Government, Politics & Issues

Federally subsidized crop insurance made record-high payouts last year. While climate change is making farming more risky, the federal program often shields producers at taxpayer expense. Some argue it’s time that the fast-growing program encourages farmers to mitigate their risks.

Boeing promises the project will create at least 500 jobs.

Up to 50 homeowners in Belleville will be allowed to keep chickens in their backyards under an ordinance adopted by the City Council on Monday night.

Illinois became the first state in the country to abolish cash bail on Monday, but the courts remained slow in the Metro East.

The Weldon Spring Republican has been critical of Senate Republican leadership since he entered the Missouri legislature in 2017.

State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says a review of the Children’s Division, which has struggled for years to recruit and retain staff, may not happen right away because of staff constraints in his own office.

The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch gave Missouri an "F" grade for its compliance with international child rights standards. Missouri still allows 16-year-olds to be married, and allows corporal punishment in public and private schools.

Mayor Tishaura Jones is pushing the board to pass the legislation, which she unveiled in August after a roundtable with survivors of gun violence.

The decision means the lines for five Missouri Senate districts, including those in St. Louis County, will remain unchanged as candidates look ahead to 2024 elections.

Previously, dispatchers were classified as clerical workers, which didn’t give them access to the benefits other first responders receive. Experts hope this will attract more candidates to the job.