United States Senate candidate, Democrat Lucas Kunce,
campaigns in St. Joseph prior to the August primary, hoping this year to win
the nomination of Democrats to take on incumbent Republican Josh Hawley.

Kunce, a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan,
says he wants to give a voice in the U.S. Senate to ordinary Missourians, like
those who helped his family through a rough time when he was a child.

“I’m doing this race to represent the folks who took care of
me as a kid and everyday Missourians. I don’t take any corporate PAC money. I
don’t take federal lobbyist money. I don’t take money from Big Pharma folks;
there’s a long list,” Kunce tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And I think we’re
doing it the right way and I want to fundamentally change who has power in this
country so that we can have power again and our communities are like they used
to be.”

Kunce, who is from Independence, made a stop in St. Joseph,
speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at the UA Local 45 Plumbers and Pipefitters
Hall.

Kunce lost a close primary race to Trudy Busch Valentine two
years ago. Kunce says he learned a lot from that loss.

“We had to figure out how to raise money the right way. I
mentioned all the folks that I don’t take money from, right? Well, when I first
started the campaign, a bunch of people were, like, ‘That’s stupid. You can’t
win a modern campaign that way,’” Kunce says. “I just think it’s stupid to say
you’re going to represent people when you can’t and you have to represent the
folks you’re taking money from. What we learned in that first campaign was how
to do it the right way.”

Kunce garnered 38% of the vote in the 2022 Democratic U.S.
Senate primary, losing to Valentine, who won 43%. Valentine lost to Republican
Eric Schmitt in the General Election.

As for the recent events of his party in Washington, Kunce doesn’t
see the decision of President Biden to end his re-election bid and the
elevation of Vice President Kamla Harris as the presumptive party nominee to
have much effect on his race.

“With my background and the way we’re doing things, we were
positioned to win this race a year ago. We’re positioned to win the race a
month ago. We’re positioned to win the race today,” Kunce says. “For me, the top
of the ticket here in Missouri; it’s my race and the initiative petition that’s
coming up, the one that would protect women’s reproductive rights. That’s going
to be driving a lot of turnout. It’s going to be where a lot of focus is.”

Kunce is one of four Democrats running in the August primary. His
primary opponent is state Sen. Karla May of St. Louis. Mita Biswas of St. Louis
and December Harmon of Columbia are also in the race on the Democratic side.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721931776012.jpeg" alt="Democrat US Senate candidate, Lucas Kunce, addresses the crowd UA Local 45 Plumbers &amp; Pipefitters in St. Joseph/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Democrat US Senate candidate, Lucas Kunce, addresses the crowd UA Local 45 Plumbers &amp; Pipefitters in St. Joseph/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostUnited States Senate candidate, Democrat Lucas Kunce,
campaigns in St. Joseph prior to the August primary, hoping this year to win
the nomination of Democrats to take on incumbent Republican Josh Hawley.Kunce, a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan,
says he wants to give a voice in the U.S. Senate to ordinary Missourians, like
those who helped his family through a rough time when he was a child.“I’m doing this race to represent the folks who took care of
me as a kid and everyday Missourians. I don’t take any corporate PAC money. I
don’t take federal lobbyist money. I don’t take money from Big Pharma folks;
there’s a long list,” Kunce tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And I think we’re
doing it the right way and I want to fundamentally change who has power in this
country so that we can have power again and our communities are like they used
to be.”Kunce, who is from Independence, made a stop in St. Joseph,
speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at the UA Local 45 Plumbers and Pipefitters
Hall.Kunce lost a close primary race to Trudy Busch Valentine two
years ago. Kunce says he learned a lot from that loss.“We had to figure out how to raise money the right way. I
mentioned all the folks that I don’t take money from, right? Well, when I first
started the campaign, a bunch of people were, like, ‘That’s stupid. You can’t
win a modern campaign that way,’” Kunce says. “I just think it’s stupid to say
you’re going to represent people when you can’t and you have to represent the
folks you’re taking money from. What we learned in that first campaign was how
to do it the right way.”Kunce garnered 38% of the vote in the 2022 Democratic U.S.
Senate primary, losing to Valentine, who won 43%. Valentine lost to Republican
Eric Schmitt in the General Election.As for the recent events of his party in Washington, Kunce doesn’t
see the decision of President Biden to end his re-election bid and the
elevation of Vice President Kamla Harris as the presumptive party nominee to
have much effect on his race.“With my background and the way we’re doing things, we were
positioned to win this race a year ago. We’re positioned to win the race a
month ago. We’re positioned to win the race today,” Kunce says. “For me, the top
of the ticket here in Missouri; it’s my race and the initiative petition that’s
coming up, the one that would protect women’s reproductive rights. That’s going
to be driving a lot of turnout. It’s going to be where a lot of focus is.”Kunce is one of four Democrats running in the August primary. His
primary opponent is state Sen. Karla May of St. Louis. Mita Biswas of St. Louis
and December Harmon of Columbia are also in the race on the Democratic side.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Democrat Lucas Kunce brings his US Senate campaign to St. Joseph

Ashcroft says he’ll eliminate the income tax by shifting funds dedicated to things like transportation or conservation to general revenue — requiring intense legislative work and statewide votes

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

A&nbsp;<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/db358242620bb5bfd24ec7d05/files/37f31a62-c00a-f6ff-a3e3-0c7d797b3b9a/MO_Statewide_Toplines_Release.pdf" target="_blank">February poll</a>&nbsp;of Republican primary voters showed Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft had the most recognizable name in the race for governor.&nbsp;

Ashcroft has held statewide office for eight years, and his father John ran statewide seven times, winning five elections for state attorney general, governor and U.S. senator before becoming U.S. Attorney General under President George W. Bush.

Jay Ashcroft was born the year his father was appointed state auditor in 1973 and spent his teenage years living in the Governor’s Mansion. He learned that everything the family did was news when his mother got his dad in trouble by calling the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-16-mn-388-story.html" target="_blank">state librarian on Mother’s Day</a>&nbsp;so his brother could finish a homework assignment.

“When I was a little kid, I made the decision that I wasn’t going to go into politics,” he said in an interview with The Independent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/06/jay-ashcroft-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-missouri-governor-in-2024/">after announcing his candidacy</a>. “I said, ‘I’m never going to go into politics. I’m never going to be an attorney. I’m going to have a real job.’ Famous last words.”

So first at the Merchant Marine Academy,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/dlippman/status/1747597568652021806" target="_blank">where he did not do well</a>, then later at Missouri University of Science and Technology, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering management, Ashcroft stuck with his vow.

He worked first at a defense contractor and later as a teacher of mechanical engineering and engineering technology at St. Louis Community College.&nbsp;

But he eventually did study law – at St. Louis University – and went to work in the&nbsp;<a href="https://ashcroftlawfirm.com/john-ashcroft/" target="_blank">law firm his father founded</a>&nbsp;after leaving public life.

Then politics beckoned, though just like his father, his first race didn’t go well. His 2014 bid for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2014-11-05/gop-consolidates-hold-over-missouri-legislature-schupp-is-a-democratic-bright-spot" target="_blank">St. Louis County state Senate seat</a>&nbsp;ended in defeat.&nbsp;

He bounced back two years later when he was elected secretary of state, getting the second largest majority of all Republicans on the statewide ballot. He won a second term in 2020.&nbsp;

Now he’s set his sights on following his father into the governor’s mansion. If he wins, he’ll be the first son of a governor elected to the office since John Sappington Marmaduke&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_S._Marmaduke" target="_blank">in 1884</a>.

