Missouri’s next state budget year that begins in July is expected to have a revenue decline of about 419 million dollars. Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden of Columbia thinks the projection of state revenue is very conservative. He says budget leaders are viewing the state’s finances through a two-year lens this time around because […]
State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released her seventh report detailing state government’s use of federal stimulus dollars intended for the COVID-19 response. In March, Auditor Galloway announced that her office would examine the state’s distribution and spending of funding received under the CARES Act and other federal assistance programs passed by Congress. The most recent […]
The chief executive officer of a California-based medical device company was indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud investors by making false and misleading statements about the purported development of a new COVID-19 test, leading to millions of dollars in investor losses. Keith Berman, 67, the CEO of […]
A corporate executive has been ordered to serve 20 years in prison after his conviction related to falsely telling thousands of patients with long-term incurable diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, they had less than six months to live and subsequently enrolling them in hospice programs. A federal jury in McAllen, Texas, convicted Rodney […]
Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined a bipartisan coalition of 48 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Facebook Inc., alleging that the company illegally stifles competition to protect its monopoly power. The filing can be found here. The lawsuit alleges that, over the last decade, the social networking giant illegally acquired competitors in a predatory manner […]
The Princeton City Council approved a building permit and a request for band tax money on Monday evening, December 7th. Deputy City Clerk Lisa Colson reports the building permit was for Roberson Funeral Home to construct covered walkways as an extension to an awning. Five hundred dollars of band tax money was approved for a […]
Missouri’s senior senator says he’s working to ensure that the Show-Me State is getting a healthy share of federal broadband funding. Republican Roy Blunt addressed Missouri Farm Bureau members during their annual meeting this weekend, saying the Re-Connect program has invested 200-million dollars in Missouri, which is 20 percent of all support nationwide. […]
Current Missouri law requires preventative HIV medication to be prescribed by a doctor. Newly-elected Kansas City State Senator Greg Razer plans to pre-file a Bill that would allow pharmacists to give an emergency dose over the counter to those exposed to the virus. Razer calls the bill the last piece to end the AIDS epidemic. […]
Missouri’s Attorney General and 50 other attorneys general have reached an 86-million dollar settlement with the nation’s fourth-largest mortgage servicer. Schmitt says the consent judgment resolves allegations that Nationstar violated consumer protection laws during its servicing of mortgage loans. Schmitt says the agreement will provide 850-thousand dollars in relief, for more than 800 […]
A project manager employed by a major retailer was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for fraudulently seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. […]
The U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and six other federal law enforcement agencies announced the completion of the third annual Money Mule Initiative, a coordinated operation to disrupt the networks through which transnational fraudsters move the proceeds of their crimes. Money mules are individuals who assist fraudsters by receiving […]
Nineteen defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $1.2 million insurance fraud conspiracy that involved false claims of injuries suffered in car accidents. Lawrence Courtney Lawhorn, 32, and Latoya Marie Brown, 35, who resided in Columbia and in the Kansas City area; Lauren Courtney Luque, 34, Michael Jadon […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a report on Jackson County government focusing on budgeting and funds transfers which found that more can be done to ensure transparency in county spending. The audit was completed at the request of the Jackson County Legislature and the recommendation of the county executive. “Jackson County taxpayers deserve […]
A bipartisan committee is recommending a five percent pay increase for Missouri lawmakers AND for statewide elected officials. The Citizen’s Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials has made the recommendation. While he hasn’t seen their report yet, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz says the commission’s work is independent. The “Springfield News-Leader” reports […]
The Trenton City Council Monday night voted to have an ordinance prepared to call for a public vote on a proposed local use tax within the city of Trenton. The council also approved recommended wage increases for the Trenton Police Department in an effort to attract candidates for police officer. Both topics had gone to […]
Missouri’s construction industry is busy, and getting busier, but companies don’t have enough skilled employees. Contractors and the state are now reaching out to veterans to join their ranks. Len Toenjes represents hundreds of contractors with Missouri AGC. Toenjes says salaries in construction are well above the median in Missouri. A new grant of […]
State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released her fifth report detailing the state government’s use of federal stimulus dollars intended for the COVID-19 response. In March, Auditor Galloway announced that her office would examine the state’s distribution and spending of funding received under the CARES Act and other federal assistance programs recently passed by Congress. The […]
Discounts and offers from eight locally-owned businesses in Trenton will be featured on Downtown Dollars cards that can be used the week of November 23rd through 28th. Participants in the promotion are Lucky Dog Embroidery, Howard’s, Vintage Vines, the Main Street Mercantile, Chumbley’s, Pet Central, Fueled Up Nutrition, and Grand River Press and Design. Main […]
(Missouri Independent) – Cortaiga Collins doesn’t know how much longer her childcare center will survive. Only about a dozen children have been attending regularly amid the pandemic. Under normal circumstances, she used to serve as many as 100. She’s already had to reduce the hours that Good Shepherd Preschool and Infant/Toddler Center in St. Louis […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Medicaid Managed Care Program, which found system limitations that resulted in millions of dollars in potential overpayments on behalf of ineligible participants. “At a time when every dollar is being stretched to deliver vital services to Missourians, state government […]
