A national trend shows a decline in the number of people going out to fish and hunt. 

However, Deputy Director at the Missouri Department of Conservation Aaron Jeffries, says Missouri hasn’t really seen that decline.  

"We don't have lotteries or any stuff like that, I mean you look at western states and it's getting ridiculous on how much their permits cost and they're prohibiting nonresidents or limiting nonresidents," Jeffries tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr and guest Kyle Carroll. "So, I think you have to look at the regulations we have, what is the programs we can offer to start up a new hunter." 

Jeffries, says though while the state has not seen much of a decline, it is evident that times are changing 

"Younger generations, they may not be interested in hunting and fishing, we need to work to find ways to engage them in there, but then also look at things beyond that," Jeffries explains.  "Some of our more popular educational programs are native plants, kayaking, and bird watching." 

Jeffries says that the trend is an outgrowth of a changing society. 

"To say folks aren't interested in the outdoors, I would say they may not be interested in hunting and fishing, but our surveys have shown they still have a lot of interest in nature," Jeffries says. "So, all state fishing and wildlife agencies are really trying to adapt and change right now to look beyond just hunters and anglers." 

Jeffries says Missouri has always focused on conservation from every angle which is why there are many nature centers and other programs outside of hunting and fishing. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A national trend shows a decline in the number of people going out to fish and hunt. However, Deputy Director at the Missouri Department of Conservation Aaron Jeffries, says Missouri hasn’t really seen that decline. "We don't have lotteries or any stuff like that, I mean you look at western states and it's getting ridiculous on how much their permits cost and they're prohibiting nonresidents or limiting nonresidents," Jeffries tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr and guest Kyle Carroll. "So, I think you have to look at the regulations we have, what is the programs we can offer to start up a new hunter." Jeffries, says though while the state has not seen much of a decline, it is evident that times are changing "Younger generations, they may not be interested in hunting and fishing, we need to work to find ways to engage them in there, but then also look at things beyond that," Jeffries explains. "Some of our more popular educational programs are native plants, kayaking, and bird watching." Jeffries says that the trend is an outgrowth of a changing society. "To say folks aren't interested in the outdoors, I would say they may not be interested in hunting and fishing, but our surveys have shown they still have a lot of interest in nature," Jeffries says. "So, all state fishing and wildlife agencies are really trying to adapt and change right now to look beyond just hunters and anglers." Jeffries says Missouri has always focused on conservation from every angle which is why there are many nature centers and other programs outside of hunting and fishing. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri avoiding nationwide trend of declining number of hunters and fishers

The St. Joseph Mustangs have started another winning streak after dropping a pair of games last week.

The Mustangs (15-2) capped it off with a 10-6 win at Nevada Sunday. St. Joseph led 7-6 after the seventh and scored three key insurance runs in the eighth.

Dom Felix went 2-for-4 in the game with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Bishop LeBlond graduate and soon-to-be Missouri Western Griffon Frank Gall was 2-for-2 with a run scored and two driven in.

St. Joseph had arguably its most thrilling win of the season thus far on Saturday with a 2-1 walkoff against the Sedalia Bombers at Phil Welch Stadium.&nbsp;

Savannah native Truman Bodenhausen scored the winning run on a fielder's choice to end the game in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Mid-Buchanan grad Denton Biller was brilliant Saturday, tossing five hitless innings in relief, striking out 10 of 17 batters faced.

The Mustangs also beat Nevada 5-0 on Friday. Sam Pitts got the start and win on the mound, going five innings and striking out one.

St. Joseph stays on the road to face the Des Moines Peak Prospects on Monday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659242344985.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs have started another winning streak after dropping a pair of games last week.The Mustangs (15-2) capped it off with a 10-6 win at Nevada Sunday. St. Joseph led 7-6 after the seventh and scored three key insurance runs in the eighth.Dom Felix went 2-for-4 in the game with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Bishop LeBlond graduate and soon-to-be Missouri Western Griffon Frank Gall was 2-for-2 with a run scored and two driven in.St. Joseph had arguably its most thrilling win of the season thus far on Saturday with a 2-1 walkoff against the Sedalia Bombers at Phil Welch Stadium.&nbsp;Savannah native Truman Bodenhausen scored the winning run on a fielder's choice to end the game in the bottom of the 10th inning.Mid-Buchanan grad Denton Biller was brilliant Saturday, tossing five hitless innings in relief, striking out 10 of 17 batters faced.The Mustangs also beat Nevada 5-0 on Friday. Sam Pitts got the start and win on the mound, going five innings and striking out one.St. Joseph stays on the road to face the Des Moines Peak Prospects on Monday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

St. Joseph Mustangs have another perfect weekend

With $1 million contributed last week, Sinquefield has given $1 of every $3 raised for the race by the PAC backing Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe

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

Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/after-quiet-year-rex-sinquefield-donations-start-flowing-in-missouri-again/">most prolific political donor</a>&nbsp;dropped another $1 million into the campaign of his preferred candidate for governor last week, bringing the total he’s spent during the 2024 election cycle to almost $3 million.&nbsp;

Retired investor Rex Sinquefield has given more than $45 million in contributions since he became a significant donor around 2006 mostly to Republicans, though not exclusively.

His donations last week included $1 million to American Dream PAC, which supports the gubernatorial campaign of Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, and $250,000 to Liberty and Justice PAC, which supports Attorney General Andrew Bailey.&nbsp;

Sinquefield has donated roughly a third of all money received by American Dream PAC since the beginning of 2023.

American Dream PAC, which can raise money alongside Kehoe but must spend its funds independently of his official campaign, is&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/16/missouri-republican-candidates-build-cash-advantage-over-democrats-as-primary-races-heat-up/">already the richest</a>&nbsp;in the race for governor. It reported $4.5 million on hand on March 31, more than double the amount in the PAC backing Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and four times the funding available for BILL PAC, which is supporting state Sen. Bill Eigel.

The Sinquefield checks, one for $250,000 and another for $750,000, were reported Thursday to the Missouri Ethics Commission. Other large donors have given Kehoe’s PAC $182,674 since the last full report was filed.

The commission requires contributions of more than $5,000 to be reported within 48 hours of receipt.

Ashcroft’s spokesman, Jason Roe, said Kehoe “has been bankrolled by the Jefferson City lobbyists and special interest groups because they know what they are going to get — a transactional big government governor. He has the endorsement of nearly every special interest group in the state because they know he will raise taxes, they know he will increase spending and they know they will be the beneficiaries.”

Ashcroft’s PAC, Committee for Liberty, has raised $155,661 in large donations since March 31. The largest, $50,000, was from his mother, former First Lady Janet Ashcroft. With those reports, it has reported raising just under $1 million since the beginning of 2023.

The committee reported $1.9 million on hand on March 31.

Sophia Shore, Eigel’s campaign manager, said Kehoe “is no doubt the establishment donors choice; he has enough money to burn a wet mule.”

Eigel’s joint fundraising committee, BILL PAC, has received only one donation greater than $5,000 since March 31 — $10,000 from Joan Langenberg of St. Louis on May 6. The PAC has raised $2 million since Jan. 1, 2023.

Sinquefield has a long history of cutting massive checks for his preferred candidates. He has often focused his efforts on cutting income taxes and changes to the state’s education system.

In 2016, he bankrolled a slate of candidates in GOP statewide primaries, spending nearly $11 million supporting candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer.&nbsp;

Of the candidates he supported, only one prevailed.

In September 2020, Sinquefield&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/09/08/sinquefield-splits-from-pelopidas-brown.html">parted ways</a>&nbsp;with his longtime advisors, Pelopidas, owned by Travis Brown. He made no political contributions&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/after-quiet-year-rex-sinquefield-donations-start-flowing-in-missouri-again/">until late 2021</a>, and since the beginning of 2022 has made $4.3 million donations, including $1.7 million reported since Jan. 1.

Pelopidas closed its doors after Sinquefield withdrew his backing. In 2021, a Missouri appeals court ordered Brown and the firm&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/10/missouri-court-rules-pelopidas-travis-brown-must-pay-former-partner-7-5-million/">to pay $7.5 million to Rachel Keller</a>, Brown’s former wife and business partner, in a case filed in 2016, two years after the couple.

Both Eigel and Ashcroft have received donations from Sinquefield, but not since he fired Pelopidas as his consulting firm.

As a candidate for state Senate in 2014, Ashcroft received a donation of $25,000 from Sinquefield. In 2020, when he sought re-election as secretary of state, Sinquefield contributed $2,650.

There were no limits on contributions directly to candidate committees in 2014. Those limits were imposed by a constitutional amendment and for this year’s elections, the limit for statewide candidates is $2,825.

BILL PAC received $225,000 from Sinquefield in 2019 and 2020, when Eigel sought re-election to the state Senate.

<h2>With $1 million contributed last week, Sinquefield has given $1 of every $3 raised for the race by the PAC backing Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/after-quiet-year-rex-sinquefield-donations-start-flowing-in-missouri-again/">most prolific political donor</a>&nbsp;dropped another $1 million into the campaign of his preferred candidate for governor last week, bringing the total he’s spent during the 2024 election cycle to almost $3 million.&nbsp;Retired investor Rex Sinquefield has given more than $45 million in contributions since he became a significant donor around 2006 mostly to Republicans, though not exclusively.His donations last week included $1 million to American Dream PAC, which supports the gubernatorial campaign of Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, and $250,000 to Liberty and Justice PAC, which supports Attorney General Andrew Bailey.&nbsp;Sinquefield has donated roughly a third of all money received by American Dream PAC since the beginning of 2023.American Dream PAC, which can raise money alongside Kehoe but must spend its funds independently of his official campaign, is&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/16/missouri-republican-candidates-build-cash-advantage-over-democrats-as-primary-races-heat-up/">already the richest</a>&nbsp;in the race for governor. It reported $4.5 million on hand on March 31, more than double the amount in the PAC backing Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and four times the funding available for BILL PAC, which is supporting state Sen. Bill Eigel.The Sinquefield checks, one for $250,000 and another for $750,000, were reported Thursday to the Missouri Ethics Commission. Other large donors have given Kehoe’s PAC $182,674 since the last full report was filed.The commission requires contributions of more than $5,000 to be reported within 48 hours of receipt.Ashcroft’s spokesman, Jason Roe, said Kehoe “has been bankrolled by the Jefferson City lobbyists and special interest groups because they know what they are going to get — a transactional big government governor. He has the endorsement of nearly every special interest group in the state because they know he will raise taxes, they know he will increase spending and they know they will be the beneficiaries.”Ashcroft’s PAC, Committee for Liberty, has raised $155,661 in large donations since March 31. The largest, $50,000, was from his mother, former First Lady Janet Ashcroft. With those reports, it has reported raising just under $1 million since the beginning of 2023.The committee reported $1.9 million on hand on March 31.Sophia Shore, Eigel’s campaign manager, said Kehoe “is no doubt the establishment donors choice; he has enough money to burn a wet mule.”Eigel’s joint fundraising committee, BILL PAC, has received only one donation greater than $5,000 since March 31 — $10,000 from Joan Langenberg of St. Louis on May 6. The PAC has raised $2 million since Jan. 1, 2023.Sinquefield has a long history of cutting massive checks for his preferred candidates. He has often focused his efforts on cutting income taxes and changes to the state’s education system.In 2016, he bankrolled a slate of candidates in GOP statewide primaries, spending nearly $11 million supporting candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer.&nbsp;Of the candidates he supported, only one prevailed.In September 2020, Sinquefield&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/09/08/sinquefield-splits-from-pelopidas-brown.html">parted ways</a>&nbsp;with his longtime advisors, Pelopidas, owned by Travis Brown. He made no political contributions&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/after-quiet-year-rex-sinquefield-donations-start-flowing-in-missouri-again/">until late 2021</a>, and since the beginning of 2022 has made $4.3 million donations, including $1.7 million reported since Jan. 1.Pelopidas closed its doors after Sinquefield withdrew his backing. In 2021, a Missouri appeals court ordered Brown and the firm&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/10/missouri-court-rules-pelopidas-travis-brown-must-pay-former-partner-7-5-million/">to pay $7.5 million to Rachel Keller</a>, Brown’s former wife and business partner, in a case filed in 2016, two years after the couple.Both Eigel and Ashcroft have received donations from Sinquefield, but not since he fired Pelopidas as his consulting firm.As a candidate for state Senate in 2014, Ashcroft received a donation of $25,000 from Sinquefield. In 2020, when he sought re-election as secretary of state, Sinquefield contributed $2,650.There were no limits on contributions directly to candidate committees in 2014. Those limits were imposed by a constitutional amendment and for this year’s elections, the limit for statewide candidates is $2,825.BILL PAC received $225,000 from Sinquefield in 2019 and 2020, when Eigel sought re-election to the state Senate.

Rex Sinquefield drops big donations into GOP governor, AG primaries

(Radio Iowa) - The state Board of Regents will vote on an increase in tuition and mandatory fees undergrad and graduate students at their meeting today&nbsp; in Iowa City. 

Graduate students spoke out against their increases Wednesday during a public comment period. Amanda Kozar is a grad student in history, and says they can't afford increases. She says between moving expenses, security deposits, university fees, the U-bill and the monthly payments, the current pay scheme is unsustainable for graduate students. 

Noah Neibor is also a history grad student and he called for the fees be abolished altogether. Nicole Yeager says other universities have recognized this and taken steps to help and keep graduate students.

(Radio Iowa) - The state Board of Regents will vote on an increase in tuition and mandatory fees undergrad and graduate students at their meeting today&nbsp; in Iowa City. Graduate students spoke out against their increases Wednesday during a public comment period. Amanda Kozar is a grad student in history, and says they can't afford increases. She says between moving expenses, security deposits, university fees, the U-bill and the monthly payments, the current pay scheme is unsustainable for graduate students. Noah Neibor is also a history grad student and he called for the fees be abolished altogether. Nicole Yeager says other universities have recognized this and taken steps to help and keep graduate students.

Graduate Students Ask Regents To Not Raise Fees And Tuition

HESSTON, Kan. — AGCO announced in a meeting on Wednesday that they are moving the Small Square Baler, Windrower Header, and Round Baler Lines to Mexico.

It is currently unknown what will happen to the employees of the line, but the company does not expect layoffs.

“To simplify and streamline operations at AGCO’s Hesston, Kansas, facility, the company is shifting some production to another AGCO plant. Hesston will continue to manufacture Massey Ferguson windrowers, large square balers, combines and combine headers using the more than $28 million in investments made in the Kansas facility since 2021. Those investments have focused on updating and modernizing Hesston’s systems and equipment. Production of small square balers, round balers and rotary mowers will move to its Querétaro, Mexico, facility beginning in 2025. By streamlining the Hesston portfolio, our goal is to secure a profitable future for the plant. AGCO expects the impact of this change on the overall workforce in Hesston to be accomplished through typical attrition.“

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718278218409.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HESSTON, Kan. — AGCO announced in a meeting on Wednesday that they are moving the Small Square Baler, Windrower Header, and Round Baler Lines to Mexico.It is currently unknown what will happen to the employees of the line, but the company does not expect layoffs.A statement from AGCO is below.“To simplify and streamline operations at AGCO’s Hesston, Kansas, facility, the company is shifting some production to another AGCO plant. Hesston will continue to manufacture Massey Ferguson windrowers, large square balers, combines and combine headers using the more than $28 million in investments made in the Kansas facility since 2021. Those investments have focused on updating and modernizing Hesston’s systems and equipment. Production of small square balers, round balers and rotary mowers will move to its Querétaro, Mexico, facility beginning in 2025. By streamlining the Hesston portfolio, our goal is to secure a profitable future for the plant. AGCO expects the impact of this change on the overall workforce in Hesston to be accomplished through typical attrition.“

AGCO Hesston moving some work to Mexico

The St. Joseph Mustangs (12-1) took their first loss of the 2024 season Wednesday night with a 9-6 setback against the Carroll Merchants at Merchants Park in Carroll, Iowa.

St. Joseph scored six runs through the first three innings, but were held off the board for the rest of the game. Carroll broke a 6-6 tie with two runs in the sixth. The Merchants added one more in the eighth.

The Merchants' pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts Wednesday. St. Joseph pitcher and East Buchanan alum Broncho Whitt took the loss, despite some solid stuff in middle relief.

Whitt struck out five and walked three in 3.2 innings. He allowed two hits and two earned runs, including a two-run homer in the sixth.

Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall was one of four Mustangs to have a pair of hits Wednesday. Gall scored a run in the loss, while also driving in a run.

St. Joseph is back home to open a three-game homestand Thursday. The Mustangs will try and get one back on the Merchants on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Phil Welch Stadium. Gates open at 5:30.

By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs (12-1) took their first loss of the 2024 season Wednesday night with a 9-6 setback against the Carroll Merchants at Merchants Park in Carroll, Iowa.St. Joseph scored six runs through the first three innings, but were held off the board for the rest of the game. Carroll broke a 6-6 tie with two runs in the sixth. The Merchants added one more in the eighth.The Merchants' pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts Wednesday. St. Joseph pitcher and East Buchanan alum Broncho Whitt took the loss, despite some solid stuff in middle relief.Whitt struck out five and walked three in 3.2 innings. He allowed two hits and two earned runs, including a two-run homer in the sixth.Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall was one of four Mustangs to have a pair of hits Wednesday. Gall scored a run in the loss, while also driving in a run.St. Joseph is back home to open a three-game homestand Thursday. The Mustangs will try and get one back on the Merchants on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Phil Welch Stadium. Gates open at 5:30.

St. Joseph Mustangs take first loss of the season at Carroll Wednesday

St. Joseph Police got a call about shots being fired in the 1200 block of Isadore Street in St. Joseph Wednesday night.

The call came in a little after 11 p.m. Police took a man into custody. The suspect is described as a white male - about 40 years of age and intoxicated at the time.

Police say the suspect fired rounds into the air. No one was injured, and there was no property damage. Police found at least one casing at the scene.

By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Police got a call about shots being fired in the 1200 block of Isadore Street in St. Joseph Wednesday night.The call came in a little after 11 p.m. Police took a man into custody. The suspect is described as a white male - about 40 years of age and intoxicated at the time.Police say the suspect fired rounds into the air. No one was injured, and there was no property damage. Police found at least one casing at the scene.This case remains under investigation.

St. Joseph Police report gun shots at 12th and Isadore  Wednesday night, no one injured

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for his refusal to release audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interviews with Department of Justice officials.

The GOP lawmakers maintain the audio is valuable for their monthslong impeachment inquiry into Biden.

House Republicans brought the contempt citation against Garland after he&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000018f-813a-d017-a39f-d1bf35110000#page=7">agreed</a>&nbsp;with Biden’s assertion of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB11172">executive privilege</a>&nbsp;over the recordings of his interviews during special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into his handling of classified material. Hur ultimately did not recommend criminal charges against Biden.

The House voted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes">216-207</a>&nbsp;to pass the resolution. Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio was the only Republican to vote no.

“Congress cannot serve as a necessary check on the presidency if the executive branch is free to defy duly authorized, legal subpoenas,” Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said in a statement following the vote. “House Republicans rightfully held Attorney General Merrick Garland accountable today for his failure to comply with lawful subpoenas issued by the Oversight and Judiciary Committees.”

Garland&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/TheJusticeDept/status/1800997951537369139">released</a>&nbsp;a statement denouncing the vote as “deeply disappointing” and accusing House Republicans of turning “a serious Congressional authority into a partisan weapon.”

“Today’s vote disregards the constitutional separation of powers, the Justice Department’s need to protect its investigations, and the substantial amount of information we have provided to the committees,” Garland said in the statement.

The Justice Department provided a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24476279-transcript-of-special-counsel-robert-hur-interview-with-president-joe-biden">transcript</a>&nbsp;of Hur’s interviews with Biden to both committees.

But GOP committee leaders subpoenaed the audio because they maintain transcripts are “not sufficient.”

“We’re in the midst of an impeachment inquiry, we’re entitled to the best evidence, and that’s why we want the tapes,” Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said on the floor Wednesday morning during debate of the contempt resolution.

Jordan accused the White House of a “history of changing transcripts,” seeming to refer to a late April report by the right-wing publication the Daily Caller that highlighted transcript corrections issued by White House communications staff. The White House routinely publishes transcripts of speeches and comments by Biden.

“The audio recording is the best evidence of the words that President Biden actually spoke,” Jordan continued on the floor.

News organizations are also in pursuit of the audio. Several, including&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/04/politics/cnn-sue-biden-hur-recording/index.html">CNN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/biden-asserts-executive-privilege-to-prevent-congress-from-getting-recordings-211094597969">NBC</a>, have sued for the recordings under the Freedom of Information Act.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, criticized Republicans on the floor Wednesday for seeking to hold Garland in contempt over an ongoing impeachment inquiry that he described as a “madcap wild goose chase.”

House GOP lawmakers already have access to a “verbatim” transcript, the Maryland Democrat said.

“Do they think that the holy grail of the 118th Congress – evidence of a presidential high crime and misdemeanor – is lurking in the pauses or the background throat clearings and sneezes on the audio tape?” Raskin continued. “… They literally don’t even know what they’re looking for anymore.”

House lawmakers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-back-formal-impeachment-inquiry-against-biden-6">voted</a>&nbsp;along party lines in December to proceed with an impeachment inquiry into whether Biden, during his time as vice president, benefited from his son Hunter’s foreign business dealings.

In response to Raskin’s accusation, Jordan said on the floor Wednesday that Republicans know what they’re after: “We’re looking for equal treatment under the law,” he said.

“The committees need the audio recordings to determine whether the Justice Department appropriately carried out justice by not prosecuting the president,” Jordan said.

“They told us ‘we’re going to operate independently of the White House’ … OK, maybe so, but what we do know is this: One former president is being charged. Joe Biden’s not being (charged),” Jordan continued on the floor.

Trump faces federal criminal charges in Florida related to his storage of classified materials at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach estate, after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Biden. The case has been&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/05/08/1250052834/trumps-classified-documents-trial-in-florida-is-delayed-indefinitely">postponed</a>&nbsp;indefinitely by trial Judge Aileen Cannon.

In early February, Hur&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/storage/report-from-special-counsel-robert-k-hur-february-2024.pdf">declined</a>&nbsp;to bring criminal charges against Biden for his handling of the classified information. Hur described Biden in his report as a “sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory,” a comment Biden vehemently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/02/08/remarks-by-president-biden/">rebuked</a>.

Hur interviewed Biden in October 2023 as part of his inquiry into classified documents dating back to Biden’s time as vice president. The documents were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/white-house-defends-delay-revealing-classified-documents-biden-private-office-home">found</a>&nbsp;at the president’s office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C., and later at his private&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/white-house-says-doj-had-unprecedented-access-biden-home-during-search">Wilmington home</a>, respectively in November 2022 and January 2023.

<a target="_blank" href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title2-section194&amp;num=0&amp;edition=prelim">Criminal contempt</a>&nbsp;is a tool Congress can use as leverage to obtain compliance with subpoenas. The citation carries a penalty of a fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment of at least one month but no longer than 12 months if the Department of Justice pursues charges.

While the tool is historically rarely used in Congress, it’s becoming more common. Since 2019, the House has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/quick-search/legislation?wordsPhrases=recommending+and+contempt&amp;wordVariants=on&amp;congressGroups%5B0%5D=0&amp;congresses%5B0%5D=118&amp;congresses%5B1%5D=117&amp;congresses%5B2%5D=116&amp;legislationNumbers=&amp;legislativeAction=108&amp;sponsor=on&amp;representative=&amp;senator=">approved</a>&nbsp;six such citations. So far, the Justice Department has declined to pursue charges against executive branch officials held in contempt. The statute of limitations is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:18%20section:3282%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3282)&amp;f=treesort&amp;edition=prelim&amp;num=0&amp;jumpTo=true">five years</a>.

The Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment on whether it would pursue charges against Garland, an unlikely scenario.

Garland is not the first U.S. attorney general to be held in contempt.

The Democratic-led House held former President Donald Trump’s Attorney General William Barr in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/497">contempt</a>&nbsp;of Congress in 2019 after he refused to turn over documents related to the 2020 Census and his order to a Department of Justice employee to ignore a deposition subpoena.

The Department of Justice&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/24/justice-william-barr-wilbur-ross-1432595">did not</a>&nbsp;pursue charges against Barr, who was held in contempt alongside then-Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who served in the Obama administration, was held in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/711?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22eric+holder%22%7D&amp;s=2&amp;r=1">contempt</a>&nbsp;of Congress in June 2012 for refusing to provide documents related to Operation Fast and Furious, an investigation into gun trafficking along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Department of Justice declined to prosecute Holder. Holder was the first-ever sitting U.S. Cabinet member to be held in criminal contempt of Congress.

Congress also held Holder in civil contempt over the botched operation, leading to a yearslong lawsuit that ended in a settlement in 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635370077745.png" alt="U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland file photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland file photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for his refusal to release audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interviews with Department of Justice officials.The GOP lawmakers maintain the audio is valuable for their monthslong impeachment inquiry into Biden.House Republicans brought the contempt citation against Garland after he&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000018f-813a-d017-a39f-d1bf35110000#page=7">agreed</a>&nbsp;with Biden’s assertion of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB11172">executive privilege</a>&nbsp;over the recordings of his interviews during special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into his handling of classified material. Hur ultimately did not recommend criminal charges against Biden.The House voted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes">216-207</a>&nbsp;to pass the resolution. Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio was the only Republican to vote no.“Congress cannot serve as a necessary check on the presidency if the executive branch is free to defy duly authorized, legal subpoenas,” Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said in a statement following the vote. “House Republicans rightfully held Attorney General Merrick Garland accountable today for his failure to comply with lawful subpoenas issued by the Oversight and Judiciary Committees.”Garland&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/TheJusticeDept/status/1800997951537369139">released</a>&nbsp;a statement denouncing the vote as “deeply disappointing” and accusing House Republicans of turning “a serious Congressional authority into a partisan weapon.”“Today’s vote disregards the constitutional separation of powers, the Justice Department’s need to protect its investigations, and the substantial amount of information we have provided to the committees,” Garland said in the statement.The Justice Department provided a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24476279-transcript-of-special-counsel-robert-hur-interview-with-president-joe-biden">transcript</a>&nbsp;of Hur’s interviews with Biden to both committees.But GOP committee leaders subpoenaed the audio because they maintain transcripts are “not sufficient.”“We’re in the midst of an impeachment inquiry, we’re entitled to the best evidence, and that’s why we want the tapes,” Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said on the floor Wednesday morning during debate of the contempt resolution.Jordan accused the White House of a “history of changing transcripts,” seeming to refer to a late April report by the right-wing publication the Daily Caller that highlighted transcript corrections issued by White House communications staff. The White House routinely publishes transcripts of speeches and comments by Biden.“The audio recording is the best evidence of the words that President Biden actually spoke,” Jordan continued on the floor.News organizations are also in pursuit of the audio. Several, including&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/04/politics/cnn-sue-biden-hur-recording/index.html">CNN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/biden-asserts-executive-privilege-to-prevent-congress-from-getting-recordings-211094597969">NBC</a>, have sued for the recordings under the Freedom of Information Act.Rep. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, criticized Republicans on the floor Wednesday for seeking to hold Garland in contempt over an ongoing impeachment inquiry that he described as a “madcap wild goose chase.”House GOP lawmakers already have access to a “verbatim” transcript, the Maryland Democrat said.“Do they think that the holy grail of the 118th Congress – evidence of a presidential high crime and misdemeanor – is lurking in the pauses or the background throat clearings and sneezes on the audio tape?” Raskin continued. “… They literally don’t even know what they’re looking for anymore.”House lawmakers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-back-formal-impeachment-inquiry-against-biden-6">voted</a>&nbsp;along party lines in December to proceed with an impeachment inquiry into whether Biden, during his time as vice president, benefited from his son Hunter’s foreign business dealings.<h2>Trump, Biden and classified documents</h2>In response to Raskin’s accusation, Jordan said on the floor Wednesday that Republicans know what they’re after: “We’re looking for equal treatment under the law,” he said.“The committees need the audio recordings to determine whether the Justice Department appropriately carried out justice by not prosecuting the president,” Jordan said.“They told us ‘we’re going to operate independently of the White House’ … OK, maybe so, but what we do know is this: One former president is being charged. Joe Biden’s not being (charged),” Jordan continued on the floor.Trump faces federal criminal charges in Florida related to his storage of classified materials at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach estate, after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Biden. The case has been&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/05/08/1250052834/trumps-classified-documents-trial-in-florida-is-delayed-indefinitely">postponed</a>&nbsp;indefinitely by trial Judge Aileen Cannon.In early February, Hur&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/storage/report-from-special-counsel-robert-k-hur-february-2024.pdf">declined</a>&nbsp;to bring criminal charges against Biden for his handling of the classified information. Hur described Biden in his report as a “sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory,” a comment Biden vehemently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/02/08/remarks-by-president-biden/">rebuked</a>.Hur interviewed Biden in October 2023 as part of his inquiry into classified documents dating back to Biden’s time as vice president. The documents were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/white-house-defends-delay-revealing-classified-documents-biden-private-office-home">found</a>&nbsp;at the president’s office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C., and later at his private&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/white-house-says-doj-had-unprecedented-access-biden-home-during-search">Wilmington home</a>, respectively in November 2022 and January 2023.<h2>Recent criminal contempt trend</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title2-section194&amp;num=0&amp;edition=prelim">Criminal contempt</a>&nbsp;is a tool Congress can use as leverage to obtain compliance with subpoenas. The citation carries a penalty of a fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment of at least one month but no longer than 12 months if the Department of Justice pursues charges.While the tool is historically rarely used in Congress, it’s becoming more common. Since 2019, the House has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/quick-search/legislation?wordsPhrases=recommending+and+contempt&amp;wordVariants=on&amp;congressGroups%5B0%5D=0&amp;congresses%5B0%5D=118&amp;congresses%5B1%5D=117&amp;congresses%5B2%5D=116&amp;legislationNumbers=&amp;legislativeAction=108&amp;sponsor=on&amp;representative=&amp;senator=">approved</a>&nbsp;six such citations. So far, the Justice Department has declined to pursue charges against executive branch officials held in contempt. The statute of limitations is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:18%20section:3282%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3282)&amp;f=treesort&amp;edition=prelim&amp;num=0&amp;jumpTo=true">five years</a>.The Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment on whether it would pursue charges against Garland, an unlikely scenario.Garland is not the first U.S. attorney general to be held in contempt.The Democratic-led House held former President Donald Trump’s Attorney General William Barr in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/497">contempt</a>&nbsp;of Congress in 2019 after he refused to turn over documents related to the 2020 Census and his order to a Department of Justice employee to ignore a deposition subpoena.The Department of Justice&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/24/justice-william-barr-wilbur-ross-1432595">did not</a>&nbsp;pursue charges against Barr, who was held in contempt alongside then-Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who served in the Obama administration, was held in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-resolution/711?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22eric+holder%22%7D&amp;s=2&amp;r=1">contempt</a>&nbsp;of Congress in June 2012 for refusing to provide documents related to Operation Fast and Furious, an investigation into gun trafficking along the U.S.-Mexico border.The Department of Justice declined to prosecute Holder. Holder was the first-ever sitting U.S. Cabinet member to be held in criminal contempt of Congress.Congress also held Holder in civil contempt over the botched operation, leading to a yearslong lawsuit that ended in a settlement in 2019.

U.S. House GOP votes to hold AG in contempt in dispute over audio recording

(Radio Iowa) - State, federal and local agencies are coming together with farm industry groups for three one-day events to help those in agriculture who have been hit by the recent severe weather. 

FEMA's Jessica Pugh they are called Agriculture Recover Center events and provide information on addressing agricultural needs that are not covered by standard programs within FEMA or the state. The first one is Thursday from noon until 8 pm at the Treynor Community Center in Pottawattamie County. Pugh says this is a great opportunity to access all the information in one stop and she encourages you to come out even if you aren't 100 percent sure that your items may be covered. 

The second Agriculture Recovery Center is set for June 18th in Union County at the Southwestern Community College in Creston. The place and time for the third event is still being finalized.

(Radio Iowa) - State, federal and local agencies are coming together with farm industry groups for three one-day events to help those in agriculture who have been hit by the recent severe weather. FEMA's Jessica Pugh they are called Agriculture Recover Center events and provide information on addressing agricultural needs that are not covered by standard programs within FEMA or the state. The first one is Thursday from noon until 8 pm at the Treynor Community Center in Pottawattamie County. Pugh says this is a great opportunity to access all the information in one stop and she encourages you to come out even if you aren't 100 percent sure that your items may be covered. The second Agriculture Recovery Center is set for June 18th in Union County at the Southwestern Community College in Creston. The place and time for the third event is still being finalized.

First Agriculture Recovery Center Event Scheduled For Thursday

(Radio Iowa) - The Ankeny-based Casey's convenience store chain reports decreased revenue but a 12 percent increase in net income for the fourth quarter compared to last year. 

Casey's President Darren Rebelez (Ruh-bell-ez) says that's due in part to continued growth in their prepared food sales. Prepared food sales have increased 14 percent in the last two fiscal years as they have added new items to the menu. He says they have avoided the large inflationary cost increases that restaurants have been having trouble with as most restaurant are franchised and don't have as much ability to absorb the inflation increases. 

Rebelez says that's why there have been higher menu prices for their restaurant competitors.

(Radio Iowa) - The Ankeny-based Casey's convenience store chain reports decreased revenue but a 12 percent increase in net income for the fourth quarter compared to last year. Casey's President Darren Rebelez (Ruh-bell-ez) says that's due in part to continued growth in their prepared food sales. Prepared food sales have increased 14 percent in the last two fiscal years as they have added new items to the menu. He says they have avoided the large inflationary cost increases that restaurants have been having trouble with as most restaurant are franchised and don't have as much ability to absorb the inflation increases. Rebelez says that's why there have been higher menu prices for their restaurant competitors.

Prepared Food Sales Help Casey's

(Radio Iowa) - The State Veterinarian says experts don't yet know how bird flu is transmitted from cow to cow within a herd, but if milk production drops, that's a sign the operation has cows infected with the virus. 

Dr. Jeff Kaisand (KY-sand) says the milk may also have a yellowish color. The state vet says once bird flu has been confirmed in a dairy operation, workers are advised to wear protective gear, like face masks and public health officials ask the owner of the dairy to monitor the health of their employees. 

While no cases of bird flu in humans have been reported IN IOWA, three dairy workers in other states recently have been infected with the virus after working around sick cows. Bird flu has been confirmed at two dairy herds in northwest Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) - The State Veterinarian says experts don't yet know how bird flu is transmitted from cow to cow within a herd, but if milk production drops, that's a sign the operation has cows infected with the virus. Dr. Jeff Kaisand (KY-sand) says the milk may also have a yellowish color. The state vet says once bird flu has been confirmed in a dairy operation, workers are advised to wear protective gear, like face masks and public health officials ask the owner of the dairy to monitor the health of their employees. While no cases of bird flu in humans have been reported IN IOWA, three dairy workers in other states recently have been infected with the virus after working around sick cows. Bird flu has been confirmed at two dairy herds in northwest Iowa.

State vet says drop in milk production is key clue bird flu has hit a dairy herd

The St. Joseph Mustangs are now 12-0 on the season following a 3-0 win over the Jefferson City Renegades at Vivion Field in Jefferson City Tuesday.

Three Mustangs pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and held the Renegades to just four hits.

St. Joseph scored all three of the game's runs in the top of the ninth inning. Trevor McCollum had a two-run RBI double in that frame. McCollum later scored on a wild pitch.

Bishop LeBlond alum Jaren Guck got the win, tossing a scoreless ninth inning and striking out two. Starting pitcher Aron Harrington went 4.1 innings, striking out four and walking three.

Jase Johnson tossed 3.2 innings of hitless middle relief, striking out four and walking none.

The Mustangs stay on the road to face the Carroll Merchants Wednesday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717672755906.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs are now 12-0 on the season following a 3-0 win over the Jefferson City Renegades at Vivion Field in Jefferson City Tuesday.Three Mustangs pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and held the Renegades to just four hits.St. Joseph scored all three of the game's runs in the top of the ninth inning. Trevor McCollum had a two-run RBI double in that frame. McCollum later scored on a wild pitch.Bishop LeBlond alum Jaren Guck got the win, tossing a scoreless ninth inning and striking out two. Starting pitcher Aron Harrington went 4.1 innings, striking out four and walking three.Jase Johnson tossed 3.2 innings of hitless middle relief, striking out four and walking none.The Mustangs stay on the road to face the Carroll Merchants Wednesday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

Mustangs remain undefeated with shutout win at Jefferson City

Bond has been set for a former Robidoux Middle School teacher charged with first-degree sodomy.

