Missouri’s capital is at the center of a federal court fight as a Republican official faces contempt charges for defying a lower court ruling, shaping a short, sharp moment in its public story.
Federal and state judges have issued competing orders over Missouri’s congressional map for the November election. The Missouri Supreme Court has ruled the Republican-drawn 2025 map is not legally enacted and ordered the 2022 map used while a referendum proceeds; a federal judge has temporarily ordered officials to use the 2025 map while litigation continues and both sides are appealing to higher courts.