An elected Missouri State Representative has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a fraud scheme in which she made false claims about a supposed stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in southern Missouri, and for illegally providing prescription drugs to clients of those clinics. Derges, a Republican, represents Christian County (District 140) […]
Tag: DAR
Governor Parson announces new office of childhood
Governor Mike Parson and the Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Health and Senior Services, and Social Services announced the consolidation of several early childhood programs across state government into a single Office of Childhood. The new office will be housed by DESE and provide a comprehensive approach to early childhood care and education, […]
Trenton High School Band to perform Pops Concert
The Trenton High School Band will perform a Pops Concert next month. Songs to be performed in the high school gym the night of February 19th at 7 o’clock include the Pirates of the Caribbean Symphonic Suite, the Suite from The Dark Knight, The Best of Kiss, and the Best of the Beatles. Director of […]
Video: Governor Parson delivers 2021 State of the State Address
Governor Mike Parson delivered the 2021 State of the State Address to the Missouri General Assembly. Governor Parson highlighted several accomplishments the state has made in combating COVID-19 as well as major successes in infrastructure and workforce development despite the challenges of the past year. Following a recap of 2020, Governor Parson’s speech focused […]
Chillicothe City Council approves 2021 COBRA rates and adopts Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Chillicothe City Council on January 25th approved 2021 COBRA rates and a resolution adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan. City Administrator Darin Chappell explains if someone leaves the employment of the city, he or she is entitled to have COBRA coverage on health insurance for 18 months with the city insurance company. The city has […]
Missouri Department of Higher Education releases report on response of postsecondary institutions during COVID-19
The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) released an addendum to its third COVID-19 After-Action Report, which was published in December 2020. Much like last December’s report, the addendum focuses on the initial institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As colleges and universities quickly transitioned to online courses, three major problems […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve upgrading electrical system as well as electric rate study
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on Monday evening, January 25th approved two ordinances authorizing engineering service contract agreements. City Clerk Hattie Rains reports one with Finley Engineering Company involves upgrading the 2400 electrical system. The other agreement is for electric cost of service and standard rate design with Toth and Associates and involves an electric rate […]
Audio: Missouri Senator proposes to let drivers use deadly force against some protesters
State Senator Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, wants to make it a Class E felony for any protester who interferes with or blocks a public road. Drivers would not be held liable for injuring the demonstrators who block traffic. A provision in the bill says the driver is still liable if they are found to be using […]
Biden immigration overhaul would open a door to citizenship for 11 million people
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden is poised to send a sweeping immigration reform bill to Congress Thursday that would lay out a path for nearly 11 million undocumented people to obtain citizenship within eight years. Immigration has been one of the toughest issues for Congress to tackle, and the legislation’s fate is unclear in […]
United States reaches agreement with Midwest Can for Clean Air Act violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement that will require Midwest Can Company, one of the largest manufacturers of portable fuel containers in the United States, to pay a $1.7 million civil penalty to resolve Clean Air Act violations. The violations resulted from failure to disclose test […]
Audio: Hawley blocks quick confirmation of Homeland Security head Alejandro Mayorkas
Sen. Josh Hawley said Tuesday that he would block a procedural move to bypass full committee consideration of the nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to lead DHS. “Mr. Mayorkas has not adequately explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border given President-elect Biden’s promise to roll back major enforcement and […]
More candidates file for seats on Trenton City Council creating races in First and Third Wards
There are now two races for the Trenton City Council election on April 6th. Lance Otto of 810 Town and Country Lane filed for the First Ward on January 19th. Incumbent Glen Briggs previously filed. Derrick Gott of 1715 Saint Joseph Street filed for the Third Ward on January 19th. Robert Romesburg filed earlier. Incumbent […]
Two more candidates file for seats on Trenton City Council
Two more candidates have filed for the Trenton City Council election on April 6th. Derrick Gott of 1715 Saint Joseph Street filed for the Third Ward on January 19th, creating a race. Robert Romesburg filed for the Third Ward Thursday. Incumbent Danny Brewer of 1315 Cedar Street also filed for reelection on January 19th. First […]
Public interest groups sue EPA for re-approving controversial herbicide dicamba
Public-interest groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over the agency’s re-approval of products containing dicamba, a herbicide controversial for its tendency to drift into neighboring fields and damage farmers’ crops and homeowners’ gardens. Last fall, the EPA green-lighted dicamba use for five years, the third time the agency registered dicamba products. George Kimbrell, legal director at […]
Protests in Missouri calling for Senator Josh Hawley’s resignation
St. Louis labor leaders and good-government groups are coming together to demand U.S. Senator Josh Hawley’s resignation. At the U.S. Capitol last week, Hawley fist-pumped the mob that shortly after stormed the building, putting members of Congress and Capitol staff at risk and injuring Capitol and D.C. metro police – including one officer who later […]
Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education approves 2021-2022 school calendar; hears enrollment update
The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education approved the 2021-2022 school calendar on Tuesday evening, January 12th. The first day of school will be August 25th, and the last day is scheduled for May 13th, 2022. BlueBird Networks was approved for the school’s internet service. Pleasant View will enter into a five-year contract for $510 […]
North Mercer Board of Education approves 2021-2022 school calendar
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education Tuesday evening, January 12th approved the school calendar for 2021-2022 and determined the district would continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines. The start date for next school year for North Mercer will be August 19th for teachers and August 24th for students. The last day is scheduled for May 17th, […]
Audio: Missouri Capitol heightens security after FBI warning of armed protests; House discusses emergency plans
The Missouri Capitol has extra law enforcement keeping an eye on the building after reports of possible “armed protests” at all 50 state capitols and the U.S. Capitol. The increased presence follows an FBI warning of threats of an “uprising” in the days leading up to the January 20 inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden. During […]
Newtown-Harris Board of Education accepts resignation, begin putting together school calendar for next year
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education accepted a resignation at the latest meeting on January 11th from High School Social Studies Teacher Samuel Torbett. The contract for Superintendent Lucas McKinnis was extended. McKinnis reported the school calendar process for the next school year and the 2021-2022 budget process are beginning. Principal Amy Carlson congratulated Payton […]
Princeton Board of Education approves 2021-2022 school calendar
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education approved a resolution at a meeting on January 11th supporting the extension of paid leave for all employees instructed to not report for work who did not exhaust the former Emergency Paid Sick Leave. The Families First COVID-19 Response Act, which provided two weeks or up to 80 hours […]