Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Missouri Supreme Court rules voter-approved Medicaid expansion is constitutional

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri must expand Medicaid to 275,000 eligible people who were expecting coverage under a constitutional amendment that took effect July 1, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Thursday. In a unanimous opinion, the court overturned a trial court ruling that the amendment, passed in August 2020 was unconstitutional because it may increase the state’s cost for […]

Spickard School

Spickard Board of Education adopts budget and accepts bids

The Spickard R-2 Board of Education adopted a budget and accepted bids July 19th. Superintendent Erica Eakes reports anticipated revenues for the 2021-2022 budget are $1,033,529, and anticipated expenditures are $1,006,038. There is a surplus of $27,491. The 2020-2021 budget was also amended to match actual revenues and expenditures. Bids were accepted from AE Dairy […]

USDA Logo

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. […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Audio: Missouri judge plans to issue a ruling by Wednesday in Missouri’s Medicaid expansion lawsuit

A judge in mid-Missouri’s Cole County expects to issue his decision in Missouri’s Medicaid expansion lawsuit by tomorrow (Wednesday). Brian Hauswirth covered Monday’s hearing in Jefferson City:     Three Missouri women are suing the state over the issue of Medicaid expansion. They note 53 percent of Missouri voters approved Amendment Two in August. Their […]

Spickard, Missouri

Spickard Board of Aldermen address nuisance properties

Information has been provided from last weeks’ meeting of the Spickard Board of Aldermen. The board voted to send a letter to those individuals with properties considered to be a nuisance. A discussion was held on the Department of Natural Resources inspection regarding alleged violations of the city’s water system. Problems with the sewer pumps […]

Medicaid Missouri

Special session on tax crucial for Medicaid in doubt over Planned Parenthood amendment

(Missouri Independent) – Last Tuesday, Republicans appeared to have reached a fragile consensus around extending a tax crucial to Missouri’s Medicaid finances — opening the door for Gov. Mike Parson to call lawmakers into a special session this week.  By Friday afternoon, June 18, that consensus appears to have been derailed, at least temporarily, by disagreements […]

Natural Gas Meter (Photo by Tim Carpenter-Kansas Reflector via Missouri Independent)

After winter cold snap drove up natural gas prices, utilities grapple with who should pay

(Missouri Independent) – Penalties that Spire Missouri issued to suppliers who failed to provide natural gas during a February cold snap that forced power outages across the Midwest could drive bills for hospitals, schools, and businesses to astronomical levels, according to a trio of complaints pending before state regulators. During the worst of the cold snap in February, […]

Food Stamp or SNAP Graphic

Feds pony up to get more SNAP-eligible families enrolled

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering a 50/50 match on Nebraska dollars invested in outreach to get more eligible families enrolled in SNAP, the program formerly known as food stamps. Ellen Vollinger, legal director at the Food Research and Action Center, said the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps struggling families put food on the […]