Missouri Independent

From 2019 to 2023, 340 Missourians died while pregnant or within a year postpartum, with 80% of pregnancy-related deaths deemed preventable. Cardiovascular disease and mental health/substance use disorders are leading causes, and new state programs aim to improve outcomes despite concerns over budget cuts and expanding maternal health deserts.

A federal appeals court in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas granted a stay to three rulings that freed immigrants without criminal records under the Trump administration's mandatory detention policy. The policy, aimed at detaining immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally without bond, faces legal challenges, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule on its legality soon.

The U.S. House GOP approved a budget resolution allocating $95 billion in spending, including $60 billion for military operations in Iran and $13 billion for intelligence agencies. The vote set up a partisan clash over funding levels and deficit concerns, with work on the package contingent on Senate agreement. House Republicans emphasized supporting troops and election security, while Democrats criticized the plan for increasing national debt.

Lloyd Gilmore, a 44-year-old man with mental health issues, died in police custody in Sikeston, Missouri, after a physical altercation involving multiple officers and the use of a Taser and hobble restraints. His death has sparked demands for justice in a community with a history of racial tension, though autopsies and toxicology reports remain pending.

Over 200 U.S. mayors are urging the federal government to reverse cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), arguing the changes will worsen a food security crisis. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act imposes new eligibility and work requirements and shifts funding responsibilities to states starting in 2027, with 4 million Americans already losing benefits.

Missouri's early voting period for the August 4 primary election saw a surge in voter turnout, with counties like St. Charles and Boone reporting significantly higher numbers compared to previous years. The increase is attributed to voter familiarity with early voting and the presence of two constitutional amendments (Amendment 4 and 5) alongside a competitive Republican primary for county executive in St. Charles.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion, with Republicans citing urgent military funding needs. Senate Appropriations Committee members debated emergency funding, with Democrats like Patty Murray opposing additional war spending due to safety concerns and stockpile depletion.

The Trump administration proposed eliminating a requirement for employers with 100 or more workers to report demographic data to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A federal commission voted 2-1 to advance the plan, which critics argue would reduce transparency and hinder enforcement of antidiscrimination laws. The proposal faces a 30-day public comment period and a public hearing.

A Missouri Senate District 16 GOP primary is being influenced by an Illinois gambling company funding attack ads against candidate Hannah Kelly. J&J Ventures donated $266,000 to Legio XIII PAC, which spent $44,000 on radio ads accusing Kelly of accepting casino and pharmaceutical money, while also supporting Rep. Bill Hardwick, a key backer of the company's video lottery terminal legislation.

The U.S. House approved a stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown before the October 1 deadline, passing it along party lines. The bill, which extends funding through December 4, faces Senate revisions, as Democrats criticized its lack of requested funding adjustments for programs like wildfire suppression and rural utility assistance.

Immigration arrests in the U.S. reached a record high in June with over 43,000 arrests, and early July data suggests a potential monthly total of 49,000. The increase, part of a Trump administration enforcement push, followed fatal shootings during traffic stops and led to mandates for ICE officers to wear body cameras. Statistics reveal less than a third of detainees have criminal convictions, while the Supreme Court is set to rule on the legality of mandatory detention policies.

The Trump administration has delayed $65 million in funds for legal representation of unaccompanied immigrant children, risking the loss of services for up to 20,000 minors. Immigration attorneys warn this could increase deportation risks, as organizations struggle with unpaid reimbursements and the administration plans to replace current providers with an inexperienced Texas state commission.

Missouri lawmakers and utilities clash over a proposed exemption for electric companies to bypass competitive bidding for new multi-state power lines. Transmission utilities argue the move is needed to accelerate infrastructure projects for AI data centers and energy demands, while lawmakers warn it could raise costs for consumers by eliminating competition.

The Brennan Center for Justice warns that mass voter challenges are likely in the 2026 midterm elections, potentially undermining the democratic process. The report notes over 185,000 voter eligibility challenges were filed in 2024, with concerns about voter confusion and suppression, particularly affecting people of color. The report links these challenges to efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party to emphasize 'election integrity' as part of a broader strategy.

Private investment in youth sports, now a $40 billion industry, is facing scrutiny from state and federal authorities. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are investigating anticompetitive practices by companies like Black Bear Sports Group, which critics claim raises costs and limits access for families.

Democrats in Congress oppose a Trump administration draft rule that would alter federal grant administration by giving political appointees authority to decide funding allocations and restrict DEI initiatives. The proposal, titled 'Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,' could affect hundreds of billions in grants and faces claims it would politicize funding decisions, undermining public safety and health priorities.

The Trump administration finalized a rule removing federal protections for habitats of endangered species, shifting responsibility to states. Experts warn states lack the resources and legal frameworks to prevent habitat destruction, while environmental groups and tribal nations have filed lawsuits challenging the change.

The Trump administration is seeking to reinstate mandatory detention for three immigrants by asking an appeals court to reverse a prior decision that allowed them bond hearings. The court case challenges a policy requiring immigrants who crossed the border illegally to be detained indefinitely, with arguments highlighting the strain on legal resources and the harsh conditions in detention facilities.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations criticized efforts to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) would be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, respectively, as part of a broader plan to reduce the Education Department's role.

President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian products including hockey sticks, wine, and cement, citing retaliatory restrictions on American goods. The tariffs, effective Aug. 19, were authorized under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a provision not previously used for this purpose, and follow earlier illegal tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court.