Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, announced that he is an original cosponsor of the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act of 2021. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (Tenn.), would enable Congress to approve – or block – any administration effort to suspend or terminate U.S. sanctions […]
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After outrage over unused vaccines at rural clinics, Parson vows more KC, STL events
(Missouri Independent) – Last week, multiple mass vaccination events in rural areas neared the end of the day with hundreds of doses still on hand — prompting health departments to take to social media and encourage anyone to come for fear doses would be wasted. “We have ample vaccine still available that needs to be […]
Registered Missouri sex offender sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole for child pornography
A registered sex offender in Raytown, Missouri, was sentenced in federal court for receiving child pornography over the internet. Joseph L. Smith, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Smith to spend the rest of his life on supervised release […]
Lawmakers reintroduce Kelsey Smith Act to assist law enforcement with locating kidnap victims
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Deb Fischer (Neb.) in introducing the Kelsey Smith Act. The bill, named for 18-year-old Kelsey Smith who was abducted and murdered in 2007, would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to lawfully and quickly access cell phone location information, or ping information when a person […]
Audio: What you need to know about saving for the future
Saving money for private school tuition or higher education can be a daunting task. During this “America Saves Week”, State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick says to start saving as soon as you can. He suggests opening a 529 Education Savings Account through his office – a tax-advantaged investment account for K-12 and higher education expenses. […]
Missouri State Auditor begins citizen requested audit of Marshall School District
State Auditor Nicole Galloway announced that her office has begun audits of two school districts in western Missouri. The Marshall School District and the Smithville R-II School District’s reviews were requested through petitions submitted by residents of those districts. “The petition audit process allows citizens to demonstrate that they want to be engaged in ensuring […]
Missouri cities, counties in line for millions from federal COVID relief bill
(Missouri Independent) – The plan for distributing money directly to Missouri counties in the current version of the $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief bill is pretty simple – each gets $195.44 per person. But for cities, instead of a formula based on population, Congress divvies up the money using the method for determining Community Development Block Grant allocations. […]
Audio: Missouri Senate puts off vote on giant K-12 education package
After about twelve hours of debate, the Missouri Senate refrained from voting overnight on a contentious K-12 public education package. There was some confusion towards the end that appeared to ultimately lead to the plan getting shelved – at least for now. Several changes were made over the course of the day and night. As […]
One of the nation’s largest chicken producers pleads guilty to price fixing and is sentenced to $107 million criminal fine
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a major broiler chicken producer based in Greeley, Colorado, has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to pay approximately $107 million in criminal fines for its participation in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products, the Department of Justice announced today. According to the plea agreement entered […]
Audio: Missouri Senate discusses contentious K-12 education package
The Missouri Senate spent about two hours today debating a controversial K-12 public education package today. The plan would expand charter schools statewide and let parents use tax credits to pay for things like private school tuition, tutoring, and school supplies. The comprehensive bill would also set up a process to allow school board members […]
Bill increasing penalties for protesters wins initial approval in Missouri Senate
(Missouri Independent) – Republican state Senators advanced sweeping legislation early Tuesday morning aimed at penalizing protestors who block streets, while also providing further protections for law enforcement under investigation for misconduct or excessive force. The bill also aims to prevent municipalities from decreasing the budgets for law enforcement agencies in Missouri by more than 12 percent over […]
Governor announces improved home heating bill assistance through LIHEAP
Governor Parson announced that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Energy Crisis Intervention Program will improve assistance offered to eligible low-income Missourians. “We are very pleased to announce this improvement to the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, especially given the extreme winter weather our state is currently facing,” Governor Parson said. “Since many Missourians remain […]
Missouri Department of Natural Resources sells out to foreign factory farms
(Missouri Independent) – I’m an independent Missouri farmer and livestock producer, and JBS, the largest meatpacker in the world and a Brazilian corporation, is attempting to put a 10,500 head hog operation next to my community and the Poosey Conservation Area in Livingston County. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is in the process of giving Missourian’s […]
Benefit for Bob Franklin to be held at Chumbley’s
A benefit will be held next month for a man with prostate cancer. The Benefit for Bob Franklin will be held at Chumbley’s in Trenton the Saturday evening, March 20th. There will be performances by Abbie Hullinger at 6:25, Point of No Return at 7 o’clock, Hired Gun at 8:30, Bridges Burnt at 10 o’clock, […]
Former “Shop with a Cop” president handed 4-year prison sentence
Angela McMunn pled guilty in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County to two class C felony counts of Receiving Stolen Property, one class D felony count of Receiving Stolen Property, and one class D felony count of Unlawful Merchandising Practices. “Stealing from law enforcement, including Officer Michael Flamion, who put his life on the line […]
Kirksville High School student wins Red Cross scholarship
Audrey Danielson of Kirksville helped save lives by recently hosting an American Red Cross blood drive and earned a $1,000 scholarship as a result of her lifesaving efforts. As part of the Red Cross Leaders Save Lives winter program, the Kirksville High School student hosted a blood drive at The Crossing on Dec. 30, which […]
Florida man lies to obtain $3.9 million in federal loans; spends money on Lamborghini
A Florida man pleaded guilty for fraudulently obtaining approximately $3.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and using those funds, in part, to purchase a $318,000 Lamborghini sports car for himself. Federal investigators linked the sports car to Hines after he was involved in a hit and run on July 11, the Miami Herald reported. […]
Bill introduced by Hawley and Scott to crack down on World Health Organization’s coronavirus lies and inaction
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced the World Health Organization (WHO) Accountability Act to hold the WHO responsible for its role in assisting China’s cover-up of the origins and early spread of the coronavirus. The WHO Accountability Act withholds U.S. taxpayer dollars from the WHO until the organization replaces its leadership, as of January 1, […]
VITA program offers free tax preparation services
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offering eligible Missourians free assistance with tax return preparation are open at University of Missouri Extension sites throughout the state through April 14. “During such an extraordinary time, people will certainly have questions about their taxes,” said Andrew Zumwalt, an associate extension professor of personal financial planning. Volunteers have […]
Missouri State Lawmaker indicted for stem cell fraud scheme, illegally distributing prescription drugs
An elected Missouri State Representative has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a fraud scheme in which she made false claims about a supposed stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in southern Missouri, and for illegally providing prescription drugs to clients of those clinics. Derges, a Republican, represents Christian County (District 140) […]