Even as you keep fireworks safety in mind, other safety
measures will make for an enjoyable Independence Day celebration.

American Red Cross spokeswoman Angie Springs says a little
time in preparation can make for a safe and fun 4th.

“So, the little things that we can do to hopefully make it
that much more enjoyable,” Springs tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Again, we all
enjoy watching fireworks in the sky, watching those big nighttime displays. We
just want to make sure everyone is safe, because again this is a holiday to be
celebrated, not one that you’re then having to deal with an emergency.”

Many like to hit the lake, the river, or the pool during these
summer days.

Springs says it’s vitally important to keep an eye on the children.

“Want to make sure that they are supervised in or near that
water. Make sure that you’re paying attention to them,” Springs says. “So, put
your phones down, keep your eyes on the water, make sure that those young
children have proper floatation devises. So, those lifejackets, make sure that they
are being safe when they’re in and around that water.”

The simple act of paying attention pays big dividends.

“It’s those little things that we can do during this holiday
season to help keep everyone safe,” according to Springs. “We want everyone to
have a great time and, again, its America’s holiday, you want to be out on the
water, you want to be enjoying those fireworks. But the more that we can keep
in mind those safety tips, the better off we’re going be. So just make sure
that you’re aware at all times.”

Springs advises to keep an eye on the weather and to get out
of the water and get inside at the first sign of lightning. Keep hydrated on
hot summer days by drinking plenty of water and limiting alcohol.

Other safety tips from the American Red Cross include:

FIREWORKS
SAFETY&nbsp;The safest way to
enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals.
Many states outlaw most fireworks, especially in dry climates prone to forest
fires. Consider celebrating with glow sticks, noise makers or silly string
instead. If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:

WATER SAFETY&nbsp;Children and adults should learn to swim so
they at least&nbsp;achieve the skills of water competency: be able to enter the water, get a breath,
stay afloat, change position, swim a distance and &nbsp;get out of the water
safely. Whether swimming in a pool, at the beach or visiting a waterpark,
always swim in an area where lifeguards are on duty.

BEACH SAFETY&nbsp;If you plan to swim in the ocean, a lake or
river, be aware that swimming in these environments is different than swimming
in a pool. Be sure you have the skills for these environments.

WATER PARK
SAFETY&nbsp;Wear protective
clothing, including a hat and some kind of cover-up for when you’ve had enough
sun. Use sunscreen before leaving home and reapply during the day.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostEven as you keep fireworks safety in mind, other safety
measures will make for an enjoyable Independence Day celebration.American Red Cross spokeswoman Angie Springs says a little
time in preparation can make for a safe and fun 4th.“So, the little things that we can do to hopefully make it
that much more enjoyable,” Springs tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Again, we all
enjoy watching fireworks in the sky, watching those big nighttime displays. We
just want to make sure everyone is safe, because again this is a holiday to be
celebrated, not one that you’re then having to deal with an emergency.”Many like to hit the lake, the river, or the pool during these
summer days.Springs says it’s vitally important to keep an eye on the children.“Want to make sure that they are supervised in or near that
water. Make sure that you’re paying attention to them,” Springs says. “So, put
your phones down, keep your eyes on the water, make sure that those young
children have proper floatation devises. So, those lifejackets, make sure that they
are being safe when they’re in and around that water.”The simple act of paying attention pays big dividends.“It’s those little things that we can do during this holiday
season to help keep everyone safe,” according to Springs. “We want everyone to
have a great time and, again, its America’s holiday, you want to be out on the
water, you want to be enjoying those fireworks. But the more that we can keep
in mind those safety tips, the better off we’re going be. So just make sure
that you’re aware at all times.”Springs advises to keep an eye on the weather and to get out
of the water and get inside at the first sign of lightning. Keep hydrated on
hot summer days by drinking plenty of water and limiting alcohol.Other safety tips from the American Red Cross include:FIREWORKS
SAFETY&nbsp;The safest way to
enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals.
Many states outlaw most fireworks, especially in dry climates prone to forest
fires. Consider celebrating with glow sticks, noise makers or silly string
instead. If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:<ul>
 <li>Never give fireworks to small children,
 and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles,
 structures or flammable materials.</li><li>Always follow the instructions on the
 packaging.</li><li>Keep a supply of water close by as a
 precaution.</li><li>Make sure the person lighting fireworks
 always wears eye protection.</li><li>Light only one firework at a time and
 never attempt to relight "a dud."</li><li>Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away
 from children and pets.</li>
 </ul>WATER SAFETY&nbsp;Children and adults should learn to swim so
they at least&nbsp;achieve the skills of water competency: be able to enter the water, get a breath,
stay afloat, change position, swim a distance and &nbsp;get out of the water
safely. Whether swimming in a pool, at the beach or visiting a waterpark,
always swim in an area where lifeguards are on duty.<ul>
 <li>Watch the weather and get out at the first
 sign of lightning or rumble of thunder. Stay indoors and away from water
 for 30 minutes after the last lightning flashes or thunder roars.</li><li>Provide close and constant attention to
 children you are supervising in or near water.</li><li>Fence pools and spas with adequate
 barriers, including four-sided fencing.</li><li>Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all
 boaters should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life
 jackets.</li>
 </ul>BEACH SAFETY&nbsp;If you plan to swim in the ocean, a lake or
river, be aware that swimming in these environments is different than swimming
in a pool. Be sure you have the skills for these environments.<ul>
 <li>Make sure you swim sober and that you
 always swim with a buddy. Know your limitations and make sure you have
 enough energy to swim back to shore.</li><li>Protect your neck — don’t dive headfirst.
 Walk carefully into open waters. Watch out for and avoid aquatic life.</li><li>If you are caught in a rip current, try
 not to panic. Signal to those on shore that you need assistance. Swim
 parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free,
 swim toward shore. If you can't swim to the shore, float or tread water
 until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.</li>
 </ul>WATER PARK
SAFETY&nbsp;Wear protective
clothing, including a hat and some kind of cover-up for when you’ve had enough
sun. Use sunscreen before leaving home and reapply during the day.<ul>
 <li>Parents — keep an eye on the kids. If they
 can’t swim or are less than four feet tall, have them wear a U.S. Coast
 Guard approved life jacket.</li><li>Signal a lifeguard if you see someone is
 in trouble. Yell if you need to grab attention, but don’t go in after the
 person yourself.</li><li>Set up a meeting place in case someone
 gets separated from your group. Use the buddy system to make sure no child
 is alone.</li>
 </ul>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Have an enjoyable, and safe, Independence Day

(Radio Iowa) - State officials estimate two-thousand homes were damaged or destroyed during recent flooding in northwest Iowa. After previous flooding in Cherokee, FEMA bought out 40 properties. 

Another 70 homes in Cherokee were destroyed in this year's flooding and Cherokee Mayor Craig Schmidt doesn't know where people will go because all the other nearby towns have the same problem -- no workers and no housing. 

Governor Reynolds says the state needs to figure out how to combine state and local resources and get new homes built as quickly as possible. The governor says she and her staff are trying to come up with some type of transitional housing plan as well as incentives for developers that build homes and apartments.

(Radio Iowa) - State officials estimate two-thousand homes were damaged or destroyed during recent flooding in northwest Iowa. After previous flooding in Cherokee, FEMA bought out 40 properties. Another 70 homes in Cherokee were destroyed in this year's flooding and Cherokee Mayor Craig Schmidt doesn't know where people will go because all the other nearby towns have the same problem -- no workers and no housing. Governor Reynolds says the state needs to figure out how to combine state and local resources and get new homes built as quickly as possible. The governor says she and her staff are trying to come up with some type of transitional housing plan as well as incentives for developers that build homes and apartments.

NW Iowa flooding exacerbates Iowa's housing shortage

Fourth of July will bring several travelers out for their holiday plans and the Missouri Highway Patrol says to be careful.  

Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H says as you hit the road, be sure to plan ahead with increased traffic and more construction happening.  

"Look for slower moving vehicles, whether that be pickups pulling campers, boats that are going to be out there being pulled by pickups," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So just allow (time), there's going to be some congestion out there in areas due to the construction, there's going to be traffic crashes so there's going to be lane blockages, things like that." 

While traveling for the Fourth of July, the Missouri Highway Patrol advises to be aware of extra distractions on the roads. 

Hux says if you see fireworks as you're traveling you want to watch, be sure to pull off the road.  

"We never recommend just stopping on the shoulder of the interstate or two-lane highway to get out and look at these," Hux explains.  "Find a safe location where you can get out and enjoy those." 

And Hux also says to be sure as you're traveling, to never fire any fireworks out of a vehicle, or out of a boat if you're on the water 

"Make sure you're in a designated area, make sure children are supervised when they are shooting these fireworks, and by all means do not discharge those from a motor vehicle when you're going up and down the highway," Hux says. 

The highway patrol will be out in full force starting at 6pm tonight through Sunday just before midnight. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Fourth of July will bring several travelers out for their holiday plans and the Missouri Highway Patrol says to be careful. Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H says as you hit the road, be sure to plan ahead with increased traffic and more construction happening. "Look for slower moving vehicles, whether that be pickups pulling campers, boats that are going to be out there being pulled by pickups," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So just allow (time), there's going to be some congestion out there in areas due to the construction, there's going to be traffic crashes so there's going to be lane blockages, things like that." While traveling for the Fourth of July, the Missouri Highway Patrol advises to be aware of extra distractions on the roads. Hux says if you see fireworks as you're traveling you want to watch, be sure to pull off the road. "We never recommend just stopping on the shoulder of the interstate or two-lane highway to get out and look at these," Hux explains. "Find a safe location where you can get out and enjoy those." And Hux also says to be sure as you're traveling, to never fire any fireworks out of a vehicle, or out of a boat if you're on the water "Make sure you're in a designated area, make sure children are supervised when they are shooting these fireworks, and by all means do not discharge those from a motor vehicle when you're going up and down the highway," Hux says. The highway patrol will be out in full force starting at 6pm tonight through Sunday just before midnight.

Missouri State Highway Patrol says drive safely this Fourth of July

The Kansas Turnpike is now cashless and tolls are no longer being collected on the roadway. To complete the conversion process, account information is being migrated into the new system, DriveKS. During this time, KTA’s customer service centers are closed and self-service platforms are unavailable. We’ll be ready to help again, beginning July 8.&nbsp;

The PlanThe Kansas Turnpike will convert to cashless tolling on July 1. Here’s what you need to know:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719937245239.png" alt="View of a digital sign Monday on the Turnpike in Douglas County" />
 <figcaption>View of a digital sign Monday on the Turnpike in Douglas County</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Turnpike is now cashless and tolls are no longer being collected on the roadway. To complete the conversion process, account information is being migrated into the new system, DriveKS. During this time, KTA’s customer service centers are closed and self-service platforms are unavailable. We’ll be ready to help again, beginning July 8.&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>We’re busy getting DriveKS, the new toll payment system, ready for cashless tolling. Account information will be unavailable June 29-July 7 as information from myKTAG.com and PayKTA.com is moved to DriveKS.com.</li><li>Any toll statements due during the conversion window can be paid during the month of July without issue.</li><li>Customers who have received a new KTAG can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-lUxMVZ5rc&amp;t=6s">watch the KTAG installation video here</a>.</li><li>Customer service centers will reopen July 8, ready to help again. When the conversion is complete,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://driveks.com/">DriveKS.com</a>&nbsp;will be the site for all Kansas toll payments or to manage your account.</li><li>At that time, customers will need to delete the old myKTAG app and download the new DriveKS app from the App Store or Google Play.</li>
 </ul>The PlanThe Kansas Turnpike will convert to cashless tolling on July 1. Here’s what you need to know:<ul>
 <li>Beginning June 29, self-service platforms, including paykta.com and myktag website and mobile app will be disabled to prepare for the conversion to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://driveks.com/">DriveKS.com</a>.</li><li>Cash customers traveling on the turnpike overnight on June 30/July 1 should follow the instructions of on-road personnel and signage when exiting.</li><li>While the conversion of the roadway will occur quickly in the early morning hours of July 1, the back-office system, which includes toll payments and account management, will take approximately one week.</li><li>KTA’s three customer service centers will be closed and self-service platforms, including the web sites and mobile app, will be unavailable June 29-July 7. During this week, teams will work to migrate all account information into the new system and there will be no account access – for customers or customer service representatives.</li><li>Customers will be unable to pay for violation or video tolls between June 29-July 7. Any tolls due during this time can be paid during the month of July without issue.</li>
 </ul>

Successful start to cashless tolls on the Kansas Turnpike

As people pull their grills out this summer for cookouts and barbecues, there's an unknown danger that Mosaic Life Care wants them to be aware of. 

Dr. Cythia Brownfield with Mosaic says people should avoid using wire brushes to clean off the grill after cooking.  Brownfield says there's a danger of the wire bristles breaking off and getting into your food. 

"And end up having it lodged into their throat, or even worse swallowing it into their stomach, it can actually penetrate through your intestines and cause significant disease, possibly even death, and usually it requires a surgical emergency to correct it," Brownfield tells reporters. "These can break off very easily, they're hard to see." 

Brownfield says instead of those brushes, there are other options, including brushes that have coils rather than bristles. 

"There's also ones that are stone," Brownfield explains. "There are some that can melt, so you have to be careful that if you're cleaning your grill when it's hot you have to make sure that that grill brush is safe to use on a hot grill, also you can even just use your regular spatula that you flip your burgers with and use that to scrub."

Brownfield says approximately 130 cases a year have been reported, but it could be far more because of being under reported. 

Brownfield says while the number of cases reported may seem low, it's a problem that can easily be solved 

"So even though it's rare, the same thing we look at with consumre safety products, sometimes these injuries can be rare but if they're easily fixed, it's the right thing to do to make that shift," Brownfield says. 

Brownfield says cases became more prevalent as more people during the pandemic cooked at home and out on the grill. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720018845893.jpeg" alt="Dr. Cynthia Brownfield talks to the media about the danger of using wire brushes on your grill/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Cynthia Brownfield talks to the media about the danger of using wire brushes on your grill/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post As people pull their grills out this summer for cookouts and barbecues, there's an unknown danger that Mosaic Life Care wants them to be aware of. Dr. Cythia Brownfield with Mosaic says people should avoid using wire brushes to clean off the grill after cooking. Brownfield says there's a danger of the wire bristles breaking off and getting into your food. "And end up having it lodged into their throat, or even worse swallowing it into their stomach, it can actually penetrate through your intestines and cause significant disease, possibly even death, and usually it requires a surgical emergency to correct it," Brownfield tells reporters. "These can break off very easily, they're hard to see." Brownfield says instead of those brushes, there are other options, including brushes that have coils rather than bristles. "There's also ones that are stone," Brownfield explains. "There are some that can melt, so you have to be careful that if you're cleaning your grill when it's hot you have to make sure that that grill brush is safe to use on a hot grill, also you can even just use your regular spatula that you flip your burgers with and use that to scrub."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720018972144.jpeg" alt="Wire brushes (bottom right) should not be used on your grill for danger of bristles breaking off, like the bristle featured just above, instead you should use a brush like the one on the left/ Photo by Matt Pike, " />
 <figcaption>Wire brushes (bottom right) should not be used on your grill for danger of bristles breaking off, like the bristle featured just above, instead you should use a brush like the one on the left/ Photo by Matt Pike, </figcaption>
 </figure>Brownfield says approximately 130 cases a year have been reported, but it could be far more because of being under reported. Brownfield says while the number of cases reported may seem low, it's a problem that can easily be solved "So even though it's rare, the same thing we look at with consumre safety products, sometimes these injuries can be rare but if they're easily fixed, it's the right thing to do to make that shift," Brownfield says. Brownfield says cases became more prevalent as more people during the pandemic cooked at home and out on the grill. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

There may be a hidden danger in cleaning your BBQ grill

The St. Joseph Mustangs lost at Clarinda Tuesday, 5-2. The Mustangs (26-5) trailed 5-0 after the fourth and scored their only two runs of the game in the top of the ninth, but fell short in their rally attempt.

Clarinda outhit St. Joseph 13-7. The Mustangs also stranded 10 baserunners. Trevor McCollum was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

 Landon Reith got the start and took the loss on the mound, giving up five earned runs through four innings, striking out five and walking none.

St. Joseph is back home to face Chillicothe on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs lost at Clarinda Tuesday, 5-2. The Mustangs (26-5) trailed 5-0 after the fourth and scored their only two runs of the game in the top of the ninth, but fell short in their rally attempt.Clarinda outhit St. Joseph 13-7. The Mustangs also stranded 10 baserunners. Trevor McCollum was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Landon Reith got the start and took the loss on the mound, giving up five earned runs through four innings, striking out five and walking none.St. Joseph is back home to face Chillicothe on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

Mustangs fall at Clarinda Tuesday night

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

HOLTON — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday praised Republican Sen. Dennis Pyle’s work to sustain Kelly’s vetoes of earlier tax-cut packages to create a bipartisan compromise.

Kelly said that while she was in the Senate, she watched Pyle, of Hiawatha, “work tirelessly” for 10 years to eliminate a state income tax on Social Security.

State taxes will be&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/21/gov-kelly-signs-tax-reduction-bill-passed-with-bipartisan-majorities-in-special-session/">reduced by $1.2 billion</a>&nbsp;through income and property tax cuts over the next three years. Kansas was one of 12 states to tax Social Security income. Kelly and Pyle worked together to eliminate that tax, which will save Kansas seniors more than $150 million in the first year, Pyle said.&nbsp;

Kelly and Pyle appeared together in Hiawatha and Holton to promote the bill and for a ceremonial bill signing. Both cities are in Pyle’s distinct. Kelly said they chose the cities to recognize Pyle’s work. After three vetoes of previous plans, Kelly approved a tax-cut package passed on the June 18 special session.&nbsp;

Pyle said his constituents are concerned with “ever-increasing” property taxes. A provision of the special session bill will exempt the first $75,000 of a home’s value from the statewide mill levy, compared with the current exemption of $42,000.

“I would like to see more property tax relief for all property types,” Pyle said. “But I appreciate Gov. Kelly for prioritizing property tax cuts.”

Kelly vetoed previous tax cuts proposals that were more expensive.&nbsp;

Pyle “stuck with me to sustain those vetoes until we got a package that really eliminated the Social Security tax and some other things, but also left enough in the coffers for us to be able to pay our bills and fully fund our schools,” Kelly said

The governor and lawmakers, sitting on a $3 billion surplus, were eager to cut taxes during an election year. GOP leaders originally introduced a flax tax plan, replacing the state’s three-tier income tax system with a single rate. Kelly vetoed that plan after an&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/13/new-kansas-flat-tax-proposal-would-mainly-benefit-states-top-20-of-earners-analysis-shows/">analysis showed</a>&nbsp;it would mainly benefit the state’s top 20% of wage earners. The governor and legislative leaders eventually compromised on a plan that establishes a two-tier income tax structure, despite concerns that it still benefits higher wage earners.&nbsp;

“It wasn’t easy,” Kelly said. “Legislative leadership made multiple attempts at unsustainable tax cuts that would eventually set us back to an era of crumbling roads and bridges and crippling debt.”

Mike Pirner, spokesman for Senate President Ty Masterson, and Carrie Rahfaldt, spokeswoman for House Speaker Dan Hawkins, didn’t respond to requests to comment for this story.

Kelly said in her time in the Senate, “all people talked about” was property tax. Kelly said she would have preferred more property tax cuts. She said that could be discussed during next year’s session.

“I’m not sure the state could do much more,” Kelly said. “So we’d have to look for avenues. But we have to wait till the numbers come in.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720006711563.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly ceremonially signs the tax-cut bill in Holton on July 2 as Sen. Dennis Pyle watches. “You’re looking at 20 years of hard work,” Kelly said (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly ceremonially signs the tax-cut bill in Holton on July 2 as Sen. Dennis Pyle watches. “You’re looking at 20 years of hard work,” Kelly said (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>HOLTON — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday praised Republican Sen. Dennis Pyle’s work to sustain Kelly’s vetoes of earlier tax-cut packages to create a bipartisan compromise.Kelly said that while she was in the Senate, she watched Pyle, of Hiawatha, “work tirelessly” for 10 years to eliminate a state income tax on Social Security.State taxes will be&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/21/gov-kelly-signs-tax-reduction-bill-passed-with-bipartisan-majorities-in-special-session/">reduced by $1.2 billion</a>&nbsp;through income and property tax cuts over the next three years. Kansas was one of 12 states to tax Social Security income. Kelly and Pyle worked together to eliminate that tax, which will save Kansas seniors more than $150 million in the first year, Pyle said.&nbsp;Kelly and Pyle appeared together in Hiawatha and Holton to promote the bill and for a ceremonial bill signing. Both cities are in Pyle’s distinct. Kelly said they chose the cities to recognize Pyle’s work. After three vetoes of previous plans, Kelly approved a tax-cut package passed on the June 18 special session.&nbsp;The bill took effect July 1.&nbsp;Pyle said his constituents are concerned with “ever-increasing” property taxes. A provision of the special session bill will exempt the first $75,000 of a home’s value from the statewide mill levy, compared with the current exemption of $42,000.“I would like to see more property tax relief for all property types,” Pyle said. “But I appreciate Gov. Kelly for prioritizing property tax cuts.”Kelly vetoed previous tax cuts proposals that were more expensive.&nbsp;Pyle “stuck with me to sustain those vetoes until we got a package that really eliminated the Social Security tax and some other things, but also left enough in the coffers for us to be able to pay our bills and fully fund our schools,” Kelly saidThe governor and lawmakers, sitting on a $3 billion surplus, were eager to cut taxes during an election year. GOP leaders originally introduced a flax tax plan, replacing the state’s three-tier income tax system with a single rate. Kelly vetoed that plan after an&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/13/new-kansas-flat-tax-proposal-would-mainly-benefit-states-top-20-of-earners-analysis-shows/">analysis showed</a>&nbsp;it would mainly benefit the state’s top 20% of wage earners. The governor and legislative leaders eventually compromised on a plan that establishes a two-tier income tax structure, despite concerns that it still benefits higher wage earners.&nbsp;“It wasn’t easy,” Kelly said. “Legislative leadership made multiple attempts at unsustainable tax cuts that would eventually set us back to an era of crumbling roads and bridges and crippling debt.”Mike Pirner, spokesman for Senate President Ty Masterson, and Carrie Rahfaldt, spokeswoman for House Speaker Dan Hawkins, didn’t respond to requests to comment for this story.Kelly said in her time in the Senate, “all people talked about” was property tax. Kelly said she would have preferred more property tax cuts. She said that could be discussed during next year’s session.“I’m not sure the state could do much more,” Kelly said. “So we’d have to look for avenues. But we have to wait till the numbers come in.”

