Springfield Archives - Missourinet

MoDOT: I-44 rest areas at southwest Missouri’s Conway to re-open this weekend, following deep cleaning

July 10, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

State transportation officials say heavily-used rest areas on I-44 in southwest Missouri’s Conway are temporarily closed, after a cleaning contractor tested positive for COVID-19.

A deep cleaning is underway at both the eastbound and westbound rest areas at Conway, which is a town of about 800 residents. Conway is about 40 miles northeast of Springfield and about 15 miles southwest of Lebanon.

Thousands of truckers use those rest areas each month, while hauling freight across the country.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says an employee with the company that cleans Missouri’s welcome centers and rest areas has tested positive for the coronavirus. That employee recently cleaned the Conway rest areas.

MoDOT says the company that cleans Missouri’s rest areas and welcome centers, DBi, notified the agency about the positive test on Thursday. MoDOT immediately closed both the eastbound and westbound rest areas at Conway.

MoDOT says the westbound rest area is being cleaned and disinfected first, and is set to reopen on Saturday. Once it opens, the eastbound rest area will be cleaned and disinfected, and should reopen on Sunday. State officials say the welcome centers are being cleaned following CDC guidance, and that the deep cleaning is being performed at no cost to MoDOT.

Parking is still available at both rest areas, and DBi has also installed portable toilets at both locations.

MoDOT says Missouri maintains eight welcome centers, 14 rest areas and 23 truck-only parking sites on seven interstates across the state.

$2 billion in unemployment claims paid in Missouri during pandemic; work search requirements to resume July 5

June 23, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

State officials say the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) has paid more than $2 billion in unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Anna Hui briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on June 16, 2020, as Governor Mike Parson listens (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

DOLIR Director Anna Hui says initial unemployment claims have dropped from about 100,000 in late March to about 20,000 in early June. She says America’s unemployment program was designed and is intended to be a temporary, partial replacement of income.

“Since March 28, eligible Missouri claimants have been receiving an average weekly benefit payment of nearly $900, which includes the $600 federal supplement,” Hui says.

Director Hui tells Capitol reporters in Jefferson City that a system that rewards individuals to be unemployed is unsustainable.

“According to a recent University of Chicago study, two-thirds of people getting unemployment are receiving more than what they earned from their jobs,” says Hui.

Director Hui says that study found that 20 percent of those on unemployment are receiving two times or more in their benefits, than what they used to make.

DOLIR says that starting on July 5, Missourians who want to continue to receive unemployment benefits will be required to perform three work search activities per week. Those activities include filing an application, attending a job fair, and job interviews.

Hui says the work search waivers were put in place during the height of the pandemic and were designed to help the economy, businesses and families during a time of total shutdown.

The state Department of Economic Development (DED) says Missouri’s May unemployment rate was 10.1 percent. While that is an improvement from April’s 10.2 percent rate, DED notes it’s three times higher than the May 2019 rate.

One issue that several rural Missourinet listeners have raised is the digital divide, specifically the lack of broadband access in parts of rural Missouri. Missourinet asked Director Hui about that issue, during the recent media briefing at the Capitol.

State officials have announced today that Missouri Job Centers have started reopening to the public. The St. Louis, St. Charles and Springfield facilities are now open.

Job seekers and displaced workers who have questions or who lack internet access can still access services by phone, by calling 1-888-728-5627.

National Weather Service urges Missourians to drink plenty of water on Saturday (AUDIO)

June 5, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) says the Lake of the Ozarks and southwest Missouri will see the state’s hottest temperatures on Saturday, with heat index values reaching about 100 to 105 degrees.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield says heat index values will reach 100 in Osage Beach on Saturday June 6, 2020 (map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter page)

NWS Springfield meteorologist Eric Wise says it will be hot and humid across the Ozarks.

“We’re going to see highs probably in the low to maybe even the mid 90’s and with the humidity, the heat index or the feel-like temperature is probably going to approach 100 to 105 degrees in spots,” Wise says.

The NWS Springfield office says heat index values on Saturday will reach 100 in Osage Beach, and 105 in Warsaw.

“Take frequent breaks, if you have to be outside, get in the shade,” says Wise. “Air conditioning would be good, and check on people, the elderly and especially people without air conditioning.”

Wise also urges you to drink plenty of water and to avoid alcohol and caffeine tomorrow.

Saturday’s heat index will also make it feel like 105 degrees in Joplin, Springfield, Rolla and Salem.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service (NWS) Springfield meteorologist Eric Wise, which was recorded on June 5, 2020:

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 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.

Columbia, Jefferson City, Springfield and Branson are all at enhanced risk of severe storms (AUDIO)

April 28, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) expects much of Missouri to see thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening, and large parts of southwest, west-central and mid-Missouri are at an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield expects severe thunderstorms across much of southwest and mid-Missouri on Tuesday evening. Isolated tornadoes are possible (map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter)

NWS Springfield meteorologist Kyle Perez is urging you to have multiple ways of receiving weather warnings, saying that an enhanced risk means numerous severe storms are possible.

“The main threats we are looking at across the region today include hail up to the size of two inches in diameter, damaging wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour,” Perez says.

Far southwest Missouri’s McDonald County is the only county in the state listed at “moderate” risk, which is the next category up from enhanced. Isolated tornadoes are possible in towns like Noel, Jacket and Rocky Comfort.

Jefferson City, Springfield, Joplin, Branson, Lebanon, West Plains and Rolla are all in the enhanced area, and Perez says storms and hail are likely there between 6 and 9 this evening.

“The initial thunderstorms that will develop will be super cells, so those actually will have the capability of producing little bit stronger tornadoes generally,” says Perez.

Southwest Missouri’s Nevada and Lebanon are also in the enhanced area.

Northwest Missouri’s Maryville and Chillicothe are also expected to see thunderstorms late this afternoon, and southeast Missouri’s Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff are expected to see storms as well.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service (NWS) Springfield meteorologist Kyle Perez, which was recorded on April 28, 2020:

Missouri Supreme Court rejects request from convicted killer, clearing way for May execution

April 27, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri Supreme Court has unanimously denied a request from a convicted murderer from southwest Missouri’s Ozark, clearing the way for his execution to take place next month in Bonne Terre.

Convicted murderer Walter Barton is scheduled to be executed on May 19, 2020 in Bonne Terre (undated photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Corrections)

The Supreme Court has denied 64-year-old Walter Barton’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus. A writ of habeas corpus is essentially a court order that demands that a warden deliver an incarcerated person to the court and show a valid reason for the inmate’s imprisonment.

Barton’s attorney, Frederick Duchardt Jr., filed court papers which say Barton is innocent and incompetent to be put to death.

The Supreme Court rejected both arguments. They say Barton has not offered sufficient evidence to show actual innocence. The Supreme Court also found that Barton hasn’t shown that he experiences gross delusions which prevent him from understanding the meaning of the death sentence.

In February, the Missouri Supreme Court scheduled a May 19th execution date for Barton at the maximum-security prison in southeast Missouri’s Bonne Terre.

The case has been working its way through the court system for almost 30 years.

The “Springfield News-Leader” notes Barton was first convicted in 1994, and ended up having five trials because two convictions were overturned on appeal.

Barton was convicted of first degree murder for the 1991 killing of 81-year-old Gladys Kuehler. She managed a mobile home park in the small town of Ozark, which is south of Springfield.

Court documents say Kuehler was stabbed more than 50 times, including 23 times in the back. Court documents indicate that her throat “had been cut from ear to ear.”

Barton will be executed by lethal injection in Bonne Terre, unless a federal court intervenes. Barton and Counselor Duchardt could also seek clemency from Governor Mike Parson.

Approving budget is top priority for Missouri’s governor, Schatz and Haahr (AUDIO)

April 26, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor wants lawmakers to focus on the state operating budget during the final few weeks of the 2020 session, and GOP legislative leaders in both chambers say that is their top priority.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, at podium, and House Majority Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, speak at a virtual press briefing on April 8, 2020 in Jefferson City (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

During a media briefing last week, Missourinet asked Governor Mike Parson (R) what issues lawmakers should focus on, when they return to the Capitol in Jefferson City on Monday.

“They come here (to the Statehouse) to do the budget by May 8th, that’s what they’re coming back here for, that’s their main objective, my understanding of that, and that’s the one thing that we really need to focus on,” Parson says.

Under the state Constitution, Missouri lawmakers are required to approve a balanced state operating budget by May 8. That’s less than two weeks away.

While time will be a factor, Missouri’s Senate leader believes lawmakers will send a balanced budget to the governor’s desk by the May 8th constitutional deadline. Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, expects the House to give final budget approval on Wednesday.

“We believe that we (the Senate) can begin the process that week after the (April) 29th, work possibly through the weekend to get our budget markup done,” says Schatz.

Schatz knows the House and Senate budgets will have differences, and he’s allotting time for House and Senate budget writers to negotiate those differences in a conference committee. The conference committee work would take place next week.

The budget is also the top priority for House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield.

The House gavels-in Monday at noon, and House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, says the House has scheduled six hours of budget debate for Monday. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, expects the House to give initial approval to the budget on Monday. He expects final House approval on Wednesday. The budget would then head to the Senate.

Chairman Smith agrees with Governor Parson, that lawmakers may return to the Capitol this summer for a special session on another supplemental budget.

The Senate will gavel-in Monday afternoon at 4, although two Senate committees will meet before session begins.

Lawmakers have lost four to five weeks of session time because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The last day of the 2020 legislative session is Friday, May 15. Pro Tem Schatz tells Missourinet that many bills will die, in the session’s final three weeks.

“I would say probably more than has ever in the past, because there’s probably going to be a very, very minimal number of bills that will make it across the finish line,” Schatz says.

While he’s keeping his expectations low on policy issues, Pro Tem Schatz remains hopeful that lawmakers can approve a bipartisan prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) and a legislative redistricting plan. The redistricting proposal has been a priority for Republicans, but Democrats oppose it, saying Missourians overwhelmingly passed the 2018 “Clean Missouri” proposal.

As for PDMP, Missouri is the only state in the nation without one.

