United States Supreme Court (Phot credit Laura Olson - States Newsroom)

Supreme Court blocks Biden workplace vaccine rule, allows health care workers mandate

(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday dealt a blow to the Biden administration’s fight against the pandemic, blocking a federal mandate that workers be vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19 — though the court allowed a separate rule requiring vaccinations for some health care workers. The two rulings represented a split victory for Republican attorneys general […]

Environmental Protection Agency EPA

EPA renews Enlist product registrations with new control measures, providing growers with certainty for the 2022 growing season

The EPA is issuing seven-year registrations for two herbicide products, Enlist Duo and Enlist One, to ensure growers have access to effective pesticide tools for the 2022 growing season. The new product labels, which incorporate robust control measures to protect non-target plants and animals, meet Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act standards and comply with […]

Coffee Tree Group website

Audio: CoffeeTree Group expands to Marceline, investing $100,000 and creating 50 new jobs

Professional technology services company CoffeeTree Group announced today it will establish a new technology delivery center in Marceline, investing $100,000 and creating 50 new jobs. The new location will enable the company to accommodate its growth while meeting the increasing demand for its services. “My administration has made it a top priority to prepare our […]

Coyote in field

Missouri Department of Conservation proposes expanding furbearer hunting and trapping seasons

The Missouri Conservation Commission gave initial approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation at its December 10. 2021, open meeting on proposed regulation changes that would extend current furbearer hunting and trapping seasons for abundant furbearer species. Furbearers are mammal species that have traditionally been trapped or hunted for their fur, such as coyotes, raccoons, […]

Microsoft Logo

North Central Missouri College now offering Microsoft Office Certification

The North Central Missouri College Business department has revamped the Microcomputer Applications course under their direction.  Some of the new additions to the class include Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office Certification exams. Microcomputer Applications is completed by all students earning a degree at NCMC.  Microsoft Teams trains students on virtual communication and makes communication easier […]

Dairy Cows

USDA opens 2022 signup for Dairy Margin Coverage program, expands program for supplemental production

As part of the ongoing efforts to support dairy farmers and rural communities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operations by enrolling in supplemental production. This signup period – which runs from Dec. 13, 2021, to […]

Theodore Eddings Booking Photo

Missouri man who operated guided hunting tour company ordered to repay investors

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s Securities Division and Republic, Missouri resident, Theodore Jay Eddings, recently entered into a consent order to settle allegations against Eddings by the Division involving investor fraud.   In the first portion of October 2021, the Missouri Secretary of State issued a cease and desist order that required Eddings to show […]

Lending or interest rates

USDA announces December 2021 lending rates for agricultural producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced loan interest rates for December 2021, which are effective Dec. 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment, and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs. Operating, Ownership, and Emergency Loans FSA offers farm […]

NEW COVID Dashboard for Missouri

Breakthrough infection data added to Missouri’s COVID-19 dashboard

A new addition to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services statewide COVID-19 dashboard finds that vaccination remains a strong defense against the virus, and that older age and health co-morbidities are strongly correlated with “breakthrough infections.”  The new data identifies COVID-19 breakthrough infections among the fully vaccinated. The analysis is the result of a partnership […]

Plane or airplane fighting a wildfire

Climate funds in infrastructure bill aimed at drought, wildfires, floods

(Missouri Independent) – The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just about roads and bridges — it also spends billions to address wildfire, drought, flooding, and other effects from climate change, Interior Department officials said Wednesday. The $1.2 trillion measure, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after the House cleared it last week, includes pay […]

2021 Crop Management Conference

Crop Management Conference returns November 30 through December 1

The University of Missouri Crop Management Conference returns as an in-person event Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2021, at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Columbia. MU Extension specialists in weeds, pests, and plant diseases, nutrient management, economics, cover crops, drainage, and wildlife management will speak. Other presenters include a climatologist from Purdue University and an industry representative […]

Missouri Department of Insurance website

Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance announce health insurance rates for 2022

Chlora Lindley-Myers, the director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, announced final health insurance rates for the individual market in 2022 for the State of Missouri.   “The health insurance market in our state and our country continues to be challenging, however, I’m pleased by the significant increase in competition we’ve seen in Missouri […]