St. James

Completion of I-44 construction between Rolla and St. James will be delayed

Jonathan Ahl

Problems with the concrete and joints in the new eastbound lanes means the projected opening at the end of September will be pushed back.

A student at Oakville Elementary School eats his lunch. Preliminary data on the national lunch program shows schools served almost 130 million fewer free or reduced price meals in the fall of 2022 compared to the same time period right before the pandemic.

Education

More schools can now offer free meals after federal policy change, but cost is still a burden

Kate Grumke

A change in USDA policy will make it easier for schools to offer free meals to all students, but they will still have to pay for part of the cost.

Hops growing in a test plot near Bradford, MO.

Economy & Business

Missouri-Grown Hops Could Flavor Craft Beer

Jonathan Ahl

Craft brewers pride themselves on being local, but one of their main ingredients comes from far away. Missouri-grown hops could be an option.

A flyer encouraging voters to approve the use tax in Phelps County and the City of Rolla. 10/24/19

Government, Politics & Issues

Phelps County Voters Will Decide On Collecting Local Tax On Online Sales

Jonathan Ahl

ROLLA — Phelps County and its two largest cities have only one question on the ballot Nov. 5 — whether to start collecting a tax for online sales known as…

Phil Cohen with two of the toy trucks he made when he started woodworking. It was his escape from a life of drugs and crime, and now he hires people with similar backgrounds to work at his business.

Economy & Business

St. James Business Owner Builds His Company With Second-Chance Employees

Jonathan Ahl

Phil Cohen didn’t think anyone would want to work for him at the cabinetry company he opened in St. James in 2004. He was recovering from being addicted…