Alisa Nelson, Author at Missourinet

Federal funding helps to expand virtual health care in rural Missouri

November 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is giving more than $500,000 to expand virtual health care services in parts of rural Missouri. The USDA is providing the funding through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program.

Photo courtesy of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Through the grant, Mercy Virtual will install video equipment to provide remote health services in parts of eastern, southern and southwest Missouri. The effort is expected to provide health care to about 210,000 area residents.

The grant will also allow Salem Memorial District Hospital in southern Missouri to put technology connecting rural Missouri schools in Dent, Reynolds, Iron, and Shannon Counties to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla and SSM Health in St. Louis. The project is said to increase health care access to 2,300 rural Missouri students.

In 2017, President Donald Trump created the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

(AUDIO) Missourinet 5 p.m. Newscast for 11-20-2019

November 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Campaign launches to oppose wind turbines in Missouri county

November 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

A citizen’s group has kicked off a campaign aimed at heavily restricting wind turbines from being built in northwest Missouri’s Buchanan County. Turbines have not gone up in Buchanan County, but some companies have shown interest.

Campaign launches to oppose wind turbines in Missouri county

Anita Simon with the group ‘Friends of Buchanan County’ says a petition gathered asks County Commissioners to require a one-mile setback of wind power projects from property

“Because we believe that is a fair and reasonable distance to protect us from the ill effects from the wind turbines,” says Simon. “There’s many of those that I could list.”

Simon says the group is not against renewable energy.

“We don’t think it’s a good fit for this county. We have a highly populated rural area along with a fairly large urban center,” she says. “And, we just have feelings that it could impact this whole county as far as financially – it could be an economic downturn.”

The county does not have regulations on the books for wind farms. It will hold public hearings before finalizing regulations, likely sometime next year.

Far northwest Missouri is the only slice of the state with wind turbines.

(AUDIO) Missourinet 5 p.m. Newscast for 11-19-2019

November 19, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Federal grant to address severe water shortage, some road issues in northeast Missouri

November 19, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The U.S. Department of Labor has given Missouri a federal grant to address some infrastructure problems in northeast Missouri. Milan has received a $13.5 million federal grant to handle severe water shortages the town has been dealing with for years. At a press conference, Gov. Mike Parson says a drought earlier this year in the Milan area caused some severe water problems. The funding will be used on the East Locust Creek Reservoir Project.

Gov. Mike Parson

“Up in that region, the town up there, was like 60 some odd days from running out of water up there,” says Parson. “So, to build this reservoir up here and to be able to change the highway structure and the infrastructure around that is huge for the state of Missouri.”

Parson thinks the federal funding will clear up the infrastructure issues.

“Everybody understands how important water is up there,” says Parson. “We’ve got to figure out how we build that reservoir out to make sure to meet the demands up there. You never dream about, when you become governor, that you’re going to realize that some town in the state of Missouri is 60 days from running out of water. That means businesses, that means plants, that means schools, everything is going to be shut down. So, that was really a reality check.”

The grant will also be used to relocate Highway N to below the East Locust Creek Reservoir dam, extending and widening roads, and other highway safety improvements.

Missouri U.S. House members prepare to vote on whether to keep government open

November 19, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The U.S. House is scheduled to vote today on a temporary funding bill that would keep the federal government open for business through December 20. East-central Missouri Republican Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer tells Missourinet affiliate KWIX in Moberly otherwise, federal funding is scheduled to run out on Thursday.

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) Photo courtesy of US House of Representatives

“I’m fearful we’re going to be stuck here over the Christmas holidays in a situation where we’re going to wind up pushing this can down the road one more time here because right now the whole process and the whole atmosphere here is so toxic that it’s very difficult to get anything done,” says Luetkemeyer.

He hopes Congress can avoid another government shutdown.

“I would love to say no, that’s not going to happen. But, I think it’s a very real possibility this time,” he says.

President Donald Trump has indicated he would sign the temporary funding bill, even though he’s demanding billions of dollars in other funding measures to build additional wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. The move is not going over well with Democrats.

Missouri hopes to put out fire in popularity of e-cigarettes among youth

November 18, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Gov. Mike Parson says Missouri has a problem with the number of young people smoking electronic cigarettes and the state is trying to get out in front of a problem that he says could explode. So far, Missouri has had 35 vaping-related lung illnesses and two deaths linked to vaping. During a press conference today at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Parson says a multi-agency effort has formed to launch the Clear the Air campaign about the dangers of youth vaping.

Images courtesy of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

“I’m sitting here as a parent, with kids and with six grandparents, you’re always concerned about things like this. They’re in the school systems now. What is their version of vaping – is it cool? A lot of kids think that’s the way to do it. I think it’s so important for them to understand how harmful this could be too,” says Parson. “I think for us to reach out and make this a statewide project, I think, has a lot of validity to it.”

The campaign is in response to an executive order Parson signed last month to launch the effort.

When the Legislature begins the next session in January, Parson wants lawmakers to consider potential measures to address vaping in the Show-Me State. He’s not ready to commit to a ban on flavored vaping products that seem to be all the rage with youth.

Parson says it’s too early to consider any lawsuits against e-cigarette companies.

“I think, frankly, you’re going to have to have some hearings, you’re going to have people who are experts in that, that understand the research side of it. Then we’re going to have to make a decision,” says Parson. “Why we’re doing this at a fast pace is because I think we’re going to have to make a decision pretty quick. You know, you’ve got two people who have died from this.”

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams says the rate of vaping has doubled in the last two years among high school students, especially with seniors. He says the campaign’s mission is two-fold.

“Our mission is to change that trajectory, as the governor said, both long term for teenagers and youth, who we think are particularly susceptible to the harms of vaping,” says Williams. “And also in the short term, those people who may be susceptible to Vitamin E, which the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) now thinks may be a primary ideologic agent for EVALI or e-cigarette vaping associated-lung injury. We think it’s incredibly dangerous to put Vitamin E in vaping products.”

Missouri K-12 Public Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven says the risks of youth vaping go beyond the lungs.

“The toxins and additive drugs children may be exposed to when vaping can cause damage to areas of their developing brains that specialize in attention, learning and mood – all of which are obviously key components to their academic and personal well-being,” says Vandeven.

As part of the campaign, fact sheets for teachers, parents, and medical providers are also in the works, along with posters for school facilities. Through communication with district administrators and a variety of other means, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will give Clear the Air materials to Missouri schools and families at no cost.

According to Missouri PTA President Susan Rupert, about 20% of Missouri students are addicted to vaping. Cessation and addiction treatment information will also be made available to schools.

Dottie Taylor, State Supervisor of the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, says her office’s enforcement operations show that 83% of Missouri retailers are checking IDs and refusing sales to those who are under age 18.

“That does still mean that we’ve got 17% are selling. We believe that continuing our enforcement efforts, along with merchant education and training, as well as continuing to focus on the dangers of vaping can move the percentage of retailers in compliance to 100%.”

The campaign has been released today on YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat and on a website – stopthevapemissouri.org

Clear the Air materials can be viewed or downloaded from the DHSS website.

$28 million University of Missouri Plant Growth Research Center opens

November 18, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The University of Missouri has opened a new $28 million state-of-the-art center housing research greenhouses and cutting-edge, controlled-environment plant growth chambers in Columbia. From droughts to floods to monsoons, the more than 9,000 square feet for controlled environment growth chambers enable researchers to simulate climate conditions from all over the world to study their impacts on crops. Scott Brown, with the University of Missouri, says the new site is a much-needed improvement.

Photos courtesy of the University of Missouri

“So a chance to have some new greenhouse space to make sure our plant science researchers can do the cutting-edge research that they need,” says Brown.

The site contains some of the tallest growth chambers in the world that can accommodate the full 12-foot growth height of corn. Brown thinks the research will involve all sorts of crops.

“I think it’s going to be across the board and in fact, we’re looking at a number of researchers bidding on the opportunity to have greenhouse space in this new facility,” says Brown. “So, we’ll see how it unfolds moving forward.”

The East Campus building has 24 greenhouse units.

Casey’s to build Joplin distribution center, add 125 new jobs

November 18, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Casey’s General Stores plans to launch a new, state-of-the-art warehouse, logistics and distribution center in southwest Missouri’s Joplin. Erin Slifka, the Marketing and PR manager for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, tells Missourinet the project also includes about 125 new jobs.

Casey’s to build distribution center, add 125 new jobs in Joplin

“This is a great win for our region and the greater Joplin area,” says Slifka. “It is a $40 million capital investment.”

She says the site would be at an ideal location.

“The location of the distribution center will be at the intersections of Interstates 44 and 49, which are both large interstate systems connecting north and south, and east and west,” she says.

Thousands of semis hauling goods travel along those two interstates in that area.

In a company press release, Casey’s says the site will initially serve between 400 to 600 of the company’s stores throughout the Midwest and South.

“Joplin is an ideal location for Casey’s third distribution center due to its geography and ability to serve our growing market areas. We appreciate the support from the State of Missouri and City of Joplin, and look forward to sharing more details in the future,” says Ed Vaske, Vice President of Transportation and Distribution, Casey’s General Stores.

Gov. Mike Parson says the new center will not only provide quality jobs for Missourians in the Joplin region, but also support existing locations across the state and the Midwest.

“We are proud to see companies continuing to choose Missouri for our strong central location, skilled workforce, and business-friendly climate,” says Parson.

Joplin Mayor Gary Shaw says he’s excited and pleased with the decision of Casey’s to expand its operations to southwest Missouri.

“Their company is well known and respected by many who shop in their stores. We appreciate all of our partners for their support and great efforts in this development. It is a boost for our local economy and another strong asset in our community,” says Shaw.

The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Joplin, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Liberty Utilities, Missouri American Water, Spire, and Missouri Partnership all worked to bring the Casey’s location to Missouri.

The press release says the project is subject to the finalization of Casey’s due diligence and the approval of all economic development incentives.

Missourinet has contacted the company for additional details about the incentives, an anticipated opening date, worker pay, and the number of shifts involved, among other things.

Missouri’s second vaping-related death is a woman in her mid-50s

November 15, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

A Missouri woman in her mid-50s died this week in connection to the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products – making her Missouri’s second vaping-related death. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), in discussion with the woman’s treating physicians, concluded that vaping was a contributing factor to the patient’s death who was experiencing a long-standing underlying chronic lung condition. Whether the patient was using illegal vaping cartridges is unknown.

Missouri’s second vaping-related death is a woman in her mid-50s

Since Missouri DHSS began advising, and now requiring, physicians to report possible lung injuries associated with e-cigarettes, or vaping, in late August, DHSS has found 35 cases to be confirmed or probable from throughout the state of Missouri, using the case definition developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC recommends that people should not use e-cigarette, or vaping, products that contain THC, particularly from informal sources like friends, or family, or in-person or online. In a state press release, it says until the relationship of vitamin E acetate and lung health is better understood, vitamin E acetate should not be added to e-cigarette, or vaping, products. In addition, the release says people should not add any substance to e-cigarette or vaping products that are not intended by the manufacturer, including products purchased through retail locations.

Last month, DHSS Director Randall Williams said Missouri’s vaping related illness cases reflect the national trend in the use of illegal vaping cartridges.

“If you look nationally, about 70% of those are associated with THC and illegal cartridges. The other 30% is unknown,” said Williams.

Gov. Mike Parson has ordered three state agencies to develop a statewide public service campaign about the dangers of vaping among youth. The state is also doing random compliance checks this month at Missouri retailers who sell e-cigarette products. Those under the age of 18 are banned from buying nicotine vaping products in Missouri.

Parson is holding a press conference on Monday afternoon about youth vaping. Of Missouri’s cases reported, more than half involve users ages 15-24.