U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Deb Fischer (Neb.) in introducing the Kelsey Smith Act. The bill, named for 18-year-old Kelsey Smith who was abducted and murdered in 2007, would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to lawfully and quickly access cell phone location information, or ping information when a person […]
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Who defines the Missouri GOP: Roy Blunt, Josh Hawley or Eric Greitens?
(Missouri Independent) – The eyes of the nation turned to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley over the holidays when he became the first senator to announce an objection to the certification of presidential electors. But the eyes of local politicos turned instead to his home-state colleague, Missouri’s senior senator. How would Roy Blunt — up for […]
Corn and wheat export sales hit marketing year lows
The USDA says export sales numbers for most major commodities declined during the week ending February 18th. Corn and wheat were driven to new marketing year lows following cancellations by unknown destinations, possibly China, while soybean sales dropped also following cancellations by an unknown destination. China also canceled on U.S. beef and while it was […]
Audio: Next phase of COVID-19 plan, beginning March 15, includes teachers, faculty and staff in Missouri schools
The next tier of Missouri’s coronavirus vaccination plan will be activated on March 15. That means all teachers, faculty, and staff in public, private, and nonprofit pre-K-12 will become eligible. So will state-licensed childcare center workers, some food production employees, as well as grocery and convenience stores workers. Missouri is currently vaccinating residents in Phase […]
Governor Parson announces timeline for activation of Phase 1B -Tier 3 of COVID-19 vaccine plan
Governor Mike Parson announced that Phase 1B – Tier 3 of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Plan will be activated on Monday, March 15, 2021. “Missouri has had a vaccine plan since October, and this has not changed. We have been very disciplined in following our plan,” Governor Parson said. “With vaccine supply steadily increasing, we […]
Water outage in Spickard caused by water main breaks
The City of Spickard is expected to be without water until after 3 o’clock on Thursday, February 25th due to water main breaks. Mayor Alan Tharp says a precautionary boil advisory will follow until further notice, and testing can be done.
Defendant sentenced to 36-years in prison on multiple counts of sex and drug trafficking
Prince Bixler, 41, of Lexington, Kentucky, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Wier to 36 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $333,100 in restitution to three sex trafficking victims. In September 2020, a federal jury convicted Bixler of 15 federal felonies related to his […]
Missouri woman indicted for two armed bank robberies following high-speed police pursuit
A Missouri, woman who led police officers on a high-speed chase down Grand Avenue was indicted by a federal grand jury for two armed bank robberies. Sarah Theresa Watkins, 41, of Kansas City, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. The indictment replaces a federal criminal […]
Senator Josh Hawley introduces alternative to minimum wage hike, a pay raise through tax credits
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will introduce new legislation to give blue-collar workers a pay raise. For nearly four decades, workers making below the median wage have experienced stagnant wages, and this past year, the problem has been made worse by unprecedented layoffs, reduced hours, and income disruptions due to the government shutting down […]
Marceline man identified as suspect who died Friday night in Livingston County officer-involved shooting
The highway patrol troop office in St. Joseph on Monday morning released the name of the suspect who was shot and killed Friday night east of Chillicothe. The death occurred when the suspect was sitting in a deputy’s vehicle following a single-vehicle accident on Highway 36. The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the victim as […]
Brutal weather leads to early pothole season on Missouri roads
Missouri Department of Transportation crews are focusing on pothole repair through April. When you see a MoDOT crew making repairs, motorists should slow down and move over a lane to give them room to work. Crews started working to address the pesky potholes as soon as there was a break in the weather last week. […]
Natural gas customers in Princeton may end conservation efforts and return to normal usage
The city of Princeton reports natural gas customers can resume their usage at normal levels. The city previously requested during the recent extreme cold weather, that customers conserve on natural gas usage. The city of Princeton wants to thank customers for their energy conservation efforts. Governor Mike Parson says his office has been contacted by […]
Made in Missouri: Batteries that power Mars rover, Perseverance, made in Joplin
The new Mars rover is powered by batteries manufactured by EaglePicher Technologies in Joplin, Missouri. There were 14 EaglePicher silver-zinc batteries on the Atlas V launch rocket. Two of the company’s thermal batteries powered the spacecraft during entry, descent, and landing stages, including igniting the pyrotechnics that opened parachutes. The rover’s main power system consists […]
Suspect dead, deputy injured in officer-involved shooting east of Chillicothe
A suspect died following an officer-involved shooting near Highway 36 east of Chillicothe on Friday evening, February 19th, after attacking a deputy. That according to Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox, who reports the incident happened after a one-vehicle accident. The deputy responded to the accident at approximately 6:30 in the evening and found the vehicle […]
Missouri Department of Conservation to offer free guided birding hike at Pershing State Park
Winter is a good time for birding because foliage doesn’t hamper the viewing. The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a free guided birding hike from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Pershing State Park west of Laclede in Linn County. Hikers will explore the boardwalk near Locust Creek and the trail […]
Biden backs reparations study, as House Democrats push for commission
(Missouri Independent) – The White House on Wednesday indicated that President Joe Biden would support studying reparations for slavery, the same day that House Democrats held a hearing on legislation that would set up a reparations commission. But White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stopped short of saying Biden would sign the bill under consideration […]
Putnam County Health Department reports 15 new cases of COVID-19
The Putnam County Health Department reports 15 additional cases of COVID-19 since its last update on February 5th, which brings the total to 479. One person is being actively monitored by public health. Thirteen individuals have died from complications associated with COVID-19. The Putnam County Health Department reports it will not receive vaccine this week […]
Missouri State Highway Patrol announces promotion of Steven Wilhoit to Captain
The superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the following promotion effective March 1, 2021. Lieutenant Steven V. Wilhoit, Q/DDCC, will be promoted to the rank of captain and named commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, MO. Wilhoit was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1996, as a member of the 72nd […]
Audio: Distinguished alumni to be honored at North Central Missouri College’s Pirates Ball
The North Central Missouri College Foundation and Alumni Association will honor distinguished alumni at the Pirates Ball. Honorees John Sturdevant, Doctor Jamie Ausmus Hooyman, and Donovan Thompson will be recognized at the Ketcham Community Center on March 13th. A buffet will start that evening at 6 o’clock, a welcome will be at 6:15, and entertainment […]
Governor announces improved home heating bill assistance through LIHEAP
Governor Parson announced that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Energy Crisis Intervention Program will improve assistance offered to eligible low-income Missourians. “We are very pleased to announce this improvement to the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, especially given the extreme winter weather our state is currently facing,” Governor Parson said. “Since many Missourians remain […]