The move will bring staff closer to those they serve and help the department cut costs, according to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Ceilidh Kern
Ceilidh Kern was The Beacon’s Missouri statehouse reporter. She came to The Beacon from the Jefferson City News Tribune, where she covered state and county government. Before that, she covered a variety of beats for the Columbia Missourian, Kansas City Flatland and Euractiv. A Maryland native, she came to Missouri to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she studied journalism, political science and environmental health and graduated in 2024.
Posted inState Government
‘Another kick in the butt’: Kehoe cuts funding for KC-area programs, projects
The governor’s cuts included money for tutoring programs, road infrastructure improvements, workforce development, food assistance and arts organizations.
Posted inEducation
Child care ‘is like paying a mortgage.’ New cost-sharing program is here to help
By splitting the cost of child care between families, their employers, local funders and the state, the program hopes to ease families’ financial burden while supporting the child care industry and economy.
Posted inMissouri
‘Gas on a fire’: As Missouri prepares for sports betting, bankruptcies and suicides could rise, experts warn
After a slow start, Missouri is on track to launch sports betting by December. What does that mean for 1 million Missourians at risk of gambling addiction?
Posted inState Government
Missouri’s special session has come to an end. Here’s what lawmakers passed.
Despite tensions and division, the legislature passed all three of the governor’s initial priorities within two weeks.
Posted inState Government
‘There’s still work to be done’: Missouri lawmakers return for special session to debate stadium funding and more
After a tense end to the regular session, lawmakers are coming back to Jefferson City for a special session to vote on stadium funding, disaster relief and construction projects.
Posted inState Government
Is bipartisanship dead in Missouri? Democrats ponder options after Senate breaks down over abortion and paid sick leave
After months of improving cooperation and goodwill, a single move brought it all crashing down.
Posted inState Government
Missouri Supreme Court to decide on marijuana ‘tax stacking.’ Here’s what that means for your wallet.
The court weighs arguments from dispensaries and counties about the legality of both cities and counties taxing marijuana sales.
Posted inState Government
Missouri legislature repeals paid sick leave, puts abortion access back on ballot
After months of filibusters and negotiations, a rarely used legislative tactic forced votes.
Posted inState Government
Amid dozens of bills, Missouri lawmakers’ hopes of restricting abortion access ride on one
Whether it can pass is still up for debate.