News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Missouri clinics will ‘immediately’ offer abortion across the state after judge’s ruling
by Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent
February 14, 2025
A Missouri judge on Friday blocked a licensing requirement for abortion clinics that providers argued was a key obstacle to renewing access to the procedure across the state.
Hours later, Planned Parenthood clinics announced they would begin offering abortion services in Missouri.
“Abortion care will be restored immediately,” said Emily Wales, President and CEO of Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. “The people voted, the court responded and we will do our part: serving Missourians in their home state.”
In a three-page ruling issued late Friday afternoon, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang said the regulations mandate physicians to perform certain exams and testing that are “unnecessary.”
The licensing requirement is “discriminatory,” Zhang wrote, “ because it does not treat services provided in abortion facilities the same as other types of similarly situated health care, including miscarriage care.”
Planned Parenthood clinics had previously said it could begin taking walk-in medication abortion appointments in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis if the judge ruled in their favor.
“Our health center staff are quickly readying to restart this critical care in the coming days,” said Margot Riphagen, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers.
Abortion Action Missouri announced Friday evening the expansion of its clinic escorts program to include the Planned Parenthood in St. Louis.
“Barely a year after launching the campaign to end Missouri’s abortion ban, the court upheld the will of the people,” Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, said.
“With this change the landscape for Missourians and the entire Midwest region will be transformed,” she said, “as patients will have greater access to abortion care than they have had in years.”
Coalition Life also announced it would again gather outside the clinic in St. Louis and re-establish its sidewalk counseling efforts.
“This ruling reinforces the need for pro-life agencies and advocates to offer life-affirming alternatives to women,” said Brian Westbrook, the group’s executive director. “Coalition Life remains steadfast in our mission to provide resources, education, and support to women facing unexpected pregnancies.”
Stephanie Bell, a spokeswoman with Missouri Stands with Women — one of several political action committees formed last year to defend the state’s abortion ban — said the fight is not over.
“We will not stop fighting to protect both women and unborn children from reckless, profit-driven practices,” Bell said. “No woman should suffer, and no innocent life should be taken, in the name of an industry that refuses to be held accountable.”
The day after voters narrowly decided to overturn the state’s near-total abortion ban and protect the right to an abortion in the state constitution, the ACLU of Missouri, Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers sued the state to strike down those statutes.
Zhang previously blocked a number of “targeted regulation of abortion provider” statutes, better known as TRAP laws, such as a 72-hour waiting period for an abortion and a requirement that physicians performing the procedure have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals were put on hold.
But the licensing requirements have left clinics unable to offer abortion in Missouri.
Friday’s ruling will certainly be appealed by the state. A spokeswoman for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey did not respond to a request for comment.
A decade ago, more than 5,000 abortions were performed in Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. By 2020, when abortions were still legal, that number fell to 167, a drop that abortion providers attributed to the state’s growing list of regulations.
Missouri’s trigger law banning all abortions with limited exceptions for medical emergencies went into effect the same day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
Last November, Missourians narrowly approved Amendment 3, which states, in part, that “the right to reproductive freedom shall not be denied, interfered with, delayed, or otherwise restricted unless the government demonstrates that such action is justifiable by a compelling governmental interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”
The lawsuit seeking to strike down Missouri’s remaining abortion restrictions was filed soon after.
Efforts by the Republican legislative majority to repeal or modify the terms of the Amendment 3 have led to 17 bills and proposed constitutional amendments filed in the Missouri House, and another 19 in the state Senate.
Organizers with “What’s Next,” a group of Missouri activists who have pressed for a constitutional amendment beyond what voters approved last year with no restrictions on abortion, said attempts to unravel Amendment 3 should make abortion rights advocates think twice before celebrating Friday’s ruling.
“Today’s temporary court ruling on abortion is progress, but a far cry from any sort of win,” the organization said in a statement to the media. “What remains in our state is a constitutional right for government interference, and we expect no less from our hostile legislature.”
The only House measure to receive a hearing so far is a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban abortions except in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. Filed by state Rep. Melanie Stinnett, a Republican from Springfield, it would only allow abortions for rape or incest in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and only if a report has been filed with law enforcement.
None of the Senate proposals have been scheduled for a hearing.
The Independent’s Rudi Keller and Anna Spoerre contributed to this story.
Updated at 8:25 p.m. with comments from Abortion Action Missouri, Coalition Life, Missouri Stands With Women and What’s Next.
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.
News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Texas floods: Death toll rises, 11 girls still missing as search efforts continue
SUMMARY: Devastating flash floods hit central Texas starting July 4, 2025, primarily impacting Kerr County along the Guadalupe River, killing nearly 70 people—including many children at summer camps like Camp Mystic. Sheriff Larry Leitha reported 11 campers still missing amid difficult search conditions involving helicopters, boats, and drones. Over 850 people were rescued. The floods rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, sweeping away homes and vehicles. Authorities face questions about warning adequacy despite National Weather Service alerts. Governor Greg Abbott declared a day of prayer as communities grieve. Survivors recounted harrowing escapes, while investigations continue into preparedness and response for this historic rainfall disaster.
The post Texas floods: Death toll rises, 11 girls still missing as search efforts continue appeared first on fox4kc.com
News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Parents cited after kids start St. Louis fireworks wars
SUMMARY: St. Louis police arrested 60 people downtown Friday night, including 45 juveniles as young as 12. For the first time, parents were cited for their children’s actions during a surge in fireworks-related incidents. Authorities set up a reunification center to hold minors until parents arrived; those delayed beyond 45 minutes faced additional citations. Among arrests, eight involved firearms, alongside charges like resisting arrest and contributing to minor delinquency. Fire-related calls rose 61% this year, with 631 incidents including building and grass fires. Officials emphasized parental responsibility and plan increased patrols and citations at future events to curb dangerous behaviors.
Police arrested 60 people, including 45 juveniles, during Fourth of July celebrations downtown, citing parents for their children’s behavior for the first time.
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News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Shannon County Sheriff alleges ‘orchestrated campaign of harassment and smear tactics,’ threats to life
SUMMARY: Shannon County Commission announced termination of nearly all Shannon County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) staff due to a 75% budget overspend. Sheriff Steven Hogan condemned the move as politically motivated and alleged harassment and death threats. A temporary restraining order has paused deputy terminations until the trial scheduled for July 9. Commission attorney Ivan Schraeder stated the commission’s evidence will clarify the situation, disputing SCSO claims of mismanagement by Hogan. The commission argues legal flaws in SCSO’s suit and has requested a $200,000 security bond for deputies. Despite cuts, the jail and dispatch services remain operational. Hogan seeks federal investigation into threats.
The post Shannon County Sheriff alleges ‘orchestrated campaign of harassment and smear tactics,’ threats to life appeared first on www.ozarksfirst.com
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