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Parson suspends late penalties for concealed carry license renewals

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Gov. Mike Parson has signed an executive order suspending late penalties for concealed carry license renewals. During Thursday’s Capitol press conference, Parson says the order waives the requirement that sheriffs enforce the penalties.

Gov. Mike Parson (Photos courtesy of Parson’s Flickr page)

“These people should not be penalized for staying home like they’ve been asked to,” says Parson. “This executive order not only promotes public health and social distancing, but also frees up local law enforcement offices from administrative tasks.”

Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, issued a statement condemning Parson’s move.

“If the governor had issued his executive order on conceal-carry permits a day earlier, I would have thought it was a bad April Fools’ Day joke. The fact that the governor thinks this is a priority is beyond disappointing and gives further ammunition to critics who say he isn’t doing what needs to be done to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Missouri.”

Click here to view the executive order.

Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet

State says bogus letter spreading online claims Missouri students must repeat grade

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The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) says a fake letter is circulating on Facebook. The letter claims the state agency will not allow K-12 students to move on to the next grade level for the 2020-21 school year, since the coronavirus closed schools and cancelled statewide tests. The bogus letter, dated April Fool’s Day, illegally uses the Department’s logo, alleges case law and is signed by “Candice B. Furreal”.

Courtesy of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Facebook page

DESE Spokesperson Mallory McGowin says some people thought the prank was true.

“We at the Department feel like we have tried to make clear from the start that we do not want our students across the state to be negatively impacted any more than they already are because of COVID-19,” says McGowin. “We’re obviously are disappointed that someone has chosen to use their free time in this way to create the document, to use our logo illegally and ultimately and most importantly make light of what we consider a really serious situation and that is our students’ education. We feel like it’s pretty insensitive, given the current situation our students and families and educators are already facing so much anxiety and uncertainty right now.”

McGowin says Missouri is not alone.

“We’ve seen this taking place in Michigan, in California and Utah,” she says.

She says the origin of the post is not being retraced at this time.

“So many agencies right now are dealing with so many more important things,” McGowin says. “We really don’t want to give these folks more credit than they’re due or more time and energy than they’re due.”

McGowin urges educators, families and students to check the department’s website for the latest accurate information.

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Group of Missouri nurses busting out their dance moves sparks viral video

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A video of a group of Missouri nurses getting their groove on has gone viral on social media. Kala Baker and her dancing nurse friends at Mercy Hospital in southwest Missouri’s Springfield are boosting morale by showing off their great dance moves. The video on social media platform TikTok caught the attention of Good Morning America.

Group of Missouri nurses busting out their dance moves sparks viral video

“Obviously it’s just been a little bit stressful around here,” Baker tells Good Morning America. “I saw a video and I thought ‘We could do that.’ And so it was a good way to just step away from our work for a second and bring some joy to the people around us and just to my co-workers.”

The video has had more than three million hits.

“Honestly, we are just still so shocked. We are honored that people even want to watch us dance because we are not dancers,” Baker chuckles.

Baker says they are happy to be serving.

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At least 19 people dead in Missouri from coronavirus

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At least 19 people have died from the coronavirus in Missouri. Southwest Missouri’s Greene County currently has the most – six casualties. Today, southern Missouri’s Pulaski County also announced a death there linked to the respiratory disease.

At least 19 people dead in Missouri from coronavirus

“It is with great sadness that we announce that our community had its first death due to COVID-19 last evening,” Melissa Martinez with the Pulaski County Health Department tells Missourinet affiliate KBNN in Lebanon.
No other information is available about the patient.

That death is not listed within today’s information from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. It could pop up tomorrow.

Nearly 1,600 people have tested positive for COVID-19. About 800 of the cases originate in St. Louis City and St. Louis County.

More than 17,400 people have been tested in Missouri among both public and private labs.

View the state information by clicking here.

Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet

Parson puts the brakes on $180 million in state budget spending

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Gov. Mike Parson says the coronavirus has already been hard felt in the state’s economy – more people are staying home, business operations have been limited, many people have lost their jobs and state revenue is down. During today’s press briefing, he says he is freezing $180 million in spending during the current state budget year to handle money problems created by COVID-19. Parson says the cuts will affect the Missouri Departments of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Office of Administration, Transportation, Economic Development and Natural Resources. More than $81 million will affect higher education.

Gov. Mike Parson (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Flickr page)

“Of the $180 million being restricted, I want to assure you these restrictions are absolutely necessary and they include funding for several departments, many of which are priorities of my own administration,” says Parson. “While we still do not know the true impact of COVID-19 on the economy, we do know that we do have to act now. Between now and June 31, we’re estimating an over $500 million shortfall.”

Parson says additional budget restrictions could be ahead, depending on how big of a financial blow the coronavirus has on the state’s cashflow. The state is required by Constitution to pass a balanced budget.

“COVID-19 has had serious impacts on our anticipated economic growth,” says Parson. “Now, we are expecting significant revenue declines – some of which may be larger than those experienced during the Great Recession.”

But he says he’s hopeful that $315 million in federal money could help to offset some of the money problems.

The governor touted his $100 million emergency fund created for the current budget year, but he did not say whether he’s dipping into that account to offset some of the expenses that come with COVID-19.

State Budget Director Dan Haug (Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Flickr page)

State Budget Director Dan Haug says he expects the state’s piggy bank to deal with the respiratory disease’s fallout for a while.

“I do think that this is going to effect our state budget, not only here in FY 2020 which ends June 30, but I think it will affect our budget all of fiscal year 2021, which goes through next June 30, 2021. So we think this will be an issue we’ll be dealing with in the budget at least through FY 2021, maybe even a little bit longer than that,” says Haug.

The governor also says the judicial branch and the Secretary of State’s office have worked to find savings in their own budgets. Beth Riggert with the Missouri Supreme Court says the judiciary was asked to forego about $3.47 million from fourth-quarter general revenue transfers into two funds: $2,995,616 from the treatment courts coordinating fund and $474,559 from the judicial education training fund. The commissions that oversee each of those funds – the Treatment Courts Coordinating Commission and the Coordinating Commission for Judicial Department Education – agreed.

Missouri Secretary of State spokesperson Maura Browning says the office has found $1.35 million in withholds, including $1 million in election costs excess after finetuning anticipated reimbursements to local election authorities for the presidential primary. Another $100,000 in operating expenses and $250,000 in advertising of Missouri’s voter ID were also restricted.

To view the full list of withholds, click here.

(VIDEO) Key takeaways from today’s press briefing about COVID-19 in Missouri

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The latest state data released today shows at least 1031 people have tested positive in Missouri for the coronavirus – up from 903 positive cases confirmed yesterday. Thirteen coronavirus related deaths have been reported. Western Missouri’s Lafayette County recorded its first death tied to the respiratory disease.

About 15,645 patients have been tested by a public or private lab.

Gov. Mike Parson (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Flickr page)

During a Capitol press briefing today, Gov. Mike Parson says some estimates show Missouri could peak mid-April in its case count of people testing positive for COVID-19.

“I think we’re still 60, 90 days away of getting through this virus and that’s kind of a best case scenario,” says Parson. “But I do look somewhere between the middle of April. I think we’re going to be able to get some new information, new statistics, I hope so to be able to do that and hope we start turning the corner. But the reality of it is, I think we’ve got to all realize that this is going to be a long-term and I don’t want to give false hope to anybody.”

Many Missourians cooped up in their homes got out to a state park over the weekend to get some fresh air and enjoy the weather. But word has gotten out that some were not keeping their social distance. Parson says he is considering whether to close state parks.

“A little disappointing of what happened over the weekend at some of the state parks. We’re trying to leave facilities like that open for the general public, but unfortunately people didn’t abide by the rules. We’re talking about the social distancing,” says Parson. “So, we’re going to make that decision. We’re in discussions about that right now, whether we close those parks down or not.”

The rules the governor is referring to include remaining six feet apart and limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people. Parson says he plans to expand his social distancing order.

“You know I think it’s just a matter of where we move that timeframe to,” says Parson. “Again, you know I’m thinking we’re at least 30-60 days away from any kind of lifting any orders, but we’re evaluating that daily.”

His current order expires April 6.

Jennifer Tidball, acting director of the Missouri Department of Social Services (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Flickr page)

Several announcements were made during today’s press briefing. Many of them were reminders for those who watch the daily briefings but perhaps new to those not following the state’s coronavirus response as closely. Two new announcements deal with daycare providers and doctors.

The state is making a temporary payment to Missouri’s roughly 2,400 childcare centers receiving subsidies. Jennifer Tidball, acting director of the Missouri Department of Social Services, says the decision is in response to many providers being closed during the coronavirus outbreak.

“We will be making a temporary payment through our Department of Social Services childcare subsidy payments to ensure that providers receive no less amount for March services or services through the emergency timeframe than what they received as an average payment for December, January and February,” she says at today’s press briefing.

Tidball wants providers to pass on some of the funding to their workers to help maintain their employment when the businesses reopen.

Department of Commerce and Insurance Director Chlora Lindley-Myers (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Flickr page)

Meanwhile, Missouri is letting doctors and surgeons licensed in other states care for patients here in person or through telehealth options during the pandemic. Department of Commerce and Insurance Director Chlora Lindley-Myers says the decision applies to those who have not had their active licenses disciplined.

