By Jason Hancock | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning,
The dispute over a children's story time in Columbia is no longer really about two picture books. It is now a test of how Missouri officials may use state funding and legislation to punish a public library for LGBTQ+ programming.
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins says he will examine whether he can block state and federal money from reaching Daniel Boone Regional Library after its staff read LGBTQ+ books during a public event last week. State Sen. Rick Brattin went further: If the event did not violate existing law, he said lawmakers should change the law so similar readings would be illegal in the future.
The library says the event was lawful, voluntary and cost $26 in props and craft supplies beyond resources already on hand.
Annelise Hanshaw reports on the widening political fight, and why a Saturday story time could become a state budget battle.
(Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)
by Annelise Hanshaw
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins says he intends to block state and federal funds from reaching Daniel Boone Regional Library after its Columbia branch read LGBTQ+ picture books aloud.
(Illustration by Lorah Lackland/Missouri Business Alert)
by Emma Harper
About five years after hospitals were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce trends appear to be stabilizing.
(Spenser Heaps/Utah News Dispatch)
COMMENTARY
by Kevin Sandlin
The fight ahead is not about protecting a system for the sake of a system. It is about protecting children, families, local control, and the communities that have held this state together for over two centuries.
NATIONAL HEADLINES
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