Health & Medicine Archives

Winter weather has been deadly in Missouri; I-70 in Concordia has reopened

February 15, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

UPDATE: The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says westbound I-70 at Concordia has re-opened, after being closed for more than five hours.

BRIAN’S ORIGINAL STORY IS BELOW:

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield is warning travelers that Friday evening’s commute will be difficult across the Ozarks, because roads have deteriorated from snow and ice.

The National Weather Service in Springfield is urging motorists to finish their travel as soon as possible (map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter)

NWS meteorologist Mike Albano in Springfield says Branson, Monett, Neosho and West Plains are seeing ice. Some of those areas have seen almost two-tenths of an inch of ice already.

“For people traveling along and south of the U.S. 60 corridor, we’d suggest avoid any unnecessary travel,” Albano says. “Between a tenth and two-tenths of an inch of ice certainly has its problems that it could cause out there on the roadways,” Albano says.

Snow, sleet and freezing rain continue to fall across the Ozarks this afternoon, and the NWS is urging you to complete your travel as soon as possible.

“And this is a system that’s going to be around really through the evening commute, probably not pulling out of maybe the Branson, the Springfield metropolitan areas until maybe after 6 o’clock this evening,” Albano says.

The NWS says the Warsaw and Osage Beach areas could see up to three inches of snow, by Friday evening.

Numerous Missouri school districts either canceled classes today, or dismissed early. That meant some of school buses were taking children home during the snowstorm.

Meantime, the NWS in western Missouri’s Pleasant Hill, near Kansas City, says multi-vehicle crashes have caused closures on numerous highways and interstates in the Kansas City region, across the metro and beyond.

Here are some other big stories from today’s winter storm, across the state:

** Missouri state troopers in Lee’s Summit say one person has been killed in a 15-vehicle crash today on westbound I-70, near Oak Grove. Westbound I-70 at western Missouri’s Oak Grove remains closed because of the crashes.
** Snow-covered westbound I-70 in west-central Missouri’s Concordia remains closed. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) tells Missourinet at least six or seven tractor trailers crashed there, and one of them “tore open”, spilling items onto the highway.
** Snow-covered westbound Highway 54 near the Cole-Miller County line south of Jefferson City saw a pileup involving numerous vehicles today. One listener tells us about 40 vehicles were involved, while another listener says it involved hundreds of cars.

Winter weather advisories issued for much of Missouri; Kansas City expected to receive most snow (AUDIO)

February 14, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued a winter weather advisory for Friday for large portions of of western, northwest and west-central Missouri. The NWS in Springfield has issued a winter weather advisory for all of the Ozarks, for Friday morning and afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a winter weather advisory for all of the Ozarks (February 14, 2019 map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter)

NWS meteorologist Chris Gitro expects a fast-moving storm and says the Kansas City metro will likely see the highest amount of snowfall Friday.

“We’re expecting accumulations on the order of four to six inches for the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas, and by late tomorrow (Friday) afternoon and into the early evening hours the system is expected to depart pretty quickly,” Gitro says.

Snow is expected to begin falling in Kansas City at about 9 Friday morning.

Meantime, the National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a winter weather advisory for all of the Ozarks, for Friday. Lebanon, Waynesville, Warsaw, Osage Beach and the Lake of the Ozarks are expected to receive three to four inches of snow.

The NWS says Springfield is projected to receive one to two inches of snow. Most of the snow will fall across the Ozarks Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Gitro in the NWS’ Pleasant Hill office tells Missourinet that Columbia, Jefferson City and Sedalia are expected to receive about three inches of snow.

“It’s definitely looking like they’re going to be under the gun for some accumulating snowfall tomorrow as well,” says Gitro.

Northwest Missouri’s Chillicothe and St. Joseph could also see four to six inches, while the St. Louis region is projected to receive two inches. The NWS in St. Louis is warning motorists that Friday evening commute hazards are likely in the St. Louis region.

A light glaze of ice is expected Friday in southeast Missouri towns like Farmington, Perryville and Sikeston.

The cold front is already in northwest Missouri. The NWS tweeted Thursday afternoon at 2:45 p.m. that it was 31 degrees in St. Joseph, while it was 57 degrees in Lee’s Summit, which is a Kansas City suburb.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Gitro, which was recorded on February 14, 2019:

Parson: Missouri must keep moving forward on workforce development

February 12, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

UPDATE ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON: The Missouri House has given initial approval to the proposed “Fast Track” legislation”, by a voice vote. The vote happened Tuesday, and the bill needs one more approval from the House.

THE ORIGINAL STORY IS BELOW:

Legislation aimed at boosting workforce development in the Show-Me State could be debated this week by the Missouri House in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau, (left) speaks to lawmakers in committee on March 14, 2018 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Governor Mike Parson (R) proposed the “Fast Track” program during January’s State of the State Address. He’s asking lawmakers to approve $22 million for the program, which he says would allow Missourians to receive advanced training in high-demand areas primarily taught at community colleges, technical schools, and colleges and universities.

The governor held a roundtable discussion at the Statehouse on Thursday, where he was joined by lawmakers, Cabinet members, college presidents and business leaders.

Parson says it’s important to keep moving forward on workforce development. He’s calling on lawmakers to approve the bipartisan “Fast Track” legislation, which would provide grants for Missourians to attend an approved Missouri postsecondary institution of their choice.

“I think it’s long overdue that the executive branch and the legislators work together on meaningful legislation that is good for the entire state of Missouri,” Parson says.

Under House Bill 225 from State Rep. Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau, to be eligible, a student must be at least 25 years old and have an adjusted gross income of less than $80,000. The House Workforce Development Committee voted 14-0 last week to approve Swan’s bill. She chairs that committee.

Swan says the fastest-growing jobs through 2026 will be in the service sector, many requiring a certificate or a credential.

Governor Parson says cultivating and training Missouri’s workforce for high-demand jobs is a top priority for his administration. Fast Track is aimed at adults who are working toward a certification, undergraduate degree or a credential for a high-demand occupation.

“To meet our workforce needs, our state needs to create opportunities for Missourians to increase their skills and move into high-demand, high-paying jobs,” says Parson.

During January’s State of the State, the governor told lawmakers that Fast Track would benefit “tens of thousands of Missourians from every corner of the state.”

That line drew bipartisan applause in January, including praise from State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon.

“We don’t need more college degrees, we need more people that can work and bring money back to their families,” Schroer told Missourinet that afternoon.

Representative Swan, Missouri Department of Higher Education Commissioner Zora Mulligan and Moberly Area Community College President Jeff Lashley were among those who participated in Thursday’s roundtable.

State Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, is sponsoring the Senate version.

(AUDIO) North Missouri under winter weather advisory; Ellington urges Missourians to check on the elderly

February 11, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill and St. Louis have issued winter weather advisories for virtually all of northern Missouri, until midnight tonight (Monday).

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for much of northern Missouri on February 11, 2019 (map courtesy of NWS St. Louis Twitter page)

The NWS says St. Joseph, Chillicothe, Edina, Kirksville, Macon, Tarkio and Trenton are expected to receive a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow on Monday evening.

The NWS says the Edina area could receive about 0.11″ of ice. Most of the other towns are expected to see minor ice and snow accumulation.

State Rep. Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, tells Missourinet the recent ice storm and snow have been very difficult on elderly residents in his Kansas City district and across the state.

“With the power outages, with the streets being filled of ice and the sidewalks being filled with ice it’s hard for them to get out and go to the grocery store,” Ellington says.

The NWS is warning that parking lots and walkways will be slick across northern Missouri, because of the wintry mix. Ellington is urging you to check on your elderly neighbors and family members.

“Please look out, take some salt or something over there and check on them,” says Ellington. “Check to see if their electricity is out.”

State Rep. Brandon Ellington (D) briefs Capitol reporters on January 28, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Ellington tells Missourinet he learned today that a Kansas City resident in a nearby legislative district fell in the ice and broke her cheek.

“I was actually just talking to Representative (State Rep. Ingrid) Burnett and she was telling me about her neighbor that literally just fell and broke her jaw, broke her cheek, excuse me, broke her cheek,” Ellington says.

Representative Ellington spoke to Missourinet Monday afternoon at the Statehouse in Jefferson City, after the House Democrats held a press conference on criminal justice reform.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, which was recorded on February 11, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

Missouri agriculture groups back Rone bill to increase MDA fees

February 11, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

(Audio is courtesy of Brownfield reporter Tom Steever)

Legislation to increase fees for several programs and licenses within the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) plant industries division is scheduled to be voted on by a House committee on Wednesday in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Don Rone (R) speaks on the Missouri House floor in March 2018 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

MDA legislative liaison Emily LeRoy testifies the fees the department charges for some services are not enough to sustain its finances.

“We project the plant industries ag protection fund will be unable to cash-flow its needs by fiscal year 2020, unless additional revenue is generated to cover costs,” LeRoy says.

Missouri pesticide registration fees have remained the same since 2010, and MDA’s fees for grain elevator inspections have stayed the same since 1992.

MDA’s plant industries division registers pesticides and works to prevent the spread of plant diseases.

House Agriculture Policy Committee Chairman Don Rone, R-Portageville, is sponsoring the legislation to increase some MDA fees.

MDA Director Chris Chinn tells Brownfield the extra revenue is needed for the department to maintain its services.

“As technology continues to change, the department needs to be able to keep up with it,” says Chinn. “So having some more funding in the department that will allow us to buy new software that’s more user-friendly for the end user is very important to us.”

A bipartisan Missouri legislative committee was created last year to examine the agency’s funding levels. MDA testified in September that its plant industries division was “in dire need” of better computer software to track inspections, investigations and enforcement work.

Rone’s bill also requires MDA to convene a working group every five years to review all fees charged by the department, and to submit a report to the Legislature on any recommended changes to fees.

Rone’s bill also says that every pesticide distributed or sold in Missouri must be registered with MDA and pay an annual fee for product registered. Chinn would be allowed to deposit up to seven percent of the fee into a pesticide education fund, under Rone’s bill.

That funding would be used for pesticide education programs and pesticide waste disposal programs.

No one testified against the bill at last week’s hearing. Several commodity groups, including the Missouri Soybean Association, testified for the bill.

Multiple winter weather advisories issued for Missouri; snow and freezing rain expected

February 9, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

All three National Weather Service (NWS) offices in Missouri have issued winter weather advisories, with snow and freezing rain on the way.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield has issued a winter weather advisory (map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter page)

The winter weather advisories begin at midnight Sunday (tomorrow) and run through Sunday at noon.

The NWS in Pleasant Hill has issued a winter weather advisory for much of western, central and northern Missouri. The NWS says a wintry mix is expected to begin late tonight in Kansas City and St. Joseph. The northern Missouri towns of Chillicothe, Trenton and Bethany are expected to receive one to three inches of snowfall by noon Sunday, while the west-central Missouri communities of Marshall and Sedalia could see up to two inches of snow.

Northern Missouri has been slammed this winter with several large snowstorms, along with freezing temperatures. News director Tom Tingerthal at Missourinet Chillicothe affiliate KCHI (AM 1010) tells us roads are currently in good shape overall in the “Home of Sliced Bread,” but notes there are still some icy spots there.

Meantime, the National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a winter weather advisory for most of the Ozarks. The NWS in Springfield says a wintry mix is expected to begin after midnight and will start as snow/sleet, before transitioning to light freezing rain.

The Branson and West Plains areas are expected to receive about 0.10″ of ice.

Slick roads are expected across the Ozarks, and the NWS expects about one inch of snow in most areas there.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis has also issued a winter weather advisory for much of eastern and northern Missouri. The NWS says the precipitation will begin as snow late tonight in cities such as Columbia, Jefferson City, Hannibal, Moberly and Warrenton.

Snow is expected to begin falling in Columbia and Jefferson City at about midnight, and the snow is expected to change to sleet and freezing rain Sunday morning. Light accumulations of snow, sleet and ice are expected.

The snow is expected to start in the St. Louis area at about 3 a.m. Sunday.

The Columbia, Sedalia, Clinton and Lake of the Ozarks areas are also expected to receive some ice.

Tune into Saturday morning to your local Missourinet affiliate for our hourly newscasts, with updated winter weather information.

Hartzler discusses opioid epidemic, transportation and broadband with Missouri lawmakers (AUDIO)

February 8, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

A congresswoman who represents a large portion of central and western Missouri traveled to Jefferson City this week to meet with state lawmakers from her district.

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, meets with Missouri lawmakers on February 4, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Congresswoman Hartzler’s office)

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, says it makes sense to join forces with state lawmakers, since they both serve the same constituents.

“And I feel so honored that so many of our state reps and senators from the Fourth District came to spend a little time discussing issues that impact both at the federal level and state levels,” Hartzler says.

More than a dozen state lawmakers from across the sprawling Fourth Congressional District met this week in Jefferson City with Congresswoman Hartzler. She says numerous topics were discussed during the “Working Together for Missouri Summit.”

“Such as the opioid crisis, the need for rural broadband, need for affordable, accessible health care, transportation, infrastructure,” says Hartzler.

Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, says about ten Missouri school districts currently lack access to high-speed broadband. The governor calls that “unacceptable.” Hartzler says broadband continues to be a big issue in rural areas.

Governor Parson has also proposed a $350 million infrastructure plan, aimed at repairing or replacing 250 bridges across the state. The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says more than 900 Missouri bridges are in poor condition.

Congresswoman Hartzler’s district includes Columbia, Moberly, Sedalia and Fort Leonard Wood. She represents all or parts of 24 counties. Hartzler, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, supports GOP President Donald Trump’s border wall.

“Because 90 percent of the heroin that is ending up in our districts and people are overdosing and dying, is coming across the southern border,” Hartzler says.

She tells Missourinet the overwhelming majority of her constituents favor the wall.

Hartzler says 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017 and adds that Congress has approved $10 billion in funding for states to fight the opioid epidemic.

State Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, and State Reps. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, Robert Ross, R-Yukon, Glen Kolkmeyer, R-Odessa and Donna Pfautsch, R-Harrisonville, were among the lawmakers who participated in Monday’s meeting.

Click here to listen to Missourinet news director Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, which was recorded on February 4, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

National Weather Service: straight-line winds struck southwest Missouri

February 7, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

UPDATE ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON: The National Weather Service in Springfield says its survey teams have found that the damage from yesterday’s overnight storms in southwest Missouri’s Aurora and Monett were caused by straight-line winds, not tornadoes. NWS meteorologist Megan Terry tells Missourinet the storms caused barn and roof damage. The NWS in Springfield issued at least 11 tornado warnings during the storms.

ORIGINAL STORY FROM FEBRUARY 7, 2019 IS BELOW:

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield has survey teams in southwest Missouri’s Aurora and Monett Thursday afternoon, investigating possible overnight tornadoes. The NWS in Springfield issued at least 11 tornado warnings last night, into the early-morning hours.

The National Weather Service in Springfield issued at least 11 tornado warnings on February 6-7, 2019 (map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter page)

NWS meteorologist Megan Terry says there is barn and roof damage in the Aurora and Monett areas, which are southwest of Springfield.

“We had a line of strong to severe thunderstorms move across our area and sometimes we can get little spinups on those,” Terry says.

She says there are also downed trees and power lines in and near Springfield, from the storms.

The NWS in Springfield is also warning that “black ice” is possible Thursday afternoon and evening across the Ozarks. Ms. Terry says it will get cold tonight throughout southwest Missouri.

“We expect temperatures to fall into the single digits and teens tonight, so if there’s any residual water on roads it could freeze,” says Terry.

Black ice is difficult to see and is more common on bridges and overpasses.

The NWS also says the flood watch for Springfield, Branson and West Plains has expired. Terry tells Missourinet that much of the Ozarks has seen big two-day rainfall totals.

“Over in the eastern Ozarks around Montauk State Park (near Salem) 2.88 inches, near Houston, Texas County, about 2.7 inches,” Terry says.

She says there has been flooding in low lying areas, especially near creeks and streams.

Meantime, the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has issued a wind chill advisory for far northern Missouri, until Friday morning at 9.

The wind chill advisory will impact the entire Highway 36 corridor and everything north, including St. Joseph, Chillicothe, Macon, Kirksville and Hannibal.

The NWS says wind chill values in those communities will be as cold as -20 degrees.

The ice storm warning issued by the NWS in Pleasant Hill has expired. The ice storm warning area included a large section of northern and western Missouri, including Chillicothe, Kansas City and Sedalia.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) met with members of his emergency management team Wednesday night at the State Emergency Management Operations Center in Jefferson City. The governor is urging you to continue to pay close attention to your local forecast.

