Tag Page Missouri

A Missouri town voted out every city council member who approved a resolution to build an AI data center in their community. All four city council members who approved a plan to build a data center in Festus, Missouri, lost their bids for reelection. "This data center fight has struck this community to the core and really, honestly ignited a community-driven effort here," Dan Moore, who defeated Ward 3 incumbent Bobby Benz, said. One of the biggest issues Festus voters had with the data center plan was the lack of transparency and the feeling that council members cared less about residents' concerns and more about tax revenue. On the same day, voters in Port Washington, Wisconsin, approved a referendum to stop future data centers from being built. Data centers require massive amounts of water and create few jobs. #Missouri #artificialintelligence #datacenters

Missouri parents charged after son's infection ignored

A Missouri boy suffered for over a year with painful, baseball-sized sores before anyone stepped in. His parents, now facing child endangerment charges, allegedly knew about his infection but never took him to a doctor—even as the pain got so bad he couldn’t sit down. The situation only came to light after school staff raised the alarm. It’s shocking to think how long this went on and raises tough questions about how we look out for kids in our communities. What more can be done to make sure children don’t fall through the cracks like this? #Health #BodyHealth #Missouri

UMKC brings more healthcare to mid-Missouri

Rural Missouri is about to see a real boost in healthcare access. UMKC’s physician assistant program just opened a new campus in Columbia, aiming to train more local students who are likely to stay and serve their own communities. With only 10 students to start, the program is small but mighty—focusing on hands-on learning in both urban and rural clinics. This move could mean shorter wait times and more affordable care for families who’ve struggled to find a provider. What do you think—will growing local talent help solve our rural healthcare shortage? #Health #BodyHealth #Missouri

Why Missouri duck hunters are key to wetlands

Before sunrise, dozens of duck hunters line up at Eagle Bluffs, hoping for a lucky draw to hunt on Missouri’s public wetlands. But here’s the twist: these “poor line” hunters aren’t just after ducks—they’re helping fund and protect the very habitats that keep waterfowl populations thriving. Every hunting permit and Duck Stamp they buy pours money into restoring wetlands, which benefits not just hunters, but also birdwatchers and anyone who loves the outdoors. With wetlands under threat from development and climate change, it’s worth asking: how should we balance access, conservation, and recreation for everyone? #Pets #Missouri #Wetlands

Tearing down Arrowhead could cost up to $150M after Chiefs announce move to Kansas

The Chiefs have announced they’re leaving Arrowhead (Missouri) for a new $3B domed stadium in Kansas targeted for the 2031 season, with Kansas lawmakers approving bonds to cover a major share of the public financing. Now Missouri’s staring at a brutal twist: Arrowhead could become Missouri’s problem even after the team leaves. Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson says demolition could run up to $150 million—meaning the state/county could end up paying a massive bill just to clean up the stadium left behind. This is the part that always gets overlooked in “team moves for a new stadium” stories: one side doesn’t just lose the team—sometimes they’re left holding the receipt too. Should teams be required to pay demolition/exit costs when they leave publicly funded stadiums? #NFL #Chiefs #Arrowhead #StadiumDeals #KansasCity #Missouri #Kansas #SportsBusiness #PublicFunding

How Mizzou saved Missouri’s holiday reindeer

Noella, Missouri’s beloved holiday reindeer, nearly missed this year’s festivities after a serious leg injury last winter. Thanks to the dedicated team at Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Noella not only recovered from a tough infection and fracture, but also gave birth to a healthy calf this spring! The teamwork and compassion shown by the vets made all the difference, especially with Noella being pregnant. Now, she’s back to spreading Christmas cheer across the state. Stories like this really highlight the importance of expert animal care in our communities. What do you think—should more resources go toward large animal veterinary services? #Pets #Missouri #Mizzou

Missourians rethink college as trades rise

More folks across Missouri are skipping the traditional college route and jumping straight into trades—and it’s changing what “success” looks like for a lot of families. While Mizzou’s campus is still buzzing with grads, statewide college enrollment keeps dropping. Instead, people are finding solid, good-paying jobs through quick vocational programs—sometimes in just a few months, with much of the cost covered by scholarships. Whether it’s construction, cooking, or warehouse work, these paths are opening doors fast. What do you think: Is college still worth it, or are trades the smarter move now? #Education #College #Missouri

Missouri hospitals see staffing boost, but challenges remain

Vacancies in Missouri hospitals have dropped below pre-pandemic levels, making it a bit easier for patients to find care and for staff to manage workloads. Still, turnover rates are stubbornly high, especially among nurses and nursing assistants. Even with more graduates entering the field, hospitals are feeling the pressure to improve pay, benefits, and training to keep their teams strong. What do you think would help hospitals keep good staff around? Have you or someone you know felt the impact of these staffing changes? Let’s talk about what could make a real difference in our local healthcare. #Health #BodyHealth #Missouri

How canned fruit helps Missouri veterans

Dropping off a few cans of fruit at your local Shangri-La dispensary can actually make a real difference for veterans in our community. The annual “Fruit for Flower” drive is back, and this year they’re collecting canned fruit for The Food Bank’s VIP Veteran Packs—monthly boxes of food and essentials for local vets. If you bring in five cans, you’ll get a store discount, but the real reward is knowing you’re helping feed those who’ve served. Last year’s donations reached 300 veterans each month! Anyone else planning to pitch in or have ideas for other ways we can support our vets? #Safety #Missouri #SupportVeterans

Missouri vs Virginia: Bowl game showdown returns

Missouri and Virginia are finally meeting on the football field again—over 50 years since their last clash! With Missouri favored by 7 points and Virginia riding their first 10-win season since 1989, this Gator Bowl matchup feels fresh and unpredictable. Both programs have had their ups and downs, but neither is known for football dominance, making this a true wild card. Kickoff is set for December 27th in Jacksonville. Who do you think has the edge this time, and what are your best memories of either team? Let’s hear your predictions and hot takes! #Sports #Football #Missouri