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Polls show that most Americans, even in red states, oppose the strict abortion bans Republican state lawmakers have enacted in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. Emboldened by that fact, abortion rights advocates in multiple states might propose ballot initiatives for voters to consider in next year’s election, if […]

The post Positive polling, past successes don’t guarantee victory for abortion rights at the ballot box appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Following the end of the federal public health emergency, around 26,000 Missourians receiving food assistance are once again subject to work requirements to maintain their benefits. If the state does not receive the proper paperwork from participants, many could lose benefits beginning in October for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. […]

The post Time limits resume for federal food assistance, potentially impacting 26,000 Missourians appeared first on Missouri Independent.

In this uncertain economic landscape, we are all feeling a strain on our wallets. It is understandable, then, that the government is looking for ways to lower costs and ease financial stress for Americans. However, short-term cost-saving measures should never come at the expense of our long-term financial security, especially when it may place the […]

The post Fannie Mae program could put Missouri homeowners at risk appeared first on Missouri Independent.

From the $8,000 set aside so the Lone Jack Police Department could buy rifles to $46 million for an allied health building at St. Louis Community College, Gov. Mike Parson’s veto ax fell heavily on earmarked spending as he finished work on the coming year’s Missouri budget. Parson announced his actions late Friday on the […]

The post Despite $8 billion surplus, Missouri governor vetoes $550 million in state spending appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Colorado cannot compel a website designer to create custom sites for same-sex couples, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in an opinion released Friday. The 6-3 ruling, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, came in 303 Creative v. Elenis. Plaintiff Lorie Smith argued the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, violates her constitutional right to free […]

The post Colorado designer does not have to make websites for same-sex couples, Supreme Court rules appeared first on Missouri Independent.

At the center of the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program on Friday was a little-known Missouri nonprofit that goes by MOHELA. Based in St. Louis, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority is a quasi-governmental entity created by state lawmakers in 1981 to service student loans. And when former […]

The post Missouri company plays central role in downfall of Biden loan forgiveness program appeared first on Missouri Independent.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Biden administration does not have the legal authority to enact a one-time student debt relief program, dealing a blow to the 40 million Americans who would have qualified. Last year, the Biden Administration rolled out a debt forgiveness plan for borrowers with federal student […]

The post U.S. Supreme Court rules against Biden administration student loan debt relief plan appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Missouri will enter the new fiscal year Saturday in its best financial shape ever. But there are unmistakable signs that the massive surplus, now approaching $8 billion, has likely peaked. Revenues have fallen by double-digit amounts during the last three months, and the state will meet the general revenue projection made in December only because […]

The post Missouri surplus peaking at $8 billion as governor prepares to act on state budget appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Despite voters’ attempts to tighten Missouri’s campaign finance laws, many former state legislators keep control of tens of thousands of campaign dollars without running for public office again. A review of hundreds of former Missouri legislators’ campaign finance reports shows that some of them drew from their candidate committees to spend on campaigns that never […]

The post Former Missouri legislators keep control of leftover campaign funds appeared first on Missouri Independent.

WASHINGTON — Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that effectively scrambles the role affirmative action plays in the college admissions process cannot let the country slide “backwards,” President Joe Biden said just hours after the majority justices released their opinion. Meanwhile, Republicans seeking to challenge him in 2024 praised the decision. Issues of race and higher education will […]

The post ‘This is not a normal court,’ says Biden as GOP opponents praise affirmative action ruling appeared first on Missouri Independent.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that two prominent universities’ consideration of race in acceptances violated the U.S. Constitution, effectively reshaping the role of affirmative action in the college admissions process throughout higher education. In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, wrote that the admissions processes at […]

The post U.S. Supreme Court strikes down use of affirmative action in college admissions appeared first on Missouri Independent.

A Cole County judge on Wednesday ordered the state to pay more than $240,000 in legal fees as part of a ruling that found the attorney general’s office “knowingly and purposefully” violated open records law while it was being run by now-U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley. “A big win for transparency, election fairness and the rule […]

The post Sunshine Law violations by AG’s office under Josh Hawley will cost Missouri $240K appeared first on Missouri Independent.

WASHINGTON — In a summer of drought, smoke and haze, wildfires could flare up in unusual locations in the United States over the next few months — including New England and the Midwest, according to federal forecasters. “The predominant threat looks to be the Northeast, which is not normal,” said Jim Karels, the fire director […]

The post Summer wildfire threat could imperil unexpected U.S. regions: The Northeast and Midwest appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Local education leaders around Missouri say the formula that determines state funding of public schools hasn’t kept up with inflation and other pressures districts face in 2023. At least 35 school boards have passed resolutions asking the State Board of Education to convene a blue ribbon commission to study the formula, which each year adds […]

The post Missouri school boards request commission to adjust funding formula for inflation appeared first on Missouri Independent.

During his presidency, Donald Trump said, “We’re putting America first … we’re taking care of ourselves for a change,” and then declared, “I’m a nationalist.” In another speech, he stated that under his watch, the U.S. had “embrace[d] the doctrine of patriotism.” Trump is now running for president again. When he announced his candidacy, he stated that he […]

The post What is the difference between nationalism and patriotism? appeared first on Missouri Independent.

When wildfires and smoke swept through Oregon in 2020, Lyra Johnson’s family made plans to evacuate their home near Portland. Johnson, then 14, was told she might have to quickly learn to drive — despite not having a license — in order to get her grandmother to safety. Thankfully, the danger passed before Johnson was […]

The post ‘This is the existential crisis’: A push for climate change education appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Missouri’s cannabis industry is the new “gold rush,” said St. Louis couple Tiffany and Anwar Lee, and they’re considering buying a ticket for the lottery to get in. Their ticket is a $1,500 application fee for a spot in a lottery making them eligible for a limited number of cannabis microbusiness licenses, and it’s refundable […]

The post Missouri holds outreach events in run up to cannabis microbusiness license lottery appeared first on Missouri Independent.

In the Winter of 1993, I was fortunate to travel to Russia as a graduate student at Marquette University with several other students. Unfortunately, we arrived in the aftermath of a Russian coup attempt, where chaos reigned as the country lurched toward 1994. And that was even before the invasion of Chechnya. To outsiders, and […]

The post Russian chaos: The puppets almost take Moscow appeared first on Missouri Independent.

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan bill that would establish standards for recreational rock climbing on federal lands is one step closer to becoming law. The Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act was approved by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources in late June, giving a boost to the millions of climbing advocates working to safeguard the thriving sport […]

The post Recreational rock climbing on federal lands would be regulated under bill in Congress appeared first on Missouri Independent.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected North Carolina Republican legislators’ argument that state courts cannot review laws legislatures pass governing federal elections. Republican lawmakers claimed the Elections Clause in the U.S. Constitution makes legislatures the sole state authorities on federal elections law, including congressional redistricting. Critics said the high court’s endorsement of the independent state legislature […]

The post U.S. Supreme Court rejects theory that would have radically reshaped election rules appeared first on Missouri Independent.