As a former small business owner, I struggled to secure low-cost capital early in my journey of acquiring residential income investment property and opening a retail gas and convenience store franchise in the 1980s. Starting in my mid-20s and like millions of other aspiring businesses owners…

Another legislative session has come and gone in Missouri.

After nearly five months of hard work and numerous negotiations and compromises, the General Assembly wrapped up the 2022 legislative session with a long list of substantive policy wins for Missouri families and businesses.

Three years ago this month I began a new phase of my ministry. With 25 years of professional work as clergy behind me, I thought I was more prepared than I actually was. However, I’m not sure anything in our lives really readies one to step into hospice — not as a patient, nor as a care provider.

Over the past decade, we have seen several examples of extreme weather in our part of the state. Most of the time, it is possible to know when adverse weather is coming, and then prepare for it. Other times, it can be the aftermath of the weather itself that is worse than whatever flooding o…

I was raised in a loving home with good parents. My parents taught me the stories contained in the Scriptures and to love the Lord.

Gas prices are out of control. Right now, Americans are paying more for gas than we ever have. I could go on, but you’ve all heard it before. I’ve been hollering about this for what seems like ages now — and you’ve been paying the price at the pump.

Missouri is now one step closer to having its new congressional districts finalized for the next decade. Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau goes through a long process of mailing, conducting online and in-person surveys, in order to get the most accurate count possible of how many people…

A few weeks ago, Russian forces invaded neighboring Ukraine in an attempt to topple the democratically-elected government and gain greater control in Europe. As I’ve watched one of the most infamous authoritarian regimes continue to attack democratic influence, it’s hard not to think of smal…

The past two years have been hard. Crisis defines our headlines and trending topics and for deeper reasons than panic clickbait.

Voting directly impacts the health of the American political system and all its residents. It is essential in making your voice heard in our democracy.

In December, President Biden appointed me as the Missouri state director for USDA Rural Development. From growing up in rural Lafayette County to serving as a rural policy director for Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and district liaison for Congressman Ike Skelton in rural Missouri, I have pers…

This past Wednesday, schools and libraries all over celebrated Read Across America Day. The day began as a way to honor the birthday of Dr. Seuss, whose works prove an incredible way to learn sight words for early readers.

Over the past several weeks, a lot has been said about the supplemental budget for Missouri’s current fiscal year. The fiscal year for state government runs from July 1 through the following June 30. Each year, hundreds of dedicated people take time to go through thousands of lines in a budg…

Life for 44 million Ukrainians changed dramatically this week. They have been fighting Russian-backed separatists for control of two break-away territories in eastern Ukraine for eight years. Now, they’re fighting for their freedom and the future of their entire country.

The extended Missouri Senate filibusters about congressional redistricting is a reminder about how bitter and divisive this issue can be.

I was always taught you ought to leave something better than you found it. It seems some folks in Washington didn’t get the same lesson when it comes to the United States Postal Service.

In early 1945 as the Battle of the Bulge concluded, Army officials reported that a lack mail was hurting morale. Warehouses were filled with millions of pieces of mail destined for the seven million Americans serving in the European theatre. The task of getting that mail to its intended reci…

It is always a thrill to reach the end of January and see so many of our wonderful friends and neighbors come to Jefferson City for Great Northwest Day. People from all across the 12th Senatorial District make the long trip to the Capitol to meet with legislative leaders and celebrate the gr…