Chris Drew

Missouri legalized abortion 1 year ago. Here’s what’s happened since the landmark vote • Missouri Independent One year ago, Missourians codified the right to abortion in the state constitution. Multiple lawsuits and a proposed abortion ban followed.

Missouri legalized abortion 1 year ago. Here’s what’s happened since the landmark vote #moleg #mogov

How an enduring debate over healthcare sparked a now record-long shutdown At the heart of the impasse is a debate about expiring subsidies for health insurance. It's the latest chapter in a fight over Obamacare that has dominated Congress since the law was signed in 2010.

At the heart of the impasse is a debate about expiring subsidies for health insurance. It's the latest chapter in a fight over Obamacare that has dominated Congress since the law was signed in 2010. n.pr/3Jwlcxw

This County Was the “Model” for Local Police Carrying Out Immigration Raids. It Ended in Civil Rights Violations. Under Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County was one of the first testing grounds for ICE’s 287(g) program, which lets local police enforce immigration laws. Many Arizonans say those abuses parallel…

Advocates say some tactics used by officers to target Latinos in Trump’s deportation effort draw from Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s playbook.

“The model was Maricopa County — the very public, very humiliating, demoralizing approach to the raids, and the cruelty.”

With @azluminaria.org

DHS Agreement Reveals Risks of Using Social Security Data for Voter Citizenship Checks A recently released agreement gives the Department of Homeland Security access to hundreds of millions of Americans’ Social Security data. It contains alarmingly few provisions to ensure accuracy and privacy, experts say.

NEW: DHS used to only have information on immigrants who’d had contact with the agency.

Under a new data-sharing agreement, the system added information — including full Social Security numbers — on millions of Americans not in DHS databases.

This was a powerful story to hear on Morning Edition yesterda

Missouri aid for moms and babies to continue as other food assistance ends during shutdown • Missouri Independent Gov. Mike Kehoe and state health officials announced continued funding for food assistance with some programs set to run dry.

Missouri aid for moms and babies to continue as other food assistance ends during shutdown #moleg #mogov

Ozarks Food Harvest prepares for SNAP halt They say they are preparing to purchase additional food to address an anticipated increase in need should SNAP benefits not go out in November.

I've been busy checking in with local Ozarks nonprofits about responses to the federal shutdown. My latest from a conversation with Ozarks Food Harvest. They are spending an extra $500k on food for their 28 county area.

City of Ozark to reallocate funds for police building At their meeting Monday, the Ozark Board of Aldermen approved directing $1 million annually towards funding the debt service for a new public safety facility. The money had previously been designated ...

Some public affairs reporting in honor of Fall Pledge Drive at KSMU.

The Ozark Board of Aldermen approved directing $1 million annually towards funding the a new public safety facility, money previously designated for Public Works and general capital projects."

www.ksmu.org/news/2025-10...

Judge approves ballot language for amendment reinstating Missouri abortion ban • Missouri Independent Attorneys continue to argue the ballot language for the proposed amendment does not clearly state that it will ban abortion.

The proposed constitutional amendment set to go before voters next year would ban nearly all abortions, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies and survivors of sexual assault. #moleg #mogov

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department. Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

Those influencing Trump education policy aren't shy about wanting to eradicate public schools.

Asked what % of kids she imagines should be in public schools, Tiffany Justice -- Moms for Liberty cofounder, now with Heritage Foundation -- told @propublica.org

“I hope zero. I hope to get to zero.”

Kristi Noem Fast-Tracked Millions in Disaster Aid to Florida Tourist Attraction After Campaign Donor Intervened The DHS chief has been widely criticized for slowing down FEMA’s response after natural disasters. Texts and emails obtained by ProPublica point to an effective way to get help faster: have one of Noe...

NEW: Kristi Noem has been widely criticized for slowing down FEMA's response to natural disasters.

But she fast-tracked $11 million+ to fix a Florida tourist attraction — after one of her big donors reached out. www.propublica.org/article/kris...

Trump's TikTok deal payment criticized as 'shakedown scheme' by experts The U.S. government will collect a multibillion-dollar fee from the American investors who will take over TikTok. Some experts call the fee and other deals like it "extortion."

The U.S. government will collect a multibillion-dollar fee from the American investors who will take over TikTok. Some experts call the fee and other deals like it "extortion."

Sense of Community From poverty concerns to major policy decisions, this series dives beyond the headlines to provide in-depth coverage of issues facing people and organizations in the Ozarks. KSMU's team of reporters c...

We have released our 10-part Sense of Community series on Climate Change in the Ozarks this week. We also helped produce a 30min special and short docs for Ozarks Public television, find those at optv.org - truly an ambitious project, proud to be covering this important topic

GLO Center goes forward with Pridefest on C-Street After receiving threats this week, the nonprofit announced Tuesday they would go forward with Saturday’s event as planned.

C-Street Pride moves forward this weekend after threats made Monday - we have been short staffed this week and it's been a nice team effort keeping up with this story as it has developed. Hope everyone has a safe and good time!

Weekday Morning Newscast: Friday, September 19 Hear reporting on the latest production from a local theatre group of actors over the age of 55, news of a statement from Springfield area State Rep Jeremy Dean following a Missouri House Ethics inqui...

Friendly reminder we run through the latest news in SW MO every weekday morning. Find us at ksmu.org - cute but meaningful story about a 55+ theater group in Springfield today and news of Rep. Jeremy Dean's statement on a recent mo house ethics inquiry

"What really kept me strong was my anger."

In his first extended broadcast interview since being released from prison, Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier talks about spending five decades behind bars for a crime he says he did not commit.

Missouri House Democrat faces ethics inquiry and loses committee seats over obscene text Missouri state Rep. Jeremy Dean of Springfield sent the text message on Sept. 4 to Republican state Rep. Cecelie Williams of Dittmer, during debates over a bill making it harder for voters to amend the state constitution. The message included a description of an oral sex act with the president.

Missouri state Rep. Jeremy Dean of Springfield sent the text message on Sept. 4 to Republican state Rep. Cecelie Williams of Dittmer, during debates over a bill making it harder for voters to amend the state constitution. (@stlpublicradio.bsky.social)

Court battle looms over KC precinct listed twice in Missouri’s new congressional map • Missouri Independent Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a statement seeking to rebut charges that a precinct had been duplicated in the new Missouri congressional map.

A national GOP consultant wrote a memo for the map’s legislative sponsor explaining details of the new districts, but he's adamant that isn't evidence he had a hand in creating the map.

“The governor’s team clearly produced and developed this map.” #moleg #mogov

Small newspapers in Kansas face an uncertain future as their owners seek retirement The past couple of decades have been tough on newspapers. Kansas has lost about 50 publications in the past 20 years. As owners of many small, family-run newspapers are getting older, it’s uncertain who will keep the presses running when they retire.

Kansas has lost about 50 publications in the past 20 years. As owners of many small, family-run newspapers are getting older, it’s uncertain who will keep the presses running when they retire. (@kmuw.bsky.social)

Much love to the national NPR hosts handling some very tense interviews RE: Charlie Kirk this morning. Professional as heck work from Inskeep and Martin this morning.

Lawmakers created a teacher seat on Missouri’s education board. It’s been vacant for 7 years • Missouri Independent Missouri lawmakers made way for a teacher to have an advisory position on the State Board of Education, but the seat has always been empty.

Lawmakers created a teacher seat on Missouri’s education board. It’s been vacant for 7 years #moleg #mogov

Gaza's children are starving, U.N. and relief organizations warn

Anas Baba bringing more important reporting from Gaza.

Hegseth Signal messages came from email classified ‘SECRET,’ watchdog told The revelation contradicts the Trump administration’s long-standing claims that no classified information was shared by the defense secretary’s account during the “Signalgate” scandal.

SCOOP: Hegseth's texts about bombing Yemen derived from a classified email labeled "SECRET/NOFORN," per info provided to the DOD Inspector General for a forthcoming report, flying in the face of Trump administration claims that no classified info was shared www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Weekday Morning Newscast: Wednesday, July 23 Hear reporting on a potential ballot measure to help fund an event center in Springfield, news from last night's Christian County Library board meeting and a report from one of this week's hearings on...

Hey! Occasional reminder, I do morning newscasts for Ozarks Public Radio. You can get them in the npr app and on our website.

PBS News is not going anywhere.

We will continue our work without fear or favor, as we have for nearly five decades on the air.

We are profoundly grateful to Viewers Like You for your loyalty and unwavering support.

Jurisdiction issues emerge in AG’s appeal of ruling legalizing abortion in Missouri • Missouri Independent The Missouri Supreme Court isn’t as ready to hear the appeal of a ruling allowing abortions as Attorney General Andrew Bailey is to argue it.

The Missouri Supreme Court is questioning whether it should be the tribunal to hear the appeal of a Jackson County decision blocking enforcement of most Missouri abortion laws and regulations. #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social

Capital gains exemption and motor vehicle fee hike bills signed by Missouri governor Gov. Mike Kehoe approved the tax cut expected to reduce revenues by $340 million annually even as he has been warning of future state funding shortfalls.

lots of news from Missouri today. here is another one illustrating the tone of this conservative dominated legislative session - the state will be cutting capital gains taxes and raising fees on registering vehicles.

Christian County Library District fires interim director A statement from the president of the district's board of trustees did not include details about the firing. Pegram was the district's second interim director since their previous director resigned in...

Another interim director is out at the Christian County Library, apart of ongoing turbulence at the library district in one of Missouri's fastest growing communities.

Hundreds of immigrants are filling jails in outstate Missouri after ICE arrests Jails in Ste. Genevieve, Phelps and Greene counties are housing hundreds of immigration detainees. Three spoke with the Post-Dispatch.

Jails in Ste. Genevieve, Phelps and Greene counties are housing hundreds of immigration detainees. Three spoke with the Post-Dispatch.

How the FBI Sought a Warrant to Search Instagram of Columbia Student Protesters New filings reveal how the FBI tried to unmask the Columbia students’ Instagram account and got blocked in court on free speech grounds.

SCOOP: Newly unsealed records show the blow-by-blow of the Trump DOJ's failed effort to get a search warrant for an Instagram account run by student protestors at Columbia. theintercept.com/2025/06/04/f...