(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is exploring ways to address a national decline in the number of hunters, and to prevent the drop from happening here. 

D-N-R wildlife biologist Matt Dollison says Iowa has seen its number of pheasant hunters -rise- by almost 20-thousand in the past few seasons, and they now number 83-thousand, but he says national hunter figures have been falling for decades. In the 1980s, about nine-percent of the population hunted, while he says it's down now below four-percent. 

The focus in the past was on hosting youth hunting events across the state, but Dollison says they've started turning to young adults in recent years.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is exploring ways to address a national decline in the number of hunters, and to prevent the drop from happening here. D-N-R wildlife biologist Matt Dollison says Iowa has seen its number of pheasant hunters -rise- by almost 20-thousand in the past few seasons, and they now number 83-thousand, but he says national hunter figures have been falling for decades. In the 1980s, about nine-percent of the population hunted, while he says it's down now below four-percent. The focus in the past was on hosting youth hunting events across the state, but Dollison says they've started turning to young adults in recent years.

Iowa works to recruit 20-somethings to take up hunting

Kansas City Chief Hall of Famer Christian Okoye
will be in St. Joseph this weekend, appearing at a Legends of the Game event at
the St. Jo Frontier Casino Sunday.

Okoye has written a book, highlighting his time
with the Chiefs and in the NFL. Okoye says the book, The Nigerian Nightmare –
My Journey Out of Africa to the Kansas City Chiefs and Beyond, fleshes out his
story from his home country of Nigeria to success in a sport he knew nothing
about.

Okoye came to America intending to train for the
1984 Olympics. When his home country of Nigeria refused to include him on their
Olympic team after a divisive civil war, friends at Azusa Pacific University in
the Los Angeles area encouraged him to take up football. Okoye knew soccer as
well as track and field. He had never even seen a game of football. Still, with
his Olympic dreams dashed, Okoye picked up football at Azusa.

Okoye had success. The Chiefs drafted him in the
second round. He played for six seasons, leading the NFL in rushing in 1989.
Okoye says he hopes young people will learn from his story.

“Sometimes you get thrown into a situation where
you are not very familiar and you know that that situation can be good for you
and those people around you; you never give up,” Okoye tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “You don’t give up on it. You just work on it even though it’s not your
thing, but that’s an opportunity to make some good.”

The book also delves into the darker side of
football, primarily the injuries and the lack of health insurance for those who
have retired from the NFL.

“Football is one of the sports that you will get
an injury,” Okoye says. “If you play football and leave football, you come out
with some type of injury that will last for a long time. We should have medical
care, but it’s not there.”

Okoye and other NFL retirees have been
petitioning the NFL to provide medical insurance upon retirement. Okoye says
the NFL is the outlier with the NBA and Major League Baseball both providing
medical insurance for its former players.

Okoye played six seasons for the Chiefs. He led
the NFL in rushing in 1989 with 1,480 yards. The Chiefs named Okoye their MVP
that season. Twice Okoye was selected for the Pro Bowl. He retired with 4,897
yards.

The Chiefs had some success during the years
Okoye play, but nothing like now. Okoye never envisioned this current era.

“Every time the Chiefs have won the Super Bowl in
the last few years – three Super Bowls now – I know that Lamar is up in Heaven,
smiling and just being content with what his son, Clark, is doing.”

Okoye counts knowing the late Chiefs owner Lamar
Hunt as one of the fondest memories of his playing days.

Okoye says he looks forward to appearing at the
St. Jo Frontier Casino Sunday.

“Well, I love seeing Kansas City Chiefs fans,”
Okoye says, inviting fans to come to the St. Jo Frontier Casino Sunday afternoon to hear stories, take a photo, and get an autograph.

Okoye will appear along with standout Chiefs
defensive lineman Neil Smith at the event, which begins at 1:30pm.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730475500319.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostKansas City Chief Hall of Famer Christian Okoye
will be in St. Joseph this weekend, appearing at a Legends of the Game event at
the St. Jo Frontier Casino Sunday.Okoye has written a book, highlighting his time
with the Chiefs and in the NFL. Okoye says the book, The Nigerian Nightmare –
My Journey Out of Africa to the Kansas City Chiefs and Beyond, fleshes out his
story from his home country of Nigeria to success in a sport he knew nothing
about.Okoye came to America intending to train for the
1984 Olympics. When his home country of Nigeria refused to include him on their
Olympic team after a divisive civil war, friends at Azusa Pacific University in
the Los Angeles area encouraged him to take up football. Okoye knew soccer as
well as track and field. He had never even seen a game of football. Still, with
his Olympic dreams dashed, Okoye picked up football at Azusa.Okoye had success. The Chiefs drafted him in the
second round. He played for six seasons, leading the NFL in rushing in 1989.
Okoye says he hopes young people will learn from his story.“Sometimes you get thrown into a situation where
you are not very familiar and you know that that situation can be good for you
and those people around you; you never give up,” Okoye tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “You don’t give up on it. You just work on it even though it’s not your
thing, but that’s an opportunity to make some good.”The book also delves into the darker side of
football, primarily the injuries and the lack of health insurance for those who
have retired from the NFL.“Football is one of the sports that you will get
an injury,” Okoye says. “If you play football and leave football, you come out
with some type of injury that will last for a long time. We should have medical
care, but it’s not there.”Okoye and other NFL retirees have been
petitioning the NFL to provide medical insurance upon retirement. Okoye says
the NFL is the outlier with the NBA and Major League Baseball both providing
medical insurance for its former players.Okoye played six seasons for the Chiefs. He led
the NFL in rushing in 1989 with 1,480 yards. The Chiefs named Okoye their MVP
that season. Twice Okoye was selected for the Pro Bowl. He retired with 4,897
yards.The Chiefs had some success during the years
Okoye play, but nothing like now. Okoye never envisioned this current era.“Every time the Chiefs have won the Super Bowl in
the last few years – three Super Bowls now – I know that Lamar is up in Heaven,
smiling and just being content with what his son, Clark, is doing.”Okoye counts knowing the late Chiefs owner Lamar
Hunt as one of the fondest memories of his playing days.Okoye says he looks forward to appearing at the
St. Jo Frontier Casino Sunday.“Well, I love seeing Kansas City Chiefs fans,”
Okoye says, inviting fans to come to the St. Jo Frontier Casino Sunday afternoon to hear stories, take a photo, and get an autograph.Okoye will appear along with standout Chiefs
defensive lineman Neil Smith at the event, which begins at 1:30pm.JOURNAL<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Friday-Journal-Christian-Okoye--the-Nigerian-Nightmare-e2qebmf/a-abk0ouo" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>FULL INTERVIEW<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Full-Interview-Christian-Okoye-in-St--Joseph-e2qebim/a-abk0oom" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Chiefs Hall of Famer Christian Okoye in St. Joseph this weekend

Denton Loudermill, falsely accused on social media of being the shooter on Feb. 14 has once again sued state Sens. Rick Brattin, Denny Hoskins and Nick Schroer for defamation and invasion of privacy

BY:&nbsp;&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>

Three Republican Missouri state senators — including one running for secretary of state — are once again being sued by the man they incorrectly identified in social media posts as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-parade-shooting-kansas-city-d9f4466b69cbb2dfe0f007414aebe730" target="_blank">being the shooter</a>&nbsp;at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory celebration.

Denton Loudermill of Olathe, Kansas, filed lawsuits Thursday against state Sens. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg, Rick Brattin of Harrisonville and Nick Schroer of Defiance. In the individual lawsuits, each is accused of violating Loudermill’s privacy and libeling him with their posts.&nbsp;

Hoskins is the GOP nominee for secretary of state. Brattin is seeking re-election in the 31st Senate District. Schroer, who won his seat in the Senate in 2022, is not on the ballot this year.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Similar lawsuits against all three men&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/21/judge-dismisses-case-against-missouri-senators-over-chiefs-parade-shooting-posts/">were dismissed Oct. 21</a>&nbsp;in Kansas federal court when U.S. District Judge John Broomes ruled he did not have jurisdiction over Brattin, Hoskins and Schroer.

In the more than nine months since the Feb. 14 victory parade and pep rally, people have not stopped making him feel uncomfortable, Loudermill said in a news conference with one of his attorneys, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders.

“They come through looking at me, on video on their phone, saying ‘yeah, that’s him,” he said. “That worries me sometimes.”

In an interview with The Independent, Lassiter Saunders said she believes the jurisdictional issue is solved with the new filing. It was important to refile the cases quickly, she said, because the legal nuances could be missed by a public that has only heard the cases were dismissed.

“It’s reported that the case gets tossed, then they’re thinking, there’s some merit to the Missouri senators position,” Lassiter Saunders said.

Hoskins, reached via text message, declined to respond to the new filing.

“I have not been served and I have no comment at this time,” he said.

Brattin and Schroer did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Like thousands of other regional residents, Loudermill went to Union Station in Kansas City for the pep rally that followed the Chiefs’ victory parade after this year’s Super Bowl. As the crowd was departing, an argument in the crowd resulted in gunfire.

The shooting at the end of the victory celebration left one person dead and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/17/kansas-city-super-bowl-rally-shooting-victims-pick-up-pieces-but-gun-violence-haunts-their-lives/">at least 24 people injured</a>.

Loudermill, who was born in Kansas and lives there now, was detained briefly because he was too slow to leave the area of the shooting, he told The Independent earlier this year.

A photo of him, seated, with his hands restrained behind his back, was posted on X, formally known as Twitter, by an account with the name Deep Truth Intel. That post incorrectly identified him with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68353305" target="_blank">name associated with misinformation</a>&nbsp;posted after other shootings and said he was an undocumented immigrant.

Soon after that initial social media post, the Missouri Freedom Caucus, Hoskins, Brattin, Schroer and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, posted their own versions, some with the photo, some without. Burchett’s post said he was one of the shooters and referred to him as an “illegal alien.”

Burchett later deleted the tweet but included a screenshot of it&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/timburchett/status/1759645965445636470?s=20" target="_blank">that is still visible</a>&nbsp;in a separate post.

A lawsuit filed against Burchett in Kansas was also dismissed because of jurisdictional issues. Lassiter Saunders said Thursday that she is working with attorneys in the Washington, D.C., area to refile the case against Burchett.

“He is not off the hook,” she said.&nbsp;

Hoskins’ version on social media shared a screenshot of the initial anonymous post and blamed President Joe Biden and political leaders of Kansas City for making the shooting possible.

Brattin’s first post linking Loudermill to the shooting, since deleted, demanded “#POTUS CLOSE THE BORDER” and incorporated the deleted anonymous post that kicked everything off.

Schroer was the least certain post about the immigration and arrest status of Loudermill among the three.

Schroer’s post included a link to one from Burchett stating, over Loudermill’s photo, that “One of the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooters has been identified as an illegal Alien.”

“Can we get any confirmation or denial of this from local officials or law enforcement?” Schroer wrote. “I’ve been sent videos or stills showing at least 6 different people arrested from yesterday but officially told only 3 still in custody. The people deserve answers.”

In the complaint filed against Brattin, attorneys wrote that the lawmakers had no reason to make the comments directed at Loudermill.

“The publication of the false representation that plaintiff was an ‘illegal alien’ and a ‘shooter’ was not made in good faith nor was it made by (Brattin) with any legitimate interest in making or duty to make such assertions,” the filing states.

In the Kansas cases, the lawmakers were represented by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who raised both the jurisdictional objections and claims that the senators were acting in their official capacity when they made their posts on social media. Therefore, the filings stated, they are protected by “legislative immunity.”&nbsp;

When the case was dismissed, Bailey put out a statement saying it was a victory for keeping “questions of Missouri law…in Missouri courts.”

Bailey’s office did not respond immediately to an email asking if the office would again provide representation. Lassiter Saunders said the attorney general should not take the case again.

“I would hope not, but given the track record of the attorney general doing as he pleases, it’s a possibility,” Lassiter Saunders said.

Bailey’s participation in the case generated its own dispute. In a May letter to the commissioner of the Office of Administration, the state agency that certifies payments from Missouri’s legal expense fund, Gov. Mike Parson wrote that no payments related to the lawsuits should be certified “without my approval or a court order.”

Bailey’s claim of legislative immunity is based in the Missouri Constitution’s provisions on legislative privileges. Along with being immune from arrest for minor offenses while the General Assembly is in session, members also “<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++19&amp;bid=36212&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">shall not be questioned</a>&nbsp;for any speech or debate in either house in any other place.”

Social media posts are not statements or speeches made during debates in the chambers, Lassiter Saunders said.

“It wasn’t legitimate legislative activity,” she said. “They were following this story like hundreds of thousands of other people seeing tweets, retweeting, and we don’t believe it was the same.

The lawsuit seeks to vindicate a core American principle, the right to be let alone, Lassiter Saunders said.

“I would like to refocus the attention from politics to the principle of, private citizens should have the right to live their lives privately,” she said. “The elected officials need to be mindful and do a better job of not just speaking out because they have the authority to do so.”

The lawsuit states that because of the hostility of some people in the public, Loudermill has “injuries and actual damages including mental distress, sleeplessness, anxiety, and agitation.”

“I’m just getting all the attention still,” he said. “ I just want them to pay for that.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730420656214.png" alt="Denton Loudermill, right, appears with his attorney, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, at an online news conference held Thursday to discuss his new defamation lawsuits against three Missouri state senators. (Screenshot via Zoom)" />
 <figcaption>Denton Loudermill, right, appears with his attorney, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, at an online news conference held Thursday to discuss his new defamation lawsuits against three Missouri state senators. (Screenshot via Zoom)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Denton Loudermill, falsely accused on social media of being the shooter on Feb. 14 has once again sued state Sens. Rick Brattin, Denny Hoskins and Nick Schroer for defamation and invasion of privacy</h2>BY:&nbsp;&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>Three Republican Missouri state senators — including one running for secretary of state — are once again being sued by the man they incorrectly identified in social media posts as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-parade-shooting-kansas-city-d9f4466b69cbb2dfe0f007414aebe730" target="_blank">being the shooter</a>&nbsp;at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory celebration.Denton Loudermill of Olathe, Kansas, filed lawsuits Thursday against state Sens. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg, Rick Brattin of Harrisonville and Nick Schroer of Defiance. In the individual lawsuits, each is accused of violating Loudermill’s privacy and libeling him with their posts.&nbsp;Hoskins is the GOP nominee for secretary of state. Brattin is seeking re-election in the 31st Senate District. Schroer, who won his seat in the Senate in 2022, is not on the ballot this year.The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Similar lawsuits against all three men&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/21/judge-dismisses-case-against-missouri-senators-over-chiefs-parade-shooting-posts/">were dismissed Oct. 21</a>&nbsp;in Kansas federal court when U.S. District Judge John Broomes ruled he did not have jurisdiction over Brattin, Hoskins and Schroer.In the more than nine months since the Feb. 14 victory parade and pep rally, people have not stopped making him feel uncomfortable, Loudermill said in a news conference with one of his attorneys, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders.Loudermill works at a car wash.“They come through looking at me, on video on their phone, saying ‘yeah, that’s him,” he said. “That worries me sometimes.”In an interview with The Independent, Lassiter Saunders said she believes the jurisdictional issue is solved with the new filing. It was important to refile the cases quickly, she said, because the legal nuances could be missed by a public that has only heard the cases were dismissed.“It’s reported that the case gets tossed, then they’re thinking, there’s some merit to the Missouri senators position,” Lassiter Saunders said.Hoskins, reached via text message, declined to respond to the new filing.“I have not been served and I have no comment at this time,” he said.Brattin and Schroer did not respond to messages seeking comment.Like thousands of other regional residents, Loudermill went to Union Station in Kansas City for the pep rally that followed the Chiefs’ victory parade after this year’s Super Bowl. As the crowd was departing, an argument in the crowd resulted in gunfire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707939847272.png" alt="Image from online coverage of the victory parade" />
 <figcaption>Image from online coverage of the victory parade</figcaption>
 </figure>The shooting at the end of the victory celebration left one person dead and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/17/kansas-city-super-bowl-rally-shooting-victims-pick-up-pieces-but-gun-violence-haunts-their-lives/">at least 24 people injured</a>.Loudermill, who was born in Kansas and lives there now, was detained briefly because he was too slow to leave the area of the shooting, he told The Independent earlier this year.A photo of him, seated, with his hands restrained behind his back, was posted on X, formally known as Twitter, by an account with the name Deep Truth Intel. That post incorrectly identified him with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68353305" target="_blank">name associated with misinformation</a>&nbsp;posted after other shootings and said he was an undocumented immigrant.Soon after that initial social media post, the Missouri Freedom Caucus, Hoskins, Brattin, Schroer and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, posted their own versions, some with the photo, some without. Burchett’s post said he was one of the shooters and referred to him as an “illegal alien.”Burchett later deleted the tweet but included a screenshot of it&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/timburchett/status/1759645965445636470?s=20" target="_blank">that is still visible</a>&nbsp;in a separate post.A lawsuit filed against Burchett in Kansas was also dismissed because of jurisdictional issues. Lassiter Saunders said Thursday that she is working with attorneys in the Washington, D.C., area to refile the case against Burchett.“He is not off the hook,” she said.&nbsp;Hoskins’ version on social media shared a screenshot of the initial anonymous post and blamed President Joe Biden and political leaders of Kansas City for making the shooting possible.Brattin’s first post linking Loudermill to the shooting, since deleted, demanded “#POTUS CLOSE THE BORDER” and incorporated the deleted anonymous post that kicked everything off.Schroer was the least certain post about the immigration and arrest status of Loudermill among the three.Schroer’s post included a link to one from Burchett stating, over Loudermill’s photo, that “One of the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooters has been identified as an illegal Alien.”“Can we get any confirmation or denial of this from local officials or law enforcement?” Schroer wrote. “I’ve been sent videos or stills showing at least 6 different people arrested from yesterday but officially told only 3 still in custody. The people deserve answers.”In the complaint filed against Brattin, attorneys wrote that the lawmakers had no reason to make the comments directed at Loudermill.“The publication of the false representation that plaintiff was an ‘illegal alien’ and a ‘shooter’ was not made in good faith nor was it made by (Brattin) with any legitimate interest in making or duty to make such assertions,” the filing states.In the Kansas cases, the lawmakers were represented by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who raised both the jurisdictional objections and claims that the senators were acting in their official capacity when they made their posts on social media. Therefore, the filings stated, they are protected by “legislative immunity.”&nbsp;When the case was dismissed, Bailey put out a statement saying it was a victory for keeping “questions of Missouri law…in Missouri courts.”Bailey’s office did not respond immediately to an email asking if the office would again provide representation. Lassiter Saunders said the attorney general should not take the case again.“I would hope not, but given the track record of the attorney general doing as he pleases, it’s a possibility,” Lassiter Saunders said.Bailey’s participation in the case generated its own dispute. In a May letter to the commissioner of the Office of Administration, the state agency that certifies payments from Missouri’s legal expense fund, Gov. Mike Parson wrote that no payments related to the lawsuits should be certified “without my approval or a court order.”Bailey’s claim of legislative immunity is based in the Missouri Constitution’s provisions on legislative privileges. Along with being immune from arrest for minor offenses while the General Assembly is in session, members also “<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++19&amp;bid=36212&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">shall not be questioned</a>&nbsp;for any speech or debate in either house in any other place.”Social media posts are not statements or speeches made during debates in the chambers, Lassiter Saunders said.“It wasn’t legitimate legislative activity,” she said. “They were following this story like hundreds of thousands of other people seeing tweets, retweeting, and we don’t believe it was the same.The lawsuit seeks to vindicate a core American principle, the right to be let alone, Lassiter Saunders said.“I would like to refocus the attention from politics to the principle of, private citizens should have the right to live their lives privately,” she said. “The elected officials need to be mindful and do a better job of not just speaking out because they have the authority to do so.”The lawsuit states that because of the hostility of some people in the public, Loudermill has “injuries and actual damages including mental distress, sleeplessness, anxiety, and agitation.”He rarely goes out, Loudermill said.“I’m just getting all the attention still,” he said. “ I just want them to pay for that.”

Defamation case against lawmakers over Chiefs parade shooting posts refiled in Missouri

Amendment 3 on the ballot Tuesday would overturn Missouri’s
abortion ban and place in the state constitution the fundamental right to
reproductive freedom.

While critics say the amendment would allow abortions up to
nine months of pregnancy, Blue Missouri Executive Director Jess Piper counters
those critics don’t understand the reality women considering abortion face. 

“When people talk about women having abortions late into their
pregnancies, they’re really dealing with women who have been subjected to something
horrible,” Piper says during her appearance on the KFEQ Hotline. “These women
have a nursery at home. They have strollers. They have a name picked out and something
devastating has happened.”

Yet, Coalition Life Executive Director Brian Westbrook claims
Amendment 3 goes too far, placing no real restrictions on abortion.

“But this is abortion in all nine months of pregnancy and if
we look at the definition of fetal viability, it clearly is all nine months of
pregnancy,” Westbrook says during his time on the KFEQ Hotline.

Amendment 3 would create a section in the Missouri Constitution
entitled “The Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative.” Under the section, the
government would not be able to infringe on a person’s fundamental right to
reproductive freedom.

Piper points out the amendment allows regulations after Fetal
Viability.

“If we leave those decisions to the people who have the
expertise, I definitely trust a doctor to understand viability and it would be
different with every fetus, right, different with every pregnancy,” Piper says.

Westbrook notes the amendment allows for abortion after Fetal
Viability if a doctor determines the abortion is needed to protect the life or
the physical or mental health of the "pregnant person."

“And this would be a far, sweeping change, all the way to the
other side,” according to Westbrook. “Basically, we’re removing absolutely every
safeguard with regards to all reproductive health. They didn’t limit this just to
abortion.”

The Missouri General Assembly had earlier enacted a so-called
trigger law that banned abortions after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v.
Wade. An initiative petition campaign succeeded in placing Amendment 3 on the
ballot Tuesday.

Westbrook calls the wording of the proposed constitutional amendment
broad and specific; not vague.

Piper says the amendment’s language is broad, because abortion
is not black and white.

“Abortion looks different in every single situation and I know
the people listening to this right now know their mothers and their sisters and
their daughters aren’t people who get pregnant to have an abortion, right?”
Piper states. “Life happens. Tragedies happen. And women need access to health
care.”

Piper rejects allegations the broad language in the amendment
could be used to keep a parent from knowing if their child would undergo a sex
change operation.

But Westbrook claims Amendment 3 is so broad, it would go far
beyond just restoring abortion rights.

“Well, this is sex change operations for minors without their
parent’s knowledge or consent,” according to Westbrook. “This is abortion in
all nine months of pregnancy. It’s a loss of medical malpractice protections.”

Amendment 3 would allow the Missouri legislature to regulate
abortions after “Fetal Viability,” unless a health care professional determines
an abortion is needed “to protect the life or physical or mental health of the
pregnant person.” The amendment does not use the word “woman.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAmendment 3 on the ballot Tuesday would overturn Missouri’s
abortion ban and place in the state constitution the fundamental right to
reproductive freedom.While critics say the amendment would allow abortions up to
nine months of pregnancy, Blue Missouri Executive Director Jess Piper counters
those critics don’t understand the reality women considering abortion face. “When people talk about women having abortions late into their
pregnancies, they’re really dealing with women who have been subjected to something
horrible,” Piper says during her appearance on the KFEQ Hotline. “These women
have a nursery at home. They have strollers. They have a name picked out and something
devastating has happened.”Yet, Coalition Life Executive Director Brian Westbrook claims
Amendment 3 goes too far, placing no real restrictions on abortion.“But this is abortion in all nine months of pregnancy and if
we look at the definition of fetal viability, it clearly is all nine months of
pregnancy,” Westbrook says during his time on the KFEQ Hotline.Amendment 3 would create a section in the Missouri Constitution
entitled “The Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative.” Under the section, the
government would not be able to infringe on a person’s fundamental right to
reproductive freedom.Piper points out the amendment allows regulations after Fetal
Viability.“If we leave those decisions to the people who have the
expertise, I definitely trust a doctor to understand viability and it would be
different with every fetus, right, different with every pregnancy,” Piper says.Westbrook notes the amendment allows for abortion after Fetal
Viability if a doctor determines the abortion is needed to protect the life or
the physical or mental health of the "pregnant person."“And this would be a far, sweeping change, all the way to the
other side,” according to Westbrook. “Basically, we’re removing absolutely every
safeguard with regards to all reproductive health. They didn’t limit this just to
abortion.”The Missouri General Assembly had earlier enacted a so-called
trigger law that banned abortions after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v.
Wade. An initiative petition campaign succeeded in placing Amendment 3 on the
ballot Tuesday.Westbrook calls the wording of the proposed constitutional amendment
broad and specific; not vague.Piper says the amendment’s language is broad, because abortion
is not black and white.“Abortion looks different in every single situation and I know
the people listening to this right now know their mothers and their sisters and
their daughters aren’t people who get pregnant to have an abortion, right?”
Piper states. “Life happens. Tragedies happen. And women need access to health
care.”Piper rejects allegations the broad language in the amendment
could be used to keep a parent from knowing if their child would undergo a sex
change operation.But Westbrook claims Amendment 3 is so broad, it would go far
beyond just restoring abortion rights.“Well, this is sex change operations for minors without their
parent’s knowledge or consent,” according to Westbrook. “This is abortion in
all nine months of pregnancy. It’s a loss of medical malpractice protections.”Amendment 3 would allow the Missouri legislature to regulate
abortions after “Fetal Viability,” unless a health care professional determines
an abortion is needed “to protect the life or physical or mental health of the
pregnant person.” The amendment does not use the word “woman.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Abortion is on the ballot Tuesday in Missouri

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate convened a gathering of state and federal officials at the Iowa National Guard's headquarters Wednesday to tout security measures surrounding the General Election. 

Iowa's Public Safety Commissioner says his agency will be a hub for collecting information from three-thousand law enforcement and intelligence agency partners about both physical and digital threats. Cyber security staff from state government and the Iowa National Guard are monitoring election offices in Iowa 24 hours a day now. 

A regional cybersecurity officials from the U-S Department of Homeland Security says Iowa has key election safeguards, like testing of all election equipment before it's used to count paper ballots and, after the election, results in randomly-selected precincts are audited for accuracy.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate convened a gathering of state and federal officials at the Iowa National Guard's headquarters Wednesday to tout security measures surrounding the General Election. Iowa's Public Safety Commissioner says his agency will be a hub for collecting information from three-thousand law enforcement and intelligence agency partners about both physical and digital threats. Cyber security staff from state government and the Iowa National Guard are monitoring election offices in Iowa 24 hours a day now. A regional cybersecurity officials from the U-S Department of Homeland Security says Iowa has key election safeguards, like testing of all election equipment before it's used to count paper ballots and, after the election, results in randomly-selected precincts are audited for accuracy.

Cyber security team monitoring Iowa election offices 24/7

Congressmen Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, Brad Finstad from Minnesota, and Randy Feenstra of Iowa wrote a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding Pure Prairie Poultry’s shutdown. The Minnesota company closed its doors, leaving almost 50 farmers and over two million chickens in those three states with no feed or processing options. The members highlighted the lack of oversight and accountability by USDA and requested answers from the agency on their loan and grant process, as well as what they know about Pure Prairie Poultry’s bankruptcy filing. 

“The USDA will answer for the $45.5 million in loans and agricultural grants given to Pure Prairie Poultry, and the company will answer for what they did with that money before they stiffed our farmers,” Van Orden says. “I’m so thankful for how our farmers put the welfare of their flocks first and we will continue to advocate for them on the House Agriculture Committee."

Congressmen Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, Brad Finstad from Minnesota, and Randy Feenstra of Iowa wrote a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding Pure Prairie Poultry’s shutdown. The Minnesota company closed its doors, leaving almost 50 farmers and over two million chickens in those three states with no feed or processing options. The members highlighted the lack of oversight and accountability by USDA and requested answers from the agency on their loan and grant process, as well as what they know about Pure Prairie Poultry’s bankruptcy filing. “The USDA will answer for the $45.5 million in loans and agricultural grants given to Pure Prairie Poultry, and the company will answer for what they did with that money before they stiffed our farmers,” Van Orden says. “I’m so thankful for how our farmers put the welfare of their flocks first and we will continue to advocate for them on the House Agriculture Committee."-NAFB

Officials want accountability from USDA

Drought conditions are worsening in southwestern and west-central Missouri, causing significant challenges for farmers and ranchers. As pastures dry up, livestock producers are forced to resort to hay feeding well ahead of schedule. Approximately 94% of Missouri is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with 65% classified as moderate drought or worse. Severe drought conditions affect 25% of the state, and some areas in southwestern Missouri are facing extreme drought.

Tim Schnakenberg, MU Extension agronomist says,“We haven’t seen conditions this bad since 2012." To mitigate the impact of the drought, some producers are thinning their herds. However, the cost of supplemental feed remains a major concern. The lack of moisture has also hindered the establishment of cover crops and winter grazing pastures, and not only affecting agricultural production but also impacting other sectors of the economy. Lime and fertilizer dealers are reporting decreased demand for their products.

Drought conditions are worsening in southwestern and west-central Missouri, causing significant challenges for farmers and ranchers. As pastures dry up, livestock producers are forced to resort to hay feeding well ahead of schedule. Approximately 94% of Missouri is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with 65% classified as moderate drought or worse. Severe drought conditions affect 25% of the state, and some areas in southwestern Missouri are facing extreme drought.Tim Schnakenberg, MU Extension agronomist says,“We haven’t seen conditions this bad since 2012." To mitigate the impact of the drought, some producers are thinning their herds. However, the cost of supplemental feed remains a major concern. The lack of moisture has also hindered the establishment of cover crops and winter grazing pastures, and not only affecting agricultural production but also impacting other sectors of the economy. Lime and fertilizer dealers are reporting decreased demand for their products.

Missouri drought raises plethora of concerns 

(Radio Iowa) - Iowans will need to reset all of their clocks this weekend as we fall back an hour, and now is the ideal time for parents to start getting their kids ready for the shift as Daylight Saving Time ends. 

Pediatrician Dr. Casey Freymiller says even small changes over the next few days can have big impact. He suggests small adjustments of 15 minutes later a night can lead to less dramatic shift of a whole hour on Sunday. 

Freymiller says sunlight exposure is key, and if it's a dark day, an artificial sunlight lamp could be helpful. He says parents can also try small doses of melatonin to help shift a child's sleep schedules ahead of the time change.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowans will need to reset all of their clocks this weekend as we fall back an hour, and now is the ideal time for parents to start getting their kids ready for the shift as Daylight Saving Time ends. Pediatrician Dr. Casey Freymiller says even small changes over the next few days can have big impact. He suggests small adjustments of 15 minutes later a night can lead to less dramatic shift of a whole hour on Sunday. Freymiller says sunlight exposure is key, and if it's a dark day, an artificial sunlight lamp could be helpful. He says parents can also try small doses of melatonin to help shift a child's sleep schedules ahead of the time change.

With the time change looming, Iowa kids may benefit from later bedtimes now

The seven-figure check sends a message of hope to those opposing abortion ‘who have been waiting to see the donor class jump in big time to help,’ said the campaign manager for Vote No on 3

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

A group associated with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/01/dark-money-leonard-leo-judicial-activism-00084864" target="_blank">conservative activist Leonard Leo</a>&nbsp;donated $1 million on Tuesday to a campaign opposing Missouri’s abortion-rights amendment.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/07/nonprofit-leonard-leo-00162364" target="_blank">The Concord Fund,&nbsp;</a>an advocacy organization funded by groups connected to Leo, stepped into the fight over Amendment 3 with a $1 million check to a PAC called Vote No on 3, according to filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The Concord Fund’s previous spending in Missouri was focused on boosting Will Scharf’s unsuccessful GOP primary campaign for attorney general, where it donated $5 million to PACs supporting Scharf.&nbsp;

Leo, a lawyer and activist who is a longtime leader at the conservative Federalist Society, also has ties to<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/we-dont-talk-about-leonard-man-behind-rights-supreme-court-supermajority" target="_blank">&nbsp;U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley.</a>&nbsp;He’s been involved in one way or another with almost every high-profile conservative judicial appointment in recent decades.

Amendment 3 would legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability. Abortion is illegal in Missouri, with exceptions only for medical emergencies.&nbsp;

Vote No on 3 is among a handful of political action committees hoping to defeat the amendment, including Missouri Stands with Women and the Missouri Right to Life. The donation from the Concord Fund is the single largest contribution made yet to a PAC opposing the amendment.&nbsp;

It also came a week before a General Election that’s already seen&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">huge early voter turnout.</a>&nbsp;

Cassidy Anderson, campaign manager for Vote No on 3, said the late-in-the-race donation was motivated in part by positive internal polling showing “Missourians really don’t want this.”

<a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/september-2024-missouri-poll-republican-candidates-lead-in-president-governor-senate-races/" target="_blank">A September Emerson College poll</a>&nbsp;found 58% of those surveyed support Amendment 3, with 30% opposed. An August&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/index.php" target="_blank">SLU/YouGov Poll</a>&nbsp;found that 52% supported the amendment and 34% opposed.

“Public polling in Missouri has consistently shown what we know to be true — there is overwhelming support among Missourians for ending the state’s abortion ban and protecting reproductive freedom,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind Amendment 3, said in a statement in response to Anderson.&nbsp;

Despite a recent influx of cash, including $250,000 from a PAC called Conservative Leadership for Missouri, the anti-abortion campaign remains markedly outraised and outspent.&nbsp;

As of Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/missouri-abortion-amendment-3-fundraising-election/">Missourians for Constitution had raised more than $31 million,</a>&nbsp;including several seven-figure donations from liberal groups including&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/13/missouri-abortion-rights-campaign-doubles-fundraising-fairness-project/">Sixteen Thirty Fund, the Fairness Project and Open Source Action Fund,&nbsp;</a>all based out of Washington D.C.&nbsp;

Anderson, with Vote No on 3, said the donation will help the PAC launch “one last big education push” through TV and digital ads in the days leading up to the election, adding that the seven-figure check sends a message of hope to Missourians opposing abortion “who have been waiting to see the donor class jump in big time to help.”

As of Monday, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom spent more than $10 million on TV ad buys, including $2.6 million for ads that will air in the final days of the campaign.&nbsp;

Groups opposing Amendment 3 have spent about $700,000 on radio and TV ads, with No on 3 accounting for about $340,000 of that with TV ad purchases in the St. Louis market over the last four days.

No new TV ad purchases were reported for Vote No on 3 as of Wednesday afternoon.

Rudi Keller of The Independent staff contributed to this report.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728651006539.png" alt="A handful of people opposed to Amendment 3 protested outside the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, following a ruling to keep the abortion amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>A handful of people opposed to Amendment 3 protested outside the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, following a ruling to keep the abortion amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The seven-figure check sends a message of hope to those opposing abortion ‘who have been waiting to see the donor class jump in big time to help,’ said the campaign manager for Vote No on 3</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A group associated with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/01/dark-money-leonard-leo-judicial-activism-00084864" target="_blank">conservative activist Leonard Leo</a>&nbsp;donated $1 million on Tuesday to a campaign opposing Missouri’s abortion-rights amendment.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/07/nonprofit-leonard-leo-00162364" target="_blank">The Concord Fund,&nbsp;</a>an advocacy organization funded by groups connected to Leo, stepped into the fight over Amendment 3 with a $1 million check to a PAC called Vote No on 3, according to filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission.The Concord Fund’s previous spending in Missouri was focused on boosting Will Scharf’s unsuccessful GOP primary campaign for attorney general, where it donated $5 million to PACs supporting Scharf.&nbsp;Leo, a lawyer and activist who is a longtime leader at the conservative Federalist Society, also has ties to<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/we-dont-talk-about-leonard-man-behind-rights-supreme-court-supermajority" target="_blank">&nbsp;U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley.</a>&nbsp;He’s been involved in one way or another with almost every high-profile conservative judicial appointment in recent decades.Amendment 3 would legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability. Abortion is illegal in Missouri, with exceptions only for medical emergencies.&nbsp;Vote No on 3 is among a handful of political action committees hoping to defeat the amendment, including Missouri Stands with Women and the Missouri Right to Life. The donation from the Concord Fund is the single largest contribution made yet to a PAC opposing the amendment.&nbsp;It also came a week before a General Election that’s already seen&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">huge early voter turnout.</a>&nbsp;Cassidy Anderson, campaign manager for Vote No on 3, said the late-in-the-race donation was motivated in part by positive internal polling showing “Missourians really don’t want this.”<a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/september-2024-missouri-poll-republican-candidates-lead-in-president-governor-senate-races/" target="_blank">A September Emerson College poll</a>&nbsp;found 58% of those surveyed support Amendment 3, with 30% opposed. An August&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/index.php" target="_blank">SLU/YouGov Poll</a>&nbsp;found that 52% supported the amendment and 34% opposed.“Public polling in Missouri has consistently shown what we know to be true — there is overwhelming support among Missourians for ending the state’s abortion ban and protecting reproductive freedom,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind Amendment 3, said in a statement in response to Anderson.&nbsp;Despite a recent influx of cash, including $250,000 from a PAC called Conservative Leadership for Missouri, the anti-abortion campaign remains markedly outraised and outspent.&nbsp;As of Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/missouri-abortion-amendment-3-fundraising-election/">Missourians for Constitution had raised more than $31 million,</a>&nbsp;including several seven-figure donations from liberal groups including&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/13/missouri-abortion-rights-campaign-doubles-fundraising-fairness-project/">Sixteen Thirty Fund, the Fairness Project and Open Source Action Fund,&nbsp;</a>all based out of Washington D.C.&nbsp;Anderson, with Vote No on 3, said the donation will help the PAC launch “one last big education push” through TV and digital ads in the days leading up to the election, adding that the seven-figure check sends a message of hope to Missourians opposing abortion “who have been waiting to see the donor class jump in big time to help.”As of Monday, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom spent more than $10 million on TV ad buys, including $2.6 million for ads that will air in the final days of the campaign.&nbsp;Groups opposing Amendment 3 have spent about $700,000 on radio and TV ads, with No on 3 accounting for about $340,000 of that with TV ad purchases in the St. Louis market over the last four days.No new TV ad purchases were reported for Vote No on 3 as of Wednesday afternoon.Rudi Keller of The Independent staff contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Missouri anti-abortion PAC gets $1 million boost from group tied to Leonard Leo

JOHNSON COUNTY — An Emporia State University placed&nbsp; on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes is due back in court Wednesday.

Last week, 72-year-old Howard Pitler was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of&nbsp; electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in&nbsp; custody.

According to Emporia State, "Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle &amp; Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729898976418.png" alt="Pitler-photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Pitler-photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — An Emporia State University placed&nbsp; on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes is due back in court Wednesday.Last week, 72-year-old Howard Pitler was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of&nbsp; electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in&nbsp; custody.According to Emporia State, "Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle &amp; Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation."

Emporia State professor due in court for alleged child sex crime

High winds have blew over a tractor trailer in Holt County,
shutting down the southbound lanes of I-29 north of St. Joseph.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports high winds this afternoon toppled the truck at mile marker 91.

The Highway Patrol reports that southbound I-29 is now clear and reopened to drivers traveling that direction.

Heavy winds also blew over another tractor trailer near mile marker 93, however that one is not affecting traffic with it going into the median.&nbsp; The Highway Patrol advises drivers with these winds to be cautious driving alongside tractor trailers

The National Weather Service forecasts winds gusts of 50 to 60 mile per hour as a strong storm system moves into the area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730321796702.jpeg" alt="Tow trucks pull up a trailer tractor that was blown over by high winds at Mile Marker 91/ Photo courtesy of MSHP Sergeant Shane Hux" />
 <figcaption>Tow trucks pull up a trailer tractor that was blown over by high winds at Mile Marker 91/ Photo courtesy of MSHP Sergeant Shane Hux</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN/MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostHigh winds have blew over a tractor trailer in Holt County,
shutting down the southbound lanes of I-29 north of St. Joseph.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports high winds this afternoon toppled the truck at mile marker 91.The Highway Patrol reports that southbound I-29 is now clear and reopened to drivers traveling that direction.Heavy winds also blew over another tractor trailer near mile marker 93, however that one is not affecting traffic with it going into the median.&nbsp; The Highway Patrol advises drivers with these winds to be cautious driving alongside tractor trailers<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730321957709.jpeg" alt="A tractor trailer was also blown over and into the median at Mile Marker 93 during a severe thunderstorm in Holt County/ Photo courtesy of Sergeant Shane Hux" />
 <figcaption>A tractor trailer was also blown over and into the median at Mile Marker 93 during a severe thunderstorm in Holt County/ Photo courtesy of Sergeant Shane Hux</figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service forecasts winds gusts of 50 to 60 mile per hour as a strong storm system moves into the area.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Southbound I-29 north of St. Joseph reopened after winds blow truck over

HOLT COUNTY —A severe thunderstorm swept through Holt County, leaving damage to structures in its wake, according to a social media report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

"Thankfully, no injuries have been reported."

The National Weather service issued a tornado watch for parts of Kansas and Missouri until 10p.m. Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730325945805.png" alt="Photos MSHP Troop H" />
 <figcaption>Photos MSHP Troop H</figcaption>
 </figure>HOLT COUNTY —A severe thunderstorm swept through Holt County, leaving damage to structures in its wake, according to a social media report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol."Thankfully, no injuries have been reported."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730325835090.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather service issued a tornado watch for parts of Kansas and Missouri until 10p.m. Wednesday.

Storm damage reported in NW Missouri

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa's secretary of state and the American Civil Liberties Union have sent letters to county auditors, reminding them they are in the three month period when they cannot respond to challenges seeking removal of names from Iowa voter registration lists. 

Federal law says such challenges must be tabled within 90 days of an election. State election officials say a non-partisan vendor that monitors activity on voter registration lists reports Iowa county auditors have continued to process voter registration challenges. 

The A-C-L-U of Iowa has confirmed the registrations for thousands of voters in Johnson, Muscatine and Pottawattamie Counties have been challenged and some Iowans have had their voter registration improperly cancelled.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa's secretary of state and the American Civil Liberties Union have sent letters to county auditors, reminding them they are in the three month period when they cannot respond to challenges seeking removal of names from Iowa voter registration lists. Federal law says such challenges must be tabled within 90 days of an election. State election officials say a non-partisan vendor that monitors activity on voter registration lists reports Iowa county auditors have continued to process voter registration challenges. The A-C-L-U of Iowa has confirmed the registrations for thousands of voters in Johnson, Muscatine and Pottawattamie Counties have been challenged and some Iowans have had their voter registration improperly cancelled.

ACLU says thousands' of Iowa voter registrations challenged

Ranked choice voting, a relatively new concept,
is on the ballot in Missouri next week.

Only, Amendment 7 – placed on the ballot by the
Missouri legislature – would prohibit ranked choice voting.

House Elections Committee chair, Rep. Peggy
McGaugh of Carrollton, says ranked choice voting only confuses voters.

“Here in Missouri, we are built on the best man
for the job and that might be a woman as well,” McGaugh tells host Barry Birr
on the KFEQ Hotline.

But Larry Bradley with Better Ballot KC claims
the ballot in use today is antiquated and ineffective.

“And it has flaws in it that you can’t fix,”
Bradley tells Birr during his appearance on the KFEQ Hotline. “You know, with
software they talk about patches, patches for software. There’s no patching
this ballot. The only way to fix it is to change to something else, namely
ranked choice voting.”

Under ranked choice voting, voters select their
preferred candidate and then can select two alternatives. If no candidate in an
election garners a majority, those votes for second and third place enter the
calculation. The vote total is recalibrated and recounted until a candidate
receives a majority of the votes.

Only Alaska and Maine have experimented with the
concept.

McGaugh points out Alaska has placed on the
ballot an issue to overturn ranked choice voting.

“They adopted ranked choice voting for some of
their elections, but, matter of fact, Alaska now has it on the ballot to reverse
that choice,” McGaugh says. “So, it didn’t work in another state so I don’t
think Missouri wants to be a test pilot state, either.”

Disagreeing is Bradley, who says ranked choice
voting gives voters more options.

“Our problem is not that we have political parties
in this country,” according to Bradley. “Our problem is that we have
insufficient competition within and between political parties, because of the
ballot we’re using that limits our choices.”

Amendment 7 also makes a subtle, yet to McGaugh
significant change to who is eligible to vote in Missouri by changing a word in
the state constitution, from all citizens of the United States can vote to only
citizens in the U.S. can vote.

“And the reason why that’s necessary is that some
state court can change that in their jurisdiction to that non-citizens can vote
in local elections; the political subdivisions like the schools and the cities,”
McGaugh asserts.

But it’s the banning of ranked choice voting that
bothers Bradley, who says a national poll indicates a majority of Americans
don’t like what the two political parties offer.

“Let me explain something to you, you will never,
ever have more competition and more choices so long as you use the ballot today,”
according to Bradley.

Amendment 7 is one of six issues Missouri voters
will decide next week.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostRanked choice voting, a relatively new concept,
is on the ballot in Missouri next week.Only, Amendment 7 – placed on the ballot by the
Missouri legislature – would prohibit ranked choice voting.House Elections Committee chair, Rep. Peggy
McGaugh of Carrollton, says ranked choice voting only confuses voters.“Here in Missouri, we are built on the best man
for the job and that might be a woman as well,” McGaugh tells host Barry Birr
on the KFEQ Hotline.But Larry Bradley with Better Ballot KC claims
the ballot in use today is antiquated and ineffective.“And it has flaws in it that you can’t fix,”
Bradley tells Birr during his appearance on the KFEQ Hotline. “You know, with
software they talk about patches, patches for software. There’s no patching
this ballot. The only way to fix it is to change to something else, namely
ranked choice voting.”Under ranked choice voting, voters select their
preferred candidate and then can select two alternatives. If no candidate in an
election garners a majority, those votes for second and third place enter the
calculation. The vote total is recalibrated and recounted until a candidate
receives a majority of the votes.Only Alaska and Maine have experimented with the
concept.McGaugh points out Alaska has placed on the
ballot an issue to overturn ranked choice voting.“They adopted ranked choice voting for some of
their elections, but, matter of fact, Alaska now has it on the ballot to reverse
that choice,” McGaugh says. “So, it didn’t work in another state so I don’t
think Missouri wants to be a test pilot state, either.”Disagreeing is Bradley, who says ranked choice
voting gives voters more options.“Our problem is not that we have political parties
in this country,” according to Bradley. “Our problem is that we have
insufficient competition within and between political parties, because of the
ballot we’re using that limits our choices.”Amendment 7 also makes a subtle, yet to McGaugh
significant change to who is eligible to vote in Missouri by changing a word in
the state constitution, from all citizens of the United States can vote to only
citizens in the U.S. can vote.“And the reason why that’s necessary is that some
state court can change that in their jurisdiction to that non-citizens can vote
in local elections; the political subdivisions like the schools and the cities,”
McGaugh asserts.But it’s the banning of ranked choice voting that
bothers Bradley, who says a national poll indicates a majority of Americans
don’t like what the two political parties offer.“Let me explain something to you, you will never,
ever have more competition and more choices so long as you use the ballot today,”
according to Bradley.Amendment 7 is one of six issues Missouri voters
will decide next week.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Amendment 7 would ban ranked choice voting in Missouri

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — An adviser for Republican congressional candidate Derek Schmidt says the “fake newspaper” Democratic rival Nancy Boyda mailed to 160,000 households is “illegal” and “dishonest.”

Schmidt, a three-term Kansas attorney general and former state Senate majority leader, is challenging Boyda for the 2nd District seat that Boyda held from 2007 to 2009.

Boyda has repeatedly produced campaign materials this year without including the mandatory disclosure that they were paid for by her campaign. That includes two eight-page publications, which she labeled “The Kansas Voter Guide.” The latest arrived in mailboxes last week.

The publications provide Boyda-friendly mock news stories, a side-by-side comparison of the candidates on various issues, letters of endorsement for Boyda, and cartoons making fun of Schmidt.

In a statement for this story, Boyda says she mistakenly swapped a page that included the “paid for” designation with the printer at the last minute. She apologized to the voters of the 2nd District and thanked the Kansas Republican Party for calling attention to the situation in its weekly email newsletter.

“Believe me, the last thing we needed was negative press about what we believe is an excellent way to communicate directly with the voters,” Boyda said. “Again, I apologize we did not follow the letter of the law. It was never our intent.”

On Friday, the GOP newsletter complained that Boyda was “breaking federal campaign finance law” by not clearly labeling her publication as paid for by her campaign.

“Politicians who can’t adhere to even the most basic laws do not deserve your approval — or your vote,” the GOP newsletter said.

Kansas GOP chairman Mike Brown in September&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/09/20/kansas-gop-chairman-complains-about-democratic-congressional-candidates-lack-of-disclosures/">filed a complaint</a>&nbsp;with the Federal Election Commission alleging Boyda failed to include “paid for by” disclosures on billboards, videos, yard signs, campaign communications and her campaign website.

Eric Pahls, a Schmidt adviser, said Boyda was being “intentionally dishonest” by not disclosing her publication was “a paid hit piece.”

“Nancy Boyda’s fake newspaper is just the latest in her series of illegal and deceitful campaign activities that are currently under investigation,” Pahls said in a statement for this story. “She’s either incompetent or dishonest — Kansans will reject her either way.”

Boyda said she originally planned to produce three newspapers, but the printer informed the campaign that it only had the capacity to print two. She said the page that included the “paid for by” designation was “inadvertently left off” when she reworked the second and third mailers into a single publication.

She also noted that the return address on the mailing label reads “Boyda for Congress.”

“I want to be clear, that was our mistake, not the printer’s,” Boyda said. “This is an incredibly busy time for everyone and they were good partners to work with. It was our duty to get it right, not theirs.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727015582485.png" alt=" Democrat Nancy Boyda&nbsp; -photo by Grace Hills / Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption> Democrat Nancy Boyda&nbsp; -photo by Grace Hills / Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — An adviser for Republican congressional candidate Derek Schmidt says the “fake newspaper” Democratic rival Nancy Boyda mailed to 160,000 households is “illegal” and “dishonest.”Schmidt, a three-term Kansas attorney general and former state Senate majority leader, is challenging Boyda for the 2nd District seat that Boyda held from 2007 to 2009.Boyda has repeatedly produced campaign materials this year without including the mandatory disclosure that they were paid for by her campaign. That includes two eight-page publications, which she labeled “The Kansas Voter Guide.” The latest arrived in mailboxes last week.The publications provide Boyda-friendly mock news stories, a side-by-side comparison of the candidates on various issues, letters of endorsement for Boyda, and cartoons making fun of Schmidt.In a statement for this story, Boyda says she mistakenly swapped a page that included the “paid for” designation with the printer at the last minute. She apologized to the voters of the 2nd District and thanked the Kansas Republican Party for calling attention to the situation in its weekly email newsletter.“Believe me, the last thing we needed was negative press about what we believe is an excellent way to communicate directly with the voters,” Boyda said. “Again, I apologize we did not follow the letter of the law. It was never our intent.”On Friday, the GOP newsletter complained that Boyda was “breaking federal campaign finance law” by not clearly labeling her publication as paid for by her campaign.“Politicians who can’t adhere to even the most basic laws do not deserve your approval — or your vote,” the GOP newsletter said.Kansas GOP chairman Mike Brown in September&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/09/20/kansas-gop-chairman-complains-about-democratic-congressional-candidates-lack-of-disclosures/">filed a complaint</a>&nbsp;with the Federal Election Commission alleging Boyda failed to include “paid for by” disclosures on billboards, videos, yard signs, campaign communications and her campaign website.Eric Pahls, a Schmidt adviser, said Boyda was being “intentionally dishonest” by not disclosing her publication was “a paid hit piece.”“Nancy Boyda’s fake newspaper is just the latest in her series of illegal and deceitful campaign activities that are currently under investigation,” Pahls said in a statement for this story. “She’s either incompetent or dishonest — Kansans will reject her either way.”Boyda said she originally planned to produce three newspapers, but the printer informed the campaign that it only had the capacity to print two. She said the page that included the “paid for by” designation was “inadvertently left off” when she reworked the second and third mailers into a single publication.She also noted that the return address on the mailing label reads “Boyda for Congress.”“I want to be clear, that was our mistake, not the printer’s,” Boyda said. “This is an incredibly busy time for everyone and they were good partners to work with. It was our duty to get it right, not theirs.”

