Stories from Saturday, May 30, 2020

The City of Chicago fines and threatens to demolish churches that hold services; a federal appeals court upholds California’s ban on in-person church services; a pastor in Florida is arrested for holding services in defiance of a “safer-at-home” order. In the last few weeks, we have seen how quickly and completely governments can infringe upon the religious freedoms of Americans...

“It’s a very strange time to come into a new job. No one can prepare you for how to come in to a new position during a global crisis. There’s no handbook to go through.” Even so, Morgan McIntosh has gone into her new position as executive director of Downtown Poplar Bluff Inc. at full speed...

Ryan Lee Deschamp, 34, of the 500 block of Vaden was booked Friday, May 29 at the Butler County jail to serve 48 hours of shock time. _ Sheila Margaret Houston, 22, of Tuckerman, Arkansas, was booked Friday, May 29, at the Butler County jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance...

While one fishing tournament scheduled for this weekend had to be canceled, another will go on as planned as more and more things return to a hectic normal. The Current River Smallmouth Association will fish out of the Watercress ramp at Van Buren Saturday...

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites the public to get hooked on fishing through its Free Fishing Days June 6 and 7. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual MDC event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June...

JEFFERSON CITY — Interested in turkey hunting, managing land for wild-turkey habitat, trends in Missouri turkey numbers, and what MDC is doing to improve wild turkey management? Join the upcoming MDC live webcast to learn more, and comment in June. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites the public to join its live Wild Webcast on Wild Turkeys and Turkey Management on Wednesday, June 3, at noon to 1 p.m. ...

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Governor Mike Parson today signed Executive Order 20-11 to declare that a State of Emergency exists in Missouri due to civil unrest. The Missouri National Guard and the Missouri Highway Patrol stand ready to support local authorities...

It might be the first time this has happened. We’re holding our school and municipal elections in June. Voters need to go to their polling places Tuesday. Yes, we said need. We all need to get out and help decide our own futures. It’s one of those moments that really is in our hands. With the stroke of a pen, you can help decide who will run your city, or your school district...