Stories by Ryan Pivoney

Governor to advocate for trade in Japan Gov. Mike Parson will be traveling to Japan for his latest trade mission.The governor and first lady will be in Japan from Oct. 7-12 to promote Missouri as a prime location for Japanese companies to d... September 29, 2023

State House considering tax policies for upcoming session Missouri lawmakers will evaluate the state's personal property tax policies ahead of the upcoming legislative session. House Speaker Dean Plocher expanded the scope of the chamber's Special Interim Co... September 29, 2023

State seeking to bolster workforce with older workers Older workers are the country's "No. 1 untapped resource," according to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson."They are sitting out there waiting," Parson told a small crowd assembled to honor the state's Outstan... September 28, 2023

State investing in Missouri's tech sector at higher rate Missouri Technology Corporation is "embarking on an exciting journey," according to chairman Dedric Carter.MTC on Tuesday unveiled its strategic plan for investing tens of millions of state ... September 27, 2023

Time running out on Food for Fines at MRRL A canned good can shave some money off your overdue library book fine.Missouri River Regional Library is running its Food for Fines promotion through Saturday. Donors can take $1 off their library fin... September 26, 2023

Miller County audit finds overspent funds, lack of control Miller County has "poor budgetary control," according to a recent report from the State Auditor's Office.The county spent more than was budgeted in nine funds and wasn't in complianc... September 26, 2023

Motorcyclist hurt after striking deer A motorcyclist received serious injuries after striking a deer Sunday evening in Cole County.David Borgmeyer, 47, of Meta, was driving a 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound on Route B shortly b... September 26, 2023

Youths find friends, confidence in mountain bike racing For the Central Missouri Lumberjacks, Saturday's mountain bike races were about more than just winning."It helps build their skills and their confidence," coach Stoney Cranmer said. &quo... September 25, 2023

Missouri Department of Conservation confirms mountain lion sighting Another mountain lion has been confirmed in Missouri.The cat killed an adult elk Sept. 12 in Shannon County, the Missouri Department of Conservation announced Friday. It's the 14th confirmed mount... September 25, 2023

Four seriously injured in Morgan County collision Four people were seriously injured in a head-on collision Saturday evening in Morgan County.Christopher Black, 48, of Versailles, was driving a 2010 GMC Terrain southbound on Missouri Route 135 with M... September 25, 2023

Blue Tigers gearing up for homecoming week Lincoln University is gearing up for Homecoming week.A gospel concert, step show and downtown parade are among highlights leading up to the Oct. 7 Homecoming game against Northeastern State University... September 24, 2023

LU selects new professional studies dean A new dean will oversee some of Lincoln University’s top professional programs.DeNeia Thomas was selected to serve as dean of the college of professional studies, the university announced Thursd... September 23, 2023

Highway Patrol promotes pay, variety of jobs during career expo Better compensation and a variety of career fields were at the forefront of recruitment messaging Thursday from the Missouri Highway Patrol.The state law enforcement agency hosted a large-scale career... September 22, 2023

LU Extension to offer estate planning workshops Lincoln University Cooperative Extension will host comprehensive estate planning workshops beginning in November.Small ruminant specialist Homero Salinas is planning a series of workshops to share how... September 21, 2023

News Tribune to move offices The Jefferson City News Tribune will be moving.The building that houses the newspaper’s central office has been sold, WEHCO Media Inc., owner of the News Tribune, announced to staff members Wednesday.... September 20, 2023

Missouri Auditor finds errors in state agency finances Audits of eight state government agencies found more than a dozen errors related to financial reporting and the administration of federal funds in fiscal year 2022.Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick d... September 20, 2023

Federal grant to provide Missouri student support services A $5 million federal grant will help Missouri remove barriers to entering high-demand career fields.The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development announced Friday it was one of... September 20, 2023

Missouri National Guard promotes area man to lieutenant colonel The Missouri Capitol is "a beautiful place" to Richard Holtmeyer.Holtmeyer, 45, was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard and pinned by his brother a... September 19, 2023

MDC searching for Governor’s Mansion tree The holiday season is just around the corner.And the Missouri Department of Conservation is searching for the Governor's Mansion Christmas tree. Homeowners, landowners, businesses and communities ... September 19, 2023

Thousands flock to inaugural air show Jefferson City Memorial Airport roared with the sounds of jet engines and large crowds over the weekend.An estimated 10,000 people poured onto the tarmac Saturday and Sunday for the inaugural Show Me ... September 18, 2023

Color run gives veterans chance to connect In a puff of red and blue smoke, runners took off down the Jefferson City Greenway.Approximately 75 people joined Sunday's Red, White and Blue 5K Color Run, an annual fundraiser to support classes... September 18, 2023

Eldon License Office under new management The Eldon License Office will close Monday and Tuesday for a new operator to get settled in. The Missouri Department of Revenue oversees license offices but leaves the day-to-day operation to independ... September 15, 2023

MDC encouraging hunters to share turkey feathers, deer harvest The Missouri Department of Conservation has two requests from hunters this season: turkey feathers and a giving spirit.The fall archery season begins today and kicks off the 2023-24 deer and turkey hu... September 15, 2023

State Senate stonewalls House veto action For many lawmakers in the General Assembly, Wednesday's veto session was over before it started. The Missouri House and Senate convened to consider overriding vetoes Gov. Mike Parson issued after the ... September 14, 2023

State unemployment rate hits 2.8 percent Missouri's unemployment rate in August was its highest so far this year. Employment declined by 13,700 jobs in August and the state's unemployment rate increased from 2.7 percent to 2.8 percent, accor... September 14, 2023

