Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) strongly opposes the decision by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to limit payment for anesthesia services based on an arbitrary time cap, impacting patients undergoing surgical procedures. The policy poses a significant threat to the safety of Missouri patients and undermines the critical role anesthesiologists play in surgical care.

Anthem’s new policy stipulates that if a surgical procedure exceeds a predetermined time limit, the anesthesiologist's services will not be reimbursed. This decision disregards the complexities of individual patient care, where the duration of anesthesia is often dictated by the specifics of the surgery and the patient's unique medical needs. The policy affects Missouri, Connecticut and New York and is scheduled to take effect in February.

“Our anesthesiologists are committed to providing safe, effective and individualized care to every patient,” said Dr. Todd Glenski, president of Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists. “This policy not only jeopardizes patient safety but also breaks the trust between healthcare providers and the insurance companies that patients rely on for comprehensive care.”

American Society of Anesthesiologists emphasizes that anesthesiologists assess patients’ health beforehand, manage care during surgery and navigate any complications that may arise to ensure patient comfort and safety throughout the process. Denying payment based on an arbitrary time limit undermines the essential services anesthesiologists provide and could lead to adverse outcomes for patients.

“The shortage of anesthesia care providers in Missouri has already delayed patient care in many areas. Creating an arbitrary reimbursement methodology instead of one that fairly compensates physicians for the clinical care they deliver will only exacerbate this issue,” Dr. Glenski said. “This policy will have detrimental effects on the recruitment and retention of anesthesiologists, as it undervalues our critical services and may deter new professionals from entering the field while pushing current providers to seek opportunities elsewhere.”

“We have strong reasons to believe that this policy will worsen the existing workforce challenges and compromise the quality of care available to patients,” Dr. Glenski said.

MSA called on Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to reverse its decision implement the new reimbursement structure immediately.

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Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists is dedicated to ensuring that anesthesiologists can continue to deliver the highest standard of care to patients. We work tirelessly to push back against this policy and protect the trust that patients place in their healthcare providers.

For more information about Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists and our advocacy efforts, please visit www.msahq.com   

The Board of State Canvassers, comprised of Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Judge Jon Beetem and Judge Daniel Green, certified the results of the November 5 general election today. 

“The people have spoken,” Ashcroft said. “With November’s results now official, we are pleased to have completed another election cycle. The success of this election is respective of the patronage of Missouri’s voters, election authorities and poll workers.” 

Official results show 2,995,376 Missourians, 67.56% of registered voters, voted in the general election.

The certification process, set by Missouri statute, ensures every vote is counted and vote totals are accurate before the results are official. After Election Day, local officials have two weeks to verify vote totals and evaluate provisional ballots. The secretary of state’s office then has until the second Tuesday in December to validate the results reported by each of Missouri’s 116 local election authorities. The secretary of state and a panel of judges, comprising the Board of State Canvassers, then meet to certify the official results. 

Official results from the November election, as well as previous elections, are available at enr.sos.mo.gov. 

It seems black bears are making the news in the St. Louis region each spring as they are beginning to show up more and more in the area.  Since bears are becoming a more common part of the Missouri landscape, especially if travelling to the southern parts of the state, it makes sense to learn more about them.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a chance to do just that through an online class.  Missouri Black Bears is a free virtual program happening Friday, Dec 13, from 3 - 4:30 p.m.  MDC naturalists will cover the most important information Missouri residents should know about the Show-Me-State’s expanding bear population.

Once considered extirpated from the state, Missouri black bears are beginning to make an impressive comeback. This program will explore the complicated history of these fascinating mammals, and the research efforts which are helping them return to their former range. It will also discuss how to reduce human-bear conflict as their numbers continue to grow.

This virtual program is free and open to the public, however each participant must register separately in advance at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Kb to receive an online meeting link.   Log in instructions will be provided to participants beforehand.  The program will be held via Webex and participants will have the chance to use the chat feature for a Question and Answer portion with the naturalists.

Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events by going to  https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that hunters harvested 11,424 deer during the state’s chronic wasting disease (CWD) portion of the firearms deer-hunting season, Nov. 27 – Dec. 1, in CWD Management Zone counties. Of the 11,424 deer harvested, 3,917 were antlered bucks, 1,052 were button bucks, and 6,455 were does.

MDC initiated the CWD portion last year to increase deer harvest in the CWD Management Zone to help slow the spread of the disease. For a list of CWD Management Zone counties, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic-wasting-disease/cwd-management-zone-regulations.

