(Texas News Service – Roz Brown) – Texas postal customers, especially in rural areas, are experiencing delays in mail delivery, and some letter carriers feel it could get worse. Staffing shortages are blamed for certain delays but others believe a demoralized workforce and a 10-year Postal Service improvement plan also are a problem. To reduce […]
Category: National News
Biden unveils latest round of student loan cancellation to aid 153,000 borrowers
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden expanded his push to eliminate student loan debt Wednesday, saying during a speech the initiative is part of a campaign promise to address the “broken” system. “While a college degree is still a ticket to a better life, that ticket is too expensive,” Biden said. “And too many Americans […]
CDC warns of E. Coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese
A CDC food safety alert has been issued regarding a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese. According to the alert, ten people have been reported infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli across four states. The report indicates that four individuals have been hospitalized, and one […]
Veterinary research offers hope for human arthritis
Researchers at Colorado State University are advancing our understanding of how osteoarthritis progresses in horses. Their work could eventually aid individuals who develop the degenerative disease following an injury to a knee, elbow, or shoulder. Lynn Pezzanite, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and assistant professor at Colorado State University, noted that the disease impacts nearly […]
Intense opposition to U.S. Senate immigration deal quickly emerges
(Missouri Independent) – The proposed global security funding legislation that includes major bipartisan updates to immigration policy encountered opposition from members of both parties Monday, especially Republicans upset by the Biden administration’s handling of border security, charting a tumultuous path for passage in the Senate this week. The deal on immigration policy, negotiated for months […]
CDC reports 80% increase in U.S. syphilis cases
In a troubling development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a nearly 80% surge in syphilis cases across the United States, totaling more than 207,000 between 2018 and 2022. This sharp increase spans all age groups, including newborns, and affects every region of the country. A staggering 3,755 cases of congenital […]
Video: Zuckerberg, Spiegel apologize to victim families for harm experienced online
(Missouri News Service) – A contentious congressional hearing on Wednesday unanimously called for regulations on social media, with a focus on protecting children. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) pressed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to apologize to the families of child victims who suffered due to social media’s negative impacts, including exploitation, harm, and death. […]
“A product that’s killing people”: Lawmakers chastise social media giants for harm to kids
(Missouri Independent) – Members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee castigated executives at leading social media companies Wednesday, calling for more to be done to shield children from sexual exploitation, drug dealing, self-harm encouragement and other damaging content. In one tense exchange, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley demanded to know if Mark Zuckerberg, the founder […]
“Taylor Swift Act” will protect against unauthorized deepfake images
State Representative Adam Schwadron is taking a significant step towards protecting the privacy and well-being of individuals by filing “The Taylor Swift Act.” This groundbreaking legislation aims to address the unauthorized disclosure of intimate digital depictions, providing crucial safeguards for those affected by such actions. The bill, named after the renowned artist Taylor Swift, aims […]
27 state coalition demands Biden address border crisis
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey joined 26 other states in a letter to the Biden Administration, supporting Texas’ right to defend itself against unchecked illegal immigration at the southern border. “The situation at the southern border has spun out of control, all thanks to Joe Biden and his inept administration. Worse yet, they’re attempting to […]
Lawmakers call for USPS to stop postal rate increases
Last week, U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) led a group of lawmakers in calling on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to halt price increases on stamps following the agency’s record-breaking fourth rate increase in the last 18 months. The need to address the shortcomings of the Delivering for America Plan […]
Hawley questions TSA policy on illegal immigrants flying without ID
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske, calling out the agency for undermining national security by allowing illegal immigrants to board commercial flights without valid photo identification. “If this report is accurate, it is outrageous,” wrote Senator Hawley. “Millions of Americans are subject to the […]
Trump ballot removal sparks Supreme Court challenge by Graves, Cruz and Scalise.
Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) joined House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) in filing a Supreme Court amicus brief in the case Donald J. Trump v. Norma Anderson, et al. In addition to Graves, Leader Scalise, and Sen. Cruz, the brief was signed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), 134 other House […]
FBI addresses online threats to children, warns parents of sextortion
The FBI is warning parents, educators, caregivers, and children about the dangers of online activity that may lead to the solicitation and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual acts. Sextortion involves an offender coercing a minor to create and send sexually explicit images or videos. An adult offender gets sexually explicit material from […]
Texas road construction workers face highest fatality rate in the nation
In Texas, road construction workers face a higher fatality rate than in any other state, raising concerns about contractor accountability for accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 143 deaths occurred at Texas road construction sites over seven years ending in 2020. Investigative reporter Josephine Lee of the Texas Observer delved into […]
USDA awarding $19 million in grants for biofuels in 22 states
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is awarding $19 million in grants to U.S. business owners. This funding aims to increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 22 states, offering Americans cleaner, more affordable fuel options at gas stations as part of President Biden’s agenda to lower costs and […]
Biden announces plan to cancel some student loan balances under $12,000
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden announced Friday that some federal student loan borrowers will have their loans canceled under the Department of Education’s new repayment plan. Starting next month, people who took out under $12,000 in federal student loans and have been repaying those loans for 10 years will get their remaining student loan […]
With partial government shutdown a week away, Johnson says he’ll stick to spending deal
(Missouri Independent) – U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson committed Friday to following the topline spending agreement he struck with Democrats less than a week ago, following a day of speculation that he was preparing to walk away from the deal. “Our top line agreement remains,” Johnson said in a statement to reporters just off the […]
Video: Hawley’s hearing calls for AI accountability
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, recently co-chaired a hearing emphasizing the need for Congress to safeguard American creators’ rights against exploitation by major AI firms. Senator Hawley focused on ensuring fair compensation for the creative work of everyday Americans, including journalists, bloggers, […]
US Marshals arrest over 73,000 fugitives in 2023
In fiscal year (FY) 2023, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) successfully apprehended 73,362 fugitives, comprising 28,065 federal and 45,297 state and local warrant cases. This averages to 293 arrests per day over 250 operational days. Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to reducing violent crime through targeted efforts against major […]