Missouri Politics Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you side with Missouri GOP representatives on Kevin McCarthy?

October 4, 2023 2:12 AM ABC 17 News Team

Washington made history again Tuesday when a sitting House speaker was voted out of his office for the first time in the nation’s history.

Two hearings set for Wednesday at the Missouri Supreme Court

September 27, 2023 5:19 AM Gabrielle Teiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Supreme Court will hear arguments today for not one, but two court cases against the state beginning at 9 a.m. in Jefferson City. City of St. Louis, et al. v. State of Missouri, et al. The Supreme Court will hear arguments today for the city of St. Louis over

A judge has rewritten Missouri ballot summary language that described ‘dangerous’ abortions

September 25, 2023 12:39 PM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge has tossed Republican-written ballot summary language Monday that described several proposed constitutional amendments as allowing “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth.” The judge ruled Monday and rewrote the summary to say the amendment will undo Missouri’s almost total ban on abortions. The

A flamethrower and comments about book burning ignite a political firestorm in Missouri

September 21, 2023 11:23 PM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE and JOHN HANNA Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A longshot candidate for Missouri governor and his supporters describe his use of a flamethrower at a recent “Freedom Fest” event outside St. Louis as no big deal. They said it was a fun moment for fellow Republicans who attended, and that

Some providers are dropping gender-affirming care for kids even in cases where it’s legal

September 21, 2023 11:16 PM Associated Press

By JIM SALTER and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press ST. LOUIS (AP) — Some medical providers are dropping continuing gender-affirming care for minors, even though it remains legal. In Missouri and North Dakota, health systems and advocates say the reason is the possibility of legal action against doctors and their employers for injuries related to the

Missouri professional sports teams file initiative petitions to legalize sports betting

September 20, 2023 11:56 AM Hannah Falcon

After years of falling behind, professional sports teams want to take sports betting to the voters.

Missouri AG claims price discrepancies at Dollar General in lawsuit

September 13, 2023 7:51 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit against Dollar General, claiming “unfair and deceptive pricing” in hundreds of stores, according to a Wednesday press release from the Attorney General’s office. Bailey claims Dollar General violates Missouri’s consumer protection law by listing one price on shelves then allegedly charging a different

Missouri lawmakers do not restore over $1 million for Missouri Task Force One in veto session

September 13, 2023 10:42 AM Hannah Falcon

Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) told ABC 17 News she plans to ask for the Missouri Task Force One funding to be restored.

MSHSAA policy on transgender student-athletes null after new law went into effect

September 12, 2023 10:22 AM Hannah Falcon

After a law called the “Save Women’s Sports Act” by supporters went into effect Aug. 28, a Missouri State High School Athletic Association policy regarding transgender student-athletes is no longer relevant.

Missouri clinics halt transgender care for minors in wake of new state law

September 12, 2023 10:27 AM Associated Press

By JIM SALTER and SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press ST. LOUIS (AP) — At least two Missouri health care centers have stopped prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors for purposes of gender transition, citing a new state law that gives former patients broad leeway to sue. A statement released Monday by the Washington University

Cole County judge to decide whether abortion petition ballot summary is fair

September 11, 2023 10:18 AM Hannah Falcon

Lawyers for both the Missouri ACLU and the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office gathered in the Cole County Courthouse on Monday, joined by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and other politicians fighting over Missouri’s access to abortion.

Governor signs laws expanding first responder access to anti-opioid drugs, increasing law enforcement training hours

September 6, 2023 4:17 PM Hannah Falcon

First responders will now have fewer barriers to giving life-saving medications to people suffering from a drug overdose.

Parson requests federal aid for counties, citing recent storms, flooding

September 6, 2023 6:22 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The governor’s office announced in a Wednesday press release that the state is requesting a “major disaster declaration” for federal assistance to 33 Missouri counties, citing inclement weather from July 29-Aug. 14. The aid request includes several counties in Mid-Missouri, including Benton, Camden and Maries counties. According to the release, initial

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you support unions?

September 5, 2023 4:04 AM ABC 17 News Team

Unions are active in Mid-Missouri, with public employees who work for the University of Missouri, Columbia Public Schools and the City of Columbia represented by unions.

New Missouri law includes PTSD treatment for first responders

September 4, 2023 11:37 AM Morgan Buresh

As members of Missouri Task Force 1 return to Columbia on Monday, they could make use of a new state law meant to help first responders deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Could Missouri become a Right to Work state?

September 4, 2023 11:42 AM Hannah Falcon

Union membership decreased from 10.3% in 2021 to 10.1% in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Missouri Republican seeks exceptions to near-total abortion ban, including for rape and incest cases

August 30, 2023 12:34 PM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri Republican wants exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban. Jamie Corley of suburban St. Louis filed constitutional amendments Wednesday to allow abortions in cases of rape, incest and fatal abnormalities until fetal viability. Viability is typically around 24 weeks. Corley also proposed allowing abortions

New Missouri law aims to improve searches for missing children

August 29, 2023 11:27 AM Morgan Buresh

A Missouri law that took effect Monday includes foster children regardless of age, emancipated minors, homeless youth and unaccompanied minors in law enforcement’s search for missing children.

New laws going into effect in Missouri Monday

August 27, 2023 4:37 PM Grace Pankey

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Several new laws are going into effect in Missouri on Monday, including a hands-free law, restrictions for transgender people and an expansion of mental health care for first responders. Hands-free driving Missouri’s new Hands-Free law goes into effect on Monday. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 28 states have hand-held

Missouri judge says ban on gender-affirming care for minors can start Monday

August 25, 2023 3:30 PM Associated Press

A Missouri judge says a law banning gender-affirming treatments for minors can take effect.