Latest news with #MissouriDepartmentofConservation
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Missouri ash tree owners face choice: Treatment or removal
John Skinner, community forester, joined us to talk about the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) that kills ash trees. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the larvae feed under the bark of ash trees, leaving S-shaped trails (below). The species was first discovered in 2002 in Michigan, and was later found in the southeastern part of Missouri in 2008. The dead trees they leave behind become dangerously brittle. Skinner says if about 30% of the tree is already dead, chemicals will not help, and the tree will need to be removed. He urges homeowners to either treat or remove infected ash trees to prevent hazards, since they can be a dangerous plant to keep around. Lastly, Skinner says it's important to distinguish ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) from other species with similar-looking leaves. MDC says all ash trees are susceptible to the nonnative emerald ash borer; the Green ash (F. pennsylvanica), a common species found across the state, is particularly vulnerable to borers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Data breach at Missouri Department of Conservation exposed employees' personal information
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) said Friday that its employees' personal information was leaked in a data breach earlier this year. In February of this year, the MDC said its cybersecurity team notified it of unauthorized access to one of its servers. City of Leavenworth files new lawsuit against CoreCivic after judge throws out previous suit At first, the department said no personal information had been compromised in the data breach. However, in April, the MDC determined that some files had been impacted by the breach. Specifically, the department has determined that current and former beneficiaries of the MDC's health benefits plan may have been impacted. However, the MDC cannot confirm exactly what data has been affected for each of the impacted individuals. The information involved may have included contact information (i.e., name, address, date of birth, phone number and email) and one or more of the following: Health benefits plan enrollment information Other personal information, such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers or state ID numbers. The department said it's continuing to investigate with the help of law enforcement. In the meantime, the MDC said individuals can take the following steps to protect themselves: Monitor any benefits statements received from health care providers, as well as bank and credit card statements, credit reports and other similar documents for any unfamiliar activity. Contact your medical provider or health plan if you identify health care services that you did not receive on your benefits statement. Contact your financial institution, credit card company or other applicable agency if you notice any suspicious activity on bank or credit card statements or on tax returns. Contact local law enforcement authorities if you believe that you are a victim of a crime. The department said it has implemented additional safeguards in addition to the IT security policies and procedures already in effect. Missouri counties denied state aid for tornado damage The MDC said it's in the process of providing direct, written notification to potentially impacted individuals. The department said it has also provided substitute notification on its website for potentially impacted individuals who may not have sufficient address information on file with the department. 'MDC regrets the inconvenience and concern that this incident may have caused to our team, retirees, and current or former beneficiaries of our health benefits plan,' the department said in a news release. The MDC said it will provide complimentary credit monitoring services to impacted individuals who are concerned their information may have been compromised. More information about complimentary credit monitoring services will be provided in the coming weeks, the department said. Those who believe they have been affected by this data breach can contact the MDC toll-free at 800-392-3111 or PrivacySupport@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Missouri conservation staff tracking peregrine falcons in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation has been working this month to track a certain bird of prey that has been reintroduced to urban areas in past decades. Peregrine falcons could become a more common sight in the Kansas City area and elsewhere statewide as the conservation department's peregrine falcon nesting program takes flight. Overland Park residents can apply for property tax rebate starting this weekend Kansas City was included in the nesting program in 2019, and this month, the department has been providing updates as it works to grow the population of peregrine falcons in the state, a species labeled a 'conservation concern.' Earlier this month, conservation department staff and a representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture met up on the rooftop of the Shook, Hardy and Bacon law firm building in Kansas City to place leg bands on three peregrine falcon chicks living in a nesting box. The department shared on Facebook recently that they offer the nesting boxes as a safer alternative for falcons that have historically built their nests on cliffs and ledges. Leg bands have been placed on several young falcons this month, the department said, in an effort to keep track of where the birds go once they leave the nest. The leg bands are large enough to fit the birds as they grow into adults and included identification numbers, the department said. This week, the department included an update that staff members added leg bands to three more chicks, this time at Evergy's Hawthorn station in Kansas City. 'MDC staff recently banded peregrine falcon chicks at EVERGY's Hawthorn Generating Station in Kansas City,' the department posted on Facebook Wednesday. 'There were 2 males and 1 female, all in excellent health. EVERGY staff hold their newest family members with great pride.' FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up for daily forecasts and Joe's Weather Blog in your inbox Here are some facts about peregrine falcons, provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Cornell Lab: One of the world's fastest birds, peregrine falcons can reach speeds of 200 mph as they dive toward their prey from a high-up location. The species was nearly eradicated because of side-effects of DDT and other pesticides in the middle of the 20th century. They hunt starlings, pigeons and other smaller birds seen in the city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Squirrel and black bass hunting kicks off this week
MISSOURI — Squirrel and black bass hunting season has began as of Saturday, May 24. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is alerting citizens that hunting season for squirrels and black bass has started. Squirrel season runs until Feb. 15, 2026, and black bass season runs until Feb. 28, 2026. MDC says that methods allowed for squirrels include shotguns, rifles and other legal firearms. They can also use archery equipment, slingshots, atlatls or cage-style traps. Cargo-style traps can only be used if a hunter has a valid Small Game Hunting permit, the MDC says. Hunters can only hunt up to 10 squirrels per day and only have 20 in possession. Fire damages apartment multiplex in Richland Black bass, such as largemouth, smallmouth and spotted Kentucky bass can be found all over the state of Missouri. The black bass can usually be caught all year long, but usually have a closed off time during part of the year in the Missouri River. In most state limits, the number of black bass that can be caught daily is six. For more information, visit MDC's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bear spotted in O'Fallon; residents urged to keep distance
O'FALLON, Mo. – Officials from the O'Fallon Missouri Police Department are cautioning residents following a bear sighting in the O'Fallon neighborhood. The police department shared the announcement on Facebook just after 6 p.m. Friday. The bear was spotted in the Haycastle Drive area. They believe the animal is moving northeast. Video courtesy of Wesley Dugger Because of this rare sighting, the O'Fallon police are asking people to keep a safe distance from the bear. Locals are also urged to not feed or call the bear. The Missouri Department of Conservation has been informed regarding the incident. The department, however, advised that the bear is expected to leave the area on its own. 'Let's all do our part to keep both the community and the bear safe. Thank you for your cooperation,' the police department concluded on Facebook. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
