As a joint session of Congress began the process of approving the electoral college results of the 2020 presidential election, pro-Trump rioters pushed past U.S. Capitol Police and entered the House chambers and Senate offices. Vice-president Mike Pence and members of Congress evacuated to “safe quarters” inside the office buildings. Then they began tweeting their […]
Tag: agencies
Audio: ATF agents protect victims of domestic violence by enforcing federal gun laws
The Gun Control Act bans the possession of firearms by individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. United States Code (USC) Section 922(g)(9) allows for the removal of firearms. In passing the law, Congress noted that “anyone who attempts or threatens violence against a loved one has demonstrated that he or she poses […]
Attorney General William P. Barr announces results of Operation Legend
Attorney General William P. Barr announced the results of Operation Legend, which was first launched in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 8, 2020, and then expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 22, 2020; to Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 29, 2020; to St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, on August 6, […]
Missouri’s Governor grants 24 pardons, commutes four sentences
Governor Mike Parson granted pardons to 24 individuals who have demonstrated a changed lifestyle and desire to move on from past behaviors. “If we are to be a society that believes in forgiveness and second chances, then it is the next chapter in these individuals’ lives that will matter most,” Governor Parson said. “We are encouraged and […]
Death from COVID-19 has now hit every county in Missouri
Death from COVID-19 has visited now every county in Missouri. Tiny Worth County along the border with Iowa has about 2,000 people. The Department of Health and Senior Services reported over the weekend that Worth was the last of 117 local health jurisdictions to have a death recorded on the department’s COVID-19 dashboard. The report, […]
Missouri 4-H’ers warm state with handmade blankets
Missouri 4-H’ers have been hard at work making blankets since the State 4-H Fashion Revue in October. Fifty 4-H’ers from 19 counties donated 72 handmade blankets to Project Linus as a result of a philanthropy challenge at the event. Project Linus is a national nonprofit that facilitates the donation of handmade blankets and afghans to […]
Missouri WIC changes infant formula manufacturer beginning January 1, 2021
WIC, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children will be changing the brand of standard infant formulas available to participating infants effective January 1, 2021. The Missouri WIC program will change its standard infant formulas from Enfamil to Similac. WIC federal regulations require all state […]
Grundy County Health Department Director Elizabeth Gibson on COVID-19 vaccine distribution
The COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed in Missouri. A website specifically about the vaccine in Missouri indicates there are three phases to availability. Phase 1A involves long-term care facility residents and staff and health care workers. Phase 1B involves high-risk individuals who are 18 to 64 years old, individuals who are at least 65, first […]
Director of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services attends White House task force meeting on Operation Warp Speed
President Donald Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force invited a small group of private business, state, and health care leaders to the White House to brief them on Operation Warp Speed, the COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution project started earlier this year. Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and […]
40 charged in sprawling criminal enterprise using inmates
A federal grand jury has returned a 147-count superseding indictment against 40 defendants across South Carolina in the largest federal racketeering conspiracy in South Carolina history. The indictment alleges a sprawling criminal enterprise whereby inmates with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, often through the use of contraband cell phones, orchestrated murder, kidnapping, firearms distribution, […]
Missouri Department of Corrections implements technology to cut COVID-19 infection rate within prisons
Implementation of three technological innovations in the Missouri Department of Corrections aims to cut COVID-19 infection rates in Missouri state prisons and other facilities. These strategies: Kill the virus in the air Kill the virus on surfaces Detect the virus in wastewater The department now has ionization generators — air purifying devices that destroy 99.4% […]
Missouri tenants’ group protests at online eviction hearings
With evictions set to skyrocket after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium ends December 31, a Kansas City tenants’ group is taking an unusual route to delay evictions, by disrupting housing-court hearings being held online. Tara Raghuveer, director of KC Tenants, said research shows online hearings may even violate the rights of renters with […]
4-H can help open doors for you in future endeavors
Sebrina Barrett credits Missouri 4-H for her career path in advocacy and organizational leadership. “It’s no surprise that I am running an association,” said Barrett, executive director of the Association for Community Living, an organization of not-for-profit agencies in New York State that provide housing and rehabilitation services to people with psychiatric disabilities. Barrett grew […]
Trenton Police Department warning of scam involving imposters pretending to be government personnel
The Trenton Police Department warns of a government impostor scam happening in Trenton. The police say a caller claims he is from the government, and your social security number was suspended due to being connected with fraud or other criminal activity. The caller wants you to call a number where someone else will ask for […]
Audio: Nursing homes need funding, staff relief as COVID-19 rates increase
Missouri CARES Act funding allotted to nursing homes is running out – while needs for staffing and testing increase. Nikki Strong, the executive director of the Missouri Healthcare Association. She says homes have had to rely on more expensive temp agencies and to cover staff and nursing shortages. Because of the case rates […]
With no statewide mandate in Missouri, more local governments are requiring masks
(Missouri Independent) – In early July, the Columbia City Council passed an ordinance requiring everyone over 10 years old to wear a face mask when in close contact with someone from outside their household. Since that vote, a requirement for face masks has been in every health order issued for the city of 123,000 by the Columbia-Boone […]
Grand River Basin Study moves on to Congress for authorization
Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, USACE Commanding General and 55th U.S. Army Chief of Engineers, signed the Chief’s Report for the Grand River Basin Study on November 19, 2020. The signing of the report progresses the project to Congress for authorization. “I am grateful for the hard work of the entire team and for the […]
Missouri Job Centers move to appointment only openings, require masks at all locations
The Missouri Office of Workforce Development has issued a new policy within all Job Centers across the state to help protect staff and customers from spreading COVID-19. Beginning Friday, Nov. 20, all Job Centers will be open for in-person services by appointment only. Staff have been wearing masks, but now customers will also be required […]
Seven charged in connection with COVID-relief fraud scheme involving at least 80 fraudulent loan applications
Seven individuals across two states were charged in an indictment unsealed for their alleged participation in a scheme to obtain approximately $16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Amir Aqeel, 52, and Pardeep Basra, 51, both of […]