AGP Executive Report

Election Watch: Missouri voters head to the polls Nov. 3 to decide a slate of measures, including Amendment 3 on abortion and minors’ gender-transition care, changes to the citizen initiative process, a proposed congressional map and a sovereign wealth fund. Wrongful Conviction Payments: A new report says Missouri is refusing to pay compensation promised under a law for people wrongfully convicted, raising questions about how the statute is being applied. Missouri Business: Kansas City-based UMB Financial plans to buy California’s El Dorado Savings Bank for about $506 million, adding 35 branches in California and Nevada. Water Infrastructure: The state Department of Natural Resources awarded Moniteau County $2 million to upgrade its public water system.

Election Watch: Missouri voters head toward Nov. 3 with high-stakes choices on abortion rights and a congressional map designed to create seven Republican-leaning districts. Early voting is drawing steady turnout in Jackson County, while a separate ballot proposal would establish a state sovereign wealth fund. Government Accountability: State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick gave Webster County a “fair” rating and recommended stronger controls in several offices; he also launched an audit of Odessa after a $1.3 million utility billing error. Justice: A report says Missouri is refusing to pay compensation promised under a law for wrongfully convicted people. Business: Missouri marijuana companies are still waiting for federal guidance on how to claim potential tax savings after medical cannabis was moved to a less restrictive category. Road Safety: MoDOT says 716 people died on Missouri roads in 2026, and 58% were not wearing seat belts. Local News: A Missouri school district agreed to stop blocking parents on Facebook after a free-speech challenge. The PSC set a Nov. 17 deadline for parties seeking to join Ameren Missouri’s request to build a substation and relocate power lines in Iron County.

Election Watch: Missouri voters face a November ballot fight over a new congressional map, while early voting in Jackson County is drawing steady turnout. Clay County’s Proposition A bundles nine charter changes into one yes-or-no vote, and Amendment 3 has revived the state’s abortion debate. Water Policy: A House bill backed by Missouri Rep. Sam Graves would require approval from Missouri River states before studying or building pipelines to send river water west; it awaits Senate action. Government Oversight: Missouri’s auditor has launched a performance audit of Odessa after a $1.3 million utility-billing error, at residents’ request. Business: Simpson Strong-Tie plans to invest more than $19 million in a Fulton facility, adding 24 jobs. Road Safety: MoDOT says 716 people have died on Missouri roads this year, and 58% were not wearing seat belts. Legal Fight: Prediction-market companies Kalshi and Polymarket have sued Missouri and Louisiana, respectively, to head off enforcement actions.

Water Infrastructure: Missouri awarded Moniteau County’s Public Water Supply District No. 1 $2 million toward a $3.1 million upgrade, with completion expected by January 2028. Road Safety: MoDOT says 716 people have died on Missouri roads so far this year, and more than half of those killed in vehicles were unbelted. The state is urging drivers to buckle up and put phones away as it seeks a fourth straight year of fewer fatalities. Election Watch: Missouri voters decide Proposition A on Nov. 3, determining whether a new congressional map takes effect in 2028; the Republican campaign backing the map has gone quiet as opponents spend heavily. Pastors are also organizing on both sides of Amendment 3, which would repeal the state’s abortion-rights amendment and restrict gender-affirming care for minors. Voting Access: More than 41,000 Missourians on probation or parole will be eligible to vote in the Nov. 3 election.

Election Watch: With Missouri’s Nov. 3 vote a week away, Amendment 3 would reverse the abortion rights voters approved in 2024, imposing a broad ban with limited exceptions and barring gender-transition procedures for minors. Ballot campaigns have raised nearly $60 million since 2025; Amendment 6 would make it harder to overturn voter-approved laws, while Proposition A puts a new congressional map before voters. More than 41,000 Missourians on probation or parole will be eligible to vote. Energy and Data Centers: Evergy says it has rejected some data center proposals and will protect reliability and other customers from rate impacts, as debate grows over safeguards and electricity costs. Missouri also joined a legal brief supporting Nebraska’s age checks and parental-consent rules for minors’ social media accounts. State Oversight: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has hired a Kansas City firm to review whether proper notice was given for the St. Louis police board meeting where the chief’s raise was approved; the raise is paused. Business: Kansas City-based UMB agreed to buy California’s El Dorado Savings Bank for $506 million, expanding its branch network into Nevada. Prairie Farms plans to close a Missouri plant, affecting more than 100 workers.

Election 2026: Missouri voters face a consequential Nov. 3 ballot: Proposition A would redraw the congressional map, Amendment 3 would sharply restrict abortion, and Amendment 6 would make it harder to overturn voter-approved laws. A federal judge has also barred DHS from investigating people it knows or suspects are citizens in Missouri and eight other states through Election Day. Government Oversight: State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has opened a petition-requested audit of Odessa after a $1.3 million utility-billing error raised residents’ concerns about transparency. His office is separately investigating St. Louis County’s property-tax appeals process. Schools and Services: Eleven northeast Missouri districts warn of a projected $4.57 million funding gap, as state education funding falls about $270 million short of the amount needed to fully fund the formula. Water Infrastructure: Atlanta received $635,272 in state assistance for drinking-water upgrades, including a grant and low-interest loan; the $1.5 million project is expected to finish by April.

Election 2026: Missouri voters face three consequential ballot questions Nov. 3. Proposition A would approve a new congressional map that reshapes Kansas City’s district; Amendment 6 would make it harder for lawmakers to overturn citizen-approved laws. More than $32 million has been spent on campaigns over Amendment 3, which would reinstate an abortion ban and prohibit gender-transition treatments for minors. Utility Costs: Evergy says new charges and safeguards for large electricity users, including data centers, will protect other customers. But those rules don’t cover municipal utilities or electric cooperatives, leaving some Missouri customers outside the protections. Property Tax Oversight: State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is investigating how St. Louis County assigns property-tax appeals, after whistleblowers raised concerns that the process may treat homeowners differently. The county has until Nov. 6 to provide records. Workforce Investment: Missouri S&T received a $1 million federal prize to plan ways to grow the state’s critical-minerals workforce.

Election 2026: With Missouri’s Nov. 3 vote approaching, Amendment 3 would repeal the state’s 2024 reproductive-rights amendment and set new abortion restrictions; early-voting misinformation and big campaign spending are also drawing attention. County Accountability: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is seeking to remove Harrison County Clerk LeeAnn Miles, who is accused of stealing $127,000 from an elderly person. Mizzou Football: All-America running back Ahmad Hardy is set to return to practice after being shot in May; his medical team will decide when he can play. Trade and Jobs: Slowing U.S.-Mexico tariff talks raise concerns for Missouri farmers and manufacturers, whose businesses rely on cross-border trade. Rural Healthcare: Missouri is helping cover childcare costs as part of an effort to keep healthcare workers in rural communities.

County Government: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is seeking the removal of Harrison County Clerk LeeAnn Miles, who faces felony charges alleging she stole $127,615 from an elderly person. Hanaway says Miles cannot perform her duties while jailed; a judge has ordered her to respond within 10 days, ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Election Spending: Missouri campaigns have raised nearly $60 million for ballot measures since 2025, while congressional candidates have collected $24.9 million, according to a Missouri Independent review. Voting: About 5,000 Boone County residents voted in the first week of early voting. Clerk Brianna Lennon also pushed back on online claims, clarifying that mailed ballots need only one stamp and election judges’ initials are routine. Cybersecurity: Jefferson County authorized up to $500,000 for forensic and legal work after a cyber threat disrupted county business. Mizzou: Running back Ahmad Hardy, recovering from a May gunshot wound, is cleared to resume practice; his return to games will depend on the team’s medical staff.

Roadwork: MoDOT says mid-Missouri drivers should expect lane closures and other work through Oct. 31, including ongoing I-70 restrictions and closures around Columbia. Election Watch: Missouri voters face five statewide ballot measures Nov. 3. Amendment 6 would make it harder for lawmakers to undo voter-approved laws, while groups rally against Amendment 3 and Proposition A. Public Records: Missouri press and broadcasters associations are suing the Highway Patrol over redacted crash reports, challenging limits on information available to the public. Schools: Districts are pushing back against Missouri’s new A–F school grading system, which has drawn criticism amid leadership turmoil at the state education agency. National Guard: Sixty-six soldiers from Jefferson City’s 835th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion are heading to Poland to coordinate resources and support NATO allies.

Election Watch: Boone County had nearly 4,000 early absentee ballots cast by Friday, with turnout expected to approach 5,000 over the weekend. Missouri campaigns are also spending heavily: nearly $60 million has gone to ballot-measure campaigns since 2025, while House Republicans recently shifted $1.5 million to PACs backing GOP candidates and attacking Democrats. Abortion Amendment: More than 600 people rallied statewide against Amendment 3 and Proposition A, knocking on doors to urge voters to reject the measures. Amendment 3 would sharply restrict abortion access if approved Nov. 3. Public Records: Missouri media groups are suing the Highway Patrol over redacted crash reports, arguing the agency is unlawfully withholding victims’ names. Public Health: State officials warn that cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid potentially 10 times more potent than fentanyl, has been linked to overdoses and may evade standard fentanyl test strips. Water Policy: A High Ridge water district plans to stop fluoridating its supply in January, citing rising costs, sourcing delays and handling risks. Housing: Missouri home values rose 26.7% in five years, adding about $57,000 to the average price, according to a new study.

Election 2026: Early voting is underway in Missouri ahead of Nov. 3, when voters will decide on the state’s congressional map, judicial retention and several constitutional amendments. Public Records: Missouri media groups are suing the Highway Patrol over crash reports with names and other details blacked out, renewing a fight over access to public information. Cannabis Market: A state study says Missouri doesn’t need more marijuana business licenses, but researchers couldn’t determine whether ownership is concentrated among a few companies. State Oversight: Missouri’s auditor is pressing the USDA over millions in questionable food-program spending, while state leaders have announced a joint anti-fraud effort with the Justice Department. Energy and Growth: Missouri’s new energy strategy puts nuclear power at the center, as state leaders promote consumer protections tied to data-center development.

Election Watch: Missouri’s Nov. 3 ballot includes a proposed sovereign wealth fund, judicial retention votes and major constitutional fights. Early voting is underway, with Jasper County reporting more than 1,600 in-person absentee votes so far. Government Oversight: Gov. Mike Kehoe and federal officials launched Operation Show-Me the Money to investigate fraud in benefit programs; State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is also seeking USDA action over questionable food-program spending. Data Centers: Amazon is exploring a second Montgomery County campus, with 15 buildings across 890 acres proposed east of Danville. The company has not disclosed a price tag or acquired the land. Energy: Missouri’s new energy plan puts nuclear power at the center of efforts to boost energy independence and reliability, including proposed financing tools and a possible state nuclear authority. Education: Missouri’s interim education commissioner resigned amid controversy over the state’s A-to-F school ratings.

Public Records: Missouri news organizations are suing the Highway Patrol, saying it illegally redacts names and other details from crash reports that were public for decades. Election Watch: A federal judge has blocked DHS voter-fraud field operations in Missouri and eight other states, citing flawed data and risks of voter intimidation. Meanwhile, Gov. Mike Kehoe and federal officials launched Operation Show-Me the Money to target fraud in benefit programs. Ballot Measures: Voters will decide Amendment 7, a proposal to create a state investment fund whose long-term goal is eliminating state taxes. Amendment 3, which would repeal Missouri’s 2024 abortion-rights protections and restrict most abortions, remains a major focus of the final campaign push. Roads: MoDOT says crews have finished paving and opened three lanes in each direction on the Blue Springs-to-Grain Valley stretch of I-70; work is also complete on a section in Lafayette County.

Election Oversight: A federal judge has barred DHS from conducting election-related field operations in Missouri and eight other states through Election Day, citing flawed data and potential voter intimidation. State Government: Gov. Mike Kehoe and Missouri officials announced a DOJ partnership, Operation Show-Me the Money, to investigate fraud in public benefit programs, beginning with SNAP. Ballot Measures: Amendment 6 supporters are campaigning to protect the initiative process, while opponents say it would constrain lawmakers. Amendment 3 would again ban most abortions, with exceptions, and includes a provision on gender-transition care for minors. St. Louis Police: Kehoe questioned the process behind a board decision to raise Chief Robert Tracy’s salary to $295,000 and extend his contract through 2030. Energy and Accountability: Missouri regulators approved Ameren’s proposed solar and storage projects; meanwhile, state media groups are suing the Highway Patrol over redacted crash reports.

Election Oversight: A federal judge restricted DHS voter investigations in Missouri and eight other states, citing error-prone data that could wrongly target citizens. The order is on hold until Friday while the administration considers an appeal. Public Spending: State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick asked the USDA to review Missouri’s child-care food program, citing weak oversight and millions in alleged waste or fraud. Jobs and Training: Southeast Missouri received a $3.54 million federal grant to train workers in skilled trades, construction and information technology across 14 counties. Transparency: Missouri news organizations are suing the Highway Patrol over redacted crash reports, arguing the records should be public. Education: Missouri’s education board has chosen a temporary agency leader as controversy continues over the state’s A-F school grading system.