MoDOT busy with construction ahead of I-70 project Roadways are experiencing "one of the busiest construction seasons we've had in Missouri," according to Ed Hassinger, deputy director and chief engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation. ... September 13, 2023

New appointment gives women Missouri Supreme Court majority For the first time since its founding, the Supreme Court of Missouri consists of mostly women.Kelly Broniec was selected to join the state's highest court, Gov. Mike Parson announced Tuesday. Bron... September 13, 2023

Local PAC raised over $7,800 to defeat library levy issue A political action committee generated more than $7,800 to defeat a local tax increase in August.More than half the money came from a single business -- Continental Investment LLC.Cole County Concerne... September 13, 2023

Appellate judge elevated to Missouri Supreme Court Kelly Broniec will be the newest judge to serve on the Supreme Court of Missouri.Gov. Mike Parson announced his selection in a press conference Tuesday. Broniec most recently served as chief judge of ... September 12, 2023

Capitol master plan tabled Discussion on how to proceed with a $755 million renovation of the Missouri Capitol building has been tabled. The Missouri State Capitol Commission is planning a sweeping interior renovation project t... September 12, 2023

Area first responders get treated to chicken dinner Paramedic Abigail Wise thinks she's found a home. Wise joined Cole County EMS in August and commutes from Troy. She spent Sunday with her daughter exploring the Capital City and its fire and EMS stati... September 11, 2023

Iberia motorcyclist hospitalized after crash An Iberia motorcyclist was hospitalized after colliding with two vehicles Saturday morning in Miller County. Timothy Barnett, 31, was driving a 1984 Kawasaki motorcycle westbound on Missouri Highway 4... September 11, 2023

Charity hockey game returns to Capital City Veterans took to the ice Sunday in support of one of their own. The Washington Park Ice Arena enjoyed a steady crowd for the I-70 Warrior Showdown -- a charity hockey tournament featuring teams made u... September 11, 2023

Missouri sets goal to achieve universal internet service Every household in Missouri should have access to high speed internet within the next five years. The goal is front and center in a five-year action plan the Missouri Office of Broadband Development r... September 9, 2023

LU curators call for accountability on campus construction projects Lincoln University is racing the clock on a couple campus renovation projects. The university has a half-dozen construction and renovation projects in various stages of development, said Jeff Barlow, ... September 8, 2023

LU students encouraged to leave lasting legacy Starting college can be a leap of faith, according to Lincoln University alum Samantha Thomas. The key, she said, is to use the opportunity to craft "a legacy that you want to leave." Thomas offered t... September 8, 2023

Retirement bills offer legislative fixes Sometimes, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said, lawmakers need to fix mistakes through legislation.Two omnibus retirement bills passed by the General Assembly this year are prime examples, he said, while s... September 7, 2023

State tax revenue declines early in fiscal year Missouri's tax revenue is lagging behind the pace set last fiscal year.State Budget Director Dan Haug announced updated general revenue figures Tuesday, which provide a snapshot of state tax colle... September 7, 2023

Meta receives state grant for stormwater upgrades An influx of state funds will be used to improve stormwater drainage in the town of Meta.Meta received a $381,377 Community Development Block Grant for stormwater drainage system improvements, the Mis... September 6, 2023

State warns of cattle poisonings tied to grazing conditions Missouri agriculture officials are urging producers to monitor cattle grazing after a string of suspected poison deaths.Farmers throughout the state have reported cattle deaths after grazing in pastur... September 6, 2023

Missouri Farm Bureau: Amended water regulation still flawed Federal water regulators recently unveiled an updated rule to protect public water from contaminants.But it's a nonstarter for Missouri's agriculture producers, according to the Missouri Farm ... September 5, 2023

Missouri prisons restrict reading material orders Friends and family can no longer order reading material for inmates at Missouri prisons.The Missouri Department of Corrections announced the policy change Aug. 25 in its Family and Friends Newsletter.... September 5, 2023

Jefferson City native finds niche at Wolfner Library Lori Brown has always known she would work for the state.She was born and raised in the Capital City and her family portraits were all taken at the Capitol. As a little girl, she would pretend the mas... September 5, 2023

Two motorcyclists injured in separate accidents A 71-year-old Centertown motorcyclist was injured in a two-vehicle collision Saturday evening in Cole County. Gregory Schnieders, 71, was driving a 2002 Honda VTX 1800 motorcycle westbound on Business... September 4, 2023

State building two new facilities in Jefferson City The state is erecting two new buildings in Jefferson City, both to assist with internal operations of government agencies.The Missouri Office of Administration is building a $2.3 million grounds maint... September 3, 2023

JCCC assault generates questions from loved ones People with loved ones at Jefferson City Correctional Center are frustrated by a lack of information coming out of the prison. Following an alleged attack on a correctional officer Aug. 22, some have ... September 1, 2023

Highway Patrol to host career expo State troopers, driving inspectors and office clerks are some of the positions the Missouri Highway Patrol is looking to fill. The Highway Patrol is hosting a career expo from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday,... September 1, 2023

Prison inmates find purpose with Puppies for Parole Joe Denti has trained more than 50 dogs from his cell at Jefferson City Correctional Center.When he first met Hank, a 14-month-old goldendoodle, the dog was nervous, underweight and wouldn't let p... August 31, 2023

State auditor calls on Missouri lawmakers to rein in retailer tax discount Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is calling for a cap on the amount of taxpayer dollars businesses retain.The state auditor reviews the Missouri Department of Revenue's sales and use tax annuall... August 30, 2023

Missouri prisons schedule job, resource fairs Missouri prisons are hosting resource and job fairs through the end of the year.And second chance employers are encouraged to get involved.The Missouri Department of Corrections has a dozen resource a... August 30, 2023