Phillip Sitter is the News Tribune's reporter who covers Missouri's Senate, governor, executive government agencies, and MOSERS and MPERS. Previously, he covered local schools and school districts for the News Tribune for over 2 years since starting at the News Tribune in December 2016. Sitter's time at the News Tribune has been his first full-time job in journalism, although he studied at the University of Missouri's School of Journalism and contributed at the News Tribune in fall 2014 as a graduate student while on the Columbia Missourian's state government beat. He has also worked for MU's Bond Life Sciences Center. Sitter lives in Jefferson City and is originally from northwestern Illinois. He obtained his bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in Catholic social tradition from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 and lived in Washington, D.C., for a year after that while he began law school, before ultimately deciding that wasn't the career he wanted to pursue. He has also lived in London, United Kingdom, and New Orleans, Louisiana, for study-abroad and service opportunities. Follow him on Twitter at @pslifeisabeauty.
Economic development aid network being deployed
The Missouri Department of Economic Development has activated a statewide network of more than 400 economic development groups to offer assistance to employers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mar. 31 2020 @ 12:05am
Missouri governor expects more months of social distancing
Gov. Mike Parson said Monday that Missouri's statewide social distancing order is in the process of being expanded beyond its original end date next week.
Mar. 30 2020 @ 4:55pm
Missouri Supreme Court extends suspension of proceedings, allows for remote oaths
Though Missouri's courts remain open for necessary business, the Supreme Court of Missouri on Wednesday announced it had extended its statewide suspension of most in-person court proceedings to help address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mar. 26 2020 @ 12:05am
Missouri health officials: Speed of COVID-19 case verification can vary greatly
Numbers among Missouri's official count of COVID-19 cases can sometimes be ahead or behind other sources' tallies.
Mar. 26 2020 @ 12:05am
Gov Parson requests federal major disaster declaration
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson asked the federal government Wednesday to declare a major disaster for the entire state, to get more assistance for the state and local governments to respond to the spread and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mar. 25 2020 @ 8:19pm
Lincoln University, State Tech announce delayed graduation ceremony dates
Lincoln University's Class of 2020 will have the finish to their college careers they were anticipating, just not necessarily when they originally expected.
Mar. 25 2020 @ 4:50pm
Lincoln University to close campus
Lincoln University will close its Jefferson City campus starting Wednesday, the university announced Tuesday afternoon.
Mar. 24 2020 @ 11:05pm
Lincoln University aims to have students moved out by week's end
Lincoln University is working to have all students who live on campus moved out by Sunday, except for those students who cannot move.
Mar. 23 2020 @ 11:22pm
State Technical College to move classes online
State Technical College of Missouri in Linn will not have any on-campus classes this week, and online classes will start March 30.
Mar. 23 2020 @ 2:55pm
Missouri State Capitol, state office buildings to close to public
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is expected to announce Monday afternoon that state office buildings and the Missouri State Capitol will close to the public starting Tuesday.
Mar. 23 2020 @ 12:45pm
Governor cites actions aimed to protect most vulnerable during health crisis
In addition to anticipated restrictions on social gatherings and visits to food and drink establishments and residential facilities where senior citizens are congregated, Missouri's governor announced Saturday measures intended to help protect and serve vulnerable populations, including families in need of child care services, as the COVID-19 pandemic crisis continues.
Mar. 21 2020 @ 10:54pm
Missouri Senate taking next week off amid coronavirus concerns
The Missouri Senate will not meet next week, effectively making its spring break at least two weeks long.
Mar. 12 2020 @ 10:09pm
Missouri legislators briefed on coronavirus
Missouri's health department director came prepared Monday to demonstrate for state legislators how to properly wash their hands, one of the best measures he and other doctors said the public can use to defend against the COVID-19 disease caused by a new, spreading coronavirus.
Mar. 2 2020 @ 7:11pm
Bids being sought for levee repairs
There's not yet certainty of whether the Missouri River will disastrously flood again this spring, but the forecast is foreboding enough that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' chief who manages the Missouri River basin warned Monday that changes in releases from Gavins Point Dam may happen before the public receives immediate notice from the Corps.
Feb. 10 2020 @ 7:59pm
Auditor: 'Appearance of impropriety' existed in Hawley's use of state resources
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released a report Thursday that found no clear evidence of state laws being broken, but it did find then-Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley appeared to have used state resources for political purposes.
Feb. 6 2020 @ 8:36pm
State showcases new, centralized job application system
Finding a state government job is getting a little easier with a new job application website, state officials say.
Jan. 29 2020 @ 8:30am
Jefferson City area to benefit from federal disaster recovery grant
A large part of Jefferson City will be among the three areas in Missouri that will have priority in receiving Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to assist in recovery from the May 2019 tornado and other disasters.
Jan. 22 2020 @ 7:38pm
Governor, US housing secretary discuss visions of leadership through faith
Gov. Mike Parson and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson spoke Thursday morning about how faith has a place in their governance, with Carson hoping to see more involvement in social services by religious organizations.
Jan. 9 2020 @ 8:59pm
Republican Adela Wisdom announces candidacy for 3rd Congressional District
A Republican has announced her candidacy for the U.S. congressional seat that represents areas including Jefferson City and Callaway, Cole, Miller and Osage counties.
Jan. 2 2020 @ 12:05am
State Board of Education: Raise teacher pay to stay competitive
The Missouri State Board of Education is planned to hear recommendations in January on teacher recruitment and retention, including that teachers' minimum salaries be raised.
Dec. 28 2019 @ 5:44pm