Local plants might find a silver lining with the recent drought.

The Japanese beetle, an invasive species with no natural predators and no simple way to kill off, can be affected by the recent dry weather. This could be a boon for gardeners who otherwise have no good way to fight off this growing pest. Without a natural predator, a species like this will continue to grow and thrive.

Missouri Department of Conservation’s Forest Entomologist Rob Lawrence says the dry weather affects their larval stages the most.

The price of beef and pork will continue to climb this year, according to an agricultural economist at the University of Missouri.

Ron Plain says the supply of meat being produced in the United States is down due to the drought and high feed costs.

“That’s meant record costs of production on the farm for raising livestock and a lot of red ink and producers have responded by downsizing their herd somewhat and that means less meat,” Plain said.

The USDA predicts there will be 1.3% less red meat and poultry produced this year as compared to last year.

Republicans in the Missouri House are making another attempt to pass legislation that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls. No one testified in favor of the proposal at a House hearing on Tuesday.

Everyone who testified either opposed requiring photo IDs for voting or were neutral.  It would allow anyone who does not have a photo ID to vote with a provisional ballot, which would not be counted until the voter’s identity is verified.  

John Scott with the Secretary of State’s office says that would still repress Missouri voters.

Governor Jay Nixon pitched a nearly $26 billion budget to the state of Missouri during Monday’s State of the State Address.  It includes spending increases for K-through-12 schools, Higher Education, and the proposed Medicaid expansion he’s been calling for since late November.  

After 14 years in business, Buckner Brewing Company will close Sunday.

In a news release given Monday the restaurant and microbrewery owners, Phil Brinson and Mark Sprigg, made the difficult decision to serve their last beer on February 3. Sprigg wants to move away to be closer to family, while Brinson will focus on his attention towards his venture, Jeremiah’s, in Sikeston.

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) has made changes to the initiative petition process.

Effective immediately, the Secretary of State’s office will begin posting initiative petitions to its website before the summary language is written.  Kander has also authorized 5-day comment periods that will begin the same day the initiative petitions are posted.