The Missouri House on Wednesday elected the first Speaker in state history from eastern Missouri’s Arnold. House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, was elected Speaker on his 44th birthday, with his wife Amanda and their five children in the chamber in Jefferson City. Education was a primary theme during Vescovo’s address to the House. He says he was […]
Tag: focus
GRM Networks to sponsor high school students on youth tour to Washington; will offer scholarships to area students
GRM Networks will sponsor two high school juniors on an all-expense-paid trip to the 2021 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour June 5-9 in Washington, D.C. Youth representing GRM Networks will join other students representing rural telecommunication providers from across the United States as they learn about legislative and government processes and the importance of […]
Year In Review: Missouri’s Governor highlights successes in 2020
As 2020 comes to a close, Governor Mike Parson highlights the state’s many successes and accomplishments despite the challenges of the past year. “Although 2020 has brought many challenges, we remained committed to serving the people of this state and moving Missouri forward,” Governor Parson said. “We still made great strides in advancing Missouri’s economy, workforce, and […]
Employer survey details employer perspectives on pandemic and skill needs
The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) released new statewide employer survey results to correspond with its 2020 Missouri Economic & Workforce Report, which was published earlier this fall. The Economic & Workforce Report tracks the state’s economy and workforce by fiscal year (July 2019 – June 2020). The corresponding employer survey results focus […]
Judge tosses lawsuit challenging Missouri medical marijuana license caps
(Missouri Independent) – A Cole County judge on Monday threw out a lawsuit alleging limitations on the number of medical marijuana licenses issued by the state were unconstitutional. Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce ruled that the regulations at the heart of the lawsuit were “properly promulgated and are in compliance with Missouri’s laws and Constitution.” She […]
Harrison County Route V bridge now open
The bridge on Harrison County Route V over Coal Creek, near Cainsville, is now open to all traffic. Contractors from Boone Construction Co., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, began a project to replace the 63-year-old structure in early October. This bridge is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, […]
Missouri elk hunters go five for five in first sanctioned elk hunt
Missouri’s first elk-hunting season ended Sunday with all five of the hunters selected for permits harvesting bull elk during the firearms portion December 12-20. An archery portion ran October 17-25 with no harvests. The five Missouri hunters were selected for elk-hunting permits through a random drawing of more than 19,215 permit applications, including 33 for […]
Bridge on Highway 190 over Thompson River in Livingston County opens to two-way traffic
The bridge on Highway 190 over the Thompson River in Livingston County reopened to two-way traffic on December 18th. It was the 100th bridge opened through Governor Mike Parson’s Focus on Bridges Program created to repair or replace 250 of the state’s poorest bridges. It was the 21st bridge completed in the Missouri Department of […]
Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors presented information on a variety of topics at latest meeting
The Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors heard about various topics at its meeting on December 15th. It was announced the United States Department of Agriculture approved the energy project. Administrator Jerry Doerhoff explained the project involves replacing the boiler and putting in mini-split units in each resident room. Each of those units […]
Officials in Missouri ponder preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic
Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have been on the rise in Missouri and other states, and experts say the consequences of being unprepared for an infectious-disease outbreak have never been more apparent. Gov. Mike Parson has cited concerns about staffing levels with the demand hospitals are seeing from the crisis. His comments coincide with calls […]
40 charged in sprawling criminal enterprise using inmates
A federal grand jury has returned a 147-count superseding indictment against 40 defendants across South Carolina in the largest federal racketeering conspiracy in South Carolina history. The indictment alleges a sprawling criminal enterprise whereby inmates with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, often through the use of contraband cell phones, orchestrated murder, kidnapping, firearms distribution, […]
Grand River Bridge on Highway 65 in Livingston County now open to two-way traffic
The bridge over the Grand River on Livingston County U.S. Route 65, just south of Chillicothe, is now open to two-way traffic. The Missouri Department of Transportation contracted with Radmacher Brothers Excavating Co. to rehabilitate the bridge’s deck or driving surface. This bridge is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, […]
Audio: Missouri K-12 statewide testing to move forward, but results won’t be used for accountability purposes
The Missouri Board of Education voted Tuesday to avoid using 2021 standardized test results for state and federal accountability. Members still want the state’s K-12 public school students to take statewide tests next year, but they do not want the results to count against schools for funding and accreditation purposes. The move might lower the […]
Missouri Department of Transportation to host online meeting concerning bridges in Mercer County
Plans are underway for work on two bridges on Route M and Route D in Mercer County. The Missouri Department of Transportation is hosting an online-only virtual public meeting to gather community feedback regarding the planned replacement of the Route M Little Muddy Creek Bridge and bridge deck replacement of the Route D Sandy Creek […]
Audio: Missouri prepares to launch new program to help rural hospitals with covid struggles
On Tuesday, Missouri is launching a program focused on helping rural hospitals with their problems of limited staffing, bed capacity, and equipment during the pandemic. In southwest Missouri’s Appleton City, many low-income families are waiting for care. Jamie O’Farrell tells Springfield television station KOLR she treats patients at Ellett Memorial Hospital’s clinic. Through […]
MoDOT planned road work in North Missouri for the week of December 7, 2020
The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in North Missouri for the week of December 7 – 13. All road closures and planned roadwork may be viewed on the Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/. Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of […]
Grand River overflow bridge on Chariton County Route 139 to close for replacement
The Grand River Overflow Bridge on Chariton County Route 139 will close soon for replacement. The Missouri Department of Transportation contracted with Boone Construction Co. to replace the structurally deficient 57-year-old bridge. This bridge is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state. […]
State auditor says fund transfers, budgeting process in Jackson County left taxpayers in the dark
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 […]
MoDOT planned road work for North Missouri, November 30 – December 6, 2020
The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in North Missouri for the week of November 30 – December 6, 2020. MoDOT will halt most temporary lane closures throughout the state today, Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m., to accommodate an increase in traffic […]
USDA to open signup for the Conservation Reserve Program and CRP Grasslands in early 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the signup periods for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the CRP Grasslands in 2021. Signup for general CRP will be open from January 4, 2021, to February 12, 2021, and signup for CRP Grasslands runs from March 15, 2021, to April 23, 2021. Both programs are competitive and […]