Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana subpoena may have been connected to Independence, Missouri FBI probe

(Missouri Independent) – The head of Missouri’s medical marijuana program testified under oath that a grand jury subpoena his agency received late last year was likely connected to an FBI investigation in Independence.  The revelation by Lyndall Fraker, director of medical marijuana regulation at the Missouri Department of Health and Seniors Services, is the first […]

Healthcare Graphic

Audio: Missouri prepares to launch new program to help rural hospitals with covid struggles

On Tuesday, Missouri is launching a program focused on helping rural hospitals with their problems of limited staffing, bed capacity, and equipment during the pandemic. In southwest Missouri’s Appleton City, many low-income families are waiting for care. Jamie O’Farrell tells Springfield television station KOLR she treats patients at Ellett Memorial Hospital’s clinic.     Through […]

Missouri State Highway Patrol Website New 2021 (MSHP)

Missouri Highway Patrol reports traffic fatalities increase over Thanksgiving holiday weekend compared to 2019

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 10 people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period–from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 29, 2020. During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers report the following traffic statistics for 2020: Crashes ─ 321 Injuries ─ 72 Fatalities ─ 9 DWI ─ 100 Drug Arrests ─ […]

Missouri flag with money

Audio: Missouri’s Senate President Pro Tem to review report recommending pay increases for lawmakers

A bipartisan committee is recommending a five percent pay increase for Missouri lawmakers AND for statewide elected officials. The Citizen’s Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials has made the recommendation. While he hasn’t seen their report yet, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz says the commission’s work is independent.     The “Springfield News-Leader” reports […]

Amazon website

Amazon expands to Republic, Missouri; more than 500 jobs to be created

Seattle-based Amazon has announced that it will open its first fulfillment center in one of the fastest-growing towns in southwest Missouri. Governor Mike Parson made the announcement Thursday afternoon while briefing Capitol reporters in Jefferson City. The governor says the facility will be located in Republic. “The new fulfillment center, which is expected to launch […]

Missouri State Capitol courtesy of WikiMedia

Missouri Republicans maintain supermajorities in House and Senate

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Democrats had another disappointing night in legislative elections Tuesday, losing in two state Senate districts crucial to their hopes of cracking the Republican supermajority in the upper chamber. Republicans held a key Senate seat by re-electing Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden of Columbia in the 19th District in central Missouri. As […]

Parson Galloway photo

Audio: Parson and Galloway focusing on rural Missouri in final days of campaign; both appealing to blue-collar voters

The two main gubernatorial candidates are focusing on rural Missouri again Friday and during the final days of the campaign. Governor Mike Parson (R) brings his “Mike works bus tour” to four rural western Missouri towns: his hometown of Bolivar, as well as Clinton, Belton, and El Dorado Springs. He’ll finish Friday evening in Springfield. […]

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 […]