July 17, 2026
My Fellow Missourians: Rural broadband is a subject that comes up for discussion quite often in our District 125. On my way to the Capitol Monday morning, I discussed broadband accessibility and expansion with a rural electric director. The question is, “How do you justify installing fiber optic cable and electronics at the cost of
Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Friday morning in Kansas City. Also present was Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn and representatives from the Missouri agriculture industry. “Secretary Perdue and I share a common background having been raised on a family farm, running our own small businesses,
How to help older drivers give up the car keys Dear Savvy Senior What tips can you recommend that can help me deal with my mom’s bad driving? At age 83, her driving abilities have declined, but I know she’s bound and determined to keep driving as long as she’s alive. Nervous Nelly Dear Nelly,
Before replacing drywall and floor coverings in your flooded home, make sure building materials have had enough time to dry out, cautions a University of Missouri Extension community emergency management specialist. Failing to do so can leave your home infested with mold. “That will create health issues in the home for years to come,” said
Heavy rains and rising rivers may flood wells. “Wells could be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you ill,” said Van Ayers, an MU Extension agriculture and rural development specialist. Water from a flooded well should not be used for drinking or food preparation until the well and plumbing system have been
Ensuring Missourians who have paid into Social Security receive their full retirement benefits is the aim of continued bipartisan efforts from U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill. The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act would repeal provisions in law that reduce Social Security payouts for individuals who paid into Social Security, yet are also eligible for pension benefits
When storms, floods and other disasters leave damaged homes in their path, local contractors often get more business than they can handle. In many cases, out-of-town contractors will arrive in force to pick up the slack. Think twice and exercise caution before accepting the services of an out-of-town contractor, advises a University of Missouri Extension
Public can watch young falcons hatch and grow via internet links Fans of peregrine falcon nesting season now have two live web cameras to watch in the Kansas City area. Now online is a camera monitoring a nest high on a smokestack at KCP&L’s Iatan Power Plant north of Weston. Baby falcons appeared to begin
Warm weather arrived early this spring, and so did large numbers of monarch butterflies in the Kansas City area. The first seemingly fragile orange and black butterflies spotted flitting near spring flowers in recent weeks migrated all the way from wintering grounds in Mexico. They almost beat the emergence of milkweed plants, which adult monarchs
If your basement sprung a leak during recent intense rainfalls, you’re not alone. University of Missouri Extension state housing and environmental design specialist Michael Goldschmidt recommends inspecting basement walls and floors to locate cracks or breaks that can turn into active water leaks. Find the source of the leak if possible. Water takes the path
