Missouri Department of Social Services

Furious lawmakers demand answers from Missouri DSS for undercount of abuse reports

(Missouri Independent) – Lawmakers slammed the Department of Social Services on Thursday for underreporting the number of substantiated cases of abuse and neglect at youth residential facilities during a previous legislative hearing. For nearly an hour-and-a-half on Thursday, the House Special Committee on Government Oversight pressed DSS officials on why the number of findings of […]

Missouri Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson issues state workforce directive; all state employees to return to pre-COVID-19 work settings by May 17

Governor Mike Parson directed all state workers to return to their offices for in-person work no later than Monday, May 17, 2021, and that all state buildings be open and accessible to the public during normal business hours.  “Since the start of COVID-19, our state team members have gone above and beyond to keep state government running and […]

Ryan Smith of Milan FFA Chapter named Area 3 Star Farmer

Ryan Smith of Milan FFA Chapter named Area 3 Star Farmer

The Missouri FFA Association recognized Ryan P. Smith of the Milan FFA Chapter as the Area 3 Star Farmer at the 93rd Missouri FFA Convention. His parents are Bradley and Jenny Smith of Harris. His advisors are Jarred Sayre and Cassie Cowles. Area Star Farmers are chosen based upon outstanding production agriculture in the student’s […]

Brookfield FFA Top Chapter 2021

Brookfield FFA chapter receives Top Chapter Award

The Missouri FFA Association awarded Brookfield FFA Chapter a Gold Emblem, a Top Chapter Award. Brookfield placed 3rd out of 351 chapters. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive a top chapter designation each year. The Brookfield FFA advisor is Jessica Dobrzenski. The top chapters compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. Winners will be […]

Accident-Crash graphic

King City man injured in crash on Highway 169

A King City resident was injured in a crash near Union Star. Fifty-nine-year-old Robert Cleveland, was taken by ambulance to Mosaic Health Care in St. Joseph for treatment of moderate injuries. The car Cleveland was driving crossed the centerline on Highway 169, went off the road, struck an embankment, and a tree before it came […]

Missouri Teacher Shortage News Graphic

Audio: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Looks to reduce teacher shortage

Missouri is facing a teacher shortage, and for Teacher Appreciation Week, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is working to inspire more high school and college students to consider becoming educators.     Halley Russell a government teacher at Jackson High School, said the shortage is nothing new but is getting more attention with the […]