United States Supreme Court (Phot credit Laura Olson - States Newsroom)

Supreme Court to hear case against Proposition 12 by National Pork Producers Council and American Farm Bureau Federation

The U.S. Supreme Court at its Mar. 25 conference agreed to hear a case brought by the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation against California’s Proposition 12, which bans the sale of pork from hogs born to sows that weren’t raised according to the state’s “arbitrary” production standards. “We are extremely […]

Photo of border wall (Photo via Greg Bulla on Unsplash)

New process for asylum cases at the border unveiled by Biden administration

(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration announced Thursday steps to expedite asylum cases at the U.S.-Mexico border in an attempt to resolve a years-long backlog, but policy advocates worry the streamlined process could prevent asylum seekers from obtaining legal representation if their cases are denied.  “If somebody is not approved in the first instance, they’re […]

Grain Belt Express News Graphic

Audio: Missouri House gives initial approval to eminent domain legislation for utility purposes

The Missouri House of Representatives has given initial approval to eminent domain legislation for utility purposes. Lawmakers have been working for years to pass a plan like this due to a high-voltage power transmission line project planned across eight northern Missouri counties. Under the bill, in eminent domain proceedings, just compensation for agriculture or horticulture […]

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

Ketanji Brown Jackson defends her record under grilling from U.S. Senate Republicans

(Missouri Independent) – Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday sharpened their criticisms of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, probing her work as a public defender on behalf of terrorism suspects, the judicial sentences she has handed down for child pornography offenses, and her views of critical race theory. Jackson defended her […]

Desks in classroom of school or education or student

Audio: Missouri bill would create grant program to incentivize K-12 learning based on mastery of skills

Missouri’s current K-12 education system goes by chronological age and time in class. State Representative Doug Richey, a Republican from western Missouri’s Excelsior Springs, wants to award grants to eligible school districts to provide competency-based learning. This type of learning is based on students showing that they have learned the knowledge they are expected to […]

Emily Hartley photo courtesy Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council

Emily Hartley appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Advisory Committee for Missouri

Emily Hartley, Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council Deputy Director, was appointed to the Missouri Advisory Committee by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, effective Feb. 18, 2022.   Advisory Committees have recently examined water affordability, school discipline disparities, policing practices, mental health and the criminal justice system, legal financial obligations, fair housing, hate crimes, voting rights, maternal […]

Trenton R-9 School District

Trenton Board of Education approves addition of reading interventionist for fifth-grade

The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on March 17th approved the addition of a reading interventionist for the fifth-grade level. The vote was taken at a special meeting. Superintendent Mike Stegman recommended the addition of the position. Trenton Middle School Principal Daniel Gott and Instructional Coach Jill Watkins also spoke. Stegman reported the fifth-grade reading […]

Wright Memorial Hospital

With COVID-19 infection rates declining, Wright Memorial and Hedrick Medical Center relax visitor guidelines

With the decline in COVID-19 infection rates, Saint Luke’s Health System, including Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe and Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton, is relaxing some visitor guidelines across the health system. These guidelines are consistent with CDC and OSHA guidelines. Beginning Wednesday, March 16, Saint Luke’s will transition to Level 2 protocols, which include […]

Gallatin City Hall

Board of Aldermen informed that Gallatin has been granted funding approval for advanced metering infrastructure

The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on March 14th approved an ordinance adopting and enacting a new code of ordinances for the City of Gallatin. City Clerk Hattie Rains reports the new codes are statutory updates approved at the state level. The city recognizes the changes in its code the state already approved. The board approved […]

Audio: Report says Missouri needs to boost its level of workers caring for the elderly

A new report says Missouri needs to boost its level of workers caring for the elderly, and soon.     The Alzheimer’s Association says Missouri’s long-term care centers and home healthcare companies will need thousands more workers over the next few years to care for the state’s aging population. A report authored by the nonprofit […]

NCMC Inclusion Panel 2022 Ross, Thompson and Williams

North Central Missouri College to host Diversity and Inclusion Alumni panel

North Central Missouri College will host a Diversity and Inclusion Alumni panel on Thursday, March 24, at 1:00 p.m. in Cross Hall 208 or virtually. Students, staff, and the public are invited to attend. The panel will feature three alumni Cle Ross, Donovan Thompson, and Dr. Cassie (Hunt) Williams. Panelist will share their story and […]

Executive Action or session Trenton R-9 School Board

Trenton Board of Education announces resignations, new hires and salaries for school administrators

Following an executive session, the Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday night made several personnel decisions and set salaries for school administrators. Resignations were accepted from Kayla Horton for special education at the elementary level and Cara Leininger as a pre-school teacher. All probationary teachers at Trenton were offered a contract for next year. […]

Grants News Graphic

NCMC one of seven universities receiving Nursing Education Incentive Program grant

The Missouri State Board of Nursing recently announced the award of substantial nursing education program grants to seven Missouri universities and colleges. The Nursing Education Incentive Program grants were established in 2011 in order to increase the physical and educational capacity of professional nursing programs in Missouri. The funding, through legislative appropriations, comes from the […]