Tag Archives: Money

Missouri Organization offers tips to avoid ‘Pink Washing’ scam

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. – During the month of October, some businesses attempt to capitalize on the prominence of the Pink Ribbon symbol without contributing to the cause, according to the Better Business Bureau.

The BBB says opportunistic businesses can do this because there is no agency regulating the usage of breast cancer symbology.

“Knowing how to research a charity organization or a business prior to giving is essential with these kinds of things. It is difficult to track your money once you give it to what you believe is a reputable charity,” Shelbi Felblinger with the Better Business Bureau said.

The BBB offers these tips for anyone making a ‘pink purchase’ or donating to a breast cancer-related charity:

  • Shop smart. Some companies donate a portion of the sale of specific items, designated with pink ribbons or packaging. When shopping for “pink ribbon” items, see if the promotion is transparent about which charity it will benefit and how much of the purchase will be donated. Watch out for vague claims of proceeds benefiting unspecified charities.
  • Check the charity. If you are considering a donation to a charity that is not familiar to you, go to Give.org.
  • Participate carefully. Some charities host fundraising events in addition to marketing promotions. If this interests you, gather all the important information before signing up. Is there a participation fee or are you required to sign up a minimum number of sponsors? Always research the charity or group organizing the event before you register.

Click here to learn more.

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SEK gets $6M for local highway improvements

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FORT SCOTT, Kan. – The State of Kansas selects 34 cities to receive a total of $28.65 million for local highway improvements.

Governor Laura Kelley announced the funding today. It’s through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s “City Connecting Link Improvement Program.” Cities will use the funds to do the following in both rural and urban areas:

  • preserve and improve pavement
  • add turn lanes
  • modify intersections along essential roadways



“By making this investment, we’re improving the safety and accessibility of Kansas roadways that are local centers of community life,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Through these grants, we’re delivering economic opportunities throughout rural and urban Kansas.”

Governor Kelly and Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the CCLIP awards in Fort Scott, where $1.5 million in CCLIP funds will be directed to improvements on U.S. 54, also known as Wall Street.

“KDOT was able to increase CCLIP funding level for this selection cycle by more than $10 million over previous years due to additional federal funds coming to Kansas as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL). Both federal and state funds are designated for the CCLIP program and local matching funds are required based on city population,” states Gov. Kelly’s Office.

“With the Connecting Link program, KDOT partners with communities to find solutions to support local transportation priorities,” Transportation Secretary Lorenz said. “I very much appreciate the power of the state and communities pooling funds to make improvements.”

A City Connecting Link is defined as any routing of the State Highway System located within the corporate limits of a city, not including the Interstate System. For this CCLIP cycle applying to state fiscal years 2024-2025, KDOT received 54 applications requesting $38 million.

Arvest extends its outreach to the classroom with teacher-appreciation award

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CARTHAGE, Mo. – Arvest Bank today awarded a Carthage teacher with one of its ‘We Love Teachers’ awards.

Officials say the campaign is designed to recognize and provide support to teachers within the reach of Arvest.

This year, Arvest is awarding a total of 145 teachers with  $500 gifts throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Officials with Arvest say the funds will help with classroom needs across the 4-States.

Watch KOAM or Fox 14 Evening News to see the whole story or check back later for additional content.

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Local expert offers insight on Joplin’s record unemployment rate

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JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin and Missouri Unemployment Rate remained at a record-low this past summer. KOAM’s Segun Bamidele has the latest.

At the end of August, the Joplin unemployment rate was 2.4%.

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, this is the lowest the rate has been since 1990.

“Our labor force numbers are currently where they’re at prior to covid,” said Erin Slifka. Marketing PIO for the Joplin Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve recovered as far as those numbers go. What’s different now is that business demand has increased so the area employers are looking to fill more positions to meet those demands.”

Before this summer, Joplin had a previous low point of 2.7% of over a five-month stretch in the fall and summer of 2018 before the pandemic.

Watch KOAM & Fox 14 News for more or check back later for additional content.

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Kansas collects $130,000 during first month of legal sports betting

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TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas kicked off sports betting in state-owned casinos last month and the industry says it has already generated $1.3 million in revenue after the first 30 days of operation.

Governor Laura Kelly says during the month of September, nearly $130,000 was collected for the State of Kansas as a result.

“These revenues reinforce what we already knew: Legal sports betting is a common-sense solution that keeps Kansans’ money in Kansas and supports Kansas businesses,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “While legal wagering is just in its infancy, these revenues will continue to grow and benefit the state over time.”

The four casinos contracted with the state to offer sports wagering through independent platforms are as follows:

  • Boot Hill Casino & Resort
  • Kansas Star Casino
  • Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
  • Kansas Crossing Casino & Hotel

Tribal casinos are also working to align on contracts with the State of Kansas for sports wagering. According to Governor Kelly’s Office, these casinos will be authorized to launch as soon as they are ready.

“Sports betting has successfully kicked off in Kansas, and players could not be more excited to get in on the action,” Stephen Durrell, Executive Director of the Kansas Lottery, said. “The launch went smoothly thanks to the efforts of our casino partners, the sports wagering platforms, the KRGC, and our staff at the Kansas Lottery. We will continue to work to make sports betting in Kansas safe, secure, and fun for all players as we expand and grow.”

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City of Joplin accepts bids for old downtown public library building

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JOPLIN, Mo. – The City of Joplin is now accepting bids for the sale and redevelopment of the old downtown Public Library.

The building has sat vacant for several years. It was given to Missouri Southern State University to turn into office space. But, MSSU transferred it back to the City.

Now the City is looking for someone to give it new life.

They will accept bids until February 1st, 2023.

Bid forms are available from Tony Robyn, Assistant City Manager. You can call 417-624-0820 ext. 1203 or write to trobyn@joplinmo.org.

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Governor Parson signs ‘Historic’ income tax cut legislation into law

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo, (AP) – Missouri Governor Mike Parson today signed SBs 3 & 5 and HB 3 into law; greatly benefitting many industries in the Show-Me State.

Parson’s Office says both pieces of legislation are a result of Governor Parson urging others to pass income tax cuts and extend key agriculture tax credits for a minimum of 6 years.

“Missouri’s elected officials have been hard at work at the State Capitol to pass critical support for farmers and ranchers and the largest income tax cut in state history for all taxpaying Missourians,” Governor Parson said. “This summer, we engaged stakeholders, representatives, and senators. We went to them, met them where they were, and formulated a concrete path ahead. Today, on the successful conclusion of our special session, we are proud to sign two historical pieces of legislation into law.”

Senators voted 26-3 Tuesday in favor of the tax incentive package, which primarily renewed tax credits that had expired. The measure includes tax credits to benefit companies involved in meat processing, biodiesel, ethanol fuel and urban farms. It also expands government loan programs for farmers.

“The bill that we passed is a big win for rural Missouri,” Republican Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz told reporters Tuesday.

Republican Sen. Mike Moon, a cattle rancher, raised concerns during Tuesday’s debate about foreign-owned Missouri farm companies benefitting from the tax breaks. Moon voted against the bill.

“We want to protect Missouri farmland for our families who come after us,” Moon said, adding that he wants “to make sure it stays in the hands of Missourians.”

Republican state Sen. Jason Bean, a farmer who ushered the agricultural tax credits through the Senate, said he expects lawmakers to debate foreign ownership of Missouri farms during the next legislative session, which begins in January.

The Republican-led Missouri Legislature passed a bill with similar agricultural tax credits during the regular legislative session, which ended in May.

Parson vetoed the measure, citing a two-year sunset attached to many of the tax credits that he said was too short. He called lawmakers back for a special session to extend agricultural tax breaks for another six years, as well as spend some of the state’s revenue surplus on an income tax cut for individuals.

The House last week sent Parson a bill to cut individual income taxes from 5.3% to 4.95% beginning next year and phase in additional cuts until the rate hits 4.5%.

Officials say the Senate’s passage of the agricultural tax incentive bill caps off the rest of lawmakers’ unfinished business for its special legislative session.

Click the link above to learn about each piece of legislation or watch KOAM & Fox 14 news tonight for more.

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Local Loan Officers discuss how rising interest rates affect consumers

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JOPLIN, Mo. – The Federal Reserves Decision to increase interest rates have altered how some people may use their credit cards.

A Commercial Loan Officer from Joplin says one important key when making investments is to always speak with a professional.

With interest rates going up, there may be additional fees, so paying off your credit card balance by the end of the statement would prevent those fees.

“When talking about a dollar, the rates may not be that impactful, however, it can add up when we are talking about thousands of dollars, so keep in mind when it comes to financial planning,” says Isaac Norman of Arvest Bank.

Norman reminds consumers that the market goes through cycles throughout the years.

Watch KOAM news or Fox 14 for more.

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Joplin ‘Ace of Spades’ Scratcher yields a 100k prize

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JASPER COUNTY, Mo. – A Missouri Lottery player won $100,000 after purchasing a ticket from the Big Apple Travel Plaza in Joplin.

The player said she bought a $5 “Ace of Spades” scratcher and couldn’t believe what happened afterward.

After learning they won 1 of 6 $100,000 jackpots, “[She] had to have someone else look at it to see if it was real.”

Missouri Lottery officials say there are over $5.9 million in unclaimed prizes, including another $100,000 top prize and three $20,000 prizes.

Click here to learn more.

 

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Fans are paying top dollar to tailgate this year

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Football season is underway and this year fans are paying top dollar to party in the parking lot. A recent report from Wells Fargo found tailgating costs are up – from beer to brats. Even propane to fire up the grill.

“Prices at the checkout counter at the grocery store are up the most on a year-over-year basis since 1979,” says Wells Fargo economist Michael Pugliese. “Certain proteins like chicken and beef up pretty substantially, snack-like items, buns, pickles all kinds of stuff like that that you need for game day.”

Los Angeles Rams fan Freddy Llanas and his booster club have felt the impact of that soaring inflation on their potluck budget. “Say if it I was spending 60 bucks, now it’s like $120, pretty much,” says Llanas.

Even getting to the game costs more. Gas, while on the decline from the highs of early summer, is still around fifty cents more per gallon than it was a year ago, according to AAA. And domestic flights to your alma mater or favorite team are up a whopping 34%, according to the travel site Hopper.

But rising prices don’t have to sack all the fun. There are ways to save on game day.

“Take the subway, take the bus, if you can, rather than driving or flying,” says Pugliese. He also suggests taking stock of your food spread and see which items can be swapped out for less expensive alternatives, like pork ribs – up only 2.3% over last year. Fresh vegetables are also in the single digits – up 7.6% compared to last September.

Of course, you can always armchair quarterback from the comfort of your own home. “TV prices are actually down relative to a year ago,” says Pugliese.

Llanas and his booster club all pitch in for their tailgating party, and they have enough passion to go around. “We waited years for the Rams to come home and every cent is well worth it,” says Llanas.

Experts say the most expensive thing at the game this season is still probably the tickets themselves.

Correspondent: Danya Bacchus
Producer: Kathleen Clancy

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