Missouri Department of Corrections

Audio: Missouri House signs off on budget to include bigger pay raise for some corrections jobs

The Missouri House has passed a 34-point-one billion-dollar state operating budget that includes a big pay raise for some hard-to-fill Department of Corrections jobs. On top of the requested two-percent salary boost for all state workers, some Corrections food service workers, officers, sergeants, and lieutenants would get anywhere from a nearly six percent to an […]

Immunization needle

Audio: Missouri bill would lower school immunization requirements

Missouri children attending daycares, K-12 public schools, or college might not be required to get vaccinated against certain illnesses – if they have a “conscientious belief” opposing the immunizations. Lebanon State Representative Suzie Pollock is proposing the change for vaccinations against polio, rubella, mumps, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and others. Her bill would also […]

Medicaid

Audio: Will the Missouri Senate back the House’s attempt to defund Medicaid expansion? Senate President Dave Schatz weighs in

The Missouri House has passed the next state operating budget – without funding voter-approved Medicaid expansion. The $34.1 billion budget plan is now in the hands of the Republican-controlled Senate. Missouri Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, gives his thoughts to Missourinet affiliate KTUI in Sullivan about whether he expects the upper chamber to fund the expansion.   […]

Medicaid Missouri

Missouri House plan to reject Medicaid expansion faces uncertain fate in the Senate

(Missouri Independent) – Republicans in the Missouri House finalized their plan to block funding for voter-approved Medicaid expansion on Thursday, giving final approval to its version of the state’s budget and sending it to the Senate. What happens next remains unclear. House Democratic Leader Crystal Quade said she’s confident the Senate will restore the $1.9 […]

Domestic Violence

Audio: Missouri House gives initial approval to letting domestic violence victims get lifetime orders of protection

Current Missouri law allows orders of protection for one year – potentially forcing domestic violence victims to repeatedly return to court and face their abuser. The Missouri House has given initial approval to a bill that would allow the victims to get a lifetime order of protection.     Representative Tracy McCreery, a Democrat from […]

Budget news graphic

Audio: Jesus’ name invoked by both parties as Missouri House approves $34 billion budget, without Medicaid expansion

After a heated floor debate that included numerous biblical references, the Missouri House voted Thursday afternoon to give final approval to a $34.1 billion state operating budget. The House budget does not contain funding for Medicaid expansion. The operating budget now heads to the Missouri Senate, and Medicaid expansion supporters hope senators will include the […]

Pumpkins on display

University of Missouri Extension in Harrison County invites growers to participate in a large pumpkin growing contest

The University of Missouri Extension in Harrison County is inviting growers to participate in a large pumpkin growing contest at the Harrison County Fall Festival in Bethany this September. Cash prizes will be available for the three heaviest pumpkins. The Festival will take place on Saturday, September 25th, on the square in Bethany. All contestants […]

Grundy County Health Department Website

Grundy County Health Department reports almost 25% of Grundy County residents received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Twenty point four percent of Grundy County residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. That is according to Missouri’s vaccination website. Two thousand thirteen first doses have been given to all age groups, and 3,363 total doses have been given. The Grundy County Health Department’s report from March 25th indicated 1,869 […]

President Joe BIden (Official White House photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Biden to unveil $2 trillion plan to rebuild infrastructure, move to clean energy

(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden on Wednesday will unveil a nearly $2 trillion infrastructure package to rebuild highways and bridges, along with funding programs for housing, broadband, and schools and increasing U.S. manufacturing jobs over the next eight years, an administration official told reporters on Tuesday night. Alongside the expansive infrastructure plan, the president will […]

Fraud

Man pleads guilty to $244 million ghost-cattle scam

A Washington man pleaded guilty to defrauding Tyson Foods Inc. (Tyson) and another company (Company 1) out of more than $244 million by charging them under various agreements for the purported costs of purchasing and feeding hundreds of thousands of cattle that did not actually exist. According to court documents, Cody Allen Easterday, 49, of […]

Coronavirus Stimulus Payment Graphic

Audio:” Missouri bill would re-direct federal stimulus checks for prisoners who owe restitution

A northwest Missouri state senator wants to re-direct federal stimulus payments which might be heading to prisoners who owe money to victims. Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from, Parkville, sponsors the measure being considered during the legislative session in Jefferson City.     Luetkemeyer’s bill could head to the Senate floor at any time. Congress […]

Medicaid Expansion

Audio: Governor Parson responds to House’s effort to block Medicaid expansion funding

The Republican-controlled Missouri House has given initial approval to defunding a Medicaid expansion effort approved by voters last year. The chamber could vote to use the governor’s one-point-nine billion dollar budget request for the expansion to instead help seniors in nursing homes, the developmentally disabled, and expand mental health programs, among other things. Here is […]

Audio: Lawmaker proposes amendment prohibiting roadside checkpoints and roadblocks by law enforcement

You’ll be voting next November on a proposed constitutional amendment involving checkpoints and roadblocks if a veteran Missouri lawmaker has his way.     State Rep. Justin Hill (R-Lake St. Louis) will present his proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday at noon, before the Missouri House Downsizing State Government Committee in Jefferson City. The committee is chaired by […]