Josh Hawley official Congressional photo

Senator Hawley calls for emergency Senate hearing on Biden administration’s handling of southern border crisis

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent letters to President Joe Biden and Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, calling for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to testify at a full Senate hearing, to be scheduled as soon as possible on the growing crisis at […]

Jobs Report or unemployment

Missouri unemployment rate drops to 4.3% in January, 2021, down from 4.4% in December, 2020

Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased in January 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a tenth of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 5,900 jobs over the month, but over-the-year job losses were back above 100,000 following benchmark adjustments to 2020 estimates. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent […]

Drug Cartels

Senator Hawley along with lawmakers from Arkansas, Tennessee and Nebraska introduce bill imposing sanctions on drug cartels

U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) introduced the Significant Transnational Criminal Organization Designation Act, legislation that would subject certain foreign criminal organizations like drug cartels to sanctions, including immigration, financial, and criminal penalties. The process would be similar to the system used for designating entities as […]

Serve Mercer County

Serve Mercer County scheduled for April 17, 2021

Serve Mercer County will take place this year on Saturday, April 17, with a rain date of Saturday, April 24, if needed. It is an opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors with civic groups, and school groups of all ages are encouraged to participate. Those interested in helping should register online by Friday, April 9. […]

Missouri Coronavirus

Twelve Months Later: Despite pandemic, Missouri moved forward

Since the first presumptive positive COVID-19 case was detected in Missouri one year ago, Governor Mike Parson and his administration have worked continuously to combat the virus, keep Missourians safe, and move Missouri’s economy forward.  “Since COVID-19 struck Missouri one year ago, we have worked nonstop to take a balanced approach, fight the virus, and […]

USDA Logo

State agriculture officials recommend enhancements to USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers to Families Food Box program and recommend adjustments to improve the program’s effectiveness.   “The Farmers to Families Food Box program has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic […]

Audio: State Representative from Carrollton proposes legislation that would eliminate Missouri’s Presidential Preference Primary

Legislation to eliminate Missouri’s presidential preference primary has been heard in a House committee in Jefferson City. The bill is sponsored by State Representative Peggy McGaugh of northwest Missouri’s Carrollton, who says it would save state taxpayers nine-million dollars.     Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft supports McGaugh’s proposal. Missouri has used the presidential preference […]

School Nurse or Generic Nursing

Audio: Missouri Nurses Association says “It’s more dangerous to be a nurse than a police or corrections officer”

Legislation aimed at protecting Missouri health care employees against a growing number of assaults is backed by the 110-thousand member Missouri Nurses Association. State director Heidi Lucas testifies incidents are happening all the time.     Lucas also testifies that her brother, who works in the health care field, has already suffered three concussions this […]

911

Grundy County 911 system scheduled for update

The Grundy County E911 call answering system is scheduled to be updated and upgraded on March 3rd at 10 a.m. Technicians will implement the next Generation E911 call answering equipment. Police Chief Rex Ross reports no downtime is expected; however if there are any interruptions, 911 calls will be answered by the backup system in […]