Missouri Governor

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will no longer be under the control of the mayor’s office and instead will be overseen by a governor-appointed board. It's similar to the Confederate-era system that manages Kansas City Police.

The bill now goes to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who made the state takeover of St. Louis Police one of his priorities. St. Louis' two police unions support the legislation, but the city mayor and police chief testified against it.

Jackson County legislator Sean Smith, who along with a handful of local lawmakers met with Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe last week, says it's essential for the county to "straighten out the property tax debacles" if it wants voters to pass a future stadium sales tax measure to keep the teams in town.

Gov. Mike Kehoe's executive order directs all state agencies to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, mirroring an order by President Trump. It also bars state funds from going towards such programs.

With plans to beef up funding for law enforcement and have the state take over control of the police department in St. Louis, Kehoe hopes to make public safety the cornerstone of his administration. He's also promised to eliminate the income tax.

In his first State of the State as Missouri governor, Mike Kehoe described a lack of hope among young people due to crime. He urged the General Assembly to pass legislation that would support law enforcement officers and increase penalties.

Kehoe highlighted a number of new budget items that seek to reduce the state’s crime rate, including a new state crime lab and more money for local departments. He also reiterated his support for a state board overseeing St. Louis Police, taking away local control from the city.

Soon after being sworn in as governor, Kehoe signed executive orders requiring law enforcement to include the immigration status of individuals in arrest reports, and authorized the creation of a program called "Operation Relentless Pursuit.”

The 62-year-old St. Louis native, who served as Missouri’s lieutenant governor and as a state senator, took the oath of office Monday. He immediately signed executive orders on crime and immigration, and pledged to be "at the table" to negotiate with the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

Gwendolyn Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, said her colleagues and community members are outraged that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson freed former KCPD detective Eric DeValkenaere last week.

After six and a half years, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is set to leave office in January. In an interview with KCUR, Parson reflected on his tenure — including accomplishments like expanding I-70, if he plans to pardon former KCPD officer Eric DeValkenaere, and his hopes for the future of Missouri.

Gov. Mike Parson is leaving office in January after more than six and a half years in the job. He spoke about his handling of the COVID pandemic, the abortion ban he signed into law, and his experience working with Republican supermajorities.