“By having this access granted to additional providers, we increase our ability to meet the needs of Missouri patients who are being tested and treated for COVID-19,” she says.

Missouri RNs and LPN’s are already allowed to practice in person or through telehealth in their home state and 32 other states.

Effective immediately, Parson has also temporarily waived the regulation requiring that a collaborating physician and an advanced practice registered nurse be within 75 miles of each other.

You can watch the entire briefing is below.

Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet

La-Z-Boy lays off 800 southwest Missouri workers

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La-Z-Boy to lay off 800 southwest Missouri workers

Missourinet affiliate KZRG in Joplin reports La-Z-Boy has temporarily closed all manufacturing operations in the United States, including its factory in Neosho. The decision has put 800 southwest Missouri plant workers out of jobs. In total, the announcement affects approximately 6,800 employees, or approximately 70% of its global workforce.

The company announced its plans are in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Temporary closure of its U.S. manufacturing factories is effective immediately and is scheduled to be re-evaluated on April 13.

A salary reduction of 50% for senior management and 25% for salaried employees will be in place until further notice. The board of directors will forego the cash portion of its compensation until further notice as well.

By Rob Rauch of Missourinet affiliate KZRG in Joplin

Parson says fallout of coronavirus means tough Missouri budget cuts ahead

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Many Missouri businesses temporarily closing to limit the spread of the coronavirus has left thousands of workers without jobs. Last week, more than 42,000 Missourians filed unemployment claims – up from nearly 4,000 filed the previous week. During an interview with Gov. Mike Parson, he says he does not expect the impacts of the coronavirus to create a normal recession.

Gov. Mike Parson

“We think the second quarter is going to be definitely pretty tough to say the least,” Parson tells Missourinet. “I do think there’s a possibility in that third or fourth quarter, depending on how long the virus with us and how much of an impact it does have, that hopefully we can climb out of that. I think once we clear the virus – once we kind of get through that – hopefully the economy is going to be able to come right back and pick right back up. And I believe it will. But we’re just going to have to understand this is going to have a huge impact on the state budget and state income. We’re going to have to make some cuts, we’re going to have to do some things across the state that is going to be pretty tough.”

Last week, the governor said his proposed state budget for the fiscal year beginning in July would have to dramatically change. What changes are ahead is unknown at this time. The Missouri House and Senate are both on hiatus until further notice.

St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard expects the nation’s unemployment rate to climb to 30%. Bullard tells CNBC the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package the president signed into law Friday is about the right amount to deal with the impact of temporarily shutting down many businesses.

The plan includes:

*$150 billion in protective equipment to healthcare workers

* Americans who make $75,000 or less a year get a check for $1,200 – $2,400 for married couples – plus $500 per kid

*An expansion of unemployment insurance

* Delays in student loan payments

*Relief for people with federally backed mortgages

*Low-interest loans for small businesses

* Hundreds of millions in food assistance

Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet

Missouri now has 903 confirmed COVID-19 cases

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Missouri health officials have announced that there are now 903 confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri, in addition to 12 deaths.

Governor Mike Parson delivers his State of the State Address to Missouri lawmakers in Jefferson City on January 15, 2020, as House Speaker Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) looks on (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased from 838 on Saturday. The number was 73 on March 20.

Governor Mike Parson has warned that those numbers will rise.

The first case in Missouri to test presumptive positive happened on March 7 in St. Louis County.

Governor Parson signed a March 13 executive order declaring a state of emergency in Missouri, and he signed another executive order on Friday to start mobilizing the Missouri National Guard to assist with COVID-19 response.

The governor also says the state is working to acquire more personal protective equipment for hospitals, law enforcement, first responders and other emergency services.

Parson says the Missouri Strategic National Stockpile has shipped 42,624 face shields, 5,000 gloves, 2,717 cases of masks and 908 cases of surgical gowns.

Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet

At least 838 people test positive for COVID-19 in Missouri – 168 case jump from Friday

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On March 7, the state announced its first case of the coronavirus. Today, the latest data verified by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services show at least 838 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Missouri. The figure represents an additional 168 positive cases since the state released its Friday case count of 670.

Keep in mind that some counties are listing higher figures than what is reflected in the state’s overall count. The state verifies the county information before it is posted here.

At least 10 people have died in Missouri from the respiratory disease. On Friday, a woman in her 90s at an assisted living center in southwest Missouri’s Springfield died from the virus. She is the fourth coronavirus related death at that facility.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports about 10,750 patients have been tested so far by public and private labs.

Copyright © 2020 · Missourinet