The Midwest economy, including Missouri’s, is expected to be back to pre-COVID levels in the first quarter of 2022. That’s according to Dr. Ernie Goss, an economist at Creighton University in Nebraska. He says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows average hourly wages for Missouri’s manufacturing sector is strong with record high price gains […]
Tag: demand
Lawmakers demand speaker Pelosi investigate origins of COVID-19
Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) joined more than 200 colleagues today in calling on Speaker Pelosi to direct her committee chairs to look into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic started, the House of Representatives has held zero hearings on the origins of the virus and the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup. “Americans deserve […]
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, […]
Attempted robbery at Bank of Kirksville thwarted after multiple agencies respond
An attempted bank robbery in Kirksville on May 18th led to the arrest of a 30-year-old Kirksville man. According to the Kirksville Police Department, officers responded to the Bank of Kirksville at 214 South Franklin Street. Officers were informed the suspect might be armed with explosives. A Highway Patrol trooper was nearby and responded, making […]
Free testing aims to curb STIs that went unchecked as COVID spread in Missouri
(Missouri Independent) – As the case counts of the novel coronavirus began to tick up last March across Missouri, providers who offer tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) found their resources were being pulled in two directions. Swabs were in short supply as they became needed for COVID-19 testing. Contact tracers, who reach out to […]
Consider feeding pigs to higher weights when feed costs, hog prices go up
When feed prices go up, swine producers usually see profits go down. That’s not the case in 2021. This gives producers an opportunity to look at feeding to heavier weights despite higher feed costs, says University of Missouri Extension swine nutritionist Marcia Shannon. Higher market weights result in dramatic net gains per pig under current […]
Push for disclosure of Missouri medical marijuana records runs into veto threat
(Missouri Independent) – An effort by lawmakers to require disclosure of ownership information for businesses granted medical marijuana licenses was derailed on Thursday when state regulators suggested a possible gubernatorial veto. On Tuesday, the Missouri House voted to require the Department of Health and Senior Services provide legislative oversight committees with records regarding who owns […]
Governor Parson announces Missouri to end all pandemic-related unemployment benefits
To address workforce shortages across the state, Governor Mike Parson directed the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to notify the U.S. Department of Labor that Missouri will end participation in all federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs effective Saturday, June 12 at 11:59 p.m. “From conversations with business owners across the state, we know […]
Furious lawmakers demand answers from Missouri DSS for undercount of abuse reports
(Missouri Independent) – Lawmakers slammed the Department of Social Services on Thursday for underreporting the number of substantiated cases of abuse and neglect at youth residential facilities during a previous legislative hearing. For nearly an hour-and-a-half on Thursday, the House Special Committee on Government Oversight pressed DSS officials on why the number of findings of […]
Governor Parson announces Missouri National Guard to scale back COVID-19 vaccine support
As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has significantly decreased in recent weeks, Governor Mike Parson announced the Missouri National Guard (MONG) has begun scaling back its involvement at mass vaccination site locations in May. The drawdown of National Guard members is set to be completed by June 1, 2021. “We are in a far different […]
University of Missouri Extension releases 2021 mental health toolkit
The University of Missouri Extension and Show-Me Farm Safety recently released a new Together We Can toolkit to help rural Missourians access mental health resources. “Missourians are strong and resilient in the face of the challenges and uncertainty that can come with farm life,” says Marshall Stewart, MU vice chancellor for extension and engagement and […]
Missouri meat and poultry processors awarded nearly $17 million toward food supply expansions
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has awarded $16,716,406 million in CARES Act funding to nearly 150 small and medium-sized businesses. As a direct result of the reimbursement grant, more than 40 businesses were assisted in initiating or expanding their level of meat processing through a new grant of inspection or custom exempt inspection status. “As a […]
Commentary: Family farms are the solution, corporate agriculture is the problem
DISCLAIMER: This article is a commentary. The statements and opinions contained in the article are those of the author, Tim Gibbons. The opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of KTTN/KGOZ Radio, staff, management, or webmaster. (Missouri Independent) – Last month, Missouri Rural Crisis Center held a telephone town […]
Evergy to shutter Kansas coal plant, speed transition to renewable energy
(Missouri Independent) – Evergy, an electric supplier to about 600,000 customers in western Missouri, will retire its coal power plant in Lawrence, Kansas, by the end of 2023, the company announced on Friday. The utility revealed its plan to regulators in a filing with the Missouri Public Service Commission. The “integrated resource plan” lays out Evergy’s next […]
High speed chase ends in arrest of Illinois man in Linn County
A vehicle pursuit that started west of Wheeling on April 24th resulted in the arrest of an Illinois man in Linn County. Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox reports 30-year-old Terrence Turner of Country Club Hills, Illinois has been charged in Livingston County with felony resisting arrest, detention, or stop by fleeing and creating a substantial […]
Audio: Missouri’s trucking industry is struggling to keep up with demand during the pandemic
Missouri’s trucking industry is struggling to keep up with demand during the pandemic. Ann Bauza, with MTC Truck Driver Training, says the industry continues to deal with a truck driver shortage. Bauza tells KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau that trucking companies are finding ways to recruit new drivers, including pay increases and bigger bonuses. […]
DEA announces new initiative called “Project Wave Breaker” to disrupt flow of fentanyl into the United States
The Drug Enforcement Administration announced a new initiative, Project Wave Breaker, to disrupt the flow of deadly fentanyl into the United States. Project Wave Breaker will direct interdiction, enforcement, and outreach efforts to high-impact areas to disrupt the flow of fentanyl in and around the United States. The initiative will also employ analytical intelligence assets […]
Audio: Demand for COVID-19 vaccine drastically declines in Missouri
Governor Parson says Missouri is in the process of figuring out if the state should accept as much coronavirus vaccine as it has been getting in recent weeks. During a Capitol press conference, Parson says the amount of vaccine the state was asking for two weeks ago has changed. Missouri is holding mass […]
Wolfner Library upgrades system, improves material access for patrons
The Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library recently adopted a new system that greatly enhances its ability to provide audiobooks to patrons. Wolfner Library, a part of the Missouri State Library, is now using a duplication on-demand system, which allows for customized digital cartridges with multiple audiobooks based on a patron’s preferences and requests. The […]