Gov. Kelly praises Sen. Dennis Pyle’s bipartisan efforts on tax bill in Hiawatha and Holton

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa dairy producers who've been impacted by bird flu can now apply for federal emergency funding. 

The U-S-D-A expanded its Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm Raised Fish Program to help cover lost profits from the virus. Dairy farmers are required to discard milk from sick cows to prevent the spread of pathogens. 

Matt Russell, executive director of U-S-D-A-Iowa Farm Service Agency, says expanding the program supports dairy farmers and creates an incentive to get tested. To be eligible, Russell says producers need a positive test result from the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa dairy producers who've been impacted by bird flu can now apply for federal emergency funding. The U-S-D-A expanded its Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm Raised Fish Program to help cover lost profits from the virus. Dairy farmers are required to discard milk from sick cows to prevent the spread of pathogens. Matt Russell, executive director of U-S-D-A-Iowa Farm Service Agency, says expanding the program supports dairy farmers and creates an incentive to get tested. To be eligible, Russell says producers need a positive test result from the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

Federal funds okayed for Iowa dairies hit by bird flu

(Radio Iowa) - The Mississippi River at Burlington was above flood stage by Sunday night and is expected to reach more than four feet above food stage by Friday. 

Matt Wilson, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, says it's not clear yet how high the river will rise in eastern Iowa, but all the rain in Minnesota and Wisconsin is coming south in flood waves. Shannon Prado -- the coordinator of Des Moines County Emergency Management -- says there's some limited flooding in Burlington, but nothing is reaching critical infrastructure due to city's floodwall. 

Docks are being pulled out of the Burlington riverfront along that floodwall and Prado says Hesco barriers that create temporary levies are being put up in the area.

(Radio Iowa) - The Mississippi River at Burlington was above flood stage by Sunday night and is expected to reach more than four feet above food stage by Friday. Matt Wilson, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, says it's not clear yet how high the river will rise in eastern Iowa, but all the rain in Minnesota and Wisconsin is coming south in flood waves. Shannon Prado -- the coordinator of Des Moines County Emergency Management -- says there's some limited flooding in Burlington, but nothing is reaching critical infrastructure due to city's floodwall. Docks are being pulled out of the Burlington riverfront along that floodwall and Prado says Hesco barriers that create temporary levies are being put up in the area.

'Flood waves' from Minnesota, Wisconsin rolling down eastern Iowa's Mississippi River corridor

The pollster, paid by American Dream PAC and Mike Kehoe’s campaign, predicted that if Bill Eigel attracts campaign cash, ‘this could become a true three-way contest’

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

After months of polls showing Bill Eigel in a distant third place in the GOP primary for Missouri governor, a new survey suggests he may be within striking distance of the frontrunners.&nbsp;

And the poll giving Eigel a boost was paid for by one of his campaign rivals, though it doesn’t appear to be intended for public consumption.&nbsp;

American Dream PAC, the political action committee supporting Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, commissioned the June poll but has not released it to the public. The Independent found it and the accompanying analysis on an obscure page of the PACs website last week before it was taken down.&nbsp;

Similar to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289438628.html" target="_blank">a series of polls released in recent weeks</a>, the American Dream PAC survey found a dead heat between Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for the lead in the GOP primary.

But it is the first poll suggesting Eigel, a Republican state senator, may be gaining ground.

The poll found Kehoe and Ashcroft tied at 27%, with Eigel in third place with 16%. Roughly a quarter of respondents were undecided.&nbsp;

Other recent polls put Eigel in single digits.&nbsp;

“If Eigel is able to attract additional resources, this could become a true three-way contest,” according to analysis of the June survey provided to American Dream PAC by its pollster, American Viewpoint.&nbsp;

The poll was conducted in early June, before Eigel’s campaign took in $415,000 in donations last week from trial attorneys and before either Ashcroft or Eigel were on the air with TV ads.&nbsp;

Eigel’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Kehoe’s campaign did not address questions about Eigel’s poll numbers.&nbsp;

But Jason Cabel Roe, Ashcroft’s spokesman, said he’s skeptical Eigel could be in double-digits before his campaign had launched any TV ads.&nbsp;

“There have been about 15 public polls released in the last year, and 13 of them have had Eigel somewhere between 4-8 points,” Roe said. “He just hasn’t done anything to move numbers, so I don’t see how he could’ve doubled his vote share without spending money.”

The 800 people who participated in the survey were reached by cell phone, landline and text message, with a margin of error of 3.5%. According to the most recent campaign disclosures, American Viewpoint in January was paid $79,500 by American Dream PAC and $64,300 by Kehoe’s campaign.&nbsp;

In addition to acting as a possible barometer for the race, the polling documents also shed some light on Kehoe’s potential strategy in the campaign’s final weeks.&nbsp;

Ashcroft has led the GOP primary from the start, benefitting from two terms as secretary of state and a last name with a long history in Missouri politics. His dad, John Ashcroft, served as state auditor, state attorney general, governor, U.S. Senator and U.S. attorney general.

Kehoe has managed to erase Ashcroft’s lead in recent months because his campaign has used its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article285983436.html" target="_blank">massive fundraising advantage</a>&nbsp;to monopolize TV airwaves, the polling firm concluded in its analysis.&nbsp;

Ashcroft and Eigel only recently launched their first TV ads

“Kehoe now leads in the two markets where there has been advertising,” the analysis concluded, later adding: “Kehoe’s reach is fairly consistent across groups, and geographically it lines up with advertising.”

Outside of the two markets where Kehoe’s ads have been airing — St. Louis and Springfield — the race remains a function of name ID.&nbsp;

Kehoe leads in mid-Missouri, where he previously served as a state senator, and Ashcroft has an advantage in Kansas City and smaller markets.&nbsp;This means, the polling firm concluded, that Kehoe’s campaign needs to dedicate resources to those markets where he trails Ashcroft.&nbsp;

“This race is more about geography at this point than any one key demographic group,” the polling firm concluded.&nbsp;

Kehoe is strongest with “more centrist and traditional GOP voters,” the analysis found, while Ashcroft leads with “very conservative and Trump movement voters.”&nbsp;

Eigel, meanwhile, “cannot be ignored as a factor in this race,” the polling firm concluded, with “ideology and Trump movement affiliation” as the driving factor on his vote share.&nbsp;

Of the quarter of poll respondents who were undecided, liberal and moderate primary voters are more likely to be undecided than conservatives.

Illegal immigration and border security are the top issues in the race, the polling firm found, particularly among very conservative primary voters. Ashcroft leads with those citing border security, while Kehoe is stronger among those focused on the economy.

For months, American Dream PAC has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZhyR7krP7U&amp;t=11s" target="_blank">hammered Ashcroft in TV ads</a>&nbsp;over his support of legislation to reduce Missouri’s current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/gop-candidates-for-governor-fight-over-who-s-most-opposed-to-china-owning-missouri-farmland/article_e9428844-19ca-11ef-ba39-f72af30a3ea9.html" target="_blank">1% cap on foreign-owned agricultural land to 0.5%</a>, arguing he should have supported a complete ban.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ashcroft’s campaign has noted that foreign ownership of Missouri farmland was banned until 2013, when the legislature enacted the 1% cap. Kehoe voted in favor of that legislation while serving in the state Senate, and it opened the door for a Chinese company to purchase Smithfield Foods and its 40,000 acres of Missouri farmland.

While the polling firm concluded that American Dream’s China ads have been effective, it suggests there could be diminishing returns in markets where they’ve been on the air for months. So the campaign should consider switching to ads focused on critical race theory.&nbsp;

Gabby Picard, spokeswoman for Kehoe’s campaign, said the poll shows that Ashcroft’s once commanding lead in the GOP primary “has evaporated into thin air.” Kehoe, she said, has the momentum.

“Missourians are not buying the charade from Bill Eigel and Jay Ashcroft,” she said, “and the manure their campaigns have been shoveling.”

Roe, the spokesman for Ashcroft’s campaign, said it isn’t surprising that the race has tightened since Kehoe has spent millions of dollars and had the TV airwaves to himself for months.

“Frankly,” Roe said, “given the amount spent, he should be in much better shape than he is.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719948989418.png" alt=" GOP candidates for governor, from left, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel (official photos)." />
 <figcaption> GOP candidates for governor, from left, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel (official photos).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The pollster, paid by American Dream PAC and Mike Kehoe’s campaign, predicted that if Bill Eigel attracts campaign cash, ‘this could become a true three-way contest’</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>After months of polls showing Bill Eigel in a distant third place in the GOP primary for Missouri governor, a new survey suggests he may be within striking distance of the frontrunners.&nbsp;And the poll giving Eigel a boost was paid for by one of his campaign rivals, though it doesn’t appear to be intended for public consumption.&nbsp;American Dream PAC, the political action committee supporting Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, commissioned the June poll but has not released it to the public. The Independent found it and the accompanying analysis on an obscure page of the PACs website last week before it was taken down.&nbsp;Similar to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289438628.html" target="_blank">a series of polls released in recent weeks</a>, the American Dream PAC survey found a dead heat between Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for the lead in the GOP primary.But it is the first poll suggesting Eigel, a Republican state senator, may be gaining ground.The poll found Kehoe and Ashcroft tied at 27%, with Eigel in third place with 16%. Roughly a quarter of respondents were undecided.&nbsp;Other recent polls put Eigel in single digits.&nbsp;“If Eigel is able to attract additional resources, this could become a true three-way contest,” according to analysis of the June survey provided to American Dream PAC by its pollster, American Viewpoint.&nbsp;The poll was conducted in early June, before Eigel’s campaign took in $415,000 in donations last week from trial attorneys and before either Ashcroft or Eigel were on the air with TV ads.&nbsp;Eigel’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Kehoe’s campaign did not address questions about Eigel’s poll numbers.&nbsp;But Jason Cabel Roe, Ashcroft’s spokesman, said he’s skeptical Eigel could be in double-digits before his campaign had launched any TV ads.&nbsp;“There have been about 15 public polls released in the last year, and 13 of them have had Eigel somewhere between 4-8 points,” Roe said. “He just hasn’t done anything to move numbers, so I don’t see how he could’ve doubled his vote share without spending money.”The 800 people who participated in the survey were reached by cell phone, landline and text message, with a margin of error of 3.5%. According to the most recent campaign disclosures, American Viewpoint in January was paid $79,500 by American Dream PAC and $64,300 by Kehoe’s campaign.&nbsp;In addition to acting as a possible barometer for the race, the polling documents also shed some light on Kehoe’s potential strategy in the campaign’s final weeks.&nbsp;Ashcroft has led the GOP primary from the start, benefitting from two terms as secretary of state and a last name with a long history in Missouri politics. His dad, John Ashcroft, served as state auditor, state attorney general, governor, U.S. Senator and U.S. attorney general.Kehoe has managed to erase Ashcroft’s lead in recent months because his campaign has used its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article285983436.html" target="_blank">massive fundraising advantage</a>&nbsp;to monopolize TV airwaves, the polling firm concluded in its analysis.&nbsp;Ashcroft and Eigel only recently launched their first TV ads“Kehoe now leads in the two markets where there has been advertising,” the analysis concluded, later adding: “Kehoe’s reach is fairly consistent across groups, and geographically it lines up with advertising.”Outside of the two markets where Kehoe’s ads have been airing — St. Louis and Springfield — the race remains a function of name ID.&nbsp;Kehoe leads in mid-Missouri, where he previously served as a state senator, and Ashcroft has an advantage in Kansas City and smaller markets.&nbsp;This means, the polling firm concluded, that Kehoe’s campaign needs to dedicate resources to those markets where he trails Ashcroft.&nbsp;“This race is more about geography at this point than any one key demographic group,” the polling firm concluded.&nbsp;Kehoe is strongest with “more centrist and traditional GOP voters,” the analysis found, while Ashcroft leads with “very conservative and Trump movement voters.”&nbsp;Eigel, meanwhile, “cannot be ignored as a factor in this race,” the polling firm concluded, with “ideology and Trump movement affiliation” as the driving factor on his vote share.&nbsp;Of the quarter of poll respondents who were undecided, liberal and moderate primary voters are more likely to be undecided than conservatives.Illegal immigration and border security are the top issues in the race, the polling firm found, particularly among very conservative primary voters. Ashcroft leads with those citing border security, while Kehoe is stronger among those focused on the economy.For months, American Dream PAC has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZhyR7krP7U&amp;t=11s" target="_blank">hammered Ashcroft in TV ads</a>&nbsp;over his support of legislation to reduce Missouri’s current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/gop-candidates-for-governor-fight-over-who-s-most-opposed-to-china-owning-missouri-farmland/article_e9428844-19ca-11ef-ba39-f72af30a3ea9.html" target="_blank">1% cap on foreign-owned agricultural land to 0.5%</a>, arguing he should have supported a complete ban.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ashcroft’s campaign has noted that foreign ownership of Missouri farmland was banned until 2013, when the legislature enacted the 1% cap. Kehoe voted in favor of that legislation while serving in the state Senate, and it opened the door for a Chinese company to purchase Smithfield Foods and its 40,000 acres of Missouri farmland.While the polling firm concluded that American Dream’s China ads have been effective, it suggests there could be diminishing returns in markets where they’ve been on the air for months. So the campaign should consider switching to ads focused on critical race theory.&nbsp;Gabby Picard, spokeswoman for Kehoe’s campaign, said the poll shows that Ashcroft’s once commanding lead in the GOP primary “has evaporated into thin air.” Kehoe, she said, has the momentum.“Missourians are not buying the charade from Bill Eigel and Jay Ashcroft,” she said, “and the manure their campaigns have been shoveling.”Roe, the spokesman for Ashcroft’s campaign, said it isn’t surprising that the race has tightened since Kehoe has spent millions of dollars and had the TV airwaves to himself for months.“Frankly,” Roe said, “given the amount spent, he should be in much better shape than he is.”

Internal poll by pro-Kehoe PAC suggests three-way GOP race for Missouri governor

A
24-year-old north-central Missouri man has been sentenced to nine years in
federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in northwest Missouri.

