The Missouri General Assembly jumped through hoops to enact legislation requiring residents to supply birth certificates, Social Security cards, and other forms of information in order to get a driver's license.
The requirements were put in place to enable the state to comply with the federal Real ID act, but other states have not been so quick to pass laws, noting the cost and privacy concerns. An article in today's New York Times explores the problem.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
CNHI bidding for Pennsylvania newspaper
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., (CNHI) the newspaper company that owns the Joplin Globe, has expressed an interest in buying the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader in Pennsylvania, according to an article in that newspaper. The newspaper is one of eight former Knight-Ridder publications that were purchased recently by McClatchy Newspapers, but are being sold because they do not fit into that company's plans.
The Times-Leader article speculates that CNHI may be working a deal to buy more than just the Wilkes-Barre newspaper.
The article comes only a few days after it was announced that Alabama-based CNHI was buying the Muskogee, Okla. Phoenix.
The Times-Leader article speculates that CNHI may be working a deal to buy more than just the Wilkes-Barre newspaper.
The article comes only a few days after it was announced that Alabama-based CNHI was buying the Muskogee, Okla. Phoenix.
Liberty Group Publishing to cease to exist
Liberty Group Publishing, owner of The Carthage Press, the Joplin Daily, the Neosho Daily News, the Neosho Post, and the Big Nickel will soon cease to exist.
No, the company's not shutting down, but the name, which the company has used since it first formed in 1998 is being scrapped in favor of GateHouse Media, according to an article posted tonight on the Boston Herald website.
The announcement was made to coincide with a major expansion of the company's newspaper lineup. The article announced that Liberty was buying 100 weekly newspapers and four daily newspapers from Herald Media, Inc., owner of the Boston Herald.
The move marked Liberty's first major incursion into the northeast, and is the first strike the company has made since turning the reins over to Michael Reed, former CEO of CNHI, owner of the Joplin Globe. This may just be the beginning, according to the Herald article. "Liberty is also expected to buy Enterprise NewsMedia - publisher of the Patriot Ledger of Quincy, the Enterprise of Brockton, and several smaller South Shore newspapers - from owner Heritage Partners for about $165 million," the article said.
No, the company's not shutting down, but the name, which the company has used since it first formed in 1998 is being scrapped in favor of GateHouse Media, according to an article posted tonight on the Boston Herald website.
The announcement was made to coincide with a major expansion of the company's newspaper lineup. The article announced that Liberty was buying 100 weekly newspapers and four daily newspapers from Herald Media, Inc., owner of the Boston Herald.
The move marked Liberty's first major incursion into the northeast, and is the first strike the company has made since turning the reins over to Michael Reed, former CEO of CNHI, owner of the Joplin Globe. This may just be the beginning, according to the Herald article. "Liberty is also expected to buy Enterprise NewsMedia - publisher of the Patriot Ledger of Quincy, the Enterprise of Brockton, and several smaller South Shore newspapers - from owner Heritage Partners for about $165 million," the article said.
Labeling is the problem
Labeling is the easiest way for people to dodge on-the-mark commentaries about their actions and unfortunately, it is replacing any actual effort to discuss the issues.
Whenever I have said something that has particularly irritated some of our elected officials, (and in this area, they are normally of the Republican variety) I am admittedly labeled a liberal, thus making anything I say suspect. I notice that very rarely does anyone who attaches that label to me ever make any comment about the substance of what I am reporting.
Labeling, however, is not limited to one side. I also grow irritated of those who are quick to label people as conservatives, again avoiding any attempt to address the issues.
And then there are the people like Neosho radio personality and neoshodailynews.com columnist John McCormack, who stretch logic to smear an entire group of people.
In his most recent column, McCormack launches a broadside against those who opposed the decision to allow a beer garden at last weekend's Choppers for Children. To quote from the column:
"On my talk show, The McCormack Files, last Friday, it became clear that the real reason a certain vocal minority does not want the 'beer garden' on the square is not because of the beer. How naive I was. I thought the beer was the reason-that is what they kept saying, anyway. On Friday one of the leaders of that minority called my show and admitted that he does not want 'those people' coming to Neosho. By 'those people' he was referring to the law-bidding, generous, American Citizens who were willing to ride motorcycles through the rain to attend an event that raised thousands of dollars for The Children's Miracle Network and gave a much needed boast to the economy of Neosho."
With one incredibly convoluted stretch of logic, McCormack has labeled anyone who opposed the beer garden someone who opposes anything that is good for the city of Neosho and someone who would deprive desperately-needed funding for the Children's Miracle Network.
I do not find it hard to believe that many people had sincere reasons for not wanting the beer garden. To say that anyone opposed it did so because they were prejudiced against bikers is ludicrous and is sheer demagoguery on McCormack's part. Personally, I don't drink, but I have no particular problem with the way the Choppers for Children event was run, and I have no problem with people who disagree with that view.
McCormack apparently based this half-baked criticism on the opinions of one caller, using that person's prejudices to label hundreds of people who sincerely opposed the way Choppers for Children was handled.
Maybe it was just a slow week and he couldn't come up with an idea for his column, but this type of labeling, just like the labeling used by people who avoid realistic discussion by invoking the dreaded words "liberal" and "conservative" is a major problem and adds to our problems instead of bringing them to successful resolutions.
Whenever I have said something that has particularly irritated some of our elected officials, (and in this area, they are normally of the Republican variety) I am admittedly labeled a liberal, thus making anything I say suspect. I notice that very rarely does anyone who attaches that label to me ever make any comment about the substance of what I am reporting.
Labeling, however, is not limited to one side. I also grow irritated of those who are quick to label people as conservatives, again avoiding any attempt to address the issues.
And then there are the people like Neosho radio personality and neoshodailynews.com columnist John McCormack, who stretch logic to smear an entire group of people.
In his most recent column, McCormack launches a broadside against those who opposed the decision to allow a beer garden at last weekend's Choppers for Children. To quote from the column:
"On my talk show, The McCormack Files, last Friday, it became clear that the real reason a certain vocal minority does not want the 'beer garden' on the square is not because of the beer. How naive I was. I thought the beer was the reason-that is what they kept saying, anyway. On Friday one of the leaders of that minority called my show and admitted that he does not want 'those people' coming to Neosho. By 'those people' he was referring to the law-bidding, generous, American Citizens who were willing to ride motorcycles through the rain to attend an event that raised thousands of dollars for The Children's Miracle Network and gave a much needed boast to the economy of Neosho."
With one incredibly convoluted stretch of logic, McCormack has labeled anyone who opposed the beer garden someone who opposes anything that is good for the city of Neosho and someone who would deprive desperately-needed funding for the Children's Miracle Network.
I do not find it hard to believe that many people had sincere reasons for not wanting the beer garden. To say that anyone opposed it did so because they were prejudiced against bikers is ludicrous and is sheer demagoguery on McCormack's part. Personally, I don't drink, but I have no particular problem with the way the Choppers for Children event was run, and I have no problem with people who disagree with that view.
McCormack apparently based this half-baked criticism on the opinions of one caller, using that person's prejudices to label hundreds of people who sincerely opposed the way Choppers for Children was handled.
Maybe it was just a slow week and he couldn't come up with an idea for his column, but this type of labeling, just like the labeling used by people who avoid realistic discussion by invoking the dreaded words "liberal" and "conservative" is a major problem and adds to our problems instead of bringing them to successful resolutions.
Business Journal: Joplin man plans ethanol plant
The Joplin area will become the site of an ethanol plant according to an article by the Joplin Tri-State Business Journal's Jeff Wells. The former Joplin Globe reporter is beginning to make a habit of scooping his former newspaper on business-related stories, making it clear why not one, but two, publishers felt the city was ripe for a business publication.
Governor bans lobbyists' gifts for administration employees
Naturally, Governor Matt Blunt's Democratic opponents have labeled his announcement Thursday that members of his administration would no longer accept gifts from employees as a desperate measure brought about an FBI investigation into lobbying practices in Missouri.
I prefer to look at it as another step forward and one that should be followed by our state legislators. There is simply no good reason for our senators and representatives to accept anything from lobbyists, whether it be meals, gifts or travel expenses.
Special interests already have a distinct advantage over the ordinary Missourian simply because they have lobbyists to represent their positions in Jefferson City. These people can walk or drive a few blocks and camp out in the legislators' offices. That is enough of an advantage. Gifts are simply unnecessary.
Legislators who suggest that all problems can be solved by more disclosure know full well that the constituents who look through these records are few and far between, and that includes media outlets, as well.
Some of our elected officials seem to believe that they are not paid enough and need these free lunches to get by. Perhaps their legislative pay is not as much as they would like, but it is far more than most of their constituents receive.
You can read more about the governor's ban in Steve Kraske's article in today's Kansas City Star.
I prefer to look at it as another step forward and one that should be followed by our state legislators. There is simply no good reason for our senators and representatives to accept anything from lobbyists, whether it be meals, gifts or travel expenses.
Special interests already have a distinct advantage over the ordinary Missourian simply because they have lobbyists to represent their positions in Jefferson City. These people can walk or drive a few blocks and camp out in the legislators' offices. That is enough of an advantage. Gifts are simply unnecessary.
Legislators who suggest that all problems can be solved by more disclosure know full well that the constituents who look through these records are few and far between, and that includes media outlets, as well.
Some of our elected officials seem to believe that they are not paid enough and need these free lunches to get by. Perhaps their legislative pay is not as much as they would like, but it is far more than most of their constituents receive.
You can read more about the governor's ban in Steve Kraske's article in today's Kansas City Star.
KOAM owner's TV revenues up, radio down
Saga Communications, owner of KOAM, announced a 13.1 percent increase to $3.9 million for its television division Thursday, according to Radio and Television Report
Unfortunately for Saga, most of its business is in its radio division, which saw revenues decrease two percent to $31.2 million.
Unfortunately for Saga, most of its business is in its radio division, which saw revenues decrease two percent to $31.2 million.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Jarden reports increased sales
The Jarden Corporation, which operates the former Sunbeam plant in Neosho, reported a 52 percent increase in net sales during the first quarter, according to a news release filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Stevenson to interview for federal post
State Representative Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City, appears to be looking for greener pastures.
Democratic operative Roy Temple's Fired Up Missouri website says Stevenson will be in Washington, D. C. Friday to interview for the position of U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Nexstar beats expectation games
Nexstar Broadcasting, owner of KSNF in Joplin and KSFX in Springfield and de facto owner of KODE and KOLR, still lost money during the last three months, but did better than expected, according to the quarterly report filed Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company had anticipated a 31 cent per share loss, but only lost 26 cents, according to the report.
Nexstar's stock increased 15 cents during trading Wednesday from $5.65 to $5.80 per share.
The company had anticipated a 31 cent per share loss, but only lost 26 cents, according to the report.
Nexstar's stock increased 15 cents during trading Wednesday from $5.65 to $5.80 per share.
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