JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri's Republican-led Legislature on Wednesday passed a bill to ban Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood, a move they have tried for years in a state where almost all abortions are banned. The bill, approved 106-48 Wednesday in the House, aims to make it illegal for Missouri’s Medicaid program to reimburse Planned Parenthood for health care services to low-income patients, such as pap smears and cancer screenings. Abortions are not covered by Medicaid, and almost all abortions are illegal in Missouri. But abortion opponents say Pl ..read more

ST. LOUIS - Missouri voters would support ballot measures or initiatives to legalize abortion and sports betting if presented in upcoming state elections, new research finds. Saint Louis University and YouGov PLC conducted a poll last month on policy views ahead of the 2024 general election, collecting responses from more than 900 perspective Missouri voters. Poll results reveal the following trends: Around 44% of poll respondents would support a ballot measure to legalize abortion in the state, while 37% would oppose such a measure, and 19% are currently unsure. Around 60% of poll respondent ..read more

ST. LOUIS - One day after a St. Louis man was convicted in a crash that cost an out-of-town teenager her legs, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore claims that "justice was done" in the verdict and hopes it leads to tougher prosecution on reckless driving. In February 2023, Janae Edmondson was visiting St. Louis with her family for a volleyball tournament. While walking around downtown St. Louis, a speeding driver failed to yield and collided with another vehicle. That second vehicle struck Janae, and both of her legs were amputated after the crash. Daniel Riley was convicted Thursday of several felonie ..read more

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Baby Olivia isn't a real baby. It's an animated fetus that develops over the course of a three-minute video that has become a new front in state-level abortion politics. Bills in the Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky, and West Virginia legislatures would require public school students to watch a video like Baby Olivia, which was created by an organization that opposes abortion. The legislation mirrors a North Dakota law passed last year. The organization, Live Action, and supporters of the legislation say it would teach kids where they came from and encourage an apprec ..read more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Two lawmakers have introduced legislation that would make it illegal for states to export Missouri's waters outside of the state without a permit. Missouri State Sen. Jason Bean (R-Holcomb) and State Rep. Jamie Burger (R-Benton) are both pushing for change with Missouri's water sharing rules, citing prolonged drought concerns from last year. A state climatologist told FOX 2 in December that Missouri experienced a "one-in-20-year drought event" based on lack of rain and snowfall throughout last year. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported around 98% of the state experienced som ..read more

ST. LOUIS - Former State Sen. Bob Onder has launched a run for a Missouri U.S. Congress seat. Onder announced his candidacy for the 3rd Congressional District of Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. The seat represents Jefferson City and some parts of the St. Louis metro. Blaine Luetkemeyer currently holds the seat and plans to retire at the end of 2024. Illinois lawmaker proposes to change vehicle code Onder, who describes himself as "a physician and battle-tested conservative warrior," represented St. Charles County during his eight-year term as a Missouri state senator f ..read more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - As tensions mount in the early weeks of Missouri's legislative session, one state lawmaker recently tossed around the idea of a "duel" to settle conflicts. A proposal made rounds in the Senate earlier this week on paper, raising that possibility, though it was not officially filed as a house resolution. A group of Missouri Senate Democrats first shared a photo of the paper proposal on Wednesday via X (formerly Twitter). Sen. Nick Schroer (R-St. Charles County) has his name listed on the proposal ..read more

This is a joint project between Nexstar Media Group and Syracuse University. EXETER, N.H. (NEXSTAR) - With all eyes on New Hampshire today, some voters made it known why they are choosing one candidate over another. People are making their way to the polls to decide between former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. Some voters, like Alfred Slanetz, are expressing why they are choosing Haley instead of Trump. "Oh, I think she's an amazing leader. After seeing her why would anybody ever want to vote for anybody else? She's the future," Slanetz said. Haley has ..read more

This is a joint project between Nexstar Media Group and Syracuse University. CONCORD, N.H. (NEXSTAR) - The fight for victory between Nikki Haley and Donald Trump in the New Hampshire primary is upon us. All eyes are on the former president and former governor. Polling in the past week has fluctuated between a single or double-digit point difference between the Republican candidates. Some Republicans, however, like Joseph Lyman, do not believe that Haley will emerge victorious.  "I don't think Nikki, I don't think this is her moment. It would be interesting if it were more of a competition ..read more

This is a joint project between Nexstar Media Group and Syracuse University. EXETER, N.H. (NEXSTAR) -- Most 10-year-olds typically aren't all that interested in politics, but one New Hampshire girl has defied that convention. Meet 10-year-old Hannah Kesselring, she's a young girl who made quite a name for herself, on the national stage. She is a fifth grader from Manchester, New Hampshire, with a knack for American politics. “Okay, so we were going to my first Nikki Haley event because I watched the third debate, and I was like I want to meet her” said Kesselring. Hannah has created a whole lo ..read more