The latest court case, like others filed earlier, argues that no authority exists in the Missouri Constitution for redrawing district lines without new census data

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Gov. Mike Kehoe on Sunday signed the new Missouri congressional district map intended to bring Republicans another seat, and opponents responded with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV31273&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16&amp;inputVO.isTicket=false#header" target="_blank">new lawsuit</a>&nbsp;challenging the plan.

Lawmakers, acting at the insistence of President Donald Trump, finished a special session on Sept. 12 by&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">passing a bill</a>&nbsp;targeting the 5th District in Kansas City and placing a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to make it more difficult to pass constitutional proposals by initiative petition.

The new lawsuit, like others filed previously, contends that no authority exists in the Missouri Constitution allowing lawmakers to revise congressional districts in the absence of new census data. The new case also argues that the districts are not legal because they stretch for hundreds of miles across the state.

The law will take effect Dec. 11, in time for candidate filing in the 2026 elections, unless blocked by the courts or&nbsp;a referendum petition.&nbsp;

To bring enough voters into the 5th District, which currently includes portions of only Jackson and Clay counties, the drafters destroyed the idea that districts should be as compact as possible, the new lawsuit filed in Jackson County contends.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat, has represented the 5th District since 2005.

Kehoe, who has said&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/25/let-the-courts-decide-kehoe-says-he-will-sign-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map/">the courts will decide</a>&nbsp;if what lawmakers did was legal, said in a news release that he signed the bill to make the state’s districts align with voter views overall.

“We believe this map best represents Missourians, and I appreciate the support and efforts of state legislators, our congressional delegation, and President Trump in getting this map to my desk,” Kehoe said.

Opponents have argued that the new map disenfranchises a large portion of Missouri voters. Democrats currently hold two of the state’s eight districts, or 25%, while statewide elections show about 40% of voters support Democratic candidates.

Filed by the&nbsp;National Redistricting Foundation, the legal arm of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/09/democrats-hopes-courts-redistricting-fight-00551030" target="_blank">National Democratic Redistricting Committee</a>&nbsp;led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the lawsuit enlists voters from around the state as plaintiffs, raising objections to changes in other districts as well the lines in the Kansas CIty area.

“Missouri’s mid-decade gerrymander is in clear violation of the state constitution,” Marina Jenkins, executive director of the foundation, said in a news release. “It was not prompted by the law or a court order; it was the result of Republican lawmakers in Missouri following partisan directives from politicians in Washington, D.C.”

The constitutional standards for redistricting include districts that are compact, contiguous, as equal as possible in population and do not split communities of interest.

“Every redistricting plan since the 1950s has placed as much of the Jackson County portion of Kansas City as possible in a single district, and more recently, also brought in a substantial portion of the Clay County parts of Kansas City as well,” the lawsuit states. “In fact, the Jackson County portion of Kansas City has not been split in more than 50 years.”

Under the new map, the lawsuit states, Kansas City’s central business district is in three separate districts. The new 4th District stretches from downtown Kansas City to Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, 200 miles away.

Eastern portions of the city that remain in the 5th District are now in a district with Rolla, in southeast Missouri, also 200 miles away, while the remaining downtown portions are part of the 6th District, which runs across northeast Missouri to the Mississippi River.

“The configuration of congressional districts in the Kansas City area under (the redistricting bill) violates the mandatory compactness requirement on nearly every level,” the lawsuit contends.

The National Redistricting Foundation lawsuit is the fourth filed since Kehoe announced plans for the special session.

The first was filed by the&nbsp;NAACP of Missouri, which contends that Kehoe did not have authority to call lawmakers into session for redistricting or to change initiative majority requirements. That case is in the hands of Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh, who heard arguments Sept. 15.

The other lawsuits are in their early procedural stages.

One, filed Sept. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV29597&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16#header" target="_blank">in Jackson County</a>&nbsp;makes similar arguments to the new case about the compactness of the new districts, while also questioning whether the bill mistakenly places the same precinct in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/18/court-battle-looms-over-kc-precinct-listed-twice-in-missouris-new-congressional-map/">two different districts</a>.

Another, filed Sept. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC06964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">in Cole County</a>, is based on an argument common to all four cases — that the state constitution doesn’t allow mid-cycle redistricting.&nbsp;

Only once since the current constitution was written have lawmakers altered congressional districts between censuses, and that was in the 1960s when a U.S. Supreme Court decision forced a national reexamination of districts to balance populations.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">redistricting provision</a>&nbsp;of the constitution says that after receiving census data, lawmakers “shall by law divide the state into districts corresponding with the number of representatives to which it is entitled…”

The section is silent on the power to do it at any other time and that, the new lawsuit contends, means it is prohibited.

“The General Assembly ignored the state constitution’s procedural limitation authorizing congressional redistricting to take place only when new decennial census results are certified to the governor,” the lawsuit states.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757444658128.png" alt="Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago " />
 <figcaption>Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The latest court case, like others filed earlier, argues that no authority exists in the Missouri Constitution for redrawing district lines without new census data</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Gov. Mike Kehoe on Sunday signed the new Missouri congressional district map intended to bring Republicans another seat, and opponents responded with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV31273&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16&amp;inputVO.isTicket=false#header" target="_blank">new lawsuit</a>&nbsp;challenging the plan.Lawmakers, acting at the insistence of President Donald Trump, finished a special session on Sept. 12 by&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">passing a bill</a>&nbsp;targeting the 5th District in Kansas City and placing a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to make it more difficult to pass constitutional proposals by initiative petition.The new lawsuit, like others filed previously, contends that no authority exists in the Missouri Constitution allowing lawmakers to revise congressional districts in the absence of new census data. The new case also argues that the districts are not legal because they stretch for hundreds of miles across the state.The law will take effect Dec. 11, in time for candidate filing in the 2026 elections, unless blocked by the courts or&nbsp;a referendum petition.&nbsp;To bring enough voters into the 5th District, which currently includes portions of only Jackson and Clay counties, the drafters destroyed the idea that districts should be as compact as possible, the new lawsuit filed in Jackson County contends.U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat, has represented the 5th District since 2005.Kehoe, who has said&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/25/let-the-courts-decide-kehoe-says-he-will-sign-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map/">the courts will decide</a>&nbsp;if what lawmakers did was legal, said in a news release that he signed the bill to make the state’s districts align with voter views overall.“We believe this map best represents Missourians, and I appreciate the support and efforts of state legislators, our congressional delegation, and President Trump in getting this map to my desk,” Kehoe said.Opponents have argued that the new map disenfranchises a large portion of Missouri voters. Democrats currently hold two of the state’s eight districts, or 25%, while statewide elections show about 40% of voters support Democratic candidates.Filed by the&nbsp;National Redistricting Foundation, the legal arm of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/09/democrats-hopes-courts-redistricting-fight-00551030" target="_blank">National Democratic Redistricting Committee</a>&nbsp;led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the lawsuit enlists voters from around the state as plaintiffs, raising objections to changes in other districts as well the lines in the Kansas CIty area.“Missouri’s mid-decade gerrymander is in clear violation of the state constitution,” Marina Jenkins, executive director of the foundation, said in a news release. “It was not prompted by the law or a court order; it was the result of Republican lawmakers in Missouri following partisan directives from politicians in Washington, D.C.”The constitutional standards for redistricting include districts that are compact, contiguous, as equal as possible in population and do not split communities of interest.“Every redistricting plan since the 1950s has placed as much of the Jackson County portion of Kansas City as possible in a single district, and more recently, also brought in a substantial portion of the Clay County parts of Kansas City as well,” the lawsuit states. “In fact, the Jackson County portion of Kansas City has not been split in more than 50 years.”Under the new map, the lawsuit states, Kansas City’s central business district is in three separate districts. The new 4th District stretches from downtown Kansas City to Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, 200 miles away.Eastern portions of the city that remain in the 5th District are now in a district with Rolla, in southeast Missouri, also 200 miles away, while the remaining downtown portions are part of the 6th District, which runs across northeast Missouri to the Mississippi River.“The configuration of congressional districts in the Kansas City area under (the redistricting bill) violates the mandatory compactness requirement on nearly every level,” the lawsuit contends.The National Redistricting Foundation lawsuit is the fourth filed since Kehoe announced plans for the special session.The first was filed by the&nbsp;NAACP of Missouri, which contends that Kehoe did not have authority to call lawmakers into session for redistricting or to change initiative majority requirements. That case is in the hands of Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh, who heard arguments Sept. 15.The other lawsuits are in their early procedural stages.One, filed Sept. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV29597&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16#header" target="_blank">in Jackson County</a>&nbsp;makes similar arguments to the new case about the compactness of the new districts, while also questioning whether the bill mistakenly places the same precinct in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/18/court-battle-looms-over-kc-precinct-listed-twice-in-missouris-new-congressional-map/">two different districts</a>.Another, filed Sept. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC06964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">in Cole County</a>, is based on an argument common to all four cases — that the state constitution doesn’t allow mid-cycle redistricting.&nbsp;Only once since the current constitution was written have lawmakers altered congressional districts between censuses, and that was in the 1960s when a U.S. Supreme Court decision forced a national reexamination of districts to balance populations.The&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">redistricting provision</a>&nbsp;of the constitution says that after receiving census data, lawmakers “shall by law divide the state into districts corresponding with the number of representatives to which it is entitled…”The section is silent on the power to do it at any other time and that, the new lawsuit contends, means it is prohibited.“The General Assembly ignored the state constitution’s procedural limitation authorizing congressional redistricting to take place only when new decennial census results are certified to the governor,” the lawsuit states.

4th lawsuit challenges Missouri’s new congressional maps just as Kehoe signs them into law

Among new state laws which have now gone into effect is a crackdown on stunt driving. 

Stunt driving is a common complaint in St. Joseph. An update to the careless and imprudent driving law adds that no person shall perform stunt driving on Missouri roadways.  

Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H of the Missouri State Highway Patrol says the law applies to street takeovers, a common complaint in St. Joseph and Kansas City. 

"So, they’re out there and they’re doing donuts, there’s a large crowd of people there, they’re doing burnouts, wheelies, donuts,’ Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “So they added this stunt driving into the careless and imprudent statute, which means where we see it here in the city limits of St. Joseph would be on the Belt Highway, primarly with motorcycles, but also with vehicles as well.” 

 Hux says the update clears up the careless and imprudent driving statute. 

"By them adding this new wording into there, it makes it very clear, the public can go in there, they can read that statute, it makes it very clear that this type of driving is now prohibited,” Hux explains.  “I mean obviously it was before, but if someone just read the statute it didn’t lay it out the way that it does now to where it makes it very clear.” 

 Hux says to crack down on these offenses, and make sure it sinks in, penalties increase. 

"First offense on that is a Class B misdemeanor, so that’s kind of your warning right there, and then it bumps up to a Class A misdemeanor for your second offense,” Hux says.  “Now here’s the kicker, third and subsequent offense, Class E felony, so yes there is some teeth to that.” 

Hux says it's also important to note that if you are involved in an accident resulting in an injury or fatality while stunt driving, the offense jumps automatically to a felony. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

By MATT PIKEAmong new state laws which have now gone into effect is a crackdown on stunt driving. Stunt driving is a common complaint in St. Joseph. An update to the careless and imprudent driving law adds that no person shall perform stunt driving on Missouri roadways. Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H of the Missouri State Highway Patrol says the law applies to street takeovers, a common complaint in St. Joseph and Kansas City. "So, they’re out there and they’re doing donuts, there’s a large crowd of people there, they’re doing burnouts, wheelies, donuts,’ Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So they added this stunt driving into the careless and imprudent statute, which means where we see it here in the city limits of St. Joseph would be on the Belt Highway, primarly with motorcycles, but also with vehicles as well.” Hux says the update clears up the careless and imprudent driving statute. "By them adding this new wording into there, it makes it very clear, the public can go in there, they can read that statute, it makes it very clear that this type of driving is now prohibited,” Hux explains. “I mean obviously it was before, but if someone just read the statute it didn’t lay it out the way that it does now to where it makes it very clear.” Hux says to crack down on these offenses, and make sure it sinks in, penalties increase. "First offense on that is a Class B misdemeanor, so that’s kind of your warning right there, and then it bumps up to a Class A misdemeanor for your second offense,” Hux says. “Now here’s the kicker, third and subsequent offense, Class E felony, so yes there is some teeth to that.” Hux says it's also important to note that if you are involved in an accident resulting in an injury or fatality while stunt driving, the offense jumps automatically to a felony. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

New state law cracks down on 'side shows' to stop stunt drivers

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1JxAYK9INDDpC2SKMLBpbE?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6h03P4TY12iyi7lSVOUQB3?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

Residents, a fire protection district and six school districts allege a proposal to cap property taxes in only some of the state’s counties violates the state’s constitution

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

In a new attack on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=E1&amp;BillID=18267440" target="_blank">the bill</a>&nbsp;that authorized state funding for&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/11/missouri-special-session-ends-with-passage-kc-stadium-funding-disaster-aid/">professional sports stadiums</a>, a group of taxing districts and property owners are challenging property tax caps authorized for 97 counties in Missouri.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC07281&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">lawsuit filed Friday</a>&nbsp;in Cole County Circuit Court alleges state lawmakers unconstitutionally split residential property into different classes, choosing which counties would get a cap, and how much, on “<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Plaintiffs%20Petition%20for%20Declaratory%20Judgment%20and%20Injunctive%20Relief.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3682079" target="_blank">simply the whim</a>&nbsp;of individual legislators.”&nbsp;

The bill was passed by lawmakers during a special session in June.

The bill’s funding for sports stadiums — up to $1.5 billion intended to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri —&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislators-file-lawsuit-claiming-stadium-funding-for-chiefs-royals-is-unconstitutional/">was already in court</a>. A hearing is scheduled Tuesday morning on a motion by the state to dismiss that challenge, filed by state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Gove, and others, alleging the bill violated procedural rules of the constitution.

Plaintiffs in the new case include a taxpayer from St. Louis County, which will not have taxes subject to the law’s caps and one from Warren County, which will have a cap that allows no growth in tax bills. The taxing districts listed in the petition are the Ozark Fire Protection District, along with school districts Warren County R-III in Warrenton, Crawford R-I in Bourbon, Ozark R-VI, Meramec Valley R-III in Pacific, Grandview R-II in Dittmer and Doniphan R-I.

The law requires each county subject to a possible cap to hold an election asking voters if they want to enact it.

Within two weeks of passing the legislation, House Speaker Jon Patterson had established an interim committee to study property taxes amid&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/25/missouri-lawmakers-could-return-to-session-this-fall-to-debate-property-taxes/">questions about the property tax provision’s constitutionality</a>.

In 75 counties, voters could prevent property taxes from rising more than 5% per year from a base amount, or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater. In 22 other counties, voters could freeze their homes’ property taxes with exceptions for newly voted levies and additional value from improvements.

Lawmakers opted their counties into the legislation, deciding what level of relief they wanted for their area. Many legislators from the state’s largest counties asked to be excluded, leaving Boone, Greene, Jackson, St. Louis County and the city of St. Louis out of the law.

“No rational basis was used to categorize counties between those where the credit could result in a freeze on property tax revenue growth, a 5% cap on property tax revenue growth, or neither,” plaintiffs wrote in their initial filing.

Some of the school districts joining the lawsuit cover multiple counties that, if approved by voters, would have different levels of tax relief.

Their attorneys argue that this would violate Article X of the Missouri Constitution, which requires uniformity in taxation and limits state lawmakers’ power to divide real property into subclasses, among other things.

“As applied, (the law) may result in disparate treatment of otherwise similarly situated taxpayers because certain taxpayers for a single district may reside in political subdivisions that cover multiple counties — counties that may be subject to different property tax credit schemes.”

The lawsuit also challenges the statute under the state’s equal protection clause because the law only gives some taxpayers the right to vote on tax relief.&nbsp;

The law “mandates varying levels of tax relief — either a cap of a five percent increase or no increase — denying all other similarly situated taxpayers the same level of tax relief thereby violating their equal rights and opportunity under the law,” plaintiffs wrote.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys further label the law unconstitutional for violating a section of the state’s constitution that restricts certain local or special laws.

“A law may not include less than all who are similarly situated,” plaintiffs wrote, saying the counties are grouped without a “conceivable state of facts that connect” them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759143619646.jpeg" alt=" A lawsuit filed in Cole County Circuit Court Friday challenges a state law that could bring property tax caps to 97 Missouri counties (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> A lawsuit filed in Cole County Circuit Court Friday challenges a state law that could bring property tax caps to 97 Missouri counties (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Residents, a fire protection district and six school districts allege a proposal to cap property taxes in only some of the state’s counties violates the state’s constitution</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>In a new attack on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=E1&amp;BillID=18267440" target="_blank">the bill</a>&nbsp;that authorized state funding for&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/11/missouri-special-session-ends-with-passage-kc-stadium-funding-disaster-aid/">professional sports stadiums</a>, a group of taxing districts and property owners are challenging property tax caps authorized for 97 counties in Missouri.A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC07281&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">lawsuit filed Friday</a>&nbsp;in Cole County Circuit Court alleges state lawmakers unconstitutionally split residential property into different classes, choosing which counties would get a cap, and how much, on “<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Plaintiffs%20Petition%20for%20Declaratory%20Judgment%20and%20Injunctive%20Relief.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3682079" target="_blank">simply the whim</a>&nbsp;of individual legislators.”&nbsp;The bill was passed by lawmakers during a special session in June.The bill’s funding for sports stadiums — up to $1.5 billion intended to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri —&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislators-file-lawsuit-claiming-stadium-funding-for-chiefs-royals-is-unconstitutional/">was already in court</a>. A hearing is scheduled Tuesday morning on a motion by the state to dismiss that challenge, filed by state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Gove, and others, alleging the bill violated procedural rules of the constitution.Plaintiffs in the new case include a taxpayer from St. Louis County, which will not have taxes subject to the law’s caps and one from Warren County, which will have a cap that allows no growth in tax bills. The taxing districts listed in the petition are the Ozark Fire Protection District, along with school districts Warren County R-III in Warrenton, Crawford R-I in Bourbon, Ozark R-VI, Meramec Valley R-III in Pacific, Grandview R-II in Dittmer and Doniphan R-I.The law requires each county subject to a possible cap to hold an election asking voters if they want to enact it.Within two weeks of passing the legislation, House Speaker Jon Patterson had established an interim committee to study property taxes amid&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/25/missouri-lawmakers-could-return-to-session-this-fall-to-debate-property-taxes/">questions about the property tax provision’s constitutionality</a>.In 75 counties, voters could prevent property taxes from rising more than 5% per year from a base amount, or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater. In 22 other counties, voters could freeze their homes’ property taxes with exceptions for newly voted levies and additional value from improvements.Lawmakers opted their counties into the legislation, deciding what level of relief they wanted for their area. Many legislators from the state’s largest counties asked to be excluded, leaving Boone, Greene, Jackson, St. Louis County and the city of St. Louis out of the law.“No rational basis was used to categorize counties between those where the credit could result in a freeze on property tax revenue growth, a 5% cap on property tax revenue growth, or neither,” plaintiffs wrote in their initial filing.Some of the school districts joining the lawsuit cover multiple counties that, if approved by voters, would have different levels of tax relief.Their attorneys argue that this would violate Article X of the Missouri Constitution, which requires uniformity in taxation and limits state lawmakers’ power to divide real property into subclasses, among other things.“As applied, (the law) may result in disparate treatment of otherwise similarly situated taxpayers because certain taxpayers for a single district may reside in political subdivisions that cover multiple counties — counties that may be subject to different property tax credit schemes.”The lawsuit also challenges the statute under the state’s equal protection clause because the law only gives some taxpayers the right to vote on tax relief.&nbsp;The law “mandates varying levels of tax relief — either a cap of a five percent increase or no increase — denying all other similarly situated taxpayers the same level of tax relief thereby violating their equal rights and opportunity under the law,” plaintiffs wrote.Plaintiffs’ attorneys further label the law unconstitutional for violating a section of the state’s constitution that restricts certain local or special laws.“A law may not include less than all who are similarly situated,” plaintiffs wrote, saying the counties are grouped without a “conceivable state of facts that connect” them.

Missouri school districts challenge law offering some counties property tax relief

Jefferson City&nbsp;—&nbsp;Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill (HB) 1 of the One Hundred Third General Assembly's Second Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session into law. HB 1, sponsored by Representative Dirk Deaton and Senator Rusty Black, creates provisions for redistricting federal congressional seats, according to a media release from the governor's office.

“I was proud to officially sign the Missouri First Map into law today ahead of the 2026 midterm election,” said&nbsp;Governor Kehoe. “Missourians are more alike than we are different, and our values, across both sides of the aisle, are closer to each other than those of the congressional representation of states like New York, California, and Illinois. We believe this map best represents Missourians, and I appreciate the support and efforts of state legislators, our congressional delegation, and President Trump in getting this map to my desk.”

On August 29,&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-announces-special-session-congressional-redistricting-and">Governor Kehoe convened the General Assembly for a special session</a>&nbsp;to enact legislation establishing updated congressional districts for the State of Missouri and amending the state’s initiative petition process. Governor Kehoe worked with the General Assembly to pass the&nbsp;Missouri First Map&nbsp;in HB 1, a more compact, contiguous map that was created by Governor Kehoe's team.

On September 12, the General Assembly truly agreed to and finally passed the&nbsp;Missouri First Map&nbsp;in House Bill 1 and the "Protect Missouri Voters" amendment in House Joint Resolution 3, which will be placed on the ballot for voter approval.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757444658128.png" alt="Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago " />
 <figcaption>Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago </figcaption>
 </figure>Jefferson City&nbsp;—&nbsp;Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill (HB) 1 of the One Hundred Third General Assembly's Second Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session into law. HB 1, sponsored by Representative Dirk Deaton and Senator Rusty Black, creates provisions for redistricting federal congressional seats, according to a media release from the governor's office.“I was proud to officially sign the Missouri First Map into law today ahead of the 2026 midterm election,” said&nbsp;Governor Kehoe. “Missourians are more alike than we are different, and our values, across both sides of the aisle, are closer to each other than those of the congressional representation of states like New York, California, and Illinois. We believe this map best represents Missourians, and I appreciate the support and efforts of state legislators, our congressional delegation, and President Trump in getting this map to my desk.”On August 29,&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-announces-special-session-congressional-redistricting-and">Governor Kehoe convened the General Assembly for a special session</a>&nbsp;to enact legislation establishing updated congressional districts for the State of Missouri and amending the state’s initiative petition process. Governor Kehoe worked with the General Assembly to pass the&nbsp;Missouri First Map&nbsp;in HB 1, a more compact, contiguous map that was created by Governor Kehoe's team.Highlights of the Missouri First Map:<ul>
 <li>Splits fewer counties and municipalities than the current map.</li><li>Preserves two congressional districts as currently drawn.</li><li>Retains every current member of Missouri’s congressional delegation in their current districts.</li>
 </ul>On September 12, the General Assembly truly agreed to and finally passed the&nbsp;Missouri First Map&nbsp;in House Bill 1 and the "Protect Missouri Voters" amendment in House Joint Resolution 3, which will be placed on the ballot for voter approval.

Missouri governor signs plan aimed at helping GOP win another US House seat

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins on Friday pitched his first revision of ballot language for a&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/hlrbillspdf/2454H.05T.pdf" target="_blank">Missouri constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;that would ban abortion — without mentioning the ban — at the Cole County Circuit Court.&nbsp;

Next week, Judge Daniel Green will decide if it is a ball or a strike.

Last Friday, Green ordered Hoskins to rewrite the ballot language approved by lawmakers after finding it was “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">insufficient and unfair”</a>&nbsp;because it failed to mention the amendment would repeal abortion rights.&nbsp;

In his ruling, Green wrote that the original ballot title “fails to adequately alert voters that it would eliminate” the constitutional right to reproductive health care that Missourians approved last fall.

Under a law passed this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld this week by Green</a>, Hoskins had seven days to submit his revisions. Now, the two sides in the case have three days to submit analysis.

If Green rules Hoskins failed, he will have five days to try again.

The new ballot language written by Hoskins states in full:&nbsp;

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

The&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++36&amp;bid=54984&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">reproductive rights amendment that</a>&nbsp;Missourians narrowly approved last fall legalized all abortions up until the point of fetal viability. Access to the procedure remains limited as Planned Parenthood affiliates have sued the state over a series of abortion regulations that remain on the books.&nbsp;

“My main focus has been protecting Missouri’s families and the Constitution,” Hoskins said in a statement Friday. “This ballot title and language reflects my commitment to upholding the values Missourians hold dear. My office remains dedicated to ensuring voters are presented with clear and accurate information as they consider this important measure.”

Tori Schafer, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri, said the language remains “purposefully misleading and inaccurate.”

Green also told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.

Hoskins’ new summary states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;

A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.

After the Republican supermajority of legislators<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">&nbsp;voted in May to put the amendment on next year’s ballot</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/27/missouri-abortion-amendment-3-ballot-ban-cole-county-trial/">ACLU of Missouri sued</a>, arguing that the ballot language was unfair and that the amendment illegally included unrelated subjects to be used as “ballot candy.”

Green in his ruling last week concluded that lawmakers did not err in combining bans on gender-affirming health care for minors with reproductive rights.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759061969764.png" alt="Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins official portrait" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins official portrait</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Secretary of State Denny Hoskins on Friday pitched his first revision of ballot language for a&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/hlrbillspdf/2454H.05T.pdf" target="_blank">Missouri constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;that would ban abortion — without mentioning the ban — at the Cole County Circuit Court.&nbsp;Next week, Judge Daniel Green will decide if it is a ball or a strike.Last Friday, Green ordered Hoskins to rewrite the ballot language approved by lawmakers after finding it was “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">insufficient and unfair”</a>&nbsp;because it failed to mention the amendment would repeal abortion rights.&nbsp;In his ruling, Green wrote that the original ballot title “fails to adequately alert voters that it would eliminate” the constitutional right to reproductive health care that Missourians approved last fall.Under a law passed this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld this week by Green</a>, Hoskins had seven days to submit his revisions. Now, the two sides in the case have three days to submit analysis.If Green rules Hoskins failed, he will have five days to try again.The new ballot language written by Hoskins states in full:&nbsp;“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:<ul>
 <li>Guarantee women’s medical care for emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and</li><li>miscarriages;</li><li>Ensure women’s safety during abortions;</li><li>Ensure parental consent for minors;</li><li>Amend Article I, section 36, approved in 2024; allowing abortions for</li><li>medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, and incest; and</li><li>Prohibit sex-change procedures for children?”</li>
 </ul>The&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++36&amp;bid=54984&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">reproductive rights amendment that</a>&nbsp;Missourians narrowly approved last fall legalized all abortions up until the point of fetal viability. Access to the procedure remains limited as Planned Parenthood affiliates have sued the state over a series of abortion regulations that remain on the books.&nbsp;“My main focus has been protecting Missouri’s families and the Constitution,” Hoskins said in a statement Friday. “This ballot title and language reflects my commitment to upholding the values Missourians hold dear. My office remains dedicated to ensuring voters are presented with clear and accurate information as they consider this important measure.”Tori Schafer, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri, said the language remains “purposefully misleading and inaccurate.”Green also told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.Hoskins’ new summary states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.After the Republican supermajority of legislators<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">&nbsp;voted in May to put the amendment on next year’s ballot</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/27/missouri-abortion-amendment-3-ballot-ban-cole-county-trial/">ACLU of Missouri sued</a>, arguing that the ballot language was unfair and that the amendment illegally included unrelated subjects to be used as “ballot candy.”Green in his ruling last week concluded that lawmakers did not err in combining bans on gender-affirming health care for minors with reproductive rights.&nbsp;

Latest language for Missouri ballot measure fails to mention amendment would ban abortion

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Saturday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Toyota Tacoma driven by a 47-year-old Cosby man was westbound on County Road 281 one mile east of Rochester. The pickup traveled off the north sie of the road, returned to theroad, began to slide, traveled off the north side of the road again and rolled onto the drivers side.&nbsp;

Andrew County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Saturday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Toyota Tacoma driven by a 47-year-old Cosby man was westbound on County Road 281 one mile east of Rochester. The pickup traveled off the north sie of the road, returned to theroad, began to slide, traveled off the north side of the road again and rolled onto the drivers side.&nbsp;Andrew County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man hospitalized after pickup overturns

Measuring academic progress is becoming increasingly important as Missouri schools recover from pandemic-related learning loss, with researchers and the state’s education officials championing growth as a vital metric.

St. Louis University’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primecenter.org/" target="_blank">PRiME Center</a>, a nonpartisan education think tank, held a half-day conference on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia Thursday to dig into how the state calculates academic growth and celebrate high-growth districts.

“We are really interested in schools that are moving kids the most,” PRiME executive director Collin Hitt told reporters. “We want to do better than we are.”

Hitt believes Missouri has the best formula for calculating academic growth, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primecenter.org/prime-blog/3-year-growth" target="_blank">data generated by the formula</a>&nbsp;can help the state identify the best teaching practices.

“You would not be able to see the impact (educators) have on students if we didn’t have growth,” he said.

Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger told conference attendees that growth sees beyond standardized test scores.

“We all have standards, and we want all our kids to meet those standards,” she said. “But one of the things we truly have to pay attention to is the progress they are making towards those standards.”

Missouri’s growth model shows educators how much learning their students accomplished in the school year relative to others in the state. A score of zero doesn’t mean a child has not learned anything but instead indicates that their growth was average.

The formula’s architect Eric Parsons, an economics professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said growth is a “more equitable” accountability measure than tracking average test scores. Districts with high achievement levels tend to be wealthier, but high growth is seen in all areas of the state and all socioeconomic levels.

When Parsons graphed growth levels against poverty, there was no correlation. Overall achievement, though, largely increased alongside wealth.

Data also showed no correlation between achievement levels and growth scores, meaning that expanding students’ knowledge is as hard for low-achieving schools as it is for high achievers.

Parsons received an&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/18/missouri-administrators-question-school-district-scores-in-second-year-of-new-formula/">influx of questions about the formula</a>&nbsp;following the state’s transition to a new accountability model three years ago. Growth was once a small factor in schools’ report cards but now accounts for a quarter of their scores.

Administrators speaking at the conference said questions have not completely disappeared but are now primarily concerned with how growth scores are translated into the school accountability points system.

“Districts are wondering how (education officials) are applying the growth model, which is obviously a great model, into those growth points because it does cause some confusion,” Gainesville R-5 School District Superintendent Justin Gilmore said during a panel discussion. “We need to dig deeper into how the growth model is being utilized by the department.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758967351907.png" alt=" Missouri Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger speaks at a Saint Louis University PRiME Center conference Thursday on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger speaks at a Saint Louis University PRiME Center conference Thursday on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Measuring academic progress is becoming increasingly important as Missouri schools recover from pandemic-related learning loss, with researchers and the state’s education officials championing growth as a vital metric.St. Louis University’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primecenter.org/" target="_blank">PRiME Center</a>, a nonpartisan education think tank, held a half-day conference on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia Thursday to dig into how the state calculates academic growth and celebrate high-growth districts.“We are really interested in schools that are moving kids the most,” PRiME executive director Collin Hitt told reporters. “We want to do better than we are.”Hitt believes Missouri has the best formula for calculating academic growth, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primecenter.org/prime-blog/3-year-growth" target="_blank">data generated by the formula</a>&nbsp;can help the state identify the best teaching practices.“You would not be able to see the impact (educators) have on students if we didn’t have growth,” he said.Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger told conference attendees that growth sees beyond standardized test scores.“We all have standards, and we want all our kids to meet those standards,” she said. “But one of the things we truly have to pay attention to is the progress they are making towards those standards.”Missouri’s growth model shows educators how much learning their students accomplished in the school year relative to others in the state. A score of zero doesn’t mean a child has not learned anything but instead indicates that their growth was average.The formula’s architect Eric Parsons, an economics professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said growth is a “more equitable” accountability measure than tracking average test scores. Districts with high achievement levels tend to be wealthier, but high growth is seen in all areas of the state and all socioeconomic levels.When Parsons graphed growth levels against poverty, there was no correlation. Overall achievement, though, largely increased alongside wealth.Data also showed no correlation between achievement levels and growth scores, meaning that expanding students’ knowledge is as hard for low-achieving schools as it is for high achievers.Parsons received an&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/18/missouri-administrators-question-school-district-scores-in-second-year-of-new-formula/">influx of questions about the formula</a>&nbsp;following the state’s transition to a new accountability model three years ago. Growth was once a small factor in schools’ report cards but now accounts for a quarter of their scores.Administrators speaking at the conference said questions have not completely disappeared but are now primarily concerned with how growth scores are translated into the school accountability points system.“Districts are wondering how (education officials) are applying the growth model, which is obviously a great model, into those growth points because it does cause some confusion,” Gainesville R-5 School District Superintendent Justin Gilmore said during a panel discussion. “We need to dig deeper into how the growth model is being utilized by the department.”

Educators look to Missouri growth model to measure instructional effectiveness

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6M4go6UUNuhPo1ygvYvY8I?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Week in Review

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the petition for a referendum because the bill hasn’t been signed yet. Referendum backers call shenanigans because Kehoe will sign the bill on Sunday

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

A referendum petition seeking a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/gop-push-to-gerrymander-missouri-congressional-map-could-be-decided-at-the-ballot/">statewide vote</a>&nbsp;on the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">gerrymandered Missouri redistricting plan</a>&nbsp;is insufficient because the bill changing district lines hasn’t been signed yet, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins decided Friday.

