travel advisory st louis mo

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These live webcams show road, traffic conditions in Missouri

ST. LOUIS — Severe weather can happen any time of year in the St. Louis area.

While it’s not advised to drive during extreme weather conditions, there might be times when you need to see what road conditions are like in your area, either for yourself or for a loved one.

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information Map can help anyone see road conditions near them or across the state. (Note: If you click the link on your cell phone, you might be prompted to download MoDOT's app to view the map)

Download the free 5 On Your Side app to get the latest watches and warnings and track conditions live with our interactive radar. Use the links below to download now.  

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How to watch live traffic cameras

The most useful part of MoDOT’s map during severe weather can be the hundreds of live cameras. They’re positioned along exits, intersections and highways throughout Missouri.

To see where the cameras are, visit the map and toggle on the “Traffic Camera” option on the left side of the page so you can see the available cameras. From there, zoom in or out to select livestreams along your route or in your neighborhood.

RELATED:  Check our live interactive radar

MoDOT officials have the ability to pan, tilt and zoom some of the cameras, so individual shots can vary from time to time.

How to check traffic conditions

Severe weather can lead to crashes and closures. If you need to be out on the road, or know someone who has to travel, MoDOT’s map can help show in real time where there are incidents and traffic jams.

Traffic information is available by turning on the box next to “Real-Time Traffic” on the left side of the page. Each color on the map has a different meaning:

• Yellow: Medium
• Green: Normal
• Gray: Data unavailable

How to see road conditions

This feature is especially helpful in the winter when snow and ice cover the roadways, but it can also be of help during severe weather season, when flooding can potentially impact a route.

When you open the map, toggle on the “Road Conditions” box on the left side of the screen. Each color has a different meaning:

• Green: Clear
• Light blue: Mostly clear
• Blue: Partly covered
• Purple: Covered
• Red: Closed

You can zoom in to see the status of state highways and busier roads near you.

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Amber alerts.

The AMBER Alert™ Program is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry, to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases. The goal of an AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and the safe recovery of the child.

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Missouri law requires that any law enforcement agency receiving a report of a missing child or adult shall immediately enter the name of the person into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) with all available identifying features and information.

To report a missing person, contact your local law enforcement agency.

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The Missouri State Highway Patrol provides email alerts to notify Missourians of sex offenders in their community.

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Is St. Louis Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Missouri : Safety by City

• Blue Springs
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• Springfield
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St. Louis, Missouri, is known as the Gateway to the West and is easy to recognize with the giant Arch that sits on the riverfront.

St. Louis is referred to in several ways, like STL, Gateway City, and “The Lou.”

The city is east of the Mississippi River and fans out from the banks into Missouri, but across the river, parts of Illinois are still considered the St. Louis Metro area.

While Kansas City, Missouri, is technically bigger than St. Louis, the STL Metro area is larger than the KC Metropolitan region.

St. Louis is also closer to major cities like Memphis, Chicago, and Louisville.

As a born-and-raised St. Louisan, I’m excited to tell you about my city.

I’m also going to tell you the not-so-good parts – like St. Louis repeatedly making “Dangerous City” lists and topping the list in 2022.

I’m an objective writer, except when it comes to Major League Baseball, and then, as far as I’m concerned, the St. Louis Cardinals are the best team ever.

St. Louis is rich in architecture and history, with different cultural neighborhoods and green spaces to explore.

Forest Park brings botanical gardens and the St. Louis Zoo, which has always been free to visit.

There is “The Hill,” where Italians reign, and Soulard, which gives New Orleans a run for its Mardi Gras beads with a major celebration.

One of the great things about St. Louis is – even with the crime rates – there are rather clear lines about where the safe vs. not-so-safe areas of town are located.

• Warnings & Dangers in St. Louis

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

There's a solid medium risk here, with some neighborhoods belonging to a "don't go there" high-risk category. The "Most Dangerous City" ranking also includes additional safety concerns, such as traffic accidents and severe weather.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Public Transportation is the Metro Link and Metro Bus here. The safety of those routes is more about the neighborhoods where you wait for the bus and the routes you take. There's not an overwhelming risk in just using the systems. Taxis and rideshares are easy to get, and rental cars are plentiful. If you want to visit parts of the metro area, it will be best to have a car as the rideshare or taxi costs will quickly add up.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

With just 88 pickpockets reported in 2021, out of nearly 11,000 thefts, it seems like a low risk. The challenge here is that criminals are more likely just to take what they want through force than trying to manipulate it from you. Carry only what you need and keep purses and wallets out of plain sight. It's best to use an inside jacket pocket or front pants pocket to hold your wallet.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

St. Louis gets a little bit of everything and should be treated with a medium risk. You'll see what I mean if you search YouTube for any kind of natural disaster and add "St. Louis" to the search string. Winter weather can include blizzards and ice storms. Spring brings tornado season and severe thunderstorms that last into winter and fall. Earthquakes are possible, too, with the proximity to the New Madrid Fault line. Aside from wildfires, my St. Louis childhood prepared me for the worst of the worst in my adult life.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery rate is more than three times the national average. On top of that, 54% of the robberies happen on sidewalks, roads, or parking lots. You might see someone else being robbed even if you aren't targeted. Never get involved in an altercation here with the presence of gang members and violent offenders. Call the police at the sign of any disturbance.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

St. Louis and the surrounding area are home to almost three million people, have major corporations, and a strong military presence. That's going to come with a medium potential risk, but any large city will also have a lot of extra security visible and behind the scenes.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Most of the traditional scams happen against residents here, like fake utility or IRS calls. You should watch out for pushy vendors or people selling items out of a car's trunk.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women face the same risk as men and statistically have a slightly lower risk of being a violent crime victim. You can lower any risk by traveling with a buddy, avoiding walking around at night in poorly-lit areas, and being confident in your stature. You might face some catcalling, but that's common in any large city.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows no violations and full compliance for the year. You should always check the city's social media when you visit a new place to see if there are any water quality issues. Some boil orders can last just a few hours or days.

• Safest Places to Visit in St. Louis

ExploreStLouis.com is the official tourism website for the city.

Using sites that are backed by the city/county/tourism bureau are just safer for surfing and purchasing tickets.

You can download a digital version of the Visitor’s Guide without giving any personal information.

Let’s start at the Mississippi Riverfront.

The Gateway Arch and a surrounding park sit right on the banks.

This area is full of tourists, field trips, and local business workers, so you can feel safe here.

The Museum of Westward Expansion is under the arch and shows how pioneers crossed the river to explore the West.

You can take a tram ride to the top of the arch, which is more than 600 feet high.

Even on a windy day, the Arch is built to sway a little bit, so don’t get scared if it feels like it’s moving.

You can take riverboat cruises on the Mississippi, but check the river levels before you book a ticket.

As of late 2022, the river levels were historically low, causing some travel disruption.

Just to the north of the Arch is Laclede’s Landing, with cobblestone streets.

It’s fun to visit during the day, but it gets lively at night too.

The Old Courthouse is filled with history and is located just on the other side of the Arch.

The courthouse was temporarily closed as of this publication, but check closer to your visit.

There’s a lot of history that has happened in this courthouse, and I never want to ruin a good story for those of you who plan to take the tour.

Lafayette Square is a throwback to the Victorian Era, with great architecture and local eateries filled with more locals than tourists.

It’s a great place to explore, and you can fill up an Instagram page with beautiful buildings.

Union Station was built in the late 1800s and served as an important transportation hub when the World’s Fair was held there in 1904.

The impressive architecture of the building still stands but with modern amenities like a 3D show, shopping, dining, and the St. Louis Aquarium.

Forest Park is a great place to spend a day.

The St. Louis Zoo is there, which, again, is free.

The hardest part about visiting the zoo is getting a parking spot, so arrive early if you can.

The St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, and the Jewel Box are also in this park.

The Jewel Box is a botanical garden of sorts with seasonal displays inside a domed building.

The Jewel Box is not to be confused with the much larger St. Louis Botanical Garden just a few miles away.

Nearby Tower Grove Park also hosts concerts, festivals, and farmer’s markets throughout the year.

Anheuser Busch has been a St. Louis staple since the 1850s, and you can still go on tours of the impressive facility and sample the beverages if you are over the age of 21.

There are several tour versions and seasonal additions, so check the website before you go to see which one is best for you.

A VIP experience promises you’ll “Meet a Clydesdale,” but let me tell you a little St. Louis secret.

If you go to Grant’s Farm, which is 20 minutes from downtown, you can get a tour of land founded by President Ulysses S. Grant and became the Anheuser Busch home.

The Clydesdales are housed there and are part of the tour.

The best part?

It’s all free!

It’s really hard to get all the great parts of this city into one summary article, but I’d put Soulard and The Hill on your list of places to see, especially if you like local flavor.

St. Louis is famous for its Toasted Ravioli and Gooey Butter Cake.

• Places to Avoid in St. Louis

The city’s most dangerous areas are north of Delmar and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

You also should avoid the southernmost inner city, mainly south of the Anheuser Busch brewery.

You will know with no uncertainty when you are in a dangerous or bad part of town.

Stay in the central part of the city or the entertainment districts to have the safest environment.

Just across the river is East St. Louis.

A traveler who isn’t familiar with this area might think it looks like a close yet less expensive place to stay.

It’s not safe at all, not even to stop and get gas.

I had my hubcaps stolen while I was inside paying for gas there once (it was an emergency of my own making that forced me to stop there).

If you want to stay on “The East Side,” go to Collinsville or Fairview Heights.

We have a summary of both cities on this website.

Also, no matter what the river levels are, avoid getting into the Mississippi River.

It’s polluted, stinky, and full of debris.

That’s not even to mention the swift current that could easily carry a person away.

If you want to enjoy a river in this area, head west to the Meramec or Missouri rivers.

The Meramec is my personal favorite.

• Safety Tips for Traveling to St. Louis
• The reputation of St. Louis as a dangerous city can be intimidating. The St. Louis Metro Police Department (SLMPD) posts monthly updates for crime data for neighborhoods, districts, or citywide. This is a great way to see crime trends closer to your trip.
• Use the crime mapping portal on the department’s website for even more recent crime information. It’s an interactive map, allowing you to search for things like car break-ins within a mile of your hotel.
• Sign up for city notifications through the Nixel program. This is a free service; you’ll get updates on criminal activity or road closures as fast as the local news outlets do. You can also add any agency that utilizes Nixle, which is great for frequent travelers.
• For those worried about terrorism, you can view the National Terrorism Advisory System to see the latest bulletins sent out by law enforcement and the government. There’s a module on the SLMPD website, but you can also just bookmark the site on the Department of Homeland Security website.
• MetroLink and MetroBus users can download the Transit App to get schedule information and pay for tickets through their mobile devices. Visit StLouisMetro.org and review the “Secure Platform Plan” for upgrades and updates that make the public transportation system safer for all. There are several safety videos there too. You can also view crime summaries from the past months and years.
• There are nearly 50,000 parking spots in downtown St. Louis, but each garage has its own pay scale, time limits, and rules. You can review the maps of different neighborhoods on the parking section of the city’s website. Check the schedule of the pro sports teams here too. Parking could be more expensive and harder to find if there are sporting events at one or two of the stadiums.
• The Central West End is a favorite hangout spot for LGBTQ visitors and locals. The tourism website has a list of the most inclusive neighborhoods with plenty of shopping, dining, and drinking. You shouldn’t feel like there’s any part of the city where LGBTQ guests aren’t welcome, but a few hot spots might be more comfortable for first-time visitors.
• Since St. Louis has several rivers throughout the area, flooding can quickly block off busy roads and lead to GPS nightmares. Check the river levels before you travel here to see if there are any risks. The Meramec was flooded back in the 90s, and what should have been a 15-minute drive for me took 45 minutes with a detour.
• The Missouri Department of Transportation has a Gateway Guide to help you navigate traffic in the city and suburbs. GatewayGuide.com shows you live cameras, construction, and road conditions in the greater metro area. It doesn’t cover the Metro East in Illinois, but you can bookmark GettingAroundIlliois.com and click on the Metro-East St. Louis map to see traffic there.
• Download the SLMPD app so you can submit crime tips, contact the police, or find a specific department. While this isn’t a substitute for calling 911 in an emergency, it’s still a great safety tool to have during your travels.
• So... How Safe Is St. Louis Really?

It’s easy to say, “it depends on where you’re from and how much crime you’re used to,” but I’m from St. Louis, and I don’t want to downplay the parts of it that are definitely not safe.

Looking at the numbers from 2021:

• Violent crime = 3.6 times the national average
• Robbery = 2.3 times the national average
• Theft = 2.6 times the national average

Now here’s a little more context to those numbers:

• 54% of robberies were “highway robbery,” meaning an individual is robbed in a public space outdoors.
• 32% of violent crimes were against strangers.
• 70% of violent crimes happened outside of private homes.
• 62% of all thefts were car break-ins or burglaries.

All that comes with the asterisk mentioned earlier about the lack of full transparency in reporting crime data.

There are a few things you don’t need crime data to tell you, however.

There are gangs here.

There is a drug problem here.

Too many illegal weapons are on the streets.

On top of that, there aren’t enough police officers, with one headline even reading the lack of officers is “Reaching Critical Mass.”

St. Louis is one of many cities facing too few officers and growing violent crime and homicides.

You’ll need to avoid those parts of town we mentioned above unless you visit friends and family there.

The city is working to provide more lighting around downtown, but you must stay in well-lit areas and don’t walk around at night alone.

Even if you need to Uber to your car a few blocks away, it’s safer than taking the risk.

There’s too much to see and do here to avoid the city due to the crime rates.

The worst crimes are largely in specific areas by a specific group of people targeting each other.

Reviewing those monthly neighborhood crime statistics reports will help you see which areas are safest for your trip.

• How Does St. Louis Compare?
• Useful Information

You'll need a U.S. Visa or Visa Waiver from the U.S. State Department to get through Customs. This process is very detailed and can take several months. Schedule your appointment at the embassy for the in-person interview as soon as possible because wait times can be backlogged for several months.

You can exchange currency at the airport, but you'll get better value if you do it before arriving in the U.S. Don't use public ATMs and carry only the cash you need.

St. Louis gets all four seasons, but even those seasons can be temperamental. Bring layers of clothing, so you have many different options, but you'll need a coat in the winter with gloves and a hat. Summers are humid, and you'll need bug spray to keep the mosquitos away.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (sometimes referred to by old people like me as Lambert Field) is 15 miles from downtown. It's a large airport with a lot of direct flights, so you don't need to research other options.

Travel Insurance

We always recommend travel insurance for the peace of mind it provides. With the volatile weather that can happen here, you don't want a weather system to cause you to lose money due to cancelations or delays.

St. Louis Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Missouri - Safety by City

Explore st. louis.

• 9 Safest Neighborhoods in St. Louis
• 16 Pros and Cons of Living in St. Louis, MO
• 14 Things To Do In St. Louis With Kids
• Where to Next?

25 Reviews on St. Louis

Downtown St. Louis is NOT safe. My family and I have lived in the St. Louis area since 1960, and it’s getting to the point that even during the daytime it’s not safe for a single person to walk around.

I get the feeling this article was written by the Chamber of Commerce.

Should be on high risk of crime related not fair article for tourists

I think your probably right

I would agree with the chamber of commerce comment. As a midwesterner I find it hilarious that there is a medium risk for weather, citing earthquakes, etc but mugging, theft etc is considered low risk.

Robbed & Raped

This is Racist and wrong view of St. louis. “North of Delmar” is mostly Black. That’s why this writer says its more dangerous, that’s not true. You can get robbed and raped in South St. Louis too where its mostly white criminals. Dont buy drugs and dont leave the yellow brick road and you should be fine.

I agree that bad situations can arise anywhere and we should always be vigilant not to characterize certain neighborhoods with a racially-tinted brush, but statistics don’t lie and numbers aren’t racist. The risk of crime is statistically higher in north St. Louis than other sections of town. This is simply a sad fact.

Love St Louis, but...it has some flaws...

I live in St Louis, and sadly, north of Delmar IS the high risk areas.it’s just a fact….societal issues abound, good people in a bad area..downtown overall, I still find pretty safe, sadly because most of the area other than the large venues, is boring….

Can somebody please help me I'm trying to figure if this is a good move to something

What do you think about somebody moving to St Louis in which part is the good part to move me Columbus square is that a good area for midtown or somewhere around midtown area I’m just trying to get some pointers and I’m looking for a good psychiatrist

My father lived in the city of St. Louis before but its violence there and could here lots of gun shooting day & night

Article is false information

This article is false in so many ways, this is as updated January 2021 For more information, see our FAQ on how we rank the most dangerous cities in America

1. Detroit, MI

Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 19.5 Your chance of being a victim: 1 in 51 2. St. Louis, MO

Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 19.2 Chance of being a victim: 1 in 51 3. Memphis, TN

Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 19.0 Chance of being a victim: 1 in 52

I think the article overstates how safe it is but analyzing the data the way you have is also misleading. St. Louis is an older city and as a result and the vast majority of people in the St. Louis metro area live in areas that are unincorporated, with the city of St. Louis mostly only covering the most dangerous parts of the metro area. Most crime also happens between people who know each other and only about 20% of violent crime happens between people who didn’t previously know each other. So I think it’s very inaccurate to say a tourist’s chance of being a victim is 1-57 when that’s really not the case, especially when a person is taking precautions to keep themselves out of sketchy situations such as not walking around after 12, avoiding certain neighborhoods, not showing off wealth, avoiding arguments with people, etc.

“Junkies and homeless” lol I hope the demographic of folks who visit this site for information are just as weirded out by that characterization as I am.

dumb article

“Junkies and homeless” are people, too. The crime that often happens in predominantly black neighborhoods is due to poverty, not due to race. When you oppress a group of people for centuries, robbing them of their wealth and human rights, you’re going to create a massive set of social problems that will take decades, if not centuries, to unravel.

Time For Change

And what political party has been in power for the last 72 years? There’s your answer.

extremely unsafe

NOT FOR TOURISTS

This review is completely reckless and will put anyone in harms way who follows it’s advice. St Louis is extremely dangerous. It is NOT safe for tourists. NEVER get on the Metrolink. You rated earthquakes as a bigger risk than crime? Are you kidding me? We don’t have earthquakes. We DO have shootings and robberies and murders throughout the city: north, south, midtown, you name it. I don’t know who paid you for this review but it is patently irresponsible.

STL Forever

You are putting fear places it doesn’t belong. Metros are fine to ride. I ride them all the time and have lived in the city since 2012.

The article is accurate. This city is a blast and my friends and I rarely feel unsafe because we follow BASIC SAFETY PRECAUTIONS of any big city. Get outta here with the fear nonsense.

Number 2 most dangerous cities in the United States! I live here, I know. The first 15 minutes of any local news cast is focused on Homicides from the previous 24 hours. Want your car window smashed out, even in broad day light, just go downtown to see the Blues or Cardinals. It’s so sad to say but St. Louis city has become a blight on surrounding towns. Going downtown? Better take your pistol, NO joke.

A person is flat-out crazy to park a car in downtown St. Louis. The chances of your car being broken into are very high. Along with Detroit, St. Louis is the city I most dislike traveling to on business. And I would never take my family.

Albuquerque is the only red city in us rank no.9 in danger by better danger rankers st.louis is ranked no.2

Lots to see, but can be dangerous in certain areas

You can do a lot of things while in St. Louis and maybe that’s why so many people keep visiting it. It’s not the safest city but also not the most dangerous one from what I can tell.

A lot of interesting architectural influences here which I personally enjoyed a lot.

Not safe. Go somewhere else

I live here but never go downtown. Crime has been spreading to the suburbs over the years too, making it so bad that people keep moving away from the city and in time away from the state.

Break-ins, armed robberies, home invasions, shootings, drugs, kidnappings, you name it.

Minorities are not welcome here, jobs are below average, you can see the effort to revitalize downtown, but you know what they say about lipstick on a pig.

One of the more dangerous place in the US

St. Louis is indeed a special place, with plenty of things to do (and I’ll share a few of them) but we can’t overlook the elephant in the room here. The crime rate in this city is very high and I think it is one of the unsafest cities to live in (or even visit) in the US at this time. I don’t know if this was always the case or not because I don’t live here.

I stayed here for 5 days in which I had a chance to see, firsthand, some pickpockets, hear about a rape that happened close by and also a shooting. Plus having talked to a few people that do live here, they said things seem to only be getting worse with each passing year.

It seems the areas where Black people live are more dangerous but this is probably only because these people are not helped, they don’t have enough money, jobs and such things will always lead to poverty and crimes. It doesn’t matter what color your skin has. But crimes do happen in most parts of the city so you will need to exercise caution wherever you are.

Ok, now enough of that. Let’s see some of the good things about Saint Louis. The Magic House is a wonderful place to visit with your kids as they will learn about science, computers and will encourage them to learn by engaging with different things. There’s also a special room for babies or toddlers and this room is particularly made to soothe and relax them. For some parents this is a Godsend.

The City Museum – again, another one that you can go to with kids. There’s a museum, circus, aquarium and the whole thing is something else (when you get there you’ll see what I mean).

Other interesting places include the Laumeier Sculpture Park, Campbell House Museum, Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park or the Missouri Botanical Garden.

As a resident of St. Louis for over a decade, I can attest to its safety improving in recent years. Neighborhood watch programs and community initiatives have made a noticeable difference.

While every city has its challenges, St. Louis has many safe neighborhoods where families thrive. It’s all about being informed and making smart choices about where you live and spend your time.

I visit St. Louis frequently for business, and I always feel safe exploring the city.

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Article Contents

• St. Louis : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Tap Water Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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Winter Road Conditions Note: The odd numbered routes report generally from north to south and the even numbered routes report generally from west to east. The lettered routes are typically specific to a particular county and likely are not continuous from county to county or through the state.

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• Meetings & Conventions
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• Visitors Guide
• Central West End
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The NAACP issued its first statewide travel warning for Missouri. Here’s why

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The NAACP issued a travel advisory about the state of Missouri for women, minorities and LGBT people, asking those travelers to use “extreme caution.” The NAACP’s first statewide alert comes after Missouri passed a law that the organization says permits legal discrimination. President Rod Chapel Jr. of the Missouri NAACP joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss how and why the advisory came about.

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Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.

JUDY WOODRUFF:

The NAACP has issued a warning, what they're calling a travel advisory, for women, minorities, and LGBT people traveling to the state of Missouri. It is asking those travelers to use — quote — "extreme caution" when visiting.

Our Hari Sreenivasan has this conversation, recorded earlier this evening.

HARI SREENIVASAN:

It's the first time the NAACP has issued a travel warning for an entire state. It followed a new state law that makes it harder for fired employees to prove racial discrimination.

Joining us to discuss all this is attorney Rod Chapel. He's the president of the Missouri NAACP.

For the record, we invited Missouri's governor to join, but he declined our invitation.

Mr. Chapel, what prompted this action now? I know that this was approved statewide in June, and this was a vote that still has to be ratified, but why now?

ROD CHAPEL JR., President, Missouri NAACP:

What led to the travel advisory are a couple of things, one, the recognition that there were widespread civil rights violations that were occurring in the state of Missouri, and that those were not properly being addressed by local or state authorities.

And that was compounded by the fact that Senate Bill 43 was signed into law. It will affect people in the workplace, people searching for housing, as well as just in the general public experience.

It changes the standard that discrimination must be proved to, as well as gives immunity to individuals who discriminate and harass against others.

Now, some of the language in your text here, it says this travel advisory, travel with extreme caution, that you may not be safe while in Missouri.

You say this is not a boycott, but what are you trying to accomplish?

ROD CHAPEL JR.:

Well, honestly, we have done about everything that we can to try to talk with state and local officials about the ways that laws are being enforced, asking that they have appropriate or better laws that allow people to live with dignity.

That has not succeeded. So, at this point, we didn't have much of an option. We had to warn people, so that they knew what they are coming into in the state of Missouri or what conditions they're living under if they are already here.

Well, what about the notion that this is just trying to cut back on frivolous lawsuits? That was one of the rationale given when this was proposed.

Well, unfortunately, we have heard that argument before.

And so when I talk with the members of the Chamber of Commerce about it or people close to them, when I talk with the governor, one of the questions that we at the NAACP had is, how do you quantity that? And did you try?

There are no numbers that they have for what they say are these frivolous lawsuits. They have a hard time trying to identify businesses that will come forward and say that they had them.

What they do have is a senator who got sued for discrimination in one of his rent-to-own stores in Southeast Missouri who introduced this legislation, and he talked about frivolous lawsuits. But other than one person who would like to keep himself or his stores from being sued for discriminatory conduct, we haven't heard from a single individual or business that has advocated for Senate Bill 43.

Now, the governor says that the standards that you are referencing, the standards would try to align Missouri with 38 other states with the laws on the books, moving what is called a contributing factor to a motivating factor, whether racism was a contributing factor in discrimination or whether it was the motivating factor.

What is the response?

You know, unfortunately, I feel like the Missouri Chamber of Commerce has done a poor job of informing the governor on this issue.

Unfortunately, what has been adopted in Missouri is not the federal standard. What this standard is, is the motivating factor. That means that it is the — and I can tell you, my mother is a professor. She would tell you that "a" and "the" do not mean the same thing. There are some jurisdictions that have adopted a motivating factor.

But my third grader would also tell you "a" and "the" are two separate words, and you can't interchange them however you want to. I challenge those that have said that, that if you had 38 other states that Missouri will be joining and having the same law, show them to me. Point that word out. Show where it says the motivating factor, on top of the fact that I'm not aware that the federal standard would prevent people from being sued for discriminatory conduct.

Finally, what about other states? I know you are responsible for the NAACP in Missouri, but what is the bar for the NAACP to put out a travel advisory like this?

Well, this is the first time that it's been done. Missouri is leading the way in this way, and regretfully so.

We wouldn't have issued if it wasn't ultimately necessary to ensure that people in the state and traveling through the state were safe. And I think that other states are going to have to make those same determinations.

At the point, though, that you have people readopting what we have consider to be Jim Crow laws, where you say that entire segments of society cannot have access to the courts to address grievances, and, worse than that, legalize what I can consider to be immoral conduct, discrimination and harassment of other people based on God-given characteristics.

Then I think that the states really do have to decide whether or not they have got an obligation to the people there in the state and people who may be traveling through to let them know the conditions that are happening.

All right, Rod Chapel, thanks so much for joining us.

