AGP Executive Report

Missouri Redistricting Fight Heads to SCOTUS: Missouri Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let the GOP-backed congressional map stand for the Nov. 3 midterms after the Missouri Supreme Court blocked it and ordered a statewide referendum, setting up a fast, high-stakes scramble over which district lines apply in the general election. Local Election Fallout: Boone County officials are preparing for voter confusion as some districts change and additional measures land on the ballot, with the clerk focused on making sure voters understand what’s on their ballots. Ballot Access Under Pressure: The week’s broader voting-rights fight also includes a federal court blocking Trump’s anti-mail voting order for the midterms, with the judge citing the risk of disenfranchisement and lack of support for fraud claims. Missouri House Race Shake-Up: In House District 161, the GOP nominee Thomas Ross withdrew after federal drug charges tied to an alleged plot to plant drugs on his opponent; Louise Secker was selected to replace him and will face Democrat Aaron Metzger in November. Housing in Jefferson City: A new city housing strategy would adjust zoning and other policies to boost development, especially downtown, after data showed the area isn’t producing enough homes for demand.

Missouri Redistricting Fight Heads to SCOTUS: Missouri Republicans and state leaders asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate the GOP-backed congressional map for the Nov. midterms, arguing the Missouri Supreme Court’s order to revert to the 2022 map after the Aug. primaries would create election chaos. Federal Court Challenge: Two lawmakers and two voters also filed a federal complaint over the map switch, saying candidates and voters are being forced into new districts after campaigning under the 2025 “Missouri FIRST” lines. Local Election Fallout in Boone County: Boone County officials are preparing for district changes tied to the court rulings and adding measures to the November ballot, with the clerk warning that confusion could depress turnout. House District 161 Shake-Up: After GOP nominee Thomas Ross withdrew following federal drug-planting allegations, the Jasper County GOP selected Louise Secker as the replacement nominee to face Democrat Aaron Metzger in Joplin-area House District 161. Surveillance Policy Push: Rep. Eric Burlison is backing the “Flock-Off Act” to cut federal funding for flock camera expansion amid privacy and surveillance concerns. Utility Billing Request: Liberty Utilities asked the Missouri Public Service Commission to make permanent exceptions to billing rules for consolidated or joint accounts. Public Safety Update: A sheriff investigating the disappearance of Lindsey Watts says foul play is involved and that investigators have identified people of interest.

Redistricting Fight: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let the state use a new Republican-drawn congressional map in November, after the Missouri Supreme Court blocked it and ordered a statewide referendum—an appeal that warns of “unprecedented chaos” because the new districts were already used in August primaries. Elections & Voting Access: The same legal fight is playing out alongside broader court battles over election rules, including a federal judge blocking Trump mail-ballot restrictions for the 2026 midterms. Campaign Corruption Shock: A Missouri House Republican nominee, Thomas Ross, withdrew after federal drug-planting allegations tied to his campaign; investigators say he allegedly tried to have drugs planted on a political opponent. Local Governance Backlash: Across the country, data-center projects are triggering recalls of local officials—Missouri communities are part of that wider pushback. Public Safety/Justice: Kansas City-area loved ones are questioning the police investigation into Katie Garcia’s death, saying the handling may be mishandled while the medical examiner’s findings are awaited.

Redistricting Fight: The Missouri Supreme Court denied Sec. of State Denny Hoskins’ bid to pause its order on the Nov. 3 congressional map fight, keeping the 2022 districts in place for the election while voters decide on the “Missouri First” map via a referendum. Local Impact: Boone County will largely use the same district lines as the August primary, but about 40% of voters will see a different district in November. Legal Escalation: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway and state GOP leaders say they’ll press the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the switch between primary and general election maps creates a constitutional crisis. Election Access (National): A federal judge blocked USPS from implementing Trump-backed mail voting restrictions ahead of the midterms, setting up another federal appeal. Public Safety/Health: Two IV-saline recalls in multiple states, including Missouri, cite particles found in sealed bags. Local Governance: Platte City approved rules letting its licensed dispensary operate 24/7. Politics & Courts (National): A judge also blocked BLM from forcing American Prairie to remove bison from federal grazing leases.

Courts & Elections: The Missouri Supreme Court blocked a Trump-backed GOP congressional map from being used in the Nov. 3 midterms and ordered a statewide referendum on whether to keep it, keeping the older 2020 districts in place for now and restraining Secretary of State Denny Hoskins from implementing the new lines. Ballot Measures: The same ruling put Amendment 6 on the November ballot, requiring an 80% vote to limit lawmakers’ ability to overturn voter-approved changes. Election Integrity Push: DHS/HSI is ramping up a voter-fraud investigation in Missouri ahead of the election, as Missouri election officials weigh how to respond to the federal push. Education Policy: UM System leaders announced an AI general education requirement for students across the four-university system, while Missouri educators raised concerns about the state’s rushed “A” through “F” school report card rollout. Healthcare Costs: BJC and Anthem remain at odds over reimbursement and prior authorization as BJC warns Anthem plans could go out-of-network in 2027. Public Safety Tech: The national backlash over Flock license-plate cameras continues, with Missouri readers debating privacy and vandalism as lawmakers consider limits. Local Government: Jefferson City opened the JC River Market at the former Missouri State Penitentiary site, adding a new riverfront public space. Criminal Case: A Missouri House candidate, Thomas Ross, faces federal charges alleging he asked an aide to plant cocaine on his opponent.

Missouri Redistricting Fight: The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the GOP-drawn congressional map can’t be used for the November midterms unless voters approve it, ordering a statewide referendum after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins improperly blocked the petition; the court also ordered two ballot measures—Proposition A on the map and Amendment 6 raising the bar for lawmakers to repeal voter-approved laws—while Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said she’ll seek U.S. Supreme Court relief. Election Law Under Pressure: The ruling sets up a rare “primary under one map, general under another” scenario, with Gov. Mike Kehoe and top Republicans blasting the decision as courts overstepped. Criminal Allegations in GOP Primary: Federal prosecutors charged Missouri House candidate Thomas Christopher Ross with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, alleging he tried to have cocaine and Adderall planted on rival Louise Secker; Ross’s former campaign manager allegedly cooperated with authorities. Public Health/Justice: Missouri’s $24.5 billion COVID PPE judgment against Chinese entities moved forward as defendants appeared in federal court to challenge the default judgment. Education: A new report says Missouri teachers earn about 36% less than comparable college graduates.

Surveillance & Privacy: Two Missouri Republicans, Reps. Eric Burlison and Thomas Massie, unveiled the “Flock-Off Act,” aiming to block federal funding for Flock cameras and force removal of federally funded systems within 180 days. State Elections & Courts: The Missouri Supreme Court heard fast-moving initiative and ballot fights, including whether a congressional redistricting referendum can appear on the Nov. 3 ballot and whether petition rules allow signature collection to proceed. Abortion Politics: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway’s office is airing a $167,000 state-funded women’s health PSA warning about abortion clinics as the state’s abortion ballot fight heads toward a November vote. Local Government: Independence voters recalled City Council member John Perkins after his vote to approve major tax breaks for a multibillion-dollar AI data center. Immigration Legal Aid: Advocates warn unaccompanied immigrant children may lose legal representation after a federal contract ended, leaving many without attorneys in immigration court. Disaster Response: President Trump approved Missouri’s major disaster request for nine counties hit by July flash floods, unlocking FEMA Public Assistance. Public Safety: Boone County’s undercover child-sex-predator operation led to eight federal charges. Campaign Fallout: A Joplin House nominee, Thomas Ross, was arrested on a federal warrant tied to allegations he tried to plant drugs on his primary opponent.

Missouri Supreme Court showdown: The court grilled state attorneys over whether voters can weigh in on Missouri’s new congressional map and related referendum fights, with a Sept. 8 deadline looming for what appears on the November ballot. Ballot-power fight (Amendment 6): Judges also heard arguments on whether “Respect Missouri Voters” can place Amendment 6 on the ballot, a proposal aimed at tightening how lawmakers can limit citizen initiative power and requiring higher approval thresholds to repeal voter-approved measures. Joplin GOP candidate in legal trouble: Missouri GOP leaders are calling for the withdrawal of Republican nominee Thomas Ross after his arrest, while details of the charges remain unclear. Local governance and surveillance backlash: Anger over a proposed AI data center continues to drive Missouri city politics, including recall efforts tied to council votes. Child safety and AI in court: A federal appeals court dismissal involving AI-generated “virtual child sexual abuse material” is raising new questions about how Missouri investigations may be affected. Consumer and public safety notes: Gas prices dipped in parts of Missouri, while BBB Scam Tracker data shows Maryland Heights tied for 16th in scam reports in July. Federal legal action: DOJ sued Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over alleged secret “gender transition” policies involving students.

Mail Voting Fight: ProPublica reports USPS officials raised internal concerns that new mail-ballot rules could delay or block ballots for eligible voters, while a whistleblower warns the system is “secretive, rushed, chaotic” and could cause mass disenfranchisement. Missouri Redistricting Referendum: The Missouri Supreme Court is set to decide whether voters can force a referendum on congressional redistricting, a final legal test that could expand or restrict ballot initiative power. Local Government/AI Data Center Backlash: Independence voters recalled City Councilman John Perkins after his support for a major Nebius AI data center and related tax incentives; unofficial results show about 68% backed removing him. Federal Fraud Case (Childcare): A Kansas City woman was indicted on alleged fraud tied to a Missouri childcare funding program, with prosecutors saying applications overstated staffing to claim at least $75,000. Surveillance & Privacy: A report highlights thousands of roadside automated license plate readers in New Jersey, fueling privacy concerns about searchable location tracking. State Leadership/Health Workforce: Missouri nursing regulator Lori Scheidt was elected president of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Infrastructure: MoDOT is seeking public input on which projects get funded as Kansas City faces a large gap between needed and available transportation dollars.

Missouri Supreme Court Redistricting Showdown: The court will hear arguments Wednesday on whether Missourians can use a referendum to challenge the new congressional map and when petitioners can start collecting signatures—decisions that could shape the November ballot. Abortion Politics: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway’s office is airing a $167,000 state-funded “women’s health” PSA warning about abortion clinics ahead of a November vote tied to Hanaway’s appeal of a Jackson County ruling. Local Ballot Fight—Royals Stadium: A Kansas City group opposed to public financing for the downtown Royals ballpark has asked for a citywide vote in April 2027 after the council didn’t act on its petition. Independence Recall Election: Independence voters are deciding today whether to recall City Councilman John Perkins over tax incentives for the Nebius AI data center. Election Integrity Pushback: DHS is reportedly planning a nine-state voter-fraud investigation surge, prompting criticism from Washington officials and renewed debate over federal vs. state election authority. UMKC DEI Video Fallout: UMKC suspended a staffer after a video appeared to show DEI activity on campus; the university says no DEI programming has been housed since 2024. Child Care Fraud Case: A Kansas City childcare operator was indicted for allegedly defrauding a Missouri childcare funding program, seeking at least $75,000.

Redistricting Fight: Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments over whether election officials can “just pick” between older congressional maps and newer ones after a Cole County judge said switching was “impossible,” with two county clerks challenging that claim and warning the state’s process is workable. Election Law & Courts: The court also faces a referendum dispute tied to Supreme Court precedent on ballot access, as legal teams press how far judges can go to change rules close to Election Day. Reproductive Rights: A federal judge kept a nationwide mifepristone access fight paused for now, with a Texas/Florida case stayed while FDA review proceeds—leaving access unchanged in the meantime. Voter Fraud Push: DHS is preparing a coordinated “voter fraud” enforcement surge across nine states, including Missouri, starting Tuesday and running into mid-October, drawing sharp criticism from state election officials who say the premise is false and the spending is wasted. State Government Watch: Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek says MO ABLE hit record numbers in 2025, adding nearly 1,400 new accounts and topping $15 million in assets. Local Elections: Worth County clerk race heats up as Scott Andrews files for a write-in bid against GOP nominee Melissa Percell. Other: Lionel Richie was hospitalized in St. Louis after a Muny performance, reportedly for tests tied to possible dehydration.

Elections & Voting Rights: Missouri law now lets more than 41,000 people on parole or probation vote in the November midterms, with registration ending Oct. 7—an early test of how the state’s criminal-legal system intersects with ballot access. Abortion Courts: A federal judge paused a lawsuit that could yank nationwide approval of mifepristone until at least Dec. 1, pushing any ruling past the midterm elections. Federal Enforcement & Elections: DHS and ICE are set to launch a voter-fraud crackdown in nine states starting Tuesday, including Missouri, as Republicans gear up for a bruising midterm fight. Environment & Industry: Republican attorneys general, including Missouri’s, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision upholding tougher EPA soot pollution limits. Surveillance & Privacy: A growing backlash to AI camera systems like Flock is spreading, with communities pressing for limits or removal. Education & Community: UCM hit its $60 million Dreams Unite goal, and Kansas City’s Genesis School reported measurable academic gains after charter complications. Sports & Courts: Mark Mitchell is returning to Missouri for the 2026-27 season after legal wrangling over eligibility. Business & Trade: Rep. Emanuel Cleaver highlighted education access and warned that trade disputes could raise costs and threaten jobs.

Flock camera crackdown in Missouri: State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Ferguson Democrat, says she wants misuse of Flock automated license plate cameras punished as a felony, after controversy over a St. Charles County officer using the tech for non-law-enforcement purposes. Higher education funding fight: Missouri’s Coordinating Board for Higher Education is set to discuss a revamped higher-ed funding formula, with a draft framework aiming to redistribute the state’s $1.2 billion more “equitably” and potentially delay implementation until FY 2030. Local government finance watch: Kirkwood is moving toward a forensic audit of Kirkwood Electric’s spending from 2022-2026 after officials say they went without full financial reporting for seven quarters and faced a $15.6 million overspend. Data-center backlash hits campaigns: A CNN analysis finds candidates nationwide are pouring money into ads attacking data centers/AI infrastructure, with Missouri county executive races among those using the issue as a central campaign weapon. Election-year Missouri politics: Proudie’s Senate primary win tees up a November matchup against Republican Vernon Norman in the 14th District. Public safety leadership: South Burlington Fire Chief Steven Locke was sworn in as president and board chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs during a Kansas City conference.

Medicaid Coverage Watch: Missouri is bracing for new Medicaid expansion requirements starting Jan. 1, including eligibility checks every six months for adults 19–64, after the state saw major coverage losses tied to paperwork and procedural terminations. Public Safety: Clinton police issued an endangered person advisory for 1-year-old Ezrah English, taken during a supervised visit by her non-custodial birth mother; authorities say she may be traveling in a white Lincoln MKZ hybrid. Local Government & Data Centers: In Missouri’s Pacific area, residents continue pushing back on large data center proposals, while in Michigan a developer sued Wixom over a data center moratorium—showing how these fights are spreading across state lines. Privacy & Courts: A new national spotlight is growing on how private ChatGPT-style conversations can surface in court, raising fresh concerns about confidentiality. Federal Policy & Health Costs: Kentucky AGs asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Biden-era EPA air rule, arguing it would raise costs without improving public health—an example of how states are challenging federal regulations.

Federal Midterms: With less than 70 days until November, election analysts say Democrats still have the edge to retake the U.S. House, but Republicans can hold on only if they “pitch a perfect game,” as Trump’s approval stays weak and the Iran war keeps pressure on costs. Missouri Hemp Court Fight: A federal judge is weighing whether Missouri’s intoxicating hemp ban is clear enough to enforce, as the Missouri Hemp Trade Association argues the law’s definitions overlap and create a constitutional mess. State Government Leadership: Gov. Mike Kehoe named Kurt Schaefer to lead the Missouri Office of Administration, moving him from the Department of Natural Resources as OA’s current commissioner retires. Local Infrastructure: Columbia advanced phase two of its wastewater and stormwater plan after council approval, aiming to replace aging sewers and cut inflow/infiltration. Public Health Spending Watch: New Medicaid billing data shows big local jumps in categories like dental services and pathology/lab work across multiple Missouri communities. Surveillance Debate: Reporting highlights how Flock’s AI tools can track vehicles and rank “associates,” fueling privacy concerns and renewed scrutiny of camera networks.

Surveillance Backlash: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to stop funding Flock automated license-plate cameras after reports of millions in spending and misuse concerns, including an officer indicted for thousands of plate lookups tied to a former partner. Missouri Abortion Fight: In Columbia, Stop the Ban Missouri held door-to-door canvassing urging voters to reject Amendment 3, which would ban most abortions with limited exceptions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, and rape or incest. Election Courtroom Update: A federal judge blocked a Trump administration rule that would create a national list of eligible mail voters, warning it could disrupt state mail systems before November. Local Governance: Columbia City Council members signaled they may revisit the city’s Flock camera relationship ahead of a spring renewal decision. Public Health: Two companies recalled 0.9% sodium chloride IV bags nationwide over particulate contamination concerns, prompting hospitals to pull affected lots. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reported the lowest regular price in Wright County at $3.68 for the week ending Aug. 22, with Missouri’s statewide average at $3.84. Missouri Courts: A St. Louis federal jury convicted Kenneth C. Sparks III on all 20 counts tied to a $1.2 million COVID-era loan fraud scheme and additional personal/auto loan fraud.