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, in an opinion letter dated Thursday, recommended Hoskins reject the petition because the law describing the form says the petition must refer to “laws” passed by the General Assembly.

In the opinion letter, which has not yet been published on the attorney general’s website, Hanaway wrote: “A bill passed by the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate does not become ‘a law’ until it is either ‘approved by the governor’ or until the bill is not ‘returned by the governor within the time limits prescribed by this section.’”&nbsp;

The redistricting plan, she wrote, “has not been signed by Governor Kehoe.”

In a statement to The Independent, Hanaway’s office said proponents should have waited.

“State law only allows a referendum on measures that have been enacted into law,” the statement provided by spokeswoman Abigail Bergmann read. “The referendum petition was thus premature.”

The redistricting plan seeks to flip the 5th Congressional District, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City, to Republicans. President Donald Trump began pushing for Missouri to redistrict in late July.

Richard von Glahn, leading the committee People Not Politicians in its quest to put the plan on a ballot, immediately called shenanigans and his attorney, Chuck Hatfield, wrote a letter demanding a revision.

“It is a matter of public record that the governor has announced his assent to the bill and intends to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/25/let-the-courts-decide-kehoe-says-he-will-sign-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map/">sign it on Sunday</a>&nbsp;of this week,” Hatfield wrote in a footnote to his legal analysis. “Delaying review of the referendum forms on that basis is simply silly. Nothing allows you to do so.”

To be successful, a referendum petition must have signatures equal to 5% of the vote for governor in six of the state’s eight congressional districts. The petitions must be submitted within 90 days of the adjournment of the legislative session that passed the new law.

Lawmakers concluded the special session on Sept. 12, giving von Glahn’s group until Dec. 11 to submit the signatures.

“People Not Politicians has continued to face obstinance from politicians who refuse to perform their administrative duties and adhere to legal deadlines around processing the legally submitted referendum petition,” a news release from the campaign stated. “The group continues to gather signatures to put the issue before Missouri voters.”

If the decision is not reversed, the issue will go to the courts, von Glahn said.

“We are confident the courts will side with Missourians constitutional right to a referendum, as they always have,” he said in the news release.

In his letter challenging Hanaway’s legal analysis, Hatfield wrote that her constitutional references are inaccurate and she missed important sections that control the referendum process.

“Your letter ignores (<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++49&amp;bid=31807&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">the referendum clause</a>), which guarantees to the people the ‘power to approve or reject by referendum any act of the general assembly,’” Hatfield wrote. “That is exactly what Mr. von Glahn seeks to do and the constitution is extremely clear.”&nbsp;

In 2022, the Missouri Supreme Court found two laws that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/08/missouri-supreme-court-tosses-laws-that-blocked-2019-abortion-bill-referendum/">impeded the referendum process</a>&nbsp;were unconstitutional. In that decision, the court found that signatures gathered before the ballot language for the petition had been written were valid.

In that case, administrative delays by the attorney general and the secretary of state were found to be improper barriers when opponents of a law banning abortions attempted an initiative in 2019.

“This is the same stuff we went through on the abortion case,” Hatfield said, “and the courts of appeals told them you can’t do that.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758967196908.png" alt=" Protesters gather in the Missouri Capitol rotunda Sept. 10 in opposition to a proposed congressional district map that passed the House (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Protesters gather in the Missouri Capitol rotunda Sept. 10 in opposition to a proposed congressional district map that passed the House (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the petition for a referendum because the bill hasn’t been signed yet. Referendum backers call shenanigans because Kehoe will sign the bill on Sunday</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A referendum petition seeking a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/gop-push-to-gerrymander-missouri-congressional-map-could-be-decided-at-the-ballot/">statewide vote</a>&nbsp;on the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">gerrymandered Missouri redistricting plan</a>&nbsp;is insufficient because the bill changing district lines hasn’t been signed yet, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins decided Friday.Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, in an opinion letter dated Thursday, recommended Hoskins reject the petition because the law describing the form says the petition must refer to “laws” passed by the General Assembly.In the opinion letter, which has not yet been published on the attorney general’s website, Hanaway wrote: “A bill passed by the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate does not become ‘a law’ until it is either ‘approved by the governor’ or until the bill is not ‘returned by the governor within the time limits prescribed by this section.’”&nbsp;The redistricting plan, she wrote, “has not been signed by Governor Kehoe.”In a statement to The Independent, Hanaway’s office said proponents should have waited.“State law only allows a referendum on measures that have been enacted into law,” the statement provided by spokeswoman Abigail Bergmann read. “The referendum petition was thus premature.”The redistricting plan seeks to flip the 5th Congressional District, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City, to Republicans. President Donald Trump began pushing for Missouri to redistrict in late July.Richard von Glahn, leading the committee People Not Politicians in its quest to put the plan on a ballot, immediately called shenanigans and his attorney, Chuck Hatfield, wrote a letter demanding a revision.“It is a matter of public record that the governor has announced his assent to the bill and intends to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/25/let-the-courts-decide-kehoe-says-he-will-sign-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map/">sign it on Sunday</a>&nbsp;of this week,” Hatfield wrote in a footnote to his legal analysis. “Delaying review of the referendum forms on that basis is simply silly. Nothing allows you to do so.”To be successful, a referendum petition must have signatures equal to 5% of the vote for governor in six of the state’s eight congressional districts. The petitions must be submitted within 90 days of the adjournment of the legislative session that passed the new law.Lawmakers concluded the special session on Sept. 12, giving von Glahn’s group until Dec. 11 to submit the signatures.“People Not Politicians has continued to face obstinance from politicians who refuse to perform their administrative duties and adhere to legal deadlines around processing the legally submitted referendum petition,” a news release from the campaign stated. “The group continues to gather signatures to put the issue before Missouri voters.”If the decision is not reversed, the issue will go to the courts, von Glahn said.“We are confident the courts will side with Missourians constitutional right to a referendum, as they always have,” he said in the news release.In his letter challenging Hanaway’s legal analysis, Hatfield wrote that her constitutional references are inaccurate and she missed important sections that control the referendum process.“Your letter ignores (<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++49&amp;bid=31807&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">the referendum clause</a>), which guarantees to the people the ‘power to approve or reject by referendum any act of the general assembly,’” Hatfield wrote. “That is exactly what Mr. von Glahn seeks to do and the constitution is extremely clear.”&nbsp;In 2022, the Missouri Supreme Court found two laws that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/08/missouri-supreme-court-tosses-laws-that-blocked-2019-abortion-bill-referendum/">impeded the referendum process</a>&nbsp;were unconstitutional. In that decision, the court found that signatures gathered before the ballot language for the petition had been written were valid.In that case, administrative delays by the attorney general and the secretary of state were found to be improper barriers when opponents of a law banning abortions attempted an initiative in 2019.“This is the same stuff we went through on the abortion case,” Hatfield said, “and the courts of appeals told them you can’t do that.”

