Missouri

Missouri bill becoming law next month to take a bite out of crime – Missourinet

Published

1 year ago

July 19, 2024

Missouri bill becoming law next month to take a bite out of crime – Missourinet

A crime-fighting package is on deck to become Missouri law next month. Senate Bill 754 is sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville. It started off as legislation to honor a St. Joseph Police Department canine officer.

In 2021, a St. Joseph Police Department dog, named Max, put his life on the line to save his human partner. Officer Lucas Winder was Max’s partner. Max was killed in the line of duty while he and Winder were responding to a standoff. The suspect came out of the house and attempted to ambush the officers, but Max stepped in to stop them.

“I remember shortly after that happened, there was this huge outcry in the community in Saint Joe, of people who, you know, were upset, of course, about the killing of canine Max, but also the fact that the law really doesn’t adequately protect these police canines,” Luetkemeyer said. “They’re sent into dangerous situations to subdue and help apprehend a dangerous and armed individual, so their human partner doesn’t have to put their life on the line.”

Under current Missouri law, police dogs are considered property. Harming or killing a police dog in the line of duty is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 15 days in jail and a fine of $700.

“Max’s Law” will increase the charge to a felony punishable by up to seven years in federal prison and a fine of $10,000.

“Missouri has one of the most lax laws when it comes to killing a law enforcement canine is treated as mere property damage, and in fact, it’s a more serious crime to break the window of a police car than it is to kill a law enforcement canine,” said Luektemeyer.

Another piece of the bill, called “Blair’s Law,” will create a criminal offense for firing gunshots in the air to celebrate that injure or kill someone.

Thirteen years ago, Blair Shanahan Lane was killed in Kansas City after a bullet hit the 11-year-old.

“What we found is, is that there’s a gap in the law because you weren’t intending to kill anybody, you can’t be charged with a homicide offense,” Luetkemeyer said. “And so, this is designed to give prosecutors and law enforcement more tools to hold these individuals accountable who engage in this very dangerous behavior.”

Blair’s mother, Michele Shanahan DeMoss, has been advocating for the bill’s passage for thirteen years.

“I mean, I just woke up like a weight is lifted, is the way I would describe it. My entire drive to Jefferson City, I feel like I was taking weights off of me. And to describe the weight size, those would be cinder block size, is the weights that, just slowly laying them aside,” she told Missourinet after the bill signing. “A bullet travels a long way,” she said. “It traveled three football fields and hit her in the neck. And it hit her so hard that it moved her.”

The bill is also sponsored by Rep. Mark Sharpe, D-Kansas City.

“So, as I was driving into Jeff (City) this morning for the bill signing, all I could think of was hoping that the governor woke up in a good mood today because I sure wanted to make sure that we got this bill passed and signed by the governor today. Very thankful to him,” Sharpe told Missourinet after the bill signing.

Fleeing from police in a vehicle at a high speed will soon become a felony in Missouri. “Valentine’s Law” is the name of the bill, named after St. Louis County police officer Antonio Valentine, who was killed in 2021 during a high-speed chase.

Under Luetkemeyer’s legislation, a suspect could spend one year to life in prison, depending on whether the chase leads to injuries or even worse.

“These high-speed chases are, unfortunately, all too frequent, where people will flee from law enforcement, and they pose a huge risk, not only to the police officer who’s pursuing them, like police officer Valentine, who was killed in a high-speed chase, but also the public at large, other vehicles that are out on the road,” Luetkemeyer said.

The legislation will also create a conviction review unit, which will allow prosecutors to reopen a case that was prosecuted in their jurisdiction if they believe there’s evidence of innocence.

“This is going to be very impactful, I would think, in particularly smaller counties, where you have a prosecutor, where it may be that he or she is the only prosecutor in the office, and they’re being asked to reconsider a murder conviction from the 1960s where they believe that there’s a claim of actual innocence,” he said.

The conviction review unit can dig into old case files and determine whether to recommend to the local prosecutor if the case should be reopened.

In addition, Luetkemeyer’s bill will increase the minimum age from 12 to 14 years old for a minor to be charged as an adult for any felony.

For more information on Senate Bill 754, click here.

Source link

Missouri

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

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

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.

Source link

Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 22, 2025

Published

15 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

03-18-36-41-54, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Midday: 5-7-3

Midday Wild: 0

Evening: 1-1-5

Evening Wild: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Midday: 5-9-0-1

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 0-3-8-5

Evening Wild: 0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

07-12-22-25-27, Cash Ball: 01

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Early Bird: 14

Morning: 09

Matinee: 12

Prime Time: 02

Night Owl: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

03-04-13-20-32

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

14-32-47-48-69, Powerball: 17

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.

Source link

Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Dec. 21, 2025

Published

2 days ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 21, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 9-5-2

Midday Wild: 3

Evening: 0-5-0

Evening Wild: 9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Midday: 3-4-0-7

Midday Wild: 0

Evening: 3-4-4-6

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

15-25-30-40-55, Cash Ball: 02

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Early Bird: 01

Morning: 06

Matinee: 14

Prime Time: 01

Night Owl: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

04-07-13-22-32

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

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

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.

Source link