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.
Missouri governor eases K-12 quarantine requirements
Meanwhile, Cole County and Jefferson City issue a COVID-19 advisory.
Nov. 12 2020 @ 10:25am
Governor: Take precautions amid 'COVID fatigue'
As a special legislative session gets underway for the state to spend remaining federal pandemic aid, Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday acknowledged Missourians' weariness of living with COVID-19 but urged them to continue to take precautions as winter, flu season and families gathering for the holidays begin to converge.
Nov. 5 2020 @ 7:20pm
Kehoe wins lieutenant governor's race
Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe won election to a full term as lieutenant governor.
Nov. 3 2020 @ 11:05pm
Rules of the polls for Election Day
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. — here are some rules to know before casting your vote.
Nov. 3 2020 @ 6:44am
Missouri governor candidates discuss budget priorities, conservation sales tax
The News Tribune asked the governor candidates about their views on the state's conservation sales tax and what their state budget priorities would be.
Nov. 2 2020 @ 1:12am
USDA awards grants to boost ethanol, biodiesel sales
A U.S. Department of Agriculture program — combined with matching funds from state and industry partners — is using grant funding to expand sales of ethanol and biodiesel in Missouri and other parts of the Midwest and Great Plains.
Oct. 29 2020 @ 11:39pm
Missouri gubernatorial candidates address police reform proposals
The four gubernatorial candidates seeking election for a full term as governor Nov. 3 were asked about their positions on some of the proposals of a state Senate bill that sought to address issues raised by this year's events.
Oct. 24 2020 @ 11:22pm
Jefferson City Correctional Center surpasses Algoa in COVID-19 cases
Testing in recent weeks has turned up more cases of COVID-19 at Jefferson City Correctional Center, which has now surpassed the size of the outbreak at neighboring Algoa Correctional Center.
Oct. 23 2020 @ 12:05am
Heartland Port Authority has global-level marketing view
There's still land conveyance work to be done before there's a new Missouri River port in Jefferson City, but as the Heartland Port Authority develops its marketing strategy to attract interest in development, it's clear ambitions are high.
Oct. 20 2020 @ 6:37pm
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