Hey, thank you. I appreciate it.

And we have this development to add.

Late today, the Saint Louis County NAACP released a statement calling on the national organization to revoke the advisory for Missouri.

And I'm quoting. The statement says: "We suggest that, if the NAACP doesn't rescind their advisory immediately, then they should add to it the other 38 states with similar laws as well."

They claim that the advisory will hurt many of their members locally, especially those employed in hospitality.

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NAACP Travel Advisory for the State of Missouri

(Jefferson City, MO – Missouri NAACP State Conference Office) A travel advisory has been issued in the State of Missouri due to the sad passage of Senator Gary Romine's Jim Crow Bill – SB 43 – and recent events throughout Missouri.

The advisory means each individual should pay special attention while in the state of Missouri and certainly if contemplating spending time in Missouri. Unlike seasonal weather advisories, where no unnecessary travel on city streets or parking might be directed, the NAACP wants to make Missourians and our visitors aware of looming danger which could include the following by example of what has happened to some residents and visitors:

Tory Sanford who recently died in a jail cell but was never arrested after running out of gas when he traveled into the state accidentally; Racist attacks on University of Missouri students while on the states' campuses – as the University of Missouri System spoke in favor of Romine's Jim Crow Bill;

Missouri's legislature Representative Rick Bratton argued that homosexuals are not human beings according to his faith; Black high school students in St. Louis have been attacked with hot glue while denigrated racially;

Two internationally born men gunned down outside in Kansas City after their killer thought them to be Muslim; According to the Missouri Attorney General African Americans in Missouri are subjected to excessive traffic - 75% more likely to be stopped and searched based on skin color than Caucasians, Public threats of shooting 'Blacks' that terrorized University of Missouri students and members of the public.

Individuals traveling in the state are advised to travel with extreme caution. Race, gender and color-based crimes have a long history in Missouri. Missouri, home of Lloyd Gaines, Dredd Scott and the dubious distinction of the Missouri Compromise and one of the last states to loose its slaveholding past, may not be safe. The Missouri State Conference of the NAACP will follow Governor Greitien's review of this Jim Crow Bill – SB 43 – and we will update the NAACP advisory for the State of Missouri if this measure is vetoed. SB 43 legalizes individual discrimination and harassment in Missouri and would prevent individuals from protecting themselves from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in Missouri.

Moreover, over zealous enforcement of routine traffic violations in Missouri against African-Americans has resulted in an increasing trend that shows African-Americans are 75% more likely to be stopped than Caucasians. These stops have resulted in increased traffic fines, senseless searches of vehicle and persons, and on occasion unnecessary violence.

The advisory is in effect until at least August 28, 2017 starting today. The Missouri State Conference NAACP asked that you do the following:

• warn your families, co-workers and anyone visiting Missouri to beware of the safety concerns with travel in Missouri,
• notify members of your trade associations, social and civic organizations that they are traveling and living in Missouri at their own risk and subject to unnecessary search seizure and potential arrest, and
• file and seek help on any existing claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and whistle-blowing ASAP before your legal rights are lost if Senate Bill 43 is not vetoed by Governor Greitiens.

Visit www.monaacp.org, like Missouri NAACP State Conference Facebook, and follow @MOSTATE for additional information and updates. To file reports of harassment and discrimination and get help call 1-844-NAACP-HELP. Contact Governor Greitiens at 573- 751-3222, @ericgreitiens, and ask him to make Missouri safe for our families.

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Governor Parson's Schedule for August 19-23, 2024

Next week, Governor Mike Parson will attend several meetings and events.

On Monday , August 19 , Governor Parson will travel to Eldon to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for Quaker Windows' new expansion project.

On Tuesday , August 20 , Governor Parson will host various faith leaders for a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion.

On Wednesday , August 21 , Governor Parson will travel to Rolla to hold a ceremonial bill signing of Senate Bill (SB) 1453, which designates the Dr. Dan Brown Memorial Highway in Phelps County. Governor Parson will then travel to Pineville to hold a ceremonial signing of House Bill (HB) 2134/1952, which modifies permit requirements and exemptions in relation to Missouri fertilizer and clean water laws.

On Thursday , August 22 , Governor Parson will travel to St. Louis to hold a ceremonial bill signing of SB 754, which modifies provisions related to public safety, with the St. Louis County Fraternal Order of Police. He will then travel to Cape Girardeau to participate in the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's State of the Community Luncheon. Following the Luncheon, Governor Parson will hold a signing of his book No Turnin' Back . Governor Parson will end the day at the Fisher Delta Research Appreciation Dinner in Gobler.

On Friday , August 23 , Governor Parson will attend the Fisher Delta Research Appreciation Breakfast in Portageville before returning to Jefferson City.

Monday, August 19, 2024

Governor Parson to participate in groundbreaking ceremony with Quaker Windows 

           When:          10:10 - 11:00 a.m. 

           Where:         Quaker Windows

                                3353 Hwy. 52, Eldon, MO 65026

           Media:          Open

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Governor Parson to ceremonially sign SB 1453 in Rolla

           When:          11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 

           Where:         Brown Veterinary Clinic

                                407 W. 4th St., Rolla, MO 65401

Governor Parson to ceremonially sign HB 2134/1952 in Pineville 

           When:          2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 

           Where:         Pineville Community Center 

                                602 Jesse James Rd., Pineville, MO 64856

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Governor Parson to ceremonially sign SB 754 in St. Louis

           When:          9:00 - 10:00 a.m. 

