A former paraprofessional at Blue Springs High School was sentenced in federal court for producing and distributing child pornography. Steven B. Allen, 46, of Independence, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 22 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Allen to spend the rest of his life on […]
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Missouri lawmakers look to undermine Biden COVID vaccine mandate
(Missouri Independent) – Members of the Missouri House on Wednesday floated the idea of pursuing legislation to undermine a mandate from the Biden administration meant to increase vaccination rates in the U.S. The House Judiciary Committee held what Rep. David Evans said was the first in a series of discussions about vaccine mandates, including an executive order […]
North Central Missouri College Film Club set to screen Pulp Fiction on September 23
North Central Missouri College’s Film Club will kick off the fall semester on September 23, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at the NCMC campus in Cross Hall 208 (doors open at 6:00 p.m.). The group will be viewing Pulp Fiction. All NCMC students, faculty, staff, and the public are invited to attend. The Film Club is […]
Princeton City Council approves purchase of empty lot
The Princeton City Council approved a proposal on September 13th to purchase an empty lot at 201 North College Street. City Clerk Corey Willett reports Chad and Danette Snapp will purchase the lot for $500. The council approved a resolution in support of Mercer County Area Development for its undertaking of the Main Street Program. […]
Local elections in Iowa to Include voting changes
There is no federal or statewide race this fall, but Iowa voters in many cities will still head to the polls for municipal and school elections and county auditors hope they are informed about sweeping changes the state adopted this year dealing with voting. In March, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill, which, among other things, reduces […]
Missouri Republicans vow to push again for voter ID law
(Missouri Independent) – With several months to go before state lawmakers return for the 2022 legislative session, Republicans are promising to once again push to require photo identification to vote. Committees in the Missouri House and Senate held hearings Tuesday dominated by discussions of requiring a government-issued ID for both in-person and absentee voting. Secretary […]
Revised voting rights bill rolled out in U.S. Senate, with Manchin on board
(Missouri Independent) – Senate Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a revamped voting rights bill that would expand voter registration as well as create nonpartisan redistricting committees, but the measure is still likely to face an uphill battle in an evenly divided Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he will bring the legislation to the floor […]
Trenton R-9 Board of Education hears numerous reports, discuss COVID-19 policy and approve bus routes
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, heard a report on the mentoring program for new teachers in the district. District Instructional Coach Doctor Jill Watkins reported she developed the Trenton program based on what she has implemented in the past. She said teachers have to complete first and second-year tutoring. She […]
Missouri man pleads guilty to $335 million fraud scheme and $615,000 tax violations
A Missouri, man who was charged in two federal cases pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a $335 million scheme to defraud federal programs that award contracts to firms owned by minorities, veterans, and service-disabled veterans, and in a separate case to filing false tax returns that cheated the government out of […]
Charges filed against Illinois man in Harrison County after stealing vehicle and fleeing from law enforcement
An Antioch, Illinois resident faces multiple charges in Harrison County after he allegedly took a vehicle without permission and fled from law enforcement on September 11. Ninteen-year-old Elkanah Gahima has been charged with the felonies of possession of burglary tools, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, and resisting arrest, detention, or stop by fleeing. He […]
Missouri’s statewide ‘ShakeOut’ earthquake drill set for October 21
Registration is open for the 2021 Great Central U. S. “ShakeOut” earthquake drill on October 21, 2021. More than 320,000 people are already registered for this year’s ShakeOut drill, which is designed to remind people how to protect themselves during an earthquake. Missouri is one of 14 participating central U.S. states that could be impacted […]
Tricia Burkhardt announced as Executive Director of Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation
The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Tricia Burkhardt as the executive director of the nonprofit devoted to advancing the conservation and appreciation of Missouri’s natural resources, including fish, forest, and wildlife. Burkhardt replaces Kevin Roper, who retired June 30, 2021, after serving as executive director for five years. […]
Study to probe how black parents, kids in Missouri discuss racial violence
More than a year after the police killing of George Floyd that sparked nationwide protests, a professor in St. Louis is taking on a project to figure out what support systems Black parents have to talk with their kids about racial violence. Missouri has been a central point of the movement against police brutality after […]
Missouri GOP vow to push back against Biden’s announced vaccine mandate
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Republicans assailed President Joe Biden’s push to require employees of private businesses to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing, vowing a legislative response and legal action. Gov. Mike Parson promised to “fight back against federal power grabs and government overreach” in a tweet Thursday afternoon, calling Biden’s plan “an […]
Senator Hawley demands explanation of unconstitutional Biden vaccine mandate
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh demanding an explanation of the supposed constitutional basis of the Department of Labor’s planned attempt to use the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to mandate vaccinations for 80 million private-sector workers. Senator Hawley writes that OSHA’s power is “exceedingly limited” in this […]
Missouri Governor condemns Biden’s vaccine mandate, vows legal fight against federal overreach
Governor Mike Parson announced that his administration will reject the Biden Administration’s attempt to enforce an unconstitutional, federal vaccine mandate for Missourians and private businesses. The Office of the Governor has been in communication with leadership from the Missouri General Assembly and the Attorney General’s Office to align resources for a pending legal fight. “This […]
Study: Saint Louis University face mask policy reduced quarantines, COVID cases
(Missouri Independent) – Tying quarantine requirements to the Saint Louis University face mask requirement successfully reduced the number of students sent to isolation and helped cut COVID-19 infections this spring, according to a study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under the university’s rules, students without masks who had close contact […]
Lawmakers demand hearings on Afghanistan withdrawal
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and eight colleagues sent a letter to Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I.) calling for hearings on the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Specifically, the senators requested sworn testimony from senior military leaders, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General […]
USDA invests $464 million in renewable energy infrastructure to help rural communities, businesses and ag producers reduce energy costs
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and help rural communities, agricultural producers, and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. “USDA continues to prioritize climate-smart infrastructure to help rural America build back better, stronger and more […]
Trenton authorities report the arrest of two on failure to appear in court
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on September 8, 2021, of two individuals who failed to appear in court. Fifty-three-year-old Barbara Lois Strout of Eldon was arrested in Miller County. She allegedly failed to appear on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Strout’s bond is […]