Missouri Meta Settlement: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says the state could receive $100M–$150M from a proposed $17.1B multistate Meta consumer protection settlement, with Meta required to add new safety features for minors on Instagram and Facebook. Child Welfare Overhaul: Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order creating the Missouri Child Welfare Task Force to recommend unified, statewide child safety standards and improve coordination across agencies, courts, law enforcement, and providers, with a report due by Nov. 15. Water Safety in Maryville: Maryville issued a 45-day advisory starting Aug. 27, switching disinfectants and warning customers may notice stronger chlorine taste/smell and changes during hydrant flushing, while saying drinking water still meets federal and state standards. Native Plants Push: Missouri Department of Conservation opened the next round of native tree and shrub seedling ordering (starting Sept. 1) to support wildlife habitat and soil/water conservation. Data Center Pollution Fight: A major EPA proposal would reduce public notice and comment for air permits for “minor sources,” a change critics say could limit community input on pollution from data centers and backup power. Wildlife Update: After decades of overhunting, black bears are slowly recolonizing parts of the lower Mississippi River basin, with Missouri and nearby states flagged as part of the broader recovery range.