News

LONDON – Police across the U.K. have failed to keep pace with the changing ways criminal gangs sexually exploit children, allowing the abuse to become an increasingly hidden problem, a government-appointed panel concluded Tuesday. At a time when perpetrators are using mobile phones, social media and dating apps to groom younger children, bureaucratic responses are preventing victims from getting the help they need and obscuring the scale of the problem, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said in a report.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Protesters on Monday pushed Missouri senators to vote down Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s new state health director over concerns that he’s overstepping in his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite his repeated assurances that he opposes mandates.

A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information in the recent killing of an Independence man. Independence police say $10,000 is offered “for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect” in the Jan.

CAPE GIRARDEAU – A southeastern Missouri prosecutor has announced he plans to seek the death penalty for a man charged with killing another man last year by ramming him with his truck. Stoddard County Attorney Russ Oliver on Monday filed his intent to seek death for Boyd Lippoldt, television station KFVS reported.

ST. LOUIS – Harris-Stowe State University in St.

The National Weather Service says the total snowfall expected Tuesday and Wednesday in Eastern Jackson County is four to 10 inches. The state says the storm could create “extremely hazardous driving conditions” across most of Missouri.

Independence mayoral candidate Rory Rowland says he rejects the claims made in anonymous flyer that circulated in the city this past weekend. The campaign flyer, which does not include a funding disclosure – in violation of Missouri Ethics Commission election rules – says to “Reject Rory Rowland” because he is a “Jefferson City insider who wants to put our city up for sale to the highest bidder,” with an image of Independence City Hall.