February 2026

Attorney General Hanaway obtains Medicaid fraud conviction against Medicaid recipient, attendants for services billed while in jail

MO State News, News /

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) obtained Medicaid Fraud convictions against Medicaid recipient Ronale Rankins and his attendants, Charlene Otey and Tifiney Lothridge, who received payment for services while Rankins was incarcerated. Rankins collaborated with his attendants, telling them to continue clocking in and out as […]

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Attorney General Hanaway supports challenge to Biden-era abortion drug rule

MO State News, News /

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in filing a brief in support of Louisiana’s lawsuit challenging a Biden-era overreaching rule that expanded access to abortion drugs through mail and telehealth, despite contrary state laws. “I am proud to stand with other attorneys general to fight back against

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Auditor Fitzpatrick says state’s marijuana program is ‘flawed’

MO State News, News /

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A new report from State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick concludes Missouri’s multi-billion dollar marijuana industry was launched using a flawed application and evaluation process that ultimately cost the state millions of dollars in litigation expenses. The report, which awards a “fair” rating to the state’s Marijuana Program, points out how there were

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Explore the industrial hemp growing industry at Feb. 25 SIU event

Featured News, News, Randolph County News /

by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. — Learn all about growing industrial hemp for grain and fiber at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Industrial Hemp Farmer Informational Event. The Industrial Hemp Farmer Informational Event at SIU Feb. 25 will provide valuable information to participants at no cost. Photo provided. Industry leaders and experts will offer the latest information

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FBLA students successful at District Leadership Competition and advance to state

Featured News, News, Ste. Genevieve News /

STE. GENEVIEVE – Ste. Genevieve High School students participated in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) District Leadership Competition held Feb. 9 at Arcadia Valley High School. Congratulations to the following students who placed within the top five of their event! These students will move on to the State Leadership Conference in Springfield, Missouri,

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Gov. Pritzker cuts ribbon at Teklab’s new laboratory facility

Ill State News, News /

COLLINSVILLE – Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Teklab celebrated the company’s new environmental testing laboratory in Collinsville. Teklab constructed a 36,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility to meet the growing demand for its environmental analytical services, creating 40 new full-time jobs for the region while retaining nearly 100 positions. The company’s

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IARF says Illinois budget maintains stability for disability services, more opportunity for progress ahead

Ill State News, News /

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF), representing community providers serving Illinoisans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and serious mental illnesses, today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s proposed state budget: “In the face of significant fiscal uncertainty, we thank Governor Pritzker for his ongoing support of the Direct Support Professional

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IMA issues statement on 2026 State of the State and Budget Address 

Ill State News, News /

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) today released the following statement in response to the Governor’s annual State of the State and Budget Address:    “Illinois has always been on the forefront of innovation, from the origination of nuclear power and the creation of the cell phone, to the development of life-saving therapies and the

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IML issues statement on Local Government Distributive Fund cut

Ill State News, News /

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Municipal League (IML) released the following statement in response to the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 state budget proposal:   Governor JB Pritzker is proposing a reduction in the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) formula, from 6.47 percent to 6.28 percent of individual income taxes, which would eliminate any natural growth in

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IML issues statement on preserving local authority toimplement housing programs

Ill State News, News /

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Municipal League (IML) released the following statement regarding the importance of preserving municipal authority to implement local housing programs:   “Governor JB Pritzker’s proposal in the State of the State Address includes provisions establishing statewide zoning standards, including minimum lot sizes, increased residential density allowances, legalization of accessory dwelling units, limitations on

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