States ease child labor laws ahead of summer hiring season
A fast food restaurant advertises jobs on the first day of summer. The Economic Policy Institute found a handful of…
Business
17 GOP AGs sue California over single-use plastics law
A lawsuit led by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, a Republican, alleges that California’s single-use plastics law will drive up…
Mildly blue or a blue tsunami? 9 states will decide if Dems flip control of U.S. Senate
Maine’s Graham Platner is the Democratic candidate for what’s considered one of the nation’s most competitive battles for the U.S.…
The drawer problem: Why so many of us can’t let go of our old electronics, and what we can do about it
This look familiar? Peter Dazeley/Photodisc via Getty Images Think about the last smartphone, tablet or smartwatch you stopped using. Odds…
60-day clock starts for negotiations with Iran over strait, nuclear future
Vice President JD Vance speaks during a news conference at the White House on June 18, 2026. Vance is expected…
What the 1.5% actually buys: A promise of quality for Missouri families
(Spenser Heaps/Utah News Dispatch) A recent commentary in The Missouri Independent asked what the Missouri Charter Public School commission (MCPSC)…
Why corporate inclusion policies are moral decisions, not just business ones
Executives are facing pressure from boards, employees, regulators and consumers to either defend or abandon diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.…
Seat the rich! World Cup ticket inflation reflects widening gap between haves and have-nots
In 1994, the last time U.S. stadiums hosted the World Cup, an average ticket cost US$58. The most expensive ticket…
Black families fall further behind on homeownership
Some cities and states are trying to boost Black homeownership, which dropped to a 60-year low even before the economic…
Few school districts in state used a COVID testing program for which vendor was paid $16 million
A Boston biotech company was paid more than $16 million in Missouri for its work operating a little-used COVID testing…
Hearing aids available without a prescription, as 2017 law takes effect
Starting Monday, consumers will be able to buy hearing aids directly off store shelves and at dramatically lower prices as…
Missouri AFL-CIO endorses marijuana legalization constitutional amendment
The push to legalize recreational marijuana has won the endorsement of Missouri’s largest labor union. Missouri AFL-CIO president Jake Hummel…
Scattershot polling leaves both sides of Missouri marijuana campaign optimistic
A pair of polls in recent weeks found voters closely divided over the question of whether Missouri should legalize recreational…
Parson signs $764 million income tax cut, rural incentives package
Gov. Mike Parson signed on Wednesday an income tax cut and a package of incentives targeting rural economic projects into…
Missouri lawmakers pass rural incentives bill as special session draws to a close
Missouri lawmakers wrapped up their special session Tuesday when the state Senate overwhelmingly approved a $40 million package of incentives…
Ameren Missouri launches new solar energy project in north St. Louis
PENROSE – Ameren Missouri is planning a large-scale solar installation in north city as part of its Neighborhood Solar program,…