Josh Hawley official Congressional photo

Senator Josh Hawley introduces alternative to minimum wage hike, a pay raise through tax credits

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will introduce new legislation to give blue-collar workers a pay raise. For nearly four decades, workers making below the median wage have experienced stagnant wages, and this past year, the problem has been made worse by unprecedented layoffs, reduced hours, and income disruptions due to the government shutting down […]

Handcuffs on Money

Missouri State Auditor releases report on seizures by law enforcement

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a compilation of property seizures made under Missouri’s Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act (CAFA) in 2020. The Auditor’s report shows law enforcement officials seized an estimated $4.2 million worth of property in 502 seizures. In 2019, law enforcement officials seized approximately $5.9 million worth of property in 493 seizures. […]

Eaglepicher Technologies website (built mars rover batteries)

Made in Missouri: Batteries that power Mars rover, Perseverance, made in Joplin

The new Mars rover is powered by batteries manufactured by EaglePicher Technologies in Joplin, Missouri. There were 14 EaglePicher silver-zinc batteries on the Atlas V launch rocket. Two of the company’s thermal batteries powered the spacecraft during entry, descent, and landing stages, including igniting the pyrotechnics that opened parachutes. The rover’s main power system consists […]

Coronavirus Update

Grundy County Health Department reports COVID-19 related death bringing total to 40

The Grundy County Health Department reports another COVID-19-related death since February 11th, bringing the total to 40. Active cases dropped by 10 to five. Total cases increased by four to 1,050. Eight hundred nine cases have been confirmed. Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson notes the health department will continue its second dose COVID-19 vaccine clinics […]

Unemployment Graphic

Missouri House committee votes to forgive federal unemployment debts

(Missouri Independent) – Thousands of Missourians facing repayment of mistakenly paid unemployment benefits would get some relief under legislation passed with a bipartisan vote Wednesday in a Missouri House committee. The bill, which will likely be debated on the House floor next week, would forgive debts due to overpayments from federal coronavirus relief programs but would not […]

Dan Hegeman

Audio: Massive water project in northern Missouri’s Sullivan County pushed by Senator Hegeman

A massive project aimed at developing a long-term water resource reservoir for TEN northern Missouri counties is backed by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Dan Hegeman. The Cosby Republican is urging the Legislature to approve a resolution supporting a long-term commitment of state funding for the project.     Under Hegeman’s resolution, the state’s total annual […]