Explore

Springfield News-Leader Springfield News-Leader
Why do Missouri voters keep electing Republicans? | Opinion

Why do Missouri voters keep electing Republicans? | Opinion

Missouri voters rejected recent amendments but continue to elect the same legislators. This writer wonders, what drives this trend?
Trendline Trendline
SWTHZ Opens Luxury Contrast Therapy Studio in Kansas City

SWTHZ Opens Luxury Contrast Therapy Studio in Kansas City

SWTHZ Opens Luxury Contrast Therapy Studio in Kansas City
Springfield News-Leader Springfield News-Leader
Fatal head-on collision near Hollister involved Missouri state trooper

Fatal head-on collision near Hollister involved Missouri state trooper

The community is raising funds after a head-on crash Saturday on U.S. 65 near Hollister caused the death of a local state trooper's wife.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Missouri State Medical Association Invests $1.5 Million in New Political Action Committees

Missouri State Medical Association Invests $1.5 Million in New Political Action Committees

The Missouri State Medical Association (MSMA), the state's oldest business association, has invested $1.5 million into two newly established political action committees (PACs): Asclepius PAC and Patients First PAC. This marks a significant increase in the association's direct political spending, as Missouri Ethics Commission records indicate they had only contributed $19,625 to political committees since 2001, with no donations since 2014. The funds are earmarked for candidates in the upcoming legislative elections. Jeff Howell, executive vice president of the MSMA, stated that the association aims to support legislation that limits prior authorization for medical services and seeks to end the use of managed care for the state's Medicaid recipients. This substantial investment immediately positions these new PACs among the most well-funded lobbying interests in Missouri politics, drawing attention from other major contributors.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Missouri Republicans Propose New Amendment 3 to Restrict Abortion Rights and Transgender Healthcare for Minors

Missouri Republicans Propose New Amendment 3 to Restrict Abortion Rights and Transgender Healthcare for Minors

Missouri Republican leaders have introduced a new Amendment 3 for the November ballot, aiming to reinstate the state's abortion ban with limited exceptions and constitutionally prohibit gender transition care for minors. This move follows the 2024 approval of a previous Amendment 3 by voters, which enshrined reproductive rights and overturned a near-total abortion ban. The new proposal seeks to reverse that decision, bundling abortion restrictions with a ban on gender transition surgeries and new prescriptions for puberty blockers and hormones for minors, despite existing state laws already largely covering the latter. Critics argue the inclusion of transgender healthcare restrictions is a tactic to make the abortion ban more palatable to voters, as the state already has legal prohibitions on such care for minors. The ballot summary for the new Amendment 3 has faced legal challenges, with courts ordering revisions to clarify its impact on previously approved reproductive rights.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Missouri Republicans Link Abortion Rights Repeal to Anti-Trans Sentiment in New Ballot Amendment

Missouri Republicans Link Abortion Rights Repeal to Anti-Trans Sentiment in New Ballot Amendment

Missouri Republican leaders are attempting to repeal voter-approved abortion rights by introducing a new ballot initiative, Amendment 3, which combines abortion restrictions with a constitutional ban on gender transition care for minors. This move comes after voters in 2024 approved a previous Amendment 3 that enshrined reproductive rights, overturning a near-total abortion ban. The new Amendment 3 seeks to restore an abortion ban with limited exceptions for rape, incest, medical emergencies, and fetal anomalies, while also constitutionally prohibiting gender transition care for minors, despite existing state laws already banning such surgeries and new prescriptions of puberty blockers and hormones for minors until August 2027. Critics argue that the inclusion of gender care restrictions is a tactic to make an unpopular abortion ban more palatable to voters, as polling suggests stronger opposition to gender transition care for minors than to abortion access. The ballot summary for the new Amendment 3 has f...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Missouri Republicans Propose Amendment Linking Abortion Rights Repeal with Ban on Gender Transition Care for Minors

Missouri Republicans Propose Amendment Linking Abortion Rights Repeal with Ban on Gender Transition Care for Minors

