(Missouri Independent) – U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland made history on Monday when she became the first Native American to ever be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to hold a position in a president’s Cabinet. In a narrow 51-40 vote, senators confirmed Haaland, a New Mexico Democrat, to serve as secretary of the interior, where she […]
Tag: former
Audio: A reset of the Renewable Fuels Standard will be coming in 2022
A reset of the Renewable Fuels Standard will take place in 2022 as part of the original law. Gary Marshall, the former CEO of the Missouri Corn Growers, tells Brownfield the EPA Administrator will have to assess the RFS program. “The RFS (will) all of a sudden has to be under the guidelines of the […]
Audio: Three former students recognized as “Distinguished Alumni” at NCMC Foundation Pirates Ball
Three former students of Trenton Junior College or North Central Missouri College were recognized as distinguished alumni at the NCMC Foundation Pirates Ball on March 13th. The Distinguished Alumni Class of 2020 included Doctor Jamie Hooyman, John Sturdevant, and Donovan Thompson. Jamie Hooyman attended TJC from 1981 to 1983 and received her Associate in Arts […]
Jay Nixon comeback? Democrats lining up for shot at open Missouri Senate seat
(Missouri Independent) – Roy Blunt’s announcement that he won’t seek a third term certainly shook up Republican politics in Missouri, sparking nearly every GOP elected official in the state to publicly mull jumping into the campaign. Democrats aren’t immune from the speculation. While any Democrat would face an uphill fight, the chance of a messy […]
Groundbreaking for Caldwell County’s Little Otter Creek Reservoir set for March 19, 2021
The final permits to begin construction on Little Otter Creek Reservoir were issued in late October 2020. Bud Motsinger, Presiding Commissioner of Caldwell County credits the success of this endeavor to the patience and support of the Citizens of Caldwell County and the hard work of present and past Commissioners, as well as elected officials […]
Owners of Christian reform school in Missouri charged with more than 100 counts of abusing girls
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced in a press conference that his office has filed a total of 102 criminal charges against Boyd and Stephanie Householder, who were the owners and operators of the now-defunct Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and Boarding School. Boyd and Stephanie Householder have been arrested and are in custody. […]
Roy Blunt is out. So who’s in? A list of possible Missouri GOP senate candidates
(Missouri Independent) – Roy Blunt’s decision not to seek a third term in the U.S. Senate will have cascading effects across Missouri’s political universe. The state has no shortage of ambitious Republican officials, each of whom can make a legitimate claim at being the strongest candidate. So will the 2022 GOP primary turn into a […]
Trenton Board of Education tackles huge agenda including approval of salary schedule for next school year
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education March 9th approved salary schedules for the 2021-2022 school year. One thousand dollars will be added to the base for the certified salary schedule, making the base salary $34,000. This was estimated to cost the district $119,591. Superintendent Mike Stegman noted the base salary for certified staff was “pretty […]
City of Forsyth receives “Poor” audit rating; audit highlights city’s poor oversight and accounting procedures
An audit of the City of Forsyth released today by State Auditor Nicole Galloway gives a rating of “poor” after finding numerous concerns, including more than $1,400 missing from the city’s vault and another $2,000 in utility deposits that were received but never deposited. In addition to the missing money, the audit also found that […]
Spickard Board of Aldermen discuss repair of waterline to school; approve pump station repair
The Spickard Board of Aldermen on March 8th discussed the fixing of the water line going into the school. The bill for labor was $975, which is to be split with the school. A ring, lid, and meter pit was $146. The board of aldermen and board of education agreed at a special meeting on […]
Iowa reporter’s trial renews call to protect freedom of the press
Testimony began Monday in the trial of an Iowa reporter arrested during a protest in Des Moines. Her case has become the focal point for those raising concerns about the treatment of the press by authorities. Andrea Sahouri is on trial for misdemeanor charges related to her arrest at a Black Lives Matter protest last May. […]
Audio: Missouri bill would allow domestic violence victims to get lifetime order of protection
Current state law allows orders of protection for one year – potentially forcing domestic violence victims to repeatedly return to court and face their abuser. Joplin Republican Representative Lane Roberts says that is wrong. During a state House committee hearing, Roberts, a former Missouri Public Safety Department director, says he wants to change the law […]
Audio: State Representative from Carrollton proposes legislation that would eliminate Missouri’s Presidential Preference Primary
Legislation to eliminate Missouri’s presidential preference primary has been heard in a House committee in Jefferson City. The bill is sponsored by State Representative Peggy McGaugh of northwest Missouri’s Carrollton, who says it would save state taxpayers nine-million dollars. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft supports McGaugh’s proposal. Missouri has used the presidential preference […]
Lawmakers propose permanent tax credit to stimulate development in nation’s underserved areas
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Ben Cardin (Md.) have introduced a measure to permanently extend the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC), which has created jobs and driven investment in neighborhoods with high poverty and unemployment rates. The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act (S.456) will permanently authorize a 39 percent federal tax credit for […]
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 […]
North Central Missouri College Foundation sets dates for annual Holiday Hoops event
December 2021 will mark the 17th year of the North Central Missouri College Foundation-sponsored High School Holiday Hoops. The Holiday Hoops Committee recently met and has set dates for games to be played on December 18th, 20-23, and 27-31, 2021. “We are excited to begin the planning for Holiday Hoops 2021. Canceling the 2020 event […]
Missouri House committee approves bills to regulate religious boarding schools
A state House committee has voted unanimously today to pass two bills that aim to keep tabs on unregulated faith-based boarding schools in Missouri. Former students from across the country attended a recent hearing and talked about getting beaten, being starved, restrained, forced to eat their own vomit, and put in isolation for days or […]
Audio: Bipartisan support in Missouri legislature involving federal stimulus checks and taxation
There is bipartisan support for legislation ensuring that Missourians cannot be taxed on their federal stimulus checks. Missouri House Budget Committee chairman Cody Smith of Carthage presented his bill Wednesday in Jefferson City, Smith tells lawmakers it’s important to act, noting that under Missouri’s tax code, federal stimulus checks related to COVID are […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve motion regarding electric rates; update provided regarding freezing water meters
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a motion regarding electric rates on Monday evening, February 22nd. The motion was to clarify that any business outside of a commercially zoned area that is required to possess a valid business license will be required to pay a commercial electric rate for the property that is used for […]