The Morning Meeting

Justin Aldred is back and previews what is to come in 2026 for the Boone County Commission.

A controversial annexation plan to build a condo complex off Highway WW was the major topic at this week's council meeting.  Vera Elwood explains her "No" vote and addresses some of the other topics from the latest council meeting on this MM.

The CDC recently changed its vaccine recommendations in an unorthodox way with some controversial updates.  It has caused general outcry among physicians across the country.  Dr. Laura Morris gives sound advice on vaccines on this MM with Simon.

Bees are just fascinating and are so valuable to our ecosystem.  Have you ever wanted to learn more about them and possible keep them?  CJ Lexow and Clay Helm fill you in on an upcoming beekeeping class at the University on this MM.

Applications are now open for the MACC Flight School at COU.  Ed Longoria is back to update us on an exciting year ahead for the program.

It has not been a great start to 2026 as far as crime in Columbia goes.  Lance Bollinger is back for his first visit of the year and updates us on the rocky start to the year.

I just got my latest Social Security Statement in the mail, so I had some questions and obviously many of you did as well judging by the latest visit with Matt Skelton, manager of our local Social Security Office.  

Ted Farnen returns to KFRU on this MM to fill Simon in on his new gig.

Be aware of another scam going around where people are impersonating Sheriff's Department officers.  Captain Brian Leer tells you what to look out for on this MM with Simon.

Adam and Brandon are back for the first time this year and discuss eagle watching, rabbit hunts and ice fishing among other things!

There is an exciting addition to the city's sports fieldhouse opening and a number of other new things on the way for our parks system in 2026.  Gabe Huffington fills us in on the details on this MM.

When he was with us in early December Eric Sappington had set a target of $2m to be raised in 2025's COMO Gives campaign.  Did we reach that target?  Find out on this MM.

The first council meeting of the year set out budgetary priorities and Valerie Carroll tells us what they are on this MM with Simon.

What is the AAA forecast for holiday travel in Missouri and beyond?  Nick Chabarria tells us on this MM with Simon.

More big news at Columbia Regional Airport this week.  Mike Parks, COU manager explains all on this MM.

James Owen is back to discuss the legacy and life of film director, actor and producer, Rob Reiner.

Janet Thompson is back to take a look back at 2025 and a look forward to 2026 for county government.

Betsy Peters is back on the MM to update us on the last council meeting of the year.

On this MODOT Monday we get a full update on the next stage of the I-70 Improvement project from Trent, Kirsten and Project Lead, Spencer Robinson.  It is quite a feat of engineering as you'll  hear on this MM with Simon.

Lookout for the "12 Scams of Christmas"!  Khesha Duncan with BBB tells you how to avoid being scammed by "Scrooges" this holiday season.

Want to help out kids at the MU Children's Hospital this holiday season? Find out how with our own "Secret Elf" D Larimer!

Stephen Webber has pre-filed some gun legislation that would seem to be common sense.  Find out more on this MM with Simon.

AI generated crime reports, a Governor's meeting on crime in COMO without the presence of CPD and Operation Brightside, a busy hour and lots to cover with the Assistant Chief.

Continuing our occasional visits with former KFRU staffers to celebrate 100 years.  We had to talk to the legend who is Chris Gervino!

Who called the public safety meeting involving the governor last week?  Was gun control discussed?  Why was CPD and the Sheriff's office not involved?  Some of the questions that MUPD Chief Brian Weimer answers on this MM with Simon.

How busy was the Sheriff's Department in the snow on Monday?  Just one of the things tackled as Captain Brian Leer joins Simon on this MM.

You would think things would slow down at this time of year in the Missouri Conservation Department.  "Not at all" says Adam Doerhoff.

COMO Gives is underway, and Eric Sappington is back to tell you how you can donate, what the target is this year and how your dollars can help nearly 180 organizations in our area.

How long will it be before we have a recycling structure rebuilt for the city?  Nick Foster is here to tell us and to update us on other city business on this MM with Simon.

Joe Moseley was Boone County's Prosecuting attorney for 14 years.  He tried many high-profile cases but none more so than the Susan Davis case.  Joe talks about that case and previews an upcoming presentation on it at the State Historical Society on this MM.

Its Thanksgiving Wednesday on the MM and that only means one thing.... the return of Brook Harlan to literally "talk turkey"!

We've got a big travel holiday coming up once again and that means Nick Chabarria with AAA is back with Simon on this MM to tell you what to expect.

What is Cloudflare and why did its outage last week cause such mayhem?  The Computer Guy, Robert Ricketts, is here once again to explain all.

Fred Parry spent 10 years co-hosting the MM.  Now he is back to reminisce with Simon about his time on the air at KFRU as part of our 100-year celebration.

Another huge sporting event in Columbia this weekend with the best cross-country runners in the world converging on Gans Park for the NCAA National Championship.   Joey Wilmes and Travis March with Parks and Rec fill us in on last minute preparations on this MM with Simon.

Is it median safety or a device to stop panhandling?  Just one of the things Jacque Sample talks about with Simon on this MM.

Exciting news with regard to the new CMHS shelter.  Michelle Casey is back on this MM to talk about that news with Simon and to update us on the harrowing story of the dogs that have come to CMHS after the horrible discovery at a local dog breeding operation.

Kirsten Munck and Melanie Blaylock are in on this MODOT Monday to talk about where we are with the I-70 improvement project and preparations for winter weather.

Scam artists are always out there but step up their activity around this time of year.  Khesha Duncan tells you what to watch out for to prevent being scammed on this MM with Simon.

Eli Hoff, the Mizzou sports beat writer for the St Louis Post Dispatch joins Simon to explain the bowl game options for Mizzou.

Missouri's Republican legislators have targeted the LGBTQ+ community for a number of years now and it is having a tangible, negative economic effect on the state.  Annelise Hanshaw with The Missouri Independent has been investigating, and she visits with Simon on this MM.

We've been talking about the Kinney Point project for more than 10 years.  Now residents are finally moving in.  Randy Cole, the CEO of CHA talks all about the completion of this project on this MM with Simon.

Assistant CPD Chief Mark Fitzgerald gives us an update on a number of law enforcement topics on this MM with Simon.

Do you have a flight from COU in the next few days?  How might the shutdown affect your flight plans?  Find out the very latest from COU GM Mike Parks.

We catch up with MUPD Chief Brian Weimer and talk about his department's efforts to help CPD curb crime on weekends in downtown Columbia.

Ted is back on KFRU to take a look at last week's election success for Democrats.  Can they maintain the success through the midterms?  Find out what Ted thinks on this MM with Simon.

It's time to get your Thanksgiving food orders in!  Brook Harlan tells you how to do it on this MM with Simon.

A very devious new scam to be on the lookout for especially if you are looking to rent a property.  Captain Brian Leer tells us the things to look out for, so this doesn't happen to you.

How to care for your trees, what invasive species and climate change are doing to Missouri's forests and plants and what you can do to prevent damage.  All topics covered on this MM with Robbie Doerhoff from MDC.

The VAC Holiday Program is already underway, and more families need help.  On this MM Stacie is back to tell you how you can help out this holiday season.