Business and Government

First 2021 Missouri legislative session begins today

Lawmakers are headed back to Jefferson City to begin the 2021 legislative session with protecting businesses from COVID-19 litigation at the top of the priorities list. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry laid out its priorities for the upcoming… more

Toland sworn in as new Kansas Lieutenant Gov.

David Toland was sworn in as the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of Kansas in a ceremony today at the Kansas Statehouse.  Toland has served in the Kelly Administration as Secretary of Commerce since his appointment in January 2019. He will maintain the… more

Garmin acquires tech provider GEOS Worldwide

Garmin Ltd. acquired a Houston-area company that provides emergency monitoring and incident response services, including to its inReach personal satellite communicators. Garmin said Tuesday that it had purchased substantially all the assets of GEOS Worldwide Ltd. and its subsidiaries for… more

KCK schools resume in-person indoor sports practice today

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools will begin allowing student athletes to practice for indoor sports on Monday. It includes basketball, swimming and bowling.  Last year, the school board voted to postpone fall sports due to increasing reports of covid cases… more

AMC to sell 50 million more shares, avoid bankruptcy filing

Leawood-based AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. plans to sell up to 50 million more shares as it tries to prevent a bankruptcy filing. The movie theater chain said in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission that it plans to offer… more

New year marks minimum wage raise in Missouri

Beginning New Year's Day, Missouri's minimum wage increased to $10.30 per hour, a rise of 85 cents. According to the Missouri Department of Labor, the 85 cent raise only applies to employees working for a private business and there's an additional… more

Missouri-based Centene acquires healthcare company for $2.2B

Centene will buy Magellan for $95 per share in a cash deal that values the Phoenix-based behavioral health provider at $2.2 billion.  The deal is expected to be completed in the second half of 2021. It will make Centene one… more

Coping with COVID: FDA to potentially begin delivering half-doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

The FDA is meeting this week to consider giving half-doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine to people ages 18 to 55. The head of Operation Warp Speed says clinical data shows the vaccine can be just as effective at half-doses in… more

Main Street Lending Program expiration extended

The Main Street Lending Program - utilized by small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. – has granted an extension on its expiration date. The termination date on its facilities was pushed back, a decision made by the Board of… more

New Kansas Energy Assistance Program to begin next week

A new energy assistance program in Kansas aimed at keeping low-income households heated this winter will open applications starting next week. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said the new program from the Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) will help… more