South County Mail

Missouri and the World

Maria Santiago

Timber work to temporarily close part of shooting range

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Timber improvement work underway at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Flag Spring Conservation Area (CA) in Barry County will cause a temporary closure of a portion of the unstaffed shooting range at this area.

Beginning Monday, April 14, the rifle/pistol portion of the range will be closed. This closure will continue until April 24, at which time the range will resume regular hours.

The shotgun range, which is located on another part of the area, will remain open. The shotgun portion of the Flag Spring unstaffed range is designed for shooting sporting clays and is not designed for patterning shotguns for turkey hunting. [Read more…] about Timber work to temporarily close part of shooting range

Columbia Police arrest man after standoff for making threats with weapon

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At about 8:30 a.m. April 11, Columbia Police responded to calls that a man was threatening people with a weapon in the 100 block of North Stadium Boulevard.

Through their investigation, police officers identified the man as Michael Whited, 59, of Columbia. A standoff with Whited ensued for several hours at his residence.

Due to the potential risk to public safety, the Columbia Police Department prioritized the safety of all involved and deployed its Crisis Negotiation Team and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team to the scene. Whited was taken into custody without injury, injury to officers or injury to the public. [Read more…] about Columbia Police arrest man after standoff for making threats with weapon

Independence voters make history with passage of first-ever ‘General Obligation’ bond

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Voters in the city of Independence, Missouri have “handpicked” projects proposed in the City of Independence’s first-ever general obligation (G.O.) bond, paving the way for targeted investments while leaving some projects unfunded – for now.

On Tuesday, voters approved select portions of the $197 million bond package – demonstrating residents’ desire for investment in infrastructure and a call for continued conversations about other critical needs.

“This is a historic moment for Independence – and we know history,” City Manager Zach Walker said. “This is the first time we’ve ever considered a general obligation bond, and this is a true victory. Make no mistake: this is a major step forward and we’re going to make the most of it.” [Read more…] about Independence voters make history with passage of first-ever ‘General Obligation’ bond

Missouri at risk: How Trump’s tariffs could hit farming, manufacturing, and logistics

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By South County Mail Staff Writer

As global markets continue to tumble in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs, industries across Missouri – from soybean fields to factory floors – are bracing for impact.

The tariffs, which have triggered retaliation from key trading partners like China and the European Union, are expected to hit especially hard in states like Missouri that rely heavily on exports, manufacturing supply chains, and freight logistics. [Read more…] about Missouri at risk: How Trump’s tariffs could hit farming, manufacturing, and logistics

What are tariffs? A quick explainer for Missouri readers

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Tariffs are taxes placed on goods that are imported from other countries. When the US government imposes tariffs, it’s essentially making those foreign goods more expensive. The idea is to encourage Americans to buy more products made in the US.

Why use tariffs?

Governments typically use tariffs to:

  • Protect domestic industries from cheaper foreign competition
  • Punish or pressure other countries during trade disputes
  • Generate revenue

What’s the downside?

While tariffs might protect certain American industries in the short term, they often lead to:

  • Higher prices for consumers
  • Retaliation from other countries, which can hurt US exports
  • Supply chain disruptions, especially for manufacturers

Risk and reward

Tariffs can be helpful in some cases, but they also carry serious risks – especially when they’re used on a large scale or without coordination with allies.

Trump’s new tariffs send markets into freefall: What it means for Missouri and the nation

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Wall Street reels as global sell-off intensifies; economists warn of recession ahead

By South County Mail Staff Writer

Global markets took a nosedive late last week after former President Donald Trump announced a sweeping new set of tariffs – and the financial shockwaves are being felt from New York to Missouri.

The US stock market saw its worst losses in years on Friday, with the S&P 500 dropping 6 percent, the Dow Jones falling 5.5 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq losing nearly 6 percent. As markets open this Monday morning, April 7, investors across the country – including here in South County – are bracing for more potential losses. [Read more…] about Trump’s new tariffs send markets into freefall: What it means for Missouri and the nation

Flooding devastates Midwest. Missouri among hardest hit

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Severe storms and relentless rainfall have battered large swaths of the Midwest and South in recent days, leaving a trail of destruction, rising floodwaters, and at least 18 people dead across several states.

Missouri is among the hardest hit, with emergency officials warning that the worst may not be over as rivers continue to swell and additional rain looms in the forecast.

According to the National Weather Service, parts of Missouri have received more than 10 inches of rain since Friday, leading to widespread flash flooding, road closures, and water rescues. [Read more…] about Flooding devastates Midwest. Missouri among hardest hit

Millions take part in nationwide and international protests against Trump and Musk

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More than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations took place across the United States, uniting thousands in opposition to the policies and actions of President Donald Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk.

The protests, which took place on April 5, were held in various settings, from small towns to major cities and state capitals.

The “Hands Off!” movement was organized by a coalition of over 150 civil rights organizations, labor unions, and advocacy groups. Protesters voiced their discontent with the administration’s policies, including significant cuts to social programs like Social Security and Medicaid, mass layoffs of federal employees, and perceived attacks on democratic institutions. [Read more…] about Millions take part in nationwide and international protests against Trump and Musk

More than 50 nations ask for trade negotiations over sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump

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​In response to the recently imposed tariffs by President Donald Trump, over 50 nations have approached the US administration to initiate trade negotiations. These tariffs, which include a 10 percent levy on most US imports and higher rates for approximately 60 countries, have led to significant market volatility and raised concerns about a potential global recession.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that addressing unfair trade practices is a complex process that cannot be resolved quickly. He stated that the US must evaluate the offers from these countries to determine their credibility.

The administration’s stance has elicited mixed reactions. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asserted that the tariffs are non-negotiable and will be implemented as planned, highlighting the necessity of these measures to rectify unfair global trade practices and bolster domestic manufacturing.  [Read more…] about More than 50 nations ask for trade negotiations over sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump

Senator Hawley backs Trump’s new tariff plan, calls it ‘a win for Missouri workers’

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Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has voiced strong support for former President Donald Trump’s newly announced trade policy, which includes sweeping tariffs aimed at addressing what Trump describes as an “economic emergency”.

On Thursday, Trump unveiled a broad proposal that would impose elevated tariffs on dozens of countries with significant trade surpluses with the United States.

The plan includes a blanket 10 percent tax on all imports, as well as targeted increases such as a 34 percent tariff on Chinese goods and a 20 percent tariff on imports from the European Union, according to the Associated Press. [Read more…] about Senator Hawley backs Trump’s new tariff plan, calls it ‘a win for Missouri workers’