It appears the two
high school model is back on the table for the St. Joseph School District.

The Board of
Education, after holding public hearings over the last couple of weeks, has
reverted to the two high school model after switching back to the current three
high school model. The school board now is expected to vote Monday on moving to
two high schools:&nbsp; Central High School
and Benton High School with the addition of neighboring Hyde Elementary School
to provide enough space.

The latest move
comes after the St. Joseph Board of Education in late October scrapped plans to
move to two high schools and embraced the current three high school model.

The board’s
long-range plan reached a couple of years ago called for the elimination of one
high school, but public backlash moved the board to reconsider.

In April, St. Joseph voters rejected a $157 million bond
issue which would have financed the building of a new high school, pivotal to
the St. Joseph School District plan to downsize from three to two high schools.
The Board of Education decided to forge ahead on the two high school model,
first considering using Central High School and Lafayette High School. The
board then instructed staff to consider using Benton High School as well, which
would have required using Hyde Elementary to provide enough space.

A final vote is
expected during the Board of Education regularly scheduled meeting on Monday,
November 24th.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Back to 2:  St. Joseph school board embraces 2 high school model once again

The City of St. Joseph will see just its third change in city clerk leadership in more than 70 years as longtime city clerk Paula Heyde announced her upcoming retirement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Heyde will retire at the end of January after more than four decades of service.&nbsp; The St. Joseph City Council has appointed Deputy Clerk Kaycee Garton to assume the role at the beginning of February.

Heyde, a native of Stanberry, Missouri, began her work with the city clerk’s office in January 1983 and became an official staff member the following year. She was appointed city clerk in October of 1988, succeeding Walter Welsh, who had served since 1954. Her 40-plus-year career has spanned generations of city leaders.

“I’ve enjoyed working with all the different councils and mayors over the years, and some of them, along with coworkers, have become friends I keep in touch with,” Heyde said in a news release from the city. “It’s been great working with Kay, and I’m sure she will do an excellent job.”

Mayor John Josendale praised Heyde’s enduring contributions to the city.

“Paula is the life and soul of the city. She knows more than anybody when you think about the longevity and the number of councils she’s worked with over the years,” he said. “She’s taught me a lot, which proves you can teach old dogs. I know Kaycee has learned from her as well, which is why I have confidence that she will do an excellent job in this new role and continue the great service that office is known for.”

Garton, a St. Joseph native and Benton High School graduate, began her career with the City of St. Joseph as a police officer in 2018. She transitioned to an administrative assistant role in 2022, supporting the offices of the city manager, City Council, legal, communications and clerk. She was appointed deputy clerk in the summer of 2025.

“I’m honored and excited to step into the role of City Clerk,” Garton said. “This position carries a legacy of integrity, professionalism and service that Paula Heyde embodied for more than 40 years. Paula set the standard for excellence, and I’m committed to upholding that tradition while bringing new energy and dedication to support our organization, our elected officials, and our community. It’s a privilege to build on the foundation she created.”

Garton’s salary will be $80,000 effective on the date of her new appointment.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

St. Joseph City Clerk Paula Heyde announces retirement; Kaycee Garton to take over role

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

Buchanan County
commissioners have written the St. Joseph Board of Education, urging the board
to stick with its original long-range plan to move the school district to a two
high school model.

Buchanan County
Presiding Commissioner, Scott Nelson, says the three commissioners simply want
to support the plan to reduce the number of St. Joseph public high schools.

“We just supported
that whole process knowing that they felt at the time and we agreed that St.
Joseph should go to a two (high) school model,” Nelson tells KFEQmmunity. “We’re
not picking schools. It’s just two schools.”

The move came
after it appeared the St. Joseph Board of Education backed off its original
long-range plan and decided to remain with the three high school model. The
board, though, now appears to have again embraced the two high school model,
favoring retaining Central High School along with Benton High School, using
neighboring Hyde Elementary School to provide sufficient space.

Nelson says the
Buchanan County Commission drafted the letter after he spoke with the other two
commissioners following a discussion at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce about
the future of the school district.

“So, I brought that
information back to the commissioners and we said, yeah, we do need to support
our school board and not this whole idea of a last-minute change to things,” Nelson
says. “That’s just chaos. Nothing good comes from chaos. Why is chaos even brought
into the picture? Why a last-minute change? &nbsp;I just don’t understand that.”

Nelson says the
commission understands the importance of the St. Joseph School District to the
county as a whole and believes the plan to reduce the number of high schools
makes the most sense.

“We are losing
population. We are losing school numbers. Those are facts,” Nelson says. “Employers,
and I’m not going to say which ones, are reluctant to come – some – are reluctant
to come to the area or live in the area, because of the school district.”

Nelson says the school
board earlier realized the district needed to change and that change wouldn’t
be easy.

“But I felt like
they kind of did their due diligence and came up with a plan and then all of
the sudden the plan changes on the drop of a hat? &nbsp;I’m not sure that’s productive.”

The St. Joseph
Board of Education is scheduled to consider the move to the two high school model
during its Monday regular meeting.

Buchanan County Commission urges St. Joe school board to stick with plan

A true crime series hosted by the St. Joseph Public Libraries will host a presentation this evening talking about some lesser-known St. Joseph criminals. 

Kim Schutte will present at the East Hills Library, teaching people about St. Joseph's equivalent of Bonnie and Clyde, Clarence and Juanita Spargur. 

Downtown library manager Jen Wildhagen who organized the series says even she had never heard of this couple, so she's excited to learn more about them 

"The fact that the environment could put out people like this regularly and in our area, is very interesting to me,” Wildhagen tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “I’m looking forward to learning more about who these people were, how they got involved in the crimes they did, and what ended up happening to them, because I don’t really know anything about that.” 

Wildhagen says along with the fascination on true crime, learning about it 100 years later helps soften the blow of what they did 

"The thirties mob, bank robber, Baby Face Nelson and all of that crew, those stories I think are really fun to listen to probably because they are so long ago now that the impact isn’t as direct and awful on a personal level,” Wildhagen explains.  “So that’s another thing it has going for it I think.” 

Wildhagen says the fascination with true crime seems to come with people touching the dark, without worrying about it touching them back 

"Learning about the stories without the fear necessarily of it happening to you personally or learning about terrible stories in a safe environment is fascinating,” Wildhagen says. 

Wildhagen says she has been fascinated with true crime for some time now, and one thing that has been a benefit to her from it, is learning more how to protect herself 

"Because I’ve heard about the terrible things people can do to one another, I am on alert,” Wildhagen points out.  “And I’m not necessarily saying that that’s what everybody gets out of it, but that is something that I’ve gotten from it.” 

The presentation is free to attend and will begin at 6pm tonight at the East Hills Library in the theatre. 

St. Joseph public libraries true crime series spotlights pair of infamous local criminals

A fight broke out
at a St. Joseph funeral home leading to the arrest of two adults.

St. Joseph police
report officers arrived at the Heaton-Bowman-Smith &amp; Sidenfaden Chapel on
Frederick Avenue shortly after seven o’clock Wednesday night after emergency
calls described a fight involving as many as 50 people.

Police say relatives
began to argue during the funeral leading to a physical altercation. Officers
arrested one woman and one man, both from out of town.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph funeral fight leads to arrest of two

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an encounter with police.

Just before 2a.m. Wednesday, an officer on patrol observed a vehicle stopped in the lane of traffic in the 900 block U.S.Highway 59, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. 

The officer made contact with the driver of the vehicle identified as 32-year-old Kyle White of Hiawatha who appeared to be asleep or passed out. 

An investigation at the scene resulted in the discovery of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia in White’s possession and in the vehicle. He was taken into custody and jailed on requested charges of&nbsp;possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia and driving while suspended.

Kan. man caught with fentanyl was asleep in his car on highway

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri will try to seize assets owned by China to collect a $24 billion default judgment in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/21/840550059/missouri-sues-china-communist-party-over-the-coronavirus-pandemic" target="_blank">case accusing the Asian nation</a>&nbsp;of lying to the world about the COVID-19 pandemic that began in Wuhan, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/wp-content/uploads/State-of-Missouri-v.-Peoples-Republic-of-China-Judgment.pdf" target="_blank">entered the verdict in March</a>&nbsp;after China did not defend itself in the lawsuit. Speaking to reporters at her office Wednesday, Hanaway said she is working to compile a list of properties and other assets owned by government agencies named in the lawsuit.

“It’s been a long process for us to be able to enforce that judgment, but now we’ll enforce that judgment, much like any other judgment in this area,” Hanaway said.

The state will not try to take assets from companies owned by Chinese citizens or businesses, she said.

That would put the Smithfield Hog Production operation in north Missouri, previously known as Premium Standard Farms, off-limits. The farm is owned by China-based WH Group and is one of the most valuable Chinese-owned assets in the state.

“We can’t go after Chinese individuals or companies necessarily,” Hanaway said. “I might be proven wrong over time, but my belief is that we’ve got to go after those assets actually owned by China.”

In his ruling, Limbaugh wrote that China concealed the true nature of COVID-19 so it could stockpile protective gear that could limit spread of the virus.

“China’s pattern of actions strongly suggests that it had knowledge of the existence and human-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 virus as early as September 2019,” Limbaugh wrote. “China’s actions also suggest that China engaged in a deliberate campaign to suppress information about the COVID-19 pandemic in order to support its campaign to hoard PPE from Missouri and an unsuspecting world.”

Limbaugh found that Missouri lost tax revenue due to the pandemic and will experience a long-term loss of revenue as well, accepting the $8.04 billion estimate for the period 2020 to 2051. He added the state’s increased cost for protective gear, estimated at $123 million, due to the hoarding and tripled the amount to set the final judgment.

The judgment is against the Chinese government, the Communist Party of China, several national agencies, provincial and local governments around Wuhan and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The first step toward collecting any part of the judgment will be getting a copy of the judgment, translated into Mandarin, and other documentation to the State Department via the federal court clerk, Hanaway said in a news release Wednesday evening.

Once the defendants are served, she said, the state will be back in court to identify assets it wants to seize.

The case was first filed by Eric Schmitt, who is now a U.S. Senator, and continued by Andrew Bailey, now co-deputy director of the FBI. Hanaway was appointed attorney general in September.

The Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., issued a harsh statement about the judgment and Hanaway’s actions to collect.

The steps China took to limit the spread of infection and provide for its people “are acts of national sovereignty and are not subject to the jurisdiction of US courts,”&nbsp;spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. “The so-called pandemic compensation lawsuits fabricated by certain forces in the U.S. ignore basic objective facts and violate fundamental legal principles; they are purely malicious frivolous lawsuits and political manipulation, with extremely sinister intentions.”

China will not pay and will retaliate if necessary, Pengyu said, “to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in response to the so-called lawsuits and judgments from the US.”

Missouri wants to seize Chinese assets to recover $24 billion judgment in COVID case

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign in St. Joseph is underway and volunteers are needed to help ring bells 

The campaign began earlier this month, and runs through December 23rd, and through the first three weeks has had a good number of volunteers. 

But Social Services Director Emily Bravo says they could always use more. . . 

"You can never have to many volunteers, and so it’s something that businesses like to come in and ring as a group and they like to go to one of the stores with two different doors and see who can bring in the most, things like that,” Bravo tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And so we’re always bringing in new volunteers.” 

The campaign runs until December 23rd with bell ringers out every day except for Sundays and on Thanksgiving.   

Bravo says the campaign is important because it not only helps with Christmas, but also helps fund several other Salvation Army programs 

"It helps with things for the shelter as well as food for the homeless, clothing, we have some programs that can send kids to camp,” Bravo explains.  “And just different things throughout the year that we otherwise may not have funding for.” 

The Salvation Army has bell ringers at more than five locations around St. Joseph.  To volunteer you can contact Megan Smith at the Salvation Army offices. 

Bravo says for those interested in volunteering, ringing the bells also doesn't require a huge time commitment 

"Shifts are usually four to five hour shifts, if somebody can only come in and ring for an hour we can work with that as well,” Bravo says.  “But it’s not usually a huge time commitment.” 

To volunteer you can contact Megan Smith at the Salvation Army offices. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Salvation Army asking volunteers to ring bells during Red Kettle campaign

Mosaic Life Care
has broken ground on a new women’s health clinic in Maryville.

More than 100
attended the groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Mosaic Medical Center –
Maryville and Mosaic Life Care – Philanthropy. Mosaic states in a news release
the clinic will offer preventive care, obstetrics, gynecology and wellness
support.

Mosaic Medical
Center – Maryville also announced it has received a $100,000 Rural Planning
Grant from Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program, which
is funded by the Health Resources &amp; Services Administration (HRSA). Through
this grant, outreach clinics have already been set up in Bedford and Albany to
offer OB patients greater access to care.

The Maryville
clinic will offer services that women in northwest Missouri have had to drive long
distances to receive.

“I see the
disparities in women’s healthcare in this region and across the state. Women’s
health care is expensive and difficult to deliver, which is why so many near us
have closed their maternity unit doors,” Megan Jennings, director of
development for the St. Francis Foundation said. “Today, I am so proud to say
through the efforts and dedication of many, we aren’t saying when we close, but
rather, let’s grow, let’s extend our arm to other communities, let’s be the
solution.”

&nbsp;The new clinic, made possible by community
support through the St. Francis Foundation and a significant investment from
Mosaic Life Care, is set to open in late summer of 2026. 

Mosaic breaks ground on new Maryville women's clinic

U.S. farm safety net programs are projected to deliver more than $13.5 billion in payments for the 2025 crop year, though farmers will not receive the funds until October 2026. The payments come through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, which were modified under the One Big Beautiful Bill reconciliation package signed into law July 4. 

FarmDoc Daily reports the changes, relative to the 2018 Farm Bill, are expected to increase both the likelihood and potential size of ARC and PLC payments in 2025 and future years. Farmers who enrolled in 2025 will receive whichever payment — ARC or PLC — is higher, while enrollment choices will again influence payments starting in 2026. Estimates rely on USDA projections from the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report and data from the Farm Service Agency. Payment rates are calculated using county-level base acres, non-irrigated yields where relevant, and program simulation models, providing detailed projections ahead of next year’s disbursements.

Safety Net Programs Set to Pay More than $13 Billion in 2026

The White House has held separate meetings with oil refiners and biofuel producers as it works to resolve a long-standing dispute over U.S. biofuel-blending requirements, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Biofuels-news.com reports the talks focus on billions of gallons of blending obligations that were waived for small refineries, raising questions about whether larger refiners should make up any of the exempted volumes. 

A decision, originally expected by the end of October, was delayed by the federal government shutdown. The outreach reflects the administration’s effort to balance competing interests: the oil industry argues that federal mandates threaten refinery jobs, while the agricultural sector says the waivers have reduced demand for corn-based ethanol and other biofuels. 

The outcome could influence fuel prices, farm incomes, and energy policy heading into next year. Officials also discussed year-round sales of gasoline containing 15% ethanol, or E15, potentially linking the measure to small-refinery waiver reforms to win support from both industries.

White House Moving Toward Biofuels Blending Resolution

As the federal government reopens, farmers say the temporary extension of the 2018 Farm Bill offers little relief from rising costs and growing uncertainty. President Donald Trump’s signature restored funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but the farm law that underpins crop insurance, conservation programs and disaster aid is only renewed short term. 

Kentucky farmer Keith Lowry told the Paducah Sun that production and input costs have doubled since 2018 while commodity prices have stagnated, leaving growers without the safety net they need. He added that trade disruptions — including past tensions with China — continue to narrow export opportunities for soybeans and other crops. 

American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland said reopening the government is only a first step and urged Congress to advance regulations and trade efforts that support demand. Farmers say the shutdown hindered access to loans and assistance, compounding a difficult year marked by heavy rains, drought and escalating expenses.

Farmers Worry Renewal of Outdated Farm Bill Doesn’t Adequately Fund Critical Programs

December corn closed down 7 cents and March corn was down 8 cents. January soybeans closed down 17 1/4 cents and March soybeans were down 15 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 10 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 9 3/4 cents, December MIAX Minneapolis wheat was down 1 1/2 cents.

The market turned lower across the board Wednesday in a general risk-off session which stretched from commodities to equity markets. In terms of agricultural products, despite no overtly bearish news to point to on Wednesday, there was also little on the bullish side to sustain momentum against firm chart resistance which may have long-term implications, especially for the soybean market. Energy markets were weaker on Wednesday and added a layer of pressure to corn and soybean oil markets, despite the weekly EIA Petroleum Status report showing lower U.S. crude inventories week over week.

The cattle contracts are trading lower into Wednesday's noon hour as the market is disgruntled with the lack of fundamental support. Some light trade has developed in the North, where dressed cattle were trading at $345, which is $6.00 lower than last week's weighted average.

Without a steadfast stamp of approval from the market's fundamentals, the live cattle contracts were back to trading lower. The market would anticipate that beef demand will begin a sharp fourth-quarter rally in the next week or two, as consumers secure their meat for the Christmas holiday. Still, with beef prices already high compared to years past, the market sits in an unknown position, unsure how much of a fourth-quarter rally is really going to play out. The feeder cattle complex was also trading sharply lower as the market continued to closely follow the direction of the live cattle contracts.

Although midday pork cutout values are lower, once again, the lean hog contracts were trading slightly higher into Wednesday's noon hour as the market has seemed to stumble into some technical support.&nbsp;

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/13201542/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

Omaha Steaks President and CEO Nate Rempe (REM-pee) said, unfortunately, America’s beef bills will likely keep climbing. He told Fox News that the nation’s shrinking cattle supply and continued record demand are driving the possibility of ten-dollar-per-pound ground beef that could stretch family budgets for some time. 

“We need to get our arms around this in the U.S.,” he said. “By the third quarter of next year, American families are going to see ten dollars a pound for ground beef in the grocery store, so we’re in for a bit of a haul here.” He added that prices likely won’t come down in a significant way until 2027. “Heifer retention is a decision that the rancher and feedlot operator make to hold back female animals to help rebuild the herd,” Rempe said. “It’s a double-edged sword, because that means the supply is going to continue shrinking as fewer cattle go to market.”

Beef May Reach Ten Dollars Per Pound

President Donald Trump announced that many fertilizers U.S. farmers rely on will be exempt from reciprocal tariffs. The Fertilizer Institute said it’s extremely good news for the industry. 

“The Fertilizer Institute appreciates the Trump administration’s continued recognition of the importance of fertilizers to America’s food security, national security, well-being, and health,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “While the U.S. has robust domestic fertilizer manufacturing and production, it’s a net fertilizer importer and relies on both domestic production and imports during the busy spring planting and fall application periods.” 

He also said the fertilizer market is highly competitive and characterized by a complex web of global supply and demand factors. “Without farmers, there would be no fertilizer industry, and as farmers continue to face economic challenges, the focus of the industry remains promoting a stable industry that supports U.S. agriculture and ensures affordable food prices for American families,” Rosenbusch added.

TFI Reacts to Fertilizer Tariff Exemption

Groups like the American Soybean Association applauded the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers for proposing a more workable version of the “Waters of the United States” rule for agriculture. 

“For too long, shifting interpretations have created real uncertainty about whether everyday decisions might trigger federal oversight,” said ASA President Caleb Ragland. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said WOTUS has been a longstanding and frustrating issue. 

“This WOTUS announcement acknowledges that the government should work to protect lakes, rivers, and oceans, rather than regulating ditches and ponds on family farms and ranches,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. 

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture said the federal government has recognized the states’ expertise in managing and protecting local lands and resources. As NASDA previously stated, states are currently responsible for enforcing more than 96 percent of federal water laws in the Clean Water Act.

U.S. Ag Groups React to New EPA WOTUS Proposal

December corn closed up 2 cents and March corn was up 1 1/2 cents. January soybeans closed down 3 3/4 cents and March soybeans were down 3 cents. December KC wheat closed down 2 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 2 1/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 9 cents.

It was a return to low volume, slow news trade on Tuesday across row-crop futures with prices chopping on either side of unchanged but falling from early highs, which were the highs for the rally thus far for the soybean market. It is likely traders saw the need to lock in some profits following confirmation of rumored soybean purchases by China on Monday. In outside markets, diesel prices continue to push higher, positively influencing soybean oil futures, which have surged higher through the first half of the week. In financial markets, equities are under heavy pressure to start the week, led by AI bubble fears. Meanwhile, the potential for money flow out of equities and into commodities as a hedge against inflation may be a story of growing importance to watch through the end of 2025 and into 2026.

The live cattle complex traded mixed, erring on the side of caution as traders would like to see the contracts trade fully higher but need sure-fire fundamental support this week to successfully do so. No developments have surfaced in the fed cash cattle market, and trade will likely be delayed until later in the week, as that's usually what happens whenever a Cattle on Feed report is released. No bids or asking prices are currently on the table.

Likewise, the feeder cattle complex also traded in a mixed manner as the market isn't confident that there will be enough support in the market to trade fully higher. Until something wildly bullish develops, the feeder cattle complex will likely continue to trade in a sideways manner as it's going to take some substantial support to push the contracts back over the market's 100-day moving average.

The lean hog complex traded fully lower and currently pressuring the market's support plane as traders aren't seeing enough support arise in the marketplace to send the contracts higher.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/11/18140529/web-closing-markets-2.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency has extended the sign-up deadline for the Emergency Livestock Relief Program to Nov. 21, 2025, after many ranchers were unable to apply during county office closures tied to the federal shutdown. The program provides payments to producers facing added feed costs or grazing losses from 2023–24 floods and wildfires. FSA Administrator Bill Beam said offices are now open five days a week under Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ directive to restore full access to core services. 

To simplify enrollment, FSA pre-qualified counties where disasters were already verified, allowing eligible producers to apply without submitting additional documentation. Covered livestock include beef and dairy cattle, sheep, llamas and other grazing animals. Payments are based on supplemental feed costs, offering up to 60% of one month’s feed cost for wildfire losses or three months for flood impacts. Annual payments are capped at $125,000, with limited exceptions up to $250,000.

USDA extends livestock relief deadline 

The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday released a new proposed definition of “waters of the United States,” marking the latest shift in federal water policy after the Supreme Court’s narrowing decision in Sackett v. EPA. The proposal would limit Clean Water Act jurisdiction to traditional navigable waters and wetlands that share a continuous surface connection with them. 

Tributaries would qualify only if they directly connect to those waters or flow through other jurisdictional features. The rule also maintains long-standing exclusions, including prior-converted cropland, waste treatment systems and a newly clarified exemption for groundwater. Federal officials said the updated definition aims to align the rule with the Supreme Court’s guidance while providing clarity to landowners. A 45-day public comment period will begin once the proposal is published in the Federal Register.

EPA, Army Corps unveil new proposed WOTUS rule

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Idea is to initially forbid guidance from venturing into realm of legal advice

TOPEKA — The secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue offered to create within the state agency the job of ombudsman to provide information and guidance — not legal counsel — to Kansans interested in representing themselves in property tax appeal cases.

Secretary Mark Burghart said Tuesday during an interim tax committee meeting of the Kansas Legislature that the objective of the extra employee would be to better prepare individuals interested in contesting county property tax valuations that were heard by the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals.

The idea of an ombudsman was raised in September by Kristen Wheeler, chair of the state tax appeal board, in response to dramatic growth in the board’s caseload.

The concept received a positive response from several legislators, including Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican who chairs the interim House and Senate tax committee. She urged Burghart to begin preliminary planning for the hiring of an ombudsman. She suggested the task might be done without the 2026 Legislature adopting a bill specifically granting the revenue department permission.

“It sounds to me like you could actually implement this without statute,” Tyson said. “I think that would be the ideal solution.”

Kansas has more than 2 million individual taxpayers, Burghart said. The Board of Tax Appeals, or BOTA, during the 2024 fiscal year reported an increase of 700 cases on its general appeal docket. There were 300 additional property tax appeals and 300 more appeals related to tax exemptions.

“This position is important. It think it’s needed. It does make sense to me that it live in the Department of Revenue,” said Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton. “Why do we have a large number of tax appeals right now? It’s because our taxpayers are surprised with very large, unexpected tax bills. So, they appeal.”

