Missouri News & Current Events | Public News Service

Staffing shortages at the Department of Social Services have led to parents seeking child care assistance being placed on hold for as long as two or three hours. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 5, 2023

Praise for MO Early Childhood Funding; Concerns About Sustainability, Gaps

Missourians scored some big wins for child care and pre-K programs in the 2023 legislative session, although some said it is just a start. Brian …

Adult ticks are the easiest to identify, but nymphal and larval ticks are small and may be hard to identify. (Adobe Stock)

Tick-Borne Illnesses Highlighted During Lyme Prevention Month

As Lyme disease Awareness Month draws to a close, levels of some tick-borne illnesses in Missouri are on the rise. While Lyme infections in Missouri …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls well-child visits

Contentious 2023 MO Legislative Session Saw Wins for Struggling Families

Although Missouri's 2023 legislative session was contentious and resulted in a historically low number of bills being passed, advocates for children …

The CDC reports along with lack of sleep, shift work, untreated sleep disorders and alcohol can contribute to drowsy driving. In a survey by the agency, 1 in 25 drivers over the age of 18 reported having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days. <br />(Photo: Maksym/AdobeStock)

Many Missourians' Sleep Deficits Expose Them to Health Risks, Accidents

Feeling tired may be a chronic condition for many people in this country, with the number feeling this way varying from state to state. In a 2020 …

Report data shows the number of Black students enrolled in America's community colleges in 2020 was the same as in 2000. (Marharyta Hanhalo/Adobe Stock)

Report: 600,000 Fewer Black Students Enrolled in US Colleges vs 20 Years Ago

A recent report looking at Black enrollment in the nation's colleges shows a stark downturn in recent years. The Lumina Foundation's Level Up report …

More than a fifth of the Americans live in so called

Student Reporters Get On-the-Job Training at Statehouse

Student reporters are stepping up to fill gaps in news coverage as the number of full-time statehouse reporters continues to decline. State …

By federal law, all states provide Medicaid coverage for pregnancy-related services to pregnant women with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level and cover them up to 60 days postpartum, according to KFF. Missouri lawmakers are considering expanding these services to cover a year. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Push for More Postpartum Healthcare Funding

Healthcare advocates in Missouri are urging support for a measure that would expand health care services for new mothers on Medicaid. Senate Bill 45…

The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates 5 million to 14 million people will lose Medicaid coverage as the public health emergency ends and states and resume the annual renewal process. (suthisak/Adobe Stock)

MO Medicaid Renewals Underway; Recipients Urged to Update Information

Missouri's Department of Social Services anticipates as many as 200,000 Missourians will lose their Medicaid benefits over the course of the next year…

The 2020 study by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence concluded that Stand Your Ground laws exacerbate both systemic racism and gender bias, and

Legal Expert On Castle Doctrine, 'Stand Your Ground' Laws

Missouri's Stand Your Ground law has been cited a number of times since the recent shooting of a Missouri teen by a homeowner whose house he went to b…

In a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 34% of Black adults reported having had a family member killed by a gun, compared with 17% of white adults. (Adobe Stock)

MO Nonprofit Seeks More 'Nuanced' Coverage of Firearm Injuries, Deaths

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Missouri ranks fourth nationwide in firearm deaths. The nonprofit …

Rockhurst University's renovated Sedgwick Hall, which opened in 1914, originally housed the college, a high school, and the residence for the Jesuit university's Society of Jesus. (Rodnae Productions/Pexel.com)

Sustainable Renovation of Century-Old Building at Rockhurst U.

By Brian Roewe for Earthbeat.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Missouri News Service for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service…

Fortune magazine reported in January 2022 child care expenses had risen an average of 41% from the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and some families spend 20% of their income on child care. (Ljiljana/Adobe Stock)

MO Legislation Would Help Families Afford Child Care

Like others across the country, many Missouri families struggle with the cost of child care, and state lawmakers are proposing some relief. Rep…

According to the Center for American Progress, nearly nine in 10 employers, four in five landlords, and three in five colleges use background checks to screen for applicants' criminal records. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

MO 'Clean Slate' Bill Would Make 'Expungement' Automatic

A large percentage of Missourians who could to have their criminal records "expunged" have not done so, despite the effects expungement -- referred …

Kiplinger rates Missouri, and nine other U.S. states, as

MO Lawmaker Proposes Raising "Circuit Breaker" Tax Credits

Every Missourian knows property values and property taxes have risen dramatically in the past 15 years, as well as the cost of rent. State lawmakers …

Research suggests without community health centers, 15 million additional patients would be at risk of not having access to primary care. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nearly 2 Million in MO are Medically Disenfranchised

