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Arizona and Missouri will join 5 other states with abortion on the ballot. Who are the others?

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Arizona and Missouri will join 5 other states with abortion on the ballot. Who are the others?


Election officials in Arizona and Missouri this week announced that abortion-rights supporters in their states had gathered enough petition signatures to put proposed amendments enshrining abortion rights into their states’ constitutions, bringing to seven the number of states with abortion votes set for November.

The U.S. Supreme Court removed the nationwide right to abortion with a 2022 ruling, which sparked a national push to have voters decide.

Since the decision, most Republican-controlled states have passed abortion restrictions, including 14 that ban it at every stage of pregnancy. Most Democratic-led states have laws or executive orders to protect access.

Voters in all seven states that have had abortion questions before voters since 2022 — California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont — have sided with abortion rights supporters.

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MISSOURI

Missouri voters will decide whether to guarantee a right to abortion with a constitutional amendment that would reverse the state’s near-total ban.

The secretary of state’s office certified Tuesday that an initiative petition received more than enough signatures from registered voters to qualify for the general election. It will need approval from a majority of voters to become enshrined in the state constitution.

The Missouri ballot measure would create a right to abortion until a fetus could likely survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical measures, generally considered around 23 or 24 weeks into pregnancy. The ballot measure would allow abortions after fetal viability if a health care professional determines it’s necessary to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.

ARIZONA

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Voters in Arizona will decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to add the right to an abortion up to about 24 weeks into pregnancy. The Arizona secretary of state’s office said Monday that it had certified enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

Under the proposed amendment, the state would not be able to ban abortion until the fetus is viable, with later abortions allowed to protect a woman’s physical or mental health. Opponents of the proposed amendment say it goes too far and could lead to unlimited and unregulated abortions in Arizona. Supporters say it would protect abortion access free from political interference.

Abortion is currently legal for the first 15 weeks of pregnancy in Arizona.

COLORADO

Colorado’s top election official confirmed in May that a measure to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution, along with requirements that Medicaid and private health insurers cover abortion, made the ballot for the fall election.

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Supporters said they gathered nearly double the required number of signatures needed.

Amending the state constitution requires the support of 55% of voters.

Abortion is already legal at all stages of pregnancy in Colorado.

FLORIDA

The state Supreme Court ruled in April that a measure to legalize abortion until viability could go on the ballot despite a legal challenge from the state. Attorney General Ashley Moody had argued that there are differing views on the meaning of “viability” and that some key terms in the proposed measure are not properly defined.

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To pass, the measure needs support from at least 60% of voters, a high threshold that supporters say they are hopeful of reaching after collecting nearly a million signatures on the petition to get it on the ballot.

Abortion is currently illegal in Florida after the first six weeks of pregnancy under a law that took effect May 1.

MARYLAND

Maryland voters also will be asked this year to enshrine the right to abortion in the state’s constitution. Abortion is already allowed in Maryland until viability.

NEVADA

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The Nevada Secretary of State’s office announced in June that a ballot question to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution has met all of the requirements to appear in front of voters in November.

Under the amendment, abortion access for the first 24 weeks of pregnancy — or later to protect the health of the pregnant person — would be protected. To change the constitution, voters would need to approve it in both 2024 and 2026.

Abortion up until viability is already allowed in the state under a law passed in 1990.

SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota voters will decide this fall on a constitutional amendment that would ban any restrictions on abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. The measure would allow the state in the second trimester to “regulate the pregnant woman’s abortion decision and its effectuation only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman.” An abortion ban would be allowed in the third trimester, as long as it included exceptions for the life and health of the woman.

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Opponents have sued to try to take the initiative off the ballot.

While not explicitly preserving a right to abortion, a reproductive rights question is on the ballot in New York. The measure would bar discrimination based on “pregnancy outcomes” and “reproductive healthcare,” along with sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin and disability. Abortion is currently allowed in New York until fetal viability.

The question was on the ballot, then removed in May by a judge who found lawmakers missed a procedural step when they put it there. An appeals court reinstated it in June.

MONTANA

Abortion rights proponents in Montana have proposed a constitutional amendment that would bar the government from denying the right to abortion before viability or when it is necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.

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After a legal battle over the ballot language, the Montana Supreme Court in April wrote its version of the language that would appear on the ballot if enough valid signatures are certified. Sponsors were required to submit about 60,000 signatures by June 21. They turned in nearly twice that many — about 117,000 — and backers have said counties have validated more than enough signatures. The secretary of state has until Aug. 22 to finalize the November ballot.

Abortion is already legal until viability in the state under a 1999 Montana Supreme Court opinion.

NEBRASKA

Competing abortion measures could be before voters in November after supporters of each said this month that they turned in far more signatures than the 123,000 required for ballot access.

One would enshrine in the state constitution the right to abortion until viability. Supporters said they submitted more than 207,000 signatures.

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The other would write into the constitution the current law, which bars abortions after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions. Its backers said they submitted more than 205,000 signatures.

The measure that gets the most votes will become part of the state constitution.



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Missouri Supreme Court reviews airport property tax deduction

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Missouri Supreme Court reviews airport property tax deduction


Summary:
  • Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments on constitutionality of airport property tax valuation statute.
  • Case involves valuation of Marriott hotel at Kansas City International Airport.
  • Platte County assessor argues statute creates special tax advantage for airport properties.
  • Missouri State Tax Commission reduced hotel’s valuation from $13.45 million to about $6.14 million.

The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Feb. 10 in a case challenging how a hotel at Kansas City International Airport was valued for property tax purposes and whether a state statute allowing deductions for airport property improvements is constitutional.

The dispute centers on the valuation of the Marriott Hotel located at Kansas City International Airport and whether a provision in Section 137.115.1 of state law improperly reduces the taxable value of certain airport properties.

At issue is a challenge by the Platte County assessor and the Park Hill School District to a decision by the Missouri State Tax Commission that resulted in a lower valuation for the 2016 tax year.

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The assessor was represented during arguments by Stephen E. Magers, an attorney for Platte County in Platte City; Grady Hotel Investments was represented by Peter A. Corsale of McCarthy, Leonard & Kaemmerer in Town & Country.

Magers argued the statute effectively creates a special class of property that receives favorable tax treatment.

“This case concerns a truly novel item of the Missouri statutes,” he said. “It stands alone as the only statute within the entirety of the Missouri framework that gives a certain set of taxpayers a tax advantage of having real property located within an airport receive a deduction for new construction and improvements.”

The property at issue is a Marriott hotel located on land owned by Kansas City within the boundaries of Kansas City International Airport. The city leases the land to a private operator.

In 2015, Grady Hotel Investments purchased the prior operator’s interest in the property for about $8.5 million. As part of the transaction, Grady entered into an amended lease and concession agreement with the city and committed to making capital improvements to repair and renovate the property.

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For the 2016 tax year, the Platte County assessor valued Grady’s interest in the hotel at approximately $13.45 million. After the county board of equalization upheld that valuation, Grady appealed to the Missouri State Tax Commission.

The commission initially set the hotel’s assessed value at zero using the “bonus value” methodology for leasehold interests, but the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District later reversed that ruling and remanded the case. On remand, the commission ultimately determined the hotel’s “true value in money” was about $6.14 million. The commission reached that figure after deducting the value of personal property included in the purchase and approximately $1.2 million in costs paid toward new construction and improvements made after 2008, as permitted under Section 137.115.1.

Magers argued that the statute operates as an unconstitutional tax break for properties located within airport boundaries.

“At its core, what the statute does is create a special kind of property that receives a reduction to its value based on new construction and improvements spent toward such possessory interests in real property,” said Magers.

He also said the provision treats airport properties differently from other commercial properties.

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“A homeowner doesn’t get a reduction to their value when they get a new roof on their property,” he said. “But for property that is located within an airport boundary that undertakes new construction or improvements, there is a deduction to that value that the statute mandates.”

Corsale countered that the statute does not create a tax exemption but instead establishes a permissible method for valuing certain types of property.

“To me the answer is no. This is a method of valuation,” he said, arguing that the Missouri Constitution gives the legislature authority to determine how property is valued for tax purposes.

Judge Mary R. Russell questioned whether the deduction could potentially reduce a property’s value to zero if improvements continue over time.

“But couldn’t it be, at some point, a perpetual exemption,” she said, noting the statute allows deductions regardless of when improvement costs were incurred.

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Corsale said the improvements ultimately revert to the city when the lease ends.

“What we are dealing with is a private company improving public land that eventually reverts back to the public,” he said. “At the conclusion of the lease, the public gets the benefit of whatever money they put into this property.”



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Fact Finders: Can tow trucks run red lights in Missouri?

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Fact Finders: Can tow trucks run red lights in Missouri?


SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A viewer named Donna asked KY3’s Fact Finders whether it is legal for tow trucks with emergency lights to run through a red light. The answer is yes, but with conditions.

Missouri law states that any wrecker or tow truck may proceed past a red stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation.

What the law requires

Three conditions must be met for a tow truck driver to proceed through a red light legally: the driver must be responding to an emergency call, must slow down or stop to confirm the intersection can be crossed safely, and must have at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible from 500 feet to the front of the vehicle while also sounding an audible signal such as a siren or bell.

Terry Harden of Terry’s Towing said tow truck drivers can legally be treated the same as other emergency vehicles.

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“You really could be treated just like a police car, fire truck, ambulance,” Harden said.

Not every call warrants running a red light

Harden said he uses judgment when deciding whether to exercise that legal right.

“If you call me for a jump start, don’t mean I’m going to run red lights and sirens to get to your jump start,” Harden said.

Dispatchers sometimes instruct drivers to respond quickly to emergency crash scenes, Harden said.

“They want you to be there faster than fast. It says, expedite, expedite. And that’s fine. I will expedite it,” Harden said.

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Have a question for Fact Finders? Visit KY3.com, go to the menu, select Fact Finders, and click Contact Fact Finders.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.



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Missouri Sportsbook Promos: $5,115 in MO Sports Betting Promos

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Missouri Sportsbook Promos: ,115 in MO Sports Betting Promos


The best Missouri sportsbook promos are here for new users! Learn more about Missouri sports betting promos available today.

Missouri sportsbook promos offer new bettors up to $5,115 in bonuses now that sports betting live in the Show-Me State. Find out more about the best Missouri sports betting promos you can claim today!

Best Missouri Sportsbook Promos

These MO sports betting sign up bonuses are some of the best sportsbook promos available today, so make sure to sign up as a new user and claim your sports betting promo in Missouri!

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BetMGM: $1,500 in Bonus Bets if You Lose

The BetMGM bonus code ROTOSPORTS is one of the highest-valued Missouri sportsbook promos. New users simply bet up to $1,500 as their first wager, and if that bet loses, you get your stake back in the form of bonus bets.

🎁 Bonus Code: ROTOSPORTS
💰 Sign Up Offer: Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bet If You Lose Your First Bet
📊 Terms & Conditions: New Users Only
⏳ Time Limits: Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days 

DraftKings: Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Wins

The DraftKings promo code is one of the top Missouri sportsbook bonuses we have available. Just for signing up and betting $5, you’ll receive $200 in bonus bets if your first bet wins! I couldn’t think of a better way to start betting with DraftKings. 

🎁 Promo Code: BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer: Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Wins
📊 Terms & Conditions: New Users Only
⏳ Time Limits: Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days 

bet365: Bet $10, Get $365 In Bonus Bets

The bet365 bonus code Missouri bettors can claim is one of the best bang-for-your-buck offers. You can fetch $365 in bonus bets instantly just by placing a first bet of $10! And you don’t have to win your first bet to claim that MO sportsbook bonus, just place the bet and the bonus bets are yours. 

🎁 Bonus Code: BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer: Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets
📊 Terms & Conditions: Must Claim Within 30 Days of Registering Your Account, Odds of -500 or Greater
⏳ Time Limits: Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days 

Caesars Sportsbook: $250 Bet Match

The bonus from the Caesars Sportsbook promo code ROTO250BM is simple – just place a first bet of up to $250 and Caesars will match that bet with a bonus credit of equal value. This is one of the more unique MO sports betting bonuses, so make sure to grab it before it changes!

🎁 Promo Code: ROTO250BM
💰 Sign Up Offer: $250 Bet Match
📊 Terms & Conditions: New Users Only, First Bet Only
⏳ Time Limits: Bonus Bets Expire After 30 Days 

FanDuel: Bet $5, Get $100 In Bonus Bets

The FanDuel promo code has a great return on investment that rewards new users with a substantial payout just for betting $5. This is one of the best Missouri sportsbook promos available, so head over and claim the welcome bonus!

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🎁 Promo Code: BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer: Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonus Bets
📊 Terms & Conditions: New Users Only
⏳ Time Limits: Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days

Fanatics Sportsbook: 10x$100 Bet Match in FanCash

The Missouri sports betting promo from Fanatics Sportsbook is the best-valued welcome offer available today. Opt in and bet up to $100 each day to receive that a bet match in FanCash once that wager settles. This is one of the best MO betting promos as you can opt in to claim the sign up bonus for your first 10 days of betting!

🎁 Promo Code: BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer: 10x$100 Bet Match in FanCash
📊 Terms & Conditions: Must Opt In Every Day, Minimum Odds of -200
⏳ Time Limits: FanCash Expires 365 Days After Issuance

TheScore Bet: Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets

TheScore Bet is a newcomer to the US, but it brings with it a great Missouri sportsbook sign up bonus! Bet $10 and Get $100 in Bonus Bets instantly with the welcome offer associated with the TheScore Bet promo code. A classic bet-and-get offer, you don’t have to worry about winning your first bet here. Just bet $10 and the $100 bonus is yours!

🎁 Promo Code: BET NOW
💰 Sign Up Offer: Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets
📊 Terms & Conditions: New Users Only, Former ESPN BET Users Not Eligible
⏳ Time Limits: Bonus Bets Expire After 7 Days

How to Claim Missouri Sports Betting Promos

Claiming Missouri sports betting promos is straightforward and similar across all sportsbooks. Here’s the step-by-step process:

  1. Click one of the BET NOW links on this article.
  2. Create an account by providing your name, email, date of birth, last 4 digits of SSN, and verify your identity.
  3. Make a deposit.
  4. Enter the promo code if necessary.
  5. Place a qualifying first bet.
  6. Receive your bonus!

Most Common Sign-Up Bonuses in Missouri

There are a plethora of sportsbook promos in Missouri, here are the most common types and expected offers:

Bonus Type How It Works Max Value
Bet & Get (Guaranteed bonus) Place a small first bet ($5–$10) → Get bonus bets no matter what. $200–$400
No Sweat First Bet (Insurance) First bet loses → Get refund in bonus bets (up to cap). Wins = keep cash. $1,000–$1,500
Daily Match/No Sweat (Multi-Day) Match or insure a bet each day for 5–15 days. $1,000–$3,000
Deposit Match Deposit X → Get bonus % match (rare at launch due to high playthrough). $500–$1,000
Profit/Odds Boosts Enhanced payouts on select bets. Varies

Tips to Maximize Your MO Sportsbook Promos

While claiming a MO sportsbook promo is simple, getting the maximum value out of that bonus can make the biggest difference. Here’s what I suggest in order to maximize your MO sports betting bonuses:

  1. Sign up for multiple sportsbooks
  2. Shop lines & stack promos
  3. For multi-day offers (like Fanatics), bet the maximum qualifying amount every single day.
  1. Use bonus bets strategically
  2. Read the fine print
  3. Bet responsibly



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