Unemployed having a difficult time getting through to the Department of Labor

More than 146,000 Missourians have filed for unemployment over the past two weeks, compared to about 7,000 filings during the first two weeks of March. The figures show the coronavirus pandemic is hitting Missouri workers and the economy hard by temporarily shuttering many businesses. During Thursdays Capitol presser, Governor Parson says he’s aware that residents are struggling to get through to the Department of Labor.

The department says it has ramped up staffing to help field a record-breaking number of unemployment claims and has boosted server capacity to prevent its website from crashing again. A spokesperson says more than 300 workers are answering calls and emails each day.