As Missouri’s legislature prepares to take on the issue of Medicaid expansion, we explore the potential benefits and drawbacks, and learn how it could impact people across the state.
Panelists:
Karen Edison, dermatologist and director of the University of Missouri Center for Health Policy
Rep. Keith Frederick, R-Rolla, chair of the Missouri House of Representatives Health Care Policy Committee and an orthopedic surgeon

 
 
Immediately following Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's annual State of the State address, we brought together panelists inside the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City to provide a first round of analysis. Together we go through the governor's main points and discuss the specific proposals, which include a significant expansion of Medicaid in Missouri, increased funding for education at all levels, consolidation within the Department of Natural Resources, and the elimination of some of the state's 61 different tax credit programs.
Panelists:
Phill Brooks, director of Missouri Digital News and statehouse correspondent for KMOX
Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, 45th District
Rep. Caleb Jones, R-California, 50th District

 
 
How much do you know about the food you eat? With all the competing information out there, what sources can you really trust? And how much do you really want to know? Intersection teams up with Harvest Public Media to talk about the obstacles that get in the way of discovering the truth about our food, in particular looking at the beef industry.
Panelists:
Peggy Lowe, Harvest Network analyst, Harvest Public Media
Ray Massey, extension professor, MU Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
Mike McGraw, projects reporter, The Kansas City Star

 
 
As the Columbia City Council considers a halt on downtown demolitions, we explore the factors that are leading to the recent spate of new development, and take a look at the future of Columbia’s downtown area.
Panelists:
Brent Gardner, chairman of the Downtown Columbia Leadership Council and member of the historic preservation commission
Barbara Hoppe, Columbia City Council representative for the sixth ward
Craig van Matre, attorney representing several developers including the Odles, who built the Brookside student housing complexes in downtown Columbia
Brandt Stiles, director of development for Collegiate Housing Partners, a St. Louis-based group seeking to build student housing on the Niedermeyer site in downtown Columbia (joining by phone)

 
 
As the year comes to a close, we recap some of the stories that made headlines over the past 12 months, and take a look ahead into what 2013 might bring.
Panelists:
Scott Swafford, senior city editor, Columbia Missourian
Lora Wegman, city editor, Columbia Daily Tribune
David Lieb, correspondent, The Associated Press
 (joining by phone)

 
 
As officials work toward increasing flight options at Columbia Regional Airport, we learn more about what it takes to successfully expand air service. We also explore some of the plans that have been proposed, such as a new terminal and possible revenue guarantees to attract new airline routes.
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Panelists:
Bob McDavid, mayor of Columbia
Kristi Ray, executive vice president, Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Trebor Banstetter, senior manager, corporate communications, Delta Air Lines (joining the program by phone)


 
 
A trade deal that Gov. Jay Nixon signed with Chinese officials in October is expected to significantly increase exports between now and 2014. We explore the current state of business relations between Missouri and China, and discuss how they might expand even more in the future.
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Panelists:
Tony Clayton, president, Clayton Agri-Marking, a company that exports hogs and horses to China and elsewhere
Wen Ouyang, co-director, Confucius Institute at the University of Missouri
Handy Williamson, vice provost of International Programs at MU.
Rosemary Gallant, principal commercial officer at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing (joining the program by phone)


 
 
As drought conditions ravage much of the Midwest, we hear how farmers are being affected and discuss how they’re responding. Discussion includes perspective on the weather situation, as well as explanation of how well farmers might be covered by insurance.
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Panelists:
Patrick Guinan, extension assistant professor, Atmospheric Science, University of Missouri
Raymond Massey, extension professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Missouri
Steve Wright, vice president, Missouri Farmers Union
Lonnie Duckworth, president, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (joining the program by phone)


 
 
A spate of new development has taken off in downtown Columbia, in particular the construction of several multi-story student housing developments. Amid the current building boom, we take a look at the vision for Columbia's downtown and consider what it might mean to have hundreds of students living in the area.
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Panelists:
Carrie Gartner, executive director, Downtown Community Improvement District.
John Ott, developer and owner of Alley A Realty and several downtown properties, including the Stephens Building at Broadway and Hitt.
Debbie Sheals, historic preservation consultant and founding member of the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission

 
 
An effort to convert much of Columbia to an enhanced enterprise zone is underway, but not everyone is pleased with the idea. At issue is a blight decree that has some concerned. Panelists explain what goes into making an enhanced enterprise zone and discuss what it’ll mean for the city. 
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_Panelists:
Bernie Andrews, executive vice president, Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI)
Greg Williams, director, University of Missouri Research Parks
Tracy Greever Rice, interim director, Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis