In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with members of the 2025 Leadership Jefferson City class, specifically Alyssa Wilds, John Smith, and Ashley Wiskirchen. They discuss the 10th annual "Battle of the Brews" fundraiser, scheduled for August 23rd, from noon to 4 PM, at the county fairgrounds. This event offers beer tasting from local and regional brewers, live music, food trucks, games like axe throwing, and a Steinholding contest. All proceeds from the fundraiser benefit two key bene...
Aug 19, 2025•17 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Kirk DeMars, co-chair of Redemption 'A New Beginning', a Christian concert series. This conversation highlights the concert's mission of community blessing, detailing its evolution from benefiting a young girl to supporting various non-profits like CASA. The interview provides specifics for the upcoming concert, featuring Big Daddy Weave, information on tickets, and the significance of the Fisher Family Good Samaritan Awards. Nominate a good ...
Jun 27, 2025•15 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Rebecca Gordon, the executive director of the American Red Cross's Central and Northern Missouri chapter. The discussion focuses on the Red Cross's disaster response efforts, particularly regarding recent tornadoes and the more frequent home fires in Missouri, outlining how they provide immediate assistance, shelter, and long-term recovery support. Additionally, Gordon touches on their services for armed forces and the importance of internati...
Jun 18, 2025•21 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with John Landwehr, former Jefferson City mayor. Landwear discusses the two-decade-long "sister city" relationship between Jefferson City and Münchberg, Germany, highlighting its origins and goals of fostering international ties. He provides a detailed description of Münchberg, emphasizing its authenticity as a non-touristy German town and mentioning nearby historical sites like "Little Berlin." Landwear also shares insights from recent trips, inc...
Jun 04, 2025•16 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Chris Brownell, a resident engineer at the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT). The discussion focuses on a two-year, $5.3 million project to rehabilitate approximately a dozen bridges on US 54 in the Jefferson City area, with the first phase starting this summer. Brownell details the project's logistics, including traffic flow modifications, lane width restrictions, and adjusted speed limits, while also highlighting contractor ince...
May 14, 2025•22 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Angela Hirsch the executive director of the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service (RACS), a non-profit organization in Jefferson City, Missouri. Hirsch explains that RACS serves survivors of various forms of abuse and trafficking, offering 24/7 services including counseling, emergency shelter, and advocacy. The interview also sheds light on Denim Day, an international awareness effort that originated from a 1992 Italian court case where a rape convic...
May 07, 2025•28 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Kristen Schulte, education director of Missouri River Relief. They talk about the mission of Missouri River Relief, which is to connect people to the Missouri River by providing educational programs and experiences that challenge the common perception of the river as dangerous. Key initiatives discussed include large-scale river cleanups involving thousands of volunteers and the development of on-the-river field trips for various age groups, ...
Apr 30, 2025•20 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Miranda Bakes about bringing Safe Haven Baby Boxes to mid-Missouri. Bakes, who is part of a task force working to implement these boxes, explains that they are climate-controlled receptacles installed in designated safe locations like EMS stations, allowing parents in crisis to anonymously and safely surrender newborns up to 45 days old under current Missouri law. She discusses proposed legislation that would extend this period to 90 days and...
Apr 23, 2025•17 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Maddie Fennewald, the media specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, about morel mushroom hunting. They discuss what morels are, when and where to find them, and how to differentiate edible morels from poisonous look-alikes. Fennewald provides tips for successful hunting, including preferred environmental conditions and locations, and cautions hunters to correctly identify mushrooms using available resources like online guides ...
Apr 09, 2025•17 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with and Mia Sanson, the community engagement editor of the Jefferson City News Tribune. They discuss the newspaper's efforts to connect with the community and understand their news interests. Their overarching goal is to be more accessible and responsive to the community's needs and preferences. Contact info: msanson@newstribune.com , feedback@newstribune.com...
Apr 03, 2025•15 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Bob Priddy, a longtime Missouri journalist and history enthusiast. Priddy discusses his efforts to relocate the Arabia Steamboat Museum from Kansas City to Jefferson City, highlighting the museum's unique collection of perfectly preserved 1856 artifacts. He argues that bringing the museum to the capital city, possibly in conjunction with the redevelopment of the state penitentiary, would be a transformative economic and cultural boon for the ...
Mar 26, 2025•34 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Shauna Kerperin from the Missouri Parent Teacher Association and Paula Benne from the Jefferson City Area Chamber's Child Care Action Team. They discuss the critical need for accessible and quality child care in Jefferson City and Cole County, Missouri. They emphasize that this shortage is exacerbated by workforce challenges in attracting and retaining child care staff. The conversation explores potential solutions such as business partnershi...
Mar 19, 2025•26 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Sally Moore and Amber Brondell from United Way of Central Missouri. They discuss the formation and mission of Women United, an initiative under the United Way that unites women to support their community. The conversation highlights the group's events, such as the community baby shower and the Power the Purse fundraiser, and the various committees that members can join. Moore and Brondell emphasize the importance of women coming together for ...
Mar 10, 2025•13 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Ken Theroff, chairman of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and Gary Plummer, CEO and President of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce. The discussion centers on the Chamber's four key areas: stewardship, membership, partnership, and salesmanship, along with three focus areas: housing, child care, and tourism. They emphasize the chamber's role in supporting small businesses through networking and training....
Feb 19, 2025•30 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Melissa Gerke from the American Heart Association. Their conversation highlights February as heart month, emphasizing that heart disease is the leading cause of death globally for many demographics. Gerky discusses prevention, risk factors, and the importance of consulting with a physician. The interview further explores differences in heart attack symptoms between men and women and advocates for prompt action when symptoms arise. Finally, Ge...
Feb 10, 2025•20 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Heather Luebbert, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) commercial motor vehicle program manager, regarding MoDOT's involvement in combating human trafficking. Heather explains that Missouri's central location and extensive transportation network make it a hub for trafficking. MoDOT's role focuses on training employees to recognize and report potential trafficking situations, leveraging their widespread presence across the state. Heat...
Feb 03, 2025•21 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Rebecca Welsh, founder of Halo, a nonprofit organization providing housing, healing, and education to at-risk and homeless youth. Halo operates in Jefferson City, Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, and internationally, offering residential and non-residential programs. The interview discusses Halo's services, the challenges faced by at-risk youth, and opportunities for community involvement through volunteering and fundraising, including an upc...
Jan 20, 2025•26 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Luke Holtschneiderm, the President and CEO of the Jefferson City Regional Economic Partnership (JCREP). They discuss the organization's mission, structure, and ongoing projects. JCREP, established in 2021, aims to facilitate economic growth in Jefferson City through infrastructure development, community development, and business development initiatives. Holtznder highlights successful projects like the Capital Area Rail Terminal and ongoing e...
Jan 13, 2025•43 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Lindsey Ward, the new suicide prevention manager at the Missouri Veterans Commission. Ward, a veteran herself, discusses her background and the new program she's leading to combat veteran suicide in Missouri. The conversation highlights the significant problem of veteran suicide, the resources available (including the 988 lifeline), and the importance of peer support.
Dec 16, 2024•15 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Officer Martika Hit, Jefferson City's first Community Resource Officer at the Jefferson City Police Department. They talk about Officer Hit's role as she focuses on mental health outreach and connecting unhoused individuals with resources. They explore the challenges of balancing the needs of the unhoused with the concerns of residents and businesses. Officer Hitt also highlights community resources like the Room at the Inn. Listen to the NTO...
Dec 09, 2024•21 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats Youth Advisory Board member Olivia Monnig. They talk a about news and topics that interest the younger generation. They discuss how Olivia and peers connect on things in their student community, things such as chai Friday's or interest in things going on in your neighboring school communities.
Dec 02, 2024•14 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Apple JAC's President Peggy Landwehr and Vice President George Kopp. AppleJAC is an Apple Computer club in Jefferson City and they are celebrating 40 years in December! Learn more about AppleJAC, what they do, and meeting dates at https://applejac.typepad.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/?fref=ts.
Nov 25, 2024•21 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Ann Bax, the Community Organization Active in Disaster (COAD) Chair. Learn more about COAD, what they do, and meeting dates at https://www.unitedwaycemo.org/disaster or call 573-636-4100.
Nov 04, 2024•20 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Judge Cotton Walker about the Cole County Treatment Court. Note: this episode is abruptly cut off at the end due to technical issues, but we hope you enjoy the conversation.
Oct 17, 2024•25 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Jon Nelson, state highway safety and traffic engineer, about Missouri's Hands-Free driving law that took effect in Aug. 2023.
Oct 10, 2024•15 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Leann Porrello, JC Parks community arts and culture program manager and Porchfest organizer, about the local music and arts festival scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Oct. 6 on West Main Street and Forest Hill Ave.
Sep 26, 2024•18 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Project Homeless Connect Chair Anna Holt about the annual event, whose mission is to "connect those in Jefferson City experiencing homelessness with the care they need to move forward." Sign up to volunteer for Project Homeless Connect at jcmo-phc.org .
Sep 19, 2024•16 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with United Way of Central Missouri President Lee Knernschield about the United Way of Central Missouri, which launched this year's campaign Thursday.
Sep 13, 2024•17 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with State Technical College President Shawn Strong about State Tech's eighth year of record-breaking enrollment.
Sep 05, 2024•19 min
In this week's episode, Editor Gary Castor chats with Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Director Jessica Kever about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson City, a nonprofit that pairs adults ("bigs") with children ("littles") for one-on-one mentoring. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson City or to apply to become a "big," visit bbbsjeffersoncity.org .
Aug 22, 2024•13 min
