Following its merger with St. Luke’s in western Missouri, BJC Health boasts that it is the state’s largest private employer. It is now moving forward with pay structure changes that local staff say will cost them thousands of dollars annually.
The Missouri House of Representatives passed HB 2061, a law banning most speech critical of Israel in Missouri’s public schools. It is now headed to the state Senate.
As in other metro communities, residents in rural Foristell, MO oppose the construction of data centers in their town.
Part 2 of this piece takes a deeper dive into the individuals and nonprofit organizations that are pushing for the passage of HB 2061.
Missouri House Bill 2061 aims to create an official state definition of antisemitism, potentially branding critical discourse on Israel as antisemitic and restricting free speech rights in educational settings.
Governor Kehoe has called a special session on gerrymandering and initiative process reform, prompting protests from Democrats. A local political consultant encourages Democrats to keep the faith, even under a new map.
Governor Kehoe’s call for a special session to redraw congressional maps undermines democratic norms, risking trust in government while important issues are neglected.
The Missouri Senate ended filibusters on two bills, forcing votes to overturn voter-approved measures on reproductive rights and paid sick leave. The move could also threaten Missouri’s remaining liberal field infrastructure, further diminishing future opposition to the GOP’s statewide dominance.
The Missouri GOP’s disregard for voter preferences threatens the region’s progressive image, driving residents and businesses towards other states. Much of this is enabled by the Democratic Party’s lack of power or relevance in Missouri politics.
The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil raises critical concerns about free speech rights in America. Part two of this OpEd examines many local Jewish groups’ seeming support for his detention, as they also work with the GOP to silence opposition to US support for Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
