A Missouri man was sentenced in federal court for the armed robberies of eight metropolitan-area businesses during the summer of 2017. Calvin C. Wallace, III, 30, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 20 years in federal prison without parole. On Nov. 9, 2020, Wallace pleaded guilty to one […]
Tag: would
Missouri Department of Conservation expands opportunities for photography and filming in conservation areas
The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation on a proposed change to the Wildlife Code of Missouri regulations that would require permits for commercial or for-profit photography and videography on MDC areas. Commercial use is defined as any activity that directly or indirectly results in financial gain, or where […]
Audio: Hawley teams up with Senator Gillibrand on military sexual assault bill
Senator Josh Hawley has teamed up with Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Though they are often on opposite sides, in this case, they agree on how the military should handle sexual assault cases. “This legislation would aid the Department of Defense in identifying next steps to professionalize the role of Sexual […]
Audio: Missouri could join 49 other states by improving access to mental health services
In 2008, Congress passed and then-President George W. Bush signed into law a bill requiring health insurance companies to cover mental health the same as any other health problems. Thirteen years after the measure became law, Missouri is the only state not yet enforcing that law. Two bills pass this year would ban insurance companies […]
Audio: Bill waiting to be signed by Governor Parson aims to crack down on CDL drivers convicted of human trafficking
A bill awaiting action by Governor Parson would crackdown on drivers with a commercial vehicle license who are convicted of human trafficking. State Representative Becky Ruth of eastern Missouri’s Festus sponsored the bill. She says drivers with a CDL license are often involved in sex trafficking. The bill also penalizes people with a […]
Online map and text number will help families locate summer food programs
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has been helping families in need during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Through the Summer Food Service Program, thousands of meals have been provided and will continue to be provided all summer. The program is designed to provide breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks to children living in eligible […]
Livingston County Health Center confirms United Kingdom and Indian variants of COVID-19 circulating within the county
Livingston County Health Center has announced lab confirmation from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services of both U.K. and Indian variants of COVID-19 circulating in Livingston County. B.1.1.7-UK is labeled a variant of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has shown to be 50 percent more contagious than […]
Man from Maryland facing multiple charges after Bethany Police receive report of stolen car
A man from Maryland faces charges in Harrison County after the Bethany Police Department received a report of a car stolen from the Dollar Tree parking lot on May 29th. Online court information shows 37-year old David Timothy Shedd Junior of Sharpsburg, Maryland has been charged with the felonies of second-degree assault, special victim, first-degree […]
Missouri needs free market marijuana reforms now
(Missouri Independent) – In 2018, 66% of Missouri voters voted to legalize medical marijuana, picking a Constitutional amendment proposal floated by a group called New Approach Missouri. Two and a half years later, access to medical marijuana remains limited, due to both a cap on the number of licenses and the extremely high regulatory compliance […]
Despite high voter turnout, women hold only 30% of political offices
Women account for a majority of the U.S. population, but a new report shows they make up less than one-third of high-level government leadership at the local, state, and national levels. A first-of-its-kind study by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University found women hold just over 30% of positions in mayoral […]
Audio: Gas tax question up for comment on Missouri Secretary of State’s website
The governor is expected to sign off on the gas tax increase, but an advocacy group is moving forward in trying to put the question on a general election ballot. Lawmakers approved the state’s 17-cent-a-gallon gas tax to 29.5 cents over five years, including a refund if consumers collect receipts. The increase is […]
Scams targeting clients of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
The Attorney General’s Office is warning of a scam targeting potential clients of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. The Attorney General’s Office was notified by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri yesterday of a scam letter received by a client purporting to be from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri seeking a “retainer fee” of $3500. Legal […]
COVID-19 surge in north Missouri creates worries for summer as vaccinations decline
(Missouri Independent) – In the last week of April, the Linn County Health Department signaled that the COVID-19 pandemic had cooled enough that it could discontinue weekly reports on new cases. With only three active cases on April 21, the urgency for frequent updates seemed to have passed. But the coronavirus came roaring back this […]
Westlake Hardware in Chillicothe to participate in Salvation Army fan drive
Westlake Ace Hardware in Chillicothe will participate in the annual Fan Drive for the Salvation Army. Customers can round up purchases June 3rd through 20th or donate any amount to help purchase fans for the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army of Chillicothe is able to help 50 to 100 households by providing them a fan […]
Freightliner strikes crosswalk pole at 9th and Harris Avenue in Trenton
The Trenton Police Department reports no one was injured when a Freightliner truck struck a pole with a crosswalk button on it at Ninth Street and Harris Avenue on Wednesday morning, May 26. Fifty-eight-year-old Bradley Brian Powell of Burlington, Iowa drove the truck with one towed unit south on Harris Avenue and was making a […]
Attempts to ban teaching on ‘critical race theory’ multiply across the U.S.
(Missouri Independent) – From statehouses to Congress, Republicans have launched into a fight against the teaching of “critical race theory,” which just a year ago was a niche academic term. Experts in critical race theory say it’s about acknowledging how racial disparities are embedded in U.S history and society, and the concept is being mischaracterized […]
Judge sets trial date for lawsuit over Missouri Medicaid expansion
(Missouri Independent) – The lawsuit seeking to force Missouri to expand Medicaid coverage under a voter-approved constitutional amendment will go to trial June 18 in Cole County. On Wednesday morning, Circuit Judge Jon Beetem met in a conference call with Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office and attorneys for the three people suing for coverage. In an online notation with […]
Audio: Sedalia Representative says government should reward those who worked throughout pandemic
Sedalia State Representative Brad Pollitt says the government should reward workers who have worked throughout the pandemic, instead of giving more “government handouts” like unemployment benefits. Pollitt says he pleaded with Governor Parson’s Office to stop taking the 300-dollar-per-week federal coronavirus-related unemployment benefits. On June 12, Missouri will no longer take […]
Missouri State Treasurer joins coalition to oppose Biden Administration’s attacks on fossil fuel industry
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick announced he has joined a coalition of 15 State Treasurers to speak out against apparent attempts by the Biden Administration to pressure banks and other large financial institutions to divest from coal, oil, and natural gas companies. “While the pursuit of more renewable sources of energy is a noble cause, […]