Missouri Independent

The Missouri Independent is a nonprofit news organization that operates without political bias. It focuses on reporting about state government, political matters, and policy issues.

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Senate set to approve Missouri governor’s shakeup of state education board

13 hours ago | missouriindependent.com | Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s makeover of the State Board of Education is nearly complete, with the state Senate set to confirm the last of his four new appointments this week. The turnover on the eight-member board also means its longtime leadership has been pushed aside. That includes Charlie Shields, the former Republican lawmaker who has served on the board since 2012 and was its most recent board president.
It’s not the pounding woodpecker on the roof, but undetected termites in the walls

3 days ago | missouriindependent.com | Janice Ellis

There is a broad attempt to weaken and destroy the structural integrity of America, and much of it is going unseen or inadequately addressed. When all the damage has been done, what will be left to salvage? Will this beautiful house that is America — albeit in need of some major home improvements — collapse or be in irreparable disrepair? We’re all distracted by the sound of the woodpecker on the roof, chipping away at the protective covering of our democracy.
Billy Long’s bid to lead IRS under scrutiny over donations that paid off personal debt

5 days ago | missouriindependent.com | Jason Hancock

by Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent April 19, 2025 Former Missouri Congressman Billy Long received $137,000 in campaign contributions — just enough to pay off a personal loan to his campaign — soon after he was tapped to lead the Internal Revenue Service. Some of the donations are connected to companies that will be policed by the agency Long has been nominated to run.
Missouri abortion ban clears House, heads to Senate despite concerns from top Republican

1 week ago | missouriindependent.com | Anna Spoerre

The top Republican in the Missouri House said Thursday that a proposed constitutional amendment to ban abortion approved by his GOP colleagues doesn’t go far enough to protect victims of sexual assault. House Speaker Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit was the lone Republican to vote against sending the bill to the Senate on Thursday.
Missouri school accreditation bill passes Senate for first time after three years

1 week ago | missouriindependent.com | Annelise Hanshaw

by Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent April 17, 2025 The Missouri Senate sent a bill to the House Thursday that would overhaul the state’s accreditation and accountability system in order to give local school districts more control. State Sen. Jill Carter, a Republican from Granby, has filed the bill for three consecutive years and garnered approval for public-school advocates in committee. But each year it has been passed over for other priorities when it reached the full Senate.
Missouri governor's plan for $50 million for private schools axed by Senate committee • Missouri Independent

1 week ago | missouriindependent.com | Rudi Keller

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s plan to rapidly enlarge a scholarship program for private and religious schools with an infusion of state tax funds was cut out of the budget Wednesday as the Senate Appropriations Committee finished revising spending plans for the coming year. The $50 million request for the MoScholars program, which is supposed to be funded from donations and tax credits, was approved in the Missouri House as part of its budget proposal. But state Sen.
Senate committee adds $300 million to Missouri public education budget

1 week ago | missouriindependent.com | Rudi Keller

The Missouri Senate will debate a state budget that adds large sums to public education, endorses Gov. Mike Kehoe’s longevity raise plan in full and sets up a showdown between two powerful lawmakers over earmarked projects for their districts. To get the bills to the full Senate, appropriations staff will have to overcome or work around a faulty new software system that crashed Tuesday while the Senate Appropriations Committee took a lunch break.
Proposed abortion ban amendment gets initial approval of Missouri House

1 week ago | missouriindependent.com | Anna Spoerre

A proposed constitutional amendment that would ban abortion is one step closer to the statewide ballot after it won initial approval of the Missouri House on Tuesday. After four hours of floor debate, the House passed the proposed amendment with 94 in favor and 50 against. Two Republicans — Speaker Jon Patterson and state Rep. Bill Allen — joined with 48 Democrats in opposition.
New lawsuit seeks to hold Kanakuk summer camp responsible for Missouri staffer’s abuse

1 week ago | missouriindependent.com | Annelise Hanshaw

Another survivor of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by Kanakuk Kamps staff member Peter Newman is suing the camp’s leadership for allegedly concealing knowledge of Newman’s misconduct. Jane Doe, who is concealing her name because of the sensitive nature of the allegations, filed the lawsuit Monday in Taney County Circuit Court. She is represented by the same attorneys who represented Logan Yandell, another survivor of Newman’s abuse.
Bill advances removing University of Missouri’s exclusive right to certain degrees

1 week ago | missouriindependent.com | Jackson Cooper

A Missouri House committee advanced an amended Senate bill Monday that would end the University of Missouri’s exclusive permission to grant doctoral degrees. The new provision is tacked onto Senate Bill 150, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Jill Carter of Granby, which originally established a fund to reimburse tuition and book fees for students in community colleges and technical schools. It passed the Senate last month.