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University of Missouri System leadership thanks members of the Missouri congressional delegation for funding in omnibus bill
University of Missouri System leadership thanks members of the Missouri congressional delegation for funding in omnibus bill

Contact Stephanie Fleming
- Phone: (573) 882-8353
- E-mail: sfleming@missouri.edu
Columbia, Mo.— UM System leaders are celebrating the recent passage of the federal omnibus spending bill, signed into law by President Joseph Biden last month. Thanks to the support of former Sen. Roy Blunt and Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, more than $130 million will be coming to UM System universities to support research innovation, construction and education programs.
“UM System institutions contribute daily to the economic vitality of our state, and our innovations in research improve the lives of individuals around the world,” said Michael Williams, UM Board of Curators chair. “We are grateful for our partners in Congress, particularly former Sen. Roy Blunt and Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, for championing legislation that will strengthen our ability to deliver on our mission of excellence in research and education.”
The funding supports top priorities for the UM System, such as the NextGen Precision Health initiative, as well as research and academic priorities at each of its four institutions.
“For many of the challenges confronting Missouri, the UM System has leveraged its research strength, partnerships and academic excellence to develop transformational solutions,” UM President Mun Choi said. “Thanks to this federal funding support, we will be able to continue and accelerate the critical work underway at our institutions. We remain grateful for the work of our congressional delegation, especially former Sen. Blunt and Rep. Luetkemeyer for their tireless advocacy.”
University of Missouri-Columbia
- $61 million – NextGen Precision Health initiative: for construction and instruments at the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building and to support research in biomolecular, computational and engineering disciplines, and veterinary and human medicine.
- $20 million – MURR II: to conduct the design and planning work necessary for the eventual construction of a 20-megawatt research reactor specifically designed and built to produce critical short-lived medical radioisotopes for use in diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals that are needed by cancer patients across the nation. This expanded capability will complement and strengthen the life-saving medical research being conducted at the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building at MU by adding world-class capabilities in medical radioisotopes, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging as well as creating a national cluster for innovation in drug discovery.
- $5 million – Water Center: to increase research and innovation capacity to accelerate critical work on water projects in Missouri, such as flood risk monitoring and water transport efforts that affect agriculture.
- $4 million – Center for Agricultural Animal Genetic Engineering and Health: to support a new research laboratory and act as a hub for animal genetic research to improve animal health and benefit the livestock industry of Missouri and across the country.
- $3 million – Endowed professorship: to support the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty in precision health care.
- $1.4 million – Fisher Delta Research Center: to add space, instrumentation and software to provide rapid analysis of crops that are geographically specific to Missouri. The Fisher Delta Research Center provides extraction and analysis of soil, water and plant tissue.

University of Missouri-Kansas City
- $10 million – For construction and equipment for an innovative new medical and dentistry building at UMKC. The building will house new dental teaching clinics and expanded medical school teaching facilities that will enable UMKC to train more health care professionals to meet Missouri’s growing needs. The building also will include space for the NextGen Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center, the biomedical engineering program and the UMKC Health Equity Institute, which develops programs and policies to improve healthcare for the underserved in Kansas City community.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
- $20 million – Construction of the Missouri Protoplex, an advanced manufacturing building that will become the first building on a new Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Campus. The Protoplex will serve as a research and development hub for small- and medium-sized Missouri manufacturers. Through the Protoplex, S&T and partner institutions, including other University of Missouri universities, will provide research, prototype development and business development expertise to these companies.
- $3 million – Purchase of equipment for advanced manufacturing training that will be used in the Protoplex for workforce training for the small- and medium-sized manufacturers served by the program.
- $3 million – Equipment and supplies to improve STEM degree programs will also be used in the Protoplex for various S&T academic programs associated with advanced manufacturing.
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Prescribed burns at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton Missouri Lake of the Ozarks

CAMDENTON, MO – On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the National Park Service, carried out a series of prescribed burns at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The controlled fires, initiated early this morning, aimed to reduce wildfire risks, promote native plant growth, and maintain the park’s ecological balance.
The timing of the burns aligns with early spring conditions, which park ecologists say are ideal for minimizing impact on wildlife while maximizing ecological benefits.
Today’s burns mark the first major fire management activity at Ha Ha Tonka in 2025, with additional burns potentially scheduled later this year depending on weather and resource availability. Park officials emphasized that these efforts are part of a broader commitment to preserving Missouri’s natural heritage for future generations.


