Here are the 50 legislatures ranked from most to least conservative

(The Hill) — A new report from the Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA) has ranked all 50 states from most to least conservative, with Alabama leading as the most conservative state in the U.S. and Massachusetts as the least conservative.

The rankings from CLA, a project of the Conservative Political Action Committee and the American Conservative Union, are based on the conservative voting records of lawmakers across 186 policy categories in 2021.

For example, Alabama lawmakers voted last year with a conservative position at the highest rate, or 74 percent of the time. Massachusetts lawmakers voted with the conservative position just 15 percent of the time, the lowest rate.

Overall, the nation has grown more polarized, according to the CLA finding.

The 3,906 Republican state lawmakers in the U.S. voted conservative 80.8 percent of the time in 2021, up from 76.4 percent in 2020. 

The 3,223 Democratic state lawmakers voted conservative 15.9 percent of the time, down from 18.7 percent in 2020.

Here are the states ranked from most to least conservative.

Top 25 most conservative

  1. Alabama
  2. Tennessee
  3. Indiana
  4. South Dakota
  5. Arkansas
  6. Florida
  7. Idaho
  8. Wyoming
  9. Iowa
  10. West Virginia
  11. Oklahoma
  12. Ohio
  13. Mississippi
  14. Kentucky
  15. North Carolina
  16. Georgia
  17. North Dakota
  18. Kansas
  19. Utah
  20. Louisiana
  21. Missouri
  22. Nebraska
  23. Wisconsin
  24. Montana
  25. Michigan

Top 25 least conservative

  1. Massachusetts
  2. Hawaii
  3. Rhode Island
  4. California
  5. Maryland
  6. Vermont
  7. New York
  8. New Jersey
  9. Connecticut
  10. Oregon
  11. Nevada
  12. Colorado
  13. Delaware
  14. New Mexico
  15. Illinois
  16. Washington
  17. Maine
  18. Minnesota
  19. Virginia
  20. Alaska
  21. New Hampshire
  22. Arizona
  23. Pennsylvania
  24. South Carolina
  25. Texas

Alorcia partners with Christmas for kids Campaign

 

JOPLIN, Mo – Alorcia partners with Joplin Fire Department for their 5th Annual Christmas for Kids Campaign.

The employees of Alorcia donate toys and wrapping supplies to help local kids on Christmas.

Alorcia has donated over 2,000 gifts and 2,000 dollars in cash to the charity.

To learn more about Joplin’s Christmas with Kids Campaign click here.

 

 

Inmates escape from Cass County Jail

HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — Sometime Monday evening December, 5, 2022 two inmates escaped from the Cass County, Missouri, jail the Cass County Sheriff’s Office state in a release of information.

Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the United States Marshall’s Service are currently conducting an investigation to locate these individuals. Both subjects were believed to have left the area at that time.”

CCSO

Sergio Perez-Martinez, 43, of Panorama City California, was being held for possession of dangerous drugs.

Trevor Scott Sparks, 33, of Kansas City Missouri, was being held on money laundering charges.

Details on the escape are not known at this time.

“Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911.”

Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more. Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews email list so you don’t miss an update.

News To Know: fatal crash, house fire in Newton County

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — A 2006 Pontiac G6 traveling northbound on U-69 alternate crossed the center line and struck a 2016 GMS truck traveling southbound. The Pontiac’s driver, Trey Cunningham, was taken to Freeman West with a fatal injury. Next of kin were notified. His passenger, Valeria Lerma, was taken to Mercy in Joplin with a suspected serious injury. The driver of the GMC, Shannon Taft from Baxter Springs, was taken to Freeman West in Joplin with suspected serious injuries.

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — About 6:15 a.m. Monday, December 5, a passerby spotted a structure fire just north of Elm Road on State Route E near Diamond alerting Newton County Central Dispatch. The structure appeared to be a former residence, now used for storage. Chief Skosberg said he could see the fire from two miles away easily. If you would like to read more about this story, click here.

JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin city staff wants to better the city’s homeless situation by conducting a study about what’s working and what isn’t. In the council meeting on Monday, December 5th, the city council asked to approve a study that would use special use tax funds for homeless research. Robin Smith from Homeless Coalition says right now homeless people with animals don’t have places to go because shelters don’t accept animals. Lack of transportation is also an issue.

JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin could get millions of dollars to help with storm and wastewater improvements. The city is eligible to get more than $12,500,000 in matching state funds to help improve and update nine projects. If Joplin matches dollar for dollar, the city will devote a total of more than $25,000,000 for the projects. Click here to see a complete breakdown of the Joplin city council meeting from Monday, December 5th.

Joplin could receive millions for improvements

JOPLIN, Mo – Joplin could get millions of dollars to help with storm and wastewater improvements.

The city is eligible to get more than 12 million dollars in matching state funds to help improve and update nine projects.

If Joplin matches dollar for dollar, the city will spend more than 25 million dollars on the projects.

The matching state funds would come from the American Recovery Plan.

Assistant City Manager Tony Robyn says “So these are significant dollars that are awarded that help us accelerate our planning and our projects that we already have in the works to obliviate stormwater issues across the city pacific to drainage areas people that have problematic flooding streets, that kind of stuff so ya, it’s a big deal.

Wheat pennies could bring you a pretty penny

JOPLIN, Mo — Lincoln Wheat pennies are one of the most popular series of U.S. coins that coin collectors strive to build a complete set. Rare coins such as the 1909-S VDB and 1914-D are the “Holy Grails” of any Lincoln Wheat cent collection. Before you go down the path of building a complete set of Lincoln Wheat pennies, there are a few things you’ll need to know.

“Wheat pennies are one of the two most popular U.S. coins that are collected. The other one that’s very popular is the old Morgan Silver Dollar. Between both coins, there’s a lot of varieties, so a penny is not just a penny, they’re all unique. The value really comes down to a few qualities on the coins,” said Dave Sorrick, coin expert and collector at “In God We Trust, LLC.”

The United States Mint first minted the Lincoln Wheat penny, or “Wheatie” as they are sometimes called, in 1909. Victor D. Brenner designed the coin under the direction of President Theodore Roosevelt, who was on a mission to redesign our nation’s coinage. President Lincoln was chosen as a subject for the penny to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

| Missouri’s Poorest City May Come As A Surprise >

Any wheat penny is worth at least four cents to most dealers. Given the popularity of collecting Lincoln Wheat cents, there will always be a demand for quality coins. If you’re interested in wheat pennies that are worth more money, Sorrick said you’ll need to have high-grade quality coins. A good resource on Lincoln Wheat penny dates and values can be found HERE.

“There are millions and millions of wheat pennies and most commonly they trade for three-to-five cents a piece. If you’re looking for a particular date, it can be much, much more than that. The rarest is the 1909 VDB. Those can be worth anywhere from $700 to $1,500 depending on the coin’s grade. Now, if you’re lucky enough to have one that’s uncirculated, particularly if it’s graded by one of the major grading companies, those alone are $2,000 and $3,000 coins,” said Sorrick.

Regardless of the condition or grade, many collectors do not consider their coin collection complete without the Lincoln Wheat penny. But beware — there are counterfeit Wheat Pennies floating around. So, before celebrating early retirement with your newfound fortune, it’s a good idea to have your coin collection authenticated by a reputable coin dealer.

“Price guides (which you can find HERE) will give you an idea of the value of collectible coins. You can usually find those online and that would give a person an idea of the coin’s value. To determine the exact amount of worth, I would suggest you talk to a coin collector or a coin dealer. So, in terms of figuring out the value of collectible coins, such as the Lincoln Wheat penny, those are the steps I suggest you take,” said Sorrick.

If you’re interested in having your wheat pennies, or any collectible coins looked at, you can contact Dave Sorrick, “The Coin Collector,” HERE. You can also visit the Facebook page for In God We Trust, LLC, HERE.

Tractor trailer overturns on MO-76, near Longview, Mo.

McDONALD COUNTY, Mo. – Just after 6 a.m. Monday, December 5, reports of a tractor trailer overturned on MO-76, east Longview near State Route JJ alerted McDonald County E-911.

MoDOT is controlling traffic through the crash area as the westbound lane of MO-76 is blocked for clean up and recovery. Expect periodic delays. Avoid the area if possible.

Missouri State Highway Patrol tell us on scene the driver was not injured in the crash.

The westbound tractor trailer (tanker hauler) left the roadway to the right and overturned. The hauler is fully loaded. They will remove the contents and set it upright before tow.

About 9 a.m. a vacuum truck arrived.

Ron’s Towing and Metro Towing are recovering the tractor trailer.

Watch for delays in the area.

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News To Know: homicide investigation, local women honored

ALLEN COUNTY, Kan – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead Saturday evening, December 3 in Chanute, Kansas. At around 4:50 p.m., Casey M. Dye, 43, of Petrolia, Kan., arrived at the Allen County Sheriff’s Office and provided a statement to sheriff’s deputies. Shortly after, law enforcement officers located a deceased man in a vehicle inside an automotive glass shop at 7545 Kansas Highway 39, in Chanute. The man – who was identified as Ryan M. Holcomb, 45, from Chanute – had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. If you would like to read more about this story, click here.

COMMERCE, Okla. – Authorities respond to a house fire in Commerce, Oklahoma, on Thanksgiving and say there was a fatality. Leanna Janette Mustain of Commerce, Oklahoma perished in the house fire. She was 84. If you would like to read more about Leanne Mustain, click here.

JOPLIN, Mo. – A local physician pleads guilty in federal court to health care fraud. U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore’s office released information about the plea today. Prosecutors say 55-year-old Heather D. Stelling provided false information to get Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Authorities say she was not entitled to those reimbursements. Click here if you would like to read more about this story, including the terms of the plea bargain.

PITTSBURG, Kan. –Area women receive honors in Pittsburg for their achievements. The award ceremony took place at the Pittsburg State University Overman Student Center. The Pittsburg Area Chambers of Commerce hosted the event. Click here to read more about this ceremony.

Tougher gun laws, education among priorities for Missouri lawmakers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri lawmakers traveled back to Jefferson City Thursday to file legislation for the upcoming session that starts in January. 

The word both Republicans and Democrats used when asked how they feel about the upcoming session was “optimistic.” On the first day of prefiling, hundreds of bills were filed. According to bill summaries, Missourians can expect the General Assembly to discuss guns, sports betting, education, and topics related to abortion. 

“Prefiling day is like the Super Bowl of the legislature in some ways,” said Crystal Quade, House Minority Leader, D-Springfield. “There are a lot of benefits to filing on opening day. You get the lower bill number and there is some excitement around trying to be one of the first people to file a specific issue.”

Prefiling is when legislators file their bills, they hope will become law in the upcoming session. It’s like preparing for the big game. One of the bills filed is a reaction to the St. Louis school shooting last month that claimed two lives. 

“It prohibits teenagers from buying semi-automatic and automatic weapons,” said Rep. David Tyson Smith, D-Columbia. 

Smith is the sponsor of the legislation. He said the bill focuses on guns and who can buy and sell them. 

“A youth can possess a firearm, they just can’t go in there [into the store] individually and purchase one,” Smith said. “If a father or mother purchases a gun for their child, they can give the gun to the child to use for hunting.”

House Bill 208 would make it a class A misdemeanor for anyone under 20 years of age to buy a semi-automatic or automatic firearm. It also would be a class A misdemeanor for someone to sell or lease a firearm to someone under 20. 

“Teenagers are shooting up schools, and they are doing it in Missouri and around the country,” Smith said. “Uvalde was really the turning point for me when I saw that. I think it’s time, it’s common sense.”

It was a tragic scene in October as dozens of students and teacher ran from the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis as police say a gunman opened fire. Police say 19-year-old Orlando Harris used an AR-15 style rifle, shooting and killing 16-year-old Alexandria Bell and 61-year-old PE teacher Jean Kuczka. 

“I’m not trying to take everyone’s guns away, I’m not trying to keep kids from hunting,” Smith said. “I’m not one of these people who hates guns or hates the Second Amendment, but let’s do something that makes sense.”

Across the aisle, freshman Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, is looking at school choice as a top priority this session. 

“Giving parents the ability to decide what is the best education for those kids and having those dollars follow their child wherever they decide is the right place to send their kid,” Coleman said.

Coleman also was part of the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act, which allowed the Show-Me State to become the first in the nation to make abortion illegal, following the overturning of Roe V. Wade and the signature of the attorney general. When asked if there are any other steps she would take this year regarding abortion, she said she doesn’t plan on it. 

“We’ve eliminated legal abortion in the State of Missouri except for the life of the mother, and I consider that work to be done at this point,” Coleman said. “I’m focusing this session on things that are going to help working families.”

Other Republicans like Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, want to tighten abortion laws in the state. He prefiled legislation to give rights to an unborn child. 

“To see that infant in the womb to be declared all the rights and privileges of any other Missouri citizen,” Seitz said. “At conception, that person would be given the rights of any other Missouri citizen.”

Seitz, who prefiled 14 bills Thursday, filed legislation that would criminalize someone for trafficking abortion-inducing drugs.

“I just want to provide protections for that infant in the womb,” Seitz said. “I think abortion-right advocates would like to see through initiative petition, abortion on-demand return to Missouri, and we want to stop that.”

Some might remember many called the Senate dysfunctional last year. New Senate Assistant Minority Floor Leader Doug Beck, D-St. Louis, hopes last year’s roadblocks are in the rearview mirror. 

“Some of those issues are off the table and some of those folks are gone,” Beck said. “I don’t think anybody really knows how this session is going to go.”

Beck filed 17 bills himself Thursday, and he says his main priority is offering tax incentives to bring more businesses to Missouri within the film and music industry. 

“Trying to bring that industry back to Missouri because it’s frustrating to watch these shows on TV and see that they weren’t even shot here,” Beck said. 

Another important piece of legislation to him, giving tax credits to grocery stores for opening or remodeling that are located in food deserts. 

“Everybody should have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and good food, that way they don’t have to go to a liquor store or a gas station to get these things,” Beck said. “I’ve talked to legislators who have to drive 25 minutes to get milk, and it’s a gas station, and they will pay an exorbitant price for that.”

Lawmakers also agree that other main focuses include sports betting and changes to the initiative petition process, making it harder to put things on the ballot like Amendment 3, which just a few weeks ago, voters approved to legalize recreational marijuana.

The legislative session starts Jan. 4. To read the prefiled legislation, click here.

Several dogs dead, one rescued after house fire in north St. Louis

ST. LOUIS — Multiple dogs, including some puppies, have died after a house fire Saturday evening in north St. Louis. Crews rescued one dog from the fire.

The blaze developed at a vacant home in the 2000 block of Angelica Street. Investigators with the St. Louis Fire Department say two dogs and a litter of puppies were inside the building when the fire began.

Fire crews helped rescue and revive just one dog, sharing video of the response via Twitter. That dog is being treated for injuries at a local humane society.

It’s unclear when or how the fire began. However, the St. Louis Fire Department tells FOX 2 that the dogs belonged to someone at a next-door neighbor, who was using a vacant house to shelter the dogs.

The St. Louis Fire Department is handling the investigation into the deadly fire. This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.