Student Loan Application (Photo by Nick Youngson via Creative Commons)

Democrats’ vision for free community college would boost undocumented students

(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 […]

Dr. David Russell appointed President of Columbia College

Dr. David Russell appointed President of Columbia College

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 […]

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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 […]

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Charges filed against victim of shooting in Mercer County

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office reports charges have been filed against the victim of a gunshot in an incident on August 30, 2021. David Walton has been charged with the felonies of second-degree kidnapping, armed criminal action, third-degree domestic assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. He also faces misdemeanor fourth-degree domestic assault. The sheriff’s […]

A gavel and a name plate with the engraving Lawsuit

Audio: Judge upholds Governor Parson’s decision to terminate pandemic-related unemployment benefits

The Cole County Circuit Court sided with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office in our defense of the Governor’s termination of federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits. “As Missouri’s economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are still struggling to hire workers for a large number of open, available jobs. Too often, businesses can’t compete with […]

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Department of Justice asks court to block Missouri’s ‘Second Amendment Preservation Act’

(Missouri Independent)  – A Missouri law prohibiting state and local police from enforcing certain federal gun laws has already undermined drug and weapons investigations, the U.S. Department of Justice argued in documents filed Wednesday in Cole County Circuit Court.  As part of an ongoing lawsuit set for a hearing Thursday afternoon, the Justice Department is asking Cole […]

North Central Missouri College Website V1 (NCMC)

North Central Missouri College partners with Central Methodist University to offer counseling services

North Central Missouri College (NCMC) and Central Methodist University (CMU) have partnered to provide North Central Missouri College students and employees additional mental health resources.  This fall, CMU will offer free virtual counseling and webinars through their Master of Science in Clinical Counseling program. “The health and wellness of our students remain a priority for […]

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft

Missouri Secretary of State to visit area libraries

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will visit area libraries on August 5. Ashcroft’s schedule includes the Brookfield Public Library at 10 a.m., the Livingston County Library of Chillicothe at 11:15, followed by the Lillian DesMarias Youth Library of Chillicothe, and the Carrollton Public Library at 1:15 in the afternoon. Missouri Secretary of State’s Office Communications […]

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Missouri notifying individuals of possible waiver of recovery from federal unemployment overpayments

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has implemented a process for claimants to apply to the Division of Employment Security for potential waiver of the recovery of non-fraud federal pandemic program unemployment benefit overpayments.  Notices to eligible claimants began mailing out last week and are available in the “Correspondence” tab of UInteract, Missouri’s […]

Consolidated Machine and Welding website

Consolidated Machine and Welding expands in Hannibal, creating 30 new jobs

Consolidated Machine and Welding announced it will expand its facility in Hannibal, investing $4.3 million and creating 30 new jobs in the area. “We’re excited to see Consolidated Machine and Welding grow in Hannibal,” Governor Mike Parson said. “This new facility brings good-paying jobs and opportunities for our citizens in Northeast Missouri. Businesses often find […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Missouri Supreme Court rules voter-approved Medicaid expansion is constitutional

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri must expand Medicaid to 275,000 eligible people who were expecting coverage under a constitutional amendment that took effect July 1, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Thursday. In a unanimous opinion, the court overturned a trial court ruling that the amendment, passed in August 2020 was unconstitutional because it may increase the state’s cost for […]