The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education approved the “Test to Stay” COVID-19 policy on October 18. This was after reviewing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and health department guidelines. The policy will be implemented as soon as COVID-19 tests become available to the school district. The board approved Missouri School Boards Association […]
The use of telehealth services – a combination of telephone, video, and other online tools – peaked during COVID closures, and Coloradans still are opting for remote visits, according to new data. Social isolation and other disruptions saw mental and behavioral telehealth visits rise dramatically. Cari Frank – vice president for communications with the Center […]
(Missouri Independent) – The University of Missouri System allowed a mask mandate for its four campuses to expire after Friday, October 15, 2021. Last month, the Board of Curators extended a rule that face masks be worn in classrooms by a 5-4 vote. That policy was scheduled to end at the close of Friday, and a meeting […]
The Trenton Utility Committee next week will discuss the seasonal water shut-off policy. The committee will meet at Trenton City Hall on October 19 at 6 p.m. The meeting can be watched on Zoom at this link. The agenda also includes a discussion of water and sewer rate study proposals.
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri students and teachers identified as being exposed to a coronavirus case in school may now be permitted to remain in class if they continue to test negative for the virus and properly wear a mask. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) updated its school reopening guidance Friday to include the new […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a response brief to the Department of Justice’s appeal in the Migrant Protection Protocols or “Remain in Mexico” case brought by Missouri and Texas. The brief was filed in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the oral argument, in this case, is scheduled for November 2, 2021. “While […]
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education approved hiring and substitutes October 12th. Molly Norman was hired as a paraprofessional. Substitutes approved were Jasey Wollenzien and Cindy Hartman. The board also approved the Local Compliance Plan for Special Education. Superintendent Doctor Lucas McKinnis reported the roof was completed and is in better condition. Work was scheduled […]
(Missouri Independent) – Former President Donald Trump ruminated on election fraud and Democratic wrongdoing during a rally on Saturday while teasing a potential 2024 run. Trump gave a warm greeting to Iowans and touted his win in Iowa in 2020 and his latest Des Moines Register/Iowa Poll numbers. “As disastrous as the Biden administration has been, no […]
State Auditor Nicole Galloway has issued an audit report of Daviess County’s financial statements for the two years ended December 31st, 2020. McBride, Lock, and Associates performed the audit. There were recommendations in the contracted audit of Daviess County. One involved the prosecuting attorney’s office implementing internal controls to ensure the timely collection of restitution […]
A report from State Auditor Nicole Galloway finds that the city of Edgar Springs in Phelps County has implemented some recommendations from her 2020 audit, but that other concerns remain. The November 2020 audit of Edgar Springs was initiated through a petition of city residents. That audit highlighted numerous problems with the city’s accounting controls and […]
The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education will discuss snow removal and elementary building repairs next week. The board will meet on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. Other items on the agenda include a COVID-19 report, a review of policy updates, and a bus barn update. A closed session is also listed for […]
(Missouri Independent) – Exasperated lawmakers slammed leaders of the Missouri Department of Social Services on Tuesday, accusing them of passing off blame for a federal review that found the state fails to adequately report missing foster children. Tuesday’s hearing of the House Children and Families Committee was spurred by a report issued last week by the U.S […]
(Missouri Independent) – The massive economic policy package Democrats are trying to muscle through Congress could open the door to free community college for undocumented immigrants. But that lifeline for many people now denied access to higher education could also reignite controversies in Republican-leaning states over immigration and federal overreach. The provision on immigrants was […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced today that the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the Department of Justice’s request to stay in Missouri’s lawsuit over the cancellation of the “Remain in Mexico” policy pending administrative review. “Earlier this year, my Office sued the Biden Administration and won at the district court, the 5th […]
State Auditor Nicole Galloway released today her regularly scheduled audit of Schuyler County, located in northern Missouri. Schuyler County received an overall rating of “good” in the audit, which matches the “good” rating received by the county in a 2015 audit. “My audit recommended several areas for improvement that county government officials have shown a willingness […]
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced new legislation to make social media companies liable for bodily or mental harm their products cause to children. Senator Hawley’s bill would close the Section 230 loophole protecting these companies and allow parents to sue and obtain damages from social media companies wholly or partly responsible for harm to users under […]
State Auditor Nicole Galloway has issued an audit report on Livingston County financial statements for the two years ended December 31st, 2020. The audit by McBride, Locke, and Associates, LLC includes recommendations. One recommendation is that the county adopts an investment policy in accordance with state statutes and review compliance with the policy at least […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a motion to renew and enforce the preliminary injunction in his lawsuit against St. Louis County following County Executive Page’s attempt to illegally impose a second mask mandate. The motion was filed in the existing case against St. Louis County and asks the court to apply the existing preliminary […]
(Missouri Independent) – Congress made a last-minute dash to avert a government shutdown on Thursday, with the U.S. Senate and House approving a short-term spending bill just hours ahead of a midnight deadline. Every Democratic and independent senator and 15 Republicans supported the bill in the 65-35 vote. The GOP senators in the “aye” tally included […]
The Columbia College Board of Trustees unanimously named Dr. David Russell the college’s 18th president on Friday afternoon. Russell has served as interim president since January 2021, and the promotion to president is effective October 1, 2021. Russell’s appointment will add three years to his current contract, which will now run through 2025. “This […]