Lucas
Coltrain of Newtown pleaded guilty to selling fentanyl and laundering between $10,000
to $15,000 to a Mexican cartel.

Court
documents disclose Coltrain sold more than 5-Thousand fentanyl pills, pressed to
look like prescription drugs. Coltrain admitted to knowing people died after
taking the pills. He continued to sell the pills even after a friend died of an
overdose in July of 2021. Coltrain himself overdosed on fentanyl in August of
last year after being released on bond.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA
24-year-old north-central Missouri man has been sentenced to nine years in
federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in northwest Missouri.Lucas
Coltrain of Newtown pleaded guilty to selling fentanyl and laundering between $10,000
to $15,000 to a Mexican cartel.Court
documents disclose Coltrain sold more than 5-Thousand fentanyl pills, pressed to
look like prescription drugs. Coltrain admitted to knowing people died after
taking the pills. He continued to sell the pills even after a friend died of an
overdose in July of 2021. Coltrain himself overdosed on fentanyl in August of
last year after being released on bond.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

24-year-old sentenced federal prison for NW Missouri drug trafficking

A chaotic credentialing process at the GOP’s May 4 state convention had so many problems that the party was given until Friday afternoon to select replacement delegates

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

The Missouri Republican Party must replace 54 national convention delegates and alternates selected at its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/politics/high-drama-at-missouri-republican-convention-as-grassroots-boots-leadership/article_4a70706a-0be6-11ef-8713-470db31ecca4.html" target="_blank">chaotic state convention</a>&nbsp;because of “alarming irregularities” in the process, the Republican National Convention Committee on Contests ruled Friday.

The list of rejected delegates includes two of the major GOP candidates for governor, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel.

“The committee holds that the State Convention was not properly credentialed, and that any slate of delegates and alternate delegates adopted at the State Convention must be discarded,” states the report signed by Chairwoman Jeanne Luckey of Mississippi.

The committee acted after investigating complaints from state convention delegates Daniel O’Sullivan of St. Louis County and Derrick Good of Jefferson County.&nbsp;

They alleged delegates to the state convention were not properly credentialed as the convention was organized, that the rules for selecting the state’s at-large delegates were improperly changed during the convention and that some delegates were listed on more than one slate of names in violation of the rules.

The committee, after determining that the complaint about credentialing had merit, wrote that it did not need to consider the other complaints and made no ruling on them.

“Contestants have provided ample proof of alarming irregularities in the state convention’s credentialing procedures, including the absence of names on delegate lists, the distribution of delegate credentials to alternate delegates without confirming who they were replacing, and the failure to ensure alternate delegates were raised from the same counties as the delegates they were replacing, among other things,” the report stated.&nbsp;

The committee’s ruling gives the state party executive committee until 5 p.m. Friday to select a new set of at-large delegates and alternates.&nbsp;

The executive committee will meet that deadline, the Missouri Republican Party said in a statement to The Independent.

The state party had no role in the determination by the national Contests Committee, the statement read.

“We understand the urgency and importance of this matter and are working diligently to ensure that all proper procedures are followed within the constrained deadline,” the statement read. “While this process unfolds, we remain focused on selecting a delegation that will represent Missouri well at the RNC.”

O’Sullivan, who ran for Congress in 1996 and has been a member of the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee for more than 20 years, said the ruling highlights just one set of problems springing from the convention.

“They can’t produce a list of who was in attendance,” O’Sullivan said. “They can’t certify who the delegates to the convention were, so the committee can’t say that the product of the convention was valid, and they therefore did not even deal with the questions we had regarding things that occurred during the event itself.”

O’Sullivan expects to be on the list of delegates that will be selected to replace those elected at the convention.

So does Good, a Jefferson County attorney who also has been a long-time county committee member.&nbsp;

“The State Executive Committee will put together a new delegate list by the end of the week, and I’m confident those are folks that are committed and able to participate,” Good said.

The main fight at the convention was between people relatively new to the convention process and those who had been party stalwarts with many conventions under their belts. It became clear after the congressional district conventions that the faction that would buck the party establishment had a convention majority.

The projected timeline for the convention was for it to have all delegates seated by 9 a.m., the time it was officially scheduled to begin, and for all business to be completed by 2 p.m. The credentialing process, however, took five hours and the only business completed by 2 p.m., when the convention took a lunch break, was the election of Sophia Shore of Camden County, as convention chair over Eddie Justice.

Shore manages Eigel’s campaign for governor.

“The MO GOP, whether it be nefarious intentions or just incompetency, completely botched their one job — credentialing,” Shore said in a statement to The Independent. “It is asinine that the contest committee would accept a challenge that was orchestrated by the MO GOP on the basis of their own error and then reward them for their incompetence.”&nbsp;

Missouri has 54 delegate votes at the&nbsp;<a href="https://gopconvention2024.com/" target="_blank">GOP national convention in Milwaukee</a>, which is set to begin July 15. Of that number, 24 were elected at eight congressional district conventions in April and 27 were elected as at-large delegates at the state convention on May 4. Three additional delegate slots are reserved for party leaders.

There were also 27 alternates selected at the state convention.

All delegates were elected on slates to fill all available seats but a change in rules during the afternoon session made The Truly Grassroots for Trump slate the only one presented for a vote.

The executive committee should restore the delegation without changes, Shore said in her statement.

“The MO GOP should own their mistakes, re-submit the Truly Grassroots for Trump slate elected by the convention delegates, and be done with it,” she said.

Many of the delegates selected at the convention have not reserved their hotel rooms in Milwaukee and seem unlikely to attend, Good said. But they would not have been removed as delegates if the rules written before the convention had been followed, he said.

“If they just played by the rules, there would be no complaint,” Good said. “They had the votes. They did a good job of building a coalition going into it.”

The delegate slates prepared, but ultimately withdrawn, had the same goal as the now-discarded delegates who were selected, to re-elect Trump, he said.

“There’s a place to have these kinds of fights,” he said. “There are rules to have them under, and then at the end of the day, hopefully we find a way to come back together for the common goals.”

The afternoon session was marked by disputes over whether those who left for lunch could re-enter the convention, whether the rules could be changed and how slates of delegates and amendments to the platform had to be presented to be in order.

“When the credentialing went to hell, the confidence in the people running the convention was lost,” O’Sullivan said.

After the vote, delegates drifted away and the convention ended, without adopting a platform, when there was no longer a quorum to conduct business.

