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.
Gubernatorial candidates discuss how to address learning loss
At some point during the next Missouri governor's term, the immediate disruptions to schools caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will probably end, but the state and its leaders may have to contend with a slip in students' academic skill levels caused by extended school closures and remote learning.
Oct. 17 2020 @ 11:00pm
Highway Patrol data portal includes use of force, pursuits
The Missouri Highway Patrol recently made available more insight into its day-to-day work — including details of the circumstances last year of use of force incidents and vehicle pursuits.
Oct. 17 2020 @ 12:05am
State releases COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
While there is not yet a vaccine approved to be used against COVID-19, Missouri leaders announced Thursday the state is ready for when that moment comes, with the state having submitted its vaccine distribution plan to the federal government.
Oct. 16 2020 @ 12:05am
Missouri governor candidates diverge on paths, perspectives
The four candidates for governor — incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Parson, Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway, Libertarian nominee Rik Combs and Green Party nominee Jerome Bauer — shared the stage Friday at the Missouri Theatre in Columbia.
Oct. 9 2020 @ 11:41pm
Missouri National Guard leader promoted
The leader of the Missouri National Guard, Adj. Gen. Levon Cumpton, of Wardsville, was promoted in rank Wednesday during a pinning ceremony in Gov. Mike Parson's Capitol office.
Oct. 7 2020 @ 11:32pm
Missouri governor, first lady test positive for COVID-19
Gov. Mike Parson and first lady Teresa Parson, his wife, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Sep. 23 2020 @ 2:15pm
White House: Jefferson City, Cole County surpass Columbia, Boone County in new viral case activity
Jefferson City and Cole County have risen recently in the statewide rankings of metro areas and counties' new coronavirus case activity — surpassing the areas' more-populated neighbors to the north, according to the latest federal report tracking case activity.
Sep. 23 2020 @ 12:10am
Visiting suspended at Jefferson City Correctional Center
Two cases of COVID-19 among offenders at Jefferson City Correctional Center have prompted visiting at the prison to be suspended until further notice.
Sep. 14 2020 @ 3:10pm
Missouri lieutenant governor candidates talk key issues
The four candidates running for Missouri lieutenant governor running in the Nov. 3 general election have different views of what Missourians want and need, but all the candidates want to deliver on those demands.
Sep. 12 2020 @ 10:30pm
Special session gets heated over simmering issues
What started Wednesday in the Missouri Senate as straightforward votes on crime bills passed last week by the House of Representatives became a many hours-long and at times heated discussion that included gun laws and 2020 politics.
Sep. 2 2020 @ 11:50pm
'Most culpable person' in Carl DeBrodie death, cover-up gets 17.5 years in prison
Sherry Paulo was sentenced in federal court Tuesday to 17.5 years in prison for causing the death of Carl DeBrodie then trying to cover up his death.
Sep. 1 2020 @ 1:35pm
Changes coming for temporary license documents
The Missouri Department of Revenue is starting to make changes to temporary documents such as temporary driver licenses.
Sep. 1 2020 @ 12:05am
Missouri panel to review survey on law enforcement
The police training commission is not indicating if or when changes could be made.
Aug. 30 2020 @ 12:05am
Missouri Gov. Parson announces approval of saliva-based COVID-19 test
A new, saliva-based test for COVID-19 developed by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Wednesday.
Aug. 26 2020 @ 1:10pm
Missouri housing advocates: Halt evictions for now
Chief justice implored to invoke six-month moratorium
Aug. 21 2020 @ 1:13am
Missouri committee may propose changes to virtual education program
A Missouri Legislature joint committee is primed to request changes to a state virtual education program.
Aug. 19 2020 @ 8:01pm
Wear masks, White House adviser urges
Coronavirus task force coordinator visiting Missouri and other states.
Aug. 18 2020 @ 11:14pm
Missouri House panel expands juvenile-certification bill
A Missouri House committee passed a bill Monday that would expand upon earlier Senate proposals on juvenile certification hearings by further raising the minimum age for such a hearing to be required.
Aug. 17 2020 @ 11:04pm
Democrats call for special session protection of November absentee ballots
Missouri Democratic lawmakers and the party's candidate for secretary of state called Monday for the governor and secretary of state to act to protect Missouri voters' absentee ballots in November, given what they called "deliberate and systematic" actions by the Trump administration to sabotage the United States Postal Service and influence the outcome of the election.
Aug. 17 2020 @ 9:11pm
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