Girls Team a Huddle sports

LGBTQ advocates oppose bills seen as harmful to trans youth

The Missouri House of Representatives advanced a bill aimed to ban transgender kids from participating in girl’s sports, which advocates said is the latest in a growing list of legislative attacks on trans youth across the country. More than 250 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in 2021 alone, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Shira Berkowitz, communications […]

Kenneth Regina

Cameron man arrested on multiple allegations

The highway patrol reports a Cameron resident, 39-year old Kenneth Regina, was arrested Saturday morning in DeKalb County and accused of leaving the scene of a vehicle crash, possession of methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence for a felony, driving while intoxicated/drugs, possession of fewer than ten grams of marijuana, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. […]

Justice Department

Justice Department releases $58 million in solicitations to combat the distribution of illicit drugs and improve officer wellness

The Justice Department announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released approximately $58 million in three grant solicitations that will advance community policing, help combat the dual scourges of opioid and methamphetamine use, and promote the health and safety of our nation’s law enforcement officers. “The grant solicitations announced will […]

Transgender Students Graphic

Bill banning trans students from sports teams by gender wins support of Missouri House

(Missouri Independent) – After hours of fierce debate that spanned the course of two days, the Missouri House on Wednesday signed off on a prohibition on transgender students participating on the sports teams that match their gender identity. The provision, offered as an amendment by Rep. Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, to House Bill 1141 was adopted by a vote […]

Supreme Court of the United States or SCOTUS

Coalition of attorneys general urge President Biden to reject United States Supreme Court packing scheme

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined a multistate coalition of 20 attorneys general in writing to President Joe Biden and congressional leaders to voice opposition to the recent steps towards packing the U.S. Supreme Court. “President Biden’s and Congressional leaders’ attempts to pack the United States Supreme Court will undermine the independence and impartiality of […]

Governor Parson Signs House Bills 429 and 430

Governor Mike Parson signs HB 429 and HB 430 into law supporting Missouri adoptive families and children in foster care

Governor Mike Parson signed HB 429 and HB 430 into law, which both supports Missouri adoptive families and children in foster care.  “Every child deserves a family to provide love, support, and a strong foundation,” Governor Parson said. “Missourians who take on this role as foster and adoptive parents are invaluable to the children of our state, […]

Sex Trafficking

Missouri man charged with sexual trafficking of a child

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Chester Scott Burress, 61, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri for the sexual trafficking of a child. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit and the […]

Representative Rick Roeber Lee's Summit

Audio: For the first time since the Civil War, the Missouri House votes to expel one of its own

The Missouri House has voted unanimously to expel Lee’s Summit Representative Rick Roeber. The House Ethics Committee released an investigative report this week about allegations that Roeber, a Republican, abused his four adult children when they were younger. It says two of the children were allegedly sexually abused and two others reported being physically abused. […]

Gas Tax

Audio: Missouri’s Senate President says state is $800 million short annually in maintaining the state highway system

Business groups and construction companies from across the state have testified for legislation to increase Missouri’s gasoline tax by 12-point-five cents per gallon by 2025.     Schatz testified last (Wednesday) night before a Missouri House committee. The GOP-controlled Missouri Senate has already given final approval to the bill.  Schatz is urging lawmakers to increase […]

Grain Belt Express

Audio: Anti-Grain Belt Express bill gets another Senate hearing with testimony lasting two hours

The Grain Belt Express project plans to run wind power transmission lines across eight rural counties in northern Missouri—from Buchanan through Ralls. Though the Public Service Commission has approved it and the commission’s approval won a court challenge, agricultural opponents have once again found support in the Legislature. The Missouri House passed HB 527 to stop utility […]

Back the Blue

Three police officers presented “Back the Blue” award by Missouri Attorney General

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt presented his Office’s “Back the Blue” award to three officers in the St. Charles County Police Department for their heroic acts in saving multiple people from two separate structure fires. “Officers Wilson, O’Brien, and Ronald represent the best of our society – selfless individuals who risked their own lives, multiple […]