Mid-Missouri

COLUMBIA — The University of Missouri System confirmed Wednesday morning that some employee and student personal information was compromised during a global cyber attack earlier this summer. 

“Some of that information could be personal, like your name, your birth date, possibly your Social Security number,” UM System spokesperson Christian Basi said.

In late May, millions of people and hundreds of corporations were affected by the breach involving MOVEit, a file transfer software used to share large files between organizations.

The MOVEit software is used by some UM System departments as well as outside vendors, according to a news release sent Wednesday. 

UM System officials started an independent investigation to determine what data and individuals might be impacted and have “initially determined that some personal data has been compromised.”

“This is a large-scale investigation and as such, many details, including the specific types of information and the number and identity of the individuals impacted, have not been confirmed at this time,” Ben Canlas, interim vice president for Information Technology, said. 

Specifically, the UM System said Pension Benefit Information, LLC (PBI), a university subcontractor that assists the university with pensions, and National Student Clearinghouse, a service used for academic information reporting, were impacted.

Basi said this means that both current and former students and staff could be affected.

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“One of the outside companies that we work with also assists us with our pension processes,” Basi said. “So they have data that potentially impacts current and former employees because they assist with the processes related to our pension.”

The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported in June that a Russian hacking group claimed the UM System was among the victims of the global cyber attack.

Wednesday’s news release said the university was “notified recently” of the breach. Basi said the university wanted to wait to alert until it had confirmation that personal information had been impacted.

“We’ve gotten to that point in the investigation where we have identified, yes, we have had some files that were impacted,” Basi said. “So we know we’re likely to find some additional information, but we don’t want to wait any further.”

Any impacted individual will receive a more detailed letter from the university about the breach and what actions they can take. Basi did not have a timeline of when it will learn the specific number of individuals affected.

Basi said the university plans to continue to work with MOVEit and utilize the software but will continue to evaluate different campus software packages. 

The UM System encouraged individuals to protect their information by the following actions:

• Check credit reports annually. Credit reports can be obtained for free by going to AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Consider placing a credit freeze on the credit report with each of the three credit-reporting agencies.
• Block electronic access to Social Security information by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
• Remain suspicious of any emails coming from unknown individuals or any emails with attachments or requests to click on links.
• Not sharing personal information on email, social media posts or in other electronic formats. That information might include passwords, Social Security numbers and financial account information.

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

ABC 17 News will interview superintendents of Mid-Missouri schools as the academic year gets going this month.

First up was Mark Harvey, the new superintendent of the Boonville School District. Harvey was the interim superintendent at Blair Oaks before that.

Erika McGuire: As the start of the school year nears, we wanted to check in with districts to see what their plans are for 2023-2024. We’re joined now by Boonville R-1 School District Superintendent Mark Harvey, and thank you for joining us this morning.

What did you learn at Blair Oaks that you can apply here at Boonville schools?

Mark Harvey: You know, there were some really good instructional strategies that classrooms were using and teachers were using. So I picked up some great knowledge there. And also, just being back in Mid-Missouri gave me an opportunity to network and make relationships around Jeff City in Mid-Missouri that I think can help us at Boonville R-1 this year, already.

McGuire: Will Boonville use the new school safety app, Raptor Alert? If so how will it be used in the district?

Harvey: We’re utilizing a couple of different models in Boonville. Probably the most important thing is we’re going to have instant communication with our families, almost right away right as soon as possible. So that should help prepare the community and students and our faculty and staff for whatever type of event we might encounter.

McGuire: Staffing shortages for teachers and bus drivers have been an issue in many districts for the past few years. Now, what is staffing looking like not only for teachers, but bus drivers in the Boonville School District?

Harvey: You know, this is one of the toughest years I’ve ever seen. I’ve been in the business for over 30 years, and we’ve really had a difficult time finding certified employees and certified teachers. We saw that trend occur maybe two years ago with some of our non-certified folks in the field of education. So it was difficult to find non-certified folks then but now the certified shortage is just unbelievable.

McGuire: The Missouri Department of Secondary Education reports attendance has been dropping in school districts across the state. What does Boonville plan to ensure attendance stays at a high level this school year?

Harvey: We’ve had leadership teams in place in each building and one of our focuses is going to be to make sure that we have good solid attendance from all of our students. If we have someone who needs assistance or maybe is at risk of not making it to school, we’re gonna go above and beyond to get those students to school and provide them a good, quality education while they’re there.

McGuire: The state also reports reading and math test scores have declined since before the pandemic. How how does the district plan to improve them?

Harvey: We’ve got a strong instructional focus. Boonville will utilize our instructional coaches as well as our mentor teachers and tenured teachers who have been in the district and seeing great success during their careers.

McGuire: Does the district have a plan in place right now if COVID-19 or another outbreak happens?

Harvey: Yes, we have a plan in place. And it’s been in place in one way shape or form since COVID. And I think it’s a part of the puzzle that we’ll continue to have in place for years to come.

Originally Appeared Here

As the 2024 primary elections loom on the horizon, candidate recruitment is in full swing for both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Many statewide races are already becoming crowded with contenders. In the race for Missouri governor, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Missouri Sen. Bill Eigel are the frontrunners for the GOP nomination. For Democrats, Missouri Minority House Leader Crystal Quade is the top contender.

In smaller races around the state, Democrats have at times failed to muster a candidate at all, allowing Republican to run uncontested. That’s something the party is working to change, through efforts such as the candidate recruitment rally hosted Aug. 6 by the 4th District Democratic committee.

“It’s not okay for us to leave an empty seat. Then there’s no competition and there’s also no democracy,” said Randi MCallian, a Democrat running in the 8th Congressional District. “It’s literally not a democracy if there are no choices on your ballot.”

Urban-rural divide presents obstacles for both parties

Outside of urban areas, most of the state voted for Republicans in the last election cycles. Uncontested races tend to be more common in those rural areas, where Democratic candidates at times see little chance of success.

“I know that candidate recruitment in a lot of our red spaces is hard,” said Lyra Noce, chair of the Boone County Democratic Central Committee. “It is something where you just have to get up and lose sometimes.”

In the past two presidential election years, Missouri has overwhelmingly voted for Republican candidates at both the state and federal level.

In 2020, Gov. Mike Parson beat former State Auditor Nicole Galloway by a margin of than 16%. Four years earlier, Eric Greitens triumphed over Chris Koster by a smaller margin of just 5.5%.

In 2016 and 2020, Republicans swept every election for statewide office. Galloway, the sole Democrat, chose not to run again in 2022. Since Scott Fitzpatrick replaced her as auditor in 2023, every one of the state’s top executive offices is held by a Republican.

At the same time, the GOP has faced stiff competition in urban areas such as Springfield, where Democrats have picked up two seats in the legislature since 2020.

“Greene County is becoming more difficult, especially the center city. It’s becoming more blue, where our rural areas are bright red,” said Danette Proctor, chair of Greene County Republican Central Committee.

Even when Democratic candidates don’t win an election, there are other forms of victory when running in a traditionally conservative area, party members said.

“Losing isn’t exactly losing if we redefine what a win is,” said Alex Johnson, the field director of the House Democratic Campaign Committee. “A win in that district isn’t getting that person to 50% plus one. A win in that district could be stopping the bleed.”

Providing competition, rather than allowing an uncontested race, can also push opposing candidates to work harder and spend more campaign dollars to win a seat.

“It’s not just stopping the bleeding,” Johnson said. “It’s making it where they have to spend money and resources in a place where they thought they could just do fundraising and send that money elsewhere.” 

Thinking about running for office? How to get started

Anyone thinking about launching a campaign should first contact their county clerk or local political party’s county committee. It is important to learn the requirements of each office prior to filing.

Some offices, like county clerk, county collector and public administrator, require the candidate to obtain a public officials bond. This provides insurance against losses incurred if the candidate should engage in unlawful activities while in office.

This process can take a few days, so knowing the filing deadlines for each race is important. 

Candidates seeking federal, statewide, and state legislative offices will file with the Missouri Secretary of State. Filing for state and county level offices begins Feb. 27.

More:Parties prepare for Missouri caucuses to replace presidential preference primary in 2024

However, it doesn’t have to be a campaign for a state level office. Running for nonpartisan positions such as the school board, the emergency services board or other city level positions are great ways to get involved in the community and enact local change. 

Those seeking local office will file at their county clerk’s office. Filing for municipal elections starts on Dec. 5. 

Candidates who miss the deadline may still run as a write-in candidate, but will need to register with the county clerk for that, as well. Votes for write-in candidates who don’t register won’t count in the election.

Noce, the Boone County Democratic committee chair, said imposter syndrome can take over, causing a potential candidate to doubt their qualifications to hold public office, even if they meet all the requirements. She encouraged candidates to view the struggles they’ve overcome as strengths.

“You can be a regular Missourian and run for office,” Noce said. “You can have challenges and hardships and be a part of this process.”

Resources and support available for candidates

Once the official filing has been submitted to the respective election authority, campaigning kicks into full swing. Both the Democratic and Republican parties provide tools aimed at simplifying the process.

The National Democratic Training Committee offers resources for candidates. Nonprofit organization Lead MO currently offers training for campaign staff, but will be launching a candidate version in the fall.

The Missouri Democratic Party offers data for sale, including the addresses of Democratic voters to use when mailing campaign materials and knocking on doors. The price varies according to the office being sought, but more information can be found through the party’s Votebuilder and Data Resources webpage.

The Missouri Republican Party offers similar resources through the GOP Data Center, which helps candidates identify voters in their district. Local data can sometimes be obtained from county clerks’ offices. 

Apart from resources available through the statewide office, the Greene County Republican Central Committee headquarters are open year-round to help candidates and supporters navigate the campaign process, Proctor said.

Running a campaign can be a full-time job in itself, meaning that a candidate would do well to appoint a campaign manager.

“That candidate needs to be there out front with the people mixing and mingling and have a good manager back behind the scenes that can help make sure the candidate gets where they’re supposed to and help schedule different events,” Proctor said.

Although it may seem intuitive, connecting with voters where they live is a great way to inform them about campaign goals. Experts recommend knocking on doors in the voting area, as well as attending local events, parades and fairs.

“Knocking and walking is so important,” Proctor said. “I stress that with everybody. They have to be willing to get out there and walk and knock and meet the people.”

More:Quade retains key advantages in gubernatorial campaign, but faces headwinds

Candidates are advised to learn about the communities they hope to represent. They should be asking voters about their daily lives and the issues that matter to them, which will often present some common ground even if they stand on opposite sides of party lines.

Campaigns can be costly, necessitating fundraising events and direct donation requests to keep afloat.

“The best way to get money for that candidate is to actually ask for it,” Proctor said. “Fundraisers are good, and they help with networking, getting your name out and everything, but your money really comes from a one-on-one ask.”

Other helpful tips given by candidates include giving a precise donation amount needed to accomplish a specific goal. Putting a QR code on campaign materials to register volunteers and collect donations is also helpful. For those sending mailers, ask the post office about bulk mailing discounts.

Originally Appeared Here

The Missouri Department of Transportation will be working on highway improvements across mid-Missouri counties over the next two weeks. Crews will begin working on roads in multiple counties starting Monday.

Audrain County

Portions of Route D in Audrain County will be closed for culvert replacement operations starting Aug. 21 from Route HH to County Road 975. Work will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Additional stretches of Route D in the area will close for similar work that is expected to wrap up on Aug. 23.

Culvert replacement operations will also close Route FF in Audrain County on Aug. 24 from Route ZZ to Cline Road in Boone County between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

Boone County

Utility work will continue on Route UU at Gillespie Bridge Road. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. The project is scheduled for completion this month.

Route F is currently closed at the Coon Creek Bridge for deck replacement. The project is scheduled for completion in October.

Route BB is closed over Interstate 70 for bridge replacement. A signed detour is in place. The project is scheduled for completion in October.

Bridge construction continues for the new Rocheport Bridge near mile marker 115 on I-70. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2024.

Missouri Route 163 is closed over the Bonne Femme Creek Bridge for bridge replacement. The project is scheduled for completion in September.

Callaway County

Pavement repair is planned Monday through Thursday on I-70 from mile marker 164.8 to 154.6. One lane each direction will remain open.

Pavement repair is planned Monday through Thursday on U.S. Route 54. One lane will remain open.

Route J is closed at the Millers Creek Bridge for bridge deck replacement. The project is scheduled for completion in September.

Expect nightly lane closures on Routes AD and CC between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m for road resurfacing. The project is scheduled for completion in October 2023.

Camden County

Road resurfacing and guardrail installation and replacement on Missouri Route 5 continues from the Niangua River Bridge to Missouri Route 52 in Morgan County. Expect nightly lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. between Route 52 and Missouri Route 7. The project is scheduled for completion in November.

Cole County

Pavement repair on Route D from Route C to U.S. Route 50 is planned Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Expect nightly lane closures on U.S. Route 50 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. from U.S. Route 54 to Dix Road and from North Shamrock Road to Vetter Lane. The road resurfacing project is scheduled for completion in October.

Bridge rehabilitation continues over the Moreau River on U.S. Route 50 westbound. An around-the-clock lane closure will be in place for the duration of the project, which is scheduled for completion in September.

Expect nightly lane closures on Missouri Route 179 between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. from Route B to West Main Street. The road resurfacing project is scheduled for completion in November.

Expect nightly lane closures on U.S. Route 54 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Dix Road to Truman Boulevard and from Stadium Boulevard to Main Street. The road resurfacing project is scheduled for completion in November.

Safety improvements on U.S. Route 54 continue near Hickory Hill. One lane will remain open. The project is scheduled for completion in November.

Cooper County

Pavement repair is planned on Route J from Route U to Logan Road from Monday to Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Bridge construction continues for the new Rocheport Bridge near mile marker 115 on I-70. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2024.

Macon County

Crews will shut down Route F on Aug. 22 for seal coating operations stretching from Missouri Route 149 to Route J between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Miller County

Routes E, K, KK, PP, and TT will see pavement repair Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Route C is closed at the Brumley Creek Bridge for bridge replacement. The project is scheduled for completion in September.

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Moniteau County

Missouri Route 87 from Route A to Route J will see roadside work Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Expect daily lane closures on Missouri Route 5 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. from U.S. Route 50 to Missouri Route 52 in Morgan County. The road resurfacing project is scheduled for completion in November.

Montgomery County

Starting Monday, crews will restrict lanes along Missouri Route 19 between Route B to U.S. Route 54 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Aug. 18 for seal coating operations.

Morgan County

Pavement repair is planned on Route E Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Culvert pipe replacement is planned Wednesday on Route FF. The roadway will be closed from Missouri Route 52 to Blackberry Patch Road between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Expect daily lane closures on Missouri Route 5 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Route 52 to U.S. Route 50 in Moniteau County. The road resurfacing project is scheduled for completion in November.

Route 5 will see road resurfacing and guardrail installation and replacement from Route 52 to the Niangua River Bridge in Camden County. Expect nightly lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. between Route 52 and Missouri Route 7. The project is scheduled for completion in November.

Road resurfacing continues on Route 52. Expect daily lane closures between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. from the Benton County line to Versailles. The project is scheduled for completion in November.

Osage County

Missouri Route 100 from the city of Chamois to Route N in Gasconade County will see culvert pipe replacement Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Route Y will see pavement repair Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Culvert pipe replacement is planned Monday through Thursday on Routes Y and FF. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

U.S. Route 50 from Route CC to Route N will see roadside work Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Road resurfacing continues on Route U. The project is scheduled for completion in November 2023.

Pettis County

Flagging operations will take place on Route D starting at Route T to U.S. Route 65 between approximately 7 a.m. and 4 p.m Monday for pavement work. MoDOT said this is not a complete road closure.

Crews will perform pavement work Tuesday on Route Z. Flagging operations will take place starting at Route N to the Cooper County line between approximately 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. MoDOT said this is not a complete road closure.

Phelps County

Route Y will see pavement repair Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Road resurfacing continues on Missouri Route 68. Expect nightly lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Route 68 at Matlock Drive to Route 8 at Courtois Creek. The project is scheduled for completion in November.

On Interstate 44, road resurfacing continues from Exit 186 in Rolla to Exit 195 in St. James. Expect around-the-clock lane closures from U.S. Route 63 to Route 68. The project is scheduled for completion in December.

Pulaski County

Pavement repair is planned on Route O Monday through Thursday. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

Bridge rehabilitation continues over I-44 in St. Robert on Route Y. The off-ramp is currently closed from eastbound I-44 to Route Y (Exit 161). The project is scheduled for completion in September.

Randolph County

Crews will put a 14-foot-wide lane restriction in place in the southbound lanes of Route 63 in Randolph County on Aug. 23. Workers will be performing bridge maintenance from CR 2655 to a quarter mile south of bridge between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

On Aug. 24, crews will perform similar repairs in the northbound lanes of Route 63 from half a mile north of Route M to a quarter mile north of bridge between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

MoDOT crews will also be importing lane restrictions on the bridge over Muncas Creek along Route 24 for maintenance work on the bridge. Workers will be on the bridge between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Workers will impose lane restrictions on the Route M bridge over Route 63 starting half a mile before and after the bridge between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Crews will put the 10-foot restriction in place Aug. 21-24.

Originally Appeared Here

ST. LOUIS – You’ve seen her cover some of the biggest stories in Missouri. Emily Manley is the Missouri Chief Capital Bureau reporter for Nexstar Media, and her job is to cover state politics. She works for eight stations in different parts of the state, and has been in this role for more than three years.

Why did you want to become a journalist?

Manly became interested in journalism after first developing an interest in meteorology in the fourth grade. Her fascination with weather led her to watch Dave Murray on FOX 2 in St. Louis and create forecasts using markers on her bedroom mirror.

“I would pretend that I was pointing to the weather and talking to myself,” said Manley. “This continued in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. I was the weird middle schooler who would make sure I was home in time, so I could watch the CBS Evening News. I loved that people got to tell other people’s stories. So then, when I got to high school, it switched a little bit more into sports.”

She developed a passion for news and focused on sports coverage. She aspired to be like Erin Andrews. She wanted to work at ESPN.

At Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, she pursued meteorology while anchoring and reporting for the student-run newscast. However, her interest shifted towards news reporting after volunteering to cover city council meetings, which led to a politics.

“City council meetings were every Monday night, and I ended up covering them for four years straight, and it led me to my political career,” she said. “I still did meteorology in college. I was working for our local student-run newscast as a meteorologist and also as an anchor reporter. I did five shows a week.”

While in college, Manley met her husband, and both pursued journalism at Western. They both worked in journalism, and while their schedules are busy, they prioritized communication and utilized FaceTime to stay connected.

She then attended the University of Illinois, Springfield, for a one-year master’s program, where she was paired with a local media outlet as a capital bureau reporter, covering politics.

“In the Master’s program, you’re stationed at the Springfield, Illinois, capitol. They pair you up with a local media outlet, depending on what your medium is. I got paired up with a station in Springfield, and I was a capital bureau reporter for about nine months while going to graduate school,” Manley said. “And you did both at the same time. That’s when I found that I enjoyed covering politics and graduated with my master’s.”

What motivates you?

While people may hear about the headlines, they may not grasp their implications. Her job is in the capital, where she provides daily updates to Missourians on various matters, such as budget funding, school programs, and potential bans like texting while driving.

“I am telling Missourians, ‘This is what’s going on, and this is how your life is going to be impacted,’” she said. “I like using my two minutes on air to make sure that you are informed.”

St. Louis County prosecutor not licensed attorney, must resubmit 114 cases

How do you deal with work stress?

Manley said that walking her dog is one of her favorite activities. Marley is a terrier mix that Manley adopted from a rescue in Wisconsin.

“I walk her almost every morning and then read a book, and my last thing is heading to the gym,” she said.

Manley and her husband have taken up hiking as a new hobby since moving to mid-Missouri, providing an opportunity to enjoy nature and put away their phones.

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

On her days off, she and her husband enjoy exploring different breweries and towns in mid-Missouri. They also work as a team outdoors on their lawn.

Golfing is another activity they both enjoy, and they make it a point to try out various golf courses in the area. Their passion for travel also contributes to their busy off-days, making them big travelers.

Originally Appeared Here

A healthy dose of recent funding events kept Kansas City in the No. 11 spot in the 2023 edition of M25’s annual ranking of Midwest startup cities, said Victor Gutwein, founder and managing partner at M25.

The comprehensive report explores how metropolitan areas across the Midwest are performing relative to each other based on startup activity, access to resources, and business climate.

Click here to view the complete rankings from M25.

