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

Articles

Investigation the media campaign behind pesticide-labeling bills

1 week ago | komu.com | John Murphy

The Modern Ag Alliance has run lots of advertisements in Missouri, some of them roping the pesticide labeling bills in with egg prices. Elizabeth Burns-Thompson is the executive director of the organization, which was founded by German pesticide maker Bayer. Some of these ads refer to glyphosate, the main ingredient in Bayer's most popular product, Roundup, as a crop protection tool. Burns-Thompson said this is not deceptive. "When we talk about crop protection products, that is an industry term.
Investigating the media campaign behind pesticide-labeling bills

1 week ago | komu.com | John Murphy

The Modern Ag Alliance has run lots of advertisements in Missouri, some of them roping the pesticide labeling bills in with egg prices. Elizabeth Burns-Thompson is the executive director of the organization, which was founded by German pesticide maker Bayer. Some of these ads refer to glyphosate, the main ingredient in Bayer's most popular product, Roundup, as a crop protection tool. Burns-Thompson said this is not deceptive. "When we talk about crop protection products, that is an industry term.
Behind ads to protect Missouri farmers are bills to protect pesticide makers from cancer lawsuits

1 week ago | komu.com | John Murphy

Ads across Missouri are all over websites, social media platforms, and billboards urging people to call on their state lawmakers to help President Trump protect American farmers from China by supporting House Bill 544 and Senate Bill 14. These bills have absolutely nothing to do with China or farmland. They’re about pesticides, specifically the labels on them. If you pick up a bottle of Roundup, a commonly-available weed-killer, in Missouri, you won't find a cancer warning on the label.
Columbia is about one-third finished installing Flock surveillance cameras

2 weeks ago | komu.com | John Murphy

COLUMBIA — The Columbia Police Department is about one-third of the way through installing Flock Safety cameras. Assistant Chief Lance Bolinger said the department is about 31% of the way done and described the project as moving in a "pretty quick pace."Bolinger said Flock cameras are installed and operational at about four intersections in the city just under six months since the Columbia City Council approved the $539,400 project.
A Closer Look at why more people are dying in Missouri prisons

2 weeks ago | komu.com | John Murphy

JEFFERSON CITY — In August, Daniel Milner stood outside the state Capitol. In his arms, he held a box, the remains of his son inside. "I don't know what happened, I'm not being told what happened," he said. "It's too vague." Milner's son, Chase Alan Milner, died at the Jefferson City Correctional Center that July. He was 33 years old and serving a 15-year sentence for assault. The Missouri Department of Corrections reports his cause of death as suicide. Milner said he wants to know how this happened.
Hartsburg neighbors become friends through shared hardships and racing

3 weeks ago | komu.com | John Murphy

HARSTBURG — When Bill Vaughn talks about his love of racing, he says it wasn't so much him who found racing, but racing that found him. "I had a brother-in-law that raced circle track and it got into my blood and I started in 1972," he said. For over 50 years, Vaughn has competed in dirt track racing at venues across the state. On most Fridays during spring and summer, he said you can find him on the track, with his family and friends cheering him on in the stands.
A closer look at Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe's next term

1 month ago | komu.com | John Murphy

Incumbent mayor Barbara Buffaloe was elected for a second term as mayor of Columbia in the April 8 municipal election. KOMU 8's John Murphy sat down with Buffaloe to discuss crime, why she thinks she won reelection, and where she can lead the city from here. To report an error or typo, email [email protected].
Anatomy of a fallout between MU Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

1 month ago | komu.com | John Murphy

A deadline has come and gone, and now over 90,000 people across mid-Missouri are not insured through the health care provider they see. MU Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are blaming each other, while patients face difficult decisions ahead. What went wrong between the two organizations, what can patients do now, and is a deal likely in the future? Let's examine. "I feel like it's more profit over people," said Amanda Matteson, who lives with her husband in Jefferson City.
Columbia doctor offers alternative to insurance-funded care

1 month ago | komu.com | John Murphy

After the fallout between MU Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield left over 90,000 people out-of-network at their primary care providers, Dr. Adam Wheeler, a pediatrician and the CEO of Big Tree Medical in Columbia, said there are health care options where insurance plays a minimal role. "Primary care actually works really well as a membership model," Wheeler said. Big Tree Medical is a concierge medical clinic, where people pay a membership fee for care from physicians and pediatricians.
Missouri affordable housing programs are vulnerable to federal funding cuts

1 month ago | komu.com | John Murphy

COLUMBIA — Eighty percent. That's how much of the annual budget the Columbia Housing Authority receives from the federal government, according to the organization's CEO. Amid a shortage of housing availability and heavy federal reliance, will affordable housing programs in mid-Missouri survive the new administration in the White House? People like Sidney Morris certainly hope so.