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Columbia-based Socket has recapitalized their company and brought in new majority owners to raise money. Socket president Carson Coffman emphasizes that the original shareholders are still owners and are active in the company. The new majority owners are Charlotte-based Pamlico Capital and Oak Hill Capital. Mr. Coffman and Socket Fiber executive chairman Jim Gleason joined host Fred Parry Saturday in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Mr. Coffman tells listeners that Socket needed another $250-million to grow the way they wanted to. He says Socket has added staff, with the new arrangement. “I think we’ve added 75 people already in the first year and we’ll be up over 300 by the end of this year,” he tells listeners. He says the infusion of cash has allowed Socket to build in Missouri towns like Webb City, Odessa and Oak Grove:

Missouri's 2026 legislative session ends three weeks from today and Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O'Laughlin (R-Shelbina) is pleased with how it has gone. Pro Tem O'Laughlin appeared live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that she's pleased with how the budget process has gone. She also praises two key committee chairs: Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chair Rusty Black (R-Chillicothe) and Senate Insurance and Banking Committee chair Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo):

The Missouri Senate has approved its version of the fiscal year 2027 state budget. State Sen. Curtis Trent (R-Springfield) tells 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri" that the budget now heads to a conference committee for the Senate and House to resolve differences. Senator Trent tells listeners that the Senate budget funds key priorities and that it's a "leaner" budget than in previous years:

Voters in Virginia have approved a congressional redistricting referendum that gives the Democratic-controlled Legislature there temporary redistricting power through the 2030 election. U.S. Rep. Bob Onder (R), who represents Columbia, Jefferson City and Fulton on Capitol Hill, slammed the proposal on "Wake Up Missouri" this morning, saying it's "a very partisan map." Congressman Onder also addressed Iran during the interview, saying he's hopeful the war will conclude. He also slammed former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) on-air, calling him "evil" and "venomous":

Boone County’s outdoor tornado sirens were activated four times Friday night, due to the tornado warnings. The county adopted the CommanderOne automated siren system in 2025 and it was activated for the first time Friday night. The new system allows sirens to activate only in areas directly impacted by the NWS’ tornado warning. Boone County Office of Emergency Management (EOM) director Chris Kelley joined hosts Stephanie Bell and Jennifer Bukowsky on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri". He says sirens activate under TWO conditions: tornado warnings issued by the NWS for parts of Boone County and severe thunderstorm warnings with a destructive damage threat tag. The EOM also reminds you that the outdoor sirens are NOT designed to be heard indoors and that you should have multiple ways to receive warnings:

Orant Charities of Africa aims to make sustainable impacts in Malawi by supporting women and communities in programs ranging from health care to water and sanitation to education to the environment. Orant Charities says clean water is scarce in Malawi and they work to bring water to villages there. Orant Charities of Africa founder Michael Tenny, chairman Tom Brennan and board member Lynda Baumgartner of Rocheport joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." They also discussed how you can help and Orant's connection to Columbia:

You'll likely be voting in August or November on a proposed constitutional amendment that would replace Missouri's state income tax with a sales tax in a phased approach. The Missouri Senate has approved the bill, which is a priority for Governor Mike Kehoe (R). Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O'Laughlin (R-Shelbina) appeared live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling hosts Randy Tobler and Jennifer Bukowsky that a state income tax targets your earnings and is a disincentive to earn more. The proposal need one more vote in the Missouri House, before it would head to the statewide ballot:

Missouri House Veterans and Armed Forces chairman Rep. Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City) alleges that predatory companies are taking advantage of Missouri veterans. Chairman Griffith joined Randy Tobler and Stephanie Bell live this morning on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that some witnesses are lying when they testify before his committee:

NFIB Missouri director Brad Jones says the March small business optimism survey is down. Mr. Jones joined host Randy Tobler live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that energy prices have been impacting small businesses. He also says 32 percent of small business members have jobs they cannot fill:

Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick is bullish on Boone County, from the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on I-70 improvements to the Midway interchange growth to company expansions. Commissioner Kendrick joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable":

Torch Electronics has agreed to suspend all operations of slot machines in Missouri by Friday, according to attorney general Catherine Hanaway. General Hanaway made the announcement on Wednesday, describing Torch as “the largest provider of illegal gambling devices” in Missouri. While General Hanaway describes this as a tremendous step forward, she says her office will continue to investigate other operators, manufacturers and retail stores involved in illegal gambling. General Hanaway tells 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri" that Torch has about 16,000 of these machines statewide. She adds that Torch will pay for the cost of removing these machines:

Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Nick Schroer (R-O'Fallon) is praises Senate passage of a bill that involves the courts. Senator Schroer tells "Wake Up Missouri" that the bill essentially means Missouri laws for Missouri courts and not things like the World Health Organization or sharia law. The bill now heads to the Missouri House and Senator Schroer tells listeners that House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins (R-Bowling Green) will handle the bill:

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a lawsuit last week against CBD American Shaman, saying they allegedly manufacture, distribute and sell what is called kratom and 7-OH. General Hanaway describes 7-OH as an unapproved, unsafe, addictive and deceptively marketed drug that functions like an opiate. The attorney general also describes it as hazardous. Columbia Police chief Jill Schlude joined Stephanie Bell and Jennifer Bukowsky live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri." Chief Schlude tells listeners we're seeing this sold at "quite a few" locations in the city and in Boone County. Chief Schlude says this reminds her of "bath salts" several years ago:

UM System President Dr. Mun Choi and the UM Board of Curators say Mizzou's $250-million Memorial Stadium football project will elevate the fan experience. President Choi joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable" program. They discussed Memorial Stadium, the north end zone project and numerous other topics. "When you see the north end zone from the road on Stadium, it looks huge. Wait until you see it from the field. It's immense," President Choi tells listeners. The massive project is expected to be completed by the start of football season. Memorial Stadium is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Mizzou football coach Eliah Drinkwitz has predicted the the fan experience at Faurot will be enhanced by further enclosing the stadium’s north end. President Choi also says the planned new 20-megawatt NextGen MURR in south Columbia will be the largest single project at any university in the nation. He discusses that in-detail during the interview and also discusses higher ed

Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City) is considered one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party. Leader Aune joined hosts Randy Tobler and Stephanie Bell on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri." Leader Aune credits State Rep. Betsy Fogle (D-Springfield) for leading the effort to restore funding for those with developmental disabilities. Leader Aune says that was a bipartisan effort. She also predicts Senate Republicans will use the PQ to shut off debate and then will pass the bill to eliminate Missouri's state income tax. If that happens, Missourians would vote on the issue this year:

Columbia College’s new president says his main priority has been listening and learning, since he started on March 1. Dr. Toby Arquette joined Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Dr. Arquette has started the process of working with faculty, staff, students and the board to co-create the next chapter for Columbia College, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. Columbia College has about 8,000 students between in-person and online learning. President Arquette tells listeners that higher education needs to collaborate more. He has met recently with new Stephens College president Dr. Shannon Lundeen and plans to meet in May with UM System president Dr. Mun Choi:

The Missouri House has approved an approximately $50-billion state operating budget. State Rep. Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City) is pleased with the overall budget, calling it responsible. Representative Griffith, however, voted against the higher education bill due to cuts to Jefferson City's Lincoln University. Chairman Griffith joined "Wake Up Missouri" live in-studio, telling listeners that LU is on the right path. Griffith also tells listeners that he appealed directly to House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Dirk Deaton (R-Noel) to restore the Lincoln University cuts:

Former State Rep. Lisa Thomas (R-Lake Ozark) is one of five Republicans who hope to replace term-limited State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter in Jefferson City. The heavily-Republican district includes Cole, Camden, Miller, Moniteau and Morgan counties. Former Rep. Thomas joined hosts Randy Tobler and Peter Thiele live in-studio on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri" to discuss the race. She tells listeners that she is not a career politician and that it's important to have someone who understands health and mental health issues:

Jefferson City businessman Jake Vogel is seeking the GOP nomination for a mid-Missouri state Senate seat being vacated by term-limited State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City). The district includes Cole, Moniteau, Miller, Morgan and Camden counties. Mr. Vogel is a veteran and served as an Army Ranger. He also advocates for rural health care on the SSM board. Mr. Vogel joined Randy Tobler and Jennifer Bukowsky on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri":

While Columbia/Boone County is seeing cranes and construction equipment across town, there is still a lot of poverty. Love Columbia says one in five Columbia residents are living in poverty and struggle to make ends meet. Housing costs are a challenge for many as well. Jane Williams, who co-founded Love Columbia 18 years ago, joined Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." She tells listeners that Columbia has been seeing about a 20 percent poverty rate: