(Radio Iowa) - Thousands of people and at least 80 aircraft are expected at the Clarinda airport on Saturday for what's known as Fly Iowa 2024. 

It's the southwest Iowa community's first time hosting the event in nearly two decades. Co-chair Steve Mowery says the big air show has been two years in the making. Mowery says the climax will be a re-creation of a World War Two air battle, featuring some classic warbirds, including a B-25 bomber and two P-51 fighters. 

There will be what are described as high-energy aerobatic performers, and a micro-jet similar to one used in a James Bond movie. Admission to the air show is free, and spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

(Radio Iowa) - Thousands of people and at least 80 aircraft are expected at the Clarinda airport on Saturday for what's known as Fly Iowa 2024. It's the southwest Iowa community's first time hosting the event in nearly two decades. Co-chair Steve Mowery says the big air show has been two years in the making. Mowery says the climax will be a re-creation of a World War Two air battle, featuring some classic warbirds, including a B-25 bomber and two P-51 fighters. There will be what are described as high-energy aerobatic performers, and a micro-jet similar to one used in a James Bond movie. Admission to the air show is free, and spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

SW Iowa to host air show to kick off Labor Day weekend

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

A proposal to allow a new casino to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/backers-of-a-new-missouri-casino-near-the-lake-of-the-ozarks-submit-signatures-seeking-ballot-slot/">licensed on the Osage River</a>&nbsp;near the Lake of the Ozarks will be on the November ballot, a Cole County judge ruled Friday.

The initiative, which was initially found to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/sports-wagering-minimum-wage-hike-headed-for-november-vote-in-missouri/">2,031 signatures short</a>&nbsp;in the 2nd Congressional District, actually did have enough valid signatures, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office conceded when a planned trial over the petition opened before Judge Daniel Green.

The proposed constitutional amendment initially failed to qualify for the ballot because of signatures disallowed by local election officials. An additional 2,230 valid signatures were found by the proponents, Osage River Gaming and Convention, by reviewing the rejections.

Signature verification is “a massive, messy process that does not always produce perfect results,” Chuck Hatfield, the attorney representing the campaign, told Green.

The proposal will be Amendment 5 on the Nov. 5 ballot and joins three other initiative proposals —&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">protecting reproductive rights</a>, listed as Amendment 3;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/group-turns-in-signatures-to-put-minimum-wage-hike-paid-sick-leave-on-missouri-ballot/">increasing the minimum wage</a>, listed as Proposition A; and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-sports-teams-submit-petition-signatures-to-legalize-sports-gambling-in-missouri/">legalizing sports betting</a>, listed as Amendment 2.

There are pending court challenges to the reproductive rights and sports wagering proposals that could strike them from the ballot.

The Osage River casino is being pushed by a committee that wants to build a casino to compete with a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/10/29/osage-nation-plans-casino-hotel-for-missouris-lake-of-the-ozarks/">planned Osage Nation casino</a>&nbsp;in the same area.

“Today is a victory for the initiative petition process and for voters who will benefit from our proposed development at the Lake of the Ozarks,” the committee said in a statement issued after Green ruled.&nbsp;

The proposal would amend the Missouri Constitution to allow a casino along the Osage River between Bagnell Dam and the confluence with the Missouri River. The constitution currently authorizes casinos only along&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++39(e)&amp;bid=31794&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">the Missouri and Mississippi rivers</a>.

The proposal would also override a state law limiting the state&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=313.780&amp;bid=16856&amp;hl=" target="_blank">to 13 licensed casinos</a>, passed in 2008 as a result of an initiative sponsored by casino operators.

The Lake of the Ozarks is one of Missouri’s busiest tourism destinations. The casino proposal is being bankrolled by Bally’s, which currently operates a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a major regional developer.&nbsp;

Each has contributed about half of the $4.3 million raised for the petition drive.

The casino will support more than 700 new jobs in the lake area. The project, if approved, would generate admission and other fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, according to the language appearing on the ballot, and annual gaming tax revenue of $14.3 million.

There are also two constitutional amendments proposed by the General Assembly on the ballot.&nbsp; Amendment 6 would give the courts power to enforce payment of fees that support retirement benefits for sheriffs and prosecutors. Amendment 7 would ban the use of ranked-choice voting in Missouri elections and restate the current ban on voting by people who are not U.S. citizens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646149812641.jpg" alt="The Osage River casino is being pushed by a committee that wants to build a casino to compete with a planned Osage Nation casino in the same area&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Osage River casino is being pushed by a committee that wants to build a casino to compete with a planned Osage Nation casino in the same area&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A proposal to allow a new casino to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/backers-of-a-new-missouri-casino-near-the-lake-of-the-ozarks-submit-signatures-seeking-ballot-slot/">licensed on the Osage River</a>&nbsp;near the Lake of the Ozarks will be on the November ballot, a Cole County judge ruled Friday.The initiative, which was initially found to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/sports-wagering-minimum-wage-hike-headed-for-november-vote-in-missouri/">2,031 signatures short</a>&nbsp;in the 2nd Congressional District, actually did have enough valid signatures, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office conceded when a planned trial over the petition opened before Judge Daniel Green.The proposed constitutional amendment initially failed to qualify for the ballot because of signatures disallowed by local election officials. An additional 2,230 valid signatures were found by the proponents, Osage River Gaming and Convention, by reviewing the rejections.Signature verification is “a massive, messy process that does not always produce perfect results,” Chuck Hatfield, the attorney representing the campaign, told Green.The proposal will be Amendment 5 on the Nov. 5 ballot and joins three other initiative proposals —&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">protecting reproductive rights</a>, listed as Amendment 3;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/group-turns-in-signatures-to-put-minimum-wage-hike-paid-sick-leave-on-missouri-ballot/">increasing the minimum wage</a>, listed as Proposition A; and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-sports-teams-submit-petition-signatures-to-legalize-sports-gambling-in-missouri/">legalizing sports betting</a>, listed as Amendment 2.There are pending court challenges to the reproductive rights and sports wagering proposals that could strike them from the ballot.The Osage River casino is being pushed by a committee that wants to build a casino to compete with a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/10/29/osage-nation-plans-casino-hotel-for-missouris-lake-of-the-ozarks/">planned Osage Nation casino</a>&nbsp;in the same area.“Today is a victory for the initiative petition process and for voters who will benefit from our proposed development at the Lake of the Ozarks,” the committee said in a statement issued after Green ruled.&nbsp;The proposal would amend the Missouri Constitution to allow a casino along the Osage River between Bagnell Dam and the confluence with the Missouri River. The constitution currently authorizes casinos only along&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++39(e)&amp;bid=31794&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">the Missouri and Mississippi rivers</a>.The proposal would also override a state law limiting the state&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=313.780&amp;bid=16856&amp;hl=" target="_blank">to 13 licensed casinos</a>, passed in 2008 as a result of an initiative sponsored by casino operators.The Lake of the Ozarks is one of Missouri’s busiest tourism destinations. The casino proposal is being bankrolled by Bally’s, which currently operates a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a major regional developer.&nbsp;Each has contributed about half of the $4.3 million raised for the petition drive.The casino will support more than 700 new jobs in the lake area. The project, if approved, would generate admission and other fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, according to the language appearing on the ballot, and annual gaming tax revenue of $14.3 million.There are also two constitutional amendments proposed by the General Assembly on the ballot.&nbsp; Amendment 6 would give the courts power to enforce payment of fees that support retirement benefits for sheriffs and prosecutors. Amendment 7 would ban the use of ranked-choice voting in Missouri elections and restate the current ban on voting by people who are not U.S. citizens.

Missouri judge puts Lake of the Ozarks casino proposal on Nov. ballot

(Radio Iowa) - A health insurance company is investing millions of dollars in mental telehealth services in Iowa's K-12 public schools. 

The Cedar Rapids Community School District received one-and-a-half million dollars this week from Minnesota-based insurer UnitedHealth Group. Superintendent Tawana Grover says the money will help pay for an online telehealth portal that students can use to access mental health counselling. 

UnitedHealth says it aims to provide the resources to historically underserved and rural communities. The program goal is to impact 100-thousand students. As of Wednesday, it has funded the creation of two such programs in Des Moines and Council Bluffs. No rural programs have been announced.

(Radio Iowa) - A health insurance company is investing millions of dollars in mental telehealth services in Iowa's K-12 public schools. The Cedar Rapids Community School District received one-and-a-half million dollars this week from Minnesota-based insurer UnitedHealth Group. Superintendent Tawana Grover says the money will help pay for an online telehealth portal that students can use to access mental health counselling. UnitedHealth says it aims to provide the resources to historically underserved and rural communities. The program goal is to impact 100-thousand students. As of Wednesday, it has funded the creation of two such programs in Des Moines and Council Bluffs. No rural programs have been announced.

Mental telehealth program is being launched for rural, underserved Iowa schools

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;The U.S. economy added 818,000 fewer jobs from April 2023 through March this year than were originally reported, the government said last week. The revised total adds to evidence that the job market has been steadily slowing and likely reinforces the Federal Reserve’s plan to start cutting interest rates soon.&nbsp;

Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote on social media, "Kamala Harris and Joe Biden are cooking the books for political power."

They have completely fabricated job growth in an attempt to make you believe the economy is stronger than it is. How insulting to American’s intelligence."

On Wednesday Marshall wrote,&nbsp;"We are days away from the 2024 election and this administration is cooking the books in a last-ditch attempt to rewrite history and manipulate the public's perception of Biden-Harris’ economic failures, and consistent mismanagement of government spending and the economy."

"We’re calling on the Dept. of Labor to provide answers to their misleading reporting and provide the American people with accurate info on the economic health of our nation"

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724879028891.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —&nbsp;The U.S. economy added 818,000 fewer jobs from April 2023 through March this year than were originally reported, the government said last week. The revised total adds to evidence that the job market has been steadily slowing and likely reinforces the Federal Reserve’s plan to start cutting interest rates soon.&nbsp;Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote on social media, "Kamala Harris and Joe Biden are cooking the books for political power."They have completely fabricated job growth in an attempt to make you believe the economy is stronger than it is. How insulting to American’s intelligence."On Wednesday Marshall wrote,&nbsp;"We are days away from the 2024 election and this administration is cooking the books in a last-ditch attempt to rewrite history and manipulate the public's perception of Biden-Harris’ economic failures, and consistent mismanagement of government spending and the economy.""We’re calling on the Dept. of Labor to provide answers to their misleading reporting and provide the American people with accurate info on the economic health of our nation"<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724879077210.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Kan. U.S. Senator calls on Dept. of Labor to explain misleading job report

(Radio Iowa) - State Auditor Rob Sand, the only Iowa Democrat who holds a statewide office, says the state-funded Education Savings Accounts for private school students is a big worry for Iowans. 

During a town hall meeting in Delaware County this week, Sand told residents he's carefully following the program's progress, what Republican Governor Kim Reynolds calls one of her greatest achievements. Sand says the "vouchers program really is a very consistent concern for people," and he adds that people -should- be concerned. 

He says hundreds of millions of dollars are being sent to private schools with no audit obligation and no rules. Over 30-thousand private school students in Iowa have qualified for E-S-As this year.

(Radio Iowa) - State Auditor Rob Sand, the only Iowa Democrat who holds a statewide office, says the state-funded Education Savings Accounts for private school students is a big worry for Iowans. During a town hall meeting in Delaware County this week, Sand told residents he's carefully following the program's progress, what Republican Governor Kim Reynolds calls one of her greatest achievements. Sand says the "vouchers program really is a very consistent concern for people," and he adds that people -should- be concerned. He says hundreds of millions of dollars are being sent to private schools with no audit obligation and no rules. Over 30-thousand private school students in Iowa have qualified for E-S-As this year.

State auditor says governor's ESA program remains consistent concern

The auditor will no longer need consent from governing boards or a petition drive to launch an audit when an investigation shows improper activity by officials

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

On July 23, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released an audit detailing how a former mayor of Excelsior Estates improperly&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024050" target="_blank">paid himself more than $37,000</a>&nbsp;and funneled more than $200,000 to a business he owned.

During the course of their work, auditors found that the records for the village of 209 people on the border of Ray and Clay counties were in “total disarray with missing financial records (and) other vital city records stored in a makeshift camper trailer made from the bed of a pickup truck…”

The audit was conducted at the invitation of the village Board of Aldermen after an investigation of a whistleblower complaint showed possible wrongdoing. Without the board’s consent, the auditor wouldn’t have had the authority to conduct the probe.

But not every local governing body is so cooperative. And as of Wednesday, when a new law took effect, Fitzpatrick’s office will have the&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2111&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R" target="_blank">power to initiate audits</a>&nbsp;of local agencies when an initial investigation shows “improper government activity” — including fraud, waste of resources or violations of law — or when a county prosecutor or law enforcement agency requests it.

Missouri lawmakers gave the auditor’s office power to&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=29.221&amp;bid=636&amp;hl=" target="_blank">investigate reports of improper actions</a>&nbsp;by local government officials in 2013 but withheld the authority to force those officials to open their accounts for a full-scale audit. The only way for the auditor to follow up on the investigation was to convince the governing body of the political subdivision to request an audit, like in Excelsior Estates, or for a resident to gather&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/petition-audits" target="_blank">enough signatures on a petition</a>&nbsp;to force an audit.

The new law eliminates those restrictions.&nbsp;

“This is not designed to give us unfettered access to auditing any political subdivision for any reason,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was to make things easier for taxpayers. If they’ve made a credible whistleblower complaint to us that there’s a problem somewhere that we investigate, that we could then initiate the audit instead of forcing somebody to have to go gather a bunch of signatures.”

The bill, passed unanimously in the second year it was introduced, originated with&nbsp;<a href="https://fox2now.com/news/you-paid-for-it/state-to-audit-francis-howell-school-district-on-its-spending/" target="_blank">concerns about cost overruns</a>&nbsp;at the new Francis Howell School District high school in St. Charles County, said the sponsor, Republican state Rep. Phil Christofanelli of St. Peters.

A school district was the only local government entity that the state auditor had discretion to audit, he said. The auditor’s office is legally obligated to audit every county without a county auditor.

If the cost overruns had been at a municipal construction project, Christofanelli said, only the willingness of the governing board or the determination of citizens to complete a petition drive could bring the auditor in.

For a small community like Excelsior Estates, the petition would have to include signatures from 25% of the city’s registered voters. For a city the size of St. Peters, the requirement would be 10% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent election, with a minimum of 750 signatures.

“The idea of doing something like this in a city like St Peters, for instance, is completely impractical, and you’d have to have a remarkable campaign put together to do it properly,” Christofanelli said.

During work on the bill, he said, he was told that up to 90% of petition audit attempts are unsuccessful.

The state auditor’s office will be taking on the new powers at a time when Fitzpatrick is trying to rebuild his staff, which had shrunk to 89 full-time employees – out of 167 authorized in the budget – when he took office.&nbsp;

Fitzpatrick was elected auditor in 2022 after four years as state treasurer and six years in the Missouri House, where he was chairman of the House Budget Committee.&nbsp;

In recent years, the audit output of the office, especially detailed audits of state agencies and programs, has declined significantly.&nbsp;

During the first eight months of 2004, the office issued 27 audits and reviews of state agencies and programs ranging from elected official offices to tax credit programs and agency operations in determining Medicaid eligibility and the acquisition of highway right-of-way. In the same period of 2014, the number of state agency audits and reviews was 10.

This year, through Wednesday, the total was three – the operations of the attorney general and secretary of state’s offices and how the Missouri State Highway Patrol uses highway fund money.

The two factors limiting the number of individual agency and program audits are time devoted to the annual audits of the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/CitzSummary?id=997" target="_blank">state financial report</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2023030" target="_blank">federal funding awards</a>. Work that once took 18,000 to 20,000 staff hours in a year is now approaching 50,000, Fitzpatrick said.

That workload, combined with the staffing shortages, has reduced the number of individual agency and program audits. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/AuditsInProgress" target="_blank">10 agency or program audits</a>&nbsp;in process, including the Department of Conservation, pandemic food programs and the cannabis programs within the Department of Health and Senior Services.

“It’s a huge report,” Fitzpatrick said of the cannabis program audit. “It’s going to be, in terms of the number of staff hours, what will probably be the largest performance audit that’s been done in the auditor’s office in recent history.”

The cannabis program audit should be released early next year, he said.

The routine work of the auditor’s office includes&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024012" target="_blank">checking tens of thousands of local property tax rates</a>&nbsp;against the legal maximums, receiving and publishing reports of spending&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/CitzSummary?id=1005" target="_blank">by local taxing agencies</a>&nbsp;and auditing counties that do not have an elected auditor.&nbsp;

To help rebuild staff, lawmakers have added $4.2 million to the auditor’s budget over the past two years, increasing it to $13.5 million. That increase, he said, recognizes that the pay raises given by his predecessor, Democrat Nicole Gallaway, to retain staff is the salary level needed to attract new talent as well.

“They were adjusting the salaries to try to be more competitive, which needed to happen,” he said.

The new authority should not interfere with the statutory responsibilities of the office, Christofanelli said.

“Just because we give the auditor the power to initiate new investigations does not necessarily mean that if there are other matters that are not discretionary, that he would have to pursue those audits,” he said. “It just provides him the authority to do it, should the need arise.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716233650939.png" alt="-&nbsp;&nbsp;Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick will have new powers to initiateaudits of local governments under a law taking effect Wednesday (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>-&nbsp;&nbsp;Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick will have new powers to initiateaudits of local governments under a law taking effect Wednesday (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The auditor will no longer need consent from governing boards or a petition drive to launch an audit when an investigation shows improper activity by officials</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>On July 23, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released an audit detailing how a former mayor of Excelsior Estates improperly&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024050" target="_blank">paid himself more than $37,000</a>&nbsp;and funneled more than $200,000 to a business he owned.During the course of their work, auditors found that the records for the village of 209 people on the border of Ray and Clay counties were in “total disarray with missing financial records (and) other vital city records stored in a makeshift camper trailer made from the bed of a pickup truck…”The audit was conducted at the invitation of the village Board of Aldermen after an investigation of a whistleblower complaint showed possible wrongdoing. Without the board’s consent, the auditor wouldn’t have had the authority to conduct the probe.But not every local governing body is so cooperative. And as of Wednesday, when a new law took effect, Fitzpatrick’s office will have the&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2111&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R" target="_blank">power to initiate audits</a>&nbsp;of local agencies when an initial investigation shows “improper government activity” — including fraud, waste of resources or violations of law — or when a county prosecutor or law enforcement agency requests it.Missouri lawmakers gave the auditor’s office power to&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=29.221&amp;bid=636&amp;hl=" target="_blank">investigate reports of improper actions</a>&nbsp;by local government officials in 2013 but withheld the authority to force those officials to open their accounts for a full-scale audit. The only way for the auditor to follow up on the investigation was to convince the governing body of the political subdivision to request an audit, like in Excelsior Estates, or for a resident to gather&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/petition-audits" target="_blank">enough signatures on a petition</a>&nbsp;to force an audit.The new law eliminates those restrictions.&nbsp;“This is not designed to give us unfettered access to auditing any political subdivision for any reason,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was to make things easier for taxpayers. If they’ve made a credible whistleblower complaint to us that there’s a problem somewhere that we investigate, that we could then initiate the audit instead of forcing somebody to have to go gather a bunch of signatures.”The bill, passed unanimously in the second year it was introduced, originated with&nbsp;<a href="https://fox2now.com/news/you-paid-for-it/state-to-audit-francis-howell-school-district-on-its-spending/" target="_blank">concerns about cost overruns</a>&nbsp;at the new Francis Howell School District high school in St. Charles County, said the sponsor, Republican state Rep. Phil Christofanelli of St. Peters.A school district was the only local government entity that the state auditor had discretion to audit, he said. The auditor’s office is legally obligated to audit every county without a county auditor.If the cost overruns had been at a municipal construction project, Christofanelli said, only the willingness of the governing board or the determination of citizens to complete a petition drive could bring the auditor in.For a small community like Excelsior Estates, the petition would have to include signatures from 25% of the city’s registered voters. For a city the size of St. Peters, the requirement would be 10% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent election, with a minimum of 750 signatures.“The idea of doing something like this in a city like St Peters, for instance, is completely impractical, and you’d have to have a remarkable campaign put together to do it properly,” Christofanelli said.During work on the bill, he said, he was told that up to 90% of petition audit attempts are unsuccessful.The state auditor’s office will be taking on the new powers at a time when Fitzpatrick is trying to rebuild his staff, which had shrunk to 89 full-time employees – out of 167 authorized in the budget – when he took office.&nbsp;Fitzpatrick was elected auditor in 2022 after four years as state treasurer and six years in the Missouri House, where he was chairman of the House Budget Committee.&nbsp;In recent years, the audit output of the office, especially detailed audits of state agencies and programs, has declined significantly.&nbsp;During the first eight months of 2004, the office issued 27 audits and reviews of state agencies and programs ranging from elected official offices to tax credit programs and agency operations in determining Medicaid eligibility and the acquisition of highway right-of-way. In the same period of 2014, the number of state agency audits and reviews was 10.This year, through Wednesday, the total was three – the operations of the attorney general and secretary of state’s offices and how the Missouri State Highway Patrol uses highway fund money.The two factors limiting the number of individual agency and program audits are time devoted to the annual audits of the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/CitzSummary?id=997" target="_blank">state financial report</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2023030" target="_blank">federal funding awards</a>. Work that once took 18,000 to 20,000 staff hours in a year is now approaching 50,000, Fitzpatrick said.That workload, combined with the staffing shortages, has reduced the number of individual agency and program audits. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/AuditsInProgress" target="_blank">10 agency or program audits</a>&nbsp;in process, including the Department of Conservation, pandemic food programs and the cannabis programs within the Department of Health and Senior Services.“It’s a huge report,” Fitzpatrick said of the cannabis program audit. “It’s going to be, in terms of the number of staff hours, what will probably be the largest performance audit that’s been done in the auditor’s office in recent history.”The cannabis program audit should be released early next year, he said.The routine work of the auditor’s office includes&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024012" target="_blank">checking tens of thousands of local property tax rates</a>&nbsp;against the legal maximums, receiving and publishing reports of spending&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/CitzSummary?id=1005" target="_blank">by local taxing agencies</a>&nbsp;and auditing counties that do not have an elected auditor.&nbsp;To help rebuild staff, lawmakers have added $4.2 million to the auditor’s budget over the past two years, increasing it to $13.5 million. That increase, he said, recognizes that the pay raises given by his predecessor, Democrat Nicole Gallaway, to retain staff is the salary level needed to attract new talent as well.“They were adjusting the salaries to try to be more competitive, which needed to happen,” he said.The new authority should not interfere with the statutory responsibilities of the office, Christofanelli said.“Just because we give the auditor the power to initiate new investigations does not necessarily mean that if there are other matters that are not discretionary, that he would have to pursue those audits,” he said. “It just provides him the authority to do it, should the need arise.”

New Missouri law expands state auditor’s powers to dig into local governments

More illnesses and deaths have been reported due to a massive contamination of deli meats. It is now the largest listeria outbreak in 13 years, according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Illnesses have been reported over the past several weeks in Missouri and 17 other states including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Death have occurred in six states including Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

 Listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces, like meat slicers, and foods, even at refrigerated temperatures. It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis. 

Do not eat recalled deli meats. Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024.&nbsp; <a href="https://boarshead.com/pages/product-recall-full-product-list">&nbsp;Click here for a list</a> of items included in the recall.

Boar’s Head also recalled all deli products, including prepackaged deli products, in shelf life from this establishment. Look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.

For people who are generally healthy and not at higher risk of serious infection:

Listeria&nbsp;is especially harmful if you are pregnant, are aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system due to certain medical conditions or treatments. Other people can be infected with&nbsp;Listeria,&nbsp;but they rarely become seriously ill.

If you are pregnant, are aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721435735887.png" alt="FILE - Microscopic image of Listeriabacterium, responsible for the food borne illness listeriosis. (Elizabeth White/CDC )" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Microscopic image of Listeriabacterium, responsible for the food borne illness listeriosis. (Elizabeth White/CDC )</figcaption>
 </figure>More illnesses and deaths have been reported due to a massive contamination of deli meats. It is now the largest listeria outbreak in 13 years, according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.&nbsp;&nbsp;Illnesses have been reported over the past several weeks in Missouri and 17 other states including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.Death have occurred in six states including Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces, like meat slicers, and foods, even at refrigerated temperatures. It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis. Do not eat recalled deli meats. Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024.&nbsp; <a href="https://boarshead.com/pages/product-recall-full-product-list">&nbsp;Click here for a list</a> of items included in the recall.<ul>
 <li>Produced between June 11, 2024 and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf-life</li><li>"Boar's Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst made in Virginia"</li><li>3.5 pound loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis</li><li>Sell by dates range from July 25, 2024, to August 30, 2024</li>
 </ul><h2>Other Boar's Head Deli Meat Products</h2>Boar’s Head also recalled all deli products, including prepackaged deli products, in shelf life from this establishment. Look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.<h2>What you should do</h2>For people who are generally healthy and not at higher risk of serious infection:<ul>
 <li>Do not eat recalled meats.&nbsp;Throw them away or contact stores about returns.</li><li>Check your refrigerator for any recalled deli meats and throw them away or return them to the store.&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator.</li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/communication-resources/clean-refrigerator-steps.html">Clean</a>&nbsp;your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched recalled meats.</li>
 </ul><h2>What People at Higher Risk Should Do</h2>Listeria&nbsp;is especially harmful if you are pregnant, are aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system due to certain medical conditions or treatments. Other people can be infected with&nbsp;Listeria,&nbsp;but they rarely become seriously ill.If you are pregnant, are aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system:<ul>
 <li>Do not eat recalled deli meats.&nbsp;Throw them away or contact stores about returns.</li><li>In addition, do not eat any other deli meats you get sliced at deli counters, unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot.&nbsp;Let it cool before you eat it.Listeria&nbsp;can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator, but it is easily killed by heating food to a high enough temperature.</li><li>Listeria&nbsp;can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator, but it is easily killed by heating food to a high enough temperature.</li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/communication-resources/clean-refrigerator-steps.html">Clean</a>&nbsp;your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.This is especially important if you purchased any of the recalled deli products.</li><li>This is especially important if you purchased any of the recalled deli products.</li><li>Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:People who are not pregnant&nbsp;usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.Pregnant people&nbsp;usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. However,&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.</li><li>People who are not pregnant&nbsp;usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.</li><li>Pregnant people&nbsp;usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. However,&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.</li>
 </ul><h2>What Businesses Should Do</h2><ul>
 <li>For delis that received recalled meats:Thoroughly clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces, including deli slicers.Throw away any open meats and cheeses in the deli.USDA-FSIS is advising delis to not use any opened deli products because recalled products can cross-contaminate other deli meats and cheeses.</li><li>Thoroughly clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces, including deli slicers.</li><li>Throw away any open meats and cheeses in the deli.</li><li>USDA-FSIS is advising delis to not use any opened deli products because recalled products can cross-contaminate other deli meats and cheeses.</li><li>Always follow USDA-FSIS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/guidelines/2023-0004" target="_blank">best practices</a>&nbsp;for controlling&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;contamination in deli areas.</li>
 </ul><h2>Symptoms of Listeria</h2><ul>
 <li>Listeria&nbsp;is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. This is because&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;is more likely to spread beyond their gut to other parts of their body, resulting in a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis.For people who are pregnant,&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn.For people who are 65 years or older&nbsp;or&nbsp;who have a weakened immune system,&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.</li><li>For people who are pregnant,&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn.</li><li>For people who are 65 years or older&nbsp;or&nbsp;who have a weakened immune system,&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.</li><li>Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with&nbsp;Listeria&nbsp;but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.Pregnant people&nbsp;usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.People who are not pregnant&nbsp;usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.</li><li>Pregnant people&nbsp;usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.</li><li>People who are not pregnant&nbsp;usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.</li>
 </ul>

Death toll grows: Listeria outbreak tied to deli meat; illness reported in Missouri

Labor Day is almost upon us and the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding everyone to stay safe when traveling this weekend.

Sergeant Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph, says Labor Day is one of the four major holidays throughout the year where there is an increase in traffic. "We want people to make safety their number one priority," Hux says.

Hux adds, "Allow extra time to get to and from your destination, obey all traffic laws, and avoid distractions."

A 'Hands Free' law is in place in Missouri, and Hux simply says, "Keep the phone down when driving."

In addition to increased travel, a lot of people will also be enjoying Labor Day weekend on Missouri's lakes and rivers. Hux says boating safety should be taken seriously, emphasizing the importance of life jackets.

"Life jackets are not only important for children, but adults as well. Especially if you on the Missouri River. It's so unpredictable with the current and debris in the water. Always wear a life jacket anytime you are on or near the water."

The Labor Day counting period begins at 6:00 pm Friday, August 30 and lasts until midnight Monday, September 2.

AAA estimates a 9% increase in travel over the same time last year.

Hux advises calling *55 or 1-800-525-5555 in the event of a roadway emergency. It will put you in contact with the nearest Troop headquarters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594388258541.png" alt="MSHP" />
 <figcaption>MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostLabor Day is almost upon us and the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding everyone to stay safe when traveling this weekend.Sergeant Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph, says Labor Day is one of the four major holidays throughout the year where there is an increase in traffic. "We want people to make safety their number one priority," Hux says.Hux adds, "Allow extra time to get to and from your destination, obey all traffic laws, and avoid distractions."A 'Hands Free' law is in place in Missouri, and Hux simply says, "Keep the phone down when driving."In addition to increased travel, a lot of people will also be enjoying Labor Day weekend on Missouri's lakes and rivers. Hux says boating safety should be taken seriously, emphasizing the importance of life jackets."Life jackets are not only important for children, but adults as well. Especially if you on the Missouri River. It's so unpredictable with the current and debris in the water. Always wear a life jacket anytime you are on or near the water."The Labor Day counting period begins at 6:00 pm Friday, August 30 and lasts until midnight Monday, September 2.AAA estimates a 9% increase in travel over the same time last year.Hux advises calling *55 or 1-800-525-5555 in the event of a roadway emergency. It will put you in contact with the nearest Troop headquarters.

Travel safety tips to keep in mind for Labor Day weekend

Missouri Attorney General's office

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Wednesday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that the United States Supreme Court upheld the court order he obtained at the Eighth Circuit blocking the Biden-Harris Administration’s latest illegal student loan cancellation scheme. Not one of the justices dissented.

“This is the second time the Supreme Court has sided with my office against one of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ unlawful student loan cancellation schemes,”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey.&nbsp;“This court order is a stark reminder&nbsp;to the Biden-Harris Administration that Congress did not grant them the authority to saddle working Americans with $500 billion in someone else’s Ivy League debt. This is a huge win for every American who still believes in paying their own way.”

The Eighth Circuit upheld the Eastern District of Missouri’s original preliminary injunction and took it even further, holding that “The Government is, for any borrower whose loans are governed in whole or in part by the terms of the Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, 88 Fed. Reg. 43820, enjoined from any further forgiveness of principal or interest, from not charging borrowers accrued interest, and from further implementing SAVE’s payment-threshold provisions. This injunction will remain in effect until further order of this court or the Supreme Court of the United States.”&nbsp;Today, the Supreme Court left it in place.&nbsp;

In 2023, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Attorney General Bailey’s first&nbsp;challenge to the Biden Administration’s unilateral and unlawful wealth transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt. In a 6-3 decision, the Court struck down Biden’s repayment plan as unconstitutional, citing the massive $430 billion-plus impact on the federal budget without express authority from Congress. The Court held that Missouri’s student loan servicing company, MOHELA, was an arm of Missouri’s state government, and therefore, granted the states standing to challenge the student loan plan.

Joining General Bailey in filing suit the second time around were the attorneys general of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

In the suit, the States asserted, “Just last year, the Supreme Court struck down an attempt by the President to force teachers, truckers, and farmers to pay for the student loan debt of other Americans—to the enormous tune of $430 billion. In striking down that attempt, the Court declared that the President cannot ‘unilaterally alter large sections of the American economy.’ Undeterred, the President is at it again, even bragging that ‘the Supreme Court blocked it. They blocked it. But that didn’t stop me.’”

The States noted,&nbsp;“Yet again, the President is unilaterally trying to impose an extraordinarily expensive and controversial policy that he could not get through Congress. This latest attempt to sidestep the Constitution is only the most recent instance in a long but troubling pattern of the President relying on innocuous language from decades-old statutes to impose drastic, costly policy changes on the American people without their consent.”

The Supreme Court’s order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=da4df09cee&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zfledXfo$">here.</a>

The Eighth Circuit’s original order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=7605c9fc9d&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zfl5VIzc$">here.</a>

The Eastern District of Missouri’s order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=e267cd52be&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zwgADoQU$">here.</a>

The original lawsuit can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=6218e34393&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zvs0ScmE$">here.</a>

Missouri Attorney General's officeJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Wednesday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that the United States Supreme Court upheld the court order he obtained at the Eighth Circuit blocking the Biden-Harris Administration’s latest illegal student loan cancellation scheme. Not one of the justices dissented.“This is the second time the Supreme Court has sided with my office against one of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ unlawful student loan cancellation schemes,”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey.&nbsp;“This court order is a stark reminder&nbsp;to the Biden-Harris Administration that Congress did not grant them the authority to saddle working Americans with $500 billion in someone else’s Ivy League debt. This is a huge win for every American who still believes in paying their own way.”The Eighth Circuit upheld the Eastern District of Missouri’s original preliminary injunction and took it even further, holding that “The Government is, for any borrower whose loans are governed in whole or in part by the terms of the Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, 88 Fed. Reg. 43820, enjoined from any further forgiveness of principal or interest, from not charging borrowers accrued interest, and from further implementing SAVE’s payment-threshold provisions. This injunction will remain in effect until further order of this court or the Supreme Court of the United States.”&nbsp;Today, the Supreme Court left it in place.&nbsp;In 2023, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Attorney General Bailey’s first&nbsp;challenge to the Biden Administration’s unilateral and unlawful wealth transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt. In a 6-3 decision, the Court struck down Biden’s repayment plan as unconstitutional, citing the massive $430 billion-plus impact on the federal budget without express authority from Congress. The Court held that Missouri’s student loan servicing company, MOHELA, was an arm of Missouri’s state government, and therefore, granted the states standing to challenge the student loan plan.Joining General Bailey in filing suit the second time around were the attorneys general of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma.In the suit, the States asserted, “Just last year, the Supreme Court struck down an attempt by the President to force teachers, truckers, and farmers to pay for the student loan debt of other Americans—to the enormous tune of $430 billion. In striking down that attempt, the Court declared that the President cannot ‘unilaterally alter large sections of the American economy.’ Undeterred, the President is at it again, even bragging that ‘the Supreme Court blocked it. They blocked it. But that didn’t stop me.’”The States noted,&nbsp;“Yet again, the President is unilaterally trying to impose an extraordinarily expensive and controversial policy that he could not get through Congress. This latest attempt to sidestep the Constitution is only the most recent instance in a long but troubling pattern of the President relying on innocuous language from decades-old statutes to impose drastic, costly policy changes on the American people without their consent.”The Supreme Court’s order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=da4df09cee&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zfledXfo$">here.</a>The Eighth Circuit’s original order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=7605c9fc9d&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zfl5VIzc$">here.</a>The Eastern District of Missouri’s order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=e267cd52be&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zwgADoQU$">here.</a>The original lawsuit can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=6218e34393&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zvs0ScmE$">here.</a>

Supreme Court upholds Mo. AG's court order blocking Biden-Harris student loan scheme

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

Missouri legislative leaders are demanding answers from state education officials about a monthslong backlog in a child care subsidy program.

Two House committees — the budget committee and the education committee — have scheduled hearings into the matter next month, and a Republican Senate leader has called for her chamber to launch a similar inquiry.

“I think it is safe to say The Office of Childhood is a massive disaster,” Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican from Shelbina,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/1312548800/posts/pfbid0rzwkp3qSZikSAxDunLENbhXBzsx7jaSXFiezPcV9FTmjhPMkWmFiubpZv6VNgqX8l/?app=fbl" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;in a Facebook post Tuesday, referring to the office within the&nbsp;Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that&nbsp;is responsible for administration of the subsidy.

“… instead of creating more child care,” she wrote, “this office is running day cares out of business.”

Child care providers have been struggling to keep their doors open, and in some cases forced to shutter, due to technical issues with the education department’s disbursal of federal funds.

State education officials have largely blamed a contracted vendor for the monthslong backlogs. The system launched in December after the program shifted from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The subsidy, part of a federal block grant program that is state-administered, helps cover the cost for day care owners serving low-income and foster children. Some day cares&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/05/missouri-child-care-subsidy-providers-day-care-children/">rely on the program</a>&nbsp;to pay their staff.

O’Laughlin said due to the “incompetence” of the office, she is requesting that Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden appoint an interim committee to look into the issues.&nbsp;

The technology vendor, along with leadership of the Office of Childhood, parents and child care providers would be asked to testify, she wrote.

The vendor contracted to develop and implement the new system for the subsidy program is World Wide Technology, a large technology services provider headquartered in St. Louis.

In addition to O’Laughlin, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat running for governor, demanded that her chamber’s leadership create an interim committee to look into the issues surrounding the subsidy.&nbsp;

The problems administering the program have “escalated to the point of crisis, with families losing access to care,” Quade&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25079422-8-22-interim-committee-request-1" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;in a letter last week to House Speaker Dean Plocher, “as some facilities have been forced to close, due in large part to the department’s failure to remit the payments owed in a timely manner.”

The education department has been “less than forthcoming” in communication, she wrote.&nbsp;

“Since members of the House Democratic Caucus are being inundated with pleas for help from desperate families and struggling providers,” Quade wrote, “I’m certain our Republican colleagues are as well.&nbsp;

“If the department is unable or unwilling to provide answers, it is our duty to demand them.”

Wednesday, Plocher&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25079476-house-education-committee-to-hold-special-hearing-on-dese-childcare-payment-delays" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee will hold a hearing Sept. 10 to “investigate the causes and impacts of delays” in the state issuing child care payments.

A House Budget Committee hearing was already scheduled for Sept. 11 to discuss child care with the education agency.

“At any hearing that is scheduled with lawmakers,” the education department’s spokesperson, Mallory McGowin, said in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25079575-8-28-24-dese-comment" target="_blank">email</a>&nbsp;to The Independent, “DESE plans to be transparent about the challenges that exist, and the work being done to address the issues.”

McGowin said there are currently backlogs in family applications for subsidy assistance, provider contract applications, and in providers’ requests to resolve outstanding payment issues.

And there are ongoing issues getting providers their full payment: “Payments are being processed daily and providers are getting paid,” she said, “though some are not receiving full payment due to ongoing technical issues.”

Regarding the backlog of family applications, McGowin said the department has contracted with a staffing agency and expects it to be cleared by “mid to late September.” The department has also cross-trained additional staff to clear the backlog of provider contract applications. That backlog is expected to be cleared “by early to mid-September.”

Regarding outstanding payment issues, she said the current contractors have doubled their staff working on “issues preventing or delaying provider payments.” DESE has also contracted with an agency to clear the backlog of subsidy payment corrections and hired part-time workers to help process requests for missing payments. McGowin didn’t provide a timeline for the department overcoming the backlog of payment corrections.

“DESE recognizes the importance of subsidy payments to the child care industry and the value the program provides to Missouri’s workforce, in particular for families who provide care to children in foster care,” McGowin said.

McGowin encouraged parents and providers with questions to call the subsidy hotline at&nbsp;<a href="tel:5734158605" target="_blank">573-415-8605</a>.

“DESE and its contractors, World Wide Technology and MTX, are working hard to address these issues and sincerely apologizes to the child care providers and families affected by this transition,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724869100628.png" alt=" Child care providers have been struggling to keep their doors open, and in some cases forced to shutter, due to technical issues with the education department’s disbursal of federal funds (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Child care providers have been struggling to keep their doors open, and in some cases forced to shutter, due to technical issues with the education department’s disbursal of federal funds (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri legislative leaders are demanding answers from state education officials about a monthslong backlog in a child care subsidy program.Two House committees — the budget committee and the education committee — have scheduled hearings into the matter next month, and a Republican Senate leader has called for her chamber to launch a similar inquiry.“I think it is safe to say The Office of Childhood is a massive disaster,” Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican from Shelbina,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/1312548800/posts/pfbid0rzwkp3qSZikSAxDunLENbhXBzsx7jaSXFiezPcV9FTmjhPMkWmFiubpZv6VNgqX8l/?app=fbl" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;in a Facebook post Tuesday, referring to the office within the&nbsp;Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that&nbsp;is responsible for administration of the subsidy.“… instead of creating more child care,” she wrote, “this office is running day cares out of business.”Child care providers have been struggling to keep their doors open, and in some cases forced to shutter, due to technical issues with the education department’s disbursal of federal funds.State education officials have largely blamed a contracted vendor for the monthslong backlogs. The system launched in December after the program shifted from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.The subsidy, part of a federal block grant program that is state-administered, helps cover the cost for day care owners serving low-income and foster children. Some day cares&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/05/missouri-child-care-subsidy-providers-day-care-children/">rely on the program</a>&nbsp;to pay their staff.O’Laughlin said due to the “incompetence” of the office, she is requesting that Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden appoint an interim committee to look into the issues.&nbsp;The technology vendor, along with leadership of the Office of Childhood, parents and child care providers would be asked to testify, she wrote.The vendor contracted to develop and implement the new system for the subsidy program is World Wide Technology, a large technology services provider headquartered in St. Louis.In addition to O’Laughlin, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat running for governor, demanded that her chamber’s leadership create an interim committee to look into the issues surrounding the subsidy.&nbsp;The problems administering the program have “escalated to the point of crisis, with families losing access to care,” Quade&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25079422-8-22-interim-committee-request-1" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;in a letter last week to House Speaker Dean Plocher, “as some facilities have been forced to close, due in large part to the department’s failure to remit the payments owed in a timely manner.”The education department has been “less than forthcoming” in communication, she wrote.&nbsp;“Since members of the House Democratic Caucus are being inundated with pleas for help from desperate families and struggling providers,” Quade wrote, “I’m certain our Republican colleagues are as well.&nbsp;“If the department is unable or unwilling to provide answers, it is our duty to demand them.”Wednesday, Plocher&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25079476-house-education-committee-to-hold-special-hearing-on-dese-childcare-payment-delays" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee will hold a hearing Sept. 10 to “investigate the causes and impacts of delays” in the state issuing child care payments.A House Budget Committee hearing was already scheduled for Sept. 11 to discuss child care with the education agency.“At any hearing that is scheduled with lawmakers,” the education department’s spokesperson, Mallory McGowin, said in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25079575-8-28-24-dese-comment" target="_blank">email</a>&nbsp;to The Independent, “DESE plans to be transparent about the challenges that exist, and the work being done to address the issues.”McGowin said there are currently backlogs in family applications for subsidy assistance, provider contract applications, and in providers’ requests to resolve outstanding payment issues.And there are ongoing issues getting providers their full payment: “Payments are being processed daily and providers are getting paid,” she said, “though some are not receiving full payment due to ongoing technical issues.”Regarding the backlog of family applications, McGowin said the department has contracted with a staffing agency and expects it to be cleared by “mid to late September.” The department has also cross-trained additional staff to clear the backlog of provider contract applications. That backlog is expected to be cleared “by early to mid-September.”Regarding outstanding payment issues, she said the current contractors have doubled their staff working on “issues preventing or delaying provider payments.” DESE has also contracted with an agency to clear the backlog of subsidy payment corrections and hired part-time workers to help process requests for missing payments. McGowin didn’t provide a timeline for the department overcoming the backlog of payment corrections.“DESE recognizes the importance of subsidy payments to the child care industry and the value the program provides to Missouri’s workforce, in particular for families who provide care to children in foster care,” McGowin said.McGowin encouraged parents and providers with questions to call the subsidy hotline at&nbsp;<a href="tel:5734158605" target="_blank">573-415-8605</a>.“DESE and its contractors, World Wide Technology and MTX, are working hard to address these issues and sincerely apologizes to the child care providers and families affected by this transition,” she said.

Missouri legislative leaders call for hearings over child care subsidy ‘crisis’

(Radio Iowa) - State Auditor Rob Sand says his office will conduct an audit of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. 

Sand says the audit comes at the request of State Representative Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown. Cahill tells Sand the audit is needed after the unexpected layoffs in July of eleven full-time staff. She says these cuts were made without input from the Legislature and occurred despite the home receiving an additional one million dollars in state funding during the budget process. 

A spokesman for the Iowa Veterans Home released a statement that says the new structure is built to improve service delivery for residents. And says unfortunately, there’s been disinformation throughout the transition, and the main points made by Cahill appear misinformed and factually wrong. It says the assertions that eleven employees were laid off and the realignment would "negatively affect the quality of care are objectively, verifiably false."

(Radio Iowa) - State Auditor Rob Sand says his office will conduct an audit of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Sand says the audit comes at the request of State Representative Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown. Cahill tells Sand the audit is needed after the unexpected layoffs in July of eleven full-time staff. She says these cuts were made without input from the Legislature and occurred despite the home receiving an additional one million dollars in state funding during the budget process. A spokesman for the Iowa Veterans Home released a statement that says the new structure is built to improve service delivery for residents. And says unfortunately, there’s been disinformation throughout the transition, and the main points made by Cahill appear misinformed and factually wrong. It says the assertions that eleven employees were laid off and the realignment would "negatively affect the quality of care are objectively, verifiably false."

Audit Planned For Iowa Veterans Home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating after a group of possibly teenagers or individuals in their early twenties, were involved in a shooting incident near Exploration Place,&nbsp;300 N McLean Blvd. in Wichita. Police asked for help to identify suspects and released a security camera image.

&nbsp;The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office has charged 19-year-old D’Angelo Martinez for criminal discharge of a firearm in connection with the crime.

Just before 12:30a.m. August 4, there was an exchange of gunshots between the groups, and a bullet struck a glass window at Exploration Place.

Fortunately, no one was injured, including a group of children at a sleepover event at Exploration Place. Police believed that a confrontation occurred near the Keeper of the Plains Statue and the South Bridge prior to the shooting taking place.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722947154401.png" alt="Security camera image Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating after a group of possibly teenagers or individuals in their early twenties, were involved in a shooting incident near Exploration Place,&nbsp;300 N McLean Blvd. in Wichita. Police asked for help to identify suspects and released a security camera image.&nbsp;The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office has charged 19-year-old D’Angelo Martinez for criminal discharge of a firearm in connection with the crime.Just before 12:30a.m. August 4, there was an exchange of gunshots between the groups, and a bullet struck a glass window at Exploration Place.Fortunately, no one was injured, including a group of children at a sleepover event at Exploration Place. Police believed that a confrontation occurred near the Keeper of the Plains Statue and the South Bridge prior to the shooting taking place.

Suspect charged for gunfire that damaged Kan. science museum

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a teens death just days after a violent attack in Kansas City.

Just after 6:30p.m. August 21, police responded to report of disturbance in the 5000 block of Swope Parkway, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders found 18-year-old Montague Ashline suffering from head trauma. EMS transported him Ashline to a local hospital

Preliminary investigation showed there was an argument between multiple people that led to Ashline being hit with an object.

On Monday, Ashline died from his injuries. Police have not reported an arrest.

If anyone has any information on Ashline’s death they are asked to call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously that leads to closure in the case.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a teens death just days after a violent attack in Kansas City.Just after 6:30p.m. August 21, police responded to report of disturbance in the 5000 block of Swope Parkway, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders found 18-year-old Montague Ashline suffering from head trauma. EMS transported him Ashline to a local hospitalPreliminary investigation showed there was an argument between multiple people that led to Ashline being hit with an object.On Monday, Ashline died from his injuries. Police have not reported an arrest.If anyone has any information on Ashline’s death they are asked to call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously that leads to closure in the case.

18-year-old dies days after violent attack in Kansas City

Missouri was among the states who filed a lawsuit last week to block the Biden administration program

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — A Texas federal judge late Monday sided with 16-Republican led states to temporarily block a Biden administration program that grants deportation protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and a potential pathway to citizenship.

The ruling by Judge J. Campbell Barker&nbsp;of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, is&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.232527/gov.uscourts.txed.232527.27.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">an administrative stay</a>, meaning no applications can be processed while the case is ongoing. The Department of Homeland Security began accepting applications last week.

“The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date,” Barker, who former president Donald Trump appointed, wrote in his order.

A DHS spokesperson said the agency will defend the program, known as Keeping Families Together, in court.

“Keeping Families Together enables U.S. citizens and their family members to live without fear of separation, consistent with fundamental American values,” a DHS spokesperson said. “The Department of Homeland Security will comply with the court’s decision, including continuing to accept applications, while we defend Keeping Families Together in court.”

DHS is still allowed to collect applications for the program, but not allowed to approve them, according to the order from Barker.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-131f" target="_blank">Applications that have already been processed</a>&nbsp;and a parole in place granted, are not impacted by the current stay.

The states,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-states-aim-halt-biden-program-protecting-undocumented-spouses-deportation" target="_blank">which filed the suit last week</a>, are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.

They are being represented by American First Legal, an organization established by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller — the architect of Trump’s hard-line immigration policies.

Those states argue that the Biden administration overreached its authority in creating the program and they argue the program would financially harm them if that group of undocumented people — roughly 500,000 — are allowed to remain in the country.

In his order, Barker set a court timeline that could deliver a decision by mid-October, right before the presidential election. Both sides have until Oct. 10 to submit their briefs.

“The court does not, however, express any ultimate conclusions about the success or likely success of those claims,” Barker wrote. “As with most administrative stays, the court has simply undertaken a screening, ‘first-blush’ review of the claims and what is at stake in the dispute.”

President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/06/18/biden-to-unveil-protections-for-some-undocumented-spouses-easier-daca-work-visas/" target="_blank">in June unveiled the program</a>, which is a one-time action that applies to long-term undocumented people married to U.S. citizens for 10 years as of June 17 this year. It also applies to their children. It’s expected to roughly include 50,000 children who are undocumented but have an immigrant parent married to a U.S. citizen.

The program allows for those undocumented spouses and their children to apply for a green card under certain requirements, which DHS will review on a case-by-case basis.

Under current U.S. immigration law, if a noncitizen enters the country without authorization, they are ineligible for permanent legal status and would need to leave the U.S. and then reenter through a green card application by their U.S. spouse. It’s a lengthy process that can take years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724510077030.png" alt="President Biden during the announcement in June-White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during the announcement in June-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Missouri was among the states who filed a lawsuit last week to block the Biden administration program</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — A Texas federal judge late Monday sided with 16-Republican led states to temporarily block a Biden administration program that grants deportation protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and a potential pathway to citizenship.The ruling by Judge J. Campbell Barker&nbsp;of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, is&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.232527/gov.uscourts.txed.232527.27.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">an administrative stay</a>, meaning no applications can be processed while the case is ongoing. The Department of Homeland Security began accepting applications last week.“The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date,” Barker, who former president Donald Trump appointed, wrote in his order.A DHS spokesperson said the agency will defend the program, known as Keeping Families Together, in court.“Keeping Families Together enables U.S. citizens and their family members to live without fear of separation, consistent with fundamental American values,” a DHS spokesperson said. “The Department of Homeland Security will comply with the court’s decision, including continuing to accept applications, while we defend Keeping Families Together in court.”DHS is still allowed to collect applications for the program, but not allowed to approve them, according to the order from Barker.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-131f" target="_blank">Applications that have already been processed</a>&nbsp;and a parole in place granted, are not impacted by the current stay.The states,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-states-aim-halt-biden-program-protecting-undocumented-spouses-deportation" target="_blank">which filed the suit last week</a>, are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.They are being represented by American First Legal, an organization established by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller — the architect of Trump’s hard-line immigration policies.Those states argue that the Biden administration overreached its authority in creating the program and they argue the program would financially harm them if that group of undocumented people — roughly 500,000 — are allowed to remain in the country.In his order, Barker set a court timeline that could deliver a decision by mid-October, right before the presidential election. Both sides have until Oct. 10 to submit their briefs.“The court does not, however, express any ultimate conclusions about the success or likely success of those claims,” Barker wrote. “As with most administrative stays, the court has simply undertaken a screening, ‘first-blush’ review of the claims and what is at stake in the dispute.”President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/06/18/biden-to-unveil-protections-for-some-undocumented-spouses-easier-daca-work-visas/" target="_blank">in June unveiled the program</a>, which is a one-time action that applies to long-term undocumented people married to U.S. citizens for 10 years as of June 17 this year. It also applies to their children. It’s expected to roughly include 50,000 children who are undocumented but have an immigrant parent married to a U.S. citizen.The program allows for those undocumented spouses and their children to apply for a green card under certain requirements, which DHS will review on a case-by-case basis.Under current U.S. immigration law, if a noncitizen enters the country without authorization, they are ineligible for permanent legal status and would need to leave the U.S. and then reenter through a green card application by their U.S. spouse. It’s a lengthy process that can take years.

Federal judge pauses program that grants protections for undocumented spouses

A 74-year-old resident of the Chillicothe women’s prison has
died of what appears to be natural causes.

The Missouri Department of Corrections reports the death of
Connie Sanders-Ford who was serving a life sentence from McDonald County for
first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Corrections officials report Sanders-Ford was pronounced dead
shortly before five o’clock Monday morning.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 74-year-old resident of the Chillicothe women’s prison has
died of what appears to be natural causes.The Missouri Department of Corrections reports the death of
Connie Sanders-Ford who was serving a life sentence from McDonald County for
first-degree murder and armed criminal action.Corrections officials report Sanders-Ford was pronounced dead
shortly before five o’clock Monday morning.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Corrections officials report death at Chillicothe prison

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

A Missouri law declaring some federal gun regulations “invalid” is unconstitutional&nbsp;because it violates the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause, a federal appeals court in St. Louis unanimously ruled on Monday.&nbsp;

A three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a district court ruling from last year that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/07/federal-judge-rules-missouris-second-amendment-preservation-act-unconstitutional/">blocked Missouri from enforcing the Second Amendment Preservation Act</a>, a law passed in 2021 that penalizes police for enforcing certain federal gun laws.

Among the law’s provisions is a $50,000 fine for law enforcement agencies that“infringe” on Missourians’ Second Amendment rights.

Some of the gun regulations deemed invalid by the law include imposing certain taxes on firearms, requiring gun owners to register their weapons and laws prohibiting “law-abiding” residents from possessing or transferring their guns.

“Because the (Second Amendment Preservation) Act purports to invalidate federal law in violation of the Supremacy Clause, we affirm the (district court’s) judgment,” Chief Judge Steven Colloton, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote in the unanimous opinion.&nbsp;

The U.S. Department of Justice filed the lawsuit challenging the law arguing it has undermined federal drug and weapons investigations. Late last year, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request by Attorney General Andrew Bailey to allow Missouri to enforce the Second Amendment Preservation Act while its appeal is ongoing.

In a statement through his spokeswoman, Bailey said he is reviewing the decision. He added: “I will always fight for Missourians’ Second Amendment rights.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas released a statement Monday afternoon praising the court’s decision.&nbsp;

“Two years ago, Missouri enacted an unconstitutional law, claiming to invalidate federal gun laws,” Lucas wrote. “The law was rejected in federal appeals court today…&nbsp;I am saddened that our state expended the time and energy of many in our legal system in service of this clearly unconstitutional effort.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681466878038.png" alt="Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement that his office was reviewing the decision. file photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement that his office was reviewing the decision. file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>A Missouri law declaring some federal gun regulations “invalid” is unconstitutional&nbsp;because it violates the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause, a federal appeals court in St. Louis unanimously ruled on Monday.&nbsp;A three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a district court ruling from last year that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/07/federal-judge-rules-missouris-second-amendment-preservation-act-unconstitutional/">blocked Missouri from enforcing the Second Amendment Preservation Act</a>, a law passed in 2021 that penalizes police for enforcing certain federal gun laws.Among the law’s provisions is a $50,000 fine for law enforcement agencies that“infringe” on Missourians’ Second Amendment rights.Some of the gun regulations deemed invalid by the law include imposing certain taxes on firearms, requiring gun owners to register their weapons and laws prohibiting “law-abiding” residents from possessing or transferring their guns.“Because the (Second Amendment Preservation) Act purports to invalidate federal law in violation of the Supremacy Clause, we affirm the (district court’s) judgment,” Chief Judge Steven Colloton, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote in the unanimous opinion.&nbsp;The U.S. Department of Justice filed the lawsuit challenging the law arguing it has undermined federal drug and weapons investigations. Late last year, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request by Attorney General Andrew Bailey to allow Missouri to enforce the Second Amendment Preservation Act while its appeal is ongoing.In a statement through his spokeswoman, Bailey said he is reviewing the decision. He added: “I will always fight for Missourians’ Second Amendment rights.”Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas released a statement Monday afternoon praising the court’s decision.&nbsp;“Two years ago, Missouri enacted an unconstitutional law, claiming to invalidate federal gun laws,” Lucas wrote. “The law was rejected in federal appeals court today…&nbsp;I am saddened that our state expended the time and energy of many in our legal system in service of this clearly unconstitutional effort.”

Federal appeals court declares Missouri’s ‘Second Amendment Preservation Act’ unconstitutional

(Radio Iowa) - For the last time this summer, law enforcement agencies are ready to launch a STEP, or a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.

 Iowa State Patrol spokesman Trooper Paul Gardner, from the Fort Dodge post, says STEP will put dozens of extra law enforcement officers on the roads during the upcoming holiday weekend, and they'll be seeking out speeders, impaired drivers and other lawbreakers. 

Gardner says parties are common over Labor Day, and so is drinking. He implores Iowans who are hosting events for the holiday to make sure their guests don't drive impaired by calling them a taxi or Uber, giving them a ride home or offering them a place to stay.

(Radio Iowa) - For the last time this summer, law enforcement agencies are ready to launch a STEP, or a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. Iowa State Patrol spokesman Trooper Paul Gardner, from the Fort Dodge post, says STEP will put dozens of extra law enforcement officers on the roads during the upcoming holiday weekend, and they'll be seeking out speeders, impaired drivers and other lawbreakers. Gardner says parties are common over Labor Day, and so is drinking. He implores Iowans who are hosting events for the holiday to make sure their guests don't drive impaired by calling them a taxi or Uber, giving them a ride home or offering them a place to stay.

Iowa law enforcement will zero in on speeders, impaired drivers over holiday

Four lawsuits filed since mid-July argue that the state has intruded on interstate commerce and violated federal property rights protections

Three major pharmaceutical companies and their national lobbying organization are suing Missouri to block&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/13/billions-at-stake-as-national-battle-over-drug-pricing-plays-out-in-missouri/">enforcement of a new state law</a>&nbsp;requiring them to give medical providers unlimited access to discounted drugs for their pharmacies.

In four federal lawsuits filed over the past month, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Abbvie and PhRMA, the lobbying arm of the pharmaceutical industry, argue that Missouri lawmakers unconstitutionally intruded into interstate commerce with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=186" target="_blank">the bill passed this year</a>.

Under the bill, drugmakers must accept orders to deliver medications to providers eligible for discounts under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa" target="_blank">the 340B program</a>, named for the section of law where it is authorized. The bill allows eligible providers to have an unlimited number of contracts with pharmacies to dispense their prescriptions of drugs purchased under the program.

“Under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, Missouri has no authority to define who has access to 340B-priced drugs,” states the lawsuit filed last week by PhRMA in the Western District of Missouri.

The law takes effect on Wednesday. The plaintiffs in each case have asked for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement, but no hearings on the requests have been scheduled and only one case, filed Aug. 2 by Novartis, has had enough activity for the judge to schedule any proceedings.

Abbvie went first, filing its lawsuit July 22 in the Eastern District&nbsp; — 10 days after Gov. Mike Parson declined to sign the bill and instead&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/12/missouri-governor-allows-flawed-bill-on-drug-discounts-to-become-law/">allowed it to become law</a>&nbsp;despite his misgivings. The other three cases are filed with the Western District, which includes Jefferson City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572037176389.png" alt="File photo -Missouri is being sued over a new law requiring drugmakers to deliver prescriptions discounted under the 340B program to any pharmacy contracting with a qualified provider.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo -Missouri is being sued over a new law requiring drugmakers to deliver prescriptions discounted under the 340B program to any pharmacy contracting with a qualified provider.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Four lawsuits filed since mid-July argue that the state has intruded on interstate commerce and violated federal property rights protections</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Three major pharmaceutical companies and their national lobbying organization are suing Missouri to block&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/13/billions-at-stake-as-national-battle-over-drug-pricing-plays-out-in-missouri/">enforcement of a new state law</a>&nbsp;requiring them to give medical providers unlimited access to discounted drugs for their pharmacies.In four federal lawsuits filed over the past month, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Abbvie and PhRMA, the lobbying arm of the pharmaceutical industry, argue that Missouri lawmakers unconstitutionally intruded into interstate commerce with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=186" target="_blank">the bill passed this year</a>.Under the bill, drugmakers must accept orders to deliver medications to providers eligible for discounts under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa" target="_blank">the 340B program</a>, named for the section of law where it is authorized. The bill allows eligible providers to have an unlimited number of contracts with pharmacies to dispense their prescriptions of drugs purchased under the program.“Under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, Missouri has no authority to define who has access to 340B-priced drugs,” states the lawsuit filed last week by PhRMA in the Western District of Missouri.The law takes effect on Wednesday. The plaintiffs in each case have asked for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement, but no hearings on the requests have been scheduled and only one case, filed Aug. 2 by Novartis, has had enough activity for the judge to schedule any proceedings.Abbvie went first, filing its lawsuit July 22 in the Eastern District&nbsp; — 10 days after Gov. Mike Parson declined to sign the bill and instead&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/12/missouri-governor-allows-flawed-bill-on-drug-discounts-to-become-law/">allowed it to become law</a>&nbsp;despite his misgivings. The other three cases are filed with the Western District, which includes Jefferson City.The lawsuits name Attorney General Andrew Bailey and members of the state Board of Pharmacy, which is responsible for enforcing the law. The board is given authority to investigate violations of the law and the attorney general has enforcement powers through the state Merchandising Practices Act.“It is difficult to convincingly argue that doing what a federal program requires is an irreparable harm,” Maria Lanahan, deputy solicitor general in the attorney general’s office, wrote in a filing arguing against a preliminary injunction in the Novartis lawsuit. “To the contrary, when Novartis complies with S.B. 751, it is helping covered entities that serve vulnerable populations.”Bailey’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment on the cases.The board is relying on Bailey to respond to the lawsuit. The law is self-enforcing and while the board could write rules about how it is to be followed, Executive Director Kimberly Brinston said.“The board does not have a timeline to promulgate rules and has not made a decision on whether rules would be promulgated,” she said.The Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Primary Care Association have asked to intervene in the Novartis lawsuit and will likely seek to join the other three, hospital association spokesman Dave Dillon said Monday.“We are evaluating each case and intend to reinforce the work done by the General Assembly on behalf of Missouri’s hospitals, other providers and the communities they serve,” Dillon said.The 340B program was created in 1992. It had two components — drug manufacturers had to deliver their products at a discount to eligible providers and eligible providers could only use the program to provide prescriptions to patients they treated directly.Eligible providers included children’s hospitals, as well as hospitals that were sole providers in their community or designated “critical access hospitals” by providing care that would otherwise be absent, and those serving large numbers of indigent patients known as “disproportionate share hospitals.”Other qualifying providers include federally qualified health care centers — clinics that receive grants to support operations so they can base charges on ability to pay — as well as clinics that serve AIDS patients, black lung victims and other debilitating diseases.The use of contract pharmacies started in 1996, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began allowing one contractor per provider as recognition that many providers did not have in-house pharmacies. But a change to allow unlimited contracting increased the number of contract pharmacies from 2,321 in 2010 to 205,340 in 2024, according to data from PhRMA provided to The Independent in June.Nationally, pharmaceutical manufacturers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/updates/2022-340b-covered-entity-purchases" target="_blank">sold nearly $100 billion in discounted drugs</a>&nbsp;in 2021 and 2022. Discounts averaged 60% from regular wholesale prices, the lobbying organization stated.The pharmaceutical companies focus their criticism on the disproportionate share hospitals, who often contract with for-profit pharmacies to dispense the drugs. Those hospitals account for about 80% of all drugs purchased through the 340B program, $41.8 billion in 2022 and $34.3 billion the year before.Pharmaceutical companies complain that the discounts are rarely passed on to patients. Instead, insurance companies and consumers pay retail prices and the extra profit is often split between the pharmacy and the provider.“Make no mistake, the boom in contract pharmacies has been fueled by the prospect of outsized profit margins on 340B-discounted drugs,” AstraZeneca’s lawyers wrote in the complaint filed last week. “In short, the widespread proliferation of contract pharmacy arrangements since 2010 has transformed the 340B program from one intended to assist vulnerable patients into a multi-billion-dollar arbitrage scheme.”The drugmakers have fought the expansion of contract pharmacies in a variety of ways. When Novartis sought in 2020 to limit the contracts to pharmacies within 40 miles of an eligible provider, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a notice that it considered the limit a violation of the program’s rules.An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/sites/default/files/hhs-guidance-documents/340B-AO-FINAL-12-30-2020_0.pdf" target="_blank">advisory opinion on contracting</a>, later withdrawn, said the 340B program required delivery to a pharmacy on “the lunar surface, low-earth orbit, or a neighborhood…”The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania ruled in January 2023 in a case against the federal agency that pharmaceutical companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/213167p.pdf" target="_blank">could impose limits</a>&nbsp;on the number of pharmacies they would allow to purchase the discounted drugs.After the 2023 ruling, Novartis tightened its rules to allow only one contracted pharmacy per covered provider, but only if the provider did not have an in-house pharmacy. Other manufacturers have imposed variations on the Novartis policies.State efforts to counter the limits have ramped up in the past two years. Missouri is one of eight states to pass laws requiring drugmakers to deliver discounted medications to contract pharmacies.Arkansas was one of the first. In March, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis upheld the Arkansas law requiring drugmakers to allow covered providers to have an unlimited number of contract pharmacies.In the motion to dismiss the Novartis lawsuit, the Missouri attorney general’s office relied heavily on that ruling, writing that it shows federal law does not prevent Missouri from passing a similar law.The four lawsuits use a variety of legal theories to assail Missouri’s new law. Along with allegations of interfering with interstate commerce and regulating in an area reserved for federal action, the Abbvie lawsuit argues that its property rights are being violated.“These abuses of the federal 340B program raise obvious concerns because the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from forcing the transfer of property at confiscatory prices to private parties for their own private benefit,” the lawsuit states.In the filing seeking to intervene in the Novartis case, the hospitals and primary care associations argued that the revenue from profits on 340B medications are essential support for their operations.“Reducing access to those savings,” the filing states, “means hospitals are unable to underwrite critical but under-reimbursed services lines.”

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