-
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is up for reelection this year, and Democratic challenger Lucas Kunce hopes to use Hawley's anti-abortion stance against him. The matchup could be on the ballot as the same time as a constitutional amendment legalizing abortion rights.
-
Missouri Senate Democrats ended their 50-hour-long, round-the-clock filibuster after a proposal restricting citizen initiative petitions got sent back to committee. Members of the far-right Freedom Caucus said the decision showed a lack of courage from fellow Republicans.
-
If approved by voters, the petition would raise the state’s minimum wage to $13.75 beginning in January 2025 and $15 in 2026, with annual cost-of-living increases after that. It also seeks to set the minimum paid sick leave to one hour per 30 hours worked.
-
Missouri is shaping up to be big battleground over abortion rights in November. Even in this solidly Republican state, where the procedure is almost entirely illegal, many Catholics say they support a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the constitution.
-
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are suing the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco over a federal rule closing the gun show loophole.
-
For nearly 30 hours, the conservative faction has blocked a vote on Medicaid funding, demanding that the Missouri Senate passes an unrelated resolution making it harder to amend the constitution. The Federal Reimbursement Allowance accounts for roughly a third of the funding for the state Medicaid system.
-
Voters in Missouri could show that abortion rights initiatives are not a down-ballot Democratic dream everywhere, especially if GOP voters who dislike their party's views on abortion rights still like candidates on most other issues.
-
Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment in November 2022 that required Kansas City to increase its minimum funding of the police department. But the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the language on the original measure was so inaccurate that it casts doubt on the fairness of the election.
-
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed legislation that would have blocked teenagers from receiving hormone therapy and other gender-affirming treatments recognized as necessary by medical professionals. The Senate voted to override her veto, but the House fell short.
-
Missouri House ethics panel ends investigation into Dean Plocher, after blocking release of evidenceThe committee voted to dismiss the ethics complaint, after removing language that blamed the result on “the inability of the committee to finish the investigation as a direct result of obstruction of the process and the intimidation of witnesses by” Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher.
-
On May 7, voters in Kansas City, Kansas, will decide whether to approve a ballot measure that would raise property taxes for the next 30 years. The bond would pay to consolidate elementary schools, build new buildings, increase early childhood education, and fund additional renovations.
-
In order to work in Missouri, 14 and 15-year-olds must obtain a certificate from their school, with information from their prospective employer about the job, as well as parental consent and age verification. But a Republican-sponsored bill would eliminate that formal process, and only require a signed permission slip.
-
The Missouri Freedom Caucus, a faction of the state GOP, has vowed to debate the budget in detail and attempt to cut hundreds of millions in spending. That could push final votes on spending past the constitutional deadline of May 10.
-
El Concejo Municipal de Kansas City renovó su contrato anual con el Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA-organismo de transporte del Área de Kansas City), que mantiene la tarifa de transporte en cero, pero da instrucciones al Gerente Administrativo de la Ciudad, Brian Platt, para considerar los costos y beneficios de un programa alternativo de “una tarifa gratuita funcional”.
Government
-
CEO and Mayor Tyrone Garner discusses corruption within the police department, redistricting, taxes and infrastructure.
-
One bill would revoke the licenses of doctors who prescribe any form of medical gender-affirming care for minors, such as hormone replacement therapy.
-
Clay County lawmaker is sponsor of legislation to close a legal loophole in Missouri statutes.
-
The legislature is being asked to update incentives policies for the multi-billion dollar deals of the 21st century.
-
Journalist George Packer tackles the ideologies that have brought America to its current divide.
-
Kansans can expect lawmakers to address some contentious issues including COVID-19 policies and Critical Race Theory.
-
Abortion, vaccine mandates, and redistricting among the issues being addressed in Jefferson City
-
Congressman says former President Trump bears the majority of the blame for the insurrection.
-
Politicians and voters remain clearly divided over the insurrection, the events leading up to it and its lasting effects on democracy.
-
Known as SB8, the highly restrictive law has spawned a copycat bill for consideration in Missouri.
Elections
-
The sheriff's admission that no judge signed his search warrant for old election ballots came in the middle of a Republican candidate forum. For years, Hayden has claimed he is investigating voter fraud, but his probe has not yielded any charges or evidence.
-
In 2022, KCUR brought together a politically diverse group of people to share their views on election issues and politics. It's 2024. Where are they now?
-
As November 2024 nears, Kansas and Missouri pollsters say that transparency is one key factor for determining a poll's quality.
-
Voters soundly rejected the question that would have extended a 3/8th-cent stadium sales tax for 40 years, allowing the Royals to fund their proposed downtown ballpark and the Chiefs to renovate Arrowhead Stadium. Plus: Families of the people incarcerated at Leavenworth are worried as visits and phone calls have been cut off.
-
Incumbents prevailed in some Missouri school board elections, while other Kansas City-area boards saw shakeups that could shift how they handle book challenges, diversity initiatives, class instruction time and how to best support students.
-
Kimberly Dragoo, who pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor for her activities at the U.S. Capitol, hopes to focus on bringing up test scores rather than spending money. Her conservative campaign for a seat on the school board is prompting fierce debates online and off.
-
KCUR asked members of the Kansas City Council and the Jackson County Legislature how they plan to vote on the stadium sales tax on April 2.
-
Both the Royals and groups opposing the extension of a 3/8th-cent sales tax for a downtown ballpark are ramping up their campaigns with public appearances, gatherings and ads.
-
Candidates for two open seats on the Lee's Summit school board talk about the district's finances, cellphone in the classrooms and mental health services for students.
-
Three candidates will be on the ballot April 2 for two open seats in the Park Hill School District. Here's what they think about mental health for students, cell phones in classrooms and issues regarding transgender students.