JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers have approved a $35 billion budget for next fiscal year that includes no funding for a Medicaid expansion approved by voters. House and Senate members gave final approval Friday to the spending plan just hours ahead of a constitutional deadline. The budget increases funding for public schools, universities,…
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A congressional committee examining the Black maternal health crisis heard emotional testimony from one of the committee’s own members. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Democrat Cori Bush of St. Louis on Thursday described how she nearly lost the lives of her two children two decades ago, when both were born…
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans are increasingly using food — especially beef — as a cudgel in the culture war. In statements, tweets and fundraising emails, prominent GOP governors and senators have accused climate-minded Democrats of trying to push Americans to eat less red meat. Conservatives have accused President Joe Biden of planning to…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — More people in Missouri died in 2020 than were born, a rarity that was due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that a provisional report from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says the “natural decrease” was the first for a complete year…
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The head of the Missouri office that oversees lawyers’ professional conduct alleges that a review of the investigation that brought down former Gov. Eric Greitens three years ago uncovered evidence that the prosecutor in charge concealed evidence that could have helped him. Alan Pratzel, Missouri’s chief disciplinary counsel, contends in a…
Updated: The girl has been found safe. The suspect is still at large.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has directed all state employees to return to in-person work in the office by May 17, after many spent most of the past 14 months working remotely. Parson’s order, announced Wednesday, also requires that all state buildings be open and accessible to the public during normal…
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House has passed legislation to crack down on protesters who block roadways. The Republican-led House voted 98-50 to pass the bill. The legislation would make repeatedly blocking traffic a felony. The tactic is often used to draw attention to racial injustice. Protesters angered by the death of George Floyd…
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The owner of a suburban St. Louis startup has announced a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2022. Spencer Toder is the fifth Democrat to announce a Senate run since incumbent Republican Sen. Roy Blunt announced in March that he would not seek reelection. He announced his decision Tuesday on Twitter.…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Judges could issue lifelong restraining orders that also cover pets under a bill passed by the Missouri Legislature. Senators on Monday voted 31-0 to send the bill to Gov. Mike Parson. Currently, orders of protection are limited to at most one year. After that, victims have to go back to…