(Missouri Independent) – There’s no point trying to spin it: While the 2020 election was a mixed verdict nationally, with Republicans gaining congressional seats and minimizing Senate losses even as Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump, the Missouri verdict was unequivocal. It started atop the ticket with Trump’s dominance. He and Gov. Mike Parson set […]
Tag: Table
Police chokeholds, no-knock warrants spark debate in Missouri House committee
(Missouri Independent) – As state lawmakers mull the idea of restricting police use of chokeholds or no-knock warrants, they are facing pushback from law enforcement organizations who contend decisions should be made at the local level. The House Special Committee on Criminal Justice met for three hours on Monday to explore the possibility of passing […]
Budget group calls for stimulus payments for struggling Missourians
Some Missouri policy experts say federal COVID-19 relief money should be allocated to help struggling Missourians and spur local economies. The current supplemental appropriations bill under consideration at the Missouri Statehouse would use federal COVID relief funds to replenish the state’s unemployment trust fund. It would happen at the same time the state decreased the unemployment tax […]
Five percent lodging tax discussed at meeting of Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau tabled several items at a meeting on November 11th. One regarded changes and adjustments to the ordinance involving the 5% lodging tax for funding the visitors’ bureau. President Cara McClellan says the organization is seeking City Attorney Tara Walker’s guidance for clarification on the ordinance before adopting bylaws. There […]
Missouri sets new record for COVID cases; Health director warns to avoid holiday gatherings
(Missouri Independent) – Missourians should not hold big family Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings this year, but they will likely be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine by the spring, the state health director said Thursday. In an interview on KCMO radio, Randall Williams said the rapid spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, especially in outstate […]
Missouri schools allowed to relax COVID-19 quarantine rules if both people properly wearing masks
Governor Mike Parson and state education director Margie Vandeven have loosened the guidelines for making students and staff quarantine after exposure to someone with COVID-19 if both people were properly wearing masks. Vandeven explained at a press conference Thursday: “Under the updated guidance, proper mask-wearing may now prevent individuals from being identified as close contacts in […]
University of Missouri Extension to host free farm tax workshops
The University of Missouri Extension will hold free farm tax workshops online and in person. Extension specialists and tax experts will give updates on 2020 and 2021 taxes for farmers and ranchers Tuesday evening November 17th and December 1st from 6:15 to 8:30. On-site locations for November 17th include the Forage Systems Research Center of […]
‘Won’t be able to survive’: Childcare centers serving low-income Missourians face closure
(Missouri Independent) – Cortaiga Collins doesn’t know how much longer her childcare center will survive. Only about a dozen children have been attending regularly amid the pandemic. Under normal circumstances, she used to serve as many as 100. She’s already had to reduce the hours that Good Shepherd Preschool and Infant/Toddler Center in St. Louis […]
Department of Conservation announces daily waterfowl draw procedures for 2020 with COVID-19 restrictions
Procedures will be determined via communication with local county health departments and department staff. Four procedure levels are available for 2020. All party leaders will be required to wear a mask while in a draw room facility and use hand sanitizer upon entry. Only party leaders will be allowed in the building and must have […]
Audit of Medicaid Managed Care Program in Missouri finds millions wasted on Medicaid payments for ineligible beneficiaries
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Medicaid Managed Care Program, which found system limitations that resulted in millions of dollars in potential overpayments on behalf of ineligible participants. “At a time when every dollar is being stretched to deliver vital services to Missourians, state government […]
Southeastern Missouri achieves new adoption record for the region
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Missourians in the Southeast region of the state overcame these obstacles to ensure 418 children and youth have a forever family to call their own – an increase of 57 additional adoptions from last year’s numbers. The region as a whole and seven individual counties – Dunklin, Howell, Iron, New Madrid, […]
GEC Community Foundation awards 13 grants to area schools
The GEC Community Foundation, Incorporated Trustees have awarded 13 grants totaling $6,868.64. Education grants went to several schools: Grundy County R-5 of Humphreys and Laredo R-7 each for $600 to purchase Chromebooks; Rissler Elementary School of Trenton for $580 for playground equipment; Spickard R-2 for $664 for phonics spelling kits; Princeton R-5 for $500 for […]
Missouri Election Day FAQ: What you need to know to make sure your vote counts
(Missouri Independent) – Across Missouri, local election officials have received 628,395 mail-in and absentee ballots, according to the Secretary of State’s Oct. 27 report. Already, that’s more than twice the total absentee ballots counted in the November 2016 election. While many Missourians have already voted by mail or in-person absentee, many more will head out […]
Missouri Attorney General files 24 criminal charges and civil action against unlicensed dog breeder
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that his office has filed 24 criminal charges and civil action against unlicensed dog breeder Marlisa McAlmond of Cedar Ridge Australians, located in Oregon County. A criminal complaint, filed Wednesday afternoon, details the 24 criminal charges filed against McAlmond, which includes 21 counts of animal abuse, two counts of […]
Missouri redistricting vote on Amendment 3 opens door to an experiment, regardless of outcome
(Missouri Independent) – State governments are unique political bodies that allow for experimentation in how rules and laws affect political outputs. As Justice Louis Brandies pointed out – states are laboratories of democracy. State governments have broad jurisdiction to “tweak” institutional rules and laws. Through this system of government, we can observe the aftermath of […]
Livingston County Health Center to offer curbside Flu Shot Clinic November 2, 2020
Livingston County Health Center has announced an upcoming opportunity for county residents to receive their vaccination for influenza for the 2020-2021 flu season. A Curbside Family Flu Shot Clinic will be held on Monday, November 2nd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including the lunch hour, in their parking lot at 800 Adam Drive. County […]
Grundy County Commission approves snow removal bid; participates in conference call regarding design of 911 system
The Grundy County Commission on Tuesday, October 27th approved a bid for snow removal and Coronavirus Relief Fund allocations. Chris and Danny Gott will provide snow removal services at the courthouse, prosecuting attorney’s office, and law enforcement center. The bid included $500 per occasion of snow removal and $125 when the ice melt application is solely […]
Trenton citizen presents revised plan to city council for outdoor theater; council approves six ordinances
At Trenton, Gabe Chrisman, a property owner presented what she called a revised plan last night to the city council involving a proposed outdoor theater on land she owns at 22nd and Stature. After questions and discussions, the council voted to return the request for a conditional use permit back to the Planning and Zoning […]
Trenton City Council to consider change in zoning, revision of city code and purchases at Monday meeting
The Trenton City Council will consider ordinances regarding a change in zoning, a work order for sewer mains, revising city code, and approving contracts for tree trimming, purchasing rock aggregate, and purchasing sand. A meeting will be held at the Trenton City Hall on Monday, October 26th at 7 o’clock. The public will not physically […]