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Missouri health department announces first measles case of 2025

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missouriindependent.com – Clara Bates – 2025-04-18 14:39:00

by Clara Bates, Missouri Independent
April 18, 2025

Missouri’s first confirmed measles case of the year involves a child in Taney County, the health department announced Friday afternoon.

The child’s vaccination status “has not yet been verified,” according to the press release.

The child, who is not a Missouri resident, was visiting Taney County and was diagnosed “soon after arrival,” Lisa Cox, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a press release.

Taney County is in southwest Missouri, and its largest city is Branson. 

“Exposure is believed to be limited, and known contacts have been identified and contacted,” Cox said, adding that the state is supporting Taney County’s health department to investigate possible exposure. 

The case is “associated with recent international travel,” Cox said.

Measles is a highly-contagious virus the country declared eliminated 25 years ago, but that has resurged with falling vaccination rates. 

“For those unvaccinated or those unsure of their vaccination status, now is the time to review records and get caught up if needed,” Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist with DHSS, said in the press release.

The percent of Missouri kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella has declined over the last several years, from 95% in the 2019-2020 school year to 91% in the 2023-2024 school year, in public schools, per DHHS data. In private schools, the drop has been even larger, from 92% to 85% in the same period.

Nationally, there are at least 800 reported cases of measles across 25 states, according to Center for Disease Control data as of Friday. That doesn’t include Missouri’s case, Cox said, because the state received lab test results Thursday night, after the federal reporting deadline for this week. 

That is the highest number for a single year since 2019 and is still growing.

The majority of measles infections nationally have been reported in a West Texas outbreak. There have been two confirmed deaths, both in Texas. 

Kansas has reported 37 cases, possibly linked to the Texas outbreak.

There are outbreaks in Canada and Mexico, too, and several states have reported isolated cases as the result of international travel.

At the same time, the federal government has cut grant funding set aside for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to encourage vaccinations, according to St. Louis Public Radio.

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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

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News from the South - Missouri News Feed

Chuck E. Cheese opens arcades ‘created for adults’ in Missouri, 7 other states

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fox2now.com – Michael Bartiromo – 2025-07-07 12:46:00

SUMMARY: Chuck’s Arcade, a new arcade chain from Chuck E. Cheese’s creators, targets older gamers and lifelong fans seeking classic games like “Ms. Pac Man” and “Mortal Kombat” in mall locations. Designed primarily for adults but welcoming all ages, these arcades mix vintage games such as “Donkey Kong” with modern racing simulators and VR experiences. Some locations, like Kansas City, offer pizza, while others do not. Animatronic characters from Chuck E. Cheese’s past appear as nostalgic decorations rather than performers. Chuck’s Arcade has opened in multiple U.S. cities, with more locations planned, including one soon in Brea, California.

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Weird news with Tim and Brittany!

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www.youtube.com – FOX 2 St. Louis – 2025-07-07 12:08:50

SUMMARY: A new TikTok trend suggests popping popcorn, then freezing it to make it crunchier, though it’s unclear if freezing actually improves the texture or taste. Meanwhile, Costco faces copyright claims for selling clothes resembling a popular athletic lifestyle brand’s pants and hoodies, sparking debate about authenticity and brand imitation. The hosts discuss nostalgic back-to-school NBA shoes, highlighting how brands evolve or get copied. One shared a personal story about nearly buying a $3,500 couch until a motherly intervention led to finding a similar $950 clearance bargain. Lastly, Amazon Prime Day sales are upcoming, promising more deals and surprises.

ST. LOUIS – Tim and Brittany share weird news of the week: Generation Yap!

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Joe's Blog: Rain chances percolate for some (MON-7/7)

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fox4kc.com – Joe Lauria – 2025-07-07 09:10:00

SUMMARY: Over the holiday weekend, devastating flash floods struck Texas, leaving over 50 dead and many missing, particularly near the Guadalupe River. The floods were fueled by tropical moisture from Tropical Storm Barry and were worsened by the region’s geography and drought-hardened soils. Despite timely National Weather Service warnings, communication challenges and false alarm fatigue complicated the response. Similar heavy rains impacted parts of the Carolinas as well. Locally, rain has been sparse, with isolated storms possible through the week but with uncertain coverage. Experts emphasize improving weather education, warning systems, infrastructure, and communication to prevent future tragedies and better protect vulnerable communities.

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