The Missouri labor market showed further improvement in November 2020. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 17,400 jobs over the month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points from October 2020 to November 2020, and the civilian labor force increased more than 23,000. However, the labor market still showed substantial losses from […]
Tag: challenge
Officials in Missouri ponder preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic
Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have been on the rise in Missouri and other states, and experts say the consequences of being unprepared for an infectious-disease outbreak have never been more apparent. Gov. Mike Parson has cited concerns about staffing levels with the demand hospitals are seeing from the crisis. His comments coincide with calls […]
Audio: $76 Million in to be deployed to Missouri’s K-12 schools, once Governor signs supplemental budget
About $76 million in federal money will be heading to Missouri’s k-12 schools, once Governor Mike Parson signs the supplemental budget bill. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, says the $1.27 billion supplemental budget includes $75.6 million for school nutrition services. “i.e., paying for meals in k-12 education,” Smith says. “So this […]
Audio: Crowder State Park to hold Winter Hike Challenge
Crowder State Park west of Trenton will hold a Winter Hike Challenge to encourage exploration of the park’s trails. Park Resource Manager Anna Persell says the event is like a photo scavenger hunt. The challenge will run from December 18th through 27th. The items will have a Christmas theme and Persell notes participants […]
Audio: Vaccines are a light at the end of a tunnel for nursing homes
Nursing home patients and staff are among the most anxious to see a COVID-19 vaccine. Nikki Strong of the state healthcare association that represents nursing homes says community spread is still a challenge. It could take another two weeks to find out if the FDA approves Pfizer’s vaccine. Photo licensed via Envato Elements
Attorney General directs Federal Bureau of Prisons to schedule executions for inmates convicted of brutal murders
The United States Attorney General has directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to schedule the executions of three federal-death row inmates sentenced to death for brutal murders, including the murder of a child and, with respect to two inmates, the murder of multiple victims. Alfred Bourgeois abused, tortured, and beat to death his young daughter. […]
State of Missouri recognizes National Small Business Week
This week, the state of Missouri joins many others across the nation in recognizing National Small Business Week. Small businesses have a major impact on Missouri’s economy, as more than 45 percent of employed Missourians receive a paycheck from working at a small business. In 2019, Missouri’s small businesses created 13,855 net new jobs. More […]
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 […]
109 veterans have died of COVID-19 in Missouri veterans homes since September 1
The Missouri Veterans Commission’s Veterans Homes continue to fight COVID-19, and according to spokesman Jamie Melchert, they are continuing daily testing using PCR and antigen testing; training on the proper use of PPE and enhanced PPE; cleaning and disinfecting and enhanced training in these areas; infection control inspections and additional training; additional supervision, including from […]
Audio: United States Postal Services urges you to mail your packages early
The U. S. Postal Service is urging you to mail your holiday packages early this year. Brian Hauswirth has our report. The Postal Service describes 2020 as an extraordinary year of unprecedented challenges, with the COVID pandemic. The Postal Service is expecting significant volume increases. They have 644-thousand employees dedicated to ensuring gifts […]
Carroll County Memorial Hospital joins nationwide observance of National Rural Health Day
Carroll County Memorial Hospital is proud to recognize the innovation, quality of care, and dedication of health professionals and volunteers in our community during National Rural Health Day 2020. National Rural Health Day was founded as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related challenges; and promote the efforts of National Organization […]
COVID-19 adding to stress of farmers
COVID-19 has added to the stress of farmers who are encouraged to talk about their stress and to reach out and check in on others. Jeff Dizenberger, a Wisconsin farmer and certified mental health coach, says the number one thing farmers can do to help their mental health and that of others is to talk […]
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 […]
2020 was a bloodbath for Missouri Democrats. Will 2022 be any better?
(Missouri Independent) – There’s no point trying to spin it: While the 2020 election was a mixed verdict nationally, with Republicans gaining congressional seats and minimizing Senate losses even as Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump, the Missouri verdict was unequivocal. It started atop the ticket with Trump’s dominance. He and Gov. Mike Parson set […]
Police chokeholds, no-knock warrants spark debate in Missouri House committee
(Missouri Independent) – As state lawmakers mull the idea of restricting police use of chokeholds or no-knock warrants, they are facing pushback from law enforcement organizations who contend decisions should be made at the local level. The House Special Committee on Criminal Justice met for three hours on Monday to explore the possibility of passing […]
Audio: Missouri’s Governor Parson wants Missourians to “step up” and wear masks without a mandate
Governor Mike Parson changed rules on school quarantines to allow kids and staff to stay in school after COVID-19 exposure – if both people were wearing masks properly. He will not mandate masks statewide, but he is asking Missourians to QUOTE “Step up.” Parson says relaxing the mask quarantine guidelines will not only […]
Missouri Attorney General takes action after Satanic Temple seeks to disqualify Justice Amy Coney Barrett
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a response in Judy Doe v. Michael L. Parson, defending Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s faith after it was called into question by a member of the Satanic Temple. Judy Doe, a member of the Satanic Temple, filed a motion to disqualify Justice Barrett last week. Read the […]
Missouri receives $6 million in federal aid to create thousands of tech apprenticeships
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation is deploying $6 million in federal funding to create 5,300 new tech industry apprenticeships. During a virtual event Monday, President Dan Mehan calls the investment a game-changer. “There is an apprenticeship revolution going on in Missouri,” he says. “Over the last two years, our state ranks second […]
Southeastern Missouri achieves new adoption record for the region
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Missourians in the Southeast region of the state overcame these obstacles to ensure 418 children and youth have a forever family to call their own – an increase of 57 additional adoptions from last year’s numbers. The region as a whole and seven individual counties – Dunklin, Howell, Iron, New Madrid, […]