Burghart said the Department of Revenue currently had an individual responsible for general taxpayer advocacy. A person dedicated to property tax affairs should initially be limited to an educational role that involved assisting taxpayers with their understanding property valuation procedures and BOTA’s appellate process. The ombudsman could explain deadlines, required forms, evidentiary expectations and appeal options.

“The creation of this position, initially framed as an educational and navigational resource rather than a legal representative, would be one way to help expedite appeals before BOTA by improving the quality and completeness of taxpayer filings,” Burghart said. “That, in turn, supports the Legislature’s objective of addressing BOTA workforce and caseload concerns.”

“We would make it abundantly clear that we are not giving legal advice,” the revenue secretary said. “The ombudsman would not serve as the legal representative of any taxpayer … and would not advocate for specific valuation outcomes in individual cases.”

Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, questioned whether the Department of Revenue could unilaterally initiate an ombudsman program. Burghart said adding a new staff position to the agency could be worked into the budget, which already included personnel assigned duties associated with assisting taxpayers.

“It’s helpful for that to be part of the discussion so that people understand, when we’re talking about new employees, how that happens,” she said.

Burghart said the Legislature had options in terms of shaping the work of an ombudsman or advocate dedicated to property taxation. The person could be informally added to payroll in the Department of Revenue or the individual could be located in a newly created state office founded, which would require passage of a state law.

The ombudsman also could be established as a law school clinic led by students or as a nonprofit affiliated with the Kansas Bar Association, he said.

He said an ombudsman should be appointed by the state revenue secretary after consultation with the chair of the Board of Tax Appeals and the revenue department’s director of property evaluation. It’s not necessary to include the post among jobs requiring Kansas Senate confirmation, he said.

If the program proved beneficial in terms of BOTA’s case docket or processing times, Burghart said, the Legislature could consider broadening the ombudsman’s role into direct representation or formal advocacy of taxpayers in BOTA proceedings in which counties were involved in the cases.

If the Legislature chose to deepen the ombudsman’s role regarding property tax cases the personnel should no longer be based within the revenue department, he said.

Wheeler, the BOTA chair, said the taxpayer assistance position must be filled by a person with specialized expertise in taxation appeals.

She said BOTA was neutral on whether the position needed to be located at BOTA, but “parameters of the position and its location deserve further consideration and debate.”

She said it was unlikely the state could quickly implement a student-staffed taxation legal clinic at law schools at University of Kansas in Lawrence or Washburn University in Topeka.

“Even if there was interest in this type of clinic, it’s likely that creation of a clinic would take substantially more time than creating a staff position,” Wheeler said.

Kansas Legislature tinkers with hiring taxpayer ombudsman to smooth property tax appeals

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide at a Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as&nbsp;41-year-old Craig Washington, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 8:30p.m. Tuesday, police officers were dispatched to a shooting at a convenience store in the 7000 Block of Prospect, according to Becchina.

Officers were led inside the store where they located Washington unresponsive on the ground. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS to come to the scene. EMS pronounced Washington deceased at the scene.

&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates that there were numerous people inside the store when Washington and a suspect or suspects had an interaction that escalated, eventually to gunfire, which struck Washington.

Police are making progress in the  identifying a suspect, according to Becchina.

Police ID victim in Kansas City convenience store shooting

DENT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Wednesday in Dent County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Polaris UTV driven by a 28-year-old Rolla woman was traveling on Dent County Road 2050 one mile west of County Road 2055. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The UTV returned to the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; 

She was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county morgue. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman killed after ejected in UTV rollover accident

NEW HAVEN, CT —&nbsp; Brian Baker, 48, of Scott City, Kansas, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking firearms into Connecticut, according to the United State's Attorney's office.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2023, members of the FBI Waterbury Safe Streets Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of a total of nine firearms, and one controlled purchase of cocaine, from Luis Perez in Waterbury.&nbsp; An expanded investigation revealed that Perez was acquiring numerous firearms, most of which were purchased, at Baker’s direction, by individuals from licensed gun dealers in Kansas and then shipped through the U.S. Mail to a stash location maintained by Perez’s associate, Algelly Diaz, in Hartford.&nbsp; Perez then sold the firearms, which included assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to others throughout Connecticut.

