Today, Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 2002 declaring a state of emergency in Missouri in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Governor Parson announced the emergency declaration in a press conference on Friday. The following individuals were also present at the press conference: Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) […]
Tag: bill
Spickard Board of Aldermen adopt 2020-2021 budget
The Spickard Board of Aldermen adopted the proposed 2020-2021 budget Wednesday night. The budget projects total income of $138,770 and total expenses of $125,756. That leaves a net ordinary income of $13,014. The budget includes general, sewer, and water funds. The board approved charging residents Arthur Jackson and Cody Hughes water bills to the average […]
USDA to open signup March 16 for Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands
Farmers and ranchers may apply to enroll grasslands in the Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signup beginning March 16. The signup runs through May 15. “Through this CRP Grasslands signup, farmers and ranchers can protect grasslands, rangelands, and pastures, while maintaining the land as working grazing lands,” said Kim Viers, Acting State Executive Director. “The program […]
Princeton Board of Education approves teaching contracts for 2020-21 school year
Personnel decisions were made at two meetings this week of the Princeton R-5 board of education. On Monday night, the board approved teaching contracts for the upcoming school year (2020-21). A resignation was accepted from 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade teacher Jillian Marsh. Athletic and activities extra duty contracts were approved. At an executive session meeting yesterday, […]
Audio: Missouri Representative proposes to clarify controversial bail rules
The state Supreme Court rolled out rules last year saying Missouri judges can only charge bail fees to help ensure that defendants will show up to court or if they pose a danger to others. West Plains State Representative David Evans, a former judge, is proposing to clarify in the rules that judges have the […]
Audio: Senator Josh Hawley outlines the $9.9 million in Coronavirus funding heading for Missouri
Missouri’s junior senator says the $9.9 million the state will be receiving shortly in coronavirus funding will go to the front lines. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) says the money will go to state and local health officials. “They’re really the ones both in our state and across the country, it’s local and state health officials who […]
Jamesport City Council approves water rate increase beginning in April
The Jamesport City Council approved an ordinance Monday evening regarding raising the city water rates beginning with the April billing. The increase would increase the minimum service fee by $1.00 to $24.00 and each additional gallon of water would go from one point one cent to one point one seven five cents. Street repair bids […]
Missourians going to vote will need to declare party affiliation for Tuesday’s presidential primary
Missouri’s local election officials are projecting about a 40 percent voter turnout for Tuesday’s presidential preference primary. Polls will open Tuesday morning at 6 and will close at 7 p.m. statewide. Under Missouri law, you can only choose one political party ballot at the primary: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Green or Constitution. Poll workers will ask […]
Drag queens and supporters rally against proposed drag queen story hour ban
State Representative Ben Baker, R-Neosho, wants to ban drag queen storytime at public libraries. About 300 people, including queens dressed in full drag and LGBT supporters, rallied Saturday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City against Baker’s bill. Missouri Capitol Police provided security and crowd control. The event included many holding signs like “Knowledge is […]
Video: Senator Roy Blunt announces emergency funding bill for coronavirus
Senator Roy Blunt says funding help is on the way for the national response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Blunt is chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies told fellow senators the coronavirus emergency funding bill is expected to be introduced shortly. He urged Congress to […]
GEC Community Foundation awards nearly $8,000 in grants
The Trustees of the GEC Community Foundation have awarded 15 grants totaling $7,962.50. All grants are funded by member donations called “Operation Round-Up” where members voluntarily round up their utility bills each month to fund grants to eligible entities. Education grants were awarded to North Harrison School District, Eagleville; South Harrison R-II School District, Bethany; […]
Audio: Missouri State Representative wants to put a cap on school superintendent salaries as part of a new bill
A state representative wants to put a cap on school superintendent salaries as part of his new bill. Representative Jered Taylor from southwest Missouri’s Republic has introduced legislation that would limit the pay of a school district’s superintendent to a maximum of three-and-a-half times an average teacher’s salary. The bill would also require superintendents to […]
Audio: Missouri Legislature asked to reduce paperwork required for federal safety net programs
A Missouri House committee has voted unanimously in favor of shrinking the amount of paperwork that Missourians must fill out to enroll or renew in federal safety net programs. The state’s paperwork to apply for things like food stamps, WIC, Medicaid or temporary assistance, can reach as many as 63 pages. Bill sponsor Mary Elizabeth […]
Audio: Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves focusing on flooding and levees
A congressman who represents north Missouri on Capitol Hill warns that northwest Missouri is still suffering from flooding and that there’s a lot of damage to infrastructure. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves traveled from his Atchison County farm to Jefferson City this week to file for re-election to his 11th term. Graves is the longest-serving Republican […]
Corn and wheat mixed on Friday, prices lower for the week
Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling, with relatively modest week to week losses thanks to a couple of days of gains. Commodities in general and the broader market continued to respond to concerns about coronavirus and its’ impact on demand and the global economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than […]
Missouri House passes bill that could allow private and religious schools to cut wages of hourly workers
In 2018, Missouri voters gave their blessing to incrementally raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. The state House has passed a bill that would exempt private and religious school workers from the state’s minimum wage law. The proposal would open the door for these schools to reduce the pay of hourly […]
Grundy County Commission approves bid for truck, signs Floodplain Management Ordinance
The Grundy County Commission approved a bid for a truck for the Road and Bridge Department and signed the Model Floodplain Management Ordinance Friday morning. The truck bid was from Admiral Truck Sales of Grain Valley for a 2011 Ford F-350, 4 by 4 utility truck for $18,500. It was the only bid received. Grundy […]
Candidate from Worth files for office of State Representative District 2
A candidate from Worth filed on Thursday for State Representative District 2 for the August Primary Election. Bridget Gibson filed as a Democrat at the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City. Filings Tuesday for Second District State Representative were incumbent J. Eggleston of Maysville as a Republican and Mindi Smith of Union Star as […]
Audio: Missouri House gives preliminary approval to proposed changes to medical marijuana industry
The Missouri House has given preliminary approval to proposed changes to the state’s medical marijuana industry. Missouri patients asking to use medical marijuana could be required to meet in-person with a doctor, not through the internet or telephone. Joplin Republican Lane Roberts attached the condition to his bill getting initial approval Thursday. He’s […]