Catherine Hanaway sworn in as Missouri first female attorney general

Catherine Hanaway was sworn in as Missouri's 45th Attorney General, becoming the state's first female attorney general and the first woman appointed to a major statewide office under Governor Mike Kehoe. She was appointed to fill the remainder of Andrew Bailey's term after he stepped down to become co-deputy director of the FBI. Hanaway, a former Missouri House Speaker and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, emphasized her commitment to fighting crime, protecting Missouri families, and upholding constitutional rights. She has also been involved in notable legal work, including serving as lead counsel for the Grain Belt wind energy project, which has faced opposition from some Missouri conservatives. Hanaway's appointment marks her as the fourth person to serve as Missouri's attorney general since 2018. She expressed a non-political view of the position, focusing on the duties of the office and the team serving the state.