Missouri
New plows, more staff: Missouri plans for snow after last winter’s boondoggle
After uncleared streets plagued the region during severe winter storms last year, Missouri Department of Transportation officials have started preparing for this year’s winter weather.
MoDOT hosted a training session Thursday for workers aimed at emulating a winter storm to prepare workers, snow plow drivers and mechanics for potential severe winter weather.
The training follows an unusually harsh winter where January storms broke precipitation records. Streets across the region were covered with ice and snow, as much as 10 inches in some regions. MoDOT officials said earlier this year that there was a shortage of workers to handle plows.
MoDOT officials said the January storm led the department to make adjustments last year, including:
- Increasing the amount of money to $64 million to keep roads clear
- Increasing the amount r of salt used to 140,000 tons
- Increasing the number of hours worked to 529,000
MoDOT has about 3,000 workers statewide but is trying to hire more workers, including emergency equipment officers, mechanics and maintenance workers. MoDOT’s St. Louis district engineer Tom Blair said there’s a large number of workers with fewer than three years of experience,:
- About 16% of MoDOT snowplow operators have less than one year of experience statewide
- About 40% of MoDOT snow plowing workers have less than three years of experience statewide
- More than 50% of MoDOT employees in the St. Louis area have less than three years of experience
“That’s why these [trainings] last two days, and all the work we’re doing right now before snow flies really matters,” Blair said. “We have to work really hard to position our employees to be skilled enough to operate.”
Blair said MoDot has new equipment, including a snow blower, one of five that are moved across the state before storms.
“That would have really helped the team more quickly clear those large amounts of snow and ice that we had pushed to the side of roads and, in many cases, were blocking acceleration lanes, deceleration lanes and even ramp lanes,” Blair said.
Blair said despite challenges and staffing concerns, the department is planned for typical storms where workers can be dispatched around the state. He said the department is more concerned about a winter storm that hits the entire state.
“That’s probably what keeps us up at night,” Blair said.
Representatives for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Illinois Department of Transportation and National Weather Service were also present. St. Louisans can expect above normal precipitation this year, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Kevin Deitsch said.
“December will likely be warmer than normal, likely more rainier than normal,” Deitsch said. “We do expect more of a back-loaded winter for the season, kind of like we saw last year, more storms in January and in February.”
State highway patrol will assist MoDOT during winter storms. Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Andy Gadberry urged drivers to take safety precautions like planning ahead and staying at home if possible. If people do have to drive, take necessary steps including:
- Have a fully charged phone and a charger in the car
- Have an emergency kit
- Keep a blanket, extra clothes, snacks and water
- Make sure tires are filled
- Slow down and don’t tail emergency personnel
- Keep headlights on and be aware of your surroundings
“The big thing in these storms is stay in your car,” Gadberry said. “Don’t get out unless you absolutely have to. The safest place you can be is inside that car.”
IDOT leaders said they’re also facing staffing shortages but are still working to hire permanent employees.
“Despite any shortages in our permanent employees staffing levels, we will definitely have plenty of employees,” Illinois Department of Public Safety Operations Field Engineer Dave Castens said. “All our routes will be covered, we’ll have adequate staff, supplemented with our temporary staff. No issues, no concerns.”
A Jackson County judge on Friday denied Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s attempt to immediately stop Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman and several affiliated companies from selling kratom products.
The motion for a temporary restraining order, which was filed alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, took particular aim at the more potent 7-OH products, which Hanaway argues are “hazardous opioids” banned by state and federal law.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie’s ruling Friday stated there are “competing affidavits” from experts on both sides of the argument, following a hearing on the motion earlier this week.
“The court cannot find, based on the oral argument of the parties, the respective competing affidavits presented and the pleadings, whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits at this juncture in the proceedings in order for the court to grant relief in the form of a temporary restraining order,” McKenzie’s order states.
Hanaway’s argument was backed by sworn statements from an undercover narcotics officer with the highway patrol who said 7-OH is being used to cut fentanyl and a woman whose brother died from a kratom overdose.
Her office also submitted an FDA report that points to 7-OH as “a potent opioid that poses an emerging public health threat” and states health data showing synthetic 7-OH was involved in at least 197 Missouri deaths.
American Shaman submitted statements of its own from five toxicology and addiction experts, who largely said there wasn’t enough evidence to show that 7-OH and kratom posed a public health risk. One who researched narcotics said she had never heard of 7-OH being used to cut fentanyl.
Company owner Vince Sanders’ statement detailed how he came up with the idea to create 7-OH products, which now have an “enormous” demand, particularly among people who need pain management.
Sanders could not be reached for comment about the ruling on Friday.
McKenzie denied a temporary restraining order “without prejudice,” meaning that he would like to see more evidence.
“It is because of this finding that the court determines it necessary to hold an additional hearing,” he wrote, “where it can consider the parties’ respective positions with the potential of testimonial evidence and other properly introduced evidence, all as more fully developed by the parties, in order to further analyze these issues.”
The judge will consider “other injunctive relief sought in the pleadings at a future hearing to consider the issues,” the order states.
Hanaway filed a similar lawsuit Thursday against Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, and its owners Dustin Robinson and Ajaykumar Patel.
The group received a warning letter from the FDA for producing 7-OH products last year, similar to one received by Shaman Botanicals.
“This is another step in our ongoing crackdown on kratom manufacturers who flout the law and try to justify endangering Missourians in the name of profit,” Hanaway said in a press release Thursday.
“Our mission is to safeguard Missourians from unregulated and addictive substances, and we will continue to pursue every legal tool available to protect public health and safety.”
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 7-2-5
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 9-6-8
Evening Wild: 7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 7-1-9-9
Midday Wild: 1
Evening: 6-9-8-9
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 10 drawing
Early Bird: 02
Morning: 11
Matinee: 10
Prime Time: 12
Night Owl: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 10 drawing
09-18-23-31-39
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Mo. (KCTV) – A head-on collision on Highway 71 killed 3 people and seriously injured a 4th, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
State Troopers say the crash happened around 1:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, near the intersection of Highway 71 and 170th St. – about a mile and a half north of Burlington Junction.
Investigators say a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 59-year-old woman from Carthage, Texas, was heading north on the highway when it crossed the centerline.
The Chevrolet struck a southbound 2026 Ford Explorer head-on, according to MSHP. Both vehicles caught fire and came to rest in the southbound lane.
State Troopers note that the crash killed the Texas driver, a 67-year-old woman from Harlan, Iowa and a 76-year-old woman from Rockwell City, Iowa.
The Ford’s driver – a 72-year-old man from Rockwell City – was airlifted to Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, with serious injuries, according to first responders.
Troopers say all four people involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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