Roe v. Wade

Missouri — which has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country — was the first state to ban almost all abortions 2 years ago, leaving thousands of residents seeking other ways to access the procedure.

Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser said it was not up to the court to make a judgment on the soundness of the abortion policy but whether its language violated the constitution.

The St. Louis University/YouGov poll found many undecided voters as ballot campaign gathers signatures. The poll also found strong support for repealing the sales tax on food and sports wagering.

Voters in Ohio shot down Issue 1, rejecting conservative lawmakers' attempt to change the constitutional amendment process ahead of a vote on reproductive rights this November. The Missouri GOP has been considering pushing a similar measure to block the possibility of voters enshrining abortion access in the state constitution.

The litigation filed in Cole County uses Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s argument that legalizing abortion will cost the state billions of dollars. State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick concluded that reasoning has no merit.

Anti-abortion groups have claimed victory — for now.

Cole County Judge Beetem promises fast decision on the case.

The state will build a hotline in response to influx of patients traveling from places with abortion restrictions, like Missouri.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush and representatives from Planned Parenthood of St. Louis and other clinics that perform abortions in Illinois gathered in the same conference room where they first learned of the Dobbs decision last year.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade last June, clinics in the Metro East that offer abortions have become a destination for thousands of patients seeking the procedure. Abortion providers at Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights think legislators will make more attempts to regulate reproductive health.