The owner of an Olathe, Kansas, clinic that treats opioid addiction has been indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking. Trevor J. Robinson, 44, of Olathe, Kansas, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Robinson was arrested today and remains in federal custody pending […]
Category: State News
Audio: Missouri House approves $324 million to help struggling renters and landlords
The Missouri House has unanimously approved today designating 324 million dollars in federal emergency aid for renters and landlords. The plan could help with some rent and utility costs. Under the bill, renters and landlords could apply for funds through the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The measure, House Bill 16, heads to the Senate for […]
Audio: Medicaid expansion, COVID and early childhood highlight Missouri State of the State Address
Missouri’s governor is pledging to move forward with Medicaid expansion because voters approved it in August. GOP Governor Mike Parson, who campaigned against Medicaid expansion, emphasized the issue during his State of the State Address. Medicaid is a federal and state program that assists with medical costs for residents with limited incomes. 53 […]
Video: Governor Parson delivers 2021 State of the State Address
Governor Mike Parson delivered the 2021 State of the State Address to the Missouri General Assembly. Governor Parson highlighted several accomplishments the state has made in combating COVID-19 as well as major successes in infrastructure and workforce development despite the challenges of the past year. Following a recap of 2020, Governor Parson’s speech focused […]
Audio: Parson proposes $34.1 billion state operating budget for FY2022
Governor Parson has released today a proposed 34.1 billion dollar state operating budget. The governor announced his fiscal outline today in his annual state of the state address. The plan includes a two-percent pay raise on January 1 for Missouri’s roughly 53,000 state workers. Another 2.9 million dollars would boost pay in the Missouri Department […]
Audio: Missouri Senator Roy Blunt says impeaching Trump would be unconstitutional
Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt asserts the effort to impeach former President Donald Trump is unconstitutional. Blunt was one of the 45 Republican senators who voted for a measure declaring the House effort to impeach Trump fell outside of its constitutional powers. Five Republicans joined the 50 Democrats in the US Senate to […]
Missouri woman sentenced to 17-years in prison without parole for meth conspiracy and Illegal Firearms
A Missouri, woman was sentenced in federal court for leading a conspiracy that distributed more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in a three-county area. Christina E. Gauger, 39, of Springfield, Missouri was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 17 years in federal prison without parole. Law enforcement officers seized a total of […]
Missouri Department of Higher Education releases report on response of postsecondary institutions during COVID-19
The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) released an addendum to its third COVID-19 After-Action Report, which was published in December 2020. Much like last December’s report, the addendum focuses on the initial institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As colleges and universities quickly transitioned to online courses, three major problems […]
Governor Parson announces launch of new COVID-19 vaccination dashboard
Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of a new COVID-19 vaccination dashboard containing Missouri-specific data submitted by providers from across the state. “We are excited to announce the launch of Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccination dashboard. This dashboard will provide Missourians with the most up-to-date, Missouri-specific data available,” said Governor Parson. “It is important that we provide this resource […]
Audio: Final two southeast Missouri jail escapees captured in Denver area
The U.S. Marshals say the final two jail escapees from southeast Missouri’s Iron County have been captured in Colorado. The U.S. Marshals say Dwight Abernathie was captured Sunday at a Denver-area Walmart after trying to shoplift from the store. Samuel Gillam was captured Monday at a Denver Salvation Army homeless shelter. It’s unclear […]
Audio: Congressman Graves talks about working with Biden Administration and Keystone XL Pipeline
President Biden has issued an executive order canceling the 1,200-mile Keystone XL Pipeline project. The nine billion dollar oil pipeline project was first proposed in 2008 and has been stuck in court battles through the years. It would have stretched from Canada to Texas. Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says Biden’s decision is an economic […]
Missouri man sentenced to 14-years without parole for meth trafficking following high-speed police chase
A Cuba, Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for methamphetamine trafficking following a high-speed police chase. Shannon L. Brim, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Monday, Jan. 25, to 14 years in federal prison without parole. On Sept. 20, 2020, Brim pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine […]
Missouri State Auditor begins citizen requested audit of Belton in Cass County
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today announced her office has begun an audit of the city of Belton, located in Cass County. Residents of the city requested the audit through the petition process. “The petition audit process allows citizens to be engaged and ensure accountability with their local government,” Auditor Galloway said. “I look forward […]
Audio: Missouri Senator proposes to let drivers use deadly force against some protesters
State Senator Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, wants to make it a Class E felony for any protester who interferes with or blocks a public road. Drivers would not be held liable for injuring the demonstrators who block traffic. A provision in the bill says the driver is still liable if they are found to be using […]
Hawley wants an ethics probe of U.S. Senate Democrats who filed complaint against him
(Missouri Independent) – Seven U.S. Senate Democrats urged the chamber’s ethics panel last week to investigate Sen. Josh Hawley’s role in the pro-Trump assault on the Capitol. Now Hawley is calling for an ethics probe of the Democrats. In a Monday letter, Hawley argued that the Democrats filed an improper complaint last week against him and Sen. […]
Audio: Four members of Gangster Disciples from Missouri arrested along with three from Kentucky and Illinois
Seven alleged members of the violent Gangster Disciples gang, including top national and state leaders, are in custody after multiple arrests this morning for their alleged participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders, drug trafficking, and other crimes. The case was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee considers law enforcement use of force package
The Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a law enforcement package. During a public hearing, Bill sponsor Brian Williams says the legislation would include restrictions for when officers could use force. Officers would not be allowed to use force against a person already restrained and chokeholds would be banned. Williams, a Democrat from […]
Former KC Fire Department captain sentenced to six years in prison for illegally selling firearms to felons
A former captain in the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department was sentenced in federal court for illegally selling dozens of firearms over a five-year period, and to selling firearms to convicted felons. James Samuels, 55, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to six years in federal prison without […]
Audio: Missouri House Budget Committee to take up Medicaid expansion sometime after state of state
The Missouri House Budget Committee will hold its first meeting of 2021 this week in Jefferson City. Brian Hauswirth reports Medicaid expansion discussion won’t happen until after the governor’s State of the State address. The Missouri House has added a technical session on Friday, which will allow the Budget Committee to meet that […]