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After backlash to March primary, Missouri lawmakers debate reversing 2022 election change

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After backlash to March primary, Missouri lawmakers debate reversing 2022 election change


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) – After this year’s presidential preference primary in Missouri, many voters are calling for state lawmakers to return the process to state control.

The 2024 election cycle was the first presidential primary to be administered by a party-run primary system after Gov. Mike Parson signed a 2022 law to shift the burden from state and local election officials.

“My sense is that the clerks obviously didn’t like having two elections within 30 days of each other because of some logistical concerns and evidentiary concerns if there are problems or audits,” Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said. “There was also the concern about the cost.”

The cost to state and local governments of running the presidential preference primary was roughly $10 million, according to Ashcroft.

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Additionally, the new system also allowed the individual parties to restrict participation to only registered members.

Missouri Republicans moved to a caucus system, where participants convene county-level party meetings to choose the candidate through either secret ballots or a public showing of support.

However, those meetings happen on one day in singular county locations, making participation and access far more challenging.

“The way this has played out [reveals] the caucus system really does disenfranchise voters,” said state Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho.

Baker is one of several lawmakers who have filed versions of a bill to reverse the 2022 change and reinstate the state-administered preference primary.

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“I’ve probably had more complaints from constituents over this issue than anything that I’ve done – or not done – in the past six years,” Baker told the House Special Committee on Public Policy Tuesday.

The Democratic Party in Missouri organized a state-wide election for its march selection, but House Elections Committee’s ranking member, state Rep. Joe Adams, D-University City, said it was not as well-resourced as an election run by the state government.

“I would like everybody to have the opportunity to have a say in who the presidential candidate will be that they will vote for in November,” Adams said. “I want people to participate.”

With less than a month left in the legislative session, it’s increasingly less likely that this policy change will reach the governor’s desk for passage, but it’s also not a pressing deadline with two more sessions before Missourians would have to vote on another presidential candidate in 2028.

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Missouri

Blue alert issued after Lee's Summit officer shot

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Blue alert issued after Lee's Summit officer shot


COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Blue Alert was issued Monday morning by the Missouri State Highway Patrol after a police officer was shot in Lee’s Summit.

MSHP put an alert out around 8:45 a.m. after a suspect was named in a shooting in Lee’s Summit.

A Blue Alert is issued after a member of law enforcement is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

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Officials are looking for Thomas Eugene Tolbert, 27, after he allegedly shot at an officer during a chase.

Lee’s Summit police said officers were called to a domestic disturbance around 11 p.m. Sunday night. The first officer arrived at the scene and while waiting for another officer, they saw Tolbert running from the scene.

Police said the officer was shot multiple times by Tolbert. The officer was taken to an area trauma center with serious injuries.

The Highway Patrol said he left the scene in a car that was found in Grandview, Missouri. The alert also stated Tolbert has a history of aggravated assault and shooting at law enforcement.

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The alert was sent to phones in Northwest Missouri; specifically, Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte and Ray Counties.

This is a developing story.



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Powerful house explosion caught on camera in Missouri kills 1 person, 1 dog

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Powerful house explosion caught on camera in Missouri kills 1 person, 1 dog


Authorities in Missouri are working to determine the identity of a person who died in a massive house explosion caught on camera. 

A neighborhood outside Kansas City was rocked Saturday morning following “a powerful explosion” at a single-family residence that killed one person and one dog.

The incident in the suburb of Gladstone severely damaged an adjacent house, shattered nearby car windows and sent debris flying across the street, Gladstone Fire Chief Mike Desautels told Fox News Digital. 

Desautels said an “unrecognizable” body was found at the scene. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released.

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GARBAGE TRUCK EXPLODES IN ILLINOIS SUBURB, SENDING DEBRIS FLYING AND INJURING FIRST RESPONDERS

A home exploded in a residential neighborhood in Gladstone, Missouri. (Ashleigh Tomlin via Storyful)

“A powerful explosion occurred earlier today at a single-family residence,” the city of Gladstone said Saturday in a press release.

The city said the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Gladstone Fire Department responded promptly to the scene, the city said. 

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Upon arrival, firefighters found the home “completely destroyed,” and adjacent homes were also evacuated as a precaution, the city added. Emergency crews battled the remaining flames when they arrived at midday.

2 DEAD AFTER HOUSE BURNS DOWN IN NEW JERSEY FOLLOWING ‘GIGANTIC EXPLOSION,’ CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

scene after home explodes

Officials tend to the scene of a house explosion outside Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday. (Ashleigh Tomlin via Storyful)

The shockwave of the explosion was felt across multiple towns, according to Desautels, adding that hundreds of reports outside city limits were made following the incident. 

Footage from a neighbor’s Ring camera captured the moment debris from the horrific explosion slammed against their home and car. 

Nearby residents also saw a massive smoke plume emerge from the woods.

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“We just went down to the scene and hugged a couple of family members down there,” nearby resident Glenn Hall told Fox News Digital. 

house debris scattered across yard

A home exploded in a residential neighborhood outside of Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday. (Ashleigh Tomlin via Storyful)

A voicemail sent out by the city alerted residents about plans to demolish the remaining property, according to a screenshot shared by Hall. 

“This is an emergency message,” the voicemail said. “As soon as the scene is released by the authorities, the city of Gladstone will immediately begin demolition of the property as well as clean up the neighborhood.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The area has been secured and is safe at this time.

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Patrol reports 12 arrests in north Missouri between May 27 and May 31, 2025

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Patrol reports 12 arrests in north Missouri between May 27 and May 31, 2025


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The Missouri State Highway Patrol recently released a report detailing the number of arrests made in north Missouri between May 27 and May 31, 2025. The report indicates that a total of 12 individuals were arrested during this period. Some of the reasons for these arrests include driving while intoxicated, drug possession, and outstanding warrants.

It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to a detention center. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically transported to a detention center.

Chelsea R. Ingino, 37, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested on May 27 at 4:25 p.m. in Andrew County. Ingino was charged with driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of another person. She was also charged with driving in the wrong direction on a highway divided into two or more roadways and felony endangering the welfare of a child. She was taken to Mosaic Medical Center in St. Joseph and was released following the incident.

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Brandi M. Davis, 35, of Cameron, Missouri, was arrested on May 27 at 6:05 p.m. in Clinton County. She was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and felony possession of a synthetic narcotic. In addition, she was cited for misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to wear a seat belt, and speeding. Davis was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department on a 24-hour hold.

Tyler C. Leonard, 22, of Lawson, Missouri, was arrested on May 28 at 9:48 p.m. in Clinton County. He was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving a crash, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. Leonard was transported to the Clinton County Jail and held on a 12-hour hold.

Jesse L. Politte, 24, of Linn Creek, Missouri, was arrested on May 28 at 9:51 p.m. in Schuyler County. He was charged with driving while intoxicated by drugs. Politte was taken to the Schuyler County Jail and later released.

Elliot J. Sandefur, 18, of Kirksville, Missouri, was arrested on May 29 at 12:45 a.m. in Adair County. He was charged with felony driving while intoxicated as a persistent offender and careless and imprudent driving involving an accident. Sandefur was released to seek medical treatment following his arrest.

William R. Barrett, 51, of Gilmer, Texas, was arrested on May 29 at 1:49 p.m. in Macon County. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash, and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway resulting in an accident. Barrett was released after the arrest.

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Daniel E. Graves, 35, of Kirksville, Missouri, was arrested on May 30 at 1:39 p.m. in Randolph County. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and failing to drive in the right lane on a highway with two or more lanes. Graves was taken to the Randolph County Jail and was bondable.

Brian F. Smith, 32, of Mercer, Missouri, was arrested on May 30 at 2:55 p.m. in DeKalb County. He was taken into custody on a Buchanan County warrant for receiving stolen property. Smith was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center and was bondable.

Rachel N. Clark, 40, of Forest City, Missouri, was arrested on May 31 at 3:44 p.m. in Holt County. She was charged with failure to appear in court on an original charge of operating a motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility. Clark was held at the Holt County Sheriff’s Office and was bondable.

Kevin D. Ford, 59, of Lathrop, Missouri, was arrested on May 31 at 4:30 p.m. in Clinton County. Ford was charged with felony leaving the scene of a crash with physical injury. He also faced three misdemeanor charges including operating in a careless and imprudent manner involving a crash, failure to display valid plates on a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility. He was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department on a 24-hour hold.

Tawnie S. Williams, 36, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested on May 31 at 5:13 p.m. in Buchanan County. She was charged with driving while suspended and failing to wear a seat belt. Williams was also arrested on a misdemeanor warrant from the St. Joseph Police Department for failure to appear on a previous charge of driving while revoked or suspended. She was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center and was bondable.

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Johnathan D. Miller, 42, of Callao, Missouri, was arrested on May 31 at 1:44 a.m. in Macon County. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and was taken to the Macon County Jail before being released.

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