Your source for Missouri News and Sports
Thanks for listening and please subscribe to the Bill Pollock Show podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Sound Cloud and Facebook
The real reason Derek Mason was fired after Vandy’s loss to Mizzou
This was pretty funny. I thought I asked a legit question about offense vs. defense when Mizzou hosts Arkansas, but Eli Drinkwitz was having none of it. Hear as I get shut down by coach.
Cuonzo Martin previews Mizzou’s second basketball game of the season.
The Cardinals are declining second baseman Kolten Wong’s option for $12.5 million for the 2021 season. The club made the move to reduce spending. Wong now joins a list of Cardinals who became free agents yesterday, including longtime catcher Yadier Molina, pitcher Adam Wainwright, catcher Matt Wieters and infielder Brad Miller.
Wong thanked St. Louis and its fans, as well as his teammates and coaches on Instagram. The 30-year-old hit .265 as the Cards’ leadoff man in 2020. He is also a finalist for a Gold Glove.
Wong had a $1 million buy so the club saved $11.5 million in payroll.
John Mozeliak, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations, said on a Zoom call Wednesday afternoon that he personally spoke with Wong and said the salary cut was a move made to save money following a season of decreased revenue and lack of ticket sales. Mozeliak said he and Wong agreed to keep the door open for discussions this offseason.
by Bob Priddy for Missourinet
A proposal on the November 3 ballot further limits Missourians’ abilities to vote for incumbents they like.
Amendment 1 extends the two-term limit for Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and State auditor. The governor and the state treasurer already are term-limited.
But history shows Missourians might have a hypocritical streak on this issue.
When given a chance to vote for more terms for candidates, Missouri voters have a propensity to do it. It’s how Peter Kinder served three terms as lieutenant governor; Jay Nixon served sixteen as state attorney general; Forest Smith served four terms as state auditor. One of his successors, Haskell Holman, served 18 years.
Missourians limited their opportunities to vote when they supported term limits in 1992, with limits kicking in with the 1994 election—at which time many legislators who already had served eight or more years were elected for even more.
On Tuesday morning, I posted the story of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes tweeting in favor of Kansas City hosting the NBA’s Toronto’s Raptors for one season if the only Canadian team in the league could not play in their home city due to Coronavirus travel restrictions. KC Mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted back at Patrick that the city was working on it.
Tuesday afternoon, the Mayor updated fans that with the help of both Missouri and Kansas legislators, he was reaching out to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to present his case for why Kansas City would be a good home (albeit temporary) for an NBA team.
Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and Missouri U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II signed the letter from Lucas to the league, where the Mayor points out that Kansas City sports fans would be eager to cheer on the Raptors.
We heard you might need a temporary home for the upcoming @NBA season, @Raptors. We’d love to have you in Kansas City.
Mayor Lucas and members of the KS and MO delegation today encouraged the NBA and Raptors to select Kansas City as the team’s host city for the 2020-21 season: pic.twitter.com/knyUEwYBlX
— Mayor Quinton Lucas (@MayorLucasKC) October 27, 2020
Louisville and Buffalo are cities that are also considered potential sites.
The state is repaying some Missourians who are taking a temporary 20-hour online training class to become a substitute teacher.
In August, the Missouri Board of Education voted to temporarily give prospective substitutes the option of using the rapid certification method or completing the standard 60 college credit hours. The emergency rule the board passed is set to expire at the end of February 2021.
Missouri to reimburse some substitute teachers taking speedy training
The program is intended to help curtail a shortage of substitutes during the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
“The substitute teacher shortage was a challenge our agency was working to address prior to COVID-19,” says Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “The pandemic has only exacerbated this issue. We are pleased that these additional options are now available to assists schools in providing onsite learning opportunities for Missouri students.”
At a state Board of Education meeting this week, Kari Monsees, deputy commissioner for finance with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, says the Governor’s Office has designated $2 million in coronavirus relief funds to help cover the personal costs.
“These funds will allow those subs to be reimbursed for their application fees, for their training fees and for their fingerprint background check fees as well,” he says. “So, we’re working on a program to get those distributed. “The subs themselves will just get reimbursement for their expenditures that they’ve already put out of pocket – except for the background check. We’ll have to work through the districts for that particular reimbursement.”
Individuals who have paid the online training fee of $175 and/or the application fee of $50 from August 18 through November 4 will be repaid. There is no action required by the substitute teachers to be reimbursed; the payment method used to pay these fees will be automatically credited. The agency will begin processing these reimbursements on November 5.
Schools must submit an online application to the department by November 4 to repay substitutes for their background check fee.
Prospective substitute teachers must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and must pass a background check. For those interested in becoming a substitute teacher through the online training course and for more information about these reimbursements, as well as recent updates to substitute certification rules, click here.
Here are the K-12 job openings around the state, including for substitute teachers.
Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet
Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson have both tested positive for COVID-19. According to a press release from the Governor’s Office, the first lady was tested this morning after displaying minor symptoms. The results came back positive. The governor was then tested and his results also came back positive.
Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson
During a press conference today at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, State Health Department Director Randall Williams says all official and campaign events have been canceled until further notice, including Friday’s gubernatorial debate against Democrat Nicole Galloway.
The governor’s staff has been tested and is awaiting results.
Dr. Williams says the Governor feels healthy at this time and is displaying no symptoms. The first lady has mild symptoms.
In a video message, Governor Parson says he continues to do state business from the Governor’s Mansion without interruption.
Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet
Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson has tested positive for COVID-19. Gov. Mike Parson’s spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, tells Missourinet the first lady took a rapid COVID-19 test and the results came back positive. She is awaiting results on another diagnostic version – a PCR test. Those results are expected later today.
Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson
Jones says Mrs. Parson has mild symptoms – a runny nose and a cough.
The governor is at the mansion in Jefferson City. The first lady is in Bolivar.
The governor was scheduled to speak to a group of Missouri broadcasters today but was not able to. The governor’s visit to St. Louis today to sign a bill about removing a police residency requirement has been postponed. Friday’s gubernatorial debate has been called off for the time being.
This is a developing story.
Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet
Several bills become law today that the Missouri Legislature passed during the second regular session of the 100th General Assembly. Here is a snapshot of the top bills approved by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Mike Parson:
Top Missouri laws taking effect today
Partial motorcycle helmet law repeal
House Bill 1963 is a sweeping transportation bill allowing motorcycle drivers 26 years and older to go helmetless if they have their own health insurance. It requires insurance to cover medical costs for injuries from a motorcycle crash. Under the plan sponsored by Representative Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, motorcycle passengers would still be required to wear a helmet.
Cameras within long-term care patient rooms
St. Louis Representative Jim Murphy’s bill will let long-term care center patients put electronic monitoring devices in their rooms. Murphy, a Republican, tells Missourinet House Bill 1387 allows devices like video cameras to be placed within patient rooms at Missouri nursing homes, assisted living centers and mental hospitals. Under the plan, a visible sign must be placed in rooms where monitoring is occurring. Murphy says he thinks the devices will help to address potential abuse and neglect and help families stay in contact with their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone featured in a recording must approve of the release of the recording unless the information is being given to law enforcement for investigative purposes.
Changes to Missouri’s foster care system
House Bill 1414 is comprehensive legislation about Missouri’s foster care system. It requires the creation of a response team to review the practices of the state Children’s Division and any contractors. The package gives Missouri’s homeless kids access to a free birth certificate and provides them with Medicaid health coverage. Representative Sheila Solon, R-St. Joseph, is sponsoring the proposal ensuring foster parents have access, at the time of placement, to full medical records of a child placed with them. It also clarifies that a child’s attendance in court hearings should only take place when the judge and family support believe it is in the best interest of the child.
Further healthcare coverage for certain conditions
Former state Representative David Wood, R-Versailles, is the sponsor of a wide-ranging healthcare bill allowing pregnant Missouri women on Medicaid to have access to mental health services for postpartum depression or related conditions for up to an additional 12 months. Previous law gave the benefits to eligible mothers for up to 60 days after giving birth. The extra help depends on state budget and federal approval.
