Politics, Elections, and Government

Missouri's legislature is debating a proposal that would gradually eliminate the state's income tax and allow the legislature to hike or expand sales taxes. Economists warn it could add a financial burden to people who can least afford it —and mean less money for schools and transit.

The legislation is aimed at hospitals that don't stock emergency contraception on religious grounds.

Retiring Congressman Sam Graves endorsed Chris Stigall, a nationally syndicated talk radio host, to replace him. But that brought a fiery response from Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett, who dropped out of a race for an open state Senate seat to file for Congress.

Organizers are raising concerns that Missouri lawmakers' plan to eliminate the state's income tax will raise costs for lower-income residents and lessen state funding for schools, roads and senior services.

The Kansas News Service interviewed lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about their use of AI chatbots in the legislative process. There are no restrictions on lawmakers using ChatGPT, Claude and other services.

A similar version of the bill was thrown out by the Missouri Supreme Court in January because of an unrelated item.

The Missouri House also approved sex trafficking legislation on Thursday.

Gov. Mike Kehoe cut funding for public transportation last year. In January, he proposed eliminating another $5 million from the public transit budget.

Each year for over four decades, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley has held a question-and-answer session in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. He began his 2026 tour on Feb. 17 in Page County with a visit to the Clarinda Regional Health Center.

The Unified Government's Planning Commission advanced a two-year ban on special permits for jails and detention centers. In a letter to federal officials, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids opposed any ICE detention centers in the Kansas City area.