(LISTEN): Missouri House Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley (R-Springfield) discusses storms and France on "Wake Up Missouri"

A series of thunderstorms with more than 80 mile per hour winds moved through Springfield and the Ozarks on Sunday. News director Don Louzader at Zimmer's KWTO in Springfield reports trees were blown down in Springfield, Lockwood and along Highway 160 in Dade County. City Utilities of Springfield reports more than 37,000 residents were without power. Springfield City Utilities says customers should report outages by calling (888) 863-9001. Missouri House Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley (R-Springfield) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that it looks like a mini-hurricane hit his district and the Ozarks. He says Battlefield had wind gusts of more than 100 miles per hour on Sunday, adding that numerous trees and limbs are down and that houses have significant damage. Leader Riley also discussed his recent trip to France as part of Governor Mike Kehoe's trade mission there. Governor Kehoe says Missouri exported $266-million in products to France in 2024, adding that more than 40 French companies are currently operating in Missouri. The nonprofit Hawthorn Foundation funded the trade mission. The governor and Leader Riley say they look forward to strengthening existing business relationships while encouraging opportunities for further growth. Paris-based Schneider Electric, which broke ground in May on a $73-million expansion at their plant on Columbia’s Route B, hosted Governor Kehoe, Leader Riley, State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) and others at their headquarters in Paris. Schneider’s expansion in Columbia will mean 241 new jobs that will pay more than $48,000 annually: