The Gateway

The first female chief in the 65-year history of the St. Louis County Police Department has moved into the role with the region in the grips of COVID-19. Mary Barton says assuming the leadership position during the outbreak is not as taxing as many would believe. Also, nursing home workers are seeking hazard pay during the pandemic and want paid sick leave if they contract coronavirus.

Governor Mike Parson is allowing a statewide stay-at-home order to expire today. It's is the first phase of his plan to allow businesses in most of Missouri to reopen. Similar restrictions remain in effect for St. Louis city and county. Also, some teachers in Missouri are working on a coronavirus curriculum.

The leader of the region's pandemic task force says officials can start planning to reopen the economy and ease some social restrictions. Dr. Alex Garza says that comes amid a decline in the number of COVID-19 patients at area hospitals. Also, families are worried about their loved ones because of the lack of coronavirus information from officials operating nursing homes.

A nearly $35 billion budget is headed to the Missouri Senate. House members approved the package which reflects a roughly $400 million drop in state revenue related to the coronavirus outbreak. Also, as many states prepare to restart their economies, some restaurant owners in the Metro East are still worried about the future of their businesses.

Many in the region who have recovered from COVID-19 are telling others to take the disease seriously. They say it's unlike any sickness they've ever experienced. Also, some communities in the St. Louis region are planning to follow the state of Missouri's lead in restarting their economies next week. St. Charles County and Eureka are among the locations planning to reopen businesses Monday.

Several states are announcing how their economies will restart during the pandemic. All businesses in Missouri will be able to reopen next week. Governor Mike Parson says social distancing will be in effect and local governments can keep stricter guidelines in place. Also, some school nurses fear stay-at-home orders are stopping them from spotting the warning signs of illness or abuse.

The head of the regional pandemic task force is suggesting the COVID-19 outbreak could be cresting in the area. That detail comes as Missouri lawmakers return to Jefferson City to work on a new state budget based on revenue that has been hammered by the coronavirus. Also, an expert from St. Louis University's Institute for Healing Justice and Equity dives into the information revealed by the outbr...

Mike Parson will deliver his plan today to restart Missouri’s economy. The governor says he is balancing public safety during the outbreak with the need to reopen businesses. Also, the pandemic is prompting calls to expand access to absentee ballots.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson says most businesses in the state should be able to open May 4. He says social distancing guidelines will remain in place as people head back to work. In Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker says reopening in that state will be a slow process. Also, college towns, including Rolla, are taking a hard hit from the pandemic.

Franklin County will allow some non-essential businesses to open Friday with social distancing guidelines still in effect. All county government buildings will reopen May 1. Also, people with chronic conditions are taking extra precautions to avoid the coronavirus. But some families are arguing about the best way to cope during the pandemic.

Washington University is planning to furlough more than 1,000 employees. That includes many at its medical campus in St. Louis. Also, the coronavirus outbreak is prompting some in the region to cope with the stress by gardening.

The pandemic is expected to peak in St. Louis late this week. Health officials say fewer people will need to be hospitalized than initially thought because social distancing is working. Also, the St. Louis Board of Alderman will meet today through an online platform for its first session since the stay-at-home order went into effect.

Missouri's governor is keeping a stay-at-home order in place until May 3. The decision by Mike Parson comes as officials in St. Louis city and county announce an indefinite extension of their stay-at-home guidelines. Also, the outbreak is prompting pregnant women in the region to rethink birth plans.

Doctors and other medical workers are on the front lines during the pandemic. Many are worried about getting infected and the safety of their families. Also, elected officials in Missouri continue to talk about extending stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Many St. Louis-area residents are having a tough time with mental health issues as they try to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. They are worried about a lack of structure and an uncertain future. Also, St. Louis County's executive wants to establish a special fund of federal money to fight the coronavirus.

More than 240-thousand Missouri residents have filed for unemployment benefits since the start of the pandemic. Many are very concerned about whether they'll ever be able to return to their jobs. Also, elected officials in St. Louis County and the city are suggesting an extension of social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home-orders.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says health care experts report the state could be at a peak in the fight against the coronavirus. Also, the pandemic has placed more focus on health disparities in the St. Louis region.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson says schools in the state will not reopen this academic year. He says online learning should continue as the state responds to the coronavirus. Also, small farmers are coming up with new ways to reach out to customers as farmers market openings are delayed due to the outbreak.

St. Louis Health Director Dr. Fred Echols says COVID-19 is prevalent in the African American community. In an op-ed for the St. Louis American, he writes that the 12 patients in the city who have died of the disease were black. Also, Missouri is converting a Florissant hotel into a makeshift facility that could house patients if the region experiences a surge in cases.

Many congregations in the St. Louis area are taking steps to mark some of the most important religious events of the year in the age of social distancing. Also, state health officials are reporting coronavirus among transit workers and prison inmates.

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson says the city is anticipating a COVID-19 budget impact in the tens of millions of dollars. Her comments come as the newest numbers show areas of north St. Louis have some of the highest coronavirus rates in the city.

Missouri residents are being told to stay home to help limit the spread of the new coronavirus. Governor Mike Parson has issued the order. He says local governments can continue to implement tighter regulations. The statewide measure comes as leaders of a new task force in the St. Louis region estimate the peak for COVID-19 cases will likely come in the next two or three weeks.

The COVID-19 outbreak has prompted another jump in weekly unemployment insurance claims in Missouri and Illinois. It is also causing St. Louis County to close its parks so more people follow a stay-at-home order. And amid the pandemic, lawmakers are set to return to Jefferson City next week.

Missouri's governor says the state budget is expected to take a more than $500 million hit related to COVID-19. Mike Parson is hoping money from the federal government will help fill that gap. Also, we speak with the incoming bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri on adjustments being made to deal with the outbreak.

The city of St. Louis has closed its buildings to the public as it deals with coronavirus. The move comes as another university takes a role in a potential COVID-19 treatment and another area newspaper takes drastic measures to cope with the pandemic.