(Missouri Independent) – Approving video lottery would produce more than 10 times the new state revenue of sports wagering and drive cash-prize video games of debated legality out of Missouri, a newly updated report contends. The report, prepared by Morowitz Gaming Advisors LLC and Global Gaming & Hospitality Capital Advisors LLC and paid for by companies that […]
Tag: money
Missouri judge hands down five year prison sentence for $1.6 million investment fraud scheme
A man was sentenced in federal court for defrauding two Kansas City-area brothers who have also been convicted in the investment fraud scheme. Duc Nguyen, also known as “Doug,” 58, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to five years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Nguyen to […]
Missouri budget bill blocks Medicaid patients from accessing Planned Parenthood
Missouri’s supplemental budget bill signed into law Thursday includes a provision to block patients who rely on Medicaid from accessing Planned Parenthood health centers. Federal Medicaid law protects patients’ rights to choose their providers, including Planned Parenthood. Michelle Trupiano, executive director of the Missouri Family Health Council, noted because of the Hyde Amendment, Medicaid cannot cover abortions, […]
Video: Biden taps Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as first black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden formally announced the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday afternoon. “President Biden sought a candidate with exceptional credentials, unimpeachable character, and unwavering dedication to the rule of law,” the White House said in a statement. If confirmed by the Senate, Jackson, 51, […]
Ten Florida residents indicted for $67 million healthcare fraud, wire fraud, kickback, and money laundering scheme
Ten Florida residents were charged in an indictment unsealed in the Southern District of Florida for their alleged roles in a $67 million health care fraud, wire fraud, kickback, and money laundering scheme involving the submission of false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic tests and durable medical equipment. Daniel M. Carver, […]
How the Ukraine invasion could affect you: Higher food, gas prices, risk of recession
(Missouri Independent) – Americans may be tempted to view the war in Ukraine as an unfortunate, but far away, crisis. As an economist, I know the world is too connected for the U.S. to go unaffected. On Feb. 22, 2022, President Joe Biden warned Americans that a Russian invasion of Ukraine – and U.S. efforts to thwart or […]
Missouri Senate passes $4.6B spending bill with pay raises, federal school funds
(Missouri Independent) – With a deadline looming that could cost Missouri almost $2 billion in federal education aid, the bill to distribute the money passed the state Senate on Wednesday after Democrats slammed a zero-dollar funding line as a partisan attack on Planned Parenthood. The $4.6 billion spending bill approved on a 25-7 vote is the first legislation requiring […]
Missouri man charged in failed restaurant robbery, after employees wrestle him to the ground and take his gun
A Missouri man was charged in federal court on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. The man attempted to rob an Independence, Missouri restaurant but was thwarted when employees wrestled him to the floor and took away his gun. Bryan C. Byers, 23, of Kansas City, was charged in a three-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. […]
North Central Missouri College scholarship recipients recognized at reception
The 2021-2022 North Central Missouri College Scholarship Reception was held on Wednesday, February 16th, in the Jeanette Hoffman Robison Auditorium at the Ketcham Community Center. Over 260 students were recognized for receiving an NCMC Foundation, Athletic, SSS, or other institutional scholarships. The North Central Missouri College Foundation hosts this annual event. Phyllis Jackson, NCMC Foundation […]
Students at Rissler Elementary School raise over $6.500 through Kids Heart Challenge
Students from Rissler Elementary School in Trenton raised $6,629.54 this year for the American Heart Association through the Kids Heart Challenge. Physical Education Teacher David Sager reports the grade that raised the most money was first with $2,749.15. The class that raised the most money was Alexandria Neighbors’ first-grade class with $1,359.10. The top student […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees hear reports, work continues on former US Bank building
Multiple reports were given at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting February 22nd. Vice President of Student Affairs Doctor Kristen Alley reported NCMC’s graduation rate is 42%, and the withdrawal rate is 39%. NCMC is the only community college in the state to have a higher graduation rate than a withdrawal rate. […]
Missouri Attorney General announces finalization of opioid settlement
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that his Office has finalized opioid settlements with Johnson & Johnson and major opioid distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen. The Attorney General was joined by families of victims of opioid overdose and representatives from treatment centers and nonprofits across the state. Combined, these settlements bring a total of […]
Sullivan County Health Department to hold low cost wellness blood draws
The Sullivan County Health Department will hold wellness blood draws next week. Several tests will be available at the Milan Community Center on February 24th from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Tests will include PSA for $10, A1C for $10, Vitamin D Hydroxy for $20. CBC, CMP, Lipid Panel, and Thyroid Screening will […]
U.S. Department of Justice sues Missouri over law blocking enforcement of federal gun regulations
(Missouri Independent) – A controversial Missouri gun law that penalizes police for enforcing federal gun laws is facing a new legal challenge from the U.S. Justice Department. On Wednesday, the department filed suit to prevent Missouri from enforcing its Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA), a law that allows citizens to file suit for up to […]
Audio: North Central Missouri College Scholarship Reception, held on Wednesday evening, featured speakers from staff and students
North Central Missouri College employees spoke at the scholarship reception on the campus in Trenton February 16th. Student Support Services Assistant Director Tocarra Williams talked about intangible things that scare us, like being the first person in a family to attend college. Williams, herself, was a first generation college student, and she attended NCMC. Student […]
Missouri man allegedly scams investors in hazardous and medical waste company
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s Securities Division issued an order to show cause why civil penalties, restitution, costs, and other administrative relief should not be imposed against Steri Med Solutions LLC and David Edward Fenton, DVM. Between November 1, 2014, and January 31, 2016, Fenton, a Columbia, Missouri resident, allegedly sold more than $400,000 in […]
Missouri man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole for $4 million meth conspiracy and illegal firearms
A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a $4 million drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine over three years. Christapher Dean Parton, also known as “Big Baby,” 32, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by United States District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison […]
American Farm Bureau Federation claims it’s the ‘voice of agriculture,’ Others beg to differ
(Missouri Independent) – This story was originally published as a collaboration between Investigate Midwest and Watchdog Writers Group. The American Farm Bureau Federation calls itself the “voice of agriculture,” a slogan it trademarked in 2007. But as the divide between agribusiness and small farmers has grown in recent decades, a unified voice of agriculture has become harder to […]
Trenton City Council completes financing on water treatment plant improvements
The Trenton City Council Monday night adopted two ordinances and accepted three bids. Financing is complete on $2,500,000 to make improvements at the Trenton water treatment plant. The council voted six to nothing to enter into a lease-purchase transaction with Central Bank of the Midwest at Kansas City as the lessor and Missouri Association of […]
Audio: Missouri on track to expand broadband internet access
Governor Mike Parson has announced plans to use more than $400 million to increase internet access to more Missourians. That money is from the American Rescue Plan Act (or ARPA) to increase broadband internet access, adoption of new programs and offer statewide assistance. BJ Tanksley is the director of the Missouri Office of Broadband Development […]