Rudi Keller

Missouri's legislature passed a law in 2022 allowing two weeks of "no excuse absentee" voting before Election Day. It's already proving popular, with turnouts approaching 20% of the total cast four years ago. Voters aren't dissuaded by the long wait times, though.

Republican candidate Denny Hoskins wants to mandate hand counting ballots for all elections, saying he distrusts machines. Democrat Barbara Phifer calls it an "attempt to sow distrust and chaos," and election officials predict delayed and error-prone results.

The Missouri Department of Revenue will activate new equipment at its offices in early November to streamline the process of applying for licenses. Adult drivers will also be able to renew their licenses online every other period, so they only need to come in person every 12 years.

A federal judge in Kansas decided his court did not have jurisdiction in the case brought by Denton Loudermill of Olathe. He sued Missouri state Sens. Rick Brattin, Denny Hoskins and Nick Schroer for their social media messages falsely accusing him of being a shooter and an "illegal alien."

Backers of Missouri Amendment 2, which would legalized sports gambling, claim in TV and online ads that the resulting revenue will boost public education. But its detractors point out there is no evidence Missouri schools will see any benefit.

Lamar Hunt Jr., son of the late founder of the Chiefs, has long been vocal about his opposition to abortion. A business connected to the Hunts donated $300,000 for radio ads across Missouri opposing Amendment 3.

Missouri's gubernatorial candidates met in a debate on Friday sponsored by the Missouri Press Association. Democrat Crystal Quade, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, the Republican nominee, Libertarian candidate Bill Slantz and Paul Lehmann, the Green Party candidate, squared off in what could be the campaign's sole debate.

The two major party candidates, along with third party contenders for U.S. Senate, met for the first time on stage at the debate sponsored by the Missouri Press Association.

Edgar Springs in Phelps County has refused to pay $80,000 in damages and court costs to a woman who it banned from city hall for four years. Now, a judge has ordered the town to put a tax increase on the ballot in order to cover those costs.

The Missouri Auditor's office no longer needs consent from governing boards or a petition drive to launch an audit if an initial investigation shows “improper government activity” — including fraud, waste of resources or violations of law.