(Radio Iowa) - The Cass County Sheriff's Office is releasing the names of two men whose bodies were found late last week in southwest Iowa. 

Friday afternoon, deputies responded to a property southeast of Anita, after a body was found on the ground near an outbuilding. He's identified as 30-year-old Spencer Rochholz, who was living on the property along with his mother. Another dead man was found in the outbuilding. He was identified as 63-year-old Robert Finch of Kellogg. 

Authorities would not comment on a suspected cause of death. The bodies were sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for autopsy.

(Radio Iowa) - The Cass County Sheriff's Office is releasing the names of two men whose bodies were found late last week in southwest Iowa. Friday afternoon, deputies responded to a property southeast of Anita, after a body was found on the ground near an outbuilding. He's identified as 30-year-old Spencer Rochholz, who was living on the property along with his mother. Another dead man was found in the outbuilding. He was identified as 63-year-old Robert Finch of Kellogg. Authorities would not comment on a suspected cause of death. The bodies were sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for autopsy.

Two bodies found in SW Iowa are now identified

The USDA announced Bill Beam as the next administrator of the Farm Service Agency. Beam is a Pennsylvania farmer and president of Rural Investment to Protect our Environment, or RIPE. The new administrator will work with the USDA to provide leadership and manage conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs. Beam is the Owner and Operator of Beam Farms, Inc., a fourth-generation farmer raising corn, soy, wheat, hay, specialty crops, and beef in Elverson, Pennsylvania.

The USDA announced Bill Beam as the next administrator of the Farm Service Agency. Beam is a Pennsylvania farmer and president of Rural Investment to Protect our Environment, or RIPE. The new administrator will work with the USDA to provide leadership and manage conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs. Beam is the Owner and Operator of Beam Farms, Inc., a fourth-generation farmer raising corn, soy, wheat, hay, specialty crops, and beef in Elverson, Pennsylvania.

FSA gets new administrator

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins hosted a stakeholder update to provide a progress report on USDA’s five-pronged strategy to combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and lower egg prices. Less than a month after the plan’s rollout, USDA reports significant advancements across all five areas. “Egg prices are falling, farmers are getting some relief, and we are seeing meaningful progress in the fight against avian flu,” Rollins said. “USDA is making targeted investments and driving innovation to keep our food supply strong and affordable.”

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins hosted a stakeholder update to provide a progress report on USDA’s five-pronged strategy to combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and lower egg prices. Less than a month after the plan’s rollout, USDA reports significant advancements across all five areas. “Egg prices are falling, farmers are getting some relief, and we are seeing meaningful progress in the fight against avian flu,” Rollins said. “USDA is making targeted investments and driving innovation to keep our food supply strong and affordable.”

USDA updates public on avian flu strategy 

A veteran of the
Atchison County Clerk’s Office has been appointed Atchison County Treasurer.

Gov. Mike Kehoe
has appointed Tasha Zach of Rock Port, who had been filling the vacancy in the
Treasurer’s Office since appointed by the Atchison County Commission in
December of last year.

Zach previously
served as an accounts payable deputy and the election deputy in the Atchison
County Clerk's Office for more than nine years.

Zach holds an
Office Information Systems Technology certificate from Iowa Western Community
College.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA veteran of the
Atchison County Clerk’s Office has been appointed Atchison County Treasurer.Gov. Mike Kehoe
has appointed Tasha Zach of Rock Port, who had been filling the vacancy in the
Treasurer’s Office since appointed by the Atchison County Commission in
December of last year.Zach previously
served as an accounts payable deputy and the election deputy in the Atchison
County Clerk's Office for more than nine years.Zach holds an
Office Information Systems Technology certificate from Iowa Western Community
College.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Zach, an Atchison County Courthouse veteran, appointed Treasurer

(Radio Iowa) - Some Iowans don't need the reminder, since we had powerful thunderstorms and a massive blizzard just last week, but Monday marks the start of Severe Weather Awareness Week. 

Page County Emergency Management Coordinator Jill Harvey says the National Weather Service is highlighting a different category daily, starting with lightning safety this morning. Other categories will include: tornado safety, hail and winds, flooding, and more. 

As part of Wednesday's focus on preparedness, a statewide tornado drill will be held at 10 A-M. Iowa saw a record 125 tornadoes touch down last year.

(Radio Iowa) - Some Iowans don't need the reminder, since we had powerful thunderstorms and a massive blizzard just last week, but Monday marks the start of Severe Weather Awareness Week. Page County Emergency Management Coordinator Jill Harvey says the National Weather Service is highlighting a different category daily, starting with lightning safety this morning. Other categories will include: tornado safety, hail and winds, flooding, and more. As part of Wednesday's focus on preparedness, a statewide tornado drill will be held at 10 A-M. Iowa saw a record 125 tornadoes touch down last year.

Iowans are reminded to prepare for twisters, lightning and other severe weather

KFEQ Hotline host
Barry Birr wraps up his last week on the air this week and received a surprise
guest Monday morning.

“Congressman Sam
Graves is here,” Birr stated when Graves entered the KFEQ studio unannounced and
sat down in the guest chair. “Thank you for coming in.”

“Yeah, sure,”
Graves replied to the astonished Birr.

“I’m not sure why
you’re here, but – you weren’t on my schedule – but I’m sure glad to see you.”

“Well, Barry, so
since you’re retiring, I decided to do a Congressional record, read something
into the Congressional record in the U.S. House of Representatives, that commemorated
your time here at KFEQ and all the work that you’ve done over the years,” with
that, Graves presented Birr with an official copy of the remarks he made on the
House floor.

Graves said he
wanted to honor Birr’s 41 years at KFEQ and nearly 33 as host of the KFEQ
Hotline.

“That’s just
something to say thank you for the work that you’ve done and everything you’ve
done for KFEQ and the whole region,” Graves told Birr.

Birr came to KFEQ
as news director in 1984. He created the KFEQ Hotline in 1992. Birr retires
after the Hotline on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742839421764.jpeg" alt="Congressman Sam Graves paid a surprise visit to host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline Monday/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Sam Graves paid a surprise visit to host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline Monday/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostKFEQ Hotline host
Barry Birr wraps up his last week on the air this week and received a surprise
guest Monday morning.“Congressman Sam
Graves is here,” Birr stated when Graves entered the KFEQ studio unannounced and
sat down in the guest chair. “Thank you for coming in.”“Yeah, sure,”
Graves replied to the astonished Birr.“I’m not sure why
you’re here, but – you weren’t on my schedule – but I’m sure glad to see you.”“Well, Barry, so
since you’re retiring, I decided to do a Congressional record, read something
into the Congressional record in the U.S. House of Representatives, that commemorated
your time here at KFEQ and all the work that you’ve done over the years,” with
that, Graves presented Birr with an official copy of the remarks he made on the
House floor.Graves said he
wanted to honor Birr’s 41 years at KFEQ and nearly 33 as host of the KFEQ
Hotline.“That’s just
something to say thank you for the work that you’ve done and everything you’ve
done for KFEQ and the whole region,” Graves told Birr.Birr recently
announced his retirement.Birr came to KFEQ
as news director in 1984. He created the KFEQ Hotline in 1992. Birr retires
after the Hotline on Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742839558529.jpeg" alt="Host Barry Birr talks with Congressman Graves on the KFEQ Hotline Monday/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Host Barry Birr talks with Congressman Graves on the KFEQ Hotline Monday/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Congressman-Sam-Graves-surprises-Barry-Birr-e30jq90/a-abrmllo" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Congressman Graves surprises Birr on KFEQ Hotline

After leading the Drake Bulldogs to a 31-4 record, and their first NCAA Tournament win since 1971, former Northwest Missouri State coach Ben McCollum will be heading to be the next head coach at Iowa.&nbsp;

Iowa Athletic Director Beth Goetz announced today that McCollum was to be named the 23rd coach in the history of the Hawkeyes, replacing longtime head coach Fran McCaffery after he was fired following Iowa's exit from the Big 10 tournament.&nbsp;

“We are excited to welcome Coach McCollum and his family back to Iowa City.  Ben has a track record of success both on and off the court. His talent for developing student-athletes and fostering a strong team culture has been evident throughout his career,” said Goetz in a news release.  “I am confident that Hawkeye fans will enthusiastically support the McCollum family as we embark on the next chapter of Iowa men’s basketball.”

McCollum arrives in Iowa City with a sterling resume that includes four NCAA Division II national championships at Northwest Missouri State University. In his first season in NCAA Division I, McCollum guided Drake to a school-record 31 wins, the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles, and to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

During his 16-year coaching career, McCollum has amassed a record of 426-95 record for an 81.8 winning percentage. It is fifth-best all-time among collegiate men’s basketball coaches.

“Returning to Iowa City as the head coach of the Hawkeyes is a dream come true for me and my family. The passion of Hawkeye fans is unmatched, and I am incredibly excited to get started on this new journey together. I am thankful to so many people who have been part of my journey, especially Michelle, Peyton, Tate and Grace," McCollum says.&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742833323305.jpeg" alt="Ben McCollum.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Ben McCollum.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostAfter leading the Drake Bulldogs to a 31-4 record, and their first NCAA Tournament win since 1971, former Northwest Missouri State coach Ben McCollum will be heading to be the next head coach at Iowa.&nbsp;Iowa Athletic Director Beth Goetz announced today that McCollum was to be named the 23rd coach in the history of the Hawkeyes, replacing longtime head coach Fran McCaffery after he was fired following Iowa's exit from the Big 10 tournament.&nbsp;“We are excited to welcome Coach McCollum and his family back to Iowa City. Ben has a track record of success both on and off the court. His talent for developing student-athletes and fostering a strong team culture has been evident throughout his career,” said Goetz in a news release. “I am confident that Hawkeye fans will enthusiastically support the McCollum family as we embark on the next chapter of Iowa men’s basketball.”McCollum arrives in Iowa City with a sterling resume that includes four NCAA Division II national championships at Northwest Missouri State University. In his first season in NCAA Division I, McCollum guided Drake to a school-record 31 wins, the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles, and to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.During his 16-year coaching career, McCollum has amassed a record of 426-95 record for an 81.8 winning percentage. It is fifth-best all-time among collegiate men’s basketball coaches.“Returning to Iowa City as the head coach of the Hawkeyes is a dream come true for me and my family. The passion of Hawkeye fans is unmatched, and I am incredibly excited to get started on this new journey together. I am thankful to so many people who have been part of my journey, especially Michelle, Peyton, Tate and Grace," McCollum says.&nbsp;You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Former NWMSU coach Ben McCollum moving from Drake to Iowa

Two persons have
been detained as the St. Joseph Police Department investigates a shooting
around noon Sunday.

No one was harmed
in the shooting in the 600 block of North 23rd Street. A neighbor
called police who confirmed shots were fired in the house in an apparent domestic
dispute.

A man and a woman,
both in their 20s, surrendered to police voluntarily.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTwo persons have
been detained as the St. Joseph Police Department investigates a shooting
around noon Sunday.No one was harmed
in the shooting in the 600 block of North 23rd Street. A neighbor
called police who confirmed shots were fired in the house in an apparent domestic
dispute.A man and a woman,
both in their 20s, surrendered to police voluntarily.The investigation
continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

No one hurt in St. Joseph shooting; domestic dispute suspected

A top initiative from Gov. Mike Kehoe is in trouble as House Budget Committee considers the chairman’s spending plan, which also has less for state employees pay raises and $139 million for earmarks&nbsp;

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>

The Missouri House Budget Committee on Monday will debate a spending plan that eliminates one of Gov. Mike Kehoe’s major initiatives, adds dozens of new earmarked projects and dips into state general revenue reserves for about $1 billion.

The annual markup session, where committee members seek changes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/12/new-100-million-missouri-accounting-system-blamed-for-delays-in-budget-process/">revised budget unveiled March 12</a>&nbsp;by the panel’s chairman, state Rep. Dirk Deaton, promises to be a marathon meeting. If kinks in a new computer system don’t cause more delays, the full House will debate the budget bills in a week.

The substitute bills crafted by Deaton propose spending $47.6 billion on state operations, including $14.5 billion of general revenue. The proposal reduces Kehoe’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">January budget plan</a>&nbsp;by almost $750 million in general revenue and $2.4 billion overall.

Part of the savings in general revenue come from shifting $421 million in the Medicaid program to another fund. Other items, representing unfinished earmarked projects funded last year, were shifted to a reappropriation bill that traditionally is not counted in new spending totals.

Deaton’s general revenue cuts also include paring back Kehoe’s state employee pay raise plan and rejecting a proposal to provide pay raises targeting corrections officers who work in high security settings.&nbsp;

Nearly $1 billion in non-general revenue reductions come from cutting spending authority in programs that have no money or use far less than appropriated.

The biggest unfunded item on the table, which Kehoe did not include and Deaton also left out, is $300 million to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/12/budget-battle-brewing-over-gov-mike-kehoes-school-funding-proposal/">fully fund the state foundation formula</a>&nbsp;for public school distributions.

The cuts also include the biggest spending initiative in Kehoe’s budget, funded with federal block grant dollars, to make child care subsidy payments more predictable and timely for providers.

Kehoe outlined the proposal in his State of the State Address in January.&nbsp;

“Starting in fiscal year 2026, providers will receive payments from the state at the beginning of the month and we will pay on enrollment – just like private pay,” Kehoe said. “We will not allow late payments or technology issues to put these small businesses at risk of not being able to provide for families in need of child care.”

Currently, the state pays only for actual attendance and after the provider files detailed reports. That system was undermined by new software plagued with bugs and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/06/missouri-education-officials-apologize-for-ongoing-backlog-of-child-care-subsidy-payments/">payments that went missing or delayed</a>. Some providers have closed, others have sought bridge financing and&nbsp;

But Deaton sees the $107 million cost as a big new obligation for the state that he doesn’t want to incur.

“It is not a sustainable funding source,” Deaton said when he unveiled his spending proposals. “Next year, maybe the year after, we would be looking at a $160 million general revenue pickup.”

State revenue collections are down this fiscal year and only nominal growth is expected in the coming year. State Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said she understands the need to be careful with dollars but accuses Republicans of hypocrisy.

If the GOP leadership was concerned about meeting the state’s obligations, she said, the House wouldn’t be debating major tax cuts. So far this year, the House has approved&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/13/missouri-house-votes-on-party-lines-to-eliminate-income-tax-on-capital-gains/">exempting capital gains</a>&nbsp;from state income tax as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-approves-1-3-billion-tax-cut-plan/">cuts to the top rates</a>&nbsp;for personal and corporate taxes.

“We have these conversations in the budget room about how the fiscal reality of the state isn’t nearly as favorable as it has been in years past,” Fogle said.”Yet, three floors above us, the same body is proposing and passing tax cuts to the tune of about $1.3 billion.”

The child care subsidy payment program Kehoe wanted that Deaton’s plan doesn’t fund is getting the most attention headed into the mark-up session.&nbsp;

But Deaton also left out an $89 per month increase to Blind Pension Fund payments, estimated to cost $3.7 million from a dedicated property tax fund.&nbsp;

He changed the cap on the pay plan from 10%, equal to 1% more for every two years of state service up to 20 years, to 5% by changing the time in service limit to 10 years.&nbsp;

Corrections officers working in maximum security would have received $1 per hour more, while those working in restrictive housing units would have received $1.50 more. The extra pay would have cost $12.3 million.

Kehoe’s prospective payment proposal would implement federal regulations that&nbsp;<a href="https://pn3policy.org/blog/the-state-policy-implications-of-the-new-federal-child-care-rule/" target="_blank">took effect on April 30, 2024</a>. The rules direct states to use Child Care and Development Block Grant funds to pay providers at the start of each month and to use enrollment, not attendance, as the basis for their reimbursements.

The regulations gave states two years to implement the changes.

Kehoe’s proposal would increase the cost of child care subsidies from $259.8 million in the current year to $366.5 million. The state share from general revenue would remain the same, $22.5 million.

With the change of federal administration, Deaton said, both the rule and the funding are uncertain. If the state does not comply, he said, the harshest immediate reaction would be a threatening letter.

“I don’t think it is unreasonable to try to press pause here, step back and see where the land lies going forward,” Deaton said.

Providers are organizing to reverse the cut. A prospective payment system based on enrollment would provide stable, reliable funding for providers, said Casey Hanson, deputy director of Kids Win Missouri.

They are asking providers to contact legislators, she said.

“We’ve also collected stories from the last week from over 100 providers all over the state who we just asked, ‘what would the impact of this be?’” Hanson said. “Many of them also remember getting paid in that way during COVID and they talked about how much of a lifesaver it was during that time.”

A prospective payment system based on enrollment would eliminate hours of administrative work and provide secure financing, said Nicci Rexroat, owner of A Place to Grow, a child care facility with locations in Jefferson City, New Bloomfield and Holts Summit.

“Just stabilizing my budget would be amazing,” Rexroat said.

Under the current system, Rexroat reports attendance each month and waits to find out if every child enrolled is still eligible.

“it’s a big part of my job every month, not only to compile and submit attendance, but for families who maybe forgot to clock in or clock out one day, getting those times adjusted so that they can get paid,” she said.

And each month’s payment must be audited to make sure it reflects the claim, Rexroat said.&nbsp;

The payment software used since December 2023 has not functioned as intended. Providers have faced delays receiving their payments, some missing entire months as the new system was put in place.

Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger promised the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/missouri-child-care-subsidy-payment-backlog-will-be-resolved-next-month-commissioner-says/">backlog would be cleared</a>&nbsp;in February, but Rexroat says problems remain.

The state pays varying amounts based on the type of provider and the age of the child, from as little as $14 a day for preschoolers in a small center to as much as $90 a day for an infant in a licensed center.

Under the provisions defining eligibility, families receive a full subsidy if household earnings are 150% or less of the&nbsp;<a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines" target="_blank">federal poverty guideline.</a>

That is $31,725 for a single parent with one child, which is equal to working full time for $15.25 an hour. A household with two children and two adults working full time for minimum wage would not be eligible for the full benefit.

There are&nbsp;<a href="https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/child-care-subsidy/child-care-subsidy-rates-and-sliding-fees" target="_blank">three tiers of transitional benefits</a>, where families pay from $7.50 to $10 a day as their income rises.

The income cap for eligibility should be increased, Rexroat said.

“There’s been a lot of really amazing increases in the daily rates and the amount that the state will pay for subsidy families, but I would love to see an increase in eligibility, more so than an increase in the daily payments for families that qualify,” she said.

Democrats will offer an amendment to reverse the cut, Fogle said. Affordable child care is essential so parents can work, she said, and the current attendance payment system isn’t working.

“I’ve had child care facilities in my district closed,” Fogle said. “I’ve had families who had to put their children back in foster care because they lost their subsidy spot, and the parents couldn’t afford to take off work.”

Under the committee rules governing budget markup, any member wishing to increase spending from general revenue must balance it with a proposed reduction elsewhere of an equal amount. Because the child care funds are federal dollars, an amendment to reverse Deaton’s decision will be possible without finding money elsewhere.

There’s also no need to find a cut elsewhere to fund the Blind Pension Fund payments. Under state law, revenue increases to the fund must be reported as a budget request, which lawmakers can reject, to increase the monthly payments.

Currently $828 a month to about 3,200 Missourians, the revenue increase of more than $4 million means a recommendation to increase it by $89. Deaton’s plan did not fund the $3.7 million cost of the increase.

The Blind Pension Fund revenue comes from a statewide property tax of 3 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The fund has a rapidly growing balance and stood at $74 million at the end of February.

At the end of fiscal 2016, the fund held $468,000.

The payment has increased $39 each of the past two years. Prior to that, it was $750 a month for five years.

Sheila Wright, president of the National Federation of the Blind Missouri, said people receiving the pension know they were in line for an increase but she hadn’t heard that Deaton struck it from the budget.

“With all the increases in cost of living, you know, the $89 is, you know, that would be quite a benefit to individuals who have faced all those inflation costs,” Wright said.

Public schools are also supposed to benefit when the Blind Pension Fund balance exceeds the cost of benefits. Every two years, money left in the fund is supposed to be allocated to the foundation formula.

Fogle said she wants an explanation of why the pension increase was cut. She is also looking for money to cover the $300 million to fully fund the foundation formula.

The foundation formula is costing taxpayers $3.8 billion in the current year. The law defining how the need calculation is made puts the cost for the coming year at $4.1 billion.

Because of the balancing rule, finding the $300 million will be tough, Fogle said. Democrats intend to start with another major initiative from Kehoe — $50 million to expand a scholarship program for private school students that is supposed to be funded from donations and tax credits.

“For the first time in the state’s history, the governor has recommended spending $50 million on vouchers to cover the cost of tuition at unaccredited and unregulated private schools who pick and choose which students they deem worthy of getting an education,” Fogle said. “That is something that I am not comfortable with.”

A battle — or a trade — could be brewing over two earmarked items, both included in last year’s budget but meeting different fates.

Then-Gov. Mike Parson approved $8 million to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.springfieldmo.gov/3273/Historic-Jefferson-Ave-Footbridge-Rehabi" target="_blank">rehabilitate a historic footbridge</a>&nbsp;in Springfield — the district of Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough — but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-governor-slashes-1-billion-from-state-budget-approved-by-lawmakers/">vetoed $12.5 million</a>&nbsp;to buy land for a state park in McDonald County, which is in Deaton’s district.

In his budget plan, Deaton moved 23 of 24 long-term projects funded through the Department of Transportation to the reappropriation bill. He cut one — the Jefferson Avenue footbridge.

And in the Department of Natural Resources budget, Deaton added $15 million to buy land for a state park in McDonald County.

The footbridge is not in her district, Fogle said, and she has no insight into whether Deaton is setting up a swap or opposes the footbridge project outright.

“It’s clear the chair is very passionate about that park project happening, and it is clear that last year, the governor’s office was not,” she said. “And it is clear to me that Senator Lincoln Hough will always do what he can do to bring home investments and infrastructure projects in his own senatorial district, as any senator should. So it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.”

Deaton didn’t respond to requests for an interview about the budget on Friday.

The park is the largest of 71 earmarked items added to the budget.The others range from $88,720 to support a counseling program for children of incarcerated adults&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbbsemo.org/amachi-missouri/" target="_blank">operated by Big Brothers and Big Sisters</a>&nbsp;to $11.9 million for a climbing lane on Interstate 44 in Joplin.

The new items add $119.1 million of general revenue and $138.9 million in total to the budget.

Democrats have been included in discussions on what can be funded for local interests, Fogle said.

“The chairman holds the bulk of the power in the budget process, and that’s not dissimilar to previous years,” she said. “So far, I think we’ve maintained a healthy working relationship with the chair, and do feel like our priorities have been acknowledged.”

Growth in state revenues fell behind the rate of inflation in the most recent fiscal year and are on track to decline for the first time in a non-recession year. A massive surplus, built up in years of double-digit growth, has been declining but remains healthy.

Even with the sluggish growth, revenue beat expectations last fiscal year and are on track to exceed the amount used as an estimate for the current budget. But the decline in revenue so far this year, about double expectations, means next year may not meet the estimate of almost $13.6 billion in receipts.

Kehoe’s budget proposed $15.2 billion in general revenue for day-to-day operations, plus $750 million for capital projects that will take more than one year. Deaton’s plan for operations uses $14.5 billion in general&nbsp; revenue. He has not submitted his proposals for capital projects.

To fit ongoing spending to expected revenue, Deaton slapped a one-time label on numerous items, including a $15 million increase in funding for school district transportation costs.

While the committee is writing a budget that uses at least $900 million in accumulated surpluses, the House has already approved a tax cut proposal that would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-approves-1-3-billion-tax-cut-plan/">reduce revenues by $1.3 billion</a>&nbsp;annually when fully phased-in.

