A University of Missouri School of Medicine professor and researcher has received a $2.8 million grant to study infant kidney injury. 

Adebowale Adebiyi received the grant from the National Institutes of Health to study a previously unrecognized contributor to acute kidney injury: voltage-gated sodium channels.

These proteins help move sodium molecules through cells, but Adebiyi’s research identified another function. 

“We found that during infant kidney injury, when blood flow is restricted, these sodium channels are overactivated in blood vessels,” Adebiyi said. “This triggers a cascade of events that causes the kidney’s small blood vessels to constrict, depriving the kidney of oxygenated blood when it’s most needed, and can lead to organ dysfunction or failure.”

This project will focus specifically on restoring healthy blood flow to infant kidneys, studying how nitric oxide works with specific sodium channels in blood vessels.

The number of customers without power in Cooper County is back down to about 100 after climbing to over 400 Friday night, according to outage tracking service Poweroutage.us.

About 100 Ameren Missouri customers were without power in Boonville around 8 p.m., according to Ameren Missouri’s outage map.

The number of customers without power in Boonville jumped to over 200 around 10 p.m., and the number of customers without power in Cooper County jumped again to around 470 at 10:30 p.m., according to Poweroutage.us.

The number of customers without power was back down to around 330 by 11 p.m. and down to around 100 by 11:40 p.m., according to Poweroutage.us.

Crews assessed that the outage was due to a wire problem and a crew has been assigned to the issue.

Callaway County outage

About 200 Callaway Electric Cooperative customers were without power around 11:15 p.m. Friday, according to the cooperative’s outage map.

The number was around 60 by 11:45 p.m., according to the outage map.

Boone County outage restored

At approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday, power was restored to over 200 customers who were without power across Boone County,

About 280 Boone Electric Cooperative customers were without power in northern Boone County at 9 p.m. Friday, according to the power outage map on Boone Electric’s website.

Boone Electric made a post on Facebook at 8:40 p.m. saying crews were on the way to an outage in Hallsville.

A lightning strike and lines down caused the outage, according to the Boone Electric Facebook page.

Check back for updates.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) – Gov. Mike Kehoe has signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Missouri ahead of potentially dangerous severe weather forecast across the state.

The order activates the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, enabling state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to expedite assistance. The state’s emergency operations center is activating to support coordination efforts.

“The National Weather Service has cautioned that the threat of severe storms throughout the state tonight may produce damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes,” Kehoe said. “I urge all Missourians to pay attention to their local weather forecasts, follow official warnings, and have multiple ways to receive alerts – especially overnight.”

Severe weather threats

Widespread thunderstorms are forecast, with the highest threat for severe thunderstorms across western into north central Missouri, mainly in the evening. Storms are expected to weaken as they move east through the night, though the pace of weakening remains uncertain.

Potential threats include winds of 70 mph or higher, hail over two inches in diameter, and strong tornadoes. Localized flash flooding may also occur overnight due to significant rainfall over the past 24 hours.

“This Executive Order is a proactive step to ensure our emergency management teams are fully prepared should these storms warrant immediate action to protect Missourians,” Kehoe said.

Safety guidance

State officials are urging Missourians to postpone outdoor activities and avoid driving when storms arrive. Nighttime severe weather is particularly dangerous due to reduced visibility and the risk of people being asleep when storms strike.

Residents should identify a safe shelter location in advance. The safest place during a tornado is an interior room with no windows on the lowest floor of a sturdy structure, preferably a basement. Residents in mobile homes should seek shelter with a friend, family member, or at a local storm shelter before storms arrive. Drivers should never attempt to drive through floodwaters, regardless of water depth.

Executive Order 26-08 expires April 5, 2026.

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