(Missouri Independent) – The top Democrat in the Missouri House officially launched her campaign for governor early Sunday morning, taking direct aim at her likely GOP rivals while touting efforts to restore abortion rights and block foreign ownership of farmland. State Rep. Crystal Quade, 37, is the first major Democratic candidate to enter the field […]
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday signed the tax cut he said a week earlier was responsible for his decision to veto most of the 201 spending items he cut from the state budget. The bill, exempting Social Security benefits and public pension payments from income tax, would reduce state general revenue by an estimated $309 million annually. It […]
Cleaner cars and lower emissions across Missouri and the nation are the goals of an event being led by environmental groups. They are calling attention to an Environmental Protection Agency proposal, recommending ambitious new standards to help reduce vehicle emissions starting with model year 2027. Advocates of tougher emissions rules took to America’s highways for a relay […]
Farm Family Day at the Missouri State Fair, in partnership with the Missouri Farm Bureau and other key industry organizations, continues its 63-year tradition of recognizing Missouri’s Farm Families and their significant contributions to the state’s economy and vitality. Nominated families from each county are chosen to represent their respective counties based on their farming […]
In a move that has garnered attention statewide, Governor Mike Parson of Missouri granted a total of 18 pardons during the month of June 2023. The pardons were issued in accordance with Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri, which grants the governor the authority to grant pardons. The official […]
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has recently released monthly reports that provide detailed information on the compliance of municipalities and other political subdivisions with financial reporting laws. The reports are part of the state’s ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in local government finances. The first report focuses on cities, towns, and villages, while […]
A federal grand jury has indicted six individuals from southern Missouri for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing firearms. The indictment was returned under seal on June 28, 2023, by a federal grand jury in Springfield and was unsealed on Wednesday, July 5, following the arrest and initial […]
The Missouri Department of Agriculture recently hosted the 2023 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest, and a captivating image featuring the state’s beloved animal has emerged as the Best in Show. The winning photograph, titled “Hitched,” was submitted by Tony Cook, a resident of Fayette, Mo., and was selected from a pool of submissions from […]
Though it’s been a drier start to summer than usual, seasonal growth along Missouri’s roadways still needs to be mowed. The Missouri Department of Transportation urges motorists to use caution when encountering tractor-mowers near the shoulders of interstates and other busy roadways. “Mowing roadsides increases visibility for motorists along Missouri roadways,” said MoDOT State Maintenance […]
(Missouri Independent) – The state shouldn’t be responsible for paying people released after their convictions have been overturned, Gov. Mike Parson wrote explaining his veto of a bill that expands who is eligible for compensation for being wrongly imprisoned. Under current law, only someone shown to be innocent by means of a DNA test is eligible for compensation […]
Governor Mike Parson signed 31 pieces of legislation into law and vetoed one legislative bill, Senate Bill (SB) 189, passed by the Missouri General Assembly. With this action, Governor Parson has signed or vetoed all legislation approved during the 2023 Legislative Session. “We took action to close out all remaining bills from the 2023 session, and […]
A woman pleaded guilty to federal charges Thursday and admitted fraudulently applying for a $167,999 Payroll Protection Program loan during the coronavirus pandemic for a Poplar Bluff, Missouri business that she did not run or own. Maxine Michelle Burns, 44, of Willow Springs in Howell County, Missouri, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cape […]
A former youth hockey coach was arrested Thursday on federal charges that include accusations that he produced child pornography involving two juveniles and possessed child pornography of multiple other currently unidentified juveniles. James R. Lambert, 41, of Lake St. Louis, was indicted on June 28 on two counts of production of child pornography, one count […]
A Grovespring, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for receiving and distributing child pornography. James Michael Justice, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Justice to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration. On Nov. 21, 2022, Justice pleaded […]
An Albuquerque, New Mexico, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for threatening to murder a federal judge. Ryan M. Summers, 44, was charged in an indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, June 27. That indictment was unsealed and made public today following his arrest and […]
A former bank vice president pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling at least $550,000 from the People’s Bank of Moniteau County. Angela Flippin, 51, of Jamestown, Mo., waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. to a federal information that charges her with one […]
Vroom Solar, a solar energy startup company, commenced construction today on its new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Springfield, investing $2.4 million and generating 35 job opportunities. “We’re thrilled that an innovative company like Vroom Solar is starting up and creating jobs right here in our state,” said Governor Mike Parson. “Missouri’s skilled workforce and […]
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s budget vetoes weren’t necessary to protect state finances and could lead to overrides when lawmakers meet in September, Republican legislative budget leaders said Wednesday. While overrides, both for budget items and other legislation, became common when Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon was in office, a governor has only been overridden […]
(Missouri Independent) – States that have tried to enroll more Black and Hispanic students in universities without using race-based admissions policies have seen the numbers of those students slip — especially at elite institutions. Nine states had affirmative action bans before last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking it down nationwide. Those states and others […]
(Missouri Independent) – For two years, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has pushed unsuccessfully to allow government agencies to withhold more information from the public and charge more for any records that are turned over. And according to a 2021 memo obtained by The Independent, one of the architects of Parson’s plan to weaken government transparency […]
