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 […]

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USDA to launch loan guarantee initiative to create more market opportunities, strengthen food supply chain

As part of the Administration’s efforts to address food systems challenges arising from the pandemic as well as those going back decades, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA plans for another $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding would leverage hundreds of millions more in […]

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Higher loan limit now available for USDA guaranteed farm loans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing a higher loan limit will be available for borrowers seeking a guaranteed farm loan starting Oct. 1, 2021, from $1.776 million to $1.825 million. “Farm loans are critical for our customers’ annual operating and family living expenses, emergency needs, and cash flow,” FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said. “Raising […]

GRM Networks

GRM Networks brings “Smart Rural Community” designation to northern Missouri and southern Iowa

GRM Networks has been certified a Smart Rural Community by the NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association. Smart Rural Community is a national program that promotes rural broadband and its role in supporting innovative economic development, access to education, state-of-the-art health care, and other important issues for rural America. To qualify as a Smart Rural […]

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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,” […]

Drug Enforcement Agency or DEA Website

DEA launches “One Pill Can Kill” campaign

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. DEA’s Public Safety Alert, the first in six years, seeks to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills that are mass-produced by criminal […]

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Black Silo Foundation presents check to participating charities

The Black Silo Foundation presented a check for $12,829 to participating charities on September 28, 2021. The donation came from the proceeds of the Mid-America Music Festival. This year’s festival supported Camp Rainbow, the Green Hills Animal Shelter, and the North Central Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center.  The Black Silo Foundation has donated more than $25,000 […]

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. […]

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley

Audio: Hawley challenges U.S. Defense Secretary about troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

America’s top military leaders are facing tough questions today from the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee about the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The committee hearing follows the Biden Administration’s plan to withdraw troops before thousands of U.S. civilians and Afghan allies were removed from the country and 13 U.S. service members were killed by […]

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Fire Prevention Week 2021 focuses on understanding smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds

Americans are bombarded by more rings, beeps, chirps, and electronic sounds than ever before. Next week, National Fire Prevention Week 2021 (Oct. 3-9) focuses on the importance of understanding what the sounds coming from smoke and carbon monoxide alarms mean and making sure everyone knows how to respond. The campaign is called “Learn the Sounds […]

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Audio: Missouri Supreme Court to hear case about referendum process, effort to overturn eight-week abortion ban

The Missouri Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for next week about the state’s referendum process and an effort to overturn an eight-week abortion ban. Last December, a Cole County Circuit Court ruled that Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft unconstitutionally delayed the American Civil Liberties Union’s collection of signatures attempting to overturn the 2019 regulations. […]

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 […]

Department of Justice announces Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grants awarded to Missouri in 2021

The Department of Justice announced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component of the department’s Office of Justice Programs, has awarded almost $187 million to support state, local, and tribal public safety and community justice activities. The awards, from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, are going to all 50 states, […]