Victor Gutwein, M25

Gutwein pointed to raises from PayIt, Sailes, Free From Market, Orange EV, and Redeem as positive activity within the local startup ecosystem, adding that Kansas City outperformed higher-ranked cities like Saint Louis and Indianapolis in that area.

“Kansas City has had a lot of relatively big recent wins,” Gutwein said. “That’s what is keeping the city strong.”

Click here to check out M25’s Kansas City breakdown.

Having regionally-focused venture capital firms — like the KCRise Fund, which closed its $34 million Fund III earlier this year — separates Kansas City from many other Midwestern cities, Gutwein added.

“They raised that even when the economy is down,” Gutwein said. “That is making it clear people are seeing good results, and they’re seeing a reason to invest in Kansas City. … It’s actually very, very rare to find such a relatively small, geographic-focused venture fund that’s having so much success.”

As the broader economy slows down, venture capital invested in Midwest startups has returned to pre-pandemic levels, though Gutwein cautioned against extreme concern.

“I’m not too worried about our companies,” he said of startups in the Heartland. “I think there was just a really exceptional amount of capital coming in during that two-year period from mid-2020 to mid-2022. That was an exceptional point in time, and now we’re back to a new normal. It may feel tight and constricted, but it’s not too bad in the scheme of things.”

Some of the funding activity during that time frame was unlikely to be sustainable, Gutwein added, noting that the prevailing sentiment in the VC industry is that funding will stay low temporarily but recover within a couple years.

While startups adjust to lower and less frequent cash flows, Midwestern companies have an advantage over coastal startups, Gutwein said.

“A lot of our companies have adjusted to be more profitable,” he said. “They didn’t have crazy high burn rates anyway. It’s pretty encouraging to see our companies still growing, still hiring, and still finding a lot of success. … That’s one area where I think the Midwest has an advantage. When the capital is free-flowing, it’s great; but when it’s not, our companies don’t rely on capital too much.”

Click here to read Gutwein’s M25 commentary on the rankings.

Funding from the State Small Business Credit Initiative Program (SSBCI) — an outgrowth of the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan — has been a key variable across startup ecosystems as states allocate the resources from the federal government differently, Gutwein noted.

Wichita city skyline

He described Kansas as having an aggressive approach, which helped Wichita surge up the rankings to No. 29, up 13 spots from last year.

RELATED: ‘Every business matters, every job matters’: How $69M in federal funds is already boosting KS entrepreneurs

“That has also catalyzed a lot of angel [investment] activity in the city,” Gutwein said. “That’s going to result in more startups getting funded, more people moving there, or leaving a larger company there and starting a company.”

Seed rounds from WorkTorch and Plot could be a harbinger of more funding coming to the Wichita area, Gutwein added.

“That’s not something you used to see in Wichita, so I think that’s encouraging,” he said. “It’s a good sign, and that happened before even most of the SSBCI funding.”

RELATED: Trio of Kansas City startups among Missouri’s latest equity investments; $2.4M awarded in July

Conversely, Missouri didn’t pour as many resources into startups from its SSBCI funding, according to Gutwein, but that didn’t stop Columbia from climbing yet another spot, up to No. 21.

EquipmentShare — on the heels of a $290 million Series E round — continues to power the mid-Missouri college town’s growth, causing folks from across the country to take notice, Gutwein said.

“That’s been one of the more interesting ecosystems to watch lately,” he said. “I hardly paid attention to [Columbia] when I started at M25 in 2015. Now, it’s somewhere you can’t ignore. … It’s one that people nationally have heard of and seen some of the activity.”

RELATED: EquipmentShare named to Y Combinator top companies list as it expands across Heartland, opens Ohio center

Fellow college town Manhattan made its first appearance in the rankings, debuting at No. 43, 14 spots ahead of nearby Topeka at No. 57.

Though the Manhattan startup ecosystem is relatively small, it benefits from having Kansas State University in the city, Gutwein said, adding that the Little Apple proved it belongs on the list.

“It definitely deserves to be compared and ranked and analyzed,” Gutwein said, “so that was very validating.”

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA, MO. — A mikvah is a holy bath resembling a small swimming pool used to fulfill the Jewish law and mitzvah of family purity. However, the construction of the first mikvah in mid-Missouri is about more than just Jewish law. It represents hope, community and the lasting memory of Rabbi Avraham Lapine’s late mother. 

Lapine and his wife, Channy, lead the Chabad Jewish Center of MU and Mid-Missouri, located here by the University of Missouri campus. On Sunday, July 30, ground was broken for what will be the only mikvah within 100 miles. 

“We knew that Columbia needed a mikvah,” Rabbi Lapine said. “The closest mikvah is two hours away in St. Louis or Kansas City, and it is a bit of a journey for a woman who wants to fulfill this great mitzvah. For someone who has never done it before, it makes it even more challenging.” 

Lapine said that about 200 Jewish families live in the Columbia/Jefferson City area and that about 750 Jewish students attend Mizzou. While those numbers are not large, several of those in attendance Sunday said this small but mighty community continues to grow and is backed by the support of MU Chabad. 

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The idea to build a mikvah in Columbia came from a discussion between Lapine and his three siblings a couple of years ago on their mother’s yahrtzeit, the anniversary of her passing.