A new report looking at access to primary-care doctors found nearly 2 million Missourians are medically disenfranchised. The report from the …

Black farmers ran 14% of all U.S. farms in 1920 and 1.6% in 2017. The Inflation Reduction Act includes more than $2 billion for farmers and ranchers who can show they have been discriminated against in USDA lending programs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Conservation Funding for Smaller Farms Needed in Farm Bill

The U.S. Department of Agriculture touts its conservation programs for farmers, but a new study from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy …

Contaminants often have no odor or color, which means periodic testing is needed to ensure water quality. (Brian Jackson/Adobe Stock)<br />

Well Testing Encouraged During Groundwater Awareness Week

While most people do not often stop to consider what goes on underground, this is Groundwater Awareness Week, and officials are encouraging …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, 30% of workers with a disability were employed part-time, compared with 16% of non-disabled workers. (Adobe Stock)

Legislation Would Help Working Missourians with Disabilities

For Missourians with a disability, earning too much money, or having a spouse earn too much, can mean losing important Medicaid health coverage…

EPA Proposal to Lower Acceptable Soot Levels Seen as Benefit to Missourians

Particulate matter in the air, commonly called "soot," exacerbates and can even cause heart and lung conditions, with asthma sufferers being …

Small and medium-sized farms have gone from producing nearly half of U.S. agricultural products in the 1990s to less than a quarter today. (Aaron/Adobe Stock)

2,000+ Urge Biden to Enforce Exec-Order Antitrust Pledge

A petition signed by more than 2,000 farmers, ranchers and consumers urging enforcement of antitrust laws has been sent to the White House by the …

The Disability Inclusive Climate Action Research Program at McGill University and the International Disability Alliance report

March Trainings to Help People with Disabilities in Emergencies

The first of four training sessions is coming up March 6-7 in Springfield on preparedness to help individuals with disabilities survive a disaster…

Homeowners and renters are eligible for state energy-assistance programs. (Victor Koldunov/Adobe Stock)

MO Low-Income Utility Assistance Now Available Year Round

With winter still bringing occasional cold snaps, low-income Missourians who face sudden heating problems have help. Missouri's Low Income Home …

According to the American Heart Association, in the case of cardiac arrest, calling 911 immediately and performing chest compressions until paramedics arrive and can use a defibrillator to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm can reverse cardiac arrest if done within a few minutes. (Adobe Stock)

Heart Association: Two-Handed CPR Saves Lives During Cardiac Arrest

February is American Heart Month, and the American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn about cardiac arrest and the importance of learning …

A University of Missouri Kansas City study in 2020 estimated that Kansas City's zero-fare program could increase regional gross domestic product by $13-$17 million. (Photo by B. Nenin/Adobe Stock)

Fare-Free Public Transit Benefits Kansas City Residents, Businesses

By Jared Brey for Governing.Broadcast version by Deborah Van Fleet for Missouri News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public New…

A yearlong study of the use of seclusion and restraint in U.S. schools found that some states track both, some track only the use of restraint, and some track neither. (Adobe Stock)

MO Schools' Seclusion, Restraint Incidents Shared for First Time

Missourians can now see how often their schools use seclusion and restraint to address student behavior. A 2021 law requires that schools report …

Anyone can get lung cancer from radon, including people who have never smoked. (Adobe Stock)

Officials Encouraging Missourians to Test for Radon

January is National Radon Action Month, and officials are getting the word out. Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the natural breakdown of …

The Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model ranks Missouri 14th among states for numbers of children who will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18, at 9.1%. West Virginia is the highest, at 12.4%. (Adobe Stock)

MO Expert: We Can Do More to Help Grieving Kids

One in 11 Missouri children, and one in 13 nationally, will lose a parent or sibling by age 18. Childhood grief that is not dealt with can have …

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,258 people were killed in crashes that involved speeding in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

MO DOT Urges Buckling Up, Other Changes to Curb Fatal Crashes

Traffic fatalities in Missouri rose in 2022 for the third year in a row, with preliminary data showing 1,028 people died on Missouri roads. It's …

Most glaucoma cases occur in adults, but children can also get the disease. (Adobe Stock)

Glaucoma Awareness Month Brings Attention to Preventable Vision Loss

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and with no symptoms, experts say it's important for Missourians to get regular eye exams. Glaucoma is the …

Community Health Centers provide care at more than 14,000 locations across America. (Adobe Stock)

States Take Action Against PBM's 340b Workarounds

With Community Health Centers' funding facing challenges from pharmacy benefit managers, some state lawmakers are getting involved. The centers are …

Don't Neglect Heart Attack Warning Signs Over the Holidays

The American Heart Association is drawing attention this holiday season to a startling study conclusion: More people have fatal heart attacks on Dec…

MO Project to Disrupt 'School-to-Prison Pipeline' Gets a Boost

A new federal grant is giving schools in three Missouri counties and St. Louis City a fresh look at the challenges of students of color living with …

Nationally, the number of uninsured children fell by more than 200,000 during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Health Insurance Coverage Increases for MO Kids During Pandemic

A new Georgetown University report showed the number of uninsured children in Missouri dropped during the pandemic thanks to a shift in federal policy…

Book bans occurred in 138 school districts in 32 states between 2021 and the middle of 2022. These districts represent 5,049 schools with a combined enrollment of nearly 4 million students, according to PEN America. (Adobe Stock)

Librarians Lament Censorship in MO

In what the American Library Association has called an unprecedented year of censorship, libraries in Missouri are fighting a rule proposed by the …

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service reports there have been more than 8,200 flu cases so far this season. (Tyler Olson / Adobe Stock)

Missouri Health System Facing Potential 'Tripledemic' Amid Staffing Challenges

As winter looms in Missouri, health officials are expressing concern over the potential for three viruses to impact facilities. This season has …

More than 25% of Missourians will be older than 60 by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

HCBS Cuts Threaten Services for Aging Population in Missouri

November is National Family Caregivers Month, which focuses attention on the unpaid care work of family members. The care provided by families …

Every dollar spent at small businesses creates an additional 48 cents in local economic activity, according to an AMEX study. (Adobe Stock)

Small Business Saturday Promotes Spending in the Local Economy

Holiday shoppers this week have no shortage of options with Small Business Saturday being observed Nov. 26. Sandwiched between Black Friday and …

Wild turkeys in Missouri are the eastern subspecies, one of five subspecies in North America. (Alison Toon/Adobe Stock)

Turkey Population Restoration a Model for New Conservation Efforts

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, many may not realize a century ago, wild turkeys were near extinction. Conservation groups point to their …

In 2021 74% of Missouri's electricity was generated by coal-fired power plants. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Most Coal-Ash Storage Causing Toxic Groundwater Pollution

A new report found nearly all Missouri coal plants are releasing toxins into the local groundwater. The report from two nonprofits, the …

The program focus on spirituality is broad and not limited to traditional religious faiths. (Adobe Stock)

MSU Offers 'Mental Health and Spirituality' Undergrad Certificate

Missouri State University is offering a new option for students: a certificate that blends psychology with religious studies. The Mental Health and …

Another 63 Missouri School Districts are on the EPA Clean School Bus wait-list. (Maksym Yemelyanov/Adobe Stock)

EPA Awards Missouri School Districts $21 Million for Cleaner Buses

Missouri is joining the transition from diesel to electric school buses, as 26 school districts have been awarded $21 million in federal funds…

Sampling stations are open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., test results will be available within four weeks. (Adobe Stock)

Some MO Deer Hunters Face Mandatory CWD Sampling This Weekend

As the November portion of firearms deer season opens in Missouri, the Department of Conservation is reminding hunters about mandatory sampling for …

Missouri ranks last in the United States in the percentage of education funding provided by the state. (Adobe Stock)

Panel on Teacher Hiring, Retention to Hold Public Meetings Across MO

The Missouri state commission on teacher recruitment and retention has released its recommendations and will now be holding a series of public-engagem…

Research indicates kids of middle-school age are most frequent victims of bullying. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Preventing Bullying: The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and experts are reminding Missourians to be aware of the patterns within bullying. One in …

This is the first election to be conducted under the new voter-ID rules in Missouri. (Adobe Stock)

No-Excuse Absentee Voting Under Way in Missouri

This Friday - October 28 - is Vote Early Day, and with early voting already under way in Missouri there's a few things to remember. Missourians can …

More than 345,000 Missourians are registered to participate in the 2022 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut. (Adobe Stock)

Thousands of Missourians to Participate in Great Central U.S. 'ShakeOut'

Missourians may not think much about earthquakes, but experts say it is important to be mentally prepared. This morning, hundreds of thousands of …

About 227,000 Missouri kids live in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Programs Target Improving Economic Security for Missouri Families

Missouri has made strides in recent years when it comes to the economic stability of families, but advocates stressed there is more work to be done…

Prenatal home-visitation programs are connected to reduced low birth-weight deliveries. (Adobe Stock)

Partnerships Focus on Building Healthy, Resilient Missouri Children

A strong future for Missouri depends on ensuring its youngest residents grow up healthy and resilient, and partnerships are helping children grow up …

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