Healthcare

Special enrollment period to obtain healthcare insurance through federal marketplace begins today

Today begins a special three month enrollment period for consumers to obtain health insurance through the federal marketplace. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid determined that the COVID-19 emergency presents exceptional circumstances in accessing health insurance and provides the special enrollment period through May 15th. Consumers who are eligible to apply and enroll are in […]

Evergy Website

Evergy asking customers to conserve electricity

At the request of the Southwest Power Pool, Evergy is asking customers to conserve electricity use as much as possible through Wednesday, Feb. 17. The SPP, which coordinates the 17-state regional power supply, advises that the region’s coldest weather in decades is creating a high demand for electricity. At the same time, the extreme weather […]

Missouri Governor Mike Parson

Audio: Governor Parson extends heating fuel deliveries by executive order

Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 21-03 temporarily relaxing hours of service regulations for commercial motor vehicles transporting residential heating fuels.     “With unseasonably cold temperatures impacting much of the state and nation, the demand for heating fuel only continues to rise. This has resulted in significant delays in the distribution of residential heating […]

Fruits and Vegetables

Online workshops set for fruit and vegetable growers for produce safety training

Missouri fruit and vegetable growers can enroll in upcoming no-cost or low-cost online produce safety training. Webinar topics include creating a food safety plan for USDA Good Agricultural Practices certification, Food Safety Modernization Act training, produce safety best practices, and wildlife control for produce growers, said Londa Nwadike, an extension associate professor of food safety […]

Circle of Hope Ranch courtesy NBC News

Audio: State lawmaker says faith-based boarding schools need regulations

The top Democrat on Missouri’s House Children’s Committee was featured Thursday night on NBC’s “Dateline,” for her legislation aimed at facilities like the troubled Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch near Humansville. Lee’s Summit State Representative Keri Ingle tells Missourinet the issue with faith-based boarding schools goes well beyond the Circle of Hope.     “Dateline” […]

School Bus

Audio: Governor’s budget proposal underfunds school transportation by $185 million

Missouri can fund up to 75% of school bus transportation costs, which currently total about $278 million. Under the governor’s and the Education Department’s new budget proposal, Missouri underfunds these expenses by about 185 million dollars. During a House Budget Committee hearing, St. Louis Democrat Peter Merideth asked the department’s Kari Monsees why 93 million […]

Missouri moves to allow recently retired healthcare providers to administer COVID-19 vaccine

Retired healthcare providers are now added to the list of those authorized to administer the two currently approved COVID-19 vaccines. Department of Health and Senior Services Director, Dr. Randall Williams, issued amended standing orders detailing who in Missouri is authorized to administer the vaccines following a move by federal partners to increase the available workforce.  The […]

MoDOT Webpage

Audio: MoDOT director Patrick McKenna says 645 MoDOT employees currently have COVID

Missouri’s transportation director says more than 600 of his employees currently have the coronavirus. State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) director Patrick McKenna testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight on Monday in Jefferson City, delivering MoDOT’s annual report. “As of this moment (Monday afternoon), we’re at about 645 cases of COVID within MoDOT, MoDOT alone,” McKenna […]

State launches Missouri COVID-19 Vaccine Navigator

Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of the Missouri Vaccine Navigator, a secure registry tool to assist Missourians in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. “Although vaccine supply nationwide is still quite limited, this registration process will help connect Missourians with more avenues to receive a vaccine,” Governor Parson said. “This will not only provide support for […]

MoDOT Snowplow (Photo courtesy MoDOT)

Chemicals used to treat the roads lose their effectiveness in the bitterly cold temperatures

Light snow and periods of freezing drizzle create slippery road conditions through the evening hours. Though minimal accumulation is anticipated, the Missouri Department of Transportation warns that glazing of the pavement along with bitterly cold temperatures could impact travel along the I-44 and I-70 corridors today especially during the evening peak traffic times in the […]

CRP Website Revised (Conservation Reserve Program website)

USDA extends general signup for Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the Conservation Reserve Program General Signup period, which had previously been announced as ending on Feb. 12, 2021.  USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. Under the previous Administration, incentives and rental payment rates […]