Home for the holidays and worried about an older relative? Make observations, not assumptions
With the second holiday season of the pandemic, many people will have the opportunity to rejoin family and friends for…
Health
Many churches cancel in-person Christmas services
(AP) — Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., numerous churches have canceled in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors…
Inaccurate death certificates across the country may hide true toll of COVID-19
In Cape Girardeau County, the coroner hasn’t pronounced a single person dead of COVID-19 in 2021. Wavis Jordan, a Republican…
Schools could be required to filter drinking fountains for lead
Thousands of Missouri school buildings are probably not testing their water for lead. A Missouri House bill would require them…
Three techniques to help you cope with Christmas stress
We often think of Christmas as a time of joy and happiness. But for some people, this time of year is…
St. Louis area ‘not as safe’ as Omicron COVID cases soar, health officials say
CLAYTON (AP) — St. Louis-area health officials said Thursday that the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus appeared to…
Students get three extra months to repay federal education loans
President Joe Biden will continue a pandemic-spurred pause on student loan repayments until May 1, he said Wednesday. Loan repayments…
Experts warn of ‘perfect storm’ in Missouri as virus cases jump
ST. LOUIS (AP) — New cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19 are surging throughout Missouri, and health leaders are warning of…
Biden slams COVID-19 vaccine ‘lies,’ announces free at-home tests
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is urging that COVID-19 vaccine doubters stop “peddling lies” on TV and online, as the…
Judge denies effort by local health agencies to intervene, appeal Missouri COVID ruling
A Cole County judge denied on Wednesday the efforts by local health departments and the state’s two largest counties to…
Pandemic poses short- and long-term risks to babies, especially boys
The pandemic has created a hostile environment for pregnant people and their babies. Stress levels among expectant mothers have soared. Pregnant women with the…
Hundreds of St. Louisans seek $500 pandemic aid; more can get help to apply
CITY HALL — St. Louis officials announced on Sunday more opportunities in the weeks ahead for people to receive in-person…
Missouri treasurer joins crackdown on schools with mask mandates
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s treasurer will no longer help schools refinance bond debt unless superintendents promise not to enforce…
As overdose deaths surge, advocates push for over-the-counter naloxone
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Louise Vincent figures her group, the North Carolina Survivors Union, saves at least 1,690 lives a year.…
EPA details push to tighten rules for lead in drinking water
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration took steps Thursday aimed at reducing lead in drinking water, announcing plans to…
Indoor mask mandate in city is renewed for at least another month
CITY HALL – People will need to keep those face masks on for a bit longer, as the Board of…