(Radio Iowa) - The Midwestern economy improved slightly during January, according to the latest Creighton University survey, but Iowa's economy continued to struggle. 

Creighton economist Ernie Goss says supply managers are fearful new tariffs will hurt business, and in anticipation, many firms increased inventory levels during January and boosted imports to a record high. For only the third time since last July, Goss says the overall Business Conditions Index climbed above growth neutral. 

The survey is based on a zero-to-100 scale, with 50 being growth neutral. For January, Iowa's economy hit a regional low just over 43. The nation lost 93-thousand jobs last year, while Goss says the Midwest lost 79-hundred jobs.

(Radio Iowa) - The Midwestern economy improved slightly during January, according to the latest Creighton University survey, but Iowa's economy continued to struggle. Creighton economist Ernie Goss says supply managers are fearful new tariffs will hurt business, and in anticipation, many firms increased inventory levels during January and boosted imports to a record high. For only the third time since last July, Goss says the overall Business Conditions Index climbed above growth neutral. The survey is based on a zero-to-100 scale, with 50 being growth neutral. For January, Iowa's economy hit a regional low just over 43. The nation lost 93-thousand jobs last year, while Goss says the Midwest lost 79-hundred jobs.

Survey: Iowa's economy sees small boost but is still worst in Midwest

(Radio Iowa) - State and federal officials this weekend announced bird flu had been confirmed a commercial flock of 240-thousand layer hens in O'Brien County. 

Governor Kim Reynolds has recommended an additional half a MILLION dollars in state spending to support development of vaccines for bird flu and other foreign animal diseases. The current outbreak of avian influenza began three years ago and the first human case of bird flu in the United States was identified in April of last year. 

In December, state officials reported the first human case in Iowa, in a person who worked in a commercial poultry operation. In a recent Radio Iowa interview, Reynolds said she doesn't want to see another epidemic and figuring out how to best mitigate transmission of the virus is key.

(Radio Iowa) - State and federal officials this weekend announced bird flu had been confirmed a commercial flock of 240-thousand layer hens in O'Brien County. Governor Kim Reynolds has recommended an additional half a MILLION dollars in state spending to support development of vaccines for bird flu and other foreign animal diseases. The current outbreak of avian influenza began three years ago and the first human case of bird flu in the United States was identified in April of last year. In December, state officials reported the first human case in Iowa, in a person who worked in a commercial poultry operation. In a recent Radio Iowa interview, Reynolds said she doesn't want to see another epidemic and figuring out how to best mitigate transmission of the virus is key.

Bird flu confirmed in NW IA flock, governor recommends funding boost for development of bird flu, foreign animal diseases vaccines

St. Joseph state
Rep. Brenda Shields is trying, once again, to pass a package of tax incentives
to expand child care in Missouri.

Shields, a
Republican, has introduced the same measure that has failed to cross the finish
line the last two legislative sessions. 

“We had a hearing
on the child care bill that I have filed for the last three years and it was
overwhelmingly attended with all people that were very supportive,” Shields
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, I’d like to see us address child care.”

Shields proposes
three tax incentives to increase the availability of child care and make it
more affordable.

Shields says this
is an economic development issue.

“And our
businesses tell us, in the 60% range, that they have trouble recruiting employees
because of the lack of child care and retaining employees because of the lack
of child care,” Shields says.

Though Shields has
received overwhelming support in the Missouri House the past two sessions, her
bill has never gotten anywhere in the Senate. Senate Republican in-fighting
doomed multiple bills last year, with filibusters draining the time needed to
pass legislation.

Shields believes
this legislative session will be different.

“Currently, right
now, we are very early in session,” Shields says. “We’re only four weeks in,
but there is definitely a different vibe from the other side of the building;
all very positive.”

Veteran state Sen.
Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield, carries the bill in the Senate
this year.

Shields says her
approach encourages businesses to engage in the development of child care.

“When they engage,
then the government will engage and it will be child care that is built by
communities and by businesses so that it matches the needs of the child care
that that community needs. It’s not going to be government-run child care.”

Shields says momentum
seems to be on her side.

“The support from
across all sectors was very humbling on how many people really support this,”
Shields says. “So I think we’ll move forward with it as it is written.”

The package
contains the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, which would provide a 75% tax
credit to those investing in child care. The Employer Provided Child Care
Assistance Tax Credit Act would allow a business to claim a 30% tax credit to
offset the cost of child care for employees. The Child Care Providers Tax
Credit Act would allow a provider to claim a 30% for capital expenditures or
employee pay raises.

Each tax credit is
capped at $20 million for a total of $60 million.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph state
Rep. Brenda Shields is trying, once again, to pass a package of tax incentives
to expand child care in Missouri.Shields, a
Republican, has introduced the same measure that has failed to cross the finish
line the last two legislative sessions. “We had a hearing
on the child care bill that I have filed for the last three years and it was
overwhelmingly attended with all people that were very supportive,” Shields
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, I’d like to see us address child care.”Shields proposes
three tax incentives to increase the availability of child care and make it
more affordable.Shields says this
is an economic development issue.“And our
businesses tell us, in the 60% range, that they have trouble recruiting employees
because of the lack of child care and retaining employees because of the lack
of child care,” Shields says.Though Shields has
received overwhelming support in the Missouri House the past two sessions, her
bill has never gotten anywhere in the Senate. Senate Republican in-fighting
doomed multiple bills last year, with filibusters draining the time needed to
pass legislation.Shields believes
this legislative session will be different.“Currently, right
now, we are very early in session,” Shields says. “We’re only four weeks in,
but there is definitely a different vibe from the other side of the building;
all very positive.”Veteran state Sen.
Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield, carries the bill in the Senate
this year.Shields says her
approach encourages businesses to engage in the development of child care.“When they engage,
then the government will engage and it will be child care that is built by
communities and by businesses so that it matches the needs of the child care
that that community needs. It’s not going to be government-run child care.”Shields says momentum
seems to be on her side.“The support from
across all sectors was very humbling on how many people really support this,”
Shields says. “So I think we’ll move forward with it as it is written.”The package
contains the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, which would provide a 75% tax
credit to those investing in child care. The Employer Provided Child Care
Assistance Tax Credit Act would allow a business to claim a 30% tax credit to
offset the cost of child care for employees. The Child Care Providers Tax
Credit Act would allow a provider to claim a 30% for capital expenditures or
employee pay raises.Each tax credit is
capped at $20 million for a total of $60 million.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Rep. Shields optimistic 3rd time is charm for child care tax credits

Citizens from 19 counties across northwest Missouri will travel to Jefferson City next week as part of Great Northwest Days at the state Capitol. 

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn says there will be a big event on Tuesday with each county setting up a booth representing their county. 

"And we have department heads that will come around, like the Head of Economic Development Michelle (Hataway), the Head of Agriculture Chris (Chinn), they'll come around to get a chance to meet them," Hawn tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "And then you also get a chance to meet with legislators, not only from the 19 counties in northwest Missouri, but from across the state." 

"So, it's a great way to kind of let them know what the priorities are, not just here in Buchanan County, but for the region." 

Hawn says there's typically always a great turnout during the event, largely because of so many counties being in the same place, at the same time 

"When you come together with a collective voice, you get more attention," Hawn explains.  "And we tend to become kind of the role model across the state, where the legislators will say man I wish the northeast would do this, or I wish more communities would do this, because it allows them to hit all of us at one time, so it moves us up on the priority list." 

Hawn says many of the priorities of northwest Missouri align with Buchanan County 

"They have some priorities like broadband, making sure they have internet access for all, but then they also have similar priorities that we would like childcare," Hawn says.  "Our representative Brenda Shields has a childcare bill where she's working on childcare tax credits to help with the childcare deserts in the state, and rural communities are hit hard by childcare, so that is one of the things we will be advocating for." 

Hawn says another priority will be representative Bill Falkner's housing bill.  There will also be discussions on rural healthcare.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738344327768.jpeg" alt="Missouri Capitol Rotunda/ Photo courtesy of Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Capitol Rotunda/ Photo courtesy of Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Citizens from 19 counties across northwest Missouri will travel to Jefferson City next week as part of Great Northwest Days at the state Capitol. St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn says there will be a big event on Tuesday with each county setting up a booth representing their county. "And we have department heads that will come around, like the Head of Economic Development Michelle (Hataway), the Head of Agriculture Chris (Chinn), they'll come around to get a chance to meet them," Hawn tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And then you also get a chance to meet with legislators, not only from the 19 counties in northwest Missouri, but from across the state." "So, it's a great way to kind of let them know what the priorities are, not just here in Buchanan County, but for the region." Hawn says there's typically always a great turnout during the event, largely because of so many counties being in the same place, at the same time "When you come together with a collective voice, you get more attention," Hawn explains. "And we tend to become kind of the role model across the state, where the legislators will say man I wish the northeast would do this, or I wish more communities would do this, because it allows them to hit all of us at one time, so it moves us up on the priority list." Hawn says many of the priorities of northwest Missouri align with Buchanan County "They have some priorities like broadband, making sure they have internet access for all, but then they also have similar priorities that we would like childcare," Hawn says. "Our representative Brenda Shields has a childcare bill where she's working on childcare tax credits to help with the childcare deserts in the state, and rural communities are hit hard by childcare, so that is one of the things we will be advocating for." Hawn says another priority will be representative Bill Falkner's housing bill. There will also be discussions on rural healthcare.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Northwest Missouri leaders make their case to state lawmakers Tuesday

ARLINGTON, VA., January 31, 2025 — Gerber Products Company is initiating a recall and discontinuation of all batches of GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children, according to a statement from the Food and Drug Administration.

GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS were distributed nationwide via the internet and to distribution centers and retail stores in the following states and territories:

Recalled products can be identified as follows:

This recall and discontinuation is isolated to GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE and GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA.

The recall was initiated after receiving consumer complaints of choking incidents. To date, one emergency room visit has been reported to the firm.

Consumers who may have purchased GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS should not feed this product to their child and can return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a health care provider. For any additional support needed, Gerber is available 24/7 at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237).

We are working with the U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (FDA) on this recall and will cooperate with them fully.

For more information, consumers could call 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738595746534.png" alt="Image FDA" />
 <figcaption>Image FDA</figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, VA., January 31, 2025 — Gerber Products Company is initiating a recall and discontinuation of all batches of GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children, according to a statement from the Food and Drug Administration.GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS were distributed nationwide via the internet and to distribution centers and retail stores in the following states and territories:Recalled products can be identified as follows:<ul>
 <li>GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE, Net Wt. 3.2 Oz (90g), with UPC 0 15000 04618 7, all lot codes</li><li>GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA, Net Wt. 3.2 Oz (90g), with UPC 0 15000 04608 8, all lot codes</li><li>GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA, Net Wt. 1.59 Oz (45g), with UPC 0 15000 01015 7, all lot codes</li>
 </ul>This recall and discontinuation is isolated to GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – STRAWBERRY APPLE and GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS – BANANA.The recall was initiated after receiving consumer complaints of choking incidents. To date, one emergency room visit has been reported to the firm.Consumers who may have purchased GERBER® SOOTHE N CHEW® TEETHING STICKS should not feed this product to their child and can return the product to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a health care provider. For any additional support needed, Gerber is available 24/7 at 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237).We are working with the U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (FDA) on this recall and will cooperate with them fully.For more information, consumers could call 1-800-4-GERBER (1-800-443-7237)

Gerber recalls baby teething sticks over possible choking hazard

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">SUZANNE KING</a>&nbsp;

Regulators recently warned officials at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs that “deficient practices” at its laboratory, including lax testing procedures and insufficient training, could endanger patients.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services informed hospital officials that they had found the lab to be in “immediate jeopardy,” the most severe level of noncompliance in health regulation.

The state’s Dec. 20 letter said the finding was based on a “complaint survey” completed on Dec. 17. This survey, or inspection, included an onsite visit Dec. 10-11, a phone interview Dec. 16-17 and additional documentation, the state’s report said.

Citing federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-493" target="_blank">regulations</a>, the letter said a finding of immediate jeopardy was made because the lab’s noncompliance “has already caused, is causing, or is likely to cause, at any time, serious injury or harm, or death, to individuals served by the laboratory or to the health and safety of the general public.”

In a written statement, the hospital acknowledged the finding and said it had submitted a corrective action plan to the state.

“We take survey findings very seriously and have taken proactive steps to implement changes addressing issues identified by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services,” the hospital said.

The hospital’s statement said the hospital is fully operational with “comprehensive laboratory services.”

“No St. Mary’s patients were ever identified as being harmed throughout the survey process,” the statement said.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) conducts surveys of health care facilities in the state on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

In this case, said Sami Jo Freeman, a DHSS spokeswoman, CMS identified concerns and directed the state agency to perform a complaint investigation into the laboratory, which led to the immediate jeopardy findings.

Freeman confirmed that St. Mary’s officials had responded to the state report in writing.

“Their response has been forwarded to, and is currently under review by, CMS, who will decide if the response is adequate and decide the next steps,” Freeman said in an email.

<a href="https://stmaryskc.com/" target="_blank">St. Mary’s</a>, an 80-bed hospital owned by the for-profit chain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primehealthcare.com/" target="_blank">Prime Healthcare</a>, said the immediate jeopardy finding was related to blood bank processes and based on inspections conducted in October 2023, a month before the hospital shifted blood bank services to St. Joseph Medical Center, another Kansas City-area hospital owned by Prime.

St. Mary’s statement said blood bank services “will continue to be provided to St. Mary’s patients uninterrupted through this partnership.”

A hospital spokeswoman did not explain why the blood bank process had been shifted to St. Joseph Medical Center in 2023.

She also didn’t answer questions about more recent issues raised in the state’s December report. The report said the laboratory “failed to provide blood bank procedures for all blood bank processes that started October 2023.”

The hospital spokeswoman also declined to respond to questions about concerns raised in the report that did not involve blood bank services.

A finding of immediate jeopardy could result in fines, onsite monitoring and the loss of Medicare accreditation. Such a finding is relatively uncommon. One&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30896558/" target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;from 2021 found that less than 3% of hospital citations reached that most serious level.

In 2022, St. Mary’s Hospital faced another immediate jeopardy finding, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hospitalinspections.org/report-detail/QS8111" target="_blank">database</a>&nbsp;of inspection reports. That time regulators raised concerns about physical force used against patients in the hospital’s emergency department. The immediate jeopardy finding was removed after the hospital implemented an action plan, which included the dismissal of an employee directly involved, executives spending more time in the department and staff education.

The state’s December report cited a range of problems with St. Mary’s laboratory, many of them relating to testing procedures, documentation, quality control and training.

Overall, the report said, the lab’s director “failed to provide overall management and direction of the laboratory.”

This included failure to “ensure overall operation” of the lab’s blood bank; failure to properly train staff before they performed patient testing; a lack of remedial actions when “significant deviations” were identified; and quality control lapses, such as a failure to ensure that follow-up crossmatch testing was performed.

The lapses, regulators said, could lead to inaccurate patient test results, which could cause issues or delays of patient diagnosis and treatment. The failures, the report said, “have a significant potential to cause patient harm.”

The position of lab director is currently&nbsp;<a href="https://careers-primehealthcare.icims.com/jobs/187441/laboratory-director/job" target="_blank">posted</a>&nbsp;as an open job on the hospital’s website. It isn’t clear who was director during the period of time covered by the inspection.

The state also called out the lab’s failure to maintain analytic systems, including a lack of laboratory procedures and a failure to perform and document quality control measures.

For example, the report found that the lab didn’t document the inspection of whole blood before issuing it. In one case in November, the report said, blood was given to a patient “without units being labeled and proper procedure was not followed.”

The report said the lab also did not perform alarm inspections on a blood bank refrigerator, and lacked or failed to document certain test control procedures.

The state called out problems with the lab’s procedures for urinalysis, saying the machine used in tests, a urinalysis centrifuge, was operating at the incorrect speed. In another instance involving a test for vitamin B12 levels, a test control was not within acceptable limits for several hours, the state said.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/01/22/st-marys-medical-center-called-out-for-deficient-practices/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738530332436.png" alt=" St. Mary’s Medical Center officials said they are correcting problems called out by regulators (Suzanne King/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption> St. Mary’s Medical Center officials said they are correcting problems called out by regulators (Suzanne King/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">SUZANNE KING</a>&nbsp;Regulators recently warned officials at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs that “deficient practices” at its laboratory, including lax testing procedures and insufficient training, could endanger patients.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services informed hospital officials that they had found the lab to be in “immediate jeopardy,” the most severe level of noncompliance in health regulation.The state’s Dec. 20 letter said the finding was based on a “complaint survey” completed on Dec. 17. This survey, or inspection, included an onsite visit Dec. 10-11, a phone interview Dec. 16-17 and additional documentation, the state’s report said.Citing federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-493" target="_blank">regulations</a>, the letter said a finding of immediate jeopardy was made because the lab’s noncompliance “has already caused, is causing, or is likely to cause, at any time, serious injury or harm, or death, to individuals served by the laboratory or to the health and safety of the general public.”In a written statement, the hospital acknowledged the finding and said it had submitted a corrective action plan to the state.“We take survey findings very seriously and have taken proactive steps to implement changes addressing issues identified by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services,” the hospital said.The hospital’s statement said the hospital is fully operational with “comprehensive laboratory services.”“No St. Mary’s patients were ever identified as being harmed throughout the survey process,” the statement said.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) conducts surveys of health care facilities in the state on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).In this case, said Sami Jo Freeman, a DHSS spokeswoman, CMS identified concerns and directed the state agency to perform a complaint investigation into the laboratory, which led to the immediate jeopardy findings.Freeman confirmed that St. Mary’s officials had responded to the state report in writing.“Their response has been forwarded to, and is currently under review by, CMS, who will decide if the response is adequate and decide the next steps,” Freeman said in an email.<a href="https://stmaryskc.com/" target="_blank">St. Mary’s</a>, an 80-bed hospital owned by the for-profit chain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primehealthcare.com/" target="_blank">Prime Healthcare</a>, said the immediate jeopardy finding was related to blood bank processes and based on inspections conducted in October 2023, a month before the hospital shifted blood bank services to St. Joseph Medical Center, another Kansas City-area hospital owned by Prime.St. Mary’s statement said blood bank services “will continue to be provided to St. Mary’s patients uninterrupted through this partnership.”A hospital spokeswoman did not explain why the blood bank process had been shifted to St. Joseph Medical Center in 2023.She also didn’t answer questions about more recent issues raised in the state’s December report. The report said the laboratory “failed to provide blood bank procedures for all blood bank processes that started October 2023.”The hospital spokeswoman also declined to respond to questions about concerns raised in the report that did not involve blood bank services.A finding of immediate jeopardy could result in fines, onsite monitoring and the loss of Medicare accreditation. Such a finding is relatively uncommon. One&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30896558/" target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;from 2021 found that less than 3% of hospital citations reached that most serious level.In 2022, St. Mary’s Hospital faced another immediate jeopardy finding, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hospitalinspections.org/report-detail/QS8111" target="_blank">database</a>&nbsp;of inspection reports. That time regulators raised concerns about physical force used against patients in the hospital’s emergency department. The immediate jeopardy finding was removed after the hospital implemented an action plan, which included the dismissal of an employee directly involved, executives spending more time in the department and staff education.The state’s December report cited a range of problems with St. Mary’s laboratory, many of them relating to testing procedures, documentation, quality control and training.Overall, the report said, the lab’s director “failed to provide overall management and direction of the laboratory.”This included failure to “ensure overall operation” of the lab’s blood bank; failure to properly train staff before they performed patient testing; a lack of remedial actions when “significant deviations” were identified; and quality control lapses, such as a failure to ensure that follow-up crossmatch testing was performed.The lapses, regulators said, could lead to inaccurate patient test results, which could cause issues or delays of patient diagnosis and treatment. The failures, the report said, “have a significant potential to cause patient harm.”The position of lab director is currently&nbsp;<a href="https://careers-primehealthcare.icims.com/jobs/187441/laboratory-director/job" target="_blank">posted</a>&nbsp;as an open job on the hospital’s website. It isn’t clear who was director during the period of time covered by the inspection.The state also called out the lab’s failure to maintain analytic systems, including a lack of laboratory procedures and a failure to perform and document quality control measures.For example, the report found that the lab didn’t document the inspection of whole blood before issuing it. In one case in November, the report said, blood was given to a patient “without units being labeled and proper procedure was not followed.”The report said the lab also did not perform alarm inspections on a blood bank refrigerator, and lacked or failed to document certain test control procedures.The state called out problems with the lab’s procedures for urinalysis, saying the machine used in tests, a urinalysis centrifuge, was operating at the incorrect speed. In another instance involving a test for vitamin B12 levels, a test control was not within acceptable limits for several hours, the state said.This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/01/22/st-marys-medical-center-called-out-for-deficient-practices/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<figure>
 <img src="https://thebeaconnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/iconbeacon-150x150.png?crop=1" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://thebeaconnews.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=26615" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Regulators warn Missouri hospital that lab’s ‘deficient practices’ could put patients at risk

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa may join 19 states that require age verification before someone can access a website to view porn. 

An Iowa House subcommittee has advanced a bill to force businesses that intentionally distribute obscene material to verify whether a person seeking online access is an adult. Tom Chapman, executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference, says the bill would protect children and help parents who don't always know how to filter content on their kids' phones. 

Logan Murray, a lobbyist for the Technology Association of Iowa, says the group supports the general concept of the bill, but it would require a lot of data collection, which puts Iowans at risk for data breaches. A year ago, Governor Reynolds asked legislators to pass this kind of a law requiring age verification for access to websites with pornographic or indecent content.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa may join 19 states that require age verification before someone can access a website to view porn. An Iowa House subcommittee has advanced a bill to force businesses that intentionally distribute obscene material to verify whether a person seeking online access is an adult. Tom Chapman, executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference, says the bill would protect children and help parents who don't always know how to filter content on their kids' phones. Logan Murray, a lobbyist for the Technology Association of Iowa, says the group supports the general concept of the bill, but it would require a lot of data collection, which puts Iowans at risk for data breaches. A year ago, Governor Reynolds asked legislators to pass this kind of a law requiring age verification for access to websites with pornographic or indecent content.

Bill would require age verification for porn sites

(Radio Iowa) - A five-year moratorium on new casinos in Iowa easily passed the Iowa House this afternoon and the same proposal has been approved by a committee in the Senate. 

If the bill becomes law by next Thursday morning, it will block state regulators from taking a vote on the application for a new casino in Cedar Rapids. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says the moratorium is warranted due to recent studies suggesting a Cedar Rapids casino would draw customers -- and revenue -- from currently operating casinos. 

Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the legislature should let the Racing and Gaming Commission make the call rather than try to protect existing casino operators.

(Radio Iowa) - A five-year moratorium on new casinos in Iowa easily passed the Iowa House this afternoon and the same proposal has been approved by a committee in the Senate. If the bill becomes law by next Thursday morning, it will block state regulators from taking a vote on the application for a new casino in Cedar Rapids. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says the moratorium is warranted due to recent studies suggesting a Cedar Rapids casino would draw customers -- and revenue -- from currently operating casinos. Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the legislature should let the Racing and Gaming Commission make the call rather than try to protect existing casino operators.

Moratorium on new Iowa casinos passes House

A northwest
Missouri state representative will chair the House Conservation and Natural
Resources Committee.

Rep. Jeff Farnan,
a Republican from Stanberry, says it’s an honor that the House Speaker chose
him to chair a committee important to his district.

“To me, managing
and protecting our natural resources is very important, not only for our generation,
but for generations to come. So, any bills down here that deal with air, water,
plants, soil and minerals or animals should come through there,” Farnan tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I feel that we have a good committee and I think that we’ll
pass maybe some good legislation that will help Missourians.”

Farnan represents
Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, and Gentry Counties in the Missouri House.

Farnan, who
represents Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, and Gentry Counties in the Missouri House,
says the committee fits his district.

“I feel that
agriculture and conservation, they go hand-in-hand,” Farnan says. “It’s a good
fit.”

A bill before the
committee seeks to resolve the conflict which arises when farmers spread manure
on fields close to a city. Farnan says such issues illustrate problems that
arise as cities spread to rural areas of the state.

“There’s always a
tight line you have to walk there between farmers and people that live in the
cities,” Farnan says. “I’m looking forward to that. I think that we can come up
with a good solution that will, hopefully, make everybody happy.” &nbsp;

Farnan says the
members of his committee come from a variety of backgrounds.

Farnan also serves
on the Agriculture Committee, the Appropriations Sub-Committee dealing with
Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources, the Emerging Issues
Committee, and the Special Committee on Innovation and Technology.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738256895409.jpeg" alt="Rep. Jeff Farnan/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Jeff Farnan/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA northwest
Missouri state representative will chair the House Conservation and Natural
Resources Committee.Rep. Jeff Farnan,
a Republican from Stanberry, says it’s an honor that the House Speaker chose
him to chair a committee important to his district.“To me, managing
and protecting our natural resources is very important, not only for our generation,
but for generations to come. So, any bills down here that deal with air, water,
plants, soil and minerals or animals should come through there,” Farnan tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I feel that we have a good committee and I think that we’ll
pass maybe some good legislation that will help Missourians.”Farnan represents
Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, and Gentry Counties in the Missouri House.Farnan, who
represents Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, and Gentry Counties in the Missouri House,
says the committee fits his district.“I feel that
agriculture and conservation, they go hand-in-hand,” Farnan says. “It’s a good
fit.”A bill before the
committee seeks to resolve the conflict which arises when farmers spread manure
on fields close to a city. Farnan says such issues illustrate problems that
arise as cities spread to rural areas of the state.“There’s always a
tight line you have to walk there between farmers and people that live in the
cities,” Farnan says. “I’m looking forward to that. I think that we can come up
with a good solution that will, hopefully, make everybody happy.” &nbsp;Farnan says the
members of his committee come from a variety of backgrounds.Farnan represents
Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, and Gentry Counties in the Missouri House.Farnan also serves
on the Agriculture Committee, the Appropriations Sub-Committee dealing with
Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources, the Emerging Issues
Committee, and the Special Committee on Innovation and Technology.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

NW Missouri lawmaker heads House Conservation Committee

Wilkerson Crane
has announced it has acquired Ideal Crane of St. Joseph.

Wilkerson Crane, a
leading provider of crane and lifting services located in Bonner Springs, Kansas, says the acquisition
strengthens its position in the market.

“We
are thrilled to welcome Ideal Crane to the Wilkerson family,” Diana Holt, Owner and Board Chair of Wilkerson Crane Rental, said in a
written statement released by the company. “Ideal Crane has built a strong
reputation for excellence, and this partnership allows us to combine our
expertise, resources, and commitment to safety to deliver unparalleled service
to our customers.”

The company
states the purchase allows Wilkerson to expand its fleet as well as the
territory is serves. Ideal Crane’s longstanding relationships and industry
knowledge will complement Wilkerson’s operations and drive continued growth,
according to the company.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738258996133.jpeg" alt="Wilkerson Crane photo" />
 <figcaption>Wilkerson Crane photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWilkerson Crane
has announced it has acquired Ideal Crane of St. Joseph.Wilkerson Crane, a
leading provider of crane and lifting services located in Bonner Springs, Kansas, says the acquisition
strengthens its position in the market.“We
are thrilled to welcome Ideal Crane to the Wilkerson family,” Diana Holt, Owner and Board Chair of Wilkerson Crane Rental, said in a
written statement released by the company. “Ideal Crane has built a strong
reputation for excellence, and this partnership allows us to combine our
expertise, resources, and commitment to safety to deliver unparalleled service
to our customers.”The company
states the purchase allows Wilkerson to expand its fleet as well as the
territory is serves. Ideal Crane’s longstanding relationships and industry
knowledge will complement Wilkerson’s operations and drive continued growth,
according to the company.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Wilkerson Crane announces purchase of Ideal Crane of St. Joseph

A body found in
the remains of a St. Joseph house fire last week has been identified.

The St. Joseph Police
Department identifies the victim as 75-year-old David Clevenger.

St. Joseph firefighters
responded to the house fire in the 4600 block of Badger Street last week. Crews
discovered the body. An autopsy was ordered. Police say an investigation of the
fire and the death has uncovered nothing suspicious.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA body found in
the remains of a St. Joseph house fire last week has been identified.The St. Joseph Police
Department identifies the victim as 75-year-old David Clevenger.St. Joseph firefighters
responded to the house fire in the 4600 block of Badger Street last week. Crews
discovered the body. An autopsy was ordered. Police say an investigation of the
fire and the death has uncovered nothing suspicious.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Body found in remains of St. Joseph house fire identified

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa driver's licenses would have to show whether the person is a U-S citizen or legal resident if a bill that's cleared a House subcommittee becomes law. 

Lori Stiles of Johnston is a volunteer with Iowa Canvassing, a group that reviewed voter rolls in 60 Iowa counties and challenged thousands of registrations. She says since people are able to register on Election Day at their polling place, having citizen printed on the back of a driver's license will ensure only citizens vote. Critics say the bill could lead to discrimination and harassment of people who are legal residents, but not U.S. citizens. 

Amy Campbell -- a lobbyist for Lutheran Social Services which helps refugee resettle in Iowa -- says the policy could be a hurdle for refugees because driver's licenses are used for so much more than voting.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa driver's licenses would have to show whether the person is a U-S citizen or legal resident if a bill that's cleared a House subcommittee becomes law. Lori Stiles of Johnston is a volunteer with Iowa Canvassing, a group that reviewed voter rolls in 60 Iowa counties and challenged thousands of registrations. She says since people are able to register on Election Day at their polling place, having citizen printed on the back of a driver's license will ensure only citizens vote. Critics say the bill could lead to discrimination and harassment of people who are legal residents, but not U.S. citizens. Amy Campbell -- a lobbyist for Lutheran Social Services which helps refugee resettle in Iowa -- says the policy could be a hurdle for refugees because driver's licenses are used for so much more than voting.

Bill would require printing 'citizen' or 'legal resident' on Iowa driver's licenses

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738207177867.png" alt="Image from Kennedy Center web camera at the time of the collision&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Image from Kennedy Center web camera at the time of the collision&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fire &amp; EMS Chief John Donnelly: &quot;We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point we don&#39;t believe there are any survivors from this accident. We have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/422JqoEiVO">pic.twitter.com/422JqoEiVO</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1884965008783667498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Fire Chief: No survivors after collision of jet from Kansas and Army Helicopter

Software problems created a months-long backlog that forced some providers out of business, but Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger said 70% of that backlog has been cleared

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>

A backlog of payments due to child care providers is 70% clear after a year-long struggle with the state’s new software, Missouri Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger told lawmakers Tuesday morning.

The Missouri Senate Education Committee questioned Eslinger about everything from school accreditation to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Standing out among the interrogation was an update on the child care subsidy administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“I want to lift up a ‘hallelujah’ that the calculator in the system is fixed. So that is a huge, huge lift,”&nbsp; Eslinger told the committee. “It’s something that I was not able to say for probably four or five months that I sat in this chair.”

The department changed its software vendor in December of 2023, and both providers and families enrolling in the program began noticing issues tracking and receiving payment. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/06/missouri-education-officials-apologize-for-ongoing-backlog-of-child-care-subsidy-payments/">child care centers closed</a>&nbsp;and others turned away families using the subsidy program during months of missed payments.

State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from Kansas City, said day cares in her area have contacted her about missed payments.

One provider told her, “I’m taking out mortgages. I’m literally doing everything to keep this facility afloat. These kids need this,” she said, adding that the facility later closed.

Eslinger said the department has spent “over $200 million sending out support to those providers.”

There is a remaining “25% or so” of the backlog in payments that has still yet to be resolved, with some issues reaching back a year.

Everyone should be paid up by the end of February, she predicted. Kari Monsees, commissioner of financial and administrative services, nodded in agreement.

Eslinger added that the system of paying on attendance is not working, saying she hopes to shift to paying providers based on enrollment in the future.

Gov. Mike Kehoe, in his State of the State speech Tuesday afternoon, said the state will begin paying child care providers by enrollment numbers in fiscal year 2026.

“My administration is committed to timely payments for the child care providers who partner with the state to provide care,” he said. “We know delays in payments from the state have made it difficult for providers to even stay open.”

While Eslinger spoke to the Senate Education Committee, a House committee heard a proposal to create tax credit programs to expand and fund child care.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, said the legislation would support the workforce. Around 60% of Missouri businesses reported that child care was a barrier in recruiting new employees, she told committee members.

One of the proposed programs would give taxpayers a 75% tax credit for donations made to child care providers. Another incentivizes businesses to provide or help fund child care, and the last would give a 30% tax credit on improvements providers make and refund withholding tax.

Shield said 94 of Missouri’s 114 counties qualify as child care deserts, meaning there is one day care slot for every three children under the age of five.

“Child care is as important of infrastructure as roads and bridges and everything else that we talk about,” she said.

The Senate committee also asked Eslinger about St. Louis Public Schools, which has been under fire as its administration regroups after the investigation and ousting of its former superintendent.

The district’s interim superintendent and school board president stepped up to answer questions as well Tuesday, saying they have instituted a new reading program among other changes.

“There is a program that has been introduced that totally has changed the narrative on the way that our teachers, families and parents are learning and teaching our children how to read,”&nbsp; Toni Cousins, SLPS school board president said. And “that has shown growth in our reading.”

The district also reported it has begun preparing for a new transportation contract next year, opening up the proposal process in November and hearing presentations from bussing companies this month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738168260456.png" alt="Missouri Commissioner of Education updates the Senate Education Committee on department activity and answers questions Tuesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Commissioner of Education updates the Senate Education Committee on department activity and answers questions Tuesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Software problems created a months-long backlog that forced some providers out of business, but Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger said 70% of that backlog has been cleared</h2>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>A backlog of payments due to child care providers is 70% clear after a year-long struggle with the state’s new software, Missouri Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger told lawmakers Tuesday morning.The Missouri Senate Education Committee questioned Eslinger about everything from school accreditation to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Standing out among the interrogation was an update on the child care subsidy administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.“I want to lift up a ‘hallelujah’ that the calculator in the system is fixed. So that is a huge, huge lift,”&nbsp; Eslinger told the committee. “It’s something that I was not able to say for probably four or five months that I sat in this chair.”The department changed its software vendor in December of 2023, and both providers and families enrolling in the program began noticing issues tracking and receiving payment. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/06/missouri-education-officials-apologize-for-ongoing-backlog-of-child-care-subsidy-payments/">child care centers closed</a>&nbsp;and others turned away families using the subsidy program during months of missed payments.State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from Kansas City, said day cares in her area have contacted her about missed payments.One provider told her, “I’m taking out mortgages. I’m literally doing everything to keep this facility afloat. These kids need this,” she said, adding that the facility later closed.Eslinger said the department has spent “over $200 million sending out support to those providers.”There is a remaining “25% or so” of the backlog in payments that has still yet to be resolved, with some issues reaching back a year.Everyone should be paid up by the end of February, she predicted. Kari Monsees, commissioner of financial and administrative services, nodded in agreement.Eslinger added that the system of paying on attendance is not working, saying she hopes to shift to paying providers based on enrollment in the future.Gov. Mike Kehoe, in his State of the State speech Tuesday afternoon, said the state will begin paying child care providers by enrollment numbers in fiscal year 2026.“My administration is committed to timely payments for the child care providers who partner with the state to provide care,” he said. “We know delays in payments from the state have made it difficult for providers to even stay open.”<h2>A proposal to expand</h2>While Eslinger spoke to the Senate Education Committee, a House committee heard a proposal to create tax credit programs to expand and fund child care.The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, said the legislation would support the workforce. Around 60% of Missouri businesses reported that child care was a barrier in recruiting new employees, she told committee members.One of the proposed programs would give taxpayers a 75% tax credit for donations made to child care providers. Another incentivizes businesses to provide or help fund child care, and the last would give a 30% tax credit on improvements providers make and refund withholding tax.Shield said 94 of Missouri’s 114 counties qualify as child care deserts, meaning there is one day care slot for every three children under the age of five.“Child care is as important of infrastructure as roads and bridges and everything else that we talk about,” she said.The Senate committee also asked Eslinger about St. Louis Public Schools, which has been under fire as its administration regroups after the investigation and ousting of its former superintendent.The district’s interim superintendent and school board president stepped up to answer questions as well Tuesday, saying they have instituted a new reading program among other changes.“There is a program that has been introduced that totally has changed the narrative on the way that our teachers, families and parents are learning and teaching our children how to read,”&nbsp; Toni Cousins, SLPS school board president said. And “that has shown growth in our reading.”The district also reported it has begun preparing for a new transportation contract next year, opening up the proposal process in November and hearing presentations from bussing companies this month.

Missouri child care subsidy payment backlog will be resolved next month, commissioner says

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 4p.m. Wednesday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Acura RDX driven by an 85-year-old Maryville man was southbound on Route E three miles west of Ravenwood.

The driver failed to stop at the stop sign for U.S. 136. The Acura struck an eastbound 2009 Cadillac DTS driven by a 58-year-old Parnell man. The impact pushed the Cadillac into a 2020 Chevy Silverado driven by a 30-year-old Ravenwood man.

The driver of the Cadillac was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Brahms Funeral Home. A private vehicle transported the driver of the Silverado to Mosaic in Maryville. Nodaway County EMS transported the driver of the Acura to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The drivers of the Acura and the Cadillac were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer releases the identity of accident victims.

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 4p.m. Wednesday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Acura RDX driven by an 85-year-old Maryville man was southbound on Route E three miles west of Ravenwood.The driver failed to stop at the stop sign for U.S. 136. The Acura struck an eastbound 2009 Cadillac DTS driven by a 58-year-old Parnell man. The impact pushed the Cadillac into a 2020 Chevy Silverado driven by a 30-year-old Ravenwood man.The driver of the Cadillac was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Brahms Funeral Home. A private vehicle transported the driver of the Silverado to Mosaic in Maryville. Nodaway County EMS transported the driver of the Acura to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The drivers of the Acura and the Cadillac were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer releases the identity of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after 3-vehicle Nodaway Co. crash

WASHINGTON— A passenger jet went down near Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night, and all takeoffs and landings have been halted, according DC Fire and Rescue.&nbsp;The FAA reported that American Airlines flight 5342 departed from Wichita and collided midair with a Blackhawk helicopter. There were 60 passengers on board and 4 crew members, according to a statement from the airlines.

At 8:53p.m. multiple calls were received for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River, according to a statement from DC Police. DF Fire and Rescue, the Metropolitan Police and multiple partner agencies were conducting a search and rescue operation.

Multiple helicopters, including those from the U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. military, were flying over the scene of the incident in the Potomac River. D.C. Fire and EMS said on X that fireboats were on the scene.

Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball.&nbsp;

The airport said emergency personnel were responding to “an aircraft incident on the airfield.”&nbsp; As of 9p.m. there was no word on casualties or additional details.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738204717978.png" alt="Image from Kennedy Center web camera" />
 <figcaption>Image from Kennedy Center web camera</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— A passenger jet went down near Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night, and all takeoffs and landings have been halted, according DC Fire and Rescue.&nbsp;The FAA reported that American Airlines flight 5342 departed from Wichita and collided midair with a Blackhawk helicopter. There were 60 passengers on board and 4 crew members, according to a statement from the airlines.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738207413005.png" alt="Search and rescue operation -Image courtesy WUSA TV" />
 <figcaption>Search and rescue operation -Image courtesy WUSA TV</figcaption>
 </figure>At 8:53p.m. multiple calls were received for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River, according to a statement from DC Police. DF Fire and Rescue, the Metropolitan Police and multiple partner agencies were conducting a search and rescue operation.Multiple helicopters, including those from the U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. military, were flying over the scene of the incident in the Potomac River. D.C. Fire and EMS said on X that fireboats were on the scene.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update.&mdash; Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reagan_Airport/status/1884786809407693308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities. Please join me in praying for all involved.&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1884793078571032979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport. I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available.&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1884800422268825894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare. A plane, traveling to the Nation&#39;s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each…&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1884804403909046674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My team and I are actively monitoring updates related to the collision of the Wichita flight and a DC helicopter. Audrey and I are praying for the safety of the passengers, flight crew, and everyone involved. Please join us in praying.&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1884792910433918993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The airport said emergency personnel were responding to “an aircraft incident on the airfield.”&nbsp; As of 9p.m. there was no word on casualties or additional details.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Passenger jet from Kan. collides with helicopter while landing in DC

The chair of the state’s utility regulatory commission drew criticism for testifying in support of the legislation being pushed by Evergy and Ameren

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

Missouri’s two largest electric utilities want the state’s permission to charge customers for natural gas power plants before they’re completed.

Both Evergy and Ameren Missouri asked the Missouri House Utilities Committee on Wednesday to support legislation that would allow them to charge customers for natural, or methane, gas power plants even before they’re completed, saying the state needs more electrical power.

Because Ameren, Evergy and other Missouri electric companies&nbsp;are monopolies, the rates they charge customers must be approved by state regulators. Right now, they’re only permitted to charge customers for the cost to build power plants once they’re completed.&nbsp;

The utility companies — along with business groups and economic development officials — say Missouri is losing out on attracting major employers to the state because it doesn’t have enough power supply.

“With the strain on our grid, the first question business locators are asking local economic developers is not what your workforce looks like or what the tax structure is,” said the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Josh Hurlbert of Smithville. “It’s, ‘Do you have the power necessary for our project?’”

Hurlbert claims his district missed out on a major economic development project because of power supply issues, though he didn’t offer any specifics at Wednesday’s hearing.

But environmental and consumer advocates say the legislation, known as “construction work in progress,” just allows more profit for monopoly companies at the expense of consumers.&nbsp;

“They like construction work in progress because they’re having us make the investment for them,” said John Coffman, an attorney for the Consumers Council of Missouri. “They’re actually collecting profits, return on equity, during the construction of the project before they’ve even proved that they can do it.”

Proponents of the legislation pointed to Kansas, which passed construction work in progress legislation last year, as a success story. Evergy last year announced it would build two new natural gas plants in southwest Kansas.&nbsp;

“Kansas saw this as a jobs bill,” said Jason Clint, senior director of external affairs for Evergy. “They understood that if we don’t have the power, then we are not going to attract anyone to our state that brings the jobs.”&nbsp;

Supporters also included the chair of the Missouri Public Service Commission, Kayla Hahn. The commission regulates utility providers and must approve rates before companies, including Evergy and Ameren, can change customers’ prices.

“We don’t want to be losing any football teams, Googles, Metas or gas plants to Kansas,” Hahn said.

Hahn’s support of the bill despite being a utility regulator drew criticism later in the hearing from Jeanette Mott Oxford, a former Missouri House member. She said since she started coming to the Missouri Capitol more than 30 years ago, she had not heard the Public Service Commission testify in favor of legislation.

She said she testified in opposition to a proposed rate hike by Ameren Missouri and staff of the commission were not allowed in the room.

“Has something changed that the Public Service Commission is now being an advocate for power companies?” Mott Oxford said.&nbsp;

The bill is one of several pieces of utility legislation heard this week that drew criticism from consumer advocates.

On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee heard legislation that would allow utilities to defer and collect a return on certain costs associated with building natural gas power plants. The state has such a provision now, but it excludes natural gas.

The legislation would also require that, before taking a power plant offline, a utility places an equal or greater amount of power generation on the grid.

James Owen, executive director of Renew Missouri, said the legislation creates a misperception that clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, are not reliable. The bill requires utilities place “reliable and dispatchable” power on the grid when taking a generator offline but does not define what lawmakers consider reliable and dispatchable.

“Our concern,” Owen said, “is when we hear proponents of this legislation talk about clean energy in a way that suggests it would not fit in with those definitions.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738193197384.png" alt=" A rendering shows Evergy’s planned natural gas plant in Hutchinson, Kansas. The electric utility plans to add two combined-cycle natural gas plants in Kansas by the end of 2030 (photo courtesy of Evergy)." />
 <figcaption> A rendering shows Evergy’s planned natural gas plant in Hutchinson, Kansas. The electric utility plans to add two combined-cycle natural gas plants in Kansas by the end of 2030 (photo courtesy of Evergy).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The chair of the state’s utility regulatory commission drew criticism for testifying in support of the legislation being pushed by Evergy and Ameren</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s two largest electric utilities want the state’s permission to charge customers for natural gas power plants before they’re completed.Both Evergy and Ameren Missouri asked the Missouri House Utilities Committee on Wednesday to support legislation that would allow them to charge customers for natural, or methane, gas power plants even before they’re completed, saying the state needs more electrical power.Because Ameren, Evergy and other Missouri electric companies&nbsp;are monopolies, the rates they charge customers must be approved by state regulators. Right now, they’re only permitted to charge customers for the cost to build power plants once they’re completed.&nbsp;The utility companies — along with business groups and economic development officials — say Missouri is losing out on attracting major employers to the state because it doesn’t have enough power supply.“With the strain on our grid, the first question business locators are asking local economic developers is not what your workforce looks like or what the tax structure is,” said the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Josh Hurlbert of Smithville. “It’s, ‘Do you have the power necessary for our project?’”Hurlbert claims his district missed out on a major economic development project because of power supply issues, though he didn’t offer any specifics at Wednesday’s hearing.But environmental and consumer advocates say the legislation, known as “construction work in progress,” just allows more profit for monopoly companies at the expense of consumers.&nbsp;“They like construction work in progress because they’re having us make the investment for them,” said John Coffman, an attorney for the Consumers Council of Missouri. “They’re actually collecting profits, return on equity, during the construction of the project before they’ve even proved that they can do it.”Proponents of the legislation pointed to Kansas, which passed construction work in progress legislation last year, as a success story. Evergy last year announced it would build two new natural gas plants in southwest Kansas.&nbsp;“Kansas saw this as a jobs bill,” said Jason Clint, senior director of external affairs for Evergy. “They understood that if we don’t have the power, then we are not going to attract anyone to our state that brings the jobs.”&nbsp;Supporters also included the chair of the Missouri Public Service Commission, Kayla Hahn. The commission regulates utility providers and must approve rates before companies, including Evergy and Ameren, can change customers’ prices.“We don’t want to be losing any football teams, Googles, Metas or gas plants to Kansas,” Hahn said.Hahn’s support of the bill despite being a utility regulator drew criticism later in the hearing from Jeanette Mott Oxford, a former Missouri House member. She said since she started coming to the Missouri Capitol more than 30 years ago, she had not heard the Public Service Commission testify in favor of legislation.She said she testified in opposition to a proposed rate hike by Ameren Missouri and staff of the commission were not allowed in the room.“Has something changed that the Public Service Commission is now being an advocate for power companies?” Mott Oxford said.&nbsp;The bill is one of several pieces of utility legislation heard this week that drew criticism from consumer advocates.On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee heard legislation that would allow utilities to defer and collect a return on certain costs associated with building natural gas power plants. The state has such a provision now, but it excludes natural gas.The legislation would also require that, before taking a power plant offline, a utility places an equal or greater amount of power generation on the grid.James Owen, executive director of Renew Missouri, said the legislation creates a misperception that clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, are not reliable. The bill requires utilities place “reliable and dispatchable” power on the grid when taking a generator offline but does not define what lawmakers consider reliable and dispatchable.“Our concern,” Owen said, “is when we hear proponents of this legislation talk about clean energy in a way that suggests it would not fit in with those definitions.”

Missouri utilities push legislation to charge customers upfront costs to build gas plants

(Radio Iowa) - A bill in the Iowa House to establish surgical castration as a penalty for sex offenders convicted of abusing a child won't be advancing this year.

 Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault lobyist Amy Campbell says 96 percent of children who are assaulted know their attacker. Campbell says the research has shown that the more harsh the penalty, the less likely a family is to report the abuse. 

The law would have expanded on a law passed in 2003 in Iowa that allows those convicted of serious sex crimes against children to be sentenced to undergo a type hormonal therapy referred to as chemical castration.

(Radio Iowa) - A bill in the Iowa House to establish surgical castration as a penalty for sex offenders convicted of abusing a child won't be advancing this year. Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault lobyist Amy Campbell says 96 percent of children who are assaulted know their attacker. Campbell says the research has shown that the more harsh the penalty, the less likely a family is to report the abuse. The law would have expanded on a law passed in 2003 in Iowa that allows those convicted of serious sex crimes against children to be sentenced to undergo a type hormonal therapy referred to as chemical castration.

Sex Offender Penalty Bill Won't Advance

(Radio Iowa) - Hundreds of new Iowa residents face more challenges as the Trump administration has ordered all resettlement agencies in the U-S to stop providing services to refugees. 

Agencies are no longer allowed to access federal funding to find homes for those fleeing persecution. Nick Wuertz, director of refugee services for Lutheran Services in Iowa, says more than 800 individuals have now lost access to this transitional program, and more than half of them are children. 

Wuertz says L-S-I covers basic living expenses for the refugees' first 90 days in the U-S, adding, it's "the only way families have an opportunity to understand their new community, get on their feet, find jobs and get settled." Wuertz says roughly 80 percent of L-S-I's funding comes from the federal government.

(Radio Iowa) - Hundreds of new Iowa residents face more challenges as the Trump administration has ordered all resettlement agencies in the U-S to stop providing services to refugees. Agencies are no longer allowed to access federal funding to find homes for those fleeing persecution. Nick Wuertz, director of refugee services for Lutheran Services in Iowa, says more than 800 individuals have now lost access to this transitional program, and more than half of them are children. Wuertz says L-S-I covers basic living expenses for the refugees' first 90 days in the U-S, adding, it's "the only way families have an opportunity to understand their new community, get on their feet, find jobs and get settled." Wuertz says roughly 80 percent of L-S-I's funding comes from the federal government.

Services to hundreds of Iowa refugees are halted by White House order

The United States reported its first outbreak of H5N9 bird flu in poultry on a duck farm in California. Reports show that authorities also detected the more common H5N1 strain on the same farm in Merced County, California. Almost 119,000 birds on the farm had been killed by December 2. A recent outbreak of bird flu in poultry in Georgia, the biggest chicken producer in the U.S., is set to trigger trade restrictions from major meat importers. 

Industry groups warned last week that a move of that kind could financially harm farmers and processors. The USDA’s most recent egg price outlook says egg prices were predicted to increase by 20 percent in 2025, compared to 2.2 percent for overall food prices. The USDA has attributed the rise in egg costs to the "bird flu outbreak which has caused a strain in the number of laying hens."

The United States reported its first outbreak of H5N9 bird flu in poultry on a duck farm in California. Reports show that authorities also detected the more common H5N1 strain on the same farm in Merced County, California. Almost 119,000 birds on the farm had been killed by December 2. A recent outbreak of bird flu in poultry in Georgia, the biggest chicken producer in the U.S., is set to trigger trade restrictions from major meat importers. Industry groups warned last week that a move of that kind could financially harm farmers and processors. The USDA’s most recent egg price outlook says egg prices were predicted to increase by 20 percent in 2025, compared to 2.2 percent for overall food prices. The USDA has attributed the rise in egg costs to the "bird flu outbreak which has caused a strain in the number of laying hens."

Kbct