Open school enrollment gets House approval, heads to Senate
The Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would allow students to transfer to surrounding school districts.
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Some Republican leaders are pushing back against the conservative Freedom Caucus in statehouses
By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — On the first day of Missouri’s new legislative session, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden tried to cajole colleagues into congeniality with a rhetorical question: “Will we focus on principled progress or political pandemonium?” Progress was intended. But pandemonium ensued. Within days, a newly
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Voter rights group opposes initiative petition reform supported by Missouri Republicans
The Missouri Senate never adjourned on Monday.
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Justice Department investigating Democratic Rep. Cori Bush over alleged misuse of campaign funds
The Justice Department is investigating whether Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri misused campaign funds for her own personal security, the progressive lawmaker confirmed in a statement Tuesday.
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Amendment 3 expert says local marijuana sales taxes should not stack
A member of the team who wrote the constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana in Missouri says local governments are not following the law when they double up on sales taxes.
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Parson proposes $1.3 million for Missouri Task Force 1 after veto last year
After funding for Missouri Task Force 1 was vetoed last year, Gov. Mike Parson proposed $1.3 million for the specialized disaster response team in his budget plan.
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Gov. Parson proposed $1.4 million for upgrades to crime lab
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Governor Mike Parson suggests a $1.4 million investment to enhance the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab. According to the Boone County prosecutor, DNA testing results can take anywhere from 10.5 months to 20 months. The Department of Public Safety aims to enhance efficiency by acquiring four microscopes and hiring three new employees,
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is $40k enough for a minimum teacher salary?
Gov. Mike Parson gave his final State of the State address in the House chamber Wednesday afternoon.
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Parson outlines plan to address child care issues during State of the State address
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the lack of affordable child care is costing the state more than $1 billion each year. Gov. Mike Parson delivered his final State of the State address on Wednesday afternoon. In the speech, he outlined his priorities for the next budget and this
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Parson seeks more pay for teachers, state workers in proposed budget
Gov. Mike Parson wants the legislature to continue providing grants to increase teacher salaries.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you have confidence in the Missouri Senate?
The Missouri General Assembly has only been in session for a few weeks now and that short time has been marked by infighting among the Republican supermajority.
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Ashcroft calls state audit a political attack
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released a report giving the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office a “fair” rating — a downgrade from the office’s “good” rating. The report claims that Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office refused to provide Fitzpatrick’s office with cybersecurity reviews of 116 local election authorities. In addition, the
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Rowden removes conservative state senators from committee assignments
State Senate Republican leaders held a news conference Tuesday to talk about the rest of the session.
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Missouri Democrats push to restore abortion access on anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Monday was the 51st anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will you vote in Missouri’s presidential caucuses?
Iowa kicked off the presidential nominating season Monday with its first-in-the-nation caucuses.
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How to participate in Missouri’s presidential caucuses
Instead of heading to the polls this winter, Missouri voters will head to caucuses to decide who their party should support for president.
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Dispatch notes show timeline of swatting call to Missouri Secretary of State’s house
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) First responders got a fake call from a blocked number claiming someone had shot a woman at Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s house on Sunday night. The incident — now being investigated by law enforcement in Jefferson City as a swatting crime — started at 8:55 p.m., according to documents
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QUESTION OF THE DAY: Does Missouri need harsher penalties for ‘swatting?’
Police were sent to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s home Sunday night on a bogus call.
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Investigators determine suspicious package sent to attorney general contained meth
The suspicious package sent to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office in April contained methamphetamine, according to records ABC 17 News obtained from the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Continue Reading Columbia senator drafting bill to increase swatting punishment after call to secretary of state’s house
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) is working on legislation that would increase the penalty for swatting, following a swatting call to the secretary of state’s house on Sunday night. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft was a target of a swatting attempt at his home Sunday night, Ashcroft posted on his social
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