Perez coordinated the purchase of the firearms through Baker in Kansas and Fernando Soto, Jr. in California.&nbsp; Baker, a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, used straw purchasers to purchase the firearms and then shipped them to Connecticut, or to Soto, who then shipped them to Connecticut and elsewhere.

Between August 2020 and May 2023, one of Baker’s straw purchasers, Ramon Pichardo, purchased at least 73 firearms from a licensed gun dealer in Deerfield, Kansas.

Baker and others involved in the conspiracy were arrested on May 19, 2023.&nbsp; On that date, investigators executed search warrants at locations in Connecticut, Kansas, and California.&nbsp; A search of Perez’s residence and vehicle revealed nine firearms; more than 200 rounds of ammunition; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl/heroin; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale; and more than $7,000 in cash.&nbsp; In addition, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 90 rounds of ammunition, and a search of a package that was shipped to Diaz and seized from the mail stream revealed an additional three firearms.

To date, approximately 34 of the trafficked firearms have been recovered by law enforcement in Connecticut and elsewhere, including one that recovered on August 27, 2022, in San Bernardino, California, at the scene of the homicide of a juvenile.

Baker has been detained since his arrest.&nbsp; On March 26, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, two counts of firearms trafficking, and two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms.

On March 19, 2025, Perez pleaded guilty to one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, three counts of firearms trafficking, two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.&nbsp; On April 4, 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/waterbury-man-guilty-firearm-offense-related-gun-trafficking-operation">a jury found him guilty</a>&nbsp;of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.&nbsp; He awaits sentencing.

Diaz pleaded guilty and, on February 4, 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/hartford-man-sentenced-4-years-federal-prison-role-gun-trafficking-ring">was sentenced</a>&nbsp;to 48 months of imprisonment.

Soto and Pichardo have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Connecticut State Police; and the Waterbury, Meriden, Hartford, Manchester, East Hartford, West Hartford, and Chino (Calif.) Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Christopher J. Lembo through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

Prison for Kansas man for role in nationwide gun trafficking ring

Trump rips Dems as he signs bill to release Jeffrey Epstein case files

JOHNSON COUNTY —A former school paraprofessional who admitted having a sexual relationship with a student was sentenced last week.

Judge Jacquelyn Rokusek sentenced 28-year-old Kassidy Alexander of De Soto to 34 months in prison for unlawful sexual relations. Alexander was later placed on probation for 36 months, according to court documents filed Thursday.&nbsp; She must also register as a sex offender, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In August, Alexander was charged with unlawful sexual relations, according to online jail records in Johnson County.&nbsp; She is a former USD 232 Desoto school district employee at&nbsp;Lexington Trails Middle School.

On September 11,&nbsp; Alexander pleaded guilty to a single count of unlawful sexual relations with a student, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. Two other counts of unlawful sexual relations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

The crime involved events occurring from July 25, 2022, to March 2024, involving someone 16 years or older, a student in the school, according to court documents.

Plea deal kept Kan. school district para out of prison for sex crimes

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement in Kansas City, Missouri are investigating another homicide.

Just before 11p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting the 8200 block of President Court, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Several 911 callers heard the sound of gunfire and believed someone had been shot at the apartment complex.

First responders located a male shooting victim unresponsive in the parking lot there. Officers called for EMS, who responded and transported the victim to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. 

Preliminary investigation indicates the victim had an interaction with one or more suspects in the parking lot at the apartment complex there that led to gunfire that struck the victim. The unknown suspects then left the scene. 

In the early hours of Wednesday, detectives were notified that the victim died at the hospital from his injuries. This is now a homicide investigation and the Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation.

KCPD: Shooting victim found in apartment parking lot died from injuries

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital in Johnson County.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, the Shawnee Police Department, Shawnee Fire Department, and Johnson County MED-ACT responded to a report of a shooting in a parking lot in the 10300 block of Shawnee Mission Parkway.

One adult man, who had been shot once, was taken to the hospital in stable condition. 

The suspect left the scene in a dark-colored truck. It is unclear whether the victim and the suspect knew each other prior to the altercation in the parking lot. 

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