“The event itself was embarrassing,” O’Sullivan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708825213809.png" alt="-A Republican committee on Friday tossed out 27&nbsp;of Missouri’s delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee-file photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>-A Republican committee on Friday tossed out 27&nbsp;of Missouri’s delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee-file photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A chaotic credentialing process at the GOP’s May 4 state convention had so many problems that the party was given until Friday afternoon to select replacement delegates</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri Republican Party must replace 54 national convention delegates and alternates selected at its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/politics/high-drama-at-missouri-republican-convention-as-grassroots-boots-leadership/article_4a70706a-0be6-11ef-8713-470db31ecca4.html" target="_blank">chaotic state convention</a>&nbsp;because of “alarming irregularities” in the process, the Republican National Convention Committee on Contests ruled Friday.The list of rejected delegates includes two of the major GOP candidates for governor, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and state Sen. Bill Eigel.“The committee holds that the State Convention was not properly credentialed, and that any slate of delegates and alternate delegates adopted at the State Convention must be discarded,” states the report signed by Chairwoman Jeanne Luckey of Mississippi.The committee acted after investigating complaints from state convention delegates Daniel O’Sullivan of St. Louis County and Derrick Good of Jefferson County.&nbsp;They alleged delegates to the state convention were not properly credentialed as the convention was organized, that the rules for selecting the state’s at-large delegates were improperly changed during the convention and that some delegates were listed on more than one slate of names in violation of the rules.The committee, after determining that the complaint about credentialing had merit, wrote that it did not need to consider the other complaints and made no ruling on them.“Contestants have provided ample proof of alarming irregularities in the state convention’s credentialing procedures, including the absence of names on delegate lists, the distribution of delegate credentials to alternate delegates without confirming who they were replacing, and the failure to ensure alternate delegates were raised from the same counties as the delegates they were replacing, among other things,” the report stated.&nbsp;The committee’s ruling gives the state party executive committee until 5 p.m. Friday to select a new set of at-large delegates and alternates.&nbsp;The executive committee will meet that deadline, the Missouri Republican Party said in a statement to The Independent.The state party had no role in the determination by the national Contests Committee, the statement read.“We understand the urgency and importance of this matter and are working diligently to ensure that all proper procedures are followed within the constrained deadline,” the statement read. “While this process unfolds, we remain focused on selecting a delegation that will represent Missouri well at the RNC.”O’Sullivan, who ran for Congress in 1996 and has been a member of the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee for more than 20 years, said the ruling highlights just one set of problems springing from the convention.“They can’t produce a list of who was in attendance,” O’Sullivan said. “They can’t certify who the delegates to the convention were, so the committee can’t say that the product of the convention was valid, and they therefore did not even deal with the questions we had regarding things that occurred during the event itself.”O’Sullivan expects to be on the list of delegates that will be selected to replace those elected at the convention.So does Good, a Jefferson County attorney who also has been a long-time county committee member.&nbsp;“The State Executive Committee will put together a new delegate list by the end of the week, and I’m confident those are folks that are committed and able to participate,” Good said.The main fight at the convention was between people relatively new to the convention process and those who had been party stalwarts with many conventions under their belts. It became clear after the congressional district conventions that the faction that would buck the party establishment had a convention majority.The projected timeline for the convention was for it to have all delegates seated by 9 a.m., the time it was officially scheduled to begin, and for all business to be completed by 2 p.m. The credentialing process, however, took five hours and the only business completed by 2 p.m., when the convention took a lunch break, was the election of Sophia Shore of Camden County, as convention chair over Eddie Justice.Shore manages Eigel’s campaign for governor.“The MO GOP, whether it be nefarious intentions or just incompetency, completely botched their one job — credentialing,” Shore said in a statement to The Independent. “It is asinine that the contest committee would accept a challenge that was orchestrated by the MO GOP on the basis of their own error and then reward them for their incompetence.”&nbsp;Missouri has 54 delegate votes at the&nbsp;<a href="https://gopconvention2024.com/" target="_blank">GOP national convention in Milwaukee</a>, which is set to begin July 15. Of that number, 24 were elected at eight congressional district conventions in April and 27 were elected as at-large delegates at the state convention on May 4. Three additional delegate slots are reserved for party leaders.There were also 27 alternates selected at the state convention.All delegates were elected on slates to fill all available seats but a change in rules during the afternoon session made The Truly Grassroots for Trump slate the only one presented for a vote.The executive committee should restore the delegation without changes, Shore said in her statement.“The MO GOP should own their mistakes, re-submit the Truly Grassroots for Trump slate elected by the convention delegates, and be done with it,” she said.Many of the delegates selected at the convention have not reserved their hotel rooms in Milwaukee and seem unlikely to attend, Good said. But they would not have been removed as delegates if the rules written before the convention had been followed, he said.“If they just played by the rules, there would be no complaint,” Good said. “They had the votes. They did a good job of building a coalition going into it.”The delegate slates prepared, but ultimately withdrawn, had the same goal as the now-discarded delegates who were selected, to re-elect Trump, he said.“There’s a place to have these kinds of fights,” he said. “There are rules to have them under, and then at the end of the day, hopefully we find a way to come back together for the common goals.”The afternoon session was marked by disputes over whether those who left for lunch could re-enter the convention, whether the rules could be changed and how slates of delegates and amendments to the platform had to be presented to be in order.“When the credentialing went to hell, the confidence in the people running the convention was lost,” O’Sullivan said.After the vote, delegates drifted away and the convention ended, without adopting a platform, when there was no longer a quorum to conduct business.“The event itself was embarrassing,” O’Sullivan said.

Mo. presidential delegates rejected by Republican National Convention committee

(Radio Iowa) - The Independence Day holiday is going to be a long one with the 4th falling on Thursday, and that could mean a lot more celebrating across the state. 

State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner says they don't want the celebration to spill over to the highways and reminds you to make sure that you have a designated driver if you are drinking. He says a special holiday enforcement effort will start on Wednesday and they will focus on O-W-I enforcement. 

Gardner says there were 377 traffic fatalities in 2023. and 38 percent of those involved drunk drivers. The special holiday traffic enforcement will run through Sunday July 7th.

(Radio Iowa) - The Independence Day holiday is going to be a long one with the 4th falling on Thursday, and that could mean a lot more celebrating across the state. State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner says they don't want the celebration to spill over to the highways and reminds you to make sure that you have a designated driver if you are drinking. He says a special holiday enforcement effort will start on Wednesday and they will focus on O-W-I enforcement. Gardner says there were 377 traffic fatalities in 2023. and 38 percent of those involved drunk drivers. The special holiday traffic enforcement will run through Sunday July 7th.

Special Enforcement Planned For Holiday

(Radio Iowa) - All Iowans are being recruited to help count the state's population of wild turkeys. 

Whether driving, cycling, or hiking through the woods, if you spot one of the big, black birds, take note. Jim Coffey, a forest wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the agency could use a hand getting a handle on our turkey numbers. The survey is done every July and August, as wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year’s nesting rates and nest success. 

To report a sighting, Coffey says to visit Iowa D-N-R-dot-gov, and under the Turkey tab, there'll be a button to click asking what county you're in, the number of turkeys you've seen, whether they're male or female, and the number of poults -- or baby turkeys.

(Radio Iowa) - All Iowans are being recruited to help count the state's population of wild turkeys. Whether driving, cycling, or hiking through the woods, if you spot one of the big, black birds, take note. Jim Coffey, a forest wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the agency could use a hand getting a handle on our turkey numbers. The survey is done every July and August, as wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year’s nesting rates and nest success. To report a sighting, Coffey says to visit Iowa D-N-R-dot-gov, and under the Turkey tab, there'll be a button to click asking what county you're in, the number of turkeys you've seen, whether they're male or female, and the number of poults -- or baby turkeys.

Spot a wild turkey? Today's the first day you can report it to the Iowa DNR

Springfield state Sen. Lincoln Hough is running for Lt.
Governor in a crowded Republican primary.

Hough is one of six Republican candidates for Lt. Governor.

Hough, during a campaign stop in St. Joseph, says the position
makes sense to him, because as chair of the Missouri Senate Appropriations
Committee, he deals with veterans, senior citizens, tourism, and the other
aspects of the office. An office Hough says is expanding.

“One of the most exciting opportunities in my opinion is
something that then-Lt. Gov., now Gov. Parson really kind of kick started was
the Buy Missouri program,” Hough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Politics can be a nasty business, even among Republicans.

Hough says the negativity in campaigns has prompted him to
limit the exposure to politics for his two young sons.

“I’m trying to raise respectful young men, right. And I don’t
see a lot of politicians today being the example that I want set for my kids,”
Hough says. “The negativity in campaigns, I know people will say it’s just part
of it, but it doesn’t have to be.”

Hough insists candidates don’t have to be negative.

“If you have a track record that you can run on and you can go
tell people what you have done and want to do, which is what we’re doing all
day every day, that’s what I think you ought to run on,” according to Hough. “I
don’t think you should run on tearing someone else down. So, we focus on
cutting a billion dollars in taxes, because my name is on that bill.”

The race also features another state senator:&nbsp; Holly Rehder of Scott City. The other
Republicans in the race for Lt. Governor are Dave Wasinger of Des Peres, Paul
Berry the Third of Maryland Heights, Tim Baker of Robertsville, and Matthew
Porter of St. Charles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719857305761.jpeg" alt="Sen. Lincoln Hough speaks with St. Joseph John Josendale during his St. Joseph campaign stop./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Lincoln Hough speaks with St. Joseph John Josendale during his St. Joseph campaign stop./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSpringfield state Sen. Lincoln Hough is running for Lt.
Governor in a crowded Republican primary.Hough is one of six Republican candidates for Lt. Governor.Hough, during a campaign stop in St. Joseph, says the position
makes sense to him, because as chair of the Missouri Senate Appropriations
Committee, he deals with veterans, senior citizens, tourism, and the other
aspects of the office. An office Hough says is expanding.“One of the most exciting opportunities in my opinion is
something that then-Lt. Gov., now Gov. Parson really kind of kick started was
the Buy Missouri program,” Hough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Politics can be a nasty business, even among Republicans.Hough says the negativity in campaigns has prompted him to
limit the exposure to politics for his two young sons.“I’m trying to raise respectful young men, right. And I don’t
see a lot of politicians today being the example that I want set for my kids,”
Hough says. “The negativity in campaigns, I know people will say it’s just part
of it, but it doesn’t have to be.”Hough insists candidates don’t have to be negative.“If you have a track record that you can run on and you can go
tell people what you have done and want to do, which is what we’re doing all
day every day, that’s what I think you ought to run on,” according to Hough. “I
don’t think you should run on tearing someone else down. So, we focus on
cutting a billion dollars in taxes, because my name is on that bill.”The race also features another state senator:&nbsp; Holly Rehder of Scott City. The other
Republicans in the race for Lt. Governor are Dave Wasinger of Des Peres, Paul
Berry the Third of Maryland Heights, Tim Baker of Robertsville, and Matthew
Porter of St. Charles.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Sen. Hough running on record in crowded Lt. Gov. primary

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.&nbsp;

Just before 3:30a.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a shooting at 12th and Grand, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp; First responders found a man with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Before the report of gunshots there was a large crowd was gathered in a parking lot, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Police are asking anyone with any information to contact Homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719784274963.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.&nbsp;Just before 3:30a.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a shooting at 12th and Grand, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp; First responders found a man with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719851760036.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>Before the report of gunshots there was a large crowd was gathered in a parking lot, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Police are asking anyone with any information to contact Homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS.

One dead in shooting near KC Power and Light District

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official “core constitutional” acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trump’s case back to the lower courts.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the ruling

The justices left open the question of how far official acts can reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.

Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nation’s highest bench after two lower courts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-claim-presidential-immunity-turned-down-federal-appeals-court-dc" target="_blank">denied</a>&nbsp;his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.

The decision about the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s actions while in office likely&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/delayed-supreme-court-ruling-makes-trump-trial-2020-charges-unlikely-election" target="_blank">closes the door</a>&nbsp;to any chance that Trump’s election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day.

The justices took up the case in February but did not hear&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-floats-return-trial-court-trump-presidential-immunity-case" target="_blank">oral arguments</a>&nbsp;until April 25.

The trial court must now grapple with whether Trump’s alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.

In a 6-3&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf" target="_blank">opinion</a>, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, “like everyone else.”

“But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties,” Roberts wrote. “Accounting for that reality—and ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he would—does not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.”

The Supreme Court held that Trump’s conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results were official but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in Department of Justice special counsel Jack’s Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf" target="_blank">indictment</a>&nbsp;of Trump.

“​​Certain allegations—such as those involving Trump’s discussions with the Acting Attorney General—are readily categorized in light of the nature of the President’s official relationship to the office held by that individual,” the opinion reads. “Other allegations— such as those involving Trump’s interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general public—present more difficult questions.”

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote the decision makes the president “immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate criminal law.”

“If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop,” Sotomayor wrote.&nbsp;“With fear for our democracy, I dissent.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717443721620.png" alt="File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official “core constitutional” acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, sending former President Donald Trump’s case back to the lower courts.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the rulingThe justices left open the question of how far official acts can reach, possibly reshaping the contours of the American presidency.Trump escalated his immunity claim to the nation’s highest bench after two lower courts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-claim-presidential-immunity-turned-down-federal-appeals-court-dc" target="_blank">denied</a>&nbsp;his request for protection from federal criminal charges alleging he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential results.The decision about the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s actions while in office likely&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/delayed-supreme-court-ruling-makes-trump-trial-2020-charges-unlikely-election" target="_blank">closes the door</a>&nbsp;to any chance that Trump’s election subversion case could go to trial before Election Day.The justices took up the case in February but did not hear&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-floats-return-trial-court-trump-presidential-immunity-case" target="_blank">oral arguments</a>&nbsp;until April 25.The trial court must now grapple with whether Trump’s alleged conduct to spread false information about the 2020 election results and conspiring to overturn them qualified as official presidential action.In a 6-3&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf" target="_blank">opinion</a>, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that the president is subject to criminal prosecution for unofficial acts, “like everyone else.”“But unlike anyone else, the President is a branch of government, and the Constitution vests in him sweeping powers and duties,” Roberts wrote. “Accounting for that reality—and ensuring that the President may exercise those powers forcefully, as the Framers anticipated he would—does not place him above the law; it preserves the basic structure of the Constitution.”The Supreme Court held that Trump’s conversations with Department of Justice officials regarding the election results were official but left unanswered questions about other conduct named in Department of Justice special counsel Jack’s Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf" target="_blank">indictment</a>&nbsp;of Trump.“​​Certain allegations—such as those involving Trump’s discussions with the Acting Attorney General—are readily categorized in light of the nature of the President’s official relationship to the office held by that individual,” the opinion reads. “Other allegations— such as those involving Trump’s interactions with the Vice President, state officials, and certain private parties, and his comments to the general public—present more difficult questions.”In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote the decision makes the president “immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate criminal law.”“If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop,” Sotomayor wrote.&nbsp;“With fear for our democracy, I dissent.”Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-makes-one-last-presidential-immunity-argument-us-supreme-court" target="_blank">claimed</a>&nbsp;in court filings that he could not be prosecuted for actions he took while still in office. His legal team also argues that former presidents cannot be tried in the court of law unless they are first impeached by the U.S. House and convicted by the Senate.The indictment, which a federal grand jury handed up in August 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fueled-lies-trump-charged-seeking-overturn-2020-election-6" target="_blank">alleges</a>&nbsp;Trump knowingly spread falsehoods to his supporters, plotting with co-conspirators to overturn results in seven states and eventually working his base into a frenzy that culminated in a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was to certify electoral votes.DOJ’s Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf" target="_blank">charged</a>&nbsp;the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.This is a developing story and will be updated.

Kbct