More Missouri health departments halt COVID efforts after attorney general's threat

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A growing number of local health departments across Missouri are ending their COVID-19 response after Attorney General Eric Schmitt demanded the agencies comply with a court ruling that appears to severely limit the authority of local health officials. Since Thursday, more than half a dozen departments have announced they are suspending coronavirus-related work after Schmitt, a Republican campaigning for U.S. Senate, sent letters earlier in the week. The announcements come from health departments in mostly rural counties — none have been issued from the Kansas City or St. Lo...