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.
As schools prepare to reopen, state releases more guidance
As the back-to-school season approaches in an uncertain fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Missouri's state education and health departments have released more guidance for schools on how to prevent or react to infections at school.
Aug. 5 2020 @ 11:53pm
Missourians advance incumbent Republicans in governor, lieutenant governor races
A political showdown between Missouri's incumbent governor and its state auditor for the governorship is now set for the November election.
Aug. 4 2020 @ 10:55pm
Governor, Mid-Missouri school leaders discuss reopening
Gov. Mike Parson met Tuesday with Mid-Missouri school district leaders at Capital City High School in Jefferson City, and while the exact details of most of their conversation are not immediately known, it's clear Parson wanted counties to support schools' needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jul. 28 2020 @ 9:19pm
Missouri lawmakers, protesters call for expanded special session topics
Several Missouri senators and a group of protesters outside the Capitol on Monday made clear through their filed legislation and demands that Gov. Mike Parson's desired narrow focus on violent crime in a special legislative session does not go far enough for them.
Jul. 27 2020 @ 7:26pm
Mid-Missouri lawmakers support Gov. Parson's special session proposals
State lawmakers who represent the Jefferson City area agree the proposals called for by Gov. Mike Parson for a special legislative session starting Monday are a step in the right direction when it comes to addressing violent crime — though the proposals may not be enough by themselves.
Jul. 26 2020 @ 12:05am
COVID-19 testing available for people working in Missouri Capitol
With a special legislative session set to start next week and with two Missouri House of Representatives employees announced last week to have COVID-19, people who work at the state Capitol are being offered testing for the virus.
Jul. 21 2020 @ 12:05am
Missouri Gov. Parson calls special session to address violent crime
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Wednesday that he is convening a special session of state lawmakers to address violent crime in the state.
Jul. 15 2020 @ 2:45pm
Insured losses from tornado exceed original estimates
The majority of insured losses from May 2019 tornadoes in Missouri that the state's insurance department reported Thursday are from the May 22, 2019, Eldon-Jefferson City tornado — and the total of insured losses has significantly exceeded original estimates.
Jul. 11 2020 @ 5:42pm
Governor, administration prioritize reopening of schools
Gov. Mike Parson and his administration talked Thursday about the importance of getting students learning in-person again in the fall and released health guidance and funding with the intent of making that happen.
Jul. 9 2020 @ 8:04pm
Missouri Farm Bureau president hopeful for future under new trade agreement
With a new trade agreement in place since last week between the United States, Canada and Mexico, Missouri Farm Bureau's president said benefits will not necessarily appear overnight for Missouri farmers and ranchers, but people in agriculture can at least have more peace of mind in the meantime.
Jul. 6 2020 @ 12:05am
'Clinical judgment' triggers many responses to outbreaks
Much of the increase of COVID-19 cases in Missouri last week was driven by cases in a few specific geographical areas, highlighting the importance of identifying case clusters and opening questions of when and how public health authorities respond to outbreaks.
Jul. 4 2020 @ 6:56pm
Law enforcement standards commission look to listening sessions
Leaders of Missouri law enforcement want to be proactive after mass protests in recent weeks against police brutality and demands for measures of accountability for police.
Jun. 28 2020 @ 12:05am
Lincoln University police chief appointed to Missouri's police standards commission
Lincoln University Police Department Chief Gary Hill said Friday his appointment to serve on the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission will not change the roles he has in the Jefferson City community — but he does hope to use his time on the POST Commission to advocate for increased training for officers.
Jun. 19 2020 @ 11:15pm
Radio voice finds new delights in communications role
Van Beydler, a more than 20-year employee of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, started out his career doing radio, and sound — and images — continue to be the favorite parts of his job and other pastimes.
Jun. 14 2020 @ 1:03am
Gov. Parson outlines Missouri's economic priorities going forward
Missouri is facing multiple crises at once, but Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday he wants community leaders to think beyond short-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its parallel economic disaster.
Jun. 4 2020 @ 5:00pm
Missouri Gov. Parson on civil unrest: 'We're going to put an end to it'
Gov. Mike Parson is calling up more than 1,000 Missouri National Guard troops to help support the Missouri Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies.
Jun. 2 2020 @ 7:00pm
National Guard to help expand COVID-19 testing
After announcing earlier this week the state wants to test more Missourians for COVID-19, Gov. Mike Parson said Wednesday the Missouri National Guard will serve to expand testing across the state.
May. 21 2020 @ 12:05am
Missouri may help produce COVID-19 vaccine
If ongoing work pans out and approvals are given, a Pfizer Inc. research and development facility in Chesterfield could help manufacture a vaccine for COVID-19.
May. 7 2020 @ 7:43pm
Lincoln University looks at significant enrollment declines for summer, fall
Lincoln University is facing declines in its student enrollment, credit hour registration and incoming freshmen.
May. 5 2020 @ 12:05am
Gov. Parson extends executive orders, funds being disbursed to counties
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Monday extended some executive orders he signed earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those authorizing relaxed regulations and the deployment of the Missouri National Guard.
May. 4 2020 @ 5:05pm