Missouri

May 12, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – As Southwest Missourians begin to recover from the powerful storms that ripped through their communities over the weekend, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt encourages residents to be wary of scammers seeking to profit from mother nature’s destruction.

“Unfortunately, scammers see disasters as prime opportunities to take advantage of those most in need of help,” Gov. Blunt said. “I urge Missourians to take caution and research any home repair company that shows up at their doorstep as they work through the insurance claims process. Missourians can avoid scam artists by working with reputable, local businesses rather than fly-by-night companies.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working closely with states impacted from the recent severe storms and tornadoes as they assess damages. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff has spoken with the governors of Oklahoma and Missouri, and both he and FEMA Administrator David Paulison are expected to travel to impacted areas on Tuesday, May 13. State and local resources currently are addressing the most immediate needs as federal resources support their efforts.    » read more »

May 11, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Since yesterday evening Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has been in contact with state emergency management officials regarding tornadoes that inflicted severe damage and took the lives of many of our fellow citizens in southwest Missouri.

Tornado damage: Photo by William Redman (CC)

The state emergency operations plan is activated to allow state agencies to assist with the local emergency response efforts. The hardest hit areas include Barry, Jasper and Newton Counties.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- Jefferson City, Mo. - Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon says Missourians are receiving letters in the mail offering mortgage insurance, refinancing and other services. He says while many of those solicitations are designed to look like they come from a consumer's mortgage lender, they actually come from a separate, unrelated company.    » read more »

April 23, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died April 21 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Killed were:

Spc. Steven J. Christofferson, 20, of Cudahy, Wisconsin

Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas, 26, of Perryville, Missouri

Map of Cudahy, Wisconsin:    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- Jefferson City, Mo. - The influence on commodities markets by Wall Street speculators is hurting both Missouri farmers who aren't benefiting from higher grain prices and Missouri consumers who are paying more for food at the grocery store, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon said today. Nixon is urging the federal agency that regulates futures markets, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), to take action to protect consumers and farmers.

Wheat fields: Photo by Farol Tomson (CC)    » read more »

Standard Estimated to Save Missourians $285 Million in Gas Costs

April 21, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today highlighted a study that shows Missouri’s 10 percent ethanol standard (E-10) is helping Missouri drivers save nearly 10 cents per gallon when they fill up their vehicles at Missouri gas stations.

Ethanol E-10: Photo by Jeff Maki (CC)    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision rejecting a challenge to lethal injection, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt, a strong supporter of the death penalty, today issued the following statement calling on the Missouri Supreme Court to immediately issue execution orders for all pending death penalty cases:

Lethal injection: Photo by Jessica Stacey (CC)    » read more »

State Receives $146.1 Million Payment

April 16, 2008 -- Jefferson City, Mo. - The state of Missouri this week received $146.1 million in the latest payment made possible by the historic 1998 agreement obtained by Attorney General Jay Nixon with the tobacco companies.

Cigarette butts: Photo by Lynn (CC)

The $146,168,168.10 received on Tuesday (April 15) brings the total that Missouri has received from the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) to $1,385,640,020.50. Nixon said an additional payment is expected in the next few days.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Airmen from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., recently provided satellite imagery to assist state and federal agencies in relief efforts following flooding in Missouri and Arkansas.

Members of the 169th Communications Flight at McEntire Joint National Guard Base collected imagery using Eagle Vision, a mobile commercial imagery direct downlink system, to use in damage assessment and reconstruction in the two states.    » read more »

Water Patrol Helps Rescue Trapped Drivers in Southern Missouri

April 10, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and the Department of Public Safety today urged drivers to be extra cautious and avoid flooded roads. The governor and public safety officials are also offering tips to help keep Missouri motorists safe.

A car washed away during a flood: Photo by Rick Keir (CC)

Gov. Blunt also commended the Missouri Water Patrol who assisted local authorities in rescuing trapped drivers on the Big Piney River this morning.    » read more »

April 9, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced President Bush has approved his request for Disaster Declarations for Public Assistance for 47 Missouri Counties as a result of the March flooding.

“The damage assessment teams identified over $28.5 million in damaged public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and critical facilities,” Gov. Blunt said.

A Coast Guard member assisting with Missouri flood relief: Photo by Coast Guard News (CC)    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – During a visit to the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today highlighted the success of state efforts to protect Missouri farm families and thwart cattle rustlers.

“Cattle rustling does not just happen in old black and white Westerns, it is happening in Missouri and it is having a significant impact on the cattle industry in our state,” Gov. Blunt said.

Missouri cattle: Photo by Chris Murphy (CC)    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- Jackson, MS - Missouri Attorney General Jim Hood warns residents that the damage caused by the recent storms is likely to result in an increase in home repair fraud in central Mississippi.

“We have investigators riding around in storm damaged neighborhoods handing out example home repair contracts and making photographs of license plates and company information off home repair vehicles in the area,” said Attorney General Jim Hood. “We observed five out-of- state tree pruning vehicles at one hotel last night.”

Missouri ice storm damage: Photo by Carol Von Canon (CC)    » read more »

April 4, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today built upon Faith-Based Missouri, by highlighting the Faith-Based Missouri Disaster Relief Initiative as an avenue to increase cooperation between state government and faith and community-based groups in providing services to Missouri families during times of emergency.

Stormy weather: Photo by Chris (CC)    » read more »