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Kacen J. Bayless

@kacen.bsky.social

870 followers 240 following 220 posts

Missouri government & politics reporter at The Kansas City Star. [email protected]

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Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 1d

“This ruling is a victory for both the law and for Missouri voters,” said Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. #moleg

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 1d

"Despite three attempts, the state's ballot summary still fails to give voters a clear and honest understanding that Amendment 3 would end Missourians' fundamental right to reproductive freedom, a right we approved just last November," said Tori Schafer w/ the ACLU of Missouri. #moleg

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 1d

UPDATE: After this story published, a Missouri judge approved SOS Denny Hoskins’ version of the abortion ban's ballot language, finding his second of three potential tries “fair and sufficient” for the ballot.

The ACLU says it will appeal the ruling. #moleg #mogov

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 2d

New: Missouri’s ‘Let Politicians Lie Act’ takes center stage in fight over abortion #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri’s ‘Let Politicians Lie Act’ takes center stage in fight over abortion

The ongoing legal fight is largely by design, marking the latest salvo in Republican officials’ yearslong effort to halt abortion access.

www.kansascity.com

Reposted by Kacen J. Bayless

Glenn E. Rice @grice1911.bsky.social · 2d

Missouri’s ‘Let Politicians Lie Act’ takes center stage in fight over abortion - A story by @kacen.bsky.social
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri’s ‘Let Politicians Lie Act’ takes center stage in fight over abortion

The ongoing legal fight is largely by design, marking the latest salvo in Republican officials’ yearslong effort to halt abortion access.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 2d

New: Missouri’s ‘Let Politicians Lie Act’ takes center stage in fight over abortion #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri’s ‘Let Politicians Lie Act’ takes center stage in fight over abortion

The ongoing legal fight is largely by design, marking the latest salvo in Republican officials’ yearslong effort to halt abortion access.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 6d

New: As President Donald Trump threatens sending troops to U.S. cities to crack down on crime, U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt took direct aim at Kansas City this week.

Local leaders are pushing back. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

MO Republican praises DC takeover as model for KC. What do local leaders say?

The senator’s comments have intensified concerns that Kansas City could be swept up in the Trump administration’s sweeping anti-crime crackdown.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 8d

Students across the sprawling campus of Missouri’s flagship institution are grappling with the aftermath of a fatal shooting near a popular bar strip.

We spoke with students about gun violence, downtown safety and Mizzou's response #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

After shooting near Mizzou, she got a phone alert. ‘It’s kind of scary.’

Students across the sprawling University of Missouri campus are grappling with the aftermath of a fatal shooting near a popular bar strip.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 8d

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has authorized the state’s National Guard to help ICE agents, plunging Missouri into national mass deportation efforts led by the Trump administration. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri National Guard to help ICE with statewide deportations, governor says

The announcement comes as the first-year governor has tried to align himself more closely with the Trump administration in recent months.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 9d

After a fatal shooting homecoming morning, the University of Missouri’s top leader declared a "crime crisis" in Columbia.

But the president's letter and a follow-up press briefing sidestepped one issue that has long plagued officials in Missouri: gun control. www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Mizzou leader declares ‘crime crisis’ after shooting. Will guns be discussed?

The shooting just hours before the popular homecoming parade has renewed a protracted dispute over violent crime and gun violence.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 12d

New: Trump threatens to move World Cup games from ‘dangerous’ cities. What about Kansas City? #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/sports/fifa-...

Trump threatens to move World Cup games from ‘dangerous’ cities. What about KC?

Trump’s threat has sparked questions about whether Kansas City could be a target.

www.kansascity.com

Reposted by Kacen J. Bayless

Glenn E. Rice @grice1911.bsky.social · 13d

Despite strong opposition, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is set to sign a new congressional map. My colleague @kacen.bsky.social writes that Kehoe will sign the bill during a closed-door ceremony on Sunday.

www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Facing fierce opposition, Missouri governor will sign new congressional map

The governor’s signature will come roughly two weeks after a special legislative session aimed at representative and direct democracy in Missouri.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 13d

New: Facing a trio of lawsuits and an opposition campaign, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office said the Republican governor will sign the state’s new congressional map into law. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Facing fierce opposition, Missouri governor will sign new congressional map

The governor’s signature will come roughly two weeks after a special legislative session aimed at representative and direct democracy in Missouri.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 14d

New: As Kansas City’s mayor weighs a run for Congress, The Star takes a look at whether Missouri's gerrymandered congressional map could clear a path for Democrats. #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

As Kansas City’s mayor eyes Congress, would he — and Democrats — have a shot?

Could Missouri’s congressional map open a path for Kansas City Democrats to pick up additional seats in Congress?

www.kansascity.com

Reposted by Kacen J. Bayless

Glenn E. Rice @grice1911.bsky.social · 14d

As Kansas City’s mayor eyes Congress, would he — and Democrats — have a shot? The latest via @kacen.bsky.social

www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

As Kansas City’s mayor eyes Congress, would he — and Democrats — have a shot?

Could Missouri’s congressional map open a path for Kansas City Democrats to pick up additional seats in Congress?

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 14d

Link to form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Missouri just gerrymandered Kansas City. What questions do you have?

Missouri Republican lawmakers recently passed a gerrymandered congressional map that places Kansas City voters into three districts. There's a lot to unpack from Gov. Mike Kehoe's high stakes special ...

docs.google.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 14d

READER CALLOUT: Kansas City voters were thrust into a national redistricting fight when Missouri Republicans approved a new congressional map.

There’s a lot to unpack and The Star wants to answer your questions. Ask us here:
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri just gerrymandered Kansas City. Let us know what questions you have

Help us out by filling out this form with your most pressing concerns and questions.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 16d

New: When Missouri's governor called a special session, he deployed lawmakers into a partisan battle over two of the most polarizing issues in state politics.

In the wake of the session one major question looms. Will they survive the courtroom & the ballot? #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Will Missouri’s congressional map, direct democracy overhaul survive challenges?

In the wake of a volatile session, one major question looms. Will the measures survive the courtroom and the ballot box?

www.kansascity.com

Reposted by Kacen J. Bayless

Glenn E. Rice @grice1911.bsky.social · 16d

Will Missouri’s congressional map, direct democracy overhaul survive challenges? The latest via @kacen.bsky.social
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Will Missouri’s congressional map, direct democracy overhaul survive challenges?

In the wake of a volatile session, one major question looms. Will the measures survive the courtroom and the ballot box?

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 19d

NEW: Missouri ballot measure banning abortions ‘unfair’ and must be rewritten, judge rules #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 20d

New: After Missouri Republicans rushed to gerrymander the state’s congressional districts, a lawsuit alleges the map includes a crucial error that places more than 870 KC residents in two districts.

But GOP Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office is pushing back. #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri map error may put same KC voters in 2 districts. Governor says that’s ‘false’

A lawsuit alleges the map assigns one Kansas City voting precinct to two representatives in Congress. But Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office is pushing back.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 22d

Just days after Missouri Republicans passed a congressional map that carves up KC, a new campaign is charging forward with a plan asking voters to repeal it.

People Not Politicians began collecting signatures on Monday to force a statewide vote. #moleg www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Can voters stop Missouri gerrymander? A group is trying to force a statewide vote

The campaign began collecting signatures on Monday to force a statewide referendum vote.

www.kansascity.com

Reposted by Kacen J. Bayless

Glenn E. Rice @grice1911.bsky.social · 26d

JUST IN: Missouri senators pass gerrymandered map that slashes through Kansas City. Breaking news via @kacen.bsky.social and @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social

www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri senators pass gerrymandered map that slashes through Kansas City

The vote marked a pivotal moment in Missouri, potentially altering the political makeup of Kansas City for years.

www.kansascity.com

Reposted by Kacen J. Bayless

Glenn E. Rice @grice1911.bsky.social · 26d

BREAKING!!! - Missouri lawmakers pass GOP plan to overhaul direct democracy. Now it goes to voters - A story via @kacen.bsky.social and @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social

Read more at: www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Missouri lawmakers pass GOP plan to overhaul direct democracy. Now it goes to voters

The legislation would weaken the petition process, which has allowed voters to overturn an abortion ban, raise the minimum wage and expand Medicaid.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 28d

New: Thousands flood Missouri Capitol to protest gerrymandering, direct democracy overhaul #moleg #mogov www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Thousands flood Missouri Capitol to protest gerrymandering, direct democracy overhaul

The throngs of people, including union workers, activists and residents, held one of the largest rallies inside the Missouri Capitol in recent years.

www.kansascity.com

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 29d

Trump’s post undercut arguments from Missouri Republicans that the mid-decade redistricting effort was for reasons other than appeasing the Republican president.

Some House Republicans chafed at the accusation during floor debates this week. #moleg

Kacen J. Bayless @kacen.bsky.social · 29d

New: Trump orders Missouri senators to pass the new, gerrymandered congressional map

"I will be watching closely," the Republican president wrote on his own social media platform. #moleg #mogov
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Trump orders Missouri senators to pass new congressional map: ‘Watching closely’

The post came just hours after the Missouri House approved the map, which would carve Kansas City into three Republican-leaning districts.

www.kansascity.com