By Ray McCarty Missouri’s farmers play a vital role in bolstering our state’s economy and its food supply. They help feed families across the state, support thousands of jobs, and serve as the backbone of rural communities. But according to a recent letter to the editor by Blake Hurst, former president of the Missouri Farm Bureau and a third-generation farmer, that foundation is facing a growing threat. In his piece, published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Hurst outlines c

December 29, 2025 - As lawmakers prepare to return to Jefferson City for the 2026 legislative session, Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is urging them to take immediate action to curb the trend of deficit spending before the state's General Revenue Fund is drained to critically low levels and drastic, emergency budget cuts become necessary. Fitzpatrick released a new report of the state's spending trends that shows Missouri's General Revenue Fund balance, which had c

By Mike Karbo, Midwest Regional Director, American Petroleum Institute Mike Karbo, American Petroleum Institute December 19, 2025 - Here in the Midwest, we know what it means to build. From factories to farms, bridges to broadband, progress comes from work, not red tape. But for decades, that spirit of American progress has been slowed by a federal permitting system that no longer meets the needs of the people of Missouri and across the country.  Across the nation, energy and

By Brad Young, Harris Young Kayser This is a situation that arises on a weekly basis: should we obtain surveillance on a claimant? As you can see from this decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals in September 2025, surveillance can have an enormous impact on the outcome of a claim. Case Summary: Byers v. New Prime The claimant suffered a compensable accident and presented both medical and vocational evidence that he was permanently and totally disabled. The employer had

November 18, 2025 - Today, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) announced the release of workers’ compensation rates for employers for 2026. While the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) proposed a slight 1.3% increase for 2026 workers’ compensation loss costs, this marks only the second increase in the past six years as Missouri continues to see a long-term downward trend in workplace injury frequency. “Missouri employers continue to benefit

(L to R) The Honorable Chief Judge Stephen Clark, Jerry Hunter's daughter Olivia Hunter, and Jerry Hunter The Eighth Circuit Bar Association said in a release dated October 17, 2025, the “Richard S. Arnold Award for Distinguished Service” was recently awarded by the Eighth Circuit Bar Association to Jerry M. Hunter. Mr. Hunter previously served as Chairman of the Board of Associated Industries of Missouri and is currently a Chairman Emeritus of that organization. Hunter is Se

October 1, 2025 - The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives presented Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of...

September 29, 2025 - Last Friday, U.S. Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) toured two high-tech Joplin manufacturing facilities during his...

Missouri S&T’s Protoplex  invites you to a free, one-day training on Casting Replacement: Expanding Your Toolkit with Advanced...