Forty-seven year-old Everett “Tim” Harding of Maryville had a bond of $50,000 set at a court appearance Tuesday.

Officials say an additional forensic interview revealed there may be an additional victim involved in the case. Harding is to remain on house arrest and can have no contact with the victim.

Harding was booked in the Buchanan County Jail on May 20. He’s charged in a May 7 incident involving a 14-year-old girl. Harding allegedly had sexual contact with the girl in his locked classroom.

The St. Joseph School District terminated his employment last week. Harding taught math at Robidoux since 2022 and had worked at four other schools in the area in the last decade.

Harding will next appear in court July 2.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716927822696.jpeg" alt="Everett "Tim" Harding." />
 <figcaption>Everett "Tim" Harding.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostBond has been set for a former Robidoux Middle School teacher charged with first-degree sodomy.Forty-seven year-old Everett “Tim” Harding of Maryville had a bond of $50,000 set at a court appearance Tuesday.Officials say an additional forensic interview revealed there may be an additional victim involved in the case. Harding is to remain on house arrest and can have no contact with the victim.Harding was booked in the Buchanan County Jail on May 20. He’s charged in a May 7 incident involving a 14-year-old girl. Harding allegedly had sexual contact with the girl in his locked classroom.The St. Joseph School District terminated his employment last week. Harding taught math at Robidoux since 2022 and had worked at four other schools in the area in the last decade.Harding will next appear in court July 2.

Bond set for former Robidoux teacher accused of first-degree sodomy

A St. Joseph school board member pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident involving another board member.

Whitney Lanning pleaded guilty to the charge of second-degree harassment at a hearing in front of Associate Circuit Judge Chad Gaddie.

 Lanning will be placed on two-year probation and is ordered by the court to attend anger management.

Lanning was charged for behavior in a February 26 incident following a Board of Education meeting.

Court documents and security video detail Lanning approaching fellow board member Isaura Garcia, yelling at her, following her and throwing her own property at a wall.

Lanning still faces a civil suit related to the incident. No hearings have been set in that case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718191699617.jpeg" alt="Whitney Lanning. Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Whitney Lanning. Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph school board member pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident involving another board member.Whitney Lanning pleaded guilty to the charge of second-degree harassment at a hearing in front of Associate Circuit Judge Chad Gaddie. Lanning will be placed on two-year probation and is ordered by the court to attend anger management.Lanning was charged for behavior in a February 26 incident following a Board of Education meeting.Court documents and security video detail Lanning approaching fellow board member Isaura Garcia, yelling at her, following her and throwing her own property at a wall.Lanning still faces a civil suit related to the incident. No hearings have been set in that case.

SJSD Board Member pleads guilty in harassment case Tuesday

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

Missouri will enter the new fiscal year July 1 with a near-record cash surplus as state spending falls short of budgeted amounts and revenues meet expectations.

Meeting revenue expectations won’t, however, be enough to trigger an income tax cut&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/29/legislature-sends-764-million-income-tax-cut-to-missouri-governor/">dependent on revenue growth</a>, said Jim Moody, a former state budget director.&nbsp;

“My view is, best case, they end up probably around the last year’s revenues, which would not trigger it,” said Moody, who is also a retired lobbyist who advised clients on state fiscal issues and tax matters.The state took in $13.2 billion in general revenue in the year that ended June 30, 2023. Through Thursday, general revenue receipts were down 0.35% for the current fiscal year — the estimate is for a decline of 0.7% — while a tax cut would occur if revenues increased by $200 million or more.

Gov. Mike Parson must act on the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/10/democrats-say-final-missouri-budget-pads-special-interests-with-state-cash/">$51.7 billion budget</a>&nbsp;approved by lawmakers before the new fiscal year begins July 1. And while the large surplus and steady revenues mean every item can be funded, Parson last year&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/30/despite-8-billion-surplus-missouri-governor-vetoes-550-million-in-state-spending/">vetoed $550 million in spending items</a>&nbsp;he said jeopardized the state’s long-term fiscal health.

And Parson may call lawmakers back to add new spending before his term expires in January. If the budget fails to adequately fund state operations, Parson said at a news conference in May that he would not leave it to his successor to fill in the gaps.

And at the first meeting of the State Board of Education after the budget was approved, board&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/14/missouri-education-department-prepares-for-mother-of-all-supplemental-budgets/">President Charlie Shields predicted</a>&nbsp;that the department would need the “mother of all supplemental budgets” to make it through the year.&nbsp;

At the end of May, the state general revenue fund held $4.9 billion, with other funds that could be spent without restriction adding almost $1.9 billion. On July 1, 2023, the general revenue surplus stood at $5.1 billion, the largest in state history.

The general revenue balance is about $1.7 billion more than Gov. Mike Parson’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/24/gov-mike-parson-proposes-record-52-7-billion-missouri-state-budget/">January budget proposal</a>&nbsp;anticipated would be left on June 30. And while there are some big items left to fund in the current budget – a $300 million transfer to an account for expansion of the Capitol Building being the largest – the balance is unlikely to change dramatically in the final month of the fiscal year.

A large part of the additional surplus is likely due to unspent funds due from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/06/vacancies-turnover-leave-thousands-of-jobs-unfilled-in-missouri-state-government/">staffing shortages</a>&nbsp;across state government. During fiscal year 2023, state agencies only used 87% of the payroll hours allocated in the budget. That helped keep general revenue spending $608 million below budgeted amounts.

The almost flat revenue growth masks changes in the mix of revenues. Sales tax revenues are up more than 9% for the year, while income taxes receipts have declined about 3%. In just the past two years, as income tax cuts have kicked in, the share of general revenue coming from sales tax has increased from $1 out of every $5 to $1 out of every $4.

There are several factors driving growth in sales tax, Moody said.&nbsp;

The first is inflation, both in wages and prices, he said. Adult use marijuana is a market of more than $1 billion annually and sales tax claims 3% of that amount for general revenue.&nbsp;

The state began collecting tax on goods sold through the internet last year, and there is some residual spending of COVID-19 relief funds.&nbsp;

If Parson approves all the spending in the budget plan on his desk, it will consume about $2 billion of the accumulated surplus. If that continues into future years, Moody said, the surplus won’t last until the next recession.

“It’s been 15 years since we had a recession,” Moody said. “So nobody thinks that things can go down.”

