(Missouri Independent) – Despite dozens of students coming forward sharing allegations of abuse they suffered at Christian reform schools across Missouri, the state Department of Social Services said Monday that they have no oversight over such facilities. That’s because they’re unlicensed — and allowed to be under a Missouri law that exempts facilities operated by religious organizations. […]
Starting in the 2020 tax season, more rural Missourians in need will be able to learn about their eligibility for the federal earned income tax credit (EITC), one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty tools targeting low- and moderate-income working families. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health has awarded $1.35 […]
The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Directors for Missouri Jeff Case, for Iowa Grant Menke, and for Nebraska Karl Elmshaeuser, today announced the USDA is investing $41,967,000 to build and improve critical electric infrastructure. The funding, made possible through the Electric Loan Program, will benefit more than 77,000 rural […]
The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission has voted to require annual training in de-escalation techniques and recognizing implicit bias for all Missouri law enforcement officers. Missouri officers will take a one-hour course in each area as part of their required 24-hours of annual continuing education training. “At its June meeting, I challenged the […]
Governor Mike Parson announced that five Missouri colleges are grant recipients of over $5 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Child Care Plan funding to improve the quality and availability of child care and early education programs. “Access to quality child care is critical for working families, and attending college is […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, along with a coalition of state attorneys general, today announced a $39.5 million multistate settlement with Anthem stemming from the massive 2014 data breach that involved the personal information of 78.8 million Americans. Through the settlement, Anthem has reached a resolution with the 43-state multistate coalition. Missouri will receive $1,841,839.64 […]
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) wants to create a new program designed to shape high school students into future teachers. It is requesting $200,000 dollars in its FY2022 state budget to launch the “Grow Your Own” program. During a state Board of Education meeting, DESE Chief Budget Officer Jennifer Jordan says […]
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Kelly Murphy of west-central Missouri’s Warrensburg says he wanted to be on the CBS show Tough As Nails to prove to himself that he can still bring it like his days as a Marine. Wednesday night, there was no doubt. The man, who spent 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. and retired […]
Two Missourians are on the first season of the CBS television show Tough As Nails. U.S. Marine Corps veteran Kelly Murphy of west-central Missouri’s Warrensburg and St. Louis roofer Lee Marshall are on the show that has allowed them to earn cash by using their bare hands. The show, centering around blue-collar challenges, is an […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Andrew County, Missouri, with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Loving Support Award of Excellence for exemplary efforts in supporting breastfeeding WIC mothers. These awards were part of USDA’s National WIC Breastfeeding Week, celebrated August 1-7. Breastfeeding provides countless benefits to both babies and […]
The third annual Farm, Family & ME Summit for Women focuses on resilience, financial and farm stress, self-care, and mental well-being. The free virtual event is 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 3, says Karisha Devlin, a University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist and one of the organizers of the event. “Women are the […]
BTC Bank has been recognized as a Top Farm Lender by both the American Bankers Association and Independent Community Bankers of America. BTC Bank’s recognition is based on the strength of its competitive banking services and operational efficiencies throughout 2019 and showcases BTC Bank’s commitment, ingenuity, and skill in adapting to market dynamics and evolving […]
Chewy, Inc. announced plans to open a new 800,000-square-foot eCommerce fulfillment center in Belton, Missouri, and create more than 1,200 new jobs. Dual-headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida, and Boston, Massachusetts, the company is an online retailer offering pet food and pet-related products from over 2,000 brands. “Now more than ever, Missouri’s innovative businesses, logistics infrastructure, […]
North Central Missouri College President Doctor Lenny Klaver provided a COVID-19 update to the Board of Trustees the evening of Tuesday, June 23rd. He said the college is working on back to campus plans. He wants to incorporate best practices and be quick to react to changes. The National Junior College Athletic Association has made […]
The Carroll County Memorial Hospital Foundation is honored to receive a pledge of $50,000 from the Carroll County Trust Company. “On behalf of the Foundation, we are so humbled by this wonderful gift,” said Rachel Davidson, Director of Carroll County Memorial Hospital Foundation. “During these challenging times for healthcare, the support of our local community […]
The Missouri FFA Association awarded Trenton FFA a Gold Emblem, a Top Chapter Award. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive a top chapter designation each year. Model of Innovation winners and rankings will be announced at a summer event. The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the […]
FCS Financial is recognizing 26 different 4-H clubs and FFA chapters with $500 grants for submitting outstanding Shaping Rural Missouri grant applications. This is the first round of awards. Due to school closures, the second round of funding was issued with an application deadline of May 1. In the nine years of its existence, more […]
Hamilton is in the final four for the Strongest Town Competition. Strong Towns introduced 16 communities two weeks ago that stood out among nominees for their efforts, including local financial strength and resilience, civic engagement, and bottom-up development. Strong Towns describes itself on its website as “an international movement…dedicated to making communities across the United […]
Less than a month remains to apply for America’s Farmers programs, sponsored by the Bayer Fund. Grow Rural Education is partnering with farmers across the country to help strengthen rural public school districts through $15,000 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) grants. Since 2010, America’s Farmers have awarded more than $53 million for students and […]
Ray County soybean farmer Ronnie Russell was elected as the new president of the Missouri Soybean Association during the annual meeting in Jefferson City. Following his installation at the Commodity Classic conference, Russell leads Missouri’s statewide advocacy organization for soybean growers. Ronnie Russell “I look forward to bringing farmers together to strengthen the Missouri soybean […]
