Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Loken seemed agitated by the process. Stras was laser-focused on the standing questions and seemed skeptical of Hatfield's position, but also engaged with it. Smith at one point seemed to be trying to help out Ellinger's argument with "Wouldn't you say..." questions. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The three judges hearing the case were James Loken (presiding, nominated by George H.W. Bush) and David Stras and Justin Smith (both nominated by Donald Trump). 121
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals adjourns without indication of when to expect a decision. My bet is it will be soon. ### 233
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The presiding appeals court judge is reading the SCOTUS order from last week in a very different way from both Hatfield and many legal scholars. He suggests SCOTUS stay would be in effect if CCA makes a final ruling, but not if they only uphold the TRO, because a TRO is not a final "disposition" 011
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026There is real dispute, again, over the nature of the appeals court's jurisdiction in today's hearing. The underlying case hasn't yet been heard on the merits in the district court, but those merits are coming up in this interlocutory appeal of the temporary restraining order. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The Court gives Hatfield a moment of rebuttal for a question: Is Richard von Glahn actually a voter who is being forced to vote in a different district between the '22 and '25 maps. I *believe* Hatfield said that he is. Seems like the standing question is foremost for at least of some of the judges. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Capozzi is openly critical of the MO Supreme Court's 7-0 decision. He says it ignored precedent and that it would essentially write the federal "elections clause" out of the constitution in Missouri. It's unclear why he's focused on the state case, when the federal case is what's under review. 011
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Capozzi bemoans SCOTUS not providing explanation for its stay order, but he speculates that SCOTUS is relying on Purcell to say federal courts should not be interfering in state election procedures too close to an election. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Lou Capozzi, solicitor general of MO, now arguing on behalf of MO and SoS Denny Hoskins. He is arguing that the MOSupCt decision should be taken up by the Circuit Court and that a small minority should not have ability to put a legislature-approved map on hold. "That's not democracy," he says. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Everything judges have said suggests the appeals court is prepared to make a speedy decision for SCOTUS review. It seems likely to again uphold the TRO and seems to believe that would restore the 2025 maps. But would Hoskins/Hanaway so instruct the county election officials? Missouri speaks next. 022
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Both Hatfield and Ellinger are asked about how late is too late to go back to the 2025 maps. Hatfield says it's already too late and that many elections officials say it would be chaotic and impossible even now. Ellinger says the military ballot deadline of 9/19 is 2 days away, and could be extended 020
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Rather, Ellinger argues, the grievance being claimed is generalized to all Missouri citizens, and the state should be representing that generalized claim, not the intervenors von Glahn and PNP. (Of course, MO and AG Hanaway would agree with the plaintiffs and would not be appealing.) 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Ellinger argues that the referendum petition from PNP only asks for maps to be on the ballot, and if that were the issue in this case, they would have standing. But the question of which map to use in Nov. is not the subject of the referendum, and so /PNP doesn't have specific standing in this case. 110
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Marc Ellinger now speaking, representing Onder/Brattin et al. Taking his cue from the judges, he goes right to the question of standing, arguing that VonGlahn/PNP don't have standing to appeal from the district court decision--that any opposition should be left to Hoskins and the state of Missouri. 020
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Hatfield argues that the SCOTUS stay is in effect until SCOTUS acts on whatever the Eighth Circuit decides today. The circuit judge is making clear he reads that differently, and implies that the Appeals Court could issue an order regarding the maps with immediate effect today, just like last week. 011
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Hatfield frames the district court's TRO under review now as an attempt to order Hoskins to do something the MoSupCt has ordered him not to do, which means SCOTUS is the only court that should be reviewing it. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Hatfield argues that VonGlahn/PNP does have standing, both because of client's interest in maps and because the ostensible defendant (Hoskins) would not actually defend against the plaintiffs' claims. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Hatfield in a dispute before his argument even begins with one of the circuit judges about VonGlahn/PNP's standing in a case about which map is used in the November election. Judge suggests he would have standing on whether referendum should be on the ballot, but not on which map to use in November. 011
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Chuck Hatfield, representing Richard von Glahn & People Not Politicians, speaks first as the intervenor appealing the district court judge's Temporary Restraining Order (in effect, a preliminary injunction) that had originally ordered the 2025 maps to be used. 021
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Listening in on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals expedited oral argument in the Onder/Brattin v. Missouri case this morning... 070
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026The Missouri SoS website has all precincts reporting in the 4th District Dem primary, and they show Jordan Herrera with 19,850 votes, Hartzell Gray with 18,055 votes. Not sure why the AP hasn't called the race, but it's hard to see where Gray would find net 1800 more votes at this point. #mo04 012
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026The AP has actually CORRECTED its earlier totals, now showing a much closer race in the MO 4th Dem primary. With 99% of results in, it's Jordan Herrera 19,786 (30.2%), Hartzell Gray 18,739 (28.6%), Jeannette Cass 9,515 (14.5%). That's a difference of just 1000 votes, but it may be enough. #mo04 022
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026... that's according to the AP. The Missouri Secretary of State website has far fewer votes recorded. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026One of the tightest races of the night is the Democratic primary in the the MO 4th District, where Republican Mark Alford is the incumbent. Jordan Herrera and Hartzell Gray are within a thousand votes of each other Herrera 19,445, Gray 18,590, with 97% of results in. #mo04 101
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026The AP says radio host Chris Stigall (44%) is the winner over Nathan Willett (34%) in the MO 6th District GOP primary. Stigall will face Democrat Josh Smead (48%), a Liberty architect, who beat Matt Levine (30%) and Scot Pondelick (22%). #mo06 000
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026For KS Governor, the Democrats have a winner: The AP has called it. State Sen. Cindy Holscher (48%), the winner over Sen. Ethan Corson (39%) and OP Mayor Curt Skoog (13%), with 84% of results in. #ksgov 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026In the Jackson County Executive primary, we in the KCUR newsroom think we can call it: Stacy Lake has won the Democratic nomination. She currently has 38,539 votes, while Bill Baird and Dan Tarwater each have about 16,500. She'll face the sole GOP candidate, Alan Rohlfing, in November. 040
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026In Missouri, two top priorities of state Republican leaders, including Governor Mike Kehoe, are going down to defeat at the polls. Amendment 4, changing requirements for approving constitutional amendments, and Amendment 5, which eliminates the state income tax, are both losing more than 4-to-1. 064
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026The Kansas Constitutional Amendment to require election of Supreme Court Justices has been DEFEATED, per the AP. It is currently losing 69-31, with 32% of precincts reporting. 051
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Dist 4 incumbent Ron Estes (R) will face Katy Tyndell; Dist 2 incumbent Derek Schmidt (R) will face the unopposed Don Coover (D). In the big Kansas 1st Dist, Tracey Mann (R)'s challenger isn't yet known: Lauren Reinhold leads Colin McRoberts 62-38, with 35% precincts reporting #ks02 #ks04 #ks01 000
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026KC-area congressional elections are all set for November on the Kansas side: Dist. 3 incumbent Sharice Davids (D) wins with 87%; she'll face Eric Jenkins (R), who has defeated Chase LaPorte 77-23. #ks03 100
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026The KS Democratic gubernatorial primary remains too close to call with 41% of results reporting: Cindy Holscher 45.2%, Ethan Corson 43.0%, Curt Skoog 11.7%. #ksgov 011
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026AP is calling the Kansas GOP gubernatorial primary for State Senate President Ty Masterson. With 25% of results in, Masterson has 40%; Businessman Philip Sarnecki has 20%; Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt has 18%; Sec of State Scott Schwab, 12%. #ksgov 000
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026The AP is calling Missouri Amendment 4, which would have severely constrained voters' ability to pass Constitutional amendments through citizen petitions. Although very few precincts are reporting, the votes that have come through are running 4-to-1 against it. AP says it has been defeated. 021
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026AP is also calling the GOP primary for incumbent U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas. Interestingly, in the very early balloting (only 21% of results), Marshall is winning with just 74% of that vote; challenger Pond Naramore has 26% #kssen 020
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026AP is calling the Kansas U.S. Senate Democratic Primary for Adam Hamilton, pastor of the Leawood's Church of the Resurrection largest United Methodist Church in the country. With 40% of precincts reporting he has 45%; Christy Davis has 12% and Noah Taylor 11% #kssen 131
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 05/08/2026If I spend time posting KS and MO election results here tonight, does anyone care? #mo4 #mo5 #mo6 #kssen #ksgov 2111
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 18/01/2026On Friday I hosted my last talk show and recorded my last podcast at the deteriorating studios of @kcur.org. We’re leaving our building after 40 years and don’t know where we’re going yet. It was in bad shape for a while, but I’ll still miss the place, with its 18 years of memories for me. 2223
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 25/12/2025This is so lovely. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Merry Christmas, friends! I'm glad we get to do this together. Blessings in the year between now and when we gather again! #9lc 0120
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald-angels sing Glory to the new-born King. Amen and amen. #9lc 0134
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Somehow, I wish there were even MORE than seven verses. #9lc 0111
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Well, if you dozed off during the Rutter, you're awake now! #9lc 0100
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025My entire family is listening with me (yea!) and they all just agreed that this Rutter lullaby is ... working. #9lc 010
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025I sort of think the opposite, actually. This is the one that's too sweet for me. #9lc 120
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Honestly, all the readings have been exceptional here. The Vice-Provost really bringing out the drama of the dialogue in the eighth lesson. #9lc 081
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025I think this is such an interesting Christmas sentiment--Jesus, don't forget the little people: "In the land that lies before thee, Forget not us who linger here! May the shepherd’s lowly calling, Ever to thy heart be dear!" #9lc 040
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025It's so very Rutter. A lullaby for stress and worry, which just drifts off... #9lc 030
Brian Ellison @ptsbrian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Did I know this Britten? It's caught me off guard. So spare, then so grand, and ending so meaningfully. #9lc 000