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 […]
Tag: people
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 […]
Missouri Department of Conservation urges the public to leave wildlife wild
As many head outside to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather this spring, they may come across a variety of newborn animals. It may appear young creatures are abandoned, but that’s usually not the case. The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds Missourians that interfering with wildlife does more harm than good. MDC State Wildlife […]
Senate committee approves bill that could overturn Missouri Medicaid expansion
(Missouri Independent) – A constitutional amendment asking Missourians to let lawmakers decide year-to-year whether the state will offer Medicaid to working-age adults moved closer to passage on Wednesday. By an 8-5 vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee sent the House-passed proposal to the full Senate for debate. Only Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, voted with Democrats to oppose the measure, which […]
Legislators weigh blocking COVID visitor restrictions at Missouri hospitals, nursing homes
(Missouri Independent) – State Rep. Ed Lewis had just hours to say goodbye. In March 2020, his 89-year-old mother had to go to the hospital after suffering from a fall. Lewis’ sister was their mother’s primary caregiver, but in the pandemic’s first days as hospitals restricted visitors, family members weren’t allowed to stay with her. Lewis […]
Missouri man sentenced to 30 years in prison for crack cocaine trafficking and an illegal Firearm
A Missouri man with an extensive history of violent crime was sentenced in federal court for trafficking crack cocaine and illegally possessing a firearm. Mitchell B. Byrd, 43, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 30 years in federal prison without parole. This sentence is an upward variance from the […]
Missouri man pleads guilty to $10 million conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilos of meth
A Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a nearly $10 million conspiracy to distribute almost 1,000 kilograms (2204 pounds) of methamphetamine. Michael B. Becher, 40, Raytown, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Sept. 1, 2018, to Nov. 5, 2019. […]
Chillicothe City Auditor resigns, applications being taken to fill position
Chillicothe City Auditor Hannah Fletcher has submitted her resignation effective the first week of June. City Clerk Roze Frampton reports the city is currently seeking applications to fill the position. The full-time position is to be appointed until the position is filled by a vote of the people in April 2023. The candidate must be […]
Families of organ donors honored with annual recognition event
One organ donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 or more. In FY21, 87 living donors and 675 deceased donors made organ donations in Missouri, saving or enhancing the lives of 762 individuals. Donors and their families will be recognized with events beginning at the Missouri State Capitol. Currently, more than […]
Trenton City Council reorganizes after election, address ATV and UTVs driven after dark
Oaths of office were taken Monday evening by three of the four Trenton City Councilmen elected last week. Assuming two-year terms on the council were Glen Briggs in 1st Ward, Marvin Humphreys in 2nd Ward, and David Mlika in 3rd Ward. Councilman Duane Urich from the 4th Ward was absent from the council meeting and […]
Department of Justice rule cracks down untraceable firearms known as ‘ghost guns’
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden Monday unveiled the Department of Justice’s plan to regulate untraceable firearms known as ghost guns, as well as announced his nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Department of Justice’s final rule bans the business of manufacturing ghost guns, such as “buy build shoot” kits […]
Hunger concerns spur calls for higher SNAP eligibility
Food insecurity is getting more attention these days, and some working families still have trouble meeting basic needs under mounting living expenses and aid eligibility being out of reach. A Minnesota plan aims to close the gap. Minnesota is one of the states not at the maximum eligibility level for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). […]
Leadership Northwest Missouri to once again hold “music jam” as fundraiser
Leadership Northwest Missouri again plans on holding a “music jam” as the event will be raising funds for the organization. This is the program in which community leaders have training and networking opportunities to promote regional growth. Participants are selected from 19 counties. To date, more than 440 persons have taken part in the series […]
Harry Bratton invests in North Central Missouri College Foundation
Harry Bratton’s appreciation for North Central Missouri College, formerly Trenton Junior College, is apparent to anyone who calls him a friend or an acquaintance. The same appreciation and admiration are felt for Harry, an NCMC Distinguished Alumni Class of 2016 Honoree, Missouri Community College Association 2017 Distinguished Alumni, and active NCMC Foundation Board member. Harry […]
No signs of support for Greitens in Missouri county where abuse charges will be heard
(Missouri Independent) – A smattering of giggles greeted the name of former Gov. Eric Greitens Friday evening when emcee Branden Rathert called for the U.S. Senate candidates invited to speak at Boone County Republican Lincoln Days to come forward. Up to that point, there had been no trace of Greitens or his campaign at the […]
Audio: U.S. Senator Josh Hawley says duck boat safety law must happen
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley spoke to Missourinet after a judge dropped the criminal charges in the 2018 deadly duck boat tragedy in Branson. Senator Hawley was Missouri’s attorney general when the amphibious craft capsized during severe weather on Table Rock Lake killing seventeen people. In one of his first official duties in Congress, […]
Record Missouri surplus likely to grow under $46.5B House budget plan
(Missouri Independent) – The biggest state budget in Missouri history could also leave the biggest surplus in state history when the next fiscal year ends. The Missouri House on Thursday sent 15 appropriation bills to the state Senate, one supplemental spending bill for the current fiscal year, and 14 spending $46.5 billion in the coming year. The […]
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, […]
Mosaic Medical Center in Albany receives gift from local physician
Mosaic Foundation in Albany recently received a $26,000 contribution from Mosaic Medical Center, Albany physician, John Owen, MD, to establish the Dr. John Owen Endowment for Caregiver Excellence. The endowment will provide financial assistance for Mosaic Medical Center – Albany caregivers who wish to pursue additional education/credentials but are hindered by financial hardships. Dr. Owen […]
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 […]