House Bill 1682 also specifies that coverage for certain breast cancer screening and evaluation services must be provided annually to any woman deemed by her physician to have an above-average risk for breast cancer. Furthermore, the bill requires coverage of ultrasound or MRI services when determined by a physician to be medically necessary for any woman deemed by the doctor to have an above-average risk of breast cancer.
Rape kits testing
Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, sponsored legislation streamlining Missouri’s testing process for sexual assault evidence kits and it creates a statewide task force aimed at protecting the rights of assault victims. Senate Bill 569 requires the state to create a centralized place to store untested rape kits and requires those kits to be stored for at least five years. Missouri has about 6,800 untested rape kits.
Tort Reform
Senate Bill 591 puts new limits on punitive damages in liability lawsuits. It allows juries to award punitive damages only when plaintiffs prove by clear and convincing evidence that defendants “intentionally harmed” someone without just cause or acted with “deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.” The business-friendly measure is sponsored by Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin.
Medical marijuana
Lawmakers passed changes to the state’s new medical marijuana industry. The FBI informed the state health department, which regulates the industry, that the Missouri agency will not have access to its national fingerprint background check database. Representative Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, says his legislation will clear up that problem. Under House Bill 1896, the agency requires fingerprints from medical marijuana business employees and department employees associated with licensing medical marijuana businesses. It bans medical marijuana edibles designed in the shape of a human, animal, or fruit, including realistic, artistic, caricature, or cartoon renderings. However, geometric shapes, including, but not limited to, circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles, are allowed.
Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet
Thanks for listening and please subscribe to the Bill Pollock Show podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Sound Cloud and Facebook
I respect the Big Ten and Pac-12’s decision to put a halt to fall sports, but I don’t agree with it. I feel it’s too early to make a decision and there could be more factors to consider before making a final decision, which is what the SEC, Big 12 and ACC appear to be doing.
I understand additional medical information has come out which has caused hesitation in two of the Power 5 conferences. My guest is Dr. Brian Bostick general cardiologist and cardiovascular disease researcher at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.
He explains what Myocarditis is and how it could affect student-athletes.
Plus a Blues playoff preview!
A well-known Jefferson City family is donating $75,000 to a bridge project that will link the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City to the riverfront. It’s a project that’s been discussed in Jefferson City for more than 25 years.
This is an artist’s rendering of part of the planned $3.75 million Bicentennial bridge project in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of bicentennialbridge.org
The Naught family from Naught-Naught Insurance Agency made the contribution.
Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin tells Missourinet that a groundbreaking ceremony for the $3.75 million project is set for Monday August 10 at 8:30 a.m. It will take place at the State Capitol.
Mayor Tergin describes the project as a “game changer,” as well as an amazing legacy gift for Missouri’s Bicentennial in 2021. She has said it’s the most exciting news that that’s ever announced as mayor.
The project will provide a pedestrian and bike linkage from the Capitol to the Missouri River, an area known as Adrian’s Island. Tom Naught says the Bicentennial bridge will enhance the Capitol grounds, and will bring more tourists to Jefferson City. The 12-foot wide pedestrian and bicycle bridge will connect the Capitol complex to a 30-acre parkland located north of the Union Pacific Railroad.
The island will have trails that allow visitors to hike through the wooded area. Click here to view artist renderings of the project, and also a video.
“The entrance to the bridge will honor our veterans and when the Naught family learned of this, they knew they wanted to be a part of it. Thank you to the Naught’s for having a place in your heart for the Bicentennial Bridge and for veterans, and we deeply appreciate your support of this project,” Mayor Tergin says, in a statement.
Mayor Tergin tells Missourinet that she expects construction to begin in late summer or this fall, and for clearing work to begin in September. The project is expected to be done in August 2021. The mayor says the 830-feet bridge will span over railroad tracks.
Bridge supporters note more than 400,000 people visit the Missouri Capitol Complex annually, and that there’s no current way to access the riverfront without crossing Union Pacific’s railroad tracks.
Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet
