AGP Executive Report

Missouri Redistricting in Court: Missouri’s Supreme Court is set to hear Tuesday’s challenge to the GOP-backed congressional map—compactness rules, and whether the districts can stay on the ballot while an initiative push demands a referendum. Voting Rights Backlash: Kansas City and St. Louis saw rallies over the new lines, with critics saying splitting the city weakens Black voting power. Health Care Win: Missouri lawmakers sent Gov. Mike Kehoe a bill expanding maternal care and contraception access, plus telehealth and new allergy-policy requirements for licensed child care. Immigration Enforcement: A Missouri House measure would give the attorney general power to prosecute and sue businesses that knowingly hire illegal workers. UFO Noise, Nationally: Rep. Eric Burlison says congressional UFO probes are widening to defense contractors and labs, while Trump’s latest Area 51-themed post keeps the internet buzzing. Business & Broadband: ProSat Networks expanded Starlink installation and wireless services in Missouri, as the state tracks a still-large digital divide.

Missouri Redistricting in Court: The Missouri Supreme Court is hearing a key challenge to the GOP-backed congressional map, with the fight now tangled in whether the districts meet Missouri’s compactness rules and whether an initiative petition can force a referendum—while deadlines and voter confusion loom. Statehouse Health Care: Missouri lawmakers sent a major maternal and women’s health package to Gov. Mike Kehoe, expanding coverage, boosting telehealth access, and adding protections tied to contraception and pregnancy monitoring. Immigration Enforcement: A new Missouri law gives the attorney general authority to prosecute and sue businesses that knowingly hire illegal workers, shifting enforcement from cash-strapped local governments. Agriculture Grants: The state opened applications for 2026 specialty crop grants (up to $50,000 over two years) aimed at growing fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, honey, and more. Local Tragedy: Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old Lee’s Summit man by a Lafayette County deputy.

Redistricting Showdown: Missouri’s top court is set to hear a challenge to the state’s new U.S. House map—compactness rules and whether it can survive a ballot push for a referendum are at the center of Tuesday’s fight, while the national redistricting battle keeps escalating after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act. Capitol Wrap: Missouri lawmakers adjourned with fewer public meltdowns than recent years, passing a $50.7B budget and major GOP priorities including a maternal/telehealth healthcare package and other public safety and abortion-related measures. Local Election Crunch: Boone County clerk Brianna Lennon says she can’t update voter rolls yet because of confusion over the new congressional map and whether the ballot measure can move forward—Secretary of State Denny Hoskins disputes that. Public Safety & Services: Columbia’s Fire Department ordered a replacement aerial ladder truck but expects a roughly three-year wait. Ethics Watch: Trump missed a deadline to disclose millions in stock trades, according to new filings.

Redistricting Showdown: Missouri’s Supreme Court is set to hear a major challenge to the GOP congressional map, just as the national redistricting fight heats up after the U.S. Supreme Court dealt fresh blows to Democrats’ efforts in Virginia and Louisiana. Local Election Chaos: Missouri election officials are still arguing over which map to use for the Aug. 4 primary, with some clerks saying systems aren’t ready and others waiting on state guidance. Public Safety & Courts: Prosecutors are seeking murder charges in the death of a Moberly teen, while a separate case has a suspect charged in the shooting of Mizzou running back Ahmad Hardy. Statehouse Health Win: Lawmakers sent a women’s and maternal health package to Gov. Mike Kehoe, including easier contraceptive access and coverage for blood pressure monitoring. Legal Rights Stalled: Missouri lawmakers adjourned without passing resolutions to expand legal rights for child sexual abuse survivors. Other Notables: Gov. Kehoe appointed a new Miller County prosecutor; Mizzou AD Veatch updated listeners on Hardy’s recovery; and a class-action lawsuit targets a Springfield/Columbia dispensary chain over alleged monopoly pricing.

Missouri Redistricting Court Fight: The Missouri Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to the GOP-backed “Missouri First” congressional map, with the key question now whether it violates the state’s compactness rule and what happens if a referendum petition is certified—meaning the map could be suspended retroactively or left in place. Session Wrap-Up: After a calmer-than-usual 2026 session, lawmakers sent major items to voters and the governor, including a constitutional push to phase out the income tax by expanding sales taxes, plus a healthcare bill expanding maternal care, contraception access, and telehealth. Ballot Tax Lawsuit: A new lawsuit targets that income-tax phaseout/sales-tax expansion ballot measure, arguing it bundles too much and uses misleading language. Gambling Stalemate: Missouri lawmakers again killed efforts to legalize video gambling machines, keeping the issue in limbo. National Redistricting Echo: The U.S. Supreme Court also rejected Virginia Democrats’ attempt to revive their congressional map, underscoring how fast the redistricting fight is shifting state by state.

Missouri Redistricting in the Hot Seat: The Missouri Supreme Court is set to hear Tuesday’s challenge to the state’s new U.S. House map—part of a fast-growing GOP push to redraw districts after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened Voting Rights Act protections. The fight hinges on whether the districts meet Missouri’s “compact” requirement and whether they can stay for this year’s elections while an initiative seeks a referendum. Regional Redistricting Dominoes: Louisiana and South Carolina are also weighing new maps, with lawmakers trying to avoid backfiring while reshaping the lone Democratic-held seat in South Carolina. Missouri Public Safety: The Missouri session also delivered a win for the Purple Alert bill (RJ’s Law), now awaiting the governor’s signature. Courts & Work: The Eighth Circuit affirmed a Honeywell termination and disability-benefits dismissal. Other Missouri Notes: KCPD reports a motorcyclist died days after a crash into a postal semi.

Redistricting Showdown: Missouri’s Supreme Court is set to hear a key challenge to the state’s new U.S. House map Tuesday, with opponents arguing it breaks Missouri’s compactness rules and that a referendum should pause the plan for this year’s elections. Session Wrap: As the 2026 legislative session nears its Friday end, Gov. Mike Kehoe and GOP leaders are touting wins including a push to phase out Missouri’s income tax and expand maternal healthcare coverage that just cleared the House and Senate. Abortion Pill Access: The U.S. Supreme Court let the abortion pill mifepristone keep being prescribed via telehealth and mailed for now, preserving access while Louisiana’s challenge continues. Internet Age Checks: A Missouri bill requiring age verification for porn sites is headed to the governor. Nuclear Medicine Push: Mizzou broke ground on a $40M Radioisotope Science Center, pitching it as part of a “nuclear renaissance” for cancer care. Local Public Safety: Kansas City’s Crossroads is adding contracted security after a deadly April shooting, coinciding with a late-night restaurant cutting hours.

Redistricting Court Showdown: Missouri’s Supreme Court is back in the spotlight Tuesday, weighing a challenge to the GOP congressional map’s compactness and whether it can stay put while a referendum fight is underway—part of a broader national scramble after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened Voting Rights Act protections. Statehouse Redistricting Dominoes: Georgia is already signaling the next round, calling a special session to redraw maps for 2028 after the Louisiana ruling, while South Carolina lawmakers debate whether to move fast enough to reshape its lone Democratic-held seat. Missouri Abortion Fight: The Missouri House passed the “Born Alive” bill 102-46, sending it to Gov. Mike Kehoe. Energy & Agriculture: The House advanced year-round E15, but the debate is now tangled in how small refinery exemptions are handled. Medicaid Work Requirement Question: Missouri doesn’t currently require work for MO HealthNet, but a proposed constitutional amendment and a federal mandate could change that. Other Notables: Missouri Lottery winners rolled in May 13 Powerball/Pick 3 results; and volunteers are being sought for a summer bird survey in several counties.

Redistricting Fight: Missouri’s Supreme Court ruling is already being used to slow-walk a referendum on the GOP congressional map—while Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has until Aug. 4 to verify petition signatures, Boone County’s clerk says she won’t update voter rolls until that decision is made. Local Governance: Kansas City is moving to crack down on vacant, dangerous buildings, aiming to reduce blight and public-safety risks tied to long-term neglect. Education & Public Safety: A gun threat call triggered lockdowns at Algona schools before shelter-in-place was lifted and the threat remains under investigation. Economic Development: The Missouri Senate advanced a major “Innovation District” bill that could reshape downtown redevelopment by bundling incentives for converting vacant office space and attracting new investment. Health & Justice: A Missouri man accused of posting bomb-making tutorials tied to the New Orleans attack faces federal charges.

Missouri Redistricting: The Missouri Supreme Court is back in the spotlight Tuesday, hearing challenges tied to the GOP-backed congressional map as Democrats try to force a referendum and argue the districts break state rules on compactness—while the court has already rejected multiple attempts to freeze or overturn the plan. National Backdrop: The fight is getting louder nationwide after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakened Voting Rights Act protections, giving more states room to redraw minority-influence districts. World Cup Reality Check: Missouri’s not hosting, but the ripple is national—U.S. hotel operators say the promised World Cup booking boom hasn’t materialized, with Kansas City among cities reporting softer demand. Education & Workforce: The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation and MOHELA put $50,000 into career and technical education grants statewide, backing 51 organizations. Local Governance: South County school districts are hiring new principals and staff for the fall, with leadership changes rolling in July 1.

Redistricting Ruling: The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously upheld the GOP-backed congressional map, rejecting challenges that it violates Missouri’s compactness rules and clearing the way for the new districts to be used in the August primary—even as opponents push a referendum effort. Election Law: The Missouri House sent Gov. Mike Kehoe an elections bill that expands when provisional ballots can be counted in municipal races, loosens the electioneering buffer to 50 feet, and reduces write-in counting burdens for election workers. FDA Shakeup: In Washington, President Trump accepted FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s resignation and named Kyle Diamantas as interim chief, drawing fresh attention from pro-life groups. Crime Crackdown: In the Kansas City area, “Operation Red Card” wrapped up with hundreds of warrants cleared and major drug and gun seizures. Local Politics: St. Louis County Council moved toward a process that could remove County Executive Sam Page over claims he worked a second job. Gaming Enforcement: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced a sting that seized 35 illegal gaming machines across multiple counties.

Missouri Redistricting in the Hot Seat: The Missouri Supreme Court is set to hear a Tuesday challenge to the state’s new U.S. House map—one of President Trump’s earliest redistricting wins—while an initiative petition could force a referendum fight over whether the districts are compact and can stand for this year’s elections. National Map Wars: The case is unfolding as Republicans push redistricting across the South and beyond after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened Voting Rights Act protections, giving states more room to redraw minority-influenced districts. Abortion Access Under Pressure: Missouri is among 23 states backing Louisiana’s bid to stop mail-order abortion pills, as courts juggle temporary restores and renewed blocks. Opioid Settlement Money: Missouri is also set to receive $91.3M+ from the Purdue Pharma opioid settlement that just went into effect. Local Notes: Grundy Electric named students for youth leadership programs, and Missouri’s Supreme Court is also tied up in other election-map fights.

Redistricting in the spotlight: Missouri’s new U.S. House map is back in court Tuesday as the Missouri Supreme Court hears challenges tied to whether the districts are “compact” and whether Kansas City was improperly split—part of a broader national fight that’s surged after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened Voting Rights Act protections. Gas tax relief fight: President Trump says he supports suspending the federal gasoline tax “until it’s appropriate,” while Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley has a 90-day suspension bill teed up; AAA says the national average is about $4.52 a gallon. St. Louis police funding war: The St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners is pushing for an expedited judge’s ruling in its dispute with the city over whether state-controlled police must receive tens of millions more in general-revenue calculations. Abortion access in limbo: The U.S. Supreme Court extended a stay keeping telehealth access to the abortion pill in place through mid-May. Energy push: Gov. Mike Kehoe launched a Missouri Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force, betting nuclear is the path to affordable, low-carbon power.

Gas Tax Fight: President Trump says he wants to pause the federal gas tax to blunt pump prices tied to the Iran standoff, and points to Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley’s plan to suspend the 18.4-cent gasoline levy (and 24.4-cent diesel) “for a period of time,” with Congress still required to act. Missouri Lawmaking Watch: With the Missouri Legislature nearing its Friday session deadline, reporters flag a crowded endgame: property tax relief, tougher rules on doctored images, expanded elections powers for the Secretary of State, and a “Purple Alert” for missing people with developmental disabilities. Public Safety: In the Kansas City metro, federal/state/local partners wrapped “Operation Red Card,” clearing 442 warrants and charging 170 people tied to firearms and narcotics. Defense & Industry: The U.S. approved a $373.6 million sale of JDAM-ER bomb kits to Ukraine, with Boeing listed as the primary contractor. Local Notes: Northwest Missouri State University celebrated a record 1,659 spring graduates; and NCMC named Trenton’s Nathan Stark and Japan’s Hikaru Mikami as Academic Excellence Award winners.

Missouri’s political news in the past day has been dominated by two parallel tracks: redistricting and state governance responses to external pressures. On the redistricting front, Missouri lawmakers advanced a GOP-backed congressional map aimed at shifting the state’s delegation to seven Republicans and one Democrat, including breaking up the Kansas City-area seat held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. The coverage frames the effort as part of a broader nationwide redistricting push encouraged by President Trump, with Missouri described as the latest state moving quickly to reshape House districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. In the background, the broader national context is reinforced by reporting on other states’ map moves and court-driven redistricting disputes (including North Carolina and Utah), suggesting Missouri’s action is part of a coordinated, election-timing strategy rather than an isolated state decision.

Alongside redistricting, the most concrete “governance” developments in the last 12 hours involve disaster-preparedness and budget implementation. Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Missouri has requested FEMA joint Preliminary Damage Assessments in 11 counties following April tornadoes, record hail, straight-line winds, severe storms, and flooding—covering both FEMA Individual Assistance (for uninsured home/business damage) and FEMA Public Assistance (for emergency response and recovery costs). Separately, Missouri’s budget process remains a live political issue: reporting on the $50.7 billion budget emphasizes a contentious education funding fight tied to assumptions about lottery revenue, with Democrats and some allies questioning whether education funds would be available as planned. The budget also includes a reappropriated $30 million earmark for a Springfield convention center, with the article noting the governor has discretion over release and that prior funding was withheld.

Missouri’s policy agenda also shows signs of tightening around gambling expansion and related enforcement. A Missouri Senate committee unanimously voted down a bill that would authorize video lottery games in gas stations and other locations, ending vendors’ hopes for the proposal “for another year.” The opposition—led by Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin and echoed by licensed casinos—centered on concerns about expanding gambling, particularly as state and federal authorities increase enforcement against existing unregulated gaming machines. In the same broader policy environment, other Missouri-related legal and regulatory stories appear in the mix, but the video lottery defeat is the clearest, decision-level development in the most recent window.

Finally, several non-redistricting items add continuity to the state’s broader political and civic landscape, though they are more routine than headline-defining. These include local government planning updates (such as Monett’s unveiling of a new comprehensive plan), a Missouri S&T student elected to the Rolla City Council, and a labor/industry development where Olin/Winchester employees ratified a revised contract to end a strike. Taken together, the last 12 hours show Missouri politics moving decisively on congressional maps and disaster/budget mechanics, while other stories largely reflect ongoing local governance and economic activity rather than a single major new political turning point.

Missouri’s political and policy agenda in the past week has been dominated by state budget finalization and a cluster of legal/political fights—alongside a growing stream of coverage about data centers and their local impacts. In the last 12 hours, the biggest Missouri-focused development was lawmakers passing a $48.7 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2027, with the overall package described as $50.7 billion after additional construction spending. Reporting also emphasized that education funding and how it’s calculated remained a flashpoint: the final budget reportedly avoids an enrollment-based college funding shift that could have cut smaller institutions, instead directing the higher education department to build a new disbursement model by Dec. 1. A separate account of the budget fight highlighted concerns that education assumptions relied on lottery revenue projections that differed from actual net receipts, and that the final plan drew on surpluses to cover a deficit.

Also in the last 12 hours, Missouri’s legislature and executive branch actions continued in parallel with budget work. Coverage noted Gov. Mike Kehoe signed eight bills into law, including an “Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation” (SB 907) aimed at addressing “sue-and-settle” style website accessibility lawsuits, plus other measures affecting areas like sewage regulation and the sex offender registry. On the legal-administration side, a circuit judge (Ed Page) retired despite being on the ballot for the Aug. 4 primary, creating a vacancy that reporting says would be filled by the governor. Meanwhile, Missouri’s gaming policy saw a major procedural setback: a Senate committee voted unanimously against regulating “no chance” slot machines, effectively ending a path to legal operation for those devices.

Beyond Jefferson City, the last 12 hours included local governance and public-safety stories that may not be headline-grabbing statewide but show active friction points. St. Louis coverage described a crash involving a police vehicle running a red light without emergency lights or siren, and said Jefferson City moved to shift settlement costs onto the city. Another local dispute: McBride Homes sued O’Fallon after the City Council rejected a subdivision plan despite advice from the city attorney that denial would violate ordinances. In Columbia, reporting said a proposed public safety sales tax was tabled after concerns about potential overlapping taxes—an example of how local funding mechanisms are being scrutinized even when public safety is the stated goal.

A major theme running through the last 12 hours (and echoed by older items) is the political and economic debate over data centers. Missouri lawmakers heard arguments about the benefits and risks of data centers, including energy demand and grid impacts, with reporting quoting utility and labor perspectives on job creation and infrastructure costs. At the same time, other coverage in the same window framed data centers as a contentious issue for residents and activists, including discussion of environmental and community impacts. This debate appears to be part of a broader national pattern reflected in older coverage about data-center backlash and regulatory uncertainty, but the Missouri-specific reporting in the most recent window is largely focused on legislative listening sessions and near-term policy timing.

Finally, the week’s broader political context—while not always Missouri-specific—shows up in the coverage as a continuity of national election and legal battles that can spill into Missouri politics. Multiple items in the last 1–3 days focus on redistricting after a Supreme Court Voting Rights Act decision, with reporting describing how Southern states are moving quickly and how Democrats and Republicans are preparing counter-strategies. In Missouri, that context aligns with the state’s own election-reform and voting-process discussions (including SAVE Act-related coverage and related polling), even though the most concrete Missouri actions in this window were the budget, bill signings, and gaming/website-litigation policy moves.