Mike Kehoe’s impact on Missouri sports and public policy

Governor Mike Kehoe has recently driven major debates in Missouri sports, policing, and public policy. His high-stakes proposal to retain the Chiefs and Royals would offer state resources and hefty tax credits for new stadiums, stirring both support and strong resistance in the legislature. On policing, Kehoe backs the state taking control of the St. Louis police, mirroring Kansas City’s current structure, a move that has split Democratic ranks.

Meanwhile, his ban on DEI programs in state government has sparked criticism from civil rights leaders who argue it could perpetuate discrimination. While pushing tough-on-crime measures, Kehoe’s agenda faces questions about whether his policies will meaningfully address violence, especially given the omission of any action on firearms.

Supporters and organizers of Amendment 3 and Proposition A celebrate the results of the election at a watch party at Uptown Theater in Kansas City on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. By Dominick Williams

NO. 1: MISSOURI STILL WITHOUT ABORTION ACCESS 12 WEEKS AFTER VOTE. WHAT’S BEHIND THE HOLDUP?

Planned Parenthood hopes a Jackson County judge will reconsider a December decision that kept some abortion restrictions in place. | Published January 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

Police and crime scene investigators were on the scene collecting evidence where three people died and five were injured following a shooting early Sunday, June 25, 2023, near 57th Street and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 2: MISSOURI GOV. MIKE KEHOE WANTS TO FIGHT CRIME. KC DEMOCRATS ASK: WHAT ABOUT THE GUNS?

“They have found a way to talk about almost everything except firearms,” one Kansas City Democratic lawmaker said. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman Kacen Bayless

NO. 3: KEHOE BANS DEI, CLAIMING TO ENSURE FAIRNESS. IT REALLY PERPETUATES DISCRIMINATION | OPINION

Missouri NAACP president Nimrod Chapel criticized the new governor’s order as rooted in anti-Blackness and harmful to minorities. From Toriano Porter | Published February 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter

NO. 4: KC DEMOCRATS JOIN GOP PUSH FOR STATE CONTROL OF ST. LOUIS POLICE. WHAT’S IT MEAN FOR KCPD?

The vote has frustrated local activists, who have long fought to bring Kansas City back in control of its own police department. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless Cayli Yanagida

NO. 5: AN 11TH-HOUR PLAN TO KEEP CHIEFS, ROYALS IN MISSOURI? TOP REPUBLICANS TO DISCUSS

The anticipated gathering comes as Missouri lawmakers are poised to debate a bill to potentially lure the Kansas City Royals to Clay County. | Published May 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless Sam McDowell Jonathan Shorman

An aerial view of the Truman Sports Complex in its current form shows side-by-side venues on the plot of land located east of downtown.

NO. 6: MISSOURI GOVERNOR ROLLS OUT PLAN TO KEEP CHIEFS, ROYALS. HERE’S WHAT’S INCLUDED

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe personally pitched lawmakers on a proposal to keep the teams in the state. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless Jonathan Shorman Sam McDowell

Former Sen. Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond, who served Missouri in the U.S. Senate for 24 years, died Tueday at age 86. Bond is seen here giving a Memorial Day address at the Liberty Memorial

NO. 7: REMEMBERING KIT BOND: A SKILLED STATESMAN WHO SHAPED MISSOURI POLITICS | OPINION

He helped create the modern state GOP as governor and U.S. senator, sharply defending Republican ideals with wit. | Opinion | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by The Kansas City Star Editorial Board

Fans tailgated ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 8: CHIEFS, ROYALS STADIUM PLAN IN JEOPARDY AFTER RESISTANCE IN MISSOURI SENATE

The measure was moving through the legislature at a dizzying pace, but faced fierce opposition when it reached the Senate. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe enters the House chamber ahead of his State of the State speech. In February, he signed and executive order banning DEI initiatives from all state agencies. By Tim Bommel

NO. 9: MISSOURI’S GOVERNOR SOLD CARS. CAN HE SELL A CHIEFS, ROYALS STADIUMS PLAN?

Approval of the governor’s plan would mark a seismic moment for the Kansas City area, signifying Missouri’s first major response to Kansas in the protracted fight over the future of the teams. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.