Missouri

Mo. payrolls increase by 17,900 jobs in August

The Associated Press — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:45:44 +0000

A new report shows Missouri gaining nearly 18,000 jobs last month while the state's unemployment rate held steady at 7.2 percent.

The state Department of Economic Development released the figures Tuesday.

Mo. lawmakers face big decisions in veto overrides

The Associated Press — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 22:30:56 +0000

Missouri lawmakers are returning to the state Capitol and must decide whether to override any of Gov. Jay Nixon's vetoes.

The Democratic governor vetoed about a dozen bills, but attention for a possible override has focused on measures dealing with health insurance and vehicle taxes. Lawmakers are meeting Wednesday, and a successful veto override requires a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate.

Activists protest to lower payday loan interest rates, raise the minimum wage

Tim Lloyd — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:31:33 +0000

Supporters of a failed effort to place initiatives on the November ballot in Missouri that would cap interest rates on payday loans and raise the minimum wage rallied in St. Louis today.

From priests to teenagers, around 100 people marched around a payday loan shop on Grand Ave.

Jamala Rogers is with Jobs for Justice and helped collect signatures for the ballot initiatives.

Drug czar visits Missouri; pushes drug tracking system

Maria Altman — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:31:37 +0000

The nation’s drug czar was in Fenton Wednesday highlighting the fact that Missouri does not have a prescription drug monitoring program.

It’s the only state in the US without a tracking system or that hasn’t passed legislation to create one.

National Drug Control Policy director Gil Kerlikowske says it’s a good way to identify patients who are "doctor shopping."

Missouri exports grow at record-setting pace

Tim Lloyd — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:03:29 +0000

Missouri exports are growing at a record-setting pace this year and trade with markets in Asia is up more than 24 percent this year alone.

Tim Nowak, executive director of World Trade Center St. Louis, said low paying manufacturing jobs in Asia have created a consumer market for Missouri products.

Nowak said that, in turn, translates to jobs in St. Louis.