Missouri
Missouri State basketball coach Cuonzo Martin’s bold preseason statement didn’t pan out
The honeymoon period under Missouri State basketball coach Cuonzo Martin was still ongoing when his team was picked to finish 11th in the Missouri Valley Conference heading into 2024-25.
Those with maroon in their hearts thought there was no way a team coached by Martin, who returned after leading the program to its lone regular-season championship 13 years before, would finish in second-to-last place. He was brought back to save the program, they thought, and elevate the coaching position to a place it hadn’t been since he cut down the nets in front of the largest crowd in Great Southern Bank Arena history.
The soft-spoken Martin, one to speak of life lessons and values that go beyond the hardwood, believed his team was capable of better, too. He unleashed a quote that no one forgot throughout the Bears’ final season as a Valley member.
“If we have the 11th best team in the Missouri Valley Conference, then this will be the best season in Missouri Valley Conference history,” Martin said during the team’s annual media day.
The Bears didn’t finish 11th, but they finished in 12th, and it wasn’t the best season in the Valley’s history. Although the team suffered much heartbreak and close losses, it simply wasn’t good enough to compete for a championship.
“I certainly thought we’d be higher,” Martin said ahead of the team’s final Arch Madness appearance.
Barring an unforeseen run at this week’s conference tournament in St. Louis, Missouri State (9-22, 2-18 MVC) will finish its time in the Missouri Valley Conference with perhaps the worst season in the program’s history.
If the Bears don’t win Thursday’s 2:30 p.m. game at the Enterprise Center against fifth-ranked Illinois State, it will be the first time the Bears didn’t crack 10 total wins since becoming a Division I program. If they don’t advance to Saturday’s MVC semifinals by beating the Redbirds and fourth-seeded Belmont, they will finish with the program’s fewest wins in a single season.
“I certainly thought we’d be better, but I’m not ashamed or disappointed in anything,” Martin said. “We scratched and clawed, and our guys stayed steady through the storm. It’s a test of their resiliency as a team. Nobody’s going to make excuses for wins and losses.”
The Bears’ effort never wavered, winning just two games between January and February, when other Missouri State teams of the recent past might have. Even after a late-season loss to Belmont, his players spoke of their belief that they could still make a run to the NCAA Tournament. They turned around and almost ruined league champion Drake’s potential at-large bid, only to lose to it again in overtime.
Such heartbreaks were common for the Bears throughout the year. Of their 22 losses, only four weren’t competitive in the second half. Missouri State should have won a handful of games but failed to close out. The Bears seemed close but still somehow far away.
“When you turn on the TV, you take the records off, you look at them and say ‘Man, that’s the bottom team in the Valley? Wow,’” Martin said. “You look at the fight and grit of that team that keeps coming back with guys down, guys injured, and guys out, whatever the case may be, we just keep pushing and keep getting better.”
The Bears have one guaranteed game remaining before what is shaping up to be another offseason with drastic roster changes. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bears near double-digit departures and additions before they tip off their first season in Conference USA.
The 2024-25 season will be remembered as a disappointment, likely joining the long line of Bears teams that haven’t qualified for the NCAA Tournament since 1999, but it can also be applauded for never quitting, which is a staple of a Martin-led program.
Heading into next year, the standard will have to be higher, and more will be demanded.
Missouri
Missouri bill that would split Jackson County and Kansas City gets little support from lawmakers
A Missouri House committee had its first hearing this week on a proposed constitutional amendment that would split Kansas City and Jackson County upon approval by voters.
The legislation is nicknamed “Jackxit,” a nod to Brexit, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union in 2020.
Republican state Rep. Mike Steinmeyer is sponsoring the bill. He said eastern Jackson County voters feel underrepresented in the county government, and this legislation would give them the power to change that.
At the hearing, committee members listened to Steinmeyer’s presentation of the bill before asking questions and sharing their thoughts.
Democratic state Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore compared what the bill proposes to “The Great Divorce” that saw the legal separation of the city of St. Louis from St. Louis County in 1876.
Several committee members criticized a part of the bill that says if it’s signed into law, the question of whether to split the county in two would appear on the Missouri ballot every 10 years.
Moore called it a “never-ending clause.”
“There’s a provision that says every 10 years this has to go back on the ballot, whether you like it or not,” Moore said. “And we’re going to keep voting on it, until you vote the way we think you should.”
Democratic state Rep. Jeff Hales said the bill’s language suggests the question would reappear on the ballot every 10 years until it’s approved by voters.
“Why does it end when it’s approved if the importance and the value here is giving the voters of Jackson County a right to weigh in on their charter and their government?” Hales said.
Steinmeyer said that clause exists to give Jackson County voters the opportunity to weigh in on their form of government.
“It gives them the right to speak and say we want change, or we want to abolish and start over,” Steinmeyer said. “That’s all we’re asking for.”
Democratic state Rep. Ashley Aune questioned how the ballot question would protect the right of voters. Steinmeyer said it protects their right to vote and be heard, specifically on their governance.
Lobbyist Shannon Cooper testified on behalf of the city of Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. He said during a public comment period that the bill was “the most befuddling piece of legislation” that he’s had to testify for or against.
Cooper brought up the historic recall election of County Executive Frank White Jr. and said the recall showed the system Steinmeyer is trying to fix with this bill can work.
“If the voters are not happy, they can deal with their problems,” Cooper said. “They’ve proven that in the last year.”
No action was taken on the bill, and it is not yet scheduled for a future hearing.
Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve the city’s $2.6 billion budget for 2026-27
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted Thursday to approve a $2.6 billion budget for the city’s fiscal year of 2026-27.
The budget includes $744 million in spending for public safety, including $26.3 million for a new Department of Community Safety and $4.2 million to hire 50 new KCMO Police Department officers, along with 10 call takers and 10 dispatchers.
“Our budget respects the strong fiscal foundation the taxpayers have helped Kansas City build, maintaining a rainy-day fund of over $200 million, increasing road resurfacing, hiring more public safety and city workers, and investing in all Kansas City neighborhoods,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a news release from the city. “In a city that can walk and chew gum, we are proud to welcome the world while delivering strong basic services for Kansas City’s families.”
The council voted to spend $83.8 million for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide bus services, but the KCATA may have to make cuts in bus services even with a $6 million boost in funding from the city.
In addition, the council approved spending $39.4 million for citywide street resurfacing and $1.5 million for tearing down dangerous buildings.
“This budget reflects a collaborative effort across the city, and provides a clear path for Kansas City to keep moving forward with discipline, accountability and a focus on service,” City Manager Mario Vasquez said in the news release. “Thank you to the council for its thoughtful deliberation and input in crafting this budget.”
More information on the fiscal year 2026-27 budget can be found on the city’s website.
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Missouri
Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 25, 2026
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 25, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from March 25 drawing
07-21-55-56-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 25 drawing
Midday: 3-2-0
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 0-0-5
Evening Wild: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 25 drawing
Midday: 2-6-3-9
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 9-5-6-8
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 25 drawing
Early Bird: 07
Morning: 09
Matinee: 04
Prime Time: 14
Night Owl: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 25 drawing
12-14-22-26-28
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 25 drawing
35-38-41-43-62, Powerball: 08
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.
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