Missouri Politics Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should insurance companies have to cover pre-existing conditions?

February 22, 2021 3:27 AM ABC 17 News Team

An effort is on to ask Missouri voters whether insurance companies should have to cover pre-existing conditions.

Missouri bill would delay some public record access

February 18, 2021 5:27 PM Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A pending Missouri bill would put a pause on open-records requests when public agencies are closed. House members voted 149-1 in favor of the bill Thursday. It now goes to the state Senate for consideration. An amendment added to the bill last week would exempt closed government agencies from the three-day

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.

Rep. Hartzler raises concerns about President Biden’s $1.9 trillion dollars COVID-19 relief package

February 17, 2021 10:56 PM ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Mid-Missouri Representative Vicky Hartzler (R) has not said how she’s planning to vote on President Joe Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion dollar coronavirus relief package. ABC 17 News spoke with the representative this morning about a number of issues regarding the pandemic. Hartzler raised concerns about the package saying it might be too

State health, education leaders to take part in ABC 17 News Q&A

February 17, 2021 3:49 PM Matthew Sanders

The heads of Missouri’s health and education departments will be part of a panel of experts taking part in a question-and-answer session Thursday on ABC 17 News at 6:30 p.m.

Rush Limbaugh, conservative media icon, dead at 70 following battle with cancer

February 17, 2021 11:44 AM CNN

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative media icon who for decades used his perch as the king of talk-radio to shape the politics of both the Republican Party and nation, died Wednesday after a battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.

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.

Missouri governor signs $324M rent assistance bill

February 11, 2021 3:31 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has approved $324 million to help renters and landlords struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. Parson on Thursday signed the funding bill into law. The money comes from a federal program that Congress passed in December. Both landlords and renters can apply for aid under the program.

Lawmakers consider bills on mistaken unemployment payments

February 11, 2021 3:27 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — State lawmakers are considering several bills to allow Missourians to keep unemployment benefits they were not entitled to. The House Special Committee on Government Oversight heard seven separate proposals Wednesday to forgive payments to people who were not intentionally committing fraud. Gov. Mike Parson has said people should return the

Missouri leaders plan to receive more vaccine doses next month

February 10, 2021 11:37 AM Victoria Bragg

The group coordinating Missouri’s coronavirus vaccine program will brief reporters in a closed-door meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Missouri lawmaker indicted on fraud kicked out of GOP caucus

February 8, 2021 7:10 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri House Republicans have kicked a state lawmaker indicted on federal fraud charges out of their caucus. Members on Monday voted Rep. Tricia Derges out of the caucus. GOP House leaders are calling on her to resign. A federal grand jury indicted Derges on fraud charges for falsely claiming a

Former state senator announces run for Sen. Roy Blunt’s seat

February 8, 2021 10:32 AM Matt Ragsdale

A former Missouri State Senator announced Monday morning plans to run against incumbent US Sen. Roy Blunt (R – Missouri).

Effort to nullify federal guns laws in Missouri draws law enforcement opposition

February 4, 2021 1:49 PM Meghan Drakas

A Mid-Missouri sheriff said Thursday that he opposes an effort by Republicans in the Missouri General Assembly to ban enforcement of federal gun laws.

McKinsey to pay nearly $600 million in settlements over its work with opioid companies

February 4, 2021 5:21 PM CNN Newsource

McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s largest consulting firms, will pay nearly $600 million in multiple settlements over its work consulting for drug companies that states say fueled the nation’s opioid crisis. McKinsey reached the agreement with a coalition of 47 attorneys general, the District of Columbia and five US territories. The company settled

St. Louis Rep. Bush speaks out against Rep. Taylor Greene

February 4, 2021 5:41 PM Karl Wehmhoener

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KMIZ) U.S. Rep Cori Bush (D-Mo) took to the congressional floor Thursday to speak out against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) when the House of Representatives discussed removing Green from the House Education and Labor Committee and the House Budget Committee Bush said on the House floor, “I cannot sit idly by and

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.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Missouri ban enforcement of federal gun laws?

February 4, 2021 2:44 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Missouri House has given initial approval to a bill that would ban local authorities from enforcing federal gun laws in Missouri.

Missouri House health committee holds DHSS leaders accountable on equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccine

February 3, 2021 4:28 PM Connor Hirsch

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri House of Representatives’ health committee members grilled leaders with questions about the pandemic, many focusing on the equitable distribution of the life-saving vaccine. The Health and Mental Health Policy Committee heard an update from Dr. Randall Williams Wednesday at a hearing at 4 p.m. A similar hearing about the

Missouri bill to limit virus-related lawsuits advances

February 3, 2021 8:27 PM Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri senators have advanced a bill that would shield hospitals, manufacturers and other businesses from lawsuits over alleged wrongdoing during the coronavirus pandemic. Senators gave the measure initial approval Wednesday after hours of debate and negotiations. Proponents say hospitals and manufacturers that stepped up to make masks shouldn’t be penalized for

Missouri bill would ban enforcement of federal gun laws

February 3, 2021 2:10 PM Associated Press

Missouri lawmakers are advancing a bill to ban police from using federal laws to take away people’s guns.