Mosaic Life Care is once again ready to offer medical services to coaches, players, staff, and visitors to Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on the Missouri Western State University campus in Saint Joseph.

Trauma and Stroke Services program manager and lead medical contact for training camp, Jonathan Eivins, says there are two triage tents this year, along with cooling stations and a medical building on site.

"We're going to have our staff roving in certain areas and keeping track of everybody and watching out for any kind of conditions that can arise, such as lacerations or heat exhaustion," Eivins said.

With summer temperatures soaring recently, Eivins advises visitors to dress appropriately, wear bright colors to reflect sunlight, and stay hydrated.&nbsp;

Eivins also noted there is equipment available to assist with any potential life-threatening conditions.&nbsp;

Mosaic Life Care is positioned to tend to as many people as possible during training camp. Eivins says in a 2 1/2 hour period, staff can attend to as many as twenty-five to thirty people.

Medical staff will be dressed in electric blue outfits this year, and Eivins encourages attendees to flag down staff if they notice anyone needing help.&nbsp;

Two ambulances will be on sight in the case of life-threatening emergencies.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721159713150.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care/Chiefs Training Camp Medical Building" />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care/Chiefs Training Camp Medical Building</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care is once again ready to offer medical services to coaches, players, staff, and visitors to Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on the Missouri Western State University campus in Saint Joseph.Trauma and Stroke Services program manager and lead medical contact for training camp, Jonathan Eivins, says there are two triage tents this year, along with cooling stations and a medical building on site."We're going to have our staff roving in certain areas and keeping track of everybody and watching out for any kind of conditions that can arise, such as lacerations or heat exhaustion," Eivins said.With summer temperatures soaring recently, Eivins advises visitors to dress appropriately, wear bright colors to reflect sunlight, and stay hydrated.&nbsp;Eivins also noted there is equipment available to assist with any potential life-threatening conditions.&nbsp;Mosaic Life Care is positioned to tend to as many people as possible during training camp. Eivins says in a 2 1/2 hour period, staff can attend to as many as twenty-five to thirty people.Medical staff will be dressed in electric blue outfits this year, and Eivins encourages attendees to flag down staff if they notice anyone needing help.&nbsp;Two ambulances will be on sight in the case of life-threatening emergencies.

Mosaic to Provide Medical Services During KC Chiefs Training Camp

Possible property tax relief for Missouri senior citizens has
been broadened.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville succeeded last year
in passing Senate Bill 190 giving counties the option to freeze the property
tax assessments of senior citizens. Luetkemeyer updated it this year and it has
been signed into law.

“Before it was limited to seniors who received Social Security
benefits. We have a certain number of seniors that don’t receive Social
Security; so, teachers, firefighters, police officers, people who receive their
retirement benefits from public pensions,” Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “And so, what the bill did this year is it clarified some provisions in SB
190 and expanded that tax relief to every senior in Missouri age 62 or older.”

It is possible property tax relief, because counties have to
approve it. The state cannot impose a tax cut on counties.

Luetkemeyer explains the tax break must be approved at the
local level, either by the county commission or a vote of the people, due to
the Hancock Amendment. Luetkemeyer says the Hancock Amendment is well known for
its limit on raising taxes without a vote of the people.

“There’s also a lesser-known provision in Hancock that
prohibits the state legislature from passing an unfunded mandate; that is something
that requires the county to implement and then lose potential tax revenue as a
result of the mandate from Jefferson City,” Luetkemeyer says. “The reason that we
put the local option in there for the county commission to implement the bill
is to get around the Hancock Amendment. So that’s the reason behind that.”

Luetkemeyer says it is up to the local county commission to
implement it.

“If a county commission is unwilling to implement an ordinance,
passing into effect SB 190, then the voters have the ability to go out and
collect signatures, put that on the next ballot, and then implement it through a
vote of the people.”

Luetkemeyer says he pushed for the tax break after learning
that some senior citizens saw their property tax bills skyrocket over the last
two assessment cycles.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostPossible property tax relief for Missouri senior citizens has
been broadened.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville succeeded last year
in passing Senate Bill 190 giving counties the option to freeze the property
tax assessments of senior citizens. Luetkemeyer updated it this year and it has
been signed into law.“Before it was limited to seniors who received Social Security
benefits. We have a certain number of seniors that don’t receive Social
Security; so, teachers, firefighters, police officers, people who receive their
retirement benefits from public pensions,” Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “And so, what the bill did this year is it clarified some provisions in SB
190 and expanded that tax relief to every senior in Missouri age 62 or older.”It is possible property tax relief, because counties have to
approve it. The state cannot impose a tax cut on counties.Luetkemeyer explains the tax break must be approved at the
local level, either by the county commission or a vote of the people, due to
the Hancock Amendment. Luetkemeyer says the Hancock Amendment is well known for
its limit on raising taxes without a vote of the people.“There’s also a lesser-known provision in Hancock that
prohibits the state legislature from passing an unfunded mandate; that is something
that requires the county to implement and then lose potential tax revenue as a
result of the mandate from Jefferson City,” Luetkemeyer says. “The reason that we
put the local option in there for the county commission to implement the bill
is to get around the Hancock Amendment. So that’s the reason behind that.”Luetkemeyer says it is up to the local county commission to
implement it.“If a county commission is unwilling to implement an ordinance,
passing into effect SB 190, then the voters have the ability to go out and
collect signatures, put that on the next ballot, and then implement it through a
vote of the people.”Luetkemeyer says he pushed for the tax break after learning
that some senior citizens saw their property tax bills skyrocket over the last
two assessment cycles.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Expansion of potential senior property tax relief signed into law

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird will deliver a speech at the Republican National Convention later today (Tuesday). Bird says her remarks will support Trump's priorities of keeping communities safe.

Bird was the only statewide elected official to endorse Trump before the Iowa Caucuses. She declines to speculate on whether she'd accept a role in Trump's Administration next year if he wins in November.

 On the convention's first day, Bird was tapped to oversee the process of nominating J.D. Vance as Trump's running mate.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird will deliver a speech at the Republican National Convention later today (Tuesday). Bird says her remarks will support Trump's priorities of keeping communities safe.Bird was the only statewide elected official to endorse Trump before the Iowa Caucuses. She declines to speculate on whether she'd accept a role in Trump's Administration next year if he wins in November. On the convention's first day, Bird was tapped to oversee the process of nominating J.D. Vance as Trump's running mate.

Iowa A.G. Bird to speak tonight at RNC

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

As he defended his use of the title, Ashcroft last week seemingly questioned the need for professional licensing, opening a new line of attack from his rivals

The first words of Jay Ashcroft’s opening message for&nbsp;<a href="https://ashcroftformissouri.com/" target="_blank">visitors to his gubernatorial campaign website</a>&nbsp;jump out in bold: “I am an engineer.”

Ashcroft earned a law degree from St. Louis University and bachelor and master’s degrees in engineering management from Missouri University of Science and Technology.

The Missouri secretary of state is licensed as an attorney and last year&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/19/jay-ashcroft-joins-legal-team-defending-his-summary-of-missouri-abortion-amendment/">officially joined the legal team</a>&nbsp;defending his ballot language for a reproductive rights initiative to restore legal abortion in Missouri. He has never been licensed as a professional engineer.

It’s his training in the engineering field, however, that he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AshcroftForMO" target="_blank">selling hard in his campaign</a>.

But Ashcroft’s use of the title, and whether he is using it honestly, or even perhaps illegally, has become a flash point for the campaign just weeks before the Aug. 6 primary. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/complaint-alleges-ashcroft-committed-fraud-and-dishonesty-in-campaign-ad-because-he-is-not-licensed-as-an-engineer/63-0f58be44-f4aa-48cb-a316-6fee6ed46a64" target="_blank">complaint to the state licensing board</a>&nbsp;for engineers, from a supporter of one of his opponents, objects to his use of the term and cites a state law limiting use of the word.

It is also the newest attack line being used to chew away at Ashcroft’s&nbsp;<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/db358242620bb5bfd24ec7d05/files/37f31a62-c00a-f6ff-a3e3-0c7d797b3b9a/MO_Statewide_Toplines_Release.pdf" target="_blank">once-impressive polling lead</a>&nbsp;in the eight-way Republican primary for governor.&nbsp;

“It’s silly politics,” Ashcroft said in an interview with The Independent.

