Missouri

The federal government remains shut down, in what is now the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Around the Kansas City region, nonprofits, food banks and private businesses are stepping up to help feed families.

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, Missouri's top election official, wrote the ballot language for a referendum that would overturn Republicans' recently gerrymandered congressional map. Even though the language is supposed to be unbiased, it would tell voters that the old map "protects incumbent politicians."

Missouri’s competency-to-stand-trial system has become so overloaded that even people accused of low-level crimes now wait years for effective treatment. Most defendants bide their time in county jails that sheriffs acknowledge aren’t equipped to meet mental health needs.

Procedural abortions are available at three Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri, but medication abortions remain completely unavailable as numerous legal fights unfold over the state's restrictions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 450,000 people in the US have alpha-gal syndrome — a tickborne allergy to red meat — while many others have never heard of the condition at all.

The Missouri Public Service Commission held a hearing to get feedback on Ameren Missouri's plans to build a new natural gas plant in Jefferson County. Community members opposed the plant, saying it would harm the environment and cost too much.

Missouri is transferring over $10 million in funding to feed seniors and $5 million to go to food banks. Federal food benefits won't be distributed in November due to the government shutdown.

Unless courts intervene, it's looking more likely that Missouri voters will ultimately get to decide the fate of the GOP's congressional map — meaning the gerrymandered districts might not take effect for the 2026 election cycle.

As November looms, states are trying to sort what options they can offer beneficiaries to fill the gap in food assistance. Kansas' Democratic governor is suing the USDA for refusing to fund SNAP during the shutdown, while Missouri is telling recipients to stretch their benefits.

If the government shutdown extends beyond Nov. 1, more than 65,000 children could be at risk of losing access to Head Start, the federal early-learning program for low-income families. Thousands of Kansas City children would be impacted.

7-OH is sold as gummies, candies, imitation ice cream cones, liquid shots, tablets and powders. Kansas City-based Shaman Botanicals has been at the center of the drug's rise, and received a warning from the FDA.

This year, Missouri became the first state in the country to tax income, but not capital gains. That could present a challenge as the state prepares to face a budget shortfall.