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Eric Lee/St. Louis Public RadioA new Missouri law allows the attorney general to challenge temporary injunctions, a move inspired by a pending abortion-rights case. But a lawsuit filed Friday argues that the law violates the constitution in multiple ways. -
Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3The State Tax Commission has sent another order to Jackson County, this time about the 2025 assessments. The county's fight over the tax commission’s previous order has cemented a feud between a majority of legislators and County Executive Frank White Jr.
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County Executive Frank White vetoed the Jackson County budget in January, then four county legislators sued him. Three months later, the county is still at odds — and services are coming to a halt. -
Money once promised to the region for public health, environmental, diversity, food aid and an array of other programs has been axed, and thousands of local jobs are in jeopardy. -
The proposed amendment, if passed by the Senate and approved in a statewide election, would repeal the reproductive rights measure passed by voters in November. It would allow some exceptions in the first 12 weeks of gestation, but House Speaker Jon Patterson said that doesn't go far enough to protect assault victims. -
The bill aims to improve access to child care. But some advocates are concerned about provisions related to vaccines and licensing. -
A Republican-backed bill would gut Proposition A, a voter-approved law requiring most employers to provide paid sick time off starting May 1. After it passed the Missouri House, Senate Democrats spent more than nine hours blocking action on the bill. -
Gov. Mike Kehoe and the Missouri House have pushed for $50 million in state funds to go toward scholarships for homeschooled and private-school students. But opponents say that may be illegal under the Missouri Constitution. -
A Wyandotte County judge agreed with criticisms of the death penalty, but he said the case was invalid because both defendants no longer face capital punishment. -
The amendment, if passed by the Senate and then voters, would repeal the abortion rights amendment currently in Missouri's constitution, which voters just approved in November. Abortions would be illegal again in Missouri, with limited exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergencies. -
Kansas lawmakers made passing property tax relief their top priority this session. But now that it's over, Republicans and Democrats alike are frustrated by a lack of action. -
As Missouri Republicans push a new version of the Second Amendment Preservation Act through the legislature, law enforcement officials in the state say lawmakers and supporters of the bill are ignoring their concerns. -
President Trump has called on Congress to rescind $1.1 billion in funding from the public broadcasters. KCUR is one of the 1,300 locally and independently managed stations that are funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, in addition to NPR and PBS. -
The Secretary of State would get greater power to re-write challenged ballot language before courts could intervene. The Attorney General would also have more ability to appeal injunctions against state laws — including the one that's currently allowing abortion to occur in Missouri.
Government
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Veterans were exposed to toxic air from burn pits overseas and comedian Jon Stewart and the Veterans of Foreign Wars say Congress needs to approve funds to treat them. -
With a one-party majority and a bag of legislative tricks, Kansas lawmakers conceal much of their bill-making process. -
The leaked draft of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the landmark case would see a complete ban on abortion in Missouri and offer Kansas legislators the opportunity to do the same. -
Local leaders from the Northland to Johnson County are working to make their communities more environmentally sustainable. -
Average starting pay for teachers in Missouri is already the lowest in the country. Now, teachers might not be receiving the raise they were hoping for. -
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says the current system of state control over the KCPD undermines the voices of Kansas City residents. -
Facing a budget shortfall in 2020, Missouri cut 200 jobs at the Department of Social Services including positions in the division overseeing abused and neglected children. -
The Missouri senate bill, introduced by Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R-Sikeston), aims to strengthen and broaden existing rape shield legislation. -
Marshall also signaled he was unlikely to vote for Ketanji Brown Jackson's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. -
A recent Mother Jones article highlighted a bill co-sponsored by Tracey Mann that would extend tax breaks in opportunity zones where he owns properties.
Elections
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Kansas currently has a merit-based system that doesn’t let voters have more say in the process. -
Platte County residents are suing the three-member commission for failing to implement a quarter-cent sales tax that voters passed in November. The tax would fund youth mental health services, which are severely lacking in the county. -
Una investigación de tres años sobre fraude electoral realizada por el ex alguacil del condado de Johnson, Calvin Hayden, sólo produjo un caso: contra el comisionado electoral Fred Sherman. El fiscal del condado retiró los cargos. -
A three-year election fraud investigation by former Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden produced only one case for charging: against election commissioner Fred Sherman. The county prosecutor refused to charge.
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Newly-elected Sheriff Byron Roberson said just three people were responsible for more than 100 election fraud complaints that prompted the previous sheriff's investigation. No criminal charges were ever filed as a result, but Hayden repeatedly cast suspicions about election procedures. -
The Great Bend, Kansas, native is currently serving his second term as the state's top election official. If elected in 2026, Schwab said he would work to lower property taxes and help rural communities that are falling behind. -
Wyandotte County this year saw the death of ex-KCKPD officer Roger Golubski, budget cuts in the city government and concerns over high utility fees. Meanwhile, housing issues and homeless shelters, a case of food contamination, and high-stakes elections defined 2024 for Johnson County. -
In November's election, a majority of Platte County voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax that would fund youth mental health services. But Platte County Commissioners refused to enact the tax, drawing criticism from residents and mental health providers. -
Missouri lawmakers passed legislation in 2022 that established a photo ID requirement at the polls. The NAACP and voting rights group had sued, arguing that its intention was to disenfranchise large groups of people. -
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas joined KCUR's Up To Date to give his reaction to election results at the national and state levels — including recent comments from Missouri governor-elect Mike Kehoe. Lucas also discussed the latest on city jail plans, the Royals stadium, and the possibility of a WNBA team coming to Kansas City.
