Your Opinion: Who could have known? Climate scientists

Who could have known that one horrendous weather event after another would strike America and cause so much human tragedy and economic loss? Well, those who study the changing environment. They are called climate scientists, who for several decades have been warning that a warming planet causes the sea to rise in temperature.

The Latest: Missouri black lawmakers condemn hanging remark

The Latest on a Missouri lawmaker who posted on Facebook that he hoped whoever vandalized a Confederate monument in Springfield is found and hanged : The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus chairman says a Republican lawmaker called for a lynching in a Facebook post and should be ousted from office. Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Alan Green on Thursday asked that House members formally reprimand Rep. Warren Love and remove him from office.

Trump Gives Congress An Olive Branch With Tax Pitch, But Will It Last?

When President Trump traveled to Missouri on Wednesday to make his pitch for tax code overhaul, it was a more conventional - even conciliatory - chief executive who showed up. Trump expressed optimism that he could work together with the legislative branch to pass something meaningful - although as NPR's Scott Horsley noted, the president offered scant specifics about what that legislation would be.

Austin Petersen: Why I became a Republican

To the casual observer, it certainly seems like the Republican Party is in an identity crisis. After years of consensus and sweeping the 2016 national elections on the promise of repeal and replace of Obamacare, Republicans in a stunning 11th-hour failure failed to pass even the so-called "skinny" repeal.

US convict spared execution after new DNA evidence comes out

With only hours to spare, the governor of the US state of Missouri on Tuesday halted the execution of a man whose lawyers argued new DNA evidence exonerated him of a 1998 murder. Governor Eric Greitens stayed the execution of Marcellus Williams, 48, who was convicted of fatally stabbing a woman more than 40 times during a robbery at her home in the Midwestern state.

MO Lieutenant Governor calls for special session to expel Senator Chappelle-Nadal

Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson is calling on the Missouri Senate to go into special session along with Veto Session, with the purpose of expelling Senator Chappelle-Nadal from the body under the authority vested to the Senate under Article III, Section 18 of the Missouri Constitution. The Lieutenant Governor called the recent comments made by Senator Chappelle-Nadal unacceptable and unbefitting conduct of a Missouri State Senator.

McCaskill reaching out to rural Missouri ahead of election

In this April 12, 2017, file photo, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., speaks to the media following a town hall meeting in Hillsboro, Mo. McCaskill during the August Senate break is holding town halls in dozens of small towns and cities.

Our Opinion: Area schools compassionate while struggling with parents’ meal debts

Schools in Central Missouri, along with the rest of the nation, have been struggling with how to deal with outstanding balances on school-provided meals. The Southern Boone school district has amassed about $30,000 in debt from outstanding meal balances.

The Unbelievable Hypocrisy of Free-Speech Conservatives

Why did it take the latest damning revelations about the Trump family's Russia connections to provoke Fox News anchor Shepard Smith to ask "Why is it lie after lie after lie?If there's nothing there - and that's what they tell usIf all of that, why all these lies?" Fox News has abetted so many of the president's cons that Smith's outburst was indeed surprisingly off message for the network.

Ann Wagner, top GOP recruit to challenge Claire McCaskill, withdraws from consideration

Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that she will seek another term for her House seat in 2018, instead. "Those who know me well know I put my family and my community first.

Playground Ruling Stops Slide of Religious Hostility

It was the first major religious liberty case for Neil Gorsuch, and the new justice didn't disappoint! In a string of positive developments at the Supreme Court, a Missouri church is celebrating a huge victory for its playground. By a 7-2 decision, the court rejected the arguments of people like Senator Bernie Sanders , who think Christians should be excluded from any job or partnership with the government.

Missouri Senate panel advances abortion regulations

A panel of Missouri senators on Tuesday advanced legislation to create new abortion regulations - including annual inspections of clinics - requested by Republican Gov. Eric Greitens in his call for a special session focused solely on abortion laws. Members of the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families and Children voted 4-2 along party lines in favor of a package of proposals that would place new restrictions on abortion clinics.

FEMA to visit Heartland neighborhoods affected by spring flooding

If you or those you know were hit hard by flooding and storms this spring FEMA may be able to help provide relief. Representatives are expected to be in 7 Missouri counties and will later visit additional counties included in federal disaster declaration Residents will soon be visited by Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives to help with registration for disaster assistance and answer questions about the FEMA assistance process.