Show Me Today - The Voice of Missouri

Missouri taxpayers who call the Department of Revenue with a question this tax season are likely to get a message that their call cannot be taken, due to high call volume.  

Director Trish Vincent recommends those with tax or motor vehicle questions head to the agency’s website and use the virtual assistant “Dora” to get a faster resolution.  Sue Danielson called the agency’s help line at random times over the past weeks and encountered a queue of between two dozen and over 100, depending on the time of day. Director Vicent addresses that issue and also warns residents about a new text message scam hitting Missouri. 

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Missouri’s baby box program is continuing to grow, with a new safe haven location now online in Jefferson City. The baby box at the Cole County EMS building gives parents in crisis a quiet, anonymous, and safe option to surrender a newborn, with help arriving immediately. 

Show Me Today reporter Matt Pilger spoke with Cole County EMS Director Chief Eric Hoy about why this program matters, how the baby box works, and why it’s seen as an option of last resort for families who may feel overwhelmed or afraid. 

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As brackets bust and Opening Day approaches, millions of Americans are placing bets, joining office pools, and adding a little extra excitement to the games. But for some, what feels like harmless fun can quietly turn into something much more serious. We’re talking about the fine line between entertainment and addiction, and what to watch for before the thrill of the game becomes a real-life problem. Jeremiah Weinstock, Professor and Department Chair for the Department of Psychology at Saint Louis University, joins Show Me Today to discuss warning signs.

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Missouri’s turnover rate in the childcare industry is high, and an organization is focused on changing that. Child Care Aware of Missouri will initiate a test program in St. Louis County called WAGE$.

Alisa Nelson talks with Beth Ann Lang, Deputy CEO, who says no business can function with a turnover of 30-40% annually. 

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Missouri lawmakers are debating everything from what appears on pesticide labels to how the state attracts film and television productions. 

Matt Pilger talked with State Representative Kurtis Gregory about his bill tying Missouri pesticide labels to the EPA—and his push to revive Missouri’s film tax credit program on Show Me Today.

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Avian influenza is back, as the USDA says what could be the largest outbreak in U.S. history threatens flocks across the country, including in Missouri.

Marshall Griffin talked about it with Dr. Chelsey Shivley, a Washington, D.C.-based veterinarian working with the USDA.

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Missouri’s health care laws are being challenged by someone who’s worked on the front lines.

Matt Pilger sat down with Senator Patty Lewis, the first registered nurse ever elected to the Missouri Senate, to talk about her bill that would expand prescribing authority for nurse practitioners.

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More Missouri homeowners are rethinking the traditional lawn and turning to native landscaping that works with nature instead of against it. From saving water to attracting pollinators and reducing maintenance, native plants offer big benefits. Nathan Mechlin with the Missouri Department of Conservation joins Show Me Today to talk about how to design a native landscape that thrives in Missouri.

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Treating early psychosis requires more than just medical care. It takes a dedicated team of professionals who work together to support young people and their families through therapy, education, medication management, and community support. The professionals providing this care can face burnout and workforce shortages.

Dr. Kate Hardy joins Show Me Today to discuss why sustaining this specialized workforce is so important and how it directly affects outcomes for people experiencing early psychosis.

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An 81-year-old Vietnam veteran and longtime baseball coach from Gravois Mills got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with the Savannah Bananas, the fan-favorite exhibition team known for their dance routines and entertaining style. Friends launched a Facebook campaign, Let’s Get Old Man on the Savannah Bananas, to make sure Rob Herrelson got his chance to step onto the field and live out his baseball dream.

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