WASHINGTON–&nbsp;U.S. Senator&nbsp;Roger&nbsp;Marshall joined Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) in introducing the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/services/files/86DB540C-CD52-4153-8815-3EF1F1A355AC">Locating Every Disbursement in Government Expenditure Records (LEDGER) Act</a>, which would require the U.S. Department of Treasury to track all payments after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) found $4.7 trillion in payments&nbsp;that were&nbsp;left unmarked and untraceable, according to a media release from Marshall's office.

“Our national debt has ballooned to&nbsp;over $36 trillion.&nbsp;Just last year, we spent more than $1 trillion on interest payments, and both figures continue to grow because&nbsp;of unbelievable waste, fraud, and abuse in our government,”&nbsp;said Senator&nbsp;Marshall.&nbsp;“The latest revelation that $4.7 trillion in Treasury payments were&nbsp;missing important traceability codes is disgraceful. The American people deserve answers and accountability, and this only reinforces why the work of&nbsp;DOGE&nbsp;is so critical to getting America’s financial house back in order.&nbsp;I am proud to stand alongside Senator Scott to make these traceability codes mandatory in order to enhance payment integrity.”

“Washington’s dysfunction was at an all-time high before President Trump took office this January. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a massive expansion of government, spending trillions of tax dollars with reckless abandon and nearly zero accountability or consideration of Americans’ best interests, adding $8 trillion to the now $36 trillion federal debt and running a $2 trillion deficit,”&nbsp;said Senator Scott.&nbsp;“The federal government&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/DOGE/status/1880282226727817715">hadn’t</a>&nbsp;completed a comprehensive review since before the world wide web existed when the federal budget was under $1 trillion. That’s changing as President Trump, Treasury Secretary Bessent, DOGE, and the entire administration work to streamline government and crack down on wasteful spending. Like many Americans, I was outraged by DOGE’s findings that the U.S. Treasury made $4.7 trillion in payments that were completely unmarked, unlabeled and therefore, untraceable and unaccountable to the American people. My bill, the&nbsp;LEDGER Act, fixes that by requiring Treasury to track every payment made using Americans’ tax dollars. There’s not a single family or business in America that operates this way – we look at our bank accounts and credit card statements to make sure we know where our money is going and stay on budget. I brought the same common sense of every American family and business as Governor of Florida to get spending under control and balance the budget, and we can do the same on the federal level to save the American dream and support the great work of President Trump, Secretary Bessent and DOGE.”

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/SRS-Bill-LEDGER-Act.pdf">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read the full bill text.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741300124075.png" alt="File photo Elon Musk during President Trump address to Congress last month-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo Elon Musk during President Trump address to Congress last month-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON–&nbsp;U.S. Senator&nbsp;Roger&nbsp;Marshall joined Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) in introducing the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/services/files/86DB540C-CD52-4153-8815-3EF1F1A355AC">Locating Every Disbursement in Government Expenditure Records (LEDGER) Act</a>, which would require the U.S. Department of Treasury to track all payments after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) found $4.7 trillion in payments&nbsp;that were&nbsp;left unmarked and untraceable, according to a media release from Marshall's office.“Our national debt has ballooned to&nbsp;over $36 trillion.&nbsp;Just last year, we spent more than $1 trillion on interest payments, and both figures continue to grow because&nbsp;of unbelievable waste, fraud, and abuse in our government,”&nbsp;said Senator&nbsp;Marshall.&nbsp;“The latest revelation that $4.7 trillion in Treasury payments were&nbsp;missing important traceability codes is disgraceful. The American people deserve answers and accountability, and this only reinforces why the work of&nbsp;DOGE&nbsp;is so critical to getting America’s financial house back in order.&nbsp;I am proud to stand alongside Senator Scott to make these traceability codes mandatory in order to enhance payment integrity.”“Washington’s dysfunction was at an all-time high before President Trump took office this January. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a massive expansion of government, spending trillions of tax dollars with reckless abandon and nearly zero accountability or consideration of Americans’ best interests, adding $8 trillion to the now $36 trillion federal debt and running a $2 trillion deficit,”&nbsp;said Senator Scott.&nbsp;“The federal government&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/DOGE/status/1880282226727817715">hadn’t</a>&nbsp;completed a comprehensive review since before the world wide web existed when the federal budget was under $1 trillion. That’s changing as President Trump, Treasury Secretary Bessent, DOGE, and the entire administration work to streamline government and crack down on wasteful spending. Like many Americans, I was outraged by DOGE’s findings that the U.S. Treasury made $4.7 trillion in payments that were completely unmarked, unlabeled and therefore, untraceable and unaccountable to the American people. My bill, the&nbsp;LEDGER Act, fixes that by requiring Treasury to track every payment made using Americans’ tax dollars. There’s not a single family or business in America that operates this way – we look at our bank accounts and credit card statements to make sure we know where our money is going and stay on budget. I brought the same common sense of every American family and business as Governor of Florida to get spending under control and balance the budget, and we can do the same on the federal level to save the American dream and support the great work of President Trump, Secretary Bessent and DOGE.”Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/SRS-Bill-LEDGER-Act.pdf">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read the full bill text.Background:<ul>
 <li>Senator&nbsp;Marshall&nbsp;is a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshall-key-member-on-senate-doge-caucus-to-eliminate-government-waste-and-inefficiency/">founding member of the Senate DOGE Caucus</a>&nbsp;and has long fought against wasteful government spending, fraud, and abuse that have burdened Americans with trillions of dollars in debt.</li><li>To date,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doge.gov/savings">according to its website</a>, DOGE has cut over $130 billion in waste, fraud, and abuse.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Kan. US. Senator takes action after DOGE found $4.7T in untraceable Treasury payments

The proposals would allow state tax support for new facilities in Clay County, where the Royals are considering a new stadium and the Chiefs are mulling a new training center

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

Two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=5391365" target="_blank">identical bills</a>&nbsp;to give state backing for a new sports and convention center in Clay County are&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/24/jackson-clay-county-lawmakers-jostling-to-keep-the-royals-and-chiefs-in-missouri/">not an attempt to poach</a>&nbsp;the Kansas City Chiefs or Royals from Jackson County, legislators were told Monday during a Senate committee hearing.

Instead, the bill sponsors said, the intent is to provide another location for new facilities for one or both of the teams in order to ensure they stay in Missouri .

“This has never been about pitting Jackson against Clay County,” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from the Clay County portion of Kansas City. “This is making sure that the teams have all the options on the table to find a spot that will work well for them.”

Nurrenbern, who represents about two-thirds of Clay County, was joined by state Sen. Kurtis Gregory, a Republican from Marshall whose district has the remainder of Clay County.

As he ran for the Senate last year, Gregory said, he was asked repeatedly what could be done to keep the teams in Missouri.&nbsp;

“If they go to another state, we’re looking at easily another 50, 60, 70 years, before we’ve got a shot to get them back,” he said.

With only seven weeks to go in the session, Gregory said after the hearing that he and Nurrenbern will be looking for a bill that can be amended to carry the legislation.

The bills would authorize a new Clay County Sports Complex Authority, modeled on the Jackson County organization that owns the Truman Sports Complex in eastern Kansas City where the Chiefs play home games in Arrowhead Stadium and the Royals play next door in Kauffman Stadium. The stadiums were built in the 1960s and leases for both teams run through the end of the 2030 season.

The bill would authorize a state payment of up to $3 million annually to support the authority if it leases its facility to a team in the NFL, NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball. The payment would only be made if lawmakers approve it in annual appropriation bills and only in an amount equal to the support from local governments.

The likelihood one or both teams will move is high after Kansas lawmakers last year passed several incentives intended to lure them across the state line.

The Royals first announced an intention to leave Kauffman Stadium&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article287849540.html" target="_blank">in November 2022</a>. The move would allow the Chiefs to remain in Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman and build a covered entertainment center.

In the spring of 2023, Clay County leaders announced interest in building a stadium in North Kansas City that could become the Royals new home.

Soon after Clay County entered the conversation, a poll was leaked to the media widely seen as an effort to discredit the offer. It showed 70% of Clay County voters opposed a new sales tax to fund a stadium in North Kansas City.&nbsp;

No one took responsibility for the poll at the time. It wasn’t until more than a year later that documents provided to The Independent revealed it was a political action committee formed to support Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/13/campaign-committee-controlled-by-kc-mayor-requested-poll-he-denied-involvement-in/">paid for the Clay County polling</a>.

The effort to relocate the Royals to a new downtown stadium stalled when voters last year rejected a proposal to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium.

Clay County is angling for both the Royals’ new home and for a new Chiefs training facility.

Clay County officials testifying Monday said their top priority is to find a solution to team facility needs that keeps both teams in Missouri.

“We have worked with local businesses, and we have worked with the local municipalities to make sure that we are all speaking with one voice, and it would be our pleasure to be able to add our voice to that of the state of Missouri,” Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte said.

But if the teams stay put at the Truman Sports Complex, move downtown or cross the state line, having the authority structure will help Clay County compete for other business, Clay County Associate Commissioner Scott Wagner said.

“This tool,” Wagner said, “can be helpful to us in the future for other sorts of teams, other sorts of opportunities that could potentially come to Clay County.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743503225884.png" alt=" State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, right, listens as Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte speaks Monday in favor of her bill authorizing a Clay County sports and convention center authority. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, right, listens as Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte speaks Monday in favor of her bill authorizing a Clay County sports and convention center authority. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The proposals would allow state tax support for new facilities in Clay County, where the Royals are considering a new stadium and the Chiefs are mulling a new training center</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=5391365" target="_blank">identical bills</a>&nbsp;to give state backing for a new sports and convention center in Clay County are&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/24/jackson-clay-county-lawmakers-jostling-to-keep-the-royals-and-chiefs-in-missouri/">not an attempt to poach</a>&nbsp;the Kansas City Chiefs or Royals from Jackson County, legislators were told Monday during a Senate committee hearing.Instead, the bill sponsors said, the intent is to provide another location for new facilities for one or both of the teams in order to ensure they stay in Missouri .“This has never been about pitting Jackson against Clay County,” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from the Clay County portion of Kansas City. “This is making sure that the teams have all the options on the table to find a spot that will work well for them.”Nurrenbern, who represents about two-thirds of Clay County, was joined by state Sen. Kurtis Gregory, a Republican from Marshall whose district has the remainder of Clay County.As he ran for the Senate last year, Gregory said, he was asked repeatedly what could be done to keep the teams in Missouri.&nbsp;“If they go to another state, we’re looking at easily another 50, 60, 70 years, before we’ve got a shot to get them back,” he said.With only seven weeks to go in the session, Gregory said after the hearing that he and Nurrenbern will be looking for a bill that can be amended to carry the legislation.The bills would authorize a new Clay County Sports Complex Authority, modeled on the Jackson County organization that owns the Truman Sports Complex in eastern Kansas City where the Chiefs play home games in Arrowhead Stadium and the Royals play next door in Kauffman Stadium. The stadiums were built in the 1960s and leases for both teams run through the end of the 2030 season.The bill would authorize a state payment of up to $3 million annually to support the authority if it leases its facility to a team in the NFL, NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball. The payment would only be made if lawmakers approve it in annual appropriation bills and only in an amount equal to the support from local governments.The likelihood one or both teams will move is high after Kansas lawmakers last year passed several incentives intended to lure them across the state line.The Royals first announced an intention to leave Kauffman Stadium&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article287849540.html" target="_blank">in November 2022</a>. The move would allow the Chiefs to remain in Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman and build a covered entertainment center.In the spring of 2023, Clay County leaders announced interest in building a stadium in North Kansas City that could become the Royals new home.Soon after Clay County entered the conversation, a poll was leaked to the media widely seen as an effort to discredit the offer. It showed 70% of Clay County voters opposed a new sales tax to fund a stadium in North Kansas City.&nbsp;No one took responsibility for the poll at the time. It wasn’t until more than a year later that documents provided to The Independent revealed it was a political action committee formed to support Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/13/campaign-committee-controlled-by-kc-mayor-requested-poll-he-denied-involvement-in/">paid for the Clay County polling</a>.The effort to relocate the Royals to a new downtown stadium stalled when voters last year rejected a proposal to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium.Clay County is angling for both the Royals’ new home and for a new Chiefs training facility.Clay County officials testifying Monday said their top priority is to find a solution to team facility needs that keeps both teams in Missouri.“We have worked with local businesses, and we have worked with the local municipalities to make sure that we are all speaking with one voice, and it would be our pleasure to be able to add our voice to that of the state of Missouri,” Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte said.But if the teams stay put at the Truman Sports Complex, move downtown or cross the state line, having the authority structure will help Clay County compete for other business, Clay County Associate Commissioner Scott Wagner said.“This tool,” Wagner said, “can be helpful to us in the future for other sorts of teams, other sorts of opportunities that could potentially come to Clay County.”

Missouri Senators debate bill to open the door to Royals stadium in Clay County

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Economic Development Authority's proposed overhaul of state tax credits has cleared initial review in the House and Senate. 

The changes would include limiting the money spent on research and development tax credits to 40 million dollars per year and putting more money into housing tax credits. A new five million dollar credit would be available to encourage production of sustainable aviation fuel. 

During testimony at the legislature, Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham said some of the state's current incentives were designed to compensate for Iowa not having competitive tax policies -- but they're no longer needed since lawmakers have significantly Iowa's individual income tax rate and the corporate tax rate.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Economic Development Authority's proposed overhaul of state tax credits has cleared initial review in the House and Senate. The changes would include limiting the money spent on research and development tax credits to 40 million dollars per year and putting more money into housing tax credits. A new five million dollar credit would be available to encourage production of sustainable aviation fuel. During testimony at the legislature, Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham said some of the state's current incentives were designed to compensate for Iowa not having competitive tax policies -- but they're no longer needed since lawmakers have significantly Iowa's individual income tax rate and the corporate tax rate.

Reynolds Administration proposes overhaul of some state tax credits

(Radio Iowa) - After parts of Iowa saw near-record high temperatures in the 70s and 80s on Friday, the weekend wrapped up with snow in some areas on Sunday afternoon. 

National Weather Service Meteorologist Andrew Ansorge says snowfall amounts included about a third of an inch in Des Moines and two inches in Fort Dodge. He suggests you keep a close eye on the forecast as another round of storms will move through the state Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing a chance for large hail and damaging wind gusts.

(Radio Iowa) - After parts of Iowa saw near-record high temperatures in the 70s and 80s on Friday, the weekend wrapped up with snow in some areas on Sunday afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Andrew Ansorge says snowfall amounts included about a third of an inch in Des Moines and two inches in Fort Dodge. He suggests you keep a close eye on the forecast as another round of storms will move through the state Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing a chance for large hail and damaging wind gusts.

Following a warm and snowy weekend, Iowans need to stay weather aware

(Radio Iowa) - Two S-U-V's collided in rural Council Bluffs on Saturday, killing one woman and leaving another woman and a child injured. 

Authorities say one of the vehicles, driven by Renrenay Marie Thomas of Glenwood, went out of control and crossed the center line of Wahbash Avenue near Ashwood Road, before hitting the other S-U-V, driven by Theresa Ellsworth of Council Bluffs. Thomas had to be extricated from her vehicle. She died from her injuries at the hospital. 

Ellsworth and a nine-year old child in her S-U-V were transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

(Radio Iowa) - Two S-U-V's collided in rural Council Bluffs on Saturday, killing one woman and leaving another woman and a child injured. Authorities say one of the vehicles, driven by Renrenay Marie Thomas of Glenwood, went out of control and crossed the center line of Wahbash Avenue near Ashwood Road, before hitting the other S-U-V, driven by Theresa Ellsworth of Council Bluffs. Thomas had to be extricated from her vehicle. She died from her injuries at the hospital. Ellsworth and a nine-year old child in her S-U-V were transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Weekend crash in Southwest Iowa kills one, injures two

The Pony Express Museum will celebrate 165 years of spreading the history of mail service to the West, by letting people in for free this coming weekend.  

Executive Director Cindy Daffron says to celebrate the anniversary, the entire campus of the museum will open to everyone for free 

"St. Joe is always telling me, you're never open, I can't ever go there, well I'm telling you right now I've got the money collected, it's free days," Daffron tells KFEQ News.  "So the 3rd, the 4th, the 5th, the 6th are all free days into all those facilities, so I'm really hoping people will take advantage of it, if not there's people coming from South Carolina and all kinds of different places, so you need to come and check it out." 

Daffron says on April 4th there will be music in the board room, and you can also pay a visit to Dick and Mignon's Soda Shop 

"You can get a sarsaparilla, you can get a root beer but knock yourself out because I've got a mug and you can also get a root beer float," Daffron explains.  "So those things you pay for, and on the way out you need to get a chocolate bar."  

Daffron encourages everyone to come visit the museum April 3rd through the 6th for free 

"You don't need your wallet, if you want to give a donation that's really fine, but you can come and enjoy our campus," Daffron says.  "Now it's the only time that I know of that I'm going to have everything open, it takes a lot of volunteers folks to pull off all of this getting all of these buildings open, but it's really our pleasure." 

There will also be several other events surrounding the anniversary weekend.  The museum will be open from 9am to 5pm each day.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644606840719.jpeg" alt="Pony Express Stables R.JPG" />
 <figcaption>Pony Express Stables R.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Pony Express Museum will celebrate 165 years of spreading the history of mail service to the West, by letting people in for free this coming weekend. Executive Director Cindy Daffron says to celebrate the anniversary, the entire campus of the museum will open to everyone for free "St. Joe is always telling me, you're never open, I can't ever go there, well I'm telling you right now I've got the money collected, it's free days," Daffron tells KFEQ News. "So the 3rd, the 4th, the 5th, the 6th are all free days into all those facilities, so I'm really hoping people will take advantage of it, if not there's people coming from South Carolina and all kinds of different places, so you need to come and check it out." Daffron says on April 4th there will be music in the board room, and you can also pay a visit to Dick and Mignon's Soda Shop "You can get a sarsaparilla, you can get a root beer but knock yourself out because I've got a mug and you can also get a root beer float," Daffron explains. "So those things you pay for, and on the way out you need to get a chocolate bar." Daffron encourages everyone to come visit the museum April 3rd through the 6th for free "You don't need your wallet, if you want to give a donation that's really fine, but you can come and enjoy our campus," Daffron says. "Now it's the only time that I know of that I'm going to have everything open, it takes a lot of volunteers folks to pull off all of this getting all of these buildings open, but it's really our pleasure." There will also be several other events surrounding the anniversary weekend. The museum will be open from 9am to 5pm each day.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Pony Express Museum opens doors for 165th anniversary for free

Following the sudden resignation after one season by Ashton Feldhaus, the Missouri Western Lady Griffons have tabbed the next man up to lead the program, one of the most successful coaches in the junior college ranks.&nbsp;

Missouri Western Athletic Director Andy Carter announced&nbsp;Luke Scheidecker as the 11th head coach in program history today.&nbsp; Scheidecker, a native of Smithville, comes to St. Joseph after a historic stint with Wabash Valley College where he compiled a career record of&nbsp;231-22, a .913 winning percentage, with stints between&nbsp;2016-18 and&nbsp;2020-2025

Most recently,&nbsp;Scheidecker led the Lady Warriors to a 31-3 record, and an exit in the third round of the NJCAA tournament this past Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Luke is an outstanding recruiter and head coach with lots of basketball experience, Carter said in a news release. "It is why he was a finalist less than a year ago during our search. His ties to the region and his success speak for themselves" 

"He is a leader and understands the importance and value of building relationships with the members of his team. I am grateful to have him on our team"

Scheidecker, the 2024 WBCA Two-Year National Coach of the Year, has received numerous accolades, including six NJCAA Region 24 Coach of the Year awards and six Midwest District Coach of the Year honors at WVC. He's also been named the Illinois Basketball Coaches' Association College Coach of the Year five times.&nbsp; Under his leadership, Wabash Valley College has made six appearances in the National Tournament and have won six Great Rivers Athletic Conference Championships. 

"I am excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Missouri Western women's basketball tradition," Scheidecker said. "Being from the area, I am very familiar with Mo West and its success in one of the toughest conferences in the country. I want to thank Andy Carter and Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy for entrusting me with this position."

Scheidecker also has a connection already to the university.&nbsp; His wife, Tori, was a Missouri Western Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant from 2019-2021. She was also a standout player at Butler University, earning All-Big East honors three times. They have two children - nine-year-old son, Cade, and six-year-old daughter, Brynn.

Scheidecker will be officially introduced at a press conference on Friday, April 4th at 12pm in the Spratt Stadium Hall of Fame room. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743441895017.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western has hired&nbsp;Luke Scheidecker as the 11th head coach in program history/ Photo courtesy of Wabash Valley College" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western has hired&nbsp;Luke Scheidecker as the 11th head coach in program history/ Photo courtesy of Wabash Valley College</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostFollowing the sudden resignation after one season by Ashton Feldhaus, the Missouri Western Lady Griffons have tabbed the next man up to lead the program, one of the most successful coaches in the junior college ranks.&nbsp;Missouri Western Athletic Director Andy Carter announced&nbsp;Luke Scheidecker as the 11th head coach in program history today.&nbsp; Scheidecker, a native of Smithville, comes to St. Joseph after a historic stint with Wabash Valley College where he compiled a career record of&nbsp;231-22, a .913 winning percentage, with stints between&nbsp;2016-18 and&nbsp;2020-2025Most recently,&nbsp;Scheidecker led the Lady Warriors to a 31-3 record, and an exit in the third round of the NJCAA tournament this past Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Luke is an outstanding recruiter and head coach with lots of basketball experience, Carter said in a news release. "It is why he was a finalist less than a year ago during our search. His ties to the region and his success speak for themselves" "He is a leader and understands the importance and value of building relationships with the members of his team. I am grateful to have him on our team"Scheidecker, the 2024 WBCA Two-Year National Coach of the Year, has received numerous accolades, including six NJCAA Region 24 Coach of the Year awards and six Midwest District Coach of the Year honors at WVC. He's also been named the Illinois Basketball Coaches' Association College Coach of the Year five times.&nbsp; Under his leadership, Wabash Valley College has made six appearances in the National Tournament and have won six Great Rivers Athletic Conference Championships. "I am excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Missouri Western women's basketball tradition," Scheidecker said. "Being from the area, I am very familiar with Mo West and its success in one of the toughest conferences in the country. I want to thank Andy Carter and Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy for entrusting me with this position."Scheidecker also has a connection already to the university.&nbsp; His wife, Tori, was a Missouri Western Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant from 2019-2021. She was also a standout player at Butler University, earning All-Big East honors three times. They have two children - nine-year-old son, Cade, and six-year-old daughter, Brynn.Scheidecker will be officially introduced at a press conference on Friday, April 4th at 12pm in the Spratt Stadium Hall of Fame room. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

MWSU brings on Luke Scheidecker as new women's basketball coach

(Radio Iowa) - An analysis by an Iowa-based think tank has found the percentage of working age men who have a job or are looking for work is falling faster in Iowa than in the country as a whole.

Ben Murrey -- director of policy and research at the Common Sense Institute -- says it's a significant, but under-recognized challenge in Iowa's economy. The group's report -- titled "Where are the men?" -- found Iowa men between the ages 25 and 54 who do not have a college degree are 39 percent less likely to be in the workforce compared with to those with a degree. 

Never-married Iowa men are 51 percent less likely to be in the labor market than married men. And working age Iowa men who live with a relative are 61 percent less likely to be employed or seeking a job compared to men live alone or are the head of their household.

(Radio Iowa) - An analysis by an Iowa-based think tank has found the percentage of working age men who have a job or are looking for work is falling faster in Iowa than in the country as a whole.Ben Murrey -- director of policy and research at the Common Sense Institute -- says it's a significant, but under-recognized challenge in Iowa's economy. The group's report -- titled "Where are the men?" -- found Iowa men between the ages 25 and 54 who do not have a college degree are 39 percent less likely to be in the workforce compared with to those with a degree. Never-married Iowa men are 51 percent less likely to be in the labor market than married men. And working age Iowa men who live with a relative are 61 percent less likely to be employed or seeking a job compared to men live alone or are the head of their household.

Report finds significant drop in percentage of Iowa men in workforce

A St. Joseph man is accused of
stealing the identity of a Minnesota man for years, using it to get work.

Federal prosecutors have charged
42-year-old Romeo Perez-Bravo with aggravated identity theft and misuse of a
Social Security number.

The Social Security
Administration began its investigation after receiving a tip from the St.
Joseph Police Department. Social Security claims Perez-Bravo has been living in
St. Joseph and using the identity to work for local area employers since 2009. The victim reported
the identity theft when he began to receive unpaid income tax bills from the
IRS.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man is accused of
stealing the identity of a Minnesota man for years, using it to get work.Federal prosecutors have charged
42-year-old Romeo Perez-Bravo with aggravated identity theft and misuse of a
Social Security number.The Social Security
Administration began its investigation after receiving a tip from the St.
Joseph Police Department. Social Security claims Perez-Bravo has been living in
St. Joseph and using the identity to work for local area employers since 2009. The victim reported
the identity theft when he began to receive unpaid income tax bills from the
IRS.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joe man accused of stealing Minnesota man ID for years

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/natanyafriedheim/">NATANYA FRIEDHEIM</a>

A bill in the Missouri Senate’s education committee concerning religion in the classroom had senators, faith-based leaders and school advocates at odds Tuesday.

If passed, Senate Bill 594 would require classrooms to display a poster of at least 11 inches by 14 inches with the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Missouri students would see the words “I AM THE LORD thy God” followed by the Ten Commandments posted in every public and charter school classroom they enter.

“I honestly believe that when prayer went out of schools, and religion was removed from schools, that guns came in and violence came in,” the bill sponsor, state Sen. Jamie Burger, a Benton Republican, said during the hearing.

In opposition to the bill, Democratic state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City expressed concern about the costs of potential litigation. She also opposed the bill on principle. “This goes against the very founding of our nation,” she said.

Burger disagreed. After a back and forth, he said, “You know one thing, I think, when they talk about separation of church and state, I think they were talking about, we don’t want any church ran by the state. That’s my feelings. That’s my interpretation.”

Faith leaders testified both in support of and opposition to the bill — and people on both sides took issue with the version of the Ten Commandments included in the bill.

Faiths that adhere to the Ten Commandments, including Judaism, Catholicism and Lutheranism, have different versions of it, so the bill would “take sides in a deeply theological debate,” said Brian Kaylor, a Baptist minister and president of Word &amp; Way, an online publication.

“This bill would make many students feel like second-class citizens in their own classrooms, just because they come from a religious tradition that lists the Ten Commandments differently, they adhere to a religious faith that does not even include the Ten Commandments, or they have no faith at all,” he added.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed a similar bill into law last year. A federal judge blocked the law in November, and the state appealed the court’s decision.

In 1980’s Stone v. Graham decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar law in Kentucky violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which states “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion.”

For Sage Coram of the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, the bill violates the U.S. and Missouri constitutions. Children are required to attend school, and SB 594 could pressure students into adopting the state’s preferred religion, usurping parents’ right to choose what religious doctrine, if any, to instill in their children, Coram said at the hearing.

Bev Ehlen of Liberty Link Missouri supported the bill but asked that “kill” be replaced with “murder” in “Thou shalt not kill.”

State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, who chairs the education committee, spoke at length in favor of the measure. He cited his belief that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation.

“We just need to be willing to plant that flag,” Brattin said, “that God, and the God of the Ten Commandments, is who gave us this amazing nation, and we need to be able to reflect and look at that.”

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/senate-bill-proposes-religious-doctrine-become-a-staple-in-missouri-classrooms/article_a2eacad6-e8d2-44e9-9ad2-946cf929cd30.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743422862506.png" alt="State Sen. Jamie Burger is introduced to the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session in January (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Jamie Burger is introduced to the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session in January (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/natanyafriedheim/">NATANYA FRIEDHEIM</a>A bill in the Missouri Senate’s education committee concerning religion in the classroom had senators, faith-based leaders and school advocates at odds Tuesday.If passed, Senate Bill 594 would require classrooms to display a poster of at least 11 inches by 14 inches with the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” beginning Jan. 1, 2026.Missouri students would see the words “I AM THE LORD thy God” followed by the Ten Commandments posted in every public and charter school classroom they enter.“I honestly believe that when prayer went out of schools, and religion was removed from schools, that guns came in and violence came in,” the bill sponsor, state Sen. Jamie Burger, a Benton Republican, said during the hearing.In opposition to the bill, Democratic state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City expressed concern about the costs of potential litigation. She also opposed the bill on principle. “This goes against the very founding of our nation,” she said.Burger disagreed. After a back and forth, he said, “You know one thing, I think, when they talk about separation of church and state, I think they were talking about, we don’t want any church ran by the state. That’s my feelings. That’s my interpretation.”Faith leaders testified both in support of and opposition to the bill — and people on both sides took issue with the version of the Ten Commandments included in the bill.Faiths that adhere to the Ten Commandments, including Judaism, Catholicism and Lutheranism, have different versions of it, so the bill would “take sides in a deeply theological debate,” said Brian Kaylor, a Baptist minister and president of Word &amp; Way, an online publication.“This bill would make many students feel like second-class citizens in their own classrooms, just because they come from a religious tradition that lists the Ten Commandments differently, they adhere to a religious faith that does not even include the Ten Commandments, or they have no faith at all,” he added.Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed a similar bill into law last year. A federal judge blocked the law in November, and the state appealed the court’s decision.In 1980’s Stone v. Graham decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar law in Kentucky violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which states “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion.”For Sage Coram of the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, the bill violates the U.S. and Missouri constitutions. Children are required to attend school, and SB 594 could pressure students into adopting the state’s preferred religion, usurping parents’ right to choose what religious doctrine, if any, to instill in their children, Coram said at the hearing.Bev Ehlen of Liberty Link Missouri supported the bill but asked that “kill” be replaced with “murder” in “Thou shalt not kill.”State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, who chairs the education committee, spoke at length in favor of the measure. He cited his belief that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation.“We just need to be willing to plant that flag,” Brattin said, “that God, and the God of the Ten Commandments, is who gave us this amazing nation, and we need to be able to reflect and look at that.”This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/senate-bill-proposes-religious-doctrine-become-a-staple-in-missouri-classrooms/article_a2eacad6-e8d2-44e9-9ad2-946cf929cd30.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

GOP lawmaker proposes bill to require Ten Commandments in Missouri schools

The cuts could lead to nearly 30,000 jobs lost across Missouri and Kansas health care systems and food suppliers, a new study found.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/meg-cunningham/">MEG CUNNINGHAM</a> <a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/03/25/missouri-kansas-medicaid-snap-cuts-2025/">The Beacon</a>

As Congress looks to cut billions of dollars in federal spending over the next decade, states are anxiously awaiting how current proposed cuts to Medicaid and other programs may impact their own budgets and benefits their residents receive.&nbsp;

The Republican-controlled Congress is asking committees to slash their budgets over the next decade by $1.5 trillion and pay for a $4.5 trillion extension of tax cuts endorsed by President Donald Trump in 2017. Those tax cuts largely benefit corporations and wealthy Americans.&nbsp;

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said in an analysis that to cut the amount of spending the Trump administration is requesting,&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/03/03/medicaid-cuts-missouri-mo-healthnet/">cuts to Medicaid</a>&nbsp;and Medicare are inevitable.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-budget-resolution-republicans/">Under the plan</a>&nbsp;proposed by the House of Representatives, Medicaid, the joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for people whose income and resources are very limited, could be subject to $880 billion in cuts over the next 10 years.&nbsp;

And the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to low-income families, would see about $230 billion in cuts over the same period.&nbsp;

The plan could result in a $95 billion loss in federal funding for states in 2026 alone, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2025/mar/how-cuts-medicaid-snap-could-trigger-job-loss-state-revenue">new report from the Commonwealth Fund</a>. And as the details are ironed out, the report shows that Missouri and Kansas have plenty on the line when it comes to their federal funding and potential economic slowdown in their states.&nbsp;

Missouri could see a $2 billion reduction in federal funding across Medicaid and SNAP over the next decade, according to the report. 

Kansas, which has not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act and receives less federal money as a result, stands to lose $485 million in federal funds over the same period.&nbsp;

Researchers at the Commonwealth Fund, a group that studies health care access, also found that the downstream economic effects of potential cuts could mean more than a $2.4 billion hit in Missouri’s gross domestic product in 2026 alone. 

In Kansas, the cuts could amount to $556 million in economic losses through ripple effects such as cuts to jobs in hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, agriculture and more.&nbsp;

“If a nurse in a hospital loses her job because of a cutback, then that means she can’t afford to do things like pay her rent or pay her grocery bills,” said Leighton Ku, one of the study’s lead researchers and the director of the Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University. “So there are repercussions that ripple through the rest of the economy.”&nbsp;

What’s at stake with cuts in Missouri and Kansas

The study found that if $880 billion in federal Medicaid funding were to go away, each state would see an 11.8% reduction in federal spending.&nbsp;

For SNAP, states could see a 20.6% reduction in federal SNAP dollars.&nbsp;

In Missouri, direct health care jobs are estimated to see the biggest losses, with an estimated 11,300 jobs cut as a result of the change in spending. Combined with other potential job loss as a result of Medicaid cuts, nearly 22,000 would be lost.&nbsp;

“The way us economists think about it,” said Timothy McBride, a health economist at Washington University in St. Louis, “is that spending on one side is matched by income on another. So if the federal government cuts $880 billion, that’s $880 billion in revenue to hospitals, doctors and drug companies or managed care companies.”&nbsp;

Another 2,400 Missouri jobs are estimated to be lost as a result of spending changes to the SNAP program.&nbsp;

The report estimates that between cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in Missouri, the end result could mean a $2.4 billion decrease in the state’s GDP and a $175 million reduction in state and local tax revenue.&nbsp;

It’s a different picture in Kansas, where state lawmakers haven’t expanded Medicaid and fewer people are part of the program. The analysis estimates that the state could lose about $485 million in federal funds across cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.&nbsp;

Kansas could lose about 2,700 in direct health care jobs and another 2,900 food industry or other jobs.&nbsp;

“I think of both Kansas and Missouri as being agriculture food production states,” Ku said. “The people who produce food, who process food, who grow food, they’re going to suffer cutbacks to (SNAP).”&nbsp;

Food pantries are seeing threats to their federal funding from multiple directions. But because the federal government pays all of the cost for SNAP and states only match the costs for administering the program, they are worried about what it means for their ability to provide food for those most in need.&nbsp;

“For every one meal that a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine,” said Karen Siebert, the public policy and advocacy adviser at Harvesters in Kansas City. “If these costs were shifted to the states, there’s no way our state budgets on either side of the state line could absorb that.”&nbsp;

“We’re concerned that folks are going to be turning to our charitable food pantries, which do not have resources to absorb those kinds of cuts,” she said.&nbsp;

Impacts may be outsized in rural communities, where more people rely on Medicaid, SNAP &nbsp;

In both Kansas and Missouri, rural counties tend to have a higher reliance on Medicaid or SNAP than other areas of the state.&nbsp;

That means rural areas could feel the pinch from the proposed cuts more than others.&nbsp;

“In the U.S., Medicaid coverage is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, across the whole U.S.,” McBride said. “That does mean the geographic impact will probably be somewhat higher in rural areas versus urban.”&nbsp;

McBride pointed to the financial margins of hospitals, which he said are lower than what most people would expect. In rural communities, margins for hospitals are often zero or negative. If Medicaid dollars were to be reduced, that could put rural hospitals in an even more difficult place, he said.&nbsp;

And for rural grocery stores that participate in SNAP, a reduction in SNAP recipients or spending could paint a bleak picture.&nbsp;

“A lot of grocery stores have really, really high purchasing minimums to even keep going and get a distributor willing to drive their truck to their area to deliver the food,” Siebert said.&nbsp;

“There are so many people who have SNAP benefits in these communities, and if the local grocery store cannot accept those, they may go to other communities where they can use their SNAP dollars,” she said. “And then, they’re going to use their other money there, too, and it takes all of that money out of the community.”&nbsp;

It’s still unclear what components of the House or Senate budget plans may move forward, making it difficult for recipients of the federal funds to plan.&nbsp;

“Depending on how these cuts are made, more people might become uninsured, more people might lose access to health care, more people might become hungry,” Ku said. “In general, if the state has a more sustained loss, and there’s unemployment, this is not going to help the state economies. This is going to hurt the state economies.”&nbsp;

<h2>The cuts could lead to nearly 30,000 jobs lost across Missouri and Kansas health care systems and food suppliers, a new study found.</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743087106525.png" alt="A report found a negative economic impact in Missouri and Kansas if federal spending for Medicaid and SNAP programs were reduced.&nbsp;Photo by Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon" />
 <figcaption>A report found a negative economic impact in Missouri and Kansas if federal spending for Medicaid and SNAP programs were reduced.&nbsp;Photo by Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/meg-cunningham/">MEG CUNNINGHAM</a> <a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/03/25/missouri-kansas-medicaid-snap-cuts-2025/">The Beacon</a>As Congress looks to cut billions of dollars in federal spending over the next decade, states are anxiously awaiting how current proposed cuts to Medicaid and other programs may impact their own budgets and benefits their residents receive.&nbsp;The Republican-controlled Congress is asking committees to slash their budgets over the next decade by $1.5 trillion and pay for a $4.5 trillion extension of tax cuts endorsed by President Donald Trump in 2017. Those tax cuts largely benefit corporations and wealthy Americans.&nbsp;The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said in an analysis that to cut the amount of spending the Trump administration is requesting,&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/03/03/medicaid-cuts-missouri-mo-healthnet/">cuts to Medicaid</a>&nbsp;and Medicare are inevitable.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-budget-resolution-republicans/">Under the plan</a>&nbsp;proposed by the House of Representatives, Medicaid, the joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for people whose income and resources are very limited, could be subject to $880 billion in cuts over the next 10 years.&nbsp;And the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to low-income families, would see about $230 billion in cuts over the same period.&nbsp;The plan could result in a $95 billion loss in federal funding for states in 2026 alone, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2025/mar/how-cuts-medicaid-snap-could-trigger-job-loss-state-revenue">new report from the Commonwealth Fund</a>. And as the details are ironed out, the report shows that Missouri and Kansas have plenty on the line when it comes to their federal funding and potential economic slowdown in their states.&nbsp;Missouri could see a $2 billion reduction in federal funding across Medicaid and SNAP over the next decade, according to the report. Kansas, which has not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act and receives less federal money as a result, stands to lose $485 million in federal funds over the same period.&nbsp;Researchers at the Commonwealth Fund, a group that studies health care access, also found that the downstream economic effects of potential cuts could mean more than a $2.4 billion hit in Missouri’s gross domestic product in 2026 alone. In Kansas, the cuts could amount to $556 million in economic losses through ripple effects such as cuts to jobs in hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, agriculture and more.&nbsp;“If a nurse in a hospital loses her job because of a cutback, then that means she can’t afford to do things like pay her rent or pay her grocery bills,” said Leighton Ku, one of the study’s lead researchers and the director of the Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University. “So there are repercussions that ripple through the rest of the economy.”&nbsp;<h2>What’s at stake with cuts in Missouri and Kansas</h2>The study found that if $880 billion in federal Medicaid funding were to go away, each state would see an 11.8% reduction in federal spending.&nbsp;For SNAP, states could see a 20.6% reduction in federal SNAP dollars.&nbsp;In Missouri, direct health care jobs are estimated to see the biggest losses, with an estimated 11,300 jobs cut as a result of the change in spending. Combined with other potential job loss as a result of Medicaid cuts, nearly 22,000 would be lost.&nbsp;“The way us economists think about it,” said Timothy McBride, a health economist at Washington University in St. Louis, “is that spending on one side is matched by income on another. So if the federal government cuts $880 billion, that’s $880 billion in revenue to hospitals, doctors and drug companies or managed care companies.”&nbsp;Another 2,400 Missouri jobs are estimated to be lost as a result of spending changes to the SNAP program.&nbsp;The report estimates that between cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in Missouri, the end result could mean a $2.4 billion decrease in the state’s GDP and a $175 million reduction in state and local tax revenue.&nbsp;It’s a different picture in Kansas, where state lawmakers haven’t expanded Medicaid and fewer people are part of the program. The analysis estimates that the state could lose about $485 million in federal funds across cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.&nbsp;Kansas could lose about 2,700 in direct health care jobs and another 2,900 food industry or other jobs.&nbsp;“I think of both Kansas and Missouri as being agriculture food production states,” Ku said. “The people who produce food, who process food, who grow food, they’re going to suffer cutbacks to (SNAP).”&nbsp;Food pantries are seeing threats to their federal funding from multiple directions. But because the federal government pays all of the cost for SNAP and states only match the costs for administering the program, they are worried about what it means for their ability to provide food for those most in need.&nbsp;“For every one meal that a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine,” said Karen Siebert, the public policy and advocacy adviser at Harvesters in Kansas City. “If these costs were shifted to the states, there’s no way our state budgets on either side of the state line could absorb that.”&nbsp;“We’re concerned that folks are going to be turning to our charitable food pantries, which do not have resources to absorb those kinds of cuts,” she said.&nbsp;<h2>Impacts may be outsized in rural communities, where more people rely on Medicaid, SNAP &nbsp;</h2>In both Kansas and Missouri, rural counties tend to have a higher reliance on Medicaid or SNAP than other areas of the state.&nbsp;That means rural areas could feel the pinch from the proposed cuts more than others.&nbsp;“In the U.S., Medicaid coverage is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, across the whole U.S.,” McBride said. “That does mean the geographic impact will probably be somewhat higher in rural areas versus urban.”&nbsp;McBride pointed to the financial margins of hospitals, which he said are lower than what most people would expect. In rural communities, margins for hospitals are often zero or negative. If Medicaid dollars were to be reduced, that could put rural hospitals in an even more difficult place, he said.&nbsp;And for rural grocery stores that participate in SNAP, a reduction in SNAP recipients or spending could paint a bleak picture.&nbsp;“A lot of grocery stores have really, really high purchasing minimums to even keep going and get a distributor willing to drive their truck to their area to deliver the food,” Siebert said.&nbsp;“There are so many people who have SNAP benefits in these communities, and if the local grocery store cannot accept those, they may go to other communities where they can use their SNAP dollars,” she said. “And then, they’re going to use their other money there, too, and it takes all of that money out of the community.”&nbsp;It’s still unclear what components of the House or Senate budget plans may move forward, making it difficult for recipients of the federal funds to plan.&nbsp;“Depending on how these cuts are made, more people might become uninsured, more people might lose access to health care, more people might become hungry,” Ku said. “In general, if the state has a more sustained loss, and there’s unemployment, this is not going to help the state economies. This is going to hurt the state economies.”&nbsp;

Billions at stake in Kansas, Missouri if proposed Medicaid, SNAP cuts move forward

Initiative petitions filed Friday would require Tesla to use independent franchises to market its cars or shutdown Kansas City,&nbsp;St. Louis showrooms.

An initiative effort begun Friday by a well-known Missouri Democrat would, if passed by voters next year, force Tesla to close its St. Louis and Kansas City showrooms.

Brad Ketcher, a St. Louis attorney who was chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan in the 1990s, said he hopes the effort spreads to other states to fight back against Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his lead role in mass federal layoffs and budget cuts for President Donald Trump.

“If Elon Musk was not cutting Medicaid and Social Security and veterans health to fund a tax cut for billionaires and doing it with a bizarre glee, we would not be asking Missourians to say this guy does not deserve to be doing business in this state,” Ketcher said. “We would not be trying to drive this in Missouri.”

Tesla did not immediately respond to an email from The Independent seeking comment on the initiative.

Soon after winning election in November, Trump named Musk to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency with instructions to find savings in the federal budget.

Since taking office, Musk has, among other actions, closed the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/03/repub/members-of-congress-refused-entry-to-usaid-agency-shuttered-by-trump-administration/">U.S. Agency for International Development</a>, been granted&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/04/repub/lawsuit-filed-over-attempts-by-elon-musks-doge-to-take-over-u-s-benefit-payment-system/">access to payment systems</a>&nbsp;delivering benefits to millions of Americans, put the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/11/repub/elon-musks-doge-targets-u-s-department-of-education-for-millions-in-funding-cuts/">entire Department of Education</a>&nbsp;on the chopping block and slashed the staff of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/03/repub/deep-cutbacks-in-social-security-staff-slammed-by-u-s-senate-democrats/">Social Security Administration</a>.

Many of those actions have been challenged in court and temporarily halted. Republicans in Congress, meanwhile, are pushing through a budget resolution that would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/25/repub/u-s-house-republicans-overcome-own-members-doubts-to-push-through-sweeping-budget/">extend tax cuts enacted in 2017</a>&nbsp;while making deep cuts in Medicaid and food programs.

The initiatives filed with the secretary of state’s office would use Missouri’s law governing motor vehicle sales, which requires new cars, trucks and motorcycles to be sold through franchised dealers, to force Tesla out. Two versions were filed Friday, and more may be written before the signature drive begins, Ketcher said.

The petitions must be reviewed and put out for public comment before the signature drive.

Prior to the arrival of Tesla, all new motor vehicles sold in Missouri were purchased at authorized franchises with ownership independent of the manufacturer. In 2013, the Department of Revenue licensed a franchise owned by Tesla for a St. Louis showroom and followed it up the next year by licensing a Kansas City showroom.

The initiatives would cause those licenses to be revoked. The first version filed states that “it is the express intent of the people to prevent any manufacturer of new motor vehicles from circumventing the public policy as stated in (state law) by engaging in methods of retailing new motor vehicles which are designed to avoid the provisions” of that law.

To make the ballot, the committee called UnPlug Musk must gather at least 106,384 signatures properly distributed among six of the state’s congressional districts. The petition drive must be complete by the start of May 2026.

Ketcher said that so far, he and former state Rep. Deb Lavender, a St. Louis County Democrat, treasurer of the committee, are the only people enlisted for the effort. He hopes to build a coalition quickly, he said.

“This gives Missourians a chance to say this guy is not welcome to do business in our state,” Ketcher said.

The petition drive would not be the first attempt to use state law to keep Tesla from opening its company-owned showrooms in Missouri. In 2014, Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, then a state senator, helped write a provision for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2014/05/09/complaints-flare-bill-affect-tesla-sales/8900153/" target="_blank">bill that fell just short of passing</a>&nbsp;to require all auto manufacturers to sell their vehicles through a franchise dealership.

Kehoe owned Ford and Lincoln-Mercury franchises in Jefferson City from 1992 to 2011. He sold the dealerships before entering politics.

He told the Springfield News-Leader in 2014 that he was surprised the department issued a dealership license to Tesla.

“Our question as dealers and people I know in the business: how in the world when we’ve worked so hard to get franchise legislation, how in the world could that be possible?” Kehoe said to the News-Leader.

The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and others sued the department over its licensing decision, winning at the trial court level before the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.californiademocrat.com/news/2017/dec/06/appeals-court-rejects-anti-tesla-lawsuit/" target="_blank">Western District Court of Appeals ruled</a>&nbsp;none of the plaintiffs had a legal right to challenge the licenses.

In its briefs for the appeals court, Tesla acknowledged that the legislature could block it from having manufacturer-owned dealerships.

“Plainly, if the legislature had wanted to erect a blanket direct sales ban, it could and would have done so clearly and straightforwardly by amending the existing partial ban in the franchise act,” attorneys wrote.

The auto dealers did not return a call seeking comment on the initiative.

There are some states where Tesla is not operating dealerships because of franchise laws. In Wisconsin, where Musk is spending millions on the state Supreme Court election, Tesla is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-wisconsin-supreme-court-dealerships-101d7608d69dda61aeaf6ebee7903d2b" target="_blank">suing to overturn</a>&nbsp;the franchise law.

Ketcher said he wants the effort to be joined by groups from other states with the initiative petition process and Democratically-controlled legislatures.

“Even in red states, somebody can hold up an amendment, and say, here’s the amendment to drive Tesla, drive Musk, out of our state,” he said.

The language of the initiative, Ketcher said, is taken, with only technical changes, from the provisions Kehoe supplied for the 2014 bill. Tesla attorneys acknowledged during the litigation that it would effectively shut down their showrooms, Ketcher noted.

