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Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota Indicted for Bribery in 2026 Election Scheme

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota Indicted for Bribery in 2026 Election Scheme

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of bribery related to the 2026 election for Jackson County Executive. The indictment accuses LeVota of engaging in a scheme to bribe a candidate to withdraw from the race by offering a six-figure, taxpayer-funded job. The charges include honest services fraud, federal program bribery, and making false statements to federal agents. LeVota allegedly met with a potential candidate and discussed offering them a government position in exchange for their withdrawal from the election. Despite the indictment, LeVota has pleaded not guilty and denies the allegations, stating that no money changed hands and that he had nothing to gain from the candidate's withdrawal.

East Baton Rouge Superintendent LaMont Cole Indicted on Corruption Charges Amid Ongoing Investigation

East Baton Rouge Superintendent LaMont Cole Indicted on Corruption Charges Amid Ongoing Investigation

LaMont Cole, the Superintendent of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, has been indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit public bribery and money laundering, as well as malfeasance in office. The charges are part of a broader investigation by the Attorney General's office into alleged corruption within the city-parish government. The indictment accuses Cole of engaging in these activities between August 2022 and December 2024, during his tenure on the Metro Council. Two other individuals, Erica and Terral Jackson, were also indicted on similar charges. Cole, who has denied the allegations, describes the indictment as a 'miscarriage of justice' and maintains his focus on the upcoming school year. The school board has expressed support for Cole, emphasizing the importance of due process.

Missouri Republicans Rethink Strategy After Amendments 4 and 5 Fail, Impacting Tax Policy

Missouri Republicans Rethink Strategy After Amendments 4 and 5 Fail, Impacting Tax Policy

Missouri Republicans are reassessing their approach following the defeat of Amendments 4 and 5. These amendments, which aimed to eliminate the state income tax and make it harder to amend the state constitution, were rejected by voters. Rep. Alex Riley, expected to become the next House speaker, noted that the amendments faced opposition due to unanswered questions and aggressive proposals. Despite the defeat, Republicans remain committed to pursuing tax cuts and conservative policies. House Minority Leader Ashley Aune sees this as an opportunity for Democrats to gain momentum ahead of the November elections, highlighting the need for property tax reform.

Springfield News-Leader

Missouri voters say no changes to initiative petitions, income tax

Missouri voters say no changes to initiative petitions, income tax

Missourians voted to reject Amendment 4 and 5 in the Aug. 4 election, while approving Amendments 1 and 2.

Missouri Voters Reject Income Tax and Initiative Petition Amendments in Landslide Decision

Missouri Voters Reject Income Tax and Initiative Petition Amendments in Landslide Decision

Missouri voters have decisively rejected two significant constitutional amendments, with Amendment 4 failing by nearly 80% and Amendment 5 by over 82%. Amendment 4 aimed to make it more challenging to amend the state constitution by requiring majority support in every congressional district, while Amendment 5 proposed phasing out the state's income tax, allowing for increased sales and use taxes to compensate for the revenue loss. Governor Mike Kehoe supported both amendments, advocating for bold economic policies. However, the amendments faced strong opposition, with over a million votes cast against them. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas criticized the amendments, labeling them as failures of leadership and detrimental to Missouri families. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Ashley Aune highlighted the political repercussions for state leaders backing these measures. In contrast, voters approved Amendments 1 and 2, which renew the sales tax funding for state parks and make the Jackson County assessor an ele...

Jackson County Addresses Ballot Shortage on Election Day

Jackson County Addresses Ballot Shortage on Election Day

On Election Day, two polling places in Jackson County, Missouri, experienced a temporary shortage of paper ballots, leading to longer wait times for voters. The affected locations were Holy Spirit Catholic Church and Hawthorne Hill Elementary School. Election officials quickly responded by printing and delivering additional ballots to these sites. Despite the shortage, voting machines were available to process ballots one at a time, allowing voting to continue. Officials assured that voters in line by 7 p.m. would still be able to cast their votes.

Missouri Voters Reject Amendment 4, Maintain Current Constitutional Amendment Process

Missouri Voters Reject Amendment 4, Maintain Current Constitutional Amendment Process

Missouri voters have decisively rejected Amendment 4, a proposal that sought to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process. The amendment was defeated with 81.7% of voters opposing it. If passed, Amendment 4 would have required proposed constitutional amendments to pass in all eight of Missouri's congressional districts, rather than just a simple majority statewide. Governor Mike Kehoe expressed disappointment, emphasizing the need for election integrity and transparency. House Minority Leader Ashley Aune highlighted the public's preference for maintaining access to the ballot, citing past successful initiatives like Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization. The amendment's defeat underscores ongoing debates about the balance of power between state lawmakers and the public in shaping Missouri's laws.

Lori Rook Defeats Incumbent Curtis Trent in Missouri Senate Primary Upset

Lori Rook Defeats Incumbent Curtis Trent in Missouri Senate Primary Upset

In a surprising turn of events, Lori Rook defeated incumbent Senator Curtis Trent in the Republican primary for Missouri Senate District 20. Rook, who campaigned against the political establishment in Jefferson City, managed to secure 53% of the vote despite Trent's significant backing from the Republican establishment and a well-funded campaign. Trent, who was running for the position of Senate majority floor leader, had the support of an allied PAC that spent over $500,000 attacking Rook. Rook's victory is seen as a significant upset, challenging the influence of established political power structures in Missouri.

Missouri Voters Overwhelmingly Reject GOP-Backed Amendment to Restrict Ballot Measures

Missouri Voters Overwhelmingly Reject GOP-Backed Amendment to Restrict Ballot Measures

Missouri voters have decisively rejected Amendment 4, a Republican-backed measure that sought to make it harder to pass citizen-sponsored ballot initiatives. The amendment would have required a majority vote in each of the state's eight congressional districts, rather than a simple majority statewide. With over 95% of votes counted, 80.3% opposed the amendment. The measure was seen as a response to recent progressive initiatives, such as legalizing marijuana and expanding Medicaid. The rejection is viewed as a significant setback for the state GOP and a victory for voter rights advocates.

Rep. Wesley Bell Secures Victory Over Cori Bush in Missouri Primary, Impacting Progressive Movement

Rep. Wesley Bell Secures Victory Over Cori Bush in Missouri Primary, Impacting Progressive Movement

In a significant Democratic primary in Missouri's 1st District, Rep. Wesley Bell defeated his predecessor Cori Bush, a prominent democratic socialist. Bell, who positioned himself as a pragmatist focused on local issues, won with 59% of the vote compared to Bush's 37%, as reported by The Associated Press. The primary attracted substantial financial interest, with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee spending over $2.5 million against Bush. Bell's victory is seen as a setback for the progressive movement, which has recently achieved primary victories in other states. Bell, a former prosecutor, is expected to win a second term in the general election, given the district's strong Democratic leanings.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe Responds to Defeat of Amendments 4 and 5

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe Responds to Defeat of Amendments 4 and 5

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has issued statements following the defeat of Amendments 4 and 5 in the recent primary election. Amendment 4 proposed a change in the process for passing constitutional amendments via initiative petitions, requiring a majority in each congressional district rather than a simple statewide majority. Governor Kehoe expressed disappointment, emphasizing the need for election integrity and transparency. Amendment 5 aimed to eliminate the state income tax, a move Kehoe supported as a means to make Missouri more competitive. Despite the defeat, Kehoe remains committed to working with the General Assembly to explore tax cuts and economic growth strategies.

Missouri and Kansas Voters Reject GOP-Backed Ballot Measures, Uphold Direct Democracy

Missouri and Kansas Voters Reject GOP-Backed Ballot Measures, Uphold Direct Democracy

Voters in Missouri and Kansas have rejected ballot measures backed by Republican state legislatures that aimed to increase GOP influence. In Missouri, a proposal to make it harder for citizen-initiated amendments to pass was defeated. This measure would have required such amendments to win in every congressional district, while legislature-proposed amendments needed only a statewide majority. In Kansas, voters turned down a proposal to change the process of appointing state Supreme Court justices, which would have allowed voters to elect justices, potentially leading to a court more aligned with anti-abortion views. These results reflect a pushback against efforts to limit direct democracy and maintain voter influence over state governance.