This article is a commentary. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of KTTN/KGOZ Radio, staff, management, or webmaster. (Missouri Independent) – No doubt, what is happening to sections of our state is absolutely heartbreaking. Currently, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is […]
Tag: government
Governor Parson announces Donald G. Kauerauf to lead Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Governor Mike Parson announced that he has selected Donald G. Kauerauf to be the next Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, effective September 1, 2021. “We are excited to welcome Don to Missouri and look forward to the great work he is sure to accomplish in service to all Missourians,” Governor […]
Webb City man pleads guilty to sexual exploitation of two children
A Webb City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to the sexual exploitation of two victims, an 8-year old and a 16-year old. Harley Wayne Schrader, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to two counts of the sexual exploitation of a child. By pleading guilty, Schrader admitted that he […]
Free Sunshine Law presentation at North Central Missouri College
Casey Lawrence, Director of Sunshine Law Compliance and Records Management from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, will provide a Missouri Sunshine Law presentation and update on the North Central Missouri College campus on August 3, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. in Cross Hall 208. This presentation is at no cost and open to the public. Those […]
Hawley hammers Facebook and Twitter on collusion with Biden administration to censor speech
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent letters to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey demanding answers on their collusion with the Biden administration to suppress free speech. Senator Hawley said the revelations raise questions as to whether the platforms are operating as arms of the federal government. Senator Hawley writes, “This casual admission of […]
Stop Ransomware website: Government launches first one-stop ransomware resource
As part of the ongoing response, agencies across the U.S. government announced new resources and initiatives to protect American businesses and communities from ransomware attacks. The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, together with federal partners, have launched a new website to combat the threat of ransomware. The Stop Ransomware […]
State auditor issues second report detailing unemployment benefits received in Missouri through federal COVID-19 response funding
State Auditor Nicole Galloway released her second report on unemployment benefits received by Missourians through COVID-19 response funding from the federal government. The report shows that, through April 2021, more than 600,000 Missouri citizens received more than $4.9 billion in benefits made available under several programs. Several federal laws enacted and executive actions taken in […]
Woman arrested for fake COVID-19 immunization and vaccination card scheme
A California-licensed homeopathic doctor was arrested for her alleged scheme to sell homeoprophylaxis (the controversial use of homeopathy as a preventive against serious infectious diseases) immunization pellets and to falsify COVID-19 vaccination cards by making it appear that customers had received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized Moderna vaccine. Juli A. Mazi, 41, of […]
Governor Parson signs 13 remaining pieces of legislation into law
Governor Mike Parson has signed 13 remaining pieces of legislation into law, concluding bill singings for the 2021 legislative session. SB 26 – Public Safety Modifies several provisions related to public safety, including providing taxpayers with the ability to obtain injunctive relief if a local government decreases its police department’s budget by a prescribed amount […]
Secretary of State announces grants awarded to local governments for records management, electronic records and preservation projects
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s Local Records Division is pleased to announce 23 grants totaling $283,584. These awards include 17 Local Records Grant Program awards totaling $144,809 and 6 Electronic Records Grant Initiative grants worth $139,775. “My office is pleased to help local communities in our state with records preservation,” Secretary Ashcroft said. “It’s a […]
Kansas man sentenced in Missouri to 12-years in prison for Payday Loan fraud and tax evasion
A Kansas man was sentenced in federal court for engaging in two separate fraud schemes related to millions of dollars in false payday loan debt and for tax evasion totaling more than $8 million. “After raking in millions of dollars from the victims of his fraud scheme, the defendant lied repeatedly and used every trick […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve LAGERS retirement program; update provided on new electric and water meter installation
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on Monday, July 12 approved the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System performing a payroll case study. That was after two LAGERS employees presented information on the retirement program. The LAGERS employees reported that if the city chose to enter the LAGERS retirement program, a new payroll case study would […]
Fate of Missouri Medicaid expansion in the hands of the state Supreme Court
(Missouri Independent) – After an eight-year fight over Medicaid expansion, the arguments are over. The question of whether 275,000 people will receive state-paid health care coverage is in the hands of the Missouri Supreme Court. Oral arguments took place Tuesday in an expedited appeal. The seven judges must decide whether Medicaid eligibility will expand, as directed by the […]
USDA announces dates for Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signups
Agricultural producers and landowners can apply for the Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signup from today until August 20. This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated signup options to provide greater incentives for producers and increase the program’s conservation and climate benefits, including setting a minimum rental rate and identifying two national priority zones. […]
Audio: Payments of child tax credits begin this week
Families will begin getting IRS child tax credits this week. Most payments will be automatic and will start this Thursday and will arrive about the 15th of each month through the end of 2021, but that will be half of the money due to families. The other half will come with payment of […]
Audio: Missouri’s Governor says state is considering incentive program to encourage more COVID vaccinations
The governor confirms the state is considering an incentive program to encourage more Missourians to get vaccinated. Governor Mike Parson tells Capitol reporters that he wants to do what he can to encourage more Missourians to take the COVID vaccine. The details of the incentive program are unclear because it’s still being worked […]
Biden administration defends push to boost COVID vaccinations after Parson criticism
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden’s key COVID-19 advisers on Thursday defended the administration’s strategies for boosting vaccinations in the states after Missouri’s governor said federal door-to-door outreach efforts are not welcome there. Top Biden adviser Jeff Zients said anyone mischaracterizing the administration’s attempts is “doing a disservice to the country.” Gov. Mike Parson voiced his […]
Mexican national sentenced to 6-years in federal prison for $10 million marijuana growing operation in Daviess County
A Mexican national who has been deported seven times after illegally entering the United States was sentenced in federal court for his role in a Daviess County, Missouri, marijuana-growing operation where law enforcement officers seized nearly $10 million worth of plants. Sergio Medina-Perez, 47, of El Monte, California, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg […]
“Surge response team” arrives in Missouri amid COVID-19 spike caused by Delta variant
(Missouri Independent) – As federal officials land in Missouri at the request of the state to assist with combatting a wave of new COVID cases spurred by the Delta variant, Gov. Mike Parson publicly rebuffed outreach strategies President Joe Biden touted. On Tuesday, a member of the newly-created federal surge response team arrived in the […]
Missouri State Auditor releases audit of Henry County
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of Henry County, located in western Missouri. The audit received an overall rating of “good”, an improvement since a 2015 audit that found several reoccurring issues throughout county government. The audit made recommendations to improve financial oversight in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office. The audit also recommended […]