(Missouri Independent) – With $6.5 billion on the way from the federal infrastructure bill and a newly increased gas tax, Missouri is ready to take a big bite out of $4.5 billion in unfunded highway needs, Patrick McKenna, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said this week. But that doesn’t mean the state is ready to tackle […]
(Missouri Independent) – The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just about roads and bridges — it also spends billions to address wildfire, drought, flooding, and other effects from climate change, Interior Department officials said Wednesday. The $1.2 trillion measure, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after the House cleared it last week, includes pay […]
(Missouri Independent) – As federal energy regulators prepare to decide the fate of a St. Louis natural gas pipeline, Spire Missouri is warning customers their gas service could fail this winter. Business industry groups and the utility maintain their responsibility to keep customers informed. But environmental groups and some local elected officials — who note federal regulators seem […]
From supply-chain issues to rising food costs, local food shelves are navigating a sea of obstacles in gathering enough supplies for those needing help. Iowa locations say to meet the nutritional needs of clients, the public could help in a variety of ways. The Food Bank of Siouxland, which covers several counties in northwestern Iowa, […]
In addition to frigid temperatures and snow and ice, winter brings dangerous driving conditions and the potential for damaging and deadly storms. That’s why the National Weather Service, the State Emergency Management Agency, and Missouri’s local emergency managers are teaming up to promote Nov. 15-19, 2021, as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri. “Most Missourians have […]
The Princeton R-5 Board of Education on November 8 approved a resolution regarding a United States Department of Agriculture facilities grant and an agreement involving refinancing bonds. The resolution concerned the acceptance and compliance of the grant. The district hopes to purchase an electric school bus if it can secure enough grants to reduce the […]
An election of officers will be held at the North Central Missouri Mental Health Center Board of Directors annual meeting next week. The board will meet at the mental health center in Trenton on November 15 at 4:30 in the afternoon. The meeting will also be available on Zoom. The meeting ID is 864 2158 9324, […]
(Missouri Independent) – It’s clear that lead exposure is a problem for Missouri’s children. An estimated 4.5% have elevated levels of lead in their blood, more than almost any other state in the country. What’s far more difficult is figuring out where children are getting exposed to lead, said Carlton Waterhouse, President Joe Biden’s pick for […]
All votes were unanimous Monday night when the Trenton City Council adopted four ordinances and approved a resolution. Faced with two dozen additional, documented complaints on trash service, at least two members of the council called for a change in trash hauling companies. The city of Trenton’s contract with Rapid Removal Disposal doesn’t expire until […]
Families in Missouri have been receiving Child Tax Credit payments of $300 to $350 a month per child since the summer, and one local expert says making them permanent could benefit families long-term, across the nation. So far, 45% of Missouri families have reported using their payments for food, 33% for essential bills, and 30% […]
Seventh District State Representative Rusty Black is finishing his fifth year in the legislature. He says he has gotten into a niche with a group of people who work with him on legislation. He is on the Missouri State Employee Retirement System Board of Trustees. He reports there is a piece of legislation he has […]
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri and Kansas residents may be drinking unsafe amounts of arsenic, nitrates, and other chemicals — even if their provider is meeting federal drinking water requirements, according to data published Wednesday by an environmental group. The Environmental Working Group released its most up-to-date tap water database, compiling testing information for water utilities across the […]
The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with its law enforcement partners, has removed close to 745,000 pounds of unneeded prescriptions from medicine cabinets across the country as part of DEA’s ongoing commitment to turn the tide against the U.S. opioid epidemic. Following last month’s 21st National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, the program has removed more than […]
(Missouri Independent) – The global meat producer operating some of Missouri’s largest industrial hog operations has withdrawn requests to convert 10 of its permits to what environmental groups say would be more lenient ones. Smithfield Foods Inc., which has a history of environmental violations in Missouri, operates some of the largest concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, in the […]
Women and young people have faced increased behavioral health challenges since before the pandemic, according to a new report, which assessed the state of well-being for women and children. The study from the United Health Foundation looked at more than 100 measures, from physical health to emotional, social, and behavioral health determinants. Dr. Ravi Johar, chief […]
The Grundy County Opportunity Center in Trenton will close on December 16, 2021. The center provides adults with disabilities opportunities to earn income while completing projects for a variety of customers. Opportunity Center Director Ruth Ebersold says the center has not received state or federal funding since 2016. It had some resources to keep going, […]
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on October 25, 2021, approved two ordinances, which amended the city code and entered into a contract. A section of the city code was amended relating to alcoholic beverages. It now says “all opening and closing days and hours for a license issued…shall be in accordance with the provisions of […]
Missouri WIC is temporarily increasing the Cash Value Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases during November and December to $24 per month for children, $43 per month for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $47 per month for breastfeeding participants. Standard CVB values range from $9-11. WIC is the Department of Health and Senior Services Special […]
Multiple reports were given at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting October 26th. President Doctor Lenny Klaver gave updates on what are considered three key strategies for success in the college’s Plan 2025: accreditation, expansion, and funding. Regarding accreditation, Klaver called the Higher Learning Commission’s 10-year review last month a “major milestone.” […]
Families and Friends of the Developmentally Disabled of Grundy Co-Senate Bill 40 is seeking bids for Accounting Service and Insurance Coverage to start FY2022. All bids must be submitted by Friday, December 3, 2021, by 4:00 PM. The FFDD Board of Directors will review all bids at the December 2021 meeting. Contact Executive Director, Kayla […]
