On Saturday evening, Greene County Presiding Commissioner Dave Coonrod confirmed to KSPR that not only did he apply for the DNR job, he was encouraged to do so by the transition team of Governor-Elect Jay Nixon.

KSPR first brought you the story on New Year's Eve, when we reported that Dave Coonrod was on the short list of those being considered.

The next day, News-Leader legislative reporter Chad Livengood posted a blog, headlined: "Coonrod: KSPR Report about DNR Post not true". The post said the KSPR report was "pure rumor" and that Coonrod said he hadn't "even been approached by Democratic Gov.-elect Jay Nixon's transition team regarding any position in the administration."

When KSPR talked to Coonrod Saturday evening, he said the News-Leader reporter was incorrect in his blog post. Coonrod said Livengood only asked if he had been contacted by the Governor-elect himself, not by his transition team.

Nonetheless, Coonrod says he's hopeful and is ready to serve. However, no decisions have been made.