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Missouri lawmakers reject effort to legalize video gambling machines

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Missouri lawmakers have once again rejected efforts to legalize video gambling machines, ending a years-long push to regulate the controversial devices found in gas stations, bars and convenience stores across the state.

According to St. Louis Public Radio, the bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Gaming voted unanimously against the latest proposal on Wednesday, effectively killing the bill for the 2026 legislative session.

The machines – commonly referred to as video lottery terminals, or VLTs – have operated for years in a legal gray area in Missouri. Supporters argued that legalization would allow the state to regulate the machines and collect tax revenue for education programs. [Read more…] about Missouri lawmakers reject effort to legalize video gambling machines

Missouri’s Route 66 Neon Park draws visitors ahead of highway centennial

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A growing roadside attraction along Missouri’s stretch of the historic Route 66 is drawing renewed attention ahead of the famous highway’s centennial celebrations next year.

According to travel publication Travel and Tour World, the Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert has become an increasingly popular stop for travelers exploring the iconic American roadway.

Located at George M. Reed Roadside Park near Interstate 44, the open-air attraction features restored vintage neon signs from old motels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses that once lined Route 66 through Missouri. [Read more…] about Missouri’s Route 66 Neon Park draws visitors ahead of highway centennial

America’s doctor shortage could worsen as immigrant visa costs rise

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America’s growing shortage of doctors could worsen under new immigration restrictions that are making it more expensive for hospitals to recruit foreign medical professionals, according to a new interview published by Analyst News.

The article features Eram Alam, a Harvard historian of medicine and author of the book “The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed US Healthcare”.

Alam argues that immigrant doctors – particularly from India and Pakistan – have become essential to the American healthcare system, especially in rural and underserved communities where physician shortages are most severe. [Read more…] about America’s doctor shortage could worsen as immigrant visa costs rise

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

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

‘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