News

The Supreme Court has upheld President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul plan — the Affordable Care Act. In a 5-4 decision on Thursday, the Court determined that although Congress didn’t have the power of commerce to force Americans to buy health insurance, Congress does have the power to implement a tax. And in this case, the Court finds the penalty for not buying health insurance by 2014 to be a valid tax.

As temperatures heat up throughout Boone County the Department of Health and Human Services is making sure everyone can cool down when they need to. The department established nine cooling centers in Columbia that serve as an air conditioned place where people can go when they need relief from the heat. Public Information Officer Genalee Alexander says the centers are located in convenient locations.

Top Missouri Republicans say they have no intention of expanding Medicaid eligibility as a result of the Supreme Court's ruling on the federal health care law.

The high court struck down a provision Thursday that threatened states with the loss of existing federal Medicaid dollars if they refuse to expand coverage to adults earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. That ruling essentially makes the expansion optional for states.

House Majority Leader Tim Jones says the Republican-led Legislature will not consider the expansion.

Missouri is next on the list to create a state chapter of a national organization that lobbies for strong separation of religion and government. 

The most popular website in Malaysia is an enigma – an online newspaper that’s thriving in a country where freedom of the press has always been suffocated.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the public comment period is ending for the Jameson Island project near Arrow Rock – the project is intended to improve Missouri River wildlife habitat at a site in central Missouri. The public comment period ends Saturday.

Conversations about reestablishing service on the 27-mile rail line between Mexico and Fulton have been ongoing for the past decade. The line has been out of service since the late 1990’s when it failed to generate enough business to stay running. In 2007 the project became more feasible when new owner Mike Williams showed an interest in developing the line. President of the Fulton Area Development Corporation Bruce Hackmann says progress has been made but many details of the project remain unsolved.

Columbia officials are seeking feedback from the public on TIFs – or Tax Increment Financing, and its impact on the city. 

Legislators last year approved a tax deduction for small businesses based on each job they add. This year's measure is designed to clarify the types of businesses that can claim the deduction.