The Grain Belt Express is again bringing out passionate arguments at the statehouse. Republican Representative Mike Haffner’s bill makes it more difficult for the electricity transmission project to traverse Missouri. The measure would require county commissions’ approval before the line can cross that county. It’s another effort to keep Invenergy from using its public service […]
(Missouri Independent) – A new Congressional map won the approval of a Missouri Senate committee on Tuesday, setting the stage for a debate that promises to be among the most contentious of the 2022 legislative session. After two hours of public testimony, a pair of Democrats joined with seven Republicans Tuesday to advance a map […]
(Missouri Independent) – A bipartisan group of senators is exploring legislation to overhaul how Congress counts Electoral College votes, but backers of stalled voting rights legislation are lukewarm on the effort as a substitute. The Electoral Count Act is an obscure law that has come under recent scrutiny, a year after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. […]
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson praised his administration’s handling of the still-unfolding COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday, telling a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly that the state has emerged ready to make long-term investments in its future. “The bottom line is Missouri’s economy is strong,” Parson said in his annual State of the State […]
(Missouri Independent) – The University of Missouri’s Columbia campus will begin the spring semester as planned Tuesday with no option for online classes, masking, or vaccination requirements, UM System President and campus Chancellor Mun Choi wrote to faculty leaders Friday. Choi’s response to concerns raised in a letter from the Executive Committee of the campus […]
A Missouri, woman who led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase at night with no headlights pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking methamphetamine. Gina N. Nunez, 43, of Nixa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. By pleading guilty, Nunez […]
(Missouri Independent) – Proposals that would bar COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide greater exemptions for vaccinations more broadly faced a wave of opposition from Missouri business groups Wednesday. Representatives for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Associated Industries of Missouri, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and other business associations made clear to lawmakers […]
(Missouri Independent) – If school districts want to take advantage of a lower interest rate on bonds, Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is requiring them to certify compliance with a recent court ruling targeting local health orders before his office will approve of the deal. Fitzpatrick detailed the decision he described as “unprecedented” in an interview Wednesday […]
Grundy County Emergency Management Director Glen Briggs calls December 15, 2021, a historic day in Northern Missouri, with its high winds and temperatures. When it came to Grundy County, overall, Briggs said it “fared relatively well.” The business building at 12th and Main streets was vacant and the flag pole on top of […]
At the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission meeting, the Commissioners took up the issue of adopting a “Naming Convention” that will guide the naming of approximately 113 features at or near the East Locust Creek Reservoir ELCR. Features include, but are not limited to; roads, bridges, branches, coves, points, the marina, boat launch areas, […]
Members of the Trenton City Council Monday night heard about plans for Rapid Removal Disposal to change the collection date on two of its residential routes beginning in January 2022. A safety concern was expressed by the Jewett-Norris Library Director regarding motorists not halting for the 3 way stop at Main and Crowder, and the […]
(Missouri Independent) – Jackson and St. Louis Counties requested Monday that they be permitted to intervene and appeal a recent court ruling that they argue has “upended the longstanding public health framework” in Missouri. In a filing submitted Monday afternoon and obtained by The Independent, the two counties asked Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel […]
Beginning February 2022, North Central Missouri College will be providing the two-part state nurse aid exam, including both written test and practicum, for nursing assistant certification (CNA). Individuals that complete the exam and fulfill all state requirements will be considered certified. The CNA exam will be offered at the Trenton campus, in Cross Hall classroom, […]
An eastern Missouri man has been charged after allegedly threatening to open fire at a high school. Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis says 27-year-old Mitchell Lovelace reportedly posted the threatening message Saturday night against Festus High School. Rittenhouse took an AR-15-style gun to a Wisconsin riot last year – shooting to death two […]
(Missouri Independent) – Faced with over a year’s delay from the state social services department on implementing extended mental health care for new moms, a bipartisan effort now aims to expand health care coverage more broadly for low-income pregnant women. Legislation filed last week by Sens. Elaine Gannon, R-De Soto, and Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, would extend […]
(Missouri Independent) – As the Senate works to finalize a major annual defense measure, there is a bipartisan push to include a requirement that all young Americans — including women — for the first time register for the military draft. The $777.9 billion measure, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, also would allocate millions to […]
All three performances are sold out for “A Christmas Carol” to be presented this weekend in Trenton. Organizers of the play are requesting because of a current increase in COVID-19 cases, that those attending are encouraged to wear a mask for performances that are held inside the 137-seat Hoover Theater of the Jewett-Norris Library. Arts […]
(Missouri Independent) – Attorney General Eric Schmitt will not appeal a consequential court ruling that strips powers from local health departments, despite a request from Missouri’s state health director to do so. In an email to The Independent, Schmitt’s spokesman said the attorney general’s office notified the Department of Health and Senior Services of its […]
Unionville’s Winterfest will be held Saturday, December 4, 2021, around the town square. The festival kicks off at 2 p.m. with a Local Author Reception in the Putnam County Library. The two-hour reception features authors Doris Bland, Carl Schnelle, Melissa Hedrick, Linda Couchman, Enfys McMurry, Julie Brundage, and the Varner family. They will be answering […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit against the Moberly Public School District for alleged Sunshine Law violations for requests for public records from the Attorney General’s Office related to their policy on parents recording Individualized Education Plan meetings. “Parents have a right to know exactly what is being taught to the children and […]