“We’ve really got to be careful moving forward, starting this year,” Deaton said during the March 12 hearing. “Next year will be more difficult than this year. We need to understand that just because something is maybe added this year, especially, it wouldn’t be right to go ahead and budget that in for future years.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742822945407.png" alt=" House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, speaks March 3 during debate on the fiscal 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)" />
 <figcaption> House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, speaks March 3 during debate on the fiscal 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A top initiative from Gov. Mike Kehoe is in trouble as House Budget Committee considers the chairman’s spending plan, which also has less for state employees pay raises and $139 million for earmarks&nbsp;</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>The Missouri House Budget Committee on Monday will debate a spending plan that eliminates one of Gov. Mike Kehoe’s major initiatives, adds dozens of new earmarked projects and dips into state general revenue reserves for about $1 billion.The annual markup session, where committee members seek changes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/12/new-100-million-missouri-accounting-system-blamed-for-delays-in-budget-process/">revised budget unveiled March 12</a>&nbsp;by the panel’s chairman, state Rep. Dirk Deaton, promises to be a marathon meeting. If kinks in a new computer system don’t cause more delays, the full House will debate the budget bills in a week.The substitute bills crafted by Deaton propose spending $47.6 billion on state operations, including $14.5 billion of general revenue. The proposal reduces Kehoe’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">January budget plan</a>&nbsp;by almost $750 million in general revenue and $2.4 billion overall.Part of the savings in general revenue come from shifting $421 million in the Medicaid program to another fund. Other items, representing unfinished earmarked projects funded last year, were shifted to a reappropriation bill that traditionally is not counted in new spending totals.Deaton’s general revenue cuts also include paring back Kehoe’s state employee pay raise plan and rejecting a proposal to provide pay raises targeting corrections officers who work in high security settings.&nbsp;Nearly $1 billion in non-general revenue reductions come from cutting spending authority in programs that have no money or use far less than appropriated.The biggest unfunded item on the table, which Kehoe did not include and Deaton also left out, is $300 million to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/12/budget-battle-brewing-over-gov-mike-kehoes-school-funding-proposal/">fully fund the state foundation formula</a>&nbsp;for public school distributions.The cuts also include the biggest spending initiative in Kehoe’s budget, funded with federal block grant dollars, to make child care subsidy payments more predictable and timely for providers.Kehoe outlined the proposal in his State of the State Address in January.&nbsp;“Starting in fiscal year 2026, providers will receive payments from the state at the beginning of the month and we will pay on enrollment – just like private pay,” Kehoe said. “We will not allow late payments or technology issues to put these small businesses at risk of not being able to provide for families in need of child care.”Currently, the state pays only for actual attendance and after the provider files detailed reports. That system was undermined by new software plagued with bugs and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/06/missouri-education-officials-apologize-for-ongoing-backlog-of-child-care-subsidy-payments/">payments that went missing or delayed</a>. Some providers have closed, others have sought bridge financing and&nbsp;But Deaton sees the $107 million cost as a big new obligation for the state that he doesn’t want to incur.“It is not a sustainable funding source,” Deaton said when he unveiled his spending proposals. “Next year, maybe the year after, we would be looking at a $160 million general revenue pickup.”State revenue collections are down this fiscal year and only nominal growth is expected in the coming year. State Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said she understands the need to be careful with dollars but accuses Republicans of hypocrisy.If the GOP leadership was concerned about meeting the state’s obligations, she said, the House wouldn’t be debating major tax cuts. So far this year, the House has approved&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/13/missouri-house-votes-on-party-lines-to-eliminate-income-tax-on-capital-gains/">exempting capital gains</a>&nbsp;from state income tax as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-approves-1-3-billion-tax-cut-plan/">cuts to the top rates</a>&nbsp;for personal and corporate taxes.“We have these conversations in the budget room about how the fiscal reality of the state isn’t nearly as favorable as it has been in years past,” Fogle said.”Yet, three floors above us, the same body is proposing and passing tax cuts to the tune of about $1.3 billion.”<h2>Deaton’s cuts</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742822907537.png" alt="Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger apologizes to child care providers for months-delayed payments during widespread problems with the child care subsidy program (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger apologizes to child care providers for months-delayed payments during widespread problems with the child care subsidy program (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>The child care subsidy payment program Kehoe wanted that Deaton’s plan doesn’t fund is getting the most attention headed into the mark-up session.&nbsp;But Deaton also left out an $89 per month increase to Blind Pension Fund payments, estimated to cost $3.7 million from a dedicated property tax fund.&nbsp;He changed the cap on the pay plan from 10%, equal to 1% more for every two years of state service up to 20 years, to 5% by changing the time in service limit to 10 years.&nbsp;Corrections officers working in maximum security would have received $1 per hour more, while those working in restrictive housing units would have received $1.50 more. The extra pay would have cost $12.3 million.Kehoe’s prospective payment proposal would implement federal regulations that&nbsp;<a href="https://pn3policy.org/blog/the-state-policy-implications-of-the-new-federal-child-care-rule/" target="_blank">took effect on April 30, 2024</a>. The rules direct states to use Child Care and Development Block Grant funds to pay providers at the start of each month and to use enrollment, not attendance, as the basis for their reimbursements.The regulations gave states two years to implement the changes.Kehoe’s proposal would increase the cost of child care subsidies from $259.8 million in the current year to $366.5 million. The state share from general revenue would remain the same, $22.5 million.With the change of federal administration, Deaton said, both the rule and the funding are uncertain. If the state does not comply, he said, the harshest immediate reaction would be a threatening letter.“I don’t think it is unreasonable to try to press pause here, step back and see where the land lies going forward,” Deaton said.Providers are organizing to reverse the cut. A prospective payment system based on enrollment would provide stable, reliable funding for providers, said Casey Hanson, deputy director of Kids Win Missouri.They are asking providers to contact legislators, she said.“We’ve also collected stories from the last week from over 100 providers all over the state who we just asked, ‘what would the impact of this be?’” Hanson said. “Many of them also remember getting paid in that way during COVID and they talked about how much of a lifesaver it was during that time.”A prospective payment system based on enrollment would eliminate hours of administrative work and provide secure financing, said Nicci Rexroat, owner of A Place to Grow, a child care facility with locations in Jefferson City, New Bloomfield and Holts Summit.“Just stabilizing my budget would be amazing,” Rexroat said.Under the current system, Rexroat reports attendance each month and waits to find out if every child enrolled is still eligible.“it’s a big part of my job every month, not only to compile and submit attendance, but for families who maybe forgot to clock in or clock out one day, getting those times adjusted so that they can get paid,” she said.And each month’s payment must be audited to make sure it reflects the claim, Rexroat said.&nbsp;The payment software used since December 2023 has not functioned as intended. Providers have faced delays receiving their payments, some missing entire months as the new system was put in place.Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger promised the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/missouri-child-care-subsidy-payment-backlog-will-be-resolved-next-month-commissioner-says/">backlog would be cleared</a>&nbsp;in February, but Rexroat says problems remain.The state pays varying amounts based on the type of provider and the age of the child, from as little as $14 a day for preschoolers in a small center to as much as $90 a day for an infant in a licensed center.Under the provisions defining eligibility, families receive a full subsidy if household earnings are 150% or less of the&nbsp;<a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines" target="_blank">federal poverty guideline.</a>That is $31,725 for a single parent with one child, which is equal to working full time for $15.25 an hour. A household with two children and two adults working full time for minimum wage would not be eligible for the full benefit.There are&nbsp;<a href="https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/child-care-subsidy/child-care-subsidy-rates-and-sliding-fees" target="_blank">three tiers of transitional benefits</a>, where families pay from $7.50 to $10 a day as their income rises.The income cap for eligibility should be increased, Rexroat said.“There’s been a lot of really amazing increases in the daily rates and the amount that the state will pay for subsidy families, but I would love to see an increase in eligibility, more so than an increase in the daily payments for families that qualify,” she said.Democrats will offer an amendment to reverse the cut, Fogle said. Affordable child care is essential so parents can work, she said, and the current attendance payment system isn’t working.“I’ve had child care facilities in my district closed,” Fogle said. “I’ve had families who had to put their children back in foster care because they lost their subsidy spot, and the parents couldn’t afford to take off work.”Under the committee rules governing budget markup, any member wishing to increase spending from general revenue must balance it with a proposed reduction elsewhere of an equal amount. Because the child care funds are federal dollars, an amendment to reverse Deaton’s decision will be possible without finding money elsewhere.There’s also no need to find a cut elsewhere to fund the Blind Pension Fund payments. Under state law, revenue increases to the fund must be reported as a budget request, which lawmakers can reject, to increase the monthly payments.Currently $828 a month to about 3,200 Missourians, the revenue increase of more than $4 million means a recommendation to increase it by $89. Deaton’s plan did not fund the $3.7 million cost of the increase.The Blind Pension Fund revenue comes from a statewide property tax of 3 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The fund has a rapidly growing balance and stood at $74 million at the end of February.At the end of fiscal 2016, the fund held $468,000.The payment has increased $39 each of the past two years. Prior to that, it was $750 a month for five years.Sheila Wright, president of the National Federation of the Blind Missouri, said people receiving the pension know they were in line for an increase but she hadn’t heard that Deaton struck it from the budget.“With all the increases in cost of living, you know, the $89 is, you know, that would be quite a benefit to individuals who have faced all those inflation costs,” Wright said.Public schools are also supposed to benefit when the Blind Pension Fund balance exceeds the cost of benefits. Every two years, money left in the fund is supposed to be allocated to the foundation formula.Fogle said she wants an explanation of why the pension increase was cut. She is also looking for money to cover the $300 million to fully fund the foundation formula.The foundation formula is costing taxpayers $3.8 billion in the current year. The law defining how the need calculation is made puts the cost for the coming year at $4.1 billion.Because of the balancing rule, finding the $300 million will be tough, Fogle said. Democrats intend to start with another major initiative from Kehoe — $50 million to expand a scholarship program for private school students that is supposed to be funded from donations and tax credits.“For the first time in the state’s history, the governor has recommended spending $50 million on vouchers to cover the cost of tuition at unaccredited and unregulated private schools who pick and choose which students they deem worthy of getting an education,” Fogle said. “That is something that I am not comfortable with.”<h2>Earmarks</h2>A battle — or a trade — could be brewing over two earmarked items, both included in last year’s budget but meeting different fates.Then-Gov. Mike Parson approved $8 million to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.springfieldmo.gov/3273/Historic-Jefferson-Ave-Footbridge-Rehabi" target="_blank">rehabilitate a historic footbridge</a>&nbsp;in Springfield — the district of Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough — but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-governor-slashes-1-billion-from-state-budget-approved-by-lawmakers/">vetoed $12.5 million</a>&nbsp;to buy land for a state park in McDonald County, which is in Deaton’s district.In his budget plan, Deaton moved 23 of 24 long-term projects funded through the Department of Transportation to the reappropriation bill. He cut one — the Jefferson Avenue footbridge.And in the Department of Natural Resources budget, Deaton added $15 million to buy land for a state park in McDonald County.The footbridge is not in her district, Fogle said, and she has no insight into whether Deaton is setting up a swap or opposes the footbridge project outright.“It’s clear the chair is very passionate about that park project happening, and it is clear that last year, the governor’s office was not,” she said. “And it is clear to me that Senator Lincoln Hough will always do what he can do to bring home investments and infrastructure projects in his own senatorial district, as any senator should. So it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.”Deaton didn’t respond to requests for an interview about the budget on Friday.The park is the largest of 71 earmarked items added to the budget.The others range from $88,720 to support a counseling program for children of incarcerated adults&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbbsemo.org/amachi-missouri/" target="_blank">operated by Big Brothers and Big Sisters</a>&nbsp;to $11.9 million for a climbing lane on Interstate 44 in Joplin.The new items add $119.1 million of general revenue and $138.9 million in total to the budget.Democrats have been included in discussions on what can be funded for local interests, Fogle said.“The chairman holds the bulk of the power in the budget process, and that’s not dissimilar to previous years,” she said. “So far, I think we’ve maintained a healthy working relationship with the chair, and do feel like our priorities have been acknowledged.”<h2>General revenue doldrums</h2>Growth in state revenues fell behind the rate of inflation in the most recent fiscal year and are on track to decline for the first time in a non-recession year. A massive surplus, built up in years of double-digit growth, has been declining but remains healthy.Even with the sluggish growth, revenue beat expectations last fiscal year and are on track to exceed the amount used as an estimate for the current budget. But the decline in revenue so far this year, about double expectations, means next year may not meet the estimate of almost $13.6 billion in receipts.Kehoe’s budget proposed $15.2 billion in general revenue for day-to-day operations, plus $750 million for capital projects that will take more than one year. Deaton’s plan for operations uses $14.5 billion in general&nbsp; revenue. He has not submitted his proposals for capital projects.To fit ongoing spending to expected revenue, Deaton slapped a one-time label on numerous items, including a $15 million increase in funding for school district transportation costs.While the committee is writing a budget that uses at least $900 million in accumulated surpluses, the House has already approved a tax cut proposal that would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-approves-1-3-billion-tax-cut-plan/">reduce revenues by $1.3 billion</a>&nbsp;annually when fully phased-in.“We’ve really got to be careful moving forward, starting this year,” Deaton said during the March 12 hearing. “Next year will be more difficult than this year. We need to understand that just because something is maybe added this year, especially, it wouldn’t be right to go ahead and budget that in for future years.”

Education funding, child care subsidies central to Missouri state budget debate

More are dying from flu as the Trump administration postpones planning for next fall.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">TIM HENDERSON</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.

Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.

Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling.

The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/amid-the-worst-influenza-season-in-a-decade-gillibrand-demands-answers-on-cancellation-and-postponement-of-advisory-committee-meetings-on-vaccinations/" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.

Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.

“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health &amp; Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-video.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.B7NS.rhrHUA_r4ZKf&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">expressed doubt</a>&nbsp;about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations.

Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.

“It’s been a bad winter for viral respiratory infections, not just in the United States but across the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Doherty, a vaccine scholar and former manager for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, a vaccine manufacturer.

“The U.S. does appear to be hit a bit harder, and it’s possible lower vaccination coverage is contributing to that,” Doherty said.

Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccine-doses-distributed.html" target="_blank">federal statistics</a>.

The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.

The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.

Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-gregorys-family?attribution_id=sl:b469a277-193c-47ae-92b7-1f10b7b2f863&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">Indiana father</a>&nbsp;died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools&nbsp;<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/flu-shot-student-deaths-prince-georges-county-madison-middle-school-hospitalized-fever-henos-eskender-public-schools-minka-greene" target="_blank">drew crowds</a>&nbsp;to vaccine clinics.

Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said.

“Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.

“I encourage my church members to keep their hands clean, use hand sanitizer and to stay home if they’re feeling sick,” he said. He said he hasn’t personally gotten a flu vaccine recently because he gets conflicting advice about it — some doctors tell him to avoid them because he and some family members have cancer, while another “rides me all the time about getting a flu shot.”

“We’re all getting conflicting advice. We’re living in strange-o times,” he said. (The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>&nbsp;says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended depending on individual circumstances.)

Many states are&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/28/vaccination-rates-are-declining-they-might-get-worse-as-states-relax-rules/">relaxing vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.

Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.

In Oklahoma, death rates are&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/influenza.html" target="_blank">highest in the eastern part of the state</a>&nbsp;where the Cherokee Nation is centered. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/personal-health/immunizations/fight-flu.html" target="_blank">state publicity campaign</a>&nbsp;stresses that flu shots are safe, effective and free at many community health centers. However, vaccination rates in the state are low compared with other states as of December, according to federal statistics: Only about 16% of Oklahoma residents had gotten flu vaccinations by then. Rates were even lower in Louisiana (just under 16%), Mississippi (12%) and Texas (10%).

States with the highest flu vaccination rates by December were Maine (37%), Connecticut and Vermont (33%), and Wisconsin and Minnesota (31%). But even those were down since 2022.

People have become less likely to get vaccinated in recent years, a phenomenon researchers call “vaccine hesitancy.”

A&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39569234/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;published last year in the medical journal Cureus found three-quarters of patients in a rural New York state community refused flu vaccine with comments such as “I do not trust vaccines” or “I do not believe in vaccines.” The most common reasons cited were that earlier vaccinations made them feel sick, that they got the flu anyway, or that they thought they shouldn’t need a new shot every year. (Doctors recommend flu vaccinations annually and note that even vaccinated patients who get the flu usually face less severe forms.)

