September 21, 2026
Choosing the best assisted living facility Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you offer for choosing a quality assisted living facility for my mom? Her health and mental abilities have declined to the point that she can’t live alone anymore but isn’t ready for a nursing home either. Looking Around Dear Looking, If your mom
An American elm tree in western Missouri now holds the state champion crown for its species. The elm in northeast Johnson County entered the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) record book with a total score of 353 based on height, circumference and crown spread. The Kansas City area tree toppled the old record of an
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Education, today announced that the omnibus appropriations bill restores eligibility for year-round Pell Grants. This measure would provide an estimated 20,000 students at Missouri colleges and universities who take classes year-round an additional $1,650 per year, on average, to
This second of two in-district work weeks included the final event of my Drug-Free Missouri anti-drug initiative, an event with the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, a visit to Windsor, a talk with students in Camden County, and a chance to congratulate the MO-4 winner of the Congressional Art Competition. Lebanon High School hosted
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Bob Casey (Pa.) announced they have re-introduced the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act, which makes the current adoption tax credit fully refundable. Making the tax credit fully refundable will ensure that more families can benefit from this critical support. “Millions of children in our country and around the world
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
