Regional News

Millions from Missouri’s COVID-19 fund to be used on expanding K-12 educational opportunities

Missouri will draw out $55 million from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund to expand educational opportunities for students and address two key challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented for K-12 education, , according to a Monday news release from the… more

Sprint 5G service is deactivated, T-Mobile moves customers to its network

After formally completing the sale of Boost, Virgin and other Sprint prepaid networks to Dish, T-Mobile is bringing Sprint 5G to an end. The move is one in a long list of issues that need sorting out in the wake of… more

Coping with COVID: U.S. surpasses 3 million cases

Depending on whether one sees increasing case counts as a step toward herd immunity or an indicator of failed efforts to control the spread, new figures from worldometers.com reflect a milestone for the U.S.: As of today, the nation has… more

Employment Situation Summary data reveals positive numbers for June

Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 4.8 million in June and the unemployment rate declined to 11.1 percent, according to a news release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These improvements in the labor market reflected the continued resumption… more

Mid-America economy in June shows an advance above growth neutral

June survey highlights from the Mid-America Business Conditions Index show that for a ninth straight month, the overall index rose above growth neutral. On average, bankers estimated that farmland prices declined by 4.0 percent over the past 12 months and… more

In a Nutshell by Ken Herman

One of the most controversial ideas I have ever heard is to defund, dismantle and/or do away with our police forces throughout the country.  Could there be a worse time to even bring this suggestion up (given the riots and… more

Job centers continue to open in Missouri

Several Missouri Job Centers are now open to the public after four openings this week, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. On Monday, June 29, the Branson Job Center opened as… more

Missouri governor signs extension on broadband, water tests for schools

On Thursday morning, Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed HB 1768, a piece of legislation that will extend the current Missouri Broadband Grant Program, set to expire in August 2021, through 2027, according to a news release from the Missouri Governor… more

Leavenworth hospital to close in October

Saint Luke’s Health System announced Tuesday that is closing Cushing Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas, on Oct. 1, according to reporting by KMBC. Health systems across the country have been dealing with the unexpected costs of COVID-19, causing a financial strain… more

Construction begins on million-dollar medical complex

In the last week of June, U.S. Army officials, legislators and others met to celebrate the start of a $295 million, 52-acre hospital complex project, according to a news release from the U.S. Army. With an expected completion date in… more