Jennifer Moore

A Missouri State University professor who researches political violence says he’s concerned about a Missouri bill that would establish minutemen who could be called to take up arms in defense of the state. Dr. David Romano, the Thomas G. Strong Professor of Middle East Studies, said he sees some similarities between the minutemen force that would be created under Senate Bill 528 and militias in other parts of the world.

KSMU’s Jennifer Moore spoke with Romano, and you can hear their interview below.

Five more people have died in Greene County from COVID-19. The Springfield-Greene County Health Department said Tuesday that four of those people were associated with long-term care facilities.  Senior advocates are calling for more transparency and rapid testing at places like nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

As of Friday, at least 16 long-term care facilities in Greene County had seen cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to state and county health officials.  

Editor's note:  this article has been updated to reflect a change in one of the forum speakers, as well as an update to one of the groups represented in the forum.  

A virtual forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 will feature experts on both sides of the Medicaid Expansion issue, which will appear on the statewide Missouri ballot as Amendment 2 in the August 4 primary election.

The public can join the forum live via Zoom using this link: https://otc.zoom.us/j/91144597893

Governor Mike Parson said Thursday if he could prioritize the testing of all residents in nursing homes where there’s been a coronavirus outbreak, he would – but he says he cannot due to a shortage of tests. 

Parson was responding to a question from KSMU-Ozarks Public Radio about state protocol that currently says only those residents with COVID-19 symptoms will be tested, even in facilities where the coronavirus has been confirmed.

UPDATE Saturday, March 14:  One of the two "presumptive positive" cases of COVID-19 announced by the governor Friday is in Clinton, Missouri. The Henry County Health Center has posted a statement to its website that includes the following: