Prison Sentence News Graphic

Missouri man sentenced to 13 years in prison, without parole, for drug trafficking meth, illegal firearms and carjacking

A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court for distributing methamphetamine, carjacking, and illegally possessing firearms after leading officers on three high-speed vehicle pursuits. Charles V. Bai, 29, of Independence,  was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 13 years in federal prison without parole. On Oct. 13, 2021, Bai pleaded guilty to […]

Medicaid

Groups push back against attempt to repeal Medicaid expansion

Groups advocating for health-care access for all Missourians urged the state Senate to reject a proposed constitutional amendment to undermine Medicaid expansion passed by the House. House Joint Resolution 117 would empower the Legislature to block services to the hundreds of thousands of newly eligible residents who are signing up, by repealing expansion and making it […]

Sam Graves Sam Graves official photo

Video: Congressman Sam Graves responds to President Biden’s State of the Union Address

In response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address, Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) highlighted the many struggles real Americans are dealing with every day in President Biden’s America. “The difference between what we’re feeling in North Missouri and what the President says we’re feeling is stark,” Rep. Sam Graves said. “The supply chain crisis, […]

Icy Roads News Graphic V2

Crash on Interstate 35 sends two from Oklahoma to hospital

An Interstate 35 crash on Thursday night in Harrison County injured two people from Tulsa, Oklahoma when a sports utility vehicle overturned. The highway patrol said minor injuries were noted for two passengers, 38-year-old Devard Hanna and 56-year-old Leslie Hanna. Both were taken to Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany. The driver, 57-year-old Scott Carr, […]

Grain Belt Express

Audio: Missouri lawmakers and residents argue the future of Grain Belt Express

The Grain Belt Express is again bringing out passionate arguments at the statehouse. Republican Representative Mike Haffner’s bill makes it more difficult for the electricity transmission project to traverse Missouri.  The measure would require county commissions’ approval before the line can cross that county.  It’s another effort to keep Invenergy from using its public service […]

A partially melted tire hangs on a tree near Paradise, Kansas. The surrounding land was scorched by a wildfire in December 2021

December 2021 was the warmest on record in Missouri and Kansas – by a long shot

(Missouri Independent) – Kansas and Missouri logged their warmest average December temperatures on record last month, according to data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Average temperatures over the last half of 2021 were higher than they’ve ever been in either state — and across the country. Meanwhile, despite a devastating cold snap that forced […]

Crime and Courts

Court news in Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court for Thursday January 13, 2022

Multiple court cases were processed Thursday at the Grundy County Courthouse. Associate Judge Matthew Krohn of Mercer County presided on behalf of Presiding Judge Thomas Alley in Division One of Grundy County Circuit Court. Trenton resident Devin Aaron Pierce pleaded guilty to the delivery of a controlled substance or synthetic cannabinoid from October 20th of […]

Arson News Graphic

Pattonsburg woman faces multiple felonies after allegedly setting her house on fire and firing weapon at individual

A Pattonsburg woman faces multiple felonies after she allegedly set her house on fire and shot a gun at someone who stopped to help on January 6th. Online court information indicates 31-year-old Jessica Reid has been charged with first-degree assault or attempt, first-degree arson, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon involving exhibiting. […]