politics

 State Sen. Rick Brattin was selected by voters during last week's primary election as the Republican candidate for Missouri's 5th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II. The 5th District is expected to lean more Republican under newly drawn congressional maps.

Two winners of last week's primaries are aiming for their first terms representing Missouri in Congress next year. We'll hear how Republican Chris Stigall and Democrat Jordan Herrera plan to unite their respective parties and secure seats in Washington.

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a citizen referendum that would have given voters the chance to overturn the new Republican-drawn congressional map. Hoskins said the measure was unconstitutional, but the group People Not Politicians said he's being "obstructionist."

Today, Missourians will decide the fate of a proposed constitutional amendment that gives lawmakers the ability to expand sales and use taxes in order to eliminate the state income tax.

Political scientists in Kansas and Missouri say Tuesday’s primary elections — particularly the constitutional amendments on the ballot — will gauge public opinion about whose voices should be heard in government and how much trust citizens have in their elected officials.

Amendment 5 has garnered attention and advertising dollars aimed at swaying undecided Missouri voters. KC Media Collective partner The Beacon analyzed ads about the proposal to examine the claims and iron out what the constitutional amendment would actually do.

As Gov. Laura Kelly finishes out her last term in office, seven Republicans and three Democrats are making their case to replace her. Find out about the candidates before the Aug. 4 primary. Plus: The cyclospora outbreak has some people scrutinizing where their produce comes from.

Five Republicans are running to replace U.S. Rep. Sam Graves in Missouri’s 6th District. Conservative talk show radio host Chris Stigall talks policy ahead of the August primary.

New analysis from Ballotpedia suggests that Republicans in Missouri and Kansas could see the 2026 midterm elections break their state legislative supermajorities.

Two Kansas state senators and Overland Park’s mayor are facing off in the Aug. 4 primary election for Kansas governor. They joined KCUR’s Up To Date to discuss how they’d address issues affecting Kansans.

County officials say the 2026 Advance Voting Plan will provide equitable access to early in-person polling sites countywide. But with early voting locations cut from 18 to 12, some residents question whether the move will reduce access to the ballot box for those who want to cast an early ballot.

Bills to improve literacy and establish a new system for grading Missouri schools passed the House but failed to make their way through the Senate.