Students testing at computers taking MAP tests

Audio: Missouri has one of lowest number of K-12 students learning remotely: Online substitute training yields big results

All but 25 of Missouri’s more than 550 public school districts and charter schools are learning at least partially in-person. During a board meeting this week, State Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven says the American Enterprise for Institutes ranks Missouri as having one of the lowest numbers of K-12 students learning remotely.     Of the […]

Drug Cartels

Senator Hawley along with lawmakers from Arkansas, Tennessee and Nebraska introduce bill imposing sanctions on drug cartels

U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) introduced the Significant Transnational Criminal Organization Designation Act, legislation that would subject certain foreign criminal organizations like drug cartels to sanctions, including immigration, financial, and criminal penalties. The process would be similar to the system used for designating entities as […]

Teacher in front of class or educator or education or school

Audio: Missouri has been reviewing whether it can give teachers a retention bonus, there’s good news and bad news.

The Missouri K-12 Education Department has been reviewing whether federal coronavirus aid can be used to give teachers a bonus next school year if they stick around. The state already has a persistent teacher shortage and COVID-19 has made the problem even worse. During a Missouri Board of Education meeting, Deputy Finance Commissioner Kari Monsees […]

NEW COVID Dashboard for Missouri

Missouri adds county-level antigen test data to online public health dashboard

On its online public health dashboard, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) began posting county-level data showing “probable” COVID-19 cases detected by antigen testing. Last fall, DHSS began reporting statewide numbers of reported negative and positive antigen tests.  DHSS will follow the guidance of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) […]

Lawsuit news Graphic

Missouri leads 12 state coalition in filing suit against the Biden administration over massive expansion of federal regulations

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 […]

USDA Logo

State agriculture officials recommend enhancements to USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers to Families Food Box program and recommend adjustments to improve the program’s effectiveness.   “The Farmers to Families Food Box program has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic […]

Job Opportunity

Grundy County Commission accepting applications for full-time road and bridge employee

The Grundy County Commission is accepting applications for a full-time Road and Bridge Department employee. The commission prefers someone with welding skills, a Class B commercial driver’s license, and experience operating construction equipment and trucks. Salary will be paid according to skills. Applications are available at the Grundy County Clerk’s Office in Trenton’s courthouse and […]

Charges Filed

Business man threatens to distribute sexual images after failing to complete work on home in Daviess County

A Blue Springs man accused of failing to complete a remodel and home addition and allegedly threatening to distribute sexual images has been charged in Daviess County. Fifty-year-old Robert Williams faces felonies of deceptive business practice, threatening non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, and tamper or attempting to tamper with a victim in a felony […]