Missouri seeks to boost prizes in local vaccine incentive program

(Missouri Independent) – Prizes awarded through a vaccine incentive program offered by local public health departments in Missouri may get boosted to $100-per-person under a new federal allowance. After previously rejecting Missouri’s proposal to exceed a $25 limit on prizes paid for with federal funding to incentivize immunizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently […]

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Missouri agency begins implementation of new law to regulate unlicensed boarding schools

(Missouri Independent) – Unlicensed youth residential facilities across Missouri are expected to submit materials notifying the state of their existence by mid-October, but background checks for facility staff required under a new law likely won’t be completed by that time. That’s because the Department of Social Services (DSS) is still working to make hires in […]

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Bethany man facing charges of rape and sodomy

A Bethany man faces sex-related charges stemming from an alleged incident in July 2021. Forty-seven-year-old Jeffrey Oneal has been charged with two felony counts of first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy and one felony count of first-degree rape or attempted rape. Online court information shows bond is $100,000 cash only. A probable cause affidavit accuses Oneal […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Audio: Cole County judge expected to issue final order on Missouri Medicaid expansion today

We’ll learn new details Friday in Jefferson City about how Missouri will proceed with voter-approved Medicaid expansion.     The Missouri Supreme Court’s 14-page ruling includes a conclusion, which requires Friday’s hearing in Cole County Circuit Court. “For the reasons set forth above, the circuit court’s judgment is affirmed only insofar as it overruled the […]

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Spickard resident arrested on drug allegations

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Spickard man on August 4 on three felony counts of distribution of a controlled substance except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid. Thirty-four-year-old Clifford Eric Dean Neff’s bond is $30,000 cash only, and he is scheduled for the Associate Division of […]

MS-13 Gang Logo

Four MS-13 gang members indicted for 10 murders, kidnapping and racketeering charges

Four alleged members of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) have been charged in a federal superseding indictment with a racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders, kidnappings, and burglaries, as well as drug trafficking. The individuals charged in the superseding indictment are: Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, 27, aka Molesto; David Arturo Perez-Manchame, 22, aka Herbi, aka Walter Melendez; Joel […]

Lawsuit news Graphic

Missouri AG files suit against Kansas City over mask mandate; obtains restraining order, halts St. Louis County mandate

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt today filed a lawsuit to halt the recently imposed mask mandate in Kansas City. The suit, which was filed this afternoon in Jackson County, argues that the mask mandate imposed is unreasonable, unconstitutional, and arbitrary, and capricious. The suit names Mayor Quinton Lucas, the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department, and […]

COVID-19 or Coronavirus Update

Area counties in north Missouri report 28 cases of COVID-19

The Sullivan County Health Department confirms two more COVID-19 cases, which brings the total to 1,003. Forty-nine cases are active. There have been 17 COVID-19-related deaths reported for Sullivan County. Thirty point seven percent of county residents have completed vaccination. The Livingston County Health Center reported August 3 two additional COVID-19-related deaths. One of the deaths […]

Students walking at school

Motorists are reminded to watch for students as school starts in just a few weeks

Students across Missouri are preparing to begin their 2021-2022 school year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers to be vigilant always, but especially near school zones, playgrounds, bicycle paths, and crosswalks when schools are in session. Expect pedestrian and bicycle traffic to increase near schools on days where the weather is good. When schools […]