Mentally disabled woman and nurse or caretaker wearing a surgica

Missouri launches apprenticeships for direct-support professionals

Missouri is launching an apprenticeship program to expand talent pipelines for Direct Support Professionals, who work with people with developmental disabilities. The Show-Me State, like many others, is facing a serious direct-care workforce shortage. To answer the need, the program Missouri Talent Pathways was recently approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. Duane Shumate, the state coordinator […]

Leonardo DRS website

Leonardo DRS expands in West Plains creating more than 100 jobs

Leonardo DRS, a leading provider of defense products and technologies, has announced the start of the expansion of its manufacturing campus in West Plains. The company’s expansion is expected to create more than 100 jobs and was enabled in part by a cooperative effort to construct a new overpass that addresses concerns affecting logistics and […]

Murder News Graphic V3

Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney obtains conviction in Mexico, Missouri murder case

Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that late last night, a Randolph County jury convicted Sadiq J. Moore, 25, of Second-Degree Murder, First Degree Burglary, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and three counts of Armed Criminal Action after a three-day jury trial. The jury convicted Moore of assisting two others with carrying out a home invasion […]

Newtown-Harris School Website

Newtown-Harris Board of Education approves meal prices for next school year

The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education on April 13th approved meal prices for next school year. Breakfast will cost $1.80 daily for kindergarten through sixth grade, $1.90 for seventh through 12th grade, $2.45 for an adult, and 30 cents for reduced. Lunch will cost $2.55 daily for kindergarten through sixth grade, $2.70 for seventh through […]

Grundy County R-5 School District website

Grundy R-5 Board of Education approve base salary of $32,800, approve insurance plan from Missouri Educators Trust

The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education on April 12th approved steps for experience and a five percent increase to the base salary for next school year. The new base will be $32,800. A revised extra duty pay schedule was also approved based upon a percentage of the base salary. The board approved an insurance […]

North Mercer School District Website V1

North Mercer Board of Education reorganizes after election, offers contracts to staff

The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education offered contracts for a principal, a Communication Arts teacher, and non-certified staff members April 11th. Wade Hall was offered the contract for the district’s preschool through 12th grade principal. He is currently the Jamesport High School/Middle School principal. Cassie Moore was offered the contract for seventh through 12th […]

North Mercer School District Website V1

North Mercer Board of Education to address personnel, pay schedule and awards at meeting on April 11

The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education will consider approval of resignations next week. The board will meet on April 11, 2022, at 6 pm. Other items on the agenda include a plaque presentation, certification of election results, the oath of office, and an election of officers. There is also to be a discussion of […]

Jamesport Tri-County School

Jamesport Tri-County Board of Education approves summer school program, updates extra duty positions

The Jamesport Tri-County R-7 Board of Education approved a summer school program and an updated list of extra duty positions on April 7th. Summer school will be held July 11th through 22nd. The program will be funded with Learning Loss money from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief 3 funds. The list of extra-duty positions […]

Crystal Bupp New City Administrator Milan 2022 final

Crystal Bupp named as new City Administrator in Milan

The Milan City Council voted on Monday, April 4, 2022, to authorize an employment agreement with Crystal Bupp as the city’s next city administrator, effective April 6, 2022. “The City of Milan welcomes Crystal as our next city administrator,” said Mayor Andy Herington. “Crystal’s institutional knowledge of our community, experience, and diverse skill set will […]

Coronavirus or COVID-19 Testing news graphic

Missouri Supreme Court declines to immediately hear appeal of COVID ruling

(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a request by five counties and health departments to quickly hear arguments and review a case that they say “upended the longstanding public health framework” in Missouri. The decision means an appeal of a Cole County judge’s November ruling will have to first go through […]

Bird Flu News Graphic (Photo credit Danganhfoto on Pixabay)

University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine tracking the spread of bird flu, one test at a time

Throughout the country, an extremely infectious disease called highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been circulating rapidly among flocks of chicken and turkeys. While the disease poses little risk to humans, it presents a serious threat to infected birds as well as the nation’s poultry industry, which is already facing supply chain disruptions. At the […]

Mendy Loja 2021 WMH Employee of the year

Mendy Loja named Wright Memorial Hospital 2021 Employee of the Year

Wright Memorial Hospital recently announced its 2021 Employee of the Year. Mendy Loja, a medical laboratory scientist coordinator at Wright Memorial Hospital, was presented with the award at a ceremony held in her honor on March 31. The other finalists for the award were 2021 Employee of the Quarter recipients Maryke Willis, Kari Smith, and […]