Missouri Independent

The Missouri Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics, and policy. It is staffed by veteran Missouri reporters and is dedicated to its mission of relentless investigative journalism that sheds light on how decisions in Jefferson City are made and their impact on individuals across the Show-Me State.

The Independent's journalists adhere to the ethics guidelines of the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Press Photographers Association, as well as the practices embraced by organizations like the Associated Press, ProPublica, and The Center for Investigative Reporting.

The Independent is a member of the Missouri Capitol News Association and a “Friend of the Missouri Press” member of the Missouri Press Association.

The Independent is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The newsroom retains full editorial independence, and all editorial decisions are made by the journalists.

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Bipartisan group of lawmakers push to restrict foreign ownership of Missouri farmland

Missouri opened up 1% of its agricultural land to foreign ownership in 2013. The federal government estimates it has already surpassed that.

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Three cars parked outside the Scotland County Hospital in rural Missouri

Ten rural Missouri hospitals closed since 2012. Scotland County hopes to avoid that fate

Rural hospitals across the country are facing difficult choices as they struggle for financial solvency.

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Missouri_governor_parsons

Missouri governor signs $764 million income tax cut, rural incentives package

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday signed an income tax cut and a package of incentives targeting rural economic projects.

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Three Missouri lawmakers stand behind a wooden podium during a news conference

Missouri lawmakers push ahead on tax cuts, rural credits in special session

Missouri lawmakers are moving swiftly to complete the special session agenda set by Gov. Mike Parson.

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A farmer in a brown coat walks through a brown grassy field

Clash over climate change funding emerging in farm bill debate

Lawmakers rewrite the farm bill every five years to set policy and funding for agriculture, conservation and nutrition programs. But, the 2023 bill could include climate change funding.

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Pigs in a Smithfield barn.

Missouri Supreme Court weighs whether counties can regulate CAFOs

The Missouri Supreme Court will weigh whether a state law prohibiting local governments from enacting regulations on CAFOs violates the Missouri Constitution.

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