Morning Newscast for August 13, 2026

From the KBIA Newsroom in Columbia, I'm Caitlin McElwain. A judge granted a request yesterday to further delay a lawsuit over who can determine the fate of Missouri's congressional map. The request was made by the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the Missouri Republican State Committee. Plaintiff's attorney Chuck Hatfield, director of the anti-gerrymandering group People, not Politicians, argued the intervention slows a case the Missouri Supreme Court has urged the lower court to resolve quickly. Republican attorney Mark Ellinger insists additional delays are not their goal. I don't think anybody wants to stall. We need an answer to this question quickly. Whoever wins or loses, I mean, I think it's pretty clear from the Supreme Court's letter that they anticipate an appeal from one side or the other. Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green postponed the hearing until Tuesday. An annual campaign calling for the Kansas City Chief to change its name expanded its reach this summer. During the World Cup, the Kansas City Indian Center put up more billboards throughout the metro that call on the team and its fan base to stop a long-time tradition, the so-called Tomahawk Chop. Executive Director Galene Krauser is a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. I think it's still happening because we're allowing it to. We each have... power individually and more importantly collectively. Krauser says the team's pending move to a new stadium in Kansas is another reason to reevaluate its name and fan practices. Moberly area community college leaders and City of Columbia officials celebrated the grand opening yesterday of the school's new commercial pilot training program. KBIA's Janaro Schleiss reports the focus is on helping students from mid-Missouri build an in-demand workforce. MACC will begin training students to fly airplanes from the Columbia Regional Airport this month. Aviation classes are conducted in the now remodeled former airport terminal. MACC President Todd Martin says the goal is to teach local students in hopes they'll stay to work in an aviation sector that's growing in mid-Missouri. But it is first and foremost an opportunity for students and for students to get access to a workplace that is a lifelong career. The new program will consist of two years and six semesters of classroom study and flight training. Graduates will earn an associate's degree and complete approximately 300 hours of flying. I'm Janer Rose Schleis, KBIA News. Hemp-derived THC beverages could stay on Missouri shelves past November 12th. The Missouri Independent reports the U.S. Senate approved a measure to fund federal agencies until December 11th, which would also delay the federal ban on intoxicating hemp THC products until that date. The legislation is back with the U.S. House for final approval before heading to the president's desk. I'm Caitlin McElwain. KBIA News, Columbia. KBIA is sponsored by Accounting Plus.