Eaglepicher Technologies website (built mars rover batteries)

Made in Missouri: Batteries that power Mars rover, Perseverance, made in Joplin

The new Mars rover is powered by batteries manufactured by EaglePicher Technologies in Joplin, Missouri. There were 14 EaglePicher silver-zinc batteries on the Atlas V launch rocket. Two of the company’s thermal batteries powered the spacecraft during entry, descent, and landing stages, including igniting the pyrotechnics that opened parachutes. The rover’s main power system consists […]

Tractor supply Company

Audio: Tractor Supply is focusing on regulatory approval involving acquisition of Orscheln, otherwise, “It’s business as usual”

A company that’s acquired Moberly-based Orscheln Farm and Home says it’s business as usual for now.       Tennessee-based Tractor Supply Company has purchased Moberly-based Orscheln in an all-cash transaction for $297 million.  A Tractor Supply spokeswoman says “That it’s business as usual right now for those stores and that no other plans have […]

COVID-19 Vaccine Generic Graphic

Audio: Missouri’s COVID activity declines for fifth straight week; Governor receives first COVID injection

Missouri’s governor says he and First Lady Teresa Parson have received their first COVID vaccination shot. Governor Parson tells Capitol reporters the shots were administered in Jefferson City.     The governor praised the dedication of Cole County health employees, saying they are doing an outstanding job. He says he’s had a sore arm, but […]

Governor Mike Parson

Audio: Parson’s budget proposal would close half of housing units within Missouri women’s prison

The women’s prison in northeast Missouri’s Vandalia could have about half of its housing units permanently closed. Trevor Foley, with the state Department of Corrections, says Governor Mike Parson’s new state budget proposal would make the change. Gov. Parson’s proposed $34.1 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning in July includes about $802 million for […]

Scholarship

Audio: Missouri Senator says students “leaving in droves” to attend college out-of-state

State Senator Greg Razer says Missouri students are “leaving in droves” to attend colleges and universities in Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Razer, a Democrat from Kansas City, says some of these states are offering large discounts.     State funding also impacts the ability of Missouri colleges and universities to recruit faculty and […]

Education and Teachers

Audio: Missouri adults less educated today than nationally

Missouri adults are less educated today than nationally. That’s what state House Budget Committee members learned Wednesday during a hearing about Governor Parson’s next state budget proposal for Missouri’s colleges and universities. Higher Education and Workforce Development Department Commissioner Zora Mulligan says there have been many efforts to change this trend.     Mulligan says […]

Little girl (child) sitting on dental chair and having dental treatment

Audio: Dentists say “Keep a regular schedule of care during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent future dental issues”

During Children’s Dental Health Month, dentists are urging folks to keep up a regular schedule of care to prevent future dental issues, unless they live in an area with uncontrolled or high community spread of COVID-19.  By age five, nearly half of all children have at least one cavity – but in the last year, […]

Higher Education (college)

Audio: Missouri Senator wants additional higher education funding to make college affordable for all students

The Missouri House Budget Committee is scheduled to hear today Governor Parson’s state budget proposal for higher education. Kansas City State Senator Greg Razer says state funding provided to Missouri’s colleges and universities is almost identical to what the state gave to them in 1999. Razer says in 1999, 70% of the University of Missouri-Columbia’s […]

Audio: Southern Missouri will see heaviest snowfall with next storm system starting Tuesday night

While most of Missouri is still digging out from a two-day snowstorm, another winter storm is heading for the Show-Me State. The heaviest snow will fall tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow near the Missouri-Arkansas border, where towns like Branson and West Plains could see three to four inches of snow. National Weather Service (NWS) Springfield meteorologist […]