Governor Mike Parson has announced that President Donald Trump has approved his request for a major disaster declaration to help local governments and nonprofit agencies in 13 Missouri counties recover from devastating flooding and severe storms that occurred from March 11 to April 16. The declaration makes federal assistance available for the repair of damaged […]
Tag: infrastructure
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve lease for new Caterpillar wheel loader
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a lease for a new loader for the city at a meeting Monday evening. The vote was for a seven-year lease to purchase a 926M Caterpillar wheel loader at the best available financing option. City Administrator Lance Rains presented two quotes for a loader and currently available financing options […]
United States Department of Agriculture Accepting Applications for Rural Broadband Program
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Tuesday that the United States Department of Agriculture is accepting online applications for funding through the new ReConnect Rural Broadband Pilot Program. The funds will enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient […]
Governor Parson Requests Federal Disaster Declaration in Response to Flooding
Governor Mike Parson on Wednesday requested that President Donald Trump approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of 13 counties in response to devastating flooding that began March 11. The Governor said he expects the request to be expanded to include additional counties once floodwaters recede and full damage assessments can be […]
Smithfield Foods & RAE launch joint venture to create renewable energy, wildlife habitat
Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) have formed a joint venture called Monarch Bioenergy to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) across Smithfield’s hog farms in Missouri. This partnership converts manure collected from Smithfield farms into RNG, while simultaneously delivering ecological services and developing wildlife habitat. Once complete, all Smithfield company-owned finishing farms in […]
Missouri Public Utility Alliance responds to Grain Belt-related legislation passed by Missouri House
The Missouri House advanced House Bill 1062 to the Missouri Senate. This bill will effectively kill new infrastructure projects like the Grain Belt Express transmission line. Members of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA) have repeatedly let lawmakers know that 39 local consumer-owned utilities, representing more than 350,000 people in the state, stand to lose […]
USDA invests in rural electric infrastructure and smart grid improvements in 13 States
Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley announced that USDA is investing $485 million to upgrade rural electric systems and reduce energy costs. The funding includes nearly $7.1 million for smart grid technologies that improve system operations and monitor grid security. “Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is a proud […]
Governor Parson calls for damage assessments in preparation for federal disaster declaration request
Governor Mike Parson has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessment in seven Missouri counties in response to devastating Missouri River flooding that began in March. The joint teams will survey damage in preparation for a request from the Governor for federal disaster assistance. “Although the floodwaters have not fully […]
Audio: Missouri House approves $29.2 billion state operating budget
The Missouri House has voted to approve a 29-point-two BILLION dollar state operating budget, which includes a 100-million dollar transportation infrastructure plan. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith says it’s the first time in recent history that general revenue would be used for transportation. The Carthage Republican tells House colleagues he opposes placing […]
Are you unwittingly driving a salvaged car?
Thousands of drivers in Missouri could be driving cars that have been previously totaled in an accident, and never even know it. That’s because current law says if the car is more than six years old, the title does not have to be stamped as salvage. This week, a proposed new law that would change […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen contend with lengthy agenda at latest meeting
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen accepted bids for cemetery mowing at its meeting Monday evening provided the contractors can provide necessary insurance requirements. Mike Walker will mow Lile Cemetery for $50 per mowing. Mitchell Ott will mow Brown and Greenwood cemeteries for $425 each time. The accepted bids were the lowest. Walker also submitted a […]
Governor Parson declares “State of Emergency” in Missouri
Governor Mike Parson has declared a state of emergency in Missouri in response to worsening conditions along the Missouri and Mississippi River systems as a result of release from upstream reservoirs, snowmelt and excessive rainfall. Governor Parson also activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions. […]
Audio: Missouri Farm Bureau President says northwest Missouri flooding will especially hurt farmers
Northwest and northeast Missouri farmers are feeling the pain caused by major flooding in the region. In northwest Missouri, Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst thinks most of the farmers impacted by the flood waters were able to get their tractors and combines to higher ground but not their grain. Hurst says record-breaking flooding […]
Missouri State Auditor details poor financial condition in Village of Ferrelview
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released a citizen-requested audit of the Village of Ferrelview (pop. 373), located in Platte County. The report detailed significant financial concerns, failure to complete long-range planning in critical areas of need, and lack of oversight over village operations. “The financial condition of the Village of Ferrelview is concerning, and my […]
Central Service and Supply to build manufacturing facility in Macon
Central Service and Supply, Inc., an advanced manufacturer headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, has announced the selection of Macon, Missouri, as the location of their new advanced manufacturing facility citing access to talent and logistical advantages as main reasons for their choice. “We are extremely excited to expand into Missouri,” Adam Nolan, Vice President of […]
Audio: Missouri House Budget Committee Chairman unveils $100 Million transportation plan
Governor Mike Parson’s office says they’re confident that a final transportation agreement with Missouri lawmakers is possible, before the end of the session in May. The governor’s office is responding to House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith’s 100-million dollar transportation plan, which does NOT incur new debt. The Carthage Republican has concerns with the governor’s […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve ordinance
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen held a public hearing Monday evening and later approved an ordinance during a regular meeting adopting and enacting new codification of the city’s ordinance book. The ordinance conformed with State Statute and updated various zoning regulations. City Clerk Hattie Rains says no major changes were made to Gallatin City Code. […]
Missouri hospitals’ community benefit exceeded $3.3 billion In 2017
New data from the Missouri Hospital Association reveals that in 2017, the state’s hospitals provided more than $1.4 billion in uncompensated care and exceeded $3.3 billion in total community benefit — record totals for both categories. The report and hospital-specific data are available on the association’s consumer data site, FocusOnHospitals.com. “Hospitals are committed to building […]
USDA prioritizes investments in telemedicine to address opioid crisis in rural America
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture is giving funding priority in a key grant program for applications to address opioid misuse in rural communities. “The opioid epidemic is dramatically impacting prosperity in many small towns and rural places across the country,” Hazlett said. […]
Winter weather takes toll on north Missouri roads
Across Northwest Missouri, the effects of winter weather are evident everywhere you look frozen ground, canceled classes, snow-covered fields, and potholes. The Missouri Department of Transportation normally launches its pothole efforts in March, but with the extreme weather we’ve faced this year, the roads are taking a beating. When they’re not out plowing ice and […]