Missouri governor sounds alarm, warns spreading drought could spell financial ruin for farming...

Missouri Governor Mike Parson on Thursday declared a drought alert as state agencies respond to an expanding drought that he said could lead to financial ruin for farm families. Parson, who is a farmer, said at a news conference that 53 counties, largely in southern Missouri, were experiencing drought conditions that are moving into central regions of the state.

The conditions are not expected to improve anytime soon, he said, making it necessary to begin providing resources now.