Coronavirus Update

Two health departments report on COVID-19 cases, two health departments to offer vaccine clinics

Nine COVID-19 cases were added in Linn County since September 21st. The health department on September 28 reported 1,862 total cases. The number of active cases had decreased by nine to 14. Three COVID-19-related hospitalizations were reported for Linn County. The Sullivan County Health Department September 28 confirmed three additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 1,186. […]

Dreamer photo courtesy of Unsplash

Biden administration rolls out new rule to bolster DACA as lawsuit continues

(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration on Monday unveiled a proposed new rule that would strengthen the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to protect undocumented people in the program from legal challenges. The proposed rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, would “preserve and fortify” the DACA program, an Obama administration-era initiative that protects […]

Deer in roadway with oncoming car

Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds motorists that deer are more active at this time of year and to use extra caution on roadways

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers that deer are more active and create hazards for Missouri motorists this time of year. Deer behavior changes due to mating season, which may cause an increase in sightings and roadway crossings. Hunting and crop harvesting may result in these animals being in places they aren’t usually seen. […]

Unemployment rate

Missouri’s unemployment rate drops by two-tenths to four percent in August, 2021

Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from July 2021 to August 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,300 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in August 2021, […]

Nurse Filling Syringe with COVID-19 Vaccine at MU Health Care (Photo Courtesy of MU Health Care

Who will get a booster shot? A Question and Answer about what the feds are saying

(Missouri Independent) – Booster shots soon will begin rolling out to some Americans who received the two-shot vaccine made by Pfizer—after a contentious and confusing federal approval process that isn’t over yet. Determining who exactly should be rolling up their sleeves for an additional dose was tricky. The Biden administration had leapfrogged federal regulatory panels […]

Immigration

Missouri Attorney General seeks court order to force Biden Administration to reimplement the “Remain in Mexico” policy

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed a motion to enforce a permanent injunction and for expedited discovery, which seeks a court order from the District Court to compel the Biden Administration to reimplement the Migrant Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico” Policy. “We sued the Biden Administration in April over their cancellation of the […]

Health News

Grundy County Health Department Board of Trustees to meet; health departments report on COVID-19 cases; Linn County to offer flu shots

The Sullivan County Health Department on September 24th confirmed eight additional COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 1,168. Sixteen cases were active. The Daviess County Health Department September 24th reported 10 new COVID-19 cases since September 16th. That brought the total to 967. The number of active cases went down by 23 to 13. The […]

Rape Kit or SAFE kit, sexual assault kit

Video/Audio: Missouri’s effort to get thousands of rape kits tested is making progress

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt gave an update on the SAFE Kit Initiative, reporting positive progress in clearing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits through the initiative. The Springfield Police Department also announced that they have completely cleared out their backlog, leaving zero untested sexual assault kits in their inventory. “As a husband, father, […]

Farm Safety Week 2021

University of Missouri Extension offers services to help farm families with mental health

Farmers tend to put their families and farm before themselves, but neither can operate unless farmers take care of themselves physically and mentally, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist. During National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 19-25, Funkenbusch reminds farm and ranch families that MU Extension free offers resources […]