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Missouri veterans homes struggle year after year without consistent funding

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7 months ago

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Missouri veterans homes struggle year after year without consistent funding


ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) — Missouri is constantly on the brink of losing a veterans home because funding can vary from year to year.

One lawmaker is sounding the alarm on funding for Missouri’s veterans homes, saying the taxes the states rely on for these specialized care facilities are not dependable. The Missouri Veterans Commission relies on marijuana tax revenue and casino admission fees but has no set line in the state budget if these two avenues falter.

Before he represented Jefferson City in the Missouri House, Dave Griffith was a Green Beret.

Now he’s fighting a different battle: to keep Missouri’s veterans homes open and operational.

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“These are veterans that we made a promise to,” Griffith said. “When we raise our hands as veterans, we make a pledge to our country to protect and serve. At the same time, the country made a pledge to us. That when you get to this point in your life, when you need skilled nursing services, we’re going to be there for you. And we’re failing them.”

Missouri’s seven veterans homes are currently serving 848 veterans, and almost all of them have waitlists. They offer specialized services, from haircuts to physical therapy, at a partially subsidized rate for veterans who can no longer care for themselves.

“Age is not a determining factor, we have everything from 40s up to, we’ve got a veteran who was in the Battle of the Bulge, so I think he’s 103 years old right now,” said Missouri Veterans Commissioner Director Ret. Col. Paul Kirchhoff.

It’s a fight every year to ensure funding since there is no permanent line item in the state budget for veterans homes. Kirchhoff said before the funds were secured this year, the commission had been deferring critical maintenance on some of the homes and even discussing which one they could afford to close.

“A lot of businesses have a 5-year plan, 10-year plan, I can’t do it because I don’t know what kind of funding I’m going to get year to year,” Kirchhoff said.

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A portion of the tax revenue from both medical and recreational marijuana goes to the Missouri Veterans Commission. Missouri Cannabis Trade Association Spokesperson Erin Schrimpf said marijuana has been selling at three times the rate expected before legalization. She said the industry expects it will continue to thrive and provide the state with ample sales tax.

“Missouri’s regulated market is thriving and has a lot of support,” Schrimpf said.

The Veterans Commission received nearly $34 million from marijuana taxes this fiscal year, but that’s not the bonus people thought it would be. It’s just enough to maintain veterans homes.

“A lot of people think that with the marijuana funding that there could be additional programs that we could start, that’s just not the case,” Kirchhoff said.

The amount veterans homes receive from casino admissions has been decreasing steadily, from $30 million in 2013, to $11 million in 2023, which is the last full fiscal year the Missouri Gaming Commission has reported. Although casinos in Missouri are reporting increased revenue, they’re getting less foot traffic and the admissions fees stay the same.

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Griffith wants to get a new line item in the budget, $50 million in general revenue for veterans homes. He only has one year left in office, but expects his colleagues to carry on the battle after he’s gone.

“It’s a battle that I’m not afraid to fight, and I will continue that battle until I have to walk out of this building,” Griffith said.

Copyright 2025 KMOV. All rights reserved.



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Missouri

MSHP: 221 pounds of marijuana seized in Missouri traffic stop, woman arrested

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10 hours ago

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December 13, 2025

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MSHP: 221 pounds of marijuana seized in Missouri traffic stop, woman arrested


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested a 29-year-old woman after seizing over 200 pounds of marijuana in a traffic stop.

ALSO READ: Investigation into Missouri kratom retailers expands, says AG

According to the MSHP, troopers stopped a vehicle for a registration violation and following too closely on EB I-70 in Montgomery County, Mo., on Thursday, December 11. Authorities then searched the vehicle, finding 221 pounds of marijuana.

According to an MSHP report, 29-year-old Briana A. Roberts was taken into custody and held in the Montgomery County Jail for 24 hours. She could be charged with trafficking drugs in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, according to the report.

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No further information has been released.

Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.



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What’s open on Christmas in mid-Missouri?

Published

22 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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What’s open on Christmas in mid-Missouri?


Some mid-Missouri stores and restaurants will have adjusted hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. KOMU 8 News has compiled a list of what’s open on Christmas in 2025.

If you don’t see your establishment listed, please email news@komu.com with your operating hours.

Stores

Walgreens – East Broadway, Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Store open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Store open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., pharmacy closed

Walmart

  • Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Target – Columbia

Target – Jefferson City

  • Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Aldi

  • Christmas Eve: Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Dollar General

  • Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Dollar Tree

  • Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Gerbes

  • Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Hy-Vee

  • Christmas Eve: Store open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pharmacy open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Moser’s Food

Sam’s Club

  • Christmas Eve: Store and pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Schnuck’s

  • Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Restaurants and Coffee Shops

IHOP

  • Christmas Eve: Open 12 a.m. to 7p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed, opens next day at 5 a.m.

Waffle House

7Brew

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Scooter’s

  • Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Starbucks – Broadway & Fairview in Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Starbucks – Missouri Boulevard & U.S. 50 in Jefferson City

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Starbucks – Nifong & Buttonwood in Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Starbucks – West Truman & Country Club in Jefferson City

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Starbucks – Ninth Street in Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed



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BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500: Get a 20% first deposit match up to $1,500 for Missouri vs. Alabama State

Published

2 days ago

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December 11, 2025

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BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500: Get a 20% first deposit match up to ,500 for Missouri vs. Alabama State


You can get in on Missouri sports betting with a BetMGM welcome offer for college basketball on Thursday.

BetMGM Bonus code NYPDM1500 gets bettors a 20 percent first deposit match up to $1500 when in Missouri.

Mizzou is a 22.5-point favorite over Alabama State. The Tigers step back onto its home floor looking to reset after road losses to Notre Dame and Kansas. Alabama State has struggled mightily against high-major opponents.

BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500

The BetMGM Bonus Code NYPDM1500 can be used for any sport and market offered at BetMGM. That includes Missouri State vs. Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl.

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BetMGM’s Missouri promo code is considered one of the highest valued promotions in contrast to other Missouri bonus offers.

If bettors wanted to snag the maximum value of the offer, they would have to deposit $7,500. Otherwise, they get 20 percent of whatever they deposit, i.e., deposit $100, get $20.

New users must be physically present in Missouri when signing up at BetMGM to take advantage of this welcome offer.

How to sign up for BetMGM in Missouri

  1. Select your bonus offer.
  2. Choose your state.
  3. Fill out your login details.
  4. Enter the BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500
  5. Make a deposit.
  6. Bet responsibly.

What our Post expert thinks about Missouri vs. Alabama State

Alabama State has already dropped its two power-conference tests by an average of 32.5 points, and its defensive profile hasn’t suggested much resistance.

The Hornets bring two of the SWAC’s top scorers in Asjon Anderson and Micah Simpson, they are giving up 81.4 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45.3 percent from the floor. 

Missouri’s rebounding edge should matter — the Tigers pull nearly 40 boards per game while Alabama State is giving up 37.4 a night and just surrendered 18 offensive rebounds to UT Martin.

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Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See BetMGM.com for Terms. 21+ only. MO Only. New Customer Offer (If applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. Please gamble responsibly.

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.



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