Brett Peveto

Clean-energy advocates are making the case for a Missouri energy cooperative to seek federal funds to build clean power generation in New Madrid County that would improve air quality and help Magnitude 7 Metals. Gov. Mike Parson vetoed a zero-interest loan to help M7M meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air-quality standards.

Tick season is here and Missouri is seeing increases in infections as people interact more with the wild, and tick season grows longer. The most common tick-borne illnesses in the state are Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis (ER-lich-i-o-sis), tularemia (TO·la·ree·me·a) as well as emerging viruses such as Heartland and Bourbon, and Alpha-Gal Syndrome, which causes an allergic reaction to meat.

The Level Up report from Lumina Foundation shows 600,000 fewer Black young adults are enrolled in college versus 20 years ago, and 300,000 fewer are enrolled in community colleges, despite a growing population. Black students are more likely to be caregivers of children or parents versus other students, and more likely to work full-time.

A new report looking at the medically underserved and disenfranchised population in the United States says that nearly 2 million Missourians and more than 100 million people across the country lack access to primary care, double the number in 2014. The report says community health centers can close the gap. Only one in 10 of the medically disenfranchised lack insurance. The number of health-center patients has grown by 6 million since 2015.

This is Groundwater Awareness Week and with over 400,000 private wells in the state, officials are encouraging people to test their well water for common contaminants. Over one quarter of the state's population relies on private wells for drinking water.

Missouri's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is now available year-round. The program offers payment assistance as well as a crisis component to help people facing disruptions in service. Crisis applications have expedited processing. Recent changes to the program include increased payments and expanded access.

January is Radon Action Month. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, just behind smoking. Radon seeps into homes through foundations, pipes and gaps in walls. Missourians can request free radon tests from the state. Homes of any age or design can have radon problems.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. While it has no symptoms, it can be treated with early detection. Vision loss often begins on the periphery, and you can lose half your vision without realizing it.

Community Health Centers' funding has been supported by the 340b drug-pricing program, but in recent years, pharmacy benefit managers have been finding loopholes to avoid the 340b structure. Laws have been passed in 22 states to restrict these PBM practices.

A Georgetown University report shows the number of uninsured children in Missouri declined during the pandemic. Federal policy during the health emergency required states to provide continuous Medicaid coverage to receive extra funds. The continuous coverage provision will expire in April.