As gerrymandering battles sweep country, supporters say partisan dominance is 'fair'
When Indiana adopted new U.S. House districts four years ago, Republican legislative leaders lauded them as "fair maps" that reflected the state's communities.
David A. Lieb, The Associated Press
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Opponents of Trump-backed redistricting in Missouri submit a petition to force a public vote
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Opponents of Missouri's new congressional map submitted thousands of petition signatures Tuesday calling for a statewide referendum on a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump as part of his quest to hold on to a slim Republican majority in next year's elections.
Missouri court orders new wording for ballot measure seeking to restrict abortion rights
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri appeals court panel ordered new wording Thursday for a ballot measure seeking to roll back abortion rights in the state, ruling that voters must be told the amendment would repeal "reproductive healthcare rights" they approved just one year ago.
Missouri seeks federal help in pressing China for $25 billion in COVID damages
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri has escalated its attempt to seize Chinese government-owned property across the United States, asking the Trump administration for help collecting on a roughly $25 billion court judgement related to the COVID-19 pandemic that Beijing has flatly rejected.
What's next in the national redistricting fight after California approved a new US House map
The new congressional map that California voters approved marked a victory for Democrats in the national redistricting battle playing out ahead of the 2026 midterm election. But Republicans are still ahead in the fight.
What to know about redistricting efforts across US at Trump's prodding
President Donald Trump's desire to secure the Republican majority in Congress has prompted an unusual burst of mid-decade redistricting in multiple states.
California expands privacy protections as Democratic-led states resist Trump's immigration agenda
Immigrants selling food, flowers and other merchandise along the sidewalks of California will have new privacy protections intended to keep their identities secret from federal immigration agents.
More states are moving to redraw US House districts after Trump urged it for partisan gain
A mid-decade battle over congressional redistricting is playing out in state capitals, in courtrooms and on the ballot.
Trump's big bill is prompting urgent action in some Democratic states, but not in Republican ones
New Mexico lawmakers are to open a special session Wednesday to boost funding for food assistance and rural health care -- actions the Democratic governor contends are needed to "minimize the damage from President Trump's disastrous bill" cutting federal taxes and spending.
Missouri governor signs Trump-backed plan aimed at helping Republicans win another US House seat
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a new U.S. House map into law Sunday as part of President Donald Trump's plan to try to hold on to a narrow Republican majority in next year's congressional election.
Missouri judge strikes down ballot summary for anti-abortion measure backed by Republican lawmakers
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri judge has struck down a ballot summary for an anti-abortion amendment backed by Republican state lawmakers while concluding that it presented an unfair and insufficient description to voters.
Missouri Senate passes Trump-backed plan that could help Republicans win an additional US House seat
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Republicans handed President Donald Trump a political victory Friday, giving final legislative approval to a redistricting plan that could help Republicans win an additional U.S. House seat in next year's elections.
US Rep. Emanuel Cleaver faces off with Missouri lawmakers seeking to reshape his district
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Facing those seeking to oust him from office, Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver warned Missouri lawmakers on Thursday that a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump is reopening decades-old racial divisions in Kansas City.
Missouri voters and lawmakers clash over who should be able to initiate constitutional amendments
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri voters and the lawmakers they elect could be headed for a clash at the ballot box over the power to set public policy.
Missouri Republicans advance Trump-backed plan to redraw US House districts
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's Republican-led House turned aside Democratic objections Tuesday and passed a plan backed by President Donald Trump to redraw the state's congressional districts so that Republicans could win almost all of them.
Trump-backed plan to redraw Missouri congressional districts draws opposition at first hearing
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri residents denounced a plan to redraw the state's congressional districts on Thursday as Republican lawmakers pressed ahead with President Donald Trump's strategy to bolster Republicans in next year's congressional elections.
Missouri takes up Trump's redistricting effort in Republican push to win more US House seats
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers are meeting in a special session to redraw the state's U.S. House districts as part of President Donald Trump's effort to bolster Republicans' chances of retaining control of Congress in next year's elections.
AP analysis shows Texas and California redistricting efforts could mess with rare partisan balance
As Texas Republicans and California Democrats redraw U.S. House districts to their advantage ahead of next year's elections, they're potentially disrupting a rare partisan balance in American politics.
