The director of one of the campaign’s biggest donors said it’s impossible to ‘achieve anything without a campaign that is grounded in grassroots support and the support of Missouri voters’

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"></a>Missouri’s campaign to legalize abortion has more than doubled its fundraising totals since it was approved for the ballot in mid-August, despite — and perhaps fueled by — a lawsuit that threatened to knock it off the Nov. 5 ballot.&nbsp;

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the coalition behind what will appear on the ballot as Amendment 3, has raised more than $16 million&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/17/abortion-rights-coalition-viability-campaign-amendment-missouri-ballot/">since launching in January</a>, according to reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Of that, $9 million in donations greater than $5,000 were reported to the commission since the measure was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified for the ballot on Aug. 13.&nbsp;</a>Campaigns are required to report any donations over $5,000 within 48 hours of receiving them. Reports totaling all donations and expenditures are due to the state each quarter.&nbsp;

The two most well-established political action committees working to fight the amendment include Missouri Stands with Women, which has raised at least $200,000, and Missouri Right to Life, which has raised nearly $675,000 this election cycle.

The largest donations to Missourians for Constitutional Freedom have come from four out-of-state progressive nonprofits that are not required to disclose their donors and are also helping fund reproductive-rights campaigns in several states.&nbsp;

As of Thursday, the Sixteen Thirty Fund based out of Washington D.C. donated $4.5 million to Missouri’s effort. That includes a $3.5 million check on Aug. 30 — the second largest single donation in Missouri this year.&nbsp;

The Fairness Project, also based out of Washington D.C., has donated $2.9 million. Most of that money came on Aug. 23, when the organization cut a $2.1 million check to the campaign.&nbsp;

Both nonprofits also contributed significant funds to the state’s 2020 Medicaid expansion initiative petition effort, which ultimately succeeded, and to the current ballot&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/group-turns-in-signatures-to-put-minimum-wage-hike-paid-sick-leave-on-missouri-ballot/">effort to raise the minimum wage and mandate paid sick leave</a>.

The campaign also received $1 million from a nonprofit out of Washington D.C. listed as Open Source Action Fund, which is linked to an address for Open Society Action Fund. The nonprofit was founded by George Soros, a liberal billionaire.

On Thursday, a Virginia-based nonprofit called Global Impact Social Welfare donated $750,000.

Successful statewide ballot initiative campaigns are often multi-million dollar endeavors.&nbsp;

“It is expensive, and in these places where we can do it, it is the least expensive pathway to restoring rights,” Kelly Hall, executive director of The Fairness Project, said at a panel discussion during the Democratic National Convention. “In Missouri, for example, it would take a lot more money to flip that legislature and to flip that gubernatorial seat … the best (return on investment) we can get is putting this on the ballot and appealing to those Missouri voters who do want this.”

In an interview with The Independent, Hall said The Fairness Project is both a leading funder and a coalition partner of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom. The coalition also includes the state’s Planned Parenthood affiliates, the ACLU of Missouri and Abortion Action Missouri.&nbsp;

She said any assumption that they simply parachute money into states is false.&nbsp;

“It is impossible for nonprofits like us who may have resources to bring to bear to achieve anything without a campaign that is grounded in grassroots support and the support of Missouri voters,” Hall said.&nbsp;

The fact that the nonprofits helping bankroll the campaign don’t disclose their donors&nbsp;has become a point of attack from anti-abortion activists and lawmakers in Missouri.&nbsp;

“There is going to be a massive effort — and by massive I mean to the tune of millions of dollars,” U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said of the abortion ballot campaign at a conference last weekend in Missouri. “Already, George Soros and dark money groups have poured into this state almost $5 million to begin spending on this radical amendment.”&nbsp;

Stephanie Bell, a spokeswoman for Missouri Stands with Women, blamed “out-of-state liberal groups” for boosting the abortion-rights campaign’s finances.

On Tuesday, after the Missouri Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s attempt to take Amendment 3 from the ballot, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, the front-runner for governor, called the ballot measure “a deceptive effort by out-of-state interests.” The Missouri Republican Party called Amendment 3 “bankrolled by radical out-of-state interest groups.”&nbsp;

Hall, with The Fairness Project, said she doesn’t usually push back on “dark money” criticisms.&nbsp;

“If they want to focus on this rather than on the issue that Missouri voters care about, which is making sure that everyone in their state has access to lifesaving reproductive health care when they need it,” she said, “then that’s a misread on their part of what Missouri voters care most about.”&nbsp;

The campaign has seen overwhelming support from across the state, collecting initiative petition signatures from every county and turning in more than 380,000 signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in May.

While the top donors have come from out of state,&nbsp;the campaign has also raised several million dollars so far from Missouri individuals and organizations.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, which have clinics in Missouri, have donated more than $1.1 million. The ACLU of Missouri has donated more than $620,000, the Health Forward Foundation based in Kansas City donated $500,000 and Abortion Action Missouri has given more than $230,000.

The campaign stresses that the largest donor base remains Missourians affected by the ban.&nbsp;

“Throughout the campaign, eight out of 10 online contributions have come from right here in Missouri,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement. “Underscoring the true grassroots nature of this movement.”

Sweet said that in the days following&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/06/missouri-judge-rules-abortion-amendment-vioalates-state-requirements/">a Friday ruling by a Cole County circuit judge</a>&nbsp;that threatened to remove Amendment 3 from the ballot, more than 2,400 Missourians donated a quarter million dollars to the campaign.&nbsp;

If Amendment 3 passes by a simple majority in November, Missouri could become the first state to overturn an abortion ban by the vote of the people. It would also join several other states that successfully protected abortion-rights through citizen-led ballot campaigns since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022.&nbsp;

Abortion is illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies. The amendment would legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability and protect access to other reproductive health care, like birth control.&nbsp;

“It is truly the grassroots infrastructure in Missouri,” Kelly said. “And the leadership of in-state partners in every ballot measure campaign that advances to voters that we’ve been involved in that make it such an inspiring place to work.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726417302150.png" alt="Supporters of Amendment 3 celebrate on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, on the steps of the Missouri Capitol after the state Supreme Court ruled the abortion-rights measure could remain on the ballot (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Supporters of Amendment 3 celebrate on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, on the steps of the Missouri Capitol after the state Supreme Court ruled the abortion-rights measure could remain on the ballot (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The director of one of the campaign’s biggest donors said it’s impossible to ‘achieve anything without a campaign that is grounded in grassroots support and the support of Missouri voters’</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"></a>Missouri’s campaign to legalize abortion has more than doubled its fundraising totals since it was approved for the ballot in mid-August, despite — and perhaps fueled by — a lawsuit that threatened to knock it off the Nov. 5 ballot.&nbsp;Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the coalition behind what will appear on the ballot as Amendment 3, has raised more than $16 million&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/17/abortion-rights-coalition-viability-campaign-amendment-missouri-ballot/">since launching in January</a>, according to reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.Of that, $9 million in donations greater than $5,000 were reported to the commission since the measure was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified for the ballot on Aug. 13.&nbsp;</a>Campaigns are required to report any donations over $5,000 within 48 hours of receiving them. Reports totaling all donations and expenditures are due to the state each quarter.&nbsp;The two most well-established political action committees working to fight the amendment include Missouri Stands with Women, which has raised at least $200,000, and Missouri Right to Life, which has raised nearly $675,000 this election cycle.The largest donations to Missourians for Constitutional Freedom have come from four out-of-state progressive nonprofits that are not required to disclose their donors and are also helping fund reproductive-rights campaigns in several states.&nbsp;As of Thursday, the Sixteen Thirty Fund based out of Washington D.C. donated $4.5 million to Missouri’s effort. That includes a $3.5 million check on Aug. 30 — the second largest single donation in Missouri this year.&nbsp;The Fairness Project, also based out of Washington D.C., has donated $2.9 million. Most of that money came on Aug. 23, when the organization cut a $2.1 million check to the campaign.&nbsp;Both nonprofits also contributed significant funds to the state’s 2020 Medicaid expansion initiative petition effort, which ultimately succeeded, and to the current ballot&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/group-turns-in-signatures-to-put-minimum-wage-hike-paid-sick-leave-on-missouri-ballot/">effort to raise the minimum wage and mandate paid sick leave</a>.The campaign also received $1 million from a nonprofit out of Washington D.C. listed as Open Source Action Fund, which is linked to an address for Open Society Action Fund. The nonprofit was founded by George Soros, a liberal billionaire.On Thursday, a Virginia-based nonprofit called Global Impact Social Welfare donated $750,000.Successful statewide ballot initiative campaigns are often multi-million dollar endeavors.&nbsp;“It is expensive, and in these places where we can do it, it is the least expensive pathway to restoring rights,” Kelly Hall, executive director of The Fairness Project, said at a panel discussion during the Democratic National Convention. “In Missouri, for example, it would take a lot more money to flip that legislature and to flip that gubernatorial seat … the best (return on investment) we can get is putting this on the ballot and appealing to those Missouri voters who do want this.”In an interview with The Independent, Hall said The Fairness Project is both a leading funder and a coalition partner of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom. The coalition also includes the state’s Planned Parenthood affiliates, the ACLU of Missouri and Abortion Action Missouri.&nbsp;She said any assumption that they simply parachute money into states is false.&nbsp;“It is impossible for nonprofits like us who may have resources to bring to bear to achieve anything without a campaign that is grounded in grassroots support and the support of Missouri voters,” Hall said.&nbsp;The fact that the nonprofits helping bankroll the campaign don’t disclose their donors&nbsp;has become a point of attack from anti-abortion activists and lawmakers in Missouri.&nbsp;“There is going to be a massive effort — and by massive I mean to the tune of millions of dollars,” U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said of the abortion ballot campaign at a conference last weekend in Missouri. “Already, George Soros and dark money groups have poured into this state almost $5 million to begin spending on this radical amendment.”&nbsp;Stephanie Bell, a spokeswoman for Missouri Stands with Women, blamed “out-of-state liberal groups” for boosting the abortion-rights campaign’s finances.On Tuesday, after the Missouri Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s attempt to take Amendment 3 from the ballot, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, the front-runner for governor, called the ballot measure “a deceptive effort by out-of-state interests.” The Missouri Republican Party called Amendment 3 “bankrolled by radical out-of-state interest groups.”&nbsp;Hall, with The Fairness Project, said she doesn’t usually push back on “dark money” criticisms.&nbsp;“If they want to focus on this rather than on the issue that Missouri voters care about, which is making sure that everyone in their state has access to lifesaving reproductive health care when they need it,” she said, “then that’s a misread on their part of what Missouri voters care most about.”&nbsp;The campaign has seen overwhelming support from across the state, collecting initiative petition signatures from every county and turning in more than 380,000 signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in May.While the top donors have come from out of state,&nbsp;the campaign has also raised several million dollars so far from Missouri individuals and organizations.Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, which have clinics in Missouri, have donated more than $1.1 million. The ACLU of Missouri has donated more than $620,000, the Health Forward Foundation based in Kansas City donated $500,000 and Abortion Action Missouri has given more than $230,000.The campaign stresses that the largest donor base remains Missourians affected by the ban.&nbsp;“Throughout the campaign, eight out of 10 online contributions have come from right here in Missouri,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement. “Underscoring the true grassroots nature of this movement.”Sweet said that in the days following&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/06/missouri-judge-rules-abortion-amendment-vioalates-state-requirements/">a Friday ruling by a Cole County circuit judge</a>&nbsp;that threatened to remove Amendment 3 from the ballot, more than 2,400 Missourians donated a quarter million dollars to the campaign.&nbsp;If Amendment 3 passes by a simple majority in November, Missouri could become the first state to overturn an abortion ban by the vote of the people. It would also join several other states that successfully protected abortion-rights through citizen-led ballot campaigns since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022.&nbsp;Abortion is illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies. The amendment would legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability and protect access to other reproductive health care, like birth control.&nbsp;“It is truly the grassroots infrastructure in Missouri,” Kelly said. “And the leadership of in-state partners in every ballot measure campaign that advances to voters that we’ve been involved in that make it such an inspiring place to work.”

Missouri abortion-rights campaign doubles its fundraising total since qualifying for ballot

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves took time out during
the Sound of Speed Air Show Sunday to discuss passage of the FAA
Reauthorization Act with pilots, St. Joseph city officials, as well as officers
with the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Group.

Graves, chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee, says the House version of the legislation prevailed for the most
part.

“Eighty-five percent of the bill is the House bill, which I
wrote,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I’m very proud of that and it’s a
very technical bill and I think that’s as a result of my understanding of
aviation and just being a user of the system, which makes a big difference. And
it made a big difference, too, in dealing with the Senate and just knowing more
about those aviation policies than many of my Senate colleagues.”

Graves, a Republican, says the bill focuses on some fundamental
issues of aviation; fundamental, yet too often neglected by Congress when
writing the regulations that guide the aviation industry. Graves says the new
legislation places a big emphasis on General Aviation.

“Because it’s the foundation and where most people get their
start when it comes to aviation,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They get
their start through, things like this, the Air Show where they show an interest
in aviation, whether that’s being a mechanic or maybe an air traffic controller
or being a technician or a pilot themselves and they get started in general aviation
and then move the way through ultimately to, if some go on to be commercial pilots
or airline pilots.”

Other aspects of the industry have been neglected for too long,
according to Graves.

“Workforce being one of those,” Graves says. “We have to make
sure that we maintain a very healthy workforce within the aviation community
and, again, that’s anything from mechanics to controllers to pilots, whatever
the case may be.”

Graves says the bill will also maintain the standard of safety
the United States is known for.

Graves, who is a pilot, participated in the Sound of Speed Air
Show.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726420143966.jpeg" alt="Congressman Sam Graves/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Sam Graves/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves took time out during
the Sound of Speed Air Show Sunday to discuss passage of the FAA
Reauthorization Act with pilots, St. Joseph city officials, as well as officers
with the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Group.Graves, chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee, says the House version of the legislation prevailed for the most
part.“Eighty-five percent of the bill is the House bill, which I
wrote,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I’m very proud of that and it’s a
very technical bill and I think that’s as a result of my understanding of
aviation and just being a user of the system, which makes a big difference. And
it made a big difference, too, in dealing with the Senate and just knowing more
about those aviation policies than many of my Senate colleagues.”Graves, a Republican, says the bill focuses on some fundamental
issues of aviation; fundamental, yet too often neglected by Congress when
writing the regulations that guide the aviation industry. Graves says the new
legislation places a big emphasis on General Aviation.“Because it’s the foundation and where most people get their
start when it comes to aviation,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They get
their start through, things like this, the Air Show where they show an interest
in aviation, whether that’s being a mechanic or maybe an air traffic controller
or being a technician or a pilot themselves and they get started in general aviation
and then move the way through ultimately to, if some go on to be commercial pilots
or airline pilots.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726420189327.jpeg" alt="Congressman Sam Graves discussing the FAA Reauthorization Act during the Sound of Speed Air Show at Rosecrans Memorial Airport/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Sam Graves discussing the FAA Reauthorization Act during the Sound of Speed Air Show at Rosecrans Memorial Airport/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Other aspects of the industry have been neglected for too long,
according to Graves.“Workforce being one of those,” Graves says. “We have to make
sure that we maintain a very healthy workforce within the aviation community
and, again, that’s anything from mechanics to controllers to pilots, whatever
the case may be.”Graves says the bill will also maintain the standard of safety
the United States is known for.Graves, who is a pilot, participated in the Sound of Speed Air
Show.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Congressman Graves outlines FAA bill during Sound of Speed Air Show

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a burglary and&nbsp; released security camera video.

Just after 3a.m. September 7, police were dispatched to Health Care Pharmacy, 722 Wheat Road in Winfield for an alarm.&nbsp;

Officers discovered the front door of the business sustained damage. Upon viewing video from inside the pharmacy, the suspect damaged the door, gained entry and took several different medications before leaving.

Anyone with information regarding the crime or any crime that occurred in Cowley County is eligible to receive a reward by submitting a tip through Crime Stoppers or by calling (620) 221-7777. 

Tipsters are always anonymous as Crime Stoppers will never ask someone to identify themselves. If your information leads to an arrest in a felony case, you could be eligible to receive rewards up to $2,500. For anonymous submittal of tips other than Crime Stoppers, text COWLEYTIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726237199793.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a burglary and&nbsp; released security camera video.Just after 3a.m. September 7, police were dispatched to Health Care Pharmacy, 722 Wheat Road in Winfield for an alarm.&nbsp;Officers discovered the front door of the business sustained damage. Upon viewing video from inside the pharmacy, the suspect damaged the door, gained entry and took several different medications before leaving.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWinfieldPolice%2Fvideos%2F444354525278589%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=13" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Anyone with information regarding the crime or any crime that occurred in Cowley County is eligible to receive a reward by submitting a tip through Crime Stoppers or by calling (620) 221-7777. Tipsters are always anonymous as Crime Stoppers will never ask someone to identify themselves. If your information leads to an arrest in a felony case, you could be eligible to receive rewards up to $2,500. For anonymous submittal of tips other than Crime Stoppers, text COWLEYTIPS.

Police release security camera video of Kan. pharmacy burglary

(Radio Iowa) - The drought has eased across much of the Midwest, but dry conditions persists in the upper Missouri River basin, prompting the U-S Army Corps of Engineers to keep releases from Gavins Point Dam at the minimum rate. 

After four years of drought, heavy rains brought Iowa completely out of the drought this spring, but abnormally dry conditions are returning, and now cover about two-thirds of the state. John Remus, chief of the Corp's Missouri River Basin Water Management Division, says the long-range forecast doesn’t provide much hope for improvement. 

Remus says he understands the continued minimum water releases puts pressure on cities, businesses, and utilities that rely on the Missouri River. The Corps reports 73-percent of the Missouri River Basin is experiencing dry or drought conditions.

(Radio Iowa) - The drought has eased across much of the Midwest, but dry conditions persists in the upper Missouri River basin, prompting the U-S Army Corps of Engineers to keep releases from Gavins Point Dam at the minimum rate. After four years of drought, heavy rains brought Iowa completely out of the drought this spring, but abnormally dry conditions are returning, and now cover about two-thirds of the state. John Remus, chief of the Corp's Missouri River Basin Water Management Division, says the long-range forecast doesn’t provide much hope for improvement. Remus says he understands the continued minimum water releases puts pressure on cities, businesses, and utilities that rely on the Missouri River. The Corps reports 73-percent of the Missouri River Basin is experiencing dry or drought conditions.

Dry conditions mean Corps will keep Missouri River levels low

The USDA released its September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report that says this month’s 2024-2025 corn outlook is for smaller supplies and a modest decline in ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks are 55 million bushels lower based on increases in exports and corn used for ethanol for 2023-2024. The season-average corn price received by producers was lowered ten cents to $4.10 per bushel. 

The USDA released its September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report that says this month’s 2024-2025 corn outlook is for smaller supplies and a modest decline in ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks are 55 million bushels lower based on increases in exports and corn used for ethanol for 2023-2024. The season-average corn price received by producers was lowered ten cents to $4.10 per bushel.

USDA releases September WASDE report

The National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association expressed frustration with a recently released recommendation from the Department of Commerce. The Department is recommending an imposition of preliminary countervailing duty rates on imports of the herbicide 2-4D. The decision comes at the behest of domestic herbicide producer Corteva, who filed a petition earlier this year calling for antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide from certain foreign suppliers.

Farmers have said that their demand exceeds the domestic supply of the product, and foreign sources help to fill the gap. “Access to this herbicide is critical for corn growers,” says NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We would welcome all ideas from Corteva on how to ensure that this herbicide is available and affordable for American growers.” Josh Gackle, president of the ASA, says the decision to raise duties on imports is disappointing to soybean growers nationwide.

The National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association expressed frustration with a recently released recommendation from the Department of Commerce. The Department is recommending an imposition of preliminary countervailing duty rates on imports of the herbicide 2-4D. The decision comes at the behest of domestic herbicide producer Corteva, who filed a petition earlier this year calling for antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide from certain foreign suppliers.Farmers have said that their demand exceeds the domestic supply of the product, and foreign sources help to fill the gap. “Access to this herbicide is critical for corn growers,” says NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We would welcome all ideas from Corteva on how to ensure that this herbicide is available and affordable for American growers.” Josh Gackle, president of the ASA, says the decision to raise duties on imports is disappointing to soybean growers nationwide.-NAFB

Growers critical of tariff announcements

The commander of the VFW post condemned the ‘raid’ that took place on 9/11, though the state said it was responding to a complaint

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

Not long after Commander Jason Stanfield had lowered the flag Wednesday to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11 at his Franklin County VFW Post, he learned state food inspectors had arrived.&nbsp;

“It’s not an easy day,” Stanfield said. “9/11 is a tough day for all of us, particularly for veterans. I was not in the best mindset.”

The regulators said they had received a complaint that the post’s bar had been selling seltzers that contain hemp-derived THC — which has the same intoxicating effect as THC from marijuana that’s sold at dispensaries.&nbsp;

The bar was selling a brand of fruity seltzers called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urlitproducts.com/" target="_blank">UR Lit</a>, which contains 5mg of Delta-9 THC.

While hemp is federally legal, Missouri recently joined a growing number of states trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">ban</a>&nbsp;all intoxicating hemp products.

When Gov. Mike Parson signed his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2024/eo10" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 1 to ban the products,&nbsp;he&nbsp;said his primary focus was to protect children consuming the products that resemble popular candy, like Lifesavers, or fruity drinks.

Given the governor’s goal, Stanfield said he was surprised the state wanted to inspect the post, where members are well over 21.

“There’s not a whole lot of kids that run around the VFW,” he said.&nbsp;

Since the ban went into effect on Sept. 1,&nbsp;Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/06/missouri-regulators-visit-nearly-50-stores-to-inspect-for-intoxicating-hemp-edibles/">officials have inspected</a>&nbsp;74 establishments and found intoxicating products at 42 of them, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the department.&nbsp;

On a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/dUkMLXYkpVoYW3a2/" target="_blank">social media post</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, Stanfield described the inspection as a “raid,” but Cox said that&nbsp;description is “misleading” because there were just two inspectors responding to a complaint.&nbsp;

“The two inspectors were let inside through a locked door upon request,” Cox said, “but quickly recognized that the VFW Post did not pose an immediate cause for concern, specifically in regard to Missouri children. As a result, zero product was embargoed or destroyed.”

Cox said the department has “no plans in place of returning to the establishment.”

