(Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler photo courtesy U.S. House of Representatives website)

Audio: U.S. Representative Hartzler trying to change rules to “benefit Missouri’s cattle industry”

Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler says Missouri’s cattle industry needs more markets and competition. The Missouri Republican has teamed with a California Democrat to introduce a bill that the two lawmakers say will fix regulatory roadblocks that hurt livestock auctions and small meat packers. The “A-PLUS” Act would amend the Packers and Stockyards Act to allow […]

Transgender Students Graphic

Missouri lawmakers’ heated exchange on transgender athletes’ rules goes viral

A heated admonishment of one Missouri lawmaker to another has gone viral, getting millions of views on social media. An amendment to a bill in the Missouri House of Representatives is not unusual, but the emotional response to a so-called “anti-transgender law” is getting global attention. Republican Representative Chuck Basye, of central Missouri’s Rocheport, added […]

USDA US Department of Agriculture

USDA announces 2022 cotton loan rate differentials

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the 2022 crop loan rate differentials for upland and extra-long staple cotton which are applied to the crop loan rate to determine the per bale actual loan rate. The differentials, also referred to as loan rate premiums and discounts were calculated based on market valuations […]

Pleasant View R-6 School

Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education addresses concerns over mold at Tuesday meeting

Mold concerns were addressed at the Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education meeting on April 12th. Megan Devorss, Emily Cox, and Tiffany Haffner spoke during a public comments portion of the meeting about their concern there was mold in the third, fourth, and fifth-grade classrooms. They and Jennifer Roberts also voiced support for the reconsideration […]

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Audio: Missouri House advances voter photo ID bill with effort to restrict transgender athletes

Missouri’s elections could include a photo ID requirement to vote. The state House of Representatives has given preliminary approval to a bill that would require Missourians to show a photo ID at the polls. State Representative Chuck Basye successfully added language that would let voters within a school district decide if transgender athletes born as […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Senate committee approves bill that could overturn Missouri Medicaid expansion

(Missouri Independent) – A constitutional amendment asking Missourians to let lawmakers decide year-to-year whether the state will offer Medicaid to working-age adults moved closer to passage on Wednesday. By an 8-5 vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee sent the House-passed proposal to the full Senate for debate. Only Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, voted with Democrats to oppose the measure, which […]

Hospital Bed (Photo by Frederic Köberl on Unsplash)

Legislators weigh blocking COVID visitor restrictions at Missouri hospitals, nursing homes

(Missouri Independent) – State Rep. Ed Lewis had just hours to say goodbye. In March 2020, his 89-year-old mother had to go to the hospital after suffering from a fall. Lewis’ sister was their mother’s primary caregiver, but in the pandemic’s first days as hospitals restricted visitors, family members weren’t allowed to stay with her. Lewis […]

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Missouri State Treasurer, MOST 529, and Sallie Mae to hold free webinar about paying for education

As part of Financial Literacy Month, Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, MOST 529, and Sallie Mae are partnering to bring a free webinar to Missourians focused on paying for higher education. The free virtual event will take place on Tuesday, April 19 at 6 p.m. Those who wish to participate can register here. The webinar will feature […]

Trenton R-9 School District

Trenton R-9 Board of Education address full agenda at meeting on Tuesday

At the Trenton R-9 Board of Education meeting on April 12th, Superintendent Mike Stegman discussed the school district’s bomb threat on March 30th. He said a threat came into the Trenton Police Department regarding a suspicious package at the high school, and the police informed the school district. Trenton Middle School and High School were […]

Audio: Missouri could have a registry for convicted murderers on probation or parole

Missouri could have a registry for convicted murderers on probation or parole. The state House has given initial approval to a bill sponsored by State Representative Lane Roberts of southwest Missouri’s Joplin. Under his bill, they would be removed from the registry after completing parole or probation.     The Democrat from St. Louis, questions […]

Audio: Missouri bill would let convicted felons run for elected office

Convicted felons are not allowed to run for elected office in Missouri, but a state representative wants to change that. Republican Michael Davis, of Kansas City, is proposing to let convicted felons start running seven years after being released from prison and when their parole and probation time is complete. State Representative Kevin Windham of […]

Yard signs for GOP Senate candidates greet Republicans attending Boone County Lincoln Days Friday in Columbia (Rudi Keller - Missouri Independent)

No signs of support for Greitens in Missouri county where abuse charges will be heard

(Missouri Independent) –  A smattering of giggles greeted the name of former Gov. Eric Greitens Friday evening when emcee Branden Rathert called for the U.S. Senate candidates invited to speak at Boone County Republican Lincoln Days to come forward. Up to that point, there had been no trace of Greitens or his campaign at the […]

Missouri Supreme Court

Supreme Court refuses to hear Kim Gardner appeal in Eric Greitens records case

(Missouri Independent) – It will be up to a St. Louis judge to decide how long Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has to produce records sought by a journalist considered an ally of former Gov. Eric Greitens. The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a last-ditch appeal by Gardner of an order giving her […]

Budget Graphic

Record Missouri surplus likely to grow under $46.5B House budget plan

(Missouri Independent) – The biggest state budget in Missouri history could also leave the biggest surplus in state history when the next fiscal year ends. The Missouri House on Thursday sent 15 appropriation bills to the state Senate, one supplemental spending bill for the current fiscal year, and 14 spending $46.5 billion in the coming year. The […]