A project to divert water away from the Missouri River in North Dakota has sparked a new fight in a decades-long conflict about how to manage the river’s water in times of drought.
Ceilidh Kern
Ceilidh Kern was The Beacon’s Missouri statehouse reporter. She came to The Beacon from the Jefferson City News Tribune, where she covered state and county government. Before that, she covered a variety of beats for the Columbia Missourian, Kansas City Flatland and Euractiv. A Maryland native, she came to Missouri to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she studied journalism, political science and environmental health and graduated in 2024.
Posted inEconomics
‘People are already behind on their bills’: Missouri utility rates will keep rising as legislation takes effect, experts warn
Missouri utility companies are requesting rate increases using tools approved by lawmakers last year.
Posted inState Government
Missouri senator proposes creating investment fund to eliminate all state taxes
Sen. Adam Schnelting says it’s time to “completely reimagine how we fund government.” He wants to create a sovereign wealth fund for the state.
Posted inState Government
How lawmakers want to change the Missouri Constitution in 2026
Through proposed constitutional amendments on issues like property taxes and initiative petitions, lawmakers outline their vision for Missouri’s long-term future.
Posted inState Government
Missouri lawmakers will grapple with property tax system in 2026
As property owners contend with rapidly rising assessments and higher tax bills, state lawmakers say they want to change the system and provide some property tax relief.
Posted inRural
Taxpayers paid millions to clean up hazardous waste in Missouri warehouse
Who was held accountable for the hazardous powder left near the town of Berger, Missouri?
Posted inRural
‘Nobody here knew’: Dozens were exposed to hazardous material in Missouri warehouse before EPA cleanup
Children, homeless people and even city officials entered the building unaware they were inhaling toxic dust.
Posted inRural
How 13 million pounds of hazardous powder wound up in an abandoned Missouri warehouse
Sandblasting material used to strip paint was trucked 500 miles or more to a remote warehouse near the Missouri River.
Posted inState Government
‘Bet accordingly’: Missouri sports betting likely to change betting patterns, impact neighboring states
Missourians who have long traveled to other states to bet on sports are now able to bet from their homes, keeping money in the state and impacting Missouri’s neighbors.
Posted inState Government
As Missouri wildfire risk grows, regulators and utilities take ‘proactive’ steps on prevention and preparedness
Missouri may not be known as a wildfire-prone state, but there have been more the 2,700 this year. One culprit is power lines.