JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – An April report from the insurance marketplace website Policy Genius placed Missouri 25th among states when considering those that best accommodate people with disabilities.

The site considered multiple factors including affordability, healthcare access and economic conditions.

On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt spoke to a statewide group of disability rights advocacy organizations and providers in a roundtable discussion.

The Show-Me state was the subject of a recent report from the Department of Justice that revealed the state has been routinely subjecting patients with serious mental health disabilities to years-long stays in nursing home facilities through the misuse of the guardianship process.

“I haven’t seen that report, but generally speaking, we can do a lot better as it relates to intellectual disabilities,” Schmitt said when asked about the DOJ report.

Schmitt emphasized the need to create more employment opportunities for the disabled community.

“Allowing individuals with disabilities to save in a way that they’re not punished by way of benefits that they might otherwise receive is an important reform that I’ve advocated for in the past and will continue to do,” Schmitt said.

READ MORE: Sports betting, minimum wage and abortion access questions approved for Missouri November ballot

Missouri’s junior senator also acknowledged a lingering stigma surrounding mental health disabilities, which are often carved out of conversations about public accommodations and services.

Lydia X.Z. Brown serves as the policy director for the National Disability Institute. They said almost every single public policy issue affects the disabled community in a disporportunate manner, and that the community itself is an extremely diverse group with diverse needs.

“People oftentimes will come to the conversation with misconceptions and preconceived notions about what a disability is and who counts as having a disability,” Brown said.

For example, people with disabilities are more likely to be living below the poverty line, more likely to experience housing insecurity or homelessness, more likely to experience domestic abuse,  more likely to experience employment discrimination, and less likely to establish retirement security.

“People with disabilities are affected by every single issue that is of concern to any community that cares about the future of humanity, and that cares about the good of society,” Brown said.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Defensive end Darris Smith will miss the season for No. 11 Missouri after hurting his knee in practice, Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz said Wednesday.

Smith transferred to Missouri from SEC rival Georgia, where he appeared in 16 games over his first two seasons. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound pass rusher was competing for a starting job with Michigan State transfer Zion Young.

“We are devastated by the injury to Darris,” Drinkwitz said. “He was having an outstanding camp and was poised to have a great year. We will support Darris in his recovery and look forward to him returning stronger than before.”

The Tigers return Johnny Walker Jr. at one defensive end spot, but they are trying to replace all-SEC pass rusher Darius Robinson on the opposite side of the line. Joe Moore III and Georgia Tech transfer Eddie Kelly also are in the mix for playing time.

Smith did not redshirt while at Georgia, so he still will have two years of eligibility remaining.

The Tigers open the season Aug. 29 against Murray State.

Good morning, everyone. It’s National Creamsicle Day. If you can’t get one, consider making this 3-ingredient instead. Now, on to the news.

NEED TO KNOW

Missouri and Arizona approve abortion ballot initiatives

Missouri and Arizona are the latest in a growing number of states to greenlight ballot initiatives that would potentially restore abortion rights in November.

Their goals: Both and measures would protect the right to receive abortion care up until fetal viability (usually around 24 weeks of pregnancy), and would prohibit the government from limiting access to it. [NBC News]

Bigger picture: Voters in six other states — Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New York and South Dakota — will decide this November whether to . Montana and Arkansas are also considering ballot measures. [CNN]

What women say: A new Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that most reproductive-age women in the U.S. whether abortion is legal, regardless of their party affiliation. [The Hill]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

✨ Rare cosmic event

The Perseid meteor shower hit its peak across the northern hemisphere at the same time as the northern lights in some areas yesterday. Here’s a look at the around the world. [Yahoo News]

➡️ Tropical Storm Ernesto

Nearing hurricane strength, Tropical Storm Ernesto is projected to bring heavy rain and cause power outages as it today. It could also bring dangerous rip currents along the East Coast next week. [CNN]

🩺 Biden’s ‘Cancer Moonshot’

President Biden announced $150 million in grants as part of his “Moonshot” initiative to by 50% over the next 25 years. “It’s not just personal,” he said. “It’s about what’s possible.” [AP]

⚖️ Trump, Musk charged

The United Auto Workers against Donald Trump and Elon Musk, alleging that they tried to “threaten and intimidate” workers during their recent conversation on X, which Musk owns. [Reuters]

📺 ‘AGT’ golden buzzer

America’s Got Talent judge Sofia Vergara pressed the golden buzzer during the quarterfinals to give what she called one of the show’s “most ambitious acts” a direct pass to the final. . [Entertainment Weekly]

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY

🔎 Bad Monkey, a crime dramedy series starring Vince Vaughn, is on Apple TV+. . [TVLine]

📺 The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras premieres at 8 p.m. ET on MTV. Here’s . [TheWrap]

⚾ In baseball, the Yankees and the White Sox at 8:10 p.m. ET on the MLB app. [USA Today]

☀️ And don’t forget to: Read your daily . Play . Check the in your area.

TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally to the U.S., ending World War II. Celebrations erupted internationally, but one famous but controversial photo of a sailor in New York City became the enduring symbol of post-war jubilation. [Time]

3 QUESTIONS

…about the WNBA season

The WNBA season ramps back up tomorrow. I asked sports reporter Cassandra Negley to break down what we could see in the coming games.

Lily: So, who are the teams to beat at this point?

Cassandra: New York Liberty’s chemistry , but the Connecticut Sun just in Marina Mabrey. I also believe the fifth-place Las Vegas Aces are still dangerous as the two-time reigning champs.

Lily: Caitlin Clark now has half of a WNBA season under her belt. How’s she faring?

Cassandra: I think Clark is living up to expectations as the league’s assists leader and Rookie of the Year favorite. Hopefully with recent rest she’ll hit more of her .

Lily: What’s the one game to watch this week?

Cassandra: I’d say the Liberty-Aces Finals super-team rematch on Saturday [4 p.m. ET on CBS]. It’s the first time they’re meeting this year with point guards Courtney Vandersloot and Chelsea Gray available.

Who else could win Rookie of the Year? Here’s .

FEEL-GOOD MOMENT

More than 4,000 people recently attended an Ohio festival called Twins Days, which is the for multiples. “You automatically have this very innate connection with other twins,” one person said. “You’re all part of a special club.” [Today]

Have an excellent day. See you tomorrow!

💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: How much money should you actually save each month? Experts recommend . [Yahoo Finance]

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