The House moved to ban the use of eminent domain for a large wind-energy power line planned to span from Kansas to Indiana. In a voice vote on Tuesday, lawmakers approved legislation that would prevent the use of private land for the Grain Belt Express power line without property owners’ permission. The high-voltage […]
Tag: law
Audio: Missouri Senate passes protections against COVID-19 lawsuits
The Missouri Senate has passed a bill that would protect some businesses and organizations from COVID-19 exposure lawsuits. The legislation is designed to protect businesses like health care providers, manufacturers, schools, and churches from such lawsuits in many instances. Under the bill, the lawsuits must be filed within a year of an alleged COVID-19 exposure. […]
Audio: Missouri Senate puts off vote on giant K-12 education package
After about twelve hours of debate, the Missouri Senate refrained from voting overnight on a contentious K-12 public education package. There was some confusion towards the end that appeared to ultimately lead to the plan getting shelved – at least for now. Several changes were made over the course of the day and night. As […]
One of the nation’s largest chicken producers pleads guilty to price fixing and is sentenced to $107 million criminal fine
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a major broiler chicken producer based in Greeley, Colorado, has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to pay approximately $107 million in criminal fines for its participation in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products, the Department of Justice announced today. According to the plea agreement entered […]
Bill increasing penalties for protesters wins initial approval in Missouri Senate
(Missouri Independent) – Republican state Senators advanced sweeping legislation early Tuesday morning aimed at penalizing protestors who block streets, while also providing further protections for law enforcement under investigation for misconduct or excessive force. The bill also aims to prevent municipalities from decreasing the budgets for law enforcement agencies in Missouri by more than 12 percent over […]
Two from Cameron arrested by highway patrol
Two people from Cameron have been arrested in DeKalb County. The Highway Patrol reports 47-year-old Juan Fernandez was taken late Monday night to the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail in Pattonsburg. Fernandez was arrested on warrants from Independence which include unlawful possession of a firearm, as well as resisting arrest, obstructing police, interfering with police, and fleeing […]
Audio: Missouri Conservation Department Director testifies against proposal to increase conservation commission’s size
The Missouri Department of Conservation director has testified against a proposal to increase the size of the Conservation Commission from four to nine, saying it could lead to regional favoritism. Conservation director Sara Parker Pauley testified last (Monday) night during a lengthy House committee hearing in Jefferson City. Conservation director Sara Parker Pauley […]
Missouri State Auditor releases report on seizures by law enforcement
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a compilation of property seizures made under Missouri’s Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act (CAFA) in 2020. The Auditor’s report shows law enforcement officials seized an estimated $4.2 million worth of property in 502 seizures. In 2019, law enforcement officials seized approximately $5.9 million worth of property in 493 seizures. […]
Trenton City Council table “right of way” agreement with MoDOT, discuss generation of power at Monday meeting
The Trenton City Council on Monday night tabled an ordinance, approved a resolution, accepted a bid, and agreed to buy a riding lawnmower locally. More details also were presented on TMU’s use of diesel generators during the cold weather. The council voted to table a “right of way” agreement between the city of Trenton and […]
Missouri State Highway Patrol report arrests over the weekend
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the arrest of a Novinger resident in Adair County. Thirty-year-old Brandon Sizemore was arrested on multiple allegations including felony possession of methamphetamine at a county jail; felony unlawful use of a weapon; unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia driving while suspended and an Adair County warrant for driving without a […]
Audio: Missouri’s St. Louis County makes Juneteenth a holiday
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. St. Louis County has made Juneteenth a holiday. The observance on June 19th marks […]
WWII Nazi concentration camp guard removed to Germany
A Tennessee resident with German citizenship was removed to Germany for participating in Nazi-sponsored acts of persecution while serving as an armed guard at a Nazi concentration camp in 1945. In February 2020, Friedrich Karl Berger, 95, was ordered removed from the U.S. based on his participation in Nazi-sponsored persecution while serving in Nazi Germany […]
Hawley, members of Missouri delegation ask for review of natural gas supply
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and members of the Missouri Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission asking for a review of the natural gas supply in light of electricity outages, rolling blackouts, and controlled service interruptions across Missouri and the Midwest during extreme winter weather. “Due to […]
Biden backs reparations study, as House Democrats push for commission
(Missouri Independent) – The White House on Wednesday indicated that President Joe Biden would support studying reparations for slavery, the same day that House Democrats held a hearing on legislation that would set up a reparations commission. But White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stopped short of saying Biden would sign the bill under consideration […]
Missouri House committee votes to forgive federal unemployment debts
(Missouri Independent) – Thousands of Missourians facing repayment of mistakenly paid unemployment benefits would get some relief under legislation passed with a bipartisan vote Wednesday in a Missouri House committee. The bill, which will likely be debated on the House floor next week, would forgive debts due to overpayments from federal coronavirus relief programs but would not […]
Audio: Missouri adults less educated today than nationally
Missouri adults are less educated today than nationally. That’s what state House Budget Committee members learned Wednesday during a hearing about Governor Parson’s next state budget proposal for Missouri’s colleges and universities. Higher Education and Workforce Development Department Commissioner Zora Mulligan says there have been many efforts to change this trend. Mulligan says […]
Missouri State Highway Patrol announces promotion of Steven Wilhoit to Captain
The superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the following promotion effective March 1, 2021. Lieutenant Steven V. Wilhoit, Q/DDCC, will be promoted to the rank of captain and named commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, MO. Wilhoit was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1996, as a member of the 72nd […]
Tractor Supply Company acquires Orscheln Farm and Home for $297 million
Tractor Supply Company announced on February 17th that it entered into an agreement to acquire Orscheln Farm and Home for about $297 million in cash. Orscheln is based in Moberly and has 167 stores in 11 states. Store locations include Trenton, Chillicothe, Bethany, Brookfield, Cameron, Carrollton, and Kirksville. Tractor Supply Company is based in Brentwood, […]
Brookfield man faces first-degree sexual abuse charge
A Brookfield man accused of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman on February 12th has been charged in Linn County. Forty-year-old Clarence Clifton Turner faces a felony charge of first-degree sexual abuse. A probable cause statement from Brookfield Police Officer Zach Bunton reports Turner asked to come inside the woman’s residence on Canal Street in Brookfield, […]