Bird flu confirmed in chicken flock in southeastern Missouri

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Federal inspectors have confirmed the presence of bird flu in a flock of commercial broiler chickens in southeastern Missouri’s Stoddard County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the discovery in a news release Friday. The USDA says Missouri officials have quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the properties will be…

Missouri finalizes $458M deal in opioid epidemic lawsuit

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri will get $458 million to help victims of the opioid epidemic as part settlement with the three biggest U.S. drug distribution companies and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson. Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced the final settlement Friday. Schmitt says it’s the biggest “victim-centric” settlement ever in Missouri. The money…