KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne covers issues surrounding government accountability and solutions. Share your story with Isabella.
As new details emerge surrounding the deadly house explosion in Lexington, Missouri, the state legislature is considering a new bill that would increase accountability for gas companies and contractors.
The initial investigation into the explosion revealed issues with Liberty Utilities, the gas line company, procedures at the site and the response by emergency crews.
According to the report, Liberty Utilities did not properly mark an underground gas line before Alfra Construction contractors started digging on April 9.
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Contractors hit the line three hours before the home on Franklin Avenue exploded. That explosion killed five-year-old Alistair Lamb and seriously injured his father, Jacob Cunningham, and 10-year-old sister, Cami Lamb.
Courtesy: family
Cami Lamb, Alistair Lamb, Jacob Cunningham
The report also found emergency responders did not notify any of the families on the block about the gas line damage and gas leak, but did evacuate a nearby business.
The bill that’s in the Missouri Legislature would add stricter provisions for companies locating underground gas lines and for the contractors digging around them. It was filed months before the Lexington explosion happened, but it passed the Missouri Senate just one day after.
Now, it’s up to the Missouri House of Representatives to get it on the governor’s desk before legislative session ends next week.
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A national organization known as the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) established the ‘Best Practices’ for digging underground. The document outlines the standards for locating gas lines, digging around them and the responsibility to nearby homes.
CGA’s president and CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle explained Missouri sees more than an average of 1,000 damage incidents to buried utilities a year. That average includes the incident in Lexington.
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“[The NTSB] were very clear that the line that was damaged wasn’t marked, and that is a challenge given that a five-year-old died as a consequence,” Magruder Lyle said. “The whole process has to work to keep the community safe.”
She explained Missouri is joining several other states by potentially legally adopting the organization’s Best Practices into law.
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“When we are doing our best to follow best practices, that is our best chance of making sure something like [Lexington] doesn’t happen,” Magruder Lyle said.
Missouri 811’s executive director is optimistic the legislation would tighten up accountability for companies and contractors.
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“We’d hope that the legality would bring a greater level of awareness and being cognizant,” Randy Norden said.
The legislation would add a 21-day time limit to dig after companies mark an area for underground lines. It would mandate any new underground lines installed include a detectable location device that can be detected above ground with an electronic device, with the exception of sewers installed greater than six feet underground, and give a voice to contractors by adding them to the Missouri 811 governing board.
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“[The bill] is just going to help prevent these line strikes and just enhance our protections that we have here in Missouri,” 8th District State Representative, Josh Hurlbert, said.
Hurlbert, is handling the bill on the house side.
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“I’m hopeful that we can get it across the line, it can get in place and that it’ll be beneficial to protecting Missouri households,” Representative Hurlbert said.
The consequences for companies that do not follow the ‘Best Practices’ would be the same as what’s already in place in Missouri. Companies would be fined up to $10,000 a day for each violation.
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It’s now going through the House committees before a final vote. Magruder Lyle emphasized the clock is ticking to get the bill into law.
“This is about as timely and current and needed as anything else, I would argue, that’s sitting in committee right now,” Magruder Lyle said.
Representative Hurlbert expressed his optimism with getting the bill through.
“We’re in a position where we’re just one vote away in the House from sending it to the Governor’s desk,” Representative Hurlbert said.
As for the families impacted by the explosion, a second lawsuit has been filed for damages.
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Jacob Cunningham filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the four companies involved in the incident.
Shayne and Alicia Billings also lived on Franklin Avenue at the time of the explosion. They claim in their lawsuit against the same four companies involved that Liberty Utilities, Alfra Communications, United Fiber and Sellenriek Construction were negligent leading up to the gas line damage and subsequent explosion.
Some mid-Missouri stores and restaurants will have adjusted hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. KOMU 8 News has compiled a list of what’s open on Christmas in 2025.
If you don’t see your establishment listed, please email news@komu.com with your operating hours.
Stores
Walgreens – East Broadway, Columbia
Christmas Eve: Store open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Store open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., pharmacy closed
Walmart
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Target – Columbia
Target – Jefferson City
Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Aldi
Christmas Eve: Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Dollar General
Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Dollar Tree
Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Gerbes
Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Hy-Vee
Christmas Eve: Store open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pharmacy open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Moser’s Food
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Sam’s Club
Christmas Eve: Store and pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Schnuck’s
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Restaurants and Coffee Shops
IHOP
Christmas Eve: Open 12 a.m. to 7p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed, opens next day at 5 a.m.
Waffle House
7Brew
Christmas Eve: Open 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Scooter’s
Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Starbucks – Broadway & Fairview in Columbia
Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Starbucks – Missouri Boulevard & U.S. 50 in Jefferson City
Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Starbucks – Nifong & Buttonwood in Columbia
Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Starbucks – West Truman & Country Club in Jefferson City
You can get in on Missouri sports betting with a BetMGM welcome offer for college basketball on Thursday.
BetMGM Bonus code NYPDM1500gets bettors a 20 percent first deposit match up to $1500 when in Missouri.
Mizzou is a 22.5-point favorite over Alabama State. The Tigers step back onto its home floor looking to reset after road losses to Notre Dame and Kansas. Alabama State has struggled mightily against high-major opponents.
BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500
The BetMGM Bonus Code NYPDM1500 can be used for any sport and market offered at BetMGM. That includes Missouri State vs. Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl.
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BetMGM’s Missouri promo code is considered one of the highest valued promotions in contrast to other Missouri bonus offers.
If bettors wanted to snag the maximum value of the offer, they would have to deposit $7,500. Otherwise, they get 20 percent of whatever they deposit, i.e., deposit $100, get $20.
New users must be physically present in Missouri when signing up at BetMGM to take advantage of this welcome offer.
How to sign up for BetMGM in Missouri
Select your bonus offer.
Choose your state.
Fill out your login details.
Enter the BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500
Make a deposit.
Bet responsibly.
What our Post expert thinks about Missouri vs. Alabama State
Alabama State has already dropped its two power-conference tests by an average of 32.5 points, and its defensive profile hasn’t suggested much resistance.
The Hornets bring two of the SWAC’s top scorers in Asjon Anderson and Micah Simpson, they are giving up 81.4 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45.3 percent from the floor.
Missouri’s rebounding edge should matter — the Tigers pull nearly 40 boards per game while Alabama State is giving up 37.4 a night and just surrendered 18 offensive rebounds to UT Martin.
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Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See BetMGM.com for Terms. 21+ only. MO Only. New Customer Offer (If applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. Please gamble responsibly.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Road construction on Springfield’s northside is affecting access to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society.
MoDOT is realigning the intersection of Norton and Melville Road as part of the I-44 overpass project. The bridge work and intersection project are both impacting the animal shelter.
The shelter sits on Norton Road just west of where the work is happening. Visitors can only reach the shelter by taking the long way up West Bypass to Westgate Avenue, then onto Norton Road.
MoDOT says the intersection at Norton and Melville is supposed to be closed for two weeks. The bridge project, as a whole, is supposed to be completed by the end of the year.
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