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/with-missouri-regulations-in-flux-whats-the-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana/">Hemp and marijuana</a>&nbsp;are essentially terms the government uses to distinguish between the part of the cannabis plant that can get you high when smoked – that’s marijuana – and the part that can’t — that’s hemp.&nbsp;

But with a little science and extraction, people can enhance the small amount of the naturally occurring THC, or the psychoactive component, in hemp to make edibles and drinks.&nbsp;

Because hemp isn’t a controlled substance like marijuana, there’s no state or federal law saying teenagers or children can’t buy products, such as delta-8 drinks, or that stores can’t sell them to minors, Parson said.&nbsp;

And there’s no requirement to list potential effects on the label or test how much THC is actually in them. State lawmakers have failed to pass such&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/13/push-for-restrictions-on-intoxicating-hemp-products-spurs-clash-over-who-should-regulate/">requirements</a>&nbsp;the last two years.

Stanfield said the state ban is harmful for VFW members who are trying to recover from alcoholism or opioid addiction.&nbsp;

“I have testimony after testimony in my post alone of people that are still alive today,” Stanfield said, “because they use cannabis to get off of their opioids that they were addicted to.”

During the inspection, he said the DHSS employees told him that the drinks were considered “adulterated.” If a product is considered adulterated,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-attorney-general-to-help-crack-down-on-intoxicating-hemp-products/">DHSS</a>&nbsp;has the&nbsp;authority to embargo it&nbsp;– which means put a tag on it until the department gets a court order to destroy it.&nbsp;

Stanfield points to the state law that says, “a food shall not be considered adulterated solely for containing industrial hemp, or an industrial hemp commodity or product.”

That line was added to Missouri’s law in 2018, after Congress legalized hemp as part of the federal Farm Bill. It was part of a Missouri House<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills181/hlrbillspdf/5739S.09T.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;bill&nbsp;</a>that brought the state’s definition of hemp in alignment with the federal government’s.

It is the same law fueling the Missouri Hemp Trade Association’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/30/missouri-hemp-leaders-set-to-file-suit-to-halt-governors-ban-on-hemp-thc-products/">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the governor’s ban.&nbsp;

“I will continue to comply with federal law and sell these products until they’re not legal,” Stanfield said, “to give my veterans a non-alcoholic option in a place where they can come and be with other veterans and not have to consume alcohol.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726250510000.jpeg" alt="VFW Post 2661 in Washington, Missouri (Photo by Max Mueller)." />
 <figcaption>VFW Post 2661 in Washington, Missouri (Photo by Max Mueller).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The commander of the VFW post condemned the ‘raid’ that took place on 9/11, though the state said it was responding to a complaint</h2>By REBECCA RIVAS&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Not long after Commander Jason Stanfield had lowered the flag Wednesday to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11 at his Franklin County VFW Post, he learned state food inspectors had arrived.&nbsp;“It’s not an easy day,” Stanfield said. “9/11 is a tough day for all of us, particularly for veterans. I was not in the best mindset.”The regulators said they had received a complaint that the post’s bar had been selling seltzers that contain hemp-derived THC — which has the same intoxicating effect as THC from marijuana that’s sold at dispensaries.&nbsp;The bar was selling a brand of fruity seltzers called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urlitproducts.com/" target="_blank">UR Lit</a>, which contains 5mg of Delta-9 THC.While hemp is federally legal, Missouri recently joined a growing number of states trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">ban</a>&nbsp;all intoxicating hemp products.When Gov. Mike Parson signed his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2024/eo10" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 1 to ban the products,&nbsp;he&nbsp;said his primary focus was to protect children consuming the products that resemble popular candy, like Lifesavers, or fruity drinks.Given the governor’s goal, Stanfield said he was surprised the state wanted to inspect the post, where members are well over 21.“There’s not a whole lot of kids that run around the VFW,” he said.&nbsp;Since the ban went into effect on Sept. 1,&nbsp;Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/06/missouri-regulators-visit-nearly-50-stores-to-inspect-for-intoxicating-hemp-edibles/">officials have inspected</a>&nbsp;74 establishments and found intoxicating products at 42 of them, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the department.&nbsp;On a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/dUkMLXYkpVoYW3a2/" target="_blank">social media post</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, Stanfield described the inspection as a “raid,” but Cox said that&nbsp;description is “misleading” because there were just two inspectors responding to a complaint.&nbsp;“The two inspectors were let inside through a locked door upon request,” Cox said, “but quickly recognized that the VFW Post did not pose an immediate cause for concern, specifically in regard to Missouri children. As a result, zero product was embargoed or destroyed.”Cox said the department has “no plans in place of returning to the establishment.”<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/with-missouri-regulations-in-flux-whats-the-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana/">Hemp and marijuana</a>&nbsp;are essentially terms the government uses to distinguish between the part of the cannabis plant that can get you high when smoked – that’s marijuana – and the part that can’t — that’s hemp.&nbsp;But with a little science and extraction, people can enhance the small amount of the naturally occurring THC, or the psychoactive component, in hemp to make edibles and drinks.&nbsp;Because hemp isn’t a controlled substance like marijuana, there’s no state or federal law saying teenagers or children can’t buy products, such as delta-8 drinks, or that stores can’t sell them to minors, Parson said.&nbsp;And there’s no requirement to list potential effects on the label or test how much THC is actually in them. State lawmakers have failed to pass such&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/13/push-for-restrictions-on-intoxicating-hemp-products-spurs-clash-over-who-should-regulate/">requirements</a>&nbsp;the last two years.Stanfield said the state ban is harmful for VFW members who are trying to recover from alcoholism or opioid addiction.&nbsp;“I have testimony after testimony in my post alone of people that are still alive today,” Stanfield said, “because they use cannabis to get off of their opioids that they were addicted to.”During the inspection, he said the DHSS employees told him that the drinks were considered “adulterated.” If a product is considered adulterated,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-attorney-general-to-help-crack-down-on-intoxicating-hemp-products/">DHSS</a>&nbsp;has the&nbsp;authority to embargo it&nbsp;– which means put a tag on it until the department gets a court order to destroy it.&nbsp;Stanfield points to the state law that says, “a food shall not be considered adulterated solely for containing industrial hemp, or an industrial hemp commodity or product.”That line was added to Missouri’s law in 2018, after Congress legalized hemp as part of the federal Farm Bill. It was part of a Missouri House<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills181/hlrbillspdf/5739S.09T.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;bill&nbsp;</a>that brought the state’s definition of hemp in alignment with the federal government’s.It is the same law fueling the Missouri Hemp Trade Association’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/30/missouri-hemp-leaders-set-to-file-suit-to-halt-governors-ban-on-hemp-thc-products/">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the governor’s ban.&nbsp;“I will continue to comply with federal law and sell these products until they’re not legal,” Stanfield said, “to give my veterans a non-alcoholic option in a place where they can come and be with other veterans and not have to consume alcohol.”

Missouri VFW inspected by state regulators as part of ban on intoxicating hemp products

(Radio Iowa) - A new report shows Iowans are continuing to pack on the pounds, with more than one in every three Iowa adults now being considered obese. 

Dr. Nadine Gracia, president and C-E-O of Trust for America’s Health, says the national report places Iowa tied for seventh with Indiana for the most overweight states. Gracia says Iowa's 37-percent adult obesity rate is up slightly from last year, and over the past five years, there's been a significant increase. 

About ten years ago, the report found -zero- states with an adult obesity rating over 35-percent. Now, 23 states -- including Iowa -- have adult obesity rates at or above 35-percent. Gracia calls obesity a national public health issue that goes far beyond individual behavior. The report shows West Virginia has the highest obesity rate at 41-percent, while Colorado ranked the lowest with 25-percent.

(Radio Iowa) - A new report shows Iowans are continuing to pack on the pounds, with more than one in every three Iowa adults now being considered obese. Dr. Nadine Gracia, president and C-E-O of Trust for America’s Health, says the national report places Iowa tied for seventh with Indiana for the most overweight states. Gracia says Iowa's 37-percent adult obesity rate is up slightly from last year, and over the past five years, there's been a significant increase. About ten years ago, the report found -zero- states with an adult obesity rating over 35-percent. Now, 23 states -- including Iowa -- have adult obesity rates at or above 35-percent. Gracia calls obesity a national public health issue that goes far beyond individual behavior. The report shows West Virginia has the highest obesity rate at 41-percent, while Colorado ranked the lowest with 25-percent.

Report: More than 37% of Iowa adults are obese

The Sound of Speed Airshow is back at Rosecrans Memorial Airport this weekend.   

The popular airshow that draws crowds of residents and vendors to Rosecrans will feature a wide variety of entertainment, plane rides, and more this weekend.  

Michael Crane, Public Affairs Superintendent for the 139th Airlift Group, says the big attraction in this year’s air show will be the US Air Force Thunderbirds 

"They're the premiere team of the Air Force, they fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and let me tell you something, when those things fly overhead, not only are you going to hear it but you're going to feel it in your chest," Crane tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "They're really loud so definitely bring hearing protection." 

Another act will be Tora! Tora! Tora, a group that will perform a pearl harbor attack reenactment, a living history of what happened on that day.  

Major Jeffry Downie, callsign Simmer and pilot of Thunderbird six, says the performance the Thunderbirds put on is more than just a show 

"You're feeling the performance, the sound of the jets you can like feel it, there's a sense of moral danger during some of the sneak passes if you're not prepared for that," Downie explains. "But it really is a whole-body experience coming out to the shows themselves." 

The show will consist of six jets, four will show off the grace of flying and the precision of the F-16 jet. The other two, one of those pilots being Downie himself, will then display the capabilities of the jet. 

"And then at the very end we bring all that together with all six jets and we do a bunch of formation flying in the delta, and you get to see with the smoke on, it's graceful, it's patriotic, and it's pretty emotional," Downie says. 

Crane says there will also be some other new fun activities, including a STEM display. 

"So, the Kansas City STEM alliance is going to be there with a robotics display, it's going to be very interactive, so definitely check that out," Crane says. "The Air Force will also have a virtual reality headset there so guests will be able to see what it's like to do some air force missions from a plane." 

Residents will also get a look at some of the improvements made at Rosecrans, including the new tarmac and work being done on the air control tower.  

People who come to the airshow will be allowed to bring in protection from the sun, and also a sealed clear water bottle or empty water container with refill stations at the event.  

The airshow will run Saturday and Sunday, with gates opening at 8am on both days. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726246876681.jpeg" alt="US Air Force Thunderbirds flyi in formation/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>US Air Force Thunderbirds flyi in formation/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Sound of Speed Airshow is back at Rosecrans Memorial Airport this weekend. The popular airshow that draws crowds of residents and vendors to Rosecrans will feature a wide variety of entertainment, plane rides, and more this weekend. Michael Crane, Public Affairs Superintendent for the 139th Airlift Group, says the big attraction in this year’s air show will be the US Air Force Thunderbirds "They're the premiere team of the Air Force, they fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and let me tell you something, when those things fly overhead, not only are you going to hear it but you're going to feel it in your chest," Crane tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "They're really loud so definitely bring hearing protection." Another act will be Tora! Tora! Tora, a group that will perform a pearl harbor attack reenactment, a living history of what happened on that day. Major Jeffry Downie, callsign Simmer and pilot of Thunderbird six, says the performance the Thunderbirds put on is more than just a show "You're feeling the performance, the sound of the jets you can like feel it, there's a sense of moral danger during some of the sneak passes if you're not prepared for that," Downie explains. "But it really is a whole-body experience coming out to the shows themselves." The show will consist of six jets, four will show off the grace of flying and the precision of the F-16 jet. The other two, one of those pilots being Downie himself, will then display the capabilities of the jet. "And then at the very end we bring all that together with all six jets and we do a bunch of formation flying in the delta, and you get to see with the smoke on, it's graceful, it's patriotic, and it's pretty emotional," Downie says. Crane says there will also be some other new fun activities, including a STEM display. "So, the Kansas City STEM alliance is going to be there with a robotics display, it's going to be very interactive, so definitely check that out," Crane says. "The Air Force will also have a virtual reality headset there so guests will be able to see what it's like to do some air force missions from a plane." Residents will also get a look at some of the improvements made at Rosecrans, including the new tarmac and work being done on the air control tower. People who come to the airshow will be allowed to bring in protection from the sun, and also a sealed clear water bottle or empty water container with refill stations at the event. The airshow will run Saturday and Sunday, with gates opening at 8am on both days. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726246963200.jpeg" alt="Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Thunderbirds-return-to-St--Joseph-e2oc3im" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Thunderbirds return to St. Joseph for Sound of Speed Airshow

TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal jury convicted a Kansas man of assault with a deadly weapon following an incident on a United States Army installation, according to the United State's Attorney.

In November 2023, Jordan Thompson, 24, assaulted an adult male victim while at Fort Riley.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Thompson was involved in a domestic dispute with his estranged wife. He used a 9 mm caliber pistol to threaten the victim who was at the home of the child’s mother, and then left with the minor. The incident prompted officials to issue an Amber Alert.

Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on December 12, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division, Fort Riley Department of the Army

Civilian Police, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas Highway

Patrol, and the Butler County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726243691062.png" alt="Thompson photo Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Thompson photo Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal jury convicted a Kansas man of assault with a deadly weapon following an incident on a United States Army installation, according to the United State's Attorney.In November 2023, Jordan Thompson, 24, assaulted an adult male victim while at Fort Riley.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726243865993.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Thompson was involved in a domestic dispute with his estranged wife. He used a 9 mm caliber pistol to threaten the victim who was at the home of the child’s mother, and then left with the minor. The incident prompted officials to issue an Amber Alert.Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on December 12, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.The Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division, Fort Riley Department of the ArmyCivilian Police, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas HighwayPatrol, and the Butler County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Jury: Man guilty in connection with Amber Alert incident at Fort Riley

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

WASHINGTON — Public health officials are still trying to determine how a Missouri resident contracted bird flu without having any contact with infected animals, but said Thursday there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission taking place in small enclaves or in a more widespread manner.

The Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, this year amid ongoing outbreaks among poultry and dairy cattle, though it marks the first time someone without contact to those animals was diagnosed with the virus.

Nirav Shah, principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on a call with reporters the “evidence points to this being a one-off case, and those do happen with novel influenza.”

“Thus far, we have not seen any evidence of unusual levels of influenza activity in the area where this individual resides,” Shah said during the hour-long briefing. “There have been no increases in the volume of visits to emergency departments for influenza and no increase in laboratory detections of influenza cases in Missouri more broadly.”

The state’s public health laboratory, he said, is subtyping all positive cases of Influenza A, following the CDC recommending ongoing detailed surveillance this spring.

The practice is how doctors and public health officials confirmed this case and would likely be how they diagnose any uptick in cases in the future in the “overwhelming” number states that are taking the extra step of subtyping, he said.

There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm" target="_blank">several types</a>&nbsp;of influenza virus that are classified by the letters A, B, C and D. The viruses within the influenza A category are further categorized or subtyped based on the proteins hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). There are at least 130 combinations of subtypes within Influenza A, according to the CDC.

“So here’s the bottom line, our influenza surveillance system is designed to find needles in haystacks,” Shah said. “And as this case and others show, it is working. And here, in this case, we found such a needle, but we don’t know how it got there.”

The Missouri patient, who has significant underlying medical conditions, was admitted to a hospital on Aug. 22 after presenting to health care providers with “acute symptoms of chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness,” according to the CDC. The patient is not being identified out of privacy concerns.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/0ca9d648-cb9b-4eca-99a8-f9a1c96a01bd/human-h5-bird-flu-case-confirmed-in-missouri" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the diagnosis on Sept. 4, as did the CDC in a separate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0906-birdflu-case-missouri.html" target="_blank">statement</a>.

Missouri DHSS noted the patient had recovered and been sent home from the hospital, while the CDC pointed out that the state has reported cases of H5N1 in commercial and backyard poultry flocks this year.

The patient hadn’t been in contact with any livestock or poultry and didn’t indicate in a detailed questionnaire that they had consumed any food products, like raw milk, that could have potentially transmitted the virus.

Shah said on the call that public health officials are technically classifying this as a case of H5 and not H5N1 as they work to sequence the virus more fully, though that might not be possible.

The CDC has begun classifying the virus’ genetic sequence, but since the patient’s viral RNA levels were “extremely low” the agency may not be “able to generate a full flu genome, including the neuraminidase or the N part of the virus,” he said.

“We’re throwing everything we’ve got at this, but ultimately a full sequence may not be technically feasible because of the low concentration of viral RNA,” Shah said. “The data that we do have and that have been generated thus far show an H5 virus that is closely related to the (H5N1) virus circulating among dairy cows.”

The CDC, he said, is “continuing to look for evidence of genetic changes that would suggest, for example, an increased potential for spread.” None have yet been found.

Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC, said the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low.

“We assess risk continuously with every case and with every sort of change, and we continue to look at it as low,” Daskalakis said. “If there are changes, we would reassess that risk in real time.”

While the CDC investigation is ongoing, Shah said the further out from the case public health officials get without seeing any new diagnosis, the less likely they become.

“We are beyond the typical 10-day window for transmission,” Shah said. “And so with each passing day, the likelihood of this being something that’s happening deep underwater goes down.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726222969059.png" alt=" A Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, this year amid ongoing outbreaks among poultry and dairy cattle. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University tests samples from animals for viruses such as avian influenza (Photo courtesy of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)." />
 <figcaption> A Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, this year amid ongoing outbreaks among poultry and dairy cattle. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University tests samples from animals for viruses such as avian influenza (Photo courtesy of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> State's NewsroomWASHINGTON — Public health officials are still trying to determine how a Missouri resident contracted bird flu without having any contact with infected animals, but said Thursday there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission taking place in small enclaves or in a more widespread manner.The Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, this year amid ongoing outbreaks among poultry and dairy cattle, though it marks the first time someone without contact to those animals was diagnosed with the virus.Nirav Shah, principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on a call with reporters the “evidence points to this being a one-off case, and those do happen with novel influenza.”“Thus far, we have not seen any evidence of unusual levels of influenza activity in the area where this individual resides,” Shah said during the hour-long briefing. “There have been no increases in the volume of visits to emergency departments for influenza and no increase in laboratory detections of influenza cases in Missouri more broadly.”The state’s public health laboratory, he said, is subtyping all positive cases of Influenza A, following the CDC recommending ongoing detailed surveillance this spring.The practice is how doctors and public health officials confirmed this case and would likely be how they diagnose any uptick in cases in the future in the “overwhelming” number states that are taking the extra step of subtyping, he said.There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm" target="_blank">several types</a>&nbsp;of influenza virus that are classified by the letters A, B, C and D. The viruses within the influenza A category are further categorized or subtyped based on the proteins hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). There are at least 130 combinations of subtypes within Influenza A, according to the CDC.“So here’s the bottom line, our influenza surveillance system is designed to find needles in haystacks,” Shah said. “And as this case and others show, it is working. And here, in this case, we found such a needle, but we don’t know how it got there.”The Missouri patient, who has significant underlying medical conditions, was admitted to a hospital on Aug. 22 after presenting to health care providers with “acute symptoms of chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness,” according to the CDC. The patient is not being identified out of privacy concerns.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/0ca9d648-cb9b-4eca-99a8-f9a1c96a01bd/human-h5-bird-flu-case-confirmed-in-missouri" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the diagnosis on Sept. 4, as did the CDC in a separate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0906-birdflu-case-missouri.html" target="_blank">statement</a>.Missouri DHSS noted the patient had recovered and been sent home from the hospital, while the CDC pointed out that the state has reported cases of H5N1 in commercial and backyard poultry flocks this year.The patient hadn’t been in contact with any livestock or poultry and didn’t indicate in a detailed questionnaire that they had consumed any food products, like raw milk, that could have potentially transmitted the virus.Shah said on the call that public health officials are technically classifying this as a case of H5 and not H5N1 as they work to sequence the virus more fully, though that might not be possible.The CDC has begun classifying the virus’ genetic sequence, but since the patient’s viral RNA levels were “extremely low” the agency may not be “able to generate a full flu genome, including the neuraminidase or the N part of the virus,” he said.“We’re throwing everything we’ve got at this, but ultimately a full sequence may not be technically feasible because of the low concentration of viral RNA,” Shah said. “The data that we do have and that have been generated thus far show an H5 virus that is closely related to the (H5N1) virus circulating among dairy cows.”The CDC, he said, is “continuing to look for evidence of genetic changes that would suggest, for example, an increased potential for spread.” None have yet been found.Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC, said the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low.“We assess risk continuously with every case and with every sort of change, and we continue to look at it as low,” Daskalakis said. “If there are changes, we would reassess that risk in real time.”While the CDC investigation is ongoing, Shah said the further out from the case public health officials get without seeing any new diagnosis, the less likely they become.“We are beyond the typical 10-day window for transmission,” Shah said. “And so with each passing day, the likelihood of this being something that’s happening deep underwater goes down.”

Federal officials say no sign bird flu is spreading among humans, despite Missouri case

(Radio Iowa) - An attorney for a Fairfield teen who pleaded guilty to killing his Spanish teacher in 2021, is asking the Iowa Supreme Court to reconsider his life sentence with parole after 35 years. 

Willard Miller's attorney Ella Newell claims a mandatory minimum sentence for a juvenile is cruel and unusual punishment if the judge does not consider testimony from an expert on child psychology. Timothy Hau with the attorney general’s office represented the state and says experts can be helpful and parties can choose to bring them, but they’re not constitutionally required. 

Miller was 16 at the time of the murder and 17 at the time of his sentencing. The Iowa Supreme Court will issue a ruling at a later date.

(Radio Iowa) - An attorney for a Fairfield teen who pleaded guilty to killing his Spanish teacher in 2021, is asking the Iowa Supreme Court to reconsider his life sentence with parole after 35 years. Willard Miller's attorney Ella Newell claims a mandatory minimum sentence for a juvenile is cruel and unusual punishment if the judge does not consider testimony from an expert on child psychology. Timothy Hau with the attorney general’s office represented the state and says experts can be helpful and parties can choose to bring them, but they’re not constitutionally required. Miller was 16 at the time of the murder and 17 at the time of his sentencing. The Iowa Supreme Court will issue a ruling at a later date.

Fairfield Teen Who Killed Teacher Seeks Reconsideration Of Sentence

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is creating a new specialized unit to assist the state’s alcohol and tobacco regulators in cracking down on intoxicating hemp products, Bailey announced at a Capitol press conference Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The announcement comes after Gov. Mike Parson’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">ban on these products</a>&nbsp;hit a delay of up to six months.

The ban was supposed to take effect on Sept. 1, after Parson signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2024/eo10" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 1 to remove all hemp-derived THC edibles and beverages from store shelves. However last month, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft rejected the emergency rules detailing how it would have been enforced.

That meant regulators at the&nbsp;Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control didn’t have the authority to enforce the ban among stores that have licenses to sell liquor or tobacco products — which is where the vast majority of products are being sold, Parson said.&nbsp;

Ashcroft’s action did not prevent&nbsp;the Department of Health and Senior Services’ regulators from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/06/missouri-regulators-visit-nearly-50-stores-to-inspect-for-intoxicating-hemp-edibles/">investigating nearly 60 facilities</a>, Parson said.

“DHSS investigations have confirmed our fears,” Parson said. “Product after product resembles popular snacks and candies that would be hard for me to determine that contained cannabis, let alone my five-year-old granddaughter.”

Parson said the main target of his order are companies that sell intoxicating hemp edibles that mimic popular candy. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">hemp industry leaders argue</a>&nbsp;the order also bans products that aren’t attractive to children, have gone through lab testing and are only sold to customers 21 and up.

“The Missouri Hemp Trade Association agrees that illegal products should be removed from store shelves,” said Craig Katz, spokesman for the association. “But DHSS is casting such a wide net that it is not differentiating legitimate products from bad products, and in the process, it is trampling on the constitution and ruining small businesses.”

The association has decried DHSS’ enforcement of these products. It filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25083049-petition-for-declaratory-judgment-preliminary-injunction-and-permanent-injunctive-relief" target="_blank">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 30 in Cole County Circuit Court in hopes of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/30/missouri-hemp-leaders-set-to-file-suit-to-halt-governors-ban-on-hemp-thc-products/">stopping the governor’s ban</a>&nbsp;through a preliminary injunction. The association argues the products are legal and state law prohibits regulators from deeming them as “adulterated.”

“DHSS must stop seizing and destroying products that are legal and follow the letter of the law,” Katz said.

At the Tuesday press conference, Bailey said his office will create a “dedicated electronic repository” for the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to submit actionable referrals to his office. The division will be responsible for “investigating its licensees, collecting evidence of deceptive marketing practices,” Bailey said.&nbsp;

Bailey’s specialized new unit within his office’s Consumer Protection Division will work with the ATC to offer legal support, he said. His office will use its authority under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act to bring legal action against licensees who continue prohibited practices related to unregulated psychoactive cannabis products, he said.&nbsp;

“The ATC will assist by making its investigators available as witnesses for legal proceedings resulting from actionable referrals,” Bailey said. “Our enforcement toolkit will be robust from cease-and-desist letters and investigations to subpoenas and lawsuits to referrals for criminal prosecution where appropriate.”

He believes this partnership will lead to a significant reduction in these products.

“We’re committed to keeping unsafe products away from our kids,” Bailey said, “and ensuring that those who break the law are held accountable.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726164449991.png" alt="A St. Louis liquor store hung a sign announcing Gov. Mike Parson’s executive order to ban intoxicating hemp beverages (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>A St. Louis liquor store hung a sign announcing Gov. Mike Parson’s executive order to ban intoxicating hemp beverages (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By REBECCA RIVAS&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is creating a new specialized unit to assist the state’s alcohol and tobacco regulators in cracking down on intoxicating hemp products, Bailey announced at a Capitol press conference Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;The announcement comes after Gov. Mike Parson’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">ban on these products</a>&nbsp;hit a delay of up to six months.The ban was supposed to take effect on Sept. 1, after Parson signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2024/eo10" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 1 to remove all hemp-derived THC edibles and beverages from store shelves. However last month, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft rejected the emergency rules detailing how it would have been enforced.That meant regulators at the&nbsp;Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control didn’t have the authority to enforce the ban among stores that have licenses to sell liquor or tobacco products — which is where the vast majority of products are being sold, Parson said.&nbsp;Ashcroft’s action did not prevent&nbsp;the Department of Health and Senior Services’ regulators from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/06/missouri-regulators-visit-nearly-50-stores-to-inspect-for-intoxicating-hemp-edibles/">investigating nearly 60 facilities</a>, Parson said.“DHSS investigations have confirmed our fears,” Parson said. “Product after product resembles popular snacks and candies that would be hard for me to determine that contained cannabis, let alone my five-year-old granddaughter.”Because hemp isn’t a controlled substance like marijuana, there’s no state or federal law saying teenagers or children can’t buy products, such as delta-8 drinks, or that stores can’t sell them to minors, Parson said.&nbsp;And there’s no requirement to list potential effects on the label or test how much THC is actually in them. State lawmakers have failed to pass such&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/13/push-for-restrictions-on-intoxicating-hemp-products-spurs-clash-over-who-should-regulate/">requirements</a>&nbsp;the last two years.Parson said the main target of his order are companies that sell intoxicating hemp edibles that mimic popular candy. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">hemp industry leaders argue</a>&nbsp;the order also bans products that aren’t attractive to children, have gone through lab testing and are only sold to customers 21 and up.“The Missouri Hemp Trade Association agrees that illegal products should be removed from store shelves,” said Craig Katz, spokesman for the association. “But DHSS is casting such a wide net that it is not differentiating legitimate products from bad products, and in the process, it is trampling on the constitution and ruining small businesses.”The association has decried DHSS’ enforcement of these products. It filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25083049-petition-for-declaratory-judgment-preliminary-injunction-and-permanent-injunctive-relief" target="_blank">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 30 in Cole County Circuit Court in hopes of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/30/missouri-hemp-leaders-set-to-file-suit-to-halt-governors-ban-on-hemp-thc-products/">stopping the governor’s ban</a>&nbsp;through a preliminary injunction. The association argues the products are legal and state law prohibits regulators from deeming them as “adulterated.”“DHSS must stop seizing and destroying products that are legal and follow the letter of the law,” Katz said.At the Tuesday press conference, Bailey said his office will create a “dedicated electronic repository” for the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to submit actionable referrals to his office. The division will be responsible for “investigating its licensees, collecting evidence of deceptive marketing practices,” Bailey said.&nbsp;Bailey’s specialized new unit within his office’s Consumer Protection Division will work with the ATC to offer legal support, he said. His office will use its authority under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act to bring legal action against licensees who continue prohibited practices related to unregulated psychoactive cannabis products, he said.&nbsp;“The ATC will assist by making its investigators available as witnesses for legal proceedings resulting from actionable referrals,” Bailey said. “Our enforcement toolkit will be robust from cease-and-desist letters and investigations to subpoenas and lawsuits to referrals for criminal prosecution where appropriate.”He believes this partnership will lead to a significant reduction in these products.“We’re committed to keeping unsafe products away from our kids,” Bailey said, “and ensuring that those who break the law are held accountable.”

Missouri AG to help crack down on intoxicating hemp products

(Radio Iowa) - A Des Moines businessman has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. 

Court information shows 61-year-old Jeffrey Walter Gray created and possessed child sexual abuse material and used minors to produce child sexual abuse material. Some of the material was created at his Wicked Imagery photography business in the Des Moines area. The material included images from hidden cameras placed in the changing rooms at the business. 

Gray is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8th, and faces a maximum sentence of 30 years for the sexual exploitation charge. Gray also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the possession of child pornography.

(Radio Iowa) - A Des Moines businessman has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography. Court information shows 61-year-old Jeffrey Walter Gray created and possessed child sexual abuse material and used minors to produce child sexual abuse material. Some of the material was created at his Wicked Imagery photography business in the Des Moines area. The material included images from hidden cameras placed in the changing rooms at the business. Gray is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8th, and faces a maximum sentence of 30 years for the sexual exploitation charge. Gray also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the possession of child pornography.

Des Moines Man Admits To Sexual Exploitation At His Photography Business

By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph Post

A 45-year-old Stanberry man who threatened law officers during
his arrest has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for a firearm
violation.

Federal prosecutors in Kansas City report Erin Graves has been
sentenced by federal District Judge Howard Sachs for illegally possessing a sawed-off
shotgun.

Graves pleaded guilty earlier this year to being a felon in possession
of a firearm and to illegally possessing an unregistered firearm.

Court documents report Graves referred to the sawed-off
shotgun as his “cop killer,” stating that if he had shells for it, the
officers’ heads would be splattered all over the wall. Graves threatened the
deputy who took him to jail, saying he would kill the deputy and force his family
to watch. Prosecutors say Graves threatened jail staff and his parole officer.

Graves was on parole in two separate state cases at the time
of his federal offense. Graves has five prior felony convictions for stealing,
two prior felony convictions for driving while suspended or revoked, two prior
felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, two prior felony
convictions for burglary, and prior felony convictions for possession of a
controlled substance and resisting arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726164000456.png" alt="Graves photo Andrew Co." />
 <figcaption>Graves photo Andrew Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph PostA 45-year-old Stanberry man who threatened law officers during
his arrest has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for a firearm
violation.Federal prosecutors in Kansas City report Erin Graves has been
sentenced by federal District Judge Howard Sachs for illegally possessing a sawed-off
shotgun.Graves pleaded guilty earlier this year to being a felon in possession
of a firearm and to illegally possessing an unregistered firearm.Court documents report Graves referred to the sawed-off
shotgun as his “cop killer,” stating that if he had shells for it, the
officers’ heads would be splattered all over the wall. Graves threatened the
deputy who took him to jail, saying he would kill the deputy and force his family
to watch. Prosecutors say Graves threatened jail staff and his parole officer.Graves was on parole in two separate state cases at the time
of his federal offense. Graves has five prior felony convictions for stealing,
two prior felony convictions for driving while suspended or revoked, two prior
felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, two prior felony
convictions for burglary, and prior felony convictions for possession of a
controlled substance and resisting arrest.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Stanberry man sentenced; threatened officers during arrest

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

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is asking for over $174 million in supplemental funding for this school year after receiving $1 billion less in appropriations compared to the previous year.

When the State Board of Education&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/14/missouri-education-department-prepares-for-mother-of-all-supplemental-budgets/">reviewed the budget bill approved by lawmakers in May</a>, Board Chair Charlie Shields predicted that “the mother of all supplemental budgets” would come, possibly in a special session.

In its meeting Tuesday, the board approved a supplemental budget with a high request from the state in general revenue and a budget for next year with increasing costs associated with an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/pdf-bill/tat/SB727.pdf" target="_blank">education bill</a>&nbsp;that was recently signed into law.

“We can’t assume that this is all going to be able to be funded. There’s going to be some really hard decisions and prioritization that has to happen throughout the process,” Kari Monsees, DESE’s commissioner of financial and administrative services, told the State Board of Education Tuesday. “That might be the understatement of the year,” he added.

The supplemental request includes over $100 million from the state’s general revenue fund. Last year, the department&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/HB_2002_DESE_FY_2025_TAFP_Fact_Sheet.pdf" target="_blank">asked for under $2 million</a>&nbsp;in state funding.

Nearly half of the general-revenue request — $48 million — is from changes to the formula that funds school districts and charter schools. The board did not discuss what changes drove the supplemental, but multiple additions to the formula will boost funding in its fiscal year 2026 request.

Other drivers of the expense is an increase in the early childhood special education caseload, which the department requests $20.8 million to manage.

“The last three or four years, we’ve been fairly flat in (early childhood special education enrollment) because of the covid impact,” Monsees said. “We had fewer students entering those programs for a few years, and so we didn’t need much in the way of additional funding. Well, that kind of came home to roost last year, and the numbers are up.”

The department is also requesting $15 million for a grant program it provides to schools with under 350 students. The education package passed by the legislature this year increased the size of the program, so the supplemental request is to meet that demand, Monsees said.

He noted that budget instructions for fiscal year 2026 direct the department to specify&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Fiscal_Year_2026_Budget_Instructions_with_links.pdf" target="_blank">mandatory new decision items</a>. For that, the department requests an increase of $810 million from this year’s appropriation of $8.73 billion, of which $719 million would come from the state’s general fund.

A sizable portion of the request is powered by expenses in the education package passed by lawmakers this year, which had a&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2024-1/3329S.24T.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">$230 million fiscal note for next year</a>.

Requests from state agencies are due to the Missouri Office of Administration by Oct. 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726146410663.png" alt="Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger speaks during a State Board of Education meeting (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger speaks during a State Board of Education meeting (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is asking for over $174 million in supplemental funding for this school year after receiving $1 billion less in appropriations compared to the previous year.When the State Board of Education&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/14/missouri-education-department-prepares-for-mother-of-all-supplemental-budgets/">reviewed the budget bill approved by lawmakers in May</a>, Board Chair Charlie Shields predicted that “the mother of all supplemental budgets” would come, possibly in a special session.In its meeting Tuesday, the board approved a supplemental budget with a high request from the state in general revenue and a budget for next year with increasing costs associated with an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/pdf-bill/tat/SB727.pdf" target="_blank">education bill</a>&nbsp;that was recently signed into law.“We can’t assume that this is all going to be able to be funded. There’s going to be some really hard decisions and prioritization that has to happen throughout the process,” Kari Monsees, DESE’s commissioner of financial and administrative services, told the State Board of Education Tuesday. “That might be the understatement of the year,” he added.The supplemental request includes over $100 million from the state’s general revenue fund. Last year, the department&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/HB_2002_DESE_FY_2025_TAFP_Fact_Sheet.pdf" target="_blank">asked for under $2 million</a>&nbsp;in state funding.Nearly half of the general-revenue request — $48 million — is from changes to the formula that funds school districts and charter schools. The board did not discuss what changes drove the supplemental, but multiple additions to the formula will boost funding in its fiscal year 2026 request.Other drivers of the expense is an increase in the early childhood special education caseload, which the department requests $20.8 million to manage.“The last three or four years, we’ve been fairly flat in (early childhood special education enrollment) because of the covid impact,” Monsees said. “We had fewer students entering those programs for a few years, and so we didn’t need much in the way of additional funding. Well, that kind of came home to roost last year, and the numbers are up.”The department is also requesting $15 million for a grant program it provides to schools with under 350 students. The education package passed by the legislature this year increased the size of the program, so the supplemental request is to meet that demand, Monsees said.He noted that budget instructions for fiscal year 2026 direct the department to specify&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Fiscal_Year_2026_Budget_Instructions_with_links.pdf" target="_blank">mandatory new decision items</a>. For that, the department requests an increase of $810 million from this year’s appropriation of $8.73 billion, of which $719 million would come from the state’s general fund.A sizable portion of the request is powered by expenses in the education package passed by lawmakers this year, which had a&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2024-1/3329S.24T.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">$230 million fiscal note for next year</a>.Requests from state agencies are due to the Missouri Office of Administration by Oct. 1.

Missouri education department says state funding for school year is $100 million short

PLATTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a bank robbery and asking for help to identify a suspect.

Early Wednesday, the FBI and Parkville Police Department were notified of damage that occurred Tuesday night to the unopened, new Chase Bank on 9000 Tom Watson Parkway in Parkville, according to a media release from the city.

Preliminary information indicates the individual responsible may have thrown a Molotov cocktail at the ATM attached to the bank and multiple windows were damaged. 

This bank has not officially opened for business, and no one was injured or present during the incident.

The FBI is working alongside Parkville Police Department in this matter. The city released a security camera image of the individual believed to be the suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726102223941.png" alt="The city released a security camera image of the individual believed to be the suspect." />
 <figcaption>The city released a security camera image of the individual believed to be the suspect.</figcaption>
 </figure>PLATTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a bank robbery and asking for help to identify a suspect.Early Wednesday, the FBI and Parkville Police Department were notified of damage that occurred Tuesday night to the unopened, new Chase Bank on 9000 Tom Watson Parkway in Parkville, according to a media release from the city.Preliminary information indicates the individual responsible may have thrown a Molotov cocktail at the ATM attached to the bank and multiple windows were damaged. This bank has not officially opened for business, and no one was injured or present during the incident.The FBI is working alongside Parkville Police Department in this matter. The city released a security camera image of the individual believed to be the suspect.Anyone with information on this incident or the identity of the individual in the attached photo should call the FBI at 816-512-8200 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi

Kbct