judges

Voters in Missouri and Kansas are deciding some critical races and ballot measures today: constitutional amendments on abortion access, a tight U.S. Senate contest, a governor's race and more. But lower on the ballot is something just as important: judge retention elections. We'll break down how the judicial retention process works in both states and what voters should know before heading to the polls.

Two state supreme court justices and five appellate court judges are up for a vote in November’s election on whether they should keep their seats. Nearly all were appointed by a Democratic governor.

In the Nov. 3 election, Missouri voters will decide whether 15 judges, including a supreme court justice and appellate court justice, will keep their seats. Here's what to know about the retention process and the judges up for a vote around Kansas City.

With Kansas and Missouri elections just three weeks away, KCUR’s series “What’s the deal, KC?” is answering common questions from voters about the candidates and issues on their ballot. We’ll explain how to find your Congressional district, where to learn about judges up for retention, and what an abortion ban amendment has to do with transgender healthcare. Text your questions to 816-601-4777.

A Honduran man who is unlawfully in the U.S. faces a manslaughter charge in southwest Kansas.

The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct filed a 17-page formal complaint against Wyandotte County District Judge Tony Martinez, who is up for retention in the upcoming election. It alleged Martinez’s behavior appeared to breach two Kansas judicial canons while he served as a district judge. Martinez denies all allegations.

A Jackson County judge permanently struck down a slew of abortion restrictions, including a statute requiring what's known as a "complication plan" for medication abortions.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Bough says his family was targeted after he ruled against the Trump administration in its attempt to deport five Missouri college students. Threats against federal judges have spiked since President Donald Trump took office.

A Republican judge in Cole County on Thursday ruled that the ballot summary must be rewritten for a proposed constitutional amendment that he said would confuse voters, making it much harder for Missourians to amend the constitution through citizen initiative petitions.

Only Missouri and Indiana allow judges to impose capital punishment when a jury can't decide whether to sentence a defendant to death. Lance Shockley is scheduled to be executed next week for a 2005 murder he maintains he did not commit.

Thousands of students in third-grade classrooms across the county participated in this year’s Constitution Day mock trial to learn about civics, but the event got its start in Olathe.

Those wanting merit-based selection of justices are keen to keep the status quo, while others seek to establish direct elections for justices.