“They’ve given us plans for the Death Star,” Ketcher said. “And when when somebody gives you the plans for Death Star, you know what to do.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741724524957.png" alt="Earlier this month, President Trump turned the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom to show support for Musk" />
 <figcaption>Earlier this month, President Trump turned the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom to show support for Musk</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Initiative petitions filed Friday would require Tesla to use independent franchises to market its cars or shutdown Kansas City,&nbsp;St. Louis showrooms.</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>An initiative effort begun Friday by a well-known Missouri Democrat would, if passed by voters next year, force Tesla to close its St. Louis and Kansas City showrooms.Brad Ketcher, a St. Louis attorney who was chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan in the 1990s, said he hopes the effort spreads to other states to fight back against Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his lead role in mass federal layoffs and budget cuts for President Donald Trump.“If Elon Musk was not cutting Medicaid and Social Security and veterans health to fund a tax cut for billionaires and doing it with a bizarre glee, we would not be asking Missourians to say this guy does not deserve to be doing business in this state,” Ketcher said. “We would not be trying to drive this in Missouri.”Tesla did not immediately respond to an email from The Independent seeking comment on the initiative.Soon after winning election in November, Trump named Musk to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency with instructions to find savings in the federal budget.Since taking office, Musk has, among other actions, closed the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/03/repub/members-of-congress-refused-entry-to-usaid-agency-shuttered-by-trump-administration/">U.S. Agency for International Development</a>, been granted&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/04/repub/lawsuit-filed-over-attempts-by-elon-musks-doge-to-take-over-u-s-benefit-payment-system/">access to payment systems</a>&nbsp;delivering benefits to millions of Americans, put the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/11/repub/elon-musks-doge-targets-u-s-department-of-education-for-millions-in-funding-cuts/">entire Department of Education</a>&nbsp;on the chopping block and slashed the staff of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/03/repub/deep-cutbacks-in-social-security-staff-slammed-by-u-s-senate-democrats/">Social Security Administration</a>.Many of those actions have been challenged in court and temporarily halted. Republicans in Congress, meanwhile, are pushing through a budget resolution that would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/25/repub/u-s-house-republicans-overcome-own-members-doubts-to-push-through-sweeping-budget/">extend tax cuts enacted in 2017</a>&nbsp;while making deep cuts in Medicaid and food programs.The initiatives filed with the secretary of state’s office would use Missouri’s law governing motor vehicle sales, which requires new cars, trucks and motorcycles to be sold through franchised dealers, to force Tesla out. Two versions were filed Friday, and more may be written before the signature drive begins, Ketcher said.The petitions must be reviewed and put out for public comment before the signature drive.Prior to the arrival of Tesla, all new motor vehicles sold in Missouri were purchased at authorized franchises with ownership independent of the manufacturer. In 2013, the Department of Revenue licensed a franchise owned by Tesla for a St. Louis showroom and followed it up the next year by licensing a Kansas City showroom.The initiatives would cause those licenses to be revoked. The first version filed states that “it is the express intent of the people to prevent any manufacturer of new motor vehicles from circumventing the public policy as stated in (state law) by engaging in methods of retailing new motor vehicles which are designed to avoid the provisions” of that law.To make the ballot, the committee called UnPlug Musk must gather at least 106,384 signatures properly distributed among six of the state’s congressional districts. The petition drive must be complete by the start of May 2026.Ketcher said that so far, he and former state Rep. Deb Lavender, a St. Louis County Democrat, treasurer of the committee, are the only people enlisted for the effort. He hopes to build a coalition quickly, he said.“This gives Missourians a chance to say this guy is not welcome to do business in our state,” Ketcher said.The petition drive would not be the first attempt to use state law to keep Tesla from opening its company-owned showrooms in Missouri. In 2014, Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, then a state senator, helped write a provision for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2014/05/09/complaints-flare-bill-affect-tesla-sales/8900153/" target="_blank">bill that fell just short of passing</a>&nbsp;to require all auto manufacturers to sell their vehicles through a franchise dealership.Kehoe owned Ford and Lincoln-Mercury franchises in Jefferson City from 1992 to 2011. He sold the dealerships before entering politics.He told the Springfield News-Leader in 2014 that he was surprised the department issued a dealership license to Tesla.“Our question as dealers and people I know in the business: how in the world when we’ve worked so hard to get franchise legislation, how in the world could that be possible?” Kehoe said to the News-Leader.The Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and others sued the department over its licensing decision, winning at the trial court level before the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.californiademocrat.com/news/2017/dec/06/appeals-court-rejects-anti-tesla-lawsuit/" target="_blank">Western District Court of Appeals ruled</a>&nbsp;none of the plaintiffs had a legal right to challenge the licenses.In its briefs for the appeals court, Tesla acknowledged that the legislature could block it from having manufacturer-owned dealerships.“Plainly, if the legislature had wanted to erect a blanket direct sales ban, it could and would have done so clearly and straightforwardly by amending the existing partial ban in the franchise act,” attorneys wrote.The auto dealers did not return a call seeking comment on the initiative.There are some states where Tesla is not operating dealerships because of franchise laws. In Wisconsin, where Musk is spending millions on the state Supreme Court election, Tesla is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-wisconsin-supreme-court-dealerships-101d7608d69dda61aeaf6ebee7903d2b" target="_blank">suing to overturn</a>&nbsp;the franchise law.Ketcher said he wants the effort to be joined by groups from other states with the initiative petition process and Democratically-controlled legislatures.“Even in red states, somebody can hold up an amendment, and say, here’s the amendment to drive Tesla, drive Musk, out of our state,” he said.The language of the initiative, Ketcher said, is taken, with only technical changes, from the provisions Kehoe supplied for the 2014 bill. Tesla attorneys acknowledged during the litigation that it would effectively shut down their showrooms, Ketcher noted.“They’ve given us plans for the Death Star,” Ketcher said. “And when when somebody gives you the plans for Death Star, you know what to do.”

Elon Musk’s DOGE role draws effort to force Tesla to close Missouri dealerships

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has passed a bill that could lead to new restrictions on what Iowans may buy with federal food assistance.

 If the U-S-D-A grants a waiver from the current list of eligible foods and beverages, Iowans would be limited to using SNAP benefits to buy healthy foods like whole grains, proteins, and fruits and vegetables. Representative Carter Nordman, a Republican from Adel, says the bill sets reasonable guardrails and ensures tax dollars aren't being used to buy luxury foods like pop, energy drinks and candy that do nothing to alleviate hunger. The bill passed with the support of 56 House Republicans. Eight other Republicans joined 32 House Democrats in opposing it. 

Representative Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, says the bill may not just affect people who go to the grocery store and could impact elderly Iowans who get Meals on Wheels. Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says the legislature has no business micromanaging the diets of Iowans.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has passed a bill that could lead to new restrictions on what Iowans may buy with federal food assistance. If the U-S-D-A grants a waiver from the current list of eligible foods and beverages, Iowans would be limited to using SNAP benefits to buy healthy foods like whole grains, proteins, and fruits and vegetables. Representative Carter Nordman, a Republican from Adel, says the bill sets reasonable guardrails and ensures tax dollars aren't being used to buy luxury foods like pop, energy drinks and candy that do nothing to alleviate hunger. The bill passed with the support of 56 House Republicans. Eight other Republicans joined 32 House Democrats in opposing it. Representative Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, says the bill may not just affect people who go to the grocery store and could impact elderly Iowans who get Meals on Wheels. Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says the legislature has no business micromanaging the diets of Iowans.

Bill seeks new limits on what foods, drinks SNAP benefits can buy

&nbsp;USDA announced the agency would release previously obligated funding under the Rural Energy for America Program, Empowering Rural America, and Powering Affordable Clean Energy programs. Recipients will have 30 days to review and voluntarily revise their project plans to align with the “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order.” This process gives rural electric providers and small businesses the opportunity to refocus their projects on expanding American energy production while eliminating DEI and climate mandates embedded in previous proposals. 

Respondents will be asked to answer several questions and provide a short narrative description of any proposed changes. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said, “This allows us to tackle America’s energy emergence and allows energy providers and small businesses to realign their projects with that mission.”&nbsp; The broader guidance reflects a shift away from the Green New Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act and toward investments that prioritize the needs of rural communities.

By NATHAN STUEDLESt. Joseph Post&nbsp;USDA announced the agency would release previously obligated funding under the Rural Energy for America Program, Empowering Rural America, and Powering Affordable Clean Energy programs. Recipients will have 30 days to review and voluntarily revise their project plans to align with the “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order.” This process gives rural electric providers and small businesses the opportunity to refocus their projects on expanding American energy production while eliminating DEI and climate mandates embedded in previous proposals. Respondents will be asked to answer several questions and provide a short narrative description of any proposed changes. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said, “This allows us to tackle America’s energy emergence and allows energy providers and small businesses to realign their projects with that mission.”&nbsp; The broader guidance reflects a shift away from the Green New Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act and toward investments that prioritize the needs of rural communities.

USDA delivers on rural energy commitments

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association member Robby Kirkland testified before the House Ways and Means Committee about the association’s trade priorities. He spoke at a hearing titled “American Trade Negotiation Priorities” and highlighted the benefits of past trade agreements for U.S. cattle producers and the need for greater access to foreign markets. 

“Unfortunately, the previous administration stepped back from market access negotiations while our competitors negotiated robust trade agreements and gained advantages in overseas markets,” he said. “It’s past time to re-engage in trade talks to secure preferential and expanded access with our allies in the United Kingdom and key markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.” He also told the committee that any country granted access to the U.S. doesn’t put America’s consumers and cattle herds at risk. “There’s a major concern with countries like Brazil and Paraguay, who have a history of Foot-and-Mouth Infection.” 

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association member Robby Kirkland testified before the House Ways and Means Committee about the association’s trade priorities. He spoke at a hearing titled “American Trade Negotiation Priorities” and highlighted the benefits of past trade agreements for U.S. cattle producers and the need for greater access to foreign markets. “Unfortunately, the previous administration stepped back from market access negotiations while our competitors negotiated robust trade agreements and gained advantages in overseas markets,” he said. “It’s past time to re-engage in trade talks to secure preferential and expanded access with our allies in the United Kingdom and key markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.” He also told the committee that any country granted access to the U.S. doesn’t put America’s consumers and cattle herds at risk. “There’s a major concern with countries like Brazil and Paraguay, who have a history of Foot-and-Mouth Infection.” NAFB

NCBA outlines trade priorities in hearing

Volunteers
are being sought to bring a big part of St. Joseph history to life.

The
Patee House Museum and the Jesse James Home are looking for volunteers.
Officials with the museums say just a few hours a week can make a difference,
not just to preserve the past, but to ensure the future.

“We rely on dedicated
volunteers to keep these historic sites open and engaging for visitors,” Patee
House Museum &amp; Jesse James Home Board President, Liby Waltemath, said in a
written statement. “It’s a rewarding way to give back and share our town’s
incredible history.”

Volunteers will greet guests, share stories, and assist with
museum operations. No prior experience is necessary. The museums say the only
qualification they require are an interest in history and community service.

The Patee House Museum is located at 202 Penn Street in St. Joseph. Click <a href="http://www.ponyexpressjessejames.com/">HERE</a> for more.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743093373574.jpeg" alt="The Patee House/file photo" />
 <figcaption>The Patee House/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostVolunteers
are being sought to bring a big part of St. Joseph history to life.The
Patee House Museum and the Jesse James Home are looking for volunteers.
Officials with the museums say just a few hours a week can make a difference,
not just to preserve the past, but to ensure the future.“We rely on dedicated
volunteers to keep these historic sites open and engaging for visitors,” Patee
House Museum &amp; Jesse James Home Board President, Liby Waltemath, said in a
written statement. “It’s a rewarding way to give back and share our town’s
incredible history.”Volunteers will greet guests, share stories, and assist with
museum operations. No prior experience is necessary. The museums say the only
qualification they require are an interest in history and community service.The Patee House Museum is located at 202 Penn Street in St. Joseph. Click <a href="http://www.ponyexpressjessejames.com/">HERE</a> for more.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743093465849.jpeg" alt="Jesse James Home/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Jesse James Home/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Patee House - Jesse James museums seek volunteers

(Radio Iowa) - Forecasters say much of Iowa can expect high temperatures in the 60s, 70s and even near 80 Thursday and tomorrow, which will prompt some Iowans to pull out their kayaks and canoes.

 Sure, it's spring, but Iowa D-N-R conservation officer Nate Carr says having warm air temperatures doesn't necessarily mean warm water temperatures, so dress appropriately. 

There's a general rule that if the water and air temperatures combined don't equal at least 120 degrees, anyone who ends up dumped in the water is at risk for hyperthermia, and water temperatures are still quite chilly. Carr says to pack extra clothes in a dry bag and always wear a life jacket.

(Radio Iowa) - Forecasters say much of Iowa can expect high temperatures in the 60s, 70s and even near 80 Thursday and tomorrow, which will prompt some Iowans to pull out their kayaks and canoes. Sure, it's spring, but Iowa D-N-R conservation officer Nate Carr says having warm air temperatures doesn't necessarily mean warm water temperatures, so dress appropriately. There's a general rule that if the water and air temperatures combined don't equal at least 120 degrees, anyone who ends up dumped in the water is at risk for hyperthermia, and water temperatures are still quite chilly. Carr says to pack extra clothes in a dry bag and always wear a life jacket.

Paddlers need to stay patient as water temps are still chilly

(Radio Iowa) - A federal judge has blocked Iowa for the second time from enforcing a law that seeks to keep books with sexual content out of school libraries. 

Attorney Dan Novack says a broad ban on books with sex acts would deny students information. Penguin Random House joined other major publishing houses in arguing against the library restrictions. Supporters of the law, like Attorney General Brenna Bird, say it's a critical law that ensures the books in K-12 schools are age-appropriate. 

The judge’s opinion says school library collections are already curated by local officials for age-appropriate reading.

(Radio Iowa) - A federal judge has blocked Iowa for the second time from enforcing a law that seeks to keep books with sexual content out of school libraries. Attorney Dan Novack says a broad ban on books with sex acts would deny students information. Penguin Random House joined other major publishing houses in arguing against the library restrictions. Supporters of the law, like Attorney General Brenna Bird, say it's a critical law that ensures the books in K-12 schools are age-appropriate. The judge’s opinion says school library collections are already curated by local officials for age-appropriate reading.

Law Restricting Books With Sexual Content From School Libraries Blocked

Sen. Stephen Webber said during floor debate that ‘powerful people’ are protecting the accused but he could not reveal the name because of a promise to victims

Accusations that a sexual predator is working in the Missouri Capitol Building with protection from “powerful people” abruptly ended state Senate debate Wednesday on a bill adding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=314" target="_blank">physician assistants and emergency medical personnel</a>&nbsp;to medical providers covered by a peer review process.

The Senate had just defeated an amendment to the bill offered by state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, to make some records from peer review proceedings available for lawsuits alleging deliberate acts against patients.

The amendment was needed, he said, to open up records of sexual assaults and other criminal acts.

Defeat of the amendment offended Democratic state Sen. Tracy McCreery of Olivette, and she was discussing the defeat with state Sen. Stephen Webber of Columbia when he dropped the accusation.

“There are sexual predators who work in this building,” Webber said. “There are powerful people who know who those people are and are protecting them. That is happening right now.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743080521384.png" alt=" State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, begins his tenure in the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session in January (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, begins his tenure in the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session in January (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Sen. Stephen Webber said during floor debate that ‘powerful people’ are protecting the accused but he could not reveal the name because of a promise to victims</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Accusations that a sexual predator is working in the Missouri Capitol Building with protection from “powerful people” abruptly ended state Senate debate Wednesday on a bill adding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=314" target="_blank">physician assistants and emergency medical personnel</a>&nbsp;to medical providers covered by a peer review process.The Senate had just defeated an amendment to the bill offered by state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, to make some records from peer review proceedings available for lawsuits alleging deliberate acts against patients.The amendment was needed, he said, to open up records of sexual assaults and other criminal acts.Defeat of the amendment offended Democratic state Sen. Tracy McCreery of Olivette, and she was discussing the defeat with state Sen. Stephen Webber of Columbia when he dropped the accusation.“There are sexual predators who work in this building,” Webber said. “There are powerful people who know who those people are and are protecting them. That is happening right now.”Webber said he could not reveal the identity of the person he was accusing nor could he reveal any details of where in the Capitol the person worked or the position of the person who told him of the problem.He had promised the victims confidentiality, he said.McCreery said she, too, was aware of the problem, and understood the desire of the victim to remain anonymous.“I am respectful of that as well,” McCreery said. “But I’m also very careful with my group of people.”Interviewed after the Senate adjourned, Webber said he could not give any more details. When lawmakers are in session, there are executive branch officials and staff, legislators and staff, lobbyists, contract cleaning crews and representatives of the media working in the Capitol Building.“If the victims wanted me to say something, I would,” Webber said. “If they wanted me to name names, I would. The victims don’t want me to, so I’m not going to.”The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, would create new training requirements for ambulance district board members in addition to making emergency medical personnel subject to the peer review process.Schroer said the peer review process, which is completely confidential under state law, is being used to hide sexual mistreatment of patients and the response of employers.“They are using this old, archaic statute that was meant for good, and finding that if they put anything into the system they can conceal it,” Schroer said after the Senate adjourned for the day.Schroer said he was not aware of the accusations discussed by McCreery and Webber.In her discussion with Webber, McCreery noted that victims of sexual assault had been visiting with lawmakers during the day to advocate for stronger laws.The review process is being used to conceal too much, she said.“When this process, this formal peer review process, has been worked and twisted enough that it’s now being used to hide allegations of sexual assault and sexual abuse, that is wrong,” she said. “Why are we willing to protect abusers?”Webber said he had no answer to that question. That is when he began discussing the problem in the Missouri Capitol.“I will say there’s certainly people, powerful people in this building,” Webber said, “who, beyond any doubt, I’m not alleging, I know for a fact, of powerful people in this building who are currently protecting sexual predators.”

Kbct