KSHB 41 reporter Megan Abundis covers Kansas City, Missouri, including neighborhoods in the southern part of the city. Share your story idea with Megan.
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The State of Missouri is facing a significant revenue shortfall, with an estimated $27 million lost in 2024 due to residents not paying their vehicle registration, title, and expired tag fees.
This comes as Missouri drivers report facing challenges when attempting to comply with these requirements at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
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Drivers interviewed described the DMV process as time-consuming and often difficult.
“It’s been a lot trying to get in, waiting in line,” said Ebony McClain, emphasizing the long wait times.
Osmar Rodriguez points out the need for planning, particularly for those with families.
“Especially when you have kids, you have to plan ahead,” he explained.
Kelli Blewett stresses the importance of having all necessary documents in order.
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“I had to make sure I had all my documents,” she said.
McClain added, “Inspection information, my title,” to the list of required paperwork.
Dayday Morgan outlines the various tasks involved in the process.
“Vehicle registration, insurance, all that stuff up here and get them all done and I’ll be cool,” he said.
These accounts from Missouri drivers highlight the difficulties associated with navigating the DMV process, potentially contributing to the state’s revenue shortfall.
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However, these Missouri drivers all have something in common. It’s that they are here at the DMV and will get it done, but it’s not always easy.
“Adulthood,” Morgan said. “Oh yeah, they are expired, I’m going to have to pay a fine, but I’m going to be prepared for it, but that’s the consequence of working, making sure you have what you need to get it done right.”
There are local organizations that will try to help pay the back fees.
Still, the state of Missouri says in 2024, 21,543 delinquent fee accounts could range as high as $27,089,588.29.
In a statement, the Department of Revenue said, “However, it should be noted that this amount can decrease as the department is made aware of rescinded sales, errors, and trade-in or tax credit documentation.”
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It’s a number that doesn’t surprise Michael Jordan, who sells cars at Auto Now.
“If you just drive down the road, you’ll see five out of six cars that have expired tags that people just aren’t getting done. So, it doesn’t surprise you? Not at all. Not at all.”
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“I put a 30-day tag on the vehicle at time of purchase and then they have 30 days to pay their sales tax and registration at that time,” Jordan said.
He tells car buyers plan to pay 10 percent of the car’s total to cover taxes and fees.
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“In Kansas, they don’t have to worry about that, it’s already included in their loan. It’s a double-edged sword,” Jordan said. “I think the sales tax parentage is way too high for where it needs to be and it hurts the community of trying to get into a nicer reliable vehicle.”
That will change, a bill signed into law two years ago, could take effect next fall.
It’s where car buyers would be required to pay the fees and sales tax—everything upfront.
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It’s a way for the state to prevent missed payments, but if you’re financing a car, that will change the cost of the loan.
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The Department of Revenue says they’re currently working with Missouri car dealerships to get them educated and prepared on how to collect these taxes and fees. The system is slated to go live in the fall of 2026.
A University of Missouri School of Medicine professor and researcher has received a $2.8 million grant to study infant kidney injury.
Adebowale Adebiyi received the grant from the National Institutes of Health to study a previously unrecognized contributor to acute kidney injury: voltage-gated sodium channels.
These proteins help move sodium molecules through cells, but Adebiyi’s research identified another function.
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“We found that during infant kidney injury, when blood flow is restricted, these sodium channels are overactivated in blood vessels,” Adebiyi said. “This triggers a cascade of events that causes the kidney’s small blood vessels to constrict, depriving the kidney of oxygenated blood when it’s most needed, and can lead to organ dysfunction or failure.”
This project will focus specifically on restoring healthy blood flow to infant kidneys, studying how nitric oxide works with specific sodium channels in blood vessels.
The number of customers without power in Cooper County is back down to about 100 after climbing to over 400 Friday night, according to outage tracking service Poweroutage.us.
About 100 Ameren Missouri customers were without power in Boonville around 8 p.m., according to Ameren Missouri’s outage map.
The number of customers without power in Boonville jumped to over 200 around 10 p.m., and the number of customers without power in Cooper County jumped again to around 470 at 10:30 p.m., according to Poweroutage.us.
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The number of customers without power was back down to around 330 by 11 p.m. and down to around 100 by 11:40 p.m., according to Poweroutage.us.
Crews assessed that the outage was due to a wire problem and a crew has been assigned to the issue.
Callaway County outage
About 200 Callaway Electric Cooperative customers were without power around 11:15 p.m. Friday, according to the cooperative’s outage map.
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The number was around 60 by 11:45 p.m., according to the outage map.
Boone County outage restored
At approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday, power was restored to over 200 customers who were without power across Boone County,
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About 280 Boone Electric Cooperative customers were without power in northern Boone County at 9 p.m. Friday, according to the power outage map on Boone Electric’s website.
Boone Electric made a post on Facebook at 8:40 p.m. saying crews were on the way to an outage in Hallsville.
A lightning strike and lines down caused the outage, according to the Boone Electric Facebook page.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) – Gov. Mike Kehoe has signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Missouri ahead of potentially dangerous severe weather forecast across the state.
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The order activates the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, enabling state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to expedite assistance. The state’s emergency operations center is activating to support coordination efforts.
“The National Weather Service has cautioned that the threat of severe storms throughout the state tonight may produce damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes,” Kehoe said. “I urge all Missourians to pay attention to their local weather forecasts, follow official warnings, and have multiple ways to receive alerts – especially overnight.”
Severe weather threats
Widespread thunderstorms are forecast, with the highest threat for severe thunderstorms across western into north central Missouri, mainly in the evening. Storms are expected to weaken as they move east through the night, though the pace of weakening remains uncertain.
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Potential threats include winds of 70 mph or higher, hail over two inches in diameter, and strong tornadoes. Localized flash flooding may also occur overnight due to significant rainfall over the past 24 hours.
“This Executive Order is a proactive step to ensure our emergency management teams are fully prepared should these storms warrant immediate action to protect Missourians,” Kehoe said.
Safety guidance
State officials are urging Missourians to postpone outdoor activities and avoid driving when storms arrive. Nighttime severe weather is particularly dangerous due to reduced visibility and the risk of people being asleep when storms strike.
Residents should identify a safe shelter location in advance. The safest place during a tornado is an interior room with no windows on the lowest floor of a sturdy structure, preferably a basement. Residents in mobile homes should seek shelter with a friend, family member, or at a local storm shelter before storms arrive. Drivers should never attempt to drive through floodwaters, regardless of water depth.
Executive Order 26-08 expires April 5, 2026.
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