Missouri Unemployment Up Slightly

Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point in July 2023, increasing to 2.7 percent from the revised June 2023 rate of 2.6 percent. The July 2023 rate was five-tenths of a percentage point higher than the July 2022 rate of 2.2 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 84,204 in July 2023, up by 2,662 from June's 81,542.

Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point in July 2023

The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.3 percent in June 2023 to 3.4 percent in July 2023. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 2.7 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for July 2023 was 3.8 percent.

Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.6 percent in July 2023, one percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.6 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 61.9 percent in July 2023, 1.5 percentage points higher than the national rate of 60.4 percent.

Goods-producing industries decreased by 300 jobs over the month. Mining, logging, and construction declined by 600 jobs, and manufacturing gained 300 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 7,200 jobs between June 2023 and July 2023. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in private education and health services (3,900 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (1,800 jobs); financial activities (1,700 jobs); and leisure and hospitality (700 jobs).

Texting and Driving Takes Effect August 28

The Clay County Sheriff's Office reminds area drivers that a new texting and driving law will be taking effect this month.

The Siddens Bening Hands Free Law was named for two people who were killed by drivers who were distracted by their phones

The Siddens Bening Hands Free Law was named for two people who were killed by drivers who were distracted by their phones. It was passed by the Missouri Legislature and will take effect on August 28.

Here are some highlights of the new law:

-Drivers may not hold any electronic devices to send or receive calls, texts, watch videos, record videos, broadcast, chat, or make or receive other electronic communications while driving.

-Using GPS units, hands-free functions or two-way radios is allowed.

-A person is allowed to use an electronic device if legally stopped or parked.

-Law enforcement officers and other emergency vehicle operators are permitted to use electronic devices while driving in an emergency vehicle when it is job-related.

- The law takes effect in less than two weeks, but law enforcement cannot issue citations for it until Jan. 1, 2025. Officers can give warnings until then.

- This is not a primary violation, meaning it can't be the only reason law enforcement pulls you over.

- The fine for violating the law will be $150.

Missouri is the 49th state to enact such a law.

Missouri in Serious Drought Despite Rain

On Monday, August 14, during a listening session for the 2023 Farm Bill with Missouri Producers at the Missouri State Fair, Governor Mike Parson reminded Missourians that the state remains in serious drought. While recent widespread rains have brought some much-needed relief, most of Missouri is still suffering under serious drought conditions. According to the Missouri Drought Assessment Committee, nearly 92% of Missouri is experiencing drought conditions.

While recent widespread rains have brought some much-needed relief, most of Missouri is still suffering under serious drought conditions.

"Hot summers are nothing new in Missouri, but this summer, Missouri’s drought conditions are mainly impacting our state’s livestock producers,” Governor Parson said. “While recent rains have helped, they’ve come late in the summer when hay production has already been severely limited and farm ponds have dried up. Most farmers entered the year with depleted hay reserves due to last year’s drought, and their concerns were again echoed today during our listening session with producers from across the state. More is needed, and we are committed to doing what we can to help our farmers and ranchers facing the effects of continued drought.”

More relief may be in sight, with the National Weather Service predicting below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation for the next few weeks and above-normal precipitation through October. However, because of moisture deficits left by last year’s drought, and the timing of rainfall deficits this spring, the current drought’s impacts will likely linger well into the winter or longer, leaving some farmers and ranchers in desperate need of water and hay for their livestock.

Available Drought Assistance

In June, in response to worsening drought, Governor Parson announced the availability of emergency hay and water for Missouri farmers and ranchers. Boat ramps at 25 Missouri state parks and 36 Department of Conservation areas are open for farmers to collect water. Nearly 700 acres were made available for haying at 17 state parks.

To date, 13 state parks and historic sites have contracted a total of 537 acres for hay. Four parks still have a total of 140 acres available for haying: Wallace, Route 66 and Bryant Creek state parks, and Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site. In addition, the Department of Transportation is offering special overwidth hauling permits at no charge to help farmers and ranchers move hay.

Livestock producers who have been affected by drought may be able to defer gains on livestock sold to the next tax year or until livestock that were sold are replaced. Provisions in the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code give relief to those affected by weather-related sales of livestock on forms 1033(e) or 451(g). The State of Missouri is coupled with that tax policy, and Missourians can make similar claims on the Schedule F form for state tax purposes. Producers should first consult their financial advisors to see if these provisions would be beneficial for their specific operations.

More Closures Scheduled for I-35

The Missouri Department of Transportation says another round of lane closures are scheduled on Interstate 35 near Kearney as part of the project building a new interchange.

Crews are set to close one lane of both the north and southbound lanes of Interstate 35 at mile marker 25 in Kearney for bridge work. This work take place daily from about 6 P.M. Tuesday, August 15 until 6 A.M. Wednesday, August 16.

This will not be a complete closure, but motorists may experience delays.

The work is part of a larger project constructing a new interchange on I-35 at 19th Street (144th Street) about one mile south of Route 92.

All work is weather permitting.

Aldermen Approve Fallen Veterans Memorial

Kearney City Aldermen approved construction and placement of a fallen veterans memorial to be placed in Jesse James Park.

Rich Kolb presented the plan to the Board of Aldermen at the city’s meeting on Monday, August 7. The plan and fundraising began several years ago and was eventually abandoned.

Kearney City Aldermen approved construction and placement of a fallen veterans memorial to be placed in Jesse James Park.

The group has raised over $17,000 for the completion of the memorial.

The memorial will have an American flag as well as a POW/MIA flag as well as granite stone with the names of fallen soldiers from the Kearney area. Those soldiers were part of World War I and World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, and action in Afghanistan. One of the soldiers on the memorial was a POW from the Korean War and his remains were never recovered.

Future plans for the memorial include a bench and story boards. “We would like to get some story boards up there at some point too, to provide contexts for the names on the memorial,” said Kolb.

Kolb has been researching names to put on the memorial for about a year. He believes that he found everyone who participated in wars in the past, but he doesn’t want to miss anyone that should be included on the memorial.

At least 14 names have been found and they will be etched into the memorial: E. Howard Porter, World War II: Matt Mason, Afghanistan; Donald Bean, Vietnam; Albert Vincent, North Korea; Roy Boggess, Howard Calder, William Dykes, John Hagan, Glenn Hartell, Robert Seuell and Charles Smith, WWII; Clinton Marsh, Earl Chanslor and Sparrel Harris, WWI.