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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock
@jasonhancock.bsky.social
3.4K followers 740 following 330 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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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 15h
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 15h
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 20h
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.
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 20h
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 1d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 1d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 1d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 1d
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.
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 2d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 2d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 2d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 2d
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.
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 20d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 20d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 20d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 20d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 22d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 22d
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.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 23d
Three lawsuits and a referendum: New Missouri congressional map faces multiple attacks #moleg #mogov
Three lawsuits and a referendum: New Missouri congressional map faces multiple attacks • Missouri Independent
Immediately after Missouri Republicans passed a gerrymandered congressional map lawsuits were filed challenging its constitutionality.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 24d
“It seems that if you have any independent thought, or even just raise a question, you have a problem with this Republican Party,” said Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield. “And that is not the Republican Party that, 15 years ago when I first ran for the House, that I was part of.” #moleg #mogov
Missouri GOP senator slams party leaders for forcing vote on bills without allowing debate • Missouri Independent
The Missouri Senate died Friday afternoon when Republican leaders refused to allow debate on a measure weakening the initiative petition process, GOP state Sen. Lincoln Hough said in an interview with...
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jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock @jasonhancock.bsky.social · 24d
Missouri GOP senator slams party leaders for forcing vote on bills without allowing debate

Sen. Lincoln Hough was removed as chair of Senate Appropriations Cmte minutes after voting against shutting off debate to gerrymander congressional maps and weakening the initiative petition process #moleg
Missouri GOP senator slams party leaders for forcing vote on bills without allowing debate • Missouri Independent
The Missouri Senate died Friday afternoon when Republican leaders refused to allow debate on a measure weakening the initiative petition process, GOP state Sen. Lincoln Hough said in an interview with...
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 24d
The Missouri Independent’s staff won 28 awards Saturday — including 10 first place honors — in the annual Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. #moleg #mogov
The Independent wins 28 journalism awards in annual Missouri Press contest • Missouri Independent
The Missouri Independent's staff won 28 awards Saturday — including nine first place honors — in the annual Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 26d
Shortly after Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, voted against the gerrymandered congressional map and limitations on initiative petitions, he confirmed to The Independent he is no longer chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

He's held that job since 2023. #moleg #mogov
Missouri lawmakers pass gerrymandered congressional map, initiative petition limits • Missouri Independent
Missouri voters will decide the fate of changes to the initiative petition process next year, while a campaign to put the gerrymandered map on the 2026 ballot are already underway.
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 26d
Opponents of the new congressional map hope to file a referendum to repeal it as soon as today. The Secretary of State argues they must wait until the governor signs it.

The governor has 45 days to sign it. They only have 90 days to collect signatures #moleg #mogov
Missouri lawmakers pass gerrymandered congressional map, initiative petitions limits • Missouri Independent
Missouri voters will decide the fate of changes to the initiative petition process next year, while a campaign to put the gerrymandered map on the 2026 ballot are already underway.
missouriindependent.com
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Missouri Independent @missouriindependent.com · 26d
A newly-gerrymandered congressional map and limits on voters’ ability to amend the state constitution cleared the Missouri Senate Friday, capping two weeks of contentious debate that drew national attention. #moleg #mogov
Missouri lawmakers pass gerrymandered congressional map, initiative petition limits • Missouri Independent
Missouri voters will decide the fate of changes to the initiative petition process next year, while a campaign to put the gerrymandered map on the 2026 ballot are already underway.
missouriindependent.com
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