Maximize Northwest Missouri Website

Maximize Northwest Missouri to hold events during September

Maximize Northwest Missouri will hold events this month involving rural broadband and regional media. Eighth District State Representative Randy Railsback of Hamilton and other state representatives from Northwest Missouri will host a rural broadband town hall for internet service providers. It will be held at the University of Missouri’s Hundley-Whaley Research Center of Albany and […]

Medical Marijuana and Veterans

Veterans Administration sending mixed messages to vets about cannabis use to treat PTSD

(Missouri Independent) – Despite increasing legal access to medical and recreational cannabis in states across the U.S., veterans face unfair treatment and stigmatization because the U.S.  refuses to recognize marijuana as a viable treatment option.  While the VA has embraced the federally illegal status of the drug, agency policy does not allow discrimination against veterans […]

Car Seat Safety graphic

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 15 through 21

The Missouri State Highway Patrol joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Safety Council, Safe Kids Worldwide, and other safety advocates to commemorate National Child Passenger Safety Week which is September 15-21, 2021. The primary goal of this program is to remind all parents and other adults responsible for children traveling in motor […]

Mask Mandate News Graphic

Missouri Attorney General sends letter to KC Mayor and Jackson County executive providing “legal direction” on mask mandates

While litigation over the mask mandates continues, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sent a letter to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Jackson County Executive Frank White noting the exceptions to the City and County’s mask mandates and providing “legal direction” to the public on these important exceptions, specifically for those with disabilities or those […]

COVID-19 or Coronavirus Update

Grundy County Health Department to hold vaccine clinic; two health departments report on COVID-19 cases

The Grundy County Health Department will hold a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine clinic on September 7th. Anyone at least 18 years old can receive the free vaccine from 2 to 4 o’clock that afternoon. The health department reminds residents the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccination even if someone has already had COVID-19. Schedule […]

COVID-19 Delta Variant

COVID cases among children rising as Missouri Delta variant wave enters fifth month

(Missouri Independent) – Clay LaRue, superintendent of the Van Buren R-1 School District, made a tough decision Sunday. With COVID-19 cases spiking in Carter County in southeast Missouri, and many of those infections among very young children, LaRue shut down the district’s pre-kindergarten program for two weeks. He had previously directed faculty, staff, and students […]

Group Photo of Missouri Public Safety Medals

Governor Parson awards Missouri Public Safety Medals to first responders and civilians for heroic actions in 2020

Governor Mike Parson awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals to a total of 15 first responders and 7 civilians for heroic and life-saving actions during 2020. The awards are Missouri’s highest recognition for first responders acting during critical incidents. The civilians, who include a 12-year-old boy who performed a life-saving rescue at age 11, were honored […]

COVID-19 or Coronavirus Update

Three area health departments report on COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 cases increased in Mercer County September 1st: one more confirmed and three more probable. The health department reported 211 confirmed cases and 225 probable cases. Thirty cases were active. There were three current COVID-19-related hospitalizations for Mercer County. The Livingston County Health Center reported September 1st three COVID-19 cases had been added since August […]

Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inducts 44 members

“Making the best better” for generations of Missouri 4-H club members, 44 volunteers joined the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame on Aug. 21 at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognizes individuals who have created a legacy of service to 4-H by honoring them with membership in the Missouri 4-H Hall […]

Coronavirus News Graphic

Area health departments report 28 new cases of COVID-19

Ten COVID-19 cases have been added in Linn County since August 24th. The health department reports 1,813 total cases, with 23 being active. The Livingston County Health Center reports eight COVID-19 cases have been added since August 26th, bringing the total to 2,222. Thirty-three cases are active. The number of COVID-19 cases increased in Mercer […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Attorneys argue Missouri is violating federal law, courts on Medicaid expansion delays

(Missouri Independent) – Attorneys who successfully sued to force Missouri to enact voter-approved Medicaid expansion argued in a letter to state officials Thursday that delays in implementation violate not only the court order but also federal law. The plaintiffs’ attorneys, Chuck Hatfield and Lowell Pearson joined with Joel Ferber, director of advocacy for Legal Services […]