The movement to expand affordable legal services is receiving renewed focus since a U.S. Supreme Court Justice made a public endorsement of the idea. Conservative-leaning Justice Neil Gorsuch recently wrote an op-ed for USA Today, calling on states to find creative ways for more Americans to get free or affordable legal guidance, especially in non-criminal cases. […]
Tag: increases
Statewide project testing wastewater for markers that cause COVID-19 underway
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and researchers at the University of Missouri – Columbia have been collaborating on a statewide project to test domestic wastewater for genetic markers of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Missouri’s Coronavirus Sewershed Surveillance Project is funded by a Centers for […]
Audio: Trenton Municipal Utilities facing $2.5 million in upgrades to aging water treatment plant
Trenton Municipal Utilities is facing issues involving its aging water treatment plant in West Trenton. Preliminary plans are being formed to make upgrades to the two clarifier basins. TMU Director Ron Urton spoke more on the issue. Urton spoke of an issue at one basin that developed last month but was resolved. […]
Missouri monthly jobs report for November, 2020
The Missouri labor market showed further improvement in November 2020. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 17,400 jobs over the month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points from October 2020 to November 2020, and the civilian labor force increased more than 23,000. However, the labor market still showed substantial losses from […]
Employer survey details employer perspectives on pandemic and skill needs
The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) released new statewide employer survey results to correspond with its 2020 Missouri Economic & Workforce Report, which was published earlier this fall. The Economic & Workforce Report tracks the state’s economy and workforce by fiscal year (July 2019 – June 2020). The corresponding employer survey results focus […]
Audio: Gas prices are climbing in Missouri for the holidays
Gas prices are climbing in Missouri for the holidays. Auto club Triple-A says Missouri’s average fuel price has increased nine cents over the past week to $1.93 per gallon – one of the largest increases but we still have some of the cheapest gas prices of all other states. AAA expects 34 million fewer travelers […]
Audio: Changes coming to Church Women United Thrift Store in Trenton
Several changes are coming for the Church Women United Thrift Store at 1703 Harris Avenue in Trenton. Treasurer Cathie Bowe says when the store reopens on January 8th and 9th, there will be a different floor layout. The Salvation Army of Chillicothe donated shelving and racks to Church Women United when the Salvation […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees presented various reports, approve audit and purchases
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees heard various reports the evening of December 22nd. Multiple reports involved information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dean of Instruction Mitch Holder filled in for Vice President of Academic Affairs Doctor Tristan Londre. Holder reported students were appreciative of the on-campus experience during the fall semester. He is […]
University of Missouri Extension entomologist lists pests farmers should watch for in 2021
University of Missouri Extension field crop entomologist Kevin Rice says Missouri soybean and corn growers should be on the lookout for growing populations of yield-robbing insects in 2021. Soybean gall midge MU Extension found soybean gall midge in two northwestern Missouri counties in 2019. Soybean gall midge larvae feed internally in the base of soybean […]
Trenton city sales tax receipts up nearly 6% for May through December
Trenton city sales tax receipts are up by nearly 6% for General Purposes, Capital Projects, and Parks. City sales tax receipts for the 17th Street Bridge replacement project are up nearly 8%. Revenue from the city sales tax for Trenton Fire Department needs is up nearly 7%. Those increases are for the first eight months […]
Harrison County officials issue “Public Service Recommendation” to wear masks
The Harrison County Community Hospital and clinics, Harrison County Health Department, and NTA Ambulance have issued a public service recommendation to wear masks in public. The recommendation is due to what officials call “significant increases” in COVID-19 cases in Harrison County and increased hospitalizations. The community health care providers ask the public to follow other […]
Audio: The latest on Missouri’s upcoming distribution of COVID-19 vaccine
If the Food and Drug Administration approves Pfizer’s request for emergency use of the company’s COVID-19 drug, Missouri could get the first shipment of the vaccine later this month. The first batch is expected to include 51,000 doses, followed by 64,000 the next week. The first phase of the state’s immunization plans will allow healthcare […]
Missouri state auditor releases 2020 property tax rates review
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released her office’s annual review of local property tax rates. The State Auditor’s Office reviews rates to determine whether the rates are compliant with state law and to monitor rate adjustments to ensure revenue neutrality, as required by law. The office does not make recommendations on property tax rates […]
Missouri lawmaker: State employees and teachers should receive pay raises, not elected officials
A veteran state lawmaker from southeast Missouri will file a resolution this week, aimed at blocking proposed pay increases for state lawmakers and for statewide elected officials. State Rep. Andrew McDaniel, R-Deering, was first elected to the Missouri House in 2014 and will be a senior member in January during his final House term in […]
Audio: Southeast Missouri lawmaker will file resolution to block proposed pay raises for state lawmakers
A veteran state lawmaker from southeast Missouri will file a resolution this week, aimed at blocking proposed pay increases for state lawmakers and statewide elected officials. Deering GOP State Representative Andrew McDaniel has voted against previous pay raises for lawmakers, and says it’s state employees and teachers who should receive a raise: The […]
Audio: Missouri’s Senate President Pro Tem to review report recommending pay increases for lawmakers
A bipartisan committee is recommending a five percent pay increase for Missouri lawmakers AND for statewide elected officials. The Citizen’s Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials has made the recommendation. While he hasn’t seen their report yet, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz says the commission’s work is independent. The “Springfield News-Leader” reports […]
USDA forecasts ag exports to increase by nearly eight percent for 2021 fiscal year
The USDA is calling for ag exports to increase by nearly eight percent for the 2021 fiscal year largely because of Chinese demand. USDA’s November ag export forecast increased by $11.5 billion from August to $152 billion. If realized it would be the second-highest export total on record with China accounting for most of the increase, […]
109 veterans have died of COVID-19 in Missouri veterans homes since September 1
The Missouri Veterans Commission’s Veterans Homes continue to fight COVID-19, and according to spokesman Jamie Melchert, they are continuing daily testing using PCR and antigen testing; training on the proper use of PPE and enhanced PPE; cleaning and disinfecting and enhanced training in these areas; infection control inspections and additional training; additional supervision, including from […]
Trenton City Council approves wage increase for police department; approves preparing ordinance calling for “Use Tax” vote
The Trenton City Council Monday night voted to have an ordinance prepared to call for a public vote on a proposed local use tax within the city of Trenton. The council also approved recommended wage increases for the Trenton Police Department in an effort to attract candidates for police officer. Both topics had gone to […]
Audio: United States Postal Services urges you to mail your packages early
The U. S. Postal Service is urging you to mail your holiday packages early this year. Brian Hauswirth has our report. The Postal Service describes 2020 as an extraordinary year of unprecedented challenges, with the COVID pandemic. The Postal Service is expecting significant volume increases. They have 644-thousand employees dedicated to ensuring gifts […]