November 2021

WASHINGTON – Missouri remains the U.S. population center. Since 1980, the center site has varied, moving east across Missouri: 1980, DeSoto; 1990, Steelville; 2000, Edgar Springs; and 2010, Plato, near Springfield. The new center is Hartville, based on the 2020 census count of everyone who lived in the United States on April 1, 2020. The center of population is the place where an imaginary, flat, weightless and rigid map of

MARYVILLE – At least 250 members of the Spartan Army – most wearing red and many coming out of their seats to scream – rocked the house during Richmond’s 49-23 quarterfinal win Nov. 20 at Maryville.

High-speed internet is critical to competing in the 21st-century economy, providing educational opportunities to underserved communities and simply enjoying the wonders of the digital era we live in today. Broadband has become essential infrastructure in an ever-evolving world, similar to electricity in the early to mid-20th century. And just like electricity in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, it is important that government work to ensure every American in every community has access to this critical infrastructure, so that students can study from home, seniors can access telehealth services and families can simply enjoy movie nights through online streaming services. While corporate CEOs may not see the profit in providing this service to folks living on farms outside of the small towns, I certainly see the benefit to our country and that’s why I’ve fought so hard over the years for federal funding to expand broadband to these communities. And I’m thankful the Richmond Daily News has taken notice. (Publisher’s note: The Exclesior Springs Standard has taken notice, too.)

When I was just turning 40, with two young children and a full-time job, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I had never seen her sick a day in my life.