But with three weeks to go before the primary, Ashcroft is explaining why he can call himself an engineer, not his policy plans. At least 11 times during the Republican gubernatorial debate last week with two of his rivals, Ashcroft used the title engineer to describe himself and the quality of his plans for Missouri.&nbsp;

And Ashcroft calls his policy plan a “Red Print,” wordplay that substitutes the shorthand for the Republican Party in the word “blueprint” with its inclusion of the shorthand reference to the Democratic Party.

“I am a typical engineer,” Ashcroft said during the debate. “I’m not your typical politician. I don’t want to talk to people, I want to get stuff done. I want to act in the best interest of the people. I don’t want to just talk about it when I’m running for election. I want to do it when it matters and move conservative policy forward.”

The complaint, filed June 27 and first reported by KSDK-TV in St. Louis, was by a Rolla engineer who contributed $520 in March to Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s campaign. The engineer did not respond to telephone messages and emails to discuss the complaint.

Mike Hafner, an adviser to Kehoe’s campaign, said the campaign did not contact the engineer or ask for the complaint to be filed.

After graduating from Missouri S&amp;T, Ashcroft worked for four years at Systems &amp; Electronics Inc., now Leonardo DRS, and was enrolled with the licensing board as an engineering intern at that time.

Later, he taught mechanical engineering and engineering technology at St. Louis Community College.&nbsp;

“I am not a licensed, professional engineer,” Ashcroft said, but said he has both the resume and legal right to use the term.

Under revisions to the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=327.181&amp;bid=17499&amp;hl=" target="_blank">licensing law</a>&nbsp;made in 2007, no one without a license can call themselves an engineer while offering to design “buildings, structures, products, machines, processes, and systems that can affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”&nbsp;

But the licensing board will not discipline someone referring to themself as an engineer as long as that is “clearly not indicating or implying that such person is holding himself or herself out as being a professional engineer.”

The undergraduate engineering management program Ashcroft completed at Missouri S&amp;T is accredited by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abet.org/" target="_blank">Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology</a>.&nbsp;

“If a person graduates from a program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, then yes, this person typically uses the title of engineer,” said Amanda Grace Taylor, director of communications for the board.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://ieeeusa.org/assets/public-policy/positions/workforce/EngineerTitle1122.pdf" target="_blank">position paper on the question of titles</a>&nbsp;in 2022. Titles like professional engineer should be protected and used only by licensed individuals, the paper states.

But the title engineer has a broader meaning as well, which the public understands to be someone ”who has acquired special knowledge and ability” in the engineering field. Someone who graduated from a board-accredited program, the paper states, “should not be prohibited from using the title ‘Engineer.’”

Regardless of whether he is licensed or not, Ashcroft said his use of the title for his campaign is legal.&nbsp;

“if you actually look at the statute,” he said, “the statute specifically says that I made the requirements.”

As Ashcroft became more strident in defending his use of the title “engineer,” during the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/12/republican-candidates-trade-barbs-in-missouri-gubernatorial-primary-debate/">debate last week</a>, he aimed his response in a new direction, questioning the need for the state licensing board that received a complaint he is using the title illegally.

Ashcroft suggested that all professional licensing was government overreach when asked “are you an engineer” by the debate moderator.

He listed his education and employment, then went further:

“Why in the world are Republicans asking whether or not the government has to give us permission to go out and work legally?” Ashcroft said. “I’m an engineer, but it’s none of the government’s business. We need to get rid of this red tape. We need to allow people to live their lives the way they see fit, instead of kowtowing to faceless bureaucrats.”

The statement drew a&nbsp;<a href="https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/after-he-was-exposed-for-lying-about-being-an-engineer-jay-ashcroft-calls-for-eliminating-engineer-licenses/" target="_blank">quick rebuke</a>&nbsp;from the Democratic Governors Association, which called it “a completely dangerous suggestion that could potentially create countless unsafe hazards.”

Hafner, the adviser to Kehoe, also said Ashcroft’s statement is a dangerous idea. Kehoe, who is leading the latest polls, did not attend the debate at Parkway West High School.

“As a fake engineer I’m sure Jay Ashcroft would like to use crayons and an etch-a-sketch to design our roads, bridges and buildings, but we believe there should be some level of oversight when it comes to keeping Missourians safe,” Hafner said.

Missouri has&nbsp;<a href="https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/molaws/id/28778/rec/72" target="_blank">regulated the engineering profession</a>&nbsp;since 1941 and the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Professional Landscape Architects is one of 39 licensing boards housed in the&nbsp;<a href="https://pr.mo.gov/boards.asp" target="_blank">Division of Professional Registration</a>.&nbsp;

The boards examine the skills of professionals from accountants and barbers to tattoo artists and veterinarians. Each has the ability to discipline licensed professionals and prosecute people who offer services without a license.

Professional licensing is essential to protecting the safety and health of Missourians, said state Rep. Jeff Coleman, a Republican from Grain Valley who chairs the House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee. Coleman has not endorsed any candidate in the GOP primary for governor.

There may be some unnecessary regulations and lawmakers watch for that, Coleman said.

“We have to have licensing in order to make sure that the people that are dealing with our folks, regardless of whether it’s engineering or medical or financial, that you have to have a license to prove that you are qualified to be able to do those things, to make sure that you are not hurting those citizens,” said Coleman, who is a licensed financial adviser. “That’s what the licensing process is all about, to make sure that you have the knowledge and the ability to take care of who you’re trying to help.”

One of Missouri’s most deadly disasters was an engineering failure, Coleman said, recalling the 1981 collapse of two skywalks at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City that killed 114 people and injured scores of others.&nbsp;

Then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, Jay Ashcroft’s father and later U.S. attorney general during the George W. Bush administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/04/us/engineers-negligence-charged-in-kansas-city-hotel-disaster.html" target="_blank">accused the engineers of gross negligence</a>&nbsp;in a license action in 1984 as the elder Ashcroft was running for governor.

“That was an engineering problem, and we can’t have those types of issues happening because you didn’t get your license and can’t prove to us that you know what you’re doing,” Coleman said.

In a statement to The Independent on Friday, Ashcroft’s campaign said he didn’t propose abolishing professional licensing.

“The regulatory regime in Missouri stifles economic growth and as governor, Jay will take a close look at all regulatory and bureaucratic policies and consider ways of modernizing them to grow our economy,” said Jason Roe, a consultant working for Ashcroft’s campaign.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710860474873.png" alt="Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a candidate for governor, speaks on Feb.&nbsp;29 at the Boone County Republican Lincoln Days dinner in Columbia (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a candidate for governor, speaks on Feb.&nbsp;29 at the Boone County Republican Lincoln Days dinner in Columbia (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>As he defended his use of the title, Ashcroft last week seemingly questioned the need for professional licensing, opening a new line of attack from his rivals</h2>The first words of Jay Ashcroft’s opening message for&nbsp;<a href="https://ashcroftformissouri.com/" target="_blank">visitors to his gubernatorial campaign website</a>&nbsp;jump out in bold: “I am an engineer.”Ashcroft earned a law degree from St. Louis University and bachelor and master’s degrees in engineering management from Missouri University of Science and Technology.The Missouri secretary of state is licensed as an attorney and last year&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/19/jay-ashcroft-joins-legal-team-defending-his-summary-of-missouri-abortion-amendment/">officially joined the legal team</a>&nbsp;defending his ballot language for a reproductive rights initiative to restore legal abortion in Missouri. He has never been licensed as a professional engineer.It’s his training in the engineering field, however, that he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AshcroftForMO" target="_blank">selling hard in his campaign</a>.But Ashcroft’s use of the title, and whether he is using it honestly, or even perhaps illegally, has become a flash point for the campaign just weeks before the Aug. 6 primary. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/complaint-alleges-ashcroft-committed-fraud-and-dishonesty-in-campaign-ad-because-he-is-not-licensed-as-an-engineer/63-0f58be44-f4aa-48cb-a316-6fee6ed46a64" target="_blank">complaint to the state licensing board</a>&nbsp;for engineers, from a supporter of one of his opponents, objects to his use of the term and cites a state law limiting use of the word.It is also the newest attack line being used to chew away at Ashcroft’s&nbsp;<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/db358242620bb5bfd24ec7d05/files/37f31a62-c00a-f6ff-a3e3-0c7d797b3b9a/MO_Statewide_Toplines_Release.pdf" target="_blank">once-impressive polling lead</a>&nbsp;in the eight-way Republican primary for governor.&nbsp;“It’s silly politics,” Ashcroft said in an interview with The Independent.But with three weeks to go before the primary, Ashcroft is explaining why he can call himself an engineer, not his policy plans. At least 11 times during the Republican gubernatorial debate last week with two of his rivals, Ashcroft used the title engineer to describe himself and the quality of his plans for Missouri.&nbsp;And Ashcroft calls his policy plan a “Red Print,” wordplay that substitutes the shorthand for the Republican Party in the word “blueprint” with its inclusion of the shorthand reference to the Democratic Party.“I am a typical engineer,” Ashcroft said during the debate. “I’m not your typical politician. I don’t want to talk to people, I want to get stuff done. I want to act in the best interest of the people. I don’t want to just talk about it when I’m running for election. I want to do it when it matters and move conservative policy forward.”The complaint, filed June 27 and first reported by KSDK-TV in St. Louis, was by a Rolla engineer who contributed $520 in March to Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s campaign. The engineer did not respond to telephone messages and emails to discuss the complaint.Mike Hafner, an adviser to Kehoe’s campaign, said the campaign did not contact the engineer or ask for the complaint to be filed.After graduating from Missouri S&amp;T, Ashcroft worked for four years at Systems &amp; Electronics Inc., now Leonardo DRS, and was enrolled with the licensing board as an engineering intern at that time.Later, he taught mechanical engineering and engineering technology at St. Louis Community College.&nbsp;“I am not a licensed, professional engineer,” Ashcroft said, but said he has both the resume and legal right to use the term.Under revisions to the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=327.181&amp;bid=17499&amp;hl=" target="_blank">licensing law</a>&nbsp;made in 2007, no one without a license can call themselves an engineer while offering to design “buildings, structures, products, machines, processes, and systems that can affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”&nbsp;But the licensing board will not discipline someone referring to themself as an engineer as long as that is “clearly not indicating or implying that such person is holding himself or herself out as being a professional engineer.”The undergraduate engineering management program Ashcroft completed at Missouri S&amp;T is accredited by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.abet.org/" target="_blank">Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology</a>.&nbsp;“If a person graduates from a program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, then yes, this person typically uses the title of engineer,” said Amanda Grace Taylor, director of communications for the board.The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://ieeeusa.org/assets/public-policy/positions/workforce/EngineerTitle1122.pdf" target="_blank">position paper on the question of titles</a>&nbsp;in 2022. Titles like professional engineer should be protected and used only by licensed individuals, the paper states.But the title engineer has a broader meaning as well, which the public understands to be someone ”who has acquired special knowledge and ability” in the engineering field. Someone who graduated from a board-accredited program, the paper states, “should not be prohibited from using the title ‘Engineer.’”Regardless of whether he is licensed or not, Ashcroft said his use of the title for his campaign is legal.&nbsp;“if you actually look at the statute,” he said, “the statute specifically says that I made the requirements.”<h2>End licensing?</h2>As Ashcroft became more strident in defending his use of the title “engineer,” during the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/12/republican-candidates-trade-barbs-in-missouri-gubernatorial-primary-debate/">debate last week</a>, he aimed his response in a new direction, questioning the need for the state licensing board that received a complaint he is using the title illegally.Ashcroft suggested that all professional licensing was government overreach when asked “are you an engineer” by the debate moderator.He listed his education and employment, then went further:“Why in the world are Republicans asking whether or not the government has to give us permission to go out and work legally?” Ashcroft said. “I’m an engineer, but it’s none of the government’s business. We need to get rid of this red tape. We need to allow people to live their lives the way they see fit, instead of kowtowing to faceless bureaucrats.”The statement drew a&nbsp;<a href="https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/after-he-was-exposed-for-lying-about-being-an-engineer-jay-ashcroft-calls-for-eliminating-engineer-licenses/" target="_blank">quick rebuke</a>&nbsp;from the Democratic Governors Association, which called it “a completely dangerous suggestion that could potentially create countless unsafe hazards.”Hafner, the adviser to Kehoe, also said Ashcroft’s statement is a dangerous idea. Kehoe, who is leading the latest polls, did not attend the debate at Parkway West High School.“As a fake engineer I’m sure Jay Ashcroft would like to use crayons and an etch-a-sketch to design our roads, bridges and buildings, but we believe there should be some level of oversight when it comes to keeping Missourians safe,” Hafner said.Missouri has&nbsp;<a href="https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/molaws/id/28778/rec/72" target="_blank">regulated the engineering profession</a>&nbsp;since 1941 and the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Professional Landscape Architects is one of 39 licensing boards housed in the&nbsp;<a href="https://pr.mo.gov/boards.asp" target="_blank">Division of Professional Registration</a>.&nbsp;The boards examine the skills of professionals from accountants and barbers to tattoo artists and veterinarians. Each has the ability to discipline licensed professionals and prosecute people who offer services without a license.Professional licensing is essential to protecting the safety and health of Missourians, said state Rep. Jeff Coleman, a Republican from Grain Valley who chairs the House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee. Coleman has not endorsed any candidate in the GOP primary for governor.There may be some unnecessary regulations and lawmakers watch for that, Coleman said.“We have to have licensing in order to make sure that the people that are dealing with our folks, regardless of whether it’s engineering or medical or financial, that you have to have a license to prove that you are qualified to be able to do those things, to make sure that you are not hurting those citizens,” said Coleman, who is a licensed financial adviser. “That’s what the licensing process is all about, to make sure that you have the knowledge and the ability to take care of who you’re trying to help.”One of Missouri’s most deadly disasters was an engineering failure, Coleman said, recalling the 1981 collapse of two skywalks at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City that killed 114 people and injured scores of others.&nbsp;Then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, Jay Ashcroft’s father and later U.S. attorney general during the George W. Bush administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/04/us/engineers-negligence-charged-in-kansas-city-hotel-disaster.html" target="_blank">accused the engineers of gross negligence</a>&nbsp;in a license action in 1984 as the elder Ashcroft was running for governor.“That was an engineering problem, and we can’t have those types of issues happening because you didn’t get your license and can’t prove to us that you know what you’re doing,” Coleman said.In a statement to The Independent on Friday, Ashcroft’s campaign said he didn’t propose abolishing professional licensing.“The regulatory regime in Missouri stifles economic growth and as governor, Jay will take a close look at all regulatory and bureaucratic policies and consider ways of modernizing them to grow our economy,” said Jason Roe, a consultant working for Ashcroft’s campaign.

Mo. governor hopeful Ashcroft knocked off balance by complaint about use of ‘engineer’

(Radio Iowa) - Three weeks out from devastating floods in Northwest Iowa, recovery continues. The Red Cross has been on the ground in affected areas since the beginning of the disaster. 

Red Cross Public Affairs Manager Kim Mailes (Males) says things have progressed beyound finding people a place to stay to continuing to help them recover. Mailes says at the beginning of operations, 14 shelters were opened, they recorded four-thousand overnight stays, served 30-thousand meals and supported 11 emergency operation centers. He says the Red Cross now operates two emergency shelters but still serves more than 14-hundred meals each day. 

Mailes says people who might have been missed during the assessment phase can call the Red Cross and an assessment crew will be dispatched to their location. That number is 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767).

(Radio Iowa) - Three weeks out from devastating floods in Northwest Iowa, recovery continues. The Red Cross has been on the ground in affected areas since the beginning of the disaster. Red Cross Public Affairs Manager Kim Mailes (Males) says things have progressed beyound finding people a place to stay to continuing to help them recover. Mailes says at the beginning of operations, 14 shelters were opened, they recorded four-thousand overnight stays, served 30-thousand meals and supported 11 emergency operation centers. He says the Red Cross now operates two emergency shelters but still serves more than 14-hundred meals each day. Mailes says people who might have been missed during the assessment phase can call the Red Cross and an assessment crew will be dispatched to their location. That number is 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767).