And in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X25001033" target="_blank">paper</a>&nbsp;published in February in the journal Vaccine, researchers found that people refuse flu vaccinations for many of the same reasons they refused COVID-19 shots: a feeling of “social vulnerability” that leads to distrust of government and medical guidance. One hopeful sign, the report noted, is that vaccine recommendations from trusted health care professionals can turn around such attitudes.

“Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is deeply entangled with misinformation, political rhetoric and public distrust,” said Khan, the Oregon pulmonologist and the study’s author. “Scientific data alone may not be enough to shift public perceptions, as many vaccine decisions are driven by gut feelings and external influences rather than evidence.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742732863479.png" alt=" A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis. (Courtesy of the City of Cambridge)" />
 <figcaption> A woman receives a flu vaccination at a recent clinic in Cambridge, Mass., conducted by health care providers from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Flu-related deaths are at a seven-year high as vaccination levels fall, according to a Stateline analysis. (Courtesy of the City of Cambridge)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More are dying from flu as the Trump administration postpones planning for next fall.</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">TIM HENDERSON</a> <a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling.The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/amid-the-worst-influenza-season-in-a-decade-gillibrand-demands-answers-on-cancellation-and-postponement-of-advisory-committee-meetings-on-vaccinations/" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742732798762.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations.“These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health &amp; Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-video.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.B7NS.rhrHUA_r4ZKf&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">expressed doubt</a>&nbsp;about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations.Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.“It’s been a bad winter for viral respiratory infections, not just in the United States but across the Northern Hemisphere,” said Mark Doherty, a vaccine scholar and former manager for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, a vaccine manufacturer.“The U.S. does appear to be hit a bit harder, and it’s possible lower vaccination coverage is contributing to that,” Doherty said.Flu vaccine distribution in the United States has been declining in recent years, and as of the first week of 2025 was down 16% from 2022, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccine-doses-distributed.html" target="_blank">federal statistics</a>.The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard.Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-gregorys-family?attribution_id=sl:b469a277-193c-47ae-92b7-1f10b7b2f863&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t1&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">Indiana father</a>&nbsp;died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools&nbsp;<a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/flu-shot-student-deaths-prince-georges-county-madison-middle-school-hospitalized-fever-henos-eskender-public-schools-minka-greene" target="_blank">drew crowds</a>&nbsp;to vaccine clinics.Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said.“Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.“I encourage my church members to keep their hands clean, use hand sanitizer and to stay home if they’re feeling sick,” he said. He said he hasn’t personally gotten a flu vaccine recently because he gets conflicting advice about it — some doctors tell him to avoid them because he and some family members have cancer, while another “rides me all the time about getting a flu shot.”“We’re all getting conflicting advice. We’re living in strange-o times,” he said. (The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a>&nbsp;says vaccination for people with cancer may or may not be recommended depending on individual circumstances.)Many states are&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/02/28/vaccination-rates-are-declining-they-might-get-worse-as-states-relax-rules/">relaxing vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary.Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.In Oklahoma, death rates are&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/health-education/acute-disease-service/viral-view/influenza.html" target="_blank">highest in the eastern part of the state</a>&nbsp;where the Cherokee Nation is centered. A&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahoma.gov/health/services/personal-health/immunizations/fight-flu.html" target="_blank">state publicity campaign</a>&nbsp;stresses that flu shots are safe, effective and free at many community health centers. However, vaccination rates in the state are low compared with other states as of December, according to federal statistics: Only about 16% of Oklahoma residents had gotten flu vaccinations by then. Rates were even lower in Louisiana (just under 16%), Mississippi (12%) and Texas (10%).States with the highest flu vaccination rates by December were Maine (37%), Connecticut and Vermont (33%), and Wisconsin and Minnesota (31%). But even those were down since 2022.People have become less likely to get vaccinated in recent years, a phenomenon researchers call “vaccine hesitancy.”A&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39569234/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;published last year in the medical journal Cureus found three-quarters of patients in a rural New York state community refused flu vaccine with comments such as “I do not trust vaccines” or “I do not believe in vaccines.” The most common reasons cited were that earlier vaccinations made them feel sick, that they got the flu anyway, or that they thought they shouldn’t need a new shot every year. (Doctors recommend flu vaccinations annually and note that even vaccinated patients who get the flu usually face less severe forms.)And in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X25001033" target="_blank">paper</a>&nbsp;published in February in the journal Vaccine, researchers found that people refuse flu vaccinations for many of the same reasons they refused COVID-19 shots: a feeling of “social vulnerability” that leads to distrust of government and medical guidance. One hopeful sign, the report noted, is that vaccine recommendations from trusted health care professionals can turn around such attitudes.“Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is deeply entangled with misinformation, political rhetoric and public distrust,” said Khan, the Oregon pulmonologist and the study’s author. “Scientific data alone may not be enough to shift public perceptions, as many vaccine decisions are driven by gut feelings and external influences rather than evidence.”

Flu deaths rise as anti-vaccine disinformation takes root

(Radio Iowa) - A bill that's cleared the Iowa House would mandate that Iowa's public school districts let local private school students join the district's sports teams if the private school isn't offering the sport. 

Representative Henry Stone, a Republican from Forest City, says kids should be allowed to compete in sports, whether they're enrolled in a public or a private school. He says some public school districts ended longstanding athletic agreements with non-public schools after the state began financing Education Savings Accounts for private school expenses. The bill passed with the support of 63 House Republicans. 

The 33 Democrats in the House opposed it. Representative Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, says there's no leeway in the bill, so public schools with sports teams at capacity may be forced to hire more coaches, find more spaces for practices and games or even add more teams.

(Radio Iowa) - A bill that's cleared the Iowa House would mandate that Iowa's public school districts let local private school students join the district's sports teams if the private school isn't offering the sport. Representative Henry Stone, a Republican from Forest City, says kids should be allowed to compete in sports, whether they're enrolled in a public or a private school. He says some public school districts ended longstanding athletic agreements with non-public schools after the state began financing Education Savings Accounts for private school expenses. The bill passed with the support of 63 House Republicans. The 33 Democrats in the House opposed it. Representative Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, says there's no leeway in the bill, so public schools with sports teams at capacity may be forced to hire more coaches, find more spaces for practices and games or even add more teams.

House bill requires public schools to let private school students join teams

(Radio Iowa) - Governor Kim Reynolds was at the White House Thursday as President Trump signed an executive order calling for the U.S. Department of Education to be dismantled. 

Reynolds called the event "historic" and she posted a message on social media thanking Trump for his leadership and committment to education freedom. Reynolds also wrote an opinion piece for a Washington, D.C. publication called The Hill. She announced Iowa is the first state to submit a plan to have federal education dollars delivered as a block grant. 

Reynolds said state officials would be able to tie federal block grant funding to student outcomes.

(Radio Iowa) - Governor Kim Reynolds was at the White House Thursday as President Trump signed an executive order calling for the U.S. Department of Education to be dismantled. Reynolds called the event "historic" and she posted a message on social media thanking Trump for his leadership and committment to education freedom. Reynolds also wrote an opinion piece for a Washington, D.C. publication called The Hill. She announced Iowa is the first state to submit a plan to have federal education dollars delivered as a block grant. Reynolds said state officials would be able to tie federal block grant funding to student outcomes.

Reynolds at White House to cheer Trump move to dismantle Dept. of Ed

For the first time in 12 years, TNA Wrestling is coming to St. Joseph for live tapings at the Civic Arena.  

Two legendary wrestlers that might show up are the TNA World Tag Team Champions, and one of the most decorated tag teams in wrestling history, Matt and Jeff Hardy, the Hardy Boyz.  

Matt Hardy says it's very exciting to be bringing TNA back to St. Joseph 

"You can tell that TNA is really doing everything right right now because we're hitting all these markets that we haven't been to in so many years," Hardy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "So, TNA has been white hot recently and we're very happy and proud to be part of this great resurgence TNA is having right now."

