A workforce development program in Missouri is set to expire in August, but the state Senate passed a bill to make it permanent. The bill is now in the state House. The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program provides full-tuition scholarships to adults 25 and older who want to get a short-term credential or a degree in an […]
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Senate winds up grueling Supreme Court hearings on Ketanji Brown Jackson nomination
(Missouri Independent) – Representatives of the American Bar Association reiterated their finding that Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is well qualified to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, and law enforcement groups rebutted GOP accusations Jackson is soft on child pornographers during the final day of Jackson’s confirmation hearings Thursday. Republicans, however, called in witnesses to […]
U.S. to accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, levy more sanctions on Russia
(Missouri Independent) – The White House announced a wave of new sanctions against Russia on Thursday while pledging to send more humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and welcome up to 100,000 refugees. The new economic restrictions on Russia and billions more in aid for Ukrainians were detailed as President Joe Biden huddled with the North Atlantic […]
Missouri House approves bill to legalize sports wagering
(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri House gave first-round approval Wednesday to a bill that would allow betting on major college and professional sports. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dan Houx, R-Warrensburg, is the proposal preferred by the casinos and major sports teams, who would all get a piece of the action. A major part of the […]
No MOre Trash! Seeks volunteers to help clean up Missouri roadways
As snow and ice fade to an unpleasant memory, attention turns to trash that has accumulated on roadsides during the winter months. The Missouri Department of Transportation would like to invite all who use Missouri roads to join us in doing some spring cleaning throughout April. MoDOT spends about $6 million annually to remove litter […]
Ketanji Brown Jackson defends her record under grilling from U.S. Senate Republicans
(Missouri Independent) – Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday sharpened their criticisms of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, probing her work as a public defender on behalf of terrorism suspects, the judicial sentences she has handed down for child pornography offenses, and her views of critical race theory. Jackson defended her […]
Missouri man pleads guilty to possession of illegal firearms
A Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing several firearms. Fredrick Lee Mixon, Jr., 47, of Columbia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. By pleading guilty, Mixon admitted that he was in possession of a Smith & […]
Gallatin Board of Education approves salary schedule and health insurance rates
The Gallatin R-5 Board of Education approved the salary schedule and health insurance renewal rates. The 2022-2023 salary schedule has a base of $33,000. Board Secretary Vicki Corwin reports the base was raised from $32,200. Health insurance is through the Missouri Educators Unified Health Plan. The board approved opening a savings account and certificate of […]
Audio: Missouri unemployment benefits could be on the chopping block
The Missouri Senate debated a bill Monday night that could cut unemployment benefits from 20 to 8 weeks if Missouri’s average jobless rate is at or below 3.5-percent. State Senator Mike Bernskoetter, a Republican from Jefferson City, says his bill aims to put more people back to work while so many jobs are open. State […]
Trenton man ordered to court on “failure to obey a judges order”
A Trenton man is scheduled next month for Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court on a warrant alleging he failed to obey a judges’ order. Thirty-eight-year-old Timothy Nguyen was to be picked up on Monday, March 21, 2022, from the Missouri Department of Corrections and returned to the Grundy County Detention Center. Bond is […]
Audio: Missouri lawmaker wants to reward non-violent ex-cons for getting full-time jobs
The House could debate a bill soon that would reward non-violent ex-cons for getting a full-time job. State Representative Derek Grier is sponsoring a bill that would give them 20 days off their sentence for every 30 days of verified, full-time employment. He says the bill could also help to fill some of […]
78-year-old Missouri man sentenced to 18 years in prison for producing child porn
A Missouri man has been sentenced in federal court for producing child pornography and for receiving and distributing child pornography over the internet. James Crowder, 78, of Marionville, Missouri was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 18 years and four months in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Crowder to […]
Missouri woman pleads guilty to methamphetamine conspiracy, faces 10 years in prison
A Missouri woman pleaded guilty in federal court to her role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine after she sold more than three kilograms of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer. Megan M. Massie, 32, Kansas City,, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine […]
Audio: Princeton Board of Education votes to remain in the Grand River Conference East, will play 11-man football
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education on March 14th voted six to one to remain in the Grand River Conference East and to continue to play 11-man football. Board Member Marcie Davis voted no. Superintendent Jerry Girdner says discussion about the potential change to the GRC West and to eight-man football came after Head Football […]
Biden urges city leaders to take advantage of billions in federal relief funds
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden on Monday urged local and city governments to continue to use the $130 billion in funds allocated to them from the American Rescue Plan to help during the pandemic. The president of the National League of Cities, Vince Williams of Union City, Georgia, introduced the president to attendees of […]
Judges release new boundaries for Missouri Senate districts
(Missouri Independent) – A panel of Missouri judges tasked with redrawing 34 state Senate districts released a tentative plan Monday, part of a once-in-a-decade process that reconfigures political boundaries following the U.S. Census. The new map, drawn by the Judicial Redistricting Commission after a citizen commission failed to reach consensus, will be formally submitted to […]
Federal correctional officer charged, former prison nurse pleads guilty in bribery and contraband smuggling schemes
A former nurse at Leavenworth Detention Center has pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle contraband into the prison, and a federal grand jury in the District of Kansas has returned an indictment charging a former correctional officer with a similar scheme. According to court documents, Jeane Arnette, 61, of Leavenworth, Kansas, previously worked at […]