A fair majority of the property crime in Springfield occurs on the properties of the city’s Wal-Mart Supercenters. I spoke with Springfield Police about how they partnered with the retailer to try to get the problem under control. Click Here to Read More.
Jail overcrowding in Greene County, Mo., is a symptom of several problems, including a lack of resources for indigent defense. In this story, I talked to county leaders about solutions they were trying to come up with due to a lack of increase in state resources. Click Here to Read More
Lake Area Businessman Seeks TIF to Build $385 Million Development in Osage Beach from Nick Thompson on Vimeo.
Gary Mitchell was responsible for some of the largest developments in the history of Springfield and Columbia, Mo. I profiled his vision for a nearly $400 million mixed-use development at the Lake of the Ozarks. Click Here to Read More.
Mo. Ethics Reform Push Attempts to Influence Behavior, Change Capitol Culture from Nick Thompson on Vimeo.
With no limits on lobbyist gifts or campaign contributions, Missouri is often chastised for its ethics laws. After a series of resignations that marred the 2015 legislative session in scandal, I spoke to local lawmakers about the prospects of new ethics rules in the 2016 session. Click Here to Read More..
Morris: ‘I Think When You Do Something Wrong, You Don’t Hide From It’ from Nick Thompson on Vimeo.
Journalists are supposed to hold the powerful accountable. When our newsroom caught wind of some possible misconduct on the part of an area state representative, it was my job to investigate. Click Here to Read More.
Springfield Psychiatric Hospital Vows Job Cuts if Senate Budget Passes from Nick Thompson on Vimeo.
In the 2015 Missouri legislative session, lawmakers attempted to shift about half of the state’s Medicaid recipients into private managed care plans. I followed up on a tip from a local mental health professional who explained the anxiety local mental health providers had about that shift. Click Here to Read More.
Mo. Prosecutors Worry Gun Amendment Makes it Harder to Go After Felons from Nick Thompson on Vimeo.
In August 2014, Missouri voters approved Amendment 5, which made gun rights “unalienable” in the state. I spoke with the Greene Co. Prosecuting Attorney’s office about the effect of this amendment on felony firearm possession cases. Click Here to Read More.
After the Missouri Department of Transportation released its list of projects that could be funded by a 3/4 cent sales tax increase, I wanted to focus on a project that would impact the largest portion of our viewers. I centered my story on Interstate 70, and worked with my producers to build breakout graphics and other elements to help people understand which roads could get improved in their area. Click Here to Read More
On Nov. 20, I delivered a live report on KOMU 8 News Today minutes after Missouri proceeded with its first execution in three years. I communicated extensively with my morning show producers and followed Twitter to get the needed information to deliver a clear, correct live report. After finishing the morning show, I gave viewers a detailed breakdown of the complicated overnight legal happenings on KOMU.com: Click Here to Read More.
Lawmakers Clash with Nixon, Plan Historic Veto Session
Mo. Lawmakers Look to Fight Back in Business Border Battle
State Officials Look for Funding Fix for I-70
Mo. Catholics Call for Greater Incentives for Education Donations
Retirees Will Likely See Low Benefit Increases Next Year
Missourians Search for Reliable Health Exchange Information
Columbia Police Take Down Warning Sign
Crews Begin Work on Mo. Stretch of Canadian Oil Pipeline
Transportation Sales Tax Proposal Gets New Life
Columbia Education Leaders Brace for Possible Impact of Tax Cut
Texas Gov. Rick Perry Brings Tax Talk to Missouri
Columbia Transportation District Wants More Money from Taxpayers
Sedalia City Council Considers Public Smoking Ban
Mo. Senate Endorses Plan to End Tax Credit for Renters
Mo. Senate Debates Income Tax Cuts
Columbia School Start Time Proposals Get Another Look
Mo. House Backs Medical Workers’ Rights Measure
Nixon Releases Previously Withheld Higher Education Funding
Bonds for Capital Improvements Will be a Major Theme in Next Legislative Session
New State Law Streamlines Transfer Process for Missouri College Students
House Panel Passes Republican’s Medicaid Expansion Bill
Missouri Senate Gives Preliminary Approval to Tax Overhaul
House Approves Photo Identification Measure
Nick Thompson 