Locked in a three-way battle for the GOP nomination with Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and state Sen. Bill Eigel, Ashcroft hopes voters see how he has used his power as secretary of state to advance a conservative agenda.&nbsp;

He’s implemented rules requiring libraries to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/16/opposition-growing-to-missouri-secretary-of-state-rule-on-library-materials-for-children/">obtain parental consent</a>&nbsp;for materials their children borrow — or face a loss of state funding.&nbsp;And he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/24/jay-ashcroft-seeks-1-2-million-to-defend-anti-esg-investing-rules-in-federal-court/">being sued</a>&nbsp;for imposing rules on financial advisers requiring them to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/09/missouris-secretary-of-state-reins-in-environmentally-minded-investing/">get investor consent</a>&nbsp;for making a company’s stand on climate action or other socially driven issues — also known as ESG for environmental social governance — a factor in an investment decision.

Perhaps his highest profile official action led to the court battle over ballot language for a proposal to make abortion a state constitutional right. When the language was challenged, Ashcroft took the rare step of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/19/jay-ashcroft-joins-legal-team-defending-his-summary-of-missouri-abortion-amendment/">officially joining the legal team</a>&nbsp;defending it — a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/31/appeals-court-swats-down-ashcroft-arguments-on-missouri-abortion-rights-petitions/">fight he ultimately lost</a>.&nbsp;

It was in the midst of that fight, however, that he won the endorsement of the state’s largest anti-abortion group,&nbsp;<a href="https://newstalkkzrg.com/2023/07/17/missouri-right-to-life-endorses-ashcroft-for-governor/" target="_blank">Missouri Right to Life</a>.

Outside the strict duties of his office, in recent years Ashcroft has been testifying before legislative committees in favor of bills that would ban certain medical treatments for transgender minors and ban foreign ownership of farmland, among others. And he became highly involved in the unsuccessful effort to redraw Missouri’s congressional maps in a way that eliminated a Democratic seat in Kansas City.

In the run up to the Aug. 6 primary, The Independent asked Ashcroft a series of questions with one theme — what would Missouri be like if he becomes governor? Here’s some of what he said:

Like both his major opponents, Ashcroft wants to eliminate the state income tax. And like Eigel, he wants to repeal the 2021 gas tax increase.

The 2021 increase was the first state fuel tax increase since 1992, when John Ashcroft signed a bill adding 4 cents a gallon. The 2021 increase was passed with strong backing from Kehoe.

His plan, Ashcroft said, is to cut spending and reorganize the state tax system so more money from earmarked sources is placed in the general revenue fund.

“I truly think the government’s doing too much,” Ashcroft said. “Looking at COVID, we were spending the same amount of money but the government was seemingly shut down and life went along fine.”

In the eight years since Republicans took control of the governor’s office, the state budget has increased from $27.5 billion, with $9.7 billion coming from general revenue in fiscal 2017, to $51.6 billion and $15.1 billion from general revenue in the current year.

The top income tax rate is currently 4.8% and in the fiscal year that ended June 30, the personal income tax accounted for 65% of general revenue collections. There are future tax cuts, depending on revenue increases, that would drop the top rate to 4.5%.

The other two categories of money funding state operations are federal funds, often requiring a state match, and “other” funds, totaling $12.1 billion, generated by taxes and fees for specialized purposes.

“We want to go back to the people and say you have these designated funds,” Ashcroft said. “We’d like you to allow us to put those into general revenue to spend as the state needs and in return for that will give you an immediate decrease in your income tax for giving us that flexibility.”

If enacted, Ashcroft’s proposal would be the biggest reorganization of state government finances in state history. It would require intense legislative work, followed by one or more statewide votes.

Bringing dedicated funds into general revenue would eliminate earmarked funding&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++43(a)&amp;bid=31865&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">for conservation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++47(a)&amp;bid=31872&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">state parks and soil conservation</a>. It would also end a 1982 sales tax that provides $1,513 per pupil to school districts and the motor fuel tax fund, which took in $1 billion.

Gambling taxes from casinos and the lottery are worth about $750 million annually, money that is dedicated to education needs.&nbsp;

Putting the money under the control of the governor and lawmakers, Ashcroft said, will lead to greater oversight.

“In the road fund, the way it’s done, there is no accountability for how those funds are spent,” Ashcroft said. “But when you put them in general revenue, then the legislature can have oversight over those and we the people can really be involved in making sure those funds are being spent correctly.”

Through a combination of budget cuts and reorganization, Ashcroft said the income tax can be put on a “glide path” to elimination.

He’s not going to specify any cuts during the campaign, Ashcroft said.

“I’m not gonna roll all of that out right now,” Ashcroft said. “What I have done is shown that it’s eminently possible because of the number of dollars.”

Ashcroft’s proposals involve a multi-pronged approach to crime — more police on the streets, more investment in mental health services and local incarceration for some offenders.

He wants the state to support the hiring of 1,000 new police officers, Ashcroft said. The goal would be to increase the Missouri State Highway Patrol to its&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=43.050&amp;bid=1363&amp;hl=" target="_blank">full strength of 1,064 troopers</a>&nbsp;and help local agencies attract new officers.

“There are a whole lot of other things that we can do to draw people that are officers elsewhere and say, if you’re willing to serve the public, you want to be a public servant, Missouri is the place where you want to do it,” Ashcroft said.

Under the Missouri Constitution, the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++21&amp;bid=51537&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">legislature is prohibited</a>&nbsp;from requiring a “new activity or service or an increase in the level of any activity or service beyond that required by existing law” without paying for it with state funds.

Staffing shortages in local agencies mean they are under strength and the state can help without having to pay the full cost, Ashcroft said.

“There probably will be some financial support from the state but you also have to understand there are other things the state needs to do,” Ashcroft said.

Statewide, Missouri State Highway Patrol statistics show that both violent crimes and property crimes declined in 2023 compared to 2022. FBI data, however, shows&nbsp;<a href="https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend" target="_blank">both violent and property crime rates</a>&nbsp;in Missouri have been higher than the national average for the past decade.

In addition to increasing the number of police patrolling Missouri’s streets and highways, Ashcroft said he wants to address mental health issues that lead to arrests. In February there were approximately&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/07/missouri-chief-justice-calls-for-action-as-hundreds-wait-in-jails-for-mental-health-services/">300 people in county jails</a>&nbsp;awaiting a bed in a state mental health facility and state mental health officials forecast it will be 500 by the end of the year.

The Department of Mental Health faces major staffing shortages with more than one-third licensed practical nurse slots unfilled, two out of every five jobs for psychiatrists unfilled and fewer than one-third of licensed clinical social worker slots filled.

Missouri should invest more in community mental health programs that can provide help before people are in crisis, Ashcroft said.

“We’re already incurring a cost for these people, but we’re incurring it in such a way that we don’t incentivize the reduction of the costs or getting these people help,” he said.

Over the past decade, the number of people in state custody has gone down by about one-third, from an average of 31,442 in 2012 to 2014 to an average of 23,409 in the 2020-2022 period. Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-424dacf3797e4daa8585b1de5836b492" target="_blank">closed a prison in 2019</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2020/oct/1/missouri-downsizing-prisons-save-cash/" target="_blank">housing units</a>&nbsp;in others during 2020&nbsp; to save money on partially used facilities.

Despite that reduction, deaths in state prisons have increased from an average of 89 per year to 122 per year, with 135 deaths in 2023. Four corrections officers are&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-corrections-officers-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-inmate-in-restraints/">charged with murder</a>&nbsp;of an inmate at Jefferson City Correctional Center in December and the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/warden-of-missouri-prison-replaced-after-investigation-of-inmate-death/">warden was fired</a>.

One issue for the state is staffing shortages, Ashcroft said. Many prisons are in rural areas where there is a limited ability to recruit correction officers.

His solution, he said, is to house some offenders in local facilities. Federal agencies house their prisoners in county jails and the payments help defer local costs, he said.

