Missouri

Missouri judge rejects suit by interfaith clergy, including rabbis, that challenged abortion ban

Published

2 years ago

June 18, 2024

Missouri judge rejects suit by interfaith clergy, including rabbis, that challenged abortion ban

(JTA) – A Missouri judge upheld the state’s abortion ban Friday, rejecting efforts by a group of 14 interfaith clergy, including rabbis, who sought to protect reproductive rights by suing the state on religious freedom grounds.

The faith leaders, among them five rabbis from multiple Jewish denominations, filed their suit in January 2023. They charged that lawmakers who voted to ban nearly all abortions acted according to their personal religious beliefs, violating the separation of church and state enshrined in Missouri’s constitution.

The so-called “trigger bill” went into effect after the Supreme Court removed federal abortion protections in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

In his decision on Friday upholding Missouri’s ban, St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Jason Sengheiser argued that the language of the state’s abortion law is “similar” to the language of the state constitution, which also includes language like “Supreme Ruler of the Universe” and “Almighty God.”

Sengheiser also noted that the bill paraphrases language famously found in the Declaration of Independence stating that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life.”

The petitioners had argued in their lawsuit that the bill established its own religion. But Sengheiser wrote that the main argument of abortion opponents is not exclusively a religious belief.

‘Human life begins at conception’

US Supreme Court front (credit: FLICKR)

“The Court does not accept Petitioners’ argument that the determination that human life begins at conception is strictly a religious one,” Sengheiser wrote. “While the determination that life begins at conception may run counter to some religious beliefs it is not itself necessarily a religious belief.”

In a statement issued Friday, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, speaking on behalf of the clergy members, said they “respectfully” disagreed with the judge’s decision and would be discussing next steps with the faith leaders.

“Missouri’s abortion ban is a direct attack on the separation of church and state, religious freedom and reproductive freedom,” Americans United said in their statement. “Missouri lawmakers made clear that they were imposing their personal religious beliefs on all Missourians when they enacted these laws.”

Jewish clergy nationwide – in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky as well as Missouri – have been fighting in court for reproductive rights since the Dobbs decision. Many have cited alleged religious freedom violations. An Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in April that the state’s religious liberty protections may extend to those seeking an abortion, but the case will likely go to the state Supreme Court for a final ruling.

Sengheiser’s decision was made the day after the US Supreme Court voted in favor of protecting federal access to medication abortion.

Source link

Related Topics:abortion court Featured interfaith rabbi Religion

Click to comment

Missouri

Flash flooding traps hundreds of people in rural Missouri

Published

9 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Press Room

Flash flooding traps hundreds of people in rural Missouri

Flash flooding unleashed by torrential downpours from a wave of thunderstorms struck the Ozark Mountains in rural southeastern Missouri on Friday, trapping hundreds of people in high water along the rain-swollen Black River, ‌officials said.

Source link

Missouri

SEMA sets info sessions for FEMA Public Assistance for late-April storms

Published

19 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Press Room

SEMA sets info sessions for FEMA Public Assistance for late-April storms

The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency will conduct applicant briefings for local governments and nonprofit agencies applying for Public Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

President Donald Trump approved Missouri’s request for a major disaster declaration for storms that hit the state between April 23-28.

The following counties are included in the federal disaster declaration: Carroll, Chariton, Greene, Holt, Howard, Monroe, Randolph, Saline and St. Francois, according to the news release.

The five mid-Missouri counties included in the Public Assistance request experienced tornadoes on April 27 that damaged homes, businesses, farms and infrastructure, according to previous KOMU 8 reporting.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides financial assistance to local governments and qualifying nonprofits for the repair of damaged roads, bridges and other public infrastructure as well as reimbursement of associated emergency response and recovery costs.

Five counties in mid-Missouri hit by severe weather in late April will get assistance from FEMA for impacts to infrastructure.

SEMA strongly encourages all eligible agencies that plan to apply for assistance in the 10 declared counties following the federal disaster declaration to attend one of the briefings, according to a Missouri State Emergency Management Agency news release.

Briefing information

The briefings will take place July 14-16 and explain program changes, eligibility information, the federal reimbursement processes and documentation requirements, according to the news release.

Applicant briefings are not for the general public; they are for FEMA’s Public Assistance program only, according to the news release.

Two applicant briefings will be held in mid-Missouri: one in Marshall and one in Moberly.

The briefing in Marshall will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 15 at Marshall City Hall, 214 North Lafayette Ave.

The briefing in Moberly will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16 at Moberly Area Community College – Activity Center, 101 College Ave.

In-person applicant briefings can last up to four hours and provide an opportunity to meet with FEMA personnel, begin the required paperwork and ask questions, according to the news release.

Any government agency, including special districts such as road, water or sewer districts, or nonprofits in the declared counties that incurred disaster-related expenses should attend, including those that are unsure of their eligibility status, according to the news release.

Attendees should bring their organization’s Unique Entity Identifier and federal Employer Identification Number, to register in a timely manner, according to the news release.

All requests for Public Assistance must be submitted to FEMA within 30 days of the June 30 disaster declaration date, or July 30, according to the news release.

Applicants should plan accordingly as Public Assistance must first be received by SEMA before being submitted to FEMA by the August deadline, according to the news release.

Those who are unable to attend the briefing may watch a recorded informational video on SEMA’s website.

Source link

Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for July 9, 2026

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at July 9, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 9 drawing

Midday: 3-9-1

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 7-7-1

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 9 drawing

Midday: 0-5-3-2

Midday Wild: 8

Evening: 4-9-6-9

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 9 drawing

Early Bird: 11

Morning: 13

Matinee: 08

Prime Time: 05

Night Owl: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from July 9 drawing

08-09-20-23-32

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

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