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 […]
Tag: collect
State Auditor’s Office notifies local government entities that recent court ruling will impact allowable local tax rates
The State Auditor’s Office is notifying more than 2,800 local taxing authorities in Missouri that they no longer have the option to calculate local tax rates using a subsection of state law a recent court ruling found to be unconstitutional. The taxing authorities include local government entities such as counties, municipalities, and school and fire […]
Missouri Department of Conservation on Missouri’s wild turkey population
Interested in learning more about Missouri’s wild turkey population? Curious how fall harvest is affecting turkeys? The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wild Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl is myth-busting and shedding light on wild turkey population trends for hunters, landowners, and managers. WHY AM I SEEING FEWER TURKEYS ON THE LANDSCAPE? “The number of turkeys we […]
After winter cold snap drove up natural gas prices, utilities grapple with who should pay
(Missouri Independent) – Penalties that Spire Missouri issued to suppliers who failed to provide natural gas during a February cold snap that forced power outages across the Midwest could drive bills for hospitals, schools, and businesses to astronomical levels, according to a trio of complaints pending before state regulators. During the worst of the cold snap in February, […]
Lawmakers introduce Bill to improve housing services for survivors of human trafficking
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Dick Durbin (Ill.), as well as U.S. Representatives Joyce Beatty (Ohio) and Ann Wagner (Mo.), introduced legislation that would commission a study reviewing current homelessness and housing services for survivors of trafficking. “We can […]
New Missouri unclaimed property owner lists available online for the first time
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is launching an annual effort to return Unclaimed Property to Missourians. Beginning Tuesday, the names of more than 112,000 individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organizations with Unclaimed Property will be listed in over 100 publications across the state. This year, for the first time, Missourians can also search and view […]
Trenton City Council informed 17th Street Bridge to open by late June or July 4th weekend
Work is progressing on the 17th Street Bridge project in Trenton with City Administrator Ron Urton telling the council Monday night that if weather conditions allow, he anticipates the new bridge can be opened by late this month or by the July 4th weekend. In his report, Urton noted base rock and curbing have been placed […]
Report urges strong eviction moratoriums, robust rental aid
A new study of eviction filings in St. Louis during the pandemic found people within protected classes under the Fair Housing Act, communities of color, women-led households, and families with children are impacted at higher rates than others. The Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council’s report noted even though moratoriums have kept many people unable to […]
Grundy County on track to see $500,000 in the coffers for each category of sales tax if trend continues
With an influx of quarterly payments, Grundy County sales tax figures continue to be considerably ahead of the pace of one year ago. The report received today (Monday) shows the year-to-date sales tax collections of nearly $255,000 in each of three categories, general revenue, law enforcement, and the ambulance service. The figures are almost $21,000 […]
Audio: Missouri’s Governor to sign prescription drug monitoring program on Capitol lawn in Jefferson City
The governor will sign prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation into law Monday (today) in Jefferson City, making Missouri the 50th and final state to have the PDMP program. Governor Mike Parson (R) plans to sign bipartisan PDMP legislation from State Sen. Holly Rehder (R-Scott City) and State Rep. Travis Smith (R-Dora) Monday afternoon, on the Missouri Capitol lawn […]
Audio: Missouri Attorney General’s Office releases annual vehicle stops report for 2020
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has released the annual vehicle stops report, an aggregation of data covering all vehicle stops in the state of Missouri in 2020. The report shows the number of people pulled over and then arrested in Missouri dropped significantly in 2020 but racial inequalities continue. It says the pullover rate declining […]
Missouri State Auditor releases audit of Stone County Collector’s office
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway said today her office has completed an audit of the Stone County Collector’s office. The rating given by the audit was “excellent,” the highest possible. “This audit confirms the Stone County Collector’s Office was run in an efficient and cost-effective manner,” Auditor Galloway said. “This is great news for the taxpayers […]
Audio: Gas tax question up for comment on Missouri Secretary of State’s website
The governor is expected to sign off on the gas tax increase, but an advocacy group is moving forward in trying to put the question on a general election ballot. Lawmakers approved the state’s 17-cent-a-gallon gas tax to 29.5 cents over five years, including a refund if consumers collect receipts. The increase is […]
Lillian DesMarias Youth Library to begin summer reading program
The Livingston County Library’s Lillian DesMarias Youth Library will begin a summer reading program next month. “Tails and Tales” is the theme, and the program will include animal-themed stories and activities. Youth Department programs are open to children up to age 12. There will be special projects and programs for teens. The summer reading program […]
Attempts to ban teaching on ‘critical race theory’ multiply across the U.S.
(Missouri Independent) – From statehouses to Congress, Republicans have launched into a fight against the teaching of “critical race theory,” which just a year ago was a niche academic term. Experts in critical race theory say it’s about acknowledging how racial disparities are embedded in U.S history and society, and the concept is being mischaracterized […]
Missouri Governor says federal unemployment programs have given public incentive to stay out of the workforce
Saying that there’s a labor shortage across Missouri, Governor Mike Parson (R) has issued a directive to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to end all federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Missouri’s House Democratic Leader is blasting the decision. Governor Parson made the announcement during a Tuesday afternoon briefing at the Statehouse in Jefferson […]
Missouri State Treasurer joins coalition to oppose Biden Administration’s attacks on fossil fuel industry
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick announced he has joined a coalition of 15 State Treasurers to speak out against apparent attempts by the Biden Administration to pressure banks and other large financial institutions to divest from coal, oil, and natural gas companies. “While the pursuit of more renewable sources of energy is a noble cause, […]
Carroll County Memorial Hospital begins 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment
Over the next few months, Carroll County Memorial Hospital will be working with area providers to update the 2018 Carroll County Community Health Needs Assessment. Therefore, they are seeking input from the community regarding healthcare needs in order to complete the 2021 CHNA update. VVV Consultants LLC, an independent research firm, has been retained to conduct […]
USDA to begin loan payments to socially disadvantaged borrowers under American Rescue Plan Act
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency published the first notice of funding availability announcing loan payments for eligible borrowers with qualifying direct farm loans under the American Rescue Plan Act Section 1005. The official NOFA will be published in the Federal Register early next week and USDA expects payments to begin in early […]