(Missouri Independent) – On the Friday before a drawn-out confirmation battle ended with his ouster from office, Missouri state Health Director Donald Kauerauf wrote an impassioned letter meant to convince conservative legislators who were on the fence about his appointment. The message: While he believed in vaccines and data and science, he didn’t believe in vaccine […]
Governor Mike Parson has announced plans to use more than $400 million to increase internet access to more Missourians. That money is from the American Rescue Plan Act (or ARPA) to increase broadband internet access, adoption of new programs and offer statewide assistance. BJ Tanksley is the director of the Missouri Office of Broadband Development […]
(Missouri Independent) – A handful of Republican lawmakers lashed out at the state’s medical marijuana industry Thursday, lobbing accusations of corruption into a Missouri House debate over whether to make it harder to amend the state’s Constitution. On a mostly party-line 98-53 vote, the Missouri House signed off on legislation Thursday that would require a two-thirds […]
(Missouri Independent) – In a case that grew out of a law making it a crime for a doctor to perform an abortion after eight weeks, the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday said those seeking to force a referendum on new laws can begin collecting signatures as soon as the bill is passed. The ruling threw […]
(Missouri Independent) – Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s record on China is once again coming under fire, with a political action committee supporting one of his rivals in the GOP Senate primary launching an attack ad during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics Team PAC, which was formed to support the U.S. Senate candidacy of former […]
(Missouri Independent) – State health director Donald Kauerauf adamantly spoke against mandating face masks and COVID-19 vaccines during a hearing Monday, as anti-vaccination demonstrators protested his confirmation in the halls outside. While protesters chanted outside the Capitol hearing room, senators inside grilled Kauerauf for nearly two hours on his views on how best to mitigate […]
Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn announced that 16 youth groups from across Missouri were awarded grants from the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s 2022 Building Our American Communities grant program. Eight local chapters of the National FFA Organization and eight Missouri 4-H clubs statewide have been awarded funds for their community service projects this year. “We […]
Missouri has set another record, his time its firearms seized at airports. Transportation Security Administration officers at Missouri airports say they’ve found 183 firearms in travelers’ carry-on luggage last year. St. Louis Lambert International Airport broke the statewide record with officers finding 102 guns found, that’s more than all Missouri airports combined in […]
Missourians can hear Governor Parson outline his priorities during his annual State of the State Address today (Wednesday). The governor explains what citizens can expect to hear from him. The governor says he plans to tout a workforce development program he launched. The Governor is also expected to tout his accomplishments […]
Governor Mike Parson announced that the Show-Me Strong Recovery Task Force has released its final report of recommendations to support small businesses across the state. In the report, the Task Force summarizes its findings and provides potential solutions related to workforce, supply chain, access to resources, broadband, and support for minority- and women-owned businesses. “As […]
Missouri’s 2021-2022 deer-hunting season ended Jan. 15 with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reporting a preliminary total deer harvest for the season of 293,670. Of the deer harvested, 143,049 were antlered bucks, 26,599 were button bucks, and 124,022 were does. Top harvest counties for the overall deer season were Franklin with 6,392 deer harvested, […]
A ballot initiative in Missouri is seeking to change the way statewide elections are run. Currently, in the Show-Me State, there are party primaries in August, and voters choose between the winners of the primaries in November. The Better Elections initiative seeks to move to what’s known as ranked-choice voting. Rosetta Okohson, a Democratic consultant and co-leader of the […]
A statewide task force is recommending a variety of ways intended to help small businesses in Missouri with a workforce, supply chain, funding, and broadband problems. The suggestions include improving childcare access and affordability, expanding hospitality industry apprenticeships, updating the Fast Track workforce grant program, and enhancing help for women and minority-owned businesses. […]
(Missouri Independent) – The University of Missouri’s Columbia campus will begin the spring semester as planned Tuesday with no option for online classes, masking, or vaccination requirements, UM System President and campus Chancellor Mun Choi wrote to faculty leaders Friday. Choi’s response to concerns raised in a letter from the Executive Committee of the campus […]
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on Monday, January 10th approved a resolution involving funding for a street project and an ordinance regarding an equipment sales agreement. The resolution states the intent to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program and authorizes the mayor to pursue activities in an attempt to secure funding for […]
(Missouri Independent) – Proposals that would bar COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide greater exemptions for vaccinations more broadly faced a wave of opposition from Missouri business groups Wednesday. Representatives for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Associated Industries of Missouri, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and other business associations made clear to lawmakers […]
The Highway Patrol reports no traffic fatalities were noted over the long New Year’s holiday weekend. The 78 hour counting period began last Thursday evening at 6 o’clock and concluded this past Sunday at midnight. The Highway Patrol troopers across northern Missouri investigated 79 crashes during that period resulting in injuries for 21 people. The […]
Eight people died in traffic crashes during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 23, 2021, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 26, 2021. 2021 Christmas Holiday Traffic Statistics Troopers investigated the following: Traffic Crashes — 310 Traffic Crash Injuries — 92 Traffic Crash Fatalities — 4 DWI — 67 […]
Sonoco Plastics located in Chillicothe, Missouri was recently recognized by the Missouri Community College Association for outstanding support of Missouri Community Colleges. Sonoco Plastics received the 2021 Distinguished Business/Industry Award at the statewide MCCA convention held in Branson, Missouri. This prominent award is given annually to businesses that go above and beyond to show their […]
Kimberly Meeker, Financial Aid Director, was recently recognized for her service to North Central Missouri College and community colleges. Kimberly received the Administrative Professional at the statewide MCCA convention held in Branson, Missouri. This selective award is given to outstanding administrative professionals from community colleges in Missouri for their exceptional work in their field. “Kimberly […]