Red Cross Continues Recovery Efforts In Northwest Iowa

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Donald Trump announced Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate Monday during the first day of the Republican National Convention, capping off months of speculation about who would get the nod as his vice presidential pick.

Vance has not been a member of Congress long, having less than two years experience as a senator and having voted against major bipartisan bills throughout his tenure in the upper chamber.

Before becoming a U.S. lawmaker, Vance served in the Marine Corps during the Iraq war, worked as a venture capitalist and wrote a book about growing up in Appalachia. He holds a law degree from Yale.

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump, who will be nominated as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate on Thursday night, posted on social media.

“J.D. has had a very successful business career in Technology and Finance, and now, during the Campaign, will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond….,” Trump added.

Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence has distanced himself from Trump since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol building — requiring Trump to find a different person to join him on the ticket this year.

Pence was in the Capitol that day, when a pro-Trump mob attacked police officers, broke into building and disrupted Congress’ certification of the electoral college votes for President Joe Biden.

Pence has been critical of how the Republican Party has changed under Trump’s leadership, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-convention-go-planned-milwaukee-trump-attendance" target="_blank">rejecting how the platform evolved&nbsp;</a>on abortion this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721072505896.png" alt="File photo Trump campaign" />
 <figcaption>File photo Trump campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Donald Trump announced Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate Monday during the first day of the Republican National Convention, capping off months of speculation about who would get the nod as his vice presidential pick.Vance has not been a member of Congress long, having less than two years experience as a senator and having voted against major bipartisan bills throughout his tenure in the upper chamber.Before becoming a U.S. lawmaker, Vance served in the Marine Corps during the Iraq war, worked as a venture capitalist and wrote a book about growing up in Appalachia. He holds a law degree from Yale.“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump, who will be nominated as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate on Thursday night, posted on social media.“J.D. has had a very successful business career in Technology and Finance, and now, during the Campaign, will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond….,” Trump added.Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence has distanced himself from Trump since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol building — requiring Trump to find a different person to join him on the ticket this year.Pence was in the Capitol that day, when a pro-Trump mob attacked police officers, broke into building and disrupted Congress’ certification of the electoral college votes for President Joe Biden.Pence has been critical of how the Republican Party has changed under Trump’s leadership, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-convention-go-planned-milwaukee-trump-attendance" target="_blank">rejecting how the platform evolved&nbsp;</a>on abortion this year.

Trump picks Ohio U.S. Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says U-S-D-A scientists have collected data from Iowa and are working to understand how bird flu has moved to infect dairy cows as well as other animals. 

No other state is doing testing of dairy operations within a 12 mile radius of any poultry flock that has to be euthanized after avian influenza is confirmed in the birds. 

Some wildlife in those zones are being screened for bird flu as well. Naig says all the data that's being collected may yield specific strategies farmers can use to protect their operations.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says U-S-D-A scientists have collected data from Iowa and are working to understand how bird flu has moved to infect dairy cows as well as other animals. No other state is doing testing of dairy operations within a 12 mile radius of any poultry flock that has to be euthanized after avian influenza is confirmed in the birds. Some wildlife in those zones are being screened for bird flu as well. Naig says all the data that's being collected may yield specific strategies farmers can use to protect their operations.

Naig says USDA research on Iowa farms may yield bird flu clues

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

WASHINGTON — As the number of dairy cows infected with a strain of bird flu virus grows across the country, 17 of Missouri’s roughly 60,000 dairy cows have been tested while agriculture officials and farmers keep watch for signs that the outbreak has entered the state.

So far, Missouri farmers haven’t reported any cows with the virus, called H5N1, state officials said.

However, national biosecurity and public health experts are concerned that a lack of testing in states across the country, and the economic implications of quarantining cattle, may be allowing the virus to spread undetected.

“You want to work on the assumption that it’s there, and you’re trying to find it,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, who focuses on pandemic policy and the intersections of infectious disease and national security. Adalja said 17 tests aren’t enough to give him confidence that Missouri’s herds are virus-free.

“Just because you’re not looking, doesn’t mean it’s not there, that you’re going to avoid the consequences,” Adalja said.

Missouri State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg acknowledged that only a small fraction of the state’s dairy cows have been tested for the virus. Strubberg, who leads the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, said he believes Missouri farmers would have reported sick cows to their veterinarians if their herds were becoming infected.

Because H5N1 is a “Reportable Disease,” veterinarians and laboratories are required to disclose detections. However, while farmers are encouraged to report H5N1 symptoms, it’s not a requirement because there is no confirmation they are ill with the H5N1 virus.

“We just feel like most livestock producers, they really do a great job of watching the health of their animals,” Strubberg said. “I mean, it’s their livelihood.”

Health experts investigating the H5N1 outbreaks in Texas and Colorado told&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-farmers-barb-petersen-07bd5accb01441bc5d279464271d2371" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that because labs must report positive results to agriculture departments, many farmers may decide against testing and try to outlast the outbreak to avoid a negative stigma.

In dairy cattle, the virus causes low appetite and reduced milk production, and the milk can have an abnormal appearance. Occasionally, farmers have cows with similar symptoms, which can also be caused by other diseases.

While H5N1 is associated with high mortality rates in poultry, reports indicate infected dairy cattle rarely die. Even when cows in a herd become sick, they seem to recover rather quickly after a few weeks, as long as dairy farmers are using disease management procedures, Strubberg said.

Since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/mammals.html#:~:text=A" target="_blank">March 25</a>, when the world first learned H5N1 had developed the ability to infect and spread among cows, infections have been reported so far in at least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock" target="_blank">140 herds in 12 states</a>&nbsp;– including Missouri’s neighboring states of Kansas and Iowa — according to the USDA dashboard updated July 3.

However, experts say the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s numbers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/26/bird-flu-outbreak-avian-flu-containment-h5n1-eradication-in-cattle" target="_blank">likely underestimate the size of the outbreak</a>&nbsp;because so few cattle are being tested.

Currently, the USDA requires lactating cattle to be tested before being shipped&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/aphis-requirements-recommendations-hpai-livestock.pdf" target="_blank">across state lines</a>.

Adalja said that because of the lack of proactive testing, he said he doesn’t believe “anybody in the field would think that those 38 states could be declared non-H5N1 cow (infected) states.”

Historically, when the H5N1 virus has infected people on rare occasions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON512" target="_blank">the death rate has been over 50%</a>. In the current U.S. dairy cattle outbreak, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p-0703-4th-human-case-h5.html" target="_blank">four farm workers with documented infections</a>&nbsp;have had mild cases, mostly including symptoms of eye redness, following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/farm-workers.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5/farm-workers.html" target="_blank">direct contact with sick cows</a>. The most recent human case was announced as of last week.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-06282024.html#:~:text=To" target="_blank">health risk to the general public remains low</a>&nbsp;and has recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html" target="_blank">personal protective equipment</a>&nbsp;for those working with infected cows.

While dairy cows have generally recovered during this current outbreak, the virus has proven to be fatal to cats who drank raw milk from infected cows.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration said its tests indicate that the pasteurization process used in commercial milk processing is effective at inactivating the H5N1 virus. While there is concern that the virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized, or raw, milk from infected cows, the FDA continues to emphasize its longstanding recommendations about ingesting raw milk because of its potential to be contaminated.

The fact that no farms are reporting symptoms in cows is the best indication that H5N1 is not in Missouri, state officials said. One of the reasons they believe Missouri has avoided the virus is because the state imports so few cows.

Missouri’s tests on 17 dairy cows, as of Monday, occurred because the animals were being moved across state borders. However, it remains unclear how the virus is circulating, and in some states, herds have become infected despite no movements of cattle.

It appears that farm workers may be involved in the outbreak’s spread, but Missouri has minimal shared labor between farms, state officials said.

Even so, in preparation for the 2024 Missouri State Fair, scheduled to begin Aug. 8 in Sedalia, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Strubberg announced last week updated biosecurity protocols for exhibiting dairy cattle. All lactating dairy cattle must have a negative H5N1 test within seven days before arrival at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has been doing outreach to dairy producers and veterinarians and providing updated information on the virus.

