South County Mail

Missouri and the World

Maria Santiago

Massive Missouri hailstorm kills zoo animal and smashes vehicles

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A powerful hailstorm that swept across southwest Missouri killed a zoo animal, shattered car windshields, damaged buildings, and knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses, according to local officials and weather authorities.

The storm struck the Springfield and Greene County area on April 28, bringing hailstones reportedly as large as softballs as severe weather moved across parts of the central United States.

According to USA Today and the Springfield News-Leader, meteorologists with the National Weather Service measured hail up to four inches in diameter during the storm, with one report in Greene County reaching 4.75 inches. [Read more…] about Massive Missouri hailstorm kills zoo animal and smashes vehicles

Ohio governor race could become one of 2026’s biggest political battlegrounds

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The race for governor in Ohio is shaping up to become one of the most closely watched political contests of the 2026 midterm elections after Democrat Amy Acton secured her party’s nomination and set up a November showdown with Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Acton, who became nationally known during the Covid-19 pandemic as Ohio’s public health director under current Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, easily won the Democratic primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur aligned with President Donald Trump, won the Republican nomination.

The election could become historic regardless of the outcome. [Read more…] about Ohio governor race could become one of 2026’s biggest political battlegrounds

Why the 2026 governor races could reshape American politics

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More than 30 governorships will be contested across the United States during the 2026 midterm elections, with several key races expected to shape the future direction of American politics on issues ranging from abortion and healthcare to education, voting rights and LGBTQ+ policy.

A new analysis published by The 19th highlights a series of closely watched gubernatorial contests unfolding in battleground states and politically divided regions across the country.

Many of the races involve open seats as term-limited governors step aside, creating opportunities for new political figures to emerge ahead of the 2028 presidential election cycle. [Read more…] about Why the 2026 governor races could reshape American politics

Missouri voters oust city council members after $6 billion data center approval

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Voters in the small Missouri city of Festus have removed four incumbent city council members from office following growing controversy surrounding approval of a proposed $6 billion data center development.

The election result in the St. Louis suburb came just days after the city council approved a development agreement for a large hyperscale data center project planned on roughly 360 acres on the city’s southwest side.

According to reporting by Politico and local Missouri media, all four incumbents seeking reelection were defeated after residents expressed frustration over the handling of the project, particularly concerns about transparency, rezoning, infrastructure impacts, and communication with the public. [Read more…] about Missouri voters oust city council members after $6 billion data center approval

Small newsrooms across America are joining forces to survive

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As local newspapers continue to shrink or disappear across the United States, a growing number of independent news organizations are turning to collaboration instead of competition in an effort to survive.

That trend is highlighted in a new report from The 19th, which says its journalism partnership initiative, the 19th News Network, has expanded from 25 member newsrooms to 102 in just one year.

The network brings together national, regional and local publishers focused on issues including education, health, climate, race, gender and LGBTQ+ communities. [Read more…] about Small newsrooms across America are joining forces to survive

Tennessee lawmaker protests redrawing of majority-Black congressional district

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A tense special session of the Tennessee legislature ended this week with Republican lawmakers approving a new congressional map that redraws the state’s only majority-Black district, prompting protests from Democratic lawmakers and voting-rights advocates.

At the center of the protest was state Sen. Charlane Oliver, who disrupted proceedings throughout the week and, in the final moments before the vote, climbed onto her desk in the Senate chamber holding a banner reading “Jim Crow 2.0” and “Stop the TN Steal”.

Dressed in white, Oliver then began singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, often referred to as the Black National Anthem. [Read more…] about Tennessee lawmaker protests redrawing of majority-Black congressional district

Missouri Republicans push ‘born-alive’ abortion bill as session nears end

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Missouri Republicans are pushing to pass a controversial “born-alive” abortion bill before the state’s legislative session ends next week, setting up another major confrontation in the state’s long-running abortion debate.

The legislation, known as the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act”, would require medical providers to administer life-saving care to infants born alive following an attempted abortion. Under the bill, anyone who “knowingly performs or attempts to perform an overt act that kills a child born alive” could face first-degree murder charges.

The measure has become a top priority for Republican lawmakers in the state legislature, despite opposition from Democrats, abortion-rights advocates, and even some anti-abortion Republicans. [Read more…] about Missouri Republicans push ‘born-alive’ abortion bill as session nears end

Even major oil producers are preparing for a post-oil future

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The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC after nearly six decades may signal more than a disagreement over production quotas.

According to a new analysis published by The Conversation, the move reflects growing concern among some major oil-producing countries that the long-term future of global oil demand may be weaker than previously expected.

The UAE officially announced its departure from OPEC after 59 years amid rising geopolitical tensions, disagreements over production strategy and accelerating changes in the global energy market. [Read more…] about Even major oil producers are preparing for a post-oil future

‘Friendshoring’ could become the next phase of globalization

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As tensions between the United States and China continue reshaping the global economy, economists and policymakers are increasingly focusing on a new concept that could define the next era of international trade: “friendshoring”.

Rather than bringing manufacturing fully back home, countries and multinational corporations may instead shift production and investment toward politically friendly nations.

A new analysis published by The Conversation argues that friendshoring may allow globalization to continue in a different form, even as trade between the world’s two largest economies becomes more strained. [Read more…] about ‘Friendshoring’ could become the next phase of globalization

Missouri judge declines to immediately halt controversial kratom product sales

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Missouri’s attorney general has failed, for now, in an attempt to immediately halt the sale of controversial kratom-derived products sold by Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman, in a case that highlights growing national debate over the increasingly popular substance.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie ruled Friday that the state had not yet presented sufficient evidence to justify an emergency temporary restraining order against the company and several affiliated businesses.

The lawsuit, brought by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, specifically targets products containing “7-OH” – short for 7-hydroxymitragynine – a potent compound derived from kratom. [Read more…] about Missouri judge declines to immediately halt controversial kratom product sales