Local News
Ozark Empire Fairground breaks ground on spacious new event centerSPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds are making way for a new 93,000-square-foot event facility and Youth Ag Education Center. Work started on the $25 million Ozark Empire Fair… Read More
Economy
Survey shows rent delinquency rates for small businesses escalating in Illinois(The Center Square) – Small businesses in Illinois and around the country continue to face difficulties paying their rent. A survey by the small businesses network Alignable shows 40%… Read More
Crime
Lee’s Summit man among three charged in kidnapping, extortion conspiracy to support African separatist militia groupsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lee’s Summit man was among three arrested this week for their roles in a criminal conspiracy that allegedly included kidnapping, extortion and funding a violent… Read More
Biden administration
Biden’s student loan deferment will cost taxpayers $40 billion, group says(The Center Square) – The Biden administration is again defering repayment of student loans until President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness executive action makes its way through the courts, but… Read More
Biden administration
Hegar blasts Biden administration plan advancing retirement funds prioritizing ESGTexas comptroller stands firm on state divesting from companies boycotting oil and gas industry (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Labor is finalizing a rule allowing companies to… Read More
Agriculture
Farmers can expect high interest rates and higher costs next year(The Center Square) – Farmers borrow short term money up front every year to pay for inputs and operating expenses. At harvest time when they sell their crops, they pay… Read More
Economy
Report: 41% of small businesses can’t pay rent this month(The Center Square) – More than 40% of U.S. small business owners say they couldn’t pay rent on time or in full for the month of November, the highest this… Read More
Education
KS education establishment out of touch with parents, student needs(The Sentinel) – The education establishment in Kansas appears to remain remarkably out of step with parents’ and students’ needs. While polling in Kansas indicates parents overwhelmingly believe they should… Read More
Education
Kansas school official’s wife was paid $41,000 in overtime(The Sentinel) – Last week, the Sentinel reported that Beth Schutte, a school nurse in USD 261 Haysville, was paid $126,000 last year. The district didn’t respond to our inquiries before the… Read More
Economy
Illinois continues with nation’s worst unemployment rate(The Center Square) – A new study shows that Illinois' economy continues to trail the rest of the nation as the Land of Lincoln finished dead last in unemployment rates… Read More
Economy
Higher prices hit the holiday season as Black Friday approaches(The Center Square) – Americans will pay higher prices for a range of goods and services for the Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday shopping this year, and it looks like… Read More
Education
Kansas K-12 spending ranked #11, but ‘bang for the buck’ falls to #38(The Sentinel) – Public school spending and student achievement in Kansas resemble an escalator; one side (spending) goes up, and the other (achievement) goes down. That’s the analysis of a… Read More
Investigations
Paxton launches investigation into drug makers over inflated insulin costs(The Center Square) – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into drug manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) over potential legal violations related to inflated costs… Read More
Education
Former Wisconsin school counselor sues after being fired for opposing ‘gender identity ideology’A former Wisconsin elementary school counselor is suing district employees for firing her in response to a speech she gave opposing “gender identity ideology.” Marissa Darlingh, a counselor at Allen-Field Elementary… Read More
Education
Lawmakers blast Pentagon funding for CRT, liberal gender ideology training, policies(The Center Square) – A new GOP report details how the Pentagon has prioritized promoting critical race theory, progressive gender ideology and more using taxpayer dollars.The report, commissioned by… Read More
Biden administration
AGs push back against EPA ‘environmental justice’ rule, say it will increase energy costsThey also argue it will put Americans’ safety at risk (The Center Square) – Twelve attorneys general have submitted comments to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan expressing concerns about… Read More
Education
Springfield Public Schools announces new aviation program in partnership with Ozarks Technical Community CollegeSPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Springfield Public Schools has announced it will officially roll out its new aviation program, Fly SPS, during the 2023-24 school year. SPS is partnering with Ozarks Technical… Read More
National
National debt to GDP ratio worse than CBO estimates, group says(The Center Square) – New budget estimates show that the growth of the national debt is worse than previously thought. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office released projections in … Read More
Big Tech, Opinion
COLUMN: Missouri senator, attorney general nearly alone in standing against government censorship on Facebook, Instagram, other social mediaJosh Hawley gives his U.S. Senate colleagues far too much credit when he excuses them for supposedly not knowing the extent of the Biden administration’s conspiracy to silence domestic dissent. Read More
Economy
Texas again breaks all-time record for total job gainsLeads U.S. with fastest annual jobs growth (The Center Square) – Texas in October again broke an all-time record for job gains. Texas also had the fastest annual jobs growth… Read More