Features

Tips on overcoming holiday blues

The holidays can be a time of joy, fun and excitement. They can be tiring, disappointing and tension packed according to Renette Wardlow, human development specialist, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension. “People sometimes feel let down after the holidays. It is easy to assume these feelings are a sign the holiday did not go

[ Read More ]

Love note from Jeff City

Greetings, My Fellow Missourians Friday, Dec. 1, marked the first day legislators in both chambers of the MO General Assembly could pre-file bills for the upcoming session. House Speaker Todd Richardson issued the following statement on the first day of pre-filing: “We came to Jefferson City to get results for Missouri families, and that’s what

[ Read More ]

Following McCaskill’s testimony, trade commission rules in favor of Missouri soybean, biodiesel producers

Following testimony by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill on behalf of Missouri’s soybean and biodiesel workers and producers—which support more than 17,000 jobs in Missouri—the government agency that decides whether American companies have been harmed voted unanimously on the side of the soybean industry, opening the door for the Department of Commerce to approve hefty double-digit

[ Read More ]

Consider making these year-end tax moves by Dec. 31

Holiday shopping is in full swing for consumers around the nation. Shoppers spend money. Money comes from income. And where there’s income, taxes follow. Congress is in the middle of reforming the federal income tax code, but whether a new code emerges, the earliest it would take effect is 2018. “Right now, taxpayers need to

[ Read More ]

Hartzler statement on two-week funding bill

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) made the following statement on H. J. Res. 123, the continuing resolution the House passed today to fund the military and federal government through Dec. 22: “The measure we passed today is only a temporary solution. My hope is that we can use this two-week extension to focus on finishing tax

[ Read More ]

Take care of a Christmas cactus

The Christmas cactus is a popular holiday gift plant.  It is also the subject of debate among gardeners with regards to care, maintenance, and how to get them to rebloom. “While this plant is indeed a cactus, it is actually a tropical plant that thrives in conditions that we do not usually associate with cactus,”

[ Read More ]

Check chimney before burning wood for home heat

Missourians planning to heat their homes with wood this winter should check their chimneys now, said a University of Missouri Extension safety specialist. “Safety precautions should be taken to prevent the threat of chimney fires,” said Karen Funkenbusch. She suggests scheduling a periodic chimney cleaning to eliminate any creosote, the highly combustible byproduct given off

[ Read More ]

MDC invites public to prescribed burn workshop in Ozark

Dec. 14 workshop will show how fire can be used to improve wildlife habitat. When used in controlled, supervised conditions, fire can be a beneficial land management tool. However, it’s important to stress that prescribed fire involves planning and on-site management. People interested in learning how to use fire as a management tool should plan

[ Read More ]

Coffee no longer considered ‘Unhealthy’

In year’s past, coffee was classified as an “unhealthy” beverage. But, over 19,000 different coffee studies in recent decades have helped to change the perception of this drink according to Dr. Pam Duitsman, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “The good news is that current research shows that, for most of

[ Read More ]

Overcome opportunities to over-indulge

From late-November to the first of January, winter holidays can bring a feeling of dread as people encounter lots of different opportunities to over-indulge. Dr. Pam Duitsman, a nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension says there are several things that can help lessen the risk. “First of all, consider incorporating traditions

[ Read More ]