Scott Fitzpatrick

Missouri schools must comply with COVID ruling to win treasurer approval of bond deals

(Missouri Independent) – If school districts want to take advantage of a lower interest rate on bonds, Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is requiring them to certify compliance with a recent court ruling targeting local health orders before his office will approve of the deal. Fitzpatrick detailed the decision he described as “unprecedented” in an interview Wednesday […]

Dairy Cows

USDA opens 2022 signup for Dairy Margin Coverage program, expands program for supplemental production

As part of the ongoing efforts to support dairy farmers and rural communities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operations by enrolling in supplemental production. This signup period – which runs from Dec. 13, 2021, to […]

Fake Meat Labeling News Graphic

Missouri Attorney General files letter with USDA opposing change in proposed fake meat labeling standards

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt earlier this month filed a comment letter during the comment period of a proposed USDA rule change that would affect the labeling of “fake meat” products. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has been successful in defending a Missouri state statute that prohibits the labeling of “fake meat” products as meat. […]

Plane or airplane fighting a wildfire

Climate funds in infrastructure bill aimed at drought, wildfires, floods

(Missouri Independent) – The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just about roads and bridges — it also spends billions to address wildfire, drought, flooding, and other effects from climate change, Interior Department officials said Wednesday. The $1.2 trillion measure, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after the House cleared it last week, includes pay […]

State Representative Rusty Black

Audio: Seventh District State Representative Rusty Black on legislation, vaccine mandates and schools

Seventh District State Representative Rusty Black is finishing his fifth year in the legislature. He says he has gotten into a niche with a group of people who work with him on legislation. He is on the Missouri State Employee Retirement System Board of Trustees. He reports there is a piece of legislation he has […]

Daylight Saving Time Generic

Audio: “Falling back” should remind Missourians of safety says Missouri State Fire Marshal

Three out of five home fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms. As we approach Daylight Saving Time this weekend, Missouri’s state fire marshal is reminding us to protect ourselves and our families.  State Fire Marshal Tim Bean is asking that you use the clock-changing occasion to make sure you have working smoke […]

Mosaic Lifecare Foundation Gift Shop in Albany Facility

Mosaic Life Care Foundation expands to Albany

Mosaic Life Care Foundation has expanded its regional presence through an affiliation with Mosaic Medical Center in Albany and their hospital foundation. Since 2014, Northwest Medical Center Foundation has had a long-standing commitment to the Albany region and hospital. That commitment continues under the new name of Mosaic Foundation – Albany. Katie Dias, DO, FAAFP, […]

Move Over for Emergency Vehicles

Saturday is “National Move Over Day” to remind drivers to protect emergency personnel working on the side of the road

Saturday, October 16, 2021, has been designated National Move Over Day to remind drivers to help protect emergency personnel working on the side of the road. In 2020, three people were killed and 51 injured in the 231 traffic crashes involving parked emergency vehicles displaying emergency lights. Preliminary statistics indicate there have been 168 traffic […]

Missouri Coronavirus

Missouri COVID cases for September top July despite waning Delta variant wave

(Missouri Independent) – The coronavirus Delta variant wave that hit Missouri in May and peaked in early August continued to abate in September, but the decline has been slow. There were 1,221 more COVID-19 cases reported statewide by the Department of Health and Senior Services in the 30-day month than the 60,847 cases reported in the 31 days of July, making […]

Spickard School

Spickard R-2 Board of Education addresses a number of issues at Monday meeting

The Spickard R-2 Board of Education on September 20, 2021, approved changing the custodian position from part-time to full-time. Paula Fagan was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board. Superintendent Erica Eakes reports the term will go until the election in April. Fagan was the only applicant for the position.  Eakes says the position was […]

Fall Color at Crowder State Park

Find the best places to see fall foliage with Missouri Department of Conservation’s fall color forecast

Missouri is blessed with a variety of trees, shrubs, and vines that make the fall season come alive with color. You can find the best places to view the changing foliage using the Missouri Department of Conservation’s fall color report at this link. “Our fall color report is updated weekly from MDC foresters all over […]

Class Reunion Black and Gold

Audio: A multitude of activities are on tap for the annual Trenton High School Alumni Reunion

Activities are planned for September 4th and 5th as part of the Trenton High School Alumni Reunion. The All-Alumni Open House and Registration will be in the THS Commons on September 4th from 9 o’clock to noon. THS Alumni Association and Foundation Trust for THS Spokesperson Kevin Bailey says the free event, hosted by the […]

Coronavisus Executive Order (COVID-19)

Governor Parson ends existing State of Emergency by terminating Executive Order 2002

Governor Mike Parson terminated Executive Order 2002 ending the State of Emergency that had been in effect since March 13, 2020.  “In the nearly 18 months we operated under this Executive Order, we have responded to the COVID-19 crisis by providing unprecedented levels of resources and support,” Governor Parson said. “This Order enabled us to respond to the […]

Gun Laws or Gun Control

Missouri Attorney General joins 20 state coalition fighting unlawful rewrite of federal gun laws

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined a 20-state coalition led by West Virginia and Arizona in arguing against the Biden administration’s proposed regulation of firearm parts. In addition to joining the coalition’s comment letter, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office filed a separate, but similar, comment letter. The coalition’s comment letter can be found at this […]

American Rescue Plan of 2021 graphic

Biden-Harris Administration announces $500 million in rural health care funds under the American Rescue Plan

The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture is making up to $500 million available in grants to help rural health care facilities, tribes, and communities expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care services, and nutrition assistance. President Biden’s comprehensive plan to recover the economy and deliver relief to the American people […]

Booking photo of David Nelson via St. Francois Sheriffs Department

Audio: St. Louis Man charged with 15 felonies, for allegedly installing cameras in camp bathrooms and shower rooms

A St. Louis Boy Scout chaperone will appear in court Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Farmington, after being charged with 15 felonies for allegedly installing cameras in the bathroom and shower rooms at Camp Gamble, at the S bar F Ranch, a southeast Missouri camp. David Lee Nelson, 39, was charged by St. Francois County […]

North Central Missouri College Website V2 (NCMC)

North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approve bids and personnel matters

The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approved bids and purchases as well as personnel matters July 27th. Athletic insurance was purchased through Dissinger Reed of Overland Park, Kansas for the 2021-2022 sports year at a cost of $31,467. That was for $26,980 for secondary accident insurance and $4,487 for catastrophic accident insurance with […]

Medicaid Expansion

Groups urge swift funding after court upholds Medicaid expansion

Health-care advocates called on Missouri lawmakers to allocate funds for Medicaid expansion right away after the state Supreme Court ruled they must extend coverage to the 275,000 people who fall into what’s known as the Medicaid gap. That means they have incomes above their state’s eligibility for Medicaid but cannot afford marketplace or employer-based insurance. […]

Wireco World Group Website

WireCo WorldGroup announces $15 million expansion in Sedalia

WireCo WorldGroup Inc. announced it is investing $15 million over the next five years to expand production capabilities in its Sedalia facility. The facility currently employs more than 160 individuals, and this expansion will result in the creation of 18 new jobs. “We’re excited to see WireCo finding success and opportunities for growth here in […]