(Radio Iowa) - Iowa State University researchers say a sugar molecule they've found in the mammary glands of cattle is the so-called receptor that transmits highly pathogenic avian influenza. 

Professor Todd Bell, in I-S-U's veterinary pathology lab, says their study could lead to measures that prevent the spread of bird flu, which has infected more than a dozen large herds of dairy cattle in northwest Iowa in recent weeks. Ames researchers are working under the hypothesis milking machines may be spreading the virus from cow to cow. 

If they confirm it, Bell says halting the transmission may be as simple as thoroughly disinfecting machines prior to use. Milk sold in grocery stores and by other retailers is pasteurized, and the F-D-A and dairy industry are stressing there's no threat to the milk supply because the pasteurization process neutralizes viruses.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa State University researchers say a sugar molecule they've found in the mammary glands of cattle is the so-called receptor that transmits highly pathogenic avian influenza. Professor Todd Bell, in I-S-U's veterinary pathology lab, says their study could lead to measures that prevent the spread of bird flu, which has infected more than a dozen large herds of dairy cattle in northwest Iowa in recent weeks. Ames researchers are working under the hypothesis milking machines may be spreading the virus from cow to cow. If they confirm it, Bell says halting the transmission may be as simple as thoroughly disinfecting machines prior to use. Milk sold in grocery stores and by other retailers is pasteurized, and the F-D-A and dairy industry are stressing there's no threat to the milk supply because the pasteurization process neutralizes viruses.

ISU researchers report progress in unlocking mysteries of bird flu

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday passed&nbsp;a measure to reverse an Education Department rule seeking to extend federal discrimination protections for LGBTQ students, though President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation should it land on his desk.

House passage of the resolution on a party-line vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024354?Page=2" target="_blank">210-205</a>, is part of a barrage of GOP pushback at the state and federal levels to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-betsy-devos-lead-attack-title-ix-rule-protects-lgbtq-kids" target="_blank">Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;since its April release. For all schools that receive federal funding, the rule protects against discrimination for students based on “sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.”

Twenty-six states with GOP attorneys general have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-half-states-sue-block-biden-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-students" target="_blank">sued to block</a>&nbsp;the rule, and courts have temporarily blocked it from going into effect in 14 states on August 1.

The 14 states with temporary blocks are: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Illinois GOP Rep. Mary Miller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-title-ix-regulation-targeted-republicans-congress" target="_blank">introduced the legislation</a>&nbsp;in early June. A week later, the Republican-controlled House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved it. Miller’s resolution seeks to reverse the rule through the&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10023" target="_blank">Congressional Review Act</a>, a procedural tool Congress can use to overturn certain actions from federal agencies.

In the Senate, Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/96" target="_blank">also introduced legislation</a>&nbsp;in June to try to block the final rule under the same tool. The Senate version has gathered over 30 Republican cosponsors.

Rep. Virginia Foxx — chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a fierce opponent of the administration’s final rule — said during the floor debate Wednesday that she wanted to preserve Title IX, which helped equalize funding for women’s sports and education programs beginning in 1972.

“Title IX ushered in a golden era for women’s competition and education,” the North Carolina Republican said. “There is sanctity in the community and tradition of these memories, these spaces and these opportunities for young girls.”

Regardless of whether the attempt to roll back the measure is successful in the Democratic-controlled Senate,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SAP-HJRes-165.pdf" target="_blank">Biden</a>’s veto threat leaves virtually no possibility it could be adopted this year.

Democrats, LGBTQ advocates in opposition&nbsp;

Democrats and LGBTQ advocates have described the effort to overturn the rule as motivated by misinformation and fear.

“Unfortunately, this resolution has been clouded by misinformation, unfounded fears and with some, just hatred of transgender individuals,” said Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, during the debate.

Oregon’s Rep. Suzanne Bonamici — ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education — said the resolution was “another attempt to undercut this administration’s efforts to empower survivors and protect all Americans from discrimination.”

“If Republicans truly cared about protecting women and children, they would stop this prejudiced rhetoric and take action on bills that would actually protect women from discrimination and harassment and defend women’s reproductive health care, make child care more affordable, preserve opportunities in workplaces for all parents, especially women,” Bonamici said.

Scott called on the House to “reject these narratives and focus on real issues of safety and equity.”

Meanwhile, challenges to the rule are playing out in a handful of federal courts.

Last week, Judge John Broomes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas temporarily blocked the measure from taking effect in the Sunflower State, along with Alaska, Utah and Wyoming.

Broomes also halted the rule from taking effect in “the schools attended by the members of Young America’s Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty,” all groups that sued alongside the four states, per the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561.53.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>.

Under Broomes’ order, the rule is also halted in an Oklahoma public school attended by a minor who is one of the plaintiffs.

In June, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/06/13/title-ix-transgender/" target="_blank">issued a temporary injunction</a>&nbsp;barring the final rule from taking effect there, along with Idaho, Mississippi and Montana.

In Kentucky federal court, Chief Judge Danny Reeves&nbsp;<a href="https://kentuckylantern.com/2024/06/17/us-judge-in-kentucky-blocks-biden-title-ix-rules-says-sex-gender-identity-not-the-same-thing/" target="_blank">temporarily blocked the final rule</a>&nbsp;in the Bluegrass State, plus Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Virginia. Reeves rejected the department’s request for a partial stay of the injunction while its appeal plays out, per a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801.117.0.pdf" target="_blank">Wednesday court filing</a>.

The Education Department has confirmed it is appealing the other two rulings but did not have an update Wednesday on whether it is filing a notice of appeal on the most recent ruling in the Kansas federal court.

The spokesperson reiterated earlier this week that the agency has “asked the trial courts to allow the bulk of the final rule to take effect in these states as scheduled, on August 1, while the appeals are pending.”

LGBTQ advocacy groups push back on GOP effort

Allen Morris, policy director for the advocacy group National LGBTQ Task Force, said the vote was part of a pattern of anti-LGBTQ policy measures.

“When you look at the rise in hatred and the rise in violence and the rise of young LGBTQ individuals not having the support that they need, where suicide rates are high, it is disappointing to see our opposition go against us with such a high level of intention,” he said.

Morris told States Newsroom that “a lot of what is happening with this extremism is not founded in truth.”

“It is founded in ways to spew hate and to spew fear. It is a lot of fear mongering, and it’s anything to make people feel like their backs are up against the wall, or as if they don’t have the power,” he said.

Echoing a previous statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said it “does not comment on pending legislation” and emphasized that all schools receiving federal funding are obligated to comply with the new regulations as a condition of receiving those funds.

The department has yet to finalize a separate rule establishing new criteria for transgender athletes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720781223271.png" alt=" The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption> The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday passed&nbsp;a measure to reverse an Education Department rule seeking to extend federal discrimination protections for LGBTQ students, though President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation should it land on his desk.House passage of the resolution on a party-line vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024354?Page=2" target="_blank">210-205</a>, is part of a barrage of GOP pushback at the state and federal levels to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-betsy-devos-lead-attack-title-ix-rule-protects-lgbtq-kids" target="_blank">Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;since its April release. For all schools that receive federal funding, the rule protects against discrimination for students based on “sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.”Twenty-six states with GOP attorneys general have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-half-states-sue-block-biden-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-students" target="_blank">sued to block</a>&nbsp;the rule, and courts have temporarily blocked it from going into effect in 14 states on August 1.The 14 states with temporary blocks are: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.Illinois GOP Rep. Mary Miller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-title-ix-regulation-targeted-republicans-congress" target="_blank">introduced the legislation</a>&nbsp;in early June. A week later, the Republican-controlled House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved it. Miller’s resolution seeks to reverse the rule through the&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10023" target="_blank">Congressional Review Act</a>, a procedural tool Congress can use to overturn certain actions from federal agencies.In the Senate, Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/96" target="_blank">also introduced legislation</a>&nbsp;in June to try to block the final rule under the same tool. The Senate version has gathered over 30 Republican cosponsors.Rep. Virginia Foxx — chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a fierce opponent of the administration’s final rule — said during the floor debate Wednesday that she wanted to preserve Title IX, which helped equalize funding for women’s sports and education programs beginning in 1972.“Title IX ushered in a golden era for women’s competition and education,” the North Carolina Republican said. “There is sanctity in the community and tradition of these memories, these spaces and these opportunities for young girls.”Regardless of whether the attempt to roll back the measure is successful in the Democratic-controlled Senate,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SAP-HJRes-165.pdf" target="_blank">Biden</a>’s veto threat leaves virtually no possibility it could be adopted this year.<h2>Democrats, LGBTQ advocates in opposition&nbsp;</h2>Democrats and LGBTQ advocates have described the effort to overturn the rule as motivated by misinformation and fear.“Unfortunately, this resolution has been clouded by misinformation, unfounded fears and with some, just hatred of transgender individuals,” said Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, during the debate.Oregon’s Rep. Suzanne Bonamici — ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education — said the resolution was “another attempt to undercut this administration’s efforts to empower survivors and protect all Americans from discrimination.”“If Republicans truly cared about protecting women and children, they would stop this prejudiced rhetoric and take action on bills that would actually protect women from discrimination and harassment and defend women’s reproductive health care, make child care more affordable, preserve opportunities in workplaces for all parents, especially women,” Bonamici said.Scott called on the House to “reject these narratives and focus on real issues of safety and equity.”<h2>Final rule blocked in more states&nbsp;</h2>Meanwhile, challenges to the rule are playing out in a handful of federal courts.Last week, Judge John Broomes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas temporarily blocked the measure from taking effect in the Sunflower State, along with Alaska, Utah and Wyoming.Broomes also halted the rule from taking effect in “the schools attended by the members of Young America’s Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty,” all groups that sued alongside the four states, per the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561.53.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>.Under Broomes’ order, the rule is also halted in an Oklahoma public school attended by a minor who is one of the plaintiffs.In June, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/06/13/title-ix-transgender/" target="_blank">issued a temporary injunction</a>&nbsp;barring the final rule from taking effect there, along with Idaho, Mississippi and Montana.In Kentucky federal court, Chief Judge Danny Reeves&nbsp;<a href="https://kentuckylantern.com/2024/06/17/us-judge-in-kentucky-blocks-biden-title-ix-rules-says-sex-gender-identity-not-the-same-thing/" target="_blank">temporarily blocked the final rule</a>&nbsp;in the Bluegrass State, plus Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Virginia. Reeves rejected the department’s request for a partial stay of the injunction while its appeal plays out, per a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801.117.0.pdf" target="_blank">Wednesday court filing</a>.The Education Department has confirmed it is appealing the other two rulings but did not have an update Wednesday on whether it is filing a notice of appeal on the most recent ruling in the Kansas federal court.The spokesperson reiterated earlier this week that the agency has “asked the trial courts to allow the bulk of the final rule to take effect in these states as scheduled, on August 1, while the appeals are pending.”<h2>LGBTQ advocacy groups push back on GOP effort</h2>Allen Morris, policy director for the advocacy group National LGBTQ Task Force, said the vote was part of a pattern of anti-LGBTQ policy measures.“When you look at the rise in hatred and the rise in violence and the rise of young LGBTQ individuals not having the support that they need, where suicide rates are high, it is disappointing to see our opposition go against us with such a high level of intention,” he said.Morris told States Newsroom that “a lot of what is happening with this extremism is not founded in truth.”“It is founded in ways to spew hate and to spew fear. It is a lot of fear mongering, and it’s anything to make people feel like their backs are up against the wall, or as if they don’t have the power,” he said.Echoing a previous statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said it “does not comment on pending legislation” and emphasized that all schools receiving federal funding are obligated to comply with the new regulations as a condition of receiving those funds.The department has yet to finalize a separate rule establishing new criteria for transgender athletes.

GOP plan to reverse final Title IX rule passed U.S. House, but Biden says he’d veto

The forum featured Jay Ashcroft, Bill Eigel and Chris Wright, with Mike Kehoe declining the invitation to attend. Polls show a close contest but more undecided voters than any candidate has supporters

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

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel exchanged sharp attacks on each other and absent opponent Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe at one of the rare debates in the GOP gubernatorial primary Thursday night.&nbsp;

Ashcroft and Eigel were joined on stage at Parkway West High School in Chesterfield by Chris Wright, a Joplin veteran who lags far behind them in funding and has not registered much support in polls.&nbsp;Kehoe, who has used a campaign war chest of more than $10 million to&nbsp;<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/db358242620bb5bfd24ec7d05/files/d642792f-ba7b-aa70-770f-84ae728266a8/MO_Statewide_202407_Toplines_Release.pdf" target="_blank">leap ahead of Ashcroft and Eigel</a>&nbsp;in public polling, has not participated in any debates this summer as the Aug. 6 primary approaches.

The forum was sponsored jointly by Missouri Young Republicans, the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee and the Jefferson County Republican Club and moderated by Annie Frey of 97.1-FM St. Louis.

With more undecided voters than any candidate can claim in supporters — and platforms that are similar in their hard-right conservative proposals — Ashcroft and Eigel tried hard to show they have the bonafide credentials.

Ashcroft and Eigel both want to repeal a gas tax increase&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/10/02/motorists-give-mixed-reaction-to-refund-plan-for-missouri-fuel-tax-hike/">passed in 2021</a>&nbsp;with Kehoe’s backing. Eigel, who has led a GOP state Senate faction in repeated filibusters, should have prevented the tax from passing in the first place, Ashcroft said.

“I would not have sat down,” Ashcfoft said. “It’s unfortunate that we have so many people in the Senate that can filibuster for all sorts of reasons, but when it comes to protecting your pocketbook, they fell silent.”

Eigel responded that he did filibuster the bill for five hours but was told that if he did not relent, a bill seeking to nullify federal gun regulations in Missouri, known as&nbsp; the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/27/judge-missouri-judge-denies-request-to-block-state-law-seeking-to-block-federal-gun-laws/">Second Amendment Protection Act</a>, would not come to a vote.

“That was the kind of choice that senators would have to make,” he said.

Eigel got a chance to throw an elbow at Ashcroft by using his political pedigree against him. Ashcroft’s father, John, was state auditor, attorney general, governor and U.S. Senator between 1973 and 2001.&nbsp;

Ashcroft had just invoked his father’s legacy. Overspending is why he opposes any taxpayer financing for professional sports stadiums he said, adding “my dad wasn’t really happy about it” because the elder Ashcroft signed the bill financing the St. Louis domed stadium in 1989.

&nbsp;“Jay, be a little easy on your dad, you need that last name,” Eigel quipped.

Kehoe is one of three officeholders appointed to their jobs by Gov. Mike Parson because of vacancies and on the ballot in this year’s GOP primary.

The barbs at Kehoe focused on his absence and backing from major donors with interests before state government. Eigel included Parson in his attacks, accusing him of growing the state budget “more in six years than every Democratic governor combined, going back to the founding of the state.”

Ashcroft, Eigel and Wright all endorsed proposals to ban foreign ownership of farmland, with Ashcroft specifying his support for banning ownership by “hostile” powers. Kehoe in 2013 supported a bill allowing 1% of farmland in the state to be foreign owned, ending a total ban, and voted to override a veto by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

“What we’re lacking on this is, really, action by the two individuals that are most responsible for this mess, that voted for it as state senators, Mike Parson and Mike Kehoe,” Eigel said. “Both of those guys not only voted for it as state senators, they overrode the governor at the time to ensure that it became law.”

When asked by the moderator if Jefferson City was corrupt, all three candidates said it was.

“I sure looks like there are a lot of people making decisions based on who’s funding their campaigns,” Ashcroft said. “And you know, there’s probably a reason why there’s someone missing.”

“Absolutely it is corrupt,” he said. “We’ve got to do something with the money and how it’s so easy to fund these PACs with $10 million. What are you going to do with $10 million? You know who I’m talking about.”

Kehoe wasn’t far away. He posted a photo on social media showing him at a backyard fundraising event in Jefferson County with Attorney General Andrew Bailey, another Parson appointee.

The three candidates on stage had few significant differences in policies they would pursue. Both Eigel and Ashcroft have pledged to eliminate the state income tax, and Wright said he has been pushing to eliminate the personal property tax his entire campaign. That is one of Eigel’s pet issues.

All three criticized public education and the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.&nbsp;

“The problem with public education right now is government being involved,” Ashcroft said.

“We’ll go after and dismantle DESE so that we can get our schools back,” he said.

Wright said money should be the stick to make local schools do better.

“If you’re not performing as a school, then you should have that threat of money being taken away,” Wright said.&nbsp;

One of the current debates in the campaign is whether Ashcroft can use his education and experience to claim he is an engineer. Ashcroft received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering management from Missouri University of Science and Technology, worked for four years in a defense firm and taught engineering courses at St. Louis Community College.

When challenged on whether that qualifies him to claim the title, even though he has never been a licensed engineer, Ashcroft said it does.

And as he defended his use of the title, Ashcroft suggested that licensing was government overreach.

“Why in the world are Republicans asking whether or not the government has to give us permission to go out and work legally?” Ashcroft said. “I’m an engineer, but it’s none of the government’s business. We need to get rid of this red tape. We need to allow people to live their lives the way they see fit, instead of kowtowing to faceless bureaucrats.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720796449688.png" alt=" State Sen. Bill Eigel, left, and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Bill Eigel, left, and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The forum featured Jay Ashcroft, Bill Eigel and Chris Wright, with Mike Kehoe declining the invitation to attend. Polls show a close contest but more undecided voters than any candidate has supporters</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel exchanged sharp attacks on each other and absent opponent Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe at one of the rare debates in the GOP gubernatorial primary Thursday night.&nbsp;Ashcroft and Eigel were joined on stage at Parkway West High School in Chesterfield by Chris Wright, a Joplin veteran who lags far behind them in funding and has not registered much support in polls.&nbsp;Kehoe, who has used a campaign war chest of more than $10 million to&nbsp;<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/db358242620bb5bfd24ec7d05/files/d642792f-ba7b-aa70-770f-84ae728266a8/MO_Statewide_202407_Toplines_Release.pdf" target="_blank">leap ahead of Ashcroft and Eigel</a>&nbsp;in public polling, has not participated in any debates this summer as the Aug. 6 primary approaches.The forum was sponsored jointly by Missouri Young Republicans, the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee and the Jefferson County Republican Club and moderated by Annie Frey of 97.1-FM St. Louis.With more undecided voters than any candidate can claim in supporters — and platforms that are similar in their hard-right conservative proposals — Ashcroft and Eigel tried hard to show they have the bonafide credentials.Ashcroft and Eigel both want to repeal a gas tax increase&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/10/02/motorists-give-mixed-reaction-to-refund-plan-for-missouri-fuel-tax-hike/">passed in 2021</a>&nbsp;with Kehoe’s backing. Eigel, who has led a GOP state Senate faction in repeated filibusters, should have prevented the tax from passing in the first place, Ashcroft said.“I would not have sat down,” Ashcfoft said. “It’s unfortunate that we have so many people in the Senate that can filibuster for all sorts of reasons, but when it comes to protecting your pocketbook, they fell silent.”Eigel responded that he did filibuster the bill for five hours but was told that if he did not relent, a bill seeking to nullify federal gun regulations in Missouri, known as&nbsp; the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/27/judge-missouri-judge-denies-request-to-block-state-law-seeking-to-block-federal-gun-laws/">Second Amendment Protection Act</a>, would not come to a vote.“That was the kind of choice that senators would have to make,” he said.Eigel got a chance to throw an elbow at Ashcroft by using his political pedigree against him. Ashcroft’s father, John, was state auditor, attorney general, governor and U.S. Senator between 1973 and 2001.&nbsp;Ashcroft had just invoked his father’s legacy. Overspending is why he opposes any taxpayer financing for professional sports stadiums he said, adding “my dad wasn’t really happy about it” because the elder Ashcroft signed the bill financing the St. Louis domed stadium in 1989.&nbsp;“Jay, be a little easy on your dad, you need that last name,” Eigel quipped.Kehoe is one of three officeholders appointed to their jobs by Gov. Mike Parson because of vacancies and on the ballot in this year’s GOP primary.The barbs at Kehoe focused on his absence and backing from major donors with interests before state government. Eigel included Parson in his attacks, accusing him of growing the state budget “more in six years than every Democratic governor combined, going back to the founding of the state.”Ashcroft, Eigel and Wright all endorsed proposals to ban foreign ownership of farmland, with Ashcroft specifying his support for banning ownership by “hostile” powers. Kehoe in 2013 supported a bill allowing 1% of farmland in the state to be foreign owned, ending a total ban, and voted to override a veto by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.“What we’re lacking on this is, really, action by the two individuals that are most responsible for this mess, that voted for it as state senators, Mike Parson and Mike Kehoe,” Eigel said. “Both of those guys not only voted for it as state senators, they overrode the governor at the time to ensure that it became law.”When asked by the moderator if Jefferson City was corrupt, all three candidates said it was.“I sure looks like there are a lot of people making decisions based on who’s funding their campaigns,” Ashcroft said. “And you know, there’s probably a reason why there’s someone missing.”Wright agreed.“Absolutely it is corrupt,” he said. “We’ve got to do something with the money and how it’s so easy to fund these PACs with $10 million. What are you going to do with $10 million? You know who I’m talking about.”Kehoe wasn’t far away. He posted a photo on social media showing him at a backyard fundraising event in Jefferson County with Attorney General Andrew Bailey, another Parson appointee.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Great event in Jefferson County tonight with <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewBaileyMO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AndrewBaileyMO</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/SheriffMarshak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SheriffMarshak</a>. <a href="https://t.co/MshPBMNrQA">pic.twitter.com/MshPBMNrQA</a>&mdash; Mike Kehoe (@MikeLKehoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeLKehoe/status/1811562985912995866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The three candidates on stage had few significant differences in policies they would pursue. Both Eigel and Ashcroft have pledged to eliminate the state income tax, and Wright said he has been pushing to eliminate the personal property tax his entire campaign. That is one of Eigel’s pet issues.All three criticized public education and the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.&nbsp;“The problem with public education right now is government being involved,” Ashcroft said.Eigel wants to eliminate the department.“We’ll go after and dismantle DESE so that we can get our schools back,” he said.Wright said money should be the stick to make local schools do better.“If you’re not performing as a school, then you should have that threat of money being taken away,” Wright said.&nbsp;One of the current debates in the campaign is whether Ashcroft can use his education and experience to claim he is an engineer. Ashcroft received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering management from Missouri University of Science and Technology, worked for four years in a defense firm and taught engineering courses at St. Louis Community College.When challenged on whether that qualifies him to claim the title, even though he has never been a licensed engineer, Ashcroft said it does.And as he defended his use of the title, Ashcroft suggested that licensing was government overreach.“Why in the world are Republicans asking whether or not the government has to give us permission to go out and work legally?” Ashcroft said. “I’m an engineer, but it’s none of the government’s business. We need to get rid of this red tape. We need to allow people to live their lives the way they see fit, instead of kowtowing to faceless bureaucrats.”

Republican candidates trade barbs in Missouri gubernatorial primary debate

Max’s Law, made official during a bill signing in Jefferson
City this week, was part of a huge anti-crime bill approved during this past
legislative session.

Gov. Mike Parson has signed into law the massive public safety
measure that included Max’s Law, named after St. Joseph’s K-9 Max killed in the
line of duty in the summer of 2021.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville carried the bill the
last three years and finally got to see it signed into law as K-9 units from
throughout the state stood by.

“We had different departments, both police departments,
sheriff’s departments, the Highway Patrol, the Conservation Department,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They all had police K-9s there for the
signing of the bill. And so, it was really great to have the animals who we’re
trying to protect in this legislation to have some representatives from the K-9
community at the bill signing.”

Max’s Law was only a portion of the bill. Several amendments
made it onto the bill, including a provision called Blair’s Law.

“Blair’s Law outlaws celebratory gunfire, something that we
see a lot of the times during either during the 4th of July or New
Year’s Eve as people will indiscriminately fire bullets up into the air and
sometimes those bullets will come down and strike and injure or kill another
person.”

It is named for 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane, struck and
killed by July 4th celebratory gunfire in Independence 13 years ago.
Blair’s mother, Michelle Shanahan DeMoss, lobbied hard for passage of the bill,
driving to Jefferson City year after year to testify before committees and talk
with lawmakers.

Another provision of the bill contains Valentine’s Law.

“Named after Antonio Valentine, who was a police officer in
St. Louis County. He was killed in the line of duty in a high-speed chase. What
Valentine’s Law does is it creates a separate felony offense for fleeing from
law enforcement in an automobile,” Luetkemeyer says. “One of the things we know
is that when people engage in these high-speed chases with law enforcement it
poses a huge risk to public safety for everybody else out on the road.”

St. Louis County Police Officer Antonio Valentine died from
his injuries after being hit by a fleeing vehicle on December 1st of
2021. He was 42 years old.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720734011192.jpeg" alt="Gov. Mike Parson poses with K-9 officers and others during bill signing./Photo courtesy of the Gov. Parson's office" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Mike Parson poses with K-9 officers and others during bill signing./Photo courtesy of the Gov. Parson's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMax’s Law, made official during a bill signing in Jefferson
City this week, was part of a huge anti-crime bill approved during this past
legislative session.Gov. Mike Parson has signed into law the massive public safety
measure that included Max’s Law, named after St. Joseph’s K-9 Max killed in the
line of duty in the summer of 2021.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville carried the bill the
last three years and finally got to see it signed into law as K-9 units from
throughout the state stood by.“We had different departments, both police departments,
sheriff’s departments, the Highway Patrol, the Conservation Department,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They all had police K-9s there for the
signing of the bill. And so, it was really great to have the animals who we’re
trying to protect in this legislation to have some representatives from the K-9
community at the bill signing.”Max’s Law was only a portion of the bill. Several amendments
made it onto the bill, including a provision called Blair’s Law.“Blair’s Law outlaws celebratory gunfire, something that we
see a lot of the times during either during the 4th of July or New
Year’s Eve as people will indiscriminately fire bullets up into the air and
sometimes those bullets will come down and strike and injure or kill another
person.”It is named for 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane, struck and
killed by July 4th celebratory gunfire in Independence 13 years ago.
Blair’s mother, Michelle Shanahan DeMoss, lobbied hard for passage of the bill,
driving to Jefferson City year after year to testify before committees and talk
with lawmakers.Another provision of the bill contains Valentine’s Law.“Named after Antonio Valentine, who was a police officer in
St. Louis County. He was killed in the line of duty in a high-speed chase. What
Valentine’s Law does is it creates a separate felony offense for fleeing from
law enforcement in an automobile,” Luetkemeyer says. “One of the things we know
is that when people engage in these high-speed chases with law enforcement it
poses a huge risk to public safety for everybody else out on the road.”St. Louis County Police Officer Antonio Valentine died from
his injuries after being hit by a fleeing vehicle on December 1st of
2021. He was 42 years old.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Max's Law - only one provision in huge public safety bill

JERUSALEM —U.S. Forces continue to face terrorist obstacles in the Red Sea. 

Since Sunday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed seven Iranian-backed Houthi drone boats and and seven aerial drones over the Red Sea or in a Houthi controlled area of Yemen, according to the U.S. Central Command.

Additionally on July 7, partner forces successfully destroyed two Houthi UAVs over the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701138062166.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —U.S. Forces continue to face terrorist obstacles in the Red Sea. Since Sunday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed seven Iranian-backed Houthi drone boats and and seven aerial drones over the Red Sea or in a Houthi controlled area of Yemen, according to the U.S. Central Command.Additionally on July 7, partner forces successfully destroyed two Houthi UAVs over the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

U.S. forces continue to face daily terrorist threats in the Red Sea

(Radio Iowa) - The state is launching new grant programs to address the housing shortage brought on by the recent tornadoes and flooding. 

Governor Kim Reynolds is using 10 million dollars in federal pandemic relief to provide grants for developers to build homes for sale or for rent in counties that have been declared federal disaster areas. Another six-and-a-half MILLION dollars in state grants will be awarded to cover home repairs. 

Reynolds says it allows the state to move quickly to address unmet housing rehabilitation needs that are outside of the scope of insurance coverage and those who are underinsured. Reynolds is asking FEMA to authorize a temporary housing program that's been used after hurricanes hit other states that allows hotels, R-Vs, and manufactured homes to be used.

(Radio Iowa) - The state is launching new grant programs to address the housing shortage brought on by the recent tornadoes and flooding. Governor Kim Reynolds is using 10 million dollars in federal pandemic relief to provide grants for developers to build homes for sale or for rent in counties that have been declared federal disaster areas. Another six-and-a-half MILLION dollars in state grants will be awarded to cover home repairs. Reynolds says it allows the state to move quickly to address unmet housing rehabilitation needs that are outside of the scope of insurance coverage and those who are underinsured. Reynolds is asking FEMA to authorize a temporary housing program that's been used after hurricanes hit other states that allows hotels, R-Vs, and manufactured homes to be used.

State Announces Housing Programs For Flood, Tornado Victims

Astronaut Joe Engle, the first astronaut to fly in space aboard two different winged vehicles, died on July 10, at 91.

Engle was the commander of two&nbsp;Space Shuttle&nbsp;missions including&nbsp;STS-2&nbsp;in 1981, the program's second orbital flight. Engle also flew two flights in the Shuttle program's 1977&nbsp;Approach and Landing Tests. 

Engle, a Chapman, Kansas native, was one of just twelve pilots who flew the&nbsp;North American X-15, an experimental&nbsp;spaceplane&nbsp;jointly operated by the Air Force and NASA.

Joe Engle was born in Chapman, Kansas and attended the University of Kansas where he graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. Commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program, he earned his pilot's wings in 1958 and was assigned to fly F-100s for the 474th Fighter Day Squadron and, later, the 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron at George AFB, California.

Although in command of another squadron, then-Lt. Col. Chuck Yeager had frequent opportunities to fly with Engle -- and against him in mock dogfights -- and he was extremely impressed by the young fighter pilot's attitude and ability. When Engle applied for admission to the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards, Yeager recommended his selection. 

By the time he graduated from the school in 1962, Yeager had become the commandant and, because he considered Engle "one of the sharpest pilots we had in the program," he immediately selected him for admission to the new Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) which was being established at Edwards to train military astronauts. 

Engle graduated from ARPS in 1963 and was selected as a project pilot for the X-15 program. He completed 16 flights in the rocket-powered hypersonic airplane, exceeding Mach 5 on ten of those flights and attaining a top speed of Mach 5.71 (3,886 mph). In June of 1965, he also climbed to an altitude of 280,600 feet and became one of only eight pilots from the X-15 program-who have qualified for astronaut's wings by flying an airplane into space.

Engle went on to exceed the Air Force's 50-mile threshold for astronaut rating on two subsequent X-15 flights. At 32, he was the youngest man to become an astronaut. 

When NASA selected him as one of 19 new astronaut candidates in 1966, he was truly in an unusual position; he was the only one who had already engaged in spaceflight operations. First assigned to the Apollo program, he served on the support crew for Apollo X and then as backup lunar module pilot for Apollo XIV. In 1977, he was commander of one of two crews who were launched from atop a modified Boeing 747 in order to conduct approach and landing tests with the Space Shuttle Enterprise. 

Then in November 1981, he commanded the second flight of the Shuttle Columbia and manually flew the re-entry-performing 29 flight test maneuvers-from Mach 25 through landing roll out. This was the first and, so far, only time that a winged aerospace vehicle has been manually flown from orbit through landing. 

He accumulated the last of his 224 hours in space when he commanded the Shuttle Discovery during Mission 51-I in August of 1985.

In his retirement from NASA, the Air Force and the Kansas Air National Guard, he served as an engineering consultant and simulation evaluation pilot for Space Shuttle modifications and other advanced piloted re-entry vehicles.

Engle flew more than 180 different aircraft types and logged nearly 14,000 flight hours. His military decorations include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, USAF Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster. 

Among his many honors, he was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and Space Flight Medal, as well as the Harmon International, Collier, Lawrence Sperry, Iven C. Kinchloe, Robert H. Goddard and Thomas D. White aviation and space trophies. 