“They don’t want to do that for the state right now because the state doesn’t pay what it costs to house those individuals,” Ashcroft said.

The state could pay more, and support regional facilities, he said.

There would also be a benefit for the families of people who are incarcerated, Ashcroft said.

“That might be better if their families are there,” he said. “Does that mean that you see your children more?”

The Ashcroft name means a lot in southwest Missouri, where John Ashcroft began his political career and Robert Ashcroft, Jay’s grandfather, was the first president of Evangel College, said state Rep. Bill Owen of Springfield.

Ashcroft’s father hasn’t taken a major role in the campaign, but he did&nbsp;<a href="https://ashcroftformissouri.com/kehoelieschina" target="_blank">make a video</a>&nbsp;attacking Kehoe over land ownership by Chinese companies. And he shows up in campaign photos on occasion.

“The family is so ingrained in the community and in the area, people just feel really comfortable with him down here,” Owen said.

On the campaign trail, Ashcroft’s foes have accused him of running mainly on his famous name.&nbsp;

After Ashcroft said at a recent debate that his father wasn’t happy about his opposition to public funding of professional sports stadiums, Eigel was ready with a rejoinder: “Jay, be a little easy on your dad, you need that last name.”

Jay Ashcroft has created his own identity, separate from his family, Owen added.

“Some people would be swallowed up by the shadow,” he said. “And I don’t think he has been. On his own merits, he’s been able to stand out on his own.”

In 1998, as he considered a White House bid, John Ashcroft wrote a book he titled “<a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Lessons_from_a_Father_to_His_Son.html?id=7ax72lA12woC&amp;source=kp_book_description" target="_blank">Lessons from a Father to his Son</a>.”&nbsp;

The biggest lesson he learned from his father, Jay Ashcroft said, is the honor in public service.

