Missouri

Missouri Teen’s Family Awarded $310 Million in Fatal Amusement Park Ride Lawsuit

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Orlando, Fla. — In a significant court ruling, the parents of a Missouri teenager who tragically died after being ejected from a ride at an Orlando amusement park received a $310 million verdict. The decision came late Thursday against the Austrian company Funtime, which designed the ride from which 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell in March 2022. The jury delivered their verdict after a single-day trial, in which the defendant did not appear to contest the claims. The tragic incident occurred on March 24, 2022, when Sampson fell approximately 70 feet from the Orlando Free Fall … Read more

Missouri Judge Faces Six-Month Suspension, Mental Health Scrutiny After Admitting to Misconduct

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Carrollton, Mo. – The judicial career of Associate Circuit Court Judge Joe Don McGaugh in Missouri’s Eighth Judicial Circuit hangs in the balance as a commission has suggested a severe disciplinary action. The Eighth Judicial Circuit, inclusive of Carroll and Ray counties, could see McGaugh sidelined for six months without salary following allegations of unethical behavior. The Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline delivered a formal notice of alleged misconduct to McGaugh in August, which triggered the investigative and judicial review process. McGaugh has acknowledged the accusations leveled against him and proposed his terms for … Read more

Missouri Judge Temporarily Halts Near-Total Abortion Ban, Citing New Constitutional Rights Amendment

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A recent judicial ruling has rendered Missouri’s near-total abortion prohibition unenforceable, following the enactment of a new constitutional amendment that legalized abortion in the state. On Friday, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang blocked the stringent abortion law, temporarily lifting restrictions until further court deliberations determine the law’s constitutionality. Missouri joins four other states that added abortion rights to their state constitutions through 2024 ballot initiatives. The amendment in Missouri, while not directly annulling existing laws, provides a framework for challenging abortion bans in court that are deemed unconstitutional under … Read more

Missouri Lawmakers Tackle Surge in Youth Gun Violence Amid Economic Concerns

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Concerns are mounting among Missouri business groups that rising violent crime rates in the state’s urban areas may be stifling potential economic and tourism growth. As Missouri gears up for its legislative session, set to commence on January 8, 2025, nearly 50 firearm-related bills have been pre-filed, signaling a significant focus on gun control and crime prevention. Among the voices advocating for stricter gun laws is Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Democrat from Columbia. Smith is advocating for legislation that would prohibit the sale of automatic weapons to individuals under 21 … Read more