Dr. Alex Garza of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force

Video: ‘The virus is winning’: Health officials call for statewide mask mandate in Missouri

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Gov. Mike Parson needs to issue a statewide mask mandate and “safer-at-home” policy to prevent the state’s health system from becoming overwhelmed, Dr. Alex Garza, the incident commander of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, said Friday. “Unfortunately, as has been painfully obvious to even a casual observer, we are […]

State of Missouri with Flag Background

Missouri receives national “Innovation In State Government” award for professional development

The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) awarded one of four 2020 Innovations in State Government Awards to Missouri, the state’s first time receiving the award. Missouri was recognized for its distinctiveness and innovation in the “Personnel Best Practices” category for its professional development transformation. Criteria included program innovation, transferability to other state governments, […]

Childcare Center from Unsplash website

‘Won’t be able to survive’: Childcare centers serving low-income Missourians face closure

(Missouri Independent) – Cortaiga Collins doesn’t know how much longer her childcare center will survive. Only about a dozen children have been attending regularly amid the pandemic. Under normal circumstances, she used to serve as many as 100.  She’s already had to reduce the hours that Good Shepherd Preschool and Infant/Toddler Center in St. Louis […]

2020 Elections vote

Missouri Election Day FAQ: What you need to know to make sure your vote counts

(Missouri Independent) – Across Missouri, local election officials have received 628,395 mail-in and absentee ballots, according to the Secretary of State’s Oct. 27 report.  Already, that’s more than twice the total absentee ballots counted in the November 2016 election. While many Missourians have already voted by mail or in-person absentee, many more will head out […]

North Central Missouri Development Alliance or NCMDA

NCMDA board member Jackie Soptic: “Technology and internet revolutionize economic development”

North Central Missouri Development Alliance Board Member Jackie Soptic says technology and the internet have revolutionized economic development. Site selectors and companies can visit a location from their home or office by reading statistics and demographic information.     The United States Census also provides data on demographics. Soptic says that data should be used […]

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt

Missouri Attorney General’s office denies allegations it broke law in medical marijuana lawsuit

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office dismissed accusations that his office and the state department of health illegally concealed records and violated the Sunshine Law during the course of a medical marijuana lawsuit, calling the charges “frivolous” and “baseless.” The accusation arose last week in a motion seeking sanctions against Schmitt’s office and […]

Governor Mike Parson

Missouri’s Parson ranked 13th among nation’s Governors

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s performance on economic policies has placed him among some of the top governors in the nation in a new report. In a first-of-its-kind report, the American Legislative Exchange Council, a right-wing group of lawmakers and business people, ranked Parson 13th overall among states’ governors. Report co-author Donna Arduin said Parson’s corporate […]

Missouri and State Flags

Trump administration invests more than $250,000 to support rural Missouri communities

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced that the USDA is investing $254,621 in Rural Community Development Initiative grant funds to bolster rural housing, community programs, and economic development. “The USDA Rural Development RCDI program capitalizes on public/private partnerships to provide training and […]

Missouri Corn Website

Missouri Corn Growers Association announce new slate of officers

The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association have announced their new slate of officers, the appointment of recently elected board members, and national committee assignments. The election of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council officer team took place during an August board meeting. Leaders assumed their new roles Thursday, October 1st. Those officers […]

Great seal of Missouri and US Flag with money

Trump Administration invests more than $1 million in rural business development in Missouri

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced 20 organizations statewide are being awarded a total of $1,068,984 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. “When rural, small businesses expand and do well, it leads to a positive impact on the […]

Grundy County Courthouse Trenton Missouri

Grundy County Commission approves COVID-19 relief funding requests from Laredo school and Sunnyview

The Grundy County Commission approved Coronavirus relief funding requests from the Laredo R-7 School District and Sunnyview Nursing Home Tuesday, September 22nd. Laredo R-7 was approved for $2,614.46, and Sunnyview was approved for $15,083.82. Grundy County was notified of a registration qualification last week, and the county is required to submit a report detailing the […]