Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Missouri Pushes Back on ‘All Comers’ Policies, Protects Faith-Based Student Organizations
Despite the reputation that colleges and universities try to cultivate as centers of free expression, campuses aren’t always friendly to people of faith and their organizations. The 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Christian Legal Soc. Chapter of...

Brown Recluse Spiders Increasing in Missouri Homes This Season
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — Brown recluse spiders are appearing more frequently in Missouri homes this season, but experts reassure residents that most encounters are not dangerous. Chris Hartley, an entomologist at The Butterfly House in Chesterfield,...

Top THC Tinctures for 2025: Potent Oils for Every Lifestyle
Are you seeking a natural, powerful addition to boost your overall wellness? Something that actually works and isn't all hype? With so many artificial, chemical-based products out there, it’s hard to source natural solutions. After scouring the...

Editorial: Missouri could (but won't) challenge Trump's damaging education funding freeze
The Editorial Board Twenty-four states are suing the Trump administration for improperly withholding almost $7 billion in scheduled education-related funding. Why isn’t Missouri one of them? The short answer is that, while state lawsuits against...

Missouri Gov. Kehoe vetoed millions in funding for Kansas City projects. Here's what the city lost
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the state budget for 2026 into law on June 30, but not before he vetoed more than $2 billion in spending that lawmakers had approved in May. Part of that $2 billion — which brought the budget down to $50.8 billion...

New Missouri law mandates sales tax payment at car purchase, new temp tag rules
Missouri car buyers will see 30-day temporary tags and will soon pay sales tax at purchase under a new law. ST. LOUIS — Car buyers in Missouri will soon see changes in the temporary tags they receive and how they pay sales tax, thanks to a new law...

Education Department in the middle of a growing tug-of-war between Trump, Democrats
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education has emerged as central in the struggle over control of the power of the purse in the nation’s capital. Democrats in Congress are pushing back hard on the Trump administration’s freeze of $6.8 billion...

United Church of Christ synod denounces ICE raids as ‘domestic terrorism’
United Church of Christ synod denounces ICE raids as 'domestic terrorism' (RNS) — The resolution also denounces the 'weaponization of the constitution' and urges UCC churches to divest from private incarceration companies that are participating in...

Missouri wants to hear from you ahead of sports betting deadlines
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) - It will not be long now until you can legally bet on your favorite sports team in Missouri, but the state wants to hear from residents first. The last day to email public comment to mgcpolicy@mgc.dps.mo.gov is...

Missouri State Board of Education members debate limited yet ‘influential’ role

Missouri State Board of Education members debate limited yet ‘influential’ role
By Annelise Hanshaw Missouri Independent New members of the Missouri State Board of Education discovered their powers to direct schools are more limited than they expected during a retreat last week. The board spent Wednesday and Thursday talking...

Amy Sue (Wiseman) Holaday, Marthasville, Missouri
Amy Sue (Wiseman) Holaday of Marthasville, Missouri, formerly of Vandalia, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in...

Missouri S & T camp aims to launch future aerospace careers
by Sue Danielson | Jul 15, 2025 Missouri S & T Aerospace camper and Camp Director Jeff Chalfant conduct experiment. Photo courtesy Jeff Chalfant (Rolla, MO) — More than 70 5th thru 8th grade students are about to have a blast at Missouri...

Agriculture education impacts Lamar’s future this summer
Ag Moves introduced elementary students to farm animals this summer. Lamar elementary students have enjoyed hands-on lessons about agriculture during enrichment programming this summer. The school partnered with Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture...

Rep. Mark Alford highlights defense bill and education reform in recent posts
Representative Mark Alford, who has served Missouri’s 4th District in the U.S. Congress since 2023, recently shared several updates via social media regarding legislative priorities and policy perspectives. Alford, a former journalist born in...

Team behind Ellie Bird debuts new private dining room in Falls Church
Around Town A look inside “The Nest” dining room (photo by Nina Palazzolo, courtesy of The Nest) A look inside “The Nest” dining room (photo by Nina Palazzolo, courtesy of The Nest) Ellie Bird at 125 Founders Avenue in Falls Church (staff photo by...

Missouri voters have decided 420 statewide ballot measures since 1908
Ballotpedia has completed an inventory of all Missouri ballot measures since 1908. Between 1908 and 2024, Missouri voters decided 420 ballot measures. Of these, 195 (46.4%) were approved, and 225 (53.6%) were defeated. In Missouri, measures can be...

New Sioux City Schools Superintendent Cordova discusses approach to educating students in changing times
When Iowa school districts add new administrators, the outgoing personnel usually depart by the end of June, and the incoming principals and superintendents typically begin their years on July 1. That timing is playing out again this year in many...

Your guide to Missouri’s newest education laws in 2025
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has signed nearly a dozen new laws affecting education this July. Among the proposals that advanced this year are bills governing how public schools handle religious chaplains, cellphones and opening school activities to...

A.T. Still University appoints Gaylah Sublette as Missouri campus president
A.T. Still University A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) announced the appointment of Gaylah Sublette, MBA, as president of its Missouri campus, effective July 1. Sublette, who has served as interim president since July 1, 2024, was...