A+ Program

Missouri Department of Higher Education issues guidance regarding A+ Scholarship eligibility amid COVID-19

Due to school closures in response to preventing the spread of COVID-19, the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) has temporarily reduced or suspended certain A+ Scholarship eligibility requirements. Communication to Missouri high schools and college financial aid officers was sent Thursday afternoon outlining the temporary changes to the program for 2020 […]

Child Care

Missouri officials take regulatory action to address child care needs amid COVID-19 outbreak

The Departments of Health and Senior Services and Social Services have taken regulatory action to assist child care providers and families during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.  “We recognize that child care is an essential component of fighting COVID-19,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of DHSS. “Health care and other emergency medical personnel must have appropriate […]

Governor Parsons Signs Abortion Bill

Governor Parson announces April 7 Municipal Elections postponed until June 2 in response to COVID-19

Pursuant to Governor Mike Parson’s Executive Order 2002 declaring a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 and a request from Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Governor Parson today signed Executive Order 2003 ordering all Missouri municipal elections previously scheduled for April 7, 2020, to be postponed to June 2, 2020. The Executive Order declares […]

Red Cross Website

Red Cross faces severe blood shortage as Coronavirus outbreak threatens availability of nation’s supply

The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed now to donate to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood with the Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using […]

Little Otter Creek Reservoir Project

Little Otter Creek Reservoir Project near Hamilton advances to next stage

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting State Conservationist, Grover DePriest, has signed a Record of Decision supporting the installation of a multi-purpose reservoir in Caldwell County. This decision fulfills national requirements to assess the environmental impacts of this federal action. It was based on the development of a comprehensive Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The preferred […]

Missouri Hospital Association

Missouri Hospital Association: There are laws we need changed in the short term to deal with Coronavirus

As of this posting, two Missourians have tested positive for the coronavirus out of 73 tested. Others are being triaged through clinics, healthcare providers, telemedicine, and hospitals. The burden on hospitals at this time is checking, testing and treating symptomatic patients who come into the emergency rooms– whether they have COVID-19 or not. That could […]

Tractor mowing hemp on hemp farm

USDA relaxes some hemp requirements

The USDA says it’s relaxing some hemp requirements under its interim final rule. Under its new guidance, USDA will delay enforcement of labs to be registered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Also, hemp producers will not be required to use a DEA-registered “reverse distributor” or law enforcement to dispose of plants that are not compliant. USDA […]

Medical Marijuana

Audio: Missouri House gives preliminary approval to proposed changes to medical marijuana industry

The Missouri House has given preliminary approval to proposed changes to the state’s medical marijuana industry.     Missouri patients asking to use medical marijuana could be required to meet in-person with a doctor, not through the internet or telephone. Joplin Republican Lane Roberts attached the condition to his bill getting initial approval Thursday. He’s […]