USDA Reconnect Program

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 Mike Parson

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 Food Website

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 (MPUA)

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 […]

Electric Transmission Line

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 […]

Mike Parson Governor of Missouri

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 […]

State of Emergency

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 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 […]

Daviess County Courthouse

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 Hospital Association

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. […]

Pothole in road

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 […]