AUGUST 26, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced appointments to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority and the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.

Mark J. Bredemeier, of Lee’s Summit, was appointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.

Mr. Bredemeier is an attorney with a background in political, government, and business litigation and policymaking. He has been licensed to practice law in Missouri since 1982. Mr. Bredemeier has been a sole practitioner focusing on business, tort, and public law litigation since 1997. He has served his community as an elected officer of the Lee’s Summit R-7 Board of Education and as an elected and appointed member of numerous city charter commissions, redistricting committees, task forces, and community stakeholder strategic planning efforts. Mr. Bredemeier graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communication from William Jewell College and received a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.

Dawn Cramer, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.

Ms. Cramer works for Cramer Capital Management, a company she started in 2007 after a 28-year career in the airline industry. She holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's Series 7, Series 66, and Advanced Investment Fiduciary designations. In order to help women achieve their small business goals, Ms. Cramer founded the Women’s Mastermind Program in 2012. She is also a current member of the Clay County Domestic Violence Board and past board member of the Heartland Foundation and Good Shepard Center. Ms. Cramer advocates for youth to make sound life choices as well as encourages them to say no to violence. She is also the founder of the “Let’s Get Jazzed” event, which has raised more than $550,000 for Newhouse, a shelter for battered women. 

Ms. Cramer will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former commissioner Nathan Garrett. Commissioner Don Wagner, whose term expired in March 2021, will continue to serve on the board.

AUGUST 25, 2021

Jefferson City — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has activated a state contract with SLSCO of Galveston, Texas, to provide monoclonal antibody (mAb) infusion treatment for 30 days at sites in the following counties: Jackson, Pettis, Scott, Butler, and Jefferson. This contract follows Governor Mike Parson’s August 11 announcement that $15 million would be committed to staffing, equipment, and supplies for the establishment of monoclonal antibody infusion stations across the state. 

"As the Delta variant continues to spread across the state and pose serious health risks to unvaccinated Missourians, our state teams are continuing to do everything possible to provide support and save lives," Governor Parson said. "It is our hope that these infusion centers will help relieve hospital strain and health care worker fatigue as we move forward with our efforts to get more Missourians vaccinated. Just as we have done from the beginning, we will continue to work with our partners to identify resource needs and respond to this virus."

Infusions began today at Truman Medical Center in Jackson County. Other sites will be implemented in the coming days. Two greater St. Louis area sites are also being planned and will be established at locations to be identified by St. Louis regional partners, including the St. Louis Pandemic Task Force. 

Site selection is being made in conjunction with regional and local partners. The state estimates the sites could treat up to 4,000 patients across the state in the 30-day timeframe.  

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that can help your body fight off COVID-19 and reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalization – if administered to high-risk patients soon after diagnosis. These antibodies mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful viruses like SARS-CoV-2, and they attack the virus and reduce its ability to spread through your body. For more information see Monoclonal Antibodies for COVID-19: Tips and Frequently Asked Questions.

Additionally, on Tuesday, DHSS published a standing order authorizing eligible health care providers to administer REGEN-COV, the treatment being used for mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. Patients who could benefit from this treatment will need to be referred for treatment by an eligible health care provider. 

AUGUST 20, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced the appointment of Brice R. Sechrest as Associate Circuit Judge for St. Francios County in the 24^th Judicial Circuit. Mr. Sechrest will fill the Associate Circuit Judge vacancy created by the resignation of the Honorable Joseph L. Goff, Jr. The appointment will become effective on September 6, 2021.

Mr. Sechrest, of Farmington, currently serves as an attorney at Williams & Sechrest, P.C. in Park Hills. He earned an Associate of Arts from Mineral Area College, a Bachelor of Science from Southeast Missouri State University, and a Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 

AUGUST 19, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, during a press conference at the Missouri State Fair hosted by the Missouri Farm Bureau, Governor Mike Parson announced plans to deploy more than $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to increase broadband internet access, adoption, and assistance statewide. 

