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Missouri Supreme Court upholds congressional maps over citizen concerns

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Missouri Supreme Court upholds congressional maps over citizen concerns


The Missouri Supreme Court upheld an appeals court decision on Wednesday, which found that the Senate congressional map did not violate the state’s constitution. Several Missouri citizens previously challenged the map, drawn by a court-appointed redistricting commission, for failing to preserve communities of interest.

The court rejected the citizens’ challenge in their Wednesday decision, finding that congressional redistricting is “predominately a political question” and “best left to the political leaders, not judges.”

The Missouri Constitution lays out the procedure for creating House and Senate districts. In order to comport with the constitution, the map must contain the following features:

  1. Districts shall be as nearly equal as practicable in population, and shall be drawn on the basis of one person, one vote;
  2. Districts shall be established in a manner so as to comply with all requirements of the United States Constitution and applicable federal laws;
  3. Subject to the requirement of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, districts shall be composed of contiguous territory as compact as may be;
  4. To the extent consistent subdivisions (1) to (3) of this subsection, communities shall be preserved; [and]
  5. Districts shall be drawn in a manner that achieves both partisan fairnes and, secondly, competitiveness, but the standards established by subdivisions (1) to (4) of this subsection shall take precedence over partisan fairness and competitiveness.

The court found that the constitution listed these features “in order of priority.” This is important because the citizens challenged the map based on its failure to preserve communities of interest—the fourth requirement on the list.

Originally, Missouri had relied upon a citizens’ commission to redraw the state’s congressional districts. However, after failing to agree to any maps, the court appointed a judicial commission to the task. The judicial commission used a “mathematical calculation to determine the compactness of the Senate Map and Appellants’ proposed map.” The resulting map split Buchanan County into two separate districts, and Hazelwood into two separate districts—which the citizens claimed violated the communities of interest in the respective areas.

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The citizens challenged the map drawn by the court, citing the third and fourth redistricting factors: that the districts shall be compact and that that communities shall be preserved. They argued that the factor preserving communities should take precedence over the factor calling for compact districts.

The court disagreed and upheld the map. Because the factor calling for compact districts was listed before the factor that called for communities to be preserved, the former is the more important factor.

Redistricting has been at the center of multiple legal battles across the US since the 2020 census kicked off redistricting efforts. Congressional maps are usually redrawn every 10 years to account for population changes recorded through the census. In September 2023, Alabama’s congressional map was appealed to the US Supreme Court, which struck down the map due to racial gerrymandering. Then, in December 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court found that their state maps were also unconstitutional.



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Judge denies Missouri AG’s bid to immediately halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman

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Judge denies Missouri AG’s bid to immediately halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman


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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.”



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Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for May 10, 2026

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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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Missouri Highway Patrol: 3 killed in fiery head-on crash on Highway 71

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Missouri Highway Patrol: 3 killed in fiery head-on crash on Highway 71


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.

FILE(Ken Price, KCTV5)

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.

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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.

Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.

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