“It was ordained by God before time began the fact that public service is one of the, if not the, greatest things you can do in life because you spend your time making life better for others instead of just elevating yourself,” Ashcroft said. “And the idea of integrity of character, and how valuable it is to have a good name, and no matter what you do, to protect them.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721930397875.png" alt=" Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft speaks to reporters Dec. 20 about the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to bar former president Donald Trump from the Colorado ballot (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft speaks to reporters Dec. 20 about the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to bar former president Donald Trump from the Colorado ballot (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ashcroft says he’ll eliminate the income tax by shifting funds dedicated to things like transportation or conservation to general revenue — requiring intense legislative work and statewide votes</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>A&nbsp;<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/db358242620bb5bfd24ec7d05/files/37f31a62-c00a-f6ff-a3e3-0c7d797b3b9a/MO_Statewide_Toplines_Release.pdf" target="_blank">February poll</a>&nbsp;of Republican primary voters showed Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft had the most recognizable name in the race for governor.&nbsp;That shouldn’t be surprising.&nbsp;Ashcroft has held statewide office for eight years, and his father John ran statewide seven times, winning five elections for state attorney general, governor and U.S. senator before becoming U.S. Attorney General under President George W. Bush.Jay Ashcroft was born the year his father was appointed state auditor in 1973 and spent his teenage years living in the Governor’s Mansion. He learned that everything the family did was news when his mother got his dad in trouble by calling the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-16-mn-388-story.html" target="_blank">state librarian on Mother’s Day</a>&nbsp;so his brother could finish a homework assignment.“When I was a little kid, I made the decision that I wasn’t going to go into politics,” he said in an interview with The Independent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/06/jay-ashcroft-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-missouri-governor-in-2024/">after announcing his candidacy</a>. “I said, ‘I’m never going to go into politics. I’m never going to be an attorney. I’m going to have a real job.’ Famous last words.”So first at the Merchant Marine Academy,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/dlippman/status/1747597568652021806" target="_blank">where he did not do well</a>, then later at Missouri University of Science and Technology, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering management, Ashcroft stuck with his vow.He worked first at a defense contractor and later as a teacher of mechanical engineering and engineering technology at St. Louis Community College.&nbsp;But he eventually did study law – at St. Louis University – and went to work in the&nbsp;<a href="https://ashcroftlawfirm.com/john-ashcroft/" target="_blank">law firm his father founded</a>&nbsp;after leaving public life.Then politics beckoned, though just like his father, his first race didn’t go well. His 2014 bid for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2014-11-05/gop-consolidates-hold-over-missouri-legislature-schupp-is-a-democratic-bright-spot" target="_blank">St. Louis County state Senate seat</a>&nbsp;ended in defeat.&nbsp;He bounced back two years later when he was elected secretary of state, getting the second largest majority of all Republicans on the statewide ballot. He won a second term in 2020.&nbsp;Now he’s set his sights on following his father into the governor’s mansion. If he wins, he’ll be the first son of a governor elected to the office since John Sappington Marmaduke&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_S._Marmaduke" target="_blank">in 1884</a>.Locked in a three-way battle for the GOP nomination with Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and state Sen. Bill Eigel, Ashcroft hopes voters see how he has used his power as secretary of state to advance a conservative agenda.&nbsp;He’s implemented rules requiring libraries to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/16/opposition-growing-to-missouri-secretary-of-state-rule-on-library-materials-for-children/">obtain parental consent</a>&nbsp;for materials their children borrow — or face a loss of state funding.&nbsp;And he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/24/jay-ashcroft-seeks-1-2-million-to-defend-anti-esg-investing-rules-in-federal-court/">being sued</a>&nbsp;for imposing rules on financial advisers requiring them to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/09/missouris-secretary-of-state-reins-in-environmentally-minded-investing/">get investor consent</a>&nbsp;for making a company’s stand on climate action or other socially driven issues — also known as ESG for environmental social governance — a factor in an investment decision.Perhaps his highest profile official action led to the court battle over ballot language for a proposal to make abortion a state constitutional right. When the language was challenged, Ashcroft took the rare step of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/19/jay-ashcroft-joins-legal-team-defending-his-summary-of-missouri-abortion-amendment/">officially joining the legal team</a>&nbsp;defending it — a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/31/appeals-court-swats-down-ashcroft-arguments-on-missouri-abortion-rights-petitions/">fight he ultimately lost</a>.&nbsp;It was in the midst of that fight, however, that he won the endorsement of the state’s largest anti-abortion group,&nbsp;<a href="https://newstalkkzrg.com/2023/07/17/missouri-right-to-life-endorses-ashcroft-for-governor/" target="_blank">Missouri Right to Life</a>.Outside the strict duties of his office, in recent years Ashcroft has been testifying before legislative committees in favor of bills that would ban certain medical treatments for transgender minors and ban foreign ownership of farmland, among others. And he became highly involved in the unsuccessful effort to redraw Missouri’s congressional maps in a way that eliminated a Democratic seat in Kansas City.In the run up to the Aug. 6 primary, The Independent asked Ashcroft a series of questions with one theme — what would Missouri be like if he becomes governor? Here’s some of what he said:<h2>Budget and taxes</h2>Like both his major opponents, Ashcroft wants to eliminate the state income tax. And like Eigel, he wants to repeal the 2021 gas tax increase.The 2021 increase was the first state fuel tax increase since 1992, when John Ashcroft signed a bill adding 4 cents a gallon. The 2021 increase was passed with strong backing from Kehoe.His plan, Ashcroft said, is to cut spending and reorganize the state tax system so more money from earmarked sources is placed in the general revenue fund.“I truly think the government’s doing too much,” Ashcroft said. “Looking at COVID, we were spending the same amount of money but the government was seemingly shut down and life went along fine.”In the eight years since Republicans took control of the governor’s office, the state budget has increased from $27.5 billion, with $9.7 billion coming from general revenue in fiscal 2017, to $51.6 billion and $15.1 billion from general revenue in the current year.The top income tax rate is currently 4.8% and in the fiscal year that ended June 30, the personal income tax accounted for 65% of general revenue collections. There are future tax cuts, depending on revenue increases, that would drop the top rate to 4.5%.The other two categories of money funding state operations are federal funds, often requiring a state match, and “other” funds, totaling $12.1 billion, generated by taxes and fees for specialized purposes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721930569678.png" alt=" Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, center, listens during a community meeting on electric rates July 8 in Republic. Joining Ashcroft, from left, are state Reps. Bill Owen, R-Springfield, Alex Riley, R-Springfield, First Assistant Attorney General Jay Atkins and state Reps. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, and Melanie Stinnett (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, center, listens during a community meeting on electric rates July 8 in Republic. Joining Ashcroft, from left, are state Reps. Bill Owen, R-Springfield, Alex Riley, R-Springfield, First Assistant Attorney General Jay Atkins and state Reps. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, and Melanie Stinnett (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>“We want to go back to the people and say you have these designated funds,” Ashcroft said. “We’d like you to allow us to put those into general revenue to spend as the state needs and in return for that will give you an immediate decrease in your income tax for giving us that flexibility.”If enacted, Ashcroft’s proposal would be the biggest reorganization of state government finances in state history. It would require intense legislative work, followed by one or more statewide votes.Bringing dedicated funds into general revenue would eliminate earmarked funding&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++43(a)&amp;bid=31865&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">for conservation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++47(a)&amp;bid=31872&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">state parks and soil conservation</a>. It would also end a 1982 sales tax that provides $1,513 per pupil to school districts and the motor fuel tax fund, which took in $1 billion.Gambling taxes from casinos and the lottery are worth about $750 million annually, money that is dedicated to education needs.&nbsp;Putting the money under the control of the governor and lawmakers, Ashcroft said, will lead to greater oversight.“In the road fund, the way it’s done, there is no accountability for how those funds are spent,” Ashcroft said. “But when you put them in general revenue, then the legislature can have oversight over those and we the people can really be involved in making sure those funds are being spent correctly.”Through a combination of budget cuts and reorganization, Ashcroft said the income tax can be put on a “glide path” to elimination.He’s not going to specify any cuts during the campaign, Ashcroft said.“I’m not gonna roll all of that out right now,” Ashcroft said. “What I have done is shown that it’s eminently possible because of the number of dollars.”<h2>Crime</h2>Ashcroft’s proposals involve a multi-pronged approach to crime — more police on the streets, more investment in mental health services and local incarceration for some offenders.He wants the state to support the hiring of 1,000 new police officers, Ashcroft said. The goal would be to increase the Missouri State Highway Patrol to its&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=43.050&amp;bid=1363&amp;hl=" target="_blank">full strength of 1,064 troopers</a>&nbsp;and help local agencies attract new officers.“There are a whole lot of other things that we can do to draw people that are officers elsewhere and say, if you’re willing to serve the public, you want to be a public servant, Missouri is the place where you want to do it,” Ashcroft said.Under the Missouri Constitution, the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++21&amp;bid=51537&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">legislature is prohibited</a>&nbsp;from requiring a “new activity or service or an increase in the level of any activity or service beyond that required by existing law” without paying for it with state funds.Staffing shortages in local agencies mean they are under strength and the state can help without having to pay the full cost, Ashcroft said.“There probably will be some financial support from the state but you also have to understand there are other things the state needs to do,” Ashcroft said.Statewide, Missouri State Highway Patrol statistics show that both violent crimes and property crimes declined in 2023 compared to 2022. FBI data, however, shows&nbsp;<a href="https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend" target="_blank">both violent and property crime rates</a>&nbsp;in Missouri have been higher than the national average for the past decade.In addition to increasing the number of police patrolling Missouri’s streets and highways, Ashcroft said he wants to address mental health issues that lead to arrests. In February there were approximately&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/07/missouri-chief-justice-calls-for-action-as-hundreds-wait-in-jails-for-mental-health-services/">300 people in county jails</a>&nbsp;awaiting a bed in a state mental health facility and state mental health officials forecast it will be 500 by the end of the year.The Department of Mental Health faces major staffing shortages with more than one-third licensed practical nurse slots unfilled, two out of every five jobs for psychiatrists unfilled and fewer than one-third of licensed clinical social worker slots filled.Missouri should invest more in community mental health programs that can provide help before people are in crisis, Ashcroft said.“We’re already incurring a cost for these people, but we’re incurring it in such a way that we don’t incentivize the reduction of the costs or getting these people help,” he said.Over the past decade, the number of people in state custody has gone down by about one-third, from an average of 31,442 in 2012 to 2014 to an average of 23,409 in the 2020-2022 period. Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-424dacf3797e4daa8585b1de5836b492" target="_blank">closed a prison in 2019</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2020/oct/1/missouri-downsizing-prisons-save-cash/" target="_blank">housing units</a>&nbsp;in others during 2020&nbsp; to save money on partially used facilities.Despite that reduction, deaths in state prisons have increased from an average of 89 per year to 122 per year, with 135 deaths in 2023. Four corrections officers are&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-corrections-officers-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-inmate-in-restraints/">charged with murder</a>&nbsp;of an inmate at Jefferson City Correctional Center in December and the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/warden-of-missouri-prison-replaced-after-investigation-of-inmate-death/">warden was fired</a>.One issue for the state is staffing shortages, Ashcroft said. Many prisons are in rural areas where there is a limited ability to recruit correction officers.His solution, he said, is to house some offenders in local facilities. Federal agencies house their prisoners in county jails and the payments help defer local costs, he said.“They don’t want to do that for the state right now because the state doesn’t pay what it costs to house those individuals,” Ashcroft said.The state could pay more, and support regional facilities, he said.There would also be a benefit for the families of people who are incarcerated, Ashcroft said.“That might be better if their families are there,” he said. “Does that mean that you see your children more?”<h2>Family legacy</h2>The Ashcroft name means a lot in southwest Missouri, where John Ashcroft began his political career and Robert Ashcroft, Jay’s grandfather, was the first president of Evangel College, said state Rep. Bill Owen of Springfield.The family still owns land near Willard.Ashcroft’s father hasn’t taken a major role in the campaign, but he did&nbsp;<a href="https://ashcroftformissouri.com/kehoelieschina" target="_blank">make a video</a>&nbsp;attacking Kehoe over land ownership by Chinese companies. And he shows up in campaign photos on occasion.“The family is so ingrained in the community and in the area, people just feel really comfortable with him down here,” Owen said.On the campaign trail, Ashcroft’s foes have accused him of running mainly on his famous name.&nbsp;After Ashcroft said at a recent debate that his father wasn’t happy about his opposition to public funding of professional sports stadiums, Eigel was ready with a rejoinder: “Jay, be a little easy on your dad, you need that last name.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721930495021.png" alt=" Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined the Midwest March for Life on May 1 at the Missouri State Capitol. “I think regardless of what the legislature does, the people of this state – with hard work – can protect all life in this state,” Ashcroft said (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined the Midwest March for Life on May 1 at the Missouri State Capitol. “I think regardless of what the legislature does, the people of this state – with hard work – can protect all life in this state,” Ashcroft said (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>Jay Ashcroft has created his own identity, separate from his family, Owen added.“Some people would be swallowed up by the shadow,” he said. “And I don’t think he has been. On his own merits, he’s been able to stand out on his own.”In 1998, as he considered a White House bid, John Ashcroft wrote a book he titled “<a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Lessons_from_a_Father_to_His_Son.html?id=7ax72lA12woC&amp;source=kp_book_description" target="_blank">Lessons from a Father to his Son</a>.”&nbsp;The biggest lesson he learned from his father, Jay Ashcroft said, is the honor in public service.“It was ordained by God before time began the fact that public service is one of the, if not the, greatest things you can do in life because you spend your time making life better for others instead of just elevating yourself,” Ashcroft said. “And the idea of integrity of character, and how valuable it is to have a good name, and no matter what you do, to protect them.”