“Every year, we reflect on her life and her commitment to Judaism,” Lapine said. “A couple of years ago, we were talking  and my brother said, ‘I think you should build a mikvah in memory of our mother,’ and I said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’ ” 

For the Lapine family, remembering their mother comes with painful memories. In 1992, when Avraham was only 5 years old, his mother, Pesya Leah Lapine, was brutally stabbed to death in their Crown Heights, N.Y. home. She was bringing home groceries. In seconds, their lives changed forever.

| RELATED: From Texas to Missouri: A Crown Heights story of love, memory and murder

The Crown Heights community rallied around the family after this unthinkable and senseless tragedy (an unemployed handyman was convicted of the murder). The community and people far beyond rallied around them once again in 2022 on her 30th yahrtzeit, when Lapine launched a campaign to raise money for the mikvah in her honor. The campaign has raised more than $400,000.

“This project came about with the help of so many people,” Channy Lapine said. “Over 2,000 donors made this happen. Our family, friends and so many people were behind this project worldwide. I want to emphasize how humbled we are and how thankful we are to everyone who participated.”

The journey of bringing this mikvah to life has also helped Rabbi Lapine feel more connected to his mother. Many people reached out with stories about her loving, caring personality and were happy to donate to this project in her honor. 

“It’s very humbling, you know, it’s a very personal private story,” he said. “But in the end, this is something I am very happy that I did, due to the result and also the outpouring of love and support. A lot of people sent me stories I had never heard before, and it made me feel connected in ways I never knew. It gave me more insight into her personality and her life.” 

At the groundbreaking, it was said multiple times that Pesya Leah “gave her life to Judaism.” She and her husband, Chaim Dovid Lapine, moved to Crown Heights from Texas to build their Jewish home and life together in an observant, religious community. Her passion for Judaism, Torah and mitzvos are why her children decided that a mikvah would be the best way to honor her memory. 

“We have a synagogue, we have a Torah, once in a while some Kosher food, but until you have a mikvah, it’s not a complete Jewish community,” Lapine said. “It’s a potential Jewish community, it’s an exciting community that has Jewish activity, but a mikvah really makes it complete.”

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The mikvah will be added as an expansion to the front of the current Chabad house west of the Mizzou campus in Columbia. It will have a separate entrance and include an entry room, bathroom, prep room and the natural mikvah room. Women will make an appointment with Channy Lapine to enter the space.

Building a mikvah is a massive undertaking, and it took a while to get started. It was difficult to find an architect in mid-Missouri willing to take on the unfamiliar process. 

“I would call them, and we would meet, and I’d tell them about the project, and they’d never get back to me,” Lapine said. “After calling about five, I found one architect who called me back and said he wanted to take on the project.”

Construction is expected to begin in the next two weeks with the hope that by late spring women will be able to utilize Columbia’s first mikvah. 

Rabbi Hershey and Chana Novack of Chabad at Washington University were some of the first supporters of the project. The same day his family came up with the idea, Lapine drove to pray in the closest minyan, two hours away at the WU Chabad house. 

When Lapine told the Novacks about the idea, they wrote a check and said, “We want to be the first contributors to your mikvah.” Their support has not wavered. 

“Rabbi Lapine, with strength and resilience, has helped build a community built on the foundation of Torah and mitzvos and building the bonds of Yiddishkeit,” Rabbi Novack said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “Having the Lapine family here is a blessing.”

Baila Sitrin grew up in Columbia and recently moved back. She spoke at the groundbreaking about how the mikvah will serve women like herself, present and future. 

“This is a huge milestone for the growing Jewish community here,” Sitrin said. “Ever since I got married, mikvah has been my favorite mitzvah. When my husband and I first got married, we lived in Brooklyn (N.Y.), and the closest mikvah was five blocks away. Now, it is a two-hour drive, whether it is in rain, shine or a snowstorm, so I am so excited to finally have a mikvah here.” 

Sitrin is one of few women in Columbia who would utilize the mikvah. However, Lapine envisions it also serving the Jewish community in greater ways, including as a learning opportunity for Mizzou students. 

“It’s going to bring awareness of this mitzvah to the hundreds of Jewish college students that will come through our doors,” he said.

While the mikvah is meant to complete the Columbia Jewish community, it will also serve an unexpected group: travelers. Those in town for work or on a cross-country road trip can utilize the mikvah while passing through. 

“A few times a year, people are actually driving across I-70 and call to ask if we have mikvah, so it can also be for travelers, which is something I never originally envisioned,” Lapine said. “Just last week someone called to ask, and I said, ‘No, but we’re building one right now!’ ”

If you would like to contribute to this project, information can be found at jewishtigers.com/CoMoMikvah

Originally Appeared Here

As I’ve said before on several occasions, one of the things I like about living in the south-central Missouri Ozarks is the driving conditions.

I much prefer cruising along on one of the two-lane highways in this region to entering into the all-out battles that take place on the overcrowded freeways and surface streets in heavily-populated urban areas. In my view, being surrounded by fields or forest and not seeing more than a handful of other vehicles when going from place to place sure beats the city alternative.

Even traveling on “the four lane” is peaceful by comparison, and doesn’t require a motorist to temporarily becoming a daredevil or a racer.

But one of the things I enjoy most about driving in this region of the United States is the way drivers often kindly acknowledge you as they pass by on the other side of a two-lane roadway. And not only do I mean I appreciate them actually bothering to recognize the existence of a nearby fellow human being, I literally mean I like way they do it.

These acknowledgements come in several forms, none of which I would call a “wave.” They’re less defined gestures than that; they’re really just relatively minor (but strategic and definitely eye-catching) movements of the hand, fingers or finger. I guess you could call them “low-impact” salutes.

Although driver acknowledgement is not exclusively a man thing, women don’t seem to do it as often (and that’s not some kind of sexist remark, just an observation based on experience). But gender issues notwithstanding, I believe the differing varieties of salutations allow a glimpse of the personal style and personality of the man behind the wheel.

Here are some examples.

•The Palm.

This one requires that the entire hand be completely or at least mostly removed from the steering wheel.

One way it’s sometimes executed is by sliding the wrist up the wheel such that the palm is fully visible to the passer-by. This technique allows the user to deliver a significant display while still maintaining contact with the steering wheel surface.

It can also be executed through brief removal of hand from wheel, using a concise up-and-down motion accompanied by a fanning of the fingers.

I believe a Palm man is confident and willing to share with others. He’s not afraid to show some openness and isn’t concerned with what others think of him.

•The Multi-Finger.

A technique similar to The Palm, but with slightly less display, as only two or three fingers are involved.

The man utilizing this salute is somewhat more reserved, but still confident, willing and open.

•The Point.

Again usually incorporating two or three fingers, the hand is lifted slightly from the steering wheel and motioned toward the oncoming driver, while at least some attempt at eye contact is also made.

This technique denotes simultaneous senses of respect and humor.

It’s sort of like the deliverer is saying, “you’re the man, man.”

•The Single.

This one is definitely my favorite to be on the receiving end of, and one that requires a bit of practice to be correctly executed.

All that’s required is the up and down movement of an index finger, but timing is crucial; it must be done at precisely the right moment to achieve its desired impact.

This is a great technique for users who are tired, preoccupied, or just cool.

If Clint Eastwood’s “The Man with No Name” character ever drove by, this is probably the salute he would deliver – if any. It’s ultra-efficient, but effective – compact but defined.

It’s a classic example of an Ozarks man in action. No need for excess show, just get the job done.

•The Double.

Add a simple, singular nod of the head to any of the above.

It’s a sign that a man’s general attitude is that of gratitude. Whether it’s his permanent state of being or otherwise, he is at that moment thankful and pays it forward to his cohort in the opposite lane.

Seeing any form of salute, a visiting city dweller might think he was being mistaken for someone else, like someone the deliverer knows. He’s likely much more familiar with being honked at by other drivers and seeing more unfriendly, or even hostile forms of gestures.

But residents of the Ozarks don’t reserve their friendly driving gestures for acquaintances; it’s all about overall hospitality.

On the way to work this morning, a guy gave me The Palm as I fired off a Multi-Finger.

A little closer to town, I exchanged Singles with a fellow driver.

I wouldn’t say that made my whole day, but it surely put me on the right track. 

Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.

Originally Appeared Here

Lots of educational and fun classes have been planned for members of Learning in Retirement for the fall semester. Two four-week courses, one three-week course, three two-week courses and 15 one-week classes are set up and ready to go.

Most of the classes are popular based on the number of attendees already signed up. However, this is not a problem, because class numbers are not limited. So if you see something that sparks your interest, call the office at 573-681-6852 and get registered.

The first four-week session begins Wednesday and meets at Missouri River Regional Library on each Wednesday afternoon in August. This semester, movies of women of distinction will be shown. The movies are about strong and determined women who made their mark in the world.

The first of these is “The Josephine Baker Story,” which tells the story of a poor black girl from Missouri who became the “Queen of Paris.” She joined the French Resistance and eventually created her dream family, adopting 12 children from all over the world.

The second movie is “On the Basis of Sex,” the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her struggles for equal rights. It details the story of her career that led to her confirmation on the United States Supreme Court.

“Hidden Figures” is the third movie in this series, and it tells the story of how NASA found untapped talent in a group of African American female mathematicians who served as the brains in the race to put a man in space. These women were known as human computers, and the movie follows them as they rose in the ranks of NASA, working with some of history’s greatest minds.

“Harriet” is the last movie and is based on the life of an iconic American freedom fighter. It tells the story of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and her transformation into one of America’s heroes who changed the course of history.

Another August class is “Murder & Mayhem in Jefferson City” on Aug. 15, as local author Michelle Brooks will share stories of some of Jefferson City’s turbulent early history. Her book of the same name was just released in July.

On Aug. 17, LIR members are invited to learn about the Cole County Senior Nutrition programs. Jackie Beal from the Senior Council on Nutrition will discuss how food is obtained and how things are organized and coordinated so Cole County seniors will have delicious meals prepared for them.

Another program geared to interest area seniors is “The Means to Aging Best” with presenters Kathy Deeken and Melissa Schulte from the Aging Best Area Agency on Aging in Columbia. They will discuss tools and resources to keep us safe when driving and also how to stay medically and physically fit to be able to drive.

In addition, they will present information on how to recognize the difference between signs of dementia and normal changes associated with aging.

