January 10, 2026

This Week's News: Missouri's lake water testing program cuts, how plastic pellets are polluting beaches and waterways, funds for a Mississippi River Invasive Species Consortium, a representative's record breaking run, reward being offered for southern Missouri elk poacher, a grant for Mississippi River field trips, the USDA details federal farm aid package, Indigenous land trust buys acreage along Klamath River, a Missouri teen makes tournament fishing history, how Missouri continues to fight CWD, upcoming prescribed burn workshops, and learn how to identify trees with MDC.

MISSOURI
Lake Water Testing Program Cuts
Lake water testing program in Missouri going away in 2027 due to federal budget cuts (LISTEN)
MissouriNet

Missouri Teen Makes History
Missouri teen makes history for tournament bass fishing
Missouri Independent

Reward Being Offered for info on Southern MO Elk Poacher
$15K Reward Being Offered for Info to Convict Southern Missouri Elk Poacher
13KRCG

Missouri to Consider New Rules for Fighting CWD
Missouri to Consider New Rules for Fighting Chronic Wasting Disease
KBIA

Prescribed Burn Workshops in Stone and Taney Counties
MDC Prescribed Burn Workshops in Stone and Taney Counties in January
MDC

Learn to Identify Trees by Twigs, Fruits, and Bark
Learn to Identify Trees by Twigs, Fruits, and Bark at MDC Virtual Programs
MDC

NATIONAL
Indigenous Land Trust Buys Acreage along Klamath
Klamath Indigenous Land Trust Buys 10,000 Acres Along the Klamath River From PacifiCorp
Lost Coast Outpost

USDA Details Farm Aid Package
USDA details $12 billion farm aid package favoring rice, cotton; soy farmers warn of strain
Reuters

Funds for Mississippi River Invasive Species Consortium
LSU Applauds $1M in Federal Funds for Mississippi River Invasive Species Consortium
Concordia Sentinel

Grant for Mississippi River Field Trips
STEAM on Wheels Receives $36,000 Grant for Mississippi River Field Trips
WQAD8

Rep. Nance’s Record Breaking Run 
Rep. Nance Breaks Another Record with Run Along Mississippi River
KITSAP Daily News

Plastic Pellets are Polluting Beaches
Plastic pellets known as ‘nurdles’ are polluting beaches and waterways
Missouri Independent