The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) director says technology is important in attracting young farmers. Brian Hauswirth with Missourinet has the story. The state Department of Agriculture says the average age of a Missouri farmer is 58. MDA Director Chris Chinn notes Governor Mike Parson’s two top priorities are workforce development and infrastructure, adding […]
Tag: makers
Audio: Missouri farmers differ on ballot measure to limit political money, redraw voting districts
Missouri farmers have taken positions on Clean Missouri, the ballot measure that changes the way voting districts are drawn up and limits campaign contributions and lobbyist gifts. Rick Oswald, a former president of the Missouri Farmers Union, favors the measure because he thinks lawmakers have been swayed by the influence of big money. […]
Audio: Three medical marijuana measures on November ballot in Missouri
As it now stands, there will be three measures before voters in November to legalize medical marijuana. Eapen Thampy with Heartland Priorities says two of them would go in the books as state constitutional amendments. Voting “yes” on a state constitutional amendment makes it much harder for lawmakers to change it. […]
Audio: Officials now clear why Missouri’s budget is $100 million in the hole
(Missourinet) – Missouri lawmakers and administrators are trying to figure out what has caused a $100 million budget shortfall in the first two months of the current fiscal year. Democratic State Representative Deb Lavender of Kirkwood is a member of the House Budget Committee. She notes there’s a level of uncertainty over how the federal tax […]
Audio: Missouri legislature starts special session today
(Missourinet) – Missouri lawmakers are heading back to work today for a special session requested by Governor Mike Parson. The special session will coincide with the annual veto session that takes place on the first Wednesday after the second Monday in September. The veto session is held for the legislature to consider action on […]
Audio: Morale problems still abound in Missouri prison system
Efforts to improve morale and change a corrosive culture among Missouri prison workers has been criticized as ineffective. Department of Corrections Director Anne Precythe says progress is being made and defends a 24-hour hotline installed for disgruntled employees to report mistreatment. The head of the Missouri Corrections Officer’s Association says the only way […]
Audio: Legislative hearing on Missouri Department of Agriculture funding is Tuesday
A legislative committee examining funding levels at the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a hearing Tuesday at the Statehouse in Jefferson City. The Joint Committee on Review of the Plant Industries Division meets Tuesday afternoon at 1. Chillicothe State Representative Rusty Black, who serves on the committee, tells Missourinet the department needs additional […]
Audio: Governor Parson calls special session during veto session to reconsider bills he vetoed
Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parson has called a special session of the state legislature to focus on proposals for STEM education and treatment courts. The special session will take place at the capitol in Jefferson City and will largely coincide with the annual September veto session in which lawmakers can override the governor’s […]
Audio: Livingston County considers whether to join lawsuit against opioid drug makers
(Missourinet) – Livingston County in northwest Missouri is considering whether to join a national lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. Presiding Commissioner Ed Douglas says misleading information has led doctors to improperly prescribe addictive medications. Presiding Commissioner Ed Douglas tells Missourinet affiliate KCHI in Chillicothe addictive prescription drug overuse is a big problem in the […]
Audio: Lawsuit to block public vote on Missouri gas tax hike dismissed
(Missourinet) – A court has dismissed a lawsuit claiming a ballot measure that would increase the state’s motor fuel tax violates the Missouri Constitution. The court decision means the 10-cent motor fuel tax will be on the November ballot as it now stands, although an appeal of the ruling will likely be attempted. […]
Zion Baptist Church Gospel Jubilee set for August 18th
The Zion Baptist Church east of Cainsville will hold its 18th Annual Gospel Music Jubilee August 18th and 19th. The event will start that Saturday afternoon at 12:30 with an open mic for local talent. That will be followed by Don and Lana Boswell, Brad Prater, the Lifeline Band, and the Marks Family 7. A […]
EPA’s reduction in fuel standards concerns Missouri leaders
Missouri’s air quality could take a hit in future years if a reduction in fuel-efficiency standards announced on Thursday by the EPA is allowed to take effect. The proposal would freeze fuel-economy standards to hold them to 2020 levels. It rolls back an Obama administration requirement to increase the fuel standard to 54 miles per gallon by […]
Hospital workforce challenges persist in Missouri
A new report from the Missouri Hospital Association finds increased turnover rates among the majority of hospital-based healthcare positions. Vacancy rates decreased for several employee categories, including registered nurses, between 2016 and 2017. However, combined turnover among all professions surveyed increased statewide from 16 percent in 2016 to 17.7 percent in 2017. “Every Missourian has […]
Audio: Missouri legislator cautions lawmakers about drafting duck boat regulations
A state legislator cautions lawmakers to wait until all facts have been released before drafting regulations aimed at preventing additional deaths on duck boat tours. Shell Knob State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick tells Missourinet not enough information has surfaced about the boat sinking this month in Branson that killed 17 people aboard. Fitzpatrick, who […]
Audio: Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft Discusses August Right-to-Work Referendum
(Missourinet) – For the first time in more than 36 years, Missourians will be casting ballots on what’s known as a referendum. The right-to-work referendum will appear on your August 7th statewide ballot. A referendum involves a bill approved by the Missouri Legislature, which in this case is a 2017 right-to-work bill. Labor unions were […]
Public information sought to assist those making decisions during drought
The public may submit information to help local, state, and national decision-makers assess drought conditions and impacts in Missouri. Information may be submitted to the Missouri Extension Drought Impact Reporter online. The website allows contributors to upload image files up to 10 megabytes in size to help authors assess drought at the local level. Extension […]
Whiteman Air Force Base member recognized at White House
President Donald Trump recently invited 40 families of fallen service members to Washington, D.C., for a reception and memorial service to remind them – and our country – what they represent. Linda Ambard, a violence prevention integrator assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, was there. She lost her husband […]
Audio: Supreme Court ruling has far reaching impact on internet sales in Missouri
(Missourinet) – A U.S. Supreme Court decision issued last week means Internet sales in Missouri can be subject to state and local sales taxes. Federal estimates show that up to $13 billion was lost across the country in 2017 because those taxes weren’t imposed. Ray McCarty with Associated Industries of Missouri is skeptical the numbers […]
Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood being stripped before Gov. Parson signs new law
Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood are being stripped before Governor Parson signs a bill calling for the action. Planned Parenthood of St. Louis has confirmed to Missourinet that it received a letter last Friday stating that the reimbursements had been suspended. M’Evie Mead of Planned Parenthood says state lawmakers were making a political statement with […]