Missouri
Mike Moon leaves committee so abortion ban can advance in MO Senate with rape exception
A proposed constitutional amendment reinstating Missouri’s abortion ban cleared a Senate committee Wednesday after a GOP lawmaker who opposes the inclusion of rape and incest exceptions asked to be removed from the panel to avoid sinking the bill’s chances.
Sponsored by state Sen. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St Charles, the proposed amendment would ban abortion but allow exceptions up to 12 weeks gestation for survivors of rape and incest who first reported the assault to police.
Last week, state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, said he opposed any legislation that would leave the door open for abortions not medically necessary during an emergency. Specifically, he pointed to the rape and incest exceptions as unacceptable.
The bill was assigned to the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee, where Republicans hold four of the panel’s six seats. If Moon voted against the measure, it would die on a 3-3 tie.
Moon sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin on Tuesday requesting his removal from the committee, saying that while he understands the need to respond to the legalization of abortion last November, he “cannot support the creation of a subhuman group.”
“Republicans, and some Democrats, profess to be ‘protectors’ of life. I claim to be one of them,” he continued. “Because of this, I cannot support an effort which does not recognize all life as precious and worth saving and protecting.”
O’Laughlin, a Republican from Shelbina, granted Moon’s request. State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican, replaced Moon on the committee and the bill was approved Wednesday morning on a party-line vote.
It now heads to the full Senate for debate.
Schnelting on Wednesday said while he agrees with Moon that those conceived in rape are “just as valuable as any other human being,” he believes a ban with an exception for survivors has the best chance of winning at the ballot box.
“So my goal is to maximize human life as much as I possibly can, working pragmatically within that framework,” he said.
Moon could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday, but Schnelting said he believes his colleague stepped down from the committee of his own accord.
“(Moon) gave me his word that he wouldn’t kill the bill,” Schnelting said. “But at the same time he didn’t want to vote for something with exceptions.”
Moon has remained a staunch opponent of any abortion exceptions and has filed legislation to impose criminal penalties on women who end their pregnancies. Last year, he also opposed Democrats’ attempt to introduce rape and incest exceptions into what was then a near-total ban on the procedure.
Another proposed constitutional amendment approved by the Senate committee on Wednesday was sponsored by Moon that would define a “person” as “every human being with a unique DNA code regardless of age, including every in utero human child at every stage of biological development from the moment of conception until birth.”
Legislation similar to Schnelting’s — filed in the House by GOP state Rep. Melanie Stinnett of Springfield — is still awaiting a vote in the House Children and Families committee. Both Schnelting and Stinnett’s bills would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors and allow abortions during an ectopic pregnancy.
Schnelting said he doesn’t know how Moon plans to vote once the bill reaches the Senate floor, but noted that the revised legislation that was passed out of committee Wednesday included a severability clause that was suggested by Moon.
The clause could allow the rape and incest exceptions in the amendment to be challenged in federal court as being discriminatory and in violation of the 14th Amendment.
During a press conference last week, Moon said he was open to any abortion bans going before voters.
“There are some other measures that are out there, and I’m hoping that all of them can make it,” Moon said. “So the voters can decide on either one, two or all the ones that are put before them.”
While the GOP-led legislature continues to prioritize abortion access, Planned Parenthood started offering procedural abortions for the first in nearly three years after a judge struck down many of the state’s abortion regulations, citing them as discriminatory.
If any of the proposed amendments banning abortion make it to the ballot and are approved by a simple majority of voters, the new law would be in direct conflict with an amendment narrowly approved in November that protects the right to reproductive health care, including abortion up to the point of fetal viability.
The first elective abortion to take place in Missouri since 2022 happened in mid-February at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Kansas City. On Monday, four more abortions took place, this time at the clinic in Columbia, which hadn’t performed the procedure since 2018.
This story was first published at missouriindependent.com.
An awareness walk took place in Columbia Saturday that brings attention to a genetic disorder.
The eighth annual Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis took place on May 30 at Stephens Lake Park.
The event helps raise money and awareness for people who have the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis (NF).
There are three types of NF: neurofibromatosis type one (NF1), neurofibromatosis type two-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN), and schwannomatosis.
While the three types of NF are genetically distinct, they share the common feature of causing tumors.
The severity of symptoms and the specific manifestations of the disorders can vary significantly from person to person.
NF1 is the most common of the conditions, affecting approximately one in 2,500.
NF2 affects around one in 25,000 and other schwannomatosis types affect around one in 40,000.
Together, the disorders affect at least 1 in 2,000 people or approximately four million worldwide.
Anyone can be born with an NF disorder, and they have a 50% chance of passing it on.
For Christina Thomas, an organizer for Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis, the walk means “the world” to her.
“I’ve always been about advocating for NF and bringing people together,” Thomas said. “It’s awesome to see so many people coming together who have it.”
Thomas is the third generation in her family to have NF, and three of her four kids also have the condition.
“I grew up thinking my family was the only one with it. To me, it’s very important to be able to let people know that they’re not the only ones with it.”
Thomas said she was often teased when she was younger because her father, who also has NF, had tumors all over his body.
“I was always made fun of because of his appearance. People tell me, ‘You don’t want to get close to her she’s contagious.’”
Thomas said she joined the walk because she wants to bring people together who have NF and let them know they are not alone.
Another of her goals is to get the attention from the University of Missouri.
“Our ultimate goal is to get the attention of the University of Missouri, because not for me, not for my kids, but maybe for my grandkids or the ones that are nearly diagnosed, for us to have an NF clinic here instead of having to travel to Kansas City or St. Louis for expert care.”
She said the best way for the community to support those living with NF is through education and awareness.
“We’re always about advocating. We’re always about bringing awareness.”
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 29, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 29 drawing
19-24-47-59-65, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 29 drawing
Midday: 6-4-0
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 8-5-3
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 29 drawing
Midday: 3-4-8-0
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 6-8-4-1
Evening Wild: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 29 drawing
Early Bird: 10
Morning: 03
Matinee: 12
Prime Time: 14
Night Owl: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 29 drawing
07-16-25-26-36
Check Show Me Cash 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.
SHELL KNOB, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) -A Barry County man recently broke the Missouri state record after catching a yellow bass on Table Rock Lake.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Danny Naugle, of Cassville, reeled in the record-breaking fish while fishing on Table Rock Lake on May 13. The fish broke the state record previously set in 1995.
The fish weighed 2 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 16.5 inches. It was just two ounces shy of the world record, the department said.
MDC said Naugle normally casts for crappie, using an ultra-light rod and lights to draw baitfish.
The previous record was set in 1995 by a 9-ounce fish caught from a slough off the Mississippi River, according to MDC.
The department said Naugle plans to get the yellow bass mounted. His catch marks the first state record fish recorded for 2026.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.
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