Missouri
Missouri could enact new standards for underground gas lines after fatal Lexington house explosion
KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne covers issues surrounding government accountability and solutions. Share your story with Isabella.
As new details emerge surrounding the deadly house explosion in Lexington, Missouri, the state legislature is considering a new bill that would increase accountability for gas companies and contractors.
The initial investigation into the explosion revealed issues with Liberty Utilities, the gas line company, procedures at the site and the response by emergency crews.
According to the report, Liberty Utilities did not properly mark an underground gas line before Alfra Construction contractors started digging on April 9.
Contractors hit the line three hours before the home on Franklin Avenue exploded. That explosion killed five-year-old Alistair Lamb and seriously injured his father, Jacob Cunningham, and 10-year-old sister, Cami Lamb.
Courtesy: family
The report also found emergency responders did not notify any of the families on the block about the gas line damage and gas leak, but did evacuate a nearby business.
The bill that’s in the Missouri Legislature would add stricter provisions for companies locating underground gas lines and for the contractors digging around them. It was filed months before the Lexington explosion happened, but it passed the Missouri Senate just one day after.
Now, it’s up to the Missouri House of Representatives to get it on the governor’s desk before legislative session ends next week.
A national organization known as the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) established the ‘Best Practices’ for digging underground. The document outlines the standards for locating gas lines, digging around them and the responsibility to nearby homes.
CGA’s president and CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle explained Missouri sees more than an average of 1,000 damage incidents to buried utilities a year. That average includes the incident in Lexington.
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“[The NTSB] were very clear that the line that was damaged wasn’t marked, and that is a challenge given that a five-year-old died as a consequence,” Magruder Lyle said. “The whole process has to work to keep the community safe.”
She explained Missouri is joining several other states by potentially legally adopting the organization’s Best Practices into law.
“When we are doing our best to follow best practices, that is our best chance of making sure something like [Lexington] doesn’t happen,” Magruder Lyle said.
Missouri 811’s executive director is optimistic the legislation would tighten up accountability for companies and contractors.
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“We’d hope that the legality would bring a greater level of awareness and being cognizant,” Randy Norden said.
The legislation would add a 21-day time limit to dig after companies mark an area for underground lines. It would mandate any new underground lines installed include a detectable location device that can be detected above ground with an electronic device, with the exception of sewers installed greater than six feet underground, and give a voice to contractors by adding them to the Missouri 811 governing board.
“[The bill] is just going to help prevent these line strikes and just enhance our protections that we have here in Missouri,” 8th District State Representative, Josh Hurlbert, said.
Hurlbert, is handling the bill on the house side.
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“I’m hopeful that we can get it across the line, it can get in place and that it’ll be beneficial to protecting Missouri households,” Representative Hurlbert said.
The consequences for companies that do not follow the ‘Best Practices’ would be the same as what’s already in place in Missouri. Companies would be fined up to $10,000 a day for each violation.
It’s now going through the House committees before a final vote. Magruder Lyle emphasized the clock is ticking to get the bill into law.
“This is about as timely and current and needed as anything else, I would argue, that’s sitting in committee right now,” Magruder Lyle said.
Representative Hurlbert expressed his optimism with getting the bill through.
“We’re in a position where we’re just one vote away in the House from sending it to the Governor’s desk,” Representative Hurlbert said.
As for the families impacted by the explosion, a second lawsuit has been filed for damages.
Jacob Cunningham filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the four companies involved in the incident.
Shayne and Alicia Billings also lived on Franklin Avenue at the time of the explosion. They claim in their lawsuit against the same four companies involved that Liberty Utilities, Alfra Communications, United Fiber and Sellenriek Construction were negligent leading up to the gas line damage and subsequent explosion.
They are seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
A Jackson County judge on Friday denied Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s attempt to immediately stop Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman and several affiliated companies from selling kratom products.
The motion for a temporary restraining order, which was filed alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, took particular aim at the more potent 7-OH products, which Hanaway argues are “hazardous opioids” banned by state and federal law.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie’s ruling Friday stated there are “competing affidavits” from experts on both sides of the argument, following a hearing on the motion earlier this week.
“The court cannot find, based on the oral argument of the parties, the respective competing affidavits presented and the pleadings, whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits at this juncture in the proceedings in order for the court to grant relief in the form of a temporary restraining order,” McKenzie’s order states.
Hanaway’s argument was backed by sworn statements from an undercover narcotics officer with the highway patrol who said 7-OH is being used to cut fentanyl and a woman whose brother died from a kratom overdose.
Her office also submitted an FDA report that points to 7-OH as “a potent opioid that poses an emerging public health threat” and states health data showing synthetic 7-OH was involved in at least 197 Missouri deaths.
American Shaman submitted statements of its own from five toxicology and addiction experts, who largely said there wasn’t enough evidence to show that 7-OH and kratom posed a public health risk. One who researched narcotics said she had never heard of 7-OH being used to cut fentanyl.
Company owner Vince Sanders’ statement detailed how he came up with the idea to create 7-OH products, which now have an “enormous” demand, particularly among people who need pain management.
Sanders could not be reached for comment about the ruling on Friday.
McKenzie denied a temporary restraining order “without prejudice,” meaning that he would like to see more evidence.
“It is because of this finding that the court determines it necessary to hold an additional hearing,” he wrote, “where it can consider the parties’ respective positions with the potential of testimonial evidence and other properly introduced evidence, all as more fully developed by the parties, in order to further analyze these issues.”
The judge will consider “other injunctive relief sought in the pleadings at a future hearing to consider the issues,” the order states.
Hanaway filed a similar lawsuit Thursday against Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, and its owners Dustin Robinson and Ajaykumar Patel.
The group received a warning letter from the FDA for producing 7-OH products last year, similar to one received by Shaman Botanicals.
“This is another step in our ongoing crackdown on kratom manufacturers who flout the law and try to justify endangering Missourians in the name of profit,” Hanaway said in a press release Thursday.
“Our mission is to safeguard Missourians from unregulated and addictive substances, and we will continue to pursue every legal tool available to protect public health and safety.”
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 7-2-5
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 9-6-8
Evening Wild: 7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 7-1-9-9
Midday Wild: 1
Evening: 6-9-8-9
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 10 drawing
Early Bird: 02
Morning: 11
Matinee: 10
Prime Time: 12
Night Owl: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 10 drawing
09-18-23-31-39
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.
BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Mo. (KCTV) – A head-on collision on Highway 71 killed 3 people and seriously injured a 4th, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
State Troopers say the crash happened around 1:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, near the intersection of Highway 71 and 170th St. – about a mile and a half north of Burlington Junction.
Investigators say a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 59-year-old woman from Carthage, Texas, was heading north on the highway when it crossed the centerline.
The Chevrolet struck a southbound 2026 Ford Explorer head-on, according to MSHP. Both vehicles caught fire and came to rest in the southbound lane.
State Troopers note that the crash killed the Texas driver, a 67-year-old woman from Harlan, Iowa and a 76-year-old woman from Rockwell City, Iowa.
The Ford’s driver – a 72-year-old man from Rockwell City – was airlifted to Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, with serious injuries, according to first responders.
Troopers say all four people involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
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