What We Know: Two Missouri media organizations are suing the Missouri State Highway Patrol over information blacked out in crash reports.
The Missouri Press Association and Missouri Broadcasters Association filed a lawsuit in Cole County, claiming the Patrol violates the state’s Sunshine Law.
What It Means: The groups say the Patrol began removing names and other details from traffic and boating crash reports in 2024, including the names of people killed in crashes.
They say that information had been publicly available for nearly 30 years.
What’s Next: The lawsuit asks a judge to order the Highway Patrol to release complete reports and restore online public access to the information.
The groups argue the records are important for keeping communities informed about traffic safety and fatal crashes.
(Photo provided. Logo provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol)