KFRU Business Spotlight

Eric Kopinski, MODOT, Director of Improve I-70 Program

KFRU Business Spotlight -- May 23rd & 24th, 2026. Eric Kopinski, the director of the Improve I-70 Project, joins us to talk about the ongoing activity as the widening of I-70 to three lanes both ways continues.  Eric talks about some parts of the overall project that have been completed, some just in the last days.  We also talk about the big parts of the project which will be happening in the next few weeks.  Kopinski always acknowledges the impacts that the program has on the Columbia area and across the state, but is always positive about the safety and driving ease the updates will bring to local residents When it all done. We also talk big picture about driving on I-70 this summer both to the west and to the east from COMO. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Lili Vianello, Relocating Magazine. Kate Harry, President and Patsy Stem, President-Elect Up to Good

KFRU Business Spotlight -- May 16th & 17th, 2026.  This week, Lili Vianello of Visionworks Marketing tells us about Relocating in Columbia, a recent acquisition for her company.  The magazine focuses on stories on many exciting people, places and things in Columbia. We cover many topics including the start of Visionworks and the changes that have occurred through the years.  We also talk to Kate Harry and Patsy Stem from Up to Good.  Up to Good is the new name for Assistance League of Mid-Missouri.  It's the same organization with a different name.  The membership decided to go independent and -- after a lot of long hours and interesting conversations -- the new name was introduced this past week.  We talk about all the things that remain the same, including the main fundraising vehicle, Upscale Resale in the Broadway Shops. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

John Martin, District 44 State Rep. Gregg Busch, District 5o State Rep. Session nearing the end.

KFRU Business Spotlight -- May 9th & 10th. Gregg Busch, the 50th District State Rep and John Martin, the 44th District State Rep, join us for this week's Spotlight to talk about the latest news as this year's session nears its end.  We cover the new budget and its effect on Missourians, talk about income taxes versus sales taxes and educational funding.  All that information with the perspective from both sides of the aisle politcally. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Nick Foster, Columbia 4th Ward City Councilman. Moving out of state in July. Resigned from the City Council, effective June 12th

KFRU Business Spotlight -- May 2nd & 3rd, 2026.  Nick Foster joins us this weekend after an announcement on Thursday, April 30th, that he intended to resign from the Columbia City Council effective June 12th.  Nick's wife, Candace Kuby, PhD, is a Deputy Provost at the University of Missouri and has taken a job as the Dean of the Education school at Georgia State University in Atlanta.  Nick and Candace and their daughter will be moving to Georgia in July.  Because there is more than a year remaining in this term on the council, the city council will  decide when a special election will take place. We also talk to Nick about the upcoming sales tax for public safety discussion See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Chris Kelley, Director. Boone County Office of Emergency Management

KFRU Business Spotlight -- April 25th & 26th, 2026.  This week on the KFRU Business Spotlight, Director Chris Kelley joins us to talk about the Office of Emergency Management. There has been much activity at the center in the past few weeks with severe weather passing through Boone County, so Chris told us what happens at the OEM during those times designated through communication with the National Weather Service.  There have been recent updates to the siren system where an automated system sound only in the polygon area (that you see on TV or on your phone through an app) of a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning. There many other times that the Office of Emergency Management is used including activities of many people are in the same place, like on a Football Saturday.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.