Scott Poock, a dairy and beef cattle veterinarian with the University of Missouri Extension, said he would be confident that Missouri “probably hasn’t had it.”

“Can I say 100%? Absolutely not. Never,” Poock said.

Missouri, like other states, has been battling H5N1 in poultry for some time. And as it remains unclear how the virus jumped from birds to dairy cows, Strubberg said the lack of many new H5N1 detections in Missouri poultry can provide more confidence, to a degree, that the virus isn’t in Missouri cows.

While some experts are concerned about a lack of proactive testing, there is a risk aversion for farmers who would have to quarantine lactating cattle with a positive test. The USDA has taken some actions to help farmers, including offering loans to farmers and livestock producers to alleviate biosecurity measurement costs, such as veterinary and testing expenses.

Like experts in infectious diseases, farmers are aware of the issue but have differing opinions and levels of concern, Strubberg said.

Chloe Collins, an MU Extension dairy field specialist, said that most farmers she has recently spoken with have been optimistic about the H5N1 risk. She said farmers are practicing good biosecurity and are tapping into expert resources. Collins also described the state’s dairy industry as “prepared and resilient.”

Adalja said he believes that the USDA and state agriculture departments are walking a tightrope trying to balance the economic and public health implications. This includes what stigma might occur if a farm tests positive.

“These (cows) are not pets,” Adalja said. “They are economic vessels, basically, that are important for the economies of those farms, the economies of those counties and the states.”

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/few-missouri-dairy-cows-tested-for-bird-flu-virus/article_03ab77de-3df9-11ef-aaa3-134d712ffccc.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719397041671.png" alt="File photo Holstein milking cows&nbsp; photo by Kirsten Strough/USDA" />
 <figcaption>File photo Holstein milking cows&nbsp; photo by Kirsten Strough/USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marymccuebell/">MARY MCCUE BELL</a>WASHINGTON — As the number of dairy cows infected with a strain of bird flu virus grows across the country, 17 of Missouri’s roughly 60,000 dairy cows have been tested while agriculture officials and farmers keep watch for signs that the outbreak has entered the state.So far, Missouri farmers haven’t reported any cows with the virus, called H5N1, state officials said.However, national biosecurity and public health experts are concerned that a lack of testing in states across the country, and the economic implications of quarantining cattle, may be allowing the virus to spread undetected.“You want to work on the assumption that it’s there, and you’re trying to find it,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, who focuses on pandemic policy and the intersections of infectious disease and national security. Adalja said 17 tests aren’t enough to give him confidence that Missouri’s herds are virus-free.“Just because you’re not looking, doesn’t mean it’s not there, that you’re going to avoid the consequences,” Adalja said.Missouri State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg acknowledged that only a small fraction of the state’s dairy cows have been tested for the virus. Strubberg, who leads the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, said he believes Missouri farmers would have reported sick cows to their veterinarians if their herds were becoming infected.Because H5N1 is a “Reportable Disease,” veterinarians and laboratories are required to disclose detections. However, while farmers are encouraged to report H5N1 symptoms, it’s not a requirement because there is no confirmation they are ill with the H5N1 virus.“We just feel like most livestock producers, they really do a great job of watching the health of their animals,” Strubberg said. “I mean, it’s their livelihood.”Health experts investigating the H5N1 outbreaks in Texas and Colorado told&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-farmers-barb-petersen-07bd5accb01441bc5d279464271d2371" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that because labs must report positive results to agriculture departments, many farmers may decide against testing and try to outlast the outbreak to avoid a negative stigma.In dairy cattle, the virus causes low appetite and reduced milk production, and the milk can have an abnormal appearance. Occasionally, farmers have cows with similar symptoms, which can also be caused by other diseases.While H5N1 is associated with high mortality rates in poultry, reports indicate infected dairy cattle rarely die. Even when cows in a herd become sick, they seem to recover rather quickly after a few weeks, as long as dairy farmers are using disease management procedures, Strubberg said.Since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/mammals.html#:~:text=A" target="_blank">March 25</a>, when the world first learned H5N1 had developed the ability to infect and spread among cows, infections have been reported so far in at least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock" target="_blank">140 herds in 12 states</a>&nbsp;– including Missouri’s neighboring states of Kansas and Iowa — according to the USDA dashboard updated July 3.However, experts say the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s numbers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/26/bird-flu-outbreak-avian-flu-containment-h5n1-eradication-in-cattle" target="_blank">likely underestimate the size of the outbreak</a>&nbsp;because so few cattle are being tested.Currently, the USDA requires lactating cattle to be tested before being shipped&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/aphis-requirements-recommendations-hpai-livestock.pdf" target="_blank">across state lines</a>.Adalja said that because of the lack of proactive testing, he said he doesn’t believe “anybody in the field would think that those 38 states could be declared non-H5N1 cow (infected) states.”Historically, when the H5N1 virus has infected people on rare occasions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON512" target="_blank">the death rate has been over 50%</a>. In the current U.S. dairy cattle outbreak, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p-0703-4th-human-case-h5.html" target="_blank">four farm workers with documented infections</a>&nbsp;have had mild cases, mostly including symptoms of eye redness, following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/farm-workers.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5/farm-workers.html" target="_blank">direct contact with sick cows</a>. The most recent human case was announced as of last week.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-06282024.html#:~:text=To" target="_blank">health risk to the general public remains low</a>&nbsp;and has recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html" target="_blank">personal protective equipment</a>&nbsp;for those working with infected cows.While dairy cows have generally recovered during this current outbreak, the virus has proven to be fatal to cats who drank raw milk from infected cows.U.S. Food and Drug Administration said its tests indicate that the pasteurization process used in commercial milk processing is effective at inactivating the H5N1 virus. While there is concern that the virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized, or raw, milk from infected cows, the FDA continues to emphasize its longstanding recommendations about ingesting raw milk because of its potential to be contaminated.The fact that no farms are reporting symptoms in cows is the best indication that H5N1 is not in Missouri, state officials said. One of the reasons they believe Missouri has avoided the virus is because the state imports so few cows.Missouri’s tests on 17 dairy cows, as of Monday, occurred because the animals were being moved across state borders. However, it remains unclear how the virus is circulating, and in some states, herds have become infected despite no movements of cattle.It appears that farm workers may be involved in the outbreak’s spread, but Missouri has minimal shared labor between farms, state officials said.Even so, in preparation for the 2024 Missouri State Fair, scheduled to begin Aug. 8 in Sedalia, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Strubberg announced last week updated biosecurity protocols for exhibiting dairy cattle. All lactating dairy cattle must have a negative H5N1 test within seven days before arrival at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.The Missouri Department of Agriculture has been doing outreach to dairy producers and veterinarians and providing updated information on the virus.Scott Poock, a dairy and beef cattle veterinarian with the University of Missouri Extension, said he would be confident that Missouri “probably hasn’t had it.”“Can I say 100%? Absolutely not. Never,” Poock said.Missouri, like other states, has been battling H5N1 in poultry for some time. And as it remains unclear how the virus jumped from birds to dairy cows, Strubberg said the lack of many new H5N1 detections in Missouri poultry can provide more confidence, to a degree, that the virus isn’t in Missouri cows.While some experts are concerned about a lack of proactive testing, there is a risk aversion for farmers who would have to quarantine lactating cattle with a positive test. The USDA has taken some actions to help farmers, including offering loans to farmers and livestock producers to alleviate biosecurity measurement costs, such as veterinary and testing expenses.Like experts in infectious diseases, farmers are aware of the issue but have differing opinions and levels of concern, Strubberg said.Chloe Collins, an MU Extension dairy field specialist, said that most farmers she has recently spoken with have been optimistic about the H5N1 risk. She said farmers are practicing good biosecurity and are tapping into expert resources. Collins also described the state’s dairy industry as “prepared and resilient.”Adalja said he believes that the USDA and state agriculture departments are walking a tightrope trying to balance the economic and public health implications. This includes what stigma might occur if a farm tests positive.“These (cows) are not pets,” Adalja said. “They are economic vessels, basically, that are important for the economies of those farms, the economies of those counties and the states.”This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/few-missouri-dairy-cows-tested-for-bird-flu-virus/article_03ab77de-3df9-11ef-aaa3-134d712ffccc.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

Few Missouri dairy cows have been tested for bird flu virus

A shooting outside the First Ward House in north St. Joseph
has left a 31-year-old man with a life-threatening gunshot wound.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports the shooting just
after midnight Sunday likely started with a confrontation in the bar that continued
outside.

There is one suspect, but no one has been arrested as of yet.

The identification of the victim has not been released.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA shooting outside the First Ward House in north St. Joseph
has left a 31-year-old man with a life-threatening gunshot wound.The St. Joseph Police Department reports the shooting just
after midnight Sunday likely started with a confrontation in the bar that continued
outside.There is one suspect, but no one has been arrested as of yet.The identification of the victim has not been released.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Man severely wounded in north St. Joseph shooting

WASHINGTON —Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley on Sunday&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2024%2f07%2fHawley-Letter-to-Chairman-Peters-re-Attempted-Assassination-of-Trump.pdf&amp;redir_log=659204414725889" target="_blank">sent</a>&nbsp;a letter to U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), calling on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Chairman to immediately&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fHawleyMO%2fstatus%2f1812462184728846842&amp;redir_log=967991304406288" target="_blank">launch</a>&nbsp;an investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally Saturday.

“This HSGAC investigation must include public testimony, hearings, and robust oversight over the relevant federal departments as they respond to this assassination attempt. Sworn testimony must be heard from Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Nothing should be classified or withheld from the public,”&nbsp;wrote Senator Hawley.

“Our prayers are with President Trump, the family of the slain American, and the innocent civilians who were injured. We owe it to the victims and the American people to get to the bottom of what happened. The American people have questions. And they deserve answers,”&nbsp;he concluded.

Senator Hawley previously&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fhawley-statement-on-attempted-assassination-of-president-trump%2f&amp;redir_log=558475836707660" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;statements following the shooting,&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.realclearpolitics.com%2farticles%2f2024%2f07%2f14%2ftrump_survives_assassination_attempt_shooter_dead__151259.html&amp;redir_log=115496052595803" target="_blank">condemning</a>&nbsp;the political violence and demanding answers from President Biden’s Justice Department on the identity of the shooter.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720953321409.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley on Sunday&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2024%2f07%2fHawley-Letter-to-Chairman-Peters-re-Attempted-Assassination-of-Trump.pdf&amp;redir_log=659204414725889" target="_blank">sent</a>&nbsp;a letter to U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), calling on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Chairman to immediately&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fHawleyMO%2fstatus%2f1812462184728846842&amp;redir_log=967991304406288" target="_blank">launch</a>&nbsp;an investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally Saturday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721008784101.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“This HSGAC investigation must include public testimony, hearings, and robust oversight over the relevant federal departments as they respond to this assassination attempt. Sworn testimony must be heard from Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Nothing should be classified or withheld from the public,”&nbsp;wrote Senator Hawley.“Our prayers are with President Trump, the family of the slain American, and the innocent civilians who were injured. We owe it to the victims and the American people to get to the bottom of what happened. The American people have questions. And they deserve answers,”&nbsp;he concluded.Senator Hawley previously&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fhawley-statement-on-attempted-assassination-of-president-trump%2f&amp;redir_log=558475836707660" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;statements following the shooting,&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.realclearpolitics.com%2farticles%2f2024%2f07%2f14%2ftrump_survives_assassination_attempt_shooter_dead__151259.html&amp;redir_log=115496052595803" target="_blank">condemning</a>&nbsp;the political violence and demanding answers from President Biden’s Justice Department on the identity of the shooter.&nbsp;

Missouri Senator demands full-scale investigation on attempted assassination of Trump

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">CAMI KOONS</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Early this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/29/1227574179/amelia-earharts-lost-plane-howland-island" target="_blank">news outlets circulated&nbsp;</a>a sonar image of what explorers believe to be Amelia Earhart’s lost Lockheed Electra plane.

Earhart enthusiasts in Atchison were excited to see the discovery, and also to see the expedition’s leader, Tony Romeo, sporting a T-shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.

The founder of Deep Sea Vision, the exploration company that took the sonar image at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, had visited the Atchison museum to see Muriel, a plane identical to the one Earhart took on her last flight.

Romeo will return July 19-20 to Atchison with a slate of other explorers, Earhart theorists and a Smithsonian curator for a panel discussion.

The events are presented by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum</a>&nbsp;as part of the annual Amelia Earhart Festival.

“It’s very exciting to get internationally known people searching for Amelia’s plane into Atchison, where she was born,” said Karen Seaberg, the museum’s founder.

“Adventure Amelia: A Conversation with Explorers in the Search for Amelia Earhart” will be moderated by Dorothy Cochrane, a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Romeo and his brother, Lloyd Romeo, are panelists alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-links-search-for-amelia-earhart-s-plane-with-iss-crew-classroom" target="_blank">Rod Blocksome</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://earharttruth.wordpress.com/tag/gary-lapook/" target="_blank">Gary LaPook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.datelinetheory.com/p/about-author.html" target="_blank">Liz Smith</a>.

Seaberg said the explorers and theorists might have a little bit of competitive tension as they take the stage at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Atchison.

“The panel itself is going to be fun, because all of these people are searching, or have ideas about Amelia Earhart’s lost plane, but they all are going about it a little different way,” Seaberg said.

At 9 a.m. July 20, Tony and Lloyd Romeo will share more about their expedition, which used marine robotics to scan more than 5,200 square miles of the Pacific Ocean floor.

This conversation at the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium at Benedictine College will be moderated by pilot and author Amelia Rose Earhart, who circumnavigated the globe in 2014.

Tickets are free but limited, so Seaberg urges folks to&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/event/adventure-amelia/" target="_blank">register online</a>.

In addition to the panels, the<a href="https://visitatchison.com/listing/amelia-earhart-festival" target="_blank">&nbsp;Amelia Earhart Festival&nbsp;</a>offers craft vendors, live music, an airshow and fireworks above the Missouri River.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720819312481.png" alt="Tony Romeo shows off his shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum while on his 90-day expedition searching for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Tony Romeo shows off his shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum while on his 90-day expedition searching for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">CAMI KOONS</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Early this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/29/1227574179/amelia-earharts-lost-plane-howland-island" target="_blank">news outlets circulated&nbsp;</a>a sonar image of what explorers believe to be Amelia Earhart’s lost Lockheed Electra plane.Earhart enthusiasts in Atchison were excited to see the discovery, and also to see the expedition’s leader, Tony Romeo, sporting a T-shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.The founder of Deep Sea Vision, the exploration company that took the sonar image at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, had visited the Atchison museum to see Muriel, a plane identical to the one Earhart took on her last flight.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720819354535.png" alt="Sonar images of the floor of the Pacific Ocean reveal an object that looks to be around the shape and size of the Lockheed Electra 10-E that Amelia Earhart took on her fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Sonar images of the floor of the Pacific Ocean reveal an object that looks to be around the shape and size of the Lockheed Electra 10-E that Amelia Earhart took on her fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>Romeo will return July 19-20 to Atchison with a slate of other explorers, Earhart theorists and a Smithsonian curator for a panel discussion.The events are presented by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum</a>&nbsp;as part of the annual Amelia Earhart Festival.“It’s very exciting to get internationally known people searching for Amelia’s plane into Atchison, where she was born,” said Karen Seaberg, the museum’s founder.“Adventure Amelia: A Conversation with Explorers in the Search for Amelia Earhart” will be moderated by Dorothy Cochrane, a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Romeo and his brother, Lloyd Romeo, are panelists alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-links-search-for-amelia-earhart-s-plane-with-iss-crew-classroom" target="_blank">Rod Blocksome</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://earharttruth.wordpress.com/tag/gary-lapook/" target="_blank">Gary LaPook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.datelinetheory.com/p/about-author.html" target="_blank">Liz Smith</a>.Seaberg said the explorers and theorists might have a little bit of competitive tension as they take the stage at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Atchison.“The panel itself is going to be fun, because all of these people are searching, or have ideas about Amelia Earhart’s lost plane, but they all are going about it a little different way,” Seaberg said.At 9 a.m. July 20, Tony and Lloyd Romeo will share more about their expedition, which used marine robotics to scan more than 5,200 square miles of the Pacific Ocean floor.This conversation at the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium at Benedictine College will be moderated by pilot and author Amelia Rose Earhart, who circumnavigated the globe in 2014.Tickets are free but limited, so Seaberg urges folks to&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/event/adventure-amelia/" target="_blank">register online</a>.In addition to the panels, the<a href="https://visitatchison.com/listing/amelia-earhart-festival" target="_blank">&nbsp;Amelia Earhart Festival&nbsp;</a>offers craft vendors, live music, an airshow and fireworks above the Missouri River.

High-profile Amelia Earhart explorers to convene in Atchison

NODAWAY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Northwest Missouri man on multiple allegations after a search of his home.

In April, investigators identified an IP address associated with 53-year-old Craig A. Roberts of Maryville, Missouri, according to a media release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control.

The IP address was of investigative interest in an active child pornography investigation.&nbsp; On July 11, investigators conducted a search of Roberts' Maryville home, pursuant to a Nodaway County search warrant.&nbsp;

Investigators found Roberts' computer and when it was examined they found multiple digital files of child pornography. Investigators also found meth.&nbsp; Officers arrested Roberts on requested charges of possession of child porn, promoting child porn and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720813527719.png" alt="Roberts-photo Nodaway Co." />
 <figcaption>Roberts-photo Nodaway Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>NODAWAY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Northwest Missouri man on multiple allegations after a search of his home.In April, investigators identified an IP address associated with 53-year-old Craig A. Roberts of Maryville, Missouri, according to a media release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control.The IP address was of investigative interest in an active child pornography investigation.&nbsp; On July 11, investigators conducted a search of Roberts' Maryville home, pursuant to a Nodaway County search warrant.&nbsp;Investigators found Roberts' computer and when it was examined they found multiple digital files of child pornography. Investigators also found meth.&nbsp; Officers arrested Roberts on requested charges of possession of child porn, promoting child porn and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.

NW Missouri man accused of possessing and promoting child porn

(Radio Iowa) - The president of the American Medical Association is in Iowa today (Friday) to address the state's top doctors about key healthcare issues, including Iowa's worsening shortage of rural physicians. 

Dr. Bruce Scott says one of his priorities is to seek out ways to turn around the exodus of experienced doctors from our nation's rural areas. Scott says 97 of Iowa's 99 counties are partially or entirely designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, while Iowa ranks 45th in the nation in terms of availability of physicians and the patient-physician relationship. 

Scott is speaking before members of the Iowa Medical Society in Des Moines, and says rural Iowa physicians are retiring in droves and they're not being replaced by new doctors due to the lower wages, increased administrative burdens, and the rising cost of practice in rural areas.

(Radio Iowa) - The president of the American Medical Association is in Iowa today (Friday) to address the state's top doctors about key healthcare issues, including Iowa's worsening shortage of rural physicians. Dr. Bruce Scott says one of his priorities is to seek out ways to turn around the exodus of experienced doctors from our nation's rural areas. Scott says 97 of Iowa's 99 counties are partially or entirely designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, while Iowa ranks 45th in the nation in terms of availability of physicians and the patient-physician relationship. Scott is speaking before members of the Iowa Medical Society in Des Moines, and says rural Iowa physicians are retiring in droves and they're not being replaced by new doctors due to the lower wages, increased administrative burdens, and the rising cost of practice in rural areas.

Head of AMA talks to Iowa physicians about worrisome scarcity of rural doctors

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement continue working to identify the body of a man found in the Arkansas River on Thursday.

Just after 4p.m., first responders were called to a location on the river near Pawnee and Broadway in south Wichita. The victim, described as possibly in his 30s, was pulled from the water and pronounced deceased.

On Friday afternoon, police investigators were still working with the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death and learn his identity, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720813873343.png" alt="Firs responders on the scene Thursday along the Arkansas River-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Firs responders on the scene Thursday along the Arkansas River-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement continue working to identify the body of a man found in the Arkansas River on Thursday.Just after 4p.m., first responders were called to a location on the river near Pawnee and Broadway in south Wichita. The victim, described as possibly in his 30s, was pulled from the water and pronounced deceased.On Friday afternoon, police investigators were still working with the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death and learn his identity, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Investigators working to ID body found in river in Kansas

Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph is drawing ever closer.

 Staff and equipment have started arriving from One Arrowhead Drive to the Missouri Western campus. Missouri Western athletic director Andy Carter says the Chiefs’ arrival is always a highly anticipated moment each summer - a moment that takes weeks of preparation and many people’s assistance.

"It takes a lot of preparation for our campus and community to get them here and treat them in the way they've grown to expect from us at a high level," Carter said on KFEQ Radio's The Hotline. "It's about a three-week buildup of products and equipment and people arriving, and then in 24 hours, poof! They're gone on the end of it."

This year will mark the 14th season of training camp at Missouri Western.

Chiefs quarterbacks and rookies will report and begin practice on July 16, with the first full practice open to the public on July 21. There’ll be 19 team practices in all with camp wrapping up on August 15.

Carter says the Chiefs appreciate coming to St. Joseph, not only because of proximity, but also because of how the community embraces camp each year.

"Close enough that if they have to go back for something, it's not a big deal," Carter said. "Even their admin people and executives can run up for a day and go back. But, I think it's also the commitment by the community and University leadership that this is important."

Talk of the Chiefs leaving Missouri has ramped up this year with Kansas trying to lure the team across the river.

Voters in Jackson County, Missouri this past April voted down a sales tax renewal that would have funded Arrowhead Stadium renovations and a new Royals ballpark in downtown Kansas City.

Carter says he doesn't know what will happen if the Chiefs leave the Show-Me State, but says there's been talks with the Chiefs about signing a multi-year agreement to keep training camp in St. Joseph for at least a few more years.

"What I can speak to is, they still need a place to train," Carter said of the Chiefs' future. "We've had some conversations about a three or five year agreement that keeps them here when they figure that part out. That's 100% their decision on where they're going to go."

Kansas governor Laura Kelly signed legislation in June that will help both professional sports teams pay for new stadiums if they move to Kansas.

 The Chiefs' and Royals' current lease at the Truman Sports Complex runs through 2031.

Regardless of what happens next with the stadiums, Carter says the pageantry and anticipation of training camp is very real and exciting, considering what the players go through.

"This is part of their job," Carter said. "They're going to work and some of them are here to fine tune themselves for the season. Some are here, trying to make the club. There's high stakes over the weeks that they're here."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691058864161.jpeg" alt="Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) makes a catch during training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. on&nbsp; August 2, 2023. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) makes a catch during training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. on&nbsp; August 2, 2023. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostKansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph is drawing ever closer. Staff and equipment have started arriving from One Arrowhead Drive to the Missouri Western campus. Missouri Western athletic director Andy Carter says the Chiefs’ arrival is always a highly anticipated moment each summer - a moment that takes weeks of preparation and many people’s assistance."It takes a lot of preparation for our campus and community to get them here and treat them in the way they've grown to expect from us at a high level," Carter said on KFEQ Radio's The Hotline. "It's about a three-week buildup of products and equipment and people arriving, and then in 24 hours, poof! They're gone on the end of it."This year will mark the 14th season of training camp at Missouri Western.Chiefs quarterbacks and rookies will report and begin practice on July 16, with the first full practice open to the public on July 21. There’ll be 19 team practices in all with camp wrapping up on August 15.Carter says the Chiefs appreciate coming to St. Joseph, not only because of proximity, but also because of how the community embraces camp each year."Close enough that if they have to go back for something, it's not a big deal," Carter said. "Even their admin people and executives can run up for a day and go back. But, I think it's also the commitment by the community and University leadership that this is important."Talk of the Chiefs leaving Missouri has ramped up this year with Kansas trying to lure the team across the river.Voters in Jackson County, Missouri this past April voted down a sales tax renewal that would have funded Arrowhead Stadium renovations and a new Royals ballpark in downtown Kansas City.Carter says he doesn't know what will happen if the Chiefs leave the Show-Me State, but says there's been talks with the Chiefs about signing a multi-year agreement to keep training camp in St. Joseph for at least a few more years."What I can speak to is, they still need a place to train," Carter said of the Chiefs' future. "We've had some conversations about a three or five year agreement that keeps them here when they figure that part out. That's 100% their decision on where they're going to go."Kansas governor Laura Kelly signed legislation in June that will help both professional sports teams pay for new stadiums if they move to Kansas. The Chiefs' and Royals' current lease at the Truman Sports Complex runs through 2031.Regardless of what happens next with the stadiums, Carter says the pageantry and anticipation of training camp is very real and exciting, considering what the players go through."This is part of their job," Carter said. "They're going to work and some of them are here to fine tune themselves for the season. Some are here, trying to make the club. There's high stakes over the weeks that they're here."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU ready to roll out red carpet as Chiefs get on campus next week

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa State University researchers say a sugar molecule they've found in the mammary glands of cattle is the so-called receptor that transmits highly pathogenic avian influenza. 

Professor Todd Bell, in I-S-U's veterinary pathology lab, says their study could lead to measures that prevent the spread of bird flu, which has infected more than a dozen large herds of dairy cattle in northwest Iowa in recent weeks. Ames researchers are working under the hypothesis milking machines may be spreading the virus from cow to cow. 

If they confirm it, Bell says halting the transmission may be as simple as thoroughly disinfecting machines prior to use. Milk sold in grocery stores and by other retailers is pasteurized, and the F-D-A and dairy industry are stressing there's no threat to the milk supply because the pasteurization process neutralizes viruses.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa State University researchers say a sugar molecule they've found in the mammary glands of cattle is the so-called receptor that transmits highly pathogenic avian influenza. Professor Todd Bell, in I-S-U's veterinary pathology lab, says their study could lead to measures that prevent the spread of bird flu, which has infected more than a dozen large herds of dairy cattle in northwest Iowa in recent weeks. Ames researchers are working under the hypothesis milking machines may be spreading the virus from cow to cow. If they confirm it, Bell says halting the transmission may be as simple as thoroughly disinfecting machines prior to use. Milk sold in grocery stores and by other retailers is pasteurized, and the F-D-A and dairy industry are stressing there's no threat to the milk supply because the pasteurization process neutralizes viruses.

ISU researchers report progress in unlocking mysteries of bird flu

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday passed&nbsp;a measure to reverse an Education Department rule seeking to extend federal discrimination protections for LGBTQ students, though President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation should it land on his desk.

House passage of the resolution on a party-line vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024354?Page=2" target="_blank">210-205</a>, is part of a barrage of GOP pushback at the state and federal levels to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-betsy-devos-lead-attack-title-ix-rule-protects-lgbtq-kids" target="_blank">Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;since its April release. For all schools that receive federal funding, the rule protects against discrimination for students based on “sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.”

Twenty-six states with GOP attorneys general have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-half-states-sue-block-biden-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-students" target="_blank">sued to block</a>&nbsp;the rule, and courts have temporarily blocked it from going into effect in 14 states on August 1.

The 14 states with temporary blocks are: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720781223271.png" alt=" The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption> The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday passed&nbsp;a measure to reverse an Education Department rule seeking to extend federal discrimination protections for LGBTQ students, though President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation should it land on his desk.House passage of the resolution on a party-line vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024354?Page=2" target="_blank">210-205</a>, is part of a barrage of GOP pushback at the state and federal levels to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-betsy-devos-lead-attack-title-ix-rule-protects-lgbtq-kids" target="_blank">Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;since its April release. For all schools that receive federal funding, the rule protects against discrimination for students based on “sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.”Twenty-six states with GOP attorneys general have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-half-states-sue-block-biden-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-students" target="_blank">sued to block</a>&nbsp;the rule, and courts have temporarily blocked it from going into effect in 14 states on August 1.The 14 states with temporary blocks are: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.Illinois GOP Rep. Mary Miller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-title-ix-regulation-targeted-republicans-congress" target="_blank">introduced the legislation</a>&nbsp;in early June. A week later, the Republican-controlled House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved it. Miller’s resolution seeks to reverse the rule through the&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10023" target="_blank">Congressional Review Act</a>, a procedural tool Congress can use to overturn certain actions from federal agencies.In the Senate, Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/96" target="_blank">also introduced legislation</a>&nbsp;in June to try to block the final rule under the same tool. The Senate version has gathered over 30 Republican cosponsors.Rep. Virginia Foxx — chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a fierce opponent of the administration’s final rule — said during the floor debate Wednesday that she wanted to preserve Title IX, which helped equalize funding for women’s sports and education programs beginning in 1972.“Title IX ushered in a golden era for women’s competition and education,” the North Carolina Republican said. “There is sanctity in the community and tradition of these memories, these spaces and these opportunities for young girls.”Regardless of whether the attempt to roll back the measure is successful in the Democratic-controlled Senate,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SAP-HJRes-165.pdf" target="_blank">Biden</a>’s veto threat leaves virtually no possibility it could be adopted this year.<h2>Democrats, LGBTQ advocates in opposition&nbsp;</h2>Democrats and LGBTQ advocates have described the effort to overturn the rule as motivated by misinformation and fear.“Unfortunately, this resolution has been clouded by misinformation, unfounded fears and with some, just hatred of transgender individuals,” said Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, during the debate.Oregon’s Rep. Suzanne Bonamici — ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education — said the resolution was “another attempt to undercut this administration’s efforts to empower survivors and protect all Americans from discrimination.”“If Republicans truly cared about protecting women and children, they would stop this prejudiced rhetoric and take action on bills that would actually protect women from discrimination and harassment and defend women’s reproductive health care, make child care more affordable, preserve opportunities in workplaces for all parents, especially women,” Bonamici said.Scott called on the House to “reject these narratives and focus on real issues of safety and equity.”<h2>Final rule blocked in more states&nbsp;</h2>Meanwhile, challenges to the rule are playing out in a handful of federal courts.Last week, Judge John Broomes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas temporarily blocked the measure from taking effect in the Sunflower State, along with Alaska, Utah and Wyoming.Broomes also halted the rule from taking effect in “the schools attended by the members of Young America’s Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty,” all groups that sued alongside the four states, per the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561.53.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>.Under Broomes’ order, the rule is also halted in an Oklahoma public school attended by a minor who is one of the plaintiffs.In June, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/06/13/title-ix-transgender/" target="_blank">issued a temporary injunction</a>&nbsp;barring the final rule from taking effect there, along with Idaho, Mississippi and Montana.In Kentucky federal court, Chief Judge Danny Reeves&nbsp;<a href="https://kentuckylantern.com/2024/06/17/us-judge-in-kentucky-blocks-biden-title-ix-rules-says-sex-gender-identity-not-the-same-thing/" target="_blank">temporarily blocked the final rule</a>&nbsp;in the Bluegrass State, plus Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Virginia. Reeves rejected the department’s request for a partial stay of the injunction while its appeal plays out, per a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801.117.0.pdf" target="_blank">Wednesday court filing</a>.The Education Department has confirmed it is appealing the other two rulings but did not have an update Wednesday on whether it is filing a notice of appeal on the most recent ruling in the Kansas federal court.The spokesperson reiterated earlier this week that the agency has “asked the trial courts to allow the bulk of the final rule to take effect in these states as scheduled, on August 1, while the appeals are pending.”<h2>LGBTQ advocacy groups push back on GOP effort</h2>Allen Morris, policy director for the advocacy group National LGBTQ Task Force, said the vote was part of a pattern of anti-LGBTQ policy measures.“When you look at the rise in hatred and the rise in violence and the rise of young LGBTQ individuals not having the support that they need, where suicide rates are high, it is disappointing to see our opposition go against us with such a high level of intention,” he said.Morris told States Newsroom that “a lot of what is happening with this extremism is not founded in truth.”“It is founded in ways to spew hate and to spew fear. It is a lot of fear mongering, and it’s anything to make people feel like their backs are up against the wall, or as if they don’t have the power,” he said.Echoing a previous statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said it “does not comment on pending legislation” and emphasized that all schools receiving federal funding are obligated to comply with the new regulations as a condition of receiving those funds.The department has yet to finalize a separate rule establishing new criteria for transgender athletes.

Kbct