In 1992, he was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720720028168.jpeg" alt="Joe Engle in front of an X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft.&nbsp;Image Courtesy The Cosmosphere" />
 <figcaption>Joe Engle in front of an X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft.&nbsp;Image Courtesy The Cosmosphere</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTAstronaut Joe Engle, the first astronaut to fly in space aboard two different winged vehicles, died on July 10, at 91.Engle was the commander of two&nbsp;Space Shuttle&nbsp;missions including&nbsp;STS-2&nbsp;in 1981, the program's second orbital flight. Engle also flew two flights in the Shuttle program's 1977&nbsp;Approach and Landing Tests. Engle, a Chapman, Kansas native, was one of just twelve pilots who flew the&nbsp;North American X-15, an experimental&nbsp;spaceplane&nbsp;jointly operated by the Air Force and NASA.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720720547019.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Information courtesy of NASAJoe Engle was born in Chapman, Kansas and attended the University of Kansas where he graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. Commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program, he earned his pilot's wings in 1958 and was assigned to fly F-100s for the 474th Fighter Day Squadron and, later, the 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron at George AFB, California.Although in command of another squadron, then-Lt. Col. Chuck Yeager had frequent opportunities to fly with Engle -- and against him in mock dogfights -- and he was extremely impressed by the young fighter pilot's attitude and ability. When Engle applied for admission to the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards, Yeager recommended his selection. By the time he graduated from the school in 1962, Yeager had become the commandant and, because he considered Engle "one of the sharpest pilots we had in the program," he immediately selected him for admission to the new Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) which was being established at Edwards to train military astronauts. Engle graduated from ARPS in 1963 and was selected as a project pilot for the X-15 program. He completed 16 flights in the rocket-powered hypersonic airplane, exceeding Mach 5 on ten of those flights and attaining a top speed of Mach 5.71 (3,886 mph). In June of 1965, he also climbed to an altitude of 280,600 feet and became one of only eight pilots from the X-15 program-who have qualified for astronaut's wings by flying an airplane into space.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkscosmosphere%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02V1EWPeaWxHsBVsHeT9K3CYreFGiUDMVCi8hmu6tYppnp3qQAiuvBFSaKXVKGrAFNl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Engle went on to exceed the Air Force's 50-mile threshold for astronaut rating on two subsequent X-15 flights. At 32, he was the youngest man to become an astronaut. When NASA selected him as one of 19 new astronaut candidates in 1966, he was truly in an unusual position; he was the only one who had already engaged in spaceflight operations. First assigned to the Apollo program, he served on the support crew for Apollo X and then as backup lunar module pilot for Apollo XIV. In 1977, he was commander of one of two crews who were launched from atop a modified Boeing 747 in order to conduct approach and landing tests with the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Then in November 1981, he commanded the second flight of the Shuttle Columbia and manually flew the re-entry-performing 29 flight test maneuvers-from Mach 25 through landing roll out. This was the first and, so far, only time that a winged aerospace vehicle has been manually flown from orbit through landing. He accumulated the last of his 224 hours in space when he commanded the Shuttle Discovery during Mission 51-I in August of 1985.In his retirement from NASA, the Air Force and the Kansas Air National Guard, he served as an engineering consultant and simulation evaluation pilot for Space Shuttle modifications and other advanced piloted re-entry vehicles.Engle flew more than 180 different aircraft types and logged nearly 14,000 flight hours. His military decorations include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, USAF Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster. Among his many honors, he was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and Space Flight Medal, as well as the Harmon International, Collier, Lawrence Sperry, Iven C. Kinchloe, Robert H. Goddard and Thomas D. White aviation and space trophies. In 1992, he was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Astronaut Joe Engle, pioneer of winged spacecraft — Kansas native, dies at 91

(Radio Iowa) - After 14 years of legal wrangling, plans for a 30 MILLION dollar regional airport between Pella and Oskaloosa are officially paused. 

In 2012, elected officials in Pella, Oskaloosa and Mahaska County signed an agreement creating the South Central Regional Airport Agency to build and operate an airport in rural Mahaska County. Landowners at the site objected and filed a lawsuit. Mahaska County Supervisors who took office in 2017 tried to get the county out of the deal and there was a lawsuit over that. 

In June of 2022, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled the agreement was unconstitutional. Last week, the Regional Airport Agency's board notified the cities they cannot acquire the remaining property necessary for the airport, but will continue to own and lease the land purchased for the project.

(Radio Iowa) - After 14 years of legal wrangling, plans for a 30 MILLION dollar regional airport between Pella and Oskaloosa are officially paused. In 2012, elected officials in Pella, Oskaloosa and Mahaska County signed an agreement creating the South Central Regional Airport Agency to build and operate an airport in rural Mahaska County. Landowners at the site objected and filed a lawsuit. Mahaska County Supervisors who took office in 2017 tried to get the county out of the deal and there was a lawsuit over that. In June of 2022, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled the agreement was unconstitutional. Last week, the Regional Airport Agency's board notified the cities they cannot acquire the remaining property necessary for the airport, but will continue to own and lease the land purchased for the project.

Permanent pause on plans for regional airport near Oskaloosa

A four-year-old Wathena, Kansas boy has succumbed to injuries
sustained while submerged in a backyard swimming pool.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports the boy was
pronounced dead Thursday morning at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

His name is not being released, because he is a juvenile.

The father and grandfather of the child pulled the boy from
the pool at a residence on Southwest 36th Road the evening of an Independence
Day party on the 4th. &nbsp;The two
performed CPR until emergency workers arrived and rushed the boy to Mosaic Life
Care. He then was transferred to Children’s Mercy.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA four-year-old Wathena, Kansas boy has succumbed to injuries
sustained while submerged in a backyard swimming pool.Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports the boy was
pronounced dead Thursday morning at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.His name is not being released, because he is a juvenile.The father and grandfather of the child pulled the boy from
the pool at a residence on Southwest 36th Road the evening of an Independence
Day party on the 4th. &nbsp;The two
performed CPR until emergency workers arrived and rushed the boy to Mosaic Life
Care. He then was transferred to Children’s Mercy.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

4-year-old Wathena boy dies week after falling into pool

The attorney general can be questioned about his interactions with a Jackson County official as his office sues over the county’s property assessment process

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

Missouri Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/tag/andrew-bailey/">Andrew Bailey</a>&nbsp;can be questioned under oath about interactions with a Jackson County official that appear to&nbsp; have violated legal ethics rules, a judge ruled Tuesday.&nbsp;

The order forcing Bailey to sit for a deposition — which legal experts interviewed by The Independent agreed was highly unusual — stems from meetings he and one of his deputies had with Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith. The attorney general’s office is currently suing the county over its property assessment process.

Under Missouri Supreme Court rules, attorneys are not to communicate about a lawsuit with individuals represented in the case by another lawyer without the consent of the other lawyer. Both Bailey and Travis Woods, an assistant attorney general, discussed the case with Smith, according to Clay County Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/2316-CV33643%20STATE%20OF%20MISSOURI%20v%20JACKSON%20COUNTY%20MISSOURI%20Order%20on%20Motion%20for%20Sanctions_FINAL.pdf?courtCode=16&amp;di=25277408" target="_blank">Judge Karen Krauser’s order</a>.

“The Missouri Attorney General’s Office is not exempt from the requirements of the state ethical rules, and this court finds that Travis Woods…violated the Rules of Professional Conduct,” wrote Krauser, who is handling the case after Jackson County judges recused themselves.

Krauser’s order came in response to a request for sanctions, including the ability to question Bailey, filed by attorneys representing Jackson County. She did not grant other sanctions that were requested, including disqualifying the attorney general’s office from the case.

“Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and his office have exhibited a blatant disregard for the Rules of Professional Conduct in this case,” the motion filed by Jackson County says, “and their actions are sanctionable. Based on what we know so far, their actions were not innocent mistakes.”&nbsp;

Both Jackson County and Bailey’s office declined comment. Smith did not return a request for comment.

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

In a filing in opposition to Jackson County’s, Bailey’s office accused the county of grasping for straws and said the rules don’t support “granting these radical requests.”

“This court should reject defendants’ latest attempt to distract from the facts and legal claims brought by the state government,” the state’s filing says.

Chuck Hatfield, a longtime Jefferson City attorney who served as chief of staff to former Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon, said a lot of judges would be troubled by the meetings between the attorney general and Smith.&nbsp;

Jackson County’s lawyers, Hatfield said, should have been informed.

“It almost looks like they intentionally kept it from (Jackson County’s lawyers),” Hatfield said, “and that’s quite unprofessional. And the judge appears to think it was unethical, and that seems like a valid judgment to me.”&nbsp;

Hatfield said he wasn’t aware of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/tag/attorney-general/">Missouri attorney general</a>&nbsp;being deposed since John Ashcroft, who served in the late 1970s and early 1980s before going on to become Missouri governor, a U.S. senator and finally U.S. attorney general under President George W. Bush.&nbsp;

“This is really unusual,” Hatfield said of Bailey’s impending deposition.&nbsp;

Bailey filed a lawsuit in December over Jackson County’s property assessment process. It named as defendants Jackson County and its legislature; County Executive Frank White Jr.; director of assessment Gail McCann Beatty; the Jackson County Board of Equalization; and Tyler Technologies, a software company hired by the county.&nbsp;

The lawsuit accuses Jackson County of failing to comply with the law when it assessed properties in 2023, resulting in an average 30% increase in value across hundreds of thousands of properties. The lawsuit says more than 90% of residential properties saw an increase in property value, and values increased by at least 15% for three-quarters of properties in the county.&nbsp;

The increase in property value means owners will have to pay more in property taxes each year.

