SUMMARY: The Jackson County, Missouri Legislature and Democratic County Executive Frank White have agreed on the allocation of $70.4 million in remaining COVID-19 relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The funds will support infrastructure projects and community initiatives, preventing the money from being returned to the federal government. During a recent legislative meeting, there was positive public response to the agreement. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver facilitated discussions to ensure the legislation met federal guidelines. White is focusing on courthouse repairs and relocating county offices, emphasizing that nonprofits will need to reapply for funding through a revised process.

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SUMMARY: The Kansas City Council has launched the REACH program to provide a non-police response for individuals experiencing mental health crises or substance abuse. Instead of calling 911, residents can dial 816-513-6010 for assistance from mental health clinicians and social workers. Funded with $1.2 million, the program operates along Prospect Avenue to address high poverty and crime rates. It aims to reduce arrests and provide necessary care, easing the burden on police and the legal system. If successful, REACH may expand to other areas of the city to further support community health needs without involving law enforcement.

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The post A new Kansas City program steers residents to mental health or drug care rather than custody • Missouri Independent appeared first on missouriindependent.com

SUMMARY: Studies suggest that the diabetes drug Ozempic may cause a rare side effect linked to vision loss, specifically a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which affects the optic nerve. This condition can lead to painless vision loss, often with blind spots, and may cause lasting damage, though it can sometimes heal. While the risk remains low, especially for those without diabetes, experts recommend that people taking Ozempic continue their treatment as the evidence is still correlational. Individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or smoking habits should be more aware of the potential risk.

The Retina Institute’s ophthalmologist, Dr. Avinash Honasoge, joins the morning show to talk about the Ozempic being linked to rare vision loss risk

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