Jay Ashcroft pitches biggest reorganization of Missouri’s finances in state history

St. Joseph police are investigating a shooting Wednesday
afternoon that left a resident with serious gunshot wounds.

Police report 20-year-old Taylor Lanaman was shot in both
legs. Lanaman is hospitalized in serious, but stable condition, according to
police.

Police received an emergency call around 2:40 Wednesday afternoon about
a shooting near the intersection of North 16th and Grand Avenue.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports detectives later served
a search warrant at 415 Blake Street and took a 30-year-old into custody.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating a shooting Wednesday
afternoon that left a resident with serious gunshot wounds.Police report 20-year-old Taylor Lanaman was shot in both
legs. Lanaman is hospitalized in serious, but stable condition, according to
police.Police received an emergency call around 2:40 Wednesday afternoon about
a shooting near the intersection of North 16th and Grand Avenue.The St. Joseph Police Department reports detectives later served
a search warrant at 415 Blake Street and took a 30-year-old into custody.The investigation continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

One wounded, one arrested in St. Joseph shooting

It took less than a week for the president of the United
States to end his re-election campaign and for Democrats to replace him as
their presumptive nominee.

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, a Republican,
questions whether President Joe Biden ended his candidacy willingly.

“Well, I was just very surprised, very surprised that the
president decided to pull out,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “One day he
said he was in and there was no getting him out and he said his cognitive ability
was as good as it’s ever been. And then the next thing you know, he’s pushed
out and they’ve crowned a new candidate.”

Graves backs up his statement by pointing out Biden had
insisted he was staying in the race.

“And then he meets with a few party leaders and the next thing
you know he announces he’s quitting the race,” Graves says. “There’s no other
explanation than he was pushed out.”

Graves says the exit of Biden and elevation of Harris is a
stunning turnaround.

“The other side likes to claim that President Trump is a
threat to democracy. Yet, they threw the democratic process completely out and
did not have an open forum to pick a new candidate,” Graves says.

But fellow Republican, Eastern Kansas Congressman Jake
LaTurner, says the switch makes sense.

“If I were a Democrat, that’s what I would’ve wanted to happen,”
LaTurner tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “President Biden clearly didn’t have the
energy or the mental faculties to continue this campaign, let alone be
president for another four years.”

“I don’t know the answer to that,” LaTurner says, adding it
will depend on whether he has the mental capacity to continue as president, “but
Kamala Harris being the president is not something that I am interested in now
or in the future.”

LaTurner says he’s not sure how these events might impact the
November elections. LaTurner is not running for re-election.

Graves, who is running for re-election, says the switch might
actually help Republicans in November.

“I think, ironically, that it’s better for maintaining the
majority in the House and taking the majority in the Senate,” Graves says. “It’ll
be interesting to see. There’s a lot of water to cross under the bridge between
now and November.”

Graves does say it’s extraordinarily late in the political
process to choose a new candidate for president.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721330354017.png" alt="File Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt took less than a week for the president of the United
States to end his re-election campaign and for Democrats to replace him as
their presumptive nominee.Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, a Republican,
questions whether President Joe Biden ended his candidacy willingly.“Well, I was just very surprised, very surprised that the
president decided to pull out,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “One day he
said he was in and there was no getting him out and he said his cognitive ability
was as good as it’s ever been. And then the next thing you know, he’s pushed
out and they’ve crowned a new candidate.”Graves backs up his statement by pointing out Biden had
insisted he was staying in the race.“And then he meets with a few party leaders and the next thing
you know he announces he’s quitting the race,” Graves says. “There’s no other
explanation than he was pushed out.”Graves says the exit of Biden and elevation of Harris is a
stunning turnaround.“The other side likes to claim that President Trump is a
threat to democracy. Yet, they threw the democratic process completely out and
did not have an open forum to pick a new candidate,” Graves says.Graves calls it hypocritical.But fellow Republican, Eastern Kansas Congressman Jake
LaTurner, says the switch makes sense.“If I were a Democrat, that’s what I would’ve wanted to happen,”
LaTurner tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “President Biden clearly didn’t have the
energy or the mental faculties to continue this campaign, let alone be
president for another four years.”Should Biden resign as president?“I don’t know the answer to that,” LaTurner says, adding it
will depend on whether he has the mental capacity to continue as president, “but
Kamala Harris being the president is not something that I am interested in now
or in the future.”LaTurner says he’s not sure how these events might impact the
November elections. LaTurner is not running for re-election.Graves, who is running for re-election, says the switch might
actually help Republicans in November.“I think, ironically, that it’s better for maintaining the
majority in the House and taking the majority in the Senate,” Graves says. “It’ll
be interesting to see. There’s a lot of water to cross under the bridge between
now and November.”Graves does say it’s extraordinarily late in the political
process to choose a new candidate for president.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Congressman Graves contends Democrats pushed Biden out of the race

SALINA —Salina Police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Salina.

Just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to 544 N. 12th Street in Salina, after learning a man with a felony warrant was at the location, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

When officers arrived, they made contact with the homeowner, who reported that the subject, Larry J. Wray Jr., 44, of Salina, was in the detached garage, east of the residence. 

Officers entered the garage and placed Wray under arrest for an outstanding warrant.&nbsp; Preliminary information indicates that after Wray was taken into custody an officer heard another person inside the garage. 

Jesse D. Wray, 25, of Salina, was located in the garage. A K9 officer gave commands to Jesse to exit the garage, but he refused. He was holding a gun and made threats to shoot if law enforcement entered the garage. 

Jesse barricaded himself inside the garage. Officers backed away, set a perimeter, and called for the Salina SWAT Team to respond. Troopers from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshighwayPatrol?__cft__[0]=AZWJj8yT8bE0JSytE1OovZTvavxH6inkgcdgZVOqGOuyovhCGYO6_G7md0la04YQugfpkRWbiZEEs31d26RzIvjC9O34eG5EgWYHXNy0l4R-ktD9eGJjZmhfFKy6-ZHL60ynRswxmaJyrVoNQ72eZK4eqzlfRFxw0I6kepyVYv3yTGPnH0i7ugg_XO4VYayvF3LIrvwaXk84fOY5kyFycNUI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Highway Patrol</a> (KHP) arrived to assist.

While awaiting for the SWAT team, officers observed a fire and smoke in the garage. The large garage door opened and a woman exited, followed by Jesse. Gunfire was exchanged. Officers from the Salina Police Department and troopers from the KHP fired rounds that struck Jesse. He was pronounced deceased at the scene at 8:45 p.m.&nbsp; The woman was accessed at Salina Regional Health Center and was later released. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.

SALINA —Salina Police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Salina.

Just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to the 500 block of N. 12th Street in Salina, in reference to an individual at the location who had an outstanding felony warrant for their arrest, according to a media release from Salina Police.

Officers encountered several subjects, some having warrants and they were taken into custody. One of the initial individuals having the felony warrant barricaded himself and another subject inside the building. 

As police were attempting contact with the barricaded subject, on scene assistance was given by the Kansas Highway Patrol. During the incident, rounds were fired by law enforcement officers. The suspect was shot by law enforcement officers and pronounced dead at the scene. 

The officer involved shooting investigation has been turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. They were on the scene Thursday morning.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660826304117.jpeg" alt="Jesse Wray photo from an August 2022 arrest in Salina" />
 <figcaption>Jesse Wray photo from an August 2022 arrest in Salina</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Salina Police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Salina.Just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to 544 N. 12th Street in Salina, after learning a man with a felony warrant was at the location, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.When officers arrived, they made contact with the homeowner, who reported that the subject, Larry J. Wray Jr., 44, of Salina, was in the detached garage, east of the residence. Officers entered the garage and placed Wray under arrest for an outstanding warrant.&nbsp; Preliminary information indicates that after Wray was taken into custody an officer heard another person inside the garage. Jesse D. Wray, 25, of Salina, was located in the garage. A K9 officer gave commands to Jesse to exit the garage, but he refused. He was holding a gun and made threats to shoot if law enforcement entered the garage. Jesse barricaded himself inside the garage. Officers backed away, set a perimeter, and called for the Salina SWAT Team to respond. Troopers from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshighwayPatrol?__cft__[0]=AZWJj8yT8bE0JSytE1OovZTvavxH6inkgcdgZVOqGOuyovhCGYO6_G7md0la04YQugfpkRWbiZEEs31d26RzIvjC9O34eG5EgWYHXNy0l4R-ktD9eGJjZmhfFKy6-ZHL60ynRswxmaJyrVoNQ72eZK4eqzlfRFxw0I6kepyVYv3yTGPnH0i7ugg_XO4VYayvF3LIrvwaXk84fOY5kyFycNUI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Highway Patrol</a> (KHP) arrived to assist.While awaiting for the SWAT team, officers observed a fire and smoke in the garage. The large garage door opened and a woman exited, followed by Jesse. Gunfire was exchanged. Officers from the Salina Police Department and troopers from the KHP fired rounds that struck Jesse. He was pronounced deceased at the scene at 8:45 p.m.&nbsp; The woman was accessed at Salina Regional Health Center and was later released. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.----------SALINA —Salina Police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Salina.Just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to the 500 block of N. 12th Street in Salina, in reference to an individual at the location who had an outstanding felony warrant for their arrest, according to a media release from Salina Police.Officers encountered several subjects, some having warrants and they were taken into custody. One of the initial individuals having the felony warrant barricaded himself and another subject inside the building. As police were attempting contact with the barricaded subject, on scene assistance was given by the Kansas Highway Patrol. During the incident, rounds were fired by law enforcement officers. The suspect was shot by law enforcement officers and pronounced dead at the scene. The officer involved shooting investigation has been turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. They were on the scene Thursday morning.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

25-year-old dead after Kansas officer-involved shooting

(Radio Iowa) - Teenagers with hand-lettered signs and pickup trucks packed with stacks of sweet corn are being seen on street corners in many Iowa cities as we're smack dab in the middle of prime time for that delicious veggie. 

Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture specialist at Iowa State University, says if you haven't spotted a local grower yet and decide to head to the supermarket for sweet corn instead, you -may- be still getting local ears, or they may be from Florida. 

Steil suggest you ask the produce folks where the corn came from, though he says even some varieties from out-of-state keep very well for longer than a week if they're refrigerated.

(Radio Iowa) - Teenagers with hand-lettered signs and pickup trucks packed with stacks of sweet corn are being seen on street corners in many Iowa cities as we're smack dab in the middle of prime time for that delicious veggie. Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture specialist at Iowa State University, says if you haven't spotted a local grower yet and decide to head to the supermarket for sweet corn instead, you -may- be still getting local ears, or they may be from Florida. Steil suggest you ask the produce folks where the corn came from, though he says even some varieties from out-of-state keep very well for longer than a week if they're refrigerated.

It's time to pick a peck of Iowa sweet corn, ideally from that kid on the corner

The Red Rally will once again take over Civic Center Park in St. Joseph this Saturday from 1 - 6 p.m.

Natalie Hawn, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce says there is a lot of fun and excitement to be had this year.

KC Wolf will be roaming around for pictures, and eight former Chiefs players have been confirmed to appear at the Red Rally. Hawn says Shawn Barber will MC the event. Chiefs alumni will be available for autographs as well, and Hawn noted, "they are names you would recognize." The annual Rumble will take place later in the day.

With Chiefs tightend Travis Kelce dating the biggest popstar in the world, Hawn says there is a Taylor Swift theme this year with lots of music planned. At 1:00 Saturday afternoon a local musician will take the stage, 17-year old Hailey Hatley. 

"Hailey is a very talented singer-songwriter, who may look like a little like Taylor Swift," Hawn notes.

Nashville recording artist Blaine Howard will perform, along with the Taylor Swift Experience - Sparks Fly.

Hawn adds there will be food trucks on site and bounce houses for kids. 

Beer, water, and soda will also be available for sale, along with Red Rally t-shirts.

The Red Rally is a combined effort between the City of St. Joseph, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and Mosaic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720540873448.jpeg" alt="Welcome Chiefs yard sign" />
 <figcaption>Welcome Chiefs yard sign</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostThe Red Rally will once again take over Civic Center Park in St. Joseph this Saturday from 1 - 6 p.m.Natalie Hawn, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce says there is a lot of fun and excitement to be had this year.KC Wolf will be roaming around for pictures, and eight former Chiefs players have been confirmed to appear at the Red Rally. Hawn says Shawn Barber will MC the event. Chiefs alumni will be available for autographs as well, and Hawn noted, "they are names you would recognize." The annual Rumble will take place later in the day.With Chiefs tightend Travis Kelce dating the biggest popstar in the world, Hawn says there is a Taylor Swift theme this year with lots of music planned. At 1:00 Saturday afternoon a local musician will take the stage, 17-year old Hailey Hatley. "Hailey is a very talented singer-songwriter, who may look like a little like Taylor Swift," Hawn notes.Nashville recording artist Blaine Howard will perform, along with the Taylor Swift Experience - Sparks Fly.Hawn adds there will be food trucks on site and bounce houses for kids. Beer, water, and soda will also be available for sale, along with Red Rally t-shirts.The Red Rally is a combined effort between the City of St. Joseph, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and Mosaic.

Red Rally Set for Saturday in St. Joseph

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –&nbsp;NORAD detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian TU-95 and two People's Republic of China H-6 military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, according to a statement from the&nbsp;North American Aerospace Defense Command.&nbsp;

 NORAD fighter jets from the United States and Canada conducted the intercept.

The Russian and Chinese aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

&nbsp;In February, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone three times over four days.

The presence of Chinese aircraft is a new development.

An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security.

&nbsp;"NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America."

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –&nbsp;NORAD detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian TU-95 and two People's Republic of China H-6 military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, according to a statement from the&nbsp;North American Aerospace Defense Command.&nbsp; NORAD fighter jets from the United States and Canada conducted the intercept.The Russian and Chinese aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.&nbsp;In February, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone three times over four days.The presence of Chinese aircraft is a new development.An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security.&nbsp;"NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America."

U.S. Fighter jets intercept Chinese, Russian bombers near Alaska

(Radio Iowa) - A new report shows non-profit organizations in the region face severe workforce shortages, and potential solutions revolve around boosting salaries and benefits. 

Anne Hindery is C-E-O of the Omaha-based Nonprofit Association of the Midlands which surveyed the leaders of nearly 700 nonprofits in Iowa and Nebraska. Hindery says it's always been a challenge finding and keeping qualified people, and it's gotten worse since the pandemic. The report finds the average yearly turnover rate among nonprofits in the two states is 29-percent. 

Hindery says it's an "urban legend," that working for a nonprofit means no money. She says profits go back into the organization and into their people to better serve clients, as opposed to going to shareholders. Plus, she says, the mission is meaningful and making a difference in the community is attractive to people.

