Missouri’s top legislative battles under Kehoe in 2025

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe enters his first year facing intense legislative battles on crime, education, and control over police forces. Kehoe launched his tenure by signing six executive orders as part of a "day one crime plan" and emphasized a crackdown on crime in his inauguration speech. Lawmakers are also fiercely debating state versus local control of St. Louis and Kansas City police, with rare bipartisan votes drawing frustration from some community activists.

Stadium funding for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals has emerged as a high-stakes test of Kehoe's influence, prompting closed-door strategy sessions and quick legislative moves. At the same time, changes at Missouri colleges, such as the rebranding of diversity programs, reflect shifting pressures from new state and federal policies tied to Kehoe's administration.

The Missouri Capitol building is seen on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Jefferson City.

NO. 1: THE MISSOURI CAPITOL RECEIVED BOMB THREATS THAT WENT UNREPORTED, KC-AREA LAWMAKERS SAY

Kansas City-area lawmakers are concerned about Capitol security as large crowds are expected to descend on Jefferson City for the inauguration of Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe. | Published January 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

Missouri Governor-elect Mike Kehoe, right, is sworn in as governor Monday by former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, left, on the steps of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, With Kehoe were his wife Claudia, center, and members of his family. By Emily Curiel

NO. 2: MIKE KEHOE BECOMES MISSOURI GOVERNOR, PROMISING BIPARTISAN UNITY & CRACKDOWN ON CRIME

Kehoe assumes control of the Missouri governor’s office during a consequential period for Kansas City. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless Jonathan Shorman

NO. 3: 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

In February, following the Trump administration’s efforts to prohibit DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in federally-backed institutions, The Men of Color Academy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City changed its name to Men of Character Academy.

NO. 4: KC COLLEGE QUIETLY SCRUBS DEI LANGUAGE FROM CAMPUS PROGRAMS AMID TRUMP CRACKDOWN

In February, the “Men of Color Academy” was quietly changed to the “Men of Character Academy,” in response to a letter from the Trump administration. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler

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

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. 6: 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.