On Sept. 5, 12 and 19, Learning in Retirement members will learn from other members in presentations called “Travelogues — Oh, the Places We’ll Go!” Places such as the gardens of Wales and Northern England, Italy, the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Egypt, and even from pole to pole, are all trips LIR members have taken, and they will be telling us about them in these sessions. For all arm-chair travelers, this will widen your world adventures!

A two-session course that will increase your ability to find your way around your computer and TV starts Sept. 6 and will help you to “Cut the Cable.” LIR website administer Tom Piper will explain streaming services in the first session. On Sept. 13, he will introduce attendees to the many streaming apps that are available.

A short one-session class will feature “Cowboys and Indians, Part II,” on the morning of Sept. 14. Apparently, LIR members could not get their fill of the Old West in the first session last fall and wanted more information on our country’s westward movement. Bruce Scoville, a retired Lincoln University history professor, is back by popular demand and will share a realistic picture of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Kit Carson and others.

Getting back to more modern times, a new class on “iPad Opportunities: Tech Serving Us” will meet for two sessions in September. The first class will focus on operations and customizing options for the iPad, iPad Mini and iPad Pro. The second class will examine the top iPad apps, including Pages, Numbers, Camera, Photos, Music and more. If you have an iPad and use it for playing games, this class will broaden your knowledge and increase your ability to do more.

The next one-day class focuses on the growing Hispanic culture in Mid-Missouri. The El Puente-Hispanic Ministry staff will share information on the challenges this group faces as well as the opportunities and benefits Mid-Missourians can gain from welcoming this group.

On Sept. 26, you will hear the benefits of planting native plants in your yard and the damaging effects of invasive species. You will learn the harm that plants such as bush honeysuckle and kudzu can do to your yard and our woodlands and prairies. If you like to work in your yard, this is a class you won’t want to miss.

These classes aren’t the only ones that Learning in Retirement has to offer this fall. There are many more to come in October and November, and they will be highlighted next month in this column.

Make sure your membership is up to date so you can take advantage of all these educational and fun sessions.

Call the Learning in Retirement office at 573-681-6152 or email [email protected] if you have questions or want to enroll in one or more classes.

You can also check out the LIR website at www.lirjc.org to learn more about Learning in Retirement.

Originally Appeared Here

In a relatively flat stretch of northern Callaway County in central Missouri, cars zoom by on Interstate 70. On one side of the highway, corn and soybeans grow. On the other, native prairie grasses stretch to the horizon.

Photo courtesy University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences

That grassland is the University of Missouri’s Tucker Prairie, 146 acres of native prairie that has never been plowed. It is the largest prairie remnant in mid-Missouri.

Photo courtesy University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences

David Schulz, biological scientist at University of Missouri, says he appreciates the contrast between the modern agriculture next to the wild, native prairie.

“I like that you can look across I-70 and see modern agricultural fields,” he says.

Schulz says the two sides of the interstate show Missouri’s present and its past.

“This is the reality of Missouri, agriculture is what drives the state and feeds the world,” he says.

Photo courtesy University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences

The native prairie provides a place for wildlife and native plants and, above all, a reminder of the state’s starting point on that long march of agricultural practices. The prairie is used for a variety of purposes, including teaching and research, looking at how soil that has never been tilled or managed compares to soil under different agricultural practices. It is also a place for people to visit and hike and enjoy.

Wild native prairie once covered much of Missouri, but gradually it was tilled under so people could farm the fertile soil or fenced in and reseeded for grazing. But the swath at Tucker Prairie remained. The William C. Tucker family owned it for 125 years, preserving it as a native prairie, eventually selling it to MU in 1957.

“The Tucker family had maintained this plot of land,” Schulz says.

MU prairie ecologist Claire Kucera was instrumental in securing the funding to purchase the native prairie. The university used funds from the National Science Foundation, the Missouri Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and various alumni.

Schulz says having that large of a piece of never-plowed prairie is a special thing.

“It is fairly rare and valuable,” he says. “The value is in being able to understand how plows and tillage might affect soil composition and health for the positive or negative.”

He says it also allows the area to maintain some plant diversity, and the prairie can serve as a source of native seed for people looking to establish native grasses and plants elsewhere.

“We are a source of seed and plants to restore other prairie in the state,” Schulz says.

Photo courtesy University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences

The Missouri Department of Conservation does a lot of work to manage the prairie, taking care of burn cycles and keeping out invasive species, for example.

The Tucker Prairie soil supports more than 250 species of plants, with big bluestem, little bluestem, Indian grass and prairie dropseed as the dominant species. The prairie has an extensive clay pan that makes tree growth difficult. According to the MDC, this clay pan also restricts drainage, meaning the water table in the winter and spring months is often just a foot below ground in the prairie’s flattest portions. This soil typically becomes fairly dry in the summer and fall.

Flowers bloom at different times of the year, including downy sunflowers and the bright purple of the prairie blazing star.

The department of conservation says the Tucker Prairie is the largest remnant of the “Grand Prairie” that once covered large areas of Missouri.

To visit, go to Exit 144 on I-70, drive south on County Road 223 for 1.5 miles, head left (east) on County Road 220 for one mile, then head left (north) on County Road 215 for 1.5 miles. The entrance is on the left (west) side of the road.

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Originally Appeared Here