AREA NEWS

Missouri Division of Tourism Encourages Destinations and AttractionsTo Take Advantage of Online Resources and Entice Visitors Great Vacation Ideas Available at www.VisitMO.com JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., June 4, 2009 —With the summer travel season in full force, the Missouri Division of Tourism is stepping up its efforts to help Missouri destinations and attractions promote themselves to value-conscious…

Division of Fire Safety Aims for Safe Summer Amusement Rides Season JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri’s Division of Fire Safety is already busy conducting “spot” safety inspections of carnival and other amusement rides to help ensure a safe summer season. The Division, a part of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, has responsibility for oversight and…

 Fire ants may be hiding in imported hay COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farmers who bought hay from parts of the southern U.S. may have accidentally brought along a nasty visitor. The imported fire ant, an aggressive, stinging insect native to South America, has infested more than 380 million acres in at least 13 states, according…

Health and safety advocates advise against consumer fireworks NFPA announces new PSAs to highlight dangers Quincy, Mass. – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is releasing a series of video Public Service Announcements (PSAs) today to highlight the dangers associated with consumer fireworks. NFPA is the coordinator and co-founder of the Alliance to Stop Consumer…

TEXT to give today! June 5 through June 7, 2009 only Text “FIGHT” to 20222 To make an instant $5 donation to the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer « Get out your mobile phone. « Text “FIGHT” to 20222. « Respond “YES” when asked to confirm the donation. « Text a friend and ask…

 McCaskill Statement on GM Bankruptcy WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today made the following statement about General Motors’ (GM) announcement that the company is filing for bankruptcy protection.  GM’s announcement comes just weeks after Chrysler entered bankruptcy.  GM employs thousands of Missourians at its plant in Wentzville as well as at its plant…

AARP Pushes Lawmakers to Improve Long-Term Care Legislation would allow more Americans to get services at home KANSAS CITY, MO ‹ As lawmakers return to Washington to tackle health care reform, AARP is pressing them to improve the country’s long-term care system as a part of comprehensive reform.  Millions of older Americans rely on Medicaid…

USDA SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TO REPAIR RURAL HOUSING Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to intermediaries to help low- and very-low-income rural residents repair their homes.             “Housing is a cornerstone of any thriving, stable community,” Vilsack said.  “As the Obama administration works to ensure that people remain…

BOND: C-17 WIN APPEARS IMMINENT Senator Continues Fight for Super Hornet                  WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kit Bond today cheered the news that a tentative agreement on the final troops funding bill includes $2.2 billion to keep the C-17 airlift line in production.  Since President Obama announced his decision to close our nation’s…

MCCASKILL GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT Missouri gets $4.8 million in stimulus funding for floodplain restoration U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing the state of Missouri with a total of $4,817,131 in federal formula grant dollars to acquire floodplain easements and restore the land to its natural state…