“Investing in our broadband infrastructure is critical to unlocking our full economic potential in this state and will serve Missourians for generations to come,” Governor Parson said. “We expect this investment to increase broadband internet connectivity and access in every corner of the state for hundreds of thousands of Missourians. Quality internet supports learning, health care, business, and agriculture in today’s economy, and we are excited to capitalize on this opportunity to truly make a difference and improve lives.”

The plan was developed through a multi-agency effort designed to address a diverse range of broadband connectivity challenges and is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Missouri families. The plan will be presented to the Missouri General Assembly in January for appropriation.

In addition to the $400 million plan, the Department of Economic Development also submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Infrastructure Program requesting an additional $56 million for broadband deployment. If approved by NTIA, this funding could support up to 19 projects, connecting more than 17,000 households, businesses, and other institutions.

“In combination, these investments would be a game changer for broadband in Missouri,” said Tim Arbeiter, Director of Broadband Development for the Department of Economic Development. “This unprecedented level of funding could unlock incredible new potential as we shape the strategy for broadband development in our state.”

According to the Federal Communications Commission, more than 147,000 households or almost 400,000 Missourians don’t have access to high-speed Internet (25mpbs/3mbps). The majority of those citizens reside in rural communities. 

“Broadband availability and job creation go hand in hand,” said Department of Economic Development Director Rob Dixon. “Having access to this critical infrastructure is essential for employers of all shapes and sizes across our state. Connecting more Missouri communities will help level the playing field for rural and urban communities alike.”

“Students depend on the internet to further their education and to better prepare for the jobs of the future,” said Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven. “We are grateful for this state-level commitment to addressing the digital divide and its impact on students across our state.”

“We’ve made great strides in bringing broadband to Missouri’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses, but there is more work to do,” said Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn. “It is important that every last mile is connected to high-speed internet. This funding is another step to help ensure that all parts of the state have access to the technology they need.”

“This plan is a significant investment in Missouri’s broadband infrastructure,” said Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins. “Missouri thrives when its rural communities are strong, and Governor Parson’s plan will help bridge the digital divide between cities and rural areas. It will provide enormous progress toward linking all parts of our state with the modern economy, precision agriculture, and telemedicine.”

AUGUST 13, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced an official total of 495,296 MO VIP entries for the first drawing, which will take place today. The MO VIP incentivizes vaccination for those who have not yet been vaccinated, as well as provides an opportunity for rewards for the more than 3 million Missourians who have already made the decision to be protected through vaccination. 

“MO VIP is playing a role in driving up vaccinations in our state,” said Governor Parson. “As Governor, I have worked hard to ensure that vaccines are widely available to all Missourians and focused on encouraging our citizens to get the facts from trusted experts. We’re excited to celebrate the winners and their choice to become vaccinated against COVID-19.”

Since the MO VIP launch on July 21, 2021, the state’s vaccine dashboard at MOStopsCovid.com/data shows more than 300,000 doses have been administered. More than 180,000 individuals have initiated vaccination in the same time period. As of today, more than 50 percent of the eligible population (12 and up) has completed vaccination.  

“Everyone who gets vaccinated and enters this drawing is a winner in my mind, regardless of whether they receive a prize,” said DHSS Acting Director Robert Knodell. “We know the vaccines give protection against severe illness, hospitalizations and death we have seen with COVID-19 - that’s the true definition of winning.”

Eighty winners will be randomly selected during today’s drawing from both the Red and White categories (10 from each congressional district). These individuals will each receive a cash prize of $10,000. In addition, 20 adolescents from the Blue category will be randomly selected to receive a $10,000 education savings account through the Missouri State Treasurer’s MOST 529 program. A total of 900 individuals will be rewarded through MO VIP through October.

Entries have been divided into three categories:

• Red:     Missourians age 18 and up receiving at least one dose of vaccine on or after July 21. 
• White:  Missourians age 18 and up receiving at least one dose of vaccine before July 21. 
• Blue:    Missourians ages 12 to 17 receiving at least one dose of vaccine at any time.

To allow time for records and eligibility to be verified, confirmed winners will be announced two weeks following each drawing. Entries were accepted online through 11:59 p.m. on August 11, 2021, for the first drawing. Missourians can still enter for the remaining drawings and only need to enter once.

Official rules, frequently asked questions and a program timeline are available at MOStopsCovid.com/win. 

Get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines and find a vaccine near you at MOStopsCovid.com. 

AUGUST 13, 2021

JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced Edith Harrington, a World War II United States Cadet Nurse Corps member, as the 2021 Bicentennial Inaugural Parade Grand Marshal on September 18, 2021. 

"We are excited and grateful that Ms. Harrington has agreed to be the Parade Marshal for our historic Bicentennial Inaugural Parade," Governor Parson said. "Ms. Harrington served her country honorably and cared for our military service members during WWII, and she represents some of the best qualities an American and a Missourian can have. On September 18, we hope Missourians from all across the state will join us to celebrate 200 years of Missouri history."

Ms. Harrington, 98, was born and raised and has spent the majority of her life in Missouri. She graduated from Atlanta High School in 1937 and enrolled in pre-nursing courses at Kirksville State Teachers College. Ms. Harrington then went on to complete her training at the University of Missouri-Columbia. While at the University of Missouri, she cared for wounded and sick U.S. Navy soldiers at Columbia Hospital. 

In 1943, Ms. Harrington joined the United States Cadet Nurse Corps (USCNC). After serving her country and completing the USCNC program, she returned home, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and married her husband, Ward Harrington. Mr. & Ms. Harrington were married for nearly 65 years before his passing, and they lived, worked, and raised their two daughters in Macon. Ms. Harrington resides in Macon to this day and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. A photo of Governor Parson and Ms. Harrington at a recent Bicentennial Tour event at Macon Historical Society is attached. 

Governor and First Lady Teresa Parson will host the Bicentennial Inaugural Parade on September 18, 2021, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Governor Parson encourages anyone who can represent a piece of Missouri history to participate in the Bicentennial Inaugural Parade. The parade will be livestreamed. The parade entry form can be found here. All entries are due by Sunday, August 15, 2021. 

The parade will celebrate the swearing-in of Missouri's elected officials from this year's Bicentennial Inauguration as well as highlight the history and significance of all 114 counties and the City of Saint Louis, which compromise the state of Missouri.

The deadline to submit a Bicentennial Inaugural Parade Entry Form is Sunday, August 15, 2021. Some entries already registered to participate in the parade include:

• The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales
• Statewide Elected Officials
• Fort Leonard Wood 339th Army Band
• Missouri National Guard Honor Guard
• Missouri State University Pride Marching Band
• Lincoln University Marching Musical Storm
• Various businesses, organizations, and groups that represent Missouri history, and others 

The Missouri State Capitol will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, and will feature various community engagement items for Missourians visiting the Capital City that day, which include the following:

• Missouri professional sports memorabilia and championship trophies
• Missouri Bicentennial Quilt
• Missouri Bicentennial Mural, and more

The Bicentennial Inaugural Ball will be held the same evening following the parade at the Missouri State Capitol. The Ball will take place on the Capitol’s North Portico and Lawn and will feature live music and a fireworks display. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Grand March of elected officials. All guests who plan to attend the Bicentennial Inaugural Ball are asked to RSVP by September 1, 2021, using this link.

The Bicentennial Inaugural Parade and Ball will be a historic day to enjoy with friends and family. 

"We hope that everyone who is able and willing to showcase a piece of Missouri history – whether big or small – is able to join us in the historic Bicentennial Inaugural Parade on September 18," Governor Parson said. 

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AUGUST 13, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of 21 counties in response to severe storms and flooding that began on June 19 and continued through July 1.

“Due to extremely heavy rains and significant flash flooding in late June, Missouri experienced nearly $7.3 million in damage to roads and bridges alone,” Governor Parson said. “The joint preliminary assessment teams confirmed that a number of counties endured considerable destruction and response costs, exceeding the state threshold to qualify for federal assistance.”

