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You are not alone. Help is available. (9/22/22)September marks Suicide Prevention Month. A national poll conducted in 2020 found that while 95% of Americans surveyed would do something if someone close to them was thinking about suicide, almost 70% of respondents identified barriers that keep them from discussing suicide with others. These barriers included not knowing what to say, not knowing where to turn for help, feeling they don't have enough knowledge, or not feeling comfortable with the topic...
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Shared parenting should get more attention by state legislature (6/28/22)The 2022 Missouri legislative session ended with not much getting done. With redistricting, it seemed as though opposing factions were fighting the entire session. Shared parenting legislation did not even get on the House floor. In the past, this legislation has passed the full House and Senate committees with overwhelming majorities...
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Missouri leads nation in homeless solutions (5/31/22)Although the 2022 Missouri legislature passed the fewest number of laws in modern memory, it did take a monumental step toward reducing homelessness. In the last hours of the session, both houses, with bipartisan majorities, approved bill HB 1606, introduced by Sen. Holly Rehder and Rep. Bruce DeGroot. The law allows local cities and nonprofits to try new homeless strategies and ensures that cities act against the growing danger of homeless camps...
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Southeast Missouri needs more technical education (5/24/22)I have been in the tire and automotive business at Jackson Tire Center for 40-years plus. In 2015, as president of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, I was on a mission to find out the needs of local business and industry. Without a doubt it was the need for a technical workforce...
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'Surprise billing' needs independent dispute resolution (12/13/19)As a physician who served a largely rural area, I know recent years have been tough. It is ever harder to build and maintain a successful practice. Providing excellent patient care has become increasingly difficult due to authorization delaying tactics by insurance companies. ...
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Feral hogs menacing southern Missouri (7/1/19)Missouri faces a growing threat from feral hogs. This invasive species thrives in southern Missouri and leaves incredible damage. Our state must organize to eradicate this pest before it’s too late. Many feral hogs have arrived through northward migration. ...
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There is still a need for coal in America's power grid (6/17/19)When it comes to the global-warming debate, mischaracterizations abound. For example, the term “denier” is often used — suggesting someone doesn’t believe the Earth has warmed over the past century. In fact, the scientific community is split over the primary driver of contemporary warming — whether it’s rising carbon dioxide (CO2) or increased solar output. ...
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Fox manages hen house (4/8/19)In recent years, Missouri monopoly investor-owned electric utilities have touted the benefits of the Illinois form of electric regulation. The Illinois electric market is characterized by two features: (1) competition in the electric generation market and (2) incentives for utilities to invest in the distribution grid. ...
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Legislature should fund nursing home services, avert crisis (4/17/18)Years of inadequate and severe underfunding of nursing home services by our state could leave tens of thousands of older Missourians without adequate support at the most vulnerable point in their lives. While Medicaid is best known for insuring our low-income citizens, it also provides a vital safety net to seniors and people with disabilities who struggle with debilitating physical impairments and chronic medical conditions that require highly specialized 24-hour care in a skilled nursing home...
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On repealing the prevailing wage (4/23/17)I’ve been asked by several people about the county’s stance on prevailing wage, especially after passing a resolution in support of repealing it. I wanted to give some amplifying information. First, prevailing wage is not minimum wage. From the Missouri DOL, webpage labor.mo.gov/DLS/PrevailingWage:...
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Racism still alive in Sikeston, nation (1/21/16)I thought about opening this with a funny lead-in. You know, a witty remark or two that might lighten the mood. Ease right on into it, some might say. But this is a Band-Aid over the sore situation. You have to grit your teeth and rip it right off. I came across a story that had Sikeston, Missouri, in the headline while browsing through my various social media news feeds Sunday night. ...