News

Democratic Governor Jay Nixon took part in a groundbreaking ceremony in Chesterfield Monday, where Reinsurance Group of America announced it is bringing 300 new jobs the area.

Republicans in the Missouri General Assembly passed a bill this year that would cut income taxes – aimed at attracting more businesses and competing with nearby states like Kansas.

Nixon will now have to decide whether to sign or veto the bill. But he told reporters afterward that drastic changes like the tax cut are bad for business.

Alan Freeman is stepping down as Director of the Missouri Department of Social Services, after only five months on the job.

Last December, Freeman left his job as President and CEO of Grace Hill Health Centers in St. Louis to take over the state's Social Services department.  A press release from Governor Nixon's office states that Freeman is leaving to return to his former position at Grace Hill.  No reason was given for the decision.

Department store giant Macy's has announced that it's closing its downtown St. Louis location.

94 people work at the approximately 189,000 square-foot facility at 601 Olive St.

The reason? Insufficient customer activity, Macy's says.

Despite years of cuts to the Illinois state budget, even more are ahead.  Legislators are still deciding where else they can slash spending.

"Human services" is a legislative phrase that covers many departments and services, according to Representative Greg Harris.

"All the state departments  dealing with health care, senior services, children services, so the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Medicaid, human services, mental health, substance abuse, Department of Aging, DCFS, public health and veterans," said Harris.