(Missouri Independent) – Roy Blunt’s decision not to seek a third term in the U.S. Senate will have cascading effects across Missouri’s political universe. The state has no shortage of ambitious Republican officials, each of whom can make a legitimate claim at being the strongest candidate. So will the 2022 GOP primary turn into a […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt led a coalition of 12 states in filing suit against President Joe Biden’s administration over a massive expansion of federal regulations through executive order, potentially impacting nearly every aspect of the economy and Missouri household. “Manufacturing, agriculture, and energy production are essential to Missouri’s economy and employ thousands of hard-working […]
A Lawson man charged with first-degree murder following a shooting in Polo in January had his case bound over March 5th to Division One of Caldwell County Circuit Court. 35-year-old Kevin Lynn Barnett Junior is scheduled for formal arraignment on March 9th. The court found probable cause to believe he was involved in the felonies, […]
Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that his office has filed a civil lawsuit against Jason Soetebier and Soetebier Contracting LLC of Jefferson County, Missouri. The suit alleges that Soetebier agreed to complete interior and exterior construction projects for various customers in exchange for full or partial upfront payments. In each instance, Soetebier failed to start […]
Eight defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $4.1 million conspiracy to distribute more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine. Tina Marie Bailey, 36, and Martin Lee Williams, 58, both of Kansas City, Mo.; Mark Williams Hildebrand II, 31, and Harry Richard Watson Jr., also known as “Ricky,” 35, […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway recently issued monthly reports detailing the compliance of municipalities and other political subdivisions with financial reporting laws. One report includes cities, towns, and villages, while the other lists political subdivisions such as water, fire protection, and other taxing districts. These entities are required to file annual financial reports with the State […]
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Deb Fischer (Neb.) in introducing the Kelsey Smith Act. The bill, named for 18-year-old Kelsey Smith who was abducted and murdered in 2007, would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to lawfully and quickly access cell phone location information, or ping information when a person […]
(Missouri Independent) – About 137,700 registered voters in Missouri did not have a state-issued identification in 2017, according to an analysis from the Secretary of State’s Office. Another 140,000 voters had expired IDs, and 2,000 more voters had forfeited their driver’s licenses. Under a bill passed Wednesday in the Missouri House, those registered voters would either have to […]
Legislation that would allow Missourians to carry a concealed gun inside churches and other places of worship without the minister’s consent has been approved by a Missouri House committee. House General Laws Committee chairman Curtis Trent announced Thursday afternoon’s close vote. The bill is sponsored by GOP State Representatives Ben Baker of Neosho […]
Joshlin and Addie Yoder of Leonard, Missouri, located in Shelby County have been selected as the recipients of the 2020 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award®. The award, named for renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes farmers, ranchers, and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private land. In Missouri, the $10,000 award […]
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. […]
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 […]
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. […]
(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 […]
The Grundy County Commission approved a Second Amendment Perseverance Ordinance on Tuesday morning, February 9th. The ordinance installs protections in Grundy County on federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations, which infringe on rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution. Presiding Commissioner […]
An additional topic has been announced for Tuesday’s meeting (February 9th) of the Grundy County Commission. Commissioners at 8:30 are to discuss the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, which involves the right to bear arms. The Camden County Commission recently adopted an ordinance intended to protect their county residents’ Second Amendment rights. The ordinance is […]
Legislation that would allow the concealed carrying of guns in churches and other places of worship with a concealed carry permit will be heard this (Monday) evening by a Missouri House committee in Jefferson City. The House General Laws Committee will hear testimony from Neosho GOP State Representative Ben Baker tonight at 6. […]
The differences between Missouri’s general and optional fence laws will be discussed at a program to be held in person and online via Zoom on February 23rd and March 8th. Sessions will be held at the Harrison County Extension Center of Bethany, Adair County Extension Center of Kirksville, and North Central Missouri College Barton Farm […]
A former Harrison County sheriff deputy charged with two felony counts of tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution entered a plea of not guilty on February 3rd. Online court information shows 43-year-old Kevin Lawson of Gilman City is next scheduled for court on April 7th. He also faces misdemeanor tampering with a public […]
A gun law bill that passed the Missouri House Wednesday would punish a police department through civil lawsuits if an officer enforces federal gun laws. A twin of the bill is also moving through the Senate. The “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” sponsored by Rep. Jered Taylor, R-Nixa, is aimed at disregarding any federal firearms actions by the […]
