1. Ghost towns

2. Common jobs, income level.

3-4. Unauthorized immigrants.

5. Crime

6. U.S. EV sales.

7. International adoptions.

8. Realtors.

“Middle Ground” Pro-Choice IP Starts Ground Game

Press release: Signature gathering has officially begun on a ballot measure to give voters the chance to amend Missouri’s abortion law in 2024.

Driving the Day: Firefighters for Bailey

Attorney General Andrew Bailey will announce the endorsement Missouri State Council of Fire Firefighters.  It’s another early endorsement for Bailey, following the recent nod from the Cattlemen.

Kehoe PAC Punches Ashcroft

American Dream PAC, a pro-Mike Kehoe political action committee, released a digital ad attacking Jay Ashcroft over remarks he made recently. 

Pro-Choice Camps Still Not Coalescing

Pro-life advocate Sam Lee highlighted the continued chasm between various pro-choice advocates with regard to an acceptable 2024 ballot initiative.

Lagging GDP

In a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued last week, the Department of Economic Development makes a stark assessment of the state’s economic shortcomings: “Missouri’s growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and productivity has been below the nation and Missouri’s Midwestern peers since 2010.”

Independence Ammo Plant in the Spotlight

Front page above the fold of the Sunday New York Times was a big long story about the Lake City Army Ammunition.

1. Pro-choice Trumpers.

2. Goods > Services.

3. Biden the supply-sider

4. The best-selling vehicle in each state.

5. Sick leave by income level.

6. Kansas City as a good place to do international business.

7. Americans spend $.5T on prescriptions.

Hustling Malek

According to State Treasurer Vivek Malek’s Twitter-feed, it seems he’s in barnstorming mode, zipping all across Missouri…

AIPAC’s Super PAC Readies Anti-Bush Ad

United Democracy Project – the SuperPAC of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee – has a 30-second advertisement aimed at Congresswoman Cori Bush.

GOP House Caucus Today

It’s expected that Speaker Dean Plocher will announce that he’s hiring former speaker Rod Jetton at the Republican House Caucus today.

Ohio Speaks

Ohio passed the much-watched reproductive rights constitutional amendment, buoying hopes here among pro-choice activists that Missouri was on-track for a similar result next year.

Election Day Watch

Folks on both sides abortion issue will be watching the Ohio election results tonight. 

Schwadron Joins Resignation Calls

In a letter to his fellow Republican House members, Rep. Adam Schwadron added his voice to those calling for Speaker Dean Plocher’s resignation.

Hamra’s Big Week

Mike Hamra has already collecting over $300K since his campaign launch.

1 Big Thing: Not All Senate Republicans Caucusing

Looking for a bad omen for the upcoming session, and you don’t have to look very far…

As Senate Republicans are caucusing today, a number of the former Conservative Caucus members won’t be in attendance. 

Bell Locks Down Support

There have been rumors that Sen. Brian Williams is contemplating entering the CD-1 race which now features St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell taking on incumbent Congresswoman Cori Bush. 

One source says that Bell has acted decisively to head off this possibility…

Bell Pivots

From the Bell statement: “[O]ver the last several weeks, as I’ve campaigned around the state, I’ve heard one refrain from Democrats above all else: yes, we need you in Washington, but St. Louis needs you in the House of Representatives.”

Plocher Collateral Damage: Swing Districts

Expect to see news of Plocher’s plight in the capitol reports of all the Dems in swing suburban districts.

1. Interest rates biting small businesses.

2. Cost comparison.

3. Part of the economy’s resilience: old folks.

4. Most common language in Missouri (after English and Spanish).

5. In touch with ancestors.

6. Halloween memes.