Missouri

New research sheds light on breastfeeding barriers in rural communities

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2025

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New research sheds light on breastfeeding barriers in rural communities

Source: Adobe Stock

March 3, 2025
Contact: Brian Consiglio, consigliob@missouri.edu

Breastfeeding can be a challenge for many new moms, regardless of where they live. However, a new study from the University of Missouri highlights a unique struggle faced by mothers in rural America: a lack of access to support systems and information. As a result, rural moms are more likely to stop breastfeeding within the first few days or weeks compared to their urban and suburban counterparts.

Like all new mothers, women in rural areas want to ensure their babies are getting enough nourishment — but without proper guidance on breastfeeding best practices, it can be difficult to gauge.

“Growing up in rural Missouri and working in maternal child health myself, I wanted to understand how rural moms in Missouri made their decisions about breastfeeding and how their rural environment impacted those decisions,” said Karry Weston, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral fellow in Mizzou’s Sinclair School of Nursing. “I found that many of the rural moms I spoke with were highly motivated to breastfeed at first and were aware of the many health benefits breastfeeding provides for both them and their babies — they just ended up not sticking with it after a few days or weeks.”

During her research, Weston discovered several factors that led rural moms to discontinue breastfeeding after a short period of time. Those factors include a lack of practical knowledge on what to expect, feeling overwhelmed, a lack of access to lactation consultants in rural areas and a lack of community support.

For her study, Weston interviewed first-time moms throughout rural Missouri about their experiences feeding their newborn babies. She found that many were unsure whether their babies were getting enough milk or if they were producing sufficient supplies.

Some rural moms Weston spoke with had questions regarding pumping or latching techniques. Others found formula to be more convenient given their busy schedules with work and school. Some rural moms reported being hours away from the nearest lactation consultant. Others came from families and communities where formula feeding is considered the norm.

Weston hopes this research can help improve the information, resources and support given to new moms.

Telehealth and home visiting nurse programs with lactation-certified nurses can be potential touchpoints for rural moms looking for breastfeeding guidance.

Weston’s interest in this research stemmed from her experience at Hannibal Regional Hospital, Missouri’s first hospital to be designated “baby-friendly” for its efforts to increase breastfeeding rates. Working as both a labor and delivery nurse and a childbirth educator, Weston recognized the need to find ways to better support new moms immediately after they give birth.

“For example, we give them pumps, but we could also give them more information about how to use them or what to expect when pumping,” Weston said. “Some moms may think they are not producing enough milk when in reality, they are. We can help moms feel more confident.”

Weston added that giving new moms more practical tips on balancing breastfeeding with a busy lifestyle can be beneficial. Local support systems can also offer valuable assistance.

“For new moms, seeing someone in their family or community successfully breastfeeding can be very inspiring and lead to a domino effect,” Weston said. “When rural moms who choose to breastfeed have the support of family, friends, neighbors or co-workers who also chose to breastfeed, the support system is very encouraging to rural moms by reducing the stigma.”

Mizzou’s emphasis on supporting rural communities, particularly with MU Extension programs, motivates Weston to continue her research.

“Hopefully I can help rural moms access more support and feel more confident in whatever decisions they choose,” Weston said. “Whether it is hearing new moms say they used a new resource or learned about a new program that improved their experience, I feel motivated to support rural moms.”

“Expectations and perspectives about infant feeding of their first child among rural women” was published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing.

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Missouri

Thousands show up to protest current administration at ‘No Kings’ rally in Kansas City, Missouri

Published

12 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Thousands show up to protest current administration at ‘No Kings’ rally in Kansas City, Missouri

KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily.

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Thousands showed up to Mill Creek Park on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri, in a wave of protests across the country criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.

Thousands show up to protest current administration at KCMO ‘No Kings’ rally

Multiple protesters told KSHB 41 News they participated in the protest because they feel like it is the only way their voices can be heard.

Chris Morrison/KSHB

Sharon

“Congress is not working for us,” said Sharon, a protester at Mill Creek Park. “I have called my Congress people numerous times.”

It was the third wave of ‘No Kings’ protests across the country since June 2025.

“I’ve been here for each of the ‘No Kings,’ and I’ll admit that I’m frustrated that I have to be back here again,” protester Carter Taylor said.

Taylor is a teacher for Kansas City Public Schools with AFT Local 691, and she said she showed up to represent her students.

“I hope that everyone here doesn’t just stay here today — that they donate to food banks, that they check in on their public schools,” Taylor said.

Screenshot 2026-03-28 at 5.35.36 PM.png — Protesters marched on the Country Club Plaza in a wave of No Kings protests across the country on March 28, 2026.

Protesters held signs critiquing the current administration’s stances on tariffs, ongoing wars and immigration enforcement, among other things.

Screenshot 2026-03-28 at 5.24.48 PM.png — Lonnie Beattle

“It means that people care,” protester Lonnie Beattle said. “People care about what’s going on in this country, and people are not happy with what’s going on in the country.”

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 27, 2026

Published

24 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 27 drawing

13-27-28-41-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 27 drawing

Midday: 1-2-5

Midday Wild: 5

Evening: 1-5-9

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 27 drawing

Midday: 4-9-8-1

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 6-7-3-3

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 27 drawing

Early Bird: 10

Morning: 10

Matinee: 03

Prime Time: 15

Night Owl: 09

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 27 drawing

08-15-18-25-29

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.

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Missouri

Boone Health files lawsuit against Missouri Heart Center, alleging contract breaches, data misuse

Published

2 days ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Boone Health files lawsuit against Missouri Heart Center, alleging contract breaches, data misuse

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone Health is suing a Columbia-based cardiology group, alleging breaches of contract, misuse of confidential information and plans to engage in unlawful competition.

The lawsuit, filed in Boone County Circuit Court, targets Missouri Cardiovascular Specialists LLP, also known as the Missouri Heart Center or MO Heart, which has provided cardiology services to Boone Health for more than a decade. According to court documents, a renewed agreement was signed in 2021 covering professional services and management of Boone Health’s cardiology operations.

Boone Health alleges it paid the cardiology group millions of dollars under those agreements for staffing, administrative oversight and revenue cycle management, which included access to sensitive financial and patient-related data. In return, MO Heart and its physicians agreed to noncompete and confidentiality provisions designed to protect Boone Health’s business interests.

The health system claims MO Heart violated those agreements by preparing to launch a competing cardiology practice in the Columbia area, potentially as soon as the contracts expire on May 6, 2026. The lawsuit alleges the new venture would fall within a restricted geographic area and time frame outlined in the noncompete clause, which Boone Health argues is enforceable under Missouri law.

Boone Health also accuses MO Heart of disclosing or misusing confidential information, including billing rates, reimbursement data and strategic business details during its transition to new partnerships with outside organizations. Boone Health alleges in the lawsuit those actions could cause “severe and irreparable injury.”

In addition, Boone Health claims MO Heart obstructed access to critical systems and data. The lawsuit alleges the cardiology group cut off Boone Health’s access to a key billing and patient information platform and stopped sharing necessary data, raising concerns about continuity of patient care.

Boone Health alleged that MO Heart indicated that it intends to operate independently and has taken the position that the noncompete provisions are unenforceable, according to the filing.

Boone Health is asking a judge to rule the noncompete agreements that MO Heart signed are valid, as well as having MO Heart return or destroy confidential information, and delay starting a competing practice until May 2027.

A jury trial has been requested.

A spokesperson for Boone Health told ABC 17 News that it would provide additional details early next week.

Dr. James T. Elliott of MO Heart disagreed with allegations in the lawsuit through a written statement.

“For months, we have tried to meet with leadership team at Boone Health to work constructively towards a new, collaborative arrangement that would preserve access to and expand high‑quality care for our patients and for the entire community. Unfortunately, Boone refused to engage with us in any meaningful way. Instead, we have been met with a series of escalating legal threats, culminating in today’s filing,” the statement reads.

“Earlier today Boone Health filed a lawsuit against Missouri Heart Center. We disagree with the lawsuit’s allegations and believe those claims are both legally and factually incorrect. This litigation does not change our commitment to caring for patients.”

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