(Missouri Independent) – With the Missouri Senate poised for what promises to be a lengthy debate over Medicaid expansion, legislative Democrats said Tuesday that the fight over funding will move to the courts if lawmakers don’t approve money for the new coverage. During a rally on the Capitol Building lawn, Senate Democrats promised to push […]
Tag: pull
Audio: Northern Missouri man sentenced to 24 years in prison for killing child in shooting
A St. Joseph man is heading to prison for 24 years for killing a two-year-old girl last year. KFEQ’s Brent Martin reports he’s the second person sentenced in the shooting death of Raelynn Craig. Circuit Judge Patrick Robb sentenced Caimon Ramone Stillman after an emotional hearing at the Buchanan County Courthouse. Stillman says […]
Bill banning trans students from sports teams by gender wins support of Missouri House
(Missouri Independent) – After hours of fierce debate that spanned the course of two days, the Missouri House on Wednesday signed off on a prohibition on transgender students participating on the sports teams that match their gender identity. The provision, offered as an amendment by Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, to House Bill 1141 was adopted by a vote […]
Missouri Department of Conservation encourages public to leave wildlife wild this spring
As you head outdoors this season to enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather, you may encounter a variety of newborn animals. Young wildlife can pull on our heartstrings as they appear to be abandoned, but that’s usually not the case. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds the public that interfering with wildlife can do […]
Missouri State Highway Patrol to honor employees for their actions via Facebook Live
The following employees being recognized for their actions in 2020 by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This year’s award ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. April 10, 2021, via Facebook Live. The video will become available when the event begins. Last year’s award ceremony was postponed due to the pandemic, so both the 2019 […]
FBI offers reward of up to $10,000 for information regarding stolen national treasures
The FBI announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the recovery of national treasures stolen 43 years ago from the Truman Presidential Library located at 500 W. Highway 24, Independence, Missouri. On March 24, 1978, around 6:30 a.m. a car pulled up near the south gate of the library. Two suspects, […]
Abortion amendment puts bill to finance Missouri Medicaid program in limbo
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Senate leadership pulled a bill vital for funding the state’s Medicaid program from floor debate Tuesday after adopting an amendment barring the use of public money for common contraceptive treatments. The amendment, sponsored by Republican Sen. Paul Wieland, could endanger the state’s entire Medicaid program by eliminating a health care service required by federal […]
Missouri man pulls 20-year prison sentence for distribution of methamphetamine
A Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. Richard G. Wacker, 61, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 20 years in federal prison without parole. On Jan. 10, 2020, Wacker pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy […]
Women’s wage gap correlates with retirement gender gap
This Wednesday is Women’s Equal Pay Day, the average date it would take a woman working full-time to earn what a man did in 2020. Most women earn less than men throughout their careers, which translates to less financial security in retirement. According to the National Institute on Retirement Security, median household retirement incomes for women are […]
Branson performer pleads guilty to fraud scheme
A performer at a Branson, Missouri, theater pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing more than $85,000 from hundreds of his own audience members who donated to his non-existent charity for foster children. “For several years, this performer took advantage of his own audiences by pulling at their heartstrings while stealing from their pockets,” said […]
Audio: Full-blown Missouri State Fair is in the works this year
Missouri is planning a full-fledged state fair this August. Last year’s state fair was scaled back due to the coronavirus. Kari Mergen with the Missouri State Fair says planning is full speed ahead. The State Fair will be August 12 through 22 in west-central Missouri’s Sedalia. The Missouri Office of Administration projects about […]
Jay Nixon comeback? Democrats lining up for shot at open Missouri Senate seat
(Missouri Independent) – Roy Blunt’s announcement that he won’t seek a third term certainly shook up Republican politics in Missouri, sparking nearly every GOP elected official in the state to publicly mull jumping into the campaign. Democrats aren’t immune from the speculation. While any Democrat would face an uphill fight, the chance of a messy […]
Osborn man charged with murder in relation to Sheriff Andy Clark’s death, bound over to Division One of DeKalb County Circuit Court
An Osborn man charged with second-degree murder in relation to a motor vehicle accident that caused DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Clark’s death had his case bound over to Division One of DeKalb County Circuit Court on Thursday. An arraignment is scheduled for 35-year-old Gary Wayne Downs on April 9th. Downs was also charged with the […]
Audio: Missouri Senate gives initial approval to proposed gas tax hike with a rebate
The Missouri Senate has given initial approval on Wednesday to a proposed gas tax hike with a rebate. The vote comes after the upper chamber spent about eight hours Tuesday on the plan before eventually pulling the bill from debate. Senate President Dave Schatz of Sullivan is proposing to boost the tax by 12-and-a-half cents […]
Audio: Missouri gas tax hike proposal pulled from debate
The Missouri Senate spent about eight hours Tuesday working on a proposed gas tax increase that would also offer a rebate. Two Conservative Caucus members, Senators Bill Eigel and Andrew Koenig blocked a vote on the bill, eventually leading to the proposal getting pulled from debate. Senate President Dave Schatz of eastern Missouri’s Sullivan, says […]
Trenton Board of Education tackles huge agenda including approval of salary schedule for next school year
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education March 9th approved salary schedules for the 2021-2022 school year. One thousand dollars will be added to the base for the certified salary schedule, making the base salary $34,000. This was estimated to cost the district $119,591. Superintendent Mike Stegman noted the base salary for certified staff was “pretty […]
Twelve Months Later: Despite pandemic, Missouri moved forward
Since the first presumptive positive COVID-19 case was detected in Missouri one year ago, Governor Mike Parson and his administration have worked continuously to combat the virus, keep Missourians safe, and move Missouri’s economy forward. “Since COVID-19 struck Missouri one year ago, we have worked nonstop to take a balanced approach, fight the virus, and […]
Grundy County Rural Fire Department responds to four calls on Sunday
Grundy County Rural Fire Department responded to four calls on Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening. On a mutual aid call with the Spickard Fire Protection District, Grundy County on Sunday assisted in extinguishing a fire on Conservation Reserve Program land that Rural Fire Chief Kenny Roberts said burned 350 to 360 acres. The location was […]
Chillicothe Fire Department battles house fire on Cherry Street
On Sunday afternoon, the Chillicothe Fire Department responded to a house fire at 410 Cherry Street with owners listed as Dana Miller and Wesley Stagg. Upon arrival, firefighters found a two-story home with fire coming out the windows on the south side. When entering the house, firefighters found heavy smoke on the main floor and […]
After outrage over unused vaccines at rural clinics, Parson vows more KC, STL events
(Missouri Independent) – Last week, multiple mass vaccination events in rural areas neared the end of the day with hundreds of doses still on hand — prompting health departments to take to social media and encourage anyone to come for fear doses would be wasted. “We have ample vaccine still available that needs to be […]