State Treasurer Eric Schmitt has announced his Missouri FIRST initiative has increased agriculture investments through the state’s linked deposit program by 136%. Since the launch of Missouri FIRST in March, the total volume of active agriculture linked deposits has risen from $29.3 million to $69.3 million. Schmitt will visit the State Fair in Sedalia today […]
Tag: STEM
Judge hands down prison sentences in Division One of Grundy County court
Probation was revoked for Trenton resident Levi Grant Bell when he appeared Thursday in Division One of Grundy County circuit court. The previous stay of execution was set aside and Bell was sentenced to a prison term of seven years on each of two counts of second-degree burglary. The terms run concurrently and Bell was […]
State auditor finds poor planning in Tax Increment Financing projects in Bethany
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a citizen-requested audit of the City of Bethany, which found that poor planning in tax increment financing projects (TIF) spearheaded by the city resulted in delays and lack of oversight. “Economic incentives can be valuable for communities, but they must be presented transparently and used effectively as part […]
Missouri farmer profits from direct marketing, rotational grazing
Like other livestock farmers trying to make a living in the grasp of a severe drought, Adam Boman was on the road to Kansas City in early August to market some of his cattle. But Boman, owner of Good Life Grass Farms, was only transporting the few cows he direct markets each month. The others […]
Audio: You can still vote if you don’t have a photo ID
(Missourinet) – Missouri’s primary election is underway. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says the state’s registered voters without a government-issued photo ID can still cast a ballot today. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says the state’s voter ID law was designed to make the experience easy for citizens casting their ballot. […]
Programs on the effect of drought on pastures to be held in August
The University of Missouri Extension will hold programs in the area later this month about the effects of drought on pastures. One program will address controlling pasture weeds, the nutritional value of weeds, and strategies for getting the most from grasslands during a drought. This program will be held at the Green City City Hall […]
Hospital workforce challenges persist in Missouri
A new report from the Missouri Hospital Association finds increased turnover rates among the majority of hospital-based healthcare positions. Vacancy rates decreased for several employee categories, including registered nurses, between 2016 and 2017. However, combined turnover among all professions surveyed increased statewide from 16 percent in 2016 to 17.7 percent in 2017. “Every Missourian has […]
Audio: Storm that hit Branson during duck boat sinking known as a Derecho
(MissouriNet) – The National Weather Service says an unusual weather event called a derecho (durr-AY-shee-oh) hit Missouri the night a Ride the Ducks boat tour in Branson turned deadly. Senior Meteorologist Doug Kramer with the Springfield office calls a derecho a line of thunderstorms on steroids. Senior Meteorologist Doug Kramer with the Springfield National […]
Audio: Missouri’s largest utility is first to pass corporate tax cut on to customers
(Missourinet) – Ameren Missouri is the first of the two largest utilities in the state to drop customer rates based on savings it’s receiving from a tax reduction. Congress cut the nation’s corporate income tax rate from 35%-to-21% last December with the reduction taking effect January 1st. Ameren’s drop of customer rates to […]
USDA encourages rural Missouri communities to apply for loans to improve and rebuild infrastructure
“USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in building their futures,” Hazlett said. “All people – regardless of their zip code – need modern, reliable infrastructure to thrive, and we have found that when we address this need, many other challenges in rural places become much more manageable.” Eligible rural communities […]
Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission aids agriculture community facing drought
The Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission has approved the following five actions in response to Governor Parson’s Executive Order 18-05 Drought Alert: Require soil and water conservation districts to move landowners completing the drought practices listed below to the top of waiting lists. Defer the Grazing School Requirement for 12 months after contract approval […]
Missourians could see protection from predatory student loans
In Missouri, 70 percent of college graduates leave school with debt, and navigating the payback process for their loans isn’t easy. That could change with a bill introduced in Congress this month that has gotten support from numerous higher education and consumer groups. The Aim Higher Act (HR 1772) is intended to make institutions more accountable and […]
Chillicothe City Council to meet Monday evening
The Chillicothe City Council will hold a workshop and its regular meeting at the Chillicothe City Hall Monday evening. Topics for the 5:30 workshop may include discussion regarding street projects and equipment, radio bids for police and fire, a new phone system, and finance options for upcoming purchases. The regular city council meeting will start […]
Hungry Man dinner joins list of recalled food products
Federal officials have posted a public health alert regarding certain Hungry Man frozen dinners because of concerns about Salmonella contamination of whey powder used to make them. One day earlier, Flowers Foods Inc. recalled swiss roll desserts from stores nationwide because Salmonella was found in whey powder used in their production. Government officials had not received any […]
Small grain crops seeded this fall replace dry pastures for cow herds
Seeding winter annual small grain offers fall grazing for beef cow herds short on grass and hay. “Lots of calls are coming in,” said Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. He offers encouraging words and cautions. Interest grew as some local USDA Farm Service Agency offices offer added drought disaster assistance. Drilling wheat, […]
Missouri Department of Natural Resources making funds available to drought stricken communities
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Financial Assistance Center is making emergency funding available for drought-impacted publicly owned community water systems in response to an executive order by Governor Mike Parson putting 47 counties on drought alert. Public systems serving fewer than 10,000 people and are within the drought alert area designated in the executive […]
Dr. Wyatt Pickering named medical director for emergency department at Wright Memorial Hospital
Wright Memorial Hospital began working with a new group of emergency medicine providers, Emergency Medical Services, in its emergency department. EMS is part of ENVISION Physician Services, a high quality, nationwide team of providers, which Saint Luke’s Health System uses to staff emergency departments at some of its other facilities. “Through EMS’ positive partnership with […]
Controlling noxious Cut-Leafed Teasel
Cut-leaved teasel, as well as the closely related common teasel, is a biennial weed and one of the 12 weeds that the Missouri Department of Agriculture classifies as a noxious weed. Once teasel is established in an area, it can be very difficult to control, making management important before the weed becomes a wide-spread pest. Teasel […]
Audio: Duck boat lifted from Table Rock Lake; Former NTSB head wants Duck Boats banned
The Ride the Ducks boat that sank last Thursday on Table Rock Lake near Branson, killing 17 people, has been brought above water. Scott Stroermer with the Coast Guard says crews attached a rig sling system to the Duck Boat to hoist it upward. KOLR-TV reports the vehicle was then raised to the […]