Parson signing new legislation

Governor Parson signs Executive Order 22-1 establishing Missouri Early Childhood State Advisory Council

Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 22-1 to consolidate Missouri’s early childhood advisory groups into one with the creation of the Missouri Early Childhood State Advisory Council.  “Last year, we streamlined services to Missouri’s children and families by consolidating the state’s fragmented early childhood programs into the Office of Childhood. This year, we are further […]

School buses wait Tuesday outside Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School in Columbia (Photo Credit Rudi Keller Missouri Independent

Confusion around COVID ruling swirls as two Missouri school districts end semester early

(Missouri Independent) – As a growing number of Missouri school districts drop COVID mitigation measures under threat from Attorney General Eric Schmitt, at least two closed the doors on their fall semester early due to large numbers of staff and students out sick. Meanwhile, local public health departments said Tuesday they still have not heard […]

Children playing on floor

Audio: New report says childcare breakdowns cost Missouri’s economy $1.35 billion annually

A new report says childcare breakdowns have cost Missouri’s economy an estimated 1.35-billion dollars annually.     The report, released by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, says the lack of affordable and accessible childcare has driven many Missouri parents to quit their jobs in recent years. It says 61-percent of Missouri parents reported missing work […]

WIC or Women Infant Children Logo

Temporary benefit increase extended through March, 2022 for Missouri WIC participants

Missouri WIC is extending the temporary increase of the Cash Value Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases for January, February, and March 2022. The increase is the same amount as November and December: $24.00 per month for child participants, $43.00 per month for pregnant and postpartum women participants, and $47.00 per month for breastfeeding women […]

Northwest Center for Youth and Families website

North Missouri Center for Youth and Families awarded grant for after school program

State Representative Rusty Black announces that the North Missouri Center for Youth and Families in Chillicothe has been selected to receive federal funding for comprehensive afterschool programs. Twenty grants were awarded through 21st Century Community Learning Center Cohort 12 Grant Program this year, with a total of 44 sites being selected to receive the funding. […]

Lending or interest rates

USDA announces December 2021 lending rates for agricultural producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced loan interest rates for December 2021, which are effective Dec. 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment, and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs. Operating, Ownership, and Emergency Loans FSA offers farm […]

Missouri Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson makes appointments to various boards; Cameron man appointed to Missouri State Fair Commission

 Governor Mike Parson announced five appointments to various boards and commissions and filled two-county office vacancies.  Robert Connell, of Troy, was appointed to the Amber Alert System Oversight Committee.  Mr. Connell has been with the City of St. John Police Department since 2002 and has continuously advanced through the ranks to his current position as Police Chief. […]

Child sitting on window sill (Children)

Advocates say Build Back Better Act could improve health outcomes for Missouri children

Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act after it passed the House last month. The bill would improve Medicaid and CHIP, the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program, by offering 12 months of continuous coverage to children who qualify and making federal CHIP funding permanent. Casey Hanson, director of outreach and […]

Doctor Jessica Snyder

Jessica Snyder, M.D. joins the team at Saint Luke’s Mercer County Clinic and Wright Memorial Hospital

Saint Luke’s Mercer County Clinic in Princeton, and Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group in Trenton, are pleased to welcome Jessica Snyder, M.D., to the medical team. Dr. Snyder is currently spending most of her time in the Mercer County Clinic, but in 2022 will also have scheduled clinic days at Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group in Trenton. […]

Lead Hazard News Graphic

New funds and strategy may boost “massive task” of reducing lead exposure for Missouri kids

(Missouri Independent) – It’s clear that lead exposure is a problem for Missouri’s children. An estimated 4.5% have elevated levels of lead in their blood, more than almost any other state in the country. What’s far more difficult is figuring out where children are getting exposed to lead, said Carlton Waterhouse, President Joe Biden’s pick for […]