Woman struggling over finances (money)

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 […]

Trenton Convention and visitors bureau

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 […]

School Bus

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 […]

Stop (Child) (Sexual) abuse

Kids reported abuse at schools where Missouri has no oversight. Lawmakers want to change that

(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. […]

Childcare Center from Unsplash website

‘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 […]

Audit Graphic

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 […]

Grundy Electric Foundation

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 […]

2020 Elections vote

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 […]

Grundy County Courthouse Trenton Missouri

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 […]