(Missouri Independent – The simmering division among Republicans over a bill crucial to funding Missouri’s Medicaid program boiled over this week, with the state senator at the center of the debate calling for a change in the chamber’s leadership. Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial, led the charge to include language banning the use of taxpayer money […]
Tag: this week
COVID-19 surge in north Missouri creates worries for summer as vaccinations decline
(Missouri Independent) – In the last week of April, the Linn County Health Department signaled that the COVID-19 pandemic had cooled enough that it could discontinue weekly reports on new cases. With only three active cases on April 21, the urgency for frequent updates seemed to have passed. But the coronavirus came roaring back this […]
Police arrest Chillicothe man on rape and domestic assault allegations
A 22-year-old Chillicothe man has been arrested after Chillicothe Police Officers took a report of a sexual assault this week. Police Chief Jon Maples reports an arrest warrant was served in the 200 block of East Second Street on May 28th. Roger Dale Cain has been charged with the felonies of third-degree domestic assault and […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve setting electric rates
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen this week approved an ordinance and resolution regarding the setting of electric rates. City Clerk Hattie Rains reports the ordinance authorized the city, going forward, to use a resolution instead of an ordinance to set electric rates. The resolution changed the electric rates for citizens and businesses. The rates will […]
Attempts to ban teaching on ‘critical race theory’ multiply across the U.S.
(Missouri Independent) – From statehouses to Congress, Republicans have launched into a fight against the teaching of “critical race theory,” which just a year ago was a niche academic term. Experts in critical race theory say it’s about acknowledging how racial disparities are embedded in U.S history and society, and the concept is being mischaracterized […]
Will the 30×30 initiative to protect land and water gain traction?
The 30×30 initiative, also called the “America the Beautiful” campaign, aims to preserve 30% of the nation’s lands and water by 2030. But its pledge to fight the climate crisis could face hurdles. Announced by the Biden administration earlier this year, the initiative acknowledged what’s called a tipping point in damage done to the natural world and […]
Hawley pushes for amendments to Senate China bill to put american workers first, fight Beijing’s trade abuses
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced seven amendments to the United States Innovation and Competition Act, the Senate’s proposed legislation to increase competitiveness with China, to put American workers first, fight back against Beijing’s trade abuses, stand up for human rights, protect American national security, and crackdown on multi-billion-dollar corporations that are heavily invested in China. […]
Lawmakers introduce resolution supporting Israel
Twenty Republican lawmakers have announced a resolution condemning the attacks against Israel by Hamas, an Iranian-backed and funded terrorist organization, and reaffirming the United States’ unwavering commitment to our ally Israel and its right to take whatever means are necessary to stop the murder of its citizens and foreign nationals residing in Israel. The bill’s […]
Another boil advisory lifted for Mercer County
Mercer County Public Water Supply District Number 1 has lifted a boil advisory issued earlier this week due to water main repair. The advisory affected customers from U. S. Highway 136 to Route E and from Route DD to the Putnam County line.
Missouri lawmakers pass bill limiting local health orders, banning vaccine passports
(Missouri Independent) – As the state of Missouri battles its second year of the novel coronavirus’ spread, lawmakers on Wednesday sent to the governor’s desk a bill that aims to rein in local public health orders and ban vaccine passports. The provisions were included in House Bill 271, which deals with local government transparency. It grew […]
Trenton City Administrator reports on 17th Street Bridge and proposed improvements at water treatment plant
On top of reports and public comment, the Trenton City Council agenda Monday night only included one topic. No mention was made last evening of the Planning and Zoning recommendations from last week, one to deny a cell phone tower at a specific location in Trenton and the other to approve the downtown historic district. […]
Audio: Grain Belt Express bill could hit the Missouri Senate floor this week
A key bill that COULD hit the Senate floor in Jefferson City this week involves the Grain Belt project in rural northern Missouri. State Senator Jason Bean of southeast Missouri’s Holcomb has filed a bill that’s been heard in committee. Under his bill, the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) could not issue a […]
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 […]
Trenton Park Board members review staffing needs at swimming pool
The Trenton Park Board discussed pool staffing at a meeting on Wednesday, May 5th. Board President Duane Helmandollar reported six applications have been submitted for lifeguards this season for the Trenton Family Aquatic Center. Park Superintendent David Shockley announced there were three applications for assistant manager, and Taylor Richman has been hired as pool manager. […]
Missouri hospitals lobby for changes to new Medicaid payment system
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri lawmakers must finish work on the fiscal 2022 budget by Friday. And while the biggest spending issue of the session, Medicaid expansion, is off the table, there are other big issues to resolve in the state-run health care program. One of the largest is whether to provide a cushion for hospitals that […]
Audio: Proposed Missouri budget would designate $7 million to veterans home operations
A group of Missouri House and Senate members are expected to work out their state budget differences this week. Currently, the 34-billion dollar budget plan includes seven million dollars for the state’s seven nursing homes caring for veterans. During the Missouri Senate budget debate, Creve Coeur Democrat Jill Schupp, who serves on the Missouri Veterans […]
Audio: Missouri’s Senate president says Medicaid and social services consume 46 percent of state operating budget
Missouri’s Senate leader says the state’s operating budget has grown from 21-billion dollars a decade ago to 34-billion dollars today. Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz tells Sullivan affiliate KTUI that Medicaid expansion is too expensive. He says the state Department of Social Services’ budget continues to grow. The Missouri Senate and House […]
Audio: Jury deliberates two hours before convicting northern Missouri man of killing his secret fiance
A jury in mid-Missouri’s Cole County deliberated for more than two hours on Thursday before returning guilty verdicts against a northern Missouri man charged in the 2018 death of his secret fiance. 54-year-old James Addie has been convicted of first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the April 2018 death of Molly Watson, […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen approve final payment on new water plant
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen this week approved payment of the final outstanding invoice for the new water plant. The invoice was for $15,000 to Ross Construction. Authorization was approved for Mayor Barbara Ballew to sign the release agreement between the City of Gallatin and Snyder and Associates regarding the city’s water treatment plant. The […]