Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

In recent weeks, the BA5 variant has accounted for almost half of all COVID cases in Missouri. But state data doesn’t show how many people have contracted the BA.5 variant or include indicators like age, race or gender.

Missouri has one of the nation's highest maternal mortality rates. And yet, it's not among the many states taking advantage of an offer from the federal government to pay for extended Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers.

The caps have become a point of controversy, with critics saying they’ve encouraged a monopoly in the medical marijuana program and create the appearance of corruption.

Gov. Mike Parson said on Wednesday that the coronavirus is here to stay, but the public health crisis in Missouri is over. The change means Missouri will stop providing daily reporting of COVID-19 infections, vaccinations and positivity rates, and end universal contact tracing.

The Missouri Attorney General's office often refuses to enforce a law designed to ensure government transparency because it considers state agencies like the Department of Health and Senior Services "a client." That leaves complainants with few options to obtain public records.

Missourians are encouraged to use tests obtained through the state before processing ends after March 31.

Acting health director Paula Nickelson, who started her new position Tuesday, had served as deputy director since Feb. 1 and has worked for the department for more than 22 years.

Documents show that by mid-March, Missouri’s public health agencies would transition to treat the virus as endemic, like it does the seasonal flu, without daily reporting of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Over half of states have rolled back public health powers during the pandemic, which experts say permanently weakens states’ abilities to protect their constituents’ health.

Gov. Mike Parson’s comments on Don Kauerauf triggered civil rights complaints from at least one rabbi and several Muslims.

Gov. Mike Parson appointed department General Counsel Richard Moore as acting director of the state health department Tuesday night after Don Kauerauf resigned from the position.

Director Donald Kauerauf proclaimed his opposition to mandates as senators questioned him on everything from vaccines to abortion.