The Morning Meeting

Guest host Ted Farnen talks with Jonathan Ratliff, a spokesperson for Missouri Amendment 1.  The measure would impact Missouri Sales Tax for Parks and Conservation.

Guest host Ted Farnen talks with Peter Hessler, Author and Staff Writer for The New Yorker.  His nostalgic essay, "The Paperboy's Secret", details his childhood years delivering papers for the Columbia Missourian.  The piece reflects on his preteen experiences with grueling early-morning routes, cold Midwestern winters, and a haunting secret he kept for decades.

You might have heard that the World Cup has started!  Taking a look at the TV coverage is Nate Gatter experienced football, soccer and baseball play by play commentator.

The COMO bear is still in town and quite a bit bigger than first thought.  Nate Bowersock with MDC is on the case.

So many exciting events taking place this Summer with Columbia Parks and Rec.  We get into all of it on this MM with Events Co-Ordinator, Moira Theis.

You might have heard but the World Cup kicks off today.  Eli Hoff from the Post Dispatch is back to preview the tournament warts and all.

A couple of big arrests and a vote upcoming for a law enforcement tax, just a couple of the things we cover with Lance Bollinger on this MM with Simon.

Scott Charton is back on the MM to tell you why he thinks you should vote "no" on Amendments 4 and 5 in August.

Live, free music at the Historical Society building on Elm street on June 13th, what's not to like?  Autumn Cuddy is back with a COMO Music Project update and who will be playing the latest Live on Elm music show.

Swimming bears and some proposed changes to a number of MDC policies.  Find out more as conservation agent Brandon Cotter visits with Simon on this MM.

Sheriff Dwayne Carey says that Boone County needs a new jail.  Hear his reasons why on this MM with Simon.

A lot going on with the Downtown Optimists starting with the annual Soapbox Derby on June 14th.  Rick McKernan has all the details on this MM with Simon

Don't miss Nick Foster's final appearance on the Morning Meeting before he moves to Atlanta with his family.  Here we talk about the latest council meeting, the law enforcement tax proposal and we look back at his time on the council.

The new Cooper's Landing building is close to completion.  Richard King updates us on the progress and when he expects to be fully open on this MM with Simon.

Look out for "employment based" scams.  That is the message from Khesha Duncan with the BBB as she returns to the MM.

A huge adoption event and a great award for CMHS on Saturday.  Michelle Casey explains all on this MM with Simon and has a special guest with her!

The brand-new Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment has just opened in Columbia.  Dr Connie Brooks and Miles Hinkel explain just what this means for treatment of patients in Missouri.

An update on the Canvas hack and lots of useful information about AI on this visit with the Computer Guy, Robert Ricketts.

Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey addressed the Commission this week about the need for a sales tax to fund a new county jail.  Hear Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick's response on this MM with Simon.

It's another MODOT Monday and we talk predominantly about the Improve I-70 project including the date for the demolition of the Providence Road overpass.

Lots of comings and goings especially when it comes to restaurants in COMO.  Pete Bland is back with all the latest news on restaurants and other business in Columbia.

The state of education funding in Missouri and the state of late night talk on TV.  Those are the topics covered by Ted Farnen in his latest Missourian columns.  We get into each subject in depth on this MM.

From high speed chases to cold cases to funding CPD.  A lot of ground covered as assistant CPD chief, Lance Bollinger returns to the program.

Eli Hoff joins us on this MM to discuss the latest news in the Ahmad Hardy shooting case.

The Canvas website was hacked last week affecting hundreds of colleges and millions of students across the country including MU.  Who are Shinyhunters, the group responsible?  Only one person to ask, Robert Ricketts, The Computer Guy on this MM.

It has been a turbulent couple of months at Boone Health and the Missouri Heart Center.  Now Boone Health will start seeing heart patients on May 11th.  There are many questions of course and Christian Basi from Boone Health tells us how you can get those questions answered.

A teenager going 100MPH and a possible tax to fund a new jail.  Just a couple of topics that Captain Brian Leer discusses on this MM with Simon.

A distressing story from last month concerning abuse of paddlefish is just one of the things conservation agents Adam and Brandon get into on this MM with Simon.

There is a Memorial Day concert coming up at the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda with the Jefferson City Community Band.  Find out more about the concert and the band itself on this MM with Simon.

Sherry Wyatt has a very personal stake in organizing the Memorial Day Parade.  Here, she tells her story and adds how you can help with this year's parade.

May 3-9th is Children's Mental Health Awareness week.  Dr Laine Young-Walker is an MU Healthcare Psychiatrist heading up a project dedicated to kid's mental health.  She explains the project on this MM with Simon.

A big 911 and 311 tech problem afflicted the whole area on May 4th.  Service has now been restored and Christie Davis, BCJC Director, tells us more about the outage and what is thought to have caused it.

Will a public safety sales tax be approved in the near future? That was one of the major topics at the latest city council meeting.  We talk about that and other council matters on this MM as Vera Elwood visits with Simon.

Henry Cho is on his Empty Nest Tour, it brings him to the Missouri Theatre on May 30th.  On this MM Henry tells some great stories and remembers Deja Vu fondly.

What was so special about October 1965 at Buckingham Palace?  Simon's Mum was there and reveals all in this great story!

It is the 25th anniversary of Bike, Walk, Wheel, Week and some new events have been added for this year as well.  Mike and Gabi are back on this MM to talk about this year's event.

Recently, guest host Ted Farnen met with Scott Charton, owner of Charton Communications and Consulting.  They talk about Amendment 4, and the future of citizen proposed initiatives in Missouri. #amendment4 #missouri

Guest host Ted Farnen meets with Ike Eisenmann, author and former child star.  We talk about what it was like being a child actor, and some of the famous people he once worked with.

You have a chance to see in person some of the most historic documents in the 250-year history of America.  They are on display for a limited time at the Truman Museum in Independence.  Director Mark Adams is back with Simon on this MM with the details.

Guest Host Ted Farnen meets with Jess Piper, Democratic activist.  They talk about the current state of the Democratic party, and possible strategies moving forward. #Democrats

Guest host Ted Farnen meets with John Anderson, former ESPN Sportscenter Anchor.  He talks about what it's been like teaching at the University, the role of technology in journalism, and they even discuss some issues in college sports. #Espn #Sportscenter #Mizzou

Ted Farnen guest hosts and meets with Ron Graves, administrator of the "You Know You're From Columbia Mo When..." Facebook page.  They talk about the importance of remembering Columbia's rich history.  #como #history

Guest host Ted Farnen is joined by Russell Boyt and Jim Horton to talk about local Real Estate!  #como #realestate 

Buying a used car safely.  What to look out for and how to do it.  Khesha Duncan is back with solid car buying advice on this MM.

Solar energy legislation is being debated in Jefferson City.  James Owen is back to talk about what is in store for solar power in Missouri.

Week 2 of the Spring rec soccer season is upon us.  Dave Golan from SC tells us there are nearly 1800 kids participating in the "beautiful game" this season.

So much talk and controversy about data centers at the moment.  Robert is back to put it all in "layman's" terms.

Plenty on the Boone County Commission's plate at the moment.  Justin Aldred has the details on this MM with Simon.

Saturday is Record Store Day and Kyle and Taylor from Hitt Records are back to tell you what's hot and what's not this Saturday.

The 2026 Unbound Book Festival starts on Thursday.  Director Kerry Townsend has all the details.