COVID-19 Archives - Missourinet

Every available Missouri state trooper is on the road and water this Memorial Day weekend (AUDIO)

May 21, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

You’ll notice extra Missouri state troopers on the road throughout the long Memorial Day weekend.

A Missouri state trooper clocks a motorist driving 115 miles-per-hour in April on eastbound I-44, near Highway 141 in Valley Park (photo courtesy of the Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz describes the holiday weekend as the unofficial start of the summer season.

“We know that a lot of people are ready to get out and enjoy the outdoors and travel is part of that,” Hotz says. “Again, we just urge people to be careful.”

During Missouri’s 2019 Memorial Day weekend, eight motorists were killed and another 433 suffered injuries in more than 1,000 traffic crashes.

Troopers are focusing this weekend on speeding, impaired drivers and seat belt use.

Every available trooper will be on the road throughout the weekend, enforcing traffic laws and also helping motorists. Captain Hotz says the Patrol is participating in Operation C.A.R.E., which stands for Crash Awareness Reduction Effort.

“There will be of course overtime projects, saturating areas that we know there is going to be a high number of traffic violations or traffic crashes,” says Hotz.

Troopers are especially concerned about speeding and increasing fatalities, despite traffic being down 50 percent in parts of Missouri because of COVID-19.

There have been 288 traffic fatalities statewide in 2020, compared to 271 at this time last year.

In April, at least three state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) trucks were struck by motorists, despite the falling traffic volumes. And state troopers also clocked a man driving 143 miles-per-hour on Highway 65 near west-central Missouri’s Sedalia in April.

Troopers will also be visible on lakes, rivers and streams this weekend. The Highway Patrol is assigning additional state troopers to the waterways.

Captain Hotz urges boaters to wear a life jacket, and to never ride with an impaired operator.

“We know particularly with COVID-19 and all the CDC guidelines on social distancing, we’ve seen a lot of people taking to their waterways to enjoy that,” Hotz says.

There were seven boating crashes during Missouri’s 2019 Memorial Day weekend. Those crashes killed two people and injured three.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz, which was recorded on May 19, 2020:

Coronavirus hits Missouri hog farm

May 20, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Thirteen hog farm employees in Audrain County have tested positive for the coronavirus. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams says the cases impact the overall food chain. Some Missouri meat processing plants have closed or reduced their output due to coronavirus outbreaks, including in Moniteau and Saline Counties.

Coronavirus hits Missouri hog farm

“We think we have to get into our about 15 food processing plants going forward and doing sentinel testing and repeat testing and just very quickly try to identify cases there before they multiply into the 13 cases you’re seeing at this hog farm and obviously the 400 plus cases you saw up at Triumph Foods in Buchanan County,” says Williams.

Williams says the farm, which has about 60 employees, is experiencing a trend that is happening at the national level.

“You take Saline County which has a high case ratio compared to the population,” says Williams. “When you look at that, they tend to be very closely-affiliated with our food processors. You look at Buchanan, and Moniteau and Saline County.”

Saline County has 253 coronavirus cases.

Haahr and Quade view Missouri’s 2020 session differently; both predict special session

May 19, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s House Speaker describes the historic 2020 session as “incredibly successful,” noting lawmakers lost about six weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. His Democratic counterpart disagrees.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, presides over the chamber on May 15, 2020 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, tells Missourinet that he’s most proud that lawmakers approved a state budget, before their constitutional deadline.

“The work that the Budget Chair (State Rep. Cody Smith) did in having to take six weeks off, try to come up with the best calculated estimate of what we believe the revenues would look like,” Haahr says.

The $35.2 billion state operating budget approved earlier this month includes $20 million for Missouri meat processing facilities, impacted by COVID-19. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, says it’s for plants with less than two hundred employees, for support, workforce assistance and capital improvements.

The budget also contains $12 million for broadband expansion, relating to the pandemic. Both parties say that is critical.

In addition to the six weeks the Legislature lost because of the coronavirus, they also lost several days in January and February because of snow and ice in Jefferson City.

“If I look back at the beginning of the session, and I look at the things that I most wanted to accomplish and that our caucus listed as their priorities to get done, I think it’s an incredibly successful session for having lost six weeks in the middle of it,” says Haahr.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, disagrees, telling Capitol reporters that the GOP-controlled Legislature should have focused more on protecting Missourians from the coronavirus.

“In fact, the House spent far more time discussing feral hogs than it did talking about COVID-19,” Quade says.

The $35.2 billion state budget approved by the Legislature contains language that prohibits the state Department of Conservation from funding a federal employee at the Mark Twain National Forest in southern Missouri.

The feral hog issue was discussed in-detail during that May debate, and also came up on the House floor and during budget hearings this session.

Leader Quade says House Republicans “largely ignored” COVID-19 during the 2020 session, an issue she describes as the single-biggest crisis that Missouri has faced in at least a century.

During a floor speech just before Friday’s adjournment, Quade praised grocery employees across the state.

“To our grocery workers truly keeping us alive, I’m sorry the Legislature chose not to give you the protection of essential workers that you truly deserve,” Quade said on the floor.

One area Speaker Haahr and Leader Quade agree on is that there will be a special session this summer. Haahr believes it will involve the budget, and Leader Quade tells Missourinet she is hearing that it could happen in three to four weeks.

Haahr also told colleagues from the dais on Friday that he and Quade both share a love for Springfield. She nodded her head in approval, from her desk.

Republicans control the House 114-48.

Missouri households eligible for free or reduced school meals can get pandemic payment

May 19, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri families eligible for free or reduced price school meals can get a one-time pandemic electronic benefit transfer (P-EBT) payment. The state Department of Social Services says the benefit is available to each pre-K through 12th grade child in the household who qualifies.

Missouri households eligible for free or reduced price school meals can get pandemic payment

The aid is intended to help cover the cost of meals students have eaten at home on school days for March, April, and May. The amounts per child are $57 for March, $125 for April, and $120 for May. The maximum benefit per child is $302.

The state and school districts are working together to get applications out next week to student households to apply. Missouri estimates nearly 458,000 students could qualify for the aid.

“We know how important school meals are to so many Missouri families,” Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven says in a press release. “While public schools across the state have served over 5.4 million meals to students while school buildings have been closed, we know there is a need for more assistance and our team stands ready to make that happen.”

Only households getting food stamps that received their benefits in March automatically get a P-EBT benefit of $302 for each eligible child added to their existing EBT card and do not need to apply. Benefits will automatically be loaded to cards this week for around 196,325 students.

All households that did not get a food stamp benefit in March must apply and provide income information for March, April, and May to receive the P-EBT payment for each month the child is eligible. About 137,723 households or 261,675 children could get P-EBT aid.

Households can complete the application sent from their school district online through PrimeroEdge or mail the paper application by June 30 to DESE, Food and Nutrition Services.

Missouri healthcare company furloughs 3,000 workers

May 19, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

BJC Healthcare says today that it temporarily laid off nearly 3,000 workers last week. June Fowler with BJC tells Missourinet the furloughs are expected to last eight weeks, but depending on patient volumes, some could return sooner.

Missouri healthcare company furloughs 3,000 workers

“All will have costs of medical and dental premiums covered by BJC, including premiums team members had been paying for dependents. These costs will not have to be repaid once called back to work,” says Fowler.

The company runs several hospitals in the St. Louis area, as well as in Columbia, St. Francois County and Sullivan. The company did not answer Missourinet’s question about the breakdown of layoffs among each location.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, hospitals nationwide have been hit with a major financial blow through buying outrageously-priced personal protective equipment and cancelling non-emergency care.

Missouri lawmaker who battled COVID-19 described as a “trifecta guy”; receives bipartisan standing ovation

May 18, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

A veteran Missouri lawmaker who has recovered from the coronavirus received a bipartisan standing ovation from the House on Friday in Jefferson City. His colleagues praise his courage, work ethic and his dedication.

State Rep. Joe Runions, D-Grandview, stands on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on May 11, 2020 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Joe Runions, D-Grandview, is in his eighth and final year in the Missouri House, due to term limits. After battling COVID-19, being hospitalized and then recovering at home, Runions returned to the Statehouse last week.

State Rep. Rory Rowland, D-Independence, describes Runions as a voice of reason, who looks out for his community.

“Every time I’ve had a conversation with him, he always asks the question ‘how will this impact Grandview?’ That truly is the essence of a public servant,” Rowland tells colleagues.

Representative Runions was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, and was hospitalized at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City. He spent part of that time on a ventilator.

Rowland says the 79-year-old Runions is stable, dependable and knowledgeable. Rowland describes him as a “trifecta guy.”

“Do I like them, do I trust them and do I admire them? The gentleman from Jackson, Representative Runions, is a trifecta guy in my book,” says Rowland.

Rowland says Runions didn’t speak on the House floor often, but that when he did, “this body listened.”

While hospitalized in March at St. Joseph’s, Runions and Governor Mike Parson (R) spoke on the phone. Runions urged Governor Parson to do everything in his power to prevent Missouri hospitals from becoming overwhelmed during the pandemic.

Runions told the governor that his doctors at St. Joseph Hospital asked him to seek the governor’s assistance on personal protective equipment (PPE), because they were worried they would run out of vital supplies.

Runions, who was elected to the House in 2012, is the ranking Democrat on the Missouri House Transportation Committee. He’s also the top Democrat on the Local Government Committee.

Ashcroft on expanded mail-in voting: “It’s just not the most secure way to hold an election”

May 18, 2020 By Missourinet Contributor

The Missouri Legislature has adopted a bill that would allow more mail-in voting during this year’s August and November elections. Voters could cast an absentee ballot by saying they are ill if they are 65 or older, live in a nursing home or have certain health problems. All other voters could mail in their ballot without an excuse, but they must first get it notarized.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (file photo courtesy of the Secretary of State’s office)

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says it’s appropriate during a state of emergency to make sure every voter can be safe, but expanded mail-in voting is not what he prefers.

“It’s just not the most secure way to hold an election,” he tells Missourinet affiliate KSSZ in Columbia. “The gold standard for elections is to have people in person go to their assigned polling place on Election Day.”

Ashcroft, a Republican, says he has security concerns with expanded mail-in voting, but he gets it during a state of emergency.

“I think it’s appropriate that we make sure that every voter in Missouri can vote safely,” he says.

Ashcroft says the likely spike in mail-in ballots for this year’s elections will make it tougher on local election officials. A two-person team, a Republican and a Democrat, checks to make sure each of those ballots is legit.

The bill is awaiting the governor’s consideration.

Brad Tregnago of KSSZ in Columbia contributed to this story

Several major reopenings begin today in Missouri

May 18, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Several major reopenings begin today in Missouri

The coronavirus has led to many closures around the state over the past two months to help reduce the spread of the respiratory disease. Some businesses in St. Louis city and St. Louis County reopen today – with some restrictions. Malls, other retailer locations, bars, restaurants, churches and daycares are included in the first wave of places allowed to get back to business today.

State Parks campgrounds begin a phased reopening today. Reservations will be required prior to arrival. Campers will use a new contactless, self-check-in feature. State Park beaches will reopen on Thursday.

The Ford plant near Kansas City also reopens today. The company says a variety of safety measures are being taken.

Missouri Legislature gives final approval to absentee ballot legislation; photo ID requirement stripped out

May 15, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Absentee ballot legislation that expands voting by mail through the rest of 2020 is on its way to Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s desk, after receiving final approval from the House in Jefferson City on Friday evening.

State Rep. Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, speaks about absentee ballot legislation on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on May 15, 2020 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The final House vote was 121-24, and came with about 30 minutes to spare before the mandatory 6 p.m. adjournment.

State Rep. Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, who chairs the Missouri House Elections and Elected Officials Committee, is the bill sponsor.

There are two but separate options under the Shaul bill.

The first expands absentee voting to those 65 and older, or who are vulnerable to COVID-19. Elderly people are considered at greater risk. Notarization is not required for those 65 and older or who are vulnerable.

The second option expands voting by mail for everyone, but requires notarization.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican who campaigned on a platform of photo ID in 2016, tweeted his disappointment on Friday. He’s disappointed that the photo ID requirement was stripped out of the final bill.

But Secretary Ashcroft emphasized that his office will implement and follow the law.

The bill given final approval this evening also contains an emergency clause, which passed with bipartisan support. If Governor Parson signs it, it will be in effect for the August primary election.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, praises the bill, saying it is the result of compromise. Haahr tells Capitol reporters that the bill passed with bipartisan support, adding that it also faced criticism from lawmakers in both parties.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, agrees it’s a compromise. She says the bill on the governor’s desk will allow many Missourians who are concerned about the health risks from crowded polling places to cast an absentee ballot or to vote by mail.

And the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wants lawmakers to go further in the future. In a statement to Missourinet, the ACLU notes the measures approved by lawmakers will expire at the end of 2020.

“We are glad to see the Missouri Legislature act to expand the right to vote, we hope they will continue to do so in sessions to come,” the ACLU says, in the statement.

Missouri’s casinos to remain closed through May 31

May 13, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri’s casinos to remain closed through May 31

No bets at Missouri’s 13 casinos through May 31. A press release today from the State Gaming Commission says riverboat gambling will remain closed to help with the fight against the coronavirus. State Gaming Commission Chairman Mike Leara tells Missourinet the commission has been working with the Governor’s Office to determine when casinos can get back to business.

“If the state infection rate continues on the trajectory that it is, I think we’ll be able to accomplish a June 1 opening,” says Leara.

The commission has suspended the gaming licenses of the riverboat gambling operations. Casinos have been closed since mid-March – costing the state about $1 million in revenue for each day the lights are off.

Most of the proceeds go to help fund Missouri’s public schools and universities. Another part of gambling funds go to the local communities where each casino is found.

Floating casinos are located in St. Louis, St. Charles, Kansas City, St. Joseph in northwest Missouri, central Missouri’s Boonville, La Grange in northeast Missouri, and southeast Missouri’s Caruthersville and Cape Girardeau.

“I’ve spoken to some that are ready. They feel comfortable,” Leara says. “Most of them, not.”

The commission is working with casinos to come up with social distancing requirements. Measures could include removing every other chair from gaming tables, closing every other slot machine, continuously cleaning, protection equipment on dealers and employees and occupancy limits.