Hunters were allowed to use any unfilled firearms deer hunting permits during the CWD portion and had to abide by the statewide limit of one antlered deer during the firearms deer season, all portions combined. Hunters also had to abide by county-specific firearms antlerless permit numbers.

Top counties for the CWD portion were Franklin with 413 deer harvested, Jefferson with 301, and Howell with 279. For more information on this season’s harvest totals, visit the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

Last year’s harvest total for the CWD portion was 11,707 deer. For more information on harvest summaries from past years, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-reports/deer-harvest-summaries.

Archery deer hunting continues through Jan. 15, 2025. The late antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs Dec. 7-15 in open counties and the alternative methods portion will occur Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, 2025.

Get more information on Missouri deer hunting from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer.

Elizabeth Hidlebaugh, a dedicated student in East Central College’s Culinary Arts program, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from DMR Events Inc. The scholarship recognizes her eagerness to learn, academic success, and potential for a bright future in the hospitality industry.

Chef Mike Palazzola, ECC Culinary Arts Program Director, praised Hidlebaugh’s commitment to excellence and her prospects in the field.

“Elizabeth shows up every day eager to learn. She demonstrates the qualities our employers seek in students and always does it with a smile,” Palazzola said. “I look forward to seeing where her career takes her. The sky is the limit for culinarians like Elizabeth.”

Nick Risch, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DMR Events Inc., presented Hidlebaugh with the scholarship. He highlighted the importance of supporting students like Elizabeth to help grow the culinary field and build a strong future for the foodservice industry.

DMR Events Inc., a premier hospitality staffing company in the St. Louis metropolitan area, has been a trusted provider of front-of-house and back-of-house culinary staffing since its founding in 1987. The company is a member of the American Culinary Federation and the American Staffing Association.

To learn more about East Central College’s Culinary Arts program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/career-technical-education/culinary-arts, or contact Chef Palazzola at 636-584-6793 or Michael.Palazzola@eastcentral.edu.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows young hunters ages 6-15 harvested 2,530 deer during Missouri’s late youth portion of the 2024 firearms deer hunting season, Nov. 29 – Dec. 1. Of the 2,530 deer harvested, 1,046 were antlered bucks, 270 were button bucks, and 1,214 were does.

Top counties for the late youth portion were Pike with 58 deer harvested, Harrison with 55, and Lincoln with 55. For more information on this season’s harvest totals, visit the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

Last year’s harvest total for the late youth portion was 3,617 deer. For more information on harvest summaries from past years, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-reports/deer-harvest-summaries.

Archery deer hunting continues through Jan. 15, 2025. The late antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs Dec. 7-15 in open counties and the alternative methods portion will occur Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, 2025.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that hunters harvested 11,424 deer during the state’s chronic wasting disease (CWD) portion of the firearms deer-hunting season, Nov. 27 – Dec. 1, in CWD Management Zone counties. Of the 11,424 deer harvested, 3,917 were antlered bucks, 1,052 were button bucks, and 6,455 were does.

MDC initiated the CWD portion last year to increase deer harvest in the CWD Management Zone to help slow the spread of the disease. For a list of CWD Management Zone counties, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic-wasting-disease/cwd-management-zone-regulations.

Hunters were allowed to use any unfilled firearms deer hunting permits during the CWD portion and had to abide by the statewide limit of one antlered deer during the firearms deer season, all portions combined. Hunters also had to abide by county-specific firearms antlerless permit numbers.

Top counties for the CWD portion were Franklin with 413 deer harvested, Jefferson with 301, and Howell with 279. For more information on this season’s harvest totals, visit the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

Last year’s harvest total for the CWD portion was 11,707 deer. For more information on harvest summaries from past years, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-reports/deer-harvest-summaries.

Archery deer hunting continues through Jan. 15, 2025. The late antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs Dec. 7-15 in open counties and the alternative methods portion will occur Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, 2025.

The Missouri Department of Transportation invites Missouri students in grades K-12 to help fight litter in Missouri – and to have creative and educational fun – by participating in the 2025 “Yes You CAN Make Missouri Litter-Free” trash-can-decorating contest. The contest is part of MoDOT’s annual “No MOre Trash!” statewide litter campaign, which is held in April.

The contest encourages school-aged kids to join in the fight against litter by decorating a large trash can with the “No MOre Trash!” logo and a litter prevention message using a variety of creative materials. Schools, or home school programs, may submit one trash can entry in each competition category: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Entries are judged based on creativity, adherence to the contest rules and effective use of the theme and logo.

First-place winners from each competition category receive $200 awarded to the sponsoring schools. All first-place winners are then eligible for a grand prize of $600 and a trophy awarded to the sponsoring school.

There is no entry fee for the contest. Participating school groups must submit a completed entry form online with up to three photos and a release form by March 14. Contest rules, entry forms, release forms, logos, past winners and educational information can be found at modot.org/trash-can-contest.

MoDOT officials are keeping a close eye on the pending winter weather anticipated to hit the St. Louis metro area the morning of Saturday, Nov. 30.  Staffing for the first snow fall of the season will begin overnight Friday with crews ready to clear state-maintained highways and roads as conditions warrant.

MoDOT urges all drivers to plan ahead, especially as many are traveling for the holidays. Motorists should use extra caution during and after the precipitation: slow down for the conditions, buckle up, and avoid distractions such as using a handheld device while driving – it’s the law. Travelers are also urged to be especially cautious on elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses.

Fighting winter storms to get Missouri roads clear is one of the most critical functions we serve as a Department of Transportation. Know before you go and monitor major road conditions on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/. 

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Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 159,120 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, Nov. 16 - 26. Of the 159,120 deer harvested, 82,613 were antlered bucks, 13,203 were button bucks, and 63,304 were does.

Top harvest counties were Franklin with 3,530 deer harvested, Texas with 2,935, and Howell with 2,741. For current ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, visit the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

This year’s harvest total was lower than last year’s November portion harvest total of 193,885 deer and was about 15% below the five-year average. For more harvest information from past years, visit mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-reports/deer-harvest-summaries.

According to MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle, the drop in harvest this year was due to a combination of factors.

“The November portion started about a week later this year due to the calendar shift,” said Isabelle. “When this happens, we can expect a drop in harvest because the November portion occurs further from the peak of the rut which is about the tenth of November.”

Less than ideal hunting conditions throughout much of the November portion were another factor that contributed to this year’s lower opening weekend harvest total according to Isabelle.

“We had a few nice days sprinkled throughout the November portion, but there a number of days with warm temperatures or high winds,” he said. “These conditions likely affected deer movement and also hunters’ desire to be in the woods.”

Another factor that Isabelle believes significantly affected this year’s harvest total is a bumper acorn crop.

“Throughout much of Missouri, there are a lot of acorns in the woods this year,” said Isabelle. “When that happens, deer don’t need to move as much to find food and they frequent fields and other open areas less often because of the abundance of food in the woods.”

He noted that the counties with the largest decline in harvest were in the more heavily forested portions of the state where acorn abundance has a more significant effect on deer movement.

“Many northern and western Missouri counties were either up from last year’s harvest total or were down slightly,” said Isabelle. “As would be expected, with the good acorn crop we have this year, harvest was down the most in the more heavily forested Ozark counties.”

Firearms deer hunting in Missouri continues with the CWD portion Nov. 27 – Dec. 1 in open counties. The Late Youth portion runs Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 followed by the Late Antlerless portion Dec. 7-15 in open counties and then the Alternative Methods portion Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, 2025. The archery deer season reopens Nov. 27 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025.

A Missouri Lottery player was making a casual stop at Phillips 66, 5300 Caroline Drive in High Ridge, when the $5 “Electric Cash” Scratchers ticket caught his eye. That ticket would end up changing his day dramatically.

            He took the ticket home and began to scratch it off, only to realize it contained one of the game’s $100,000 top prizes.

            “I couldn’t believe it at first,” he said. “It still really hasn’t sunk in yet.”

            He added he doesn’t have any plans for the money yet – apart from enjoying the feeling.

            “I’m just going to sit back and take it in,” he shared.

“Electric Cash” players have won more than $4 million in prizes as far. Over $12.7 million remain in unclaimed prizes, including three additional top prizes of $100,000.

In FY24, players in Jefferson County won more than $40.6 million in Missouri Lottery prizes, retailers received more than $3.9 million in commissions and bonuses, and more than $2.7 million in Lottery proceeds went to education programs in the county.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites people to discover nature through Eagle Days events and by watching bald eagles around the state.

From December through February, Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular. Because of Missouri’s big rivers, many lakes, and abundant wetlands, the Show-Me state is one of the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle viewing. Each fall, thousands of these great birds migrate south from their nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt in Missouri. Eagles take up residence wherever they find open water and plentiful food. More than 2,000 bald eagles are typically reported in Missouri during winter.

MDC is again offering various Eagle Days events around the state. Some will include live eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, and guides with spotting scopes. Some require registration. Get more information on MDC Eagle Days events at mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days.

Watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water's edge. Early in the morning you can see them flying and fishing. Be sure to dress for winter weather and don't forget cameras and binoculars.

Here are some hot spots around the state for winter eagle viewing:

• Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K southwest of Columbia,
• Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell,
• Lock & Dam 20 in Canton,
• Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville,
• Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield,
• Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City,
• Mingo National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Puxico,
• Moses Eagle Park in Stella,
• Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis,
• Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area east of West Alton,
• Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs,
• Smithville Lake north of Kansas City,
• Stockton Lake near Stockton,
• Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner,
• Table Rock Lake and Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery southwest of Branson, and
• Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw.

Learn more about bald eagles in Missouri from the MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/bald-eagle.

Dr. Robyn Walter’s leadership and dedication to academic excellence have been instrumental in fostering partnerships, driving innovation, and improving student success at East Central College.

Her contributions to advancing the College’s mission were celebrated with the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) Administrative/Professional Award at the MCCA 60th Convention and Trade Show in Branson on Nov. 14.

Each year, the MCCA Annual Recognition and Excellence Awards program acknowledges individuals and institutions that have set the standard of excellence during the year.

Walter was honored for her leadership in transformative initiatives at ECC, including the development of a consortium-based Respiratory Therapy program in collaboration with four other Missouri community colleges. Walter and her team successfully achieved program accreditation and secured a $5.5 million federal training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

“As ECC and others identified respiratory care as a critical need, she refused to take no for an answer when it came to developing a consortium-based solution,” said ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer. “Her singular efforts led to the decision by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care to change its stance and consider approval of a consortium-based program.”

In 2023, ECC was awarded a $2.1 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant from the U.S. Department of Education to improve retention, persistence, and completion rates, particularly among underrepresented student populations.

“Dr. Walter led this grant initiative and, despite the highly competitive nature of this program, was able to deliver with approval on our first submission,” Bauer said. “Throughout that process, I witnessed again her ability to lead others, delegate appropriately, empower those involved, and maintain focus on the overarching goal.”

In addition to her institutional impact, Walter serves as chair of the MCCA Council of Chief Academic Officers and collaborates with statewide groups addressing issues such as transfer and articulation, equity, and adult learners.

Walter was selected for a two-year Chief Academic Officers cohort sponsored by the Gardner Institute, bringing a national perspective to her work in Missouri.

“She became a leader in this cohort and has brought this national perspective back to Missouri,” Bauer added.

Walter’s contributions also include serving as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, a board member for the Missouri College Access Network (MOCAN), and a mentor to health careers faculty and staff. With over 20 years of experience in the community college sector, her influence is felt both locally and nationally.

“She is active in the community both professionally and personally. With over 20 years of experience in the community college sector, she is well qualified and richly deserving of this recognition,” Bauer further commented.

In July, eight new certified peace officers graduated from the inaugural class of East Central College’s Phelps Law Enforcement Training Center (LETC), marking the culmination of a partnership between the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, the Rolla Police Department, and East Central College.

The dedication of these law enforcement agencies to building a well-qualified pipeline of peace officers and enhancing public safety earned the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and Rolla Police Department the prestigious 2024 Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) Business & Industry Award, presented at the annual convention in Branson.

The award recognizes the pivotal role these departments have played in the ECC – Phelps Law Enforcement Training Center, a Department of Public Safety Peace Officer Standards and Training Program (POST)-accredited academy designed to meet the region’s demand for law enforcement training.

In 2021, ECC Rolla Director Christina Ayres, Phelps County Sheriff Michael P. Kirn, and Rolla Police Department Assistant Chief William Loughridge began developing a shared vision of a local training center. Their initiative became a reality in January 2023 when the center was officially licensed, and by the following August, the inaugural cohort embarked on their yearlong journey toward becoming licensed peace officers.

“The college would not have been able to solely develop and sustain a law enforcement training program and this essential continuing education pathway for our region without the comprehensive and collaborative support of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Rolla Police Department,” Ayres said. “This exemplary community partnership fully maximizes ECC’s mission of serving our communities through education.”

The departments not only supported the academy’s development but also contributed significant resources, including facilities, equipment, and ongoing recruitment programs. They provided use of specialized training tools such as the VirTra law enforcement simulator and vehicles for driver training, ensuring students receive high-quality, hands-on instruction.

Their commitment to workforce development has made the training center an indispensable resource for the region, strengthening the pipeline of licensed peace officers while reducing costs and travel burdens for local agencies.

For more information about the program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/LETC, or contact LETC@eastcentral.edu or 573-202-6960.