Effort to force vote on gerrymandered Missouri congressional map hits roadblock

President Trump announce on Friday afternoon that he will be declassifying all records related to Amelia Earhart, the American aviation pioneer from Kansas who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe in July of 1937.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681316394958.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, Kansas&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, Kansas&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>President Trump announce on Friday afternoon that he will be declassifying all records related to Amelia Earhart, the American aviation pioneer from Kansas who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe in July of 1937.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/vPvcxC8Fbu">pic.twitter.com/vPvcxC8Fbu</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1971677105181073715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump will declassify all gov't records on Amelia Earhart

Ahead of the height of flu season, the St. Joseph Health Department now has flu shots available and is encouraging people to come and get them.  

Interim Clinic Supervisor Kristi Billings says those that are young, or older, that are considered high-risk should come and get their flu shot 

"It’s always a good idea to go ahead and get it, or if you’re highly susceptible, everybody’s a little bit different some people get it a little easier than others,” Billings tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “So, anybody that feels that they need it, we have it available.” 

Billings says there are still plenty of vaccines available at the clinic.  

"We have had a few patients in and out, since we just put out the release, we don’t expect it to be a mass rush, but we want everybody to know it’s available to them,” Billings explains. 

Billings says now is a great time to get your flu vaccine  

"The kids are in school; we’re going to start having some weather changes and that lets the flu build a little bit better,” Billings says.  “And then we’re already seeing a few flu cases, so the sooner you get it, the sooner it can build up and protect you a little bit more. 

Last year, Billings says flu cases were higher than usual, pointing out most years there is a drop in numbers through the flu season but last year it didn't ever drop.  

The vaccine is available with or without insurance.  If you do not have insurance, there is a limited supply available.     

If you can't make it to the department, Billings says once again the free flu shot clinic will be held on Thursday 

"We offer anybody over the age of 19 at the city-wide flu clinic, if they’re not able to come in we accommodate them at the curb, and we offer it free of charge,” Billings says. 

The clinic will run from 8:30am to noon, or while supplies last, at the Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph.   

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostFlu season is upon us. Ahead of the height of flu season, the St. Joseph Health Department now has flu shots available and is encouraging people to come and get them. Interim Clinic Supervisor Kristi Billings says those that are young, or older, that are considered high-risk should come and get their flu shot "It’s always a good idea to go ahead and get it, or if you’re highly susceptible, everybody’s a little bit different some people get it a little easier than others,” Billings tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, anybody that feels that they need it, we have it available.” Billings says there are still plenty of vaccines available at the clinic. "We have had a few patients in and out, since we just put out the release, we don’t expect it to be a mass rush, but we want everybody to know it’s available to them,” Billings explains. Billings says now is a great time to get your flu vaccine "The kids are in school; we’re going to start having some weather changes and that lets the flu build a little bit better,” Billings says. “And then we’re already seeing a few flu cases, so the sooner you get it, the sooner it can build up and protect you a little bit more. Last year, Billings says flu cases were higher than usual, pointing out most years there is a drop in numbers through the flu season but last year it didn't ever drop. The vaccine is available with or without insurance. If you do not have insurance, there is a limited supply available. If you can't make it to the department, Billings says once again the free flu shot clinic will be held on Thursday "We offer anybody over the age of 19 at the city-wide flu clinic, if they’re not able to come in we accommodate them at the curb, and we offer it free of charge,” Billings says. The clinic will run from 8:30am to noon, or while supplies last, at the Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Ahead of flu season, St. Joseph Health Department has flu vaccine available

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1EJPvlO1s6vVNIwZ3pF4Y6?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3cS1d0Sfce0R600RgFzA8W?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

Several new public safety laws went into effect at the end of last month in Missouri.  

Two updated statutes, designed to protect children, increase the age of the victim of enticement of a child from younger than 15 years old to younger than 17 years old.  

Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol says lowering the ages widens the number of victims. 

"You know whenever it comes to internet crimes, sex trafficking, which is always great that you encompass more children in those statutes,” Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Hux says one other update is to the sexual trafficking of a child first degree statute, which increases the age of the victim from under the age of 12 to under the age of 14. 

 Hux says increasing the ages protects more juveniles. 

"Before, if someone was 16 years of age they would have not fallen under that specific charge of enticement of a child, because the statute said less than 15,” Hux explains.  “So now it encompasses all 15- and 16-year-olds on that specific charge.” 

Hux says an important part of the updated statute is the charges against those convicted 

"Five to 30 years within the Department of Corrections if found guilty, but a minimum of five years without parole,” Hux says.  “So, it’s not like someone is going to be sentence to five years and then be out in a year and a half, they have to do a minimum of five years.” 

Also increased was the age of victims of child sexual trafficking from under the age of 12 to under the age of 14. The potential prison sentence has also been increased; a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison. 

By MATT PIKESeveral new public safety laws went into effect at the end of last month in Missouri. Two updated statutes, designed to protect children, increase the age of the victim of enticement of a child from younger than 15 years old to younger than 17 years old. Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol says lowering the ages widens the number of victims. "You know whenever it comes to internet crimes, sex trafficking, which is always great that you encompass more children in those statutes,” Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Hux says one other update is to the sexual trafficking of a child first degree statute, which increases the age of the victim from under the age of 12 to under the age of 14. Hux says increasing the ages protects more juveniles. "Before, if someone was 16 years of age they would have not fallen under that specific charge of enticement of a child, because the statute said less than 15,” Hux explains. “So now it encompasses all 15- and 16-year-olds on that specific charge.” Hux says an important part of the updated statute is the charges against those convicted "Five to 30 years within the Department of Corrections if found guilty, but a minimum of five years without parole,” Hux says. “So, it’s not like someone is going to be sentence to five years and then be out in a year and a half, they have to do a minimum of five years.” Also increased was the age of victims of child sexual trafficking from under the age of 12 to under the age of 14. The potential prison sentence has also been increased; a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

New state laws to protect children are now in effect

By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph Post

St. Joseph city
leaders will take questions from the public this evening at a City Leaders
Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Northwest Missouri.

Moderator Sharon
Kosek with the League says those attending can submit questions written on
slips of paper provided at the forum. She suggests broad questions that concern
the entire community.

“We want people to
be able to have continuing communication. So, you want to open up whatever it
is you have to say in a gracious manner. You can be firm that you want a
response,” Kosek tells KFEQmmunity. “Our city leaders have always been very responsive,
but even more so now.”

St. Joseph City
Manager, Mike Schumacher, and department heads are scheduled to be at the forum
along with three city councilmembers.

