Lawmakers in Jefferson City are continuing their work on tax cuts for Missourians.
The legislature went into special session Wednesday to discuss Governor Mike Parson’s request for lowering income tax rates from five-point-three to four-point-eight percent and to double the State’s standard deduction from two-thousand to four-thousand dollars.
After meeting for a short time, the Missouri Senate adjourned until next week.
Authorities in Lawrence County have arrested a man from Aurora on charges of rape.
40-year-old Matthew Fries has been charged with four counts of first-degree rape on Tuesday following a probable cause statement.
According to statements from the 17-year-old victim, she was invited to stay at Fries’ home for a week from September 1-September 7, where he allegedly raped her four times.
The victim also reported that Fries admitted to having similar allegations of rape against him with another victim, but hadn’t been charged.
Records indicate he told the victim if he ever was charged, he would kill his mother and several police officers he specifically mentioned.
Fries has been booked at the Lawrence County Jail and is being held without bond.
Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after two were found dead Wednesday morning.
Authorities responded to a home on Highway 17 near Waynesville after a report of an unresponsive person.
When deputies arrived, they found a man and woman both dead at the scene.
The identities of the bodies have not been released, as authorities are waiting until next of kin can be notified.
An autopsy has been scheduled for later this week to determine a possible cause of death.
The Missouri Supreme Court will not hear a lawsuit challenging the State’s ballot proposal on recreational marijuana.
The court made it’s ruling Tuesday, ensuring the measure will be on the November 8th ballot.
If passed, adults 21 and older would be legally allowed to purchase, and even grow, marijuana for personal use. The measure would also expunge most marijuana convictions.
A judge sentenced in woman from Ash Grove Tuesday after she pleaded guilty to multiple charges earlier this year.
Carrie Long will serve three years and five months in prison on charges of wire fraud and failure to pay employment taxes.
She spent four years as an in-home accountant for two separate Springfield-based companies.
Investigators accused the 52-year-old of embezzling over $360,000 and was also accused of not paying close to $1 million in employment taxes.
Long pleaded guilty to both charges and admitted to both fraud allegations.
As well as the prison sentence, the judge also ordered her to pay back over $1.3 million in restitution.
Missouri lawmakers meet for a special session Wednesday in Jefferson City.
They will be discussing a statewide income tax cut proposal.
According to a statement from his office, Governor Parson’s tax cut relief plan would mean “significant savings” for Missourians every year.
The tax cut proposal increases the standard $2,000 deduction for individuals.
Additionally, Missourians would not pay taxes on their first $16,000 of income.
The proposal would also eliminate the bottom tax brackets in Missouri.
Governor Parson originally wanted the special session to start a week ago on September 6th, but lawmakers said they needed more time.
Missouri lawmakers meet for a special session Wednesday in Jefferson City.
They will be discussing a statewide income tax cut proposal.
According to a statement from his office, Governor Parson’s tax cut relief plan would mean “significant savings” for Missourians every year.
The tax cut proposal increases the standard $2,000 deduction for individuals.
Additionally, Missourians would not pay taxes on their first $16,000 of income.
The proposal would also eliminate the bottom tax brackets in Missouri.
Governor Parson originally wanted the special session to start a week ago on September 6th, but lawmakers said they needed more time.
A Greene County judge has ruled an independent candidate for the 132nd District State Representative seat in Springfield has not met the threshold to be on the ballot because of invalid signature on his petition.
Larry Flenoid II’s fate in the race was decided by Greene County Presiding Judge Michael Cordonnier.
Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, the incumbent, filed a lawsuit against Flenoid in late August challenging the signatures.
Republican Stephanos Freeman will run against Quade in the November election.
Judges from both Webster and Laclede counties sentenced a man to time in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in 2018.
Benjamin Blake was charged with sexual misconduct involving a child after the child told police in Lebanon that he had assaulted her on two separate occasions in the summer of 2018.
He will serve four years in prison combined for his crimes.
Investigators say Blake met the girl at a rally for a church the two shared and began dating shortly after.
At the time they began the relationship, the child was 14 and Blake was 18.
In a final court ruling Monday, a Cedar County judge has ruled that Agape Boarding School can remain open, with a stipulation.
Judge David Munton handed down the decision Monday after a motion filed by Attorney General Eric Schmitt was investigated.
Schmitt’s office alleged that an employee at the school is on the state child abuse and neglect registry. The Attorney General’s office also alleged that the school has a history of systemic abuse, both physical and sexual.
An investigation was conducted by authorities, who discovered that the employee in question was fired by the district last Wednesday.
Judge Munton’s decision stipulates that while the school can remain open, it will be forced to do so under state supervision.