(Missouri Independent) – The National School Boards Association is walking back its letter to President Joe Biden asking for federal help for school board members who have been harassed and threatened over masking requirements and discussions of race in public schools. The shift came after Republican members of Congress led by Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley raised strong […]
Tag: stress
Events for veterans announced for the month of November
Area veterans events have been announced for November 2021. A veterans service officer will help with VA paperwork and answer questions at Trenton VFW Post 919 on November 1, 5, 8, and 19tfrom 9 to 2 o’clock each time. A veterans service officer will be at the Trenton Hy-Vee on November 11 from 6:30 to […]
Increasing access to counseling services for military families is goal of new bill by lawmakers
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) introduced the bipartisan COMFORT Act to solve the current shortage of Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) and increase access to counseling services on military installations. The senators’ bill allows for license portability for MFLCs, so counselors can work outside of the state in which they are licensed. “Families […]
Audio: New program kicks off soon to help Missouri teachers create better classroom environment
Some Missouri middle and high school teachers will be participating in an upcoming virtual program designed to create a more positive learning environment. Dr. Christi Bergin, with the University of Missouri, says a group of researchers will discuss prosocial behavior techniques – to boost student outcomes and reduce teacher stress. She says the practices are […]
Lawmakers seethe at Missouri agency over failure to report missing foster kids
(Missouri Independent) – Exasperated lawmakers slammed leaders of the Missouri Department of Social Services on Tuesday, accusing them of passing off blame for a federal review that found the state fails to adequately report missing foster children. Tuesday’s hearing of the House Children and Families Committee was spurred by a report issued last week by the U.S […]
Chillicothe Student Resource Officer completes DARE officer training
Chillicothe Student Resource Officer Eric Menconi completed the DARE DOT program on September 24th. DARE DOT stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education DARE Officer Training. Menconi says drug prevention continues to be the main topic of DARE, but the program has grown to cover a wide range of topics. Lessons include dealing with peer pressure […]
University of Missouri Extension offers services to help farm families with mental health
Farmers tend to put their families and farm before themselves, but neither can operate unless farmers take care of themselves physically and mentally, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist. During National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 19-25, Funkenbusch reminds farm and ranch families that MU Extension free offers resources […]
New report says “Restricting abortion access brings big financial trouble”
Limiting women’s access to abortion and other reproductive health care can have a devastating impact on state economies. According to new data from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, restrictions on the books in Nebraska cost the state $1 billion annually in lost income, productivity, and state revenues. Andi Curry Grubb, Nebraska state director for Planned […]
Better pay and community trust linked to school bus driver shortage
School districts in Iowa and Missouri are reporting bus driver shortages as the academic year gets underway. Transportation officials said more earning potential and a broader appreciation of the job could help address the lingering issue. In a new national survey from a trio of industry groups, 51% of coordinators described the driver shortage as “severe” or […]
Missouri will become the last state to enforce federal mental health parity act
(Missouri Independent) – Under a new state law that went into effect late last month, Missouri will become the final state to enforce a federal law designed to ensure mental health care is covered by insurance providers the same as treatments for physical ailments. The provisions were included in House Bill 604, an omnibus insurance bill […]
Audio: Health care system CEO stresses Infusion is free and safe vs. Ivermectin for animals
Bothwell Regional Health Center is the site of a COVID-19 treatment called Monoclonal Antibody Infusion, a proven way to ease the virus and its symptoms. Yet, there are cases of people trying drugs meant for animals instead of these treatments. Center CEO Lori Wightman explained how this is a dangerous choice. Wightman says […]
Talking and trusting are key to easing back-to-school stress for teenagers
With new teachers, classmates, and expectations, back to school is full of uncertainties and anxieties. Stressful transitions increase the chances that a teen will turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. Geena Crosby, prevention coordinator for youth and young adult services with the Prevention Action Alliance, said there are many ways to support teens during […]
Audio: Man who drowned in Lake Michigan is from Missouri
A man who drowned in Lake Michigan Sunday afternoon is from eastern Missouri’s Montgomery City. Ray Michaels reports from Missourinet affiliate KXEO in Mexico. Thirty-eight-year-old Thomas J. Walker went into Lake Michigan near Racine’s North Pier by large rocks to help his nephews who were in distress. He helped the boys out of […]
Highway Patrol provides a summary of new laws related to public safety, transportation, watercraft, & protection of children
The abbreviated descriptions below are intended to make the public aware of some of the new legislation enacted by the Missouri General Assembly, which is related to crime and motor vehicles. The listed legislation has been signed into law. Unless otherwise noted, these laws will go into effect on August 28, 2021. SB 26 PROVISIONS […]
Missouri to accept Medicaid expansion applications; DSS to begin processing applications on October 1
(Missouri Independent) – Missourians who qualify for benefits under Medicaid expansion can begin enrolling. Still, it may take up to two months until they will find out if their eligibility has been verified and their application has been approved. In a news release Wednesday, Gov. Mike Parson announced that in response to a Cole County […]
Judge orders state to immediately allow Missourians to enroll in expanded Medicaid
(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri Department of Social Services must allow newly eligible residents that qualify for benefits under voter-approved Medicaid expansion to enroll and cannot impose greater restrictions on them, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem sided with the plaintiffs who urged him to allow Medicaid expansion to take […]
Department of Economic Development awards $17.7 million through Neighborhood Assistance Program and Youth Opportunities Program
The Department of Economic Development announced that it will award $17.7 million in 50% and 70% tax credits through its Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) Special Cycle to 104 nonprofits across Missouri. “Missouri nonprofits have gone above and beyond to provide critical services to Missourians throughout the past year,” Governor Mike […]
Audio: University of Missouri partners with 200 MO middle school teachers to create better classroom environment
An effort in the works between a team of University of Missouri researchers and 200 Missouri middle school teachers aims to create a better classroom climate. The team will share what are called prosocial behavior techniques – to help kids understand how their behavior affects others. The goal is also to improve student outcomes and […]
Fight over mask orders growing at rate to rival Missouri Delta variant cases
(Missouri Independent) – Politicians are fighting over masks. Public health officials are begging people to get vaccinated. And meanwhile, the Delta variant continues to spread almost unchecked in the state. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones defended their mask mandates during separate appearances Wednesday. Page held a press conference […]