Features

As the summer months approach, most people turn to thoughts of sunshine, outdoor barbecues and destination trips. Yet travelers often are greeted by detours, lane closures and delays for road repairs that generally are reserved for warmer weather. Researchers at the University of Missouri have studied systems to alleviate inevitable backups and delays. Researchers found

The summer month of June is a great time to celebrate the health and flavor that fresh fruits and vegetables offer according to Dr. Pam Duitsman, nutrition and health education specialist, University of Missouri Extension. “Variety can be as important as quantity because each vegetable or fruit has its unique signature of healthy components –

A national tomato growers supply company honors a Missouri Advanced Master Gardener this spring by selling tomato seeds she saved for decades. On the cover of its 2017 catalog, the Tomato Growers Supply Co. features “Mrs. Maxwell’s Big Italian,” an heirloom beefsteak tomato prized for its flavor. The dark pink tomato is the result of

Gardening can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors for any age.  It stimulates all of the senses, awakens our connection with nature and with each other, and rewards us with fresh flowers and juicy tomatoes. According to the CDC, gardening is an excellent way to get physical activity in our daily routine.  Active

by Diane Olson Are we there yet? Mom he’s looking at me. It’s my turn to sit by the door. Why do I always have to sit in the middle? Summer travels can be both fun and challenging with young riders on board. Even a short trip can seem like an eternity, especially when your

With summer approaching, people are going outside and firing up their grills. Grilling meat over open flame can produce tasty meals. But it can also produce harmful chemicals, especially if the temperature is above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. These chemicals are known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), says Lydia Kaume, a nutrition

How to spot and fix medical billing mistakes Dear Savvy Senior After a recent hospital stay, I have a stack of confusing medical bills at home I need to decipher. I’ve heard these bills frequently contain mistakes. How do I spot them to ensure I’m not paying more than I need to be? Cautious Carol

Japanese beetles are back in full force in Missouri. Expect them two weeks earlier than normal, says University of Missouri Extension entomologist Ben Puttler. Puttler traps Japanese beetles and other pests. He already sees larger-than-normal counts of Japanese beetles this year. Wet weather creates conditions favorable for earlier emergence. The gregarious eaters chomp holes in

After Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City announced it will exit the Affordable Care Act exchanges, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) released the following statement: “Today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City announced they are pulling out of the Missouri ACA individual exchange by the end of the year. This is a