Missouri Congressman Smith: “We need to have strong border security” (AUDIO)

February 7, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

A Missouri congressman who serves as the GOP Conference Secretary praises President Trump’s (R) State of the Union Address and backs the president’s call for a border wall.

President Donald Trump and Missouri Congressman Jason Smith (right) in Washington on February 5, 2019 (photo courtesy of Congressman Smith’s office)

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, tells Missourinet having an unsecured southern border leaves a threat to all Americans.

“We do need to have barriers along the southern border,” Smith says. “We need to have strong border security, because there’s all kinds of illegal drugs that are coming across the border.”

Smith notes federal agents made the largest seizure of fentanyl in U.S. history last week in Arizona. NBC News reports federal agents discovered 254 pounds of fentanyl, which is the synthetic opioid blamed for the majority of overdose deaths.

State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, told Missourinet this week in Jefferson City that those 254 pounds of fentanyl could have killed millions of Americans.

Congressman Smith says there’s a humanitarian crisis at our southern border, a crisis he says will only be solved with a physical barrier.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Kansas City, disagrees with Smith. Congresswoman Cleaver, who also represents rural Lafayette, Saline and Ray counties, tweeted Tuesday night that “Illegal immigration is not a security crisis. Illegal border crossings are down 80 percent since 2001.”

Smith says the president has laid out a vision for the nation that all Americans can get behind. Congressman Smith praises President Trump for saying five million Americans have been lifted off food stamps and that African-American unemployment is the lowest on record.

“Well just put it this way, the president’s message to our country tonight was very clear to me: America’s First leadership is returning American greatness,” says Smith.

Smith represents 30 counties across southeast and south-central Missouri. His sprawling district includes Ava, Farmington, Sikeston and West Plains. Smith notes the president carried his district by 56 points in 2016.

Smith was one of the congressional leaders in both parties who escorted President Trump into the House chamber on Tuesday night. Smith says it was exciting.

“The relationship I’ve been able to cultivate with the president over the last couple of years has been very beneficial to the people of Missouri, and I was honored to be part of the escort committee,” Smith says.

Smith tells Missourinet President Trump told him Tuesday that the November Cape Girardeau rally is one of the best rallies he’s ever had.

U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, issued a statement after the State of the Union Address. It reads, in part: “The State of our Union is broken because of the damage and pain that Donald Trump has inflicted on the American people.”

Clay’s statement also says: “The President has worked tirelessly to deepen the divisions of racial hatred and intolerance in our nation in order to advance his own personal politics and to placate his extremist supporters.”

Democrats currently control the U.S. House 235-200. Republicans control the U.S. Senate 53-47.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, which was recorded on February 5, 2019, following President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address:

National Weather Service issues ice storm warning for large section of Missouri (AUDIO)

February 6, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill has issued an ice storm warning for a large section of western and northern Missouri, including Kansas City, Chillicothe, Sedalia and Bethany.

The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has a detailed map of the February 6, 2019 ice storm warning area (map courtesy of NWS Pleasant Hill Twitter)

The ice storm warning is in effect until noon Thursday.

The NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for a large section of Missouri, including Columbia, Jefferson City and Hannibal.

NWS meteorologist Ryan Cutter tells Missourinet there have been many reports of crashes across north Missouri, because of freezing drizzle and slick roads.

“Numerous accidents across Missouri especially as that freezing drizzle continues to fall, and is causing a slick glazing of ice on roadways,” says Cutter.

The NWS in St. Louis has also issued a winter weather advisory for four northeast Missouri counties, including the towns of Edina and Shelbyville. Motorists can expect hazardous travel there.

Cutter says the commute home Wednesday afternoon will be “slick and icy” in communities stretching from Columbia to Boonville to Kansas City to Kirksville.

“The temperatures where they’re going to stay, we’re going to be well enough below freezing and the continued misty stuff that’s falling from the sky is just going to continue to make things slick through the afternoon,” Cutter says.

Jefferson City and Columbia are expected to receive small amounts of ice accumulation through Thursday afternoon, but the amounts will be larger in northeast Missouri towns like Edina, which is expected to receive 0.18″.

Cutter also reminds you to be safe in stairwells, which could be ice-covered. The railings also could have ice on them.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Ryan Cutter, which was recorded earlier on February 6, 2019, before the ice storm warning was issued: