Annelise Hanshaw

After Missouri's new ban took effect on Aug. 28, MU Health stopped providing gender-affirming care for minors, citing “significant legal liability." Washington University in St. Louis also ceased care for transgender youth, even those who were still eligible under the law.

Neither the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education nor the Missouri State High School Activities Association could say how they will enforce the state's restrictions on transgender athletes — one of the most controversial new laws approved by Missouri legislators this year.

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that Jackson County and St. Louis County should have been allowed to intervene in a lawsuit that struck down local health orders aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

The case centers on Missouri’s compulsory school attendance law, which states that a parent must ensure their child attends “the academic program on a regular basis."

A resolution passed by the St. Charles County Council requests the public library cut out “political agendas” from library spending, stop board members from posting political messages online, give up its membership from the Urban Library Council, enforce its dress code and open doors on Sundays.

A June ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, overturning decades of precedent, decreed that colleges can’t consider race when deciding if to admit a student. Missouri university system leaders told state lawmakers that the decision has "no impact" on them because race was not a factor in admissions already.

To help solve Missouri's shortage of school staff, Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation last week that allows educators to work full-time for a district without losing their retirement benefits. The law also affects positions like bus drivers and janitors.

The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority — MOHELA — is named 85 times in the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion striking down the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness program. The ruling affects more than 777,000 Missourians with federal student loans who would have received $10,000-$20,000 of relief.

At least 35 school boards have passed resolutions asking the Missouri Board of Education to convene a blue ribbon commission to study the formula for funding public schools, which each year adds up to less and less of their overall budget.

One law bans minors and incarcerated Missourians from accessing puberty blockers, hormones or gender-affirming surgeries — all treatments that are widely supported by mainstream medical groups. Those under 18 who have already begun treatment may continue their regimens. The second law prohibits transgender athletes from competing in sports that align with their gender identity.