COVID-19

Coping with COVID: Operation Warp Speed provides funding for three national vaccine candidates

Ongoing vaccine trials across the U.S. have led to the creation of Operation Warp Speed, a partnership among components of several U.S. government departments and agencies that is funding coronavirus vaccine trials. These partnership entities include the Department of Health… more

Healthcare workers concerned over drop in youth vaccinations

Missouri and the U.S. have seen a sweeping trend of declining vaccination rates, mostly among children, due to COVID-19. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is now partnering with the Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of… more

KU using new COVID-19 screening app for fall semester

A new app that has emerged from the coronavirus era is CVKey, an app designed by KU alum and former Google VP Brian McClendon that serves as a coronavirus screening tool. This fall, KU students and staff will be using… more

American Royal cancels World Series of Barbecue, other events

On Tuesday, the American Royal announced its decision to cancel this year’s World Series of Barbecue over COVID-19 concerns. Set for September 17-20 at Kansas Speedway, the association announced it is also canceling its Quarter Horse Show and PRCA ProRodeo. “Not being… more

Governor Parson meets with K-12 schools in Kansas City and across the state to discuss reopening plans

As the start of the fall semester draws nearer each day for K-12 and other schools across the state in Missouri, some districts continue to plan for reopening though remain somewhat unsure of what it will look like. Governor Mike… more

Renters could be hardest-hit following expired paid-unemployment program

The benefits afforded by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program expired at the end of July last week. Many previously collecting unemployment benefits before the program’s expiration now only receive state unemployment benefits. The share of households facing severe… more

MSHAA considering delayed start to high school programs in the fall

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - Missouri now considering a delayed start to programs throughout the state, reports KCTV 5 News. More families are back out participating in outdoor sports in an attempt to make a somewhat normal return to summer… more

Coping with COVID: Fewer voting locations and other changes at the ballot box

An increase in mail-in ballots have helped ease the flow of in-person traffic, though adjustments have been made for those making a visit to a polling station this primary voting season. Polls opened at 6 a.m. in Missouri, 7 a.m.… more

Blackstone Group Inc. and Global Infrastructure Partners consider buying Kansas City Southern

In a continuously changing business landscape, many companies and operations in the U.S. and abroad were hit hard by the coronavirus’ impact on business, including the local, long-standing Kansas City Southern. Reports have spread that two private equity firms, Blackstone… more

Missouri budget cuts show heaviest impact on education

NPR - In Missouri, declining revenues prompted Republican Gov. Mike Parson to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars from the 2021 fiscal year budget — which began on July 1. That included substantial cuts to universities and colleges, as well as reductions… more