Missouri

Open enrollment not a solution to challenges public education faces in Missouri

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2024

Open enrollment not a solution to challenges public education faces in Missouri

Martha Schatz, Sue Groves, Karen Miller, Jim Holt, Linda Holt and Brenda Cologna
| Springfield News-Leader

We are writing to express our concerns regarding the recent open enrollment bill that has been passed in the Missouri House of Representatives. As retired public school educators and members of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) who dedicated a combined total of 209 years to educating the students of our great state, we feel compelled to voice our apprehensions about the potential consequences this bill may have on our public school education system.

First and foremost, open enrollment could lead to a significant drain on resources for public schools. If students are allowed to transfer freely between districts, it is likely that schools with already limited budgets will face financial challenges, especially those schools whose students are transferring from. This could result in a decrease in the quality of education offered, affecting both the teachers and the students.

Furthermore, the bill may increase educational inequalities. Schools in affluent, better-off areas may attract a higher number of students, leaving schools in less fortunate neighborhoods struggling to maintain adequate resources. This could perpetuate a cycle of disparity, hindering the academic success of students in already disadvantaged communities.

In our years as educators, we witnessed the importance of a stable and supportive school environment. Open enrollment has the potential to disrupt the sense of community that is crucial for fostering a positive learning atmosphere. Students may feel disconnected if they are constantly moving between schools, impacting their academic and emotional well-being.

Additionally, the bill may inadvertently promote a culture of competition among schools, focusing more on enrollment numbers than the quality of education provided. Education should be about collaboration and the shared goal of educating well-rounded individuals, rather than fostering an environment where schools are opposed to each other.

We urge our lawmakers to consider the long-term implications of this open enrollment bill on the education system in Missouri. While the intention may be to provide choice and flexibility, we must ensure that it does not come at the expense of the quality of education and the well-being of our students.

As retired teachers who have dedicated a significant part of our lives to shaping the future through education, we implore our legislators to engage in a thorough and thoughtful discussion about the potential ramifications of this bill. Our children’s education is too important to be jeopardized by hasty decisions.

Thank you for providing a platform for community members to voice their concerns on such critical issues.

Martha Schatz, of Billings, is a retired Nixa Public Schools speech-language pathologist and current past president of MRTA. Sue Groves, of Springfield, is a retired Springfield Public Schools classroom and Title 1 math instructor, and is the Region 10 MRTA vice president. Karen Miller, of Ozark, is a retired Ozark Public Schools P.E. educator and coach, and president of Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation. Jim Holt, of Nixa, is a retired Reeds Spring Public Schools principal and activities director, and is legislative chairman of the Christian County unit of MRTA. Linda Holt, of Nixa, is a retired Reeds Spring Public Schools History and Spanish language educator, and is vice president of the Christian County unit of MRTA. Brenda Cologna, of Marshfield, is a retired Marshfield Public Schools elementary classroom and Title 1 Reading educator, and the Webster County unit and Region 10 legislative chair of MRTA.

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Missouri

Missouri sports betting: Everything to know about early sign-up promos and more for 12/1

Published

1 hour ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Missourians are counting down the days to Dec. 1, and it’s not just because they’re looking forward to putting up Christmas trees and playing Mariah Carey on repeat. Missouri online sports betting will be legal on Dec. 1, just in time for the end of the NFL regular season and the College Football Playoff.

Nine mobile sportsbooks are coming to the Show Me State, and that number could reach as high as 14 after sports betting goes live. Some sportsbooks are offering exclusive offers to Missourians who sign up now rather than waiting until Dec. 1. Below, I break down everything you need to know about Missouri sports betting.

Which Missouri sportsbooks will be taking bets at midnight on December 1?

Missouri residents can take their action to nine sportsbooks when wagering markets open on Dec. 1. I recommend joining a few sites and making minimum deposits with each operator. That way, you can get the welcome offers and see which sportsbooks you prefer.

If you go car shopping, do you buy the first car you test drive? Probably not. The same applies to MO sports betting. Here are the sportsbooks that will soon call Missouri home:

BetMGM
DraftKings
Fanatics Sportsbook
FanDuel
bet365
Caesars Sportsbook
Circa Sports
theScore Bet
Underdog

Missouri sports betting early sign-up promos

Some sportsbooks are offering special promos for customers who open an account before Dec. 1. These deals are likely to be better than what will be available on Dec. 1, so it’s worth your time to check them out.

For now, Missouri bettors can create sportsbook accounts and make deposits. That’s all you need to do to claim the MO sports betting early sign-up promos. If you sign up early, you still have to wait until Dec. 1 to place bets. Here’s what’s available to those who want to get a head start:

NOTE: The offers listed below must be claimed before midnight CT on Dec. 1. Sign up today to ensure you don’t forget to register before the deadline.

FanDuel Missouri promo: Claim $400 in bonuses

No FanDuel Missouri promo code is required to claim my favorite MO early sign-up offer. New customers just need to open an account and deposit $5. When the calendar flips to December, place a $5 bet and you’ll automatically receive $300 in bonuses.