Earlier this year, the WWE announced a partnership with TNA, which has allowed wrestlers from each company to show up on either TNA Impact! or WWE's NXT.  Matt Hardy says it's exciting because it makes wrestling unpredictable 

"You never know who from NXT might show up on TNA programming, you never know who from TNA might show up on NXT on a Tuesday night," Hardy explains.  "And that's what makes wrestling great, when it's unpredictable and you don't know what's going to happen next and you get legitimately surprised, that's when wrestling is the best-case scenario." 

Recently, during TNA Sacrifice, Matt Hardy was attacked by Nic Nemeth, formerly Dolph Ziggler in the WWE, and his brother Ryan following a win in a steel cage, and the Hardy's could be looking for some revenge when TNA is in St. Joseph

Jeff Hardy says people that come to the tapings should expect exactly what TNA stands for, Total Nonstop Action 

"Beginning of revenge, the Nemeth brothers and they messed with the wrong set of brothers," Hardy says. "And Leon Slater man, he is a star in the making, he does the 450 Swanton and it's just incredible to see him do that in person, so yeah it's going to be some total nonstop action."

Live tapings are being held at the Civic Arena on Friday March 28th and Saturday March 29th. Tickets are still available through<a href="https://tnawrestling.com/"> TNA's website</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742563717122.jpeg" alt="TNA promo for live tapings in St. Joseph/ Photo courtesy of TNA Wrestling on X" />
 <figcaption>TNA promo for live tapings in St. Joseph/ Photo courtesy of TNA Wrestling on X</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post For the first time in 12 years, TNA Wrestling is coming to St. Joseph for live tapings at the Civic Arena. Two legendary wrestlers that might show up are the TNA World Tag Team Champions, and one of the most decorated tag teams in wrestling history, Matt and Jeff Hardy, the Hardy Boyz. Matt Hardy says it's very exciting to be bringing TNA back to St. Joseph "You can tell that TNA is really doing everything right right now because we're hitting all these markets that we haven't been to in so many years," Hardy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, TNA has been white hot recently and we're very happy and proud to be part of this great resurgence TNA is having right now."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742563609346.jpeg" alt="Matt and Jeff Hardy enter for a match during a TNA event/ Photo courtesy of TNA" />
 <figcaption>Matt and Jeff Hardy enter for a match during a TNA event/ Photo courtesy of TNA</figcaption>
 </figure>Earlier this year, the WWE announced a partnership with TNA, which has allowed wrestlers from each company to show up on either TNA Impact! or WWE's NXT. Matt Hardy says it's exciting because it makes wrestling unpredictable "You never know who from NXT might show up on TNA programming, you never know who from TNA might show up on NXT on a Tuesday night," Hardy explains. "And that's what makes wrestling great, when it's unpredictable and you don't know what's going to happen next and you get legitimately surprised, that's when wrestling is the best-case scenario." Recently, during TNA Sacrifice, Matt Hardy was attacked by Nic Nemeth, formerly Dolph Ziggler in the WWE, and his brother Ryan following a win in a steel cage, and the Hardy's could be looking for some revenge when TNA is in St. Joseph<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WHAT DID <a href="https://twitter.com/NicTNemeth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NicTNemeth</a> JUST DO?! <a href="https://twitter.com/ryrynemnem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ryrynemnem</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MATTHARDYBRAND?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MATTHARDYBRAND</a> Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TNASacrifice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TNASacrifice</a> on TNA+: <a href="https://t.co/1GrcYv61qg">https://t.co/1GrcYv61qg</a> <a href="https://t.co/fUUvmq870d">pic.twitter.com/fUUvmq870d</a>&mdash; TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisIsTNA/status/1900745509838397653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Jeff Hardy says people that come to the tapings should expect exactly what TNA stands for, Total Nonstop Action "Beginning of revenge, the Nemeth brothers and they messed with the wrong set of brothers," Hardy says. "And Leon Slater man, he is a star in the making, he does the 450 Swanton and it's just incredible to see him do that in person, so yeah it's going to be some total nonstop action."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">SWANTON 450 FROM THE TOP OF THE CAGE! <a href="https://twitter.com/LEONSLATER_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LEONSLATER_</a> Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TNASacrifice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TNASacrifice</a> on TNA+: <a href="https://t.co/1GrcYv6zfO">https://t.co/1GrcYv6zfO</a> <a href="https://t.co/dsnXXk3vjT">pic.twitter.com/dsnXXk3vjT</a>&mdash; TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisIsTNA/status/1900743705495310643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Live tapings are being held at the Civic Arena on Friday March 28th and Saturday March 29th. Tickets are still available through<a href="https://tnawrestling.com/"> TNA's website</a>. FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE HARDY'S<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Full-Interview-Matt-and-Jeff-Hardy-e30epge/a-abrg9o6" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

TNA Wrestling back in St. Joseph for first time in 12 years for live tapings

A proposal from the U.S. Trade Representative to impose new fees on ocean carriers with ties to China could take a major toll on U.S. farmers and ranchers. Two-thirds of all agriculture exports by volume are shipped overseas, and the cost of transporting exports to international trading partners could increase dramatically. In an effort to address China’s dominance in global shipbuilding and logistics, the Trump administration has proposed a series of fees as high as $1.5 million targeting Chinese-operated vessels and Chinese-built vessels that access American ports. 

A proposal from the U.S. Trade Representative to impose new fees on ocean carriers with ties to China could take a major toll on U.S. farmers and ranchers. Two-thirds of all agriculture exports by volume are shipped overseas, and the cost of transporting exports to international trading partners could increase dramatically. In an effort to address China’s dominance in global shipbuilding and logistics, the Trump administration has proposed a series of fees as high as $1.5 million targeting Chinese-operated vessels and Chinese-built vessels that access American ports.

Proposed fees on ocean carriers bad for farmers

The National FFA Organization is proud to announce that its more than one million members, alumni, and supporters raised more than $1.6 million during the tenth annual Give FFA Day. The money raised will directly support FFA and agricultural education for local FFA Chapters, state FFA associations, and the National FFA as a whole. It’s the most money raised for FFA in a single day, following more than $1.4 million donated during last year’s Give FFA Day event.

The National FFA Organization is proud to announce that its more than one million members, alumni, and supporters raised more than $1.6 million during the tenth annual Give FFA Day. The money raised will directly support FFA and agricultural education for local FFA Chapters, state FFA associations, and the National FFA as a whole. It’s the most money raised for FFA in a single day, following more than $1.4 million donated during last year’s Give FFA Day event.

Over $1.6 million raised for FFA

(Radio Iowa) - A bill under consideration in the legislature would position Iowa to immediately allow prescriptions of a synthetic version of psychedelic mushrooms -- if it gains F-D-A approval. 

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in so-called "magic mushrooms." Clinical trials are underway on COMP-360 -- a synthetic form of psilocybin that's currently in the third phase of clinical trials. 

The House has unanimously voted to let COMP-360 be prescribed to Iowans immediately after F-D-A approval and the bill cleared a Senate subcommittee Thursday morning.

(Radio Iowa) - A bill under consideration in the legislature would position Iowa to immediately allow prescriptions of a synthetic version of psychedelic mushrooms -- if it gains F-D-A approval. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in so-called "magic mushrooms." Clinical trials are underway on COMP-360 -- a synthetic form of psilocybin that's currently in the third phase of clinical trials. The House has unanimously voted to let COMP-360 be prescribed to Iowans immediately after F-D-A approval and the bill cleared a Senate subcommittee Thursday morning.

Bill says F-D-A approved synthetic mushrooms could be immediately prescribed here

Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges Thursday against the husband of former Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush alleging he defrauded pandemic-era relief programs.

Cortney Merritts, 46, faces&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/indictment-charges-st-louis-man-covid-fraud" target="_blank">two counts of wire fraud</a>&nbsp;for allegedly filing sham applications in 2020 and 2021 with the Small Business Administration, enabling him to collect money aimed at helping struggling businesses make payroll during the pandemic.

The charges were filed by Ed Martin, a former chairman of the Missouri Republican Party who was appointed a D.C. U.S. attorney position by President Donald Trump.

Merritts’ attorney told St. Louis Public Radio that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/2025-03-20/feds-charge-cori-bushs-husband-with-pandemic-relief-fraud" target="_blank">he intends to plead not guilty</a>.