Missouri House Chief Clerk Dana Rademan Miller tells Missourinet they have supplied all House members and staff with cloth masks, which are cotton and washable. She says all are encouraged, but not required, to wear them and to continue to practice social distancing protocols when they return to the Capitol on Monday.

Click here to listen to the full six-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, which was recorded on April 24, 2020:

Missouri congressman: COVID-19 has been devastating for businesses and American workers (AUDIO)

April 23, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

A southwest Missouri congressman who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee has been chosen by President Donald Trump to serve on the President’s task force on reopening the economy.

U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield, represents southwest Missouri on Capitol Hill (official photo courtesy of Congressman Long’s Washington office)

U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield, emphasizes that it’s a bipartisan task force.

“There’s some Democrats on there and it’s really interesting to hear them on our conference calls, bragging on the president, telling him what a good job he’s doing, and then the rest of the year they don’t have such kind things to say about him,” Long says.

Long is confident we can protect our citizens, “without crushing our economy.”

“Folks are ready to get back to work. They want to open up the stores and go out and get a haircut and get their dog groomed and go out to dinner and sit down and have a nice meal,” says Long. “And the people that work in those places are more than ready to get back to work.”

Long says COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on American businesses and workers.

Springfield health officials say there have been 93 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Springfield and Greene County, including eight deaths. 35 are active cases, and 50 have recovered.

Congressman Long tells Missourinet that three weeks ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was considering building temporary hospitals for coronavirus, in his district.

“And as of the night before last, there was a total of six COVID patients in hospital beds in the 7th (congressional) District,” Long says.

He says five of those patients are in Springfield, and one is hospitalized in Joplin. Long’s district includes Springfield, Branson, Joplin and Republic.

Long also says Springfield’s Cox Hospital completely converted an empty floor for COVID-19 patients, and that it has not been used. He praises CoxHealth’s preparation.

He also says rural hospitals have been hurting financially, because they haven’t been able to perform elective surgeries.

Long voted for the bipartisan COVID-19 legislation on Capitol Hill on Thursday, which contains $75 billion for personal protective equipment for health care employees and another $25 billion to expand testing.

Instead of flying to the nation’s capitol, he rode in a vehicle with U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, who met Congressman Long on Wednesday morning in Rolla. Smith drove the vehicle, and they arrived in Washington D.C. late Wednesday night.

State health officials say there are now 6,321 confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri, along with 218 deaths. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced the latest statistics Thursday afternoon. The number of deaths has increased by ten, from Wednesday’s number of 208 deaths.

Click here to listen to the full five-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield, which was recorded on April 22, 2020:

Easterseals Midwest: there’s a workforce crisis in Missouri for direct support professionals (AUDIO)

April 12, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

An organization that provides support to more than 5,000 Missouri children and adults with disabilities continues to provide essential needs and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is Christian (left) with his Easterseals Midwest respite provider Kyra. Kyra goes to the home on most days, and works 40 minutes with Christian on his schoolwork (photo provided by Easterseals Midwest spokeswoman Rachel McGlasson)

Easterseals Midwest executive vice president Jeanne Marshall says they provide services in hundreds of homes.

“We have individuals who live independently in their home and we provide staff, generally 24 hours a day to help them be as independent and supportive as they can,” Marshall says.

About 103,000 Missourians have an intellectual or developmental disability, according to Easterseals Midwest.

Marshall says Easterseals is in need of personal protective equipment (PPE), including gowns for disposable lab coats, masks, gloves and alcohol wipes. She says the PPE is key to protecting staff and those they serve.

Missourinet asked Governor Mike Parson about the Easterseals’ needs during a recent press conference, specifically PPE. The governor thanks the Easterseals and others who continue to go into homes to assist those with disabilities. He notes there is a shortage of PPE, but adds that many Missouri companies are stepping up to make additional personal protective equipment.

Easterseals Midwest provides services, education and outreach to Missourians with disabilities, and they’re still hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s especially the case in Columbia, Springfield and St. Louis.

Marshall says more than 15,000 Missourians work as direct support professionals.

“With that, we’ve been experiencing a workforce crisis for a couple of years now in this industry,” says Marshall. “Turnover is very high in most cases, that could be over 50 percent for turnover.”

Marshall says vacancy rates for positions range from 20 to 30 percent.

Easterseals Midwest has more than 1,000 staff members. Marshall choked-up, when speaking to Missourinet about the work her staff members do.

“Our staff go above and beyond. But we can’t thank them enough for the work they’re doing, and the impact they’re having,” Marshall says.

The organization is also providing respite care to Missouri first responders, doctors and nurses. Respite care is temporary care provided to caregivers of a child or adult.

Easterseals Midwest is also e-mailing families daily with autism strategies, especially with children home from school.

Easterseals has wait lists for most of their autism services in Springfield and southwest Missouri.

Anyone interesting in donating PPE or assisting Easterseals Midwest can check their website. You can also call them toll-free at 1-800-200-2119.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full six-minute interview with Easterseals Midwest executive vice president Jeanne Marshall, which was recorded on April 1, 2020: