Stories from Saturday, June 13, 2015

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- In 2012, infant mortality rates in Missouri were at 6.5 percent. While that is not as high as some states, there is still enough concern for the Missouri Department of Health to step in and start a campaign to try and solve the problem. "Just one loss of life is one too many," says Kim Johnson, director of the Dunklin County Health Department...

A cool, wet spring is hampering the planting and growth of Southeast Missouri row crops and causing price rallies in the grain market.

Consumers Say Next Six Months Good for Major Household Purchases in Arvest-Backed Survey

(COLUMBIA, Mo.) -- The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for grants to fund projects focusing on environmental markets and natural resources. State Conservationist J.R. Flores said Missouri anticipates having $100,000 in state-component funds available for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). He said individual grants up to $50,000 can be used to fund up to 50 percent of the total cost of a project lasting one to three years...