Local Schools Announce Registration, Practice Schedules, and New Hours
As summer break comes to an end, school districts across Chariton County are preparing for the 2025–26 academic year. This week, Northwestern R-I, Salisbury R-IV, Brunswick R-II, and Keytesville R-III School Districts released important back-to-school announcements for students, parents, and the community. Northwestern R-I School…
Missouri SB4: Rural Missouri Pays for Big Tech’s Kansas City Data Centers
In rural Missouri, where family farms and small businesses anchor communities like Chillicothe, Bunceton, and Keytesville, residents are facing a new challenge: rising utility bills driven by Senate Bill 4 (SB4). Signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe in April 2025, SB4 has sparked debate…
Area Schools Prepare for Back-to-School Events, Football Season
As summer winds down, school districts across Chariton County are preparing for the 2025–2026 school year with student registration events, open houses, and the kickoff of Thunder Football season. Families in Keytesville, Brunswick, and Salisbury will have multiple opportunities in the coming days to get…
Chariton County Schools Prepare for a Vibrant 2025-2026 School Year
With the 2025-2026 school year approaching, Chariton County’s school districts—Keytesville R-III, Brunswick R-II, Northwestern R-I, and Salisbury R-IV—have been bustling with preparations, offering dynamic academic programs, thriving athletic teams, and strong community involvement. Serving students across Chariton County, these districts embody a commitment to nurturing…
Why Are Missouri Gas Prices Higher Outside Kansas City? Investigating Potential Price Gouging
Residents of rural Missouri, particularly in north central areas like Chariton County, are paying more at the pump than their counterparts in Kansas City. With gas prices in north central Missouri ranging from $2.86 to $2.92 per gallon, and Kansas City enjoying prices as low…
Saving Missouri’s Family Farms: Future Policies to Protect Chariton County’s Rural Heritage
In the heart of Chariton County, Missouri, family farms define the landscape and spirit of towns like Keytesville, Salisbury, Mendon, and Brunswick. These small operations, passed down through generations, face relentless threats: soaring input costs, unaffordable land prices, and corporate agribusinesses dominating markets. Brian Reisinger,…
Highway Safety During Planting Season in Chariton County, Missouri: Protecting Farm Equipment Operators and Drivers
As planting season brings Chariton County, Missouri’s rural highways to life in April and May, tractors, planters, and other farm equipment crisscross roads like Route 5 and Highway 24, moving between fields to sow crops. This critical period, driven by tight weather windows, increases the…
Missouri’s Rural-Urban Income Divide: Rusty Black and Tim Taylor’s Urban Bias Leaves Chariton County Behind
Missouri’s rural communities, including Chariton County, face a persistent income gap compared to urban centers like Kansas City and St. Louis, threatening the heartland’s way of life. From 2005 to 2023, rural median household incomes in Missouri rose from roughly $35,000 to $55,000–$60,000, while urban…
Farm Fire Safety in Spring: Preventing Agricultural Fires Across Missouri
As the spring planting season ramps up across Missouri, so do the risks of fire on farms and rural properties. Chariton County has already experienced several large field and brush fires in recent weeks. While many associate wildfires and farm-related fires with the heat of…
Northwestern R-I School District: A Leader in Education Excellence
Nestled in Mendon, Missouri, Northwestern R-I School District continues to set the bar high for academic excellence and student achievement. In the past 2 years the district has achieved remarkable success, solidifying its reputation as one of the best in the state. Exceptional Academic Performance…