American Rescue Plan of 2021 graphic

Biden-Harris Administration announces $500 million in rural health care funds under the American Rescue Plan

The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture is making up to $500 million available in grants to help rural health care facilities, tribes, and communities expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care services, and nutrition assistance. President Biden’s comprehensive plan to recover the economy and deliver relief to the American people […]

Leadership Northwest Music Jam final

Leadership Northwest Music Jam, with Sunny Sweeney and Salem Croy, set for September 25 at Black Silo Winery

Country music star Sunny Sweeney will be headlining the first Leadership Northwest Music Jam presented by Wright Memorial Hospital and Hedrick Medical Center. The show will be hosted at Black Silo Winery in Trenton on Saturday, September 25, 2021.  Ticket proceeds benefit Leadership Northwest Missouri and are on sale now.  Trenton local, Salem Croy, will […]

Governor Mike Parson

Missouri to accept Medicaid expansion applications; DSS to begin processing applications on October 1

(Missouri Independent) – Missourians who qualify for benefits under Medicaid expansion can begin enrolling. Still, it may take up to two months until they will find out if their eligibility has been verified and their application has been approved. In a news release Wednesday, Gov. Mike Parson announced that in response to a Cole County […]

Medicaid

Lawmakers say special session likely unneeded to fund Missouri Medicaid expansion

(Missouri Independent) – Legislative leaders of both parties said Tuesday that a special session is likely not needed to appropriate additional funds following a court order to begin covering Missourians who are eligible under voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, and Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis and […]

Cole County Judge Jon Beetem (Screenshot courtesy KRCG-TV)

Judge orders state to immediately allow Missourians to enroll in expanded Medicaid

(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri Department of Social Services must allow newly eligible residents that qualify for benefits under voter-approved Medicaid expansion to enroll and cannot impose greater restrictions on them, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem sided with the plaintiffs who urged him to allow Medicaid expansion to take […]

Missouri seeks to boost prizes in local vaccine incentive program

(Missouri Independent) – Prizes awarded through a vaccine incentive program offered by local public health departments in Missouri may get boosted to $100-per-person under a new federal allowance. After previously rejecting Missouri’s proposal to exceed a $25 limit on prizes paid for with federal funding to incentivize immunizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently […]

Adam Hall Photo Missouri Marching Festival Judge

Adam Hall announced as Missouri Day Marching Festival judge

The Missouri Day Marching Festival announces its partnership with Central States Judges Association. This year’s Marching Festival will welcome five members from the CSJA to judge various events on October 16, 2021, in Trenton. Adam Hall has been a member of the Central States Judges Association since 2005. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education and […]

MS-13 Gang Logo

Four MS-13 gang members indicted for 10 murders, kidnapping and racketeering charges

Four alleged members of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) have been charged in a federal superseding indictment with a racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders, kidnappings, and burglaries, as well as drug trafficking. The individuals charged in the superseding indictment are: Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, 27, aka Molesto; David Arturo Perez-Manchame, 22, aka Herbi, aka Walter Melendez; Joel […]

MS-13 Gang Logo over Department of Justice Logo

Nine MS-13 gang members indicted in racketeering and violent crime conspiracy

A federal grand jury in Nashville, Tennessee, has returned a 60-count indictment charging nine members of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) with a racketeering conspiracy spanning more than seven years. Those charged in the second superseding indictment are Carlos Ochoa-Martinez, 31, aka “El Serio;” Jason Sandoval, 35, aka “Bin Laden;” Jorge Flores, 29, aka “Peluche;” Kevin […]

USDA Logo

USDA invests $14 million in rural economic development projects in 10 states

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced that USDA is investing $14 million in rural economic development projects in 10 states. “When we invest in infrastructure, we’re investing in the people of rural America to help create thriving communities where they can grow and prosper. These loans […]