Governor Parson is requesting Public Assistance for 21 Missouri counties. Local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies may seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. Those counties are Andrew, Audrain, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clinton, Cooper, Daviess, Grundy, Holt, Howard, Lincoln, Livingston, Moniteau, Montgomery, Ralls, Ray, and Saline.

The joint preliminary damage assessments, conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), FEMA, and local officials began on July 8, and estimated a total of $10 million in damage to public infrastructure and emergency response costs eligible for federal assistance. Missouri’s per-capita threshold for public assistance is nearly $9.3 million, which is determined by FEMA and based on 2010 census data. 

On July 6, Governor Parson announced Missouri’s request for joint Preliminary Damage Assessments in 17 counties. Audrain, Daviess, Grundy, and Ralls counties were later added to the request after more damage was documented locally. Both state and county thresholds must be met in order for a county to be included in the request for Public Assistance.

AUGUST 13, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson ordered that U.S. and Missouri flags at all government buildings statewide be flown at half-staff on Saturday, August 14, 2021, in honor of United States Marine Corps Corporal Dalton Wayne Pierson, of Jefferson City, Missouri. 

On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Corporal Pierson was killed in-the-line-of-duty at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

“Corporal Pierson was a patriotic American who committed to serving his nation at such a young age by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps,"  Governor Parson said. “Teresa and I extend our thoughts and prayers to Corporal Pierson's family and friends as they mourn the tragedy of a life lost too soon.”

Corporal Pierson was a 2018 graduate of Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, Missouri. Corporal Pierson was a three-year active duty Marine in the United States Marine Corps, who began his service with the completion of boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Training in San Diego, California, in 2018. Corporal Pierson was stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was currently serving as a Corporal at Pioneer Platoon, 8^th Engineer Support Battalion, 2d Marine Logistics Group, with a Marine Logistics Group, with a Military Occupational Specialty of 1371 Combat Engineer. 

The flags will be held at half-staff on the day Corporal Pierson is laid to rest. To view the proclamation, click here.

AUGUST 12, 2021

JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced the appointment of John Torbitzky to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.  Mr. Torbitzky will succeed Judge Mary Kathryn Hoff who retired on August 2, 2021.

Mr. Torbitzky, of Webster Groves, Mo., is currently a member and owner of Reichardt Torbitzky LLC. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri - Columbia and then went on to the Saint Louis University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor. 

Mr. Torbitzky is active in his community and will use his skills and abilities that have made him a successful lawyer to better serve the people of Missouri. 

AUGUST 11, 2021

Jefferson City — Today, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced that he has named Dru Buntin as the new Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, effective immediately. 

"We are excited to announce Dru as the new DNR Director and look forward to his continued service to Missourians," Governor Parson said. "Dru is an experienced and trusted leader within DNR and across state government. He worked closely with Director Comer during her illness and stepped up to be a steady hand of leadership upon her passing. We are confident in Dru's abilities to lead DNR, and we look forward to seeing him implement his vision and ideas."

Mr. Buntin has served as the Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for more than four years. He first joined DNR in 2000 as the Director of Government Affairs and advanced to Deputy Director for Policy and Chief of Water Resources. In 2013, Mr. Buntin became the Executive Director of the Upper Missouri River Basin Association before rejoining DNR in 2017. He has more than 15 years experience with DNR and more than 20 years experience in Missouri state government. 

Since rejoining DNR as Deputy Director in 2017, Dru has been instrumental in leading the Department's Red Tape Reduction initiative as well as drought response and flood recovery support efforts. He also worked closely with the late Director Carol Comer to strengthen partnerships with Missouri businesses, citizens, and communities to assist with and promote compliance with Missouri's environmental laws and regulations.

“I am honored and humbled to be appointed by Governor Parson to serve as the new Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources,” said Department of Natural Resources Director Dru Buntin. “Five generations of my family have lived in Missouri, and I love this state. We have a great team at DNR, and I’m excited about what we can accomplish working together with communities across Missouri.”

Mr. Buntin attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

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