(Missouri Independent) – After hours of fierce debate that spanned the course of two days, the Missouri House on Wednesday signed off on a prohibition on transgender students participating on the sports teams that match their gender identity. The provision, offered as an amendment by Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, to House Bill 1141 was adopted by a vote […]
Tag: rules
Grain Belt transmission line forges ahead amid landowner, lawmaker pushback
(Missouri Independent) – On the heels of a historic cold snap that left thousands across the Midwest without power, Kansas and Missouri residents could soon reap the benefits of a massive high-powered transmission line delivering renewable energy. Grain Belt Express, a project a decade in the making, is starting to acquire land along its route spanning […]
Missouri open enrollment bill sparks debate over segregation, consolidation
(Missouri Independent) – As bills expanding charter schools and creating new scholarship accounts for private school tuition make their way through the process, one piece of legislation is trying to give students more options within the public schools that already exist. House Bill 543, sponsored by Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, would establish the “Public School […]
Audio: United Hog Systems withdraws permit application to build CAFO in Livingston County
United Hog Systems, LLC has withdrawn its permit application to build a concentrated animal feeding operation in northern Livingston County. Presiding Commissioner Ed Douglas says the Livingston County Commission got word April 14th from the Department of Natural Resources. Douglas explains United Hog originally applied for a CAFO in February 2020 but withdrew that application. […]
Missouri State Fair premium guide now available online
Missouri State Fair exhibitors interested in competing at the State Fair this year can now access the Premium Guide, a comprehensive tool for State Fair exhibitors, on the Fair’s website, mostatefair.com. The Premium Guide includes important rules and regulations for the Fair’s numerous livestock shows and competitive exhibits. Exhibitors are encouraged to explore the Premium […]
Gallatin Theater League to present “Independence Day at Happy Meadows”
The Gallatin Theater League will perform Independence Day at Happy Meadows later this month. The play by Laura King will be performed at the Courter Theater in Gallatin from April 22nd through 24th at 7 o’clock each night. It will also be live-streamed each night. The play is about women from a nursing home who […]
Dr. Beth Caldarello selected as North Central Missouri College Outstanding Employee
Dr. Beth Ann Caldarello, Library Director from Trenton, MO, has been selected as North Central Missouri College’s Outstanding Employee for April. Beth Ann, an NCMC Alumni, has been employed at NCMC for eight years and holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and a Masters in Library Science. Dr. Caldarello, along with her team Shellee, […]
USDA announces funding available to assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency announces the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater […]
Audio: Missouri House attempting to undo state Supreme Court’s restrictions on bail
In 2019, the Missouri Supreme Court began restricting when judges can require bail. Currently, judges can only charge bail fees for safety reasons or to help ensure defendants appear in court. The Missouri House has given preliminary approval to Lake St. Louis State Representative Justin Hill’s bill that would undo the high court’s bail rules. […]
Lawmakers introduce legislation to protect rural health clinics from added financial strain during COVID-19 crisis
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Mark Warner (Va.) introduced legislation to prevent further financial instability for rural health clinics and safeguard the care they provide to underserved communities. The bipartisan Strengthening Rural Health Clinics Act of 2021 would make a technical fix to protect existing rural health clinics from a sudden and unexpected Medicare […]
Audio: Lawmakers to question Missouri DSS chief about boarding school abuse investigations
The head of the Missouri Department of Social Services is scheduled to appear before a panel of lawmakers Wednesday about the agency’s handling of abuse investigations within boarding schools. The Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight has called a Wednesday afternoon hearing to question the department’s acting director, Jennifer Tidball. The Kansas City Star has […]
Biden calls on U.S. Senate to act on background checks after Colorado mass shooting
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged the U.S. Senate to immediately pass legislation to close loopholes on background checks for guns and to ban assault weapons, following a mass shooting that killed 10 at a Colorado supermarket. “This should not be a partisan issue,” Biden said. “This is an American issue.” Biden’s […]
Audio: Blunt says “America does not need “alternative versions” of this year’s U.S. Capitol attack”
Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt says America does not need “alternative versions” of this year’s U.S. Capitol attack. Blunt joined NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday to talk about the mob of former President Donald Trump supporters storming the Capitol in January. Blunt pushed back on fellow Republican Senator Ron Johnson calling the rioters […]
Candidates for Trenton R-9 Board of Education answer questions on recruiting and retention of teachers, and what is expected of board members
One question posed to the five Trenton R-9 Board of Education candidates at March 18th’s forum was what their plans were to address recruiting, and retention in the district and not let Trenton be a stepping stone. Michael Voorhies said teachers coming and going each year was a major issue, and any business does not […]
Grundy County Commission signs with Granite Phone Service; Grundy County to receive $2 million in next round of COVID funding
The Grundy County Commission signed a letter of agency with Granite phone service on March 16th. The letter gives the company permission to contact AT&T on behalf of Grundy County. Presiding Commissioner Phillip Ray says going through Granite for the county is estimated to reduce the cost of three AT&T lines from $500 a month […]
States question whether new federal stimulus law rules out tax cuts
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden’s massive pandemic stimulus law pumps a welcome infusion of federal aid into state and local government coffers — but one brief section is raising questions about whether states are barred from cutting their own taxes if they accept the federal help. The Senate added language to the COVID-19 relief package […]
Missouri Supreme Court Judge Laura Stith retires after 20-years on the bench
A 20-year chapter ends today for Missouri Supreme Court Judge Laura Denvir Stith. After serving on the high court for two decades, Stith is retiring. The photos have come down off her office walls. Stith has packed up her certificates and awards she proudly showcased in her third-floor office along West High Street in Jefferson […]
Missouri Clean Water Commission to hold public hearing regarding design of CAFO
The Missouri Clean Water Commission’s virtual public hearing will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021, regarding a rulemaking for 10 CSR 20-8.300, the design of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, otherwise known as a CAFO. Those wishing to testify at the hearing should notify the department in writing at least seven days prior to the […]