Kristofor Husted

The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced Monday the approval of Enhanced Enterprise Zone, or EEZ, designation to the city of Centralia, Mo.

In the program, businesses could receive tax incentives as encouragement to open up shop in a certain area of the city. Zone designation is based on certain demographic criteria, the potential to create sustainable jobs in a targeted industry and a demonstrated impact on local cluster development, the department says.

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler opened the doors to her new office in Columbia Tuesday.

Dozens of supporters showed up to welcome the Republican congresswoman to the south Columbia location. For many of them it was the first time meeting her.

Though this is Hartzler’s second term in Congress, this is the first time she will be representing Boone County in the Fourth District. That’s because of redistricting that occurred after Missouri lost a spot in the House because of the state’s dip in population.

The Columbia City Council voted Monday to shut down the Enhanced Enterprise Zone advisory board. The vote effectively eliminates the effort to establish an economically incentivized zone for businesses in the city.

Regional news coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• State Sen. Schaefer's bill eliminates solid waste management districts
• Holiday storms have limited impact on US drought
• Mo. Supreme Court considers discipline for judge

Did you feel that pullback January 1st? That was Congress finally passing a compromise bill to prevent the country from careening off the fiscal cliff. In the early hours of 2013, the Senate passed the bill. And much later that day, the House passed it.

Regional news coverage from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Sen. Claire McCaskill calls for closure of levee gap
• Legislator pushes to limit drone use
• "Share the Harvest" receives record venison donations

Regional news from the KBIA newsroom, including:

• Low levels of the Mississippi River to affect commerce
• Gov. Nixon aims to make government more efficient
• Elected teacher battles school board for leave of absence

Had a hamburger lately? The cow it came from likely passed through a feedlot – a huge farm that fattens cattle before they’re slaughtered. The thousands of cattle housed at a feedlot produce tons and tons of waste. That manure can be used as a valuable fertilizer. But if it’s not properly disposed, it could lead to an environmental disaster. In Day 4 of Harvest Public Media’s series, America’s Big Beef, Jeremy Bernfeld reports.

On January 1st, 10 states, including Missouri, are scheduled to raise the minimum wage. Missouri’s minimum wage will jump up by 10 cents to $7.35 per hour. And, the pay increases could provide a nice bump in the state’s economy.

The minimum-wage increase comes after state voters approved a 2006 proposition to keep the minimum wage at a rate matching the growing cost of living.