University of Missouri | 98.3 The Dove

(LISTEN): Mizzou to expand Columbia’s current research reactor

September 25, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The MU Research Reactor (MURR) in Columbia was built in 1966. This view is seen from above (file photo courtesy of the MU News Bureau)

The University of Missouri is planning a groundbreaking ceremony for next Monday for an expansion of the current MU Research Reactor (MURR) in Columbia, which was built in 1966.

MURR, which operates at 10-megawatts, is the nation’s most powerful university research reactor.

UM System spokesman Christian Basi tells 939 the Eagle that the groundbreaking is for MURR West and will be an expansion of the production facilities. State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff (D-Columbia), who serves on the Missouri House Budget Committee, tells 939 the Eagle that the MURR produces critical medical isotopes.

“It is an amazing thing. I mean Mizzou was just ranked number one for a university research reactor in the whole nation. And that is probably because of the fact that they are the only ones in the nation that are producing an isotope that is been fighting all kinds of cancers worldwide,” Steinhoff says.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff (D-Columbia) questions a witness during a March 20, 2023 House committee hearing in Jefferson City (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The current MURR near South Providence is licensed through 2037, and is down the hill from Faurot Field. It cost about $1.5 million to build. It operates 52 weeks a year, 24 hours a day, six-point-five days a week.

“It is amazing how many people … I live in Columbia and it amazing how many of my friends don’t even know that it exists right there. And it will be leading the way,” says Steinhoff.

Mizzou officials also want to build a second and new research reactor near Discovery Ridge in south Columbia, saying that is critical to ensuring a lifetime supply of isotopes needed to diagnose heart disease and to detect and treat cancer. Next Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony to expand the current MURR is not a groundbreaking for the future reactor, according to UM System spokesman Christian Basi. Mizzou’s Sarah Chinniah told Columbia business leaders in June that the proposed new reactor will cost about $1-billion and will take about ten years to build.

GoCOMO bus fares to remain free in Columbia for at least another year

September 19, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A GoCOMO bus operates in Columbia on September 7, 2023 (photo courtesy of Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan)

Columbia’s city council has voted to suspend transportation fares for GoCOMO bus riders for the fourth straight year.

GoCOMO has been operating fare-free since the March 2020 COVID emergency declaration. Columbia Public Works officials say current transportation sales tax (TST) funding and a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) operating grant can keep the bus system fare-free for at least another year.

Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan tells 939 the Eagle that the Columbia transit budget is $7.4 million, and that budget includes expected GoCOMO expenditures on fixed routes, Paratransit and the Tiger Line. Mr. Ogan notes Columbia transit receives its funding from state and federal grants, the transportation sales tax and also from Mizzou. The University of Missouri pays the city of Columbia about $839,000 for the operation of the Tiger Line shuttle service for students.

Mr. Ogan notes GoCOMo also receives about $2.5 million in federal grants, about $245,000 in state grants and about $2.5 million in transportation sales tax money.

Columbia used federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and federal CARES Act funding for the past two years to remain fare-free, but those monies have run out. President Joe Biden (D) signed ARPA into law, and former President Donald Trump (R) signed the federal CARES Act into law.

GoCOMO has been a priority for city manager De’Carlon Seewood, who’s encouraged residents to ride the buses.

Columbia holding two 9-11 events this morning

September 11, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

You have two opportunities this morning in Columbia to attend Patriot Day ceremonies to remember the lives lost in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Today is the 22^nd anniversary of the attacks, which killed almost 3,000 people.

Boone County commissioners say a Mid-Missouri Patriot Day remembrance and wreath tribute will take place at the Boone County Veterans Memorials from 7:47-8:40 am. Those memorials are in front of the Boone County Courthouse downtown.

The city of Columbia and the University of Missouri will be holding a 9-11 commemorative wreath-laying ceremony at 10 am at Mizzou’s Francis Quadrangle, which is on South 6^th street. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and MU Health Care executive vice chancellor Richard Barohn will deliver remarks.

The ceremony will also include a procession, a wreath-laying, presentation of the colors by the Joint Services Color Guard and City Honor Guards and a flyover by the MU Health Care helicopter.

Mizzou officials preparing for traffic impact from rare Thursday night game

August 30, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The University of Missouri is requesting all employees who work on-campus in non-public roles to work remotely Thursday, starting at noon.

That’s to accommodate the increased traffic with Mizzou football’s season opener tomorrow night. Kickoff is set for 7 at Faurot Field in Columbia. Traffic is normally heavy anyway on weekday afternoons near Columbia’s Stadium and Providence intersection.

Mizzou also says some students, faculty and staff may be asked to park in locations “other than their assigned location” tomorrow afternoon.