There have been efforts to sue and admonish China for its role in the coronavirus spread worldwide. American leaders say China hid the growing virus threat. Missouri Congresswoman from the St. Louis region Ann Wagner says she is taking an approach that is more realistic in a bill that she is filing to take away […]
You’ll notice extra Missouri state troopers on the road throughout the long Memorial Day weekend. Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz describes the holiday weekend as the unofficial start of the summer season. “We know that a lot of people are ready to get out and enjoy the outdoors and travel is part of […]
Thirteen hog farm employees in Audrain County have tested positive for the coronavirus. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams says the cases impact the overall food chain. Some Missouri meat processing plants have closed or reduced their output due to coronavirus outbreaks, including in Moniteau and Saline Counties. “We […]
The state has received and completed about 2.5 million individual income tax returns. Missouri Department of Revenue Director Ken Zellers says the figure represents a roughly 358,000 decline compared to this time last year. “I expect it to stay pretty steady. I do not expect a backlog,” says Zellers. “Every year, we process […]
While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a delay in the opening this year of the Grundy County Museum, organizers continue to plan for the feature exhibit. “Photography Then and Now” will be featured on the main floor once the museum does open for the season. To showcase local involvement, 5th graders county-wide are encouraged to […]
The Missouri Legislature has passed changes to the state’s new medical marijuana industry. The FBI informed the state health department, which licenses and regulates the medical marijuana industry, that the department will not have access to its national fingerprint background check database. Representative Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, says his legislation would clear up that problem. “Because […]
Missouri’s nursing homes and assisted living centers caring for senior citizens remain closed to visitors due to the coronavirus. State Health Director Randall Williams says Missouri will follow the guidance of the federal government when determining a future reopening. The most recent state data shows more than 80 nursing homes or assisted living […]
The Missouri Department of Social Services says SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits households can use an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy food online from Amazon and Walmart, and other retailers might be added. To get started with online purchasing, Food Stamp/SNAP participants can connect directly with the online store. A […]
Presiding Judge Thomas Alley of the Third Judicial Circuit Court reports he’s reviewed COVID-19 health conditions and received guidance from the Missouri Supreme Court to begin the process of re-opening local courts. This applies to the counties of Grundy, Mercer, Harrison, and Putnam which are in the third circuit of Missouri. Judge Alley stated these […]
Legislation that would create a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) is now heading to a Missouri House-Senate conference committee. While both chambers have approved PDMP, they’ve approved different versions. Scott City GOP State Representative Holly Rehder delivered a passionate floor speech on Monday, urging colleagues not to judge people “unless you’ve walked a mile in […]
The Missouri Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten says highway traffic has picked up since the state has reopened for business But traffic violation numbers have passed those of a normal year—already. Director Karsten says that violence at home has increased while people have had to stay at home. Karsten asks residents […]
Missouri’s State Parks will gradually return to normal business operations. On Monday, concession-operated lodging, dining, marina, and retail operations will begin reopening at the discretion of the individual concessionaires. Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Carol Comer says park campgrounds and park-run lodging will remain closed. On May 11, Castlewood, Elephant Rocks, Watkins […]
Some Missouri businesses are preparing to reopen Monday, and Labor Department Director Anna Hui says Missourians who are afraid of going back to work due to the coronavirus will not qualify for unemployment benefits. Workers could still request unemployment benefits if they have limited hours. Hui says the department is working to launch […]
Despite coronavirus outbreaks among some of the nation’s meatpacking plants, President Trump is expected to order them to stay open. At least 3,000 workers among 48 meatpacking plants around the country have tested positive for the virus. Governor Parson agrees with the president’s move. The state is testing workers this week at meat […]
The Missouri Supreme Court heard remote oral arguments on Wednesday in a high-profile case involving the Cole County circuit court’s 2018 decision to award more than $113 million in overtime pay for Missouri corrections officers. It’s a case that’s been working its way through the court system for eight years, and it’s a case that could […]
Governor Parson says almost every Missouri business will be able to reopen its doors on May 4. During a virtual coronavirus briefing, the governor says he’s developing policies and guidelines for communities to follow. St. Louis City, St. Louis County have indefinitely extended their stay-at-home orders. Kansas City’s runs until May 15.
A time capsule was discovered under the cornerstone of the Milan C-2 High School building last week. Superintendent Ben Yocom says part of the construction process at the school involved the contractor removing the cornerstone from 1925, so it would not be covered when the existing and new buildings are connected. The time […]
Governor Parson is freezing another 47 million dollars in the current state budget to help Missouri fight the coronavirus. The largest chunks of funding being withheld are nearly 16 million dollars to K through 12 education and 7.1 million in school bus transportation. During Monday’s virtual briefing, Parson says the restrictions will be felt by […]
Missouri’s hospitals have gotten some relief from the CARES Act- to offset the lost revenue from canceled and NON-COVID related procedures. But the losses continue, says Dave Dillon of the Missouri Hospital Association- and the majority of the money for health clinics and hospitals is still in Washington. Missouri’s hospitals got some relief […]
The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri helps more than a hundred thousand people a month during normal times, and more during this pandemic. Lindsay Young Lopez with the food bank says there are changes at the main pantry in Columbia. While you may have never needed a food bank before to […]
