audio features 2005
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12/22/05: It has been nearly four months since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, but thousands of people are still dealing with the storm's effects. That ncludes several dozen families who have now permanently settled in mid-Missouri. KBIA's Kyle Palmer tells us about one of those families and the continuing efforts to make them feel at home.
12/11/05: Public school funding has long been a topic of heated debate in Missouri but now, thanks to a new proposal by Governor Matt Blunt to put a constitutional amendment on next year's ballot, politicians and educators are debating over what exactly is meant by "classroom instruction." KBIA's Kyle Palmer has more.
12/7/05: Republicans and Democrats are ramping up the rhetoric over a school funding plan proposed last month by Governor Matt Blunt. But as KBIA's Kyle Palmer tells us, the two sides are sounding awfully alike.
11/29/05: A special Columbia Housing Authority task force voted this week to move forward with the idea of redeveloping 70 public housing units along Park Avenue, near downtown Columbia. However, opposition from residents remains. KBIA's Kyle Palmer reports, though, that tension between residents and the task force has eased.
11/10/05: A law passed in August makes American Sign Language equivalent to other foreign languages in all public schools across the state. That law includes MU, whose ASL program has steadily been growing. A big reason for that growth is Stephanie Logan, an instructor in the program ... who also happens to be deaf. KBIA's Erin Richards has this profile of Stephanie Logan.
10/28/05: Designer babies ... immortality ... cloning ... all science fiction concepts which are seeping into our political discourse. Bill McKibben, author of "Enough: Staying Human In An Engineered Age," visited the MU campus earlier this week to talk about his book, which is required reading for this year's freshman class. KBIA's Lene Johansen talks with McKibben here.
10/07/05: A special task force with the Columbia Housing Authority is nearing a decision on how to redevelop 70 public housing units along Park Avenue. Seven proposals are now before the task force ... ranging in estimated cost from $4 million to nearly $25 million. But as task force members move toward a final recommendation, opposition from Park Avenue residents remains. KBIA's Kyle Palmer wades through the disagreements.
9/23/05: A special task force of the Columbia Housing Authority is currently debating several proposals that would remodel dozens of public housing units along Park Avenue. Most of the proposals the task force is considering call for the demolition of the existing apartments. Housing Authority officials say rebuilding the units would improve the quality of life along Park Avenue. However, several residents have questioned the proposals ... and have begun trying to rally opposition against them. But, as KBIA's Kyle Palmer tells us, that is proving to be a challenge.
9/16/05: Columbia Public Schools' performance on the latest MAP tests was, by and large, a success. As a district, Columbia scored nearly nine points above the state average in Communication Arts and nearly eight points above the state average in Math. Nearly every demographic group also scored above their state averages ... with some notable exceptions. Scores for African-American students and students receiving free or reduced lunch lagged behind. Now, the district is taking steps to close those gaps. KBIA's Kyle Palmer has more.
9/2/05: Stefanie Zimmerman is one of the many journalists traveling through the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, working to dispatch stories back home. But for Zimmerman, this is one of her first major stories ... ever. That's because she's still a student. Zimmerman is a junior convergence student in MU's School of Journalism, and is traveling with two Missourian reporters. KBIA's Sarah Ashworth spoke by phone with Zimmerman last night.
8/30/05: In Jefferson City, there is one ice rink, but there are two youth hockey leagues. Annually the two leagues duke it out for practice time, and this year is no different. But now the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Board has handed down an ultimatum ... become one league by next year. KBIA's Sarah Ashworth has more on the differences between the two leagues and their struggle for ice time.
8/29/05: One of the new laws that went into effect yesterday requires Missouri public schools to accept American Sign Language as a foreign language credit. Both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure, and many of the teachers and students at schools that already offer ASL courses are excited. KBIA's Sarah Ashworth has more.
8/26/05: On Sunday, August 28, the second round of statewide Medicaid cuts goes into effect. As that deadline nears, local opponents have mounted one final protest against the cuts ... and supporters have remained firm in their idea that the cuts are necessary for the state's economic health. KBIA's Kyle Palmer has more.
8/24/05: Last week a federal judge in Kansas City issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the state from enforcing new standards on adoption subsidies. Now, as KBIA's Kyle Palmer reports, both the state and child welfare advocates are preparing for a court date. Click here.
8/12/05: Earlier this week, the state's Office of Administration tightened its employee dress code, outlining more clearly what workers in Matt Blunt's government can and cannot wear, and eliminating "Casual Fridays" altogether. KBIA's Kyle Palmer takes a not-so-casual look at what exactly "Casual Friday" means. Click here to listen.
8/11/05: Anybody can find it hard, at times, to keep up with balancing their checkbook. But imagine if you had to balance a checkbook for more than 8,000 people. Boonville's city officials have to ... and, not surprisingly, they've fallen behind. But KBIA's Kyle Palmer tells us, the city is now taking steps to catch up. Click here for more.
8/4/05: This week, the state released optimistic economic figures for the first half of 2005 trumpeting a statewide growth in jobs and a decline in Missouri's unemployment rate. But as KBIA's Kyle Palmer shows us, Columbia is leading the state in both categories as usual. Click here.
7/27/05: This weekend, a Columbia teenager will travel to New Orleans with a chance to win a medal at this year's Junior Olympics. But as KBIA's Kyle Palmer tells us, what began as a simple summertime activity has evolved into a life-changing opportunity. Hear the story here.
7/19/05: Earlier this month three St. Louis women sued the state, saying recent Medicaid cuts violated their constitutional rights. Now, adoptive parents statewide, including some in Boone County, are gathering resources to file a lawsuit of their own. To hear Kyle Palmer report this story, click here.
7/15/05: Back in 1936 at the Olympic games in Berlin, a female track athlete from Fulton, Missouri, took home two gold medals. That event put Helen Stephens in the spotlight, but her story stretches far beyond Olympic medals. Columbia writer Sharon Kinney Hanson has written a new biography about the woman known as the "Fulton Flash." KBIA's Sarah Ashworth spoke with the author, and has more on Helen Stephens' story.
7/6/05: While the national debate over proposed changes to Social Security has grown increasingly bitter, a local meeting between a Congressman and a group of concerned citizens shows how polite discussion can win the day. KBIA's Kyle Palmer has more.
6/28 - 7/1/05: KBIA's four-part series on Domestic Violence. Hear the stories here.
6/30/05: Lois Jones says she spends nearly $1,500 a
month on prescription drugs to help with mental illness caused
by childhood
sexual abuse. She pays for them with the help of the state's
Medicaid program. Next month, Jones will lose her state subsidy
as part of cuts to Medicaid. Listen to her story here.6/28/05: Since last week's van crash along I-70, in which five undocumented workers were killed, KBIA's August Skamenca has been looking into the ways such workers travel across this country, and how local law enforcement officers have difficulty stopping their travel. Hear his story here.
6/9/05: Planting time for Missouri corn farmers has just ended. Now, comes the long wait for harvest through the dry summer months. But KBIA's Kyle Palmer tells us that just as farmers are anxiously watching their corn, they're also watching another growing trend: the state's ethanol industry. Hear the story here.
6/3/05: A man out of Mexico, Missouri, hopes to win his Lucky Break into the music industry. KBIA's Hayley Salvo shares his "amazing" story. Hear it here.
6/1 & 6/2/05: The continuing fight over the future of the 73-year-old lift span bridge in Boonville has many sides. From the historic preservationists who want to restore it ... to the economic pragmatists who want to dismantle it. But, in the first of a two-part series looking at the struggle over the bridge, KBIA's Kyle Palmer takes a closer look at how this complex debate has taken on a decidedly political tone in recent weeks. Hear part one here.
The battle over the historic lift span bridge on the edge of Boonville has raised emotional and political issues, but in the end the answer will perhaps come down to money, and whoever can afford to restore the structure. In the second part of a two-part series, KBIA's Sarah Ashworth takes a closer look at the economic angle behind the battle for the Boonville bridge. Hear part two here.
4/25, 4/26, & 4/27/05: Missouri rice farmers and food producers stirred up quite a storm about Ventria Bioscience's application to plant pharmaceutical rice in the state last week.
In the first of a three-part series, KBIA's Lene Johansen talks to scientists who are familiar with Ventria's research.
In part two, she investigates whether the pharmaceutical rice poses a risk to Missouri food supply.
In part three, Lene looks at the economic issues behind the conflict.
4/13 & 4/14/05: As the debate over a 100 percent smoking-ban in restaurants and bars heats up in Columbia, two opposing groups have formed on both sides of the issue: the Boone Liberty Coalition, a group whose members are against a the smoking ban, and the Boone County Coalition for Tobacco Concerns, a group for the ban. KBIA's Hayley Salvo talked with members of both groups, and profiles the people in the organizations. Hear part one here. Part two here.
4/11/05: Author Joyce Carol Oates is, to say the least, prolific. She's best known for her more than thirty novels, including the National Book Award winner, Them, the bestseller and Oprah book club pick, We Were the Mulvaneys, and her fictional take on Marilyn Monroe's life, Blonde. On this night, she read from her works in Jesse Auditorium. KBIA's Sarah Ashworth spoke with her on the phone. Hear their conversation here.
3/31/05: Martha Burk first came to attention of most Americans three years ago when she publicly protested the all-male Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club. Tonight, as part of Women's History Month events at Stephens College, she'll read from her new book. KBIA's Sarah Ashworth spoke with Burk earlier ... here's part of their conversation.
3/17/05: The cover story on this week's Vox magazine raises a question not everyone will want to consider ... what does it take to get around Columbia without a car? The story explores options for commuting in Columbia by foot, bike and bus. As part of a convergence project with the Missouri School of Journalism, local commentator Jenn Day urges Columbians to embrace the possibility of a bus culture in town. Hear it here.
3/11/05: Columbia band Abateria is pushing Latin Dance music into mid-Missouri's mainstream. KBIA's Hayley Salvo tells us how the band has become a regular stop on the Friday night scene. Listen to it here.
2/25/05: Columbia's second annual True/False film festival takes place the last weekend of February, and showcases documentaries from around the world. KBIA's Hayley Salvo has a preview of this year's festival. Listen to it here.
2/24/05: This semester, novelist Naeem Murr is visiting MU as a writer in residence. Murr will give a reading and book signing at 7:30 tonight in Memorial Union. Earlier this week, KBIA's Sarah Ashworth sat down with the author to talk about writing. Hear their conversation here.
2/16/05: The funeral for Columbia Police Officer Molly Bowden, the first Columbia officer killed in the line of duty, was held Tuesday afternoon at Mizzou Arena. KBIA's Sarah Ashworth and Brendan Watson collected sounds and thoughts from the day, and have this audio montage. Hear it here.
1/20/05: Since the days of Nirvana and the Seattle-based grunge-rock revolution, Boone Stigall has documented Columbia's own music scene. KBIA's Ross Todd has a profile of this well-known Columbia character and his 'zine, The Trouble with Normal. Hear it here.
Bob Holden
1/3/05: A week from today, governor-elect Matt Blunt will be sworn into office. This morning, Missy Shelton talks with outgoing governor Bob Holden about what he accomplished in the last four years. Hear it here.
1/4/05: This morning, Missy Shelton talks with outgoing governor Bob Holden about his future and his legacy. Hear it here.
In the Hopper
In December, lawmakers pre-filled legislation for consideration during the upcoming legislative session. Some of the bills will go on to shape debate on the house floor, while others will never make it out of committee. In a series called "In the Hopper," KBIA News takes a look at some of the bills waiting for the general assembly.
12/27/04: KBIA's Catherine Welch examines House Joint Resolution 2 ... a proposed constitutional amendment that would reduce the number of state representatives. Listen to her report here.
12/28/04: Catherine Welch looks at a bill requiring Medicaid recipients to undergo drug testing. Hear the report here.
12/29/04: Today we are looking at a bill aimed to give crime victims a voice long after the trial is over. Catherine Welch reports. Click here to listen.
12/30/04: Catherine Welch looks at a bill requiring an extra chapter in public school biology books. Hear Catherine's report here.
12/31/04: Today we take a look at a bill that would make midwifery legal. Catherine Welch reports. Hear it here.
1/3/05: Catherine Welch takes a look at a bill that would eliminate the state sales tax for any vehicle or boat made in Missouri. Hear her report here.
1/4/05: Catherine Welch takes a look at a bill that requires a catalog of assistance programs offered in the state. Click here to listen.
1/5/05: Today we are looking at a bill requiring health insurance companies to cover routine costs for people taking part in clinical trials for cancer treatments. KBIA's Catherine Welch reports. Listen here.
1/6/05: Today we take a look at a bill that would clear the way for the state to license Canadian pharmacies. KBIA's Catherine Welch reports. Hear it here.
1/7/05: Continuing our series "In the Hopper" KBIA News takes a look at some of the dozens of pre-filed bills in the state house. KBIA's Catherine Welch reports. Hear it here.
City Limits
Trying to stay out of an expanding Columbia, county residents are turning to incorporation and petitions to stay out of Columbia city limits. In a three-part series called "City Limits," KBIA's Erin Foote Marlow takes a look at how rural residents are fighting to keep out of city limits.
12/15/04: The city of Columbia has been pushing its borders farther out into the county, bringing in new residents from all sides. In this first part of our series, Erin Foote Marlowe takes a look at how Columbia's recent growth is seen by county residents on the outskirts of town. Listen to it here.
12/16/04: Pierpont, Huntsdale and McBaine are newcomers to self-governance in Boone County. In the second part of our series, Erin Foote Marlowe takes a look at how these towns tackled the job of self governance. Listen to it here.
12/17/04: Within the next decade, hundreds of families will find homes on the streets and cul-de-sacs of a large development east of town. But new houses for these families will mean big changes in the lives of people that already live east of town. In the final segment in our three-part series on growth, Erin Foote Marlowe takes a look at the struggle between rural landowners and Columbia's push eastward. Listen to it here.
12/15/04: A new report out of the Missouri Department of Insurance shows medical malpractice claims and pay-outs are declining. KBIA news takes an in-depth look at the new numbers. Listen here.
12/8/04: In the final part of our series looking at the political repercussions of the divisive November elections ... KBIA's Kathryn Jones talks with two women who remember the political division from the Vietnam era. Listen to it here.
12/7/04: As part of our series looking into how passionate voters are coming down off the November election, KBIA's Dustin Blanchard looks at how one volunteer is now spending her free time. Listen here.
12/6/04: Views on same-sex marriage and the war in Iraq divided the nation during the campaign season leading up to the November election. KBIA's Matt Johnson takes a look at how two Moberly residents have put aside their political differences to resume their role and neighbors and friends. Listen to the story here.
11/29/04: The University of Missouri Board of Curators have voted unanimously to change the Paige Sports Arena to the Mizzou Arena. Click here for the story. And to listen to the special Board of Curators meeting held via conference call on Friday, November 26, click here.
11/23/04: Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. worry that the dramatic increase in obesity could lead to a health crisis. Federal agriculture policy may benefit Missouri farmers, but there are questions about whether farm subsidies contribute to the country's girth. Chad Pergram reports. Hear it here.
11/19/04: The University of Missouri Press has made its claim on African-American writer Langston Hughes. The Press has recently finished its publication of the Missouri-born author's Collected Works . . . all sixteen volumes. KBIA's Sarah Ashworth takes a closer look at the project and Hughes' life in the Midwest. Hear her report here.
11/17/04: The Giant Canada Goose is ruffling a few feathers over at Stephens Lake, where visitors and park officials say the geese are loud and smelly. KBIA's Pat Imig ventured out to Stephens Lake to check out the growing geese population and has this report. Hear it here.
