Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

U.S. Senate panel bickers over Supreme Court nomination but sets vote next week

(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee reopened partisan disagreements Monday as members scheduled a vote for April 4 on Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Republicans’ criticisms of Jackson’s record and responses were either untrue or disingenuous. Meanwhile, ranking Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa again raised […]

Green Hills Women's Shelter Website 2022

Green Hills Women’s Shelter undergoing restructuring

The Green Hills Women’s Shelter has announced plans to restructure the Trenton shelter. A post on the shelter’s Facebook page says the shelter’s plan “is aimed at improving accessibility and service delivery to better meet the needs” of those it serves. Executive Director Lisa Dicks says the Trenton shelter is closed temporarily. It closed on […]

American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall spoke at the organization’s 2022 annual convention in Atlanta, Georgia (photo provided by American Farm Bureau Federation)

American Farm Bureau Federation claims it’s the ‘voice of agriculture,’ Others beg to differ

(Missouri Independent) – This story was originally published as a collaboration between Investigate Midwest and Watchdog Writers Group. The American Farm Bureau Federation calls itself the “voice of agriculture,” a slogan it trademarked in 2007. But as the divide between agribusiness and small farmers has grown in recent decades, a unified voice of agriculture has become harder to […]

2021 City of Chillicothe website 2021

City of Chillicothe re-opens search for City Administrator

The City of Chillicothe has reopened its city administrator search. Information provided by City Clerk Roze Frampton says the city administrator will oversee operations of six departments, including police, fire, and emergency medical services, airport, streets, parks and recreation, and codes and zoning. The ideal candidate must be able to establish and maintain harmonious relationships […]

Daviess County Courthouse

Daviess County Collector-Treasurer announces dates and times office to be closed for holidays

The Daviess County Courthouse in Gallatin will observe the federal holiday for New Year’s Day on December 31st. Daviess County Collector-Treasurer Lacey Corwin advises taxpayers that the collector’s office will close on December 30th at 4 p.m. and will not reopen until January 3rd. Mailed tax payments for Daviess County must be postmarked by December […]

School buses wait Tuesday outside Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School in Columbia (Photo Credit Rudi Keller Missouri Independent

Confusion around COVID ruling swirls as two Missouri school districts end semester early

(Missouri Independent) – As a growing number of Missouri school districts drop COVID mitigation measures under threat from Attorney General Eric Schmitt, at least two closed the doors on their fall semester early due to large numbers of staff and students out sick. Meanwhile, local public health departments said Tuesday they still have not heard […]

Laredo R-7 School

Laredo Board of Education approve insurance renewal, review Board of Education election

The Laredo R-7 Board of Education on December 13th approved Missouri United School Insurance Council insurance renewal. Secretary Robin Griswold reports there is $4 million worth of coverage for a premium of $13,096 for the year. The policy covers property, general liability, buses, school board liability, compensation, bond, cyber, and pollution liability. The board approved […]

Nurse assisting patient in wheelchair in nursing home

Missouri gives nursing homes a way to temporarily close in face of federal vaccine rule

(Missouri Independent) – With over 40% of Missouri’s nursing home staff still unvaccinated, the state health department is giving long-term care facilities a route to avoid losing their license if they shut down due to staffing shortfalls after a federal vaccine requirement kicks in next month. On Friday, the Department of Health and Senior Services […]

COVID-19 or Coronaviru testing

Missouri students can now ‘test to stay’ to remain in classroom after COVID exposure

(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 […]