The Kansas City Chiefs had a lighter practice today during Training Camp. 

The Chiefs held a 10-10-10 practice, cycling through 10 offensive plays, 10 defensive plays and 10 minutes of special teams 

Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo says the value of these types of practice is more mental than anything 

"I think we went three straight days with pads, and I think Coach Reid would tell you the same thing, it's a good way to get a lot of work done but take a little bit of the physicality off and it was about time with our guys," Spagnuolo tells reporter's post-practice. "And now they'll have the day off and it works pretty good." 

"It's a little agonizing for me sometimes because you can't do anything physical" Spagnuolo jokes about the 10-10-10 practice. 

The Chiefs got a big boost to their offensive line over the weekend as guard Joe Thuney was cleared to return to action and was back at practice on Monday. 

Thuney had spent all of Training Camp to start on the physically unable to perform, or PUP, list after suffering a pectoral injury in last year's playoffs. 

Center Creed Humphrey says it's great to get a veteran like Thuney back 

"Getting to have him back doing some group install stuff, some indy (individual) stuff, it's been good and obviously he's a big-time leader for us, he has a ton of experience, and he's a heck of a player," Humphrey says. "So, whenever you get a guy like that back its great." 

Thuney worked with the starters during the teams install period, but seems to be working back slowly, giving snaps during drills to rookie Hunter Nourzad

Roles are shifting all over the Chiefs defense as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks to replace some key players from last year's squad.  

Cornerback Trent McDuffie, an All-Pro last season, has seemingly been tabbed as the number one corner to replace L'Jarius Sneed who was traded.  

McDuffie says even in an all-pro season he was still learning in his role as a nickel corner, and now replacing Sneed he says is a whole different ball game. 

"Inside you've got help here and there, you can do things a little differently, but on the outside on the island, you have to be a technician," McDuffie explains. "And coming into this camp knowing that I might have to do some more of that, it's been each and every day working little by little on technique, technique, and just trying to perfect myself out there." 

Spagnuolo says while they have their number one corner in McDuffie, there is still much evaluation going on for who else will fill out the secondary.  

The Chiefs are off from practice tomorrow. They're back at 9:15 on Wednesday

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280110461.jpeg" alt="Patrick Mahomes throws a pass after taking the snap from center Creed Humphrey (52) as head coach Andy Reid looks on/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Patrick Mahomes throws a pass after taking the snap from center Creed Humphrey (52) as head coach Andy Reid looks on/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Kansas City Chiefs had a lighter practice today during Training Camp. The Chiefs held a 10-10-10 practice, cycling through 10 offensive plays, 10 defensive plays and 10 minutes of special teams Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo says the value of these types of practice is more mental than anything "I think we went three straight days with pads, and I think Coach Reid would tell you the same thing, it's a good way to get a lot of work done but take a little bit of the physicality off and it was about time with our guys," Spagnuolo tells reporter's post-practice. "And now they'll have the day off and it works pretty good." "It's a little agonizing for me sometimes because you can't do anything physical" Spagnuolo jokes about the 10-10-10 practice. The Chiefs got a big boost to their offensive line over the weekend as guard Joe Thuney was cleared to return to action and was back at practice on Monday. Thuney had spent all of Training Camp to start on the physically unable to perform, or PUP, list after suffering a pectoral injury in last year's playoffs. Center Creed Humphrey says it's great to get a veteran like Thuney back "Getting to have him back doing some group install stuff, some indy (individual) stuff, it's been good and obviously he's a big-time leader for us, he has a ton of experience, and he's a heck of a player," Humphrey says. "So, whenever you get a guy like that back its great." Thuney worked with the starters during the teams install period, but seems to be working back slowly, giving snaps during drills to rookie Hunter Nourzad<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280296661.png" alt="Joe Thuney (62) walks down the hill with tackle Jawaan Taylor (74) before practice, Thuney returned to practice Monday after being on the PUP list to start Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Joe Thuney (62) walks down the hill with tackle Jawaan Taylor (74) before practice, Thuney returned to practice Monday after being on the PUP list to start Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>Roles are shifting all over the Chiefs defense as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks to replace some key players from last year's squad. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, an All-Pro last season, has seemingly been tabbed as the number one corner to replace L'Jarius Sneed who was traded. McDuffie says even in an all-pro season he was still learning in his role as a nickel corner, and now replacing Sneed he says is a whole different ball game. "Inside you've got help here and there, you can do things a little differently, but on the outside on the island, you have to be a technician," McDuffie explains. "And coming into this camp knowing that I might have to do some more of that, it's been each and every day working little by little on technique, technique, and just trying to perfect myself out there." Spagnuolo says while they have their number one corner in McDuffie, there is still much evaluation going on for who else will fill out the secondary. The Chiefs are off from practice tomorrow. They're back at 9:15 on WednesdayYou can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280173356.png" alt="Trent Mcduffie/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Trent Mcduffie/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>

Chiefs have a lighter training camp practice ahead of Tuesday off day

(Radio Iowa) - A law banning most abortions in Iowa will take effect at 8 o'clock this (Monday) morning. The so-called heartbeat law bans abortion as soon as cardiac activity is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy. 

Maggie DeWitte is executive director of the Pro Life group called Pulse Life Advocates. She says during the years of legal battles over abortion, she wasn’t sure if the law would ever be enforced in Iowa. DeWitte says she’ll keep pushing Iowa lawmakers to ban abortion from the moment of conception. 

The deputy director at the Chicago Abortion Access Fund, Qudsiyyah Shariyf says they've partnered with the Iowa Abortion Fund to give people financial and logistical support to get abortions in anticipation of Iowa’s law going into effect. She says they've already gotten 60 requests from Iowans for support. The law does allow exceptions for rape, incest, medical emergencies, and fetal abnormalities that are incompatible with life.

(Radio Iowa) - A law banning most abortions in Iowa will take effect at 8 o'clock this (Monday) morning. The so-called heartbeat law bans abortion as soon as cardiac activity is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy. Maggie DeWitte is executive director of the Pro Life group called Pulse Life Advocates. She says during the years of legal battles over abortion, she wasn’t sure if the law would ever be enforced in Iowa. DeWitte says she’ll keep pushing Iowa lawmakers to ban abortion from the moment of conception. The deputy director at the Chicago Abortion Access Fund, Qudsiyyah Shariyf says they've partnered with the Iowa Abortion Fund to give people financial and logistical support to get abortions in anticipation of Iowa’s law going into effect. She says they've already gotten 60 requests from Iowans for support. The law does allow exceptions for rape, incest, medical emergencies, and fetal abnormalities that are incompatible with life.

Abortion law takes effect today, halting most abortions in Iowa

Retired Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan says
Missouri must leverage its advantages in advancing technologies to grow the
state economy.

Mehan says there is a question that keeps him up at night.

“What are we going to do to make sure that Missouri gets the
support it needs to figure out what to do about the critical mineral shortages
that occur throughout the nation?” Mehan asks in an interview with KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post. “When we’re sitting on deposits of lead and other rare-earth
minerals that can be used to help make batteries or silicon chips.”

Those elements are vital in the manufacturing of cell phones,
electric cars, even cruise missiles. Mehan says Missouri is in a critical
position to help the nation solve the problems of emerging technology, even
that used for national defense.

Mehn says too few people realize the potential Missouri holds.

Also, the state is a leader in the manufacturing of active
pharmacy ingredients.

“And these are some of those things that are unfortunately
well-kept secrets,” Mehan says. “But these are natural strengths we have that
we should exploit and make sure we take our position in the lead in figuring
out those solutions.”

Mehan says many companies in Missouri are making major
breakthroughs.

“I would love to see this state become a leader in AI and how
to harness that technology and use it for good; use it for the betterment of
advanced manufacturing, the creation of better jobs around the state that can
be done whether it’s in Kansas City, St. Joe, or Sikeston, Missouri.”

Mehan says Missouri officials need to be aggressive in
marketing Missouri’s strengths both nationally and internationally.

Mehan says Missouri businesses still face a shortage of
qualified workers. He suggests the state needs to better inform high school
students plenty of careers offer high-paying jobs without a college degree
while continuing to support its colleges and universities.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722269127292.jpeg" alt="Retired Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan/Photo courtesy of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce" />
 <figcaption>Retired Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan/Photo courtesy of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostRetired Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan says
Missouri must leverage its advantages in advancing technologies to grow the
state economy.Mehan says there is a question that keeps him up at night.“What are we going to do to make sure that Missouri gets the
support it needs to figure out what to do about the critical mineral shortages
that occur throughout the nation?” Mehan asks in an interview with KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post. “When we’re sitting on deposits of lead and other rare-earth
minerals that can be used to help make batteries or silicon chips.”Those elements are vital in the manufacturing of cell phones,
electric cars, even cruise missiles. Mehan says Missouri is in a critical
position to help the nation solve the problems of emerging technology, even
that used for national defense.Mehn says too few people realize the potential Missouri holds.Also, the state is a leader in the manufacturing of active
pharmacy ingredients.“And these are some of those things that are unfortunately
well-kept secrets,” Mehan says. “But these are natural strengths we have that
we should exploit and make sure we take our position in the lead in figuring
out those solutions.”Mehan says many companies in Missouri are making major
breakthroughs.“I would love to see this state become a leader in AI and how
to harness that technology and use it for good; use it for the betterment of
advanced manufacturing, the creation of better jobs around the state that can
be done whether it’s in Kansas City, St. Joe, or Sikeston, Missouri.”Mehan says Missouri officials need to be aggressive in
marketing Missouri’s strengths both nationally and internationally.Mehan says Missouri businesses still face a shortage of
qualified workers. He suggests the state needs to better inform high school
students plenty of careers offer high-paying jobs without a college degree
while continuing to support its colleges and universities.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Retired Missouri Chamber presidents says Missouri must capitalize on natural resources

More than just attempting an unprecedented Super Bowl
three-peat is on the minds of Kansas City Chiefs executives.

They also are weighing the best options for where the team
plays.

“GEHA Field at Arrowhead is a special place,” Chiefs owner
Clark Hunt told reporters earlier during his visit to Chiefs Training Camp in
St. Joseph. “It’s special for our fans and it’s special for the players and coaches,
but we do have to look to the future.”

Hunt said he is keeping an open mind as the team considers
renovations to Arrowhead or moving to a new stadium.

Jackson County voters overwhelmingly rejected a package
proposal that would have extended a three-eights cent sales tax to fund
renovations to Arrowhead, plus build a new downtown stadium for the Kansas City
Royals. Nearly 60% of the voters casting ballots April 2nd voted
against the proposal.

It appears the two teams, which have often joined forces, now will
take separate paths forward even as a new path has opened.

The Kansas legislature, meeting in special session in Topeka,
approved an incentive package aimed at luring either or both teams across the
state line in metropolitan Kansas City. Executives of both teams are reviewing
those incentives.

As for Hunt, he said the team is seriously considering all
options on the table and though he has expressed his love for Arrowhead, those
options include building new; perhaps even a domed stadium.

Hunt said he appreciates the Kansas legislature’s initiative.

“Well, part of our evaluation over the next several months and
coming years will be looking at whether we’re better off in a renovated building
or in a new stadium,” Hunt says. “And that new stadium could be on the Missouri
side as well. It doesn’t have to be on the Kansas side.”

Chiefs President Mark Donovan also addressed the issue during
a news conference to open Chiefs Training Camp on the Missouri Western State
University campus. Donovan struck the same theme, stating the NFL franchise is
reviewing its options.

“We are in discussions with the folks in Kansas. We continue
our discussions with the folks in Missouri, talking to various leaders. There
seems to be other options that are coming up now on the Missouri side. So, we
appreciate that,” Donovan said. “And it’s consistent with our strategy, which was
if this doesn’t work (the April ballot measure), which was our plan, then we
have to look at options and now we’ll have a couple of options to look at.”

Donovan added the window is closing for a decision. The Chiefs
president said something fairly solid has to be in place within six months,
noting it will take longer if the team chooses to build new, rather than
renovate Arrowhead. Donovan said the two projects, renovation versus new
construction, are two very different projects. Donovan called this a decision
that will impact the club for generations to come.

The Chiefs look to be playing either in a renovated Arrowhead
or a new stadium by the 2031 season.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMore than just attempting an unprecedented Super Bowl
three-peat is on the minds of Kansas City Chiefs executives.They also are weighing the best options for where the team
plays.“GEHA Field at Arrowhead is a special place,” Chiefs owner
Clark Hunt told reporters earlier during his visit to Chiefs Training Camp in
St. Joseph. “It’s special for our fans and it’s special for the players and coaches,
but we do have to look to the future.”Hunt said he is keeping an open mind as the team considers
renovations to Arrowhead or moving to a new stadium.Jackson County voters overwhelmingly rejected a package
proposal that would have extended a three-eights cent sales tax to fund
renovations to Arrowhead, plus build a new downtown stadium for the Kansas City
Royals. Nearly 60% of the voters casting ballots April 2nd voted
against the proposal.It appears the two teams, which have often joined forces, now will
take separate paths forward even as a new path has opened.The Kansas legislature, meeting in special session in Topeka,
approved an incentive package aimed at luring either or both teams across the
state line in metropolitan Kansas City. Executives of both teams are reviewing
those incentives.As for Hunt, he said the team is seriously considering all
options on the table and though he has expressed his love for Arrowhead, those
options include building new; perhaps even a domed stadium.Hunt said he appreciates the Kansas legislature’s initiative.“Well, part of our evaluation over the next several months and
coming years will be looking at whether we’re better off in a renovated building
or in a new stadium,” Hunt says. “And that new stadium could be on the Missouri
side as well. It doesn’t have to be on the Kansas side.”Chiefs President Mark Donovan also addressed the issue during
a news conference to open Chiefs Training Camp on the Missouri Western State
University campus. Donovan struck the same theme, stating the NFL franchise is
reviewing its options.“We are in discussions with the folks in Kansas. We continue
our discussions with the folks in Missouri, talking to various leaders. There
seems to be other options that are coming up now on the Missouri side. So, we
appreciate that,” Donovan said. “And it’s consistent with our strategy, which was
if this doesn’t work (the April ballot measure), which was our plan, then we
have to look at options and now we’ll have a couple of options to look at.”Donovan added the window is closing for a decision. The Chiefs
president said something fairly solid has to be in place within six months,
noting it will take longer if the team chooses to build new, rather than
renovate Arrowhead. Donovan said the two projects, renovation versus new
construction, are two very different projects. Donovan called this a decision
that will impact the club for generations to come.The Chiefs look to be playing either in a renovated Arrowhead
or a new stadium by the 2031 season.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

As team prepares for season, Chiefs executives look to future

JERUSALEM — U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea and the surrounding area.

Over the past week U.S. forces successfully destroyed 11 Iranian-backed Houthi drones including six on Friday in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command.

They also destroyed two surface-to-air missiles and five missile launchers and on Thursday destoyed a drone launcher. All of these were in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.


It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

JERUSALEM — U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea and the surrounding area.Over the past week U.S. forces successfully destroyed 11 Iranian-backed Houthi drones including six on Friday in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command.They also destroyed two surface-to-air missiles and five missile launchers and on Thursday destoyed a drone launcher. All of these were in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

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

Friends, family, and long, hot practices for the Kansas City
Chiefs who just wrapped up a full weekend of practices in pads.

The Chiefs practices for more than two hours on Sunday.

Offensive lineman Trey Smith acknowledges things get a little
chippy between the offense and the defense during drills.

“I mean, coach sets the tempo, but it’s football man,” Smith
tells reporters after Sunday’s practice on the Missouri Western State
University campus. “Anger, sparks are going to fly, bodies might get hit a
little harder than expected. It is what it is, though. At the end of the day,
we’re grown men out here competing for jobs. Man, there’s going to be tension
and there’s going to be a lot of hot heads and stuff going on, but even cool
tempers, we know what our goal is at the end of the year, though. We’re going
to get after it.”

Linebacker Drue Tranquill returns to the team after signing an
extension.

“We’ve got a great group of guys and we’re excited to play
ball,” Tranquill tells reporters post-practice. “One of the things I noticed
when I came to Kansas City is you just had a group of guys who love to play
football. The days get long out here at St. Joe. They can get hot. Thankfully,
we had a nice breeze today. Everybody felt it. It felt good. But the spirit was
high. We’ve just got a lot in the balance. We’ve got a lot to compete for. We
know, Coach Reid says it every day, you’ve just got to show up and push
through.”

Smith says it is a privilege to line up with long-time friend
of Creed Humphrey.

“Creed and I have known each other since sophomore year of
high school. So, we’ve always been friends. And to be able to play with a guy,
to have that continuity, that chemistry together as well, it makes our jobs a
lot easier; a lot of things we don’t have to verbalize.” Smith says. “It’s been
a huge help, man. It’s easy when you play next to a talent player like that.”

And Tranquill praises the sacrifices made by the wives
and families as the players sequester on the Missouri Western campus for
training camp.

“Our families go through a lot for us to play this
game. They don’t get nearly the credit we do,” Tranquill says. “They don’t get
to talk to the media, the media doesn’t really talk about them, and so the
stuff that they do behind the scenes to make this possible is nothing short of
amazing. They know how much we love and appreciate them. We love our wives, we
love our kids, we love our family.”

The Chiefs return to the practice fields on the Missouri Western
campus tomorrow morning, before taking Tuesday off.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722200481498.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Center Creed Humphrey talk with coaches during Training Camp warmups./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Center Creed Humphrey talk with coaches during Training Camp warmups./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFriends, family, and long, hot practices for the Kansas City
Chiefs who just wrapped up a full weekend of practices in pads.The Chiefs practices for more than two hours on Sunday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722200567585.jpeg" alt="Trey Smith/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Trey Smith/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Offensive lineman Trey Smith acknowledges things get a little
chippy between the offense and the defense during drills.“I mean, coach sets the tempo, but it’s football man,” Smith
tells reporters after Sunday’s practice on the Missouri Western State
University campus. “Anger, sparks are going to fly, bodies might get hit a
little harder than expected. It is what it is, though. At the end of the day,
we’re grown men out here competing for jobs. Man, there’s going to be tension
and there’s going to be a lot of hot heads and stuff going on, but even cool
tempers, we know what our goal is at the end of the year, though. We’re going
to get after it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722200618724.jpeg" alt="Drue Tranquill/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Drue Tranquill/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Linebacker Drue Tranquill returns to the team after signing an
extension.“We’ve got a great group of guys and we’re excited to play
ball,” Tranquill tells reporters post-practice. “One of the things I noticed
when I came to Kansas City is you just had a group of guys who love to play
football. The days get long out here at St. Joe. They can get hot. Thankfully,
we had a nice breeze today. Everybody felt it. It felt good. But the spirit was
high. We’ve just got a lot in the balance. We’ve got a lot to compete for. We
know, Coach Reid says it every day, you’ve just got to show up and push
through.”Smith says it is a privilege to line up with long-time friend
of Creed Humphrey.“Creed and I have known each other since sophomore year of
high school. So, we’ve always been friends. And to be able to play with a guy,
to have that continuity, that chemistry together as well, it makes our jobs a
lot easier; a lot of things we don’t have to verbalize.” Smith says. “It’s been
a huge help, man. It’s easy when you play next to a talent player like that.”And Tranquill praises the sacrifices made by the wives
and families as the players sequester on the Missouri Western campus for
training camp.“Our families go through a lot for us to play this
game. They don’t get nearly the credit we do,” Tranquill says. “They don’t get
to talk to the media, the media doesn’t really talk about them, and so the
stuff that they do behind the scenes to make this possible is nothing short of
amazing. They know how much we love and appreciate them. We love our wives, we
love our kids, we love our family.”The Chiefs return to the practice fields on the Missouri Western
campus tomorrow morning, before taking Tuesday off.

Chiefs wrap up a full weekend of Training Camp in St. Joseph

(Radio Iowa) - The Fremont County Sheriff's Office is holding two Shenandoah residents on child endangerment and abandonment charges after an incident Thursday in Hamburg. 

Deputies found a four-year-old, with reported developmental disabilities, covered in filth outside a house, and another child inside the home. Both children were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Authorities allege the parents, 26-year-olds Dustin Perry and Lindsey Hamilton, left the children in the care of relatives with directions to keep the four-year-old in a makeshift cage. 

A second homemade cage was discovered in a walk-in closet in a Shenandoah home. Authorities say multiple children were removed from the home by the Iowa H-H-S.

(Radio Iowa) - The Fremont County Sheriff's Office is holding two Shenandoah residents on child endangerment and abandonment charges after an incident Thursday in Hamburg. Deputies found a four-year-old, with reported developmental disabilities, covered in filth outside a house, and another child inside the home. Both children were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Authorities allege the parents, 26-year-olds Dustin Perry and Lindsey Hamilton, left the children in the care of relatives with directions to keep the four-year-old in a makeshift cage. A second homemade cage was discovered in a walk-in closet in a Shenandoah home. Authorities say multiple children were removed from the home by the Iowa H-H-S.

SW Iowa parents charged after telling sitters to keep child in 'makeshift cage'

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator from Missouri Josh Hawley reported Thursday in a letter to Homeland Security Director Alejando Mayorkas,&nbsp; the night before the Butler, Pennsylvania Trump campaign rally, U.S. Secret Service repeatedly denied offers from a local law enforcement partner to utilize drone technology to secure the rally.

As Homeland Security Secretary, Mayorkas is responsible for the Secret Service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720972888448.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator from Missouri Josh Hawley reported Thursday in a letter to Homeland Security Director Alejando Mayorkas,&nbsp; the night before the Butler, Pennsylvania Trump campaign rally, U.S. Secret Service repeatedly denied offers from a local law enforcement partner to utilize drone technology to secure the rally.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721930168996.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As Homeland Security Secretary, Mayorkas is responsible for the Secret Service.

Mo. U.S. Senator: Secret Service declined use of drones before Trump rally

Chiefs Training Camp returned to the Missouri Western State
University practice fields after taking Thursday off.

Head Coach Andy Reid says this first day of practice in pads
went well.

“Good day. Back in pads, which is a positive. The guys moved
around great,” Reid tells reporters after practice. “We’re in this wrap up
phase, so it was an hour and 40 minute practice and then we’ll kick it up a
little bit more tomorrow, eventually get to our normal practice.”

An hour and 40 minutes under hot conditions.

Still, Reid says the offense and defense traded light-hearted jabs
and did the work they needed to do.

“I thought the guys worked hard,” Reid says. “They challenged
each other back and forth, offense, defense; positive.”

The Chiefs returned to practice on the Missouri Western campus
Friday after taking Thursday off. A full weekend schedule awaits.

Kansas City added speed to its receiver corps by signing
Hollywood Brown, drafting Xavier Worthy, and retaining Mecole Hardman, hoping
to revive a potent offense.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes says these receivers can allow him
to go deep.

“It’s getting better and better. Obviously, we missed on some
today. We’ve hit on some earlier in camp, but that’s what we’re doing it for.
We’re out here to practice, try to shoot the ball down the field by going
against the best defense in the National Football League,” Mahomes tells
reporters post-practice. “We’ll continue to get better and better with building
chemistry as the camp goes on.”

Mahomes says he hopes to be able to throw deep passes, which will
open up the middle for tight end Travis Kelce and others. Mahomes is quick to
point out the running back corps is strong as well.

Mahomes also says he has seen a rising star on defense in
cornerback Trent McDuffie, who he says has given him fits.

“That’s what we want. We want to play against the best and
that’s what we’re doing on a day-to-day basis,” Mahomes says. “I mean, Trent
man’s good. That man’s really good. I try him. I always tell him I’m going to
try him once or twice a day. You all have seen he’s gotten me a couple of times
and I’ve gotten over him, but that’s what makes great players great players.”

The team returns to practice tomorrow morning at 9:15.

The Red Rally will be held at Civic Center Park, beginning at
one o’clock Saturday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722022714230.jpeg" alt="Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes speaks to reporters after Friday's Training Camp practice./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes speaks to reporters after Friday's Training Camp practice./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostChiefs Training Camp returned to the Missouri Western State
University practice fields after taking Thursday off.Head Coach Andy Reid says this first day of practice in pads
went well.“Good day. Back in pads, which is a positive. The guys moved
around great,” Reid tells reporters after practice. “We’re in this wrap up
phase, so it was an hour and 40 minute practice and then we’ll kick it up a
little bit more tomorrow, eventually get to our normal practice.”An hour and 40 minutes under hot conditions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722022793136.jpeg" alt="Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid answers questions following Friday's practice./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid answers questions following Friday's practice./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Still, Reid says the offense and defense traded light-hearted jabs
and did the work they needed to do.“I thought the guys worked hard,” Reid says. “They challenged
each other back and forth, offense, defense; positive.”The Chiefs returned to practice on the Missouri Western campus
Friday after taking Thursday off. A full weekend schedule awaits.Kansas City added speed to its receiver corps by signing
Hollywood Brown, drafting Xavier Worthy, and retaining Mecole Hardman, hoping
to revive a potent offense.Quarterback Patrick Mahomes says these receivers can allow him
to go deep.“It’s getting better and better. Obviously, we missed on some
today. We’ve hit on some earlier in camp, but that’s what we’re doing it for.
We’re out here to practice, try to shoot the ball down the field by going
against the best defense in the National Football League,” Mahomes tells
reporters post-practice. “We’ll continue to get better and better with building
chemistry as the camp goes on.”Mahomes says he hopes to be able to throw deep passes, which will
open up the middle for tight end Travis Kelce and others. Mahomes is quick to
point out the running back corps is strong as well.Mahomes also says he has seen a rising star on defense in
cornerback Trent McDuffie, who he says has given him fits.“That’s what we want. We want to play against the best and
that’s what we’re doing on a day-to-day basis,” Mahomes says. “I mean, Trent
man’s good. That man’s really good. I try him. I always tell him I’m going to
try him once or twice a day. You all have seen he’s gotten me a couple of times
and I’ve gotten over him, but that’s what makes great players great players.”The team returns to practice tomorrow morning at 9:15.The Red Rally will be held at Civic Center Park, beginning at
one o’clock Saturday afternoon.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Chiefs return to practice at MWSU, honing an offense with more speed

In response to questions from The Independent, state cannabis regulators said they’ve opened an investigation into three licenses awarded last year to verify whether they ‘continue to be majority owned and operated by eligible individuals’

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

When John Payne was leading the campaign to legalize recreational cannabis in 2022, he faced a major hurdle.

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/09/with-legalization-looming-black-missourians-worry-about-losing-out-in-marijuana-industry/">Black business owners were largely excluded</a>&nbsp;from the medical marijuana program when licenses to grow and sell cannabis were doled out by the state in 2019, and many feared history was about to repeat itself.&nbsp;

So to soothe the concerns and win over&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/01/st-louis-mayor-tishaura-jones-announces-opposition-to-missouri-marijuana-amendment/">skeptics</a>, Payne partnered with Black community leaders to come up with what they hoped was a solution — a social equity program, known as “microbusiness licenses,” that would diversify the industry and ensure communities most impacted by the War on Drugs were not once again left out of the burgeoning industry.

“We do know from data that the people who have been harmed by marijuana prohibition directly, Black Americans are overrepresented,” Payne, who is white,<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/14/missouri-official-vows-to-conduct-survey-on-cannabis-business-demographics/">&nbsp;told The Independent last year</a>.

Because marijuana prohibition did the most harm on the Black community — Black Missourians are 2.6 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white Missourians — “that should carry over into a disproportionate good impact of the microbusiness licenses,” Payne said.

But documents uncovered by The Independent show that in some cases, Payne and his business partners were the ones aiming to benefit most from the social-equity program.

Payne’s name is connected to more than 300 social-equity applications submitted earlier this year for the second round of microbusiness licenses, winning six of the 24 dispensary licenses&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/mb-lottery-results-dispensary060424.pdf" target="_blank">selected through a lottery</a>&nbsp;in June and officially&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/mb-approved-denied-list072524.pdf" target="_blank">issued</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday.&nbsp;

For some of the applications, Payne recruited eligible Missourians and had them sign a 47-page contract that would ultimately give him and his partners 90.1% of profits and majority control of the business.&nbsp;

Despite only owning a fraction of the business, under state law the applicants would bear the lion’s share of the regulatory scrutiny. If they ever want to walk away from the deal, they would be required to pay a nearly $1 million fee.&nbsp;

In an interview with The Independent, Payne defended the contract, saying the arrangement was designed for people who wanted to get into the industry but didn’t want to put in their own money.&nbsp;

Payne insists the six successful applications he’s involved with this year didn’t use the contract. However, one license connected to Payne that was approved last year involved a nearly identical contract, which The Independent obtained through a public records request.

Four legal experts who reviewed the contract from this year for The Independent concluded it was unfair and potentially predatory. All four agreed state cannabis regulators should reject any license application connected to the contract because it violates the constitutional mandate requiring licenses to be “majority owned and operated” by the eligible applicant.&nbsp;

“If you don’t have the staying power and legal assistance, you’re going to get screwed,” said Michael Goldberg, managing partner of the Chicago-based firm Goldberg Law Group, about the 47-page contract.&nbsp;

Nimrod Chapel — an attorney, president of the Missouri NAACP and an outspoken critic of the 2022 legalization amendment — believes the contract meets the&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/86ba6e97-2847-45fb-ab71-5d37f8579b2c/missouri-cannabis-regulators-provide-guidance-cautions-to-future-microbusiness-applicants" target="_blank">state’s definition of “predatory practices.”</a>

“I find it incredibly disappointing that this section of licensees is getting monopolized by John Payne,” Chapel said, “the very person who was in the middle of the campaign for cannabis legalization and used this as a way to gain minority buy-in.”&nbsp;

Joseph von Kaenel, a St. Louis corporate governance attorney, likened the arrangement to companies “abusing” public contracting dollars meant to empower minority businesses by “finding a woman or minority to front the business.”&nbsp;

The contract states several times that, “the applicant understands that this agreement is not predatory.”

“It doesn’t mean it’s true,” said Michael Wolff, a former chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court and dean emeritus of the St. Louis University Law School.

But the harshest criticism came from Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis NAACP who served on the committee that helped write the 2022 legalization amendment. Pruitt said he brought the idea for the social-equity licenses to Payne and spent months working alongside him publicly defending the proposal during the 2022 campaign.

“I’m insulted,” Pruitt said. “This is indentured servitude. That’s what this is.”

There are seven categories where people can&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/28/missouri-holds-outreach-events-in-run-up-to-lottery-for-cannabis-microbusiness-licenses/">qualify for a microbusiness license</a>, ranging from a lower income level or living in an area considered impoverished to having past arrests or incarcerations related to marijuana offenses.

“When you look at the categories and the qualifications, there’s no doubt that overwhelmingly the qualifications are geared up for people who were impacted by the unjust enforcement of marijuana laws,” Pruitt said. “No one would dispute that that population, in most cases, are African Americans.”&nbsp;

Payne told The Independent his critics have it all wrong.&nbsp;

The contract The Independent obtained was used in a “relatively small number” of the more than 300 microbusiness applications that his company worked on.

“The applicants in these cases were typically personal contacts of our team members with whom we could envision a mutually beneficial long-term partnership,” Payne said.&nbsp;

Payne founded the cannabis consultancy group Amendment 2 Consultants and is a leader in the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, also known as MoCann Trade. He said the trade association’s law firm — Armstrong Teasdale — wrote the contract.&nbsp;

Even though the firm’s name appears in the contract, Armstrong Teasdale adamantly denies preparing or providing it to Payne.&nbsp;

“The firm had nothing to do with that agreement,” said Jay Wager, Armstrong Teasdale’s acting chief business development director, adding that Payne is not the firm’s client.

When asked if Payne repurposed an agreement written by Armstrong Teasdale without the firm’s permission, Wager said the firm is “too busy” helping their clients to read the agreement to see if the language was theirs.

Payne did not respond to questions about Armstrong Teasdale’s comments.&nbsp;

In response to The Independent’s questions, the Division of Cannabis Regulation said it has opened an investigation into three microbusiness licenses awarded last October and connected to Payne in order to verify that the licenses “continue to be majority owned and operated by eligible individuals,” spokeswoman Lisa Cox said.

The Independent obtained the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25002786-mbd000007-notice-of-investigation-072324" target="_blank">notices of investigation</a>&nbsp;the division sent Tuesday evening to Payne, who is the designated contact for the licenses, giving him seven days to provide documents regulators need to verify ownership.&nbsp;

Garrett Farley said he was approached by Payne this spring to apply for a social-equity dispensary license.&nbsp;

Payne said he would take care of the $1,500 application fee and do all the work to get the dispensary running — and Farley could sit back and get a paycheck when profits rolled in every quarter.&nbsp;

“The way he made it seem,” Farley, who is white, told The Independent, “there was like no catch.”

Farley is a cannabis union organizer — something Payne didn’t know at the time. He said he was curious about the social-equity process, but the way Payne described the deal raised red flags for him. When Payne shared the 47-page agreement, it confirmed Farley’s suspicions.&nbsp;

The moment Farley won a license, his contract states, he’d have to pay nearly $1 million as a “break-up fee” to walk away— even though the only investment the consultant had put in at that point was the $1,500 application fee.&nbsp;

He’d have to immediately set up an LLC, where he would give up almost all control of the business. So if he ever wanted to sell the license he wouldn’t have the voting power to make that choice.

Instead, he’d only get 9.9% of the profits if the license was ever sold.&nbsp;

He’d later have to transfer ownership to the person who would eventually loan the company $1 million in startup costs.

If he failed to do any of these steps, he’d be in breach of contract.&nbsp;

After reviewing the contract, the St. Louis NAACP’s Pruitt compared it to “the slave owner giving me some land to work on. It’s their company, they put up the capital, they’re preparing the applications, they’re paying the fees, they’re managing the business. And if at any time me as the slave fails to do something, I owe them.”

Payne vehemently disagreed with that assessment.

“I see it as a partnership,” Payne told The Independent. “That is an agreement for the long term.”

Payne confirmed that he never told Farley about the break-up fee when they talked about the deal, but he said that was because Armstrong Teasdale had not finished drafting the agreement.&nbsp;

“I did not actually write the agreement, and did not yet have it at that point,” Payne said. “I will say that if I had known that exact figure was in there, yeah, I would have explained that. But there does have to be some provision on what happens if a contract is voided.”

Von Kaenel, the St. Louis corporate governance attorney, said the amount of the breakup fee is significant.&nbsp;

He said the amount is “so far in excess of any damages” that are likely to occur that it “could be considered a punitive provision calculated to limit applicant’s business options.”&nbsp;

While Farley would be entitled to 9.9% of the company’s profits, the LLC must pay Payne a $10,000 monthly consulting fee before the applicant receives any revenue.&nbsp;

“Frankly, that’s a decent deal for helping to essentially manage a lot of the administrative functions of a dispensary,” Payne said. “It is not as if the applicant is on the hook, that it is the business that is on the hook for that.”

All four of the legal experts who analyzed the agreement said it does not meet the constitutional mandate that the business is to be “majority owned and operated” by the eligible applicant.&nbsp;

If Farley won the license, he must set up an LLC and ask the state to approve a name change of the license. After that happens, a board with three managers would be established to make all the top-level decisions about the company.

In Farley’s case, the board would have included one of Payne’s business partners, who Payne said would also be eligible for a microbusiness license because he has a marijuana charge on his record.&nbsp;

The other board manager is fronting the money, Payne said, and is eligible because she lives in a qualifying ZIP code.

Von Kaenel called the board structure the agreement’s “fatal blow,” because it gives Farley only a third of the voting power and a sliver of the company’s equity.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We pay the application fee, we are going to pay for everything to get up and running,” Payne told Farley in a meeting together. “And we’re going to basically put in the work to do that. And in exchange, we would take 90% of the equity, you will keep 10% of the equity.”

Goldberg, the Chicago attorney, said the profit distribution and company control are what the state regulators should be looking at.

“This contract should not get past the state,” he said. “Social-equity applicants are supposed to have control. They’re not supposed to have 10% or one third of the voting power. That’s the whole thing.”

Missouri cannabis law says&nbsp;a person or group cannot have significant voting or financial interest in more than one microbusiness license — or the state can revoke the license.&nbsp;

The contract is between Farley and a consultant group called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25003040-comonca-llc" target="_blank">Comonca LLC</a>, with whom&nbsp;Payne is the registered agent in documents filed with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office.&nbsp;

“The minute Mr. Applicant signs that agreement with the consultant, the consultant already has an interest in the business,” said Wolff, the former state Supreme Court judge.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That’s largely because if the applicant changes his mind and wants to get out of the deal, he owes them $995,750 in liquidated damages, or their expected value of the license, Wolff said.

And if the agreements are the same for all six dispensary licenses connected to Payne in this round, then Payne and his associates indeed have a financial interest in all of these licenses, Wolff said.

Payne told The Independent that none of the applicants with an agreement like Farley’s won a license. He could not elaborate about how many of his applications included agreements that were similar to Farley because either he&nbsp;wasn’t involved in that aspect for all of his clients or he signed a nondisclosure agreement.

Contracts of winning applicants will soon be publicly available now that the latest round of licenses have been issued, and the state has officially begun its post-licensure review.&nbsp;

Payne said he believes the agreement will win the division’s approval.

“It is going to be something that is compliant with what the department requires because I trust the standard of Armstrong’s work,” Payne said.&nbsp;

These are not the first licenses Payne has orchestrated — and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">caused a stir.</a>&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/29/missouri-announces-lottery-results-for-microbusiness-cannabis-licenses/">first round of 48 microbusiness licenses</a>&nbsp;– 16 of which were dispensary licenses – were selected through a lottery last August. Payne’s clients won two dispensary licenses and two wholesale licenses.

One dispensary license was under investigation by the Division of Cannabis Regulators for several months, after the division issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25002783-mbd000007_nopr_121523" target="_blank">letter in December</a>&nbsp;stating that the application was “misleading.”

In its letter to Payne, the state said the licensee “entered an agreement that transfers ownership and operational control to another entity. This is cause for revocation… in violation of” the regulations requiring all owners to be disclosed in the application.&nbsp;

The nature of the agreement also did not allow the state to “verify the microbusiness license will be majority owned and operated by individuals who meet qualifications,” state regulators said in the letter.&nbsp;

The Independent obtained a copy of a redacted contract through a public records request, and the available language is almost identical to the contract offered to Farley.

As with Farley’s contract, last year’s contract states that, “​​Armstrong Teasdale LLP has no conflict of interest in drafting this agreement.” But Wager said the firm could not comment on whether it wrote the contract for this licensee.

Payne was able to submit new documents that satisfied these concerns, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25002784-mbd7_nopr-satisfied_03112024" target="_blank">March 21 letter</a>&nbsp;from the division. The state allowed the applicant to retain the license, but this week opened a new investigation into the ownership structure – along with the two wholesale licenses where Payne is the designated contact.&nbsp;

Cox, the spokeswoman for the Division of Cannabis Regulation, confirmed the investigation focused on the ownership of the license holder but could not offer additional details about the inquiry.&nbsp;

Ownership issues led to the state&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/27/missouri-revokes-nine-social-equity-cannabis-business-licenses-for-out-of-state-companies/">revoking eight microbusiness licenses</a>&nbsp;in the first round last year, she said.

“We will continue to exercise our authority at each stage of this process to ensure the microbusiness program is benefiting the individuals for whom it was so evidently designed,” Cox said.

The state recently approved this licensee’s request to change the name of the license to “<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25003021-green-zebra-llc" target="_blank">Green Zebra LLC</a>,” Cox confirmed. According to the contract, the next step would be to establish a three-member board, leaving the original applicant with one-third of the voting power.&nbsp;

Given the timeline, it’s possible the board structure sparked the state’s inquiry.

Payne did not respond to a request for comment on the state’s investigation, but he previously told The Independent all board members would meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

As for Farley, he never ended up signing the contract to jump into the lottery for a Missouri social-equity license, but said Payne submitted his name anyway.&nbsp;

He didn’t get a license, but on July 3 received a letter from Payne’s group asking him if he would like to submit his name in the Minnesota social equity cannabis license lottery.&nbsp;

Missouri cannabis leader accused of using ‘predatory’ contracts to win social-equity licenses

(Radio Iowa) - The wet spring could lead to a drop in the number of pheasants in Iowa. 

Iowa D-N-R wildlife research biologist Todd Bogenschutz says we went from major drought to major flooding in a pretty short time frame, and the flooding coincided with the peak nesting time. He says hunters had their best harvest last year since 2007. The relatively mild winter helped more pheasants survive, so it's hard to tell what their fall pheasant survey will show. 

Bogenschutz says there are still going to be birds out there, but some areas may see a drop in numbers, particularly in those areas that saw flooding. The annual roadside pheasant surveys are held in August and the results on pheasant numbers will be released in September.

(Radio Iowa) - The wet spring could lead to a drop in the number of pheasants in Iowa. Iowa D-N-R wildlife research biologist Todd Bogenschutz says we went from major drought to major flooding in a pretty short time frame, and the flooding coincided with the peak nesting time. He says hunters had their best harvest last year since 2007. The relatively mild winter helped more pheasants survive, so it's hard to tell what their fall pheasant survey will show. Bogenschutz says there are still going to be birds out there, but some areas may see a drop in numbers, particularly in those areas that saw flooding. The annual roadside pheasant surveys are held in August and the results on pheasant numbers will be released in September.

Wet Spring Could Hurt Pheasant Numbers

LACLEDE COUNTY —A Missouri teen died in an accident just after 8p.m. Thursday in Laclede County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Jeep Wrangler driven by James L. Richardson, 47, Lebanon, was westbound on Highway 32 ten miles west of Lebanon.

A 14-year-old girl jumped from the Jeep.&nbsp; Mercy Lifeline air ambulance transported her to Mercy Springfield where she was pronounced deceased. The driver was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

LACLEDE COUNTY —A Missouri teen died in an accident just after 8p.m. Thursday in Laclede County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Jeep Wrangler driven by James L. Richardson, 47, Lebanon, was westbound on Highway 32 ten miles west of Lebanon.A 14-year-old girl jumped from the Jeep.&nbsp; Mercy Lifeline air ambulance transported her to Mercy Springfield where she was pronounced deceased. The driver was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen dies after jumping from moving vehicle

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/chase-woodruff/">CHASE WOODRUFF</a>

A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in February&nbsp;<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-Complaint-Public.pdf" target="_blank">sued</a>&nbsp;to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, and Albertsons, which operates the Safeway brand. Weiser’s suit alleges that the deal violates state antitrust laws and would have “harmful impacts on consumers, workers, and suppliers.” The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson have also challenged the merger in court.

Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen on Thursday granted Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction against the merger, barring the two companies from completing their deal before a ruling is issued in the case.

“Based on the evidence presented by the State in its Motion and the Joint Stipulation, the Court finds there is a reasonable probability that the State will prove its claims against Defendants at trial,” Luxen wrote in his order.

Hearings on Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction was scheduled to begin Aug. 12. The companies agreed to the temporary injunction “to conserve judicial and party resources,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2024/07/2024-07-24-Joint-Stipulated-Order-for-Temporary-Injunctive-Relief.pdf" target="_blank">stipulation</a>&nbsp;filed with the court Wednesday, and the case will instead proceed to trial in the fall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721996032601.png" alt="Workers and community members form a picket line outside a Denver King Soopers, after United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 began a strike over stalled labor negotiations on Jan. 12, 2021. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)" />
 <figcaption>Workers and community members form a picket line outside a Denver King Soopers, after United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 began a strike over stalled labor negotiations on Jan. 12, 2021. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/chase-woodruff/">CHASE WOODRUFF</a>A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September.Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in February&nbsp;<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-Complaint-Public.pdf" target="_blank">sued</a>&nbsp;to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, and Albertsons, which operates the Safeway brand. Weiser’s suit alleges that the deal violates state antitrust laws and would have “harmful impacts on consumers, workers, and suppliers.” The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson have also challenged the merger in court.Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen on Thursday granted Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction against the merger, barring the two companies from completing their deal before a ruling is issued in the case.“Based on the evidence presented by the State in its Motion and the Joint Stipulation, the Court finds there is a reasonable probability that the State will prove its claims against Defendants at trial,” Luxen wrote in his order.Hearings on Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction was scheduled to begin Aug. 12. The companies agreed to the temporary injunction “to conserve judicial and party resources,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2024/07/2024-07-24-Joint-Stipulated-Order-for-Temporary-Injunctive-Relief.pdf" target="_blank">stipulation</a>&nbsp;filed with the court Wednesday, and the case will instead proceed to trial in the fall.“I am pleased that Kroger and Albertsons agreed to halt their plans to merge until the court rules on the state’s lawsuit to permanently block the grocery merger,” Weiser said in a statement. “This is great news for shoppers, workers, farmers, and other suppliers, who can rest assured that this megamerger will not go into effect during harvest season and while kids are headed back to school.”Kroger, based in Ohio, operates more than 2,700 stores and Albertsons, based in Idaho, operates more than 2,200 stores across the country. Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons, one of the largest retail mergers ever proposed, has been opposed by labor unions and consumer advocates who fear that the consolidation could lead to higher prices and decreased wages and bargaining power for workers.The companies last month&nbsp;<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/2024/07/11/colorado-workers-kroger-albertsons-divest-merger/" target="_blank">detailed a divestiture plan</a>&nbsp;in which they propose to sell 579 locations nationwide — including 91 Safeway stores in Colorado — to New Hampshire-based C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers, in a bid to allay antitrust concerns. But critics of the plan paint C&amp;S, a supplier that currently operates just 23 retail locations nationwide, as a struggling company with shaky finances, unequipped to operate 579 newly acquired stores as an “effective competitor” to the merged Kroger-Albertsons behemoth.“We cannot entrust our grocery stores — which are integral to our communities and our workers — to the untested, inexperienced C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers,” United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 President Kim Cordova, whose union represents more than 23,000 King Soopers and Safeway workers in Colorado and Wyoming, said in a statement earlier this month.In addition to other antitrust concerns, Weiser’s yearlong investigation into the merger uncovered evidence of alleged collusion between Kroger and Albertsons during a January 2022 strike by UCFW Local 7 workers at Colorado King Soopers stores: “no-poach” and “non-solicitation” deals in which Albertsons agreed not to hire striking King Soopers employees or to attract King Soopers pharmacy customers.A two-week trial in the Colorado case is scheduled to begin Sept. 30.“My office looks forward to making the case that this merger will eliminate competition and impact food prices, jobs, and consumer choice,” Weiser said.<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-judge-blocks-kroger-albertsons/" target="_blank">This story</a>&nbsp;was produced by Colorado Newsline.

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