Budget news graphic

Lawmakers approve Missouri operating budget

Missouri foster care advocates are praising Friday’s passage of the $35.1 billion state operating budget, saying it provides unprecedented support for the foster families who care for the thousands of children in Missouri foster care. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage) tells Missourinet that the budget provides a $90 million increase for foster and adoptive […]

National Police Week

Nation pays tribute to service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers during National Police Week, May 9 through May 15, 2021

The service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement are recognized during National Police Week. This year, the week is observed from Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021. Acting U.S. Attorney Teresa  Moore said, “National Police Week provides an opportunity to express our gratitude and to honor the memories of law […]

Rotary Logo

Trenton Rotary members collect 152 pair of shoes

Trenton Rotary Club is participating in the shoe donation project of Rotary International with a total of 152 pairs of shoes collected locally. The shoes are to be presented when the District 6040 caravan makes its stop in Trenton on Saturday, May 15. The presentation is expected to take place at 10:15 am in the […]

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 WIC or Women Infant Children Logo

Missouri WIC to see temporary benefit increase

Missouri WIC is temporarily increasing the Cash Value Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases (CVB) to $35 per month for eligible women and children. WIC is the Department of Health and Senior Services Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The American Rescue Plan Act gave USDA authority to temporarily increase the CVB […]

WIC Women Infant Children

Missouri WIC income guidelines updated for 2021-2022

Missouri WIC announces the release of the updated Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) effective April 1, 2021. WIC is the Department of Health and Senior Services Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) releases annual adjustments to the IEGs used in determining eligibility […]

Meat and Poultry Processing Grants

Missouri meat and poultry processors awarded nearly $17 million toward food supply expansions

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has awarded $16,716,406 million in CARES Act funding to nearly 150 small and medium-sized businesses. As a direct result of the reimbursement grant, more than 40 businesses were assisted in initiating or expanding their level of meat processing through a new grant of inspection or custom exempt inspection status. “As a […]

Desks in School Room

Groups say slate of school bills would undermine public education

Advocates for public schools are urging the Missouri Legislature to bolster funding for public education rather than shift resources towards charter schools and school voucher programs. A bill pending in the House would provide tax credits for paying for private school tuition.  Another would change school funding formulas to give more resources to charter schools, specifically […]

Gavel and Law book news graphic

Audio: Missouri Legislature’s state budget negotiators recommend the hiring of 53 public defenders

The Missouri Legislature’s state budget negotiators are recommending the hiring of 53 attorneys for the state Public Defender System. During negotiations, Senate Minority Floor Leader John Rizzo of Independence says his wife corrects some cases handled at the local level by overworked attorneys.     The system has nearly 400 lawyers handling about 90,000 cases […]