Large government payments helped 2020 Missouri net farm income match or exceed the 2014 record of $3.4 billion, according to Abigail Meffert, senior research associate with the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). Missouri’s outlook falls in line with the U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook, a summary of 10-year baseline projections presented […]
Tag: policies
Eric Schmitt joins Missouri race for U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Roy Blunt
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt officially jumped into the GOP primary for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, making him the second major Republican hopeful seeking to replace Roy Blunt. Schmitt’s decision comes after former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens jumped into the race earlier this week. Both made their announcements on Fox News. “Washington, D.C., needs more […]
Coalition of Attorney Generals announce $188.6 million settlement with medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific Corporation
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has announced a multistate settlement with Boston Scientific Corporation (Boston) to resolve allegations of deceptive marketing of its surgical mesh products for women. The settlement requires Boston to pay $188.6 million to 47 states and the District of Columbia to resolve allegations that it deceptively marketed transvaginal surgical mesh devices […]
Audio: Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens announces U.S. Senate bid
A former Missouri governor who resigned three years ago announced Monday on national television that he’s running for the U.S. Senate in 2022. Current U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R) will not seek re-election next year, which will leave the seat open for the 2022 election cycle. Republican Eric Greitens was elected as Missouri’s governor in […]
Audio: Missouri Attorney General says federal pandemic package could prevent states from carrying out any tax cuts
Missouri’s Attorney General says language in the latest pandemic package could prevent states from carrying out any tax relief. Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Republican attorney generals from 20 other states have fired off a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. They are questioning why the 1.9-trillion dollar plan bans states from […]
Senate confirms Haaland as first-ever Native American to serve in the Cabinet
(Missouri Independent) – U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland made history on Monday when she became the first Native American to ever be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to hold a position in a president’s Cabinet. In a narrow 51-40 vote, senators confirmed Haaland, a New Mexico Democrat, to serve as secretary of the interior, where she […]
Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau approves budget proposal
The Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau approved a budget proposal on March 10th. The budget proposal for the city council to review March 22nd includes $20,000 for digital marketing and $4,000 for print marketing. The Branding Committee drafted the request for proposals for digital marketing. There was discussion about using the city hall address with […]
New option to crop insurance farmers need to consider
As grain prices hit new levels, farmers are considering potential profit in preparing for the 2021 growing season. However, protection is always going to be important. Crop insurance decisions will be critical this year. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois agricultural economics professor, said 93% of Illinois farmers took some form of Revenue Protection (RP) insurance […]
Trenton Board of Education tackles huge agenda including approval of salary schedule for next school year
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education March 9th approved salary schedules for the 2021-2022 school year. One thousand dollars will be added to the base for the certified salary schedule, making the base salary $34,000. This was estimated to cost the district $119,591. Superintendent Mike Stegman noted the base salary for certified staff was “pretty […]
Missouri leads 12 state coalition in filing suit against the Biden administration over massive expansion of federal regulations
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt led a coalition of 12 states in filing suit against President Joe Biden’s administration over a massive expansion of federal regulations through executive order, potentially impacting nearly every aspect of the economy and Missouri household. “Manufacturing, agriculture, and energy production are essential to Missouri’s economy and employ thousands of hard-working […]
Missouri Department of Conservation offers hunter education in schools despite COVID-19 challenges
COVID-19 presented considerable challenges to Missouri schools, staff, and students in 2020, including closures, cancellations, remote learning, and more. The pandemic also presented challenges to schools and instructors teaching the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) hunter education courses. “Many schools were closed for much of the year, which reduced the number of kids who could […]
Audio: Honduran facing deportation under Trump, leaves sanctuary church in St. Louis without fear under Biden
A man who has lived near St. Louis in a Maplewood church to avoid deportation has been able to finally leave the church. Alex Garcia returned home on Wednesday after being protected by the church for more than 3 years. The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports the Honduran immigrant and father of five […]
Audio: Dentists say “Keep a regular schedule of care during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent future dental issues”
During Children’s Dental Health Month, dentists are urging folks to keep up a regular schedule of care to prevent future dental issues, unless they live in an area with uncontrolled or high community spread of COVID-19. By age five, nearly half of all children have at least one cavity – but in the last year, […]
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services seeking organizations to provide meals to children during summer months
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is looking for non-profit organizations throughout the state to help feed thousands of children who would otherwise go without meals during the summer months and during times of public emergencies when children do not have access to free or reduced-price meals at school. The Summer Food Service […]
Spickard Board of Education adopts Grundy County Hazard Mitigation Plan; approves audit
The Spickard R-2 Board of Education approved a resolution at a meeting Tuesday evening, January 18th adopting the Grundy County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Superintendent Doctor Kristi Weldon reports Jennifer Wyckoff with the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission spoke on hazard mitigation planning. The board approved the 2019-2020 audit. Alexis Sturgeon and Glen Wilson were appointed […]
Audio: New Missouri House Speaker focusing on education, foster care and adoption
The Missouri House on Wednesday elected the first Speaker in state history from eastern Missouri’s Arnold. House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, was elected Speaker on his 44th birthday, with his wife Amanda and their five children in the chamber in Jefferson City. Education was a primary theme during Vescovo’s address to the House. He says he was […]
Tips on making holiday exchanges, returns safer and easier
Tis the season for returning and exchanging holiday gifts – and there are a few steps you can take to make the process safer and easier. Experts have said a return puts you in a “Goldilocks” situation; that is, it’s a matter of timing. If you rush to the store or post office immediately, you’ll […]
University of Missouri Extension to help expand mental health resources in rural areas
Missouri’s rural counties lack mental health services despite growing financial stress and suicide rates with all of Missouri’s 99 rural counties facing a shortage of mental health professionals; 57 of them have none. The University of Missouri Extension hopes to change that through a multistate project to help farmers, ranchers, and farm families find affordable […]
Newtown-Harris Board of Education discusses 4-day school week
The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education the evening of December 14th approved Missouri Consultants for Education as its service provider for district policies, regulations, and forms. There was discussion of the results of a four-day week teacher survey, COVID-19, and shifting contracted transportation pay to payroll for full-time employees. The board reviewed the district report […]
Officials in Missouri ponder preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic
Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have been on the rise in Missouri and other states, and experts say the consequences of being unprepared for an infectious-disease outbreak have never been more apparent. Gov. Mike Parson has cited concerns about staffing levels with the demand hospitals are seeing from the crisis. His comments coincide with calls […]