(Radio Iowa) - A new report shows non-profit organizations in the region face severe workforce shortages, and potential solutions revolve around boosting salaries and benefits. Anne Hindery is C-E-O of the Omaha-based Nonprofit Association of the Midlands which surveyed the leaders of nearly 700 nonprofits in Iowa and Nebraska. Hindery says it's always been a challenge finding and keeping qualified people, and it's gotten worse since the pandemic. The report finds the average yearly turnover rate among nonprofits in the two states is 29-percent. Hindery says it's an "urban legend," that working for a nonprofit means no money. She says profits go back into the organization and into their people to better serve clients, as opposed to going to shareholders. Plus, she says, the mission is meaningful and making a difference in the community is attractive to people.

Survey: Iowa, Nebraska non-profits struggle to lower 29% turnover rate

KU Medical Center For more than a decade, amateur and professional photographers have helped Rural Health Education and Services showcase the beauty found in our beloved Kansas communities. These photos have led us to the far corners of the State, transported us to unique landmarks, introduced us to new friends and neighbors, and helped us rediscover the beauty in our own backyards. Most importantly, they have helped us promote the rich history and beauty of Kansas to our future health care providers.

We are excited to partner with&nbsp;<a href="https://kec.coop/kcl" target="_blank">Kansas Country Living</a>&nbsp;magazine for the sixth year in a row. Kansas Country Living is designed to educate Kansas electric cooperative consumer-members on topics that impact rural electrification. With a circulation of more than 133,000, it is an integral communications channel that builds member support for electric cooperatives in Kansas while keeping them informed of the latest news, energy efficiency tips, emerging technology (electric vehicles, smart devices that help save energy) and electrical safety.

The&nbsp;Kansas Country Living&nbsp;editorial team will choose from all of the entries a&nbsp;$100 grand-prizewinning photograph that will be&nbsp;featured on the January 2025 cover&nbsp;of the magazine.&nbsp; The 2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest will open for entries August 22 through September 30, 2024. For contest rules and categories <a href="https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/rural-health/rural-kansas-photography-contest/categories.html">click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721841481131.jpeg" alt="The 2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest will open for entries August 22 through September 30, 2024. Image Courtesy KUMC " />
 <figcaption>The 2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest will open for entries August 22 through September 30, 2024. Image Courtesy KUMC </figcaption>
 </figure>KU Medical Center For more than a decade, amateur and professional photographers have helped Rural Health Education and Services showcase the beauty found in our beloved Kansas communities. These photos have led us to the far corners of the State, transported us to unique landmarks, introduced us to new friends and neighbors, and helped us rediscover the beauty in our own backyards. Most importantly, they have helped us promote the rich history and beauty of Kansas to our future health care providers.We are excited to partner with&nbsp;<a href="https://kec.coop/kcl" target="_blank">Kansas Country Living</a>&nbsp;magazine for the sixth year in a row. Kansas Country Living is designed to educate Kansas electric cooperative consumer-members on topics that impact rural electrification. With a circulation of more than 133,000, it is an integral communications channel that builds member support for electric cooperatives in Kansas while keeping them informed of the latest news, energy efficiency tips, emerging technology (electric vehicles, smart devices that help save energy) and electrical safety.The&nbsp;Kansas Country Living&nbsp;editorial team will choose from all of the entries a&nbsp;$100 grand-prizewinning photograph that will be&nbsp;featured on the January 2025 cover&nbsp;of the magazine.&nbsp; The 2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest will open for entries August 22 through September 30, 2024. For contest rules and categories <a href="https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/rural-health/rural-kansas-photography-contest/categories.html">click here.</a>

2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest

New Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown has shown quite the connection with Patrick Mahomes through the first four practices at Missouri Western State University.  

Brown says the work with Mahomes that's been shown started early in the offseason 

"It made it a lot easier for me coming to the team and he had me on the same page on a lot of things," Brown tells reporters following practice.  

This year's wide receivers show a lot of speed and ability to stretch the field.  Brown says he's excited to be a part of a room that has Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Mecole Hardman among others.  

"God willing, we all stay healthy, and we just keep building, keep pushing each other, I think sky's the limit of what we can do," Brown says. 

Chiefs' cornerback Joshua Williams says he felt like there was some good competition from the receivers last year, but.  

"Especially this year with the additions of Hollywood, we got X (Xavier Worthy) out there, even a lot of the other guys Skyy (Moore) out there working J Ross, all of these guys you know Rashee (Rice), they're always giving us work, helping the defense get better, and making us all better as a whole, as a unit," Williams explains.

The Chiefs have been without rookie receiver Xavier Worthy through the last few practices due to an illness.  

Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy says when they get Worthy on the field again, it will be beautiful. 

"Rep wise, timing wise, and the one day that he was out here I think it was exciting to see and feel the speed, but also the tracking of the football on some of those downfield throws, "Nagy says.  "The timing element of staying on time with press that we're getting, our guys on defense press a lot, so like just those guys understanding angles on top of routes." 

Head Coach Andy Reid said on Tuesday Worthy was getting better.   

There is no practice on Thursday.  The first full padded practice will be on Friday, starting at 9:15.

On top of receiver Xavier Worthy missing practice for a third straight day due to an illness, the Chiefs did have two players leave practice with injury. 

Receiver Justin Watson today at practice with a foot injury.  Watson made a sliding catch during seven-on-seven drills and stayed down for some time before trainers helped him to the medical tent.  

Watson was spotted leaving practice early and heading up the hill in front of a golf cart.  

Chiefs' cornerback Nazeeh Johnson also left practice today with a knee injury.   

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721845871589.jpeg" alt="Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy makes a diving grab over Joshua Williams/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy makes a diving grab over Joshua Williams/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post New Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown has shown quite the connection with Patrick Mahomes through the first four practices at Missouri Western State University. Brown says the work with Mahomes that's been shown started early in the offseason "It made it a lot easier for me coming to the team and he had me on the same page on a lot of things," Brown tells reporters following practice. This year's wide receivers show a lot of speed and ability to stretch the field. Brown says he's excited to be a part of a room that has Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Mecole Hardman among others. "God willing, we all stay healthy, and we just keep building, keep pushing each other, I think sky's the limit of what we can do," Brown says. Chiefs' cornerback Joshua Williams says he felt like there was some good competition from the receivers last year, but. "Especially this year with the additions of Hollywood, we got X (Xavier Worthy) out there, even a lot of the other guys Skyy (Moore) out there working J Ross, all of these guys you know Rashee (Rice), they're always giving us work, helping the defense get better, and making us all better as a whole, as a unit," Williams explains.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721845949415.png" alt="Chiefs wide receivers Rashee Rice (4), Mecole Hardman (17), Hollywood Brown (5), and running back Clyde Edwards Helaire (25) come down the hill/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs wide receivers Rashee Rice (4), Mecole Hardman (17), Hollywood Brown (5), and running back Clyde Edwards Helaire (25) come down the hill/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>The Chiefs have been without rookie receiver Xavier Worthy through the last few practices due to an illness. Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy says when they get Worthy on the field again, it will be beautiful. "Rep wise, timing wise, and the one day that he was out here I think it was exciting to see and feel the speed, but also the tracking of the football on some of those downfield throws, "Nagy says. "The timing element of staying on time with press that we're getting, our guys on defense press a lot, so like just those guys understanding angles on top of routes." Head Coach Andy Reid said on Tuesday Worthy was getting better. There is no practice on Thursday. The first full padded practice will be on Friday, starting at 9:15.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721845988655.png" alt="Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>Injury Update On top of receiver Xavier Worthy missing practice for a third straight day due to an illness, the Chiefs did have two players leave practice with injury. Receiver Justin Watson today at practice with a foot injury. Watson made a sliding catch during seven-on-seven drills and stayed down for some time before trainers helped him to the medical tent. Watson was spotted leaving practice early and heading up the hill in front of a golf cart. Chiefs' cornerback Nazeeh Johnson also left practice today with a knee injury. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

New Chiefs receivers promise to make a dynamic offense more explosive

(Radio Iowa) - The president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says the strong storms that hit the state in late spring and early summer likely dampened the market -- and the latest report from the group says sales took a slide in June. 

