Columbia kids will keep the masks on

(AP) — A Boone County judge on Tuesday rejected Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s effort to expand his litigation against mask mandates in public schools to districts across the state.

Schmitt initially sued the Columbia Public Schools after it required students and staff to wear masks while indoors to reduce the spread of COVID-19. He had sought class certification to expand the lawsuit to other districts.

Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs rejected that motion and a request for a preliminary injunction sought by Schmitt, a Republican running for U.S. Senate.

The order means that for now, Schmitt will have to sue districts individually to stop mask mandates.