Melanie Pierce works with many pregnant women who know they’ll have a long drive ahead of them when labor starts. One of her jobs as a doula living in Mansfield, Missouri, is helping families answer a question that may not be as fraught for women who live closer to a delivery hospital: When is it […]
Missouri
The Beacon reports on the Missouri government to help bring depth, nuance and new ideas to our readers about how their tax money gets spent and about laws passed by their elected officials.
Posted inElections
Dueling court orders over Missouri’s congressional map could have far-reaching effects in Kansas City
One order bars the state from using gerrymandered maps. The other says it has to.
Posted inHealth
KC hospitals see more patients without insurance — and expect many more
The end of enhanced subsidies for ACA plans is adding to the tally of uninsured patients. New Medicaid requirements coming in January could be a multiplier.
Posted inEducation
Q&A: Meet the first active teacher appointed to Missouri’s State Board of Education
Mike McDonald is the first person appointed to a non-voting role on the board set aside for an active classroom teacher.
Posted inHealth
Not accepting health insurance is a selling point for some Kansas City doctors
As health insurance costs climb, more patients turn to direct primary care for basic care. Patients get quick access for a monthly fee.
Posted inElections
Missouri counties suffered ballot shortages amid high primary turnout
More than half of Jackson County’s polling places experienced shortages of preprinted ballots, leading to long wait times and frustration.
Posted inEducation
Simple or oversimplified? Missouri prepares to grade schools on an A-to-F scale
Supporters say the plan gives parents more information, but opponents say it could be a source of confusion and stigma.
Posted inHealth
Childhood vaccine rates could get worse as demand for shots dips in Kansas City
Despite a new presidential order, health officials urge parents to stick with longstanding guidance about routine shots.
Posted inHealth
Trump wants to loosen Head Start rules, but Missouri providers say enrolling more kids isn’t so simple
The administration says eliminating more than 1,400 federal requirements could save billions of dollars and make Head Start available to more children from low-income homes. Missouri providers say some rules are burdensome, but question if deregulation can solve the state’s problems.
Posted inState Government
Does Missouri vote blue for ballot issues? It’s complicated
After the defeat of Amendments 4 and 5, some are wondering if Missouri is a stealth blue state when it comes to ballot issues.