The rate of people experiencing hunger in Colorado and across the U.S. remained statistically steady overall during 2020, according to initial data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But people of color and low-income workers experienced food insecurity at dramatically higher rates during the pandemic. Geri Henchy, director of nutrition policy at the Food Research […]
Category: State News
Study to probe how black parents, kids in Missouri discuss racial violence
More than a year after the police killing of George Floyd that sparked nationwide protests, a professor in St. Louis is taking on a project to figure out what support systems Black parents have to talk with their kids about racial violence. Missouri has been a central point of the movement against police brutality after […]
Missouri GOP vow to push back against Biden’s announced vaccine mandate
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Republicans assailed President Joe Biden’s push to require employees of private businesses to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing, vowing a legislative response and legal action. Gov. Mike Parson promised to “fight back against federal power grabs and government overreach” in a tweet Thursday afternoon, calling Biden’s plan “an […]
Missouri Governor condemns Biden’s vaccine mandate, vows legal fight against federal overreach
Governor Mike Parson announced that his administration will reject the Biden Administration’s attempt to enforce an unconstitutional, federal vaccine mandate for Missourians and private businesses. The Office of the Governor has been in communication with leadership from the Missouri General Assembly and the Attorney General’s Office to align resources for a pending legal fight. “This […]
Study: Saint Louis University face mask policy reduced quarantines, COVID cases
(Missouri Independent) – Tying quarantine requirements to the Saint Louis University face mask requirement successfully reduced the number of students sent to isolation and helped cut COVID-19 infections this spring, according to a study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under the university’s rules, students without masks who had close contact […]
Audio: Neosho teacher resigns, files civil rights complaint over having to take down gay pride flag in classroom
A teacher in southwest Missouri’s Neosho says he resigned after he was told to take down a gay pride flag in his classroom. Ty Albright at station KZRG in Joplin has more details. Wallis says he has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. (Photo by Stavrialena […]
Audio: Eight of nine Missouri counties leading in COVID-19 case rates over the past week are in southeast Missouri
Eight of nine Missouri counties leading in COVID-19 case rates over the past week are in the southeast part of the state. They are Scott, New Madrid, Carter, Madison, Mississippi, Perry, St. Francois, and Bollinger Counties. Nurse Eric Slaughter tells KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau the hospital turned a holding area into additional intensive care unit […]
Mississippi man sentenced to seven years in prison for smuggling meth and heroin aboard train in Missouri
A Mississippi man was sentenced in federal court for transporting more than five pounds of methamphetamine and nearly three pounds of heroin through Kansas City, Missouri, en route to St. Louis, Mo. Willie Lewis Braison, 48, of Jonesboro, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to seven years and three months in federal […]
TierPoint announces plan to build new data center in the St. Louis Area
TierPoint, a leading provider of secure, connected data center and cloud solutions, announced plans to build a new, 23,000 square foot Tier III data center in the Westport area of St. Louis County, Missouri. Backed by an approximately $20 million commitment, the facility will include 14,500 square feet of production or raised floor space. “Missouri […]
USDA invests $464 million in renewable energy infrastructure to help rural communities, businesses and ag producers reduce energy costs
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and help rural communities, agricultural producers, and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico. “USDA continues to prioritize climate-smart infrastructure to help rural America build back better, stronger and more […]
Audio: Missouri doctor says no evidence to support Ivermectin can effectively treat COVID-19
A growing number of COVID-19 patients are taking a drug to treat parasites in livestock to try and beat the virus rather than getting vaccinated. Medical experts at the local and national levels say this is a dangerous idea, including in northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph. Dr. Scott Folk, Mosaic Life Care’s Director of Infectious Diseases, […]
Vaccinated Missourians win $10,000 in second round of state’s Vaccine Incentive Program drawings
The winners of the second drawing of the MO VIP were announced. At the time of the Aug. 27 drawing, a total of 566,151 MO VIP entries were received. The MO VIP incentivizes vaccination for those who have not yet been vaccinated, as well as provides an opportunity for rewards for the more than 3.2 […]
“Simply unconscionable”: Advocates push Ameren to keep electric bills low during pandemic
(Missouri Independent) – Ameren Missouri should not increase its electrical rates for its customers as they struggle to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout, a coalition of environmental, veterans, and tenants advocates said Wednesday. The St. Louis-based utility filed with regulators in March seeking a rate increase worth nearly $300 million per year to pay […]
Democrats demand LGBTQ exhibit return to Missouri Capitol or other exhibits be removed
(Missouri Independent) – If an LGBTQ history exhibit was removed from the Missouri Capitol because it didn’t get pre-approval from a specific board, then every exhibit on display that didn’t get approved must also be removed, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade argued in a letter to state officials on Wednesday. That would mean, she said, that […]
In court, drug middlemen fight to limit pharmacies insured patients can use
(Missouri Independent) – In the first test of a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, drug middlemen last week argued that federal law gives them a right to limit which pharmacies patients with health insurance can use — or at least make it more expensive if patients get their medicine at a shop that isn’t preferred […]
Audio: State Appeals court upholds another employee discrimination case against the Missouri Department of Corrections.
A state appeals court has upheld another employee discrimination case against the Missouri Department of Corrections. The case could potentially cost taxpayers more than $700,000. The St. Louis Post Dispatch says it’s the latest in a series of big-ticket judgments against prison system administrators revolving around an employee’s concern about an attempt to […]
Audio: Mask requirement in school triggers Pleasant Hill School Board meeting to turn violent
To mask or not to mask is a question that many local leaders have had to decide, including Tuesday night in Missouri, where that question fueled a rowdy response from some parents. Fights broke out, and one person was handcuffed after a school board meeting in western Missouri’s Pleasant Hill. KMBC-TV in Kansas City reports […]
Oregon County receives rating of “good” from Missouri State Auditor
State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued an audit of Oregon County, located in south-central Missouri. The report, which made recommendations to improve the efficiency of several county offices, gave a rating of “good.” “By implementing the recommendations of an audit, local governments can be more efficient and effective with taxpayer dollars,” Auditor Galloway said. “I encourage […]
Missouri woman sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole for meth conspiracy
A Missouri woman was sentenced in federal court for her role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. Cassidy R. Clayton, 25, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. On Oct. 31, 2019, Clayton pleaded guilty to participating in the drug-trafficking […]
White House seeks at least $24 billion to aid states struck by natural disasters
(Missouri Independent) – The White House is urging Congress to approve at least $24 billion — and likely more — for disaster relief costs, saying that the aid should be included in a short-term spending bill expected this month. That tally includes $14 billion for recovery costs related to extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires during […]