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Missouri man pleads guilty to botched robbery at auto dealer; robbery attempt ended in firefight with owner and shooting of employee

A Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court to the botched robbery of a Grandview, Mo., auto dealership that ended when he shot an employee while fleeing after a shootout with the owner, who was also armed. Lyndale E. Watson, also known as “Red, “Blood,” and “Stoni Blud,” 36, Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. […]

U.S. Senate Building

Coalition of lawmakers introduce SHIELD Act to preserve Title 42 expulsions of illegal immigrants

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) joined U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in introducing the Securing the Homeland from International Entrants with Life-threatening Diseases (SHIELD) Act to codify the Trump administration’s public health order under Title 42 that required U.S. border officials to promptly remove illegal immigrants to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton […]

The Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday over Medicaid expansion. (Screenshot from pool video provided by KMIZ-TV)

Fate of Missouri Medicaid expansion in the hands of the state Supreme Court

(Missouri Independent) – After an eight-year fight over Medicaid expansion, the arguments are over.  The question of whether 275,000 people will receive state-paid health care coverage is in the hands of the Missouri Supreme Court. Oral arguments took place Tuesday in an expedited appeal. The seven judges must decide whether Medicaid eligibility will expand, as directed by the […]

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USDA announces dates for Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signups

Agricultural producers and landowners can apply for the Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signup from today until August 20. This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated signup options to provide greater incentives for producers and increase the program’s conservation and climate benefits, including setting a minimum rental rate and identifying two national priority zones. […]

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Audio: Missouri county considering whether to use federal aid to boost broadband access

The U.S. Department of Economic Development estimates that more than 400,000 Missourians do not have reliable internet access. The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress earlier this year includes giving 16.9-million dollars to Buchanan County in northwest Missouri. Presiding Commissioner Lee Sawyer says at the forefront of his and his commissioner’s minds are using the […]

Prison Sentence

Mexican national sentenced to 6-years in federal prison for $10 million marijuana growing operation in Daviess County

A Mexican national who has been deported seven times after illegally entering the United States was sentenced in federal court for his role in a Daviess County, Missouri, marijuana-growing operation where law enforcement officers seized nearly $10 million worth of plants. Sergio Medina-Perez, 47, of El Monte, California, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg […]

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USDA invests $910,000 to improve rural water infrastructure in Jackson County

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $910,000 to modernize rural drinking water infrastructure in Jackson County, benefitting nearly 3.000 rural Missourians. “Every community, large and small, needs safe, reliable access to necessities like clean water,” Thomas said. “Rural Development congratulates Public Water Supply […]

Missouri State Highway Patrol Website New 2021 (MSHP)

Missouri State Highway Patrol reports on July 4 holiday statistics, including 7 fatalities

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the following 2021 July Fourth holiday statistics: 2021 July Fourth Holiday Traffic Statistics Troopers worked 312 traffic crashes, which included 124 injuries and all seven fatalities. Troopers also made 144 DWI arrests and 81 drug arrests over the holiday weekend. 2021 July Fourth Holiday Boating Statistics Troopers worked 12 […]

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Audio: Census data shows Missouri is slow growth state

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released its 2020 population estimates which examines the population that occurred over the past year and decade. It showed that Missouri has some areas of growth and others of decline. Dr. Mark White is an associate extension professor at Mizzou, and he sorts through data on population, geography, and economic […]

Labadie Energy Center on Missouri RIver in Franklin County Missouri

Endangered fish, leaching ash ponds: Environmental groups oppose Missouri coal plant permit

(Missouri Independent) – For years, Lisa Zerbe said she biked, rode horses, and ran near Ameren Missouri’s largest coal-fired power plant in Franklin County because she “naively believed” state environmental regulators were protecting citizens from pollution.  Now, she won’t.  “It is truly a disheartening feeling of betrayal from an agency in my younger years I […]