Eric Schmitt sworn in as Missouri's next US Senator

WASHINGTON, DC — Former Missouri General, Eric Schmitt, 47, was sworn in as the state’s next US Senator today. He is taking over Roy Blunt’s seat after winning the election against Trudy Busch Valentine this last November. He will be the 2,000th Senator in United States History.

“I’m truly humbled and honored by the opportunity to continue to serve the people of the great state of Missouri as a United States Senator,” states Senator Eric Schmitt. “I will continue to serve as a champion for all Missourians, to fight for the farmers, the small business owners, and Missouri parents and families, and will continue to push back on government intrusion and overreach at every step. This is a new day, and I’m excited for what comes next.”

Schmitt was born and raised in St. Louis County. He began his political career in 2005 as an alderman in Glendale, Missouri. From there, he was elected as a state senator and then went on to serve as state treasurer and eventually as Missouri’s attorney general.

Blunt announced that he was retiring in May 2021. The Republican primary to replace the senator turned into one of the most watched races in the nation. Former Governor Eric Greitens entered the fray along with, Congressman Billy Long, Mark McCloskey, and several others.

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the contest, endorsing “Eric.” It was unclear who he was referring to, with Eric Greitens and Eric Schmitt leading the pack.

Two things Americans love: Pizza and saving money

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KSNF/KODE — New online research finds “American’s guiltiest food pleasure” by analyzing the number of Google web searches for food coupons.

DoorDash has the most sought-after food delivery coupons in America, a new study has found. It is followed by Papa Johns, Uber Eats and Pizza Hut. Five of the top 10 food spots American residents seek discounts for have pizza as their specialty. The research was carried out by CommonCentsMom.com, a US-based money wellness magazine.

Their study analyzed the number of average monthly Google searches over the past year for coupons for food delivery services in the US. It has found that DoorDash leads among mixed food delivery services, with an average of 591,000 searches per month. Meanwhile, Papa John’s is the single most popular takeout brand that US residents seek coupons for, averaging 441,000 hits every month.

Food Delivery Brand Average Monthly Google Hits For Coupons
DoorDash 591,000
Papa John’s 441,000
Uber Eats 349,000
Pizza Hut 263,000
Subway 200,000
Grubhub 108,000
Chuck E. Cheese 99,000
Burger King 76,000
Little Caesars 68,000
Domino’s 66,000

Discount hunters in America also look to strike a bargain at Subway, which receives 200,000 coupon and promo code-related searches each month, Grubhub averages 108,000 monthly searches, and Chuck E. Cheese averages 99,000 searches per month. Three more honorable mentions entering the top 10 most Googled food delivery coupons in the US include Burger King (76,000 average monthly searches), Little Caesars (68,000), and Domino’s (66,000).

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“Our research gives us an indication of America’s guiltiest pleasures in the realm of fast food. We all love some takeout every now and then and coupons shed some of that guilt off. Now that the results are in, we were surprised to find Papa John’s rank higher than collective food delivery services like Uber Eats and Grubhub. With half of the top 10 most Googled food coupons being a pizza specialist, our study reaffirms America’s favorite — the good old classic pizza slice,” said Katie Ren, founder of CommonCentsMom.

Local nonprofits benefit from Sparklight grants

JOPLIN, Mo. — Sparklight and the Cable One family of brands awarded more than $110,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in need this holiday season across its 24-state footprint through the company’s Charitable Giving Fund.

The Charitable Giving Fund, which annually awards nearly $250,000 in grants to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations served by Sparklight and the Cable One brands, concentrates support in the following priority areas:

  • Education and Digital Literacy
  • Food Insecurity
  • Community Development

Twenty-eight nonprofit organizations received grants during this award period, including Texarkana College Foodbank in Texarkana, TX and Citizens About Progress in Springhill, LA.

Food insecurity was already rampant among college students before the pandemic. Nearly 1/3 (29%) of college students have missed a meal at least once a week since the pandemic. The Texarkana College Foodbank is committed to using its $5,000 grant to help fight hunger on campus and reduce holiday stress as college students navigate inflated living expenses and economic shifts, allowing them to focus on successfully completing the fall semester.

“We are so thankful to Sparklight, and their readiness to step up to help us meet this need for our students. This grant will allow us to ensure that students have consistent access to food and enable them to focus on their education without added stress,” said Phillip Parrish, Foodbank Coordinator.

Citizens About Progress (CAP) trains future leaders of the Springhill, Louisiana community through education, enrichment, public service volunteering and mentoring to improve their quality of life. The $5,000 Charitable Giving Fund grant will be used to help fund its afterschool program.

“Citizens About Progress (CAP) is forever grateful for this grant. As with many small nonprofit organizations, funding is always a challenge to keep programs operating at no cost to those in need. Citizens About Progress was at the end of a funding cycle when we got word that our application was approved. This very timely grant funding allows us to continue providing high-quality programming for youth in elementary grades in Springhill. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said CAP President, Terrell Mendenhall.

Nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to apply for a grant during open application periods each spring and fall. Applications for spring 2023 grants will open between April 1-30, 2023.

You can find more information about the Charitable Giving Fund, HERE.

Missouri home to two of America's loneliest cities

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KSNF/KODE — Whether it’s your neighbor, a relative, or a coworker, there’s a good chance you know someone who lives alone. In fact, more than 36 million Americans, or 29% of all U.S. households, are one-person households, according to the U.S. Census Bureau

And the trend of living solo shows no signs of slowing down as major life milestones such as marriage are being put on hold. In 2022, the average age to marry was 30 for men and 28 for women. But which cities are home to the most people who live alone, and where has living alone seen the biggest increase? 

In order to find America’s “loneliest” cities, the Chamber of Commerce analyzed Census Bureau data across more than 170 cities with a population of at least 150,000.

(Image Courtesy: Chamber of Commerce)

Washington D.C. ranks number one, but the number two spot in the nation goes to St. Louis. Among all homes in St. Louis, nearly half (47.5%) or 66,357 are occupied by one person.

Here are additional highlights for St. Louis:

  • Lonely Women: In St. Louis, 25.7% of one-person householders are women, which makes the city the 4th loneliest in the nation for women. Richmond, Virginia ranks No. 1.
  • Lonely Men: Meanwhile, 21.8% of one-person householders are men, which makes the city the 4th loneliest city for men.
  • St. Louis is Getting Lonelier: The city appears to be getting lonelier. On average, the number of people living alone in St. Louis has increased 1.98% year-over-year since 2016.
  • Pandemic Loneliness: Despite the average annual increase in people living alone, the number of one-person households in St. Louis actually decreased during the pandemic by 4.83% from 69,727 in 2019 to 66,357 in 2021. However, the city still ranks 2nd for the highest overall percentage of people living alone next to Washington, D.C.

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Springfield, Missouri also made the “top 30” list, coming in at number 23. Here are additional highlights for Springfield:

  • Percent Living Alone (Women): 19.5%
  • Percent Living Alone (Men): 20.1%
  • One-Person Households: 31,323

For additional rankings and analysis, you can find the full study, HERE.

Americans are becoming less productive at work

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KSNF/KODE — Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce (an American cloud-based software company), recently made waves when he told employees that the company’s newest hires aren’t being productive enough, and he wanted help figuring out why. The tech giant’s employee productivity issue is not an isolated one.

Employers are not only battling inflation and slowing growth but worker productivity that is falling at the fastest rate in four decades. This has been the first year since 1983 to include three straight quarters of year-over-year drops in average productivity per worker, according to ADP Chief Economist, Nela Richardson.

Simply put: People are working more and producing less.

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Much of the disconnect can be traced back to a few things, including pre-pandemic events. People are tired and stressed, leading to more burnout. Without the separation of work and home forced by the pandemic, people worked more.

The skyrocketing cost of living is also taking a toll on workers. Recent data from human capital management software firm Ceridian shows that 61% of North American workers are more stressed about their finances than they were a year ago—the highest level of financial stress since 2008. The firm calculates that such widespread financial worry is leading to $664 billion in lost productivity for employers each year across North America.

Kansas City, Kansas, police shoot, kill man who allegedly stole police cruiser

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A man is dead Friday after stealing a Kansas City, Kansas, police vehicle and pointing a gun at officers, according to police.

The shooting happened near 95th and Parallel Parkway around 8 a.m.

A Kansas City, Missouri, police spokesperson said a KCK officer responded to a call regarding a disabled vehicle near 92nd and Parallel. Investigators said the vehicle appeared abandoned when the officer arrived.

Then a man appeared and pointed a gun at the officer, who took cover, according to investigators. Now investigators are looking into if the situation was a set-up.

The suspect got into the officer’s police cruiser and took off, police said. The officer called for backup. The man only made it a few blocks before stepping out of the squad car about five blocks away where other officers had arrived.

“The same individual got out of the vehicle, pointed a gun at the officers, and at that point gunfire was exchanged. Multiple officers fired,” KCK Police Chief Karl Oakman said.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s identity has not yet been released. So far investigators have only said the person is an adult man.

No officers were injured in the shooting.

The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department said it is handling the investigation, at the request of KCK Police.

KCMO police couldn’t confirm if the man fired any shots and wouldn’t speculate if the disabled vehicle was a setup.

“You know, that certainly could be what happened. Since it’s preliminary, it’s at the very beginning stages. We’re working to determine that,” Capt. Leslie Foreman, a KCPD spokesperson, said.

Neighbor Cynthia Park lives in the path of the brief pursuit.

“Because I’m in my house doing my thing and I hear the sirens, not thinking about it,” Park said. “And then I go, ‘Maybe I need to start thinking about this.'”

She said Parallel Parkway has become busier in the 30 years she’s lived in the area, adding growth around the Legends has led to strange behavior in this specific spot.

“Especially getting this close to home, it is scary. And we have people that stop in our driveway all the time needing help. And you get scared to open your door to those people cause you don’t know if they’re going to shoot you or what,” Park said.

“I had one stand here the other day wanting a cigarette — no cars around, nothing — wanted a cigarette. I’m there holding a ball bat in my hand because I don’t know who she is.”

Chiefs' Jerick McKinnon sets milestone with TD reception

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs continue to break milestones in the 2022 season.

With a touchdown reception late in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos, Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon became the first running back since 1970 to record a touchdown reception in five consecutive games.

His streak started in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals where he caught a receiving touchdown. He caught two touchdowns the next week against the Broncos in Denver.

He also broke the milestone against the Broncos on a six yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes in the second quarter.

The 30-year-old back has been a revelation for the Chiefs this season and continues to prove his value to the offense.

Chiefs: Mahomes reaches 5000 yards passing once again

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to etch his name in the record books.

For the second time in only five seasons starting, Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 5,000 yards passing. He reached the milestone as the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 27-24.

He puts himself in elite company with this milestone, joining Drew Brees and Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks to throw for 5,000 yards in multiple seasons.

Mahomes even acknowledged his accomplishment postgame.

“It’s really cool if you look at the names on that list. To be a part of a list that has those names on there is a special accomplishment,” Mahomes said.

Mahomes currently leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns and looks poised to collect his second MVP award as the Chiefs gear up for the playoffs.

They will close out the regular season against the Raiders with the time still to be announced.

Tips for setting goals in 2023

KSNF/KODE — As we start the new year, we know many people like to focus on resolutions and setting new goals.

The “Better Business Bureau” has some tips to help you as you think about changes you may want to make this year.

One of the tips listed to reach your financial goals is to start budgeting and stop spending more than what you earn.

As common as it is to buy a gym membership, you could save money by purchasing home gym equipment.

If you’re interested in meal prepping, fast-ready meals, or learning new recipes, you should research different meal delivery services.

Lastly, in case you don’t have room for home gym equipment and you want to exercise away from your home, the “Better Business Bureau” suggests that you do not buy the first gym membership you see.

You can find more tips on the Better Business Bureau’s website, here.

What is Missouri's minimum wage for 2023?

ST. LOUIS — Missouri’s minimum wage will increase by 85 cents per hour at the start of the 2023 year.

Starting Jan. 1, the state’s new minimum wage will be $12 per hour for employees who work in private businesses. The 2022 minimum wage for such employees in Missouri was $11.15.

Missouri has raised its minimum wage gradually each of the last seven years, according to the Missouri Department of Labor. Recent increases are part of a plan approved by voters in 2018 to raise the minimum wage every year through 2023.

The state’s minimum wage law does not apply to public employers, nor does it allow the state’s minimum wage rate to be lower than the federal minimum wage rate. This means that the minimum wage increase may not apply to workers in retail and service businesses.

According to the department of labor, “employers engaged in retail or service businesses whose annual gross income is less than $500,000 are not required to pay the state minimum wage rate.”

Employees who work for tips, like restaurant servers, must be guaranteed at least half of the minimum wage per hour, per state law.