri’s congressional delegation to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Senator Fitzwater represents Callaway, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pike and St. Charles counties in the Missouri Senate. Senator Fitzwater joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”:
April sentencing set for Columbia psychologist convicted of sex crimes
A Columbia psychologist convicted of statutory sodomy will be sentenced in April.
53-year-old Kurt Bumby was convicted last week on one count of second degree statutory sodomy, a class C felony. The jury is recommending a seven-year prison sentence and a fine against Bumby, whose bail has been revoked.
He’ll be held at the Boone County jail until he’s sentenced on April 14. Judge Brouck Jacobs will sentence Bumby on April 14.
Our news partner KMIZ reports Bumby also faces sodomy charges in St. Louis County and in St. Charles County.
More prosecution witnesses in Columbia sodomy trial
A jury could hear closing arguments today in a Columbia sodomy trial.
Psychologist Kurt Bumby, who’s 53, is charged with two counts of second degree sodomy. The trial is taking place at the Boone County Courthouse, before Judge Brouck Jacobs.
Our news partner KMIZ reports one alleged victim testified Wednesday that he was inappropriately touched by Bumby in the middle of the night multiple times in the early 1990s.
ABC-17 News reports Bumby also faces sodomy charges in St. Louis County and in St. Charles County.
Missouri congresswoman questioning management of wildlife refuge near Wooldridge fire scene
The congresswoman who represents fire-damaged Wooldridge in Cooper County has questions for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about how they’ve managed the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
The October blaze destroyed 23 structures in Wooldridge and burned more than 3,000 acres. That includes some land in the Big Muddy. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that she will hold a conference call soon with Fish and Wildlife representatives.
“I heard that day criticism that there had not been managing it according to what they believe were the standards of burning off that tall grass every three years. So we’ve been trying to get answers of really what is the policy. Are they required to burn it every three years and did they or did they not,” Hartzler says.
Hartzler says she’s thankful for the more than 50 fire departments that battled the blaze. Some firefighters came from as far away as St. Charles County and the Lake of the Ozarks.
Meantime, Congresswoman Hartzler is praising mid-Missouri churches for offering to donate a new organ and piano to the historic Wooldridge church damaged in the late October wildfire. She says church officials are still assessing damage.
“It was absolutely a beautiful, historic church built in around 1905. And there’s just so much history there. So from what I’ve read, there is still hope that it will be able to be fully restored,” says Hartzler.
Hartzler says the church’s stain glass windows were saved. She’s confident that Wooldridge will bounce back from the blaze.