MS-13 Gang Logo over Department of Justice Logo

Nine MS-13 gang members indicted in racketeering and violent crime conspiracy

A federal grand jury in Nashville, Tennessee, has returned a 60-count indictment charging nine members of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) with a racketeering conspiracy spanning more than seven years. Those charged in the second superseding indictment are Carlos Ochoa-Martinez, 31, aka “El Serio;” Jason Sandoval, 35, aka “Bin Laden;” Jorge Flores, 29, aka “Peluche;” Kevin […]

Bank Robbery news graphic

Kansas City man indicted for bank robbery in Joplin

A Kansas City, Missouri, man was indicted by a federal grand jury for robbing Great Southern Bank in Joplin, Mo., last week. Leland Scott Graham, 57, was charged with bank robbery in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Graham on […]

Fraud News Graphic

Florida company pays $100,000 into Missouri Investor Protection Fund; returns money to Missouri investor

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s Securities Division issued a consent order against Florida-based WCO Holdings, LLC, and a top executive after allegedly defrauding investors in several states, including Missouri.  Between February 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019, WCO Holdings and managing member Alan K. Brooks sold $700,000 of unregistered, non-exempt promissory notes through unregistered Las […]

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USDA invests $14 million in rural economic development projects in 10 states

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced that USDA is investing $14 million in rural economic development projects in 10 states. “When we invest in infrastructure, we’re investing in the people of rural America to help create thriving communities where they can grow and prosper. These loans […]

Asian Longhorn Tick

Asian Longhorned Tick confirmed in Missouri

The Missouri Department of Agriculture, working in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Missouri State University, has confirmed the first finding of an Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in Missouri. Missouri becomes the 16th state with a presence of the tick species, following the first confirmed report of the Asian […]

Power Outage News Graphic

Fuel shortages drove February blackouts, Southwest Power Pool investigators find

(Missouri Independent) –  Rolling outages that left thousands without power in February were driven overwhelmingly by fuel shortages — especially in natural gas, executives with the Southwest Power Pool said Monday. This winter sustained frigid temperatures across the Midwest and South forced huge demand for energy while the weather made generators struggle to keep up. The Southwest Power […]

Missouri State Fair 2021

Audio: Events at Missouri State Fair planned around bicentennial celebration with $9 million in renovations

The theme for this year’s Missouri State Fair is “Our Missouri Celebration.” State Fair Director Mark Wolfe says the theme is tied to the state’s bicentennial celebration, which is what the events at the fair are planned around.     August 10 is the actual 200th anniversary of Missouri entering the United States. Missouri State Fair Director […]

Consolidated Machine and Welding website

Consolidated Machine and Welding expands in Hannibal, creating 30 new jobs

Consolidated Machine and Welding announced it will expand its facility in Hannibal, investing $4.3 million and creating 30 new jobs in the area. “We’re excited to see Consolidated Machine and Welding grow in Hannibal,” Governor Mike Parson said. “This new facility brings good-paying jobs and opportunities for our citizens in Northeast Missouri. Businesses often find […]

Meth with police banner

Missouri man pleads guilty to meth conspiracy

A Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in the Springfield, Mo., area. Cheyenne W. Conn, 45, of Everton, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit […]