Audio: Former state lawmaker is challenging mask mandate in southeast Missouri’s St. Francois County

A former state lawmaker who’s an attorney in southeast Missouri’s Farmington is challenging the scope of the St. Francois County health department’s mask mandate. Former State Representative Tom Burcham represents businesses and residents who oppose the mandate. He says criminal penalties and fines cannot be part of a mask mandate imposed by health officials:   […]

Gavel and Law book news graphic

Missouri court says redistricting plan’s summary language has ‘major problems’

The Missouri Court of Appeals says part of the summary language for the Amendment 3 November ballot measure has “major problems” and needs new wording. In a written court decision Monday, the three-judge panel says the description, written by the Republican-controlled Legislature, “fails to acknowledge” what the amendment would do, which is to “substantially modify, and reorder […]

Judge with gavel at desk

Judge strikes down Cleaner Missouri ballot summary; state moves quickly to seek appeal

Cole County Judge Pat Joyce has ordered the ballot summary in a Cleaner Missouri legislative redistricting plan must change. In a judgment issued Monday, Joyce says the Amendment 3 ballot description is “misleading, unfair, and insufficient” and therefore in violation of state law. The Republican-dominated Missouri Legislature passed the proposed Constitutional amendment, SJR38, this year, […]

FCCLA and FFA sponsor blood drive

Emergency blood shortage announced by Red Cross

The American Red Cross has an emergency shortage of convalescent plasma, a potentially life-saving treatment for patients with COVID-19. The Red Cross has seen demand for convalescent plasma more than double over the last month as the number of coronavirus cases increases across the U.S. Convalescent plasma products are now being distributed faster than donations […]

Cattle in Pasture

Audio: Missouri lawmakers hope to see a cattle slaughter facility in Missouri

Two state lawmakers testified Thursday in Jefferson City that an effort is underway to get a cattle slaughter facility in Missouri. State Reps. Don Rone, R-Portageville, and Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, testified before the Joint Committee on Agriculture. Rone says he and Shaul participated in a conference call this week with retailers, grocers and meat wholesalers. “This would be […]

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 […]