(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden’s massive pandemic stimulus law pumps a welcome infusion of federal aid into state and local government coffers — but one brief section is raising questions about whether states are barred from cutting their own taxes if they accept the federal help. The Senate added language to the COVID-19 relief package […]
Tag: DOE
Grundy County Health Department rescinds public order requiring masks
At a meeting on Thursday, March 11, the Grundy County Health Department Board of Directors voted to rescind the public health order requiring masks, which takes effect on Monday, March 15, 2021. The health department is still encouraging the wearing of masks in all public places, and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. […]
American Red Cross seeks volunteers for disaster support and blood drives
The American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas has an urgent need for additional volunteers who can assist virtually and in-person for disaster response. Volunteers are also needed to support blood drives and transport blood to hospitals. “We are gearing up for spring disaster response needs such as flooding and tornadoes, and we need additional […]
New option to crop insurance farmers need to consider
As grain prices hit new levels, farmers are considering potential profit in preparing for the 2021 growing season. However, protection is always going to be important. Crop insurance decisions will be critical this year. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois agricultural economics professor, said 93% of Illinois farmers took some form of Revenue Protection (RP) insurance […]
Audio: Missouri gas tax hike proposal pulled from debate
The Missouri Senate spent about eight hours Tuesday working on a proposed gas tax increase that would also offer a rebate. Two Conservative Caucus members, Senators Bill Eigel and Andrew Koenig blocked a vote on the bill, eventually leading to the proposal getting pulled from debate. Senate President Dave Schatz of eastern Missouri’s Sullivan, says […]
Trenton Board of Education tackles huge agenda including approval of salary schedule for next school year
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education March 9th approved salary schedules for the 2021-2022 school year. One thousand dollars will be added to the base for the certified salary schedule, making the base salary $34,000. This was estimated to cost the district $119,591. Superintendent Mike Stegman noted the base salary for certified staff was “pretty […]
Wind Advisory for northern Missouri in place until 6 pm Wednesday, March 10, as winds could gust to 50 mph
Another warm and windy day is expected today with temperatures in the 70s and winds gusting 40 to 50 mph out of the south-southwest. With the strong winds and dry conditions, very high to extreme fire weather danger will exist today. As such, we have a Wind Advisory in place from 7 AM to 6 […]
Mandatory 10-digit dialing coming to 660 and 816 area codes
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted 988 as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. The use of this new three-digit number will begin on July 16, 2022. The FCC is implementing this new 3-digit number in an effort to simplify the hotline’s […]
Scammers informing Missouri residents they are from Western District of Missouri Attorney’s office
The Office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri Teresa Moore is warning the public of scam calls claiming to be from the U. S. Attorney’s Office in Jefferson City. The office reports several Missouri residents have received the calls. In some cases, the caller claimed to be with Cyber Crimes […]
Video: Tyler Jones is a fourth-generation farmer from Dawn, Missouri
Tyler Jones has known his entire life that farming is what he was called to do. Even after attending college and getting a degree, Jones, a fourth-generation farmer, returned to the farm to work alongside his family raising row crops and beef cattle in Dawn, Missouri. “Everybody works together to help each other, and it […]
North Central Missouri College student Alyssa Olson honored as Newman Civic Fellow
Campus Compact, a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education, has announced the 290 students who will make up the organization’s 2021-2022 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. Alyssa Olson, a North Central Missouri College student, will join 212 students from 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico to form the 2021 […]
Audio: Livingston County Clerk testifies in Jefferson City on Bill relating to absentee ballots
Missouri lawmakers in both parties were surprised to learn Wednesday that absentee ballots cast by voters who later died should NOT have counted, under current state law. The issue came up numerous times during a Missouri House elections committee hearing on Wednesday. Carrollton GOP State Representative Peggy McGaugh and her colleagues in both parties […]
Braymer FFA credits planning for top 10 status
Last year, at the 2020 FFA National Convention (held virtually), the Braymer FFA chapter was named a top 10 chapter in the Model of Excellence division. Braymer was one of three Missouri chapters, along with Ashland and Troy, to earn the honor, which recognizes the top 10 chapters in the nation. Paityn Hall, a senior […]
After outrage over unused vaccines at rural clinics, Parson vows more KC, STL events
(Missouri Independent) – Last week, multiple mass vaccination events in rural areas neared the end of the day with hundreds of doses still on hand — prompting health departments to take to social media and encourage anyone to come for fear doses would be wasted. “We have ample vaccine still available that needs to be […]
Audio: Missouri resolution would let voters decide who sits on the state board of education
Missouri voters could decide who sits on the state board of education – not the governor. Eureka Republican Representative Dottie Bailey is proposing to let voters choose board members during each general election of a presidential election year. A House committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the measure. St. Louis Democrat Ian […]
One year of COVID-19: Americans continue stepping up to address urgent needs
One year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, people have stepped up to address the emotional needs of families reeling from the coronavirus and 2020’s record-breaking disasters. For nearly 80 years, U.S. presidents have proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to recognize people giving back through its lifesaving mission — which is […]
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issues order for Janssen COVID-19 vaccine administration
Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services signed the standing order for Janssen Biotech, Inc. COVID-19 vaccine administration after a review of preliminary recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “We are incredibly appreciative to be receiving additional vaccines in Missouri, and we remain committed […]
Who defines the Missouri GOP: Roy Blunt, Josh Hawley or Eric Greitens?
(Missouri Independent) – The eyes of the nation turned to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley over the holidays when he became the first senator to announce an objection to the certification of presidential electors. But the eyes of local politicos turned instead to his home-state colleague, Missouri’s senior senator. How would Roy Blunt — up for […]
Missouri Republicans look to reinstate voter ID requirement
(Missouri Independent) – About 137,700 registered voters in Missouri did not have a state-issued identification in 2017, according to an analysis from the Secretary of State’s Office. Another 140,000 voters had expired IDs, and 2,000 more voters had forfeited their driver’s licenses. Under a bill passed Wednesday in the Missouri House, those registered voters would either have to […]
Audio: Agriculture Economist takes an early look at 2021 farm income projections
Net farm income is expected to drop this year compared to 2020 but that doesn’t mean your farm won’t see strong profits. In this episode of Managing for Profit, an ag economist breaks down the expected differences from last year to this year and what that could mean for farmers’ bottom line.