Missouri

Some Missouri lawmakers say a free market for energy could curb prices by allowing customers to shop around for better rates. But the state's largest electric companies, Ameren and Evergy, both oppose the plan.

The National Museum of Natural History commissioned Missouri artist Gary Staab for a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staab sculpted three bison on a heroic scale.

Since 2021, electricity prices have increased nearly 40%, with the average household spending more than $1,800 on their bills in 2024.

Passed by Republican lawmakers last year, Amendment 4 would require a majority of voters in every Missouri congressional district to approve a proposed constitutional amendment for it to pass. That would allow a small minority of voters to defeat petition campaigns.

One of the changes made on the Senate side includes removing almost $15 million toward improving the Missouri Capitol. Now the legislation returns to the Missouri House for a vote.

The Republican bills would separate public restrooms and changing rooms by sex as assigned at birth, rather than gender identity. Transgender Missourians testified that the measures would put them at greater risk of assault.

For the second year in a row, state Sen. Mike Moon, an Ash Grove Republican, is sponsoring a proposed constitutional amendment that would treat embryos as people, potentially exposing abortion patients and providers to murder charges and eliminating rape and incest exceptions.

Jose "Julian" Morales Calderon has been living in the United States since he was a baby. Even after his girlfriend posted a $450 bond, the St. Charles jail refused to release him, and ICE took him into custody.

Missouri is one of two states where, if a jury is deadlocked on whether to sentence someone to death, the judge can issue the death penalty. The bill also establishes an automatic record-clearing process for most nonviolent offenses.

An anonymous $14 million grant to the Missouri Botanical Garden is prompting scientists there to look at their herbarium collection in new ways, taking their cues from the stars.

More than 1,000 Missourians traveled to the Capitol to attend Disability Rights Legislative Day. Lawmakers from both chambers have said they will try to restore $80.7 million in cuts proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe.

A Missouri House bill would establish a "Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund" that would buy, trade, and sell Bitcoin. But over the last 14 years, the cryptocurrency has lost more than 60% of its value six different times.