President Joe BIden (Official White House photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Biden to unveil $2 trillion plan to rebuild infrastructure, move to clean energy

(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden on Wednesday will unveil a nearly $2 trillion infrastructure package to rebuild highways and bridges, along with funding programs for housing, broadband, and schools and increasing U.S. manufacturing jobs over the next eight years, an administration official told reporters on Tuesday night. Alongside the expansive infrastructure plan, the president will […]

Fraud

Man pleads guilty to $244 million ghost-cattle scam

A Washington man pleaded guilty to defrauding Tyson Foods Inc. (Tyson) and another company (Company 1) out of more than $244 million by charging them under various agreements for the purported costs of purchasing and feeding hundreds of thousands of cattle that did not actually exist. According to court documents, Cody Allen Easterday, 49, of […]

Missouri and State Flags

Audio: House Committee on redistricting to hear testimony about CD 7, which includes Springfield, Joplin and Bolivar

A Missouri House committee on congressional redistricting will take public testimony today (Thursday) in Jefferson City from residents who live in southwest Missouri’s Seventh Congressional District.     Southwest Missouri’s 7th District is a GOP stronghold and includes Springfield, Joplin, Branson, Carthage, and Table Rock Lake. In-person and written testimony will be taken at today’s […]

Coronavirus Stimulus Payment Graphic

Audio:” Missouri bill would re-direct federal stimulus checks for prisoners who owe restitution

A northwest Missouri state senator wants to re-direct federal stimulus payments which might be heading to prisoners who owe money to victims. Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from, Parkville, sponsors the measure being considered during the legislative session in Jefferson City.     Luetkemeyer’s bill could head to the Senate floor at any time. Congress […]

Audio: Lawmaker proposes amendment prohibiting roadside checkpoints and roadblocks by law enforcement

You’ll be voting next November on a proposed constitutional amendment involving checkpoints and roadblocks if a veteran Missouri lawmaker has his way.     State Rep. Justin Hill (R-Lake St. Louis) will present his proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday at noon, before the Missouri House Downsizing State Government Committee in Jefferson City. The committee is chaired by […]

Auto Theft or Stolen Vehicle

Bethany man charged in Grundy County with auto theft

A Bethany man has been charged in Grundy County with felony stealing—motor vehicle/watercraft/aircraft. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports 51-year-old Keith Larson was picked up at the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail on March 30 and is to be held without bond. He is scheduled for the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court on April 13th. Court […]

Congressman Jason Smith (Photo Courtesy Wikipedia)

Audio: Southern Missouri Congressman Jason Smith considering Senate run; criticizes Biden on border wall suspension

A southern Missouri congressman who serves as the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee says he’s considering a run for the U-S Senate in 2022. Salem Congressman Jason Smith spoke to Missourinet Monday (last) evening in Jefferson City, outside the Statehouse:     Former Governor Eric Greitens and Attorney General Eric Schmitt, both Republicans, […]

Bomb Threat

Woman threatens to bomb prep school, kill officials and students because school published same-sex wedding announcements

The Justice Department announced today that Sonia Tabizada, 36, of San Jacinto, California, was sentenced to 15 months and 13 days for intentionally obstructing persons in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs by threatening to bomb Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C.  In May 2019, school officials announced that Visitation Prep, […]

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

Audio: Missouri Legislature to tackle state budget and prescription drug monitoring program This Week

The state operating budget and prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation will take center stage in the Missouri Legislature this week.     Governor Parson has proposed a 34-billion dollar state operating budget. Missouri House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith of Carthage tells Missourinet that he hopes to see the House give initial and final […]

Medicaid

Audio: Missouri House Budget Committee votes against funding for Medicaid expansion in next budget cycle

The Missouri House Budget Committee has voted against funding for Medicaid expansion in the next fiscal year.     The committee, made up of mostly Republicans, has voted down 1.6-billion dollars in funding for Medicaid expansion in the next state budget cycle. Last year, 53-percent of Missouri voters approved a ballot measure to expand government-funded […]