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USDA invests $14 million in rural economic development projects in 10 states

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced that USDA is investing $14 million in rural economic development projects in 10 states. “When we invest in infrastructure, we’re investing in the people of rural America to help create thriving communities where they can grow and prosper. These loans […]

Back To School, Are You Ready?

“Back to School” event set to begin at 11 am today for Kindergarten through 12th grade students in Chillicothe

A “Back to School” event is scheduled today (Tuesday, July 27, 2021) in Chillicothe. Free backpacks and school supplies are to be provided for all Livingston County Kindergarten through 12th-grade students who registered with the Livingston County Office of MU Extension. There are no income guidelines on eligibility. The event is listed for two periods […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Missouri Supreme Court rules voter-approved Medicaid expansion is constitutional

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri must expand Medicaid to 275,000 eligible people who were expecting coverage under a constitutional amendment that took effect July 1, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Thursday. In a unanimous opinion, the court overturned a trial court ruling that the amendment, passed in August 2020 was unconstitutional because it may increase the state’s cost for […]

Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri

Dual credit assistance program now available to income-qualified high school students

Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri is offering a dual credit assistance program to income-qualified high school students currently residing in our nine-county service area. The program’s funding can be used toward multiple classes across multiple semesters and covers both tuition and books. Students seeking their High Set (GED) certificate, trade-school, and nursing program […]

The Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday over Medicaid expansion. (Screenshot from pool video provided by KMIZ-TV)

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 […]

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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. […]

Sales Tax

Trenton city sales tax revenue increases more than 6%

Trenton’s city sales tax revenue is up more than six percent when comparing the first quarter of this fiscal year to the same period a year ago. Involved are receipts from May through July. In dollar figures, the increases are general purposes at nearly $13,000, capital projects more than $6,400, parks more than $6,200, transportation […]

Man filling water bottle from rural spigot

Biden-Harris Administration invests $307 million in rural water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in 34 states

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture is investing $307 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 34 states and Puerto Rico (PDF, 224 KB). The investments being announced follow President Biden’s announcement last week of a Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework that will make the largest investment in clean […]

Fiber Optic Internet Access

University of Missouri Broadband Initiative outlines community-driven process for local expansion

Adoption of broadband has the potential to boost a community’s economic growth and quality of life. But in much of Missouri, especially rural areas, the high-bandwidth wirelines to connect households and businesses don’t exist. Helping more Missouri communities become digitally connected was the topic of a recent webinar by the University of Missouri System Broadband […]