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Missouri’s Republican attorney general has pledged to enforce some laws restricting abortion despite a new constitutional amendment widely expected to undo the state’s near-total ban on the procedure.
In an opinion requested by incoming GOP governor Mike Kehoe, Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote that his office will continue enforcing a ban on abortion after fetal viability.
There is an exception carved out in the amendment for cases in which a health care provider deems an abortion necessary to “protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant person.”
“Under the express terms of the amendment, the government may still protect innocent life after viability,” Bailey wrote. “The statutes thus remain generally enforceable after viability.”
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Bailey said his office also will continue to honor a Missouri law requiring parental permission for minors to receive abortions.
Bailey’s opinion comes after voters approved a ballot measure this month that enshrines abortion rights in the state constitution while allowing lawmakers to restrict or ban it after fetal viability.
The term “viability” is used by health care providers to describe whether a pregnancy is expected to continue developing normally or whether a fetus might survive outside the uterus. Though there’s no defined time frame, doctors say it is sometime after the 21st week of pregnancy.
Missouri’s Republican attorney general says he still considers it illegal to provide abortions after fetal viability, despite a newly approved state abortion rights amendment (AP)
The measure’s passage was one of seven victories for abortion rights advocates this past election, while Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota defeated similar constitutional amendments, leaving bans in place.
Abortion rights amendments also passed in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland and Montana. Nevada voters also approved an amendment, but they’ll need to pass it again it 2026 for it to take effect. Another that bans discrimination on the basis of “pregnancy outcomes” prevailed in New York.
The Missouri amendment, which is to take effect Dec. 5, does not specifically override any state laws. Instead the measure leaves it to advocates to ask courts to knock down bans that they believe would now be unconstitutional.
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Planned Parenthood affiliates that operate in Missouri sued the day after the election to invalidate the state’s abortion ban and several laws that regulate the care. That lawsuit is still pending.
Allowing restrictions on abortions after viability was a sticking point for some abortion rights supporters in Missouri.
Advocates had worried that failing to include such limits would sink their chances of passing abortion protections. But others cautioned against giving the Republican-controlled Legislature the power to enact regulations that could effectively end access.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The largest distributor of kratom products in Missouri has agreed to suspend all in-state sales of kratom and its alkaloids, effective immediately.
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office announced on Thursday morning that Shaman Botanicals, LLC (American Shaman) will not sell any kratom product to Missouri consumers in stores or online.
“Kratom alkaloids, especially 7-OH, are dangerous opioids that carry serious health risks,” Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway said. “We stepped in to shut down deceptive tactics that put public health in danger. This resolution protects consumers by taking these products off Missouri shelves.”
The action ends litigation between the Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Health and Senior Services and American Shaman.
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The business also agreed to abandon Missouri-targeted retail advertising, including billboards, within 30 days.
The Attorney General’s Office launched an investigation into the business practices of American Shaman in November 2025
FILE — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sued CBD American Shaman over kratom products.(Hannah Falcon/KFVS)
In March, the Attorney General’s Office filed suit against American Shaman and companies connected with it.
Hanaway had alleged American Shaman advertised “free samples” of 7-OH despite its addictive nature, and frequently without disclosing the risk of addiction in its marketing.
“Retailers who use free samples and misleading marketing to hook consumers, especially those struggling with addiction, will face swift enforcement,” Hanaway said.
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Missourians who believe they were harmed by kratom alkaloids are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office at 800-392-8222 or by submitting an online complaint at ago.mo.gov.
Two people were seriously injured in a crash Wednesday morning in Cole County on Route B, south of Spring Ridge Road, near St. Thomas, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Around 11:50 a.m., a 2020 Honda CRV SUV driven by a 67-year-old woman from Meta attempted to turn southbound onto Route B and traveled into the path of 2018 Freightliner Cascadia semitruck driven by a 71-year-old-man, according to the crash report.
The driver of the Honda and the passenger, a 66-year-old-man from Meta, were not wearing seat belts and were airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia, according to the crash report. Both sustained serious injuries, according to the report.
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The driver of the semitruck was not injured, according to the crash report.
As summer recreation ramps up across Missouri, safety officials are reminding residents that water safety begins long before anyone steps into a lake or river. Understanding the risks of water activities, knowing personal limits, and making responsible choices are the foundation of preventing tragedies on the water.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other safety agencies emphasize that natural waterways can present hidden hazards, including strong currents, sudden drop‑offs, and floating debris. Swimmers are urged to stay aware of their surroundings, use life jackets when appropriate, and avoid swimming alone.
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Officials say simple precautions—such as recognizing fatigue, monitoring weather conditions, and watching out for others in your group—can make the difference between a fun day on the water and a dangerous situation. As families head outdoors, authorities encourage everyone to treat water safety as a shared responsibility.
