News from the South - Missouri News Feed

Billy Long’s bid to lead IRS under scrutiny over donations that paid off personal debt

Published

2 months ago

April 19, 2025

missouriindependent.com – Jason Hancock – 2025-04-19 05:55:00

by Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent
April 19, 2025

Former Missouri Congressman Billy Long received $137,000 in campaign contributions — just enough to pay off a personal loan to his campaign — soon after he was tapped to lead the Internal Revenue Service.

Some of the donations are connected to companies that will be policed by the agency Long has been nominated to run.

According to recently filed financial disclosures, which were first reported on by the investigative journalism site The Lever, Long only raised roughly $36,000 in the last two years.

He was named as President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the IRS in December, and in January received $137,000 in donations. He then paid back the remaining $130,000 in debt from a $250,000 loan he made to his unsuccessful 2022 U.S. Senate campaign.

The donations, and their timing, have renewed criticism of Long’s appointment, which still awaits Senate confirmation. Senate Democrats have already called for a criminal investigation of firms with ties to Long that they allege are involved in fraudulent tax credit schemes.

Among the donors to Long’s campaign are financial advisers from some of those firms.

“When they told Billy he’d be in charge of revenue collection, did they forget to tell him that meant for the American people, not his own bank account?” said Sean Nicholson, a longtime progressive activist and campaign consultant in Missouri.

Jordan Libowitz, vice president of communications for the liberal watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said the timing of the donations and the “explicit knowledge that they’d end up directly in Long’s bank account, it’s hard to see them as anything other than an attempt to curry favor with the future head of the IRS.”

Long did not respond to a request for comment.

Billy Long, Trump’s nominee to lead IRS, touts credential tax experts say is dubious

After a career as an auctioneer and conservative radio host, Long served six terms representing a Southwest Missouri congressional district. He gave up his seat to run for U.S. Senate in 2022, losing in the GOP primary to now-Sen. Eric Schmitt.

Long then worked for Lifetime Advisors and earned at least $5,000 in income from White River Energy. Both companies have drawn scorn from Senate Democrats, and intense media scrutiny, over their involvement in controversial tax credit programs.

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a limit on the amount of post-election funds a candidate can use to pay back personal loans. The majority found the limit an unconstitutional restriction on the freedom of speech, while the dissenting justices argued removing it would pave the way for political corruption.

“Even if our broken campaign finance system allows this behavior,” Libowitz said, “it raises serious questions about future conflicts of interest and needs to be addressed in any hearings (Billy Long) has before Congress.”

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

The post Billy Long’s bid to lead IRS under scrutiny over donations that paid off personal debt appeared first on missouriindependent.com

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News from the South - Missouri News Feed

Heat-related illnesses

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – FOX 2 St. Louis – 2025-06-29 08:06:39

SUMMARY: Heat-related illnesses are increasing due to rising heat and humidity. Dr. Roseanna Hog of St. Louis University explains heat exhaustion and heat stroke: exhaustion includes muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, while heat stroke involves dangerously high body temperatures, loss of sweating, and possible unconsciousness. Vulnerable groups include children, those over 65, pregnant women, individuals with mental illness, and those with existing health conditions. Prevention tips include scheduling outdoor activities in cooler hours, wearing lightweight fabrics, and staying well-hydrated—about 8 cups of water daily, avoiding excessive caffeine. If symptoms appear, move the person to a cool place, remove excess clothing, use cool compresses, and seek emergency help if consciousness is lost.

Dr. Farzana Hoque, a hospitalist and associate professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, joined us this morning to discuss the increasing cases of heat-related illnesses.

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News from the South - Missouri News Feed

He had a first date right before Thanksgiving 2021. He didn’t wake up until 2 months later

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – KSDK News – 2025-06-29 06:30:24

SUMMARY: Chris Smith survived a deadly shooting on a first date in Farmersville, Illinois, right before Thanksgiving 2021. Shot in the head by Leslie Reeves’s ex-boyfriend, Robert Tar, Smith was left paralyzed on his left side and in a coma for three months. Despite multiple strokes and brain surgery, he made a remarkable recovery through modern medicine and personal determination. Now, over three years later, Smith inspires others as a singer-songwriter and author of *My Fatal First Date*. He dedicates his life to helping stroke, TBI, and domestic violence survivors, sharing hope and resilience worldwide.

Chris Smith was shot in the head while on a first date in 2021. Now, more than three years later, he’s sharing his story of strength and touching thousands through his new book, ‘My Fatal First Date.’

See the full story here: https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/my-fatal-first-date-chris-smith-survivor-story/63-e54fbfac-fdd1-4a39-9876-47af871aac91
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Israeli strikes kill at least 72 people in Gaza as ceasefire prospects move closer

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2025

Staff Editor

fox2now.com – WAFAA SHURAFA and SAM MEDNICK, Associated Press – 2025-06-28 16:12:00

SUMMARY: Israeli strikes killed at least 72 people across Gaza, including children and families sleeping in a tent camp near Khan Younis. Heavy casualties occurred near shelters and refugee camps in Gaza City. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a ceasefire could be reached within a week, with Israeli talks on the horizon. Since the latest ceasefire ended, over 6,000 Palestinians have died amid ongoing conflict, with Hamas holding hostages captured last October. Humanitarian conditions are dire, with Palestinians facing severe food shortages and deadly risks seeking aid. Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths, while Hamas demands an end to the war for hostage releases.

Read the full article

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