(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration announced Thursday steps to expedite asylum cases at the U.S.-Mexico border in an attempt to resolve a years-long backlog, but policy advocates worry the streamlined process could prevent asylum seekers from obtaining legal representation if their cases are denied. “If somebody is not approved in the first instance, they’re […]
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U.S. to accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, levy more sanctions on Russia
(Missouri Independent) – The White House announced a wave of new sanctions against Russia on Thursday while pledging to send more humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and welcome up to 100,000 refugees. The new economic restrictions on Russia and billions more in aid for Ukrainians were detailed as President Joe Biden huddled with the North Atlantic […]
GOP senators attack and interrupt Judge Jackson in final day of questioning U.S. Supreme Court nominee
(Missouri Independent) – In the third day of hearings Wednesday on the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, several Republicans on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee interrogated her about sentences she handed down for child pornography offenses, disagreeing vehemently with her judicial decisions. Republicans grilled her with questions she had already answered […]
Area residents place in 2021 state National Corn Yield Contest
Area residents placed in the state in the 2021 National Corn Yield Contest, sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association. Aaron Landes of Jamesport won first place in the Conventional Non-Irrigated Class with a field entry that yielded more than 321 bushels per acre. He used a hybrid from the Pioneer brand. Jim Schreiner of […]
Life Options Green Hills Pregnancy and Health Center offers a wide variety of free services
The Life Options Green Hills Pregnancy and Health Center opened its doors at 1433 Lulu Street in Trenton in July 2020. Executive Director Rachael Brothers reports the center saw its first client in the first hour it was open. She believes it is wise to build a strong foundation when starting a nonprofit or business. […]
Former federal contract employee charged with child pornography
A former Kansas City, Missouri, man has been charged in federal court after child pornography was found on the cell phone he carried into a secure area at the U.S. Department of Energy national security campus in Kansas City, Mo. Shaun Walker, 39, currently a resident of Springfield, Mo., was charged in a criminal complaint […]
Juvenile who stole car and went joyriding with friends in the report from Livingston County Sheriff
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office has released information on incidents so far this month. Sheriff Steve Cox reports the juvenile office is handling a matter involving a juvenile too young to be driving and allegedly stealing a relative’s vehicle. The sheriff says Sergeant Dustin Woelfle traveled on Bryan Street on March 2nd when a vehicle […]
No MOre Trash! Seeks volunteers to help clean up Missouri roadways
As snow and ice fade to an unpleasant memory, attention turns to trash that has accumulated on roadsides during the winter months. The Missouri Department of Transportation would like to invite all who use Missouri roads to join us in doing some spring cleaning throughout April. MoDOT spends about $6 million annually to remove litter […]
Ketanji Brown Jackson defends her record under grilling from U.S. Senate Republicans
(Missouri Independent) – Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday sharpened their criticisms of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, probing her work as a public defender on behalf of terrorism suspects, the judicial sentences she has handed down for child pornography offenses, and her views of critical race theory. Jackson defended her […]
NCMC Board of Trustees approve increases in tuition and fees, as well as, room and board
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees on March 22nd approved increases in tuition and fees as well as room and board. Tuition for NCMC district students will stay the same at $92 per credit hour for the 2022-2023 academic year. However, there is a $5 per credit hour increase for other Missouri residents, […]
Grundy and Mercer County authorities investigating stolen vehicles
Sheriff’s offices from Grundy and Mercer counties are investigating several vehicles recently reported as stolen. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports a maroon-colored 2006 Chrysler Town and Country minivan was reported stolen from Tindall and was allegedly taken March 22nd in the early morning hours. The minivan has Missouri license plates of CU1 R1G. The […]
Republicans push work requirements for coverage under Missouri Medicaid expansion
(Missouri Independent) – When the Good Samaritan Care Clinic opened in 2006 in Mountain View, only about 5% of the free clinic’s clients were eligible for Medicaid. When it closed late last year, that number had risen to 70%, Dr. John Roberts, one of the clinic’s founders, told the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. Medicaid […]
Missouri State Auditor launches audit of Dent County
State Auditor Nicole Galloway announced that her office has begun a regularly scheduled audit of Dent County, located in south-central Missouri. The county received a rating of “good” from the most recent state audit, issued in July 2019. “Audits can help local officials take steps to make government more efficient and effective for taxpayers,” Auditor […]
Gallatin Board of Education approves salary schedule and health insurance rates
The Gallatin R-5 Board of Education approved the salary schedule and health insurance renewal rates. The 2022-2023 salary schedule has a base of $33,000. Board Secretary Vicki Corwin reports the base was raised from $32,200. Health insurance is through the Missouri Educators Unified Health Plan. The board approved opening a savings account and certificate of […]
Spickard Board of Education adopts new salary schedule
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education on March 21st adopted a new salary schedule. The starting base salary for the next school year was raised to $29,500 from $28,125. The mileage reimbursement was raised to 58 cents and the minimum wage to $11.15, effective immediately. The board accepted an auditing bid from Conrad and Higgins […]
Eric Greitens accused of physical abuse in affidavit filed by his ex-wife
(Missouri Independent) – Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is facing new allegations that he physically abused his ex-wife and children and that in the months before his resignation became so unstable that his access to firearms had to be limited. The accusations are included in a sworn affidavit filed by former Missouri First Lady Sheena Greitens as […]
Temporary benefit increase extended through September for Missouri WIC participants
Missouri WIC is extending the temporary increase of the Cash Value Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases (CVB) through September 2022. The increase will continue to be $24 per month for child participants, $43 per month for pregnant and postpartum women participants, and $47 per month for breastfeeding women participants. Standard CVB values range from […]
As CAFO lawsuit heads to Missouri Supreme Court, counties weigh options
(Missouri Independent) – As a fight over who can regulate industrial hog and cattle operations awaits action by the Missouri Supreme Court, counties that sought more stringent protections against them wait in limbo. The Missouri Supreme Court is expected to hear an appeal by county commissioners who sought to regulate concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, […]
Smithfield Foods contributes $2 million to Ukraine crisis relief efforts
Smithfield Foods, Inc. today announced cash and in-kind donations totaling $2 million to crisis relief efforts aiding the citizens of Ukraine and those seeking refuge in surrounding areas. In response to escalating violence in Ukraine, Smithfield will expand ongoing refugee relocation and aid assistance underway through its operations in Central Europe with $250,000 donations to […]
Young archers excel during 2022 MoNASP state tournament in Branson
The 2022 Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) state archery tournament was held March 17-19 at the Branson Convention Center and drew more than 4,300 student archers in grades 4-12 from 218 schools across the state. The tournament was sponsored and coordinated by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Conservation […]