Nurse assisting patient in wheelchair in nursing home

Missouri gives nursing homes a way to temporarily close in face of federal vaccine rule

(Missouri Independent) – With over 40% of Missouri’s nursing home staff still unvaccinated, the state health department is giving long-term care facilities a route to avoid losing their license if they shut down due to staffing shortfalls after a federal vaccine requirement kicks in next month. On Friday, the Department of Health and Senior Services […]

Patrick McKenna Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation

Billions headed to Missouri transportation fund from gas tax hike, infrastructure bill

(Missouri Independent) – With $6.5 billion on the way from the federal infrastructure bill and a newly increased gas tax, Missouri is ready to take a big bite out of $4.5 billion in unfunded highway needs, Patrick McKenna, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said this week. But that doesn’t mean the state is ready to tackle […]

Lead Hazard News Graphic

New funds and strategy may boost “massive task” of reducing lead exposure for Missouri kids

(Missouri Independent) – It’s clear that lead exposure is a problem for Missouri’s children. An estimated 4.5% have elevated levels of lead in their blood, more than almost any other state in the country. What’s far more difficult is figuring out where children are getting exposed to lead, said Carlton Waterhouse, President Joe Biden’s pick for […]

USDA Logo

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 […]

Veterans Community Project website

Ameristar Kansas City partners with Veterans Community Project for “Help Our Heroes” Events

Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City has partnered with the Veterans Community Project for “Help our Heroes” during November. “Veterans Community Project is built on community partnership,” said Sean Anderson, Lead Case Manager for Veterans Community Project. “Reminding Veterans, through our work and the work of our partners, that the community cares about them and wants […]

Meth with police banner

Iowa man faces charges in Putnam County after giving meth to a 16-year-old

A Centerville, Iowa man has been charged in Putnam County with two counts of felony first degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs after he allegedly supplied methamphetamine to a 16 year old twice. Fifty five year old Steven Charles Peckham has also been charged with felony distribution of a controlled substance in […]

Natural Gas

After cold snap upended markets, natural gas could be pricey this winter

(Missouri Independent) – After a historic cold snap depleted natural gas reserves in February, prices for heating could be as much as 30% higher this winter, prompting concerns about increasing bills for Kansas and Missouri customers. Kansas is already grappling with the $1 billion fallout from this winter’s cold snap when natural gas prices rose by […]

Sex Offender

Four sex offenders found violating regulations on Halloween night in Trenton

The Trenton Police Department checked residences of sex offenders on Halloween night to ensure all were compliant with the regulations a sex offender is required to adhere to. The law requires offenders to avoid all Halloween-related contact with children and stay inside their homes between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Offenders are […]

Daylight Saving Time Generic

Audio: “Falling back” should remind Missourians of safety says Missouri State Fire Marshal

Three out of five home fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms. As we approach Daylight Saving Time this weekend, Missouri’s state fire marshal is reminding us to protect ourselves and our families.  State Fire Marshal Tim Bean is asking that you use the clock-changing occasion to make sure you have working smoke […]

COVID-19 Sweepstakes or COVID-19 or Coronavirus Contest

Three million Missourians complete COVID-19 vaccination as MO VIP drawings conclude

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced that more than three million Missourians have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series. Missouri reaches this milestone upon the successful conclusion of the COVID-19 vaccine incentive program, MO VIP, that Governor Mike Parson announced on July 21, 2021.  In total, more than 66,500 adults and minors were vaccinated and […]

Gavel with word indictment news graphic

Three Missouri residents indicted for using identities of deceased people to file hundreds of COVID relief claims

Three Missouri residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in a scheme to use the identities of deceased people to file hundreds of false stimulus claims under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Warren W. Watkins, 39, and Marissia Jackson, 25, both of Kansas City, Mo., and Lamar K. Johnson, […]

USDA Logo

USDA launches resource guide to assist rural communities seeking disaster and recovery assistance

United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today unveiled a resource guide as part of National Preparedness Month to help rural communities seeking disaster resiliency and recovery assistance. This guide follows the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement of the American Jobs Plan, which targets investments to support infrastructure in communities that are most physically […]

Anti Vaccination Rally at Capitol 2 -15-2021

Missouri lawmakers look to undermine Biden COVID vaccine mandate

(Missouri Independent) – Members of the Missouri House on Wednesday floated the idea of pursuing legislation to undermine a mandate from the Biden administration meant to increase vaccination rates in the U.S. The House Judiciary Committee held what Rep. David Evans said was the first in a series of discussions about vaccine mandates, including an executive order […]

Audio: Federal worker vaccine mandate expected to drive nursing home workers out the door

The Biden Administration is expected to require nursing home workers to get their COVID-19 vaccination. In Missouri, about 50-percent of nursing home employees have been vaccinated, one of the worst rates in the country, according to federal data. Nikki Strong with the Missouri Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes across the state, says a […]

Missouri GOP vow to push back against Biden’s announced vaccine mandate

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Republicans assailed President Joe Biden’s push to require employees of private businesses to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing, vowing a legislative response and legal action. Gov. Mike Parson promised to “fight back against federal power grabs and government overreach” in a tweet Thursday afternoon, calling Biden’s plan “an […]

Construction workers installing solar panels

USDA invests $464 million in renewable energy infrastructure to help rural communities, businesses and ag producers reduce energy costs

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and help rural communities, agricultural producers, and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. “USDA continues to prioritize climate-smart infrastructure to help rural America build back better, stronger and more […]

Group Photo of Missouri Public Safety Medals

Governor Parson awards Missouri Public Safety Medals to first responders and civilians for heroic actions in 2020

Governor Mike Parson awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals to a total of 15 first responders and 7 civilians for heroic and life-saving actions during 2020. The awards are Missouri’s highest recognition for first responders acting during critical incidents. The civilians, who include a 12-year-old boy who performed a life-saving rescue at age 11, were honored […]

Notice of Eviction

Supreme Court rejection of eviction ban increases pressure to dole out rental aid money

(Missouri Independent) -The U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of the Biden administration’s last-ditch effort to extend a federal ban on evictions has put hundreds of thousands of American renters at risk of losing their housing — and is increasing pressure on states and localities to get rental assistance dollars distributed faster. In an eight-page majority opinion […]