(Missouri Independent) – Proposals that would bar COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide greater exemptions for vaccinations more broadly faced a wave of opposition from Missouri business groups Wednesday. Representatives for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Associated Industries of Missouri, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and other business associations made clear to lawmakers […]
Tag: greater
Supreme Court appears wary of Biden vaccine-or-test employer mandate
(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared unconvinced Friday of the Biden administration’s authority to impose a vaccine-or-test mandate on private businesses, casting doubt on a key piece of the White House COVID-19 response. The justices seemed potentially more comfortable with another Biden administration rule to fight the virus that requires certain […]
MU Extension to hold two-day feedlot school in Trenton
The University of Missouri Extension will hold a feedlot school on January 13 and January 14, 2022, at North Central Missouri College in Trenton. MU Extension beef nutritionist Eric Bailey says MU Extension specialists will present the “ins and outs of feeding cattle in Missouri.” There is renewed interest in feedlots due to new packing […]
North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission recommends names for roads near East Locust Creek Reservoir
At the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission meeting, the Commissioners took up the issue of adopting a “Naming Convention” that will guide the naming of approximately 113 features at or near the East Locust Creek Reservoir ELCR. Features include, but are not limited to; roads, bridges, branches, coves, points, the marina, boat launch areas, […]
USDA provides additional pandemic assistance to hog producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new program to assist hog producers who sold hogs through a negotiated sale during the period in which these producers faced the greatest reduction in market prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative and addresses […]
USDA to make up to $800 million available to provide economic relief to biofuel producers
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA will make up to $800 million available to support biofuel producers and infrastructure. The announcement includes $700 million to provide economic relief to biofuel producers and restore renewable fuel markets affected by the pandemic. The Department will make the funds available through the new Biofuel Producer […]
Immigrants make last-ditch plea for deportation protections, work permits in “Build Back Better”
(Missouri Independent) – Undocumented workers and immigration advocates are pushing for Democrats to keep work permits and protections from deportations in the final version of the $1.85 trillion social spending and climate package that the U.S. House is set to vote on as soon as Thursday night. Those immigration provisions face elimination when the bill […]
Smithfield Foods settlement with feds can’t be used in COVID lawsuits
(Missouri Independent) – Smithfield Foods agreed this week to pay the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration $13,494 to settle a citation for failing to protect its meatpacking employees in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from exposure to the coronavirus last year, but the company didn’t admit it did anything wrong. As such, the settlement can’t […]
Warren County, Missouri selected as location for planned beef processing facility creating 1300 jobs and $1 billion in economic impact
Warren County has been selected by American Foods Group as the planned location for a new state-of-the-art beef processing facility, pending final approval. Once established, the facility would create more than 1,300 new jobs and generate $1 billion in economic impact in the state of Missouri. “Missouri is able to compete for projects of this […]
Audio: Missouri Western State University requiring masks again, effective immediately
A Missouri University is requiring masks again, effective immediately. Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy announced the decision in a message to everyone on the St. Joseph campus. Kennedy says the decision was made after the university COVID-19 response team reviewed the coronavirus data for the greater St. Joseph area, observing increases in case […]
Climate funds in infrastructure bill aimed at drought, wildfires, floods
(Missouri Independent) – The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just about roads and bridges — it also spends billions to address wildfire, drought, flooding, and other effects from climate change, Interior Department officials said Wednesday. The $1.2 trillion measure, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after the House cleared it last week, includes pay […]
People are grappling with rising food prices and supply issues
From supply-chain issues to rising food costs, local food shelves are navigating a sea of obstacles in gathering enough supplies for those needing help. Iowa locations say to meet the nutritional needs of clients, the public could help in a variety of ways. The Food Bank of Siouxland, which covers several counties in northwestern Iowa, […]
White House says “Easing of supply chain problems to start with backed-up seaports”
(Missouri Independent) – The first seaport to improve its facilities following passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill could be in Savannah, Ga., a senior Biden administration official said Tuesday. President Joe Biden has yet to sign the measure, which Congress sent to Biden’s desk late last week, funding improvements in highways, transit, ports, waterways, airports, […]
USDA awards funds to 13 organizations to create livable communities attracting people and jobs
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is awarding $3 million in cooperative agreements to 13 organizations. These organizations will provide technical assistance to people living in rural and Tribal communities so they can apply for and access government resources for projects that will attract jobs and […]
Audio: Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri promotes strategic plan for expanding projects
Expanding projects is one of three parts to the Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri’s strategic plan for the next few years. Executive Director Chris Small reports that, at a national level, Community Action has always focused on helping individuals and families. He explains that, in the last five to eight years, there has […]
Audio: Case adding greater protections for rape survivors heads to Missouri Supreme Court
A case heads to the Missouri Supreme Court this week about a state law adding greater protections for sexual assault survivors. The Missouri Supreme Court will hear a case Tuesday about a 2020 law known as the “Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights”. The law streamlines the testing and tracking of rape kits […]
Chillicothe Police Department offers Halloween safety tips
The Chillicothe Police Department has provided some Halloween safety tips. The tips include walking safely by crossing the street at corners and crosswalks, looking both ways before crossing a street, walking on sidewalks, and watching for vehicles that are turning or backing up. Trick or treaters are advised to not dart into the street or […]
USDA to make up to $1.15 billion available to help people living in rural communities access high-speed internet
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care, and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country […]
Winners announced in final MO VIP drawing
Winners of the fifth and final drawing of Missouri’s Vaccine Incentive Program (MO VIP) were announced at this link. Since Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of the program on July 21, MO VIP has been incentivizing COVID-19 vaccination, while also providing an opportunity for rewards for the Missourians who had already made the decision to be […]
Protection from flu may be even more important this year
Flu season has arrived in Missouri, and state health officials are urging individuals to get vaccinated now to protect themselves and their families, prevent the spread of flu, and ease the burden of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that have and continue to impact the healthcare system. Although the number of flu cases reported through […]