When the 2024 presidential primary season kicks off, there’s a good chance Iowa’s caucuses won’t be in the spotlight as much. Last week, the Democratic National Committee adopted plans to reshape the initial wave of states that choose their nominees. They’ll now have to apply, with a final decision expected this summer. Terese Grant is the president […]
Tag: national
Coalition of lawmakers seek answers on changes to border security policies
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, Jerry Moran (Kan.), and 11 of their colleagues sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas seeking answers on recent changes to how the department enforces border security and processes migrants at the southern border. “In Fiscal Year 2021, U.S. […]
Missouri launches apprenticeships for direct-support professionals
Missouri is launching an apprenticeship program to expand talent pipelines for Direct Support Professionals, who work with people with developmental disabilities. The Show-Me State, like many others, is facing a serious direct-care workforce shortage. To answer the need, the program Missouri Talent Pathways was recently approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. Duane Shumate, the state coordinator […]
Leonardo DRS expands in West Plains creating more than 100 jobs
Leonardo DRS, a leading provider of defense products and technologies, has announced the start of the expansion of its manufacturing campus in West Plains. The company’s expansion is expected to create more than 100 jobs and was enabled in part by a cooperative effort to construct a new overpass that addresses concerns affecting logistics and […]
Missouri attorneys say you should make your end-of-life care wishes known
Saturday is National Health Care Decisions Day, and groups in Missouri urged residents to make a plan for their end-of-life care in case they are not able to express their wishes. Some 120,000 Missourians age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia in older adults. John Grimm, president of the […]
Missouri unemployment rate drops to 3.6% in March
Missouri non-farm payroll employment decreased slightly from February 2022 to March 2022, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, decreased by 200 jobs over the month. Private industry employment increased by 600 jobs, while government employment declined by 800 jobs. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate […]
DEA to hold 22nd national Prescription Drug Take Back Day to prevent addiction and reduce overdose deaths
The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 22nd National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This bi-annual event offers free, anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. “Disposing of unneeded medications can help prevent drugs from being misused,” said DEA Administrator […]
Newtown-Harris Board of Education approves meal prices for next school year
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education on April 13th approved meal prices for next school year. Breakfast will cost $1.80 daily for kindergarten through sixth grade, $1.90 for seventh through 12th grade, $2.45 for an adult, and 30 cents for reduced. Lunch will cost $2.55 daily for kindergarten through sixth grade, $2.70 for seventh through […]
Missouri State Treasurer, MOST 529, and Sallie Mae to hold free webinar about paying for education
As part of Financial Literacy Month, Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, MOST 529, and Sallie Mae are partnering to bring a free webinar to Missourians focused on paying for higher education. The free virtual event will take place on Tuesday, April 19 at 6 p.m. Those who wish to participate can register here. The webinar will feature […]
Obituary & Services: Loren Ray Parkhurst
Loren Ray Parkhurst, 89, Eagleville, MO, passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at a Des Moines, IA hospital. He was born on July 24, 1932, the son of Orville and May (Hunsicker) Parkhurst. He was the second of six children. Loren attended grade school at a country school just a few miles from home. He […]
Amid curriculum debates, sweeping ‘parents’ Bill of Rights’ wins initial House approval
(Missouri Independent) -As debates over school curriculum rage nationwide, the Missouri House granted initial approval Tuesday to a “Parents’ Bill of Rights” that would allow for lawsuits and funding to be withheld from schools that repeatedly violate the proposed law. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho, aims to “to empower parents to enforce” rights […]
Missouri man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, without parole, for producing child pornography
A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court for producing child pornography and distributing those images over the internet. Dennis Tyler Murray, 32, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole. On Oct 25, 2021, Murray pleaded guilty to one count of using a […]
Count Basie Orchestra to play at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre on April 24
The legendary Count Basie Orchestra comes to the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre for a show on Sunday, April 24, 2022. Featuring members personally chosen by him, more than 30 years after his passing. Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of jazz. […]
Grundy County Republican Central Committee to host “Lincoln Days” luncheon
The “Lincoln Days” luncheon, presented by the Grundy County Republican Central Committee, has been scheduled for Saturday, April 23rd. The event will be held at the NCMC Ketcham community center in Trenton. Doors open at 11:30 and the lunch begins at noon. Organizers of the event say it’s for the 2nd and 7th legislative districts […]
Missouri library named finalist for National Medal for Museum and Library Service
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is pleased to announce 30 finalists for the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1996, the award has honored 176 institutions that demonstrated extraordinary […]
Jury convicts University of Kansas researcher for hiding ties to Chinese government
A former University of Kansas (KU) professor was convicted by a federal jury on three counts of wire fraud and one count of false statements after he deliberately concealed that he was also employed by a government-affiliated university in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) while working on U.S. government-funded research at KU. Feng Tao, […]
Obituary: Buddy “Edward Gaines” Hannaford
Buddy “Edward Gaines” Hannaford, age 78, died peacefully after a brief illness April 5, 2022, in The Living Center in Marshall, Missouri. A Celebration of Buddy’s Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022, at First Christian Church, 130 N. Jefferson Ave., Marshall, MO 65340. Rev. Randal DeMasters will officiate. Burial will […]
Pause on federal student loan repayments extended by Biden through August 31
(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration Wednesday announced its plans to extend the pause on federal student loan repayments until the end of August. “I recognized in recently extending the COVID-19 national emergency, we are still recovering from the pandemic and the unprecedented economic disruption it caused,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “If loan […]
Coalition of 27 state treasurers and auditors call on the Biden administration to promote American energy production
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick joined 26 other state financial officers in calling on the Biden Administration to promote American energy production. In a letter to the President, the state leaders emphasized the need to re-establish American energy independence amid the massive increase in the price of gas and diesel, which is contributing to the […]