Student Loan Application (Photo by Nick Youngson via Creative Commons)

Democrats’ vision for free community college would boost undocumented students

(Missouri Independent) – The massive economic policy package Democrats are trying to muscle through Congress could open the door to free community college for undocumented immigrants. But that lifeline for many people now denied access to higher education could also reignite controversies in Republican-leaning states over immigration and federal overreach. The provision on immigrants was […]

Abortion news graphic

Missouri Supreme Court mulls challenge to laws that blocked abortion bill vote

(Missouri Independent) – Making people who want to force a statewide vote on newly passed laws wait while the Secretary of State writes a ballot title undermines the constitutional right of referendum, attorneys for an abortion-rights group argued Wednesday to the Missouri Supreme Court. A ballot title was “not necessary for most of Missouri history,” […]

Coronavirus Update

Two health departments report on COVID-19 cases, two health departments to offer vaccine clinics

Nine COVID-19 cases were added in Linn County since September 21st. The health department on September 28 reported 1,862 total cases. The number of active cases had decreased by nine to 14. Three COVID-19-related hospitalizations were reported for Linn County. The Sullivan County Health Department September 28 confirmed three additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 1,186. […]

Coronavirus News Graphic

Sullivan County Health Department conducting a COVID-19 contact investigation at Milan United Methodist Church

As part of an ongoing COVID-19 contact investigation, the Sullivan County Health Department advises any individual who attended the Milan United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 26 to monitor for symptoms related to possible COVID exposure. The health department says the notice is only for people to be “informed” of the current situation. It emphasized […]

Nurse Filling Syringe with COVID-19 Vaccine at MU Health Care (Photo Courtesy of MU Health Care

Who will get a booster shot? A Question and Answer about what the feds are saying

(Missouri Independent) – Booster shots soon will begin rolling out to some Americans who received the two-shot vaccine made by Pfizer—after a contentious and confusing federal approval process that isn’t over yet. Determining who exactly should be rolling up their sleeves for an additional dose was tricky. The Biden administration had leapfrogged federal regulatory panels […]

Child Care

USDA and HHS launch resource guide to help rural communities increase access to child care services

United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson and Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development Katie Hamm today unveiled a joint resource guide (PDF, 3.5 MB) to help people in rural and Tribal communities increase access to child care services. “Access to quality, affordable […]