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Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress sends Mr. Green being thrown out with in minutes.

Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress sends Mr. Al Green Green being thrown out with in minutes. Trump calls out Democrats saying no matter what he says or does they will not stand. The camera flashed shots of the Democrat party with signs that said Musk Steals. Trump continued the speech strong by asking them to enjoy the republicans with the wins of the county.
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Osage Beach Operating Budget shows Significant Increases in Personnel and Capital Spending.

The City of Osage Beach Board of Aldermen officially adopted the FY2025 Operating Budget on December 19, 2024, outlining a comprehensive financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget, spanning 69 pages, projects total expenditures across all funds at approximately $38 million, reflecting a strategic focus on personnel growth, infrastructure improvements, and operational stability.
Personnel Expenditures See Major Boost
The FY2025 budget allocates $10,941,704 for personnel expenditures across all funds, marking a 12.4% increase from the FY2024 budget of $9,736,098 and a 21.2% jump from the FY2024 projected year-end total of $9,031,206. Key highlights include:
- Salaries: Rising to $6,978,788, a 12.2% increase from FY2024’s budget and an 18.8% increase from the projected year-end, reflecting new hires and wage adjustments.
- Per Meeting Expense: Surging 55.8% to $48,000, driven by increased meeting frequency or compensation rates.
- Overtime and Holiday Pay: Overtime is budgeted at $417,400 (up 40.1%), while holiday pay rises to $212,402 (up 22.9%), indicating heightened staffing demands.
- Retirement 401 Contributions: A significant 28.2% increase to $773,225, underscoring the city’s commitment to employee benefits.
The personnel schedule details a total of 136 authorized positions, including 117 full-time and 19 part-time roles, with notable growth in departments like City Clerk (from 1.5 to 3 full-time equivalents) and Engineering (from 2 to 4 FTEs) compared to FY2024.
Capital Investments Prioritize Infrastructure
Capital expenditures for FY2025 are set at $16,990,032, a slight 5.1% decrease from FY2024’s ambitious $17,907,575 budget, though a dramatic 197.3% increase over the FY2024 projected year-end of $5,714,260. Major investments include:
- Transportation Fund: $6,274,726, a 17.3% increase, funding projects like the Salt Barn Roof replacement, Highway 42 Sidewalk construction, and Osage Beach Road improvements.
- Lee C. Fine Airport Fund: $4,986,982, up slightly from FY2024, supporting ongoing airport enhancements.
- 911 Center: A standout $447,247 allocation (384.8% increase), including an AIS P25 Upgrade and dispatch relocation, addressing critical communication needs.

Conversely, departments like Parks & Recreation ($333,800, down 54.7%) and Information Technology ($25,492, down 77.3%) see reduced capital spending, reflecting a shift in priorities.
Operations & Maintenance Stabilizes
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) expenditures total $10,182,427, a modest 1.4% decrease from FY2024’s $10,324,068 budget, though up 10.6% from the projected year-end of $9,209,616. Notable changes include:
- Human Resources: A striking 228.9% increase to $365,117, likely tied to expanded staffing and training initiatives.
- Building Inspection: Up 130.7% to $79,510, supporting heightened regulatory activity.
- Engineering: A 52.2% cut to $261,100, aligning with completed projects from FY2024.
Employee Pay Plan Adjustments
The budget introduces an updated Employee Pay Plan effective January 1, 2025, with pay ranges spanning Level 6 ($32,604-$47,276) to Level 16 ($124,293-$198,868). Positions like City Administrator and City Attorney top the scale, while roles such as Airport Technician and Records Clerk anchor the lower end. The plan reflects periodic reviews mandated by City Code Section 125.050, accommodating new positions and level adjustments.
Looking Ahead
The FY2025 budget underscores Osage Beach’s focus on workforce expansion, infrastructure resilience, and essential services, balancing growth with fiscal prudence. With a total personnel authorization of 123.19 FTEs (up from 117.19 in FY2024), and significant capital commitments, the city aims to enhance public safety, transportation, and community amenities. Residents can expect increased activity in key departments, though some operational budgets tighten to offset these investments.
For more details, the full FY2025 Operating Budget is available through the City of Osage Beach administrative offices.
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