Jason Hancock
banner
jasonhancock.bsky.social
Jason Hancock
@jasonhancock.bsky.social
Editor-in-chief of The Missouri Independent, a nonpartisan, nonprofit newsroom.

Detective for the people. Raker of muck.

jhancock@missouriindependent.com
Pinned
Here's a preview of our newsletter, the Daily Independent. It's free & shows up in your inbox everyday at 6 a.m.

Today, I lay out the two moments that explain Mike Parson's 6yrs as governor (subscriber exclusive), alongside stories by Anna Spoerre, Kevin Hardy & others. #moleg

tinyurl.com/zj6wnafu
Reposted by Jason Hancock
A new political action committee funded by the national Republican Party won a delay Thursday in a trial over the effort to force a statewide vote on Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional district map. #moleg #mogov
Trial over referendum on Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map delayed again • Missouri Independent
A PAC funded by the national Republican Party won a delay in a trial over the effort to force a referendum on Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map.
missouriindependent.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Union mechanics at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area approved a new contract Thursday, ending a three-month strike. #moleg #mogov
Boeing strike in St. Louis ends after union approves new contract • Missouri Independent
Fighter-jet mechanics, who've been on strike since August, will begin returning to work Sunday.
missouriindependent.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
The off-and-on freeze of benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that serves about 42 million people, was among the most consequential effects of the record-setting shutdown. Roughly 1 in 8 Americans use SNAP to help buy groceries. #moleg #mogov
The shutdown tug-of-war over SNAP benefits: a timeline • Missouri Independent
Payments for November for the nation’s main food assistance program have been delayed during the government shutdown.
missouriindependent.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
As petitioners gather signatures for a possible referendum on Missouri's gerrymandered congressional map, attorneys battled over the meaning of words that govern the redistricting process. One big dispute was over how to interpret words that are not in the Missouri Constitution. #moleg #mogov
Judge hears arguments over legality of gerrymandered Missouri congressional map • Missouri Independent
Attorneys argued Wednesday over the power of Missouri lawmakers to gerrymander congressional maps in the middle of a decade.
missouriindependent.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
A summary of the bill says the new language would prevent “the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based or hemp-derived products, including Delta-8, from being sold online, in gas stations, and corner stores, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products.” #moleg #mogov
Deal ending government shutdown includes restrictions on intoxicating hemp products • Missouri Independent
A deal to end a government shutdown included an amendment that targets intoxicating hemp products across the country.
missouriindependent.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
State officials estimated last year that 40,000 food establishments and smoke shops and 1,800 food manufacturers were selling products that would be banned under the proposed federal regulations. #moleg #mogov
Missouri hemp businesses fear new federal THC limits will destroy the industry • Missouri Independent
Thousands of Missouri food establishments and stores would be impacted by federal THC limit on hemp products.
missouriindependent.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
More than 3,000 immigrants who are in Missouri legally but are not citizens are expected to lose eligibility for the nation’s largest federal food assistance program this month.

Another 6,000 could lose benefits in the coming months. #moleg #mogov
Thousands of refugees, legal immigrants in Missouri could lose food assistance • Missouri Independent
More than 3,000 legal immigrants and refugees in Missouri are expected to lose eligibility for federal food assistance this month.
missouriindependent.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
PAC tied to Jay Ashcroft’s 2024 Missouri governor campaign fined for violating ethics laws #moleg #mogov
PAC tied to Jay Ashcroft’s 2024 Missouri governor campaign fined for violating ethics laws  • Missouri Independent
The PAC backing Jay Ashcroft’s 2024 bid for governor improperly coordinated with his campaign, according to a consent agreement.
missouriindependent.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
The number of Hepatitis C infections in pregnancy increased tenfold from 2000 to 2019. Legislative solutions helped paved the way for a new ‘meds to beds’ program at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis that’s bringing better access to a cure. #moleg #mogov
‘Light bulb moment’: New approach to treating Hep C postpartum a success in St. Louis • Missouri Independent
A “meds to beds” program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis has seen huge success in curing postpartum women infected with Hepatitis C.
missouriindependent.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Many are grappling with financial uncertainty of investing their life savings as they work to make their marijuana businesses a success #moleg #mogov
‘Blood, sweat and tears’: Missouri cannabis microbusiness owners begin to see light • Missouri Independent
Missouri has approved 12 microbusinesses to begin operating out of 68 total licenses issued: two dispensaries and 10 wholesale licenses.
missouriindependent.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
The Trump administration has instructed states that authorized full November nutrition assistance benefits to return a portion, another unprecedented reversal for a program that helps 42 million people afford groceries. #moleg #mogov
States told by Trump administration to 'undo' full SNAP benefits paid for November • Missouri Independent
Trump has instructed states that authorized full November nutrition assistance benefits to return a portion.
missouriindependent.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Researchers and business leaders warn that discriminatory laws are pushing LGBTQ+ Missourians and employers to leave, hurting the state’s economy. #moleg #mogov
Missouri anti-LGBTQ+ laws linked to population loss and decline in tax revenue, studies find • Missouri Independent
Researchers and business leaders warn that discriminatory laws are pushing LGBTQ+ Missourians and employers to leave the state.
missouriindependent.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Missouri anti-LGBTQ+ laws linked to population loss and decline in tax revenue, studies find #moleg #mogov
Missouri anti-LGBTQ+ laws linked to population loss and decline in tax revenue, studies find • Missouri Independent
Researchers and business leaders warn that discriminatory laws are pushing LGBTQ+ Missourians and employers to leave the state.
missouriindependent.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
If Missouri’s newly gerrymandered congressional map makes it to the ballot next year, Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins wants to tell voters it “better reflects statewide voting patterns” and replaces a “gerrymandered” version that “protects incumbent politicians.” #moleg #mogov
Referendum backers reject ballot title for vote on gerrymandered Missouri congressional map • Missouri Independent
If Missourians vote on the gerrymandered congressional map, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins wants the ballot to say it “reflects statewide voting patterns.”
missouriindependent.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Missouri voters approve four-day school week in two districts, showing rising support #moleg #mogov
Missouri voters approve four-day school week in two districts, showing rising support • Missouri Independent
Voters in Independence and Hallsville approved the districts' four-day school weeks, showing increasing support for the alternative model.
missouriindependent.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The exact number of abortions provided since the passage of Amendment 3 is not yet available. But Sam Lee, a longtime anti-abortion advocate with Campaign Life Missouri, said it seems to be “nowhere near what we had anticipated or what the supporters of Amendment 3 had anticipated.” #moleg #mogov
Missouri legalized abortion 1 year ago. Here’s what’s happened since the landmark vote • Missouri Independent
One year ago, Missourians codified the right to abortion in the state constitution. Multiple lawsuits and a proposed abortion ban followed.
missouriindependent.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Missouri legalized abortion 1 year ago. Here’s what’s happened since the landmark vote #moleg #mogov
Missouri legalized abortion 1 year ago. Here’s what’s happened since the landmark vote • Missouri Independent
One year ago, Missourians codified the right to abortion in the state constitution. Multiple lawsuits and a proposed abortion ban followed.
missouriindependent.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Missouri Capitol still can’t shake its culture of disrespect #moleg #mogov
Missouri Capitol still can’t shake its culture of disrespect • Missouri Independent
The Missouri Capitol is a workplace. It’s long past time for everyone under its dome to start acting like it.
missouriindependent.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Five Democratic senators pilloried the plan for replacement workers as potentially putting the nation’s military at risk while U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley demanded the company negotiate in good faith with striking workers. #moleg #mogov
Boeing receives more heat from Congress to settle St. Louis strike • Missouri Independent
Democratic and Republican senators say Boeing is potentially putting the nation's military at risk by choosing to replace striking workers.
missouriindependent.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
A hearing that was to be the first of at least three this month deciding the fate of Missouri’s newly gerrymandered congressional map was postponed Monday due to a judge’s illness. #moleg #mogov
Judge’s illness delays hearing on referendum to overturn Missouri’s gerrymandered map • Missouri Independent
A hearing that was to be the first of at least three deciding the fate of Missouri’s newly gerrymandered congressional map was postponed Monday.
missouriindependent.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Missouri health premiums to rise as much as 30% for 2026 amid uncertainty over federal subsidies #moleg #mogov
Missouri health premiums to rise as much as 30% for 2026 amid uncertainty over subsidies • Missouri Independent
Most individual health insurance plan premiums in Missouri will increase next year in addition to new costs as federal subsidies expire.
missouriindependent.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Missouri aid for moms and babies to continue as other food assistance ends during shutdown #moleg #mogov
Missouri aid for moms and babies to continue as other food assistance ends during shutdown • Missouri Independent
Gov. Mike Kehoe and state health officials announced continued funding for food assistance with some programs set to run dry.
missouriindependent.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
Boeing faces more pressure from Congress as St. Louis workers strike nears three months

Union members narrowly rejected the company’s last contract offer, and in response Boeing leadership has vowed to accelerate efforts to hire permanent replacement workers. #moleg #mogov
Boeing faces more pressure from Congress as St. Louis workers strike nears three months • Missouri Independent
Union members narrowly rejected the company’s last contract offer, and Boeing leadership has vowed hire permanent replacement workers.
missouriindependent.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Jason Hancock
The Missouri House Ethics Committee on Wednesday wrapped up an investigation into an obscene text message sent from one lawmaker to another during September’s legislative special session. #moleg #mogov
Missouri House ethics hearing focuses on obscene text sent by Democratic lawmaker • Missouri Independent
The Missouri House Ethics Committee on Wednesday wrapped up an investigation into an obscene text message sent from one lawmaker to another.
missouriindependent.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM