News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Missouri House backs return to presidential primary
by Shane LaGesse, Missouri Independent
April 1, 2025
The Missouri House on Monday advanced legislation that would reinstate state-run presidential preference primaries and extend the no-excuse absentee voting period from two to six weeks.
Supporters of House Bill 126 cited a widespread positive response to the recently enacted no-excuse voting period as a motivating factor. They also noted negative feedback on the 2024 party-run caucuses, which replaced the state-run primaries after they were eliminated as part of a law passed in 2022.
The no-excuse absentee voting period has been in effect since August 2022 and allows voters to cast their ballot in elections in person or by mail starting two weeks before Election Day.
Supporters of the bill said they hoped that extending the no-excuse voting period would further alleviate stress on election workers and encourage voters to cast their ballot.
The state of Missouri ran March presidential primaries from 2000 until 2020. A 2022 law signed by former Gov. Mike Parson eliminated them. In 2024, the Republican Party held in-person caucuses in Missouri to select their delegates, while Democrats opted for a hybrid caucus with in-person voting and a mail-in ballot.
Low participation in these caucuses, alongside vocal blowback from residents who preferred the state-run primaries, were cited as motivators for reinstating the primaries.
“I believe it’s a lot simpler for our residents of our state going to cast a ballot like they do it in every other way for their preference for the presidential primary,” said state Rep. Brad Banderman, a Republican St. Clair.
Under the bill primaries would be held on the first Tuesday of March during presidential election years. The estimated cost to the state for conducting the primaries is $8 million.
The bill’s supporters also noted that unlike previous years, where the primary results have not been binding to party delegates, both political parties have agreed to adhere to the results for the first ballot at their respective party conventions.
The House needs to approve the legislation one more time before it heads to the Senate.
This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.
The post Missouri House backs return to presidential primary appeared first on missouriindependent.com
News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Audit: Wesley Bell-led prosecutor’s office lacked oversight and timekeeping
SUMMARY: A Missouri state audit of the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office under Wesley Bell found no major misconduct but highlighted concerns in office practices. Issues included undocumented meal expenses, a hotel charge for a witness who didn’t appear, reimbursement against policy, and animal care payments without contracts. Some attorneys held secondary municipal court jobs during office hours without proper time off. About 51% of timesheets lacked supervisor approval, though no policy required it before. Current Prosecutor Melissa Price-Smith has since implemented weekly supervisor reviews. The audit recommended stricter enforcement of spending rules, formal contracts, PTO requirements for outside work, and improved timekeeping.
The post Audit: Wesley Bell-led prosecutor's office lacked oversight and timekeeping appeared first on fox2now.com
News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Boeing workers on strike, cite 'unfair' contract
SUMMARY: Thousands of Boeing workers in St. Louis have gone on strike for the first time in nearly 30 years, rejecting a revised four-year contract despite offers of six-figure pay raises, $5,000 signing bonuses, and average salaries over $100,000. The union argues the contract fails to improve sick leave, vacation time, and working conditions, citing feelings of disrespect from management. Boeing, facing financial losses and talent attrition, expressed disappointment, highlighting a 40% average wage growth offer and alternative work schedules. No new negotiations are scheduled yet, and union members vow to remain on the picket line until demands are met.
On Monday, union members stood outside of Boeing’s headquarters in Berkeley, Missouri, with picket signs, expressing their frustration with management. Workers told FOX 2 that Boeing’s latest offer does not go far enough.
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News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Former Greene County deputy arrested for stalking
SUMMARY: Joseph Schilling, a former Greene County deputy, was arrested in June 2025 for first-degree stalking and unlawful use of a weapon. Over several years, he allegedly emotionally abused a victim, harmed her pets—including killing her dogs—and made repeated threats involving his duty weapon. After the victim obtained a protection order, Schilling broke into her home, stole her phone, and was found near her workplace with loaded firearms and drug paraphernalia. Schilling was fired from the sheriff’s office in May 2025 and is held without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 7, 2025.
The post Former Greene County deputy arrested for stalking appeared first on www.ozarksfirst.com
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