Crime & Safety
A Mother’s Quest for Openness Provides Map for Spurring Change
When Sheila Albers couldn’t get answers to questions she had after her 17-year-old son was shot and killed by an Overland Park police officer, she didn’t give up. Her story shows how everyday people can leverage public records to shape communities for the better.
MU Professor, High Schooler and Undergraduate Mathematician Lead the Research on Variants
At MU, a veteran scientist, high schooler and undergraduate student identified 46 mutations of the omicron variant.
Use of the Force: KC Debates Police Department Staffing
Kansas City is grappling with how to allocate resources for its police department this budget season. Much of the debate turns on how many police officers are needed, and how they should be deployed.
Deadline Looms for Missouri Schools to get $1.95 Billion in COVID Money
Missouri legislators face a March 24 deadline to release most of the funding before it returns to the federal government.
Uncounted: Inaccurate Death Certificates Across the Country Hide the True Toll of COVID-19
Some counties, like Cape Girardeau, have seen a spike in deaths that aren’t attributed to COVID-19. Many of them, blamed on natural causes, are likely from the coronavirus.
Science Backs Mask Mandates. But in Missouri and Elsewhere, They’re Politically Toxic
Studies have repeatedly found mandates encourage mask use and slow COVID spread. Politics and lawsuits make them unattractive to policymakers.
10 Things KC Doctors Want You to Know About the Recent COVID Surge
On Dec. 17, physicians and hospital leaders united to share their message of urgency in light of the recent COVID surge. Here are 10 takeaways.
Confusion Around COVID Ruling Swirls as Two Missouri School Districts End Semester Early
As a growing number of Missouri school districts drop COVID mitigation measures under threat from Attorney General Eric Schmitt, at least two closed the doors on their fall semester early due to large numbers of staff and students out sick.
Missouri Attorney General Tells Schools, Health Departments to End COVID Orders
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt instructed school districts and local public health departments to immediately stop enforcing health orders a judge ruled unconstitutional last month, and warned Tuesday they may face legal action if they fail to do so.
Missouri Health Department Found Mask Mandates Work, But Didn’t Make Findings Public
Mask mandates saved lives and prevented COVID-19 infections in Missouri’s biggest cities during the worst part of the delta variant wave, an analysis by the state Department of Health and Senior Services shows.