The attorney general claims Jackson County failed to notify owners of the property value increases and their right to a physical inspection — which is required before the assessor can increase a home’s value by more than 15% — in a timely manner. The county didn’t conduct all the required inspections before hiking values more than 15%, the lawsuit says.&nbsp;

Jackson County has denied the accusations and accused Bailey of waiting too long to file the case since tax bills have already been paid and money distributed. Beyond that, the county argues, the attorney general can’t file a case unless the State Tax Commission has attempted to resolve the issue first.

Attorneys for Jackson County filed a motion for sanctions against the attorney general last month, citing the meetings Smith had with Bailey in April and Woods in May.&nbsp;

“Based on what is known today, it is clear the Attorney General’s Office has been working with Sean Smith on trial strategy against Jackson County,” the county’s filing said.

The attorney general’s office filing in response says Smith has made numerous public statements criticizing the property assessment process.

“He has already testified at trial in this case, and in that testimony made clear that he believes Jackson County’s assessment practices were inappropriate,” the filing says. “He has voted on resolutions that are manifestly adverse to the rest of the county’s position in this case.”&nbsp;

Even so, the filing says, the attorney general’s office has ceased communicating with Smith, who is running for the U.S. House as a Republican.

Krauser agreed with the county, writing in her order that Smith regularly consults with the county’s lawyers regarding issues central to the lawsuit and has power as an elected official to impact the case.

“This court has the authority to impose sanctions for conduct which abuses the judicial process, which includes violations of professional conduct,” Krauser wrote.&nbsp;

After oral arguments in the case on Monday, the order says, Bailey’s office provided notes from Woods’ meeting with Smith. The notes didn’t include information subject to attorney-client privilege, Krauser wrote.

Another staffer in Bailey’s office sat for a deposition about the meeting between Bailey and Smith and their respective campaigns but gave little information about the conversation beyond that the two discussed the property assessment case and discussed “preparing a joint statement regarding this lawsuit.”

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SeanSmithRep/posts/822239923051954" target="_blank">Smith posted to his campaign social media</a>&nbsp;account that his team visited with Bailey.&nbsp;

“Both of us feeling great about our races,” Smith said. “Thankful for the efforts of the AG in holding those responsible for our property tax debacle accountable.”&nbsp;

Will Scharf, who is running against Bailey in the Republican primary for attorney general, said in a statement that the dispute was “yet another example of Andrew Bailey putting politics before his duties as attorney general.”&nbsp;

“It is absolutely outrageous,” Scharf said, “that this important litigation against Jackson County is now imperiled because Andrew Bailey wanted a quick hit for his campaign.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696940237972.png" alt="Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks in January 2023 to the Missouri chapter of the Federalist Society in the Missouri House chamber.&nbsp;&nbsp;A Clay County Circuit Judge ruled Tuesday that Bailey could be deposed over a possible ethics violation in the state's case against Jackson County over its property assessment process. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks in January 2023 to the Missouri chapter of the Federalist Society in the Missouri House chamber.&nbsp;&nbsp;A Clay County Circuit Judge ruled Tuesday that Bailey could be deposed over a possible ethics violation in the state's case against Jackson County over its property assessment process. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The attorney general can be questioned about his interactions with a Jackson County official as his office sues over the county’s property assessment process</h2>By ALLISON KITE&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/tag/andrew-bailey/">Andrew Bailey</a>&nbsp;can be questioned under oath about interactions with a Jackson County official that appear to&nbsp; have violated legal ethics rules, a judge ruled Tuesday.&nbsp;The order forcing Bailey to sit for a deposition — which legal experts interviewed by The Independent agreed was highly unusual — stems from meetings he and one of his deputies had with Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith. The attorney general’s office is currently suing the county over its property assessment process.Under Missouri Supreme Court rules, attorneys are not to communicate about a lawsuit with individuals represented in the case by another lawyer without the consent of the other lawyer. Both Bailey and Travis Woods, an assistant attorney general, discussed the case with Smith, according to Clay County Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/2316-CV33643%20STATE%20OF%20MISSOURI%20v%20JACKSON%20COUNTY%20MISSOURI%20Order%20on%20Motion%20for%20Sanctions_FINAL.pdf?courtCode=16&amp;di=25277408" target="_blank">Judge Karen Krauser’s order</a>.“The Missouri Attorney General’s Office is not exempt from the requirements of the state ethical rules, and this court finds that Travis Woods…violated the Rules of Professional Conduct,” wrote Krauser, who is handling the case after Jackson County judges recused themselves.Krauser’s order came in response to a request for sanctions, including the ability to question Bailey, filed by attorneys representing Jackson County. She did not grant other sanctions that were requested, including disqualifying the attorney general’s office from the case.“Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and his office have exhibited a blatant disregard for the Rules of Professional Conduct in this case,” the motion filed by Jackson County says, “and their actions are sanctionable. Based on what we know so far, their actions were not innocent mistakes.”&nbsp;Both Jackson County and Bailey’s office declined comment. Smith did not return a request for comment.GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOXSUBSCRIBEIn a filing in opposition to Jackson County’s, Bailey’s office accused the county of grasping for straws and said the rules don’t support “granting these radical requests.”“This court should reject defendants’ latest attempt to distract from the facts and legal claims brought by the state government,” the state’s filing says.Chuck Hatfield, a longtime Jefferson City attorney who served as chief of staff to former Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon, said a lot of judges would be troubled by the meetings between the attorney general and Smith.&nbsp;Jackson County’s lawyers, Hatfield said, should have been informed.“It almost looks like they intentionally kept it from (Jackson County’s lawyers),” Hatfield said, “and that’s quite unprofessional. And the judge appears to think it was unethical, and that seems like a valid judgment to me.”&nbsp;Hatfield said he wasn’t aware of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/tag/attorney-general/">Missouri attorney general</a>&nbsp;being deposed since John Ashcroft, who served in the late 1970s and early 1980s before going on to become Missouri governor, a U.S. senator and finally U.S. attorney general under President George W. Bush.&nbsp;“This is really unusual,” Hatfield said of Bailey’s impending deposition.&nbsp;Bailey filed a lawsuit in December over Jackson County’s property assessment process. It named as defendants Jackson County and its legislature; County Executive Frank White Jr.; director of assessment Gail McCann Beatty; the Jackson County Board of Equalization; and Tyler Technologies, a software company hired by the county.&nbsp;The lawsuit accuses Jackson County of failing to comply with the law when it assessed properties in 2023, resulting in an average 30% increase in value across hundreds of thousands of properties. The lawsuit says more than 90% of residential properties saw an increase in property value, and values increased by at least 15% for three-quarters of properties in the county.&nbsp;The increase in property value means owners will have to pay more in property taxes each year.The attorney general claims Jackson County failed to notify owners of the property value increases and their right to a physical inspection — which is required before the assessor can increase a home’s value by more than 15% — in a timely manner. The county didn’t conduct all the required inspections before hiking values more than 15%, the lawsuit says.&nbsp;Jackson County has denied the accusations and accused Bailey of waiting too long to file the case since tax bills have already been paid and money distributed. Beyond that, the county argues, the attorney general can’t file a case unless the State Tax Commission has attempted to resolve the issue first.Attorneys for Jackson County filed a motion for sanctions against the attorney general last month, citing the meetings Smith had with Bailey in April and Woods in May.&nbsp;“Based on what is known today, it is clear the Attorney General’s Office has been working with Sean Smith on trial strategy against Jackson County,” the county’s filing said.The attorney general’s office filing in response says Smith has made numerous public statements criticizing the property assessment process.“He has already testified at trial in this case, and in that testimony made clear that he believes Jackson County’s assessment practices were inappropriate,” the filing says. “He has voted on resolutions that are manifestly adverse to the rest of the county’s position in this case.”&nbsp;Even so, the filing says, the attorney general’s office has ceased communicating with Smith, who is running for the U.S. House as a Republican.Krauser agreed with the county, writing in her order that Smith regularly consults with the county’s lawyers regarding issues central to the lawsuit and has power as an elected official to impact the case.“This court has the authority to impose sanctions for conduct which abuses the judicial process, which includes violations of professional conduct,” Krauser wrote.&nbsp;After oral arguments in the case on Monday, the order says, Bailey’s office provided notes from Woods’ meeting with Smith. The notes didn’t include information subject to attorney-client privilege, Krauser wrote.Another staffer in Bailey’s office sat for a deposition about the meeting between Bailey and Smith and their respective campaigns but gave little information about the conversation beyond that the two discussed the property assessment case and discussed “preparing a joint statement regarding this lawsuit.”<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SeanSmithRep/posts/822239923051954" target="_blank">Smith posted to his campaign social media</a>&nbsp;account that his team visited with Bailey.&nbsp;“Both of us feeling great about our races,” Smith said. “Thankful for the efforts of the AG in holding those responsible for our property tax debacle accountable.”&nbsp;Will Scharf, who is running against Bailey in the Republican primary for attorney general, said in a statement that the dispute was “yet another example of Andrew Bailey putting politics before his duties as attorney general.”&nbsp;“It is absolutely outrageous,” Scharf said, “that this important litigation against Jackson County is now imperiled because Andrew Bailey wanted a quick hit for his campaign.”

Judge orders Missouri AG Andrew Bailey to sit for deposition over possible ethics breach

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is leading a coalition of seven states challenging a rule by the Biden administration that would preempt state restrictions on gender-affirming care.&nbsp;

Filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on Wednesday, the states are seeking to block the regulation and prevent the federal government from enforcing similar mandates.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/06/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities" target="_blank">rule</a>&nbsp;seeks to add protections to a section of the Affordable Care Act that prevent health care providers who discriminate on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation from receiving federal funding, including through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

The rule was set to go into effect July 5, with some provisions beginning later. But another coalition of attorneys general succeeded in their petition to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/03/politics/transgender-anti-discrimination-protections-biden-chevron/index.html" target="_blank">block its implementation</a>&nbsp;just two days prior. The judge in that case cited the recent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/u-s-supreme-court-flips-precedent-that-empowered-federal-agencies/">U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn “Chevron Deference,”</a>&nbsp;a precedent that gave regulatory authority to federal agencies when statute is unclear.

Bailey, along with attorneys general from Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Idaho and Arkansas, argues that the rule conflicts with their states’ restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Each has varying restrictions on payments for gender-affirming treatment, with Missouri blocking payment for all treatments for medical transition through Medicaid and CHIP.

“… states will be unable to enforce these duly enacted laws and longstanding policies without coming into conflict with the rule,” the attorneys general wrote in the lawsuit.

The American College of Pediatricians joins the attorneys general as a plaintiff. The ACPeds is a group of 400 physicians and other health care professionals in 47 states with a history of anti-LGBTQ advocacy.

“ACPeds members categorically do not provide medical interventions or referrals for, and do not facilitate or speak in ways that affirm the legitimacy of, the practice of ‘gender transition,’” the attorneys general wrote.

The lawsuit alleges that the organization’s pediatricians would suffer “significant financial harm to lose eligibility to participate in federal healthcare programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.”

One pediatrician in Utah is quoted in the lawsuit saying he would not “self-censor his opinions on transition efforts if the rule goes into effect.”

Predicting his noncompliance with the rule, the Utah pediatrician “faces the prospect of no longer caring for his patients, being fired from his employment and being unable to practice medicine in most settings,” the attorneys general wrote.

The rule violates physicians’ freedom of assembly, the lawsuit states, “by coercing them to participate in facilities, programs, groups and other healthcare-related endeavors that are contrary to their views and that express messages with which they disagree.”

The lawsuit also says it “coerces ACPeds members’ speech.”

“By forcing ACPeds members to tell patients directly, on their walls, and on their websites that they do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, the rule forces ACPeds members to speak falsely, and it forces ACPeds members to fatally undermine their communication of their own medical ethical standards,” it says.

Beyond questions of constitutionality, the attorneys general allege that the rule goes beyond congressional authorization.

The rule interprets gender identity as protected by both including gender dysphoria as a disability and interpreting sex discrimination to include gender identity. The attorneys general disagree with this application.

Key to the case will be the judge’s interpretation of the 2020 U.S. Supreme Court Case Bostock v. Clayton County, in which a majority of justices ruled that gender identity was protected under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/17-1618_hfci.pdf" target="_blank">Title VII</a>, which is on employment discrimination.

The rule leans on some courts’ interpretation that transfers the Bostock decision to Title IX and the Affordable Care Act, according to its publication in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/06/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities" target="_blank">Federal Register</a>. But the attorneys general cite decisions from judges in red states that do not allow Bostock to apply outside of Title VII.

The Department of Health and Human Services, which is the defendant in the litigation, did not respond to a request for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701262449456.png" alt="&nbsp;A federal rule seeks to add protections to a section of the Affordable Care Act that prevent health care providers who discriminate on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation from receiving federal funding, including through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (photo illustration by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;A federal rule seeks to add protections to a section of the Affordable Care Act that prevent health care providers who discriminate on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation from receiving federal funding, including through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (photo illustration by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder).</figcaption>
 </figure>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is leading a coalition of seven states challenging a rule by the Biden administration that would preempt state restrictions on gender-affirming care.&nbsp;Filed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on Wednesday, the states are seeking to block the regulation and prevent the federal government from enforcing similar mandates.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/06/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities" target="_blank">rule</a>&nbsp;seeks to add protections to a section of the Affordable Care Act that prevent health care providers who discriminate on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation from receiving federal funding, including through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.The rule was set to go into effect July 5, with some provisions beginning later. But another coalition of attorneys general succeeded in their petition to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/03/politics/transgender-anti-discrimination-protections-biden-chevron/index.html" target="_blank">block its implementation</a>&nbsp;just two days prior. The judge in that case cited the recent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/u-s-supreme-court-flips-precedent-that-empowered-federal-agencies/">U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn “Chevron Deference,”</a>&nbsp;a precedent that gave regulatory authority to federal agencies when statute is unclear.Bailey, along with attorneys general from Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Idaho and Arkansas, argues that the rule conflicts with their states’ restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Each has varying restrictions on payments for gender-affirming treatment, with Missouri blocking payment for all treatments for medical transition through Medicaid and CHIP.“… states will be unable to enforce these duly enacted laws and longstanding policies without coming into conflict with the rule,” the attorneys general wrote in the lawsuit.The American College of Pediatricians joins the attorneys general as a plaintiff. The ACPeds is a group of 400 physicians and other health care professionals in 47 states with a history of anti-LGBTQ advocacy.“ACPeds members categorically do not provide medical interventions or referrals for, and do not facilitate or speak in ways that affirm the legitimacy of, the practice of ‘gender transition,’” the attorneys general wrote.The lawsuit alleges that the organization’s pediatricians would suffer “significant financial harm to lose eligibility to participate in federal healthcare programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.”One pediatrician in Utah is quoted in the lawsuit saying he would not “self-censor his opinions on transition efforts if the rule goes into effect.”Predicting his noncompliance with the rule, the Utah pediatrician “faces the prospect of no longer caring for his patients, being fired from his employment and being unable to practice medicine in most settings,” the attorneys general wrote.The rule violates physicians’ freedom of assembly, the lawsuit states, “by coercing them to participate in facilities, programs, groups and other healthcare-related endeavors that are contrary to their views and that express messages with which they disagree.”The lawsuit also says it “coerces ACPeds members’ speech.”“By forcing ACPeds members to tell patients directly, on their walls, and on their websites that they do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, the rule forces ACPeds members to speak falsely, and it forces ACPeds members to fatally undermine their communication of their own medical ethical standards,” it says.Beyond questions of constitutionality, the attorneys general allege that the rule goes beyond congressional authorization.The rule interprets gender identity as protected by both including gender dysphoria as a disability and interpreting sex discrimination to include gender identity. The attorneys general disagree with this application.Key to the case will be the judge’s interpretation of the 2020 U.S. Supreme Court Case Bostock v. Clayton County, in which a majority of justices ruled that gender identity was protected under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/17-1618_hfci.pdf" target="_blank">Title VII</a>, which is on employment discrimination.The rule leans on some courts’ interpretation that transfers the Bostock decision to Title IX and the Affordable Care Act, according to its publication in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/06/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities" target="_blank">Federal Register</a>. But the attorneys general cite decisions from judges in red states that do not allow Bostock to apply outside of Title VII.The Department of Health and Human Services, which is the defendant in the litigation, did not respond to a request for comment.