According to the indictment, Merritts allegedly lied on applications and forged documents in order to receive a bigger loan from COVID-19 relief programs. When one loan was rejected because it was nearly identical to a previous application he submitted, he allegedly applied on behalf of a different business that he claimed he started in 2020.

Federal prosecutors say he recieved a loan for $20,832 that was forgiven by the government.

Bush served two terms representing a St. Louis-based seat in Congress before losing last year in the Democratic primary to Wesley Bell.&nbsp;She is not mentioned or accused of any wrongdoing in the indictment against her husband.

Controversy has swirled around the couple before when Bush hired Merritts as her security guard. A complaint was filed alleging Merritts’ employment with the Bush campaign violated federal law, but it was ultimately dismissed by the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Bush had attracted controversy for using campaign money to hire her husband, Merritts, as her security guard. But the Office of Congressional Ethics dismissed a complaint filed against Bush last fall alleging that her campaign’s employment of Merritts was a violation of federal election law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674158702822.png" alt="File photo&nbsp; Former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Missouri, testifies during a 2021 committee hearing.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo&nbsp; Former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Missouri, testifies during a 2021 committee hearing.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>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>Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges Thursday against the husband of former Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush alleging he defrauded pandemic-era relief programs.Cortney Merritts, 46, faces&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/indictment-charges-st-louis-man-covid-fraud" target="_blank">two counts of wire fraud</a>&nbsp;for allegedly filing sham applications in 2020 and 2021 with the Small Business Administration, enabling him to collect money aimed at helping struggling businesses make payroll during the pandemic.The charges were filed by Ed Martin, a former chairman of the Missouri Republican Party who was appointed a D.C. U.S. attorney position by President Donald Trump.Merritts’ attorney told St. Louis Public Radio that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/news-briefs/2025-03-20/feds-charge-cori-bushs-husband-with-pandemic-relief-fraud" target="_blank">he intends to plead not guilty</a>.According to the indictment, Merritts allegedly lied on applications and forged documents in order to receive a bigger loan from COVID-19 relief programs. When one loan was rejected because it was nearly identical to a previous application he submitted, he allegedly applied on behalf of a different business that he claimed he started in 2020.Federal prosecutors say he recieved a loan for $20,832 that was forgiven by the government.Bush served two terms representing a St. Louis-based seat in Congress before losing last year in the Democratic primary to Wesley Bell.&nbsp;She is not mentioned or accused of any wrongdoing in the indictment against her husband.Controversy has swirled around the couple before when Bush hired Merritts as her security guard. A complaint was filed alleging Merritts’ employment with the Bush campaign violated federal law, but it was ultimately dismissed by the Office of Congressional Ethics.Bush had attracted controversy for using campaign money to hire her husband, Merritts, as her security guard. But the Office of Congressional Ethics dismissed a complaint filed against Bush last fall alleging that her campaign’s employment of Merritts was a violation of federal election law.

Husband of former Mo. Congresswoman Cori Bush charged with COVID fraud

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marymccuebell/">MARY MCCUE BELL</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/hannahtaylor/">HANNAH TAYLOR</a>

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marymccuebell/">MARY MCCUE BELL</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/hannahtaylor/">HANNAH TAYLOR</a>With national attention focused on immigration issues, Missouri legislators have joined in efforts to address the issue at the state level but have seen little progress midway through their annual session.More than a dozen bills have been introduced, but the main activity on immigration has been two executive orders Gov. Mike Kehoe signed when he took office in January.The push for stricter immigration policy comes after President Donald Trump signed 10 executive orders during his first week in office. Since then, several states, including Missouri, have introduced legislation to follow suit.On the day Kehoe was inaugurated, he signed two executive orders dealing with how state agencies will handle immigration issues.Executive Order 25-05 states that law enforcement systems will begin collecting immigration status from criminal offenders. In his second order, 25-04, certain members of the Missouri Highway Patrol will be trained in federal immigration laws. Once trained, these officers will enforce federal immigration laws, focusing on preventing illegal immigration, apprehending criminal offenders and intercepting drug trafficking.Here’s what to know about proposed immigration policies making their way through the Missouri legislature.<h2>Deportation, fines and bounties</h2>Several pieces of legislation aim to limit or punish immigrants lacking permanent legal status.Sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter, a Republican from Granby, Senate Bill 58 allows the governor to assist other states through an interstate compact in securing the U.S.-Mexico border.Carter said her bill was designed as a catalyst for a broader conversation about how states are dealing with this “crisis,” which is classified into three main categories: humanitarian, health and public safety.After a tumultuous committee hearing — with one witness calling a state senator a fascist and others carrying signs in protest — the bill won approval and is on the Senate calendar for consideration.Also debated in the Senate Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety, SB 72 would create a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program at the state level, said sponsor Sen. David Gregory, a Republican from Chesterfield.The bill also makes entering the country illegally a felony in Missouri, which makes immigrants lacking permanent legal status ineligible to vote in elections, receive a driver’s permit or license, receive public benefits or become a legal state resident. Many of those provisions are already part of federal or state law.Commonly known as the “bounty hunter” immigration bill, this would create a new program to train bounty hunters who would be allowed to arrest those in Missouri who entered the country illegally, Gregory said.Speaker of the House Jon Patterson said in January he had not heard any enthusiasm from House Republicans for a bill that would put a bounty on immigrants lacking permanent legal status. Patterson said even if the bill makes its way through the Senate, it is unlikely to gain much support in the House.Also sponsored by Gregory, SB 480 would require a court to determine whether a defendant charged with an immigration trespassing offense is seeking asylum. If they are not seeking asylum, the court can order that they be jailed until trial. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety.Two bills, SB 137 and SB 282, would create the offense of improper entry by immigrants lacking permanent legal status with additional provisions, such as deportations. The latter, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown, Washington Republican, would impose a $10,000 fine with incremental punishments, while the former, sponsored by Sen. Curtis Trent, a Republican from Springfield, would impose a fine of $100,000.Sponsored by Rep. Richard West, a Republican from Wentzville, House Bill 540 would create the “offense of trespass by an illegal alien” for immigrants lacking permanent legal status who violate state law or county municipal ordinance. The bill has since been referred to the House Committee on Emerging Issues.Another bill, HB 120, establishes the “Immigrant Employment Registration and Taxation Protection Act.” Sponsored by Rep. Jim Murphy, a Republican from St. Louis, the bill would require that the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations maintain a “database or registry of qualified immigrant workers.” Those who fail to provide the correct documentation to verify work authorization status would be charged with a felony.The bill has not been assigned to a committee.On a similar note, SB 528 would impose penalties for employers who fail to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program. The penalties could be things like fines for employing an immigrant lacking permanent legal status. Sponsored by Minority Floor Leader Sen. Doug Beck, a Democrat from Affton, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on General Laws.<h2>Sanctuary cities, employment</h2>Sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican, SB 114 would fine communities that declare themselves sanctuaries for immigrants lacking permanent legal status $25,500 per day. The bill expands the offense of transporting an immigrant lacking permanent legal status to include concealment or encouraging one to come to Missouri. It would also allow law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws that establish criminal penalties. No hearing has been scheduled.Current Missouri statute prohibits municipalities from adopting sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal requirements to verify or report illegal immigration statuses or grant one the right to lawful presence. HB 1163, sponsored Rep. Bill Lucas, R-DeSoto, clarifies that any municipality that adopts such policy would be prohibited from receiving state money. The bill has not been sent to a committee.Rep. Wick Thomas, D-Kansas City, introduced HB 1051 to repeal the prohibition against sanctuary cities. Current law states if a municipality fails to suspend business permits of those employing immigrants lacking permanent legal status, it is subject to penalties. This bill would repeal the penalties. The bill has not been assigned to a committee.Some bills would act as provisionary safeguards for immigrants, given aggressive efforts to question and detain members of certain ethnic groups.SB 738 provides that if a person submits certain federal documents relating to employment authorization, they are eligible for a temporary professional or occupational license. Sponsored by Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, D-Kansas City, the bill is waiting to be read a second time on the Senate floor before being assigned to a committee.This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/missouri-legislators-propose-bills-to-address-immigration/article_1d001382-fe94-11ef-a898-cf1211938a34.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.

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