COVID-19

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

U.S. Secretary DeVos awards around $180 Million to states rethinking K-12 education during COVID-19

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today more than $180 million in new grant funding will be awarded to 11 states rethinking education to better serve students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rethink K-12 Education Models Grant… more

School nurses may have to work on behalf of local health departments when in-person learning resumes

For schools reopening in the fall, there is a possibility that school nurses will be assisting local health departments when it comes to detecting the presence of COVID-19 among students. School nurses are likely to be asked to carefully detect… more

ACT causes further frustration after registration website crashes following months of test cancellations

Continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 has caused ACT to cancel tests, some of them last-minute, causing frustration for parents and students who spent time and money preparing. Lora Leuzinger of Ohio spent five hours on the ACT site Monday to get her daughter… more

Kansas City to receive millions from Jackson County in relief funding

A request made by the city back in May for federal funding recently came to fruition, Jackson County allotting $18.8 million to Kansas City for the use of COVID-19 relief. In May, Kansas City requested $54.5 million of the nearly… more