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New plows, more staff: Missouri plans for snow after last winter’s boondoggle

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2 months ago

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New plows, more staff: Missouri plans for snow after last winter’s boondoggle


After uncleared streets plagued the region during severe winter storms last year, Missouri Department of Transportation officials have started preparing for this year’s winter weather.

MoDOT hosted a training session Thursday for workers aimed at emulating a winter storm to prepare workers, snow plow drivers and mechanics for potential severe winter weather.

The training follows an unusually harsh winter where January storms broke precipitation records. Streets across the region were covered with ice and snow, as much as 10 inches in some regions. MoDOT officials said earlier this year that there was a shortage of workers to handle plows.

MoDOT officials said the January storm led the department to make adjustments last year, including:

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  • Increasing the amount of money to $64 million to keep roads clear
  • Increasing the amount r of salt used to 140,000 tons
  • Increasing the number of hours worked to 529,000

MoDOT has about 3,000 workers statewide but is trying to hire more workers, including emergency equipment officers, mechanics and maintenance workers. MoDOT’s St. Louis district engineer Tom Blair said there’s a large number of workers with fewer than three years of experience,:

  • About 16% of MoDOT snowplow operators have less than one year of experience statewide
  • About 40% of MoDOT snow plowing workers have less than three years of experience statewide
  • More than 50% of MoDOT employees in the St. Louis area have less than three years of experience

“That’s why these [trainings] last two days, and all the work we’re doing right now before snow flies really matters,” Blair said. “We have to work really hard to position our employees to be skilled enough to operate.”

Blair said MoDot has new equipment, including a snow blower, one of five that are moved across the state before storms.

“That would have really helped the team more quickly clear those large amounts of snow and ice that we had pushed to the side of roads and, in many cases, were blocking acceleration lanes, deceleration lanes and even ramp lanes,” Blair said.

Blair said despite challenges and staffing concerns, the department is planned for typical storms where workers can be dispatched around the state. He said the department is more concerned about a winter storm that hits the entire state.

“That’s probably what keeps us up at night,” Blair said.

Representatives for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Illinois Department of Transportation and National Weather Service were also present. St. Louisans can expect above normal precipitation this year, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Kevin Deitsch said.

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“December will likely be warmer than normal, likely more rainier than normal,” Deitsch said. “We do expect more of a back-loaded winter for the season, kind of like we saw last year, more storms in January and in February.”

State highway patrol will assist MoDOT during winter storms. Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Andy Gadberry urged drivers to take safety precautions like planning ahead and staying at home if possible. If people do have to drive, take necessary steps including:

  • Have a fully charged phone and a charger in the car
  • Have an emergency kit
  • Keep a blanket, extra clothes, snacks and water
  • Make sure tires are filled
  • Slow down and don’t tail emergency personnel
  • Keep headlights on and be aware of your surroundings

“The big thing in these storms is stay in your car,” Gadberry said. “Don’t get out unless you absolutely have to. The safest place you can be is inside that car.”

IDOT leaders said they’re also facing staffing shortages but are still working to hire permanent employees.

“Despite any shortages in our permanent employees staffing levels, we will definitely have plenty of employees,” Illinois Department of Public Safety Operations Field Engineer Dave Castens said. “All our routes will be covered, we’ll have adequate staff, supplemented with our temporary staff. No issues, no concerns.”

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Missouri

What’s open on Christmas in mid-Missouri?

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56 minutes ago

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December 12, 2025

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What’s open on Christmas in mid-Missouri?


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

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

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Starbucks – Ninth Street in Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed



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BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500: Get a 20% first deposit match up to $1,500 for Missouri vs. Alabama State

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1 day ago

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December 11, 2025

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BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500: Get a 20% first deposit match up to ,500 for Missouri vs. Alabama State


You can get in on Missouri sports betting with a BetMGM welcome offer for college basketball on Thursday.

BetMGM Bonus code NYPDM1500 gets 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

  1. Select your bonus offer.
  2. Choose your state.
  3. Fill out your login details.
  4. Enter the BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500
  5. Make a deposit.
  6. 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.



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Road construction impacts access to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society in Springfield

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2 days ago

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December 11, 2025

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Road construction impacts access to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society in Springfield


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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To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.

Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.



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