Harshawn Ratanpal

Red crown rot stems from a fungus that lives in the soil. Its first confirmed case in Missouri was last year, and in one field, it cut soybean yields by more than half.

Scientists in the Columbia, Missouri, lab have studied the relationship between animals, toxic chemicals and ecosystems since the 1960s. Today, research of PFAS, invasive and endangered species and other environmental risks could end if this part of the U.S. Department of Interior is defunded.

New Madrid, Missouri, was terrorized by its fault line in the early 19th century, and earthquakes are still the region's claim to fame. But these days, earthquake insurance is prohibitively expensive.

Every spring, thousands of turtles begin their yearly search for places to forage, mate and lay eggs. Sometimes they have to cross Missouri's roads to do it.

Despite efforts to develop markets and genetics, Missouri's industrial hemp industry is at its lowest point in years. “Most of the farmers who started with hemp — they lost money,” says a Missouri agricultural economist.

Many of these programs offered incentive payments to farmers who adopt an environmentally sustainable or “climate-smart” practice. Some partnerships will be renewed and folded into a new program.

Hundreds of employees were fired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week. The mood was grim the next morning in an atmospheric science class at the University of Missouri.

One letter cites a lack of “fitness or qualification” as the reason for termination – despite positive performance reviews. The letters also contained inaccuracies and inconsistencies about the employee and their job.

Missouri state Sen. Mike Henderson said the bill protects farmers’ privacy. Public information advocates and environmental groups worry about the loss of transparency.

Poverty, job loss and high insurance costs have led to a lack of earthquake insurance in New Madrid, Missouri — a town with a big fault and bigger problems.