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Jason Hancock
@jasonhancock.bsky.social
3.4K followers 740 following 340 posts
Editor-in-chief of The Missouri Independent, a nonpartisan, nonprofit newsroom. Detective for the people. Raker of muck. [email protected]
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Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · Jan 11
Here's a preview of our newsletter, the Daily Independent. It's free & shows up in your inbox everyday at 6 a.m.

Today, I lay out the two moments that explain Mike Parson's 6yrs as governor (subscriber exclusive), alongside stories by Anna Spoerre, Kevin Hardy & others. #moleg

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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 1d
Only Missouri and Indiana allow judges to impose capital punishment when a jury can’t decide whether to sentence a defendant to death. Lance Shockley is scheduled to be executed next week for a 2005 murder he maintains he did not commit. #moleg #mogov
Advocates for a man sentenced to death by a Missouri judge ask governor for clemency • Missouri Independent
Missouri is one of two states that allow judges to unilaterally choose the death penalty when a jury is split on sentencing.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 1d
Federal judge rules against ICE in the warrantless arrests of 11 KC-area workers #moleg #mogov via @thebeacon.bsky.social
Federal judge rules against ICE in the warrantless arrests of 11 KC-area workers • Missouri Independent
The decision has implications affecting the treatment of immigrants suspected of civil immigration violations in six midwestern states
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 1d
‘This shutdown feels different.’ States might not get repaid when government reopens #moleg #mogov
‘This shutdown feels different.’ States might not get repaid when government reopens • Missouri Independent
States are continuing to operate federally funded programs during the shutdown. But they say they can only front those costs for so long — and some are worried about getting repaid.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 1d
Missouri GOP lawmaker accused by rival of lying about felony on candidate declaration #moleg #mogov
Missouri GOP lawmaker accused by rival of lying about felony on candidate declaration • Missouri Independent
Max Calfo, who lost the primary for the 108th District in 2024, said he has documents proving incumbent, state Rep. Mike Costlow, lied on his candidate declarations.
missouriindependent.com
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 1d
Max Calfo, defeated in the 2024 primary, has obtained Georgia court records showing state Rep. Michael Costlow pleaded guilty to a felony in 2008. Calfo says that triggers a Missouri law disqualifying Costlow from office. #moleg #mogov
Missouri GOP lawmaker accused by rival of lying about felony on candidate declaration • Missouri Independent
Max Calfo, who lost the primary for the 108th District in 2024, said he has documents proving incumbent, state Rep. Mike Costlow, lied on his candidate declarations.
missouriindependent.com
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 2d
First Missouri charter school outside Kansas City, St. Louis metros will focus on workforce training #moleg #mogov
First Missouri charter school outside Kansas City, St. Louis metros will focus on workforce training • Missouri Independent
The first charter school outside of Kansas City and St. Louis is under review by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 2d
As federal pandemic aid runs out, the state general revenue fund must pick up the difference. But Missouri's massive surplus is dwindling and tax receipts show no growth. #moleg #mogov
Missouri public schools, Medicaid need $1 billion more to continue current programs • Missouri Independent
Missouri’s bank balance looked healthy at the end of September but spending demands and earmarked projects will take the most of any surplus.
missouriindependent.com
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 3d
Judge throws out lawsuit challenging Missouri’s parental consent abortion law for minors #moleg #mogov
Judge throws out lawsuit challenging Missouri’s parental consent abortion law for minors • Missouri Independent
The lawsuit targeted a Missouri requirement that minors obtain parental consent before getting an abortion and a ban on anyone aiding or assisting minors.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 3d
Judge throws out lawsuit challenging Missouri’s parental consent abortion law for minors

The Jackson County judge didn’t draw any conclusions around whether the current parental consent law is unconstitutional under the reproductive rights amendment. #moleg #mogov
Judge throws out lawsuit challenging Missouri’s parental consent abortion law for minors • Missouri Independent
The lawsuit targeted a Missouri requirement that minors obtain parental consent before getting an abortion and a ban on anyone aiding or assisting minors.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 3d
The state has worked to purge the microbusiness program of alleged ‘predatory’ practices. Contracts at the heart of 22 revoked licenses were written by an attorney who represents the state’s cannabis trade group and had a hand in the drafting of the marijuana legalization amendment. #moleg #mogov
Missouri lawyer for cannabis trade group behind contracts tied to revoked licenses • Missouri Independent
Missouri cannabis regulators have worked to purge the social-equity program of alleged ‘predatory’ practices.
missouriindependent.com
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 3d
Missouri lawyer for cannabis trade group was behind contracts tied to revoked licenses #moleg #mogov
Missouri lawyer for cannabis trade group behind contracts tied to revoked licenses • Missouri Independent
Missouri cannabis regulators have worked to purge the social-equity program of alleged ‘predatory’ practices.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 4d
US prison population rises for second straight year
US prison population rises for second straight year • Missouri Independent
The nation’s prison population grew for the second consecutive year in 2023, reversing more than a decade of steady decline.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 3d
The proposed constitutional amendment set to go before voters next year would ban nearly all abortions, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies and survivors of sexual assault. #moleg #mogov
Judge approves ballot language for amendment reinstating Missouri abortion ban • Missouri Independent
Attorneys continue to argue the ballot language for the proposed amendment does not clearly state that it will ban abortion.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 4d
Slot machines in locations across Missouri violate state gambling laws, a federal jury found Monday in a verdict that Torch Electronics, the most visible operator of “gray market” games, unfairly forced a competitor out of 20 locations. #moleg #mogov
Torch lured business in Missouri with illegal video games, federal jury finds • Missouri Independent
Slot machines in locations across Missouri violate state gambling laws, a federal jury found Monday in a verdict that Torch Electronics.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 4d
A former speaker of the Missouri House whose final year in office was dominated by allegations of misconduct is trying to become a judge in St. Louis County. #moleg #mogov
Former Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher hopes to be named a judge in St. Louis County • Missouri Independent
Dean Plocher's final year in office involved allegations of misconduct and inspired two lawsuits. Now he wants to become a judge.
missouriindependent.com
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 4d
Missouri attorney general subpoenas Planned Parenthood for patient abortion records #moleg #mogov
Missouri attorney general subpoenas Planned Parenthood for patient abortion records • Missouri Independent
Missouri's attorney general subpoenaed for health records of Planned Parenthood abortion patients as part of ongoing litigation around abortion access.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 5d
Harvest of stress: Soybean farmers await help as tariff dispute closes China market #moleg #mogov
Harvest of stress: Soybean farmers await help as tariff dispute closes China market • Missouri Independent
As farmers harvest the soybeans they planted in the spring, it’s hard not to think about the ongoing trade dispute with China.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 4d
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office is demanding health records of Planned Parenthood abortion patients in an effort to argue in favor of keeping in place several regulations that limit access to the procedure. #moleg #mogov
Missouri attorney general subpoenas Planned Parenthood for patient abortion records • Missouri Independent
Missouri's attorney general subpoenaed for health records of Planned Parenthood abortion patients as part of ongoing litigation around abortion access.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 5d
Missouri's request calls for SNAP restrictions on candy, soda and desserts, along with expanded incentives for healthy purchases. Nonprofit and industry leaders are concerned that nutritious food will remain out of reach for many. #moleg #mogov
Missouri seeks federal waiver to ban candy, soda and desserts from SNAP purchases • Missouri Independent
The waiver comes as federal changes narrow eligibility to receive SNAP and impose costs on the state to implement requirements.
missouriindependent.com
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 22d
A national GOP consultant wrote a memo for the map’s legislative sponsor explaining details of the new districts, but he's adamant that isn't evidence he had a hand in creating the map.

“The governor’s team clearly produced and developed this map.” #moleg #mogov
Court battle looms over KC precinct listed twice in Missouri’s new congressional map • Missouri Independent
Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a statement seeking to rebut charges that a precinct had been duplicated in the new Missouri congressional map.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 23d
Gov. Mike Kehoe went on the offensive Wednesday against critics of the new congressional map approved by Missouri lawmakers, issuing a statement seeking to rebut charges that one Kansas City precinct was accidentally placed in two different districts. #moleg #mogov
Court battle looms over KC precinct listed twice in Missouri’s new congressional map • Missouri Independent
Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a statement seeking to rebut charges that a precinct had been duplicated in the new Missouri congressional map.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 23d
Additional public education experts are joining discussions on the future of the state’s school funding formula as work groups convene for bi-monthly meetings. #moleg #mogov
Public education leaders guide task force studying Missouri school funding • Missouri Independent
A task force charged with updating Missouri's school funding formula is bringing in education experts as work groups convene.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 23d
Democracy is under strain, and the right question to ask is whether anyone cares enough to make a difference, former Gov. Jay Nixon told a crowd Wednesday afternoon at Westminster College in Fulton. #moleg #mogov
Former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon urges Americans to 'resist apathy with action' • Missouri Independent
Democracy is under strain, and the right question to ask is whether anyone cares enough to make a difference, former Gov. Jay Nixon said.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 25d
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office is allowed to access patient health information as part of its investigation into the Washington University Transgender Center, an appeals court ruled Tuesday. #moleg #mogov
Appeals court gives Missouri AG pathway to Transgender Center patient records • Missouri Independent
Missouri's Eastern District Court of Appeals opens the door for the state's attorney general to receive unredacted patient records.
missouriindependent.com
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missouriindependent.com
Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 25d
A Democratic legislator from Springfield faces a Missouri House ethics investigation because of an obscene text message sent to a Republican colleague during debate over the new congressional district map. #moleg #mogov
Missouri House Democrat faces ethics inquiry, loses committee seats over obscene text • Missouri Independent
A Democratic legislator from Springfield faces a Missouri House ethics investigation over an obscene text sent to a Republican colleague.
missouriindependent.com
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