The Missouri House of Representatives has given final approval to Senate Bill 391, legislation that would prevent counties from passing health ordinances aimed at large agricultural operations. The House voted 103-44 to approve the bill, which would prevent county health boards or county commissioners from passing standards stricter than state law. The Missouri House of […]
Tag: environment
Audio: Missouri House approves CAFO health ordinance legislation
The Missouri House has given final approval to legislation that would prevent counties from passing health ordinances aimed at large agricultural operations. The House voted 103-44 today to approve the bill from Pleasant Hill State Representative Michael Haffner, which would prevent county health boards and/or county commissioners from passing standards that are stricter […]
Route 145 in Mercer County closed due to culvert failure
Route 145 in Mercer County is now closed due to a culvert failure near Lake Paho. Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation closed Route 145 between Route B and U.S. Route 136 west of Princeton Thursday morning. Due to the culvert’s location in a conservation area with sensitive environmental issues, it may take some […]
Audio: Missouri Senate moves to give initial approval to controversial cattle operation bill
After working overnight for about 12 hours, the state Senate has given initial approval to a bill that would restrict Missouri counties from enforcing regulations tougher than the state for large cattle operations. Creve Coeur Democrat Jill Schupp and Lee’s Summit Republican Mike Cierpiot say the measure would bar counties from limiting where CAFOs can […]
Study finds 9 of 10 smartphones violate radiation safety limits
Public health groups are calling for a nationwide recall on some cellular phones after a new study showed some units when pressed up against the body, emit 11 times more radiation than Federal Communications Commission safety limits allows. A study done by a professor emeritus of electrical engineering from the University of Utah analyzed data from […]
Chillicothe FFA Chapter places 3rd in state, earns “Top Chapter Award”
Chillicothe FFA placed third out of 347 chapters in the state, earning a Top Chapter Award at the 91st Missouri FFA Convention. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive a top chapter designation each year. The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the […]
Smithfield Foods & RAE launch joint venture to create renewable energy, wildlife habitat
Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) have formed a joint venture called Monarch Bioenergy to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) across Smithfield’s hog farms in Missouri. This partnership converts manure collected from Smithfield farms into RNG, while simultaneously delivering ecological services and developing wildlife habitat. Once complete, all Smithfield company-owned finishing farms in […]
Audio: Controversial agriculture bill could resurface today in Missouri Senate
A controversial agriculture bill could resurface today in the Missouri Senate. The state Senate could debate today whether to ban Missouri counties from enforcing rules stricter than state regulations required for large animal feeding operations. Jefferson City Republican Mike Bernskoetter’s bill would bar counties from limiting where the farming operations, known as CAFOs, […]
Governor Parson requests Army Corps of Engineers manage Missouri River for flood control, navigation
Governor Mike Parson has submitted written testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The committee field hearing in Glenwood, Iowa, will focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers river management following devastating flooding in the region. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley will participate. Witnesses will include officials from the Army Corps as well […]
Missouri foster kids flourish in families
Despite a nationwide increase in the number of kids in foster care, Missouri has made inroads in placing more kids who would otherwise remain in institutional or group settings with families. A nationwide Annie E. Casey Foundation report looked at foster-child placement data over a 10-year period. Missouri reported about 12,000 kids in the child welfare system, […]
Annual Missouri “No MOre Trash Bash” starts April 15
Missouri’s annual No MOre Trash! Bash will be held April 15 through May 15. The Trash Bash is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Transportation as part of an ongoing No MOre Trash! statewide anti-litter campaign. “Litter is unattractive, costly and harms the environment,” said Stacy Armstrong, MoDOT’s No MOre […]
Audio: Governor Parson signs executive order to ease requirements during and after Missouri flooding
The governor has signed an executive order to ease requirements during and after Missouri flooding. Governor Mike Parson has signed an executive order giving Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Carol Comer some flexibility in easing requirements. Comer’s discretionary authority to temporarily or suspend environmental rules or regulations currently under her purview will […]
Hegeman and Luetkemeyer demand reform from Army Corps of Engineers
In the wake of flooding, Republican State Senators Dan Hegeman of Cosby and Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville filed Missouri Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 this week urging the United States Army Corps of Engineers to reprioritize flood control in the management of the Missouri River. The Corps of Engineers changed the Missouri River Master Manual in […]
Wright Memorial Hospital to establish Patient & Family Advisory Council
Wright Memorial Hospital announced today it will establish a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). The Wright Memorial PFAC will be comprised of a diverse group of patients and family members who meet regularly to discuss ways to enhance the patient care experience and promote quality, effective health care in a safe environment. Patient/family advisors […]
Annual grant funds now available for Northwest transportation safety programs
Over the past several years agencies and programs across Northwest Missouri have received almost no funding for programs working towards reducing the number of injuries and fatalities on our roads. With more than 60 fatalities in the 20 counties of Northwest Missouri during 2018, the work is not over yet. To assist agencies in this […]
Missouri Public Service Commission grants Grain Belt Express permission to build transmission line
The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by Grain Belt Express Clean Line LLC (Grain Belt) which sought Commission authority and a certificate of convenience and necessity to construct, own, operate, control, manage and maintain a high voltage, direct current transmission line, and associated facilities within eight Missouri counties (Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, […]
Over 260 students recognized at North Central Missouri College Foundation Scholarship Reception
The 2018-2019 North Central Missouri College Scholarship Reception was held on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at the Ketcham Community Center. Over 260 students were recognized for receiving an NCMC Foundation, Athletic, SSS or other institutional scholarship. The event was hosted by the North Central Missouri College Foundation and sponsored by US Bank and PDQ Cleaning. […]
NRCS seeks comments regarding Little Otter Creek Reservoir in Caldwell County
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has released a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Little Otter Creek Watershed Plan. The plan involves the construction of a proposed multipurpose reservoir in Caldwell County. This supplement addresses changes since NRCS prepared the Little Otter Creek Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement in 2003. The supplement […]
Missouri Farm Bureau Commentary: Missouri farmers should face consistent rules for raising livestock
Bacon is popular, but living near a hog farm is not. Bacon isn’t possible without hogs, so if we want bacon, we’re going to have to raise pigs. Missouri Senate Bill 391 is opposed by people who either don’t like bacon or don’t realize how it’s made. The bill would require that county regulation aimed […]
Use sound grazing practices to reduce overgrazing and weeds
Weed problems may explode this year thanks to the drought of 2018 and residual problems associated with overgrazing in parched pastures, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Valerie Tate. Last year’s extreme weather conditions created a forage shortage. As a result, many pastures were overgrazed. When pastures are overgrazed, there is little green leaf material […]