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As homelessness rises, some states make it illegal to sleep outside 

Aug 11, 2022
In Missouri, it’s now illegal. In Tennessee, it can be a felony. But criminalizing homelessness could make it harder for people to find homes.
Inflation and high rent prices in New York City are contributing the city's ongoing homelessness crisis.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Should public buses be free?

Dec 4, 2019
Kansas City, Missouri is debating eliminating fares, which would make it the largest city in the U.S. to do so.
A public bus pulls up to a stop in Kansas City, Missouri. Transit officials hope the city will sign off on their idea to eliminate bus fares.
Lisa Rodriguez for Marketplace

Farming during a trade war

Oct 21, 2019
The loss of soybean sales to China have created a lot of stress, says farmer Blake Hurst.
Blake Hurst on his farm in Atchinson County, MO.
Courtesy of Blake Hurst

Copper thefts a common and costly crime

Feb 7, 2019
The Missouri Department of Transportation spent almost $1 million last year on repairing street lights caused by thefts of copper wire.
The Missouri Department of Transportation spent almost $1 million last year on repairing street lights caused by thefts of copper wire.
beerphotographer/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Why unions are spending millions to fight Missouri’s proposed right-to-work law

Aug 7, 2018
If passed by voters Tuesday, it would change the way unions collect money from members.
The AFL-CIO signage on the building at the intersection of 16th Street NW and Eye Street, just two blocks north of the White House, is 2005 in Washington, D.C.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Hospital closure leaves soon-to-be mothers in rural Missouri without an OB-GYN

Jul 16, 2018
Another rural hospital has closed, the 85th to shutter in the U.S. since 2010. This latest closing happened in Dunklin County, Missouri, one of the poorest counties in the state. The hospital was home to the only OB-GYN physician in a region that has one of the highest premature birth and infant mortality rates in […]

Bills in two states push to eliminate tenure

Jan 27, 2017
Missouri's would stop tenure for new hires starting next year. Iowa's would revoke tenure for all professors.
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Missouri could soon join the ranks of right-to-work states

Jan 27, 2017
Right to work bars unions from requiring workers to pay dues as a condition of employment.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens makes his State of the State speech on Jan. 17. Greitens supports a right-to-work measure, which would bar unions and employers from requiring workers to pay dues.
Jason Rosenbaum

Meat Casino: volatility in the cattle futures markets

Aug 23, 2016
It’s up, it’s down and a bit unpredictable

Record floods in Missouri spur debate over levees

Feb 8, 2016
Some blame the floods on nature, others say public policy made things worse
Residents and business are seen submerged in flood water from the Meremac River on December 31, 2015 in downtown Pacific, Missouri. The St. Louis area and surrounding region are experiencing record flood crests of the Mississippi, Missouri and Meremac Rivers after days of record rainfall.
Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images