By Rudi Keller, Missouri IndependentPosted 10/5/23An appeals court will be asked to take another look at whether a trade association for Missouri casinos can sue a company that puts video games offering cash prizes in convenience stores and other …This item is available in full to subscribers.We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have...…By Rudi Keller, Missouri IndependentPosted 10/5/23An appeals court will be asked to take another look at whether a trade association for Missouri casinos can sue a company that puts video games offering cash prizes in convenience stores and other …This item is available in full to subscribers.We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have...WW…

11:32News StorySt. Louis County Executive Sam Page, left, and Gov. Mike Parson announce the first COVID-19 case in Missouri, March 7, 2020. (Screenshot from livestream)Prener said he’s not sure when, or if, the state deaths report will match local figures.Xby Rudi Keller, March 6, 2021by Rudi Keller, March 6, 2021The Hickory County Health Department reported 853 total local COVID-19 cases in , five more than a week earlier.But residents of the southwest Missouri county who check the for information would not have known that. Instead, they would see a cumulative 467 cases. Those that watch...…11:32News StorySt. Louis County Executive Sam Page, left, and Gov. Mike Parson announce the first COVID-19 case in Missouri, March 7, 2020. (Screenshot from livestream)Prener said he’s not sure when, or if, the state deaths report will match local figures.Xby Rudi Keller, March 6, 2021by Rudi Keller, March 6, 2021The Hickory County Health Department reported 853 total local COVID-19 cases in , five more than a week earlier.But residents of the southwest Missouri county who check the for information would not have known that. Instead, they would see a cumulative 467 cases. Those that watch...WW…

5:55News StoryState Rep. Tricia Derges, R-Nixa (photo courtesy of Missouri House Communications).Xby Rudi Keller, February 10, 2021by Rudi Keller, February 10, 2021A state representative falsely claimed she had a faculty appointment at the University of Missouri when she applied for a medical license in Florida.State Rep. Tricia Derges, R-Nixa, facing 20 federal felony charges under an indictment unsealed on Feb. 1, has been licensed in Missouri as an assistant physician since 2017., Derges was granted what Florida calls a as a medical doctor. The program allows medical professionals from...…5:55News StoryState Rep. Tricia Derges, R-Nixa (photo courtesy of Missouri House Communications).Xby Rudi Keller, February 10, 2021by Rudi Keller, February 10, 2021A state representative falsely claimed she had a faculty appointment at the University of Missouri when she applied for a medical license in Florida.State Rep. Tricia Derges, R-Nixa, facing 20 federal felony charges under an indictment unsealed on Feb. 1, has been licensed in Missouri as an assistant physician since 2017., Derges was granted what Florida calls a as a medical doctor. The program allows medical professionals from...WW…

15:18News StoryMissouri Gov. Mike Parson delivers his State of the State address in the Missouri Senate on Jan. 27, 2021 (screenshot).Xby Rudi Keller, January 27, 2021by Rudi Keller, January 27, 2021Medicaid expansion will add $1.9 billion to the state budget in the coming fiscal year, with most of it paid for with federal funds and the rest from anticipated savings from a cut in state costs for the current program.The Wednesday anticipates that approximately 275,000 low-income adults will enroll for medical coverage. Missouri voters in August approved expanding Medicaid to everyone in...…15:18News StoryMissouri Gov. Mike Parson delivers his State of the State address in the Missouri Senate on Jan. 27, 2021 (screenshot).Xby Rudi Keller, January 27, 2021by Rudi Keller, January 27, 2021Medicaid expansion will add $1.9 billion to the state budget in the coming fiscal year, with most of it paid for with federal funds and the rest from anticipated savings from a cut in state costs for the current program.The Wednesday anticipates that approximately 275,000 low-income adults will enroll for medical coverage. Missouri voters in August approved expanding Medicaid to everyone in...WW…

19:04News StoryThe Missouri House chambers during the 2019 State of the State address (photo courtesy of the Missouri Governors Office).Xby Rudi Keller, January 14, 2021by Rudi Keller, January 14, 2021The Missouri House of Representatives will not meet next week because of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Capitol Building, Republican leaders announced Thursday evening.Without giving details, House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, and Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis, issued a statement about the decision.The Senate Republican caucus,...…19:04News StoryThe Missouri House chambers during the 2019 State of the State address (photo courtesy of the Missouri Governors Office).Xby Rudi Keller, January 14, 2021by Rudi Keller, January 14, 2021The Missouri House of Representatives will not meet next week because of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Capitol Building, Republican leaders announced Thursday evening.Without giving details, House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, and Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis, issued a statement about the decision.The Senate Republican caucus,...WW…

15:56News StoryRep. Wiley Price, D-St. Louis, discusses the effort to censure him during House debate on Jan. 13, 2021 (Photo by Ben Peters/Missouri House Communications).Xby Rudi Keller, January 13, 2021by Rudi Keller, January 13, 2021JEFFERSON CITY – After failing to muster the two-thirds majority needed to expel state Rep. Wiley Price, the Missouri House on Wednesday voted for lying about an alleged sexual encounter with an intern and attempting to cover it up by threatening a House employee.After a debate that took about two hours, the House voted 140-3, with eight members voting...…15:56News StoryRep. Wiley Price, D-St. Louis, discusses the effort to censure him during House debate on Jan. 13, 2021 (Photo by Ben Peters/Missouri House Communications).Xby Rudi Keller, January 13, 2021by Rudi Keller, January 13, 2021JEFFERSON CITY – After failing to muster the two-thirds majority needed to expel state Rep. Wiley Price, the Missouri House on Wednesday voted for lying about an alleged sexual encounter with an intern and attempting to cover it up by threatening a House employee.After a debate that took about two hours, the House voted 140-3, with eight members voting...WW…

11:55News StoryThe Missouri Supreme Court building in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of FLICKR/David Shane, licensed under CC BY 2.0).Xby Rudi Keller, December 23, 2020by Rudi Keller, December 23, 2020Sometimes people feel like the government is dumping on them, and this week that person is Charlie Gott.For 35 years, Gott has been the answer to the call of nature for thousands of people on construction sites and outdoor events. His company, — slogan “Call on Charlie Gott when you’ve Gotts TO GO!” — rents portable toilets in southwest Missouri, including the Springfield and Branson areas.“It...…11:55News StoryThe Missouri Supreme Court building in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of FLICKR/David Shane, licensed under CC BY 2.0).Xby Rudi Keller, December 23, 2020by Rudi Keller, December 23, 2020Sometimes people feel like the government is dumping on them, and this week that person is Charlie Gott.For 35 years, Gott has been the answer to the call of nature for thousands of people on construction sites and outdoor events. His company, — slogan “Call on Charlie Gott when you’ve Gotts TO GO!” — rents portable toilets in southwest Missouri, including the Springfield and Branson areas.“It...WW…

In the run-up to November’s election, many Democrats focused on the grievances expressed by the crowds in the street – police brutality, institutional racism and social inequities. Republicans, playing to their base, focused on the violent incidents and called for the public to back police actions.It is uncertain what, if any, impact the proposals to shield drivers would have had this summer in two incidents, one in St. Louis and the other in Columbia. No police reports have been made public that provide a complete account.Truck Drags St. Louis Protestor— Stuey Rock (@Stueyrock)A car just...…In the run-up to November’s election, many Democrats focused on the grievances expressed by the crowds in the street – police brutality, institutional racism and social inequities. Republicans, playing to their base, focused on the violent incidents and called for the public to back police actions.It is uncertain what, if any, impact the proposals to shield drivers would have had this summer in two incidents, one in St. Louis and the other in Columbia. No police reports have been made public that provide a complete account.Truck Drags St. Louis Protestor— Stuey Rock (@Stueyrock)A car just...WW…

15:54News StoryState Rep. Wiley Price, D-St. Louis (photo by Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).The report — which was unanimously approved by the bipartisan 10-member committee — said sHouse policies go further than banning sexual harassment. Consent to a relationship is immaterial under House policies, which state that “no state representative or House Officer may engage in any amorous or romantic relationship” with employees or interns.“Now that the House Ethics Committee investigation is complete, the next step will be for the full House to evaluate the evidence and determine the...…15:54News StoryState Rep. Wiley Price, D-St. Louis (photo by Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).The report — which was unanimously approved by the bipartisan 10-member committee — said sHouse policies go further than banning sexual harassment. Consent to a relationship is immaterial under House policies, which state that “no state representative or House Officer may engage in any amorous or romantic relationship” with employees or interns.“Now that the House Ethics Committee investigation is complete, the next step will be for the full House to evaluate the evidence and determine the...WW…

9:59News StoryThe Howard County Courthouse in Fayette. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)Despite the known illness among deputies, jail staff and prisoners, the Howard County Courthouse is listed as in what the state judiciary , which allows for most in-person hearings to proceed and limits occupancy in courtrooms to 25 people or less.Randolph County, the other county in the 14th Judicial Circuit is in Phase Zero, which means most in-person proceedings are suspended and public access to the courthouse is greatly limited.Presiding Judge Scott Hayes was not available Thursday morning for...…9:59News StoryThe Howard County Courthouse in Fayette. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)Despite the known illness among deputies, jail staff and prisoners, the Howard County Courthouse is listed as in what the state judiciary , which allows for most in-person hearings to proceed and limits occupancy in courtrooms to 25 people or less.Randolph County, the other county in the 14th Judicial Circuit is in Phase Zero, which means most in-person proceedings are suspended and public access to the courthouse is greatly limited.Presiding Judge Scott Hayes was not available Thursday morning for...WW…