Over the next few weeks, civic leaders will continue to pore over the details of City Manager Mike Matthes’ proposed annual budget, in advance of an expected vote by city council in September. 

The $414 million budget for 2014, which was unveiled in July, reflects Matthes’ insistence on ending deficit spending from the city’s general fund. Some of the changes announced in the budget include hiring three additional police staff, retooling the city’s public transit system, and cutting funding to CAT-TV. This also comes as city leaders discuss whether the police department needs to add new officers, and how to find money to pay for them.

This week on Intersection, we’ll take a closer look at the proposed budget, find out what it could mean for Columbia if approved, and talk about some of the other issues facing the city.

Panelist:
Mike Matthes, Columbia city manager

It’s that time of year again, when students across Columbia sharpen their pencils, pack their book bags, and prepare for the start of yet another school year. Tuesday is the first full day of classes for CPS, and it marks the start of a number of changes for the district, including new school start times, new school bus routes, and a new comprehensive high school.

This week on Intersection, we’ll explore some of the changes this year, and get a preview of what's to come.

Christine King, president, Columbia Board of Education
Michelle Baumstark, director of community relations, Columbia Public Schools
Susan McClintic, teacher, Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary

Started in 1901, the Missouri State Fair has since become an annual tradition, and is a yearly celebration of Missouri’s agriculture, fine art, and food, among other things. This year, however, the festival reached national attention after video surfaced showing a rodeo clown at the fair dressed as President Obama. On the video, an announcer is seen asking the audience if they wanted to see "Obama run down by a bull." The stunt has been heavily criticized, with some calling it racist.

This week on Intersection, broadcast live from the festival, we'll speak to the fair's director about the rodeo incident. We'll also talk about the state fair in general, hear from young farmers, and got an insider’s view of some of the competitions. Throughout the show, we’ll also present some sights and sounds of the festival, which runs through Aug. 18th.

Special thanks goes to Harum Helmy and Kristofor Husted for editorial assistance, and I-LAND Internet Services for technical assistance.

1st segment panelists:
Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair Fair Director
David Dick, livestock superintendent

On Monday, Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid announced his six-point plan to tackle violent crime in the city. Among the ideas is a 20 cent property tax increase to hire 35 additional officers. The mayor also announced the members of a task force charged with investigating Columbia’s crime problem, which the city council can vote to approve at its meeting Monday.  

The announcement comes weeks after a number of high profile incidents, including the shooting death of teenager Tre’Veon Marshall, a homicide in a Conley Road shopping center in what’s believed to be a drug deal gone bad, and shots fired in Columbia’s downtown district.

This week on Intersection, we’ll talk to the mayor about his proposals, and find out what could be done to reduce violent crime in the city.

Useful links:
-A summary of crime in Columbia over the past 20 years
-Breakdown of violent crime in Columbia involving a firearm
-How violent crime in Columbia compares with other Midwestern cities

Panelists:
Bob McDavid, mayor of Columbia
Dale Roberts, executive director of the Columbia Police Officers' Association
Laura Nauser, council member for Columbia's Fifth Ward
Tyree Byndom, community leader and talk show host