Governor of Missouri Archives

Missouri leaders committed to coronavirus vaccination plan despite teacher criticism

February 18, 2021 11:21 AM Victoria Bragg

Missouri leaders reiterated their commitment to the state’s coronavirus vaccination plan and the lack of current vaccinations for teachers.

State leaders give updates on COVID-19 and vaccine distribution

February 11, 2021 8:06 PM Victoria Bragg

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KMIZ) Missouri has seen major improvements in COVID-19 cases, but still faces issues with vaccine supply. Governor Mike Parson said at his briefing Thursday that Missouri’s current rate for positive COVID-19 cases is at 7.6%, this is the first time the state has been under 10% since October. The state’s current 7-day

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Missourians have to pay back unemployment benefits received by mistake?

February 12, 2021 2:04 AM ABC 17 News Team

Gov. Mike Parson has said his administration expects Missourians who received extra unemployment benefits by mistake to pay the money back. However, legislators are opposing that approach. Several have filed bills to stop the state from collecting. What do you think? Vote in the poll below.

Parson pushes plan to give top state workers incentive pay

February 4, 2021 3:29 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Mike Parson is promoting a plan to pay top state employees incentives for their work. A similar plan was dropped last year after budget writers questioned whether it was legal. Parson’s plan would set aside $5.1 million for incentives for the top 10% of state employees in 15 departments.

Governor, Missouri health director warn against jumping in coronavirus vaccine line

February 4, 2021 11:43 AM Matthew Sanders

Missouri’s top health official said Thursday that he reprimanded a health care provider for giving coronavirus vaccine shots to people who were not eligible to get them under the state’s vaccination plan.

Missouri Supreme Court set to hear appeal in open records case against Missouri governor

February 3, 2021 5:09 AM Ben Fein

Missouri’s highest court is set to hear oral arguments in an appeal after a 2018 sunshine request into the governor’s campaign contributions. contributions.

Gov. Parson appoints Christopher K. Limbaugh as associate circuit judge for the 19th judicial circuit

February 2, 2021 6:31 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Governor Mike Parson has appointed Christopher K. Limbaugh as Associate Circuit Judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit. Limbaugh currently serves as general counsel – chief legal officer for Gov. Parson. Limbaugh started his career in private practice in his hometown of Cape Girardeau. Former Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Limbaugh to be

Missouri governor says speech venue change disrespected him

February 1, 2021 3:30 PM Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says lawmakers disrespected him when House leaders told him he couldn’t give his State of the State address in that chamber because of coronavirus concerns. The Republican wrote a letter Friday accusing GOP lawmakers of a “disgusting scheme” to embarrass him. The governor traditionally delivers an annual

Parson wants shuttered prison to become training academy

February 1, 2021 3:27 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Mike Parson has proposed transforming a shuttered northwest Missouri prison into a training ground for incoming correctional officers. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Parson’s recently unveiled budget plan includes $671,714 to convert the idled Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron into an academy where would-be prison guards can get

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should businesses be protected from coronavirus-related lawsuits?

February 1, 2021 2:32 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Missouri General Assembly is working on a bill this session to protect businesses from being targets of coronavirus-related lawsuits.

Sedalia health leaders aim to vaccinate 2,200 in drive-thru event

January 30, 2021 7:43 AM Ben Fein

Some Missourians will be receiving their COVID-19 vaccine today in Pettis County as the state continues to roll out mass vaccination sites across the state.

Parson backs tax breaks for Missouri stores ordered closed

January 28, 2021 4:43 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says businesses forced to temporarily shut down because of local COVID-19 mandates should get tax breaks. Parson on Thursday told Missouri Press Association members and reporters that restaurants and other businesses shouldn’t have to pay property taxes for times when they were ordered closed because of

WATCH: Gov. Parson unveils Office of Childhood

January 28, 2021 2:37 PM ABC 17 News Team

Watch the news conference live at 3 p.m.

State of the State address comes amid COVID-19 concerns in capitol, increased vaccines across Missouri

January 27, 2021 7:42 PM Connor Hirsch

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Governor Mike Parson began the annual State of the State address by touting Missouri’s success in fighting COVID-19, but some were opposed to even having the address in person. Just hours before the 3 p.m. address, the venue was changed from the House Chambers to the Senate Chambers across the capitol.

Gov. Parson to lay out legislative agenda during state of the state address

January 27, 2021 2:15 PM ABC 17 News Team

You can watch live coverage from the address when it starts at 3 p.m.

Gov. Parson says “Missouri has prevailed” in first State of the State of the pandemic

January 27, 2021 3:14 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) – Gov. Mike Parson touted the ways government was able to work despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor’s State of the State address, the first such address since the start of the pandemic in March, discussed many of the challenges the state has seen in recent years, including

Parson to divert doses from pharmacies to boost vaccine rate

January 27, 2021 2:31 PM Associated Press

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson plans to divert thousands of unused doses of the coronavirus vaccine from CVS and Walgreens pharmacies to other state-enrolled vaccinators to give a boost to the slower-than-expected process. Kelli Jones, the Republican governor’s spokeswoman, says the administration already has requested the return of 25,000 doses from CVS

Missouri leaders already working with new White House on COVID-19 vaccine distribution

January 20, 2021 7:23 PM Connor Hirsch

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) As President Joe Biden moves into the White House, Missouri leaders are already working with the new administration to get out more of the COVID-19 vaccine. Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Dr. Randall Williams said Wednesday he has received details about the plan from the Biden

Parson inauguration focuses on optimism after year of coronavirus pandemic

January 11, 2021 8:29 AM ABC 17 News Team

“We have seen some challenging days together, but when it is hard to find the light, sometimes all you need is a spark to get the fire going again.”

Local law enforcement confident in Missouri inauguration security plan after U.S. Capitol riots

January 11, 2021 11:58 AM Zola Crowder

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. John Hotz said law enforcement set up checkpoints around the state Capitol with a required metal detector scan and a bag search.