Missouri Republican leaders have introduced a new Amendment 3 for the November ballot, aiming to repeal the state's voter-approved abortion rights and constitutionally prohibit gender transition care for minors. This move comes two years after voters approved a previous Amendment 3, which enshrined reproductive rights in the state constitution, overturning a near-total abortion ban. The current proposal bundles the restoration of Missouri's abortion ban, with limited exceptions, alongside a ban on gender transition care for minors, despite existing state laws already restricting such care. Critics argue that this strategy uses the issue of gender transition care as 'ballot candy' to make an unpopular abortion ban more palatable to voters, and that the ballot summary initially drafted by lawmakers was misleading. A state appeals court has since ordered a rewrite of the ballot language to clearly state that the amendment would repeal voter-approved reproductive healthcare rights.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe Appoints Valarie Moseley as New Department of Corrections Director

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe Appoints Valarie Moseley as New Department of Corrections Director

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced the appointment of Valarie Moseley as the next director of the Missouri Department of Corrections. This appointment is set to take effect on October 1, when the current director, Trevor Foley, will transition to serve as the state budget director. Moseley's appointment is subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate. She has served as the department’s deputy director since December 2023, overseeing strategic planning, operational efficiency, crisis management, and policy development. Before her role as deputy director, Moseley led the Division of Offender Rehabilitative Services, where she launched the 'Reentry 2030' initiative, making Missouri the first state to join this national program. Her career within the department also includes serving as assistant division director for employee health and safety, where she developed the 'Prevent-Respond-Support' model for employee care and trauma response and played a significant role in the department's COVID-19 pande...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Rep. Bryan Steil Criticized for Silence on New Federal Medicaid Rule Changes Amidst Past Vote for Cuts

Rep. Bryan Steil Criticized for Silence on New Federal Medicaid Rule Changes Amidst Past Vote for Cuts

Rep. Bryan Steil is facing criticism for his silence during the public comment period regarding new federal rule changes that could further reduce Medicaid services. This comes after his previous vote for a Republican tax law that significantly cut Medicaid funding. According to an op-ed by Emma Widmar, a constituent with multiple chronic illnesses, these new proposals from the Trump administration threaten essential services she relies on for daily care. Widmar highlighted that the Republican tax law, which Steil supported, already led to the largest Medicaid cuts in the nation's history. The new federal rule is currently being finalized by the Trump administration, and despite widespread opposition from patients, healthcare professionals, and advocacy organizations across the country, Rep. Steil did not publicly comment or advocate for his constituents who depend on Medicaid. The concern is that these changes could lead to people with serious illnesses losing coverage in the middle of treatment, potentia...
Trendline Trendline
High School Sports Associations Report Progress in Addressing Official Shortage

High School Sports Associations Report Progress in Addressing Official Shortage

High School Sports Associations Report Progress in Addressing Official Shortage
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Police Investigate Apparent Murder-Suicide in South County, St. Louis

Police Investigate Apparent Murder-Suicide in South County, St. Louis

Police in St. Louis County, Missouri, are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that occurred on Thursday. Officers were dispatched to a home in the 3000 block of Cambridge View Court in South County to conduct a welfare check. Upon arrival just before 4:30 p.m., they discovered a man and a woman deceased inside the residence. Preliminary investigations suggest that the man shot the woman before turning the gun on himself. On Friday, authorities identified the deceased as 82-year-old Genevieve Gribben and 84-year-old James Gribben. The police have stated that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Democratic Candidates in New Hampshire's 1st District Debate Healthcare Reform Approaches

Democratic Candidates in New Hampshire's 1st District Debate Healthcare Reform Approaches

Democratic candidates vying for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District are presenting differing visions for healthcare reform ahead of the September 8 primary. Christian Urrutia, a former Air BnB executive, is advocating for a 'Medicare for All' system, which he argues would empower Medicare to negotiate drug prices and eliminate bureaucratic waste in the private healthcare system. Urrutia publicly challenged his opponents, including Maura Sullivan, a veteran and former Obama administration official, who supports a public option program allowing individuals to pay into Medicare. Stefany Shaheen, a former Portsmouth city councilor, initially faced criticism from Urrutia for an unclear stance but has since reiterated her support for Medicare for All, while also expressing openness to a public option and short-term expansions of Medicare benefits. Other candidates like Hampton selectboard chair Carleigh Beriont and state Rep. Heath Howard also support Medicare for All, while nonprofit executive Sarah Chad...