(Missouri Independent) – Missouri Gov. Mike Parson needs to issue a statewide mask mandate and “safer-at-home” policy to prevent the state’s health system from becoming overwhelmed, Dr. Alex Garza, the incident commander of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, said Friday. “Unfortunately, as has been painfully obvious to even a casual observer, we are […]
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Pilot program brings social services assistance to seven Missouri college campuses
The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development has partnered with the Department of Social Services and seven of Missouri’s postsecondary institutions across the state to make social services easily accessible for college students and staff. This pilot program enables DSS to have a member of the department’s Family Support Division team on campus […]
Missouri receives national “Innovation In State Government” award for professional development
The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) awarded one of four 2020 Innovations in State Government Awards to Missouri, the state’s first time receiving the award. Missouri was recognized for its distinctiveness and innovation in the “Personnel Best Practices” category for its professional development transformation. Criteria included program innovation, transferability to other state governments, […]
‘Won’t be able to survive’: Childcare centers serving low-income Missourians face closure
(Missouri Independent) – Cortaiga Collins doesn’t know how much longer her childcare center will survive. Only about a dozen children have been attending regularly amid the pandemic. Under normal circumstances, she used to serve as many as 100. She’s already had to reduce the hours that Good Shepherd Preschool and Infant/Toddler Center in St. Louis […]
November 9 – 13 designated as Registered Apprenticeship Appreciation & Awareness Week
Governor Mike Parson recognized the importance of Registered Apprenticeship Programs with a proclamation to officially set apart the week of November 9-13, 2020, as Registered Apprenticeship Appreciation & Awareness Week, to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week. Now in its sixth year, National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities, and educators the […]
Four found in violation of rules for sex offenders on Halloween
Of the 20 residences checked by Trenton Police on Halloween night, Chief Rex Ross reports four violations were identified in regards to the Halloween restrictions for sexual offenders as outlined by city ordinance and a state statute. Chief Ross said incident reports are being prepared on these violations and will be forwarded to the prosecutor. […]
Missouri medical marijuana trial focuses on alleged role of insiders on license rules
(Missouri Independent) – A Missouri family that was denied a license to grow medical marijuana alleged in court this week that outside groups and individuals had undue access to top state officials — and that access led to an opaque process and contributed to the decision to cap the number of licenses granted. To buttress […]
Nominations sought for NCMC/TJC Distinguished Alumni
Nominations for distinguished alumni from North Central Missouri College and Trenton Junior College are being accepted for 2020. The North Central Missouri College Foundation, Inc. will honor the selected alumni who attended TJC/NCMC during the Pirates Ball being planned for March 2021. To nominate an alum (either a graduate or someone who successfully completed one […]
Contractor bidding process to begin this Fall in preparation to construct Little Otter Creek Lake in Caldwell County
A contractor bidding process is to begin this fall to prepare for the construction of a 344-acre multipurpose reservoir in Caldwell County. This comes after all agencies involved approved the Little Otter Creek Lake to move forward to begin construction after nearly 25 years of planning, design, reviews, and permitting. The primary purpose of the […]
Parson calls special session on November 5th to access additional federal aid
Governor Mike Parson has called another special session – this time to focus on getting extra federal coronavirus funding made available to the state. The federal aid includes funding for school meals, grants for homelessness prevention and job training, child support payments, among others. “COVID-19 has had an overwhelming impact on our state, and while […]
Missouri continues to lead nation in Registered Apprenticeship efforts
For the second year in a row, Missouri ranks second in the nation for completed apprenticeships. Missouri saw 3,388 Registered Apprenticeships completed in FY 2020, more than any other state except California. Missouri currently has more than 13,560 active apprenticeships, participating in 489 registered programs. Through Registered Apprenticeships, workers obtain on-the-job training through a paid […]
Enrollment begins for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for 2021
Agricultural producers can now make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2021 crop year. The signup period opened Tuesday, Oct. 13. These key U.S. Department of Agriculture safety-net programs help producers weather fluctuations in either revenue or price for certain crops, and more than $5 billion […]
Audio: First medical marijuana sales to patients in Missouri took place on Saturday
The first legal sales of medical marijuana in Missouri have occurred between a Missouri-licensed dispensary and qualified patients and caregivers. The sale took place on Saturday, October 17, 2020. Jill Enders has more on the story: “Missouri patients have always been our north star as we work to implement the state’s medical-marijuana program,” […]
Missouri schools have a few days left to request rapid COVID-19 tests from the state
Missouri K-12 public and private schools who want rapid COVID-19 tests must request them by next Wednesday, October 21st at noon. Applications should be submitted to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education). The department will then work quickly to get the BinaxNOW antigen testing to schools. The tests are not as uncomfortable as […]
Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to require annual de-escalation and implicit bias training
The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission has voted to require annual training in de-escalation techniques and recognizing implicit bias for all Missouri law enforcement officers. Missouri officers will take a one-hour course in each area as part of their required 24-hours of annual continuing education training. “At its June meeting, I challenged the […]
Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce establishes “Chamber Hero Program”
The Chillicothe Area Chamber has established the “Chamber Hero Program,” and through this program, area businesses may contribute membership funds to help other businesses join the Chamber for the first time. The recipient then gains access to the many benefits The Chamber has to offer their business through the generous act of sponsorship by a […]
Over $5 million in CARES Act grants announced to expand child care services on Missouri college campuses
Governor Mike Parson announced that five Missouri colleges are grant recipients of over $5 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Child Care Plan funding to improve the quality and availability of child care and early education programs. “Access to quality child care is critical for working families, and attending college is […]
Governor Parson declares September 30 “State Employee Appreciation Day”
Governor Mike Parson signed a proclamation declaring September 30, 2020, State Employee Appreciation Day to honor state of Missouri employees. “Our state team members work tirelessly each and every day for the people of this state. Since COVID-19, they have stepped up to continue providing critical services to Missourians and ensure business does not stop,” Governor Parson said. “We are […]