Gasconade County Republican

As R-1 fiscal year draws to close, projection calls for slight balance

HERMANN — It’s a far cry from recent years of being flush with COVID-related funding from the state and federal governments, but at least it’s a positive number projected to be …

HHS set to see 73 crossing the stage, receiving diplomas

HERMANN — A roster of 73 seniors is set for Thursday night’s graduation ceremony at Hermann High School. The event will take place at 7 p.m. on the field of Bearcat Stadium. The top …

Session on housing element of Hermann’s Comp Plan has several groups’ attention

HERMANN — Of the various parts of Hermann’s new Comprehensive Plan being crafted, perhaps none is of more interest than the one to be dealt with next Wednesday night, May 21: How to meet …

Dr. Charles Schmidt’s home is being released from years of encroachment from brush and vines (above, left). The Rock Island Bloomers have undertaken the job as one of their beautification projects and are making good progress (above, right).

Doctor’s home, once one of Gerald’s gem, being revealed

The Rock Island Bloomers have begun another massive project, clearing the growth away from the late Dr. Charles and Mrs. Ruth Schmidt’s home along the highway. It has taken months for the …

Wells family facing health challenges head-on

LINN — Christine Wells of Linn stands strong in the face of adversity, a trait learned from her parents and one she is passing along to her children. From dual bouts of E. coli to a …

A mosquito-control technician sprays a mixture including insecticides in a yard in Michigan.

How does the EPA know a pesticide is safe to use in my yard?

Federal regulations govern which pesticides can be used and give specific directions for applying them. Ignoring those directions is a violation of federal law.

Curious kids ask questions

Will we eventually have to send our trash into space if we run out of room on Earth?

Humans generate a lot of trash, but there are cheaper and safer ways to handle it than loading it on rockets.

Why does the Earth spin?

An astronomer takes us on a tour of the universe to learn about the birth of stars and planets and how they get their spin.

Why do we use gasoline for small vehicles and diesel fuel for big vehicles?

Both gasoline and diesel fuel are refined from crude oil, but they are good for different things and can’t be used interchangeably.

Thinking green

Dragonflies, just like bees and butterflies, face threats that humans can help prevent. Christopher Halsch

Humans are killing helpful insects in hundreds of ways − simple steps can reduce the harm

Insects are often under pressure from several threats at once, from pesticides to habitat loss to pollution.

Conservation group lawsuit seeks to speed listing of Alaska king salmon under Endangered Species Act

A Washington state-based conservation group filed a lawsuit this week in an effort to speed up the federal government’s review of a proposal to list king salmon as threatened or endangered across the Gulf of Alaska. The Wild Fish Conservancy filed its lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., saying that the National […]

Bees, fish and plants show how climate change’s accelerating pace is disrupting nature in 2 key ways

Monarch butterflies migrate each year and rely on plants blooming along their path to provide food.
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Fast-rising temperatures can change how plants and animals behave and disrupt the delicate timing of pollination.

3 expert ways to safely reduce allergens inside your home this allergy season

(BPT) - Spring has officially sprung, but just as April showers bring May flowers, these warmer months also herald the start of peak allergy season. If you are someone who has asthma or suffers from …

What you need to know before becoming a collector of live insects or snails

(BPT) - Insects and snails are a critical part of the planet's ecosystem. Bees, for example, pollinate important crops and provide high-quality food like honey, while snails feed on dead or rotting …

25 years of Everglades restoration has improved drinking water for millions in Florida, but a new risk is rising

The Everglades has often been referred to as a vast river of grass.

Changes to the landscape and pollution have harmed this vital ecosystem known as the ‘river of grass.’

Making Your Energy Choices Count this Earth Day

You can save yourself some money while you help save the planet this Earth Day.

(NAPSI)—This year is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day—an excellent reason to consider ways you can make a difference, not just for the environment, but for yourself, your home, and your family. …

The Arbor Day Foundation launches the largest corporate tree distribution program in its history

(BPT) - Trees are vital to our communities, both now and in the future. Each year, we lose 36 million trees due to age, disease, pests and severe weather. That's why it is essential to plant mature …

Employees sort crickets by size at a farm in Thailand.

Insects are everywhere in farming and research − but insect welfare is just catching up

There’s no single, simple way to assess whether bugs feel pain, but research is giving scientists a better understanding of their abilities.

Environmental Protection Agency employees and others protest the Trump administration’s actions involving the agency on March 25, 2025, in Philadelphia.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke

EPA must use the best available science − by law − but what does that mean?

The Trump administration’s job cuts and advisory board changes at the agency won’t change those rules, as a former EPA science adviser explains.

5 ways to enhance your outdoor living experience

(BPT) - There's nothing quite like spending time in your outdoor space. You can enjoy fresh air and sunshine — or evening breezes — while basking in the comfort of being at home. This …

Why sizzling cities are mapping hot spots street by street

Knowable Magazine reports on how in metros like Reno, Nevada, citizen scientists hit the road to collect detailed temperature data—key to taming urban heat, saving lives and designing for a warmer future.

How electrification can help make your home more sustainable

(BPT) - Is creating a more energy-efficient, sustainable home important to you? If so, you'll be glad to know that it's possible to make your home more sustainable, while also helping you save money, …