U.S. farmers are seriously considering planting more corn and less soybean acres this spring than they did last year. Both growers and analysts say that they’re hoping to squeeze out more profits and shield themselves from possible tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Frayne Olson, an ag economist at North Dakota State University, says when you look at the profitability of each crop, corn is winning in the acreage battle. Iowa State University economist Chad Hart says it’s possible that some farmers may be able to earn “a nickel or two” on every corn bushel. 

For soybeans and other crops, prices have fallen below what it costs to produce them. “Given what the cost structures look like right now, corn has the best chance to make a little profit in 2025.” Several industry analysts are forecasting corn plantings will rise to 93.6 million acres, while soybean planting dropping to 84.4 million acres.

U.S. farmers are seriously considering planting more corn and less soybean acres this spring than they did last year. Both growers and analysts say that they’re hoping to squeeze out more profits and shield themselves from possible tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Frayne Olson, an ag economist at North Dakota State University, says when you look at the profitability of each crop, corn is winning in the acreage battle. Iowa State University economist Chad Hart says it’s possible that some farmers may be able to earn “a nickel or two” on every corn bushel. For soybeans and other crops, prices have fallen below what it costs to produce them. “Given what the cost structures look like right now, corn has the best chance to make a little profit in 2025.” Several industry analysts are forecasting corn plantings will rise to 93.6 million acres, while soybean planting dropping to 84.4 million acres.

Farmers to plant more corn than first thought

Missouri landowners, agricultural lenders, rural appraisers, and others with firsthand knowledge of land transactions are invited to participate in the annual Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey conducted by the University of Missouri Extension. The survey organizer says this survey provides critical insights into farmland values across the state, helping farmers, lenders, policymakers, and researchers understand current market trends.

Missouri landowners, agricultural lenders, rural appraisers, and others with firsthand knowledge of land transactions are invited to participate in the annual Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey conducted by the University of Missouri Extension. The survey organizer says this survey provides critical insights into farmland values across the state, helping farmers, lenders, policymakers, and researchers understand current market trends.

Missouri farmland values survey seeks input from landowners

BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Legislation that would remove the expiration date on a pair of laws affecting transgender minors passed the Missouri Senate Thursday after a fight by Senate Democrats.

It now heads to the Missouri House for consideration.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/bill-text/perfected-sb10.pdf?c=66925" target="_blank">bill in question</a>, which contained a litany of provisions removing sunset dates for various programs, would make permanent a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and restrictions on transgender athletes in public schools.

The Senate tacked on the provisions impacting transgender minors earlier this month, with Democrats beginning their opposition after the changes were already voted onto the bill.

Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck, of Affton, told reporters that his party moved too slowly and that the anti-transgender amendments to the bill were “spontaneous” and, therefore, unexpected.

He described the slow response as “growing pains” for a caucus with a large portion of new senators.

Democrats filibustered the bill when it came up for consideration twice, slowing down the legislation but not stopping what Republican Senate leaders described as a “top priority.”

State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, held the floor with proposed amendments that would add an expiration date on statutes opposing same-sex marriage.

His first proposal would add a sunset to language in state law that says “any purported marriage not between a man and a woman is invalid.”

His amendment failed with 19 opposed, including one Democrat — state Sen. Karla May of St. Louis.&nbsp;Webber said the vote is an indicator of senators’ motives to “pick on” LGBTQ+ people, rather than the stated intention of protecting children.

“We’re not here talking about kids. We’re not talking about sports,” he said on the Senate floor. “We’re talking about a policy of othering.”

Passing the bill out of the Senate, GOP lawmakers applauded the provisions on gender-affirming care and transgender athletes.

“I want my little girl to be able to participate in sports,” said state Sen. Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville. “I want to make sure that she’s able to flourish in a sport and not have her dreams and her potential to be completely removed or deserted due to an unfortunate circumstance.”

GOP Sens. Adam Schnelting of St. Charles and Nick Schroer of Defiance said the provisions “protecting children” are the reason they voted in favor of the legislation. But they had reservations on other pieces of the bill removing sunsets on the a tax that funds Missouri’s Medicaid program,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/house-sends-bill-to-governor-renewing-taxes-critical-to-funding-missouri-medicaid/">which has been a sticking point in previous years</a>.

Two Republicans voted in opposition to the bill, Sens. Mike Moon of Ash Grove and Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740756744377.jpeg" alt=" Democratic State Sens. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City and Stephen Webber of Columbia hold the floor earlier this month during discussion of a bill that would make anti-transgender legislation permanent (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Democratic State Sens. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City and Stephen Webber of Columbia hold the floor earlier this month during discussion of a bill that would make anti-transgender legislation permanent (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Legislation that would remove the expiration date on a pair of laws affecting transgender minors passed the Missouri Senate Thursday after a fight by Senate Democrats.It now heads to the Missouri House for consideration.The&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/bill-text/perfected-sb10.pdf?c=66925" target="_blank">bill in question</a>, which contained a litany of provisions removing sunset dates for various programs, would make permanent a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and restrictions on transgender athletes in public schools.The Senate tacked on the provisions impacting transgender minors earlier this month, with Democrats beginning their opposition after the changes were already voted onto the bill.Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck, of Affton, told reporters that his party moved too slowly and that the anti-transgender amendments to the bill were “spontaneous” and, therefore, unexpected.He described the slow response as “growing pains” for a caucus with a large portion of new senators.Democrats filibustered the bill when it came up for consideration twice, slowing down the legislation but not stopping what Republican Senate leaders described as a “top priority.”State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, held the floor with proposed amendments that would add an expiration date on statutes opposing same-sex marriage.His first proposal would add a sunset to language in state law that says “any purported marriage not between a man and a woman is invalid.”His amendment failed with 19 opposed, including one Democrat — state Sen. Karla May of St. Louis.&nbsp;Webber said the vote is an indicator of senators’ motives to “pick on” LGBTQ+ people, rather than the stated intention of protecting children.“We’re not here talking about kids. We’re not talking about sports,” he said on the Senate floor. “We’re talking about a policy of othering.”Passing the bill out of the Senate, GOP lawmakers applauded the provisions on gender-affirming care and transgender athletes.“I want my little girl to be able to participate in sports,” said state Sen. Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville. “I want to make sure that she’s able to flourish in a sport and not have her dreams and her potential to be completely removed or deserted due to an unfortunate circumstance.”GOP Sens. Adam Schnelting of St. Charles and Nick Schroer of Defiance said the provisions “protecting children” are the reason they voted in favor of the legislation. But they had reservations on other pieces of the bill removing sunsets on the a tax that funds Missouri’s Medicaid program,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/house-sends-bill-to-governor-renewing-taxes-critical-to-funding-missouri-medicaid/">which has been a sticking point in previous years</a>.Two Republicans voted in opposition to the bill, Sens. Mike Moon of Ash Grove and Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold.

Missouri Senate passes bill to remove expiration date on transgender health care ban

Former St. Joseph Police Captain Jeff
Wilson has retired from the St. Joseph Police Department to prepare for his new
role as Platte City Police Chief.

Wilson says he will miss the people the
most after 32 years with the department.

“Those bonds there and the comradery
that’s built throughout those years; there’s not words to explain it,” Wilson
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s just a tight bond. And I will always be
thankful for those days that I was able to do that.” 

Wilson served many roles over the years,
but says helping the victims of crime became the most satisfying aspect of his
time with the St. Joseph Police Department.

“The opportunity to do that and help them
through that process and hopefully more times than not bring closure to their
cases always gave me that feeling of I’m where I’m supposed to be and doing
what I’m supposed to do,” Wilson says.

