U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced a plan to require companies with revenues of $1 billion or more to pay their employees $15 per hour. Senator Hawley’s plan would result in an immediate wage increase for millions of workers while avoiding a one-size-fits-all increase that would disadvantage small businesses. Small business employees earning less than […]
COVID-19 presented considerable challenges to Missouri schools, staff, and students in 2020, including closures, cancellations, remote learning, and more. The pandemic also presented challenges to schools and instructors teaching the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) hunter education courses. “Many schools were closed for much of the year, which reduced the number of kids who could […]
After years of attempts, the state House has voted to pass a bill that would let donors provide scholarships for students to attend a private Missouri K-12 school. In return, they would get state tax credits. Under the bill, students with special needs and those who qualify for free and reduce price school meals would […]
(Missouri Independent) – About 137,700 registered voters in Missouri did not have a state-issued identification in 2017, according to an analysis from the Secretary of State’s Office. Another 140,000 voters had expired IDs, and 2,000 more voters had forfeited their driver’s licenses. Under a bill passed Wednesday in the Missouri House, those registered voters would either have to […]
Joshlin and Addie Yoder of Leonard, Missouri, located in Shelby County have been selected as the recipients of the 2020 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award®. The award, named for renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes farmers, ranchers, and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private land. In Missouri, the $10,000 award […]
Saint Luke’s Health System, including Hedrick Medical Center and Wright Memorial Hospital, has adjusted their Level-4 visitor guidelines in the Emergency Departments. These guidelines now allow one visitor per patient in our Emergency Departments. Level-4 guidelines previously restricted all visitation in the Emergency Departments. The facilities will continue operating at Level-4 visitation visitor guidelines, restricting […]
Contractor crews working with the Missouri Department of Transportation will begin pavement repairs soon on Interstate 35 between Route 116 and Shoal Creek. Iowa Civil Contracting was awarded the $2,835,743.79 contract to repair sections of I-35 between mile markers 41 and 49 in both directions. The contractor intends to begin, Monday, March 1, on the […]
A state House committee has voted unanimously today to pass two bills that aim to keep tabs on unregulated faith-based boarding schools in Missouri. Former students from across the country attended a recent hearing and talked about getting beaten, being starved, restrained, forced to eat their own vomit, and put in isolation for days or […]
State Auditor Nicole Galloway announced that her office has begun audits of two school districts in western Missouri. The Marshall School District and the Smithville R-II School District’s reviews were requested through petitions submitted by residents of those districts. “The petition audit process allows citizens to demonstrate that they want to be engaged in ensuring […]
After about twelve hours of debate, the Missouri Senate refrained from voting overnight on a contentious K-12 public education package. There was some confusion towards the end that appeared to ultimately lead to the plan getting shelved – at least for now. Several changes were made over the course of the day and night. As […]
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approved multiple personnel matters on Tuesday evening, February 23rd. One personnel matter involved the resignation of the Director of Admissions and Marketing Kristie Cross. Her last day on campus will be March 19th. She will then take vacation time, and her official last day will be May […]
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved a motion regarding electric rates on Monday evening, February 22nd. The motion was to clarify that any business outside of a commercially zoned area that is required to possess a valid business license will be required to pay a commercial electric rate for the property that is used for […]
The Sullivan County Health Department has received 100 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and will host a clinic for Phase 1A and Phase 1B Tiers 1 and 2 in the shop building at the North Central Rural Electric Coop in Milan on February 26th from 10 o’clock to noon. Consult the chart below to determine […]
(Missouri Independent) – Republican state Senators advanced sweeping legislation early Tuesday morning aimed at penalizing protestors who block streets, while also providing further protections for law enforcement under investigation for misconduct or excessive force. The bill also aims to prevent municipalities from decreasing the budgets for law enforcement agencies in Missouri by more than 12 percent over […]
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a compilation of property seizures made under Missouri’s Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act (CAFA) in 2020. The Auditor’s report shows law enforcement officials seized an estimated $4.2 million worth of property in 502 seizures. In 2019, law enforcement officials seized approximately $5.9 million worth of property in 493 seizures. […]
With the prospect of having a potential buyer, the Trenton Building and Nuisance Board on Monday evening voted to release one property from restrictions and the board chose not, at this time, to release another property from its control. Building Inspector Wes Barone said title searches on both locations revealed the existence of a dangerous […]
Winter is a good time for birding because foliage doesn’t hamper the viewing. The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a free guided birding hike from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Pershing State Park west of Laclede in Linn County. Hikers will explore the boardwalk near Locust Creek and the trail […]
Missouri adults are less educated today than nationally. That’s what state House Budget Committee members learned Wednesday during a hearing about Governor Parson’s next state budget proposal for Missouri’s colleges and universities. Higher Education and Workforce Development Department Commissioner Zora Mulligan says there have been many efforts to change this trend. Mulligan says […]
The Putnam County Health Department reports 15 additional cases of COVID-19 since its last update on February 5th, which brings the total to 479. One person is being actively monitored by public health. Thirteen individuals have died from complications associated with COVID-19. The Putnam County Health Department reports it will not receive vaccine this week […]
Homecoming coronation will be held at Grundy County R-5 after February 17th’s varsity basketball games against Meadville starting at 6 o’clock. Candidates are seniors Macy Saul and Cooper Lewis, junior Kammi Phillips, sophomore Skylar Bonnett and Cole Peterson, and freshmen Kaylee Fischer and Slade Hill. Each attendee is required to have a ticket to be […]
