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Weekly Trivia Question
Which Missouri city hosts the annual Dogwood Festival each spring?
(Hint: It’s near the Lake of the Ozarks region.)
Last Week’s Answer:
Last week’s answer, “Which Missouri town is known for the Jesse James Home Museum?” is St. Joseph, where Jesse James was shot in 1882.
Hometown Business Spotlight
Hometown Business Spotlight: Salisbury Meat Market and Processing
Located just a quarter mile outside Salisbury on Highway PP, Salisbury Meat Market and Processing has been serving Mid-Missouri for over 43 years. This family-owned and operated business combines traditional craftsmanship with modern services, offering custom meat processing and a well-stocked retail shop full of quality cuts.
Custom Processing and ...
Local News
Keytesville R-III School District Names New Principal, Seeks 7–12 Mathematics Teacher
The Keytesville R-III School District in Chariton County, Missouri, has announced a significant leadership change for the 2026–2027 school year. In addition, the district is now accepting applications for a 7–12 mathematics teacher position at Keytesville High School, offering a unique opportunity for educators seeking…
Chariton County Classrooms & Courts: Student Success, School Spirit, and Winter Highlights
Students across Keytesville, Northwestern, Brunswick, and Salisbury schools continue to excel academically, compete at a high level in athletics, and remain deeply involved in extracurricular and community-focused activities. This in-depth Chariton Beacon roundup highlights student achievement, school spirit, and important district updates from across Chariton…
Chariton County Schools Highlight Student Achievement, Community Engagement, and Winter Athletics
School districts across Chariton County remained active throughout January with classroom learning, student recognition, service projects, and winter activities. Updates from Brunswick R-II, Keytesville R-III, Northwestern R-I, and Salisbury R-IV reflect continued academic focus and strong community involvement. Brunswick R-II Promotes Literacy, Service Learning, and…
Hometown Business Spotlight: R&R Apple Market
For over six decades, R&R Apple Market has been a cornerstone of the Salisbury community. This family-owned grocery store prides itself on offering high-quality foods, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers coming back year after year. Everything You Need — And Then…
State News
Governor Mike Kehoe’s 2026 State of the State Address: Fiscal Discipline, Tax Reform, and Potential Challenges for Rural Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — On January 13, 2026, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe delivered his second State of the State address, marking one year since his inauguration. In a speech centered on themes of resilience, government efficiency, and long-term growth, Kehoe outlined a vision for Missouri’s…
The Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act: The Only Answer to Ending Abortion in Missouri
The Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act (HB 1682) was filed in the Missouri House by State Representative Burt Whaley. The same bill (SB 951) was filed in the Senate Chamber by State Senator Mike Moon. This legislation aims to provide equal justice and equal protection…
Bill to Fully Abolish Abortion Filed in Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI — Missouri State Senator Mike Moon and Missouri State Representative Burt Whaley filed the Missouri Prenatal Equal Protection Act this week in their respective chambers to completely abolish abortion in the state. Senate Bill 951 and House Bill 1682 would provide equal…
Missouri School Funding in Focus: Senator Rusty Black Relies on NEA Lobbyist, Raising Accountability Concerns
Missouri School Funding Under Scrutiny as Senator Rusty Black Relies on NEA Lobbyist, Raising Questions About Influence and Accountability Missouri parents, taxpayers, and education advocates are closely watching developments in Jefferson City after Senator Rusty Black, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, openly admitted that…
US & World News
Latest Polling Has Thicko Jasmine Crockett Up 12 Points on James Talarico in Texas Senate Primary
A new University of Texas poll shows U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett leading opponent James Talarico by 12 points in the Texas Democratic Senate primary. The survey, conducted between the 2nd and 16th of February and reported by The Texas Tribune, found Crockett at 56 percent…
Trump’s China Trade War Deepens Beijing’s Economic Vulnerability – Implications for a Taiwan War
Photo courtesy of China Daily As of February 2026, U.S. tariffs have significantly slowed China’s economic growth without collapsing its export sector. Direct exports to the United States fell roughly 20 percent in 2025, but China offset much of that loss by redirecting trade, reaching…
Sen. Mike Lee BLASTS RINOs After Thune Admits Senate Republicans “NOT UNIFIED” on Talking Filibuster to Pass SAVE Act
The Republican establishment is at it again, and the grassroots are losing patience. Despite a mandate from the American people to secure our elections, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) admitted on Wednesday that the Republican conference is “not unified” on using the talking filibuster…
OUTRAGEOUS: Florida House Democrats Oppose Bill Honoring TPUSA Founder Charlie Kirk — Insist He Was “Not Assassinated,” but Died from “Gun Violence”
Rep. Ashley Viola Gantt The radical Left’s hatred for conservative heroes apparently follows them even to the grave. In a disgusting display of partisan spite, Florida House Democrats spent Wednesday afternoon attempting to block a bill that would honor the late Turning Point USA founder…
Obituaries
Kevin R. Sweeney
Kevin R. Sweeney, 68, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026 surrounded by his family. Kevin was a loving and devoted father, husband, grandfather, brother, and an accomplished lawyer. He was born in Carrollton, Missouri to Mary…
Terry Dee Madole
Terry Dee Madole, 78 of Higginsville, Missouri, formerly of Windsor, MO passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Marjorie Joan Whited (Umphenour)
Marjorie Joan Whited (Umphenour), 89, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at her home in Kansas City. She was born on Thursday, March 5, 1936, in Pleasanton, Kansas, the daughter of William Lee Umphenour and…
Nakia “Nick” Lee Taber
Nakia “Nick” Lee Taber, 50, of Sweet Springs, MO, died Monday, February 23, 2026, in Sweet Springs, MO.
Opinion
The Irony of Peace: Watching Iran Through a Lens of Prophecy and Uncertainty
As I sit here, half a world away, in Mendon, Missouri, scrolling through the latest headlines at 2:43 AM, the situation in Iran commands attention. Protests that erupted late last month over economic hardships have morphed into a nationwide cry against the regime, met with…
Yes, You Can Legislate Morality — And The Bible Commands It
For years, Christians in America have been met with a familiar phrase whenever moral issues enter the political sphere: “You can’t legislate morality.” The saying sounds wise, even tolerant. It gives politicians an escape hatch and allows society to avoid the uncomfortable task of drawing…
The Pro-Life Establishment Is Actively Thwarting Abolition—Why Christians Must Take a Stand
For decades, many Christians have assumed that supporting the pro-life movement meant standing for the protection of unborn children. We donated, we lobbied, we voted—but what if the very organizations we trusted were actively preventing abolition of abortion? Pastor Jeff Durban, founder of End Abortion…
The Global Morality Quotient: Assessing National Moral Health and the United States’ Position
The Morality Quotient (MQ) is a composite index that measures national moral health using seven verifiable behavioral indicators: violent crime rate, property crime rate, abortion rate, pornography production share, illicit drug use prevalence, gambling revenue per capita, and prostitution scale. Drawing on data from 2022–2025…
Devotionals
Milestones and Memorials..
Joshua 4:7 “Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for…
In His Heavenly Presence..
2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” When death comes to the unbelieving man, it strips him of earthly comforts; his hopes vanish with his last breath. That thought…
On This One..
Isaiah 66:1-2 “Thus says the LORD: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,’…
The One I Love..
Song of Songs 2:4 “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” In the legend of Camelot, King Arthur exhorts Princess Guinevere to “marry the King, but love the man,” when speaking of their soon-to-be wedding. That simple, but…