(Missouri Independent) – Jackson and St. Louis Counties requested Monday that they be permitted to intervene and appeal a recent court ruling that they argue has “upended the longstanding public health framework” in Missouri. In a filing submitted Monday afternoon and obtained by The Independent, the two counties asked Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel […]
Tag: efforts
USDA provides additional pandemic assistance to hog producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new program to assist hog producers who sold hogs through a negotiated sale during the period in which these producers faced the greatest reduction in market prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative and addresses […]
Top oil and gas companies report $174 billion in profits keeping prices at the pump high
As the country continues to endure high gas prices, 24 of the top oil and gas corporations made nearly $174 billion in profits this year, with profits in the past three months alone topping $74 billion, according to a new report by Accountable.US. Tony Carrk, executive director of the watchdog group, said top executives at Chevron […]
Wright Memorial Hospital awarded national accreditation from Joint Commission
Wright Memorial Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. Wright Memorial underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review from October 5 – […]
USDA opens 2022 signup for Dairy Margin Coverage program, expands program for supplemental production
As part of the ongoing efforts to support dairy farmers and rural communities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operations by enrolling in supplemental production. This signup period – which runs from Dec. 13, 2021, to […]
Bipartisan Missouri legislation aims to provide a year of health care for new moms
(Missouri Independent) – Faced with over a year’s delay from the state social services department on implementing extended mental health care for new moms, a bipartisan effort now aims to expand health care coverage more broadly for low-income pregnant women. Legislation filed last week by Sens. Elaine Gannon, R-De Soto, and Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, would extend […]
Missouri health director wanted to appeal judge’s COVID ruling. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt refused
(Missouri Independent) – Attorney General Eric Schmitt will not appeal a consequential court ruling that strips powers from local health departments, despite a request from Missouri’s state health director to do so. In an email to The Independent, Schmitt’s spokesman said the attorney general’s office notified the Department of Health and Senior Services of its […]
Federal vaccine mandate for health care workers in 10 states blocked by judge
(Missouri Independent) – Enforcement of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for millions of health care workers was blocked in 10 states on Monday, after a ruling by a federal judge in Missouri. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp affects the states involved in the lawsuit, including Missouri. The others are Iowa, Kansas, New […]
Greene County taxpayers footed a $25,000 legal bill in connection with 2017 ballot measure ethics probe
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released the audit of the Greene County Commission that included the involvement of a former Greene County commissioner in a 2017 sales tax ballot measure campaign. Among its findings, the audit found that taxpayers paid more than $25,000 in legal invoices sent to the personal address of now-former Presiding Commissioner […]
Missouri Attorney General files lawsuit against city of Moscow Mills for enforcing ticket quotas on police officers
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit against the City of Moscow Mills for allegedly enforcing a ticket quota on their officers, in violation of Senate Bill 5 and accompanying reforms. “Missourians should not be treated as cash cows to fill municipal coffers. When I was in the State Senate, I led efforts to […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees hear updates on college projects including Savannah Campus and future student center
Information was shared November 18th on North Central Missouri College’s projects involving facilities. Information on the Savannah Campus and a future student center was provided during the NCMC Board of Trustees meeting. President Doctor Lenny Klaver reported 98% of the planning is complete on the Savannah project. He met with Architect Jeremy Proctor November 17th. […]
Missouri Attorney General sues Springfield schools in quest to find critical race theory documents
(Missouri Independent) – Attorney General Eric Schmitt alleges in a newly filed lawsuit that Springfield Public Schools wants to avoid scrutiny of its curriculum and training materials — and is violating the Missouri Sunshine law to do it. The district improperly demanded a deposit of more than $37,000 to search its records for instances where it incorporated elements […]
Climate funds in infrastructure bill aimed at drought, wildfires, floods
(Missouri Independent) – The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just about roads and bridges — it also spends billions to address wildfire, drought, flooding, and other effects from climate change, Interior Department officials said Wednesday. The $1.2 trillion measure, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after the House cleared it last week, includes pay […]
Three area non-profits receive over $500,000 in tax credits
Nonprofits in Princeton, Chillicothe, and Macon are among 66 organizations across the state that have been approved to issue tax credits for their fundraising efforts. The approval came from the Neighborhood Assistance Program through the Department of Economic Development. Mercer County Area Development Corporation aims to drive community revitalization and business development for the Mercer […]
Missouri to provide credit monitoring for teachers after reporter found security flaw
(Missouri Independent) – Nearly a month after a reporter identified a security flaw in a state website that exposed teachers’ social security numbers, the state announced Wednesday it was offering a year of credit monitoring services to hundreds of thousands of teachers whose personal information was put at risk According to the Department of Elementary […]
Governor Parson touts benefits of moving to, living in and doing business in Missouri
Governor Mike Parson celebrated Missouri’s strong economic position as the number of Missourians on unemployment decreases, businesses continue to invest and expand in Missouri, and the state earns several economic recognitions. “Throughout the pandemic, we took a balanced approach that protected the health and safety of Missourians without sacrificing their livelihoods,” Governor Parson said. “We didn’t […]
Ameristar Kansas City partners with Veterans Community Project for “Help Our Heroes” Events
Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City has partnered with the Veterans Community Project for “Help our Heroes” during November. “Veterans Community Project is built on community partnership,” said Sean Anderson, Lead Case Manager for Veterans Community Project. “Reminding Veterans, through our work and the work of our partners, that the community cares about them and wants […]
House passes bill to expand internet access
House Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves issued the following statement after his legislation, the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support on Thursday. The E-BRIDGE Act will now head to the Senate for further consideration. “The E-BRIDGE Act cuts through […]