           Where:         St. Louis County Fraternal Order of Police Hall

                                115 Baxter Rd., Manchester, MO 63011

Governor Parson to participate in Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's State of the Community Luncheon and host signing of  No Turnin' Back

           When:          12:00 - 1:30  p.m. 

           Where:         Drury Conference Center

                                3351 Percy Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Governor Parson to attend Fisher Delta Research Appreciation dinner

           When:          5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 

           Where:         Elk Shoot Lodge

                                8125 County Line Rd., Gobler, MO 63849

Friday, August 23, 2024

Governor Parson to attend Fisher Delta Research Appreciation breakfast 

           When:          6:45 - 8:00 a.m. 

           Where:         Rone Hall (Lee Farm) 

                                102 County Rd. 308, Portageville, MO 63873

Office of Governor Michael L. Parson

P.O. Box 720 Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone: (573) 751-3222 Fax: (573) 751-1495

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Missouri voters to decide on amendment to allow abortions, reversing state's near-total ban

Missouri voters will decide in November whether to guarantee a right to abortion with a constitutional amendment that would reverse the state's near-total ban on the procedure.

What You Need To Know

Missouri voters will decide in november whether to amend the state constitution to create a right to abortion election officials said tuesday that an abortion-rights initiative received more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot if approved by a majority of voters, it would reverse the state's near-total ban on abortions at least a half-dozen states will be voting on abortion rights during the presidential election, including arizona , colorado, florida, maryland, nevada and south dakota.

The secretary of state's office certified Tuesday that an initiative petition received more than enough signatures from registered voters to qualify for the general election. It will need approval from a majority of voters to become enshrined in the state constitution.

Missouri will join at least a half-dozen states voting on abortion rights during the presidential election. Arizona's secretary of state certified an abortion-rights measure for the ballot on Monday . Measures also will go before voters in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and South Dakota. While not explicitly addressing abortion rights, a New York ballot measure would bar discrimination based on "pregnancy outcomes" and "reproductive healthcare," among other things.

Initiative supporters had expressed confidence the measure will make the Missouri ballot after submitting more than double the necessary number of signatures.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said there also were sufficient signatures to hold November elections on initiatives raising the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour and legalizing sports betting. But he said an initiative authorizing a casino at the popular Lake of the Ozarks tourist destination fell short of the required threshold.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to abortion in 2022, sparking a state-by-state battle in legislatures and a new push to let voters decide the issue. Since the ruling, most Republican-controlled states have new abortion restrictions in effect while most Democratic-led states have measures protecting abortion access.

Abortion rights supporters have prevailed in all seven states that already had decided ballot measures since 2022: California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont.

The high court's decision overturning its Roe v. Wade precedent triggered a 2019 Missouri law to take effect prohibiting abortion "except in cases of medical emergency." That law makes it a felony punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison to perform or induce an abortion, though a woman undergoing an abortion cannot be prosecuted.

Since then, almost no abortions have occurred at Missouri facilities. But that doesn't mean Missouri residents aren't having abortions. They could receive abortion pills from out of state or travel to clinics elsewhere, including ones just across the border in Illinois and Kansas.

The Missouri ballot measure would create a right to abortion until a fetus could likely survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical measures. Fetal viability generally has been considered to be around 23 or 24 weeks into pregnancy but has shifted downward with medical advances. The ballot measure would allow abortions after fetal viability if a health care professional determines it's necessary to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

The number of states considering abortion ballot measures could grow. Officials in Montana and Nebraska have yet to determine whether proposed abortion-rights initiatives qualified for a November vote. Nebraska officials also are evaluating a competing constitutional amendment that would enshrine the state's current ban on most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

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Sarasota residents impacted by flood waters from Debby begin massive cleanup

SARASOTA, Fla. — The water has finally receded in most communities hit hard by Tropical Storm Debby. For days, several Sarasota communities were underwater, causing unprecedented damage.

Now they’re left to deal with the damage it left behind.

What You Need To Know

Sarasota residents are returning to their homes after tropical storm debby left storm damages behind community members are donating cleaning supplies and basic household goods in hopes that it will assist others in the cleanup there’s a growing number of churches, local businesses and everyday citizens offering their help, along with government agencies.

It may not seem like much. But to the people in one Sarasota community, donated cleaning supplies and basic household goods are the kind of help they’re hoping will assist them with this massive cleanup.

“I’m so happy that there’s still people out there willing to help in these tough times,” said resident Pablo Aballay.

Tough times are impacting Aballay’s family and every other family in the surrounding area.

That’s why Glenda from Dakin Dairy Farms is making stop after stop. She’s trying to help with a cleanup that seems impossible for people like Glenn Eberly, who just saw his home last night for the first time.

“They sent pictures, but it doesn’t give you the real. When you walk in and see it, it’s overwhelming. Pictures don’t do it justice. We knew it would be bad, but when we actually saw it, it was overwhelming,” Eberly said.

There’s a growing number of churches, local businesses and everyday citizens offering their help, along with government agencies.

Courtney Dakin and her employees at the at Dakin Dairy Farm are stepping in, collecting donations and delivering cleaning supplies to those hard-hit areas. Their farm is one of many places offering help to those impacted.

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U.S. inflation slowed again in July, clearing way for Fed to begin cutting rates

Year-over-year inflation reached its lowest level in more than three years in July, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the Federal Reserve for an interest rate cut in September.

