AGP Executive Report

Missouri Politics & Government: Sen. Eric Schmitt’s Senate Judiciary “perjury” attack on former special counsel Jack Smith blew up after Schmitt mixed up the Atlanta Hawks and Iowa Hawkeyes, turning the exchange into a viral embarrassment for Missouri Republicans. Federal Policy & Courts: The U.S. Senate passed a bill making Fulton’s National Churchill Museum a National Historic Landmark, sending it to President Trump. Elections & Voting Rules: Missouri voters face an Oct. 7 registration deadline as states vary widely on how late people can sign up. Public Safety & Local Government: Kansas City police say a pedestrian was left in critical condition after a crash at 31st Street and Gillham Plaza during the city’s Vision Zero push. Economy & Energy: A Farm Bureau analysis points to global supply disruptions behind record-high diesel costs hitting farmers during harvest. Consumer Watch: Walmart recalled nearly 4.5 million grill wire brushes due to loose bristles that can detach and cause serious injury.

Missouri Courts & Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court keeps Missouri’s congressional map fight in the spotlight again, with legal experts calling the latest round a “stress test” for the rule of law as voters decide a Nov. 3 referendum on the GOP-favored map. Public Safety & Surveillance: A new push to curb “Flock” cameras is gaining steam nationally, with AOC, Bernie Sanders, and others backing a bill to block federal use and data access—while Missouri lawmakers have already been probing the technology’s spread. Statehouse & Policy: Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed eight people to the Missouri Methamphetamine Relief Task Force, aiming to manage and allocate state funding for meth-related crime efforts. Transportation: Sen. Eric Schmitt announced $42.1 million for I-70 upgrades near St. Louis Lambert Airport, targeting safety and interchange improvements. Local Government: The St. Louis Board of Aldermen censured Alderwoman Sharon Tyus over violent remarks, escalating tensions in the 12th Ward. Consumer/Everyday Costs: Springfield drivers say they were hit with surprise vehicle storage fees after hail repairs, prompting an “On Your Side” investigation. Voting Deadlines: Missouri’s voter registration deadline is Oct. 7, with other states’ deadlines varying widely.

SNAP Paperwork Push: Missouri will add new verification requirements for people applying or renewing SNAP starting Oct. 1, including proof of housing, utilities, dependent care costs, and bank resources, with cases at risk of rejection or closure if documents aren’t provided. Homestead Tax Credit Fight: Platte County residents are suing over whether the Homestead Property Tax Credit approved by voters in April will be applied to 2026 tax bills or delayed until 2027. Sheriff Term Amendment 8: Missouri voters will decide in November whether to require county sheriffs to serve four-year terms and limit removal, with the attorney general needing a quo warranto action in most cases. Redistricting Fallout: Missouri’s congressional map fight continues to reverberate after the U.S. Supreme Court repeatedly blocked GOP-drawn maps, keeping older districts in place for the November election. AG vs. SJP: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has launched an investigation into Students for Justice in Palestine and local chapters over alleged deceptive fundraising tied to terrorism-linked groups. Child Exploitation Charges: The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported four September arrests tied to child exploitation and related offenses, including trafficking and child sexual abuse material charges. AI Accountability Push: Sen. Josh Hawley is advancing legislation to hold AI developers and operators liable when autonomous systems cause hacking damage. Marijuana Sales: Missouri’s legalized marijuana market is showing strong sales momentum, with local dispensary activity highlighted in Branson. Courts & Voting: Supreme Court action on immigration detention and bond hearings is set to shape how long some detainees remain locked up while cases play out.

U.S. Supreme Court & Missouri Redistricting: President Trump blasted the Supreme Court after it again blocked Missouri from using the GOP-drawn congressional map, forcing the state to use the 2022 boundaries for the Nov. 3 election—meaning Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s 5th District race will run under the older lines. Public Safety Tech: St. Louis County Executive Sam Page ordered an audit of automated license plate reader cameras on county property after privacy and misuse concerns tied to Flock systems, including allegations in nearby jurisdictions. State Government & Courts: Missouri’s AG-backed fight over Supreme Court security got a boost from a bipartisan coalition urging Congress to fully fund the 2027 request amid rising threats. Local Government & Cost of Living: Columbia’s SNAP documentation rule kicked in the same day as utility rate hikes, raising affordability worries for residents. Consumer/Justice: A Greene County judge sentenced an Ozarks roofer to suspended prison time and ordered nearly $140K in restitution after an AG-linked investigation. Immigration Litigation: Renee Good’s family sued the U.S. government and immigration officials over her Minneapolis killing by an ICE officer. Elections & Transit: Kansas City council approved ordinances sending major-venue funding questions to voters in April 2027, including a monorail sales-tax ballot.

Missouri Supreme Court Fight: Missouri’s redistricting saga keeps boiling over as Denny Hoskins and state GOP allies keep testing court orders over which congressional map to use for the 2026 midterms. Ballot Abortion Battle: Amendment 3 is back on Missouri’s November ballot, setting up a direct “yes/no” fight over whether to repeal the 2024 abortion-rights amendment. Election Rules & Voting Access: The U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings on voter eligibility and Missouri’s map fallout remain central as election officials and courts navigate what can be used and when. Campaign Money & Investigations: Missouri’s attorney general is also looking into ActBlue fundraising activity, adding another legal front to the midterm season. National Politics With Missouri Ties: Sen. Eric Schmitt’s high-profile Senate Judiciary hearing gaffe over Jack Smith’s “Hawks vs. Hawkeyes” moment turned into a political headache for him. Public Safety Tech: Missouri’s Department of Public Safety issued new guidelines for Flock cameras and license plate readers, keeping surveillance policy in the spotlight. Death Penalty Fallout: Tennessee’s botched execution of Christa Pike—after two lethal-injection doses—keeps the death-penalty debate and lethal-drug scrutiny alive nationwide.

Public Safety Recognition: Gov. Mike Kehoe awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals to 22 first responders, including three posthumous honors, plus a Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award for civilians who helped during 2025 emergencies. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported Missouri midgrade prices averaging $4.43 statewide for the week ending Sept. 19, with Nodaway County’s lowest at $3.92; E85 averaged $3.24 statewide, while Christian County hit a low of $2.80. Courts & Accountability: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway pressed Columbia’s Reign Bar over alleged “nuisance conditions,” while the bar’s attorney demanded the incident reports the AG cited. Elections & Voting Rules: Missouri’s redistricting fight remains in the spotlight after the U.S. Supreme Court repeatedly blocked GOP-favored maps, leaving the 2022 lines in place for the 2026 midterms. Surveillance Policy: Sen. Josh Hawley is pushing federal limits on police use of Flock and similar automated license plate reader data, including faster deletion and tighter search rules. Health Care Politics: Trump’s administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, a move timed ahead of November midterms.

Federal Politics: Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt’s attempt to corner former special counsel Jack Smith over a supposed Atlanta “Hawks” game backfired when Smith clarified he attended a Iowa Hawkeyes game in Maryland—leaving Schmitt facing calls for an apology and scrutiny over his prep. Missouri Ballot & Courts: Missouri voters will decide Proposition A in November, a Republican-backed congressional map measure that would replace the current lines for the 2028 cycle. Defense & Jobs: U.S. Navy selected Boeing to develop the F/A-XX sixth-generation carrier fighter in a deal worth $20B-plus, a win tied to St. Louis-area production. AI & Surveillance: Sen. Josh Hawley unveiled the Stop Flock Abuse Act to tighten rules on Flock-style AI surveillance, including limits on data sharing and facial recognition. State Government & Labor: A lawsuit by Missouri dental hygienists challenges a state Dental Board push to make dental assistants perform hygienist work, arguing it exceeds legislative authority. Local Government: St. Louis’ Southtown Transportation Development District is set to move toward dissolution after a state auditor found finances allow it. Public Safety: A Cole County jury awarded $1.7M to a former Missouri parole officer in an age discrimination case against the Department of Corrections.

Federal Courtroom Drama: Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt’s Senate Judiciary grilling of former special counsel Jack Smith blew up when Schmitt appeared to mix up basketball teams and dates, prompting Smith to push back and Democrats to defend him. Missouri Ballot Fight: Voters will decide whether to enshrine the office of sheriff in the Missouri Constitution, a move supporters say protects local law enforcement elections and opponents say locks in details that are already law. Defense & Jobs: Boeing won a more-than-$20 billion U.S. Navy contract for the next-generation F/A-XX fighter, with Missouri officials touting major St. Louis-area work. Public Safety: A former MoDOT worker injured in a 2021 crash that killed two coworkers says a state settlement offer doesn’t fairly cover his injuries. Health & Community: The VA announced over $1 million in suicide prevention grants for local organizations in Colorado. Infrastructure Vision: As St. Louis demolishes the Millennium Hotel, city leaders are also looking at bolder downtown highway changes. Consumer/Legal: Missouri consumers are also watching a multistate Labcorp data-breach settlement, while a Missouri Roundup trial moves forward in St. Louis.

U.S. Supreme Court & Missouri Elections: The court ruled Missouri must use the 2022 congressional map for the Nov. election, ending the GOP’s 2025 map fight and forcing election officials to adjust ballots even as early voting began amid confusion. Missouri Ballot Measures: Missouri Republicans are scrambling to run late campaigns on Proposition A (redistricting) and Amendment 6 (initiative limits) as absentee voting ramps up. Local Governance & Public Safety Funding: FEMA awarded $500,000 to Missouri’s Division of Fire Safety to support firefighter equipment and preparedness. Labor & Cannabis: A union drive at a Springfield Greenlight dispensary sparked an alleged retaliation fight after 12 workers were fired, following a nearby Joplin union vote. Education & Literacy: UMKC-linked analysis finds Kansas City’s Literacy for All Students initiative is closing the reading growth gap after two years. Health Care Costs: In Jackson County, patient advocates say more people are being sued or hit with collections over unpaid medical bills, even when insured. Civil Rights: The EEOC sued Continental Inn over alleged pregnancy discrimination, harassment, demotion, and firing. Environment: A new analysis flags atrazine contamination at levels harmful to aquatic wildlife across hundreds of thousands of river miles.

FBI Leadership Shake-Up: Former Missouri AG Andrew Bailey announced he’s resigning as FBI co-deputy director after just over a year, saying he’s stepping down to return to his family in Missouri, as the bureau continues leadership turbulence under Director Kash Patel. Congressional Redistricting: Missouri’s U.S. Supreme Court map fight is effectively settled for November: the court ordered the state to use the 2022 congressional map, prompting reactions from Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and GOP challenger Rick Brattin. Medicaid Coverage Risk in KC Metro: Thousands in the Kansas City area face losing Medicaid coverage this week tied to federal changes affecting lawfully present non-citizens and refugees unless immigration status changes. Wireless Tax Hit: A federal surcharge is driving another increase in wireless taxes and fees in 2026, raising the typical household’s annual wireless tax burden. Abortion Drug Push: Sen. Josh Hawley is urging Congress to ban mifepristone, arguing it’s unsafe for both patients and citing rising ER visits. Local Public Safety Debate: Race Matters, Friends is challenging Missouri AG Hanaway’s push tied to downtown Columbia’s Reign Bar, arguing city policing should focus more broadly. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Missouri regular gas averaging about $4.09 for the week ending Sept. 19, with notable low-price pockets across multiple counties.

Redistricting Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri’s GOP-backed 2025 congressional map again, leaving the 2022 districts in place for the November election—setting up fresh GOP frustration and voter confusion as the map saga keeps bouncing between courts. Election Fallout: President Trump blasted the justices after the latest ruling, arguing Missouri is being denied an “election victory,” while the legal fight continues to shape how campaigns plan for House races. State Ballot Rules: Missouri voters are also set to decide Amendment 6, which would tighten lawmakers’ ability to change citizen initiative petition rules and require supermajority approval to repeal what voters pass. Abortion Politics: A divide inside Missouri’s anti-abortion movement over how far to go in restrictions is emerging ahead of Amendment 3, with polling showing the fight could be razor-thin. Health & Safety: A new report says Missouri mothers’ mental health and substance use helped drive nearly a quarter of pregnancy-related deaths (2019–2023), with rural access gaps making it worse. Education: St. Louis Public Schools faces a demographic reality after enrollment collapsed, with leaders weighing school closures and repurposing as student counts shrink.

Redistricting Fight: President Trump blasted the U.S. Supreme Court after it blocked Missouri’s GOP-favored congressional map for a third time, saying the justices “will just not let Missouri have an Election Victory.” The court ordered Missouri to use the 2022 districts for the Nov. 3 election, while voters decide the fate of the 2025 map through Proposition A. Election Administration: The dispute has been tied to the Purcell principle and concerns about changing rules after voting begins, with absentee voting already underway. Immigration & Enforcement: In tight races, some GOP lawmakers are urging ICE to coordinate with local police and complain they weren’t notified before operations. Voting Eligibility Checks: The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to resume expanded voter citizenship verification using the SAVE database, raising fears of eligible voters being wrongly flagged. Work Visas: USCIS reported 5,740 H-2B worker approvals tied to Missouri worksites in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 100% approval rate. Local Pride & Community: Columbia’s Pride Parade drew crowds for the second day of Mid-Mo PrideFest, with businesses and candidates joining the route.

U.S. Supreme Court: SCOTUS blocked Missouri’s GOP-backed congressional map for the third time, ordering the state to use the lawful 2022 lines for the Nov. 3 midterms and warning that switching maps this late would invite “electoral chaos.” Election Law & Voter Access: The ruling lands as Missouri’s map fight has dragged through multiple courts, with pro-voter groups and the “People Not Politicians” referendum effort arguing voters deserve a final say. Abortion Ballot Fight: Missouri voters will also face Amendment 3 in November, a second vote after 2024’s abortion-rights constitutional protections—this time with major outside money backing the campaign to stop the ban. Medicaid Work Requirements: Across the country, Medicaid work rules are starting in January, and some Republican-led states are demanding medical documentation sooner than federal guidance allows—raising concerns that people who can’t afford care will be shut out. Local Governance: Jefferson City residents will vote Nov. 3 on raising a public safety sales tax from a quarter-cent to a half-cent to address staffing and future budget gaps. Public Safety & Planning: The Diocese of Jefferson City is seeking a variance to build a 120-foot AT&T cell tower, with the Board of Adjustment set to review the request Tuesday. Investigative Spotlight: Missouri Independent reporters won a state investigative journalism prize for foster care coverage that helped spur policy changes.

U.S. Supreme Court Redistricting: SCOTUS again shut down Missouri Republicans’ congressional map for the 2026 midterms, ordering use of the 2022 map and warning that switching maps this late would create “electoral chaos,” after ballots were already sent out under the older lines. Voter Rights & Referendum Fight: Pro-voter group People Not Politicians said the ruling ends an effort to force a “DC power grab” map outside Missouri’s constitutional process, with voters set to decide the fate of the GOP-backed plan at the ballot. Abortion Ballot Pressure: Missouri’s abortion rights are headed for a second vote in two years, with Amendment 3 again on the ballot after 2024 constitutional protections—setting up a high-stakes referendum showdown. State GOP Politics: In Boone County, the GOP Women’s Club hosted U.S. Rep. Bob Onder and state Rep. John Martin, with Onder criticizing the Supreme Court’s decision to revert to the 2022 map. Investigative Journalism: Missouri Independent reporters won a major investigative prize for a foster care series, with judges citing statewide policy failures and real-world impact. Public Safety at Events: MidMo PrideFest released emergency protocols for event safety, including de-escalation steps and staffing plans. Federal Criminal Case: A Kansas City man, Alverez O. McCullough, was sentenced to 11 years for a fentanyl distribution conspiracy involving firearms and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Cost of Living: GasBuddy reported the lowest Jackson County premium price at $4.29 for the week ending Sept. 19, as Missouri averages stayed near $4.79 for premium.

Supreme Court Ends Missouri Map Whiplash: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri from using its GOP-backed 2025 congressional map for the Nov. 3 midterms, ordering the state to stick with the 2022 districts after voting had already started—citing “electoral chaos” if boundaries change midstream. Election Rules Under Fire: In a separate ruling, SCOTUS allowed states to use a revamped federal voter-eligibility database (SAVE) for now, lifting limits while critics warn it could wrongly flag eligible voters. Missouri AG Targets “Event Contracts”: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway ordered prediction-market firms (including Polymarket and Kalshi) to stop sports “event contracts,” arguing they’re a workaround to Missouri’s 2024 sports wagering framework. Medicaid Work Requirement Fight: A lawsuit challenges stricter rules for proving someone is “medically frail” enough to get an exemption from Medicaid work requirements, with plaintiffs saying paperwork and documentation demands are already costing coverage. First Amendment Clash: The White House signaled CNN won’t travel on Air Force One, continuing a dispute over media access after earlier court orders.

Supreme Court Redistricting: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri’s GOP-backed 2025 congressional map for the Nov. 3 midterms for the third time, ordering the state to use the 2022 map instead after voting had already started—citing “electoral chaos” if district lines change midstream and directing lower courts not to force the newer map. Local Impact: Missouri election officials and candidates reacted to the ruling as ballots were already printed and absentee voting underway, leaving Kansas City-area district boundaries unchanged for this cycle. Voter-Eligibility Fight: In a separate decision, the Court allowed the Trump administration to resume using a revamped federal voter eligibility database (SAVE) for now, even as critics warn it could fuel wrongful purges. Missouri AG vs. ActBlue: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway launched an investigation into ActBlue, alleging the fundraising platform accepted foreign donations and violated state consumer-protection law. Kansas City Royals Stadium: Kansas City released a draft “stadium impact area” map tied to potential tax revenue sharing for a downtown Royals stadium, drawing attention from nearby businesses. Affordability Pressure: A mayors’ survey found nearly all city leaders say affordability is a top concern, with housing costs leading the list.