Economy, Inflation
Consumer confidence drops as food, gas prices rise(The Center Square) – New data on consumer confidence shows that Americans are less confident about the U.S. economy, pointing to higher grocery and gas prices.The Conference Board, a business… Read More
Economy
U.S. GDP actually worse than originally published(The Center Square) — Newly revised Gross Domestic Product data shows that the U.S. economy grew by 2.1% in the second quarter of 2023, lower than previously reported by the… Read More
Congress
McConnell freezes during news conference for second time this summer(The Center Square) – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., raised fresh concerns Wednesday when he froze during a news conference, the second time he has done so this… Read More
Kansas
Kansas loses private sector jobs while adding government jobs(The Sentinel) — Through the first seven months of 2023, seasonally adjusted numbers show Kansas has lost 2,700 private-sector jobs, while adding about 5,000 government jobs. According to numbers from the … Read More
St. Louis
Missouri House special committee to focus on St. Louis’ 1% earning tax(The Center Square) – The Republican chairman of a special House interim committee on the earnings tax believes its impact on the City of St. Louis also affects all of… Read More
Local Government
Johnson County commissioners to respond Thursday to attorney general complaint they violated Kansas Open Meetings ActJohnson County commissioners will decide Thursday how to respond to an allegation they violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act by discussing general employee pay raises in an executive session outside… Read More
Missouri
St. Louis 3rd-grader writes graphic novel to help and inspire othersST. LOUIS, Mo. – An 8-year-old author is making a difference in the lives of others after publishing a book offering good tidings when those closest to us have broken… Read More
Health
Governors urge Congress to address prescription drug shortages(The Center Square) – Eleven governors are asking Congress to adopt policies to ease the nation’s prescription drug shortages. The governors said in a letter sent Tuesday to Congressional leaders… Read More
Energy
The Center Square Poll: 53% oppose gas stove ban(The Center Square) – A new poll shows eliminating gas stoves isn’t a winning strategy among voters nationally. According to The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll, conducted by Noble… Read More
Inflation
Food prices expected to rise through 2024(The Center Square) – Recently released federal pricing analysis from the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that food prices will continue to rise through 2024. The USDA pointed to the… Read More
Internet, Missouri
Grassroots effort helps Missouri gain billions in federal broadband funding(The Center Square) – Missouri’s share of $42 billion in federal funds for expanding broadband infrastructure was partially dependent on verifying areas without internet throughout the state. Late last year,… Read More
Education, Kansas
Kansas City-area school district must pay $400K to family in special education dispute(The Sentinel) — A federal court in Kansas ordered the Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) to pay a Westwood family $400,000 for legal fees following three years’ litigation over… Read More
Education
Poll: Voters express dissatisfaction with quality of public school education(The Center Square) – At the Republican primary debate last week, presidential hopefuls disparaged the state of education in the nation, with some candidates advocating for the abolition of… Read More
IRS
IRS lost millions of taxpayer records that could be used for identity theft(The Center Square) – The Internal Revenue Service lost millions of taxpayer records and federal employees don’t know where they have gone.Lawmakers want answers and accountability for the IRS over… Read More
President Donald Trump
Trump trial date set for middle of Republican primary(The Center Square) – A federal judge in former President Donald Trump’s election interference case set his court date for March 4, in the heart of the Republican primary battle. Read More
School Choice
Poll: Voters support school choice measuresSchool choice has become a heated topic in state houses nationwide, with six states enacting universal school choice programs this year, which allow public funds to follow students to private… Read More
Illinois
GOP lawmakers call for ethics reform special session following another guilty verdict(The Center Square) – With another black eye on Illinois politics with the conviction of Michael Madigan’s former chief of staff, Republicans are calling for changes. Tim Mapes was convicted of… Read More
Gender, Missouri
Judge allows Missouri ban on gender-altering treatments for minors to take effect on MondayA judge has refused to block a Missouri law prohibiting any new gender-altering treatments for minors. The law now goes into effect as scheduled on Monday. St. Louis Circuit Judge… Read More
President Donald Trump
House Republicans launch inquiry into Georgia official behind Trump indictment(The Center Square) – Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee launched an investigation Thursday into whether the Department of Justice coordinated with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in Georgia… Read More
Illegal Immigration
Justice Department sues SpaceX over discrimination against refugees, asylum seekers(The Center Square) – The Justice Department sued SpaceX on Thursday alleging the company discriminated against asylees and refugees. The lawsuit alleges Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, better known as… Read More