Missouri’s Secretary of State is praising poll workers across the state, for their assistance with four major elections in 2020. Republican Jay Ashcroft notes those elections included Missouri’s presidential preference primary, the August primary, and November. The General Assembly in May approved bipartisan legislation expanding absentee voting to those 65 and older or […]
Tag: language
Lack of adequate funding has left county taxpayers bearing incarceration costs of state prisoners
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released an audit of the County Reimbursement Program, which reimburses county governments for certain costs for housing and transporting state prisoners. The program is administered by the Missouri Department of Corrections. The audit found that a combination of delayed reimbursements due to lack of state funding and increasing incarceration […]
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 […]
Trenton woman arrested on endangering the welfare of a child
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Trenton woman on December 22nd on felony second degree endangering the welfare of a child in ritual/ceremony. If the charge stating that someone was involved in a ritual or ceremony sounds confusing, that’s because it is. The Grundy County Prosecutor’s office reports the charge should […]
EPA proposes registration of Trifludimoxazin, a new herbicide active ingredient
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes registering pesticide products containing the new active ingredient trifludimoxazin, a vital additional tool in managing resistant weeds. Trifludimoxazin is an herbicide intended for pre-and/or post-emergent control of broadleaf and grass weeds. It can be applied by aircraft on citrus fruits, pome fruits, cereal grain (except rice), tree nuts, peanuts, […]
Audio: Seventh District State Representative Rusty Black on the upcoming 101st General Assembly and COVID-19
The 101st General Assembly of the Missouri legislature begins January 6th with members being sworn in. Seventh District State Representative Rusty Black of Chillicothe will begin his third term. Black reports he has asked to remain on the Budget Committee. He has also asked to continue to be the Appropriations Chair for Education and the […]
House passes legislation to improve flood protection, inland waterways & other water resources infrastructure
After negotiations between the House and Senate were completed, the final Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (S. 1811) was approved by the House of Representatives. S. 1811 represents an agreement between House and Senate committees on final WRDA language, based in part on H.R. 7575, which passed the House by voice vote in July […]
Audio: Missouri K-12 statewide testing to move forward, but results won’t be used for accountability purposes
The Missouri Board of Education voted Tuesday to avoid using 2021 standardized test results for state and federal accountability. Members still want the state’s K-12 public school students to take statewide tests next year, but they do not want the results to count against schools for funding and accreditation purposes. The move might lower the […]
Audio: Missouri Senator Josh Hawley says he’ll vote no on the National Defense Authorization Act
Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley plans to vote against the annual bill that authorizes funding for the U.S. military. The Kansas City Star reports that Hawley announced his intention on Wednesday to vote against the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) following a veto threat from President Donald Trump. Hawley said he […]
With no statewide mandate in Missouri, more local governments are requiring masks
(Missouri Independent) – In early July, the Columbia City Council passed an ordinance requiring everyone over 10 years old to wear a face mask when in close contact with someone from outside their household. Since that vote, a requirement for face masks has been in every health order issued for the city of 123,000 by the Columbia-Boone […]
Spickard Board of Education votes to retain health insurance provider for 2021
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education on November 16th voted to stay with the same health insurance for 2021. Secretary Kelli Girdner reports the insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield will increase $3,000 total for a monthly premium. The superintendent was appointed as the district English Language Learner coordinator and district foster care point of […]
Newtown-Harris Board of Education adopt virtual instruction policies
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education adopted policies Monday evening involving virtual instruction, English Language Learners, and transgender students. The 2019-2020 audit was approved. Superintendent Lucas McKinnis reported Newtown-Harris is setting up a virtual program for students. Arrangements are being made, so after school activities can continue. Virtual platforms will be used as necessary. Ceiling […]
Missouri medical marijuana trial focuses on alleged role of insiders on license rules
(Missouri Independent) – A Missouri family that was denied a license to grow medical marijuana alleged in court this week that outside groups and individuals had undue access to top state officials — and that access led to an opaque process and contributed to the decision to cap the number of licenses granted. To buttress […]
Missouri Medicaid expansion: Will it bust the budget or pay for itself?
(Missouri Independent) – When Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion in August, they were told by the ballot language that the price tag was unknown, with possible costs at $200 million stated alongside $1 billion in potential savings. What is known for certain is that about 250,000 Missourians will become eligible for coverage next year — […]
Connecting to Careers: Helping veterans transfer value and skills to civilian life.
Scott Hoad was at a low point this spring, trying to piece together a decent living after being laid off from a job painting commercial aircraft. Then Hoad crossed paths with Amy Patillo, a University of Missouri Extension labor and workforce development specialist based in Springfield. Hoad’s brother owns the ranch where Patillo boards her […]
Missouri Amendment Three debate centers around a nonpartisan demographer
Both sides in the debate on Missouri’s Amendment Three November ballot measure presented their case to voters Wednesday evening, in a virtual forum hosted by Springfield’s Drury University. Missourians approved “Clean Missouri” in 2018, which required a nonpartisan demographer to draw state legislative districts. Amendment Three transfers that responsibility to governor-appointed bipartisan commissions. State Sen. […]
Princeton Board of Education approves bus routes, hears update on ball field relocation plan
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education approved school bus routes and heard an update on the ball field relocation plan on the evening of Tuesday, October 13th. A news release reports the Princeton Ball Association and Princeton School District are working to relocate the softball and baseball complex from its current location in the lower […]