Voters in Missouri to see recreational cannabis on 2022 ballot

JOPLIN, Mo. – Recreational Marijuana is now on the November ballots in Missouri so we hit the streets to see how residents are handling the news.

If passed, the amendment would allow adults 21 and older to buy recreational cannabis.

Officials say the stay and local governments alike would have the opportunity to levy taxes for the sale of the plant.

“I may not choose this ballot initiative to pass, but recreational cannabis does not frighten me. I actually am a proponent of having a choice over using alcohol or other types of things to use cannabis, whether it’s recreational or medicinal. It all has a medical purpose,” said Alice.

In addition to legalizing cannabis recreationally, voters will also decide if non-violent marijuana offenses could get expunged.

“I’m for it just because I mean, I’m doing the same thing that they’ve got in trouble for. So, I mean, there’s no sense in people still having a record as long as this nonviolent, you know, nothing crazy like a big cartel or something like that,” said Nick.

Though there is a large push for recreational cannabis, not everyone supports the new amendment.

“I must say I’m not for the recreational use of cannabis because I don’t personally believe that there is a recreational use for it. I believe it’s all some form of medicine,” said John.

Recreational Cannabis also has the opportunity to appear on the Oklahoma ballot later this year.

Missouri AG Eric Schmitt beats Greitens in GOP Senate race

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has defeated scandal-scarred former Gov. Eric Greitens and 19 others in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Republican leaders have long feared that a Greitens win would jeopardize a red state Senate seat in the November general election. Greitens resigned four years ago in the midst of a sex scandal, two criminal charges that were eventually dropped amid a very real risk of impeachment. This year, his ex-wife accused him of abuse. Republican Sen. Roy Blunt’s announcement last year that he would not seek a third term set off a frenzy for his job, with nearly three dozen people in the two major parties filing to run.

You can find the results of today’s election below. You can find other election results here.

U.S. SENATOR

REPUBLICAN STATE OF MISSOURI

  • Vicky Hartzler  
    36.2%


    1,698

  • Eric Schmitt  
    33.5%


    1,571

  • Eric Greitens  
    15.1%


    709

  • Billy Long  
    6.2%


    291

  • Mark McCloskey  
    3.0%


    141

  • Patrick A. Lewis  
    1.1%


    51

  • Dave Schatz  
    0.9%


    43

  • Curtis D, Vaughn  
    0.5%


    24

  • Robert Allen  
    0.5%


    22

  • Darrell Leon McClanahan III  
    0.4%


    19

  • Dave Sims  
    0.4%


    20

  • Eric McElroy  
    0.3%


    15

  • Deshon Porter  
    0.3%


    14

  • Kevin C. Schepers  
    0.3%


    13

  • Rickey Joiner  
    0.3%


    12

  • Robert Olson  
    0.2%


    10

  • C.W. Gardner  
    0.2%


    10

  • Bernie Mowinski  
    0.2%


    9

  • Dennis Lee Chilton  
    0.1%


    7

  • Russel Pealer Breyfogle Jr  
    0.1%


    6

  • Hartford Tunnell  
    0.1%


    4

4,689
Last updated: August 2, 2022 8:09 PM 8:09 PM CDT

Kansas Governor 2022 primary race election results

The Associated Press calls the Primary Races for Kansas Governor candidates. On the Republican side, the AP calls Derek Schmidt as the nominee. Laura Kelly wins the Democratic nomination for governor in Kansas primary election.

You can see the numbers as they come in below. You can find other election results here.

Republican

GOVERNOR/LT. GOVERNOR

REPUBLICAN KANSAS

  • Derek Schmidt/Katie Sawyer Winner
    77.7%


    93,429

  • Arlyn Briggs/Lance Berland  
    22.3%


    26,885

120,314
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

Democratic

GOVERNOR/LT. GOVERNOR

DEMOCRATIC KANSAS

  • Laura Kelly/D. Toland Winner
    94.8%


    189,822

  • Richard Karnowski/B. Franco  
    5.2%


    10,448

200,270
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

Kansas primary voter turnout higher than past

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Registered Kansas voters took to the voting booths for the primary election.

The August 2, 2022,  Kansas Primary elections regarding the “Value Them Both” (HR 5003) amendment and electing representatives in the state are underway.  The “Value Them Both” amendment sparked after the overturning of Roe Versus Wade in the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022.  This controversial decision has caused debate amongst the states. Kansas voters have the ability to voice their opinions on the amendment through private voting today.

The State of Kansas Secretary of State voter registration statistics show registration numbers have risen in the last month, since the Supreme Court decision in June 2022, by 7,325 voters in July 2022.

Rebecca Stephens, a Kansas voter, said, “I think it’s important that we get votes from all sides of the issues, because it’s just people saying what they truly believe is right.”  The amendment is bringing out voters, which is causing higher numbers for representatives.  “It’s important for people to voice their opinions on that,” said Nancy Ingle, Kansas registered voter. “Even City Commission, it’s not a partisan election, but you should be out supporting who you think will best represent you on the City Council.”

The State of Kansas Secretary of State primary election voter statistics show: 2016 had a 23.5% voter turnout; 2018 had 27.1% voter turnout; and 2020 had 34.2% voter turnout.

Marsha Wallace, a Pittsburg election worker, said, “It seems to me that this has been a much higher turn out for a primary election, more like a general election, so it’s interesting to me to see what the total count will be.”

You can find results to the proposition as they come in below. You can also find more Aug. 2, 2022, election results here.

 

U.S. SENATOR

REPUBLICAN KANSAS

  • Jerry Moran Winner
    79.9%


    60,131

  • Joan Farr  
    20.1%


    15,120

75,251
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

SECRETARY OF STATE

REPUBLICAN KANSAS

  • Scott J. Schwab  
    58.0%


    100,799

  • Mike Brown  
    42.0%


    72,954

173,753
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

GOVERNOR/LT. GOVERNOR

REPUBLICAN KANSAS

  • Derek Schmidt/Katie Sawyer Winner
    77.7%


    93,429

  • Arlyn Briggs/Lance Berland  
    22.3%


    26,885

120,314
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

ATTORNEY GENERAL

REPUBLICAN KANSAS

  • Kris Kobach  
    38.8%


    72,300

  • Kellie Warren  
    38.2%


    71,078

  • Tony Mativi  
    23.0%


    42,826

186,204
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

STATE TREASURER

REPUBLICAN KANSAS

  • Caryn Tyson  
    50.0%


    83,536

  • Steven Johnson  
    50.0%


    83,370

166,906
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

BOARD OF EDUCATION 9TH DISTRICT

REPUBLICAN KANSAS

  • Jim Porter  
    63.8%


    5,679

  • Luke Aichele  
    36.2%


    3,227

8,906
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

U.S. SENATE

DEMOCRAT KANSAS

  • Mark R. Holland Winner
    41.6%


    77,696

  • Patrick Wiesner  
    19.1%


    35,650

  • Paul Buskirk  
    18.8%


    35,167

  • Mike Andra  
    10.4%


    19,430

  • Robert Kingenberg  
    6.9%


    12,880

  • Michael Soeteart  
    3.2%


    6,055

186,878
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

KS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

The Value Them Both Amendment would affirm there is no KS constitutional right to abortion?

  • No  
    63.0%


    365,870

  • Yes  
    37.0%


    214,667

580,537

47.3% precincts reporting
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

GOVERNOR/LT. GOVERNOR

DEMOCRATIC KANSAS

  • Laura Kelly/D. Toland Winner
    94.8%


    189,822

  • Richard Karnowski/B. Franco  
    5.2%


    10,448

200,270
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

PRESIDING COMMISSIONER

REPUBLICAN BARTON COUNTY, MO

  • David W. Johnson Winner
    45.6%


    1,196

  • Judy I. Fast  
    20.4%


    535

  • Garry Garrett  
    13.6%


    357

  • Terry Thieman  
    10.9%


    287

  • Kim O’Sullivan  
    9.5%


    250

2,625
Last updated: August 2, 2022 9:34 PM 9:34 PM CDT

Mo. voters reminded of redistricting changes ahead of Primaries

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Absentee voting in Jasper County has seen a significant increase over the past week.

Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis says they’re now on track to either match or exceed the number of early ballots from both 2020 and 2018.

Something to keep in mind for voters ahead of the August 2nd Primary: Some district maps have changed. The State of Missouri was statutorily required to redistrict after the census. So, while polling places may not have changed for some voters — their State Representatives have.

“And that’s exactly what is gonna happen. People in certain areas, primarily on the outer sides of Joplin, Carthage, Oronogo, Webb City, Carl Junction, that would’ve changed quite a bit over the last 10 years, so because of redistricting there may be some people that are in new house districts than they were during the last election cycle,” said Davis.

The polls are open tomorrow in Missouri from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

You can search online for your specific polling place and specific district information by following this link here.

Missouri Election Poll: economy, abortion, police funding

KOAM is partnering with Gray TV in Missouri for a series of polls on a variety of topics ahead of the primary elections. The partnership gives KOAM the rights to exclusively share the poll results with viewers in our local 4-State market.

Today, July 30, 2022, the poll asks several questions related to the following topics:

  • Economy
  • Abortion
  • Marijuana and Police Funding

You can find a summary and full results of the SurveyUSA Election poll below.

>>Related > Find election resources for the 4-States at KOAMNewsNow.com/elections

>>Find other Missouri election polls here

About the Poll: SurveyUSA interviewed 2,400 Missouri adults online 07/24/22 through 07/27/22, using sample provided by Lucid Holdings LLC of New Orleans. The pool of adult survey respondents was weighted to US Census targets for gender, age, race, education, and home ownership.


Economy

If you can’t see the pdf below, click here.

Missouri Election Poll – economy

Abortion

If you can’t see the pdf below, click here.

Missouri Election Poll – abortion

Marijuana and Police Funding

If you can’t see the pdf below, click here.

Missouri Election Poll – marijuna and police funding

Missouri Election Poll: Trump or Biden, Missouri Governor approval

KOAM is partnering with Gray TV in Missouri for a series of polls on a variety of topics ahead of the primary elections. The partnership gives KOAM the rights to exclusively share the poll results with viewers in our local 4-State market.

You can find a summary and full results of the SurveyUSA Election poll below.

>>Related > Find election resources for the 4-States at KOAMNewsNow.com/elections

>>Find other Missouri election polls here


Show Me Deja Vu All Over Again As Trump/Biden Do-Over Sees Same Result In Missouri – Unchanged, as are Approval Ratings, Since May:

Two months ago, SurveyUSA asked registered voters across Missouri how they would vote if Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden ran against each other in the 2024 Presidential contest. The answer? As it was when voters went to the polls in 2020, it was Trump by 15.

Today, the answer is almost exactly the same: Trump by 16. SurveyUSA’s exclusive interactive tracking graph allows exploration of the offsetting changes by demographic subgroup.

SurveyUSA also is tracking job approval ratings on President Joe Biden, Governor Mike Parson, and United States Senator Josh Hawley. Subtracting disapproval from approval yields a Net Approval rating, and each is down slightly since May:

  • President Biden slides 3 points, from Minus 29 in May to Minus 32.
  • Governor Parson remains in positive territory but slides 4 points, from Plus 8 to Plus 4.
  • Senator Hawley slides 3 points, from Minus 2 two months ago to Minus 5 today.

Full results follow … About the Poll / Filtering: SurveyUSA interviewed 2,400 Missouri adults online 07/24/22 through 07/27/22, using sample provided by Lucid Holdings LLC of New Orleans. Of the adults, 1,981 were identified as being registered to vote and were asked the questions which follow. The pool of adult survey respondents was weighted to US Census targets for gender, age, race, education, and home ownership.

Survey USA poll – Missouri politics

Local school district launches plan to anonymously arm teachers

JASPER, Mo. – The Jasper R-5 School District plans training for employees to anonymously carry concealed weapons on school grounds.

Officials say the main goal is to be proactive towards potential threats, all while keeping kids safe.

“We want to make sure that we are the first line of defense and we take care of what we can do. And then actually the police officers would come in and they would be our backup, they would be our assistants they would take over, obviously, whenever they get here,” stated Superintendent Eric Findley.

Findley says the Board of Education began its strategic planning back in 2019.

“We didn’t just wake up one morning and said, let’s give guns to teachers. That’s not at all what happened,” Findley stated. “We have a plan. We have a safety plan in our district. And this is part of that plan”

Currently, district leaders are deciding who will undergo firearm training.

While the school is eager to roll out this new program, some community members have taken to social media to object to the plan.

Watch the full story on KOAM News at 6:00 p.m.

 

Public meeting set to discuss Proposition Public Safety question in Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. – A public meeting is scheduled today to discuss Proposition Public Safety, a concept that would improve funding to the Joplin Police and Fire Departments if passed on August 2nd.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Joplin Avenue Coffeehouse.

Joplin officials say PPS is an effort to improve funding for Police and Fire services within the community. The increased funding would offer stability and consistency for these departments for a S.A.F.E.R. Joplin.

Officials say the proposed tax will levy a $1.00 tax for every $100 of assessed value on all real and personal property, providing the following:

  • improve salaries for public safety
  • provide funding for additional officers

Committee members are using the acronym S.A.F.E.R. to help explain the proposition.

Service: Unfortunately, with recent trends and higher wages in the private sector, the number of people seeking careers in law enforcement and firefighting is declining, creating a challenge to provide these essential services for our community.

Accountability: Our firefighters and police officers are responsible for critical services that the private sector does not offer. They are proud to be the stewards in roles of this magnitude.

Financial resources responsibly: Joplin is near the top of the sales tax limit. We currently have a 17-cent property tax – which is restricted to Health, Parks, and Recycling services only. Assessing a general property tax lessens the reliance on economy-driven sales tax revenues while providing a resource to fund critical public safety services.

Economic Development opportunities for our community: Those looking to invest or relocate to Joplin expect protection not only for themselves but their loved ones, their property, and the community as a whole.

Recruits and Retains public safety personnel: We value the significance of public safety services with competitive pay and positive working conditions to provide quality essential services to our community.

More information will be available at the public meeting and can also be found on the City’s website here.

 

 

Oklahoma bill requires biological sex affidavit for school sports

OKLAHOMA — Oklahoma public schools begin announcing new bill on sports.

Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma signed the Save Women’s Sports Act (SB2) in March 2022 that contained House Bill 4245.  Representative Toni Hasenbeck (R) wrote the bill and passed with 79-18 votes.  Public schools must now require students to sign a biological sex affidavit to participate in sports.  School districts in northeast Oklahoma began announcing the new requirement as of July 1, when the bill instated.

Nina Short, a founder of Four-States Youth for Equality, said, “Not only are they not accepted and safe at home, but they go to school and they’re not safe or accepted there.”  An increase in bullying was one of Short’s main concerns with the bill.  Grove Public Schools’ Superintendent, Pat Dodson, said they take bullying accusations seriously. “We investigate every single case of bullying, whether it’s based on just people being mean to another kid, or if it’s because of how they come to school, what they wear, or what they can or can’t afford,” said Dodson.

More information on House Bill 4245 can be found here.