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Land values in Missouri continue to grow, according to annual survey of farmers, appraisers and ag lenders

All classes of Missouri land values grew steadily in the past year, according to the University of Missouri Extension’s annual survey of farmers, rural appraisers, and agricultural lenders. Ray Massey, MU Extension agricultural economics professor, heads the survey efforts. No governmental or public agencies in Missouri require the reporting of land values, said Massey. Despite […]

Amazon

Audio: Amazon expands into Missouri

“The massive-online retailer is opening two new AMXL facilities in both Joplin and Springfield which will create hundreds of jobs that start at 15.00 per hour. These AMXL sites specialize in handling heavy and bulky items as well as last-mile deliveries. They are expected to open in February and March.”     In November, Amazon […]

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Man charged with $1.9 million COVID-relief fraud after seeking forgivable loans

A Nevada man was charged in an indictment Wednesday for his alleged participation in a scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions by filing bank loan applications that fraudulently sought more than $1.9 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  Nicholas L. […]

Dog fight or Dogfighting news graphic

Department of Justice arrests 11 individuals on drug conspiracy and dog fighting charges

An indictment was unsealed charging 11 individuals on a 136-count federal indictment including violations of drug conspiracy, drug possession, and drug possession with the intent to distribute, and violations of the dogfighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, and conspiracy to commit the same. The defendants include Jarvis Lockett, 40, of Warner Robins, Georgia; […]

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Two leaders of Gangster Disciples sentenced to prison

Two leaders of the national gang the Gangster Disciples were sentenced today for a racketeering conspiracy involving murder. Shauntay Craig, aka Shake, 42, of Birmingham, Alabama, was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Craig pleaded guilty in August 2019 to racketeering conspiracy involving murder and drug trafficking. Donald Glass, aka Smurf, 30, of Decatur, Georgia, […]

COVID-19 Fraud graphic

Man pleads guilty to obtaining over $700,000 in COVID-19 relief using fraud scheme

A Washington man pleaded guilty today to perpetrating a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s […]

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Director of Agriculture announces funding for local 4-H, FFA youth service projects

Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn announced that 14 youth groups from across Missouri were awarded grants from the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s 2021 Building Our American Communities grant program. Six local chapters of the National FFA Organization and eight Missouri 4-H clubs statewide have been awarded funds for their community service projects this year. “It’s […]