What You Need To Know

Year-over-year inflation reached its lowest level in more than three years in july, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the federal reserve for an interest rate cut in september wednesday's report from the labor department showed that consumer prices rose just 0.2% from june to july after dropping slightly the previous month for the first time in four years measured from a year earlier, prices rose 2.9%, down from 3% in june it is the mildest year-over-year inflation figure since march 2021.

Wednesday's report from the Labor Department showed that consumer prices rose just 0.2% from June to July after dropping slightly the previous month for the first time in four years. Measured from a year earlier, prices rose 2.9%, down from 3% in June. It is the mildest year-over-year inflation figure since March 2021.

The government said nearly all the increase last month reflected higher rental prices and housing costs, a trend that, according to real-time data, is easing.

For months, cooling inflation has provided gradual relief to America's consumers, who were stung by the price surges that erupted three years ago, particularly for food, gas, rent and other necessities. Inflation peaked two years ago at 9.1%, the highest level in four decades.

Inflation has taken a central role in the presidential election, with former President Donald Trump blaming the Biden administration's energy policies for the price increases. Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday said she would soon unveil new proposals to "bring down costs and also strengthen the economy overall."

Biden hailed the "real progress" shown in Wednesday's report, but acknowledged that more needs to be done in order to lower costs for Americans.

"Inflation has fallen below 3% and core inflation has fallen to the lowest level since April 2021," Biden said in a statement. "We have more work to do to lower costs for hardworking Americans, but we are making real progress, with wages rising faster than prices for 17 months in a row."

"Prices are still too high," the president continued. "Large corporations are sitting on record profits and not doing enough to lower prices. That’s why we are taking on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug prices. We’re cutting red tape to build more homes while taking on corporate landlords that unfairly increase rent. And we’re taking on price gouging and junk fees to lower everyday costs from groceries to air travel."

"Congressional Republicans would raise prices for middle class families while cutting taxes for billionaires and big corporations," he concluded. "While they try to take us back, we will fight for the future."

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called core prices climbed 0.2% from June to July, after a 0.1% increase the previous month. Compared to a year ago, core inflation rose 3.2%, down from 3.3% in June, the lowest since April 2021. Core prices are closely watched by economists because it typically provides a better read of where inflation is headed.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said he is seeking additional evidence of slowing inflation before the Fed begins cutting its key interest rate. Economists widely expect the Fed's first rate cut to occur in mid-September.

When the central bank lowers its benchmark rate, over time it tends to reduce the cost of borrowing for consumers and businesses. Mortgage rates have already declined in anticipation of the Fed's first rate reduction.

At a news conference last month, Powell said that cooler inflation data this spring had strengthened the Fed's confidence that price increases are falling back to a 2% annual pace. Another inflation report will be issued next month before the Fed's Sept. 17-18 meeting, with economists expecting that report to also show that price increases remained mostly tame.

Inflation has eased substantially in the past two years as global supply chains have been repaired, a spate of apartment construction in many large cities has cooled rental costs and higher interest rates have slowed auto sales, forcing dealers to offer better deals to potential car buyers.

Consumers, particularly lower-income ones, are also becoming more price-sensitive, forgoing high-priced items or shifting to cheaper alternatives. This has forced many companies to rein in price hikes or even offer lower prices.

Prices are still rising sharply for some services, including auto insurance and health care. Auto insurance costs have shot up as the value of new and used vehicles has soared compared with three years ago. Economists, though, expect those costs to eventually grow more slowly.

As inflation continues to decline, the Fed is paying increasingly close attention to the job market. The central bank's goals, as defined by Congress, are to keep prices stable and support maximum employment.

This month, the government reported that hiring slowed much more than expected in July and that the unemployment rate rose for a fourth straight month, though to a still-low 4.3%. The figures roiled financial markets and led many economists to boost their forecasts for interest rate cuts this year. Most analysts now expect at least three quarter-point rate cuts at the Fed's September, November and December meetings. The Fed's benchmark rate is at a 23-year high of 5.3%.

Still, the rise in the unemployment rate has reflected mainly an influx of job-seekers, especially new immigrants, who haven't immediately found work and so have been classified as unemployed. That is a much more positive reason for a higher unemployment rate than if it came from a jump in layoffs. Measures of job cuts remain low.

On Thursday, the government will release its latest data on retail sales, which are expected to show that consumers increased their spending modestly in July. As long as shoppers are willing to spend, businesses are likely to hold onto their workers and may even add staff.

888 - Ask MoDOT (275-6636)

Traveler Information Map

In June, 2018, MoDOT’s online Traveler Information Map was upgraded to include preferred detour routes to better move traffic through areas of congestion due to work zones or incident on both Interstates 70 and 44.

In the event of an incident or work zone event, a TMC operator can activate a bypass on I-44 or I-70. Bypasses are based on predetermined routes previously selected by an incident bypass team and are reflected on the map with a green and yellow dashed line with a bypass symbol placed intermittently along the route. Bypass routes are validated nightly to check for lane, weight and height restrictions. Any bypass route that restricts legal loads is marked ineligible and is not recommended as a bypass option.

Once a bypass is activated or deactivated, MSHP Dispatch and District staff are notified by email. While a bypass is active, a reminder email is sent to appropriate District staff similar to the Traffic Impact application.

The updated Traffic Bypass Application offers MoDOT customers and out-of-state visitors the convenience of planning their routes through the state with minimal interruptions in travel.