News Conference

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon spent Monday and Tuesday traveling across the state to promote his new plan for job creation.  Nixon stopped on Tuesday at a company here called Custom Powder Systems, where he held a news conference to talk about the plan.  "Our job is to create jobs in the future, to provide the training and resources and vision for where we're going to take this economy," said Nixon. Custom Powder makes processing equipment for the food and  pharmaceutical industries.  Chief Executive Officer Denise McIntosh said Custom Powder exports close to 30 percent of its products.  Producing and exporting are central parts of the Nixon's jobs plan.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Urban Districts Alliance postponed a news conference to announce details of its new Independence Day celebration in downtown Springfield.  The event on July 4 will include a fireworks show at Hammons Field while the Springfield Cardinals are on a road trip in Texas. The news conference was scheduled at Hammons Field at 10 a.m. Thursday but UDA postponed it  after the Board of Public Utilities scheduled a news conference at the same time to announce a new general manager for City Utilities of Springfield.  The announcement will be on Tuesday morning at the same time and place.

LEBANON, Mo. -- A manufacturer here will announce the creation of 200 new jobs on Friday.  Community and state leaders will be at Detroit Tool Metal Products for a news conference at 10 a.m. Detroit Tool manufactures metal products and fabricated components for companies in several industries, including Thomas Bus, AM General, DRS Technologies, American Ordnance, American Railcar, and NACCO. This is the second time in two years that it's expanded its plant here.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas' eight-month long coaching search ends with a hire described by many as unexpected, but also the right choice. The school late Tuesday named Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema as the new head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.  He replaces John L. Smith, who led the Hogs during only the 2012 season. "I am very humbled and honored to become the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks,” said Bielema. "During my conversation with Jeff (Long) he described the characteristics for the perfect fit to lead this program.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The city will find out Wednesday how much federal money it will receive to help clean up environmental hazards in the West Meadows area of Jordan Valley Park.  That’s a former rail yard between Grant and Fort avenues and between College and Phelps streets. Springfield applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for three grants totaling more than half a million dollars.  EPA’s regional administrator will be here on Wednesday for a news conference to announce how much money the city will receive under the Brownfields program, which pays for cleaning up hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants in former industrial areas.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Nyla Milleson is out as head coach of the Missouri State University Lady Bears.  One year after winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season women's basketball championship in 2011-12, the Lady Bears fell to 14-17 in 2012-13 and university officials bowed to the wishes of disgruntled fans. Athletic Director Kyle Moats announced the firing at a news conference on Monday afternoon.   Milleson was head coach of the Lady Bears for six seasons and had an overall record of 105-87.  She moved to MSU from Drury University, where she spent seven successful years as the first coach of the Lady Panthers.  In 2004, Drury finished second in the nation under Milleson.  It was one of five NCAA Division II Tournament appearances for Drury under Milleson.

GALENA, Mo. -- The Stone County prosecuting attorney charged two women with first-degree murder on Tuesday for the death of a man from Christian County who disappeared in late February.   Teri Dean and Cheryl Crawford were previously charged with tampering with evidence by cleaning up the blood of Carl Anderson of Highlandville at a home in eastern Stone County.   Eugene Crider, who was also charged with tampering with evidence, is not yet charged...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A foundation associated with Lowe's home improvement stores is going to help a school in northeast Springfield.  Lowe’s employees and Robberson Elementary School will announce a $100,000 grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation at a news conference on Monday morning.   The Springfield School District says the funds will pay to move the school office to address safety concerns, move the computer lab and expand a classroom.  Robberson is at 1100 E. Kearney St, across the street from Highland Dairy.

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Rich Serino plan to visit Joplin on Thursday.   They'll meet with students, teachers and faculty as well as local officials and receive an update on how the community is continuing to recover from the tornado last May 22.  During their visit, Napolitano, Duncan and Serino will tour affected sites including the high school, host roundtable discussions with state, local and community officials, including Joplin School District Superintendent C.J. Huff and Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr, and participate in a news conference with reporters.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- He's officially the next head football coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Bret Bielema and the university agreed Wednesday on a new six-year deal worth $3-point-2 million dollars.  The deal also includes incentives up to $700,000 per year.  Bielema's buyout clause is worth $3 million after the first season, declining by $500,000 per year throughout the life of the contract. Bielema coached the Wisconsin Badgers for seven seasons, leading the school to three straight bowl games.