Cole County Judge Jon Beetem (Screenshot courtesy KRCG-TV)

Judge orders state to immediately allow Missourians to enroll in expanded Medicaid

(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri Department of Social Services must allow newly eligible residents that qualify for benefits under voter-approved Medicaid expansion to enroll and cannot impose greater restrictions on them, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem sided with the plaintiffs who urged him to allow Medicaid expansion to take […]

Fraud News Graphic

Florida company pays $100,000 into Missouri Investor Protection Fund; returns money to Missouri investor

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s Securities Division issued a consent order against Florida-based WCO Holdings, LLC, and a top executive after allegedly defrauding investors in several states, including Missouri.  Between February 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019, WCO Holdings and managing member Alan K. Brooks sold $700,000 of unregistered, non-exempt promissory notes through unregistered Las […]

Asian Longhorn Tick

Asian Longhorned Tick confirmed in Missouri

The Missouri Department of Agriculture, working in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Missouri State University, has confirmed the first finding of an Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in Missouri. Missouri becomes the 16th state with a presence of the tick species, following the first confirmed report of the Asian […]

Guilty Plea news graphic

Missouri man pleads guilty to botched robbery at auto dealer; robbery attempt ended in firefight with owner and shooting of employee

A Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court to the botched robbery of a Grandview, Mo., auto dealership that ended when he shot an employee while fleeing after a shootout with the owner, who was also armed. Lyndale E. Watson, also known as “Red, “Blood,” and “Stoni Blud,” 36, Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. […]

U.S. Senate Building

Coalition of lawmakers introduce SHIELD Act to preserve Title 42 expulsions of illegal immigrants

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) joined U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in introducing the Securing the Homeland from International Entrants with Life-threatening Diseases (SHIELD) Act to codify the Trump administration’s public health order under Title 42 that required U.S. border officials to promptly remove illegal immigrants to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton […]

Labadie Energy Center on Missouri RIver in Franklin County Missouri

Endangered fish, leaching ash ponds: Environmental groups oppose Missouri coal plant permit

(Missouri Independent) – For years, Lisa Zerbe said she biked, rode horses, and ran near Ameren Missouri’s largest coal-fired power plant in Franklin County because she “naively believed” state environmental regulators were protecting citizens from pollution.  Now, she won’t.  “It is truly a disheartening feeling of betrayal from an agency in my younger years I […]

Police Badge and Lights

Senator Hawley introduces legislative agenda to hire 100,000 new police officers

Ahead of President Biden’s Wednesday address on the spiking crime throughout America, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) rolled out his own legislative agenda to hire 100,000 new police officers, boost police morale, and keep American families safe. As violent crime continues to plague the country, communities and law enforcement officers are under siege. Homicides are dramatically increasing across American cities, and violent […]

CAFO or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

Some of Missouri’s largest CAFOs are seeking less stringent state regulation

Eleven of Missouri’s largest concentrated animal feeding operations are working to reduce the state’s oversight of their hog facilities despite a record of manure spills and clean water violations.  Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, has 11 CAFOs seeking new state permits.  The facilities, dotted across northern Missouri, combined are capable of raising more […]

Economic Development

Department of Economic Development awards $15.8 million for community development projects statewide

The Department of Economic Development announced it will award more than $15.8 million to 38 recipients through its Community Development Block Grant Program to help communities with infrastructure improvement and other projects across Missouri. “Strengthening infrastructure and improving our workforce remains my administration’s top priorities,” said Governor Mike Parson. “Whether repairing roads, upgrading facilities, or […]

Show Me Select Heifer Replacement Sale

Buyers show confidence at Show-Me-Select heifer sales

Spring Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sales saw heavy interest and strong prices, says Erin Larimore, Show-Me-Select sales coordinator, and University of Missouri Extension specialist. Larimore says beef herd owners continue to seek out SMS heifers to buy guaranteed-pregnant heifers with proven genetics. “There was excellent demand, as shown by the strength of prices in the spring […]

Digital Photography Photo

Missouri Department of Conservation expands opportunities for photography and filming in conservation areas

The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation on a proposed change to the Wildlife Code of Missouri regulations that would require permits for commercial or for-profit photography and videography on MDC areas. Commercial use is defined as any activity that directly or indirectly results in financial gain, or where […]

2021 City of Chillicothe website 2021

Chillicothe City Council to meet on Tuesday, June 1

The Chillicothe City Council will hold a public hearing regarding a petition involving the vacating of a platted street and two alleys. The petition submitted by Hope Haven will be considered in the Chillicothe Municipal Utilities meeting room on June 1st at 6:30 in the evening. Other items on the agenda include an ordinance accepting […]