Considering that so many mid-Missouri viewers travel to and from St. Louis, we thought we would update the I-64 project. We first visited the construction about 10 months ago, before MoDOT entirely closed the highway. First of all, the contractor in charge, Gateway Construction says the project is on time, and on budget. Gateway says most of the work now involves knocking down old overpasses, and the bad weather hasn't affected that work. Gateway says the weather will become more of a factor in the spring and summer when the paving begins.

Secondly, MoDOT has hired a Nebraska company, at federal expense to gather public opinion whether this one-of a-kind project is working or not. Last April, most of the drivers we talked to had a wait and see attitude. As for the new survey, 90 percent of those interviewed say they have been well informed about the project. And two-thirds say they have found alternative routes that are acceptable. As soon as the first six mile section of interstate re-opens, another five mile stretch will close. In all, construction should last about four years, at a cost of $535 million.

Also an update on the B-2 stealth bomber that crashed this past weekend in Guam. The air force still doesn't know what caused the crash, but we do know this particular B-2 was named the Spirit of Kansas. The accident of course hits very close to home. Whiteman Air Force base in Missouri is the home of the stealth bomber, and this is the first ever B-2 to go down.The two pilots ejected safely.

Finally, the national weather service says Missourians are seeing more tornadoes, but no one knows why. Missouri normally has about 30 tornadoes per year. There were 42 last year, and 102, in 2006. This year, we've already had 42 tornadoes, and we're still in February.