Missouri official reviews price gouging; case growth slows
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's attorney general on Monday announced he issued subpoena-like demands for information from third-party Amazon sellers in an attempt to fight price gouging amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt's office is investigating eight Missouri-based Amazon sellers who allegedly have been charging two to 19 times the prices charged before the COVID-19 outbreak for hand sanitizer, masks and respirators.
Schmitt issued civil investigative demands requiring the third-party sellers to provide his office with details on pricing.
“Price gouging is something that we’re taking incredibly seriously, and we’re exploring all avenues in order to protect Missourians during these unprecedented times,” Schmitt said in a statement.
ADDITIONAL CASES
The attorney general's action came after the death of a Democratic Party leader in western Missouri pushed the number of coronavirus-related deaths in the state to 12 and the total confirmed cases past 900 as health officials hoped a brief slowdown in its spread would continue Monday.
The death of William “Al” Grimes, the Henry County Democratic Party chairman, was announced Sunday in a tweet from state Chairwoman Jean Peters Baker. It came after the Henry County Health Center in Clinton, about 60 miles (96.6 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City, announced that a man in his 70s had died.
Peters said that Grimes, a Navy veteran, had been active in campaigns throughout eastern and central Missouri. He also ran for the Missouri House in 2014 and 2016.
The number of coronavirus cases confirmed in Missouri rose by 65 on Sunday, according to the state Department of Health and Senior Services. But the increase of 8% was considerably lower than the 25% increase Saturday and the average daily increase of 45% over the previous week.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
MANUFACTURER LAYOFFS
An engine parts manufacturer is laying off around 400 employees at its Mexico and Hannibal plants in Missouri.
Spartan Light Metal Products cited a drop in demand for the layoffs, which the company said it expects to be temporary. The Mexico plant will lose 332 employees, with about 72 affected in Hannibal, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported.
Layoffs started Thursday in Mexico and Monday in Hannibal. The laid-off employees include many positions, from administrative jobs to engineers, including a company vice president.
A+ SCHOLARSHIP CHANGES
Missouri education officials have changed some requirements for the state's A+ Scholarship program, which pays community college tuition for qualifying students.
With all schools in Missouri closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development has waived the ACT math score or high school GPA alternative for graduating seniors.
The department also waived the Algebra I end of course requirement for all seniors, reduced the tutoring or mentoring hours required for the A+ scholarship, and changed the GPA requirements for seniors and renewal students.