John Murphy, KOMU-TV (Columbia, MO) Journalist Profile

Articles

Governor adds to disaster relief, MURR funding in amended special session agenda

3 weeks ago | komu.com | John Murphy

Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is requesting lawmakers allocate significantly more money to certain projects during the ongoing special legislative session. This includes increasing funding for the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) back up to the originally allocated amount of $50 million and adding $100 million more for storm disaster relief as Missouri communities continue to be affected by severe weather.
U.S. congressmen from mid-Missouri face mixed reception in Columbia visit

4 weeks ago | komu.com | John Murphy

COLUMBIA — Republican U.S. Reps. Mark Alford and Bob Onder visited Columbia on Friday for a small, private gathering with local business and political leaders. However, the event became more of a public spectacle than planned after word of it spread. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum with the two lawmakers at the Kitchen Grill and Games in Columbia. It was closed to members of the public.
Court finds makers of Roundup legally liable for failing to warn of cancer on products

1 month ago | komu.com | John Murphy

KANSAS CITY — Justices for the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals upheld a Cole County Circuit Court jury's ruling that the company that makes the pesticide Roundup is legally liable for three people developing Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This also upholds the $611 million settlement awarded to the plaintiffs. The court of appeals affirmed that the evidence presented in Cole County Court was permissible.
Missouri political leaders honor Kit Bond at memorial service

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | John Murphy

Share JEFFERSON CITY — Stalwarts of Missouri politics from both parties gathered at the State Capitol Tuesday to honor a stalwart of his own, former governor and U.S. senator Christopher S. "Kit" Bond. He died a week ago in St. Louis. "When a name like Kit Bond's is spoken, it moves people," Gov. Mike Kehoe said in his welcoming address to the crowd in the Capitol Rotunda. "His legacy inspires action. And, for Kit, it was not prestige that mattered to him.
Missouri political leaders honor Kit Bond at memorial service

1 month ago | komu.com | John Murphy

JEFFERSON CITY — Stalwarts of Missouri politics from both parties gathered at the State Capitol Tuesday to honor a stalwart of his own, former governor and U.S. senator Christopher S. "Kit" Bond. He died a week ago in St. Louis. "When a name like Kit Bond's is spoken, it moves people," Gov. Mike Kehoe said in his welcoming address to the crowd in the Capitol Rotunda. "His legacy inspires action. And, for Kit, it was not prestige that mattered to him.
Legislative session wrapped: Tumultuous end leads to uncertain future

1 month ago | komu.com | John Murphy

JEFFERSON CITY — Most of the 2025 Missouri legislative session was relatively civil compared to a chaotic 2024 session as Republicans were divided between moderate members and far-right ones in an election year. That civility came to an abrupt end in the final two weeks, as major legislation that could keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri and fund projects throughout the state hangs in the balance.
Hundreds demonstrate against passage of measures to overturn voter-approved laws

1 month ago | komu.com | Jacob Richey |John Murphy |Blake Wallis

JEFFERSON CITY — Hundreds of people from across Missouri rallied on the steps of the Capitol Thursday against two measures that aim to overturn initiatives voters passed in the November 2024 general election. Senate Republicans passed House Joint Resolution 73 and House Bill 567 on Wednesday, clearing the way for a final step of approval before they go into effect.
Senate passes abortion resolution as session nears its end

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | John Murphy

Share JEFFERSON CITY — Just as it seemed funding for new stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and getting rid of the paid sick leave portion of Proposition A might define the end of the legislative session, abortion was back at center stage. The Senate approved House Joint Resolution 73 Wednesday afternoon, putting a near-total ban on abortion on the ballot in 2026.
Resolution passes to put abortion ban on the ballot in 2026

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Jacob Richey |John Murphy

The Missouri Senate on Wednesday approved House Joint Resolution 73 , which will put a near-total ban on abortion on the ballot in the November 2026 general election. The resolution passed 21-11. The vote followed a filibuster by Democrats , which Republicans ended using a process called PQ, or previous question. Two-thirds of the Senate must vote to approve the PQ, which forces a vote on the legislation at hand — which, in Thursday's case, was HJR 73.
Abortion issue continues to stall Senate as session nears its end

1 month ago | komu.com | John Murphy

JEFFERSON CITY — Just as it seemed funding for new stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and getting rid of the paid sick leave portion of Proposition A might define the end of the legislative session, abortion is back at center stage. Senate Democrats filibustered Wednesday to prevent a vote on House Joint Resolution 73, which would allow Missourians to vote to ban all abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape, and incest — and only up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy.