Breastfeeding news graphic

Andrew County recognized as model program for their exemplary support of breastfeeding mothers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Andrew County, Missouri, with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Loving Support Award of Excellence for exemplary efforts in supporting breastfeeding WIC mothers. These awards were part of USDA’s National WIC Breastfeeding Week, celebrated August 1-7. Breastfeeding provides countless benefits to both babies and […]

Medicaid Expansion

Audio: Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman opposes Medicaid expansion ballot measure

The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chairman is speaking out against an August Medicaid expansion ballot measure, saying it pits the Medicaid population against children. Cosby State Senator Dan Hegeman says Medicaid’s current budget in Missouri is about 12-billion dollars.     Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Dan Hegeman tells Capitol reporters that Amendment Two doesn’t provide […]

Second Harvest Food Bank

Audio: Northern Missouri food bank CEO testifies before Congress about hunger needs, during COVID pandemic

The chief executive officer of a northwest Missouri-based food bank says the response and recovery effort from COVID-19 will be the largest relief assistance program in American history, “by far.” Second Harvest Community Food Bank CEO Chad Higdon testified Tuesday before a congressional subcommittee on emergency management.     Higdon testified at the request of […]

Newtown-Harris School Website

Newtown-Harris Board of Education approves deficit budget, looks for ways to cut spending

The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education has approved the 2020-2021 budget. Estimated revenues total $1,656,423, and projected expenditures are $1,666,809.55. That leaves a deficit of $10,386.55. Superintendent Lucas McKinnis reports Newtown-Harris is undergoing a shift in staff population, as there are new teachers, and other teachers retire. The district also saw costs it does not […]

Elderly person in Wheelchair

Health authorities issue guidance for visitations transitions at Missouri long-term care facilities

As the State of Missouri reopens on June 16, long-term care facilities are an important piece of this process for many Missourians. When COVID-19 first knowingly entered the United States in January, long-term care facilities quickly became one of the more vulnerable environments disease spread. In late March, health officials began seeing Missouri long-term care […]

Typical pen style CAFO ( Photo by Darrell Hoemann - Investigate Midwest)

Audio: Coronavirus hits Missouri hog farm in Audrain County

Thirteen hog farm employees in Audrain County have tested positive for the coronavirus. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams says the cases impact the overall food chain. Some Missouri meat processing plants have closed or reduced their output due to coronavirus outbreaks, including in Moniteau and Saline Counties.     “We […]

Governor Parson and Christine Smith

Pfizer facility in Chesterfield, Missouri scaling up operations for COVID-19 vaccine production

Governor Mike Parson was joined by Christine Smith, head of the Pfizer Biotherapeutics and Pharmaceutical Sciences Department and site head of Pfizer’s Research and Development facility in Chesterfield.  Pfizer’s Chesterfield facility is one of three Pfizer-owned sites in the United States that has been identified as an initial manufacturing center for COVID-19 vaccine production.  “For […]