Missouri government

The Stockton-based boarding school faces mounting allegations of staff physically and sexually abusing students, but its doors have remained open even as the Missouri Attorney General and local prosecutors pursue criminal charges.

The session, called by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, is supposed to center around a permanent income tax cut as well as tax credits for agriculture. However, some lawmakers are filing unrelated bills in hopes of passing them this time around.

Many Missourians don't support the state's abortion ban, but that doesn't appear to change who they vote for. Plus: The 988 emergency mental health hotline debuted this summer, but some advocates question if Missouri is committed to funding the project long term.

Gov. Mike Parson wanted a starting date of Sept. 6 for a special session on an income tax cut and agriculture tax credits. However, Republican leadership in a joint statement said they intend to use this week for further negotiations.

More Missouri voters say they would overturn the near-total abortion ban than would keep it. But at the same time, polls show Republican Eric Schmitt — who signed the paperwork enacting the ban — with a significant lead in the U.S. Senate race.

Advocates praised the law, which prevents underaged survivors from being charged with prostitution and requires law enforcement to immediately report suspected cases to the state, as a step in the right direction.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has called a special legislative session for Sept. 6th that will focus on passing $700 million in income tax cuts along with a group of agricultural tax credit programs.

The most controversial of the bills that took effect Sunday put new restrictions on voting and voter registration, including a requirement to show a photo ID to cast a ballot.

Voters will decide this fall whether to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri. But critics have concerns about the amendment's expungement provisions, and the fact that it will allow the state to continue capping business licenses.

Jackson County is facing a shortage of social workers, forcing birth parents to miss court-ordered visits with their children. Plus, the Missouri Senate's controversial conservative caucus has disbanded, leaving behind moral victories and calls for unity.

Beginning Aug. 28, Missouri voters will need to present a government-issued photo ID when casting their ballots in November and in future elections. Forms of acceptable ID include a driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID.

Parson’s proposal would lower the state’s top income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.8% and eliminate the bottom income tax bracket. Some Democratic lawmakers and advocates have expressed concern an income tax cut is poorly-timed.