JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) – Gun deaths in Missouri increased by 8% in the past 10 years, according to the CDC.

Gun safety advocates gathered at the state capitol asking lawmakers for red flag laws that would put a notice on someone’s background check if they have a violent history, such as domestic abuse or self-harm attempts, to prevent them from buying or owning guns.

Leslie Washington with Moms Demand Action shared her story of surviving a violent relationship, hoping to sway lawmakers.

“I’m the one who’s gonna share my story and be the voice for the voiceless for those that are afraid to talk,” Washington said.

The only gun bills moving forward in the state capitol would do the opposite. Republican Senator Brad Hudson’s bill would prevent cities and counties from putting red flag laws in place.

“What I want to do is I want to make sure that we’re not in a situation in Missouri where political subdivisions can enact gun control that is stricter than what Missouri law allows,” said Hudson.

Hudson said the state needs to protect Missourians’ Second Amendment rights.

Hudson’s bill and a similar one in the Missouri House are both making progress. Both have been received well by committee but not debated on the floor.

Missouri has the third highest rate of people who experience domestic violence, according to CDC data. The chances of being killed by a partner are five times higher if they own a gun. Every year, an average of 37 women are shot and killed by their partner.

“Gun violence and domestic violence are very inextricably related,” Washington said.

Washington wants Missouri to implement red flag laws that would prevent people with a history of domestic violence from buying or owning guns.

“I have to push forward and I have to continue to do the work because I’ve had family members that I’ve lost to gun violence,” Washington said. “And if you’re in that seat, Senate; House; whatever, you need to do what is right and to vote no on these bad gun bills,” Washington said.

With just over a month until the end of this year’s legislative session, lawmakers are running short on time to get bills to the governor.

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Morgan Luebbering, a senior in early childhood education at Missouri S&T, has earned the Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow Award from the Missouri Milken Educators in partnership with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Luebbering was a student-teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School in Rolla, Missouri, in the fall 2025 semester.

Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow celebrates educators who have demonstrated high potential and aims to empower recipients by pairing them with another award-winning educator who will encourage them to pursue excellence during their first year as a teacher.

Only 15 students in Missouri earn the award each year, and this is the third year in a row that a Missouri S&T education student or graduate has earned the award.

“Morgan was nominated by the university’s education department because she is an exceptional student who will make a big difference in students’ lives in the future,” says Dr. Mary Gillis, associate teaching professor of education at Missouri S&T. “The faculty have been impressed by her efforts during her student-teaching experience and her dedication to improving in the classroom. I know she will inspire generations of students, especially those who want to learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the future.”

Luebbering, originally from St. Thomas, Missouri, will graduate from S&T this May and is already scheduled to start teaching full time in the fall at Thorpe Gordon STEM Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri.

About Missouri S&T

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu. 

MISSOURI CITY, Texas – The Missouri City Police Department needs your help locating a missing teen who went missing last week. 

What we know:

Authorities are looking for 16-year-old Corinne Polk. 

Corinne was last seen on April 2 on Greencourt Drive in Missouri City. 

Corinne is described as a Black female, 5′ tall, 114 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. 

Corinne was last seen wearing a royal blue hooded sweatshirt, black pants and pink slippers. 

What you can do:

If you’ve seen Corinne or have any information on where she is, contact the Missouri City Police Department at (281) 403-8700.