(Missouri Independent) – Shawndra Taylor had just 12 hours notice when the first truck canceled. The truck contained food to help prepare the 3,000 meals served each day in her school district in Eldon — including items she needed to make dinner for students. Her supplier, Kohl Wholesale in Quincy, Illinois, was too short-staffed. Taylor, […]
Tag: FEDERAL
Prosecutor files felony charges against five Agape staffers accused of abuse
(Missouri Independent) – Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither announced Tuesday that five staffers members of Agape Boarding School will be charged with a combined 13 counts of third-degree felony assault — a fraction of what Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt recommended. In March, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson directed the attorney general’s office to assist Gaither […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees review visit by Higher Learning Commission
Last week’s Higher Learning Commission’s visit was discussed at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting on September 28. NCMC President Doctor Lenny Klaver called it a “good visit” and said sessions were well attended by faculty, staff, and trustees. He also said a “great team” came for the visit, and it was […]
Missouri man pleads guilty to murder for hire scheme
A Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to hire an undercover law enforcement agent to murder the victim in a pending statutory sodomy case. Jon Mark Wilson, 57, of Sedalia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps Jr. to one count of the use of interstate facilities (the use of […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve bid for work at old water plant, address numerous agenda items at Monday meeting
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a bid for cleaning out the old water plant backwash basin and an animal abatement permit request on September 27, 2021. The bid for cleaning the backwash basin was from Red Rock for $25,000 and was the only one received. The animal abatement permit request was from Matt Pottorff […]
Audio: International Institute preparing for influx of Afghanistan refugees to Missouri
The International Institute of St. Louis is one of 19 sites selected across the U.S. to receive refugees from Afghanistan, after the fall of that country now that U.S. troops have pulled out. The organization has dealt with refugee needs for many decades, but this case is much more demanding says Arrey Obenson the president […]
Missouri Attorney General files comment letter opposing Environmental Protection Agency’s overreach
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a comment letter opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to use “interim values” of the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases to regulate light-duty vehicles through emission standards. “The Biden Administration’s attempts to impose massive federal regulations on Missouri’s farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers could have vast negative impacts. Now, the […]
Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots now being administered to eligible missourians
Following federal guidance issued from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has amended the state’s standing order for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administration for those who are eligible for a booster shot. Missourians who received the Pfizer vaccine can receive a booster shot at least six months after their […]
Senate GOP torpedoes U.S. government funding bill, raising odds of federal fiscal crises
(Missouri Independent) – U.S. Senate Republicans blocked an attempt by Democrats on Monday evening to begin debate on a broad bill that would avert multiple looming fiscal crises for the federal government. The measure to briefly keep the government operating past the end of the fiscal year on Thursday, as well as to increase the […]
Missouri’s unemployment rate drops by two-tenths to four percent in August, 2021
Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from July 2021 to August 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,300 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in August 2021, […]
Who will get a booster shot? A Question and Answer about what the feds are saying
(Missouri Independent) – Booster shots soon will begin rolling out to some Americans who received the two-shot vaccine made by Pfizer—after a contentious and confusing federal approval process that isn’t over yet. Determining who exactly should be rolling up their sleeves for an additional dose was tricky. The Biden administration had leapfrogged federal regulatory panels […]
Department of Justice announces Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grants awarded to Missouri in 2021
The Department of Justice announced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component of the department’s Office of Justice Programs, has awarded almost $187 million to support state, local, and tribal public safety and community justice activities. The awards, from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, are going to all 50 states, […]
Gene Kauffman Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to 27 high school graduates
The latest recipients of scholarships from the “Gene Kauffman Scholarship Foundation, Inc.” have been approved by the Board of Directors of the foundation. A total of 27 female graduates of North Mercer High School and Princeton High School in Mercer County, Missouri, have been awarded a combined total of $140,622.41 in scholarships for the Fall, […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen authorize work at wastewater treatment plant
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance at a special meeting on September 22nd authorizing the city to enter into a wastewater treatment facility clarifier replacement contract. The contract was with Irvinbilt Constructors, Incorporated. It was reported in August that Irvinbilt submitted the lowest bid on the project at $655,900. The city’s engineer on […]
North 65 Center to sponsor trip to Kansas City
The North 65 Center in Trenton is sponsoring a day trip to Kansas City attractions. The trip on October 11, 2021, will include the Steamboat Arabia Museum, the city market, riding the Kansas City cable car, and the Auschwitz exhibit at Union Station. The bus will leave the North 65 Center on October 11th at […]
Video/Audio: Missouri’s effort to get thousands of rape kits tested is making progress
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt gave an update on the SAFE Kit Initiative, reporting positive progress in clearing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits through the initiative. The Springfield Police Department also announced that they have completely cleared out their backlog, leaving zero untested sexual assault kits in their inventory. “As a husband, father, […]
Advocates press for action in Congress on voting rights, despite grim outlook
(Missouri Independent) – Activists are ramping up the pressure on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to move on his chamber’s version of a voting rights bill, even though there’s no sign there will be enough Republican support to advance it. Alternatively, they’re pressing for an end to the filibuster, though there’s no indication there would […]
Grundy County Health Department reports on COVID-19 cases, announces vaccine clinics
The Grundy County Health Department reports another COVID-19-related death, bringing the total to 49. Thirty-five new COVID-19 cases have also been added since September 14th, making that total 1,654. Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson notes the positivity rate for the last 14 days is 14.6%. The number of active cases went down five from September […]
Audio: ACLU asks court to let it intervene in Missouri AG’s class-action lawsuit involving masking in schools
The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri has asked a state court to let it intervene in state Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s class-action lawsuit seeking to prevent school districts from requiring masks. A press release from the ACLU says under federal law, public schools cannot exclude students with disabilities, denying them equal access […]