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Missouri Republicans barrel toward gerrymandering

Missouri Republican lawmakers say it's likely they'll have a special session to redraw the state’s congressional lines and eliminate Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's seat. But could the effort backfire? Plus, we'll hear from Missouri state Rep. Michael Johnson of the Legislative Black Caucus about their plans to fight redistricting.

Missouri lawmakers probably didn’t think as the summer began that they’d likely return in the fall to redraw the state’s eight congressional districts. As St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum reports, the push from President Donald Trump to gerrymander Missouri's map could have huge consequences for state politics.

Missouri state Rep. Michael Johnson, a Democrat from Kansas City, is among the lawmakers pushing back against the Republican redistricting effort. On KCUR's Up To Date, Johnson tells Brian Ellison that the Legislative Black Caucus is ready to fight.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Brian Ellison. It is produced by Byron Love and KCUR Studios, and edited by Madeline Fox, Emily Younker and Gabe Rosenberg.

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As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.
As an on-demand producer, I am focused on using my skills and experiences across multiple digital applications, platforms and media fields to create community focused audio, video and on-demand products for KCUR Studios. The media that I produce aims to inform, entertain and connect with the Kansas City metro area as we continue to learn from each other. Email me at byronlove@kcur.org.
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