For years, increasing attention has been fixated on sexual misconduct in U.S. colleges and universities. Significantly less attention, however, has been paid to sexual misconduct in K-12 public schools. This does not mean that sexual misconduct does not occur at those levels. CDC data shows that 20 percent of high…
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Education in Missouri: More than half of our kids at below basic skill levels
How well do you think your high school prepared you for college? If you are from Missouri and you’re thinking to yourself “not very well,” you may not be alone. Every year the National Department of Education requires states to publish a report explaining how students are doing in key…
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Opinion: The future of delivery drones
Delivery drones first emerged as a major national discussion back when Amazon founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos, revealed that Amazon was working toward them five years ago. Since then, a vigorous national debate has been prompted on the topic typically when advances have been made on making Bezos’ pitch a…
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Liberty repeals pit bull ban, impacts Jewell professor
Since 1987, Liberty, Missouri, has prohibited its residents from owning pit bulls. In recent years, animal rights organizations have pressured lawmakers and citizens to repeal breed-specific legislation. Liberty voters obliged when they went to the polls April 2, with the new ordinance passing by just 133 votes. The Liberty vote…
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Psychiatrist loses Kansas license, still allowed to practice in Missouri
A doctor accused of having sex with several of his patients and exploiting another patient for economic gain is still allowed to practice in Missouri – even after the suspension of his Kansas license. Brian Patrick Lahey, the accused doctor, is a psychiatrist in Overland Park. Lahey received his medical…
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Marijuana legalization efforts gaining steam in Missouri
Using a 2015 national survey, the National Institute on Drug Abuse determined that marijuana is the most frequently used illicit drug. However, recent changes in public opinion and state laws have begun to call marijuana’s illicit status into question. According to the Pew Research Center, “About six-in-ten Americans (62%) say…
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Opinion: Missouri is the worst state in America for mental health care. Here’s how to fix it
When it comes to mental health care in the U.S., Missouri is the worst. According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), an organization that determines health professional shortage areas (HPSA) in all 50 states and U.S. territories, the Show Me state was the worst at covering its populations’…
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Experts predict uptick in tornadic activity
As winter has given way to spring, the warmer weather has heralded the emergence of tornado season across the United States. The conditions for frequent and more severe tornadoes have historically reached their peak from March through June. Though tracking and predicting tornadic activity is difficult – given their volatility…
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Opinion: Save the Bees
For the last time, save the damn bees. The role that bees play in our ecosystem is a particularly vital one. They have dutifully fulfilled this role for over 50 million years – buzzing, pollinating and prospering. They bless us with beautiful hues of color, sprucing up this earth despite…
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