Missouri leads 7 states challenging health care protections for transgender Americans

The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYS5nb3Yvc2FmZXR5L3JlY2FsbHMtbWFya2V0LXdpdGhkcmF3YWxzLXNhZmV0eS1hbGVydHMvcHJvcGhldC1wcmVtaXVtLWJsZW5kcy1yZWNhbGxzLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy1iZWNhdXNlLXBvc3NpYmxlLWhlYWx0aC1yaXNrP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.SSOV5TPfncx2ao-N28ozUSenoupPuUj3GBVbOCn8fG4/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is recalling</a>&nbsp;Diamond Shruumz-brand products and the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNkYy5nb3YvZW52aXJvbm1lbnRhbC1oZWFsdGgtc3R1ZGllcy9vdXRicmVhay1pbnZlc3RpZ2F0aW9uLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy9pbmRleC5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSNjZGNfZ2VuZXJpY19zZWN0aW9uXzEtb3V0YnJlYWstaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi1zdW1tYXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcxMC45NzQzMTY2MSJ9.eh5D4w88u6_e_5353eh79UTAhBB0zZ6t2Gd1IrTgb7c/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating</a>&nbsp;58 reports of severe illness, including 30 hospitalizations and one potentially associated death, across multiple states from the Prophet Premium Blends, LLC of Santa Ana, CA facility. The Kansas Department of Health is investigating two possible cases associated with this outbreak.

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">Click here to</a> learn more.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the FDA is alerting consumers to not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.

"People who became ill from Diamond Shruumz-brand edibles reported a variety of severe symptoms,”&nbsp;KDHE State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer, Dr. Farah Ahmed said. “These symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal heart rates, high or low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.”

Seek immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) for advice if you have consumed a product and are having symptoms. If you consumed the products after January 1, 2024 and experienced symptoms, please fill out the KDHE confidential&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYml0Lmx5L0tESEVkaWFtb25kP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.JlCsr5Y3n_g4XgfDX9zec962aPt9hKAMCnn1t1RGz5E/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">illness report form</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720661110703.png" alt="FDA image" />
 <figcaption>FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYS5nb3Yvc2FmZXR5L3JlY2FsbHMtbWFya2V0LXdpdGhkcmF3YWxzLXNhZmV0eS1hbGVydHMvcHJvcGhldC1wcmVtaXVtLWJsZW5kcy1yZWNhbGxzLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy1iZWNhdXNlLXBvc3NpYmxlLWhlYWx0aC1yaXNrP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.SSOV5TPfncx2ao-N28ozUSenoupPuUj3GBVbOCn8fG4/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is recalling</a>&nbsp;Diamond Shruumz-brand products and the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNkYy5nb3YvZW52aXJvbm1lbnRhbC1oZWFsdGgtc3R1ZGllcy9vdXRicmVhay1pbnZlc3RpZ2F0aW9uLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy9pbmRleC5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSNjZGNfZ2VuZXJpY19zZWN0aW9uXzEtb3V0YnJlYWstaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi1zdW1tYXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcxMC45NzQzMTY2MSJ9.eh5D4w88u6_e_5353eh79UTAhBB0zZ6t2Gd1IrTgb7c/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating</a>&nbsp;58 reports of severe illness, including 30 hospitalizations and one potentially associated death, across multiple states from the Prophet Premium Blends, LLC of Santa Ana, CA facility. The Kansas Department of Health is investigating two possible cases associated with this outbreak.<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">Click here to</a> learn more.As a result of the ongoing investigation, the FDA is alerting consumers to not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720661289018.png" alt="FDA image" />
 <figcaption>FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>"People who became ill from Diamond Shruumz-brand edibles reported a variety of severe symptoms,”&nbsp;KDHE State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer, Dr. Farah Ahmed said. “These symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal heart rates, high or low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.”Seek immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) for advice if you have consumed a product and are having symptoms. If you consumed the products after January 1, 2024 and experienced symptoms, please fill out the KDHE confidential&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYml0Lmx5L0tESEVkaWFtb25kP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.JlCsr5Y3n_g4XgfDX9zec962aPt9hKAMCnn1t1RGz5E/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">illness report form</a>.

FDA Warns of illnesses, 1 death linked to Diamond Shruumz products

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an injury crash have made an arrest.

On July 2,&nbsp;&nbsp;Brown County Deputies responded to a report of an injury accident in the vicinity of U.S. 73 Highway near 220th, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Upon conclusion of the accident investigation, it was determined that&nbsp; 38-year-old William Bundy of Bellevue, Nebraska who was driving a 2024 Dodge pickup crossed the center line and struck a 2014 KIA Optima.&nbsp;

 Both drivers were taken to Amberwell by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; 

On Wednesday, Merchant reported deputies arrested Bundy on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault of&nbsp; a Law Enforcement Officer, Obstruction, DUI, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Opiate and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720643967190.png" alt="Bundy photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Bundy photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an injury crash have made an arrest.On July 2,&nbsp;&nbsp;Brown County Deputies responded to a report of an injury accident in the vicinity of U.S. 73 Highway near 220th, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Upon conclusion of the accident investigation, it was determined that&nbsp; 38-year-old William Bundy of Bellevue, Nebraska who was driving a 2024 Dodge pickup crossed the center line and struck a 2014 KIA Optima.&nbsp; Both drivers were taken to Amberwell by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; On Wednesday, Merchant reported deputies arrested Bundy on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault of&nbsp; a Law Enforcement Officer, Obstruction, DUI, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Opiate and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Nebraska driver arrested after 2-vehicle Kansas crash

Pivotal Point Transitional Housing announced Rick Lipira as its new Executive Director, effective August 1.

Rick will work alongside former executive director Melissa Frakes, who announced her retirement this spring, until she transitions to a social work position with Pivotal Point.

Lipira recently served as Associate Pastor and Director of Finance at Grace Calvary Chapel, where he oversaw budgeting, financial management and community engagement. He was also a Certified Budget Coach for Crown Financial.

For decades, Lipira was the owner of Jim Walters Construction Co, Inc. The company’s many projects included housing, nursing homes, independent and skilled health care facilities, group homes and new and renovated offices. They also worked closely with numerous school and early childhood learning centers and churches.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Rick to the Pivotal Point family,” says Tom Richmond, Board Chair in a statement. “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Rick for many years, and he possesses a deep understanding of the challenges many in our community face. Coupled with his mature faith and strong foundation in biblical principles, I’m confident his leadership skills and strategic vision can guide Pivotal Point to even greater heights.”

“I am deeply inspired by Pivotal Point’s mission and values and am enthusiastic to work with our dedicated staff and those in our program as they work toward self-sufficiency,” said Lipira. “Pivotal Point’s dedication to those in need truly resonates with me. I look forward to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to find stable housing and build a brighter future.”

Lipira will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Pivotal Point's operations, including strategic vision and goals, fundraising, program development and staff leadership.

By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostPivotal Point Transitional Housing announced Rick Lipira as its new Executive Director, effective August 1.Rick will work alongside former executive director Melissa Frakes, who announced her retirement this spring, until she transitions to a social work position with Pivotal Point.Lipira recently served as Associate Pastor and Director of Finance at Grace Calvary Chapel, where he oversaw budgeting, financial management and community engagement. He was also a Certified Budget Coach for Crown Financial.For decades, Lipira was the owner of Jim Walters Construction Co, Inc. The company’s many projects included housing, nursing homes, independent and skilled health care facilities, group homes and new and renovated offices. They also worked closely with numerous school and early childhood learning centers and churches.“We are incredibly excited to welcome Rick to the Pivotal Point family,” says Tom Richmond, Board Chair in a statement. “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Rick for many years, and he possesses a deep understanding of the challenges many in our community face. Coupled with his mature faith and strong foundation in biblical principles, I’m confident his leadership skills and strategic vision can guide Pivotal Point to even greater heights.”“I am deeply inspired by Pivotal Point’s mission and values and am enthusiastic to work with our dedicated staff and those in our program as they work toward self-sufficiency,” said Lipira. “Pivotal Point’s dedication to those in need truly resonates with me. I look forward to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to find stable housing and build a brighter future.”Lipira will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Pivotal Point's operations, including strategic vision and goals, fundraising, program development and staff leadership.

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