Former US Attorney Catherine Hanaway appointed as Missouri's next attorney general
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Former U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway was appointed Tuesday as Missouri's next attorney general, vowing a tough-on-crime approach as her predecessor leaves for a job with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey resigns to take a top FBI position
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican who has been an ardent backer of President Donald Trump, said Monday that he is resigning to take a leadership position at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Texas dispute highlights nation's long history of partisan gerrymandering. Is it legal?
When Democratic lawmakers fled Texas to try to prevent the Republican-led Legislature from redrawing the state's congressional districts, it marked the latest episode in a long national history of gerrymandering.
20 states sue FEMA for canceling grant program that guards against natural disasters
Twenty Democratic-led states filed suit Wednesday against the Federal Emergency Management Agency, challenging the elimination of a long-running grant program that helps communities guard against damage from natural disasters.
Missouri judge again blocks many of the state's anti-abortion laws
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri judge blocked many of the state's abortion restrictions Thursday, reimposing a preliminary injunction against them just a little over a month after the state's highest court had lifted a previous hold.
Democratic states double down on laws resisting Trump's immigration crackdown
As President Donald Trump's administration targets states and local governments for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities, lawmakers in some Democratic-led states are intensifying their resistance by strengthening state laws restricting such cooperation.
As Trump targets DEI, Republican-led states intensify efforts to stamp it out
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Republican-led states are accelerating efforts to stamp out diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, expanding from higher education to other government functions since President Donald Trump fully embraced the movement.
Missouri lawmakers approve referendum to repeal abortion-rights amendment
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Six months after Missouri voters approved an abortion-rights amendment, Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday approved a new referendum that would seek the amendment's repeal and instead ban most abortions with exceptions for rape an incest.
Lawmakers seek to rein in citizen ballot initiatives with new requirements for petitions
Citizen activists supporting a public vote on important issues could have to brush up on their reading, writing and arithmetic if they want to get their initiatives on next year's ballot in some states.
Immigrants in the US unlawfully can drive legally in 19 states. Now some states want to stop them
As drivers on U.S. highways cross from one state to another, they often are greeted by a large "Welcome to ...." sign.
Some GOP states are targeting driver's licenses issued to immigrants illegally in the US
As drivers on U.S. highways cross from one state to another, they often are greeted by a large "Welcome to ...." sign.
Indiana takes a first -- and long -- shot at acquiring parts of Illinois
Indiana is taking a first step toward acquiring parts of Illinois, though a last step appears rather unlikely.
Missouri lawmakers advance proposed repeal of abortion-rights measure approved by voters
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's Republican-led House advanced a proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday asking voters to repeal an abortion-rights measure they narrowly approved last year and instead ban most abortions with exceptions for rape and incest.
Weedkiller maker asks US Supreme Court to block lawsuits claiming it failed to warn about cancer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Global agrochemical manufacturer Bayer has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether federal law preempts thousands of state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.
No state has axed its income tax on wages in 45 years. Now 2 Southern states are on a path to do so
About 45 years have passed since a U.S. state last eliminated its income tax on wages and salaries. But with recent actions in Mississippi and Kentucky, two states now are on a path to do so, if their economies keep growing.
No state has ended personal income taxes since 1980, but Mississippi and Kentucky may change that
About 45 years have passed since a U.S. state last eliminated its income tax on wages and salaries. But with recent actions in Mississippi and Kentucky, two states now are on a path to do so, if their economies keep growing.
At least half of US states now outlaw devices that convert pistols into machine guns
In New Mexico, police and prosecutors backed an effort to outlaw devices that convert pistols into machine guns. In Alabama, the governor made it a priority.
Some voters are pushing back on lawmakers' efforts to overturn citizen ballot initiatives
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- One by one, each of the more than 50 people seated on folding chairs at a public library explained why they were there.
Trump is signing up local law officers to help with immigration enforcement
For years, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in suburban Indianapolis has wanted to partner with federal immigration authorities to identify and detain immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally and facing charges.
What Trump's funding freeze could mean for universities, nonprofits and more
A White House directive to pause federal grants and loans raised uncertainty and fears among many who depend on federal aid before a judge intervened Tuesday to temporarily block it from taking effect.
Trump funding freeze raises uncertainty for universities, states and nonprofits
A White House directive to pause federal grants and loans raised uncertainty and fears among many who depend on federal aid before a judge intervened Tuesday to temporarily block it from taking effect.
