USDA Issues $1.68 billion in payments to producers enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing $1.68 billion in payments to agricultural producers and landowners for the 21.9 million acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which provides annual rental payment for land devoted to conservation purposes. “CRP is one of the many ‘tools’ that USDA offers to producers and private landowners to […]

Jobs Report

Missouri monthly jobs report for September, 2020

The Missouri labor market’s recovery resumed in September 2020. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 13,000 jobs over the month, and over-the-year job losses from COVID-19 shutdowns dropped below 125,000. Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate went down by 2.1 percentage points in September 2020, decreasing to 4.9 percent from an August 2020 rate of 7.0 […]

Missouri Crop Progress report released October 13, 2020

Temperatures last week averaged 65.2 degrees, 7.1 degrees above normal. The only measurable precipitation occurred in the Southeast part of the state. There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending October 11, 2020. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 35 percent short and 54 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supply […]

Election 2020

Parson and Galloway blast each other repeatedly during Missouri gubernatorial debate

Missouri’s two major gubernatorial candidates clashed during a Friday afternoon debate in Columbia on numerous issues, including Clean Missouri, COVID, Medicaid expansion, and valet parking at the Capitol. The debate, which took place at the Missouri Theatre in Columbia, was sponsored by the Missouri Press Association. Missouri voters approved Clean Missouri in November 2018. It had […]

McCloskeys Defending Home in St. Louis

Missouri’s governor releases $133 million in funding; says he’d pardon the McCloskeys

Missouri’s governor has announced that he is releasing about $133 million in funding that was previously withheld, saying the state’s unemployment rate has improved and state revenues outpaced expectations. Governor Mike Parson (R) made the announcement Wednesday afternoon in Jefferson City while addressing Capitol reporters. He’s releasing $95 million in CARES Act funding and $40 million […]

Farm Machinery or combine or tractor or wheat field or harvest or farm crop or corn

Missouri crop harvest behind average

Missouri’s corn harvest is behind the five year average of more than 50%. As of Sunday, 31% of Missouri corn was harvested. More than 60% is in good condition, 17% is excellent. Soybean harvest is six-percent complete as of Sunday, also below the five-year average. Cotton harvest is eight percent complete while 56% of rice is harvested, […]

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission website

Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to require annual de-escalation and implicit bias training

The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission has voted to require annual training in de-escalation techniques and recognizing implicit bias for all Missouri law enforcement officers. Missouri officers will take a one-hour course in each area as part of their required 24-hours of annual continuing education training. “At its June meeting, I challenged the […]

Student Loans or graduation cap on money

Missouri Congressman says college athletes should make money: “They are used”

Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver is heading up a bipartisan bill that would let college athletes profit from endorsement deals. It would only restrict sponsors involving alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, adult entertainment, and gambling. Cleaver, a Democrat from Kansas City, says the plan would ban universities from putting restrictions on athletes seeking control of their name, […]

CARES Act Graphic

Over $5 million in CARES Act grants announced to expand child care services on Missouri college campuses

Governor Mike Parson announced that five Missouri colleges are grant recipients of over $5 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Child Care Plan funding to improve the quality and availability of child care and early education programs. “Access to quality child care is critical for working families, and attending college is […]