Missouri
Innocent Missouri prisoner held 43 years freed after trial court orders release
Wrongfully convicted Missouri inmate Sandra Hemme was released from prison Friday after a monthlong battle with the state’s attorney general who sought to deny the release on procedural and jurisdictional grounds.
Hemme’s release was the outcome of a sequence of motions and petitions. Following Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman’s decision to overturn Hemme’s conviction based on withheld exculpatory evidence, the AG filed a motion to deny her release. In this motion, the AG argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to issue the order, that they had the right to judicial review, and that Hemme would be a danger to herself and others. The appeal court denied this motion and Judge Horsman again ordered Ms. Hemme to be released. The AG then called the correctional facility holding Ms. Hemme and countermanded the order, preventing her release.
In response, Ms. Hemme’s counsel sought to enforce the order to release. The AG in response, requested that the release order be reconsidered. The AG again put forward, among other procedural arguments, that the court lacked jurisdiction to release Ms. Hemme. They also submitted that she needed to serve her other two-year and ten-year sentences for incidents that occurred while prison. Judge Horsman responded to the reconsideration motion by again ordering Hemme to be released by 6 pm on Friday, and for the AG himself to appear in court next Tuesday if he failed to do so, according to the Associated Press.
Sandra Hemme was wrongfully convicted in 1980 for the stabbing murder of Patricia Jeschke. Judge Ryan Horsman found that there was “clear and convincing evidence” that she was innocent. In addition to this claim of actual innocence, Judge Horsman found that the conviction was based on unreliable self-testimony. Hemme had been involuntarily admitted to the hospital when she gave her first statement to police. Shortly before that first statement, she had been administered antipsychotic and sedative medications and confined by leather wrist restraints. Subsequent questioning led to different statements which changed significantly over the course of police interrogations, eventually leading to her confession. Judge Horsman also found that crucial evidence was withheld by the prosecution, prejudicing her case.
This case was supported by the Innocence Project, an independent nonprofit dedicated to ending overturning wrongful criminal convictions. Founded in 1992 at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, it has now helped free more than 240 people from prison.
Missouri
1 dead after rollover crash Friday evening in Kansas City, Missouri
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One person died in a rollover crash Friday evening in Kansas City, Missouri, on Missouri 152 Highway near North Indiana Avenue.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was alone in the vehicle, police said.
The crash happened at 5:35 p.m.
No word on what led to the crash.
—
Missouri
Missouri Secretary of State admits to misleading ballot language for gerrymander referendum
An attorney representing Missouri’s top election official admitted in court Friday that her client had authored ballot language that could “prejudice” voters about a referendum to block the GOP’s new gerrymandered congressional map.
The state constitution gives Missourians the right to veto new state laws by holding a statewide referendum vote. Since Missouri Republicans passed mid-decade redistricting in September, voters have been fighting to put it to a referendum. But the Republican Party – including Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins – are throwing every possible hurdle in its path.
That apparently includes ballot language.
In November, People Not Politicians, the group leading the referendum effort, filed a lawsuit challenging what it termed the “dishonest” text Hoskins had approved.
The court could take over the task of writing the ballot language if Hoskins fails to provide an acceptable version after three tries. A bench trial is scheduled for Feb. 9.
Missouri law requires the secretary of state’s ballot language to be a “true and impartial statement” that isn’t “intentionally argumentative” or “likely to create prejudice either for or against the proposed measure.”
At a hearing Friday, Hoskins’ attorney admitted the ballot summary was likely to create prejudice against the referendum, according to People Not Politicians. She also said the language would be revised in negotiations with the referendum organizers, the Missouri Independent reported.
Now, the state will get “another bite at the apple” to write new language, Chuck Hatfield, an attorney representing People Not Politicians, told Democracy Docket.
“Rather than losing in court, today the Secretary of State simply admitted that he broke the law and sought to deceive Missouri voters,” Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians, said in a statement. “While warranted, this admittance does little to alleviate our concerns that a subsequent summary prepared by him will be any more accurate. Missourians deserve the truth about their rights and the referendum.”
According to court filings, the official certified ballot language reads: “Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled ‘House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),’ which repeals Missouri’s existing gerrymandered congressional plan that protects incumbent politicians, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more cities and counties intact, are more compact, and better reflects statewide voting patterns?”
In addition to the misleading ballot language, Republicans have devised relentless obstacles for referendum supporters, including trying to decline certifying the petition on holding a referendum for being filed too soon, reject signatures for being collected too soon, block the petition from moving forward and intimidate referendum supporters.
Hoskins is also insisting on enacting the new map before voters can hold the referendum, breaking with Missouri precedent.
Missouri
Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
Midday: 3-5-3
Midday Wild: 9
Evening: 6-3-9
Evening Wild: 3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
Midday: 7-1-3-4
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 9-6-9-8
Evening Wild: 9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
27-28-39-47-58, Cash Ball: 04
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
Early Bird: 14
Morning: 07
Matinee: 06
Prime Time: 07
Night Owl: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
02-26-28-29-34
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Detroit, MI7 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Technology4 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Dallas, TX5 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Dallas, TX2 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Iowa4 days agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Delaware1 day agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Health6 days agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits
-
Nebraska3 days agoOregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska