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With the increase in costs squeezing agricultural operations, some farmers and ranchers are getting creative to survive. A Missouri rancher turned her property into a thriving short-term rental for horseback riding lessons, helping her hold onto the place she’s called home for more than 40 years. Now, a new grant program aims to help others do the same. -
airborne77/Adobe Stock/Missouri News ServiceMissouri families trying to stretch their grocery dollars do not necessarily have to sacrifice nutrition. A leading health organization says lower-cost proteins, whole grains, and frozen or canned produce can form the foundation of affordable, heart-healthy meals.
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Illinois rural school districts urge lawmakers to address shortages in healthcare and mental health resources as they prepare for new universal student mental health screening requirements. The balancing act coincides with work to support students amid limited access to providers. -
A national campaign is gaining support from Missouri small-business leaders seeking to permanently eliminate the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting requirement, or B-O-I. The mandate requires companies to report personal information about their owners and controllers to help authorities identify shell companies used in financial crimes. -
Missouri supporters of the YouthBuild program say federal funding cuts could make it harder for young adults to earn a diploma, gain job skills, and build a path to long-term employment. -
Rural health advocates encourage men to prioritize regular checkups and screenings to improve long-term health. They say men in rural areas often experience worse health outcomes due to chronic disease, limited healthcare access, and cultural attitudes that discourage preventive care. -
Illinois continues to rank above most states in child well-being, but education and health outcomes remain a concern, according to the new Kids Count Data Book. The report highlights declining reading and math proficiency and school enrollment, and rising child and teen death rates. -
Cuts proposed in the next federal budget could impact a nationwide river program active across Missouri waterways, including the Mississippi River north of St. Louis. Conservation groups say the effort improves water quality, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation while generating strong returns for taxpayers. -
![Gov. Mike Kehoe acknowledged some Montgomery County residents' concerns about electricity prices and environmental impacts at the announcement in High Hill of a Google data center this week, but said the company had "done [the] work to ensure that their growth does not come at the expense of the community this center calls home."](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e341a42/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1536x856+0+36/resize/280x156!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F4d%2F2d75fb124257a24c5611fa6ee413%2Fimg-4183-1536x921.jpeg)
Supporters say the $15 billion project will bring jobs and tax revenue. Some residents say no one asked them. -
Missouri residents searching for relief from rising insurance premiums are exploring new Farm Bureau health plans. But unlike ACA coverage, applicants can still be denied based on their medical history. -
SEMO board approves 3.6% tuition and fee hike, textbook rental increases, and academic restructuring that merges departments and creates new schools and a center. -
Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce leaders, Jackson Chamber of Commerce leaders, CGI Airport Manager JoJo Stuart, Cape Girardeau City Councilman Nate Thomas, and other community members pose for a picture commemorating the inaugural Contour Airlines flight to Pensacola, Florida.
![Gov. Mike Kehoe acknowledged some Montgomery County residents' concerns about electricity prices and environmental impacts at the announcement in High Hill of a Google data center this week, but said the company had "done [the] work to ensure that their growth does not come at the expense of the community this center calls home."](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d40aacb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1536x856+0+36/resize/560x312!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F4d%2F2d75fb124257a24c5611fa6ee413%2Fimg-4183-1536x921.jpeg)