Wilson served as head of investigations,
serving on the Special Response Team, and serving as the department Public
Information Officer, dealing with the news media.

Wilson says he’s proud to have served in
the St. Joseph Police Department where he says officers promise to give everything
they have to serve the community.

“That’s what an officer does,” Wilson
says. “It’s not like negotiating many job contracts where it’s an equal part of
we’re going to give you this if you give us that. No, you’re raising your hand
and saying I’m going to give you everything that I have and possibly lay down
my life to serve this community. That’s the thought process that those officers
have when they wake up and they go to work each and every day.”

Wilson says the last several months with
the St. Joeph Police Department have proven bittersweet.

“It’s affected me on an emotional level
probably more than I really had prepared myself for,” Wilson admits. “That
place will always be home to me. It’s near and dear to my heart. I love the
members of that organization. I loved working there for 32 years. But, I’m very
excited to go to Platte City and build new relationships.”

Wilson says he grew up in the Platte City area and is very familiar with the city south of St. Joseph.

Wilson was chosen as the next Platte City
Police Chief from an application pool that included 40 candidates. Wilson will
succeed Chief Joe Wellington, who is retiring.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740753614838.jpeg" alt="Former St. Joseph Police Captain Jeff Wilson answers questions during a news conference/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Former St. Joseph Police Captain Jeff Wilson answers questions during a news conference/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFormer St. Joseph Police Captain Jeff
Wilson has retired from the St. Joseph Police Department to prepare for his new
role as Platte City Police Chief.Wilson says he will miss the people the
most after 32 years with the department.“Those bonds there and the comradery
that’s built throughout those years; there’s not words to explain it,” Wilson
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s just a tight bond. And I will always be
thankful for those days that I was able to do that.” Wilson served many roles over the years,
but says helping the victims of crime became the most satisfying aspect of his
time with the St. Joseph Police Department.“The opportunity to do that and help them
through that process and hopefully more times than not bring closure to their
cases always gave me that feeling of I’m where I’m supposed to be and doing
what I’m supposed to do,” Wilson says.Wilson served as head of investigations,
serving on the Special Response Team, and serving as the department Public
Information Officer, dealing with the news media.Wilson says he’s proud to have served in
the St. Joseph Police Department where he says officers promise to give everything
they have to serve the community.“That’s what an officer does,” Wilson
says. “It’s not like negotiating many job contracts where it’s an equal part of
we’re going to give you this if you give us that. No, you’re raising your hand
and saying I’m going to give you everything that I have and possibly lay down
my life to serve this community. That’s the thought process that those officers
have when they wake up and they go to work each and every day.”Wilson says the last several months with
the St. Joeph Police Department have proven bittersweet.“It’s affected me on an emotional level
probably more than I really had prepared myself for,” Wilson admits. “That
place will always be home to me. It’s near and dear to my heart. I love the
members of that organization. I loved working there for 32 years. But, I’m very
excited to go to Platte City and build new relationships.”Wilson says he grew up in the Platte City area and is very familiar with the city south of St. Joseph.Wilson was chosen as the next Platte City
Police Chief from an application pool that included 40 candidates. Wilson will
succeed Chief Joe Wellington, who is retiring.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Former St. Joseph Police Captain Wilson to become Platte City Police Chief

(Radio Iowa) - Two-thirds of Iowans say food insecurity is a problem in their local community, according to a survey released by the Iowa Food Bank Association. 

It found 35-percent of respondents said groceries and food were their biggest monthly expenses, while more than half said the state isn't doing enough to support people facing food insecurity. Chris Ackman is spokesman for the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, a food bank in eastern Iowa. He says, "it just confirms what we’ve been talking about," and releasing the survey results was strategic in getting the attention of state legislators. 

Ackman says food insecurity is not a partisan issue, and that fighting food insecurity has bipartisan support.

(Radio Iowa) - Two-thirds of Iowans say food insecurity is a problem in their local community, according to a survey released by the Iowa Food Bank Association. It found 35-percent of respondents said groceries and food were their biggest monthly expenses, while more than half said the state isn't doing enough to support people facing food insecurity. Chris Ackman is spokesman for the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, a food bank in eastern Iowa. He says, "it just confirms what we’ve been talking about," and releasing the survey results was strategic in getting the attention of state legislators. Ackman says food insecurity is not a partisan issue, and that fighting food insecurity has bipartisan support.

Survey: Majority of Iowans say state needs to do more about food insecurity

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Two former leaders of a Kansas foster care provider have entered plea negotiations to avoid trial for allegedly bilking the organization out of millions of dollars, federal court records show.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/11/federal-grand-jury-indicts-former-kansas-foster-care-officials-on-fraud-charges/">grand jury indicted</a>&nbsp;former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert “Father Bobby” Smith and William Whymark, the organization’s former IT director, in November 2022 on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering with damages totaling at least $4.7 million.

A Feb. 25 court filing in the federal case shows “the parties are presently involved in plea negotiations and anticipate resolving this case without a trial.” The filing asks the court to authorize&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/probation-and-pretrial-services/presentence-investigations" target="_blank">a presentence investigation report</a>, which a court officer prepares when a defendant pleads guilty in order to help the judge determine the appropriate sentence.

The report “would materially facilitate the parties’ ongoing plea negotiations by allowing them to quickly and efficiently identify areas of potential agreement, while simultaneously isolating any disputed loss issues that may truly require litigation,” the joint court filing said.

Under the charges included in the indictment, they could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution.

Denny Marlin, spokesman for Saint Francis Ministries, said the organization wouldn’t comment “out of respect for the criminal justice system” and “to ensure we do not compromise the integrity of the legal process.”

“We look forward to its resolution and remain focused on our mission of providing healing and hope to children and families,” Marlin said.

Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/04/kansas-agency-serving-3100-foster-children-accused-of-rampant-financial-mismanagement/">first reported</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/15/kansas-based-foster-care-providers-financial-turmoil-cubs-tickets-amplify-concerns-in-nebraska/">allegations of misconduct</a>&nbsp;by Smith and Whymark shortly after they left Saint Francis Ministries in November 2020. An&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">internal investigation</a>&nbsp;revealed excessive billing for IT services and charges by Smith for lavish personal expenses.

In 2022, Saint Francis sued Smith, Whymark and former general counsel David Shaffer, accusing them of operating a scheme to enrich themselves through fraudulent billing. The lawsuit identified Shaffer and Whymark as brothers.

The former employees denied the claims, and Smith countersued Saint Francis employees for defamation because of reporting by Kansas Reflector.

Saint Francis hired Smith, an Episcopal priest ordained in 2014 by the Diocese of Chicago, as president and CEO in 2014. From 2017 to 2020, according to the state lawsuit, Smith charged $442,276.17 on Saint Francis Ministries credit cards, “a significant portion of which funded lavish meals, entertainment, travel and gifts for him and his family.” Smith also paid a travel agency $57,125.43, “a majority of which had no legitimate business purpose or was grossly excessive,” the lawsuit said.

Shaffer for at least eight months billed Saint Francis both through his Chicago law firm and in his individual capacity, which the lawsuit characterizes as legal malpractice. From 2015 to 2019, Shaffer billed more than $1 million in legal fees to his law firm, and from 2018 to 2020 an additional $500,000 in payments to himself. Smith approved the “grossly excessive” invoices, the lawsuit said, including invoices for legal work unrelated to Saint Francis and $4,000 for moving and storage expenses for office furniture at his Chicago law firm.

Whymark wasn’t qualified to provide IT services, but Smith hired him as chief information officer and signed off on more than $11 million for services provided by Whymark’s IT company. The lawsuit said those services were “grossly deficient and overpriced.”

Whymark’s company outsourced work to build a content management system that wouldn’t function. In the fall of 2019, while Saint Francis was undergoing a financial audit, the system crashed and destroyed financial data. Whymark then wiped the hard drives, according to the lawsuit, and the organization spent an estimated $3.2 million to repair Whymark’s IT work.

At the time, Saint Francis Ministries was the largest foster care provider in Kansas, serving more than 3,000 foster kids.

By January 2020, the IT costs combined with a severely underbid contract to provide foster care services in Nebraska placed Saint Francis in financial peril. The organization survived in part by receiving a $10 million Payment Protection Program loan, which it wasn’t eligible for and never repaid, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, the Kansas Department for Children and Families awarded new foster care contracts and replaced Saint Francis as the provider for the Wichita region. Saint Francis continues to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/pages/mapfostercare.aspx" target="_blank">provide foster care services</a>&nbsp;for much of central and western Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660235188905.png" alt="&nbsp;Former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert “Father Bobby” Smith and William Whymark, who oversaw IT services, have entered into plea negotiations to settle federal charges that involve wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, a court filing shows. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert “Father Bobby” Smith and William Whymark, who oversaw IT services, have entered into plea negotiations to settle federal charges that involve wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, a court filing shows. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Two former leaders of a Kansas foster care provider have entered plea negotiations to avoid trial for allegedly bilking the organization out of millions of dollars, federal court records show.A&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/11/federal-grand-jury-indicts-former-kansas-foster-care-officials-on-fraud-charges/">grand jury indicted</a>&nbsp;former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert “Father Bobby” Smith and William Whymark, the organization’s former IT director, in November 2022 on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering with damages totaling at least $4.7 million.A Feb. 25 court filing in the federal case shows “the parties are presently involved in plea negotiations and anticipate resolving this case without a trial.” The filing asks the court to authorize&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/probation-and-pretrial-services/presentence-investigations" target="_blank">a presentence investigation report</a>, which a court officer prepares when a defendant pleads guilty in order to help the judge determine the appropriate sentence.The report “would materially facilitate the parties’ ongoing plea negotiations by allowing them to quickly and efficiently identify areas of potential agreement, while simultaneously isolating any disputed loss issues that may truly require litigation,” the joint court filing said.Under the charges included in the indictment, they could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution.Denny Marlin, spokesman for Saint Francis Ministries, said the organization wouldn’t comment “out of respect for the criminal justice system” and “to ensure we do not compromise the integrity of the legal process.”“We look forward to its resolution and remain focused on our mission of providing healing and hope to children and families,” Marlin said.Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/04/kansas-agency-serving-3100-foster-children-accused-of-rampant-financial-mismanagement/">first reported</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/15/kansas-based-foster-care-providers-financial-turmoil-cubs-tickets-amplify-concerns-in-nebraska/">allegations of misconduct</a>&nbsp;by Smith and Whymark shortly after they left Saint Francis Ministries in November 2020. An&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">internal investigation</a>&nbsp;revealed excessive billing for IT services and charges by Smith for lavish personal expenses.In 2022, Saint Francis sued Smith, Whymark and former general counsel David Shaffer, accusing them of operating a scheme to enrich themselves through fraudulent billing. The lawsuit identified Shaffer and Whymark as brothers.The former employees denied the claims, and Smith countersued Saint Francis employees for defamation because of reporting by Kansas Reflector.Saint Francis hired Smith, an Episcopal priest ordained in 2014 by the Diocese of Chicago, as president and CEO in 2014. From 2017 to 2020, according to the state lawsuit, Smith charged $442,276.17 on Saint Francis Ministries credit cards, “a significant portion of which funded lavish meals, entertainment, travel and gifts for him and his family.” Smith also paid a travel agency $57,125.43, “a majority of which had no legitimate business purpose or was grossly excessive,” the lawsuit said.Shaffer for at least eight months billed Saint Francis both through his Chicago law firm and in his individual capacity, which the lawsuit characterizes as legal malpractice. From 2015 to 2019, Shaffer billed more than $1 million in legal fees to his law firm, and from 2018 to 2020 an additional $500,000 in payments to himself. Smith approved the “grossly excessive” invoices, the lawsuit said, including invoices for legal work unrelated to Saint Francis and $4,000 for moving and storage expenses for office furniture at his Chicago law firm.Whymark wasn’t qualified to provide IT services, but Smith hired him as chief information officer and signed off on more than $11 million for services provided by Whymark’s IT company. The lawsuit said those services were “grossly deficient and overpriced.”Whymark’s company outsourced work to build a content management system that wouldn’t function. In the fall of 2019, while Saint Francis was undergoing a financial audit, the system crashed and destroyed financial data. Whymark then wiped the hard drives, according to the lawsuit, and the organization spent an estimated $3.2 million to repair Whymark’s IT work.At the time, Saint Francis Ministries was the largest foster care provider in Kansas, serving more than 3,000 foster kids.By January 2020, the IT costs combined with a severely underbid contract to provide foster care services in Nebraska placed Saint Francis in financial peril. The organization survived in part by receiving a $10 million Payment Protection Program loan, which it wasn’t eligible for and never repaid, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Last year, the Kansas Department for Children and Families awarded new foster care contracts and replaced Saint Francis as the provider for the Wichita region. Saint Francis continues to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/pages/mapfostercare.aspx" target="_blank">provide foster care services</a>&nbsp;for much of central and western Kansas.

Former leaders of Kan. foster care provider negotiating plea deal in federal fraud case

The Buchanan and Andrew County Soil and Water Conservation District are hosting an education and outreach event for local farmers on Friday morning at 9:30am at the East Hills Library, in St. Joseph. This event will feature two main speakers: Missouri Fertilizer Board--Andrea and Mitch Rice will give details of a new pilot program being offered in Andrew and Buchanan County for up to $10,000 in cost-share funding to local farmers for Nutrient Management, and Brad Summa, Director Heartland Regional Office of the National Agriculture Statistic Service, will discuss the correlations between USDA surveys and USDA programs. How the results affect policy decisions, and how important is it for local area farmers to respond.

“We're thrilled to launch this pilot program and help our local farmers implement conservation practices that benefit both their operation’s bottom line and the environment,” said Gary Waller, Buchanan County SWCD Chairman.  ‘We encourage all interested farmers to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.” For more information on the cost-share program and how to apply, producers can contact their SWCD county offices.

The Buchanan and Andrew County Soil and Water Conservation District are hosting an education and outreach event for local farmers on Friday morning at 9:30am at the East Hills Library, in St. Joseph. This event will feature two main speakers: Missouri Fertilizer Board--Andrea and Mitch Rice will give details of a new pilot program being offered in Andrew and Buchanan County for up to $10,000 in cost-share funding to local farmers for Nutrient Management, and Brad Summa, Director Heartland Regional Office of the National Agriculture Statistic Service, will discuss the correlations between USDA surveys and USDA programs. How the results affect policy decisions, and how important is it for local area farmers to respond.“We're thrilled to launch this pilot program and help our local farmers implement conservation practices that benefit both their operation’s bottom line and the environment,” said Gary Waller, Buchanan County SWCD Chairman. ‘We encourage all interested farmers to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.” For more information on the cost-share program and how to apply, producers can contact their SWCD county offices.

Buchanan and Andrew County Conservation Districts outreach event

The Kansas State Fair has announced that the Ludacris concert has been moved to Friday, Sept. 12.&nbsp; This is one night earlier that previously announced.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The State Fair said that tickets purchased online through the State Fair Etix site remain valid.&nbsp; Those with printed tickets purchased at the State Fair office will receive a reissued ticket with the correct date.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Refunds will be available through Etix until Friday, March 15, for those unable to attend on the new date.&nbsp; Contact Etix by phone or email to request a refund:• Phone - 800-514-3859• Email -&nbsp;support@etix.com&nbsp;

For additional questions, please contact the State Fair Ticket office at 620-669-3618 and leave a message for the ticketing staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you haven't purchased your ticket yet, here are your options:&nbsp;• Nex-Tech Grandstand Reserved Seating: $40/$55•&nbsp;Kansas Star Casino Track Party Pit: $75•&nbsp;Kansas Star Casino VIP Deck – Standing: $100

Remember to only purchase tickets through Etix.&nbsp; They're the only authorized seller for Kansas State Fair concerts.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740674996935.jpeg" alt="Ludacris to perform at Kansas State Fair on Sept. 13" />
 <figcaption>Ludacris to perform at Kansas State Fair on Sept. 13</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas State Fair has announced that the Ludacris concert has been moved to Friday, Sept. 12.&nbsp; This is one night earlier that previously announced.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740676292630.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The State Fair said that tickets purchased online through the State Fair Etix site remain valid.&nbsp; Those with printed tickets purchased at the State Fair office will receive a reissued ticket with the correct date.&nbsp;&nbsp;Refunds will be available through Etix until Friday, March 15, for those unable to attend on the new date.&nbsp; Contact Etix by phone or email to request a refund:• Phone - 800-514-3859• Email -&nbsp;support@etix.com&nbsp;For additional questions, please contact the State Fair Ticket office at 620-669-3618 and leave a message for the ticketing staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you haven't purchased your ticket yet, here are your options:&nbsp;• Nex-Tech Grandstand Reserved Seating: $40/$55•&nbsp;Kansas Star Casino Track Party Pit: $75•&nbsp;Kansas Star Casino VIP Deck – Standing: $100Remember to only purchase tickets through Etix.&nbsp; They're the only authorized seller for Kansas State Fair concerts.&nbsp;

Kansas State Fair moves Ludacris performance

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa's been on a weather rollercoaster lately, with wind chills of 40-below zero last week, followed by highs in the 60s this week. 

While the forecast calls for more above-normal temps in the coming days, most Iowans should keep their kayaks and canoes in the shed for now. Todd Robertson, the river programs outreach coordinator for the Iowa D-N-R, says paddlers ought to wait for steady warmth to allow water temperatures to rise, and it could be mid-May -- or longer. 

Robertson says water temperatures in most areas of Iowa are in the low to mid 40s right now, and when the water temp is 60 degrees or below, you're automatically at risk for hypothermia if you get wet.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa's been on a weather rollercoaster lately, with wind chills of 40-below zero last week, followed by highs in the 60s this week. While the forecast calls for more above-normal temps in the coming days, most Iowans should keep their kayaks and canoes in the shed for now. Todd Robertson, the river programs outreach coordinator for the Iowa D-N-R, says paddlers ought to wait for steady warmth to allow water temperatures to rise, and it could be mid-May -- or longer. Robertson says water temperatures in most areas of Iowa are in the low to mid 40s right now, and when the water temp is 60 degrees or below, you're automatically at risk for hypothermia if you get wet.

Iowa paddlers need to be patient and wait for consistent warm weather

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says he's encouraged by the announcement of a plan by the U-S Ag Secretary to address Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. 

Naig says the plan includes some additional focus on biosecurity, more support for farmers, more compensation for some of their losses, and also to potentially bring vaccine into the picture. 

Naig says the use of vaccines has some issues as different sectors of the industry view it differently. He says there's still research and development that's needed, strategies that need to be developed and trade negotiations that need to occur for the vaccine to be used.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says he's encouraged by the announcement of a plan by the U-S Ag Secretary to address Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Naig says the plan includes some additional focus on biosecurity, more support for farmers, more compensation for some of their losses, and also to potentially bring vaccine into the picture. Naig says the use of vaccines has some issues as different sectors of the industry view it differently. He says there's still research and development that's needed, strategies that need to be developed and trade negotiations that need to occur for the vaccine to be used.

Iowa Ag Secretary Discusses Federal Bird Flu Proposal

Applications are being accepted to receive funds from the city of St. Joseph and Buchanan County through the Opioid Settlement funds.  

The funds are a result of lawsuits that have been settled, with money coming into communities affected by the opioid epidemic.  

St. Joseph Assistant Health Director Kendra Bundy says the things they'll be looking to put the funds towards involve treatment, prevention, and education towards opioid use disorder 

"So, we actually have identified also funding objectives, so it's going to be things like filling substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery gaps in our community," Bundy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "We want to support progressive, sustainable resources that will prevent substance use disorder, support existing local use and treatment recovery services." 

Bundy says while there are gaps in these areas, there are strategies about how to help fill those with these funds 

"We're looking at enhancing education, maybe targeting earlier age groups to get the messaging out there about substance use disorder or engaging social service agencies so that when a person is struggling and they don't know where to turn, we can provide an enhanced resource list," Bundy explains. 

Annually, $157,000 is distributed combined between the city and county. Bundy says the education piece the money will go towards is in early education.  

Bundy says the epidemic has seemed to target younger age groups, and says if you can get in the schools or educate teachers, that might be a way to help 

"I think once you start having that messaging earlier, it carries on throughout life like this is not the path you want to go down and there's a lot of consequences that come with that," Bundy says.  "And we're just going to start looking at earlier age groups because maybe by the time you're in high school it's not as effective to message to that group, we don't want to miss that group, but we also need to look at where problems start earlier and earlier." 

The deadline for applications is March 15th. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Applications are being accepted to receive funds from the city of St. Joseph and Buchanan County through the Opioid Settlement funds. The funds are a result of lawsuits that have been settled, with money coming into communities affected by the opioid epidemic. St. Joseph Assistant Health Director Kendra Bundy says the things they'll be looking to put the funds towards involve treatment, prevention, and education towards opioid use disorder "So, we actually have identified also funding objectives, so it's going to be things like filling substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery gaps in our community," Bundy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We want to support progressive, sustainable resources that will prevent substance use disorder, support existing local use and treatment recovery services." Bundy says while there are gaps in these areas, there are strategies about how to help fill those with these funds "We're looking at enhancing education, maybe targeting earlier age groups to get the messaging out there about substance use disorder or engaging social service agencies so that when a person is struggling and they don't know where to turn, we can provide an enhanced resource list," Bundy explains. Annually, $157,000 is distributed combined between the city and county. Bundy says the education piece the money will go towards is in early education. Bundy says the epidemic has seemed to target younger age groups, and says if you can get in the schools or educate teachers, that might be a way to help "I think once you start having that messaging earlier, it carries on throughout life like this is not the path you want to go down and there's a lot of consequences that come with that," Bundy says. "And we're just going to start looking at earlier age groups because maybe by the time you're in high school it's not as effective to message to that group, we don't want to miss that group, but we also need to look at where problems start earlier and earlier." The deadline for applications is March 15th. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Application period open for distribution of Opioid Settlement funds

St. Joseph school
officials say they are investigating and do not condone an anti-Trump photo
posted on social media by a Bessie Ellison Elementary School custodian.

The St. Joseph
School District, in a statement, said it has received inquiries about the photo.
The photo shows a person squatting over a student Valentine’s Day box with a
President Trump theme. The social media post appears to contain comments from
the employee.

The district
stated it does not condone the actions of the employee.

“Although the
individual in this matter is not a teacher, the District has standards for
staff conduct that apply to all employees,” according to the statement.

School officials
say the matter is being thoroughly investigated and will be appropriately
addressed. 

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph school
officials say they are investigating and do not condone an anti-Trump photo
posted on social media by a Bessie Ellison Elementary School custodian.The St. Joseph
School District, in a statement, said it has received inquiries about the photo.
The photo shows a person squatting over a student Valentine’s Day box with a
President Trump theme. The social media post appears to contain comments from
the employee.The district
stated it does not condone the actions of the employee.“Although the
individual in this matter is not a teacher, the District has standards for
staff conduct that apply to all employees,” according to the statement.School officials
say the matter is being thoroughly investigated and will be appropriately
addressed. You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph School District says it is investigating anti-Trump photo

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

This year, lawmakers are considering multiple proposals that differ regarding what kinds of products are allowed and the cap on THC content

How much it will cost to regulate intoxicating hemp products on sale in bars and liquor stores across the state has become a key flashpoint of the debate in the Missouri legislature.

Year after year, hemp business owners and distributors have asked the state to impose age restrictions and testing requirements for intoxicating hemp products rather than ban them outright.&nbsp;

The proposals always die over disagreements about how to enact the regulations — and who should enforce them.

This year, lawmakers are considering multiple proposals that differ regarding what kinds of products are allowed and the cap on THC content,&nbsp;the psychoactive chemical that produces the high consumers look for in marijuana products.

“The governor is looking for a compromise and a set of rules and regulations that will keep businesses open, employees working and most of all protect Missouri residents and keep the consumer safe,” said Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman of O’Fallon, during a General Laws Committee hearing Tuesday on a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB393&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;he’s sponsoring.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, legislation allowing low-dose intoxicating hemp beverages to continue to be sold in grocery and liquor stores&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/06/bills-adding-regulations-to-hemp-derived-thc-beverages-advance-in-missouri-legislature/">won the approval of committees</a>&nbsp;in both the Missouri House and Senate. Both bills, backed by the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, prohibit anything but beverages to be sold outside of state-regulated and licensed marijuana dispensaries.

On Tuesday, Hinman criticized the MoCann-backed bills for potentially putting more than 2,000 small businesses “out of business and move all of the hemp products into the constitutional marijuana monopoly.”

Hinman’s bill is backed by liquor distributor Steven Busch and establishes the same three-tier distribution system that the alcohol industry has long abided by.&nbsp;

It offers guidelines for beverages, edibles, vapes and oils — such as&nbsp; proposing to limit edibles to only 5 mg of THC per serving and beverages to 10mg of THC per serving.

However, like the MoCann-backed bills, it also prohibits products with a high amount of THC from being sold outside of marijuana dispensaries.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The committee debated a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB696&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;earlier this month sponsored by Republican state Rep. Ben Baker of Neosho that is backed by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association that would set the limit to 100 mg of THC per serving for edibles. He argued that some people who use the products medicinally require a higher dose.

Both Hinman and Baker’s bills direct the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to issue and regulate the licenses, while having the Division of Cannabis Regulation oversee product testing.&nbsp;

State agencies provided estimates regarding how much it would cost their departments to regulate the products for each of the four bills lawmakers have debated so far.&nbsp;

For the hemp industry-backed bills, state agencies estimated high costs — about $20 million a year for Hinman’s bill and $95 million for Baker’s.

The biggest expense is for regulating compliance for independent testing laboratories across the country, a requirement in both bills. The agencies’ research estimated that the expense would eclipse the potential revenues from sales and license fees.

“In the best scenario, I would think we would try to get to a revenue neutral on it because we’re allowing a product to be sold and people want it,” said Republican state Rep. Rudy Veit of Wardville on Tuesday. “We shouldn’t necessarily subsidize it.”

At Tuesday’s hearing, MoCann’s lobbyist Tom Robbins argued that the bills the association supports – sponsored by Republicans state Sen. Nick Schroer of Defiance and state Rep. Chad Perkins of Bowling Green — do not have the high costs that the bills backed by the hemp industry.

“I don’t know that there’s an appetite to recreate the regulatory wheel with intoxicating products in places that kids go versus ours, which is zero dollars and removes the products from where kids can enter,” Robbins said.

However, state agencies didn’t provide complete cost estimates for the MoCann-backed bills because the agencies assumed they would prohibit “all or nearly all” the intoxicating hemp products currently on the market.&nbsp;

That’s because the agencies assumed nearly all of them are made with a process that would be banned referred to as chemical conversion – or converting the cannabis compound CBD that’s abundant in hemp into THC using chemicals. However, many hemp companies are not currently using this process, instead moving to the natural extraction process the MoCann bills allow for.

The bill sponsored by Perkins requires randomized inspections and periodically testing of hemp-derived beverage products.&nbsp;

The cost analysis for Perkins’ bill states the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is “not equipped” to do such testing and would have to pay a lab to conduct the testing of samples collected by the division.&nbsp;

It states: “The cost for this testing is unknown but is anticipated to be a significant cost.”

A cost estimate for hiring a third-party laboratory was included in the bill sponsored by Baker — $73,908,288 per year. It’s much lower in Hinman’s bill, though it’s unclear why because the testing requirements are very similar.&nbsp;

Hinman agreed with several of the committee members that the cost of regulating these products shouldn’t come out of the state’s general revenue fund.&nbsp;

“If you’re going to give the opportunity to retailers to sell this product, they should be paying for it again through the fees and taxes they pay,” Hinman said. “I don’t know where that sweet spot is, but I’m sure we can figure that out.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740655946421.png" alt=" State Rep. Dave Hinman, a Republican from O’Fallon, toured the warehouse of St. Louis-based Triple High Seltzer, a hemp-derived THC beverage, on Feb. 7 with the company’s founder Will Spartin (Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Dave Hinman, a Republican from O’Fallon, toured the warehouse of St. Louis-based Triple High Seltzer, a hemp-derived THC beverage, on Feb. 7 with the company’s founder Will Spartin (Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>This year, lawmakers are considering multiple proposals that differ regarding what kinds of products are allowed and the cap on THC content</h2>How much it will cost to regulate intoxicating hemp products on sale in bars and liquor stores across the state has become a key flashpoint of the debate in the Missouri legislature.Year after year, hemp business owners and distributors have asked the state to impose age restrictions and testing requirements for intoxicating hemp products rather than ban them outright.&nbsp;The proposals always die over disagreements about how to enact the regulations — and who should enforce them.This year, lawmakers are considering multiple proposals that differ regarding what kinds of products are allowed and the cap on THC content,&nbsp;the psychoactive chemical that produces the high consumers look for in marijuana products.“The governor is looking for a compromise and a set of rules and regulations that will keep businesses open, employees working and most of all protect Missouri residents and keep the consumer safe,” said Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman of O’Fallon, during a General Laws Committee hearing Tuesday on a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB393&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;he’s sponsoring.&nbsp;Earlier this month, legislation allowing low-dose intoxicating hemp beverages to continue to be sold in grocery and liquor stores&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/06/bills-adding-regulations-to-hemp-derived-thc-beverages-advance-in-missouri-legislature/">won the approval of committees</a>&nbsp;in both the Missouri House and Senate. Both bills, backed by the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, prohibit anything but beverages to be sold outside of state-regulated and licensed marijuana dispensaries.On Tuesday, Hinman criticized the MoCann-backed bills for potentially putting more than 2,000 small businesses “out of business and move all of the hemp products into the constitutional marijuana monopoly.”Hinman’s bill is backed by liquor distributor Steven Busch and establishes the same three-tier distribution system that the alcohol industry has long abided by.&nbsp;It offers guidelines for beverages, edibles, vapes and oils — such as&nbsp; proposing to limit edibles to only 5 mg of THC per serving and beverages to 10mg of THC per serving.However, like the MoCann-backed bills, it also prohibits products with a high amount of THC from being sold outside of marijuana dispensaries.&nbsp;&nbsp;The committee debated a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB696&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;earlier this month sponsored by Republican state Rep. Ben Baker of Neosho that is backed by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association that would set the limit to 100 mg of THC per serving for edibles. He argued that some people who use the products medicinally require a higher dose.Both Hinman and Baker’s bills direct the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to issue and regulate the licenses, while having the Division of Cannabis Regulation oversee product testing.&nbsp;State agencies provided estimates regarding how much it would cost their departments to regulate the products for each of the four bills lawmakers have debated so far.&nbsp;For the hemp industry-backed bills, state agencies estimated high costs — about $20 million a year for Hinman’s bill and $95 million for Baker’s.The biggest expense is for regulating compliance for independent testing laboratories across the country, a requirement in both bills. The agencies’ research estimated that the expense would eclipse the potential revenues from sales and license fees.“In the best scenario, I would think we would try to get to a revenue neutral on it because we’re allowing a product to be sold and people want it,” said Republican state Rep. Rudy Veit of Wardville on Tuesday. “We shouldn’t necessarily subsidize it.”At Tuesday’s hearing, MoCann’s lobbyist Tom Robbins argued that the bills the association supports – sponsored by Republicans state Sen. Nick Schroer of Defiance and state Rep. Chad Perkins of Bowling Green — do not have the high costs that the bills backed by the hemp industry.“I don’t know that there’s an appetite to recreate the regulatory wheel with intoxicating products in places that kids go versus ours, which is zero dollars and removes the products from where kids can enter,” Robbins said.However, state agencies didn’t provide complete cost estimates for the MoCann-backed bills because the agencies assumed they would prohibit “all or nearly all” the intoxicating hemp products currently on the market.&nbsp;That’s because the agencies assumed nearly all of them are made with a process that would be banned referred to as chemical conversion – or converting the cannabis compound CBD that’s abundant in hemp into THC using chemicals. However, many hemp companies are not currently using this process, instead moving to the natural extraction process the MoCann bills allow for.The bill sponsored by Perkins requires randomized inspections and periodically testing of hemp-derived beverage products.&nbsp;The cost analysis for Perkins’ bill states the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is “not equipped” to do such testing and would have to pay a lab to conduct the testing of samples collected by the division.&nbsp;It states: “The cost for this testing is unknown but is anticipated to be a significant cost.”A cost estimate for hiring a third-party laboratory was included in the bill sponsored by Baker — $73,908,288 per year. It’s much lower in Hinman’s bill, though it’s unclear why because the testing requirements are very similar.&nbsp;Hinman agreed with several of the committee members that the cost of regulating these products shouldn’t come out of the state’s general revenue fund.&nbsp;“If you’re going to give the opportunity to retailers to sell this product, they should be paying for it again through the fees and taxes they pay,” Hinman said. “I don’t know where that sweet spot is, but I’m sure we can figure that out.”&nbsp;

Missouri lawmakers weigh the cost of regulating intoxicating hemp products

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

The secretary whose employment at the Missouri state public defender’s office nearly derailed the agency’s entire budget has been terminated,&nbsp;clearing away legislative opposition during a committee hearing on Wednesday.&nbsp;

State lawmakers earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/18/public-defenders-office-draws-outrage-from-missouri-gop-leaders-over-hiring-convicted-felon/">threatened to hold up the public defense system’s budget&nbsp;</a>until an administrative assistant named David Spears was fired.&nbsp;

Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2012 — the class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child and class D felony of hindering prosecution — in the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter, Rowan Ford.&nbsp;

State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, led the charge against Spears and confirmed in an interview Wednesday that he had been terminated.

“I’m satisfied they’ve done what we asked,” Roberts said.

“This is about a little girl,” he added.

Mary Fox, director of Missouri’s state public defense system declined to comment.&nbsp;

Spears was sentenced to 11 years and released in 2015 on parole. He&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">worked</a>&nbsp;at the public defender’s office as a clerk typist in Clayton from 2016 to 2019 and returned in 2020 to the West Plains office as an administrative assistant, where he worked until he was recently terminated.

In a contentious budget hearing earlier this month, Fox defended Spears’ employment, pointing out that Missouri for years has held a “ban the box” hiring practice in state government, in which state agencies wait until later in the hiring practice to review information about criminal histories.&nbsp;

It’s designed to provide second chances to those with criminal histories and help them assimilate back into society.

Spears’ friend, Christopher Collings, was convicted of the rape and murder of Ford, which took place in the small Southwestern Missouri town of Stella. She was 9 years old.&nbsp;

Collings was&nbsp;<a href="https://mcclatchy.us.auth0.com/login?state=hKFo2SA5LWpYcElDMlpfNmNSbVJXT2daMUdWSFZSZmZPcTM0V6FupWxvZ2luo3RpZNkgQ2dZUzQ1OXYyQjRVNFViYXZoRGVYMFF3UGN6UDF2dFWjY2lk2SB6aFBUWERjQ051dVdDTUdtYkVVVXMwVFl0UnBxS2h0Mg&amp;client=zhPTXDcCNuuWCMGmbEUUs0TYtRpqKht2&amp;protocol=oauth2&amp;redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fozlo-inbys%2Flogin.html&amp;response_type=code&amp;scope=openid%20email%20profile%20offline_access%20update%3Aprofile%20complete%3Apurchase&amp;code_challenge=AbYKJhas2nq_lIPU-3Oah7fuJshHG8QEVOC1Nh8XV34&amp;code_challenge_method=S256&amp;response_mode=query&amp;audience=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.consumer.pt.mcclatchy.com" target="_blank">executed for the crime</a>&nbsp;by lethal injection in December.

Initially, prosecutors charged both Spears and Collings with rape and sexual assault of Ford, after both confessed separately. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120928042151/http://articles.ky3.com/2012-09-26/chris-collings_34109352" target="_blank">charges against Spears were dropped&nbsp;</a>because no physical evidence supported his involvement and Collings insisted he acted alone. An expert witness at trial said Spears’ confession was&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">coerced by police.</a>&nbsp;

In 2012, the prosecutor in the case published a statement regarding the decision to drop murder and sexual assault charges against Spears, which began: “I am completely aware that the general public is convinced that David Spears was involved.”

In the hearing earlier this month, Roberts and Fox disagreed over Spears’ involvement in the case.

As a result of lawmakers’ concerns over Spears’ employment, the state public defense commission developed a new policy surrounding background checks, so that the director and chair of the commission must be consulted when any background check returns a bad report. Additionally, Fox said at the hearing earlier this month, agency policy was changed to add conflict of interest evaluations in hiring.

The House budget hearing went on as normal Wednesday morning, after Roberts said the matter regarding Spears is considered closed.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740619571452.png" alt="State Public Defender Mary Fox, right, speaks Wednesday during a hearing of the Missouri House Budget Committee. Heather Tilman, office budget director, is seated to her right. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>State Public Defender Mary Fox, right, speaks Wednesday during a hearing of the Missouri House Budget Committee. Heather Tilman, office budget director, is seated to her right. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>The secretary whose employment at the Missouri state public defender’s office nearly derailed the agency’s entire budget has been terminated,&nbsp;clearing away legislative opposition during a committee hearing on Wednesday.&nbsp;State lawmakers earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/18/public-defenders-office-draws-outrage-from-missouri-gop-leaders-over-hiring-convicted-felon/">threatened to hold up the public defense system’s budget&nbsp;</a>until an administrative assistant named David Spears was fired.&nbsp;Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2012 — the class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child and class D felony of hindering prosecution — in the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter, Rowan Ford.&nbsp;State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, led the charge against Spears and confirmed in an interview Wednesday that he had been terminated.“I’m satisfied they’ve done what we asked,” Roberts said.“This is about a little girl,” he added.Mary Fox, director of Missouri’s state public defense system declined to comment.&nbsp;Spears was sentenced to 11 years and released in 2015 on parole. He&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">worked</a>&nbsp;at the public defender’s office as a clerk typist in Clayton from 2016 to 2019 and returned in 2020 to the West Plains office as an administrative assistant, where he worked until he was recently terminated.In a contentious budget hearing earlier this month, Fox defended Spears’ employment, pointing out that Missouri for years has held a “ban the box” hiring practice in state government, in which state agencies wait until later in the hiring practice to review information about criminal histories.&nbsp;It’s designed to provide second chances to those with criminal histories and help them assimilate back into society.Spears’ friend, Christopher Collings, was convicted of the rape and murder of Ford, which took place in the small Southwestern Missouri town of Stella. She was 9 years old.&nbsp;Collings was&nbsp;<a href="https://mcclatchy.us.auth0.com/login?state=hKFo2SA5LWpYcElDMlpfNmNSbVJXT2daMUdWSFZSZmZPcTM0V6FupWxvZ2luo3RpZNkgQ2dZUzQ1OXYyQjRVNFViYXZoRGVYMFF3UGN6UDF2dFWjY2lk2SB6aFBUWERjQ051dVdDTUdtYkVVVXMwVFl0UnBxS2h0Mg&amp;client=zhPTXDcCNuuWCMGmbEUUs0TYtRpqKht2&amp;protocol=oauth2&amp;redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fozlo-inbys%2Flogin.html&amp;response_type=code&amp;scope=openid%20email%20profile%20offline_access%20update%3Aprofile%20complete%3Apurchase&amp;code_challenge=AbYKJhas2nq_lIPU-3Oah7fuJshHG8QEVOC1Nh8XV34&amp;code_challenge_method=S256&amp;response_mode=query&amp;audience=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.consumer.pt.mcclatchy.com" target="_blank">executed for the crime</a>&nbsp;by lethal injection in December.Initially, prosecutors charged both Spears and Collings with rape and sexual assault of Ford, after both confessed separately. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120928042151/http://articles.ky3.com/2012-09-26/chris-collings_34109352" target="_blank">charges against Spears were dropped&nbsp;</a>because no physical evidence supported his involvement and Collings insisted he acted alone. An expert witness at trial said Spears’ confession was&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">coerced by police.</a>&nbsp;In 2012, the prosecutor in the case published a statement regarding the decision to drop murder and sexual assault charges against Spears, which began: “I am completely aware that the general public is convinced that David Spears was involved.”In the hearing earlier this month, Roberts and Fox disagreed over Spears’ involvement in the case.As a result of lawmakers’ concerns over Spears’ employment, the state public defense commission developed a new policy surrounding background checks, so that the director and chair of the commission must be consulted when any background check returns a bad report. Additionally, Fox said at the hearing earlier this month, agency policy was changed to add conflict of interest evaluations in hiring.The House budget hearing went on as normal Wednesday morning, after Roberts said the matter regarding Spears is considered closed.&nbsp;

Missouri public defender budget moves forward after agency fires convicted felon

(Radio Iowa) - A bill to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act cleared a Senate committee Wednesday afternoon and the panel's chairman expects the full Senate to begin debating the bill tomorrow Thursday morning. 

Democrats oppose the bill. Senator Janet Petersen of Des Moines says Iowa should be known as a state that advances civil rights rather than one that yanks them away. 

Republican Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says the bill is necessary to block lawsuits seeking to overturn recent Iowa laws that prohibit biological males from playing in girls sports or being in school restrooms designated for girls only.

(Radio Iowa) - A bill to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act cleared a Senate committee Wednesday afternoon and the panel's chairman expects the full Senate to begin debating the bill tomorrow Thursday morning. Democrats oppose the bill. Senator Janet Petersen of Des Moines says Iowa should be known as a state that advances civil rights rather than one that yanks them away. Republican Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says the bill is necessary to block lawsuits seeking to overturn recent Iowa laws that prohibit biological males from playing in girls sports or being in school restrooms designated for girls only.

Gender I.D. bill clears Senate Judicary Committee

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa National Guard has set this Sunday at 2 p-m as the date for the formal ceremony marking the shutdown of the 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge. 

Iowa Guard spokesperson Jackie Schmilllen says they learned in May of last year that the squadron was going to be shut down as part of a national restructuring. She says there are 38 traditional service members with the Iowa National Guard and three full-time in Fort Dodge. They are authorized to have 118 and had around 100 when the shutdown was announced. 

All full-time members were offered other positions with the Iowa Air National Guard and a majority are going to the 132nd Air Wing in Des Moines or the 185th Refueling Wing in Sioux City. Schmilllen says the Sunday ceremony will celebrate the more than 75 years of the unit in Fort Dodge.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa National Guard has set this Sunday at 2 p-m as the date for the formal ceremony marking the shutdown of the 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge. Iowa Guard spokesperson Jackie Schmilllen says they learned in May of last year that the squadron was going to be shut down as part of a national restructuring. She says there are 38 traditional service members with the Iowa National Guard and three full-time in Fort Dodge. They are authorized to have 118 and had around 100 when the shutdown was announced. All full-time members were offered other positions with the Iowa Air National Guard and a majority are going to the 132nd Air Wing in Des Moines or the 185th Refueling Wing in Sioux City. Schmilllen says the Sunday ceremony will celebrate the more than 75 years of the unit in Fort Dodge.

Fort Dodge Guard Unit Shutting Down Sunday

The USDA reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is approaching for spring planted crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major closing dates are February 28, March 15, and April 15. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency lists the closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser on their website. 

The USDA reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is approaching for spring planted crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major closing dates are February 28, March 15, and April 15. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency lists the closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser on their website.

Crop insurance deadline draws near

(Radio Iowa) - Ames police say two people wanted in a January murder have been arrested by U-S Marshals in Independence, Missouri. 

Information from police says 21-year-old Zoe Anderson of Boone and 19-year-old Abraham Guhnics of Independence, Missouri were arrested on first-degree murder warrants. 

The warrants were issued in the January 18th shooting death of Parker Stoneburner. Stoneburner was found with a gunshot wound outside an apartment in Ames.

(Radio Iowa) - Ames police say two people wanted in a January murder have been arrested by U-S Marshals in Independence, Missouri. Information from police says 21-year-old Zoe Anderson of Boone and 19-year-old Abraham Guhnics of Independence, Missouri were arrested on first-degree murder warrants. The warrants were issued in the January 18th shooting death of Parker Stoneburner. Stoneburner was found with a gunshot wound outside an apartment in Ames.

Two Wanted In Ames Murder Arrested In Missouri

Maryville fire
officials have identified the victim in Monday morning’s fatal fire.

The Maryville Fire
Department says 76-year-old Scott Ross died of injuries sustained in the fire
of his home on Chick Avenue.

The department
says it got a call about a structure fire shortly before four o’clock Monday
morning. Firefighters found the house engulfed upon arrival with heavy smoke
and flames coming from both the front and rear of the house. A resident of the
house, Meredith Ross, told police officers her husband was trapped inside a
main-floor bedroom.

Firefighters
removed Ross from the bedroom and Nodaway County Ambulance District emergency
personnel provided immediate treatment at the scene. Ross died later at the
hospital.

The Missouri State
Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

The public is
encouraged to contact Maryville Fire Chief Jace Pine at 660-562-3209 if they
have any information that would help in the investigation.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMaryville fire
officials have identified the victim in Monday morning’s fatal fire.The Maryville Fire
Department says 76-year-old Scott Ross died of injuries sustained in the fire
of his home on Chick Avenue.The department
says it got a call about a structure fire shortly before four o’clock Monday
morning. Firefighters found the house engulfed upon arrival with heavy smoke
and flames coming from both the front and rear of the house. A resident of the
house, Meredith Ross, told police officers her husband was trapped inside a
main-floor bedroom.Firefighters
removed Ross from the bedroom and Nodaway County Ambulance District emergency
personnel provided immediate treatment at the scene. Ross died later at the
hospital.The Missouri State
Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.The public is
encouraged to contact Maryville Fire Chief Jace Pine at 660-562-3209 if they
have any information that would help in the investigation.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Maryville fire officials release identification of victim in fatal fire

A 20-year-old St.
Joseph man has been charged after pulling a gun on a St. Joseph police officer
during a dispute outside a grocery store.

Trevor Szuba has
been charged with first-degree assault stemming from the January 31st
confrontation outside Price Chopper off of North Belt Highway.

St. Joseph police
report in the probable cause statement that Sgt. Jeremy Peters attempted to
arrest a woman, later identified as Rachel Downs, for shoplifting. Downs fled
the store into the parking lot where the two struggled as a truck pulled up and
the driver got out, pointing a gun at the officer. Peters drew his gun and
though he fired two shots no one was harmed. Another woman left the store, got
in the truck, and the three drove off.

The truck was
located later, abandoned in Buchanan County. A search of the truck revealed a
live 9mm round on the driver’s floorboard and a receipt for Szuba under the
driver’s visor.

Sgt. Peters
has returned to full duty following an investigation of the shooting by the
Missouri State Highway Patrol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740591858895.jpeg" alt="Trevor Szuba/Buchanan County Jail photo" />
 <figcaption>Trevor Szuba/Buchanan County Jail photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 20-year-old St.
Joseph man has been charged after pulling a gun on a St. Joseph police officer
during a dispute outside a grocery store.Trevor Szuba has
been charged with first-degree assault stemming from the January 31st
confrontation outside Price Chopper off of North Belt Highway.St. Joseph police
report in the probable cause statement that Sgt. Jeremy Peters attempted to
arrest a woman, later identified as Rachel Downs, for shoplifting. Downs fled
the store into the parking lot where the two struggled as a truck pulled up and
the driver got out, pointing a gun at the officer. Peters drew his gun and
though he fired two shots no one was harmed. Another woman left the store, got
in the truck, and the three drove off.The truck was
located later, abandoned in Buchanan County. A search of the truck revealed a
live 9mm round on the driver’s floorboard and a receipt for Szuba under the
driver’s visor.Sgt. Peters
has returned to full duty following an investigation of the shooting by the
Missouri State Highway Patrol.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Man who pulled gun on St. Joseph officer charged

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/natanyafriedheim/">NATANYA FRIEDHEIM</a>

A bill to create three new child care tax credits received initial approval by the Missouri House on Tuesday. A similar measure received bipartisan support last year but fell victim to Republican infighting in the Senate.

The measure would help employers foot the bill for their employees’ child care costs and encourage existing providers to grow their capacity. Shields said three-fourths of Missouri’s 114 counties are considered “child care deserts.” It needs to be approved one more time in the House before heading to the Senate.

“We have a child care crisis in our state. We’re all familiar with it,” state Rep. Brenda Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph, who sponsored the bill, said during House debate Tuesday. “We hear from our business leaders across the state that they have trouble recruiting and retaining employees because the lack of child care.”

The bill creates three tax credits. Under the first, people or businesses who donate to child care centers would receive a tax credit worth 75% of their donation. The donor cannot personally benefit from the contribution; for example, a parent cannot make a donation and expect lower tuition.

The second is for businesses that help pay for their employees’ child care costs or create child care programs for their employee’s children.

The third allows child care providers to claim a tax credit worth up to 30% of expenses related to construction projects. The credit also grants tax relief equal to the provider’s employer withholding tax, which applies to providers with at least three employees who work at least 10 hours per week and have been employed for at least three months.

A number of business groups have voiced support for the measure, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Without child care, Missouri’s economy cannot grow,” Shields said.

The credits cannot be transferred to another person or entity and cannot reduce a citizen’s tax burden below zero, meaning the credits cannot be used to add to a tax refund. The measures proposed this year would expire in 2026 without reapproval by the legislature due to a “sunset” provision included in the bill. Parents would not be able to claim tax credits for child care tuition under any of the proposed credits.

State Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Republican from Belton, spoke about her own experience as a single parent while voicing her support for the bill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740531451776.png" alt=" Rep. Brenda Shields, seen presenting on her child care tax credit legislation in January 2024 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Rep. Brenda Shields, seen presenting on her child care tax credit legislation in January 2024 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/natanyafriedheim/">NATANYA FRIEDHEIM</a>A bill to create three new child care tax credits received initial approval by the Missouri House on Tuesday. A similar measure received bipartisan support last year but fell victim to Republican infighting in the Senate.The measure would help employers foot the bill for their employees’ child care costs and encourage existing providers to grow their capacity. Shields said three-fourths of Missouri’s 114 counties are considered “child care deserts.” It needs to be approved one more time in the House before heading to the Senate.“We have a child care crisis in our state. We’re all familiar with it,” state Rep. Brenda Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph, who sponsored the bill, said during House debate Tuesday. “We hear from our business leaders across the state that they have trouble recruiting and retaining employees because the lack of child care.”The bill creates three tax credits. Under the first, people or businesses who donate to child care centers would receive a tax credit worth 75% of their donation. The donor cannot personally benefit from the contribution; for example, a parent cannot make a donation and expect lower tuition.The second is for businesses that help pay for their employees’ child care costs or create child care programs for their employee’s children.The third allows child care providers to claim a tax credit worth up to 30% of expenses related to construction projects. The credit also grants tax relief equal to the provider’s employer withholding tax, which applies to providers with at least three employees who work at least 10 hours per week and have been employed for at least three months.A number of business groups have voiced support for the measure, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.“Without child care, Missouri’s economy cannot grow,” Shields said.The credits cannot be transferred to another person or entity and cannot reduce a citizen’s tax burden below zero, meaning the credits cannot be used to add to a tax refund. The measures proposed this year would expire in 2026 without reapproval by the legislature due to a “sunset” provision included in the bill. Parents would not be able to claim tax credits for child care tuition under any of the proposed credits.State Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Republican from Belton, spoke about her own experience as a single parent while voicing her support for the bill.“My career took a backseat because I didn’t have adequate child care,” she said.Earlier, the bill passed unanimously out of the House Economic Development Committee. Three of 10 members of the rules committee, all Republicans, voted against its passage, and it faced additional Republican opposition on the floor.State Rep. Jamie Gragg, an Ozark Republican, said the credits would pit the school system in competition with day cares. This is the third year Shields has introduced tax credits for child care costs. The package has stalled in the Senate the previous two years.“Right now,” Shields said, “child care costs more than your freshman year at university.”This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/house-approves-child-care-tax-credit-bill/article_73656f0e-f3a1-11ef-a627-17762959b98c.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;This article has been edited since first published to correct an error and clarify language.

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