Power of Attorney, Living Will and Estate plan

Missouri attorneys say you should make your end-of-life care wishes known

Saturday is National Health Care Decisions Day, and groups in Missouri urged residents to make a plan for their end-of-life care in case they are not able to express their wishes. Some 120,000 Missourians age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia in older adults. John Grimm, president of the […]

Fentanyl Graphic

DEA warns of increase in mass-overdose events involving deadly fentanyl

The Drug Enforcement Administration sent a letter to federal, state, and local law enforcement partners warning of a nationwide spike in fentanyl-related mass-overdose events. Administrator Anne Milgram outlined the current threat and offered DEA support to law enforcement officers responding to these tragic incidents. “Fentanyl is killing Americans at an unprecedented rate,” said DEA Administrator […]

Rape Kit or DNA Testing

Missouri clearing backlog of untested, unreported rape kits, getting FBI matches on suspect DNA

In a major milestone, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced at a press conference earlier that the Attorney General’s Office has worked with 169 law enforcement agencies to clear their backlogs of untested, report sexual assault kits. In total, 3,298 untested, reported kits have been sent to the lab to be tested. Further, because of […]

Doris Rider Art Gallery

New exhibition at North Central Missouri College Rider Gallery features Nora Othic

A collection of works by an area artist will continue the 2021-2022 exhibition schedule in the Dorris Rider Art Gallery at North Central Missouri College in Trenton.  “More Cowbell!” by Nora Othic is now open and runs through June 10. The Rider Art Gallery is located in the Frey Administrative Center on the NCMC Main […]

RootED Alliance website

Career, college readiness program in Missouri expands statewide

An increasing number of jobs across Missouri require some level of training or education beyond high school, but rural students are less likely than their urban or suburban peers to enroll in and finish college. The rootEd Alliance wants to change it, by bringing career counselors into school districts to complement the work guidance counselors are already […]

Hedrick Medical Center

Hedrick Medical Center Recognized as a Missouri AIM Star facility

Hedrick Medical Center has been recognized as a Missouri AIM Star by the Missouri Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. The recognition signifies the hospital’s completion of the organization’s Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Collaborative. Hypertension, known as high blood pressure, can have a devastating effect on a mother and baby. Pre-eclampsia, a condition signaled by high blood […]

Demonstrators stand outside of the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City (Photo by Tessa Weinberg - Missouri Independent).

Medicaid enrollment backlog persists as advocates say Missouri could be doing more

(Missouri Independent) – Applying for health insurance through Medicaid expansion took Raven Cole just 10 minutes. But the wait to see if she’s approved has dragged on for months. The 23-year-old legal assistant applied for coverage, “well over two to three months ago.” “And I haven’t heard anything back,” Cole said. Cole is one of […]

Hospitalist Byron Thornton, MD

Hospitalist Byron Thornton, MD joins staff at Wright Memorial Hospital

Wright Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome hospitalist Byron Thornton, MD, to the medical team. Hospitalists are physicians and advanced practice providers who specialize in hospital-based care. They coordinate all aspects of care for patients who are in the hospital. The hospitalist, along with the patient’s primary care provider and other specialists involved with treatment, […]

Grants News Graphic

NCMC one of seven universities receiving Nursing Education Incentive Program grant

The Missouri State Board of Nursing recently announced the award of substantial nursing education program grants to seven Missouri universities and colleges. The Nursing Education Incentive Program grants were established in 2011 in order to increase the physical and educational capacity of professional nursing programs in Missouri. The funding, through legislative appropriations, comes from the […]

Curbside Voting Sign (Photo courtesy Missouri News Service)

Disability advocates say to focus on accessibility in voting reforms

Experts say Missouri ranks low among states when it comes to steps it has taken to improve accessibility in voting. Denise Lieberman, director and general counsel of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, which has a disability-rights committee, said people with disabilities face barriers at all stages of the voting process, from registering to vote to […]

Generic City Water

Experts say federal funds for lead pipe replacement needed in Missouri

Missouri has roughly 330,000 lead service lines, the pipes connecting water mains to buildings including people’s homes, and federal funding could help speed up the process of removing and replacing them. The bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress last year includes $15 billion for lead-pipe replacement, building on funds from the American Rescue Plan. Erik D. Olson, senior strategic director at […]

Defund The Police Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

U.S. House hearing on extremism toward minorities turns into ‘defund the police’ debate

(Missouri Independent) – Leaders of faith organizations and Historically Black Colleges and Universities told members of a U.S. House panel on Thursday how their institutions and places of worship have been roiled by bomb threats and extremism. They talked about the recent waves of bomb threats aimed at HBCUs, a terrifying hostage-taking at a Texas […]

University if MIssouri 4-H Crop Scouting website

Missouri 4-H and University of Missouri Extension launch new crop event

Missouri 4-H youths and volunteers can learn about common Missouri crops, insects, diseases, disorders, weeds, and pesticide safety through a new 4-H Crop Scouting program. The inaugural event is July 19 at the University of Missouri’s Bradford Farm, about 8 miles east of Columbia. “Missouri 4-H is very excited to be bringing state-level opportunities to […]

Donald Kauerauf, the director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, speaks during a press conference at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on July 21, 2021

Before ouster, Missouri health director drafted a letter to senators that was never sent

(Missouri Independent) – On the Friday before a drawn-out confirmation battle ended with his ouster from office, Missouri state Health Director Donald Kauerauf wrote an impassioned letter meant to convince conservative legislators who were on the fence about his appointment.  The message: While he believed in vaccines and data and science, he didn’t believe in vaccine […]

Network cables (RJ45 ) connected to a switch

Audio: Missouri on track to expand broadband internet access

Governor Mike Parson has announced plans to use more than $400 million to increase internet access to more Missourians. That money is from the American Rescue Plan Act (or ARPA) to increase broadband internet access, adoption of new programs and offer statewide assistance. BJ Tanksley is the director of the Missouri Office of Broadband Development […]

18 Wheel Truck or Big Rig

Audio: Missouri trucking industry expert says carriers reject thousands of loads weekly due to driver shortage

A Missouri task force is working to address the state’s supply chain slowdowns. More than 70-percent of Missouri communities rely solely on the trucking industry to get their goods delivered to them. During this week’s task force hearing, Tom Crawford of the Missouri Trucking Association said the ongoing truck driver shortage cannot keep up with […]

Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson appoints temporary acting director of Department of Health and Senior Services

Governor Mike Parson accepted the resignation of Department of Health and Senior Services Director Don Kauerauf. Governor Parson has temporarily appointed Richard Moore to lead the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) as Acting Director. Richard serves as General Counsel for DHSS. The Governor will further evaluate the state’s options in the coming days. Governor Parson released the […]

Winter Storm Safety

Check out these safety tips for the upcoming winter storm

The American Red Cross of Missouri is offering safety tips ahead of the upcoming snow, ice, and frigid temperatures expected over the next few days. In addition, the Red Cross is coordinating with local emergency management officials and partners in the preparation for potential local community needs. Heavy snowfall is predicted in portions of Missouri […]