Missouri lawmakers move to make daylight saving permanent

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri House has advanced a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent.

The GOP-led House gave the proposal initial approval in a voice vote Wednesday. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 15 states have adopted similar provisions.

Federal law prevents states from moving to daylight saving time permanently, so the Missouri bill would only take effect if Congress changes federal law.

News to Know (4/15/21)

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. – In Minnesota, protesters turned out again last night…after Brooklyn Center’s mayor called for calm in the wake of Daunte Wright’s shooting death by a former police officer. A prosecutor announced a second degree manslaughter charge against Kim Potter. The 26-year police veteran shot and killed Wright during a traffic stop on Sunday. The former police chief, who also stepped down, said Potter mistook her gun for a taser.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A scientific committee advising the government on vaccines says it needs more time to evaluate the risks associated with Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus shot. That comes after the FDA and CDC called for a temporary pause in using the single-dose vaccine nationwide Tuesday. Six women…one of whom died…are known to have come down with an extremely rare blood clotting disorder after receiving the vaccine.

JOPLIN, Mo. – As more people get fully vaccinated against covid-19, you might wonder how long a vaccine will protect you. With each flu season, you have to get a new flu shot to be protected against the latest strain of the flu virus. But with the covid-19 vaccines being so new, research is continuing to determine how long the vaccine protects you. According to local health officials, current data says the vaccine may be effective up to one year out.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Oklahoma Senate passes a bill centered on protests, igniting controversy as demonstrations continue in other parts of the country. The Oklahoma bill would grant immunity to motorists who accidentally hit and kill or injure a person while the motorist is fleeing a “riot”. The measure passed by the Senate would also increase penalties for people who block traffic during a protest. They could be charged with a misdemeanor and sentenced to up to a year in prison.

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Missouri lawmakers consider day to honor Rush Limbaugh

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri lawmakers are considering setting aside a day each January to honor the late Rush Limbaugh.

The Cape Girardeau native gained national fame before he died in February at age 70 after a battle with cancer. A Missouri Senate committee debated legislation Tuesday to designate Jan. 12, Limbaugh’s birthday, as “Rush Limbaugh Day.” Supporters said Limbaugh was a conservative icon worthy of the honor and opponents said his rhetoric was divisive.

The bill awaits a vote in the Senate General Laws Committee. A similar proposal is pending in the House.

Missouri House backs easing access to HIV prevention drugs

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri House has approved legislation that will make it easier to access drugs to prevent HIV infection.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Phil Christofanelli, a Republican from St. Peters, would allow access to pre- and post-HIV exposure drugs at pharmacies. Pharmacists would be required to work under supervision of a license physician. Patients would have to follow up with a physician to get a prescription for more than a 30-day supply of the pre-exposure medication.

The bill now goes to the Senate. Christofanelli says he hopes some big pharmacy chains will adopt the procedures if the bill becomes law.

Missouri House votes against proof-of-vaccine mandates

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri House has voted to ban private businesses from requiring proof of vaccination from either employees or customers.

House lawmakers voted 88-56 Monday to tack the provision on another bill. There appears to be widespread opposition in the Republican-led Legislature to preemptively ban so-called vaccine passports. Vaccine passports are documentation that shows travelers have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Missouri bill advanced Monday goes further by banning private businesses from requiring proof of any vaccination. Bipartisan critics say businesses such as nursing homes should be allowed to require employees or visitors to show they’ve been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Missouri House advances bill for guns on buses, in churches

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers are advancing a sweeping firearms bill that would allow concealed guns on public transportation and in churches.

The Republican-led House on Monday gave initial approval to the bill in a voice vote. Currently, people need permission to bring firearms into places of religious worship. The bill would allow people with concealed carry permits to bring guns in churches, synagogues and mosques regardless.

Another provision in the bill would ensure that gun stores are considered essential businesses. That means state and cities couldn’t order them closed during emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic.

Missouri pauses J&J COVID-19 vaccine administration

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri announced Tuesday that it is “pausing” administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after federal health officials began an investigation into potentially dangerous blood clots.

Dr. Randall Williams, director of the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services, said in a news release that Missouri was taking the step out of “an abundance of caution.” The move came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they were investigating unusual clots in six women that occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination

(Previous Story:  US recommends ‘pause’ for J&J vaccine over clot reports)

News to Know (4/13/21)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Biden hosted Republican lawmakers at the White House on Monday. The president is trying to rally support for his recently unveiled $2 Trillion dollar infrastructure plan. President Biden told them he’s willing to negotiate the details, including how to finance the project.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Senate debates a bill that would change the definition of illegal stalking to include social media and other technology. The bill changes the definition of “course of conduct” to include the use of technology and third parties.

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. – Authorities find three teens who went missing from Jasper County safe in Kansas City. Sunday, authorities found 14-year-old Alexus Crawford, 16-year-old Morgan Holderman, and 14-year-old Jasmine Marie Holliday. The Kansas City Police Department Public Information Officer says in part, quote: “The girls were located and are safe. An investigation is underway. At this point, evidence has been sent out for forensics. No one is in custody.” Authorities in jasper county said they couldn’t release any further details. They did say they’re sending investigators to Kansas City to conduct interviews..

JOPLIN, Mo. – Back in February the Joplin City Council met to listen to city staff present a list of action plans that would work together to improve the city. Monday night, city staff presented an updated list of those plans. The revised list of action plans includes strategies to improve housing and neighborhoods in Joplin. Joplin’s city manager says these plans are based on feedback from the community, and they want the city to address it’s declining neighborhood and overall appearance

News to Know (4/12/21)

WOODSON COUNTY, Kan. – One man is dead and two others injured following a crash in Woodson County, Kansas. The crash happened Saturday on U.S. Highway 75 and 10th road just ten miles south of Yates Center. 83-year old Raymond McIntosh of Buffalo, Kansas failed to yield at a stop sign and collided with another vehicle in the intersection. McIntosh later died at the hospital. The two occupants of the other vehicle were taken to Coffey County Hospital with serious injuries.

BRANSON, Mo. – An investigation is underway in Branson after a mushroom hunter discovers human skeletal remains. Officials with the Branson Police Department says the remains were found in a wooded area near State Highway 248 and Gretna Road Saturday. Police are now working to identify the remains. The police department says they do have a current missing persons case in the area, but they don’t believe these remains are related to that case.

KOSHKONONG, Mo. – A 28-year-old man Is been charged in the fatal shooting of one person and the wounding of three more at a convenience store in a small southern Missouri town. Officials with the highway patrol say Christopher Lindley of Thayer, Missouri, was charged with first-degree murder and criminal action in the shooting at the Snappy Mart store in Koshkonong. Authorities say Lindley walked into the convenience store around 5:15 am Saturday and started firing with a handgun. Oregon County Sheriff Eric King said Lindley knew at least one of the victims, but that his motive in the shooting is unclear.

BALTIMORE, Md. – This week, America’s supply of Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose vaccine is expected to drop some 86 percent. A contamination issue at a Baltimore production plant forced about 15 million doses to be thrown out. More than 35 percent of Americans have received at least one vaccine dose.

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Human remains found by mushroom hunter in Branson

BRANSON, Mo. – Human skeletal remains are discovered by a mushroom hunter in Branson.

Officials with the Branson Police Department says the remains were found in a wooded area near State Highway 248 and Gretna Road yesterday. Police are now working to identify remains. The police department says they do have a current missing persons case in the area, but they don’t believe these remains are related to that case.