Missouri currently bans trans athletes through the collegiate level from playing on teams that align with their gender identity, but the law expires in 2027. Republicans want to make it permanent, but Democrats argue it could invite scrutiny of young girls' bodies.

Cities are grappling with how to proceed concerning the increase in data centers in Missouri. New legislation would require water permits for large-load consumers, and make them pay for grid infrastructure upgrades needed to provide them electricity.

A bad national environment for Republicans could affect this year's election cycle, which will feature critical ballot measures like a proposal to repeal abortion rights, restricting citizen-led initiative petitions, and deciding the fate of the gerrymandered congressional map.

Although Secretary of State Denny Hoskins says the Republican-favoring map from 2025 is now in effect, a court case could require congressional candidates to run instead within the lines drawn back in 2022. For Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, that could either mean an easy reelection bid or the hardest campaign of his life.

After Kansas City's finance department warned of a $100 million budget deficit, city leaders made some trims to spending. But tough decisions lie ahead, as Kansas City opens budget hearings to the public this week.

Missouri Republicans, acting at the urging of President Trump, redrew Cleaver's Kansas City-area district to make it harder for a Democrat to win. Despite uncertainties about which map will be upheld, Cleaver has filed to run for reelection.

The House of Representatives narrowly rejected a bipartisan aviation safety bill that was spurred by the deadly midair collision of a Kansas flight near Washington, D.C. Missouri Rep. Sam Graves blasted it as an "unworkable government mandate."

Tuesday’s meeting was one of the last chances for opponents and supporters of the proposed immigration detention center to testify. Leavenworth, Kansas, officials plan a vote to approve or deny a permit request in the coming weeks.

The Missouri House unanimously approved the registration legislation Monday for vehicles less than six years old. Currently, state law requires motorists to renew their registration every one or two years.

A new Kansas law, passed by Republican lawmakers over the governor's veto, requires that people using private facilities like bathrooms and locker rooms must use the facility that matches their biological sex at birth. Texas recently implemented a similar law, but vague guidelines for investigating complaints are sparking frustration.

After being charged in Hutchinson, Kansas with harassment, the Johnson County district attorney asked a judge to revoke his bond. “A defendant on bond who reoffends against the same victim threatens public safety,” the motion said.

Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican who is running for secretary of state, and Rep. Paul Waggoner, a Hutchinson Republican, also want to require driver’s licenses to indicate citizenship status, in an effort to stamp out the already-rare instances of noncitizen voting.