Latest news with #SenateBill160
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill approved to allow MSU to offer doctoral degrees
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Missouri State University (MSU) could soon be adding research-based doctorates to the list of degrees the university offers. The Missouri General Assembly recently approved two bills that allow the university to do so. President of MSU Richard B. Williams says back in 2005, when the college first changed the name to Missouri State University, part of the legislature included a compromise with the University of Missouri. The compromise meant MSU and other state institutions could not claim the land grant title, the flagship title, a research one title, or offer certain programs, including medicine, law, pharmacy, engineering, dental and more. SPS free summer lunches not impacted by federal cuts to school food programs In 2018, there were some changes to the law allowing MSU to offer clinical doctorates, and just recently, the university added a doctoral program in education. 'There still is the stipulation that it's against the state law. We would break the law if we had PhDs that are research PhDs,' said President Williams. 'So this allows us the opportunity to look at the workforce, look at what degrees are actually needed, and then we can offer a Ph.D. in those areas.' House Bill 419 and Senate Bill 160 changed the law to allow MSU to offer research-based doctorates and other professional programs, including a baccalaureate in vet tech. District 30 Senator Lincoln Hough and District 133 Representative Melanie Stinnett sponsored House Bill 616 and Senate Bill 11, which eventually turned into the bills that were recently approved by both the House and Senate. 'I believe that both Senator Hough and myself worked really hard to try and collaborate and try and find a way to get this across the finish line,' said Representative Stinnett. 'And so the initial bill that we filed looks a little bit different than what was passed. But I think that that's the outcome of everyone coming to the table and having conversations.' Springfield man admits to burglary and theft at U.S. Post Office Representative Stinnett says ultimately this bill can help encourage students to choose MSU and stay in the area, but can also benefit the community. 'It's kind of twofold, making sure that the student is able to take a look at what university they want to attend and make that choice for themselves,' Representative Stinnett said. 'But then also really that economic driver in that economic piece as well, meeting the needs of our community and our business community and allowing them the opportunity to get those degrees.' President Williams says it can also be beneficial for the students to complete their degree at the same university they started at without needing to move to a new city or even a new state. 'They have a mentor that's a faculty member. They have a line of research that they're working. There is an expert in that area with that faculty member,' President Williams said. 'They're comfortable. They've written grants together, they've written papers together. And so that's a very big benefit for these individuals because they're established.' The two bills will still need to be signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe, but both President Williams and Representative Stinnett say passing these bills is a big milestone in a years-long journey. 'Many people are excited. This is history. For us to be able to offer a Ph.D. is a very large win,' said President Williams. 'Not only for the university, not only for our faculty and staff, but for the community, for our economy, and for the state of Missouri.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
Georgia Senate to vote on new penalties, regulations for reckless stunt driving
In the past year, Channel 2 Action News has reported on the arrests of dozens of drivers at illegal races, burnouts and street racing events across the metro Atlanta area. This includes illegal street races, drivers doing donuts and disrupting traffic, putting pedestrians and other drivers in danger, laying drag and taking police and other officers on high-speed chases before being caught. Now, members of the Georgia Senate will vote on new measures to get street racing under control in Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] RELATED STORIES: Hundreds of cars join illegal street racing, burnout, drifting event in Carroll County 16-year-old arrested in illegal street racing along busy Atlanta road 'We lost our best friend:' Family remembers Troup County father killed in street racing accident Metro Atlanta police force says they'll 'pull out all the stops' to put an end to street racing Innocent bystanders injured by street racers want them to lose their driver's licenses for life Teen bonds out of jail after Gwinnett County police accused him of running street race operation Atlanta police join forces with other law enforcement for street racing crackdown 4 arrested for street racing in Gwinnett County, police say 1 tried to run over an officer Operation Burn Out: Nearly 50 arrests, 19 vehicles impounded after street racing takeover Senate Bill 160 would change penalties for drivers involved in reckless stunt driving and add new ways to keep them from dangerous activities. Should it pass, the bipartisan bill would require some drivers to have 'intelligent speed assistance devices' installed in their vehicles to cap their speeds. The provision specifies that the devices would have to be installed via court order, and would impact drivers upon a second conviction, or beyond, for violating state stunt driving statutes. For those who have these speed limiting devices installed, the legislation would require their miles per hour be set to 70 mph, and that the devices have to be installed in the car within 10 days of the order coming down from a judge. The speed setting devices would have to stay in the vehicle and be used for a minimum of three months, though exactly how long is up to the court. The drivers who have to have the speed limits set for them would be the ones who have to pay for the installation. The Georgia Department of Revenue would also have a record of the vehicle and its device status, only allowing the vehicle to drive when the device is installed. Driving without the installed device after a conviction that requires it would count as a misdemeanor charge. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
