Student Loan graphic

Pause on federal student loan repayments extended by Biden through August 31

(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration Wednesday announced its plans to extend the pause on federal student loan repayments until the end of August. “I recognized in recently extending the COVID-19 national emergency, we are still recovering from the pandemic and the unprecedented economic disruption it caused,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.  “If loan […]

Bird Flu News Graphic (Photo credit Danganhfoto on Pixabay)

University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine tracking the spread of bird flu, one test at a time

Throughout the country, an extremely infectious disease called highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been circulating rapidly among flocks of chicken and turkeys. While the disease poses little risk to humans, it presents a serious threat to infected birds as well as the nation’s poultry industry, which is already facing supply chain disruptions. At the […]

Combine and farm tractor with wagon in field

Coalition of legislators introduce resolution to protect family farms and small businesses

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) joined Representatives Tracey Mann, Jason Smith, Bob Latta, and a bipartisan coalition of more than 70 members of Congress in introducing a resolution recognizing the important role of the stepped-up basis in preserving family farms and small businesses. “If the President gets his way and guts the stepped-up basis, it would […]

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson photo courtesy Wikipedia

Jackson wins 3 GOP votes as U.S. Senate advances her Supreme Court nomination

(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Senate advanced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic Supreme Court nomination in a 53-47 procedural vote Monday evening, hours after the Judiciary Committee deadlocked along party lines. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah voted with all 50 Senate Democrats on the procedural […]

Planned Parenthood

Control of Title X federal family planning funds remains with Missouri nonprofit

(Missouri Independent) – Despite facing competition from the state health department, the nonprofit Missouri Family Health Council Inc. will continue to administer federal Title X family planning funds. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded more than $250 million in Title X funding this week, including $5.3 million to Missouri. That money helps pay […]

USDA Sign

USDA offers CLEAR30 option for producers to enroll land with expiring conservation contracts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing the signup period for its Clean Lakes, Estuaries, And Rivers initiative (CLEAR30) — a nationwide opportunity for certain landowners and agricultural producers currently implementing water quality practices through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to enroll in 30-year contracts, extending the lifespan and strengthening the benefits of important water quality […]

Gas Pumps News Graphic (Photo via Envato Elements)

Biden OKs release of 1 million barrels of oil a day from reserve, calls for supply boost

(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden called Thursday for U.S. energy companies to do their part in lowering gasoline prices by boosting supplies of oil, saying the industry should plow record profits back into increased production. Biden also said he would release 1 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve daily for the […]

Angstrom Brass website

Video: Arts Alive to feature Angstrom Brass at Performing Arts Center in Trenton

A four-piece brass ensemble from the Kansas City area will perform during April in Trenton. Tickets went on sale today for the April 24th performance featuring the Angstrom Brass. The musical presentation is sponsored by the local Arts Alive organization. Dan Maxey of Arts Alive made the announcement this morning on KTTN’s Open Line:   […]

CRP Website Revised (Conservation Reserve Program website)

Audio: Ag groups support more Conservation Reserve Program flexibility to aid in potential global grain shortage

Ag groups are calling on the Biden administration to provide flexibility for prime farmland in the Conservation Reserve Program as the Russian/Ukraine conflict has the potential to impact global food security. Ag economist Scott Irwin at the University of Illinois tells Brownfield Ukraine produces about 60 million acres of crops which are at risk this […]

Daniel Dailey, attorney for William Tisaby, spoke to the media after a hearing on June 24. Jermaine Wooten (left), also a defense attorney in the case, listens in (Photo by Rebecca Rivas - Missouri Independent).

Investigator in Greitens’ case pleads guilty to evidence tampering

(Missouri Independent) – An ex-FBI agent who conducted the criminal investigation of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens in 2018 pleaded guilty Wednesday to evidence tampering and was sentenced to a year of probation. William Tisaby, 69, was hired by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner to assist in the investigation of allegations that Greitens threatened […]

Grundy County Commission Sign

Grundy County Commission accepting bids on VHF radio system

The Grundy County Commission is accepting proposals to purchase and install a turnkey analog VHF radio system to improve existing system coverage with an option for P25 upgrades in the future. The existing system is used for Fire and EMS dispatch and currently consists of 2 separate repeaters and a remote receiver. The FCC Callsign […]

North Central Missouri College Website V2 (NCMC)

NCMC Board of Trustees approve increases in tuition and fees, as well as, room and board

The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees on March 22nd approved increases in tuition and fees as well as room and board. Tuition for NCMC district students will stay the same at $92 per credit hour for the 2022-2023 academic year. However, there is a $5 per credit hour increase for other Missouri residents, […]

Better Women's Conference

Audio: Better Women’s Conference set to begin March 25th in Trenton

The Better Women’s Conference will be at the First Assembly of God Church in Trenton March 25th and 26th. Doors will open at the Family Activity Center that Friday evening at 5 o’clock and that Saturday morning at 8 o’clock. Spokesperson Darcie Taylor says this year’s theme is “She is Strong.”     The speaker […]

White House in Washington DC (Photo by Edoardo Cuoghi on UnSplash)

U.S. Senate Republicans attack Biden on energy costs, regulations after new inflation report

(Missouri Independent) – Nebraska’s Deb Fischer and fellow U.S. Senate Republicans slammed President Joe Biden on Thursday for the sharp rise in consumer prices, calling for policy shifts to increase U.S. energy supply, roll back regulations and curb spending. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday the consumer price index rose nearly 8% in February over the […]

Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce website

State Representative Rusty Black to be speaker at Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

State Representative Rusty Black will give the State of the State address at the next Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. The event will be held at Comfort Inn and Suites in Chillicothe on March 16th at noon. Black will discuss issues for his constituents to be aware of. Tickets cost $12 for Chillicothe Area […]

Gas Pumps News Graphic (Photo via Envato Elements)

Biden OKs release of 30 million barrels of oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve

(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden authorized on Tuesday the release of 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, part of an international boost to the global oil supply that has been disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The reserve is a complex of four sites with deep underground storage caverns in salt […]

President Joe Biden Photo provided by White House

Biden in State of the Union urges ‘unmistakable’ support for democracy in Ukraine

(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden used his first State of the Union address on Tuesday night to reassert America as a leading global voice for democracy and condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin for starting an “unprovoked” war in Ukraine. “Throughout our history, we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay a price […]

Russian Military via Wikipedia

How the Ukraine invasion could affect you: Higher food, gas prices, risk of recession

(Missouri Independent) – Americans may be tempted to view the war in Ukraine as an unfortunate, but far away, crisis. As an economist, I know the world is too connected for the U.S. to go unaffected. On Feb. 22, 2022, President Joe Biden warned Americans that a Russian invasion of Ukraine – and U.S. efforts to thwart or […]