Missouri
Missouri, Mississippi lawmakers attempting to block pro-abortion initiatives
In Missouri, lawmakers are similarly pushing a change to the state’s process for putting initiatives on the ballot, with lawmakers seeking to avoid the passage of a pro-abortion initiative currently gathering signatures in the state.
Under current law, initiative petitions to amend the state constitution must pass with a simple majority vote statewide. But under a measure approved by the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee Jan. 31, campaigns would also need to win a majority in 82 of the state’s 163 Missouri House districts, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Any change to the initiative petition process would have to appear as a proposed constitutional amendment on a statewide ballot and be approved by a majority of voters; supporters of the measure hope to have the change on the ballot by August, the Post-Dispatch continued.
The proposals, filed last March by a group called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, would amend the Missouri Constitution to declare that the government “shall not infringe upon a person’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which is the right to make and carry out decisions about all matters related to reproductive health care, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions.”
The Missouri Catholic Conference, which advocates for policy in the state on behalf of the bishops, urged Catholics in a recent newsletter to stay up to date on the various proposals.
“It appears that — unlike in other states where abortion advocates ran successful initiative campaigns — abortion groups cannot agree on the best strategy in Missouri,” the conference wrote.
Juneteenth 2024: How to celebrate
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Here’s how to prep for and celebrate the important holiday.
Problem Solved
Juneteenth is marking five years since it was officially recognized as a federal holiday.
Given the holiday’s relatively recent federal designation, it may not be clear to many what will be open/closed on Juneteenth. Will the post office be open? Will my trash get collected? Can I go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew my license?
Here’s a guide to what is open and closed on Juneteenth in Missouri.
When is Juneteenth 2026?
This year, Juneteenth will be celebrated on Friday, June 19. The holiday is also often celebrated on the third Saturday of June, with many events taking place on that day.
Communities use this day to honor resilience, culture and progress through various events, gatherings and activities. These can include church services, picnics, barbecues, parades and festivals, to name a few.
Are federal or Missouri state offices open on Juneteenth?
Given that Juneteenth is a federal holiday, non-essential federal offices will be closed.
It’s also a state holiday in Missouri, so all local governments and state offices will be closed, as well.
Will major retailers be open on Juneteenth?
Most major retailers, grocery stores, warehouse clubs and restaurants should be open on Juneteenth, but you may want to check with your local stores to confirm business hours, as they can vary by location.
Is the post office open on Juneteenth? Will mail be delivered?
All post offices will be closed, and mail will not be delivered on Juneteenth, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s website.
FedEx and UPS will operate more or less as usual, and their stores will be open.
Are banks open on Juneteenth?
Most banks will be closed on Juneteenth, as most follow the Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule.
Is the stock market open on Juneteenth?
Both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed on Juneteenth.
Will trash pickup happen on Juneteenth?
Trash pickup on Juneteenth varies from city to city, so it’s best to check with your local waste management service to see whether they observe the holiday.
Trash pickup can be delayed by one day if the scheduled pickup falls on a federal holiday.
Columbia will have normal trash pickup on Friday, according to the city’s website. Each hauler in Springfield sets its own holiday schedule. Ozark Refuse, Republic Services and Waste Management are not delayed for the holiday.
Are libraries and DMV offices open on Juneteenth?
Holiday hours can vary among Missouri’s libraries, so it’s best to check whether the ones in your area will be open on Juneteenth.
The Daniel Boone Regional Library network in Columbia and Springfield-Greene County Library District branches will be closed.
All Missouri Department of Revenue offices will be closed on Juneteenth, including driver examination stations. With that being said, some license offices will be operating during the holiday, so check the Missouri License Office Locator to see if your local office is open.
PETTIS COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Sedalia man is dead and a woman is recovering after a single-vehicle crash, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the crash happened around 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, near the intersection of Route M and Whiteman Rd.
Investigators add that a 2018 Dodge Challenger, driven by a 30-year-old Sedalia man, was traveling north on the highway when it veered off the right side of the road.
MSHP notes that the vehicle struck a tree and a fence before rolling over.
First responders say they pronounced the driver dead at the scene around 11:55 p.m. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Authorities indicate that a 26-year-old female passenger, also from Sedalia, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Bothwell Regional Health Center. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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