Missouri's gerrymandered map survives, again

By Jason Hancock | Editor-in-Chief

Good morning,

Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map keeps surviving in court.

The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the last lawsuit aimed at overturning the map before a statewide vote, unanimously ruling that Gov. Mike Kehoe had the authority to call the special session that produced it.

That closes one of the remaining legal paths for opponents of the map, which was drawn to help Republicans unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver by splitting Kansas City. But it does not end the fight entirely. A referendum petition could still determine whether the map is in effect or must go to voters in November.

So the map survived again. The election calendar is still messy.

by Rudi Keller

The ruling ends the last lawsuit aimed at overturning Missouri’s new congressional map before a statewide vote, while leaving a separate referendum fight over whether the map is actually in effect.

by Rebecka Pieder

Missouri Agriculture Director Chris Chinn says predictable trade with China would help farmers, but Beijing hasn’t confirmed the White House’s $17 billion figure — and farm groups are waiting for actual purchases.

by Scott Rupp

As data centers and other new demands put pressure on the electric grid, Scott Rupp argues Missouri needs to plan transmission, generation and future demand as one connected system.

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