Kansas Republicans blast Democrat for mailing ‘voter guide’ without campaign disclosure

(Radio Iowa) - Iowans who are considering picking up some seasonal work during the final few months of the year should apply now, according to a University of Iowa business professor. 

Peggy Stover, who directs the U-I's Marketing Institute, says many retailers are looking to make immediate hires as we're less than a month from Thanksgiving. Stover says retailers are scrambling for consumers and additional staff. 

With Thanksgiving falling on November 28th, it will be a shorter holiday shopping season, which she predicts will translate to better deals for consumers as retails strive to move inventory. Stover predicts a robust holiday shopping season, with Black Friday just a month away.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowans who are considering picking up some seasonal work during the final few months of the year should apply now, according to a University of Iowa business professor. Peggy Stover, who directs the U-I's Marketing Institute, says many retailers are looking to make immediate hires as we're less than a month from Thanksgiving. Stover says retailers are scrambling for consumers and additional staff. With Thanksgiving falling on November 28th, it will be a shorter holiday shopping season, which she predicts will translate to better deals for consumers as retails strive to move inventory. Stover predicts a robust holiday shopping season, with Black Friday just a month away.

Employers are hiring Iowans now for holiday jobs, from retail to deliveries

The metal targets were only ‘10 paces, approximately 10 yards’ from where Kunce was shooting an AR-15 rifle, according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office

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

A law enforcement investigation of the circumstances surrounding&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/tv-reporter-injured-by-bullet-fragment-at-lucas-kunce-campaign-event/">a television reporter being hit by a bullet fragment&nbsp;</a>at a campaign photo op for Democrat Lucas Kunce earlier this month has determined there was “no malice, nor ill intent” by anyone involved.&nbsp;

The case was also reviewed by the local prosecutor, who decided no charges would be filed, according to the incident report filed by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

Kunce, a Marine veteran hoping to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, was holding an event at a shooting range near Kansas City with former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican. While shooting AR-15 rifles, a bullet fragment ricocheted off a metal target and struck KSHB-TV reporter Ryan Gamboa in the arm.&nbsp;

According to the incident report, after receiving first aid from Kunce, Gamboa sought treatment at a local hospital and was told he had a small piece of metal under his skin. Gamboa told the sheriff’s office he was advised by hospital staff to leave it there.

It’s unclear, according to the incident report, who fired the bullet that ultimately hit Gamboa. But Kinzinger told the sheriff’s office that after shooting “various weapons, from handguns to AR-15 rifles,” he stopped while Kunce “was shooting the last few rounds of the magazine.”

That’s when Kinzinger said he became aware that Gamboa was bleeding from his arm. Kinzinger believes it was “a fragment from a .233 round,” the incident report says.&nbsp;

The event carried on after first aid was administered to Gamboa, the report states, with participants continuing to shoot at the targets. After Kunce left he notified the sheriff’s office of the incident.&nbsp;

A spokesperson for Kunce’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

As the race for Missouri’s U.S. Senate seat enters its final days, Hawley has hammered Kunce over the shooting range incident, mocking him on social media and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/HawleyMO/status/1851307325459476719" target="_blank">releasing a television ad</a>&nbsp;saying he “can’t shoot straight” and calling him a “reckless liberal.”&nbsp;

Adding fuel to that criticism are complaints by gun experts who say the set up for the photo op was unsafe because&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article294439354.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">the metal targets were too close to safely fire AR-15 rifles</a>.&nbsp;The sheriff’s deputy who looked into the incident inspected the scene and determined the targets were only “10 paces, approximately 10 yards” from where Kunce and Kinzinger were shooting.

Hawley and Kunce are set to square off on Thursday in their&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/josh-hawley-lucas-kunce-agree-to-missouri-senate-debate-just-days-before-election/">only televised debate</a>, airing on Missouri Nexstar stations across the state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729709021542.png" alt=" Lucas Kunce applies first aid to KSHB reporter Ryan Gamboa after a bullet fragment ricocheted off a target and struck him in the arm while former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger looks on (photo: Lucas Kunce for Missouri)." />
 <figcaption> Lucas Kunce applies first aid to KSHB reporter Ryan Gamboa after a bullet fragment ricocheted off a target and struck him in the arm while former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger looks on (photo: Lucas Kunce for Missouri).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The metal targets were only ‘10 paces, approximately 10 yards’ from where Kunce was shooting an AR-15 rifle, according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>A law enforcement investigation of the circumstances surrounding&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/tv-reporter-injured-by-bullet-fragment-at-lucas-kunce-campaign-event/">a television reporter being hit by a bullet fragment&nbsp;</a>at a campaign photo op for Democrat Lucas Kunce earlier this month has determined there was “no malice, nor ill intent” by anyone involved.&nbsp;The case was also reviewed by the local prosecutor, who decided no charges would be filed, according to the incident report filed by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.Kunce, a Marine veteran hoping to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, was holding an event at a shooting range near Kansas City with former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican. While shooting AR-15 rifles, a bullet fragment ricocheted off a metal target and struck KSHB-TV reporter Ryan Gamboa in the arm.&nbsp;According to the incident report, after receiving first aid from Kunce, Gamboa sought treatment at a local hospital and was told he had a small piece of metal under his skin. Gamboa told the sheriff’s office he was advised by hospital staff to leave it there.It’s unclear, according to the incident report, who fired the bullet that ultimately hit Gamboa. But Kinzinger told the sheriff’s office that after shooting “various weapons, from handguns to AR-15 rifles,” he stopped while Kunce “was shooting the last few rounds of the magazine.”That’s when Kinzinger said he became aware that Gamboa was bleeding from his arm. Kinzinger believes it was “a fragment from a .233 round,” the incident report says.&nbsp;The event carried on after first aid was administered to Gamboa, the report states, with participants continuing to shoot at the targets. After Kunce left he notified the sheriff’s office of the incident.&nbsp;A spokesperson for Kunce’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;As the race for Missouri’s U.S. Senate seat enters its final days, Hawley has hammered Kunce over the shooting range incident, mocking him on social media and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/HawleyMO/status/1851307325459476719" target="_blank">releasing a television ad</a>&nbsp;saying he “can’t shoot straight” and calling him a “reckless liberal.”&nbsp;Adding fuel to that criticism are complaints by gun experts who say the set up for the photo op was unsafe because&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article294439354.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">the metal targets were too close to safely fire AR-15 rifles</a>.&nbsp;The sheriff’s deputy who looked into the incident inspected the scene and determined the targets were only “10 paces, approximately 10 yards” from where Kunce and Kinzinger were shooting.Hawley and Kunce are set to square off on Thursday in their&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/josh-hawley-lucas-kunce-agree-to-missouri-senate-debate-just-days-before-election/">only televised debate</a>, airing on Missouri Nexstar stations across the state.

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