Representatives from Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccine planning team will present to a national audience on the state’s efforts toward prioritizing those with disabilities for vaccination. The White House COVID-19 Response Team and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are hosting the virtual forum – Breaking Down Barriers for People Who Have Challenges Accessing COVID-19 Vaccination. […]
Tag: Fort
Online Tai Chi class begins in May for area counties
The University of Missouri Extension is offering their popular Tai Chi online classes in Mercer, Livingston, and Grundy counties. Tai Chi has been offered face to face and online across the state for the past two years. ‘The online classes allow members of the public to participate in the physical, mental, and social benefits of […]
Missouri man sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute more than 2,000 kilos of cocaine
A Missouri, man has been sentenced in federal court for his leadership role in a multi-million dollar conspiracy that distributed more than 2,000 kilograms of cocaine in the metropolitan area. “This heavily-armed drug dealer was still on court-supervised release for a prior federal drug-trafficking conviction while he was engaged in this drug trafficking conspiracy,” said […]
New anti-abortion effort derails Missouri Medicaid funding bill
(Missouri Independent) – A third attempt to get a bill that funds one-quarter of Missouri’s Medicaid program through the state Senate failed Tuesday night when a new anti-abortion issue was injected into the legislation. Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, brought the bill that has been in limbo since late March to the floor just a few […]
Audio: Missouri House Health Committee Chairman says former DHSS Director Williams “Did a fine job”
Two key Missouri lawmakers from opposite parties view Tuesday’s resignation of state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director, Dr. Randall Williams, very differently. Missouri House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Stephens (R-Bolivar) praises Dr. Williams, while House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) says the resignation was long overdue. Chairman Stephens says Williams […]
Audio: Head of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services resigns
Missouri’s director of the Department of Health and Senior Services has resigned. A press release from Governor Parson’s office says the governor has accepted a letter of resignation from Dr. Randall Williams. Parson’s deputy chief of staff, Robert Knodell, will serve as the acting director of the state health department. The governor says […]
Governor Parson names Robert Knodell as Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Governor Mike Parson named Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Knodell as Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services effective immediately. Mr. Knodell has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Parson since 2018. Over the past year, he has played an integral part in the state’s COVID-19 response efforts and […]
Grain Belt transmission line forges ahead amid landowner, lawmaker pushback
(Missouri Independent) – On the heels of a historic cold snap that left thousands across the Midwest without power, Kansas and Missouri residents could soon reap the benefits of a massive high-powered transmission line delivering renewable energy. Grain Belt Express, a project a decade in the making, is starting to acquire land along its route spanning […]
Audio: State health officials working closely with hotel in Macon after two cases of Legionnaires’ Disease reported
State health officials say two people diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease this month had used the hot tub and/or pool at a popular northern Missouri hotel in March. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says the two people used the hot tub and/or pool at the Comfort Inn and Suites in […]
Audio: Friends of the Library to host book sale at Grundy County Jewett Norris Library
The Friends of the Library will host a book sale at the Grundy County Jewett Norris Library in Trenton next week to raise funds for library services and needs. The sale will be in the Hoover Theater of the library from April 19th through 24th. Hours will be Monday through Thursday from 9 to 5 […]
Purdin couple facing narcotics charges and endangerment of a child after execution of search warrant
Two Purdin residents face several drug-related felony charges after the execution of a narcotics-related search warrant in the 500 block of Third Street in Purdin on April 15th. Forty-three-year-old Valerie Raglenda Coke and 37-year-old Donald Michael Morris have been charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs, first offense, possession of a […]
Missouri open enrollment bill sparks debate over segregation, consolidation
(Missouri Independent) – As bills expanding charter schools and creating new scholarship accounts for private school tuition make their way through the process, one piece of legislation is trying to give students more options within the public schools that already exist. House Bill 543, sponsored by Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, would establish the “Public School […]
Pause for Johnson & Johnson vaccine extended at least a week as federal health panel wrestles with next steps
(Missouri Independent) – Use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot will remain paused for at least a week after a federal vaccine advisory panel said Wednesday that it had too little data on a rare but serious blood-clotting condition reported in at least six women. That means states and federally run vaccine sites will […]
Audio: Missouri state labor officials are suspending collection of unemployment overpayments
Just two days after being grilled again by state lawmakers in both parties, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) is suspending all collection of unemployment overpayments, at this time. Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight Chairman State Rep. Jered Taylor (R-Nixa) made the announcement on the House floor Thursday in Jefferson City, […]
Senators Hawley and Blunt urge FEMA to open mass vaccination site in Kansas City
Missouri U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Roy Blunt sent a letter today to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urging the establishment of a mass vaccination site in Kansas City, Mo., through the Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Centers (CVC) program. The letter comes after recent requests to FEMA from Governor Mike Parson and Kansas City Mayor Quinton […]
Grundy County Sheriff reports arrest of five area individuals
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of several area residents in the last couple of days. Forty-year-old Lori Ann Pennington of Trenton was arrested April 14th on felony driving while intoxicated—aggravated and misdemeanor driving while revoked or suspended—second or third offense. Bond is $5,000 cash only, and she is scheduled for the Associate […]
Fort Osage High School named “School of Excellence” by ACT’s American College Application Campaign
Fort Osage High School received national recognition for its work to increase the number of high school seniors applying to college through the Apply Missouri program. The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) awarded Fort Osage and Missouri College Advising Corps (MCAC) Advisor Ashley Ginger with the 2020 American College Application Campaign […]
Video: Lawmakers introduce bill to subject Major League Baseball to antitrust Laws
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have introduced a bill to remove the antitrust exemption that has been in place for Major League Baseball to subject them to existing law. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), with over 20 cosponsors, has produced companion legislation in the House. “MLB […]
Johnson & Johnson vaccine suspension: What this means for you
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration on April 13, 2021, halted the use of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine that has been given to 6.8 million people in the U.S. The pause is due to reports of blood clotting in six people who have received the […]
Chicago man charged with money laundering in Harrison County after authorities find $28,000 cash in vehicle
A Chicago man has been charged in Harrison County with felony money laundering or attempted money laundering. Online court information shows an initial arraignment is scheduled for May 5th for 32-year-old Sydney Eghan. A probable cause statement from Highway Patrol Sergeant Jeffery Owen says $28,000-worth of currency was found in a plastic bag behind the […]