Democratic states weigh more support for immigrants as Trump administration cracks down
As President Donald Trump tightens the nation's immigration policies, lawmakers in Democratic-led states are proposing new measures that could erect legal obstacles for federal immigration officials and help immigrants lacking legal status avoid deportation.
Trump's influence spreads through state capitols in both substance and symbolism
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A new year of lawmaking and politicking is underway in U.S. statehouses. Governors are acting quickly to outline their agendas. And in many cases, the influence of President-elect Donald Trump already is rippling through states in both symbolic and substantive ways.
Trump wants to cut taxes. So do governors and lawmakers in some states
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump has proposed trillions of dollars of tax cuts for individuals and businesses. In some states, governors and lawmakers are seeking to cut millions more.
A tough-on-crime approach is back in US state capitols
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Within minutes of his inauguration Monday, new Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to issue a variety of orders targeting crime. The tone-setting move reflects a national trend.
New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns
Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages.
Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump's mass deportation effort
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- As President-elect Donald Trump assembles his administration, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are already rolling out proposals that could help him carry out his pledge to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally.
Voters rejected historic election reforms across the US, despite more than $100M push
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Two weeks before Election Day, activists from across the country gathered for an online rally heralding the historic number of state ballot initiatives seeking to change the way people vote. Hopes were high that voters would ditch traditional partisan primaries and embrace ballots with more candidate choices.
Republicans make gains in numerous state legislatures. But Democrats also notch a few wins
Republicans running on the ballot underneath President-elect Donald Trump made gains in numerous state legislative chambers, though Democrats also notched a few victories in an expensive battle for state power.
Trio of ballot failures leads marijuana backers to refocus their efforts for recreational weed
The movement to legalize recreational marijuana has run into a wall of resistance, failing in all three states where it was on the ballot this year and leading proponents to weigh a tactical shift focused more on state legislatures and the federal government.
Marijuana legalization fails in Florida as numerous states approve citizen voting amendments
A costly campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida failed Tuesday as voters in dozens of states weighed more than 140 measures appearing on the ballot alongside races for president and top state offices.
Voters deciding dozens of ballot measures affecting life, death, taxes and more
While electing officials to make and enforce laws, voters in dozens of states are also deciding on more than 140 ballot proposals affecting the way people legally live, work and die.
Missouri sports betting ballot measure highlights national debate about tax rates
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The ads promoting a ballot measure to legalize sports betting in Missouri tout the potential for millions of new tax dollars devoted to schools. If voters approve the measure, it's a good bet they will see even more ads offering special promotions for bettors.
Voters in Arizona and Nebraska will face competing ballot measures. What happens if they both pass?
Voters in Nebraska and Arizona will see competing measures on their November ballots -- in one case about abortion, in the other about primary elections. If voters approve them all, what happens next could be up to the courts to decide.
Who can vote in US elections, and what steps must you take to do so?
So you want to cast a ballot on Election Day? Or maybe vote by mail? It helps to know the rules.
Clock is ticking for local governments to use billions of dollars of federal pandemic aid
From the looks of it, the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert hasn't done too much with the $24 million it received in federal pandemic aid.
Could America's divide on marijuana be coming to an end?
The U.S. is divided when it comes to state and federal marijuana policy, but recent political developments could move the country toward a greater acceptance of cannabis.
Data indicates voting by noncitizens is rare. Republicans are pressing measures to make sure of it
Only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in this fall's election for president and other top offices. While that's nothing new, the potential for noncitizens to register or vote has been receiving a lot of attention lately.
Georgia school shooting stirs debate about safe storage laws for guns
Just a couple of weeks ago, a special panel of Georgia state senators convened to study potential laws aimed at keeping firearms safely locked up and out of the hands of children.
Illegal voting by noncitizens is rare, yet Republicans are making it a major issue this election
Only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in this fall's election for president and other top offices. While that is nothing new, the potential for noncitizens to register or vote has been receiving a lot of attention lately.
Ballot measures in 41 states give voters a say on abortion and other tough questions
Life, death, crime and taxes will be on ballots for voters to decide this fall.
Takeaways from AP's report on federal policies shielding information about potential dam failures
Thousands of people live downstream from dams yet may not always realize the risks.