State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released her eighth monthly report detailing the state government’s use of federal stimulus dollars intended for the COVID-19 response. In March, Auditor Galloway announced that her office would examine the state’s distribution and spending of funding received under the CARES Act and other federal assistance programs recently passed by Congress. […]
Tag: bill
Governor Parson proposes converting closed Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron into training facility
The Associated Press reports the closed Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron may be turned into a training academy. A proposal from Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s budget plan includes $671,714 to convert the idle prison in Cameron into an academy that would train correctional officers before they get assigned to one of the state’s 20 prisons. […]
Audio: The Missouri Senate could bring up controversial education package this week
The Missouri Senate could debate this week a wide-ranging education package. Senate Bill 55, sponsored by Republican Cindy O’Laughlin of northeast Missouri’s Shelbina, is a controversial measure that could change the landscape of K-12 public education. The plan could expand charter schools to any Missouri city with a population greater than 30,000 people. […]
Audio: Missouri GOP Senate President Pro Tem pushing gasoline tax increase
Missouri’s GOP Senate leader says it’s time to increase the state’s gasoline tax. Brian Hauswirth files this report. Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz (pronounced like shots) of Sullivan will testify before the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday. He’ll present his bill, which would increase Missouri’s gasoline tax by two cents per […]
Missouri Department of Conservation to offer free virtual program on “Feeding Winter Birds”
Bird-feeding is a popular hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and it’s a great way to learn about various species of birds that are found in this area. People can get tips on attracting birds to feeders in winter at the Missouri Department of Conservation virtual program “Attracting Winter Birds.” This […]
Audio: Missouri is now 11th in nation among those looking to open new business facilities
Missouri’s governor is touting the state’s numerous job expansions and attractions, saying they highlight the state’s increasingly competitive business climate: Governor Parson is also highlighting the expansions at Boeing in St. Charles and Ford in Claycomo. One of the biggest projects is in southwest Missouri’s Republic, where Amazon will open its first fulfillment […]
Man charged with $1.9 million COVID-relief fraud after seeking forgivable loans
A Nevada man was charged in an indictment Wednesday for his alleged participation in a scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions by filing bank loan applications that fraudulently sought more than $1.9 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. […]
Audio: Missouri House approves $324 million to help struggling renters and landlords
The Missouri House has unanimously approved today designating 324 million dollars in federal emergency aid for renters and landlords. The plan could help with some rent and utility costs. Under the bill, renters and landlords could apply for funds through the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The measure, House Bill 16, heads to the Senate for […]
Audio: Medicaid expansion, COVID and early childhood highlight Missouri State of the State Address
Missouri’s governor is pledging to move forward with Medicaid expansion because voters approved it in August. GOP Governor Mike Parson, who campaigned against Medicaid expansion, emphasized the issue during his State of the State Address. Medicaid is a federal and state program that assists with medical costs for residents with limited incomes. 53 […]
Audio: Parson proposes $34.1 billion state operating budget for FY2022
Governor Parson has released today a proposed 34.1 billion dollar state operating budget. The governor announced his fiscal outline today in his annual state of the state address. The plan includes a two-percent pay raise on January 1 for Missouri’s roughly 53,000 state workers. Another 2.9 million dollars would boost pay in the Missouri Department […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees tackle lengthy agenda including personnel and spring graduation
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approved several personnel items on Tuesday evening, January 26th. Former Board Clerk/Secretary Vicki Weaver was granted emeritus status. She was an employee of NCMC for 36 years. She retired at the end of December. President Doctor Lenny Klaver noted in a nomination letter that Weaver “guided NCMC […]
Audio: Congressman Graves talks about working with Biden Administration and Keystone XL Pipeline
President Biden has issued an executive order canceling the 1,200-mile Keystone XL Pipeline project. The nine billion dollar oil pipeline project was first proposed in 2008 and has been stuck in court battles through the years. It would have stretched from Canada to Texas. Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says Biden’s decision is an economic […]
Audio: Missouri Senator proposes to let drivers use deadly force against some protesters
State Senator Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, wants to make it a Class E felony for any protester who interferes with or blocks a public road. Drivers would not be held liable for injuring the demonstrators who block traffic. A provision in the bill says the driver is still liable if they are found to be using […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee considers law enforcement use of force package
The Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a law enforcement package. During a public hearing, Bill sponsor Brian Williams says the legislation would include restrictions for when officers could use force. Officers would not be allowed to use force against a person already restrained and chokeholds would be banned. Williams, a Democrat from […]
Chillicothe Fire Department responds to Bryan Street
Chillicothe firefighters briefly were at 1312 Bryan late Saturday afternoon to extinguish smoldering insulation and wood in a bathroom wall. Firefighters arrived on the scene to smoke billowing from the area, taking approximately three gallons of water to extinguish the fire after the wall was opened. A thermal imaging camera was used to ensure the […]
Man pleads guilty to obtaining over $700,000 in COVID-19 relief using fraud scheme
A Washington man pleaded guilty today to perpetrating a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s […]
Biden immigration overhaul would open a door to citizenship for 11 million people
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden is poised to send a sweeping immigration reform bill to Congress Thursday that would lay out a path for nearly 11 million undocumented people to obtain citizenship within eight years. Immigration has been one of the toughest issues for Congress to tackle, and the legislation’s fate is unclear in […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee approves massive school choice plan
The Missouri Senate Education Committee has sent to the full Senate a comprehensive school choice package. Senate Bill 55 would allow charter schools in any school district located within a charter county as well as in any Missouri city with a population greater than 30,000 people. It would let parents use tax credits […]
Seven file for seats on the Trenton R-9 Board of Education
The Trenton R-9 School District reports the names of seven individuals seeking a position on the Board of Education. The filing period ended at 5 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon at the central office. Candidates, in the order provided by the school district, are Emily Lasley, Melissa King, Bill Miller, Michael Voorhies, Joshua Shuler, Jeff Spencer, […]
Audio: Missouri Senate Committee hears testimony on Second Amendment Preservation Act
Legislation establishing a Second Amendment Preservation Act had support from rural Missourians during a Tuesday Senate committee hearing in Jefferson City. Battlefield GOP State Senator Eric Burlison, the bill sponsor, predicts President-Elect Joe Biden’s administration will push for gun control. Burlison’s bill declares that it’s the duty of the courts and law enforcement […]