Missouri

Jackson County voters sue over new congressional map after 305K petition signatures ignored

Published

3 months ago

December 23, 2025

Jackson County voters sue over new congressional map after 305K petition signatures ignored

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two Jackson County voters filed a lawsuit to stop Missouri’s new congressional map from being used in the 2026 elections.

The ACLU of Missouri says the suit was filed in Cole County Circuit Court on behalf of Jake Maggard and Gregg Lombardi. Both are registered voters who live in Jackson County.

The lawsuit claims that Missouri violated voters’ constitutional rights. The state implemented the new map on Dec. 11 despite a petition with more than 305,000 signatures demanding a public vote.

“By attempting to enact the new maps despite receiving more than 305,000 signatures from Missouri voters demanding a referendum, the Secretary of State is denying a longstanding tradition, judicial precedent, and our constitutional rights,” said Tori Schafer, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri.

What the lawsuit seeks

The ACLU said it wants the court to suspend House Bill 1. The organization has asked a judge to prevent election officials from using the new congressional map until voters approve or reject it through a referendum.

The lawsuit names Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and Secretary of State Denny Hoskins as defendants.

According to the suit, both Maggard and Lombardi live in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. Under the new map, they would be moved to the Fourth Congressional District.

FILE – Missouri’s attorney general is celebrating the new congressional map, but opponents argue that the map should not be in effect.(KCTV5/Hannah Falcon)

The petition controversy

People Not Politicians submitted 305,000 signatures to Secretary Hoskins on Dec. 9, according to the ACLU. That is nearly 3 times the number required to force a public vote on the congressional map.

The ACLU argues that century-old court rulings say a referendum petition should immediately suspend a law, no verification required.

In 2017, then-Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft suspended Missouri’s right-to-work law after more than 300,000 signatures were received. His office had not yet verified the signatures or issued a certificate.

But Hoskins has taken a different approach. He said the new map will remain in effect until his office certifies the petition signatures. A process that could take until July 2026.

Timeline of legal challenges

The Missouri General Assembly approved the new congressional map on Sept. 12, 2025, during a special session.

Opponents wasted no time in filing legal challenges. By Sept. 15, 3 lawsuits had been filed along with the referendum petition.

Several lawsuits claim the redistricting process was unconstitutional. One lawsuit noted that a southeast Kansas City Voter Tabulation District was placed in both Congressional Districts 4 and 5.

The Senior Director for Redistricting at Campaign Legal Center told KCTV5 in September that this means the districts are no longer equally populated. However, Governor Mike Kehoe’s office said there was no error in the map.

FILE - A lawsuit filed against Missouri’s newly passed congressional map claims the effort is... — FILE – A lawsuit filed against Missouri’s newly passed congressional map claims the effort is unlawful and points out one southeast Kansas City Voter Tabulation District, or VTD, was placed in both Congressional districts 4 & 5.(KCTV5/Chandler Watkins)

On Nov. 12, Cole County Judge Christopher Limbaugh heard arguments over whether the General Assembly legally redrew the congressional districts.

On Dec. 12, court records indicated that Limbaugh suspended the case until the petition signatures are certified or rejected. He ordered Hoskins to preserve all signatures filed with his office.

In early November, AG Hanaway filed her own lawsuit against People Not Politicians. She claimed the organization was trying to take redistricting power away from the state’s General Assembly.

Missouri’s top Senate Democrat, Doug Beck, sent Hanaway a letter demanding she dismiss the case. Beck said she did not have the party’s consent to represent them in that way.

Ballot language dispute

On Nov. 13, Hoskins certified the official ballot title for the referendum question. The ballot language describes the old map as “gerrymandered” and says it “protects incumbent politicians.”

However, People Not Politicians filed a lawsuit on Nov. 20 that claims the summary statement is intentionally argumentative and creates prejudice.

The organization also argues that Hoskins is not authorized to draft a summary statement for a referendum.

A bench trial on this dispute is scheduled for Jan. 16 in Cole County.

FILE - Just days before the deadline to turn in signatures, a Cole County judge hears... — FILE – Just days before the deadline to turn in signatures, a Cole County judge hears arguments over whether 92,000 signatures should count.(KCTV5/Hannah Falcon)

What happens next

The court has not yet set a hearing date for Tuesday’s lawsuit.

The filing period for congressional candidates begins Feb. 24, 2026. However, with the new map in effect, they would file for the new congressional districts. This could create more complications if the map is overturned.

Missouri will hold primary elections in August and the general election in November.

Hoskins has until July 2026 to certify whether the referendum petition contains enough valid signatures. If certified, the question would go to voters in the November general election.

Hanaway and Hoskins have said they are ready to defend the redistricting in court.

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Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve the city’s $2.6 billion budget for 2026-27

Published

11 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve the city’s .6 billion budget for 2026-27

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve a $2.6 billion budget for the city’s fiscal year of 2026-27.

The budget includes $744 million in spending for public safety, including $26.3 million for a new Department of Community Safety and $4.2 million to hire 50 new KCMO Police Department officers, along with 10 call takers and 10 dispatchers.

“Our budget respects the strong fiscal foundation the taxpayers have helped Kansas City build, maintaining a rainy-day fund of over $200 million, increasing road resurfacing, hiring more public safety and city workers, and investing in all Kansas City neighborhoods,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a news release from the city. “In a city that can walk and chew gum, we are proud to welcome the world while delivering strong basic services for Kansas City’s families.”

The council voted to spend $83.8 million for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide bus services, but the KCATA may have to make cuts in bus services even with a $6 million boost in funding from the city.

In addition, the council approved spending $39.4 million for citywide street resurfacing and $1.5 million for tearing down dangerous buildings.

“This budget reflects a collaborative effort across the city, and provides a clear path for Kansas City to keep moving forward with discipline, accountability and a focus on service,” City Manager Mario Vasquez said in the news release. “Thank you to the council for its thoughtful deliberation and input in crafting this budget.”

More information on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget can be found on the city’s website.

—

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 25, 2026

Published

23 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 25, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 25 drawing

07-21-55-56-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 3-2-0

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 0-0-5

Evening Wild: 5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 2-6-3-9

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 9-5-6-8

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 25 drawing

Early Bird: 07

Morning: 09

Matinee: 04

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 25 drawing

12-14-22-26-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 25 drawing

35-38-41-43-62, Powerball: 08

Check Powerball Double Play 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.

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Missouri

Missouri AG orders 13 unlicensed Kansas City dispensaries to stop selling products

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Missouri AG orders 13 unlicensed Kansas City dispensaries to stop selling products

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Dozens of dispensaries have been ordered to close after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said they are selling without licenses.

The AG’s office sent cease-and-desist letters to 33 dispensaries. Of those, 13 are in the Kansas City area, according to information provided by the state.

Each location is accused of selling cannabis or marijuana products without a state license, or selling other products deceptively marketed as marijuana, according to Hanaway.

Hanaway’s office also said testing found some products contained things such as lead, arsenic, and ethanol. They also used deceptive labeling and packaging, including designs that may target children, according to a news release.

Here are the locations named by the AG’s office: