By JULIE APPLEBY&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>

A company that makes tests for lead poisoning has agreed to resolve criminal charges that it concealed for years a malfunction that resulted in inaccurately low results.

It’s the latest in a long-running saga involving Massachusetts-based Magellan Diagnostics, which will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/magellan-diagnostics-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-42-million-resolve-criminal-charges">pay $42 million in penalties</a>, according to the Department of Justice.

While many of the fault-prone devices were used from 2013 to 2017, some were being recalled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/magellan_fact_sheet_20211203_ADA_v2.pdf">as late as 2021</a>. The Justice Department said the malfunction produced inaccurate results for “potentially tens of thousands” of children and other patients.

Doctors don’t consider any level of lead in the blood to be safe, especially for children. Several U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., and Flint, Michigan, have struggled with widespread lead contamination of their water supplies in the last two decades, making accurate tests critical for public health.

It’s possible faulty Magellan kits were used to test children for lead exposure into the early 2020s, based on the recall in 2021. Here’s what parents should know.

The inaccurate results came from three Magellan devices: LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II, and LeadCare Plus. One, the LeadCare II, uses finger-stick samples primarily and accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the U.S. from 2013 to 2017, according to the Justice Department. It was often used in physician offices to check children’s lead levels.

The other two could also be used with blood drawn from a vein and may have been more common in labs than doctor’s offices. The company “first learned that a malfunction in its LeadCare Ultra device could cause inaccurate lead test results – specifically, lead test results that were falsely low” in June 2013 while seeking regulatory clearance to sell the product, the DOJ said. But it did not disclose that information and went on to market the tests, according to the settlement.

The agency said 2013 testing indicated the same flaw affected the LeadCare II device. A 2021 recall included most of all three types of test kits distributed since October 27, 2020.

The company said in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.magellandx.com/resources/magellan-diagnostics-announces-voluntary-resolution-of-federal-investigation/">press release</a>&nbsp;announcing the resolution that “the underlying issues that affected the results of some of Magellan’s products from 2013 to 2018 have been fully and effectively remediated,” and that the tests it currently sells are safe.

Children are often tested during pediatrician visits at age 1 and again at age 2. Elevated lead levels can put kids at risk of developmental delay, lower IQ, and other problems. And symptoms, such as stomachache, poor appetite, or irritability, may not appear until high levels are reached.

Falsely low test results could mean parents and physicians were unaware of the problem.

That’s a concern because treatment for lead poisoning is, initially, mainly preventive. Results showing elevated levels should prompt parents and health officials to determine the sources of lead and take steps to prevent continued lead intake, said Janine Kerr, health educator with the Virginia Department of Health’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/leadsafe/">Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program</a>.

Children can be exposed to lead in a variety of ways, including by drinking water contaminated with lead from old pipes, such as in Flint and Washington; ingesting lead-based paint flakes often found in older homes; or, as reported recently, eating some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023">brands of cinnamon-flavored applesauce.</a>

“Parents can contact their child’s pediatrician to determine if their child had a blood lead test with a LeadCare device” and discuss whether a repeat blood lead test is needed, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.mountsinai.org/maida-p-galvez">Maida Galvez</a>, a pediatrician and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

During an earlier recall of some Magellan devices, in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-americans-about-risk-inaccurate-results-certain-lead-tests">recommended that patients be retested</a>&nbsp;if they were pregnant, nursing, or children younger than 6 and had a blood lead level of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter as determined by a Magellan device from a venous blood draw.

The 2021 recall of Magellan devices recommended retesting children whose results were less than the current CDC reference level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Many of those tests were of the finger-stick variety.

Kerr, at the Virginia health department, said her agency has not had many calls about that recall.

The finger-stick tests “are not that widely used in Virginia,” said Kerr, adding that “we did get a lot of questions about the applesauce recall.”

In any case, she said, the “best course of action for parents is to talk with a health care provider.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717934001181.png" alt=" From left, a lead pipe, a corroded steel pipe, and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate (Photo courtesy Environmental Protection Agency)." />
 <figcaption> From left, a lead pipe, a corroded steel pipe, and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate (Photo courtesy Environmental Protection Agency).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JULIE APPLEBY&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-01-14/private-practice-doctors-patients-wonder-when-its-their-turn-for-the-covid-19-vaccine">Kaiser Health News</a>A company that makes tests for lead poisoning has agreed to resolve criminal charges that it concealed for years a malfunction that resulted in inaccurately low results.It’s the latest in a long-running saga involving Massachusetts-based Magellan Diagnostics, which will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/magellan-diagnostics-agrees-plead-guilty-and-pay-42-million-resolve-criminal-charges">pay $42 million in penalties</a>, according to the Department of Justice.While many of the fault-prone devices were used from 2013 to 2017, some were being recalled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/magellan_fact_sheet_20211203_ADA_v2.pdf">as late as 2021</a>. The Justice Department said the malfunction produced inaccurate results for “potentially tens of thousands” of children and other patients.Doctors don’t consider any level of lead in the blood to be safe, especially for children. Several U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., and Flint, Michigan, have struggled with widespread lead contamination of their water supplies in the last two decades, making accurate tests critical for public health.It’s possible faulty Magellan kits were used to test children for lead exposure into the early 2020s, based on the recall in 2021. Here’s what parents should know.<h2>What tests were affected?</h2>The inaccurate results came from three Magellan devices: LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II, and LeadCare Plus. One, the LeadCare II, uses finger-stick samples primarily and accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the U.S. from 2013 to 2017, according to the Justice Department. It was often used in physician offices to check children’s lead levels.The other two could also be used with blood drawn from a vein and may have been more common in labs than doctor’s offices. The company “first learned that a malfunction in its LeadCare Ultra device could cause inaccurate lead test results – specifically, lead test results that were falsely low” in June 2013 while seeking regulatory clearance to sell the product, the DOJ said. But it did not disclose that information and went on to market the tests, according to the settlement.The agency said 2013 testing indicated the same flaw affected the LeadCare II device. A 2021 recall included most of all three types of test kits distributed since October 27, 2020.The company said in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.magellandx.com/resources/magellan-diagnostics-announces-voluntary-resolution-of-federal-investigation/">press release</a>&nbsp;announcing the resolution that “the underlying issues that affected the results of some of Magellan’s products from 2013 to 2018 have been fully and effectively remediated,” and that the tests it currently sells are safe.<h2>What does a falsely low result mean?</h2>Children are often tested during pediatrician visits at age 1 and again at age 2. Elevated lead levels can put kids at risk of developmental delay, lower IQ, and other problems. And symptoms, such as stomachache, poor appetite, or irritability, may not appear until high levels are reached.Falsely low test results could mean parents and physicians were unaware of the problem.That’s a concern because treatment for lead poisoning is, initially, mainly preventive. Results showing elevated levels should prompt parents and health officials to determine the sources of lead and take steps to prevent continued lead intake, said Janine Kerr, health educator with the Virginia Department of Health’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/leadsafe/">Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program</a>.Children can be exposed to lead in a variety of ways, including by drinking water contaminated with lead from old pipes, such as in Flint and Washington; ingesting lead-based paint flakes often found in older homes; or, as reported recently, eating some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-chromium-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023">brands of cinnamon-flavored applesauce.</a><h2>What should parents do now?</h2>“Parents can contact their child’s pediatrician to determine if their child had a blood lead test with a LeadCare device” and discuss whether a repeat blood lead test is needed, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.mountsinai.org/maida-p-galvez">Maida Galvez</a>, a pediatrician and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.During an earlier recall of some Magellan devices, in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-americans-about-risk-inaccurate-results-certain-lead-tests">recommended that patients be retested</a>&nbsp;if they were pregnant, nursing, or children younger than 6 and had a blood lead level of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter as determined by a Magellan device from a venous blood draw.The 2021 recall of Magellan devices recommended retesting children whose results were less than the current CDC reference level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Many of those tests were of the finger-stick variety.Kerr, at the Virginia health department, said her agency has not had many calls about that recall.The finger-stick tests “are not that widely used in Virginia,” said Kerr, adding that “we did get a lot of questions about the applesauce recall.”In any case, she said, the “best course of action for parents is to talk with a health care provider.”<a target="_blank" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a>&nbsp;is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.

Thousands of children got tested for lead with faulty devices: What parents should know

The overdue farm bill is finally making its way through Congress, after the House agriculture committee recently advanced a proposal. Food assistance is likely to be one of the biggest sticking points as the draft moves forward.

By ELIZABETH REMBERT <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2024-06-07/snap-benefits-are-a-huge-part-of-the-farm-bill-and-a-big-point-of-contention-for-lawmakers?mc_cid=a5f0d9d772&amp;mc_eid=4e2c084f1d">KCUR</a>

The long-stalled farm bill took a step forward in the House of Representatives last month as a Republican-led proposal made it out of the agriculture committee.

The clock is ticking as the extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, which expired eight months ago, ends in September.

Yet food assistance will likely be a flashpoint in the discussions ahead.

<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/key-statistics-and-research/#:~:text=In%20FY%202022%2C%20SNAP%20served,%24230.88%20per%20participant%20per%20month." target="_blank">More than 41 million Americans</a>&nbsp;rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program monthly to put food on the table. The program takes a lot of funding –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/minority-blog/reviewing-the-february-2024-baseline-for-usda-farm-and-nutrition-programs" target="_blank">about 80% of the farm bill’s massive budget goes to SNAP.</a>

The House draft suggests placing limits on how the Thrifty Food Plan is updated in the future. The Thrifty Food Plan is a basket of foods that represents a “nutritious, practical, cost-effective diet prepared at home” for a family of four,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/thriftyfoodplan" target="_blank">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.</a>

The money people receive through SNAP is calculated by how much that basket of food costs.

Right now, the plan is updated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/usda-food-plans#:~:text=As%20stipulated%20in%20the%20Agriculture,reevaluation%20is%20anticipated%20in%202026." target="_blank">every five years</a>&nbsp;based on food prices, food composition data, consumer data and dietary standards. The new proposal suggests updating the cost of the plan only for inflation.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://thompson.house.gov/" target="_blank">House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson</a>&nbsp;– a Republican from Pennsylvania – the nonpartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office</a>&nbsp;estimates the limit would cut SNAP by $30 billion over the next 10 years.

“The cut would take away a day’s worth of benefits from the participants each month, then it would rise to two days of benefits each day,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://hayes.house.gov/" target="_blank">Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes</a>&nbsp;from Connecticut during discussions. “You may think losing one or two days of food is not significant. But I do think it’s quite significant for a low-income family trying to make ends meet.”

But&nbsp;<a href="https://alford.house.gov/" target="_blank">Republican Rep. Mark Alford</a>&nbsp;from Missouri said he’s focused on making the program more efficient, not slashing benefits.

“Democrats feel like we’re trying to cut the program. And that’s not the case,” he said. “If we can move to a program that has more integrity, more health benefits, it is going to be greater for our nation and greater for our taxpayers.”

Alford points to&nbsp;<a href="https://agriculture.house.gov/uploadedfiles/detailed_summary_final.pdf" target="_blank">parts of the bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow frozen and canned produce to be covered, create an accountability office and expand eligibility for the program.

Other SNAP proposals in the House’s farm bill draft would:

“We don’t feel there are cuts to SNAP – we’re just tightening up some of the issues,” Alford said. “I don’t want anyone who is truly hungry, truly needy and can’t work to go to bed hungry at night.”

Megan Hamann, a community organizer focused on food and nutrition access with&nbsp;<a href="https://neappleseed.org/who-we-are" target="_blank">Nebraska Appleseed</a>, said framing limits to the Thrifty Food Plan as anything but cuts to SNAP is a “pretty problematic characterization, because it would erode SNAP’s buying power over time.”

“So while families wouldn’t see their benefits go down in an immediate sense, SNAP would be increasingly less efficient as time goes on,” she said. “What we would see is a decline in how well the program actually works in people’s lives.”

Hamann said she hopes the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/rural_prosperity_and_food_security_section-by-section.pdf" target="_blank">Senate’s farm bill proposal</a>&nbsp;can find support, which would maintain the regular re-evaluation of SNAP benefits.

The House’s draft has a long way to go before it makes it into law as the new farm bill; it will need final passage in the House and endorsement from the Senate.

“Everyone knows that this bill would never become law. The Senate won’t accept it and the administration won’t accept it,” Rep. David Scott of Georgia, the ranking Democrat on the House’s Agriculture committee, said during discussions. “And while this bill is a giant misstep, it nevertheless begins our journey toward passing a farm bill.”

This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media,</a>&nbsp;a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717798696726.png" alt="This story is part of Harvest Public Media's ongoing coverage of the 2023 Farm Bill." />
 <figcaption>This story is part of Harvest Public Media's ongoing coverage of the 2023 Farm Bill.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The overdue farm bill is finally making its way through Congress, after the House agriculture committee recently advanced a proposal. Food assistance is likely to be one of the biggest sticking points as the draft moves forward.</h2>By ELIZABETH REMBERT <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2024-06-07/snap-benefits-are-a-huge-part-of-the-farm-bill-and-a-big-point-of-contention-for-lawmakers?mc_cid=a5f0d9d772&amp;mc_eid=4e2c084f1d">KCUR</a>The long-stalled farm bill took a step forward in the House of Representatives last month as a Republican-led proposal made it out of the agriculture committee.The clock is ticking as the extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, which expired eight months ago, ends in September.Yet food assistance will likely be a flashpoint in the discussions ahead.<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/key-statistics-and-research/#:~:text=In%20FY%202022%2C%20SNAP%20served,%24230.88%20per%20participant%20per%20month." target="_blank">More than 41 million Americans</a>&nbsp;rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program monthly to put food on the table. The program takes a lot of funding –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/minority-blog/reviewing-the-february-2024-baseline-for-usda-farm-and-nutrition-programs" target="_blank">about 80% of the farm bill’s massive budget goes to SNAP.</a><h2>House farm bill proposal</h2>The House draft suggests placing limits on how the Thrifty Food Plan is updated in the future. The Thrifty Food Plan is a basket of foods that represents a “nutritious, practical, cost-effective diet prepared at home” for a family of four,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/thriftyfoodplan" target="_blank">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.</a>The money people receive through SNAP is calculated by how much that basket of food costs.Right now, the plan is updated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/usda-food-plans#:~:text=As%20stipulated%20in%20the%20Agriculture,reevaluation%20is%20anticipated%20in%202026." target="_blank">every five years</a>&nbsp;based on food prices, food composition data, consumer data and dietary standards. The new proposal suggests updating the cost of the plan only for inflation.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://thompson.house.gov/" target="_blank">House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson</a>&nbsp;– a Republican from Pennsylvania – the nonpartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/" target="_blank">Congressional Budget Office</a>&nbsp;estimates the limit would cut SNAP by $30 billion over the next 10 years.“The cut would take away a day’s worth of benefits from the participants each month, then it would rise to two days of benefits each day,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://hayes.house.gov/" target="_blank">Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes</a>&nbsp;from Connecticut during discussions. “You may think losing one or two days of food is not significant. But I do think it’s quite significant for a low-income family trying to make ends meet.”But&nbsp;<a href="https://alford.house.gov/" target="_blank">Republican Rep. Mark Alford</a>&nbsp;from Missouri said he’s focused on making the program more efficient, not slashing benefits.“Democrats feel like we’re trying to cut the program. And that’s not the case,” he said. “If we can move to a program that has more integrity, more health benefits, it is going to be greater for our nation and greater for our taxpayers.”Alford points to&nbsp;<a href="https://agriculture.house.gov/uploadedfiles/detailed_summary_final.pdf" target="_blank">parts of the bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow frozen and canned produce to be covered, create an accountability office and expand eligibility for the program.Other SNAP proposals in the House’s farm bill draft would:<ul>
 <li>Add frozen, fresh, canned and dried fruits and vegetables as SNAP-eligible products&nbsp;</li><li>Create an office of program integrity to focus on SNAP and address erroneous payments and other inefficiencies&nbsp;</li><li>Allow individuals with past drug offenses to receive SNAP</li><li>Direct the USDA to issue formal guidance on notifying eligible college students that they qualify for SNAP</li>
 </ul>“We don’t feel there are cuts to SNAP – we’re just tightening up some of the issues,” Alford said. “I don’t want anyone who is truly hungry, truly needy and can’t work to go to bed hungry at night.”Megan Hamann, a community organizer focused on food and nutrition access with&nbsp;<a href="https://neappleseed.org/who-we-are" target="_blank">Nebraska Appleseed</a>, said framing limits to the Thrifty Food Plan as anything but cuts to SNAP is a “pretty problematic characterization, because it would erode SNAP’s buying power over time.”“So while families wouldn’t see their benefits go down in an immediate sense, SNAP would be increasingly less efficient as time goes on,” she said. “What we would see is a decline in how well the program actually works in people’s lives.”Hamann said she hopes the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/rural_prosperity_and_food_security_section-by-section.pdf" target="_blank">Senate’s farm bill proposal</a>&nbsp;can find support, which would maintain the regular re-evaluation of SNAP benefits.The House’s draft has a long way to go before it makes it into law as the new farm bill; it will need final passage in the House and endorsement from the Senate.“Everyone knows that this bill would never become law. The Senate won’t accept it and the administration won’t accept it,” Rep. David Scott of Georgia, the ranking Democrat on the House’s Agriculture committee, said during discussions. “And while this bill is a giant misstep, it nevertheless begins our journey toward passing a farm bill.”This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media,</a>&nbsp;a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.&nbsp;

SNAP benefits huge part of farm bill, big point of contention for lawmakers

Brice Garnett has been a pro golfer for 18 years.

He’s played overseas. He’s been on the PGA Tour. He currently holds PGA status, in fact, having won the Puerto Rico Open this past March, and will hold that status for at least the next three years.

Through it all, the Gallatin native still carries the Missouri Western logo on his golf bag. The former Griffon will never forget where he came from.

"I've always tried to keep some sort of a chip on my shoulder," Garnett told KFEQ Radio. "I've always remained humble and remembered my roots, but have tried to keep a chip on my shoulder, dating back to my college time whenever the University of Missouri didn't want me."

"I ended up at Missouri Western and had an amazing career."

The best golfer to ever play at Missouri Western can now add another Hall of Fame status to his name.

Garnett was one of 10 individuals unveiled in <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/1e5bd6e6-b2b7-4c36-821d-76d48f23c880">this year's St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class</a>.

Already a member of the Missouri Western and MIAA Hall of Fame, Garnett says getting this honor from the St. Joseph Sports Commission is extra special, having grown up and started his career in the area.

"Especially being from Gallatin and playing there at Missouri Western in St. Joe, it was just an exciting call to get," Garnett shared. "I've known Brett (Esely) a long time. He was actually our compliance coordinator when I was at school. We've stayed in touch."

"I know he's doing big things with the Sports Commission. We're excited for August to come around to get up there and get inducted."

Brett Esely is the director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission, which oversees the Hall of Fame. Each year's class is selected by an anonymous three-person committee.

Garnett was a three-time all-American at Missouri Western and just secured PGA Tour status for the next three years this past March with his Puerto Rico Open victory - his first PGA win since 2018 and his second overall.

Garnett has seven professional victories, but he says that win in March, at age 40, was a long time coming and the culmination of long stretches of hard work and waiting for a win.

"It was probably the most challenging part of my career," he said. "I felt like I got to a spot where I could compete weekly. Everything in my game was probably as strong as it's ever been. To see it all come together down in Puerto Rico at 40 years old, kind of resurrecting my career."

Garnett is gearing up for a busy summer and fall ahead. He has a three-week break right now, but he says he's looking at playing in the John Deere Classic on July 4th weekend in Silvis, Illinois.

"I believe I'll travel from there to the Scottish Open," he said. "That'll be my first time playing in Scotland, which I'm excited about. Come back and play a few events in the end of July, getting ready to hopefully sneak in that top 70 (FedEx Cup standings) to get in that first playoff event in Memphis, which is a huge, huge step."

Garnett aims to get in the top 70 in the Fedex Cup standings, which would qualify him for the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis on August 15 - the first of three Fedex Cup playoff tournaments. He’s currently ranked 75th in those standings.

Garnett will be enshrined August 25 in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. He'd love to be there for the ceremony at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, but he’d also love to be competing for a Fedex Cup championship during that time as well.

"I hope to be at the BMW (Championship) for my career, but definitely will be in St. Joe if not."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717788079648.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostBrice Garnett has been a pro golfer for 18 years.He’s played overseas. He’s been on the PGA Tour. He currently holds PGA status, in fact, having won the Puerto Rico Open this past March, and will hold that status for at least the next three years.Through it all, the Gallatin native still carries the Missouri Western logo on his golf bag. The former Griffon will never forget where he came from."I've always tried to keep some sort of a chip on my shoulder," Garnett told KFEQ Radio. "I've always remained humble and remembered my roots, but have tried to keep a chip on my shoulder, dating back to my college time whenever the University of Missouri didn't want me.""I ended up at Missouri Western and had an amazing career."The best golfer to ever play at Missouri Western can now add another Hall of Fame status to his name.Garnett was one of 10 individuals unveiled in <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/1e5bd6e6-b2b7-4c36-821d-76d48f23c880">this year's St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class</a>.Already a member of the Missouri Western and MIAA Hall of Fame, Garnett says getting this honor from the St. Joseph Sports Commission is extra special, having grown up and started his career in the area."Especially being from Gallatin and playing there at Missouri Western in St. Joe, it was just an exciting call to get," Garnett shared. "I've known Brett (Esely) a long time. He was actually our compliance coordinator when I was at school. We've stayed in touch.""I know he's doing big things with the Sports Commission. We're excited for August to come around to get up there and get inducted."Brett Esely is the director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission, which oversees the Hall of Fame. Each year's class is selected by an anonymous three-person committee.Garnett was a three-time all-American at Missouri Western and just secured PGA Tour status for the next three years this past March with his Puerto Rico Open victory - his first PGA win since 2018 and his second overall.Garnett has seven professional victories, but he says that win in March, at age 40, was a long time coming and the culmination of long stretches of hard work and waiting for a win."It was probably the most challenging part of my career," he said. "I felt like I got to a spot where I could compete weekly. Everything in my game was probably as strong as it's ever been. To see it all come together down in Puerto Rico at 40 years old, kind of resurrecting my career."Garnett is gearing up for a busy summer and fall ahead. He has a three-week break right now, but he says he's looking at playing in the John Deere Classic on July 4th weekend in Silvis, Illinois."I believe I'll travel from there to the Scottish Open," he said. "That'll be my first time playing in Scotland, which I'm excited about. Come back and play a few events in the end of July, getting ready to hopefully sneak in that top 70 (FedEx Cup standings) to get in that first playoff event in Memphis, which is a huge, huge step."Garnett aims to get in the top 70 in the Fedex Cup standings, which would qualify him for the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis on August 15 - the first of three Fedex Cup playoff tournaments. He’s currently ranked 75th in those standings.Garnett will be enshrined August 25 in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. He'd love to be there for the ceremony at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, but he’d also love to be competing for a Fedex Cup championship during that time as well."I hope to be at the BMW (Championship) for my career, but definitely will be in St. Joe if not."Brice Garnett interview<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Brice-Garnett---PGA-Tour-golfer-e2kjckc" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717788848440.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Brice Garnett hasn't forgotten his NWMO roots despite PGA success

(Radio Iowa) - More athletes than ever before are taking part in this year's edition of the Iowa Senior Games. 

Cory Kennedy, spokesman for the 38th annual event, says it's gratifying to see the popularity continue to grow, year after year, with more than one-thousand athletes now on the roster. The games opened Wednesday, with many events underway at Waukee High School in metro Des Moines. 

The 30 different sports range from football and tennis to pickleball and granny basketball. You have to be at least 50 years old to participate in the Iowa Senior Games, though Kennedy says they have a good number of competitors who are well into their 90s. Events run through Sunday.

(Radio Iowa) - More athletes than ever before are taking part in this year's edition of the Iowa Senior Games. Cory Kennedy, spokesman for the 38th annual event, says it's gratifying to see the popularity continue to grow, year after year, with more than one-thousand athletes now on the roster. The games opened Wednesday, with many events underway at Waukee High School in metro Des Moines. The 30 different sports range from football and tennis to pickleball and granny basketball. You have to be at least 50 years old to participate in the Iowa Senior Games, though Kennedy says they have a good number of competitors who are well into their 90s. Events run through Sunday.

The Iowa Senior Games open with a record number of hopeful medalists

(Radio Iowa) - An accident in southwestern Iowa has claimed the life of a child. 

The Iowa State Patrol reports an S-U-V driven by 67-year-old Rebecca Wood, of Walnut, was slowly moving through the parking lot of the Kum &amp; Go store in Neola, past the fuel pumps, when a two-year-old from Omaha ran across the path of the vehicle and was struck. 

The accident happened around 2:30 p-m. Wednesday. The toddler was transported to Mercy/UNMC in Omaha by Neola Fire/Rescue, but died from their injuries. The name of the child was not released.

(Radio Iowa) - An accident in southwestern Iowa has claimed the life of a child. The Iowa State Patrol reports an S-U-V driven by 67-year-old Rebecca Wood, of Walnut, was slowly moving through the parking lot of the Kum &amp; Go store in Neola, past the fuel pumps, when a two-year-old from Omaha ran across the path of the vehicle and was struck. The accident happened around 2:30 p-m. Wednesday. The toddler was transported to Mercy/UNMC in Omaha by Neola Fire/Rescue, but died from their injuries. The name of the child was not released.

Two-year-old is hit, killed in SW Iowa parking lot

The St. Joseph Mustangs are flat out dominating early on in the 2024 season.

The Mustangs (7-0) rolled to a 17-1 win at Clarinda Wednesday night at Municipal Stadium.

The Mustangs scored five runs in the sixth and poured on seven in the eighth. Dom Felix went 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored.

 Mason Holton drove in four runs. Carson Schrack and Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall drove in three.

St. Joseph Central product Roy Holcomb got the start and the win on the mound, striking out six over six innings, allowing just five hits and no earned runs.

St. Joseph is now 7-0 on the season and they come home tonight to face the Carroll Merchants. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 at Phil Welch Stadium.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717672755906.jpeg" alt="Photo by Alexis Starks." />
 <figcaption>Photo by Alexis Starks.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs are flat out dominating early on in the 2024 season.The Mustangs (7-0) rolled to a 17-1 win at Clarinda Wednesday night at Municipal Stadium.The Mustangs scored five runs in the sixth and poured on seven in the eighth. Dom Felix went 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored. Mason Holton drove in four runs. Carson Schrack and Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall drove in three.St. Joseph Central product Roy Holcomb got the start and the win on the mound, striking out six over six innings, allowing just five hits and no earned runs.St. Joseph is now 7-0 on the season and they come home tonight to face the Carroll Merchants. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 at Phil Welch Stadium.

Mustangs win again, staying unbeaten with blowout victory at Clarinda

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;State's Newsroom

Dairy farmers throughout the country are on guard and the federal government is mobilizing after an outbreak among cattle herds of highly pathogenic avian influenza — once thought to be confined to poultry flocks.

What’s more, the virus, also known as H5N1 or bird flu, was diagnosed in a third dairy farmworker last week, marking the first U.S. case with respiratory symptoms, said to be mild. The other two cases, also both mild, were diagnosed as pink eye.

The notable leap from cows and chickens to humans is not yet ringing alarm bells for public health officials or veterinarians, who believe the risk to the public remains low. However, they are closely monitoring poultry and dairy farms for any changes, despite a reluctance among some dairy farmers to test their herds.

“Avian influenza is something that public health scientists are worried about,” said Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. “It’s probably the potential infection or outbreak that causes the greatest amount of anxiety just because, if this did get into a place where it was easily transmissible among humans, everybody fears that could be a really, really bad scenario.”

The ongoing response has brought together a veritable alphabet soup of government agencies and agricultural organizations, highlighting the complicated nature of fighting bird flu. The mobilization is intended to stem the significant economic toll that farmers could face and curb the virus’ spread.

At the federal level, the Agriculture Department is responsible for the farm animals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for human health, the Food and Drug Administration has jurisdiction over the eggs and milk sold in grocery stores, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response oversees its piece of the pie.

Then come the state agencies, interest groups, agribusiness and family farms.

As of last week, more than 40 people had been tested for H5N1 with more than 350 people enrolled in monitoring, about 220 of whom are in Michigan. Two of the human cases have been in Michigan while the other was diagnosed in Texas.

Michigan also has several dairy cattle herds diagnosed with H5N1.

The USDA has performed more than 17,000 PCR tests on cattle, with a total of 67 herds affected throughout nine states, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas.

This strain of bird flu has also cropped up in a wide variety of mammals, including domestic cats. That’s led experts to recommend that people limit their pets’ interactions with wild birds, which hold a reservoir of the virus, as well as all farm animals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that it’s launching a voluntary pilot program to expand testing for dairy farms to gain better insight into the virus and make it easier for farmers to ship dairy cows across state lines.

The department is also transferring $824 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for the ongoing response.

“It’s important to note that as these additional testing measures take place, USDA anticipates that we may see an increase in the number of herds that are testing positive,” said Eric Deeble, acting senior adviser for highly pathogenic avian influenza and deputy assistant secretary for congressional relations.

The pilot program will test milk samples from bulk tanks for H5N1. Farms that consistently test negative will “be able to ship their cows at the time they prefer and without testing individual animals, knowing that their entire herd is free of the disease,” Deeble said.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, on a press call with reporters Monday, declined to say whether USDA has a full grasp of the extent of the virus’ spread in dairy cattle, but he said, “We have a pretty good understanding of the nature of this virus and essentially what’s causing its spread.”

“We’re trying to essentially corner this virus, so that over time it dissipates,” Vilsack said.

Dairy farmers can begin enrolling in the pilot program this week in participating states.

Infected cows have tremendous amounts of the virus&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/05/02/bird-flu-virus-is-abundant-in-the-milk-of-sick-cows/">in their milk</a>, so those that are lactating must test negative for the virus before they can be transported across state lines, the USDA has ordered.

In states such as Iowa, which has no detections of the virus in cattle, dairy farmers have been reluctant to test more than is required.

“There has not been a lot of testing to date,” said Rodger Main, director of the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which first discovered bird flu was infecting cattle. “What’s being tested is the dairy cattle that are moving interstate.”

Scientists are sequencing the genetic code of an avian flu that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/05/28/bird-flu-strikes-flock-of-4-2-million-chickens-in-sioux-county/">was found</a>&nbsp;in a flock of 4.2 million egg-laying hens last week in northwest Iowa to determine if it is the same variant that has been infecting cattle, said Don McDowell, a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. If so, it might indicate that there are infected cattle in Iowa.

A similar detection happened more than a month ago at a turkey flock in Minnesota, another state with no known dairy cattle infections.

However, no coordinated testing was done of dairy farms near the infected turkey flock to determine whether they had infected cattle and might have been the source of the transmission, said Michael Crusan, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

“The Board of Animal Health didn’t collect any samples from dairy farms surrounding HPAI positive poultry premises,” Crusan said. “We do not have authority to test those dairy farms without suspected or confirmed illness reported to us.”

There is reluctance among some dairy farmers to voluntarily test their cattle for fear of what might happen if those tests reveal their herds are infected, said Dr. Barb Petersen, a Texas veterinarian&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/17/two-veterinarians-hundreds-of-miles-apart-solved-a-cow-sickness-whodunit/">who helped discover</a>&nbsp;that bird flu was infecting cattle.

They might be afraid that they’ll be barred from selling their cattle for an unknown amount of time or that animal movements to and from their farms will be otherwise restricted.

Petersen suspects that nearly all the dairies in her area near Amarillo were infected but that many were not tested.

Infected cows typically recover in 10 to 14 days. Infected herds suffer a drop in milk production that can last about a month.

The virus is much more severe for chicken and turkey flocks, where it often causes fatal illness. Entire flocks are destroyed to prevent the spread of the virus.

More testing and better biosecurity measures are important to help prevent the virus from spreading from infected cattle to the poultry flocks, said Phillip Jardon, the dairy extension veterinarian for Iowa State University.

He is aware of several dairy farms that installed noise-making systems to keep away wild birds, which are believed to be an initial source of the infections. It’s unclear how many other state-recommended precautions are being adopted.

“The risk to dairies is not as large as it is to poultry, but dairies should keep in mind that they have neighbors who are poultry producers where it can be devastating, and they don’t want to have a local source of the virus,” he said.

Vilsack said USDA needs to better educate dairy farmers about the risks to their neighboring farmers to get more voluntary help in tracking and containing the virus.

It spread from Texas to faraway states through the transportation of infected cattle, but it has likely spread locally via farmworkers, veterinarians and equipment moving farm to farm, Vilsack said.

Plescia from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials said during an interview with States Newsroom that while the risk to the public remains low, health officials are paying close attention to agricultural workers.

Ensuring farmworkers have access to personal protective equipment is essential, though it could be challenging to get all workers to use it during the hotter summer months, Plescia said.

The most recent case in a farmworker in Michigan, announced May 30, is more concerning to experts. “We’re much, much more worried about respiratory infections because it’s respiratory infections, where in the past with earlier versions of H5N1, we’ve seen that those infections can be very, very severe and the mortality can be very high,” Plescia said.

Public health officials need to work with farm owners and farmworkers to make sure that even people with mild symptoms get tested for avian flu to ensure that it isn’t circulating more widely than the documented cases, he said.

They need to ensure that undocumented workers or those on agricultural work visas who are concerned about interaction with the government are comfortable enough to get tested.

“When the state government starts showing up to do testing as far as they’re concerned, people are fearful of that and so they’ll stop coming to work,” Plescia said.

Plescia also cautioned that people shouldn’t drink raw milk for the foreseeable future.

Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an interview with States Newsroom the agency is focusing its attention on farmworker safety through personal protective equipment, testing and additional resources.

The CDC is also working to build trust so that workers who might be in the U.S. on visas or who are undocumented feel comfortable getting tested for H5N1 or reporting an illness to public health officials.

“When H5 became a phenomenon in poultry farms, it took some time for poultry farm owners and poultry farmworkers to gain trust with the public health system,” Shah said. “The same thing, the same dynamic, is at play here.”

Shah, speaking during a separate press briefing on H5N1, said that even with the new respiratory case, there have been no signs, either genetically or epidemiologically, that this strain of avian influenza is adapting in a way that would lead to greater transmission.

“We are on the lookout for those changes, but the mere fact that this individual displayed some respiratory symptoms — again, we should be alert — but, in and of itself, is not a cause to change or suggest that we’re at an inflection point,” Shah said. “It is a cause and a reason to remain alert.”

Amira Roess, professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University, said in a written statement that public health officials must “provide incentives for individuals to report illness and to get tested, or at least we have to remove barriers.”

“Because we don’t have meaningful, high quality and accessible health care for the majority of our population, particularly those in rural areas where the virus has first spilled over, it will be challenging to get ahead of this,” Roess wrote in response to questions from States Newsroom about H5N1. “Many farmworkers are hourly workers and cannot afford to take time off for what they perceive as mild illness.”

Meghan Davis, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in an interview with States Newsroom this particular strain of avian flu has been spreading between mammals, including domestic pets, and will likely continue to do so.

“The fact that this particular clade has been able to infect so many different mammalian species, and has now caused at least two documented cases in people — although, thankfully, with relatively mild symptoms — is a concern,” she said, before the third case was announced.

Davis cautioned that because there have been cases among cats living on dairy farms that drank raw cow’s milk, people shouldn’t give raw milk to their pets.

Pet owners should also be cautious about letting their animals interact with wild birds, which are known to spread the virus.

Milk purchased in grocery stores is safe to drink since it’s been pasteurized and has been&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fda-chief-says-feds-are-preparing-low-probability-bird-flu-moving-humans">repeatedly tested</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the past few months to ensure there’s no active virus in the country’s food supply.

Other mammals diagnosed with avian flu this year include a mountain lion in Montana, red foxes in Michigan and Missouri, and a raccoon in Colorado. Domestic cats have been diagnosed in Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals">data</a>&nbsp;from the CDC.

Davis said the surveillance system for H5N1 should be broadened to include “more systematic testing, which would require us to have somewhat better access to workers, to animals on farms, etc.” as well as antibody testing to determine if more people have contracted avian flu and recovered.

The additional information could help if the virus were to shift in the coming months or years.

“We don’t know exactly what this virus is going to do,” Davis said, noting the mild nature of the virus detected so far could mean that more people have contracted it and simply didn’t realize it.

Davis explained that public health officials and researchers need to closely monitor viruses like H5N1 since they can change in a way similar to how the flu changes, leading to the need for a different flu shot each year.

Roess, the epidemiology professor from George Mason University, noted that an uptick in human cases of avian influenza, could “be an indication of other types of transmission than what is currently believed.”

“Right now, the cases reported are a result of direct contact with infected food animals,” Roess said. “It is critical to ramp up surveillance of people working closely with possibly infected animals, other animals in the vicinity and other people who are not directly in contact with possibly infected animals in the community.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716902758487.jpeg" alt="The USDA has performed more than 17,000 tests for avian influenza on cattle, with a total of 67 herds affected throughout nine states&nbsp; (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)" />
 <figcaption>The USDA has performed more than 17,000 tests for avian influenza on cattle, with a total of 67 herds affected throughout nine states&nbsp; (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;State's NewsroomDairy farmers throughout the country are on guard and the federal government is mobilizing after an outbreak among cattle herds of highly pathogenic avian influenza — once thought to be confined to poultry flocks.What’s more, the virus, also known as H5N1 or bird flu, was diagnosed in a third dairy farmworker last week, marking the first U.S. case with respiratory symptoms, said to be mild. The other two cases, also both mild, were diagnosed as pink eye.The notable leap from cows and chickens to humans is not yet ringing alarm bells for public health officials or veterinarians, who believe the risk to the public remains low. However, they are closely monitoring poultry and dairy farms for any changes, despite a reluctance among some dairy farmers to test their herds.“Avian influenza is something that public health scientists are worried about,” said Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. “It’s probably the potential infection or outbreak that causes the greatest amount of anxiety just because, if this did get into a place where it was easily transmissible among humans, everybody fears that could be a really, really bad scenario.”The ongoing response has brought together a veritable alphabet soup of government agencies and agricultural organizations, highlighting the complicated nature of fighting bird flu. The mobilization is intended to stem the significant economic toll that farmers could face and curb the virus’ spread.At the federal level, the Agriculture Department is responsible for the farm animals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for human health, the Food and Drug Administration has jurisdiction over the eggs and milk sold in grocery stores, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response oversees its piece of the pie.Then come the state agencies, interest groups, agribusiness and family farms.As of last week, more than 40 people had been tested for H5N1 with more than 350 people enrolled in monitoring, about 220 of whom are in Michigan. Two of the human cases have been in Michigan while the other was diagnosed in Texas.Michigan also has several dairy cattle herds diagnosed with H5N1.The USDA has performed more than 17,000 PCR tests on cattle, with a total of 67 herds affected throughout nine states, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas.This strain of bird flu has also cropped up in a wide variety of mammals, including domestic cats. That’s led experts to recommend that people limit their pets’ interactions with wild birds, which hold a reservoir of the virus, as well as all farm animals.<h2>USDA begins expanded testing</h2>The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that it’s launching a voluntary pilot program to expand testing for dairy farms to gain better insight into the virus and make it easier for farmers to ship dairy cows across state lines.The department is also transferring $824 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for the ongoing response.“It’s important to note that as these additional testing measures take place, USDA anticipates that we may see an increase in the number of herds that are testing positive,” said Eric Deeble, acting senior adviser for highly pathogenic avian influenza and deputy assistant secretary for congressional relations.The pilot program will test milk samples from bulk tanks for H5N1. Farms that consistently test negative will “be able to ship their cows at the time they prefer and without testing individual animals, knowing that their entire herd is free of the disease,” Deeble said.Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, on a press call with reporters Monday, declined to say whether USDA has a full grasp of the extent of the virus’ spread in dairy cattle, but he said, “We have a pretty good understanding of the nature of this virus and essentially what’s causing its spread.”“We’re trying to essentially corner this virus, so that over time it dissipates,” Vilsack said.Dairy farmers can begin enrolling in the pilot program this week in participating states.<h2>Dairy farms reluctant to test</h2>Infected cows have tremendous amounts of the virus&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/05/02/bird-flu-virus-is-abundant-in-the-milk-of-sick-cows/">in their milk</a>, so those that are lactating must test negative for the virus before they can be transported across state lines, the USDA has ordered.In states such as Iowa, which has no detections of the virus in cattle, dairy farmers have been reluctant to test more than is required.“There has not been a lot of testing to date,” said Rodger Main, director of the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which first discovered bird flu was infecting cattle. “What’s being tested is the dairy cattle that are moving interstate.”Scientists are sequencing the genetic code of an avian flu that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/05/28/bird-flu-strikes-flock-of-4-2-million-chickens-in-sioux-county/">was found</a>&nbsp;in a flock of 4.2 million egg-laying hens last week in northwest Iowa to determine if it is the same variant that has been infecting cattle, said Don McDowell, a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. If so, it might indicate that there are infected cattle in Iowa.A similar detection happened more than a month ago at a turkey flock in Minnesota, another state with no known dairy cattle infections.However, no coordinated testing was done of dairy farms near the infected turkey flock to determine whether they had infected cattle and might have been the source of the transmission, said Michael Crusan, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.“The Board of Animal Health didn’t collect any samples from dairy farms surrounding HPAI positive poultry premises,” Crusan said. “We do not have authority to test those dairy farms without suspected or confirmed illness reported to us.”There is reluctance among some dairy farmers to voluntarily test their cattle for fear of what might happen if those tests reveal their herds are infected, said Dr. Barb Petersen, a Texas veterinarian&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/17/two-veterinarians-hundreds-of-miles-apart-solved-a-cow-sickness-whodunit/">who helped discover</a>&nbsp;that bird flu was infecting cattle.They might be afraid that they’ll be barred from selling their cattle for an unknown amount of time or that animal movements to and from their farms will be otherwise restricted.Petersen suspects that nearly all the dairies in her area near Amarillo were infected but that many were not tested.Infected cows typically recover in 10 to 14 days. Infected herds suffer a drop in milk production that can last about a month.The virus is much more severe for chicken and turkey flocks, where it often causes fatal illness. Entire flocks are destroyed to prevent the spread of the virus.More testing and better biosecurity measures are important to help prevent the virus from spreading from infected cattle to the poultry flocks, said Phillip Jardon, the dairy extension veterinarian for Iowa State University.He is aware of several dairy farms that installed noise-making systems to keep away wild birds, which are believed to be an initial source of the infections. It’s unclear how many other state-recommended precautions are being adopted.“The risk to dairies is not as large as it is to poultry, but dairies should keep in mind that they have neighbors who are poultry producers where it can be devastating, and they don’t want to have a local source of the virus,” he said.Vilsack said USDA needs to better educate dairy farmers about the risks to their neighboring farmers to get more voluntary help in tracking and containing the virus.It spread from Texas to faraway states through the transportation of infected cattle, but it has likely spread locally via farmworkers, veterinarians and equipment moving farm to farm, Vilsack said.<h2>PPE for farmworkers</h2>Plescia from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials said during an interview with States Newsroom that while the risk to the public remains low, health officials are paying close attention to agricultural workers.Ensuring farmworkers have access to personal protective equipment is essential, though it could be challenging to get all workers to use it during the hotter summer months, Plescia said.The most recent case in a farmworker in Michigan, announced May 30, is more concerning to experts. “We’re much, much more worried about respiratory infections because it’s respiratory infections, where in the past with earlier versions of H5N1, we’ve seen that those infections can be very, very severe and the mortality can be very high,” Plescia said.Public health officials need to work with farm owners and farmworkers to make sure that even people with mild symptoms get tested for avian flu to ensure that it isn’t circulating more widely than the documented cases, he said.They need to ensure that undocumented workers or those on agricultural work visas who are concerned about interaction with the government are comfortable enough to get tested.“When the state government starts showing up to do testing as far as they’re concerned, people are fearful of that and so they’ll stop coming to work,” Plescia said.Plescia also cautioned that people shouldn’t drink raw milk for the foreseeable future.Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an interview with States Newsroom the agency is focusing its attention on farmworker safety through personal protective equipment, testing and additional resources.The CDC is also working to build trust so that workers who might be in the U.S. on visas or who are undocumented feel comfortable getting tested for H5N1 or reporting an illness to public health officials.“When H5 became a phenomenon in poultry farms, it took some time for poultry farm owners and poultry farmworkers to gain trust with the public health system,” Shah said. “The same thing, the same dynamic, is at play here.”Shah, speaking during a separate press briefing on H5N1, said that even with the new respiratory case, there have been no signs, either genetically or epidemiologically, that this strain of avian influenza is adapting in a way that would lead to greater transmission.“We are on the lookout for those changes, but the mere fact that this individual displayed some respiratory symptoms — again, we should be alert — but, in and of itself, is not a cause to change or suggest that we’re at an inflection point,” Shah said. “It is a cause and a reason to remain alert.”Amira Roess, professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University, said in a written statement that public health officials must “provide incentives for individuals to report illness and to get tested, or at least we have to remove barriers.”“Because we don’t have meaningful, high quality and accessible health care for the majority of our population, particularly those in rural areas where the virus has first spilled over, it will be challenging to get ahead of this,” Roess wrote in response to questions from States Newsroom about H5N1. “Many farmworkers are hourly workers and cannot afford to take time off for what they perceive as mild illness.”<h2>Keep pets away from wild birds</h2>Meghan Davis, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in an interview with States Newsroom this particular strain of avian flu has been spreading between mammals, including domestic pets, and will likely continue to do so.“The fact that this particular clade has been able to infect so many different mammalian species, and has now caused at least two documented cases in people — although, thankfully, with relatively mild symptoms — is a concern,” she said, before the third case was announced.Davis cautioned that because there have been cases among cats living on dairy farms that drank raw cow’s milk, people shouldn’t give raw milk to their pets.Pet owners should also be cautious about letting their animals interact with wild birds, which are known to spread the virus.Milk purchased in grocery stores is safe to drink since it’s been pasteurized and has been&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fda-chief-says-feds-are-preparing-low-probability-bird-flu-moving-humans">repeatedly tested</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the past few months to ensure there’s no active virus in the country’s food supply.Other mammals diagnosed with avian flu this year include a mountain lion in Montana, red foxes in Michigan and Missouri, and a raccoon in Colorado. Domestic cats have been diagnosed in Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals">data</a>&nbsp;from the CDC.Davis said the surveillance system for H5N1 should be broadened to include “more systematic testing, which would require us to have somewhat better access to workers, to animals on farms, etc.” as well as antibody testing to determine if more people have contracted avian flu and recovered.The additional information could help if the virus were to shift in the coming months or years.“We don’t know exactly what this virus is going to do,” Davis said, noting the mild nature of the virus detected so far could mean that more people have contracted it and simply didn’t realize it.Davis explained that public health officials and researchers need to closely monitor viruses like H5N1 since they can change in a way similar to how the flu changes, leading to the need for a different flu shot each year.Roess, the epidemiology professor from George Mason University, noted that an uptick in human cases of avian influenza, could “be an indication of other types of transmission than what is currently believed.”“Right now, the cases reported are a result of direct contact with infected food animals,” Roess said. “It is critical to ramp up surveillance of people working closely with possibly infected animals, other animals in the vicinity and other people who are not directly in contact with possibly infected animals in the community.”

Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states

The St. Joseph Mustangs remain unbeaten, as they topped the Clarinda As 7-3 in seven innings at Phil Welch Stadium Tuesday.

The game was called in seven innings due to lightning.

The Mustangs scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Benton grad Carson Schmidt had another strong night at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.

On the mound, starting pitcher Landon Reith struck out seven over six innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs and six walks.

The Mustangs are now 6-0 on the season - the best record of any team in the MINK League.

The Mustangs are on the road tonight to face Clarinda. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717589454504.jpeg" alt="Photo by Alexis Starks." />
 <figcaption>Photo by Alexis Starks.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs remain unbeaten, as they topped the Clarinda As 7-3 in seven innings at Phil Welch Stadium Tuesday.The game was called in seven innings due to lightning.The Mustangs scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Benton grad Carson Schmidt had another strong night at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.On the mound, starting pitcher Landon Reith struck out seven over six innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs and six walks.The Mustangs are now 6-0 on the season - the best record of any team in the MINK League.The Mustangs are on the road tonight to face Clarinda. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Mustangs remain unbeaten, defeat Clarinda in seven innings Tuesday

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident and later arrested just before 6p.m. Tuesday in Nodaway&nbsp; County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Malibu driven by Jennifer E. Osborn, 47, Ravenwood, was southbound on MO 46 just south of Bishop Street in Ravenwood.

The car traveled off the west side of the road and struck numerous mail boxes, a fire hydrant and overturned. The car came to rest on its top in the front yard of a home.

Osborn was arrested on requested charges of DWI drugs and operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident.

Nodaway County EMS then transported her to Mosaic in Maryville. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident and later arrested just before 6p.m. Tuesday in Nodaway&nbsp; County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Malibu driven by Jennifer E. Osborn, 47, Ravenwood, was southbound on MO 46 just south of Bishop Street in Ravenwood.The car traveled off the west side of the road and struck numerous mail boxes, a fire hydrant and overturned. The car came to rest on its top in the front yard of a home.Osborn was arrested on requested charges of DWI drugs and operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident.Nodaway County EMS then transported her to Mosaic in Maryville. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman accused of DWI after injured in violent car crash

<a href="mailto:jbklaudt@ksu.edu">By JACOB KLAUDT</a> K-State Research and Extension news service

Drought plaguing parts of Kansas created shorter wheat plants and thinner crop stands this year. In turn, Kansas State University wheat production specialist Romulo Lollato advises growers to make adjustments at harvest time.

“This year, the biggest cause for short wheat has been drought stress,” he said. “During springtime, the crop starts to go through a phase called stem elongation. That’s when plant height is determined. In certain areas, there was virtually no moisture, which caused the plants to be short.”

Not all areas of Kansas have experienced this level of drought. Lollato said irregular rain patterns gave rise to significant plant height differences across counties and even in the same fields.

“The Kansas crop is not uniformly short. A very sparse and variable rainfall distribution created these ‘waves’ within areas where tall and short plants occur, simultaneously, in those locations,” he said.

According to Lollato, producers can attach stripper headers to the front of their combines to effectively harvest small wheat plants. Stripper headers separate the grain head from the remaining plant. On the other hand, traditional headers detach plants halfway down their stems.

Lollato said, “Essentially, they have fingers on them. Those fingers pluck the heads out from the stem. The stripper headers feed the combine with only the wheat heads, which means having a cleaner product go into the combine, with increased efficiency.”

Harvesting low-standing wheat plants with a stripper header can help improve soil quality in semi-arid areas.

“They leave more crop residue behind. It will act as a barrier against weeds and shade the fields, which cools soil temperatures and delays weed emergence. Moisture retention is another important advantage. Stripper headers reduce water loss through evaporation, runoff and erosion.”

If a producer uses a stripper header this year, future crops have the potential to benefit as well, according to Lollato.

“There is a lot of value in having more residue left in the fields,” he said. “When growers plant wheat directly into that crop residue after this year’s harvest, they get all of those benefits, like added moisture, weed control, and erosion reduction, which can help return a very good dollar amount the following summer.”

Conventional headers remain as another workable solution for operations not able to invest in additional implements.

“A stripper header is a pricey investment,” Lollato said. “However, there might be more challenges operating with a conventional header – especially on ground with a great slope – but they still work in this case.”

Making alterations to a traditional header may yield better results when harvesting stunted wheat fields with them.

“The most important thing to keep in mind is to maintain the cutting height as high as possible. You can also adjust the reel on the header to get more movement of wheat from the cutter bar to the auger,” Lollato said.

Other combine headers appropriate for harvesting poorer quality wheat stands include draper and flex heads. More information on considerations for harvesting short wheat is available in the&nbsp;<a href="https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/considerations-when-harvesting-short-wheat-593-1">May 24 issue of the Agronomy eUpdate</a>, published weekly by the K-State Department of Agronomy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717505835672.jpeg" alt="Dry weather conditions have brought about a poorer wheat crop set to be harvested this summer. K-State wheat production specialist Romulo Lollato suggests specialized equipment to make the most of a tough situation. Image Courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Dry weather conditions have brought about a poorer wheat crop set to be harvested this summer. K-State wheat production specialist Romulo Lollato suggests specialized equipment to make the most of a tough situation. Image Courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:jbklaudt@ksu.edu">By JACOB KLAUDT</a> K-State Research and Extension news serviceDrought plaguing parts of Kansas created shorter wheat plants and thinner crop stands this year. In turn, Kansas State University wheat production specialist Romulo Lollato advises growers to make adjustments at harvest time.“This year, the biggest cause for short wheat has been drought stress,” he said. “During springtime, the crop starts to go through a phase called stem elongation. That’s when plant height is determined. In certain areas, there was virtually no moisture, which caused the plants to be short.”Not all areas of Kansas have experienced this level of drought. Lollato said irregular rain patterns gave rise to significant plant height differences across counties and even in the same fields.“The Kansas crop is not uniformly short. A very sparse and variable rainfall distribution created these ‘waves’ within areas where tall and short plants occur, simultaneously, in those locations,” he said.According to Lollato, producers can attach stripper headers to the front of their combines to effectively harvest small wheat plants. Stripper headers separate the grain head from the remaining plant. On the other hand, traditional headers detach plants halfway down their stems.Lollato said, “Essentially, they have fingers on them. Those fingers pluck the heads out from the stem. The stripper headers feed the combine with only the wheat heads, which means having a cleaner product go into the combine, with increased efficiency.”Harvesting low-standing wheat plants with a stripper header can help improve soil quality in semi-arid areas.“They leave more crop residue behind. It will act as a barrier against weeds and shade the fields, which cools soil temperatures and delays weed emergence. Moisture retention is another important advantage. Stripper headers reduce water loss through evaporation, runoff and erosion.”If a producer uses a stripper header this year, future crops have the potential to benefit as well, according to Lollato.“There is a lot of value in having more residue left in the fields,” he said. “When growers plant wheat directly into that crop residue after this year’s harvest, they get all of those benefits, like added moisture, weed control, and erosion reduction, which can help return a very good dollar amount the following summer.”Conventional headers remain as another workable solution for operations not able to invest in additional implements.“A stripper header is a pricey investment,” Lollato said. “However, there might be more challenges operating with a conventional header – especially on ground with a great slope – but they still work in this case.”Making alterations to a traditional header may yield better results when harvesting stunted wheat fields with them.“The most important thing to keep in mind is to maintain the cutting height as high as possible. You can also adjust the reel on the header to get more movement of wheat from the cutter bar to the auger,” Lollato said.Other combine headers appropriate for harvesting poorer quality wheat stands include draper and flex heads. More information on considerations for harvesting short wheat is available in the&nbsp;<a href="https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/considerations-when-harvesting-short-wheat-593-1">May 24 issue of the Agronomy eUpdate</a>, published weekly by the K-State Department of Agronomy.

KSRE — Drought affected wheat fields call for supplemental equipment

The St. Joseph Mustangs are now 5-0 on the season after an 11-1 drubbing of the Chillicothe Mudcats at Shaffer Park in Chillicothe Monday night.

The Mustangs outhit the Mudcats 10-2. Recent Benton grad Carson Schmidt was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Savannah native Truman Bodenhausen was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. LeBlond grad Frank Gall was 2-for-4 and scored three runs as well.

On the mound, starting pitcher Aron Harrington got the win in four innings, striking out four and walking none. He allowed just two hits and one earned run.

East Buchanan grad Broncho Witt struck out six over three scoreless innings of middle relief, and St. Joseph Christian product Camden Lutz tossed a scoreless ninth.

The Mustangs are back home to face Clarinda Tuesday night at 7:05 central. It’s Baseball and Babies Night at Phil Welch Stadium. Gates open at 5:30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717502771554.jpeg" alt="Photo by Alexis Starks." />
 <figcaption>Photo by Alexis Starks.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs are now 5-0 on the season after an 11-1 drubbing of the Chillicothe Mudcats at Shaffer Park in Chillicothe Monday night.The Mustangs outhit the Mudcats 10-2. Recent Benton grad Carson Schmidt was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Savannah native Truman Bodenhausen was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. LeBlond grad Frank Gall was 2-for-4 and scored three runs as well.On the mound, starting pitcher Aron Harrington got the win in four innings, striking out four and walking none. He allowed just two hits and one earned run.East Buchanan grad Broncho Witt struck out six over three scoreless innings of middle relief, and St. Joseph Christian product Camden Lutz tossed a scoreless ninth.The Mustangs are back home to face Clarinda Tuesday night at 7:05 central. It’s Baseball and Babies Night at Phil Welch Stadium. Gates open at 5:30.You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mustangs stay undefeated with blowout win over Chillicothe



Northwest Missouri State has announced the hiring of Tony Jandron as the new head coach of the Bearcats.

"I'm thrilled to get Coach Jandron to campus and turn the keys to the baseball program over to him," Northwest A.D. Andy Peterson said. "We had a ton of interest and qualified coaches reached out about running our team, and Tony quickly separated himself as a top candidate."

"As an assistant, he has been a part of successful teams at every stop in his career and I'm excited to see what he can do as a head coach in building off the foundation here at Northwest Missouri State. We're excited to get Tony and his wife, Gabby, to town and start the next chapter of Bearcat baseball."

Jandron becomes the 10th head coach in school history. This is the first head coaching job for Jandron after he previously served as an assistant coach at Illinois State, Central Michigan, Northwood and the College of DuPage.

Jandron succeeds Darin Loe, who retired at the end of this season after 24 years at the helm. Loe went 592-650 in that time with Northwest.

"I'm thankful to Andy for this opportunity," Jandron said. "I was impressed by the vision of the program and enjoyed getting to know more about the Bearcat culture. There is a commitment to the student-athlete experience and I'm excited to meet the standard of success both on and off the field."

"I'm looking forward to building relationships, sharing my experiences, and motivating players to become the best version of themselves. My wife Gabby and I are beyond excited to be in Maryville and join the Bearcat family."

At Illinois State this past season, Jandron served as the third base coach and ran the offense for the Redbirds. Illinois State gained its first winning season since 2019 when it posted a mark of 30-27 and went 16-11 in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2024

.Prior to Illinois State, Jandron spent five seasons (2019-2023) as an assistant at Central Michigan and amassed a 177-80 (.689) record as a Chippewa.&nbsp;In Jandron's time at Central Michigan, the Chippewas earned their first NCAA berth since 1995, tied the program record for victories in a season (47), and broke the programs stolen base record in a season (133).

Jandron coached three seasons (2016-2018) at NCAA Division II&nbsp;Northwood. The Timberwolves won their first GLIAC title in their program's history and had a combined two-year total of 84 victories (2017, 2018). Both squads were ranked in the top 20 nationally and appeared in the NCAA Regionals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717439600481.jpeg" alt="Tony Jandron comes to Northwest Missouri State after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Illinois State. Courtesy photo via Illinois State athletics." />
 <figcaption>Tony Jandron comes to Northwest Missouri State after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Illinois State. Courtesy photo via Illinois State athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>St. Joseph Post

Northwest Missouri State has announced the hiring of Tony Jandron as the new head coach of the Bearcats."I'm thrilled to get Coach Jandron to campus and turn the keys to the baseball program over to him," Northwest A.D. Andy Peterson said. "We had a ton of interest and qualified coaches reached out about running our team, and Tony quickly separated himself as a top candidate.""As an assistant, he has been a part of successful teams at every stop in his career and I'm excited to see what he can do as a head coach in building off the foundation here at Northwest Missouri State. We're excited to get Tony and his wife, Gabby, to town and start the next chapter of Bearcat baseball."Jandron becomes the 10th head coach in school history. This is the first head coaching job for Jandron after he previously served as an assistant coach at Illinois State, Central Michigan, Northwood and the College of DuPage.Jandron succeeds Darin Loe, who retired at the end of this season after 24 years at the helm. Loe went 592-650 in that time with Northwest."I'm thankful to Andy for this opportunity," Jandron said. "I was impressed by the vision of the program and enjoyed getting to know more about the Bearcat culture. There is a commitment to the student-athlete experience and I'm excited to meet the standard of success both on and off the field.""I'm looking forward to building relationships, sharing my experiences, and motivating players to become the best version of themselves. My wife Gabby and I are beyond excited to be in Maryville and join the Bearcat family."At Illinois State this past season, Jandron served as the third base coach and ran the offense for the Redbirds. Illinois State gained its first winning season since 2019 when it posted a mark of 30-27 and went 16-11 in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2024.Prior to Illinois State, Jandron spent five seasons (2019-2023) as an assistant at Central Michigan and amassed a 177-80 (.689) record as a Chippewa.&nbsp;In Jandron's time at Central Michigan, the Chippewas earned their first NCAA berth since 1995, tied the program record for victories in a season (47), and broke the programs stolen base record in a season (133).Jandron coached three seasons (2016-2018) at NCAA Division II&nbsp;Northwood. The Timberwolves won their first GLIAC title in their program's history and had a combined two-year total of 84 victories (2017, 2018). Both squads were ranked in the top 20 nationally and appeared in the NCAA Regionals.Jandron began his coaching career at College of DuPage - a junior college in Glen Ellyn, Ill. He is a 2011 graduate of St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis., with a degree in business administration.Jandron was a two-sport athlete in college as he competed in baseball and basketball. The former All-American at St. Norbert College (De Pere, Wis.) led the NCAA in batting average .511 his senior campaign and is the program's&nbsp;all-time wins leader on the mound.Jandron was also a member of the 2010 St. Joseph Mustangs team. He's a native of Negaunee, Michigan.

Kbct