Last week’s Higher Learning Commission’s visit was discussed at the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting on September 28. NCMC President Doctor Lenny Klaver called it a “good visit” and said sessions were well attended by faculty, staff, and trustees. He also said a “great team” came for the visit, and it was […]
Tag: policy
Senate GOP torpedoes U.S. government funding bill, raising odds of federal fiscal crises
(Missouri Independent) – U.S. Senate Republicans blocked an attempt by Democrats on Monday evening to begin debate on a broad bill that would avert multiple looming fiscal crises for the federal government. The measure to briefly keep the government operating past the end of the fiscal year on Thursday, as well as to increase the […]
Biden administration rolls out new rule to bolster DACA as lawsuit continues
(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration on Monday unveiled a proposed new rule that would strengthen the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to protect undocumented people in the program from legal challenges. The proposed rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, would “preserve and fortify” the DACA program, an Obama administration-era initiative that protects […]
Missouri Attorney General seeks court order to force Biden Administration to reimplement the “Remain in Mexico” policy
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed a motion to enforce a permanent injunction and for expedited discovery, which seeks a court order from the District Court to compel the Biden Administration to reimplement the Migrant Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico” Policy. “We sued the Biden Administration in April over their cancellation of the […]
Video: Hawley grills Facebook Vice President about safety of platforms like Facebook and Instagram
During Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee hearing, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) grilled Steve Satterfield, Facebook’s Vice President of Privacy & Public Policy, about the safety of platforms like Instagram and Facebook for teenage users. Satterfield repeatedly declined to provide clarity on internal research from Facebook showing the negative effects their services have on users. When Senator […]
Missouri Attorney General Files Brief in support of Texas lawsuit that allows migrants to be expelled
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a brief in support of Texas’ lawsuit against the Biden Administration over their proposed exceptions to the Title 42 program. Title 42 is a President Trump-era rule that allows for the federal government to expel migrants who are immigrating from a country where communicable disease is or was present. […]
Immigration reform blocked from reconciliation bill in Congress, but Democrats vow to try again
(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Senate parliamentarian has turned down a plan to include a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people in the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, a blow for Democrats and immigration advocacy groups when the decision was disclosed late Sunday. “We are deeply disappointed in this decision but the fight to […]
Struggle over tax break for inherited farmland churns below surface in reconciliation bill
(Missouri Independent) – Agricultural groups and farm-state lawmakers notched a significant win when U.S. House Democrats chose not to touch a big tax break for inherited property, avoiding, for now, a confrontation. But opponents remain wary that the idea could come back at any time as Democrats shape their massive $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, and […]
Report: Missouri receives failing grade for handling of COVID-19 in prisons
(Missouri News Service) – One out of every three people incarcerated in the United States has contracted COVID-19, and a new report shows how state prison systems – including in Missouri – have failed to properly handle the public-health crisis. The Prison Policy Initiative report evaluates how corrections departments have responded in four areas: limiting the […]
Gallatin Board of Education hires several during closed session, approves development and evaluation plans
The Gallatin R-5 Board of Education approved the Professional Development and District-Wide Evaluation plans on September 15, 2021. The substitute teacher list was also approved, and a policy was readopted involving the conflict of interest and financial disclosure for the board. After a closed session, the board offered custodial positions to Jean Mott and Theresa […]
New report says “Restricting abortion access brings big financial trouble”
Limiting women’s access to abortion and other reproductive health care can have a devastating impact on state economies. According to new data from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, restrictions on the books in Nebraska cost the state $1 billion annually in lost income, productivity, and state revenues. Andi Curry Grubb, Nebraska state director for Planned […]
Trenton R-9 Board of Education hears numerous reports, discuss COVID-19 policy and approve bus routes
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, heard a report on the mentoring program for new teachers in the district. District Instructional Coach Doctor Jill Watkins reported she developed the Trenton program based on what she has implemented in the past. She said teachers have to complete first and second-year tutoring. She […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve water meter replacement policy, set water rate for water supply district
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a damaged water meter replacement policy on September 13th and set the wholesale water rate for Public Water Supply District Number 2. The damaged water meter replacement policy states that the City of Gallatin has been installing automated metering infrastructure meters at city properties. The meters consist of a […]
Newtown-Harris Board of Education approved extracurricular hires
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education approved extracurricular hires on September 13. T The new hires are Jessica Parsons for Scholar Bowl, Megan Brown for the Honor Society, and Andrea Luper for the yearbook. The board approved after-school staff contracts and the substitute teacher list. The tuition rate was set at $13,500 per year. The […]
Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins to be featured speaker in Sullivan County
Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins will be the guest speaker at the Sullivan County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting on September 16th evening. The meeting will be at the Milan Community Center. The Sullivan County Farm Bureau will provide dinner at 6 p.m. Sullivan County Farm Bureau members will also vote on county board members […]
Trenton City Council approves police officer incentive bonus during closed session of meeting
The Trenton City Council approved a lateral police officer incentive bonus policy after a closed session on Monday, September 13, 2021. City Administrator Ron Urton reports the policy allows for officers joining the Trenton Police Department with existing experience to receive a lateral incentive bonus. To qualify for the bonus of $3,000, an officer must […]
Food insecurity rose for single moms, families of color in 2020
The rate of people experiencing hunger in Colorado and across the U.S. remained statistically steady overall during 2020, according to initial data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But people of color and low-income workers experienced food insecurity at dramatically higher rates during the pandemic. Geri Henchy, director of nutrition policy at the Food Research […]
Senator Hawley demands explanation of unconstitutional Biden vaccine mandate
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh demanding an explanation of the supposed constitutional basis of the Department of Labor’s planned attempt to use the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to mandate vaccinations for 80 million private-sector workers. Senator Hawley writes that OSHA’s power is “exceedingly limited” in this […]
North Mercer Board of Education approve boys and girls golf; adopt payment policy for employees on COVID quarantine days
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education September 8th determined the district will pay employees for all COVID-19 quarantine days that are linked to contact tracing through the school. Superintendent Dan Owens reports the district will also pay for 10 days of quarantine for all other reasons. An amendment was approved to the supplemental salary […]