(Missouri Independent) – After vehemently defending having the state pick up the tab for Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s trip to the U.S.-Mexico border last week, Schmitt’s office clarified over the weekend that the state only covered travel costs for a staff member. Chris Nuelle, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, said Schmitt’s U.S. […]
Category: State News
Audio: Hawley pushing back against Biden’s vaccine mandates because of how religious exemptions are handled
Senator Josh Hawley is pushing against President Biden’s vaccine mandates – because of how they handle religious exemptions. The guidance also allows agencies to determine if “the nature of the employee’s job may be such that no safety protocol other than vaccination is adequate.” Hawley says there must be more of a process, even a […]
Audio: Missouri State Treasurer pushes back on Biden’s plan to track bank transactions of $10k or more
State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is pushing back on the Biden Administration’s proposal to track bank transactions being made to avoid taxes. It calls for banks, credit unions, and some state treasurers to report bank transactions and accounts of $10,000 or more. Fitzpatrick, a Republican running for State Auditor, says giving the IRS more personal information […]
Missouri Attorney General Joins fight against Jefferson County Health Department and student quarantine rules
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed an amicus brief in Shannon Otto v. Jefferson County Health Department, fighting student quarantine rules put in place by the Jefferson County Department of Health. The brief argues that the quarantine rules fall under the new state law limiting health authorities’ power to enact mandates and that the rules […]
Missouri State Auditor releases closeout report for Coronado Drive Transportation Development District in Blue Springs
State Auditor Nicole Galloway today issued the closeout audit of the Coronado Drive Transportation Development District (TDD), located in Blue Springs. State law requires an audit of a TDD prior to moving forward with dissolution. The Coronado Drive TDD was established in 2009 by a vote of qualified voters in the district. The TDD was […]
Missouri man pleads guilty to illegal firearm following shooting
A Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm following a shooting on the street of a residential neighborhood. Terrquan J. Beasley, 22, Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Officers were dispatched to Research Medical Center, 2316 […]
MoJobs Connect Mobile App launched to help job seekers on the go
The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development has launched a mobile app to better connect job seekers with hiring employers. The new MoJobs Connect mobile app will help provide Job Center services to customers right from their cell phones. The new, free application will give job seekers in Missouri the ability to search […]
Missouri man sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole for child pornography
A Missouri man who downloaded thousands of images and videos of child pornography was sentenced in federal court. Nicholas Goins, 36, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Goins to spend the rest of his life on supervised release […]
Child safety tips for a safe and happy Halloween
Halloween isn’t just for children. Many adults enjoy dressing up and visiting haunted houses or attending gatherings of friends. If you are driving to a costume party, the Highway Patrol says to make sure your costume doesn’t hamper your vision. If you attend a Halloween party that includes alcohol, designate a sober driver for the […]
Audio: Missourians must now dial all ten digits to make a phone call
It started on Sunday, October 24, 2021. Missourians must now dial all ten digits most of the time to make a local call unless they live in the 573 area code. The Federal Communications Commission says the change will affect the area codes of 314, 417, 660, and 816 in Missouri. It will […]
Audio: Blunt responds to Trump saying insurrection took place on Election Day, January 6 was the protest
Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt has responded to a comment made by former President Trump about the 2020 election and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump said the insurrection took place on Election Day and January 6 was the protest. During Sunday’s appearance on Meet the Press, Blunt was asked […]
USDA to make up to $1.15 billion available to help people living in rural communities access high-speed internet
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care, and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country […]
Moderna and J&J COVID-19 booster shots now being administered to eligible Missourians
Following federal guidance issued from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has amended the state’s standing orders for Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine administration for those who are eligible for a booster shot. For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the […]
Governor Parson announces $750,000 Emergency Energy Loan to Hannibal
Governor Mike Parson announced a $750,000 interest-free loan to the city of Hannibal to ease the impact of excessive wholesale electricity and natural gas costs associated with the February 2021 extreme weather event. The loan was made possible through the Municipal Utility Emergency Loan Program. “The Municipal Utility Emergency Loan Program provides municipal utilities and […]
Cybersecurity expert demands apology from Missouri governor over hacking claims
(Missouri Independent) – A cybersecurity expert targeted for investigation by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is demanding a public apology and payment for his costs for legal help and damage to his reputation. Shaji Khan, an associate professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the director of its Cybersecurity Institute made the demand in a letter sent […]
Governor Parson doubles down on push to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson escalated his war with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday when his political operation published a video doubling down on his attack against a reporter who informed the state that a state website revealed teacher Social Security numbers. The video is produced by Uniting Missouri, a political action committee created by […]
Audio: Natural gas rates will soon go up for Ameren Missouri customers
Natural gas rates will go up soon for Ameren Missouri customers as the Missouri Public Service Commission has approved the utility company’s request that will increase the natural gas rate for residential customers. Due to a cold-weather event last February significantly impacting certain natural gas prices, Ameren asked for the change. Ameren tells […]
Audio: Missouri is offering free help with Medicare open enrollment
Medicare open enrollment is open through December 7. Part D drug coverage and Medicare Advantage plans can be changed during this time. Scott Miniea, the executive director of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, says it offers free help to eligible residents and their caregivers. Questions can be asked and one-on-one counseling can […]
Increasing access to counseling services for military families is goal of new bill by lawmakers
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) introduced the bipartisan COMFORT Act to solve the current shortage of Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) and increase access to counseling services on military installations. The senators’ bill allows for license portability for MFLCs, so counselors can work outside of the state in which they are licensed. “Families […]
Three million Missourians complete COVID-19 vaccination as MO VIP drawings conclude
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced that more than three million Missourians have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series. Missouri reaches this milestone upon the successful conclusion of the COVID-19 vaccine incentive program, MO VIP, that Governor Mike Parson announced on July 21, 2021. In total, more than 66,500 adults and minors were vaccinated and […]