Missouri

Vote Could Overturn Abortion Ban in a Deep-Red State

Published

1 year ago

November 1, 2024

Vote Could Overturn Abortion Ban in a Deep-Red State

Constitutional amendments to protect abortion rights will be on the ballot in 10 states on Tuesday, and the vote in Missouri could overturn one of the country’s strictest abortion bans. The ballot measure would give Missourians the right to make decisions on “matters relating to reproductive health care” without interference until the point of fetal viability, which is around 22 to 24 weeks into pregnancy, CNN reports. There is a near-total ban on abortions with no exceptions for rape or incest under the current state law, introduced immediately after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.

Organizers “cautiously optimistic.” Missourians for Constitutional Freedom organizers are “cautiously optimistic” about the chance of Amendment 3 passing, the Washington Post reports. Supporters of the amendment have raised much more money than opponents. An August poll found that support for the amendment had gone up 8% since February, with 52% in favor, 34% against, and 14% undecided. A poll released earlier this month found that around 56% of Missouri voters think the current law is too strict, 34% think it is about right, and 10% think it isn’t strict enough.

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Missouri

Top 25 Missouri Boys High School Basketball Rankings – Feb. 17, 2026

Published

1 hour ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

Top 25 Missouri Boys High School Basketball Rankings – Feb. 17, 2026

The regular Missouri boys high school basketball season is closing fast, and separation is finally happening. At this point, records matter but context matters more. Who you’ve beaten. How you’ve won. Who is trending upward versus who is just surviving.

The margin for error is shrinking. Conference races are being decided. District brackets are looming. A couple of these teams are playing to defend expectations. Others are building momentum at exactly the right time. A few are sliding. And a handful are peaking in a way that makes them dangerous in March.

This edition reflects performance, trajectory, quality wins, and overall body of work. Some teams held steady. Some climbed. One made a massive leap. Here’s where things stand heading into the stretch run.

Previous Rank: 1

Ranked wins over Westminster and Rolla should sharpen this group for a playoff run where anything short of a state title would feel like a disappointment. The expectation isn’t just to win — it’s to dominate.

Previous Rank: 2

Chaminade split its season series with De Smet after a 58-56 win. Senior guard Tricey Collins provided a spark with 14 points in the victory.

Previous Rank: 3

An 83-50 win over Miller Career Academy proved this team can dominate major-city competition. Senior wing Sutton Shook broke the school record by connecting on 10 three-pointers in a single game.

Previous Rank: 5

A 72-59 win over Webster Groves highlighted this team’s quality. Senior guard and SIUE signee Kain McCaskill scored 21 points. A matchup with second-ranked Chaminade is set for Friday night.

Previous Rank: 4

The undefeated season ended with a road loss to 17-5 Creighton Prep (NE). Games against KC Center and SLUH will close out the regular season.

Previous Rank: 6

Benton controls its own destiny down the stretch. At 22-1, this group has a legitimate chance to reach 25 regular-season wins. A memorable team that will be talked about for years.

Previous Rank: 9

Kickapoo impressed in a 71-60 win over rival Nixa. Senior guard Reese Kimrey led the way. The Chiefs have strong buy-in and chemistry and are emerging as the favorite to come out of SWMO in Class 6.

Previous Rank: 7

Four games in one week began with a road loss to Cardinal Ritter. Wins over Lift for Life, Whitfield, and Holt closed the week on a strong note. Still, the Rams’ margin for error became noticeably slimmer.

Previous Rank: 10

A win over SLUH positioned the Golden Griffins to finish second in the MCC. Junior forward Chase Duke scored 27 points, while sophomore guard Omar Long added 17, including five three-pointers.

Previous Rank: 11

A home loss to Chaminade last Friday decided the MCC championship. The Spartans are likely to see them again in districts, setting up a potential rematch of last year’s game of the year.

Previous Rank: 14

This team continues to improve. The Tigers are playing their best basketball of the season. Wins over Blue Springs South and Lee’s Summit North position them for a 20-win campaign.

Previous Rank: 15

A win over Priory was followed by a competitive loss to nationally ranked Principia. Junior guard Will Powers scored 25 points and recently visited Southern Illinois and Austin Peay.

Previous Rank: 8

A heartbreaking two-point loss to McCluer North was followed by a loss to Vashon. Both games came in tough environments. With Scottie Adkinson leading the way, this team remains competitive, but it was a week that resulted in a drop.

Previous Rank: 12

A loss to Liberty was followed by a win over Park Hill. This group looks different from last season’s squad, but the ceiling remains high.

Previous Rank: Unranked

Unranked to 14th — and no, that’s not a mistake. The Lions have built serious momentum. A win over MICDS made a statement, and follow-up victories over CBC and Normal Community (IL) prove this surge is legitimate. This is not a team anyone wants to face in the Class 6 playoffs.

Previous Rank: 13

Jackson hosts Sikeston on Friday night in a major matchup. The Bulldogs handed them their only loss of the season earlier this year.

Previous Rank: 17

Wins over Troy Buchanan and Fort Zumwalt West have this team trending toward 22-23 regular-season wins. The Spartans have now won 13 straight games.

Previous Rank: 18

St. Dominic has not lost since January 16. Six-foot-seven junior forward Nolan Struckmann continues to evolve into a versatile, do-it-all player gaining statewide attention.

Previous Rank: 19

One of the most complete teams in Kansas City. A dangerous group capable of beating anyone in the area during the postseason.

Previous Rank: 20

A rivalry matchup with Hickman awaits Tuesday night. It’s one of the final tests in what has been a strong season on the south side of Columbia.

Previous Rank: 21

The Jaguars have done enough to be considered a top Class 6 contender. An upcoming matchup with Staley will help determine next week’s order.

Previous Rank: 16

Rolla closes the season with a challenging stretch against Borgia, Orchard Farm, and Union — all teams with at least 14 wins.

Previous Rank: 22

The Bulldogs sit near the top of Class 5. A matchup with Jackson looms large as the regular season wraps up.

Previous Rank: 24

Wins over McCluer and Parkway Central keep Marquette inside the Top 25. Senior guard Brody Owen scored 47 points against Parkway Central, setting a new school record.

Previous Rank: Unranked

The Stars picked up key wins over Hazelwood East and Webster Groves this week. Senior Mekhi Williams has elevated his play down the stretch.

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Missouri

Missouri lawmakers take hard look at regulating AI

Published

13 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

Missouri lawmakers take hard look at regulating AI

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri lawmakers are taking a hard look at regulating artificial intelligence, focusing on images and videos created without consent.

The House Emerging Issues Committee held a public hearing on Monday to examine a series of bills that would expand criminal and civil penalties for nonconsensual AI-generated content.

Lawmakers emphasized the rapid growth of AI technology has outpaced existing laws, creating gaps in protections for individuals and raising the need to hold creators and platforms accountable.

Committee members also noted more than 30 states already have laws addressing AI-generated images — which comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in December limiting states enforcing their own regulations — and discussed a possible “sunset” provision to test whether definitions hold up over time.

The bills under consideration cover a range of issues:

Rep. Sheri Gallick (R-Bates County), HB 2350 – Expands Missouri’s criminal definitions of child pornography and explicit sexual material to include “artificially generated visual depictions” of minors.
Rep. Jeff Farnum (R-Atchison County), HB 2035 – Makes it illegal to use AI to replicate or alter a person’s image or voice to create sexual material without written consent. Victims could sue for damages and attorney’s fees, and the Missouri Attorney General could investigate violations.
Rep. Bill Lucas (R-Jefferson County), HB 2321 – Establishes the “AI-Generated Content Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2026,” making it a crime to knowingly publish or distribute AI-generated content depicting someone without consent. Penalties range from fines up to $110,000 and prison terms up to five years, with exceptions for satire, art, journalism and research.
Rep. Melissa Schmidt (R-Wright County), HB 2361 – Creates a class C felony for creating, soliciting, promoting, or possessing nonconsensual altered sexual depictions. Online platforms would be required to remove reported content within 48 hours. Civil lawsuits would also be allowed for damages, injunctions and attorney’s fees.
Rep. Cecelie Williams (R-Jefferson County), HB 1913 – Allows victims to sue if an “intimate digital depiction” is shared without consent and creates criminal penalties for knowingly or recklessly disclosing such material. Disclaimers are not a defense, and internet and telecommunications providers are shielded from liability.
Rep. Wendy Hausman (R-St. Charles), HB 1887 (“The Taylor Swift Act”) – Permits individuals, including minors, to sue if digital depictions are shared without consent and imposes criminal penalties for reckless or intentional disclosure, including Class E and Class C felonies for repeat offenses.
Rep. Dave Dolan (R-Scott), HB 2862 – Targets digital impersonation, allowing Missouri residents to seek declaratory relief, injunctions, and damages if images or recordings misrepresent them, including cases tied to paid advertisements. Parents or guardians may act on behalf of minors or incapacitated individuals.

Committee members emphasized that the bills are too important to rush and suggested consolidating the proposals into a single package before a vote, ensuring that Missouri has clear and enforceable protections as AI technology continues to evolve.

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What’s open and closed on Presidents Day in Missouri? What to know

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

What’s open and closed on Presidents Day in Missouri? What to know

Some Americans have an extra day off to look forward to this week.

Now seen as a day to honor every person who has held the United States’ high office, Presidents Day was created to celebrate George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22. It became a federal holiday in 1879, but was later moved to the third Monday of February to create a long weekend under the Uniform Holidays Act of 1968.

Here’s a guide to what’s open and closed on Presidents Day.

When is Presidents Day 2026?

This year, Presidents Day is on Monday, Feb. 16.

Are federal or Missouri state offices open on Presidents Day?

Given that Presidents Day is a federal holiday, non-essential federal offices and most banks will be closed, and there will be no U.S. mail delivery.

In Missouri, it’s also a state holiday, so all local governments and state offices will also be closed.

Will stores, restaurants be open on Presidents Day?

Most major retailers, grocery stores and restaurants should be open on Presidents Day, but you may want to check with your local stores to confirm business hours.

Are Costco or Sam’s Club open on Presidents Day?

Both Costco and Sam’s Club will be open during normal business hours on Presidents Day.

Are Walgreens or CVS open on Presidents Day?

CVS and Walgreens will be open on Presidents Day, but store hours may vary.

Is the post office open on Presidents Day? Will mail be delivered?

All post offices will be closed, and mail will not be delivered on Presidents Day, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s website.

FedEx will offer modified services, mostly entailing early pickups, and most offices will be open. UPS will operate as usual, and its stores will be open.

Are banks open on Presidents Day?

Most banks will be closed on Presidents Day, as most follow the Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule.

Is the stock market open on Presidents Day?

Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed on Presidents Day.

Will there be trash pickup on Presidents Day?

Trash pickup on Presidents Day can vary city to city, so it’s best to check with your local waste management service to see if they observe the holiday. Trash pickup is typically delayed by one day if the scheduled pickup falls on a federal holiday.

Are libraries and DMV offices open on Presidents Day?

Holiday hours can vary among Missouri’s libraries and DMV offices, so it’s best to check whether the ones in your area will be open on Presidents Day.

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