FanDuel Missouri also sends a $100 bonus if you sign up early. No action is required to receive the $100 bonus, except to register a new account before Dec. 1.

DraftKings Missouri promo: Get $300 in bonus bets

A DraftKings Missouri promo code isn’t necessary to get an outstanding welcome offer from one of the best sportsbooks in the industry. Create an account today and deposit $5. Then, bet $5 on Dec. 1 to instantly receive $300 in bonuses.

The DraftKings Missouri promo is nearly identical to the FanDuel offer. The difference is that FanDuel provides an extra $100 bonus just for signing up. However, DraftKings is a top option for bettors across the U.S., so don’t bypass the DraftKings MO promo because it’s less valuable.

BetMGM Missouri bonus code MOLOCAL: Up to $1,600 in bonuses

High rollers will appreciate the perks of the BetMGM Missouri bonus code MOLOCAL. It starts with a $100 bonus if you deposit $10 before Dec. 1.

When Missouri sports betting goes live, submit a wager on any market that catches your eye. If the wager loses, BetMGM returns your stake in bonuses. The most you can receive from this portion of the offer is $1,500 in bonuses.

For instance, let’s say you sign up early and bet $100 on Dec. 1. If the bet loses, BetMGM sends a $100 bonus so you can try again.

Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri promo: Up to $3,000 in FanCash

You don’t need a Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri promo code to redeem the most valuable offer of the bunch. In total, Missouri bettors could earn up to $3,000 in FanCash. This offer is more complicated than the rest, so I’ll break it down step-by-step:

Click the Fanatics link above to download the Fanatics app (Fanatics Sportsbook is only available through the app).
Register a new account.
Deposit $50 or more before Dec. 1.
Open the Fanatics app on Dec. 1 to find 15 no-sweat bets in your account.
When a no-sweat bet is applied to a wager, the stake is returned in FanCash if you lose.
Each no-sweat bet returns up to $200 in FanCash.

FanCash is more valuable than the bonuses offered by FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM. FanCash can be redeemed for bonuses or profit boosts. It can also be used as a credit if you buy gear at Fanatics.com.

How to bet on sports in Missouri on Dec. 1

It doesn’t take long to learn the ins and outs of sports betting. However, it may be overwhelming for first-timers. Here are some important terms to know before diving in:

Bonuses: Also known as bonus bets, bonuses are a credit given out by sportsbooks. They can only be used to place wagers and are not withdrawable for cash. If you bet with a bonus and win, you get a cash payout. If you bet with a bonus and lose, you don’t lose real money. Bonuses are a great tool for new sports bettors trying to learn the ropes.
Moneyline: This is the most straightforward bet type at every sportsbook. It requires you to pick which team wins a game. If your team comes out on top, you win the bet. Easy as that.
Spread: This bet type evens the playing field between two teams. For example, the spread in Colts vs. Chiefs is Chiefs -3. If you bet Kansas City to cover the spread, it must win the game by four points or more. If K.C. loses or wins by two points or less, you lose the bet. If the Chiefs win by exactly three points, bets are voided and customers get the stake back.
Over/under: Also known as the total, the over/under asks you to predict the number of points scored in a game. In Colts vs. Chiefs, the total is 50.5. If you take the over, at least 51 points must be scored for your bet to win. If you bet on the under, you need 50 points or fewer to win the bet.
Player props: The bet types listed above involve the performance of each team in a game, while player props relate to the statistical performance of specific players. You could bet Patrick Mahomes to throw over or under 1.5 touchdowns, or Travis Kelce to catch more or less than five passes.

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Missouri

Bench trial begins on Missouri school voucher lawsuit

Published

19 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Bench trial begins on Missouri school voucher lawsuit

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Cole County judge heard arguments Monday in the first day of a two-day bench trial over a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of general revenue funds being used for scholarships to help pay for private K-12 education.

The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of the Missouri chapter of the National Education Association (NEA), was filed in response to appropriations made in House Bill 12. The spending measure included $51 million allocated to the MO Scholars program.

“Missouri NEA firmly believes that this is an unconstitutional action on behalf of the state and the (Missouri) Treasurer’s Office,” Missouri NEA President Rebeka McIntosh said outside of the courthouse. “Public money belongs in public schools, and this money could be used to fund up to a thousand public school teachers for smaller classes and one-on-one instruction.”

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM MISSOURI NEA

Among remedies being sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court to halt any additional funds from being transferred from general revenue to the MO Scholars program.

The bench trial resumes Tuesday, and it’s not clear when Judge Brian Stumpe will make a ruling on the matter. Most judgements in Missouri aren’t bound by a set timeline for when decisions have to be made.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Nov. 23, 2025

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 23, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Midday: 0-8-9

Midday Wild: 6

Evening: 0-2-6

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Midday: 4-4-8-9

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 5-5-7-4

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

05-07-49-54-60, Cash Ball: 04

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Early Bird: 04

Morning: 04

Matinee: 03

Prime Time: 15

Night Owl: 01

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

01-06-21-27-34

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.

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