WASHINGTON — In a deal that could provide a major trade boost for American farmers, the White House said that during the recent summit, China committed to buying at least $17 billion in additional U.S. agricultural products annually for three years. But Beijing has not confirmed the figure and farm groups expressed skepticism that the […]
Most of the systems we rely on every day receive attention only when something breaks. We don’t talk about roads when traffic flows, or water systems when the tap turns on. These systems fade into the background because they work. But behind that reliability is something we rarely think about: careful, coordinated planning. Our electric […]
The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a governor’s power to call lawmakers into a special session at any time, ending the last lawsuit intended to overturn the state’s newly gerrymandered congressional map without a statewide vote. In an unanimous decision issued just a few hours after oral arguments, the court held that the Missouri […]
In the heart of the Bible Belt, a small Methodist college graduated its final class in May 2024, shutting its doors after 168 years. Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama, was a Christian private liberal arts school that counted among its graduates members of Congress, famous musicians, Pulitzer Prize winners and the former executive editor of […]
In its latest effort to narrow pathways to immigration to the United States, the Trump administration says it will crack down on attorneys who file fraudulent asylum claims for their clients. The U.S. has long granted asylum to people who are unable or unwilling to return to their home countries because they have been persecuted, […]
WASHINGTON — A handful of Democratic state attorneys general said Tuesday that expert officials from their offices were denied access to a major White House anti-fraud meeting convened by Vice President JD Vance and attended by Republican AGs. Two dozen Democratic attorneys general had earlier declined invitations for their own attendance at the White House […]
The campaign opposing a November ballot measure that would reinstate Missouri’s abortion ban formally launched Wednesday, arguing Republican lawmakers are trying to overturn the 2024 vote that ended the state’s near-total ban through a “bait and switch” measure. The coalition, called Stop the Ban Missouri, has already amassed nearly $4 million, including a $2 million […]
Rural hospitals in Missouri say a $50 billion federal investment in rural healthcare will be insufficient in offsetting upcoming reductions in federal Medicaid reimbursement that will put additional strain on already fragile rural healthcare systems across the state. In December 2025, Missouri was awarded $216 million for its first year in the five year Rural […]
WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche argued in a court filing that a shooting Saturday in the vicinity of the White House further proves the need for an East Wing ballroom with “a heavy steel, drone proof roof, missile resistant and drone proof columns, bullet, ballistic, and blast proof glass,” among other features. A […]
The Congressional Black Caucus on Tuesday urged American corporations to condemn efforts to dilute Black voting strength, as Southern states eliminate congressional districts where most residents are Black. The CBC’s attempt to mobilize the business community comes as Black representation in Congress potentially faces its most severe threat since the end of Reconstruction following the […]
A surge in voluntary departure agreements in immigration courts is raising concerns that Trump administration tactics are unfairly pressuring immigrants into leaving the United States, even if they have a legal right to stay. Voluntary departures during the second Trump administration reached 89,494 cases as of May 1, according to a Stateline analysis of immigration […]
After decades spent working with people seeking abortions, Allison Hile said one thing became clear: Some Missouri lawmakers have little understanding of what women go through to prevent pregnancy. “It is very difficult to take time off work, to find childcare, to drive somewhere to get birth control, to pay for birth control,” Hile told […]
Missouri lawmakers spent part of this year’s legislative session arguing that the state should steer low-income families away from buying candy, soda and desserts with public benefits. Then they passed a budget that eliminates $2 million for a program designed to help those same families buy more fruits and vegetables. Double Up Food Bucks, run […]
Bayer has agreed to suspend for seven years pillars of its loyalty programs, which Trump administration officials called “unfair provisions” that “pose a danger to competition,” the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday. The agreement relates to how Bayer sells the seeds it produces through years of research and development. Bayer sells corn and soybean […]
With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a recent article in The Beacon about Kansas City Public Schools potentially converting the long-vacant Bryant School into subsidized teacher housing had me thinking, “How has local government failed us? Let me count the ways” The Beacon story is ostensibly about teacher housing and the conversion of a long-unused […]
Lesley Turek is planning for a busy June traveling the state to educate people about the final lottery for 77 microbusiness marijuana licenses. Turek, the chief equity officer for the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, will hold education sessions in Kansas City, Jefferson City and St. Louis, along with five webinars to outline application requirements […]
This Memorial Day we need to seriously consider whether our actions and voices in this democratic republic are debasing or honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Are we guilty of taking the rights and privileges we enjoy for granted? Or worse yet, of totally abdicating our responsibility to continue to protect and preserve them? […]
Gov. Mike Kehoe will ask Missouri voters in August to decide whether lawmakers should have new power to expand sales taxes to replace the income tax and whether citizen-led constitutional amendments should face a higher bar for passage. Kehoe moved four proposed constitutional amendments to the Aug. 4 primary ballot: Amendment 1, renewing a sales […]
Katie Hazelwonder was ready for a change after 12 years working as a welder. The opportunity came unexpectedly, when one day she walked into a Proper Cannabis dispensary in St. Louis. “The people were great,” Hazelwonder said. “They were just so nice and welcoming, and no judgment. I was like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna […]
Budget constraints are forcing liberal-leaning states that spend their own money on healthcare for noncitizens to scale back that aid, as they grapple with federal Medicaid cuts and the expiration of federal subsidies that helped people buy Obamacare plans. Under federal law, immigrants who are in the country illegally are not eligible for federally funded […]
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