(Official portrait of President Joe Biden in the White House (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Biden pitches new $1.75 trillion spending blueprint to Democrats that drops paid family leave

(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden is meeting with congressional Democrats on Capitol Hill Thursday morning to pitch lawmakers on a new slimmed-down framework for what would be included in a massive social reform package, according to senior administration officials. The $1.75 trillion blueprint that Biden is presenting to Democrats includes a universal pre-K program for 3-and-4 […]

Christmas Assistance

Sullivan County Adopt-A-Child accepting applications from families needing Christmas assistance

Sullivan County Adopt-A-Child is accepting applications from Sullivan County families that have children up through 12th grade that need assistance for Christmas. Spokesperson Christine DeRyke says everything is kept confidential. A wish list and clothing size can be submitted for each child. The program is run through the Milan Interfaith Food Pantry, which is for […]

Grants News Graphic

USDA invests more than $1 million to support rural Missouri businesses

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced 19 organizations statewide are being awarded a total of $1,006,698 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. “USDA Rural Development has worked tirelessly to support rural Missouri businesses throughout the pandemic,” said Thomas. “The Rural Business Development Grants […]

Dr. David Russell appointed President of Columbia College

Dr. David Russell appointed President of Columbia College

The Columbia College Board of Trustees unanimously named Dr. David Russell the college’s 18th president on Friday afternoon. Russell has served as interim president since January 2021, and the promotion to president is effective October 1, 2021. Russell’s appointment will add three years to his current contract, which will now run through 2025.              “This […]

Drug Enforcement Agency or DEA Website

DEA launches “One Pill Can Kill” campaign

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. DEA’s Public Safety Alert, the first in six years, seeks to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills that are mass-produced by criminal […]

Moberly High School

Audio: Attorney General says Moberly is not complying with law in regard to parents recording certain meetings

A new Missouri law bans the state’s school districts from preventing parents or guardians from recording certain meetings. State Attorney General Eric Schmitt says the Moberly School District is violating state law by requiring parents to sign a consent form to record meetings used to determine accommodations for students with special needs. Superintendent, Dr. Dustin […]

Farm Safety Week 2021

University of Missouri Extension offers services to help farm families with mental health

Farmers tend to put their families and farm before themselves, but neither can operate unless farmers take care of themselves physically and mentally, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist. During National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 19-25, Funkenbusch reminds farm and ranch families that MU Extension free offers resources […]

Child Molestation

Bucklin man arrested on 11 counts of child molestation, 19 counts of sodomy and 12 counts of rape with child less than age 14

The Highway Patrol reports the arrest of a Bucklin man on a felony Linn County warrant for child molestation. Fifty-four-year-old Roger Cupp was arrested in Linn County on September 3rd. He was transported to the Linn County Sheriff’s Department. Online court information indicates Cupp faces 11 felony counts of child molestation, as well as 19 […]