Stop the Human Trafficking

17 illicit massage businesses in Missouri shut down for alleged sex and human trafficking

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced an update to his office’s efforts to evict illicit massage businesses through the Hope Initiative. Since launching the initiative, 10 additional illicit massage businesses have either been evicted, are in the process of being evicted, or their eviction is likely.  “Human trafficking is a global scourge that affects millions […]

First shipment of COVID vaccines arrive in Missouri

Governor Mike Parson announced that the first shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in Missouri. The Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Friday, December 11, confirming its safety and effectiveness.  “Today is an exciting day for Missouri as we have received the first of many […]

Chillicothe Department of Conservation Sign

Department of Conservation closes Chillicothe and St. Joseph offices to the public due to rising COVID-19 concerns

The Missouri Department of Conservation has closed the St. Joseph and Chillicothe offices to the public due to rising COVID-19 concerns. MDC staff will still be able to answer phone calls to those offices. Sales of 2021 Natural Events Calendars will continue if arrangements by phone are made for contactless pickup outside the buildings. MDC […]

Black Bear Photo Courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri Conservation Commission approves Missouri Department of Conservation bear hunting framework

The Missouri Conservation Commission recently gave final approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation for the state’s first black bear hunting season framework. The Commission finalized the hunting season framework and related regulations at its December 11 open meeting in Jefferson City. The approved framework limits any future bear hunting to areas of southern Missouri […]

State Representative Rusty Black

Audio: Seventh District State Representative Rusty Black on the upcoming 101st General Assembly and COVID-19

The 101st General Assembly of the Missouri legislature begins January 6th with members being sworn in. Seventh District State Representative Rusty Black of Chillicothe will begin his third term. Black reports he has asked to remain on the Budget Committee. He has also asked to continue to be the Appropriations Chair for Education and the […]

Accident-Crash graphic

Polo resident injured in crash on I-35 near Cameron

A Polo resident received serious injuries when the sports utility vehicle he was driving overturned on Interstate 35 south of Cameron. Fifty-seven-year-old James Dorssom was taken by private vehicle to Liberty Hospital. The accident happened late Saturday afternoon ten miles south of Cameron on I-35 when the southbound SUV went out of control, traveled into […]

Coronavirus Stimulus Payment Graphic

Audio: Missouri Senator Josh Hawley teams up with Senator Bernie Sanders on stimulus package

U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are introducing a bipartisan amendment to attach to must-pass legislation to be considered by Congress, which would provide $1,200 in direct payments to working-class adults and $500 to each of their children. This amendment, similar to what was passed in the CARES Act, would be attached to must-pass […]

Operation Warp Speed

Director of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services attends White House task force meeting on Operation Warp Speed

President Donald Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force invited a small group of private business, state, and health care leaders to the White House to brief them on Operation Warp Speed, the COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution project started earlier this year. Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and […]

Audio: Pfizer’s COVID-19 drug clears key FDA hurdle; Missouri preps for vaccine’s arrival

A key Food and Drug Administration panel has recommended approving Pfizer’s request for emergency use of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine. Missouri is preparing for the vaccine’s arrival.     The full FDA could endorse the drug maker’s request as early as today. When approval happens, the vaccine is expected to be shipped to Missouri within […]