Although there are many factors affecting the health of Americans, there are few greater than the importance placed on healthy living.  As individuals, there are many things we can do to influence our quality of health, and while we cannot control all of the factors that determine our physical condition, our behavior and our life style choices do have a significant impact on our overall health.  Therefore, any meaningful healthcare reform must address this fundamental understanding.

The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce will host a continental breakfast with area lawmakers and health-care executives beginning at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Holiday Inn Express, 2929 South Main, in Maryville. For more information about the event, call Luke Reven, executive director of the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce, at (660) 582-8643

Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have risen 2.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.60 a gallon today. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.78 a gallon, according to gasoline price Web site

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Rest easy. There really are no flesh-eating piranha lurking beneath the  surface of Lake of the Ozarks, waiting to feed on unsuspecting victims. Despite the recent attention focused on Lake of the Ozarks by the History Channel’s "MonsterQuest" TV program called the "Piranha Invasion," the coves are not teeming with piranhas.

Last year, bills were introduced in both the Missouri House and Senate to mandate insurance coverage for autism therapies, but neither made it into law.

A bill better defining a majority vote on tax issues in elections has suffered a setback, a state representative reports.

The historic Katy Bridge — unused for years and the source of longstanding battles among state government, a railroad company and Boonville residents — will continue to sit atop the Missouri River.

 

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urged drivers of recalled Toyotas earlier this week to park their cars if they noticed stiffer than normal gas pedals. By the time that recommendation was issued, Ruth Hart was already wary of her Camry after receiving a pair of recall notices.

After spending the last two years deep in the adoption process, an Arkansas couple were rocked to the core last week after the Haiti earthquake.

A family that constantly fights typically has serious problems. An exception to that rule can be found at the Hannibal Armory Boxing Club in Hannibal, Mo., where fighting has helped create a family.

With heart-wrenching images of grieving Haitian citizens monopolizing airtime on television, Americans are once again mobilizing relief efforts to aid the earthquake shattered island nation.

Employees at the Kawasaki Motors manufacturing plant in Maryville were sent home early Thursday afternoon after temporary repairs to a large section of the factory's roof failed under the weight of recent heavy snowfall.

State Rep. Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho, has been tabbed to head up a bipartisan committee with the task of establishing ethics and governmental reform at the state level.

A product made from sugar beet juice is helping the Missouri Department of Transportation keep roads clear this winter. The liquid is mixed with salt and spread on roadways.

Sixteen years ago, West Jarrett and her three children spent Christmas in a country that did not acknowledge Christmas and where it was forbidden to even mention Jesus’ name, let alone to worship his birth.

Scammers call unsuspecting seniors posing as their grandchild, saying he has been in an accident, is in jail or is in some other kind of trouble

A relative of men charged with unspeakable acts of sexual violence against children said on Thursday he does not think the allegations are “valid” and hopes the men are exonerated.

Three of the Mohler men, accused of graphic sexual abuse of their own young relatives, faced judges Thursday morning in Lafayette County court.

The Rams have seldom been worse. Stephen Jackson has never been better. The Rams (1-10) can barely win a game, yet Jackson runs on everybody. Stopping Jackson will be key for the Bears this week.

Krissy Jacobs proudly held a sign over her head, slowly turning so folks in all directions could read its three-word message: “Rogue is Vogue.”