Natural Gas Meter (Photo by Tim Carpenter-Kansas Reflector via Missouri Independent)

After winter cold snap drove up natural gas prices, utilities grapple with who should pay

(Missouri Independent) – Penalties that Spire Missouri issued to suppliers who failed to provide natural gas during a February cold snap that forced power outages across the Midwest could drive bills for hospitals, schools, and businesses to astronomical levels, according to a trio of complaints pending before state regulators. During the worst of the cold snap in February, […]

Nursing Shortage

University of Missouri study says 97 of 114 Missouri counties have nursing shortage areas

While the United States faces a nationwide nursing shortage, a recent study at the University of Missouri found rural Missouri counties experience nursing shortages at a greater rate than the state’s metropolitan counties. In addition, the study found rural Missouri counties have a higher percentage of older nurses nearing retirement, which could have a severe impact on […]

Paul Ellington

Kidder man charged with molesting children

A Kidder man has been charged with felony fourth-degree child molestation after he allegedly subjected two juveniles to unwanted sexual contact. Fifty-nine-year-old Paul Curtis Ellington Senior is to be held on no bond. A probable cause statement says the girls are both 16 years old and live in the same residence with Ellington. It is […]

Governor Parson signs a bill into law at his desk

Governor Parson signs SCR7 and HB 574 into law

Governor Mike Parson signed SCR 7 and HB 574 into law.  “I am happy to sign these two pieces of legislation into law, and I want to give a special thank you to Senator Dan Hegeman, Representative Rusty Black, Senator Jeanie Riddle, and Representative Kent Haden for their respective work on these bills,” Governor Parson […]

Audit Graphic

Missouri State Auditor launches audit of Harrison County

State Auditor Nicole Galloway announced today that her office has begun a regularly scheduled audit of Harrison County, located in northwest Missouri.  The county received a rating of “fair” from the most recent state audit, issued in November 2015. “Audits can help local officials take steps to make government more efficient and effective for taxpayers,” Auditor […]

Missouri State Highway Patrol Website New 2021 (MSHP)

Patrol reports arrest of three on Saturday and Sunday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the arrest of two McFall residents early on Sunday in Gentry County. Forty-nine-year-old Stephanie Fore was accused of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest by fleeing, and unlawfully operating a UTV on a highway. Fifty-one-year-old Donald Fore was accused of misdemeanor resisting arrest. Both were taken to the Daviess-DeKalb Regional […]