(Missouri Independent) – Missourians who were mistakenly paid unemployment benefits by the state should be required to pay that money back, Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday. The Missouri Department of Labor told St. Louis Public Radio last week that the state overpaid roughly $96 million in unemployment benefits between January and September last year. The errors were […]
Tag: dollars
Missouri Department of Conservation to offer free virtual program on “Feeding Winter Birds”
Bird-feeding is a popular hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and it’s a great way to learn about various species of birds that are found in this area. People can get tips on attracting birds to feeders in winter at the Missouri Department of Conservation virtual program “Attracting Winter Birds.” This […]
Audio: Missouri is now 11th in nation among those looking to open new business facilities
Missouri’s governor is touting the state’s numerous job expansions and attractions, saying they highlight the state’s increasingly competitive business climate: Governor Parson is also highlighting the expansions at Boeing in St. Charles and Ford in Claycomo. One of the biggest projects is in southwest Missouri’s Republic, where Amazon will open its first fulfillment […]
Man charged with $1.9 million COVID-relief fraud after seeking forgivable loans
A Nevada man was charged in an indictment Wednesday for his alleged participation in a scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions by filing bank loan applications that fraudulently sought more than $1.9 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. […]
Audio: Missouri House approves $324 million to help struggling renters and landlords
The Missouri House has unanimously approved today designating 324 million dollars in federal emergency aid for renters and landlords. The plan could help with some rent and utility costs. Under the bill, renters and landlords could apply for funds through the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The measure, House Bill 16, heads to the Senate for […]
Audio: Medicaid expansion, COVID and early childhood highlight Missouri State of the State Address
Missouri’s governor is pledging to move forward with Medicaid expansion because voters approved it in August. GOP Governor Mike Parson, who campaigned against Medicaid expansion, emphasized the issue during his State of the State Address. Medicaid is a federal and state program that assists with medical costs for residents with limited incomes. 53 […]
Audio: Parson proposes $34.1 billion state operating budget for FY2022
Governor Parson has released today a proposed 34.1 billion dollar state operating budget. The governor announced his fiscal outline today in his annual state of the state address. The plan includes a two-percent pay raise on January 1 for Missouri’s roughly 53,000 state workers. Another 2.9 million dollars would boost pay in the Missouri Department […]
Grundy County Commission adopts deficit budget for 2021
The Grundy County Commission unanimously adopted a deficit budget for 2021 the morning of January 26th. The budget estimates total revenues of $5,736,634 and expenditures of $6,928,813. A balance deficit of $1,192,179 is expected for 2021. The county begins the year with carryover funds of $3,910,220.81. The projected ending balance is $2,718,041.81. Grundy County Clerk […]
Demolition of nine properties main topic of Trenton City Council meeting
Accepting recommendations from the Trenton Building and Nuisance Board, the City Council Monday night approved a list of nine houses to be demolished and the selection of a demolition contractor. Three companies submitted bids including Red Rock of Kidder who had the lowest bid for all nine structures at $42,000. His bid actually was $43,400 […]
Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri encourages high school seniors to apply for scholarships
The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri encourages high school seniors to begin the process of applying for over 100 college scholarships and thousands of dollars administered by the Community Foundation. In 2020, $182,650.00 was awarded to graduating seniors from across northwest Missouri through the management of the Community Foundation. The process is simple and there […]
Effort to stop charging 17-year-olds as adults has stalled in Missouri
(Missouri Independent) – Khadijah Wilson had a bully during her junior year at Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles. She told her principal and teachers about the name-calling, and how the other girl constantly threatened to beat her up. But no one intervened. It went on for several months. “I reported it more […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee to hear about controversial K-12 education bills
Two contentious K-12 education topics will be front and center Tuesday at the state Capitol in Jefferson City. The Missouri Senate Education Committee will consider Manchester Republican Andrew Koenig’s proposal that would let parents use tax credits to pay for things like private school tuition, tutoring, and school supplies. Supporters refer to this type of […]
Audio: Missouri Cattlemen’s Association legislative agenda includes banning companies from taking private land
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association says one of its key legislative priorities this year is to prevent private companies from using eminent domain to get private land. Ag Policy Chairman Jimmie Long says the organization’s legislative progress was halted last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Missouri farmers and virtually all commodity groups […]
Jamesport Board of Education approves COVID-19 leave policy
The Jamesport Tri-County Board of Education approved a COVID-19 staff leave policy and the Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution as presented the evening of January 11th. The purchase of Chromebooks from Trox was also approved. The board moved to seek bids for an eight-month certificate of deposit for $150,000. The funds are being reinvested following the […]
Audio: Should Missouri K-12 teachers get a bonus for sticking around next school year?
Missouri Board of Education President Charlie Shields wants the state to check into whether a bonus can be given to K-12 teachers to help keep them next school year. During today’s board meeting, Shields says he wants the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to do some “serious” exploring of what measures the […]
Audio: Trenton Municipal Utilities facing $2.5 million in upgrades to aging water treatment plant
Trenton Municipal Utilities is facing issues involving its aging water treatment plant in West Trenton. Preliminary plans are being formed to make upgrades to the two clarifier basins. TMU Director Ron Urton spoke more on the issue. Urton spoke of an issue at one basin that developed last month but was resolved. […]
Audio: Senator Hawley won’t consent to vote on defense bill, without vote on direct assistance
Missouri’s junior senator is calling for a vote on two-thousand dollars in direct assistance for Americans before there’s a vote on the defense bill. GOP Senator Josh Hawley tweeted Tuesday that he will not consent to a vote on the defense bill unless the Senate votes on two-thousand dollar COVID relief for working […]
Audio: Missouri Representative wants to eliminate state income tax for many law enforcement officers
State Representative David Gregory wants to eliminate state income tax for law enforcement officers who make up to 100,000 dollars a year. Gregory, a Republican from St. Louis County, says a bill he has pre-filed to help officers could also be a tool to recruit more officers into the field. KTVI in St. Louis reports […]
Department of Justice files lawsuit against Walmart for Controlled Substances Act violations
A civil complaint filed by the Department of Justice has alleged that Walmart Inc. unlawfully dispensed controlled substances from pharmacies it operated across the country and unlawfully distributed controlled substances to those pharmacies throughout the height of the prescription opioid crisis. The complaint alleges that this unlawful conduct resulted in hundreds of thousands of violations […]
Missouri State Auditor releases citizen-requested audit of City of Berger
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of the City of Berger located in Franklin County. Residents of the city requested the audit through the petition process. “This audit was a thorough review of city operations and financial practices, and the report details several areas where improvements can be made to better safeguard taxpayer […]