Governor of Missouri Archives

Pfizer Vaccine at Sturgeon vaccination clinic

Gov. Parson issues executive order against federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates

October 28, 2021 2:34 PM Karl Wehmhoener

Gov. Parson issued an executive order against the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Missouri budget officials outline $50M cost of data breach

October 19, 2021 4:18 PM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Help for roughly 100,000 teachers whose Social Security numbers were vulnerable in a massive state data breach could cost Missouri as much as $50 million. Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s spokeswoman on Tuesday confirmed that the rough cost estimate includes credit monitoring and the cost of a

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should the state investigate a reporter who exposed security issues?

October 15, 2021 2:15 AM ABC 17 News Team

The reporter discovered Social Security numbers were easily accessed on an education department website. The paper reported the findings to the state before publishing the story.

Legal expert questions state investigation of reporter’s discovery

October 14, 2021 7:00 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A legal expert believes state investigators may be applying a state law too broadly in pursuing a case against a reporter that discovered a privacy issue in a state website. David Roland of the Freedom Center of Missouri said it would be overzealous to charge a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter for tampering

Gov. Parson threatens legal action against reporter who exposed flaw on state education department’s website

October 14, 2021 9:20 AM Ben Fein

The Missouri Department of Education says it has fixed an issue that allowed access to some educators social security information, after the department says it was notified personal information of three educators was possibly compromised through the state’s certification database.

Parson weighs special session to respond to Biden COVID plan

September 10, 2021 10:04 AM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is considering calling a special legislative session to challenge President Joe Biden’s plan to require COVID-19 vaccination or testing for many workers. Parson told the Kansas City Star in an interview on Friday that Missouri will oppose the White House initiative on “multiple fronts.” He

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is the state doing enough to help hospitals?

August 13, 2021 2:32 AM ABC 17 News Team

Gov. Mike Parson announced $30 million this week to help hospitals with critical staffing shortages as coronavirus patients continue to strain the state’s health care system.

Missouri State Fair opens amid an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the state

August 12, 2021 5:55 AM Ben Fein

Missouri’s annual state fair is set to kick off as the opening ceremony is expected to begin at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Parson gives update on vaccine incentive program, coronavirus in hospitals

August 11, 2021 1:50 PM Hannah Falcon

Gov. Mike Parson will name a new natural resources director, give an update on the state’s vaccine incentive program and talk about state resources going to hospitals to fight COVID-19 in a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Judge orders state to start enrolling people eligible under Medicaid expansion

August 10, 2021 9:59 AM Matthew Sanders

Judge Jon Beetem in his order said the state must start enrolling people eligible under expansion, which was set to start July 1 before state officials decided not to expand eligibility, leading to a court battle. The Missouri Supreme Court sided with proponents of expansion last month, ordering Beetem to reverse his earlier ruling in favor of the state’s arguments against expansion.

Governor making several stops in Mid-Missouri Thursday as Bicentennial gets in full swing

August 5, 2021 4:06 AM Ben Fein

Governor Parson and the first lady will travel to Marshall, Boonville, Tipton, and Jamestown Thursday.

Missouri governor pardons gun-waving St. Louis lawyer couple

August 3, 2021 5:33 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has made good on his promise to pardon a couple who gained notoriety for pointing guns at social justice demonstrators as they marched past the couple’s home last year. The Republican governor announced Tuesday that he pardoned Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor

Governor to speak at school administrators’ conference as many districts return this month

August 3, 2021 4:19 AM Zola Crowder

State Commissioner Margie Vandeven will also speak at the conference Tuesday.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will Missouri’s vaccine incentives work?

July 22, 2021 2:05 AM ABC 17 News Team

Missouri is having a surge in coronavirus cases health officials say is being powered by the more contagious delta variant combined with a low vaccination rate. About 40% of the state is fully vaccinated.

Missouri to offer cash prizes for coronavirus vaccine; new health director named

July 21, 2021 2:23 PM Chanel Porter

The state will offer people 12 and older who have had at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine a chance to enter a drawing for $10,000 starting Aug. 13. Drawings will be held every two weeks through Oct. 8. People under 18 will be entered to win a $10,000 education savings account.

Missouri governor receives federal pandemic loan for farm

July 21, 2021 3:39 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican Gov. Mike Parson has received roughly $6,300 for his beef cattle ranch through a federal program designed to help small businesses during the pandemic. The Kansas City Star on Tuesday reported Parson was approved for a $6,288 loan in March. The loan is part of a federal effort

TUESDAY UPDATES: Gov. Parson to discuss COVID-19, statewide vaccine incentive program and new DHSS Director during Wednesday press conference

July 20, 2021 8:56 AM ABC 17 News Team

Check back here for updates on COVID-19 in Missouri.

Parson: State will ‘probably’ help fund COVID overflow site

July 16, 2021 6:43 PM Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says the state will “probably” provide funding for a site to help handle the overflow of COVID-19 patients in Springfield, where hospitals are struggling to keep up with a surge driven by the delta variant and vaccination hesitation. But the Republican governor suggested Thursday that federal stimulus

Missouri preparing to put vehicle charging sites in parks

July 16, 2021 6:21 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri is preparing to install electric vehicle charging stations at some of its state parks. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that a budget measure approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Mike Parson provided $1 million to the state Department of Natural Resources to begin installing stations in parks.

Governor says health officials playing blame game as state health department issues advisory

July 15, 2021 1:29 PM Associated Press

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says some officials at Springfield hospitals are trying to find someone to blame for a large increase in COVID-19 cases in the region.