There were 17 percent fewer homes sold last month compared to June of last year. There's been a huge year-to-year jump of nearly 32 percent in the number of homes on the market. 

The Realtors say the slight decrease in interest rates and more available homes could spur late summer home sales.

(Radio Iowa) - The president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says the strong storms that hit the state in late spring and early summer likely dampened the market -- and the latest report from the group says sales took a slide in June. There were 17 percent fewer homes sold last month compared to June of last year. There's been a huge year-to-year jump of nearly 32 percent in the number of homes on the market. The Realtors say the slight decrease in interest rates and more available homes could spur late summer home sales.

Realtors say Iowa home sales 'took a slide' in June

(Radio Iowa) - Mike Sommers -- the president and C-E-O of the American Petroleum Institute -- says the longstanding 'cold war' between the oil industry and ethanol producers is over as the two industries unite to fight for liquid fuels. 

Regulations that promote the sale and use of electric vehicles are now the common foe. And the American Petroleum Institute has ended its opposition to nationwide, year round sales of gasoline with a higher blend of ethanol. 

Sommers says the oil industry supports projects like the proposed carbon capture pipeline in Iowa because reducing carbon emissions is a shared goal.

(Radio Iowa) - Mike Sommers -- the president and C-E-O of the American Petroleum Institute -- says the longstanding 'cold war' between the oil industry and ethanol producers is over as the two industries unite to fight for liquid fuels. Regulations that promote the sale and use of electric vehicles are now the common foe. And the American Petroleum Institute has ended its opposition to nationwide, year round sales of gasoline with a higher blend of ethanol. Sommers says the oil industry supports projects like the proposed carbon capture pipeline in Iowa because reducing carbon emissions is a shared goal.

API exec says 'cold war' between oil industry and biofuels producers is over

Eastern Kansas Congressman Jake LaTurner is pleased Secret
Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned in wake of the failed
assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

“Well, it was something that had to happen,” LaTurner tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone interview from his Washington, D.C. office. “She
was clearly incompetent. You had bipartisan calls for her to resign or to be
fired. The bottom line is this, we had a former president and a nominee of a major
party get shot just over a week ago. And, without him turning his head, he is
dead right now.”

Cheatle stepped down shortly after a bruising appearance
before the U.S. House Oversight Committee. Cheatle had faced mounting criticism
from both Republicans and Democrats for the Secret Service breakdown that
nearly led to the death of Trump during a July 13th outdoor rally in
Butler, Pennsylvania. A shot struck and killed 50-year-old Corey Comperatore,
who attended the rally. Two others at the rally were wounded. Officers shot and
killed the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

LaTurner, a Republican, is a member of the House Oversight Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

“I’m hopeful that her departure is going to mean opportunity for
the Secret Service to get this right, because it doesn’t matter what party, it
doesn’t matter the circumstances, we cannot allow something like this to happen
again.”

The deputy director of the Secret Service has been named acting
director. Cheatle had been director since August of 2022. 

LaTurner says Cheatle failed to answer the questions posed by members
of the committee.

“My line of questioning to her centered around the inconsistencies
with the way she answered questions,” LaTurner says.

LaTurner says Cheatle could have shared with the committee
certain facts about the event that would not have compromised the investigation
into the assassination attempt, facts that he says the American public need.

“Trust in the American government is at an all-time low,”
according to LaTurner. “The only way to build back trust with the American
people is to level with them, to tell them exactly what’s happening, to tell
them the truth, and to be transparent. And that’s not what’s happening here.”

LaTurner adds if government doesn’t provide answers,
conspiracy theories arise to fill the gap.

“Further eroding the very, very little trust that the American
people have in their government is not something that I want to participate in.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721665642710.png" alt="Congressman Jake LaTurner/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Jake LaTurner/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostEastern Kansas Congressman Jake LaTurner is pleased Secret
Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned in wake of the failed
assassination attempt against Donald Trump.“Well, it was something that had to happen,” LaTurner tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone interview from his Washington, D.C. office. “She
was clearly incompetent. You had bipartisan calls for her to resign or to be
fired. The bottom line is this, we had a former president and a nominee of a major
party get shot just over a week ago. And, without him turning his head, he is
dead right now.”Cheatle stepped down shortly after a bruising appearance
before the U.S. House Oversight Committee. Cheatle had faced mounting criticism
from both Republicans and Democrats for the Secret Service breakdown that
nearly led to the death of Trump during a July 13th outdoor rally in
Butler, Pennsylvania. A shot struck and killed 50-year-old Corey Comperatore,
who attended the rally. Two others at the rally were wounded. Officers shot and
killed the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.LaTurner, a Republican, is a member of the House Oversight Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp; “I’m hopeful that her departure is going to mean opportunity for
the Secret Service to get this right, because it doesn’t matter what party, it
doesn’t matter the circumstances, we cannot allow something like this to happen
again.”The deputy director of the Secret Service has been named acting
director. Cheatle had been director since August of 2022. LaTurner says Cheatle failed to answer the questions posed by members
of the committee.“My line of questioning to her centered around the inconsistencies
with the way she answered questions,” LaTurner says.LaTurner says Cheatle could have shared with the committee
certain facts about the event that would not have compromised the investigation
into the assassination attempt, facts that he says the American public need.“Trust in the American government is at an all-time low,”
according to LaTurner. “The only way to build back trust with the American
people is to level with them, to tell them exactly what’s happening, to tell
them the truth, and to be transparent. And that’s not what’s happening here.”LaTurner adds if government doesn’t provide answers,
conspiracy theories arise to fill the gap.“Further eroding the very, very little trust that the American
people have in their government is not something that I want to participate in.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

LaTurner:  Secret Service Dir. resignation "something that had to happen"

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;-<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a Tuesday call with reporters committed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential candidate.

“I would be willing to do more than one debate,” Trump said.

Harris, who says she is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">won pledges&nbsp;</a>from enough Democratic delegates by late Monday night to gain the nomination. President Joe Biden on Sunday dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris.

During the call, Trump also said that he’s not worried about campaigning against Harris because “she’s the same as Biden” in her policies.

Trump later in the call criticized Harris for the Biden administration’s immigration approach, a topic that he has made a core part of his platform in his third run for the White House.

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment on Trump’s remarks about debating.

Trump also said he is not sure he wants to take part in a debate hosted by ABC News that was scheduled for Sept. 10 with then-presumptive Democratic nominee Biden.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721587521577.png" alt="File photo CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;-<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a Tuesday call with reporters committed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential candidate.“I would be willing to do more than one debate,” Trump said.Harris, who says she is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">won pledges&nbsp;</a>from enough Democratic delegates by late Monday night to gain the nomination. President Joe Biden on Sunday dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris.During the call, Trump also said that he’s not worried about campaigning against Harris because “she’s the same as Biden” in her policies.Trump later in the call criticized Harris for the Biden administration’s immigration approach, a topic that he has made a core part of his platform in his third run for the White House.The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment on Trump’s remarks about debating.Trump also said he is not sure he wants to take part in a debate hosted by ABC News that was scheduled for Sept. 10 with then-presumptive Democratic nominee Biden.Biden’s shaky performance in a June 27 debate with Trump led to weeks of growing Democratic unease with his campaign, and members of both the U.S. House and Senate called for the president to drop his reelection bid.Trump also noted that he hasn’t agreed to the ABC debate because he “agreed to a debate with Joe Biden,” and not Harris.Harris held her first campaign rally Tuesday in Milwaukee, where she leaned into her prior work as a prosecutor and the attorney general for the state of California.

Kbct