David A. Lieb, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - Missouri state Rep. Jeremy Dean, D-Springfield, glances up from his computer in the Missouri House chamber during a special legislation session, Sept. 8, 2025 in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb, File)

Missouri lawmaker reprimanded for sexually vulgar text sent during redistricting protest

January 22, 2026

A Missouri lawmaker has been formally reprimanded for sending a sexually vulgar text to a fellow House member. Democratic state Rep. Jeremy Dean was protesting a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump when he sent the message to a Republican lawmaker last September. On Thursday, colleagues barred him from serving on House committees and ordered him to stay at least 50 feet away from the targeted lawmaker. Dean acknowledged the text was inappropriate and apologized. He is among at least 157 state lawmakers across the U.S. who have been accused of sexual misconduct or harassment since 2017, according to an Associated Press tally.

FILE - Advertisements for sports betting apps are seen in downtown Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Missouri considers a ban on college athlete prop bets after NCAA basketball betting scandal

January 22, 2026

Missouri gambling regulators are considering new restrictions on bets related to college athletes’ performance. The move by the Missouri Gaming Commission comes one week after the NCAA urged state gambling boards to ban college athlete prop bets because of recent scandals. Prop bets focus on individual player performances, like points scored in basketball or passing yards in football. The NCAA argues these bets are vulnerable to manipulation. Last week, over two dozen people were indicted for allegedly trying to rig college basketball games. Missouri already prohibits prop bets on athletes playing in games involving Missouri colleges, but it allows them for all other games.

President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing regarding marijuana in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

States faces a choice on whether to embrace Trump’s tax cuts on tips, overtime and more

December 19, 2025

Lawmakers across the U.S. will be debating whether to adopt new federal tax breaks for tips, overtime and business expenses. The Trump administration is urging states to follow its lead by applying the federal tax cuts to state income taxes. But that decision varies by state. In some places, the tax breaks automatically apply unless legislatures opt out. In others, they won’t occur unless legislatures opt in. States embracing all of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts could offer significant savings to taxpayers but may also face financial strain. So far, only a few states have voted on these tax breaks, with Michigan being the first to opt in for tips and overtime.

Abortion opponents prepare for a rally at the Missouri Capitol on May 1, 2025, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

Missouri court orders new wording for ballot measure seeking to restrict abortion rights

December 4, 2025

A Missouri appeals court panel has ordered new wording for a ballot measure seeking to roll back abortion rights in the state. The court ruled Thursday that Missouri voters must be informed the amendment would repeal “reproductive healthcare rights” that they approved just one year ago. The decision marks another twist in Missouri’s ongoing battle over abortion laws, which have shifted since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The Republican-led Legislature placed a new amendment on a 2026 ballot that would allow abortions only in specific cases. The appeals court found the previous ballot summary misleading and imposed new wording.

Promotional fliers advertising sports betting are seen Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

Missouri launches sports betting as recent scandals shine a spotlight on the growing industry

November 30, 2025

Missouri has become the latest state to launch sports betting. The state began allowing bets Monday with some limitations, including that people won’t be allowed to make prop bets for games involving Missouri college players. Prop bets are a popular type of wager often focused on what individual players will do in a game. The restriction highlights concerns over prop bets following recent scandals involving both professional and collegiate athletes. Missouri’s restriction is less sweeping than in some states, which have banned prop bets on all college athletes. The restriction was included in a constitutional amendment authorizing sports betting that voters narrowly approved last year.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) heads off the field following an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Missouri governor floats potential for a retractable roof if Chiefs renovate Arrowhead Stadium

November 11, 2025

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is floating the potential for the Kansas City Chiefs to play in a covered stadium without moving to Kansas. Kehoe said Tuesday that architectural improvements could be made to Arrowhead Stadium that provide an all-weather environment without building a full dome. Kehoe pointed to stadiums in Europe with flexible, retractable coverings. The Chiefs have played at Arrowhead for over 50 years, but their lease expire in January 2031. The Chiefs have been weighing whether to play in a proposed dome in Kansas or stay in Missouri at a renovated Arrowhead Stadium.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver waits to speak against a proposed congressional redistricting plan at a state Senate committee hearing on Friday, Sept. 11, 2025 in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

US Rep. Emanuel Cleaver faces off with Missouri lawmakers seeking to reshape his district

September 11, 2025

Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver is warning Missouri lawmakers that a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump is reopening racial divisions in Kansas City. On Thursday, Cleaver flew from Washington to Missouri to oppose the Republican plan, which could reshape his district to favor Republicans. Missouri’s Senate is expected to approve the plan as soon as Friday. Cleaver, who was Kansas City’s first Black mayor, criticized the revised congressional map for using a major city street that has historically segregated Black and white residents as a dividing line. He plans to challenge the map in court and seek reelection, despite the changes.

John Billman, of Columbia, Mo., holds a sign explaining his opposition to a state legislative proposal that would make it harder for voters to approve citizen-initiated constitutional amendments while rallying at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

Missouri voters and lawmakers clash over who should be able to initiate constitutional amendments

September 10, 2025

Missouri voters and lawmakers could be headed for a clash at the ballot box over public policy decisions. Citizen activists on Wednesday launched a petition drive for a constitutional amendment that would make it harder for state lawmakers to reverse voter-approved initiatives. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are proposing their own amendment that would make it harder for citizen-initiated amendments to pass. Both measures could appear on the 2026 ballot. The conflicting measures highlight tensions between voters and elected officials that also have surfaced in other states, including Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Robin Rothove, left, and Paula Smith, right, demonstrate outside the Missouri Capitol as lawmakers prepare to conduct a committee hearing inside to consider redrawing the state's U.S. House districts, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Trump-backed plan to redraw Missouri congressional districts draws opposition at first hearing

September 4, 2025

Some Missouri residents are denouncing a plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts at the urging of President Donald Trump. Dozens of people attended the first public hearing for the plan on Thursday in the Missouri Legislature, speaking against it. Republicans are pressing ahead with a proposed map that would split up a Kansas City district to give the GOP a shot at winning seven of Missouri’s eight U.S. House seats. Missouri is the third state to join a national battle over redistricting, following Texas and California. More states could follow. Nationally, Democrats need to gain three seats in next year’s elections to win control of the House.

FILE - People at an election night watch party react after an abortion rights amendment to the Missouri constitution passed, Nov. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Missouri judge again blocks many of the state’s anti-abortion laws

July 3, 2025

A Missouri judge has blocked many of the state’s anti-abortion laws. The order Thursday by Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang reimposes a preliminary injunction against the abortion restrictions. It comes a little over a month after the state Supreme Court had lifted a prior injunction and ordered the judge to reconsider the case. Missouri’s abortion laws have been seesawing back and forth. Voters last fall approved a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. That overturned a state ban on most abortions enacted after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to abortion in 2022.

Missouri approves stadium aid for Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and disaster relief for St. Louis

June 11, 2025

Missouri lawmakers have approved hundreds of millions of dollars of incentives to try to persuade the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to keep playing in Missouri. A bill given final approval Wednesday also provides millions of dollars of disaster relief following tornadoes in St. Louis and elsewhere. The legislation now goes to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who called lawmakers into special session. The Chiefs and Royals currently play in side-by-side stadiums in Kansas City, Missouri, under leases due to expire in 2031. Missouri is competing with Kansas to be the site for new or renovated stadiums.

David A. Lieb.