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Governor Parson Announces Over $6.3 Million in Grants to Missouri Law Enforcement, Fire Service, and EMS Providers
Governor Parson Announces Over $6.3 Million in Grants to Missouri Law Enforcement, Fire Service, and EMS Providers

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri Department of Public Safety has approved 428 grants totaling over $6.3 million to law enforcement, fire service, and EMS providers across the state for new equipment, supplies, personnel, and training. Grant funded equipment includes patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals, firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, cardiac monitors, and emergency communications radios. Grants to additional law enforcement, fire service, and EMS agencies are still under review.
“Meeting with first responders and traveling to disaster scenes across the state, we know how essential it is that these devoted public servants have the essential equipment and training they need to do their jobs,” Governor Parson said. “These grants mean law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel will be better equipped in performing their lifesaving work and protecting the public.”
“This additional funding of more than $6.3 million can truly make a difference for local first responder agencies,” Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten said. “Developing these new grants and then working with the hundreds of diverse applicants was a major accomplishment for our Department of Public Safety grants team. We greatly appreciate the team’s hard work and commitment.”
The maximum grant amount to recipients was $20,000. Grants were awarded as follows:
- Law Enforcement: To date, a total of 106 law enforcement agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $1.6 million for equipment, including patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals, and investigative technology and software. The list of law enforcement grant recipients is available here.
- Fire Safety: To date, a total of 224 fire service agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $3 million for equipment, including turnout gear, extrication equipment, and thermal imaging cameras. The list of fire service grant recipients is available here.
- EMS: To date, a total of 98 emergency medical service providers have been approved to receive a total of over $1.6 million for equipment, including automatic compression devices, cardiac monitors, and emergency communications radios. The list of EMS grant recipients is available here.
The grant application has closed; however, grant recipient lists will be updated periodically as additional grants are finalized.
The funding for these public safety grants is made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and was part of Governor Parson’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget plan. The Missouri Department of Public Safety is the grant administrator.
Eligible grant expenditures include equipment, supplies, training/travel, personnel, and benefits. Some equipment may have specific requirements to be eligible for funding. The grants require a local match of 50 percent (for example, if the total cost of a project were $40,000, the local recipient would be responsible for $20,000 and the ARPA share of the grant would be $20,000). Local ARPA grant funds may be utilized for the local match.
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Prescribed burns at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton Missouri Lake of the Ozarks

CAMDENTON, MO – On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the National Park Service, carried out a series of prescribed burns at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The controlled fires, initiated early this morning, aimed to reduce wildfire risks, promote native plant growth, and maintain the park’s ecological balance.
The timing of the burns aligns with early spring conditions, which park ecologists say are ideal for minimizing impact on wildlife while maximizing ecological benefits.
Today’s burns mark the first major fire management activity at Ha Ha Tonka in 2025, with additional burns potentially scheduled later this year depending on weather and resource availability. Park officials emphasized that these efforts are part of a broader commitment to preserving Missouri’s natural heritage for future generations.


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Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress sends Mr. Green being thrown out with in minutes.

Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress sends Mr. Al Green Green being thrown out with in minutes. Trump calls out Democrats saying no matter what he says or does they will not stand. The camera flashed shots of the Democrat party with signs that said Musk Steals. Trump continued the speech strong by asking them to enjoy the republicans with the wins of the county.
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Osage Beach Operating Budget shows Significant Increases in Personnel and Capital Spending.

The City of Osage Beach Board of Aldermen officially adopted the FY2025 Operating Budget on December 19, 2024, outlining a comprehensive financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget, spanning 69 pages, projects total expenditures across all funds at approximately $38 million, reflecting a strategic focus on personnel growth, infrastructure improvements, and operational stability.
Personnel Expenditures See Major Boost
The FY2025 budget allocates $10,941,704 for personnel expenditures across all funds, marking a 12.4% increase from the FY2024 budget of $9,736,098 and a 21.2% jump from the FY2024 projected year-end total of $9,031,206. Key highlights include:
- Salaries: Rising to $6,978,788, a 12.2% increase from FY2024’s budget and an 18.8% increase from the projected year-end, reflecting new hires and wage adjustments.
- Per Meeting Expense: Surging 55.8% to $48,000, driven by increased meeting frequency or compensation rates.
- Overtime and Holiday Pay: Overtime is budgeted at $417,400 (up 40.1%), while holiday pay rises to $212,402 (up 22.9%), indicating heightened staffing demands.
- Retirement 401 Contributions: A significant 28.2% increase to $773,225, underscoring the city’s commitment to employee benefits.
The personnel schedule details a total of 136 authorized positions, including 117 full-time and 19 part-time roles, with notable growth in departments like City Clerk (from 1.5 to 3 full-time equivalents) and Engineering (from 2 to 4 FTEs) compared to FY2024.
Capital Investments Prioritize Infrastructure
Capital expenditures for FY2025 are set at $16,990,032, a slight 5.1% decrease from FY2024’s ambitious $17,907,575 budget, though a dramatic 197.3% increase over the FY2024 projected year-end of $5,714,260. Major investments include:
- Transportation Fund: $6,274,726, a 17.3% increase, funding projects like the Salt Barn Roof replacement, Highway 42 Sidewalk construction, and Osage Beach Road improvements.
- Lee C. Fine Airport Fund: $4,986,982, up slightly from FY2024, supporting ongoing airport enhancements.
- 911 Center: A standout $447,247 allocation (384.8% increase), including an AIS P25 Upgrade and dispatch relocation, addressing critical communication needs.

Conversely, departments like Parks & Recreation ($333,800, down 54.7%) and Information Technology ($25,492, down 77.3%) see reduced capital spending, reflecting a shift in priorities.
Operations & Maintenance Stabilizes
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) expenditures total $10,182,427, a modest 1.4% decrease from FY2024’s $10,324,068 budget, though up 10.6% from the projected year-end of $9,209,616. Notable changes include:
- Human Resources: A striking 228.9% increase to $365,117, likely tied to expanded staffing and training initiatives.
- Building Inspection: Up 130.7% to $79,510, supporting heightened regulatory activity.
- Engineering: A 52.2% cut to $261,100, aligning with completed projects from FY2024.
Employee Pay Plan Adjustments
The budget introduces an updated Employee Pay Plan effective January 1, 2025, with pay ranges spanning Level 6 ($32,604-$47,276) to Level 16 ($124,293-$198,868). Positions like City Administrator and City Attorney top the scale, while roles such as Airport Technician and Records Clerk anchor the lower end. The plan reflects periodic reviews mandated by City Code Section 125.050, accommodating new positions and level adjustments.
Looking Ahead
The FY2025 budget underscores Osage Beach’s focus on workforce expansion, infrastructure resilience, and essential services, balancing growth with fiscal prudence. With a total personnel authorization of 123.19 FTEs (up from 117.19 in FY2024), and significant capital commitments, the city aims to enhance public safety, transportation, and community amenities. Residents can expect increased activity in key departments, though some operational budgets tighten to offset these investments.
For more details, the full FY2025 Operating Budget is available through the City of Osage Beach administrative offices.
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