Category: Missouri

Judge Orders St. Louis County to Stop Enforcing Mask Mandate

A judge on Thursday ruled that St. Louis County in Missouri cannot enforce its mask mandate for now. Circuit Judge Ellen “Nellie” Ribaudo issued a preliminary injunction ordering the county to stop taking action to enforce the mask mandate, while the court considers the full case. She said that her decision was made based on…


Judge Rules Missouri Must Start Medicaid Expansion Immediately

A state judge ruled on Tuesday that Missouri must implement Medicaid expansion immediately, a major blow for the Missouri government and the GOP-led state legislature. Jon Beetem, a state circuit judge, ordered that the Missouri government could not prohibit enrolling “individuals eligible” in Missouri’s Medicaid program, also known as the MO HealthNet program. In his order (pdf),…


Missouri Celebrates Its Bicentennial With Governor Mike Parson

Missouri turns 200 today. The state is celebrating with numerous events and community projects. From the Missouri Bicentennial Jubilee, to Statehood Day at the Capitol, Missourians are remembering their history and its place in the framework of the United States. Nearly every county is hosting an ice cream social. Various ice cream shops are offering…


Recordings to Be Heard at Trial in Chinese Woman’s Death

COLUMBIA, Mo.—Audio recordings of arguments between a Missouri man and his Chinese wife will be allowed during the man’s upcoming trial in her death, a judge has ruled. Circuit Judge Brouck Jacobs ruled Tuesday the recordings are “relevant and otherwise admissible” in the case against Joseph Elledge, of Columbia, who is charged with first-degree murder…


Missouri Parents Censored Online for Opposing Mask Mandates in School

Online censorship is being questioned by parents in Missouri. Throughout the pandemic, popular platforms like Facebook and Twitter offered a place for people to socialize despite lockdowns. The platforms allowed support groups to continue to meet virtually. Smaller, lesser-known platforms like nextdoor.com also host plenty of community conversations. But for Missouri native Josh McCollum, nextdoor…


Missouri Rep. Billy Long Joins Crowded US Senate Race

Missouri Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) is going after a seat in the state’s upcoming U.S. Senate race, the GOP congressman said on Tuesday. “I am entering the race for the United States Senate. I followed Roy Blunt into the House, I have his congressional seat,” Long declared as he announced his candidacy on Tucker Carlson’s Fox…


Mask Mandate in Missouri’s St. Louis County Temporarily Blocked by Judge

Residents of Missouri’s St. Louis County will not be mandated to wear masks for at least two weeks, after a local judge granted a temporary restraining order against the requirement that was issued in July. Circuit Judge Ellen “Nellie” Ribaudo on Tuesday ruled in favor of state Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who had filed a…


Mask Mandate in St. Louis County Temporarily Blocked by Judge

Residents of St. Louis County in Missouri won’t be mandated to wear masks for at least two weeks after a local judge granted a temporary restraining order against the requirement that was issued in July. Circuit Judge Ellen “Nellie” Ribaudo on Aug. 3 ruled in favor of state Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who had filed…


Taxes Separate Thriving Missouri From Dying Illinois

On the I-57 highway through Illinois, time seems to go backward with each southbound mile. The houses and cars in the yards get older. As years pass, town populations shrink. Eventually, homes turn back into piles of disconnected wood and glass, then empty lots. At the end of the highway, the town of Cairo slowly…


Taxes Separate Dying Illinois From Thriving Missouri

On the I-57 highway through Illinois, time seems to go backward with each southbound mile. The houses and cars in the yards get older. As years pass, town populations shrink. Eventually, homes turn back into piles of disconnected wood and glass, then empty lots. At the end of the highway, the town of Cairo slowly…