Suspected Chinese spy balloon flies over Missouri, prompting concern, calls to shoot it down
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A balloon that federal intelligence officials have identified as a potential Chinese surveillance tool was spotted flying over Missouri on Friday afternoon.
White House officials have called the balloon a "clear violation" of sovereignty and international law. The balloon, which was first spotted over Montana, was spotted flying over the Show-Me State throughout the afternoon. Its presence was first flagged by the Kansas City office of the National Weather Service.
We have had several reports across northwest MO of a large balloon visible on the horizon. It is now visible from our office in Pleasant Hill and the KC Metro. We have confirmed that it is not an NWS weather balloon. pic.twitter.com/CKQWOw7God
— NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) February 3, 2023
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Gov. Mike Parson wrote on social media that the state had not received any information about the balloon from the White House.
"We have heard no explanation or plan to remove it," Parson wrote. "Why has this been allowed to reach our heartland? Why has it not been eliminated?"
"SHOOT IT DOWN," U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley wrote on Twitter on Friday.
More:US tracking suspected Chinese spy balloon as it drifts across Montana to Midwest
A News-Leader reporter observed what appeared to be the balloon flying over mid-Missouri around 2 p.m.
Galen Bacharier covers Missouri politics & government for the News-Leader. Contact him at gbacharier@news-leader.com or on Twitter @galenbacharier.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Suspected Chinese spy balloon spotted flying over Missouri
