(Missouri Independent) – A special session to extend provider taxes essential to the state’s Medicaid program will begin at noon Wednesday, Gov. Mike Parson announced Tuesday afternoon. The announcement was issued just minutes after a noon deadline set by Parson on Monday. The call came after seven members of the Senate Conservative Caucus sent him a letter demanding […]
Tag: Era
Webinar and publications offer guidance for local broadband initiatives
Thirty-seven percent of Missourians did not have wired broadband in their homes from 2015 to 2019. Should we be concerned that one out of three Missouri households are not connected to high-speed internet? What does “wired broadband” mean? As governments roll out new broadband initiatives, these are timely questions that Broadband Technologies: A Primer on […]
Investment in EV infrastructure could add $1.3 trillion to U.S. Gross Domestic Product
As the Biden administration and Congress continue to wrangle over the size and scope of a federal infrastructure package, a new report showed how investing $274 billion to electrify the nation’s transportation system, including electric school busses, 18-wheelers, charging stations, and more would yield a five-fold return for the overall economy. Sam Shriver, strategy and content […]
Groups urge Missouri legislators to renew Medicaid provider tax
Budget experts warn if Missouri doesn’t renew its Medicaid provider taxes, the state will have to come up with roughly $1.6 billion to make up for it, and cuts would extend to services beyond Medicaid. A bill to renew the tax on hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, and other providers stalled before the legislative session concluded […]
Missouri State Highway Patrol accepting applications for Community Alliance Program in Macon
Captain Erik A. Gottman, the commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, Missouri, announces Troop B is seeking individuals interested in attending Troop B’s 16th Community Alliance Program. The Community Alliance Program will begin on Monday, September 13, 2021, and will be hosted at the Hannibal Career and Technical Center in Hannibal. Participants will meet for […]
Audio: Missouri’s COVID-19 cases spiking with the new Delta variant.
New coronavirus cases nationwide have plummeted since vaccinations became widely available, but in Missouri, cases have spiked 52% over the past week, according to a new report. The data from the New York Times says Missouri has the most cases per 100,000 residents. The Department of Health and Senior Services issued a news […]
Audio: St. Louis region fights “Second Amendment Preservation Act”
The St. Louis region is pushing back against a new state law that prohibits local police from working with federal investigators – in cases involving gun ownership rights. Bill sponsors named it the Second Amendment Preservation Act, which among other things opens local law enforcement to be sued if they join in a […]
Audio: Missouri judge plans to issue a ruling by Wednesday in Missouri’s Medicaid expansion lawsuit
A judge in mid-Missouri’s Cole County expects to issue his decision in Missouri’s Medicaid expansion lawsuit by tomorrow (Wednesday). Brian Hauswirth covered Monday’s hearing in Jefferson City: Three Missouri women are suing the state over the issue of Medicaid expansion. They note 53 percent of Missouri voters approved Amendment Two in August. Their […]
Governor Parson offers up detailed list of funding on the chopping block if FRA stalemate is not resolved
During a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson warned of the detrimental consequences to Missourians if the Federal Reimbursement Allowances (FRA) and related programs were not extended. The FRA and related programs provide critical funding to MO HealthNet and must be extended before cost-savings measures are needed on July 1. “If political […]
Lawmakers pen letter to ATF in defense of Americans’ Second Amendment rights
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives expressing concern over two of their newly-proposed gun rules that could threaten Americans’ Second Amendment rights. The rules, 2021R-05 and 2021R-08, would require the retention of firearms transaction records forever, paving the way to […]
Former director of the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds department receives the 2021 Jonas Viles Award
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and the Friends of the Missouri State Archives are happy to announce the recipient of the 2021 Jonas Viles Award-named after the University of Missouri professor who rescued thousands of documents from the capitol lawn after the 1911 fire. The Friends of the Missouri State Archives annually present this award […]
Parson gives Missouri Legislature deadline of high noon Tuesday to reach deal on healthcare tax proposal
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson gave lawmakers a deadline of noon Tuesday to strike a deal to renew medical provider taxes vital to funding Medicaid or accept responsibility for more than $700 million in cuts from the state budget that takes effect July 1. If not, the governor says he will freeze funding in Missouri’s […]
Native north Missourian and long time employee named as NW District Engineer for MoDOT
Marty Liles has been named the district engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Northwest District. The district covers 20 counties, including nearly 5,625 lane miles of highway and 1,383 state bridges. He will take over the leadership of the Northwest region from Chris Redline, who recently transferred to run MoDOT’s Kansas City region. Liles […]
Livingston County Library adds two locations to Downtown Historic Walking Tour
The Livingston County Library has added the Elks Lodge at Elm and Jackson Streets to its Downtown Historic Walking Tour. Many of the buildings on this tour display a QR code in a window so anyone can walk by and scan the code with a mobile device such as a phone and get to the […]
Trenton Police Department reports the arrest of three individuals
A Trenton man operating a motorcycle was arrested Friday by the Trenton Police Department. A felony charge was filed in the Associate Division of circuit court against 42-year-old Stephan Elliott, accusing him of driving while intoxicated, persistent offender. Court information shows Elliott has two previous convictions of driving while intoxicated, one in Lucas County, Iowa […]
Wright Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions announces new Program Director
Wright Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Shelby Todd, RN, as the new program director for the hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program. Senior Life Solutions, an intensive outpatient group therapy program, is designed to meet the unique needs of seniors struggling with age-related depression, anxiety, difficult life transitions, a recent health diagnosis, or the loss […]
Missouri State Highway Patrol to participate in “Operation CARE” on July Fourth holiday weekend
The July Fourth weekend is a great opportunity to enjoy one of Missouri’s national parks, recreational opportunities, lakes, and rivers, or a backyard barbecue. Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers to make smart choices for a safe July Fourth holiday. Safety should be at the top of […]
Missouri Department of Conservation on Missouri’s wild turkey population
Interested in learning more about Missouri’s wild turkey population? Curious how fall harvest is affecting turkeys? The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wild Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl is myth-busting and shedding light on wild turkey population trends for hunters, landowners, and managers. WHY AM I SEEING FEWER TURKEYS ON THE LANDSCAPE? “The number of turkeys we […]
Nominate a veteran or active service member for 2021 Missouri State Fair Flag Retreat Ceremony
The deadline to nominate a Missouri veteran or active duty service member for the 2021 Missouri State Fair Military Flag Retreat Ceremony is fast approaching. Veterans and active duty service members from across Missouri are eligible to be honored in a Military Flag Retreat Ceremony that will take place near the Centennial Entrance on the Missouri […]
Missouri prison healthcare contract won by a company accused of bid-rigging in Tennessee
(Missouri Independent) – The long-time contractor for medical services in Missouri’s prisons is protesting the state’s decision to award the business to a company that will charge more than lawmakers appropriated and is accused of bid-rigging to obtain a contract in Tennessee prisons. Centurion Health, a Virginia subsidiary of St. Louis-based managed care company Centene, beat […]