Features

For most parents, their child’s first steps or first words are incredible moments in their lives and a reason to celebrate. Well before their child is born they look forward to these milestones. Parents Mike and Lori Cecere looked forward to watching their son Weston crawl. Most babies learn between 6 and 10 months old;

Home gardeners with active weed growth often go in search of chemical products that will kill the weeds but leave flowers and shrubs unharmed. According to Kelly McGowan, horticulture educator with University of Missouri Extension, these types of products do exist but they are not his first recommendation. “For the backyard gardener, I prefer hand

In the war against the invasive Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes August as ‘Tree Check Month’. Now is the best time of year look for this destructive wood-boring beetle, as the signs of ALB are most noticeable in late summer. Asian longhorned beetle feeds on over 20 different tree species,

How big is your retirement nest egg? Is there a chance you could outlive it? Even if you’re socking money into your 401(k) every paycheck like clockwork, that’s a question worth pondering. Americans are living longer, more active, younger lives. They say that 60 is the new 40, and if you look around at who

Can a debt collector take my social security benefits? Dear Savvy Senior Can my Social Security benefits be garnished if I have some outstanding debts? I just turned 62 and would like to start collecting my retirement benefits, but want to find this out before I apply. Worried Retiree Dear Worried, Whether your Social Security

Osteoporosis, decreased physical activity and weight gain are serious health concerns for postmenopausal women. Researchers from the University of Missouri now have discovered through a new animal study that soy protein found in food might counter the negative effects of menopause on bone and metabolic health. Moreover, the researchers believe that soy protein might also

If you have a college student packing up to live on or near campus this fall, now’s a good time to talk about preventing fraud while they’re away from home. “Identity theft can affect penniless students as much or more than their parents,” said Stephanie Garland, regional director of Better Business Bureau (BBB) Springfield. “Sometimes

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with the President about the challenges our farmers and ranchers are facing and the implications of increased tariffs. Although it is clear we must put a stop to China’s blatant violation of international trade laws, the current situation is precarious for rural America, and we need to

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has issued a Certificate of Sufficiency for five of six initiative petitions, signifying that each has met the minimum number of signatures required to appear on the general election ballot on Nov. 6. Any legal challenge to today’s certification must be filed in the next 10 days. The Secretary