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri will enter the new fiscal year July 1 with a near-record cash surplus as state spending falls short of budgeted amounts and revenues meet expectations.Meeting revenue expectations won’t, however, be enough to trigger an income tax cut&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/29/legislature-sends-764-million-income-tax-cut-to-missouri-governor/">dependent on revenue growth</a>, said Jim Moody, a former state budget director.&nbsp;“My view is, best case, they end up probably around the last year’s revenues, which would not trigger it,” said Moody, who is also a retired lobbyist who advised clients on state fiscal issues and tax matters.The state took in $13.2 billion in general revenue in the year that ended June 30, 2023. Through Thursday, general revenue receipts were down 0.35% for the current fiscal year — the estimate is for a decline of 0.7% — while a tax cut would occur if revenues increased by $200 million or more.Gov. Mike Parson must act on the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/10/democrats-say-final-missouri-budget-pads-special-interests-with-state-cash/">$51.7 billion budget</a>&nbsp;approved by lawmakers before the new fiscal year begins July 1. And while the large surplus and steady revenues mean every item can be funded, Parson last year&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/30/despite-8-billion-surplus-missouri-governor-vetoes-550-million-in-state-spending/">vetoed $550 million in spending items</a>&nbsp;he said jeopardized the state’s long-term fiscal health.And Parson may call lawmakers back to add new spending before his term expires in January. If the budget fails to adequately fund state operations, Parson said at a news conference in May that he would not leave it to his successor to fill in the gaps.And at the first meeting of the State Board of Education after the budget was approved, board&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/14/missouri-education-department-prepares-for-mother-of-all-supplemental-budgets/">President Charlie Shields predicted</a>&nbsp;that the department would need the “mother of all supplemental budgets” to make it through the year.&nbsp;At the end of May, the state general revenue fund held $4.9 billion, with other funds that could be spent without restriction adding almost $1.9 billion. On July 1, 2023, the general revenue surplus stood at $5.1 billion, the largest in state history.The general revenue balance is about $1.7 billion more than Gov. Mike Parson’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/24/gov-mike-parson-proposes-record-52-7-billion-missouri-state-budget/">January budget proposal</a>&nbsp;anticipated would be left on June 30. And while there are some big items left to fund in the current budget – a $300 million transfer to an account for expansion of the Capitol Building being the largest – the balance is unlikely to change dramatically in the final month of the fiscal year.A large part of the additional surplus is likely due to unspent funds due from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/06/vacancies-turnover-leave-thousands-of-jobs-unfilled-in-missouri-state-government/">staffing shortages</a>&nbsp;across state government. During fiscal year 2023, state agencies only used 87% of the payroll hours allocated in the budget. That helped keep general revenue spending $608 million below budgeted amounts.The almost flat revenue growth masks changes in the mix of revenues. Sales tax revenues are up more than 9% for the year, while income taxes receipts have declined about 3%. In just the past two years, as income tax cuts have kicked in, the share of general revenue coming from sales tax has increased from $1 out of every $5 to $1 out of every $4.There are several factors driving growth in sales tax, Moody said.&nbsp;The first is inflation, both in wages and prices, he said. Adult use marijuana is a market of more than $1 billion annually and sales tax claims 3% of that amount for general revenue.&nbsp;The state began collecting tax on goods sold through the internet last year, and there is some residual spending of COVID-19 relief funds.&nbsp;If Parson approves all the spending in the budget plan on his desk, it will consume about $2 billion of the accumulated surplus. If that continues into future years, Moody said, the surplus won’t last until the next recession.“It’s been 15 years since we had a recession,” Moody said. “So nobody thinks that things can go down.”

Missouri budget surplus remains close to record levels as fiscal year nears end

(Radio Iowa) - A central Iowa real estate developer and property manager is launching what’s being called Hometown Tours of a half-dozen Iowa communities where businesses are hungry for help and housing is scarce. 

Karie Kading (KAY-ding) Ramsey, C-E-O of Kading Properties of Urbandale, says they’ll start in the Wayne County town of Corydon on Thursday. Ramsey says lots of Missouri license plates are coming over the border to work and the goal is to convert them to Iowa plates. Kading has built houses in more than two-dozen Iowa towns over the past five decades. 

By eliminating the need for long commutes, Ramsey says Kading helps employers retain skilled labor and boosts local economies, while saving families time and money on travel and fuel. She says so-called workforce housing may be individual houses, townhomes, bi-attached houses or whatever works best in the community. Corydon is first on the tour and the other five communities will be announced next week.

(Radio Iowa) - A central Iowa real estate developer and property manager is launching what’s being called Hometown Tours of a half-dozen Iowa communities where businesses are hungry for help and housing is scarce. Karie Kading (KAY-ding) Ramsey, C-E-O of Kading Properties of Urbandale, says they’ll start in the Wayne County town of Corydon on Thursday. Ramsey says lots of Missouri license plates are coming over the border to work and the goal is to convert them to Iowa plates. Kading has built houses in more than two-dozen Iowa towns over the past five decades. By eliminating the need for long commutes, Ramsey says Kading helps employers retain skilled labor and boosts local economies, while saving families time and money on travel and fuel. She says so-called workforce housing may be individual houses, townhomes, bi-attached houses or whatever works best in the community. Corydon is first on the tour and the other five communities will be announced next week.

Homebuilder scouts Iowa communities for places to build ‘workforce housing’

(Radio Iowa) - Chinese officials say they've arrested a 55-year-old man suspected of stabbing four Cornell College instructors. 

Cornell College, based in Mount Vernon, has had a longstanding relationship with a university in northeast China and the four educators were attacked in a public park. One of the survivors, David (DAH-veed) Zabner (ZAB-ner), spoke with Iowa Public Radio from his hospital room in China where he's being treated for a stab wound in his arm. 

Zabner says the group was leaving the park when he heard a sound, turned around and thought someone was pushing his colleagues -- then realized he and the others had been stabbed.

(Radio Iowa) - Chinese officials say they've arrested a 55-year-old man suspected of stabbing four Cornell College instructors. Cornell College, based in Mount Vernon, has had a longstanding relationship with a university in northeast China and the four educators were attacked in a public park. One of the survivors, David (DAH-veed) Zabner (ZAB-ner), spoke with Iowa Public Radio from his hospital room in China where he's being treated for a stab wound in his arm. Zabner says the group was leaving the park when he heard a sound, turned around and thought someone was pushing his colleagues -- then realized he and the others had been stabbed.

Chinese arrest suspect in stabbing of instructors from Cornell College

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Senate Republicans released their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Senate%20Republican%20Framework%20Short%20Summary.pdf">Farm Bill framework</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, and Kansas U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall held a press availability on Zoom to talk about it.&nbsp;

"This Farm Bill touches, I would think, every Kansan, in some way, somehow," Marshall said. "What are the next steps? I would explain it like this. A farmer goes in to buy a combine and he agrees with the dealer, all the ins and outs he wants, what type of header he wants on that combine. What we haven't agreed on yet is the price."

It sounds like the difference really isn't that large, all things considered.

"The Democrats and Republicans, we both want strong crop insurance, we both want strong nutrition programs," Marshall said. "We want rural economic development. I think it's just a matter of where we're going to move some dollars from one place to the other and still keep this on budget, because our Farm Bill is completely paid for. We're not asking for any more monies. The Democrats Farm Bill has a request for, I think $20 or $30 billion more each year."

Practically speaking, there's not a lot of legislative time between now and the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30.

"We'll see how far apart we are," Marshall said. "There will be a lot of talks between the two staffs, the two ag committee staffs, as well and see where we can close the gap. There really aren't very many legislative days left up here this summer. We have an election in November. I understand. We'll see if we can mark up something here in the next month or so. It will probably be this summer."

If the deal doesn't get done by the deadline, there is still the idea of a short term continuation of the current bill, which has already been extended for a sixth year, at least to past the election. Ag state legislators really don't want that, as they'd like more certainty, if possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718131641346.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL&nbsp;Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Senate Republicans released their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Senate%20Republican%20Framework%20Short%20Summary.pdf">Farm Bill framework</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, and Kansas U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall held a press availability on Zoom to talk about it.&nbsp;"This Farm Bill touches, I would think, every Kansan, in some way, somehow," Marshall said. "What are the next steps? I would explain it like this. A farmer goes in to buy a combine and he agrees with the dealer, all the ins and outs he wants, what type of header he wants on that combine. What we haven't agreed on yet is the price."It sounds like the difference really isn't that large, all things considered."The Democrats and Republicans, we both want strong crop insurance, we both want strong nutrition programs," Marshall said. "We want rural economic development. I think it's just a matter of where we're going to move some dollars from one place to the other and still keep this on budget, because our Farm Bill is completely paid for. We're not asking for any more monies. The Democrats Farm Bill has a request for, I think $20 or $30 billion more each year."Practically speaking, there's not a lot of legislative time between now and the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30."We'll see how far apart we are," Marshall said. "There will be a lot of talks between the two staffs, the two ag committee staffs, as well and see where we can close the gap. There really aren't very many legislative days left up here this summer. We have an election in November. I understand. We'll see if we can mark up something here in the next month or so. It will probably be this summer."If the deal doesn't get done by the deadline, there is still the idea of a short term continuation of the current bill, which has already been extended for a sixth year, at least to past the election. Ag state legislators really don't want that, as they'd like more certainty, if possible.

Senate Republicans release their Farm Bill framework

A multi-vehicle crash at Mile Marker 50 on northbound I-29 resulted in a major slowdown and multiple injuries Monday just after 1 p.m.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 36-year-old Matthew Banks of Oregon, Missouri, was riding a motorcycle when he collided with a deer. Banks was ejected from the bike and taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.

By TOMMY REZAC&nbsp;St. Joseph PostA multi-vehicle crash at Mile Marker 50 on northbound I-29 resulted in a major slowdown and multiple injuries Monday just after 1 p.m.The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 36-year-old Matthew Banks of Oregon, Missouri, was riding a motorcycle when he collided with a deer. Banks was ejected from the bike and taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Injuries reported in multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 29 in St. Joseph Monday

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;—&nbsp;Today, Governor Mike Parson confirmed that the State of Missouri will carry out the sentence of David Hosier on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Missouri, according to a statement from the governor's office.

"Ms. Angela Gilpin had her life stolen by David Hosier because he could not accept it when she ended their romantic involvement. He displays no remorse for his senseless violence,"&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said. "For these heinous acts, Hosier earned maximum punishment under the law. I cannot imagine the pain experienced by Angela’s and Rodney’s loved ones but hope that carrying out Hosier’s sentence according to the Court’s order brings closure."

Hosier murdered Angela and Rodney Gilpin at their apartment in Jefferson City, Missouri, in a jealous rage. Hosier, with a decades-long history of violence against women, would not let Angela reconcile with Rodney, stalking and harassing her for weeks before murdering her and her husband. Hosier then fled but was apprehended with the help of law enforcement in Oklahoma to answer for his crimes. Although Hosier did not receive an additional conviction for murdering Rodney, the jury in Angela’s trial determined that Hosier murdered both victims as it related to Hosier’s sentence. No court has ever found any error in Hosier’s case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715955157165.png" alt="Hosier photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Hosier photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;—&nbsp;Today, Governor Mike Parson confirmed that the State of Missouri will carry out the sentence of David Hosier on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Missouri, according to a statement from the governor's office."Ms. Angela Gilpin had her life stolen by David Hosier because he could not accept it when she ended their romantic involvement. He displays no remorse for his senseless violence,"&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said. "For these heinous acts, Hosier earned maximum punishment under the law. I cannot imagine the pain experienced by Angela’s and Rodney’s loved ones but hope that carrying out Hosier’s sentence according to the Court’s order brings closure."Hosier murdered Angela and Rodney Gilpin at their apartment in Jefferson City, Missouri, in a jealous rage. Hosier, with a decades-long history of violence against women, would not let Angela reconcile with Rodney, stalking and harassing her for weeks before murdering her and her husband. Hosier then fled but was apprehended with the help of law enforcement in Oklahoma to answer for his crimes. Although Hosier did not receive an additional conviction for murdering Rodney, the jury in Angela’s trial determined that Hosier murdered both victims as it related to Hosier’s sentence. No court has ever found any error in Hosier’s case.

Mo. Gov. denies clemency for man who killed ex-lover

(Radio Iowa) - A federal judge plans to issue a ruling before July 1st on whether state officials may enforce an Iowa law to deport immigrants who've been deported before. 

The judge heard legal arguments in a Des Moines courtroom earlier today (Monday). Emma Winger, deputy legal director for the American Immigration Council, says the state of Iowa is trying to set up its own deportation system and only the federal government has authority to enforce immigration law. 

Iowa Attorney General says President Biden has refused to enforce immigration laws and Iowa plans to do the job for him.

(Radio Iowa) - A federal judge plans to issue a ruling before July 1st on whether state officials may enforce an Iowa law to deport immigrants who've been deported before. The judge heard legal arguments in a Des Moines courtroom earlier today (Monday). Emma Winger, deputy legal director for the American Immigration Council, says the state of Iowa is trying to set up its own deportation system and only the federal government has authority to enforce immigration law. Iowa Attorney General says President Biden has refused to enforce immigration laws and Iowa plans to do the job for him.

Judge to rule soon on Iowa's immigration enforcement law

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Department of Agriculture announced a second case of Avian Influenza has been found in a dairy cattle herd. The Department announced Friday the latest case is in Sioux County. 

The first case of bird flu in an Iowa dairy herd was reported in O’Brien County. There have also been recent outbreaks in two northwest Iowa poultry flocks. 

Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the state is asking federal officials for assistance in compensating farmers for lost animals and lost milk and egg production. The state is also looking for support from the U-S-D-A to monitor for bird flu on dairy and poultry farms.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Department of Agriculture announced a second case of Avian Influenza has been found in a dairy cattle herd. The Department announced Friday the latest case is in Sioux County. The first case of bird flu in an Iowa dairy herd was reported in O’Brien County. There have also been recent outbreaks in two northwest Iowa poultry flocks. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the state is asking federal officials for assistance in compensating farmers for lost animals and lost milk and egg production. The state is also looking for support from the U-S-D-A to monitor for bird flu on dairy and poultry farms.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705959960045.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>

Second Case Of Bird Flu Found At Sioux County Dairy

The St. Joseph Mustangs (11-0) breezed their way through a three-game homestand and topped off a spotless weekend with a 12-5 win at Chillicothe Sunday night.

The Mustangs tallied 14 hits on the Mudcats Sunday, including a home run from Darius Freeman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718019585722.jpeg" alt="Stock photo by Alexis Starks." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo by Alexis Starks.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs (11-0) breezed their way through a three-game homestand and topped off a spotless weekend with a 12-5 win at Chillicothe Sunday night.The Mustangs tallied 14 hits on the Mudcats Sunday, including a home run from Darius Freeman.St. Joseph Christian graduate Camden Lutz started Sunday's game, striking out six and walking only one through five innings. He allowed six hits and three earned runs.East Buchanan alum Broncho Whitt tossed a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two.The Mustangs also beat Chillicothe 7-6 on Saturday night at Phil Welch Stadium in come-from-behind fashion.St. Joseph trailed 6-3 entering the bottom of the ninth, but scored four runs in the final frame, including a walkoff sac fly by Logan Miller, which scored Trevor McCollum.Bishop LeBlond alum Jaren Guck was the winning pitcher on Saturday, tossing a scoreless ninth inning with two punchouts.St. Joseph had no trouble on Friday, blowing out MINK League newcomer Warren County, 15-1 in seven innings. The Mustangs benefitted from five Warren County errors.The Mustangs' pitching staff also combined for 12 strikeouts, including seven from starting pitcher and Mid-Buchanan product Denton Biller.St. Joseph, now 11-0 on the season, is off Monday before a road game at Jefferson City Tuesday. That game will start at 7 p.m.You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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