JEFFERSON CITY — Reporters and editors from across Missouri gathered Feb. 19 at the Missouri State Capitol for the 36th annual Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol, a time focused on legislative engagement, advocacy and strengthening relationships between the press and state government.

Members of the Missouri Press Association (MPA) met throughout the morning with legislators, discussing issues affecting local newspapers, government transparency and the role of community journalism in keeping citizens informed. The annual event provides an opportunity for reporters to connect directly with the lawmakers they cover and to observe the legislative process firsthand.

Personnel from Warden Publishing were in attendance and met with legislators within their coverage areas, including State Representative Tara Peters from District 122 and State Representative Bennie Cook from District 143. The meetings allowed reporters to discuss district issues and legislative priorities important to readers in their communities.

Members of the MPA also gathered in the Thomas Hart Benton House Lounge at the Capitol, the historic room adjacent to the House chamber that features Thomas Hart Benton’s mural A Social History of the State of Missouri.

Speaker of the House Jon Patterson spoke to attendees about the ongoing legislative session and the role of journalism in holding government accountable. In his remarks, Patterson shared that before medical school, when he was still an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri, he worked as a student reporter for the university’s newspaper, The Maneater. That experience, he said, gave him a unique perspective and appreciation for the work members of the press perform in their communities. He discussed priorities before the House and acknowledged the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between lawmakers and the reporters who cover their work.

Denny Hoskins, Missouri’s 41st Secretary of State, also addressed the group. Hoskins emphasized the importance of election integrity and maintaining public confidence in the state’s voting systems. He spoke about access to public records through his office and acknowledged the vital role local news organizations play in informing voters and explaining state government actions to their rural communities.

At the centerpiece luncheon held at the Governor’s Mansion, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway served as the featured speaker. The luncheon is a longstanding highlight of Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol, offering reporters the opportunity to hear directly from statewide officials and ask questions about pressing legal and policy issues.

Hanaway addressed members of the press on enforcement priorities from the Attorney General’s Office, including concerns surrounding video gaming machines operating across Missouri. She discussed the legal landscape surrounding those machines and ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with state law. Hanaway also fielded questions from journalists in attendance, and provided insight into how her office approaches enforcement actions and coordinates with local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies.