Missouri KidsFirst presented the 2021 Standing with Children Awards at a virtual event hosted by the organization at 12:00 PM on Monday, April 26, 2021. The 2021 recipients of the Standing with Children Awards are Laura Bauer and Judy Thomas, investigative reporters with the Kansas City Star, Dr. Linda Shaw, child abuse pediatrician with SSM […]
Tag: prevent
Missouri lawmakers urged to learn from states that have expanded Medicaid
As the state Senate debates Missouri’s budget for next year, groups are urging lawmakers to learn from the 38 states that have expanded their Medicaid programs. The budget passed by the Missouri House leaves out the $130 million needed to fund expansion. The remainder of the costs would be covered by the federal government. Joan Alker, executive director […]
Grundy County Health Department to hold two COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week
The Grundy County Health Department will hold two COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week. Moderna: Thursday, April 29, 9-11 am Johnson & Johnson: Friday, April 30, 9-11 am Call (660) 359-4196 to make an appointment or sign up using the GCHD online scheduling system, Following a thorough safety review, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and […]
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: “Missouri vaccinators to resume use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine”
Missouri COVID-19 vaccinators will resume use of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. This decision was made following the announcement by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it has studied and confirmed that the pause on its use can be lifted. It was concluded that the known […]
Governor Parson announces changes to LIHEAP program to assist more Missourians in paying energy bills
Governor Mike Parson announced that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Energy Assistance (EA) Program is extending one-time primary heating bill payments through May 31, 2021. In addition, eligibility for both the heating and cooling programs are expanding from Missouri households with incomes up to 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to include Missouri households […]
Justice Department releases $58 million in solicitations to combat the distribution of illicit drugs and improve officer wellness
The Justice Department announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released approximately $58 million in three grant solicitations that will advance community policing, help combat the dual scourges of opioid and methamphetamine use, and promote the health and safety of our nation’s law enforcement officers. “The grant solicitations announced will […]
USDA expands and renews Conservation Reserve Program in effort to boost enrollment and address climate change
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. Additionally, USDA is announcing investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership Program […]
Coalition of attorneys general urge President Biden to reject United States Supreme Court packing scheme
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined a multistate coalition of 20 attorneys general in writing to President Joe Biden and congressional leaders to voice opposition to the recent steps towards packing the U.S. Supreme Court. “President Biden’s and Congressional leaders’ attempts to pack the United States Supreme Court will undermine the independence and impartiality of […]
Lawmakers introduce bill requiring Biden to declassify Wuhan lab leak intelligence
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2021 to require the Biden administration to declassify intelligence related to any potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the origins of the Covid pandemic. “For over a year, anyone asking questions about the Wuhan Institute of Virology has […]
Governor Mike Parson signs HB 429 and HB 430 into law supporting Missouri adoptive families and children in foster care
Governor Mike Parson signed HB 429 and HB 430 into law, which both supports Missouri adoptive families and children in foster care. “Every child deserves a family to provide love, support, and a strong foundation,” Governor Parson said. “Missourians who take on this role as foster and adoptive parents are invaluable to the children of our state, […]
Missouri’s work toward vaccine accessibility for those with disabilities highlighted at national level
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. […]
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 […]
Audio: 10-digit dialing coming to 660 and 816 area codes
Residents in area codes with a 988 prefix can dial 10 digits for phone numbers now due to a 988 being designated as a new three-digit code for suicide prevention. Grundy County Emergency Management Director Glen Briggs says the change will affect 660 and 816 area codes. Briggs advises residents to go through […]
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 […]
Biden administration to reverse birth control access restrictions
The Biden administration has taken the first steps in the regulatory process to eliminate the domestic gag rule, which forced more than 900 reproductive-health clinics nationwide to leave the Title X family-planning program and lose major amounts of funding. Rachel Fey, vice president for policy and strategic partnerships at the contraceptive-access advocacy group Power to Decide, said the […]
Pediatricians say failure to fund Medicaid expansion could have long-lasting impacts
Voters in Missouri approved a ballot initiative expanding Medicaid. If the state funds it, Missouri will be on track to receive more than $1 billion in federal incentives. As lawmakers continue their debate on whether to fund voter-approved Medicaid expansion in Missouri, pediatricians say lack of access to high-quality health care can lead to long-lasting […]
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 […]
National Weather Services issues Winter Weather Advisory for northern Missouri
We are into April; however, it is not unheard of to have winter weather this late into spring. Keep in mind, that area forecasts are subject to change depending on the track of the system that will affect the area. FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING According to the weather service, […]
Seal coating project scheduled for Route 190 in Livingston County
Crews from Vance Brothers, Inc., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, plan to seal coat Route 190 between U.S. Route 65 in Chillicothe and 8 miles west of U.S. Route 65, just west of Route N. The work is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, Friday, April 23 and Monday, April 26. During the seal […]
Trenton R-9 School District announces mask mandate has been rescinded
The Superintendent of Trenton R-9 School District, Michael Stegman, announced that effective today, April 16, 2021, Trenton R-IX Schools has rescinded the mask mandate used during the COVID-19 outbreak. Masks are now optional, and social distancing is still encouraged at school, events, and gatherings. School officials are asking staff and students to stay meticulous in fighting COVID-19. […]