Tessa Weinberg, Missouri Independent
Tessa Weinberg covers education, health care and the Missouri legislature for the Missouri Independent, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics and policy.
Stories by Tessa Weinberg, Missouri Independent
Recreational Marijuana Makes it on the Missouri Ballot in November
Missouri voters will decide this November whether to legalize recreational marijuana, four years after they first approved the drug for medicinal use.
Parson Signs $4.6B Spending Plan, House Approves Bill Targeting Medicaid Expansion
The first bill sent to Gov. Mike Parson from this year’s legislative session includes a pay raise for state employees, money to fund Medicaid through the end of the fiscal year and federal COVID-19 recovery funding for schools.
Confusion Around COVID Ruling Swirls as Two Missouri School Districts End Semester Early
As a growing number of Missouri school districts drop COVID mitigation measures under threat from Attorney General Eric Schmitt, at least two closed the doors on their fall semester early due to large numbers of staff and students out sick.
Missouri Attorney General Tells Schools, Health Departments to End COVID Orders
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt instructed school districts and local public health departments to immediately stop enforcing health orders a judge ruled unconstitutional last month, and warned Tuesday they may face legal action if they fail to do so.
Judge Rules Against AG Challenge to Masks in Missouri Schools. Columbia Case Continues
Face masks will stay on for students and teachers in districts requiring them, a Boone County judge ruled Tuesday, handing Attorney General Eric Schmitt a defeat in his efforts to use the courts to block mask mandates.
Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Focus on Inequity in Education, Not Critical Race Theory
Educators, students and advocates urged state lawmakers Monday afternoon to focus on tackling larger issues of inequity across education rather than latch onto the academic concept of critical race theory
Lawmakers Say Special Session Likely Unneeded to Fund Missouri Medicaid Expansion
Legislative leaders of both parties say that a special session is probably not needed to appropriate additional funds following a court order to begin covering Missourians who are eligible under voter-approved Medicaid expansion.
Parson Announces Missouri Vaccine Incentive Lottery With $10,000 Prizes
In a bid to increase vaccination rates to combat the Delta variant’s growing spread, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Wednesday an incentive program that will feature chances to win $10,000 for those who get a shot.
After Outrage Over Unused Vaccines at Rural Clinics, Parson Vows More KC, St. Louis Events
Experts and lawmakers are questioning Missouri's COVID-19 vaccine distribution model and renewing calls for change to ensure equitable distribution around the state.
‘Just Not Enough People’: Health Care Workers Face Fatigue as COVID-19 Surges
As cases and hospitalizations hit all-time highs, both in Missouri and across the country, hospitals, officials and healthcare workers themselves are warning that staffing is stretched thin.