Missouri House passes bill to require porn sites to verify age of users
The Missouri House of Representatives has passed legislation that would require pornographic websites to verify its visitors are at least 18 years old. House Bill 1839 would apply the requirement to websites with at least one-third of their content contains...
Missouri Childcare Advocates Monitoring State Budget Pressure
(Jefferson City, MO) -- State budget challenges have some Missouri childcare advocates expressing caution, amid rising demand for services. Kids Win Missouri lobbyist Robin Schelp says while state lawmakers and Governor Kehoe are very supportive of childcare programs,...
As Missouri Bill Returns for Another Year, Supporters Say It Protects Elections—Opponents Say It Silences Voters
A House bill is back this session that would toughen Missouri’s initiative petition process. State Rep. Brad Banderman, R- St. Clair, is pushing a bill that would tighten signature‑gathering rules, add stricter formatting requirements, and increase penalties for...
Missouri’s Mark Alford Pushes Fix To Give Rural Hospitals ‘Financial Lifeline’
West-central Missouri Congressman Mark Alford has introduced legislation he says could help keep rural hospitals from closing their doors. The bill known as Sustaining Rural Healthcare Act would create a new designation for hospitals—one Alford believes will expand...
Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments on congressional redistricting map
The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether the so-called “Missouri First” map is unconstitutional. The map, passed by Republican lawmakers in September and signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, stretches the boundaries of the 5th Congressional District, a...
Missouri Lawmakers Lead Renewed Effort to Abolish Death Penalty
Missouri’s long-running debate over the death penalty returned to the Capitol on Monday, as Rep. Jim Murphy, R-St. Louis County, pushed once again to abolish it. He said one myth is that executions save the state money. “Fact of the matter is, anybody that's put on...
The Ghosts of Mark Twain: the people and events that haunted what he wrote—and did not write (LISTEN)
In Missouri and the rest of America, we put Mark Twain on a pedestal- literally. It’s the human and flawed side of Mark Twain that is just interesting, says writer Ann Ryan. Her book, The Ghosts of Mark Twain, was recently published by the University of Missouri...
Missouri House bill would require nonprofits sponsoring ballot initiatives to use E-Verify to make sure their volunteers are U.S. citizens (LISTEN)
Among the election-related bills being promoted in Jefferson City this year is one that would require nonprofit groups that sponsor ballot initiatives to verify that their volunteers are U.S. citizens. Marshall Griffin spoke with the bill’s sponsor, Republican State...
Freedom Plane to Bring Original Founding Documents to Kansas City (LISTEN)
A rare collection of nine original Founding‑era documents is hitting the road, well, the skies, as the National Archives launches its Freedom Plane National Tour. The traveling exhibition will fly aboard a custom‑painted Boeing 737, bringing these cornerstone pieces...
Penny shortage leads Missouri House to make change for businesses out of cents
The U.S. is no longer making pennies, so check the couch cushions if you are out. The nation’s penny shortage has led some Missouri businesses to be pinching pennies until the state makes change. The Missouri House of Representatives has passed a bill that aims to...
UCM economics professor discusses likely cause of data center lawsuits across Missouri
As the number of proposed data centers in Missouri grows, so it seems do the number of lawsuits designed to stop them from being built. Chris Azevedo, economics professor at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, told Missourinet why data center lawsuits...
Missouri Considering Film Tax Credit Changes
At the Missouri Capitol, Sen. Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, is pushing a bill that would overhaul the state’s film and TV production tax credits. During a Senate committee hearing, he noted that when the program passed in 2023, it was split into two separate buckets of...
How the Time Change Takes a Toll on Missouri Bodies, According to a Sleep Specialist (LISTEN)
If you’ve been feeling a little off since the time change, you’re not alone. Matt Pilger talked with MU Health Care sleep specialist Dr. Mike about what actually happens inside your body during those first few days and why Missouri mornings might feel a little...
Bomb threat at Kansas City International Airport disrupts Missouri flights
Operations are back to normal at Kansas City International Airport (MCI) following Sunday’s bomb threat. Authorities evacuated passengers and employees from the airport for about two hours Sunday after the threat targeted the terminal and a parking garage, according...
Missouri Congressman Jason Smith talks beef and tariffs
U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, has a beef with meatpacking corporations. The Eighth District congressman said that he supports the Trump Administration’s investigation into the “Big 4” meatpackers for alleged price fixing – those “Big 4” being Cargill, Tyson...
Rep. Greg Sharpe proposes grant program to attract new residents to rural Missouri
Many rural Missouri towns are having a hard time attracting people to live and work there – oftentimes because of a shortage of homes to choose from. A state House committee could soon vote on a bill that aims to boost the housing market in rural areas. State Rep....
Tax relief could be on the way for Missouri businesses and their card transactions
Missouri businesses pay sales tax on the credit and debit card fees they charge their customers. A Senate bill would exempt the sales tax they must pay. The sponsor, State Sen. Joe Nicola, R-Grain Valley, told Missourinet that SB 1534 is designed to provide a bit of...
Missouri Congressman Jason Smith supports Trump’s military attacks against Iran
U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo. 8th District, is defending President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran. “Missourians elected him by nearly 20 points," Smith said in an exclusive interview with Missourinet. "This is exactly what Missourians and Americans voted for, a...
Missouri Considering Film Tax Credit Changes as Expiration Date Nears
At the Missouri Capitol, Senator Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, is pushing a bill to overhaul the state’s film and TV production tax credits. He noted that when the program passed in 2023, it was split into two separate buckets of money. “$8 million for a film like James...
Berlin Wall Exhibit Featuring Original Artifacts and Wall Sections Coming to Kansas City (LISTEN)
Kansas City's Union Station is preparing to bring a powerful piece of world history to the Midwest. Coming in May, the North American premiere of “The Berlin Wall: A World Divided” will open inside the station’s 20,000 square foot gallery. The immersive exhibition...
New Book Explores the History of Forest Park in St. Louis (LISTEN)
Forest Park is one of the most beloved places in St. Louis. It’s sprawling green spaces, iconic cultural institutions, and history-making events like the 1904 World’s Fair all resonate with locals and visitors alike. In his new book, How Forest Park Was Made, author...
Missouri Bill From Sen. Kurtis Gregory Seeks to Standardize Insurance for Delivery App Drivers
Missouri lawmakers are considering a plan to tighten insurance rules for app‑based delivery drivers. The Senate Bill sponsored by Sen. Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, would set statewide standards for companies like DoorDash and Spark to ensure drivers have proper...
Missouri Senate Panel Weighs Bill to End Most Vehicle Inspections
State Rep. Ann Kelley, R-Lamar, is pushing a slate of bills that would eliminate most vehicle safety inspections statewide. She laid out her case during a Senate committee hearing this week. “Eliminating vehicle regulatory inspections is a way we can reduce...
Auditor: Missouri Has Most Generous Sales and Use Tax Discount In US
(Jefferson City, MO) -- Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says the state has the most generous timely sales and use tax discount in the nation. The comment comes after an annual review of Missouri Department of Revenue sales, use, and marijuana taxes. The...
Missouri Under State of Emergency Ahead Of Storms
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has declared a State of Emergency ahead of potential severe weather Friday night into Saturday morning. The National Weather Serviced says storms packing 60-70 mile per hour winds are possible. Other threats include tornadoes, large hail, and...
Missouri Sleep Specialist Warning: Spring Forward Comes with Real Health Risks
It’s that time of year again — when we ‘spring forward’ and lose an hour of sleep. Daylight saving time begins Sunday at 2 a.m. MU Health Care sleep specialist Dr. Margaret Mike told Missourinet that the time change tends to make everyone a little sleepier. “And when...
Missouri Electric Cooperatives reveal what actually saves you on electricity costs (LISTEN)
Energy efficiency is becoming an easier part of our daily lives for homes and apartments… if you know how to use it right. Here to share helpful tips and debunk pesky myths is Danielle Ireland, Energy Services Specialist for White River Valley Cooperative in Branson....
Missouri Senate considering bill designed to improve literacy of elementary school students
A Missouri Senate committee is considering legislation designed to improve literacy among elementary school students. Senate Bill 1442 includes a new reading assessment that all kids in 1st through 3rd grades would have to take three times a year to measure their...
Missourinet Sports Report
Blues defenseman blocks trade to Buffalo
Missouri’s Alpha-Gal Numbers Climb — MU Extension Responds with Five New Guides (LISTEN)
Show Me Today takes a closer look at a growing health issue right here in Missouri. MU Extension has just released a set of new guides to help families understand and manage it. Matt Pilger sat down with Eden Stewart, Nutrition and Health Specialist with the...