The forum begins
at 5:30 Friday evening at the Rolling Hills Library – Upper Story Room.

City leaders in attendance
will open by answering a couple of questions. Those in attendance can submit
questions written on slips of paper to Kosek who will sort them and pose them
to the leaders.

Kosek says the
forum presents a unique venue to communicate with St. Joseph city staff.

“You can go to
city council meetings or just a variety of different meetings here in town. But
seeing these people one-on-one in the same room with you, their responses,
having to get to see them,” Kosek says. “It’s just good to see their decorum,
how they respond to questions.”

The forum begins
at 5:30 tonight at the Rolling Hills Library – Upper Story Room on the North
Belt Highway. It will run for one hour.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph PostSt. Joseph city
leaders will take questions from the public this evening at a City Leaders
Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Northwest Missouri.Moderator Sharon
Kosek with the League says those attending can submit questions written on
slips of paper provided at the forum. She suggests broad questions that concern
the entire community.A little tact
helps as well.“We want people to
be able to have continuing communication. So, you want to open up whatever it
is you have to say in a gracious manner. You can be firm that you want a
response,” Kosek tells KFEQmmunity. “Our city leaders have always been very responsive,
but even more so now.”St. Joseph City
Manager, Mike Schumacher, and department heads are scheduled to be at the forum
along with three city councilmembers.The forum begins
at 5:30 Friday evening at the Rolling Hills Library – Upper Story Room.City leaders in attendance
will open by answering a couple of questions. Those in attendance can submit
questions written on slips of paper to Kosek who will sort them and pose them
to the leaders.Kosek says the
forum presents a unique venue to communicate with St. Joseph city staff.“You can go to
city council meetings or just a variety of different meetings here in town. But
seeing these people one-on-one in the same room with you, their responses,
having to get to see them,” Kosek says. “It’s just good to see their decorum,
how they respond to questions.”The forum begins
at 5:30 tonight at the Rolling Hills Library – Upper Story Room on the North
Belt Highway. It will run for one hour.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph city leaders take questions at forum this evening

PLATTE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Thursday in Platte County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;2023 Can-am defender 6x6 driven by a 50-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was southbound, spraying the embankment on the ramp from Cookingham Drive to Southbound Interstate 29. The embankment gave way and the UTV rolled.&nbsp;

Kansas City Fire Department transported to the driver to St. Luke's North. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

PLATTE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Thursday in Platte County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;2023 Can-am defender 6x6 driven by a 50-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was southbound, spraying the embankment on the ramp from Cookingham Drive to Southbound Interstate 29. The embankment gave way and the UTV rolled.&nbsp;Kansas City Fire Department transported to the driver to St. Luke's North. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man spraying embankment injured when UTV overturns

A campaign for
Missouri Senate has ended before it began.

State Rep. Brenda
Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph, has ended her campaign for state senate
due to health considerations. The decision comes just days before a scheduled
kick off and fundraiser.

“I think everybody
that knows me, my 40+ years I’ve been in the community, I have served the
community, whether it was on community boards, whether it was as an educator,
or with the United Way,” Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone
interview. “And I so enjoyed serving in the Missouri legislature and being able
to serve the people of St. Joeph there through a state level.”

Shields suffered a
brain bleed stroke in 2016 and has had a heart valve leak since 2020. She met
with her doctors this week, who scheduled her for heart surgery next month.
Though they expect a full recovery, running for and serving in the Missouri
Senate presents increased health risks.

“So, with the
complications of my health issues, not being able to be on any type of blood
thinner because of my brain bleed stroke, it just was important that I make
this decision to care about myself and to take time to heal for myself and to
be able to be with my family,” Shields says.

Shields had
scheduled to officially kick off her Senate campaign with a fundraiser at the
St. Jospeh Country Club Tuesday.

Shields informed
her supporters in a letter that with regret and a level of sadness she is
ending her senate campaign.

“Pulling out,
bowing out of this Senate campaign has broken my heart in more ways than people
will ever understand,” Shields tells us. “And I am truly sad that I’m not able
to fulfill that.”

Shields says she
does plan to return to the General Assembly at the beginning of next year to
serve her final term in the Missouri House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758823990278.jpeg" alt="Rep. Brenda Shields/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Brenda Shields/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA campaign for
Missouri Senate has ended before it began.State Rep. Brenda
Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph, has ended her campaign for state senate
due to health considerations. The decision comes just days before a scheduled
kick off and fundraiser.“I think everybody
that knows me, my 40+ years I’ve been in the community, I have served the
community, whether it was on community boards, whether it was as an educator,
or with the United Way,” Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone
interview. “And I so enjoyed serving in the Missouri legislature and being able
to serve the people of St. Joeph there through a state level.”Shields suffered a
brain bleed stroke in 2016 and has had a heart valve leak since 2020. She met
with her doctors this week, who scheduled her for heart surgery next month.
Though they expect a full recovery, running for and serving in the Missouri
Senate presents increased health risks.“So, with the
complications of my health issues, not being able to be on any type of blood
thinner because of my brain bleed stroke, it just was important that I make
this decision to care about myself and to take time to heal for myself and to
be able to be with my family,” Shields says.Shields had
scheduled to officially kick off her Senate campaign with a fundraiser at the
St. Jospeh Country Club Tuesday.Shields informed
her supporters in a letter that with regret and a level of sadness she is
ending her senate campaign.“Pulling out,
bowing out of this Senate campaign has broken my heart in more ways than people
will ever understand,” Shields tells us. “And I am truly sad that I’m not able
to fulfill that.”Shields says she
does plan to return to the General Assembly at the beginning of next year to
serve her final term in the Missouri House.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Health issues force Rep. Shields to end Senate campaign

Criminal charges
have been filed against a woman in the death of a St. Joseph man found dead in a yard in
King City in July.

Lynsey Chan is
accused of giving 42-year-old Brandon Haynes of St. Joseph fentanyl, forcing him
to leave her King City residence, and refusing to call for help when he showed
signs of overdosing on July 28th. A court document claims Chan, who is 35, also
advised others not to call for help.

Chan has been
charged with first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and
delivery of a controlled substance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758819557991.png" alt="Chan photo from an earlier arrest in DeKalb County" />
 <figcaption>Chan photo from an earlier arrest in DeKalb County</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph PostCriminal charges
have been filed against a woman in the death of a St. Joseph man found dead in a yard in
King City in July.Lynsey Chan is
accused of giving 42-year-old Brandon Haynes of St. Joseph fentanyl, forcing him
to leave her King City residence, and refusing to call for help when he showed
signs of overdosing on July 28th. A court document claims Chan, who is 35, also
advised others not to call for help.Chan has been
charged with first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and
delivery of a controlled substance.The Missouri State
Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control conducted the death
investigation at the request of local authorities.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

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