VIRUS OUTBREAK-MISSOURI

Missouri reports 936 confirmed new coronavirus cases

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s health department has reported 936 confirmed new cases of the coronavirus, by far the largest number reported in the state in a single day since the pandemic began. Data from the state on Tuesday also shows that hospitalizations are on the rise. Around Missouri, 932 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 as of July 10, the most recent available date. That is the highest total since 984 people were hospitalized on May 5. One expert believes people were “lulled into a false sense of security” about the virus.

VIOLENCE-KANSAS CITY

Mixed response to federal crime fighting help in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A new effort to combat violent crime in Kansas City through an infusion of 100 agents from the FBI and other federal agencies has been greeted with a mixture of praise and concern from community leaders. KCUR reports that supporters of the program that the White House announced last week said the city needs help as its homicide count for the year soars. But others want funding to focus on community investment and repairing the relationship between police officers and Black residents. A police spokesman said the federal agents will be involved with investigations and prosecution of violent crime as opposed to routine street patrols.

DOUBLE HOMICIDE-GREITENS

Missouri ex-governor rushes to scene of double homicide

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Police say two men have died in a shooting near Saint Louis University, as former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens rushed to the shooting scene to help. St. Louis television station KTVI reports that Greitens and a friend were in the area having dinner when a barrage of gunshots rang out just after 8 p.m. Monday. Greitens and the friend rushed to the scene and rendered first aid to the victims until medics arrived. Police say a 20-year-old man died at the scene, and a 21-year-old man later died at a hospital. The names of the victims have not been released.

CASINO LAYOFFS-BOYD GAMING

Casino company Boyd Gaming laying off workers in 10 states

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A U.S. casino company with 29 properties in 10 states is laying off thousands of employees, citing a slow restart to business following closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp. said in a statement Monday that an unspecified number of furloughed employees will not return to work. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported 2,500 company workers in Nevada could be affected. The publicly traded company had about 10,000 employees in Nevada and another 14,300 nationally, according to its last annual report. It also has properties in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-MISSOURI STATUTES

Jackson County voters to decide whether to remove statutes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Voters will decide in November whether to remove the statutes of President Andrew Jackson from the downtown Kansas City courthouse and the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence. The Kansas City Star reports that the seven white members of the Jackson County legislature voted Monday to put the local question on their general election ballot. Its two Black members voted against it, urging their colleagues to have the courage to make the decision themselves. Andrew Jackson, for whom Jackson County is named, was both a slave owner and oversaw the forceful removal of Native Americans from their homes.

KANSAS CITY SHOOTING DEATH

Police: Man found shot in Kansas City dies at hospital

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Police say a man found with gunshot wounds on a Kansas City street has died. Police say in a news release that officers were called to the area north of Independence Plaza just after 9 p.m. Monday for a report of gunshots and a person lying in the street. Arriving officers found the man unresponsive, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police say they have no information on suspects in the killing and have asked the public to call police with any information on the crime. Data compiled by the Kansas City Star shows the death was the city’s 105th homicide this year.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MISSOURI

Missouri prisoners raise concerns about guards without masks

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri prisoners are raising concerns because guards are not required to wear face masks. Prisoners told the Kansas City Star that many guards choose not to wear masks to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. A spokeswoman for the Corrections Department says guards must wear masks when they’re around inmates with symptoms or those who have tested positive for COVID-19. At least 67 staffers at 12 prisons have tested positive for COVID-19. More than 200 inmates have contracted the virus. An expert in health in prisons says guards should always wear masks because social distancing is often impossible.

MISSOURI LEGISLATURE

Missouri governor signs bill for free COVID-19 testing

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — COVID-19 tests recommended by doctors now must be free to Missouri patients under a new law. The law was among several Gov. Mike Parson signed Monday. Other measures signed by Parson will require hospitals to perform rape kits when needed. Currently, some sexual assault survivors must travel hours to get a rape kit. Vaping will be banned in and around public schools beginning Aug. 28. Another law that takes effect at the end of August will ban edible medical marijuana shaped like fruit or other shapes that might appeal to children.