Mike Parson

Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole laid out a timeline during a press conference Tuesday. Governor Kehoe commended state agents who responded and spoke of supporting the families of the fallen officers. Separately, the Stone County Sheriff's office defended the judge in the suspect's most recent case.

The funding is part of a preliminary budget request submitted by state regulators that, if approved by lawmakers, would become available next summer.

At the press conference announcing the task force, Governor Mike Parson left the door open for legislative efforts to regulate the hemp industry.

The belief that the Lieutenant Governor might reverse the ban led members of Missouri Hemp Trade Association to support Kehoe's bid for governor.

Gov. Mike Parson said his ban aims to crack down on intoxicating hemp edibles that mimic candy, but hemp industry leaders say the ban goes too far.

Governor Mike Parson's crackdown on hemp-derived drugs is already affecting some Missouri businesses.

Kevin Halderman said he was already facing market pressure, but the executive order banning psychoactive hemp products was the nail in the coffin.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson issued an angry letter to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for rejecting a slate of emergency rules aimed at curtailing hemp-derived edibles and beverages at businesses with liquor licenses.

Gov. Mike Parson reviewed his approach to governing in an interview with the Missourian and KBIA.

Even with a mostly volunteer workforce, the approximately $300,000 annually the program gets from the state isn’t enough, advocates said.