Missouri Independent
The Missouri Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics and policy. It is staffed by veteran Missouri reporters and is dedicated to its mission of relentless investigative journalism that sheds light on how decisions in Jefferson City are made and their impact on individuals across the Show-Me State.
Our journalists adhere to the ethics guidelines of the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Press Photographers Association, as well as the practices embraced by organizations like the Associated Press, ProPublica and The Center for Investigative Reporting.
The Independent is a member of the Missouri Capitol News Association and a “Friend of the Missouri Press” member of the Missouri Press Association.
Our work is provided free of advertising and free to readers. We welcome other news outlets to republish the work of our journalists. All we ask in exchange is that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website.
The Independent is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.
We retain full editorial independence, and all editorial decisions are made by our journalists. Donors have no influence over content.
The Independent also features informed commentary, though we generally do not accept submissions from declared candidates for public office or sitting elected officials. Contact Editor-in-Chief Jason Hancock at Info@MissouriIndependent.com with submissions. Please include links and sourcing to expedite fact-checking.
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The proposed cuts came out of a 'core reduction exercise' requested by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Lawmakers from both parties vow to undo the reductions, but warned the governor could still veto any restoration. -
A law passed last year requiring clearer test score reports could be scrapped after Gov. Mike Kehoe’s budget dropped funding for the change. -
After providing more than $100 million in free plays to lure customers, FanDuel and Draftkings, the sports books dominating the state market, paid no taxes -
Advocates and incarcerated people say prisoners were ordered outside during a winter storm and punished with segregation or discipline if they refused -
Missouri Republican lawmakers pushed through the bill last year in response to the campaign for an abortion rights initiative and lawsuits that struck down restrictions on abortion -
Proposed bills would increase penalties for child trafficking and buying sex. Lawmakers also discussed legislation that would establish the crime of ‘grooming a minor’ -
A proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by state Rep. Darin Chappell would hold Missouri to 80-hour work requirements from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act even if federal law changes -
MOSERS spent almost $21 million over five years pursuing claims against a Canadian investment firm. The court loss comes as lawmakers are being asked to again increase annual contributions to the fund -
The fund held $5.8 billion, a record, at the end of June 2023. Without changes to the budget, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick warns, the money will all be gone by June 2028 -
A trio of newspapers that cover Missouri’s capital city and surrounding communities will now be run by a familiar and polarizing figure in state politics whose career has been marked by scandal.
