(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Senate has voted to raise the speed limit from 55 to 60 miles an hour on two-lane state highways. 

The bill passed on a 36 to 12 vote and now moves to the House for consideration. A bill that would have raised the speed limit by five miles per hour on Iowa's interstates as well as state highways was tabled in the Iowa House five years ago. 

Lawmakers cited concerns about speeding and safety as well as the more than two-million dollar cost of replacing speed limit signs.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Senate has voted to raise the speed limit from 55 to 60 miles an hour on two-lane state highways. The bill passed on a 36 to 12 vote and now moves to the House for consideration. A bill that would have raised the speed limit by five miles per hour on Iowa's interstates as well as state highways was tabled in the Iowa House five years ago. Lawmakers cited concerns about speeding and safety as well as the more than two-million dollar cost of replacing speed limit signs.

Iowa Senate votes for 60 mph speed limit on state highways

(Radio Iowa) - Blizzard conditions have shut down roadways and travel is not recommended in many areas of western and northwestern Iowa this afternoon. 

D-O-T Winter Operations Director Craig Bargfrede says if you draw a line from just north of Council Bluffs into the Missouri Valley area, and then do a diagonal up through Carroll Ford dodge Mason City, that's where they see the largest impact. Interstate 29 is closed in both directions between Sergeant Bluff and Missouri Valley. Bargfrede says they are working on getting some of the vehicles there removed as there are power lines down on the interstate. He says electric crews can't get in to work on the power lines until they get cars out of the way. 

Bargfrede says they have not pulled any crews off the roadways and are continuing to work to get roads open.

(Radio Iowa) - Blizzard conditions have shut down roadways and travel is not recommended in many areas of western and northwestern Iowa this afternoon. D-O-T Winter Operations Director Craig Bargfrede says if you draw a line from just north of Council Bluffs into the Missouri Valley area, and then do a diagonal up through Carroll Ford dodge Mason City, that's where they see the largest impact. Interstate 29 is closed in both directions between Sergeant Bluff and Missouri Valley. Bargfrede says they are working on getting some of the vehicles there removed as there are power lines down on the interstate. He says electric crews can't get in to work on the power lines until they get cars out of the way. Bargfrede says they have not pulled any crews off the roadways and are continuing to work to get roads open.

Blizzard Slams Western, Northwest Iowa

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/12/kansas-satanists-plan-to-defy-governor-with-therapeutic-blasphemy-in-black-mass-at-statehouse/">planned satanic black mass</a>&nbsp;at the Kansas capitol has spurred policy changes, allegations of theft and religious debates as state leaders scramble to address&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/16/afraid-of-letting-satan-loose-in-the-kansas-statehouse-then-check-your-religion-at-the-door-too/">First Amendment concerns</a>&nbsp;with blocking satanists from their demonstration.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly censured the black mass in a statement March 12 and said participants weren’t allowed to demonstrate inside the capitol building.

Catholic organizations circulated petitions and urged legislators to step in.

Rumors swirled among Statehouse circles that the Satanic Grotto’s president had stolen materials used in the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist — an accusation bolstered by an archbishop’s lawsuit against the group’s leader.

Legislative leaders went a step further Tuesday and modified the Capitol’s building and grounds policies to change assembly rights for anyone who wants to demonstrate at the Statehouse — not just the Satanic Grotto.

The policy changes add three contingencies to the public’s use of common areas in the Statehouse and capitol grounds:

The Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of Republican and Democratic leadership, passed the changes unanimously at a meeting Tuesday following a letter from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. The legislative leaders called on the governor to use the Kansas Highway Patrol to prevent the black mass from occurring as scheduled on March 28.&nbsp;

“The Governor’s Office is reviewing actions from the Legislative Coordinating Council,” said Grace Hoge, a spokesperson for the governor.

Senate President Ty Masterson acknowledged in a statement that the First Amendment protects assembly and speech, including offensive speech.

“However, the First Amendment does not protect criminal conduct,” he said. “Recent statements from an organization — which pledged to engage in such conduct — necessitated a thoughtful review of policies to ensure the safety of all those visiting our State Capitol.”

Masterson was referring to alleged criminal conduct in a civil lawsuit against Michael Stewart, the president of the Satanic Grotto. Masterson also said lawmakers sent to the director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation writings from Satanic Grotto members threatening legislators. It is unclear how current those writings were.

In a 44-page complaint filed Friday in Leavenworth County District Court, Kansas City, Kansas, Archbishop Joseph Naumann alleged that members of the Satanic Grotto, including Stewart and the Grotto’s vice president, stole consecrated hosts to use during the black mass. The allegation was based on phone conversations and posts on Reddit linked to Stewart’s username, “xsimon666x.”&nbsp;

In an interview Tuesday, Stewart denied the allegations and added that no one asked what consecration means to him.

“I find it very entertaining that he is convinced that I have Jesus trapped in a cracker and he would take it to court,” Stewart said.

He said his religion contains its own consecration rituals and that the Catholic Church has made “a lot of assumptions” about his religion. The satanic ritual of a black mass intentionally upends and mocks the ritual of a Catholic mass, often including a consecrated host. The Satanic Grotto is a nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with the recognized religion, the Satanic Temple.

Naumann, who plans at the same time as the planned black mass to preside over a holy hour and Catholic mass at the Assumption Church across the street from the Statehouse, said in the lawsuit the performance of a black mass directly harms the Catholic Church and Catholics across Kansas and the country.

“It is the conviction of the Catholic Church presented in its doctrinal teachings that the Consecrated Hosts and Wine are in fact the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, present under the form of bread and wine,” the lawsuit read.

Catholic teachings outline specific rituals for the handling of sacramental objects. The suit alleges Stewart and his vice president aren’t qualified to handle such objects.

Naumann provided no evidence to show that archdiocesan property had been stolen.&nbsp;

Stewart said he “would think this whole thing was hilarious” if it weren’t for the Legislature changing state policy to address a single event.

“I think it’s because they’re afraid,” Stewart said.

Naumann demanded the lawsuit be resolved through a civil jury trial. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. No criminal charges had been filed against Stewart or other members of the Satanic Grotto as of Tuesday afternoon, according to court records.&nbsp;

The Satanic Grotto has changed its plans in response to Kelly’s decree and intends to demonstrate outside, as she prescribed, with the expectation that Catholic groups will be there to counter-protest. Stewart initially promised to enter the building, defying the governor in “a peaceful act of civil disobedience.”

Even with the policy changes, the lawsuit, which Stewart expects will be thrown out, and a statement from legislators condemning the event, Stewart is resolute.&nbsp;

“I will go to the capitol on March 28,” he said.

The House Federal and State Affairs Committee held an impromptu hearing Tuesday on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hr6016/" target="_blank">House Resolution 6016</a>, which denounces the planned event as “a despicable, blasphemous and offensive sacrilege to not only Catholics but all people of goodwill.”

The hearing, which only included testimony from the resolution’s supporters, also provoked discussions over legislators’ religious beliefs and whether lawmakers were considering First Amendment protections.

Rep. Dan Osman, an Overland Park Democrat, attributed the proponent-only testimony to the fact that the committee met outside of its scheduled time and parties were given less than 24 hours of notice to participate. He wanted to discuss the resolution at a later date, but a majority of committee members voted to advance it.&nbsp;

Osman called the resolution “shortsighted” because no one knows what will happen on March 28.

Other legislators questioned why they were spending time and resources to give the Satanic Grotto attention. Some supported the resolution as a way to stand up to the planned black mass and what some saw as anti-Catholic bigotry. Others voted against it to avoid treating one religion differently than others.

The resolution is not law and has no legal teeth.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742388611692.png" alt="Michael Stewart, pictured here on March 14, 2025, is the president of the Satanic Grotto and the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Kansas City, Kansas, archbishop. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Michael Stewart, pictured here on March 14, 2025, is the president of the Satanic Grotto and the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Kansas City, Kansas, archbishop. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/12/kansas-satanists-plan-to-defy-governor-with-therapeutic-blasphemy-in-black-mass-at-statehouse/">planned satanic black mass</a>&nbsp;at the Kansas capitol has spurred policy changes, allegations of theft and religious debates as state leaders scramble to address&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/16/afraid-of-letting-satan-loose-in-the-kansas-statehouse-then-check-your-religion-at-the-door-too/">First Amendment concerns</a>&nbsp;with blocking satanists from their demonstration.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly censured the black mass in a statement March 12 and said participants weren’t allowed to demonstrate inside the capitol building.Catholic organizations circulated petitions and urged legislators to step in.Rumors swirled among Statehouse circles that the Satanic Grotto’s president had stolen materials used in the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist — an accusation bolstered by an archbishop’s lawsuit against the group’s leader.But the satanist group hasn’t budged.Legislative leaders went a step further Tuesday and modified the Capitol’s building and grounds policies to change assembly rights for anyone who wants to demonstrate at the Statehouse — not just the Satanic Grotto.The policy changes add three contingencies to the public’s use of common areas in the Statehouse and capitol grounds:<ul>
 <li>Organizations and individuals will not be permitted to “meet or gather when participation is limited or restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, cultural heritage or national origin or ancestry.”</li><li>People cannot gather if an individual has made a threat verified by state law enforcement “against the governor, a member of the Legislature or other public official.”</li><li>People cannot gather if a group or member of a group “has stated explicitly that the meeting or gathering will involve a violation of law.”</li>
 </ul>The Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of Republican and Democratic leadership, passed the changes unanimously at a meeting Tuesday following a letter from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. The legislative leaders called on the governor to use the Kansas Highway Patrol to prevent the black mass from occurring as scheduled on March 28.&nbsp;“The Governor’s Office is reviewing actions from the Legislative Coordinating Council,” said Grace Hoge, a spokesperson for the governor.Senate President Ty Masterson acknowledged in a statement that the First Amendment protects assembly and speech, including offensive speech.“However, the First Amendment does not protect criminal conduct,” he said. “Recent statements from an organization — which pledged to engage in such conduct — necessitated a thoughtful review of policies to ensure the safety of all those visiting our State Capitol.”Masterson was referring to alleged criminal conduct in a civil lawsuit against Michael Stewart, the president of the Satanic Grotto. Masterson also said lawmakers sent to the director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation writings from Satanic Grotto members threatening legislators. It is unclear how current those writings were.In a 44-page complaint filed Friday in Leavenworth County District Court, Kansas City, Kansas, Archbishop Joseph Naumann alleged that members of the Satanic Grotto, including Stewart and the Grotto’s vice president, stole consecrated hosts to use during the black mass. The allegation was based on phone conversations and posts on Reddit linked to Stewart’s username, “xsimon666x.”&nbsp;In an interview Tuesday, Stewart denied the allegations and added that no one asked what consecration means to him.“I find it very entertaining that he is convinced that I have Jesus trapped in a cracker and he would take it to court,” Stewart said.He said his religion contains its own consecration rituals and that the Catholic Church has made “a lot of assumptions” about his religion. The satanic ritual of a black mass intentionally upends and mocks the ritual of a Catholic mass, often including a consecrated host. The Satanic Grotto is a nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with the recognized religion, the Satanic Temple.Naumann, who plans at the same time as the planned black mass to preside over a holy hour and Catholic mass at the Assumption Church across the street from the Statehouse, said in the lawsuit the performance of a black mass directly harms the Catholic Church and Catholics across Kansas and the country.“It is the conviction of the Catholic Church presented in its doctrinal teachings that the Consecrated Hosts and Wine are in fact the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, present under the form of bread and wine,” the lawsuit read.Catholic teachings outline specific rituals for the handling of sacramental objects. The suit alleges Stewart and his vice president aren’t qualified to handle such objects.Naumann provided no evidence to show that archdiocesan property had been stolen.&nbsp;Stewart said he “would think this whole thing was hilarious” if it weren’t for the Legislature changing state policy to address a single event.“I think it’s because they’re afraid,” Stewart said.Naumann demanded the lawsuit be resolved through a civil jury trial. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. No criminal charges had been filed against Stewart or other members of the Satanic Grotto as of Tuesday afternoon, according to court records.&nbsp;The Satanic Grotto has changed its plans in response to Kelly’s decree and intends to demonstrate outside, as she prescribed, with the expectation that Catholic groups will be there to counter-protest. Stewart initially promised to enter the building, defying the governor in “a peaceful act of civil disobedience.”Even with the policy changes, the lawsuit, which Stewart expects will be thrown out, and a statement from legislators condemning the event, Stewart is resolute.&nbsp;“I will go to the capitol on March 28,” he said.The House Federal and State Affairs Committee held an impromptu hearing Tuesday on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hr6016/" target="_blank">House Resolution 6016</a>, which denounces the planned event as “a despicable, blasphemous and offensive sacrilege to not only Catholics but all people of goodwill.”The hearing, which only included testimony from the resolution’s supporters, also provoked discussions over legislators’ religious beliefs and whether lawmakers were considering First Amendment protections.Rep. Dan Osman, an Overland Park Democrat, attributed the proponent-only testimony to the fact that the committee met outside of its scheduled time and parties were given less than 24 hours of notice to participate. He wanted to discuss the resolution at a later date, but a majority of committee members voted to advance it.&nbsp;Osman called the resolution “shortsighted” because no one knows what will happen on March 28.Other legislators questioned why they were spending time and resources to give the Satanic Grotto attention. Some supported the resolution as a way to stand up to the planned black mass and what some saw as anti-Catholic bigotry. Others voted against it to avoid treating one religion differently than others.The resolution is not law and has no legal teeth.

Kansas legislators, archbishop take action against satanists and their planned black mass

For another year, the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau is bringing back the Show Me St. Jo Experience.  

During the event, a guided bus tour will take people around St. Joseph, to many of the museums, while teaching some of the history of the city.  

Spokesman Christian Mengel says the bus tour is great for anyone, whether you're from St. Joseph and have been to the museums or are from out of town. 

"You're going to see something that you want to come back to that maybe you've not been before, or if you have been before but maybe it's been a few years," Mengel tells Barry Birr, host of the KFEQ Hotline.  "I want to say all of our museums, and all of our attractions we end up going to on this, they all have something new within the last five years, and most of them new within the last one to two years, so you can still get a lot from it even if you are a frequent museum goer." 

Mengel says the event is great for groups and also families 

"You just get shuttled around and told a lot of history, we cover your lunch we cater in for you and that's included in your ticket, you get a shirt at the end of the day, a t shirt St. Joseph branded," Mengle says.  "And also, because we throw so many tourism things at you, you also get a certificate signed by the mayor as an advocate for St. Joseph." 

Mengel says this event has been very popular with people. 

"In the three years that I've been a part of it I want to say our lowest score, because they can fill out a survey at the end, and I want to say the lowest score was like an eight, and we've only had one or two eight's, everybody else's are nines and tens," Mengel explains.  "And the reason for the eight, was that we didn't spend enough time at some of the places." 

The first event is coming up during Memorial Day weekend on May 27th.  The cost to participate is $25 per person. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742402262542.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post For another year, the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau is bringing back the Show Me St. Jo Experience. During the event, a guided bus tour will take people around St. Joseph, to many of the museums, while teaching some of the history of the city. Spokesman Christian Mengel says the bus tour is great for anyone, whether you're from St. Joseph and have been to the museums or are from out of town. "You're going to see something that you want to come back to that maybe you've not been before, or if you have been before but maybe it's been a few years," Mengel tells Barry Birr, host of the KFEQ Hotline. "I want to say all of our museums, and all of our attractions we end up going to on this, they all have something new within the last five years, and most of them new within the last one to two years, so you can still get a lot from it even if you are a frequent museum goer." Mengel says the event is great for groups and also families "You just get shuttled around and told a lot of history, we cover your lunch we cater in for you and that's included in your ticket, you get a shirt at the end of the day, a t shirt St. Joseph branded," Mengle says. "And also, because we throw so many tourism things at you, you also get a certificate signed by the mayor as an advocate for St. Joseph." Mengel says this event has been very popular with people. "In the three years that I've been a part of it I want to say our lowest score, because they can fill out a survey at the end, and I want to say the lowest score was like an eight, and we've only had one or two eight's, everybody else's are nines and tens," Mengel explains. "And the reason for the eight, was that we didn't spend enough time at some of the places." The first event is coming up during Memorial Day weekend on May 27th. The cost to participate is $25 per person. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Learn more about St. Joseph during the Show Me St. Jo! Experience

Several groups and individual stakeholders celebrated National Agriculture Day this week. It’s set aside to celebrate the farmers, ranchers, and producers who dedicate their lives to feeding, fueling, and clothing the world. “Agriculture isn’t just an industry, but a way of life,” says USDA Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins. “I know that firsthand from growing up in agriculture and being a part of 4H and FFA shaped who I am today.” National Agriculture Day celebrates the fact that, through challenges and triumphs, the men and women in agriculture show up every single day. 

The Agriculture Council of America was formed in 1973 when the first National Agriculture Day program began. The organization is uniquely composed of leaders in the agriculture, food, and fiber communities dedicated to increasing public awareness of the vital role agriculture plays in today’s society. National Ag Day encourages the public to learn more about producing food and fuel.

Several groups and individual stakeholders celebrated National Agriculture Day this week. It’s set aside to celebrate the farmers, ranchers, and producers who dedicate their lives to feeding, fueling, and clothing the world. “Agriculture isn’t just an industry, but a way of life,” says USDA Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins. “I know that firsthand from growing up in agriculture and being a part of 4H and FFA shaped who I am today.” National Agriculture Day celebrates the fact that, through challenges and triumphs, the men and women in agriculture show up every single day. The Agriculture Council of America was formed in 1973 when the first National Agriculture Day program began. The organization is uniquely composed of leaders in the agriculture, food, and fiber communities dedicated to increasing public awareness of the vital role agriculture plays in today’s society. National Ag Day encourages the public to learn more about producing food and fuel.

Stakeholders celebrate National Agriculture Day

On National Ag Day, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency is issuing up to $10 billion directly to ag producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program for the 2024 crop year. ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. “Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the administration is making sure they get the support they need without delay,” Rollins said. “With clear direction from Congress, USDA has prioritized streamlining the process and accelerating these payments ahead of schedule, ensuring farmers have the resources to manage rising expenses and secure financing for next season.” 

Authorized by the American Relief Act of 2025, the payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year. FSA will soon send out pre-filled applications. Find out the eligible commodities and payment rates at <a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/">fsa.usda.gov</a>.

On National Ag Day, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency is issuing up to $10 billion directly to ag producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program for the 2024 crop year. ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. “Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the administration is making sure they get the support they need without delay,” Rollins said. “With clear direction from Congress, USDA has prioritized streamlining the process and accelerating these payments ahead of schedule, ensuring farmers have the resources to manage rising expenses and secure financing for next season.” Authorized by the American Relief Act of 2025, the payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year. FSA will soon send out pre-filled applications. Find out the eligible commodities and payment rates at <a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/">fsa.usda.gov</a>.

USDA expediting direct help for producers

(Radio Iowa) - National media outlets are publishing what's described as an internal Social Security memo outlining job cuts and the shutdown of the agency's 800-number to comply with DOGE orders to pare back. 

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he recently met with President Trump's nominee to head Social Security and he was assured, services would be enhanced, not slashed. Grassley says people should have telephone and face-to-face access to Social Security, but reports say the current staff of around 57-thousand would be cut by at least seven-thousand, while the elimination of the toll-free phone line would force millions of people to file claims in person. 

The plan also calls for closing six of the agency's ten regional offices, creating what the memo calls "a real Catch-22" as filing in person would become extremely difficult. Grassley couldn't confirm whether DOGE ordered the cuts, which would have a significant impact, especially in rural areas.

(Radio Iowa) - National media outlets are publishing what's described as an internal Social Security memo outlining job cuts and the shutdown of the agency's 800-number to comply with DOGE orders to pare back. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he recently met with President Trump's nominee to head Social Security and he was assured, services would be enhanced, not slashed. Grassley says people should have telephone and face-to-face access to Social Security, but reports say the current staff of around 57-thousand would be cut by at least seven-thousand, while the elimination of the toll-free phone line would force millions of people to file claims in person. The plan also calls for closing six of the agency's ten regional offices, creating what the memo calls "a real Catch-22" as filing in person would become extremely difficult. Grassley couldn't confirm whether DOGE ordered the cuts, which would have a significant impact, especially in rural areas.

Grassley can't confirm DOGE deep cuts to Social Security staff, services

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has overwhelming voted in favor of requiring schools to ban students from using their cell phones while they're in class. 

Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Birmingham, praised the Ottumwa School District and Des Moines Hoover High School for being trailblazers on the issue. A principal at Hoover where cell phones must be kept in a student's backpack, told Axios Des Moines there was a 31 percent increase in As and Bs earned by students in the fall semester and a six percent drop in the number of failing grades. 

The bill, which has the backing of Governor Kim Reynolds, passed the House by an 88-to-nine vote. A similar bill is eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has overwhelming voted in favor of requiring schools to ban students from using their cell phones while they're in class. Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Birmingham, praised the Ottumwa School District and Des Moines Hoover High School for being trailblazers on the issue. A principal at Hoover where cell phones must be kept in a student's backpack, told Axios Des Moines there was a 31 percent increase in As and Bs earned by students in the fall semester and a six percent drop in the number of failing grades. The bill, which has the backing of Governor Kim Reynolds, passed the House by an 88-to-nine vote. A similar bill is eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate.

House votes to require schools ban cell phone use during classes

Eastern Kansas
Congressman Derek Schmidt has returned from a visit to the southern border.

Schmidt, a
Republican, says his visit with a small U.S. House delegation to Arizona came as a stark
contrast with his visit earlier as the Kansas Attorney General.

“When I was at the
border, I think it was about almost three years ago now, masses of people,
chaos, huge waves of humanity trying to migrate into the border, trying to come
across. This time, completely different,” Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “In
fact, we actually visited a border patrol holding facility. It holds about a
thousand people at capacity. They day we were there:&nbsp; zero.”

Schmidt says the
huge influx of illegal immigrants has been reduced to a trickle, allowing border
patrol agents to focus on their actual duties.

“And that is to
focus on enforcing our border security and immigration laws. It is to combat
the cartels and prevent those criminal entities that obviously are working very
hard to move drugs and people across the border so they can distribute them
throughout the United States,” according to Schmidt. “Now, our law enforcement
and military and other assets can focus on that.”

Schmidt says it’s
now up to Congress to put into law what the president has signed into executive
order.

“Remain in Mexico,
no catch and release, some asylum reform provisions; the types of things that
we know work, because they have stopped the waves of people coming, we now need
to make permanent so that a future president can’t with a stroke of a pen undo
those and take us back to where we were in the chaos of the Biden administration.”

Schmidt points out
what can be implemented by executive order can be reverse by executive order.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742323044841.jpeg" alt="Congressman Derek Schmidt joins the U.S. House delegation at the southern border in Arizona/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Derek Schmidt joins the U.S. House delegation at the southern border in Arizona/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostEastern Kansas
Congressman Derek Schmidt has returned from a visit to the southern border.Schmidt, a
Republican, says his visit with a small U.S. House delegation to Arizona came as a stark
contrast with his visit earlier as the Kansas Attorney General.“When I was at the
border, I think it was about almost three years ago now, masses of people,
chaos, huge waves of humanity trying to migrate into the border, trying to come
across. This time, completely different,” Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “In
fact, we actually visited a border patrol holding facility. It holds about a
thousand people at capacity. They day we were there:&nbsp; zero.”Schmidt says the
huge influx of illegal immigrants has been reduced to a trickle, allowing border
patrol agents to focus on their actual duties.“And that is to
focus on enforcing our border security and immigration laws. It is to combat
the cartels and prevent those criminal entities that obviously are working very
hard to move drugs and people across the border so they can distribute them
throughout the United States,” according to Schmidt. “Now, our law enforcement
and military and other assets can focus on that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742323154298.jpeg" alt="Congressman Derek Schmidt listens as a border patrol agent discusses the situation at the southern border/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Derek Schmidt listens as a border patrol agent discusses the situation at the southern border/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office</figcaption>
 </figure>Schmidt says it’s
now up to Congress to put into law what the president has signed into executive
order.“Remain in Mexico,
no catch and release, some asylum reform provisions; the types of things that
we know work, because they have stopped the waves of people coming, we now need
to make permanent so that a future president can’t with a stroke of a pen undo
those and take us back to where we were in the chaos of the Biden administration.”Schmidt points out
what can be implemented by executive order can be reverse by executive order.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742323257301.jpeg" alt="The U.S. House delegation receives a briefing from a border patrol agent/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office" />
 <figcaption>The U.S. House delegation receives a briefing from a border patrol agent/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Schmidt says recent visit to southern border contrasts earlier visit

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

In most Missouri counties, children linger in foster care longer than the federal standard, according to data compiled by the state social services agency.

Under national standards, at least 35% of kids entering foster care should exit with a permanent living situation within one year. That can mean reunification with family, adoption or guardianship.&nbsp;

But only 12 of Missouri’s 114 counties met that standard every month between July and September last year.

That’s&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/docs/hb-1414/quarterly-report-january-2025.pdf" target="_blank">according to a report</a>&nbsp;the Missouri Department of Social Services is required to release on a quarterly basis. A&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1414&amp;year=2020&amp;code=R" target="_blank">law passed in 2020</a>&nbsp;mandated those reports and created a “response and evaluation” team tasked with reviewing state foster care practices. The team, which includes Children’s Division staff and foster care case management agency staff, met Tuesday.

In the previous&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/docs/hb-1414/quarterly-report-october-2024.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>, covering April through June, there were 23 counties meeting that benchmark.

Missouri’s Children’s Division is acting under a&nbsp;<a href="https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/mo-cfsr-r4-pip.pdf" target="_blank">performance improvement plan</a>&nbsp;with the federal Children’s Bureau over the issue of timely permanent placements. The state’s performance “has continued to decline over the last several reporting periods,” a&nbsp;<a href="https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/mo-cfsr-r4-pip.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from last summer states.&nbsp;

While in care, foster kids have also faced more instability with their placements than nationally, meaning they can be frequently moved around among foster homes or other placements.

Marcia Wetzel, a program coordinator with the social services department, said during Tuesday’s public meeting that a plan is in the works to&nbsp;establish what are called team decision-making meetings statewide before a foster child is moved to a new placement.

<a href="https://dssmanuals.mo.gov/child-welfare-manual/section-1-chapter-10-team-decision-making-meetings/" target="_blank">Team decision-making meetings&nbsp;</a>involve those closest to the child and a facilitator. There will be training before it’s rolled out in each region across the state, Wetzel said, with the expectation that the meetings&nbsp;“hopefully will help us improve the data…to really try to stabilize placements.”

As of&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/cd/cfsplan/2025-2029/child-family-plan.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">February 2024</a>, for every 1,000 days a child spent in foster care in Missouri, they were moved 6.23 times. The federal rate was 4.48. Wetzel said more data will come out related to this issue in April.

According to the department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_DSS_Programs_Book.pdf" target="_blank">budget request,</a>&nbsp;team decision-making meetings have been implemented in some parts of the state and will be expanding statewide.&nbsp;

Missouri’s foster care system has faced scrutiny for years and is a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">major focus</a>&nbsp;of the 2025 legislative session.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">bill</a>&nbsp;sponsored by Sen. Travis Fitzwater of Holts Summit seeks to reduce the amount of time foster children languish in care by changing the model of legal representation for them. Under the proposal, older foster children would be assigned client-director counsel, who act based on the child’s own wishes and goals.&nbsp;Currently, foster children have guardians ad litem, who are attorneys tasked with acting in what they view as the child’s best interest, which Fitzwater said means children are sometimes left without a voice, drawing out their time in care.&nbsp;

Lawmakers are also concerned with foster kids being held in inappropriate placements, such as hospitals, hotels, offices and out-of-state residential treatment facilities.&nbsp;

There are around 85 kids receiving treatment out of state, according to department data shared at an appropriations hearing. And last year, there were 314 foster children residing in hospitals.

Issues with foster care&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/28/missouri-senate-delays-vote-on-new-social-services-director-over-foster-care-concerns/">delayed Senate confirmation</a>&nbsp;of Gov. Mike Kehoe’s pick to lead the social services department. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican, briefly held up the appointment to force the agency to provide answers about chronic problems that have plagued the foster care system for years and what she says has been the agency’s failure to implement laws designed to help.

Bax was eventually confirmed after Coleman&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/missouri-senate-approves-massive-child-welfare-bill-aimed-at-foster-care-system/">said the department was responsive</a>&nbsp;to her inquiries.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742387121902.png" alt="Department of Social Services resource center in Poplar Bluff, July 17, 2023 (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>Department of Social Services resource center in Poplar Bluff, July 17, 2023 (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>In most Missouri counties, children linger in foster care longer than the federal standard, according to data compiled by the state social services agency.Under national standards, at least 35% of kids entering foster care should exit with a permanent living situation within one year. That can mean reunification with family, adoption or guardianship.&nbsp;But only 12 of Missouri’s 114 counties met that standard every month between July and September last year.That’s&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/docs/hb-1414/quarterly-report-january-2025.pdf" target="_blank">according to a report</a>&nbsp;the Missouri Department of Social Services is required to release on a quarterly basis. A&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1414&amp;year=2020&amp;code=R" target="_blank">law passed in 2020</a>&nbsp;mandated those reports and created a “response and evaluation” team tasked with reviewing state foster care practices. The team, which includes Children’s Division staff and foster care case management agency staff, met Tuesday.In the previous&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/docs/hb-1414/quarterly-report-october-2024.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>, covering April through June, there were 23 counties meeting that benchmark.Missouri’s Children’s Division is acting under a&nbsp;<a href="https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/mo-cfsr-r4-pip.pdf" target="_blank">performance improvement plan</a>&nbsp;with the federal Children’s Bureau over the issue of timely permanent placements. The state’s performance “has continued to decline over the last several reporting periods,” a&nbsp;<a href="https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/mo-cfsr-r4-pip.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from last summer states.&nbsp;While in care, foster kids have also faced more instability with their placements than nationally, meaning they can be frequently moved around among foster homes or other placements.Marcia Wetzel, a program coordinator with the social services department, said during Tuesday’s public meeting that a plan is in the works to&nbsp;establish what are called team decision-making meetings statewide before a foster child is moved to a new placement.<a href="https://dssmanuals.mo.gov/child-welfare-manual/section-1-chapter-10-team-decision-making-meetings/" target="_blank">Team decision-making meetings&nbsp;</a>involve those closest to the child and a facilitator. There will be training before it’s rolled out in each region across the state, Wetzel said, with the expectation that the meetings&nbsp;“hopefully will help us improve the data…to really try to stabilize placements.”As of&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/cd/cfsplan/2025-2029/child-family-plan.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">February 2024</a>, for every 1,000 days a child spent in foster care in Missouri, they were moved 6.23 times. The federal rate was 4.48. Wetzel said more data will come out related to this issue in April.According to the department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_DSS_Programs_Book.pdf" target="_blank">budget request,</a>&nbsp;team decision-making meetings have been implemented in some parts of the state and will be expanding statewide.&nbsp;Missouri’s foster care system has faced scrutiny for years and is a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">major focus</a>&nbsp;of the 2025 legislative session.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">bill</a>&nbsp;sponsored by Sen. Travis Fitzwater of Holts Summit seeks to reduce the amount of time foster children languish in care by changing the model of legal representation for them. Under the proposal, older foster children would be assigned client-director counsel, who act based on the child’s own wishes and goals.&nbsp;Currently, foster children have guardians ad litem, who are attorneys tasked with acting in what they view as the child’s best interest, which Fitzwater said means children are sometimes left without a voice, drawing out their time in care.&nbsp;Lawmakers are also concerned with foster kids being held in inappropriate placements, such as hospitals, hotels, offices and out-of-state residential treatment facilities.&nbsp;There are around 85 kids receiving treatment out of state, according to department data shared at an appropriations hearing. And last year, there were 314 foster children residing in hospitals.Issues with foster care&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/28/missouri-senate-delays-vote-on-new-social-services-director-over-foster-care-concerns/">delayed Senate confirmation</a>&nbsp;of Gov. Mike Kehoe’s pick to lead the social services department. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican, briefly held up the appointment to force the agency to provide answers about chronic problems that have plagued the foster care system for years and what she says has been the agency’s failure to implement laws designed to help.Bax was eventually confirmed after Coleman&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/missouri-senate-approves-massive-child-welfare-bill-aimed-at-foster-care-system/">said the department was responsive</a>&nbsp;to her inquiries.&nbsp;

Kids stay in foster care longer than the federal standard in most Missouri counties

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday released their preliminary report on the incident that led to the gas line explosion and fire on Feb. 22. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/PLD25FR003.aspx" target="_blank">Click here to read the full preliminary report&nbsp;</a>

In the first portion of the report, the NTSB states that an underline gas leak resulted in a commercial building explosion which destroyed the building and caused an evacuation of the surrounding community. &nbsp;&nbsp;

No injuries or deaths occurred and the NTSB states that the damages are to be approximately $975,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The report states that the Reno County dispatch received a gas odor report from the public at approximately 9:26 a.m., and that Hutchinson Fire Department arrived on the scene approximately seven minutes later at 9:33 a.m. &nbsp;

After the explosion ONE Gas, the parent company of Kansas Gas Service, excavated the area exposing approximately 120-feet of the ten-inch steel gas main. &nbsp;During the excavation, a leak was found at a girth weld, which is where two gas pipes are welded along their circumference. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The NTSB while on scene conducted a visual examination of the pipeline, collected physical evidence and conducted interviews. &nbsp;A portion of the gas line was later transported to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington DC for evaluation and testing. &nbsp;&nbsp;Currently the investigation by the NTSB is ongoing. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The report says that future investigative activity will focus on previous failures and the leak history of the pipeline as well as aspects o ONE Gas’s integrity management program and state regulatory oversite; ONE Gas emergency response training and ONE Gas’s leak response, safety management system program and isolation planning tool. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742323605763.png" alt="Photo NTSB report" />
 <figcaption>Photo NTSB report</figcaption>
 </figure>The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday released their preliminary report on the incident that led to the gas line explosion and fire on Feb. 22. &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/PLD25FR003.aspx" target="_blank">Click here to read the full preliminary report&nbsp;</a>In the first portion of the report, the NTSB states that an underline gas leak resulted in a commercial building explosion which destroyed the building and caused an evacuation of the surrounding community. &nbsp;&nbsp;No injuries or deaths occurred and the NTSB states that the damages are to be approximately $975,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740255614106.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Fire Department (file photo)&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Fire Department (file photo)&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The report states that the Reno County dispatch received a gas odor report from the public at approximately 9:26 a.m., and that Hutchinson Fire Department arrived on the scene approximately seven minutes later at 9:33 a.m. &nbsp;After the explosion ONE Gas, the parent company of Kansas Gas Service, excavated the area exposing approximately 120-feet of the ten-inch steel gas main. &nbsp;During the excavation, a leak was found at a girth weld, which is where two gas pipes are welded along their circumference. &nbsp;&nbsp;The NTSB while on scene conducted a visual examination of the pipeline, collected physical evidence and conducted interviews. &nbsp;A portion of the gas line was later transported to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington DC for evaluation and testing. &nbsp;&nbsp;Currently the investigation by the NTSB is ongoing. &nbsp;&nbsp;The report says that future investigative activity will focus on previous failures and the leak history of the pipeline as well as aspects o ONE Gas’s integrity management program and state regulatory oversite; ONE Gas emergency response training and ONE Gas’s leak response, safety management system program and isolation planning tool. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Read the NTSB preliminary report on the gas explosion in Hutchinson

(Radio Iowa) - Forecasters say travel could be difficult if not impossible across Iowa's northwestern third Wednesday. 

Blizzard conditions are in the forecast for some 30 counties with winds gusting up to 65 miles an hour and heavy snow of up to twelve inches in some areas. National Weather Service meteorologist Alexis Jimenez says the storm front will start moving into Iowa late tonight and early tomorrow. 

It'll begin as rain and thunderstorms, shifting to all snow eventually, but may also include "thunder-snow." Jimenez says white-out conditions are likely and some areas may see snowfall at the rate of two inches per hour.

(Radio Iowa) - Forecasters say travel could be difficult if not impossible across Iowa's northwestern third Wednesday. Blizzard conditions are in the forecast for some 30 counties with winds gusting up to 65 miles an hour and heavy snow of up to twelve inches in some areas. National Weather Service meteorologist Alexis Jimenez says the storm front will start moving into Iowa late tonight and early tomorrow. It'll begin as rain and thunderstorms, shifting to all snow eventually, but may also include "thunder-snow." Jimenez says white-out conditions are likely and some areas may see snowfall at the rate of two inches per hour.

Blizzard forecast to hit NW Iowa on the last day of winter

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Senate has voted to expand a 2024 law that made it a crime to fly drones over animal feeding operations. 

The bill seeks to prohibit drones from being flown without permission over a farmstead that covers at least 40 acres and generates at least 15-thousand dollars in annual sales from livestock or other commodities. The bill also would prohibit drones from flying within 400 feet of farm animals, farm equipment, barns and a farmer's home. 

If the drone is equipped to record video and audio to identify objects and animals, it would be a serious misdemeanor. The bill passed the Senate on a 43-to-three vote and goes to the House for consideration.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Senate has voted to expand a 2024 law that made it a crime to fly drones over animal feeding operations. The bill seeks to prohibit drones from being flown without permission over a farmstead that covers at least 40 acres and generates at least 15-thousand dollars in annual sales from livestock or other commodities. The bill also would prohibit drones from flying within 400 feet of farm animals, farm equipment, barns and a farmer's home. If the drone is equipped to record video and audio to identify objects and animals, it would be a serious misdemeanor. The bill passed the Senate on a 43-to-three vote and goes to the House for consideration.

Bill would ban flying drones over farmsteads without permission

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Senate has again passed a bill that would penalize motorists who handle a smart phone while driving. Republican Senator Mark Lofgren of Muscatine says it hopefully will reign in distracted drivers. 

The bill has passed the senate in previous years and the vote on it Tuesday was 47-1. The bill now goes to the House, where it has stalled over the past several years. Governor Kim Reynolds used part of her annual address to lawmakers in January to call on them to send the bill to her desk this year.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Senate has again passed a bill that would penalize motorists who handle a smart phone while driving. Republican Senator Mark Lofgren of Muscatine says it hopefully will reign in distracted drivers. The bill has passed the senate in previous years and the vote on it Tuesday was 47-1. The bill now goes to the House, where it has stalled over the past several years. Governor Kim Reynolds used part of her annual address to lawmakers in January to call on them to send the bill to her desk this year.

Iowa Senate passes bill to ban handling a cell phone while driving

WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-stakes phone call Tuesday on the Ukraine-Russia war.

Shortly after the call, the White House released a brief summary of the conversation. It is below.

&nbsp;Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia.

The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.
 
This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts.

The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace.

These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East. 
 
The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts. They further discussed the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application.

The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel. 
 
The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742207940676.png" alt="File photo President Trump discussed calling Putin during a flight from Florida to Washington on Sunday-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo President Trump discussed calling Putin during a flight from Florida to Washington on Sunday-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-stakes phone call Tuesday on the Ukraine-Russia war.Shortly after the call, the White House released a brief summary of the conversation. It is below.&nbsp;Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.
 
This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East. 
 
The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts. They further discussed the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application. The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel. 
 
The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.

See the readout : Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine-Russia ceasefire deal 

After some reorganization, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office has formed a new division to help combat crime.  

Captain Shawn Collie now heads the Special Operations Division, which combines three units within the Sheriff's Office into one. 

"We've taken Drug Strike Force and made it more of a unit and created a Special Operations type division that I oversee now," Collie tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "And it includes not only Drug Strike Force, but we now have people assigned to a career criminal unit that works hand in hand with the drug unit, and then we have an interdiction unit, so all that falls under me under a Special Operations Division now." 

Collie says this new division helps to add to the team at the Sheriff's Office.  

"And now to add in the career criminal group to help go after those career criminals who are repeat offenders and to take the time and kind of slow down and prosecute them the way they should be prosecuted is going to be a whole new tool for us to add and to help protect our community," Collie explains. 

Collie who heads the new division says the way this unit operates will take some stress off the Sheriff's Offices resources 

"You know instead of trying to run from the drug side to the fugitive side to the shootings, to be able to have people that specifically can concentrate on helping in those areas," Collie says.  "There's only so many hours in the day and only so many people, so it allows us to divide and conquer on certain assignments." 

Collie says this structure will help people in these specific assignments stay focused on the assignments they are interested in and were hired for. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post After some reorganization, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office has formed a new division to help combat crime. Captain Shawn Collie now heads the Special Operations Division, which combines three units within the Sheriff's Office into one. "We've taken Drug Strike Force and made it more of a unit and created a Special Operations type division that I oversee now," Collie tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And it includes not only Drug Strike Force, but we now have people assigned to a career criminal unit that works hand in hand with the drug unit, and then we have an interdiction unit, so all that falls under me under a Special Operations Division now." Collie says this new division helps to add to the team at the Sheriff's Office. "And now to add in the career criminal group to help go after those career criminals who are repeat offenders and to take the time and kind of slow down and prosecute them the way they should be prosecuted is going to be a whole new tool for us to add and to help protect our community," Collie explains. Collie who heads the new division says the way this unit operates will take some stress off the Sheriff's Offices resources "You know instead of trying to run from the drug side to the fugitive side to the shootings, to be able to have people that specifically can concentrate on helping in those areas," Collie says. "There's only so many hours in the day and only so many people, so it allows us to divide and conquer on certain assignments." Collie says this structure will help people in these specific assignments stay focused on the assignments they are interested in and were hired for. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Reorganization forms new unit in the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office

KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr announced his retirement this
morning.

Birr, a staple of KFEQ programming for decades, made the
announcement during the opening of his show.

“It’s kind of a long time coming,” Birr told his audience. “I
did semi-retirement at the end of 2015 and continued on a part-time basis until
now. And my last day here at 680 KFEQ is going to be on Friday, the 28th
of March.”

Birr came to KFEQ in 1984 to serve as news director. Though he
retired as news director in 2015, Birr continued to host the KFEQ Hotline
between 8am and 10am each morning.

“It’s been a huge, huge part of my life. You’ve been a huge
part of my life and a part of my life that has (been) among the very highlights
of my life,” Birr told listeners. “And so, I deeply appreciate all the help that
you’ve given me doing this program; the help being listening and calling in.”

Birr thanked his callers for their participation over the years.

“We’ve just been blessed with magnificent callers over the
years, the 33-some-odd years that I’ve been doing this program,” Birr said. “And
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”

With that, Birr began the open-line portion of the Hotline,
discussing the day’s current events, just as he has since 1992.

Birr created the KFEQ Hotline shortly after KFEQ became a Rush
Limbaugh affiliate. Birr discussed his motivation during the celebration of
KFEQ’s 100th anniversary in 2023.

“That’s a national program.,” Birr said during an interview on
the radio stations’ centennial. “What if we had a local program that addressed
issues in the news and took calls?”

The Hotline proved its worth a year after it began, expanding
programming nearly non-stop to cover the 1993 Missouri River flood. It became a
vital communication link with a city and a region coping with devastating
flooding that also wiped out the St. Joseph water plant, leaving the community without
drinkable water for a nearly a week.

The KFEQ Hotline again served as a vital community link during
another natural disaster in 2007. An ice storm that winter knocked out other
radio stations and the city’s only television station. KFEQ kept on the air
with a generator and listeners could tune in with a battery-powered radio.

“For quite a while we were the only broadcast facility that
was operating,” Birr said during an anniversary celebration interview.

Soon after the storm created widespread power outages, it
became apparent to Birr and others KFEQ needed to expand the Hotline and serve
the community more directly.

“This became a kind of place where ideas were exchanged,” Birr
said. “People would share information about, well you can get water here;
different things at different places. And here’s what it’s like in my
neighborhood.”

Other special celebrations are planned before Birr retires at
the end of the month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742308174703.jpeg" alt="KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr/file photo" />
 <figcaption>KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostKFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr announced his retirement this
morning.Birr, a staple of KFEQ programming for decades, made the
announcement during the opening of his show.“It’s kind of a long time coming,” Birr told his audience. “I
did semi-retirement at the end of 2015 and continued on a part-time basis until
now. And my last day here at 680 KFEQ is going to be on Friday, the 28th
of March.”Birr came to KFEQ in 1984 to serve as news director. Though he
retired as news director in 2015, Birr continued to host the KFEQ Hotline
between 8am and 10am each morning.“It’s been a huge, huge part of my life. You’ve been a huge
part of my life and a part of my life that has (been) among the very highlights
of my life,” Birr told listeners. “And so, I deeply appreciate all the help that
you’ve given me doing this program; the help being listening and calling in.”Birr thanked his callers for their participation over the years.“We’ve just been blessed with magnificent callers over the
years, the 33-some-odd years that I’ve been doing this program,” Birr said. “And
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742308246492.jpeg" alt="Birr was honored in 2023 as the Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Conservation Federation of Missouri/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Birr was honored in 2023 as the Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Conservation Federation of Missouri/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>With that, Birr began the open-line portion of the Hotline,
discussing the day’s current events, just as he has since 1992.Birr created the KFEQ Hotline shortly after KFEQ became a Rush
Limbaugh affiliate. Birr discussed his motivation during the celebration of
KFEQ’s 100th anniversary in 2023.“That’s a national program.,” Birr said during an interview on
the radio stations’ centennial. “What if we had a local program that addressed
issues in the news and took calls?”The Hotline proved its worth a year after it began, expanding
programming nearly non-stop to cover the 1993 Missouri River flood. It became a
vital communication link with a city and a region coping with devastating
flooding that also wiped out the St. Joseph water plant, leaving the community without
drinkable water for a nearly a week.The KFEQ Hotline again served as a vital community link during
another natural disaster in 2007. An ice storm that winter knocked out other
radio stations and the city’s only television station. KFEQ kept on the air
with a generator and listeners could tune in with a battery-powered radio.“For quite a while we were the only broadcast facility that
was operating,” Birr said during an anniversary celebration interview.Soon after the storm created widespread power outages, it
became apparent to Birr and others KFEQ needed to expand the Hotline and serve
the community more directly.“This became a kind of place where ideas were exchanged,” Birr
said. “People would share information about, well you can get water here;
different things at different places. And here’s what it’s like in my
neighborhood.”Other special celebrations are planned before Birr retires at
the end of the month.<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Barry-Birr-announces-retirement-e30bb4e/a-abrbs83" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr announces retirement

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has voted to make indoor tanning bed businesses off limits for minors -- unless the teenager's parent provides written permission in person. 

Tanning beds emit far more ultraviolet radiation than the sun and Iowa is one of only six states that does not ban or regulate the use of tanning beds by minors. According to the National Institutes of Health, using a tanning bed even one time before age 35 raises your risk of developing malignant melanoma by 75 percent. 

Representative Hans Wilz of Ottumwa says cancer prevention is just as important as cancer research. Iowa is the only state in the country with a rising cancer rate.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has voted to make indoor tanning bed businesses off limits for minors -- unless the teenager's parent provides written permission in person. Tanning beds emit far more ultraviolet radiation than the sun and Iowa is one of only six states that does not ban or regulate the use of tanning beds by minors. According to the National Institutes of Health, using a tanning bed even one time before age 35 raises your risk of developing malignant melanoma by 75 percent. Representative Hans Wilz of Ottumwa says cancer prevention is just as important as cancer research. Iowa is the only state in the country with a rising cancer rate.

Iowa may join 44 states that regulate teen access to tanning beds

KANSAS CITY —The cause of a fire at a Tesla dealership in Kansas City is under investigation.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, Kansas City Missouri Fire crews responded to a reported fire at the Tesla car lot, 10111 Stateline Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews found two Tesla Cyber Trucks on fire. KCFD sent an additional company for additional water and a Battalion Chief. 

The fire was brought under control and the vehicles were covered with a fire blanket to prevent reignition. 

Kansas City Fire officials ordered Bomb and Arson officials to investigate. The Kansas City Police Department will assist withe the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742306039181.png" alt="Image courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The cause of a fire at a Tesla dealership in Kansas City is under investigation.Just after 11p.m. Monday, Kansas City Missouri Fire crews responded to a reported fire at the Tesla car lot, 10111 Stateline Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742305766866.png" alt="Image courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>Crews found two Tesla Cyber Trucks on fire. KCFD sent an additional company for additional water and a Battalion Chief. The fire was brought under control and the vehicles were covered with a fire blanket to prevent reignition. Kansas City Fire officials ordered Bomb and Arson officials to investigate. The Kansas City Police Department will assist withe the investigation.

Arson investigation: Tesla Cyber trucks burn at KC dealership

During Kim Evans’ tenure, the department faced criticism from state lawmakers, the federal government and advocacy organizations over its administration of public benefits

The head of the Missouri agency that for years has struggled to administer public benefit programs like food assistance and Medicaid announced her retirement on Friday afternoon, effective immediately.

Kim Evans had served as director of the Family Support Division within the Missouri Department of Social Services since 2020. She spent over two decades working for the department, including as a program eligibility specialist, manager and deputy director.

“(The Department of Social Services) is grateful for her service and wishes her the best in the next chapter,” Baylee Watts, the department’s spokeswoman, said in an email.

The interim director will be Mandi Adams, who is currently one of the division’s deputy directors.

Evans’ departure last week is the latest in a series of leadership changes underway at Missouri’s embattled social services agency since Gov. Mike Kehoe was elected in November. A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/mike-kehoe-appoints-new-leader-for-missouri-social-services-agency/">new department director</a>, Jessica Bax, began in January, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-social-services-agency-appoints-new-child-welfare-director/">new director for the child welfare division</a>, Sara Smith, was named last week.&nbsp;

During Evans’ tenure, the department faced criticism from state lawmakers, the federal government and advocacy organizations over its administration of public benefits — which affect the lives of millions of Missourians.&nbsp;

A federal judge last year&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/federal-court-rules-missourians-were-illegally-denied-food-aid-by-the-state/">ruled</a>&nbsp;Missourians were illegally denied food aid by the state due to hours-long call center wait times for participants to receive a required interview.&nbsp;

Those delays — which leadership has largely&nbsp;blamed&nbsp;on call center&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">staffing issues&nbsp;</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">—&nbsp;</a>translate to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/02/broken-system-call-center-backlogs-impede-missouri-families-seeking-food-assistance/">families struggling to feed their young children</a>&nbsp;while rearranging their days to wait on hold, Missourians with disabilities who can’t understand the application forms being unable to get help and some subsisting on little food while using up prepaid phone minutes on hold.

“While call wait times fluctuate and have shown some improvement, the record demonstrates too little progress,” the judge in that case, U.S. District Court Judge M. Douglas Harpool, wrote last year. “Consequently, Missourians who suffer food insecurity have been forced to either go hungry or seek alternative sources of food when their applications are denied.”

The state has been required to submit monthly reports as part of the lawsuit.&nbsp;The average wait time for the interview line for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was 45 minutes in January, the&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25589928-2-18-25-status-report-dss-snap-lawsuit/" target="_blank">most recent monthly data</a>&nbsp;states.&nbsp;

The average wait time for the general call line, which handles all other inquiries — for programs including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and non-interview related SNAP queries — was just under one hour in January.

That&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63105919/holmes-v-knodell/?order_by=desc" target="_blank">case is still ongoing</a>, and the parties are in mediation.

The department in its budget request to the state legislature asked for $11 million to hire 220 new staff in the Family Support Division to help ensure the agency complies with federal and state rules on timely processing, and “maintains a reasonable wait time in the call centers,” the budget&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_DSS_Appropriation_Book.pdf" target="_blank">request</a>&nbsp;stated. The governor recommended only 55 new positions.&nbsp;

Asked about the call center issues in a Senate appropriations committee hearing last month, Bax was candid about the ongoing problems, stating that over 10,000 applications for SNAP were rejected solely due to failure to interview in January.

Bax told the committee the agency is looking at “overall efficiencies” including trying to get a shortened and condensed SNAP interview approved, and specializing some of the call center staff.&nbsp;

“So that is where the plan is: to really kind of take back those specialized teams and then have an ability to condense that interview so that we can free up the phone lines,” Bax said.

Democratic state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City said she continues to hear from constituents about their issues accessing aid to which they’re entitled.

“This is one of the things that I continue to have very grave concerns about,” Nurrenbern said at last months’s appropriations committee hearing. “How long people are waiting online for essential services, and hear a lot of frustration from constituents reaching out and saying, ‘I’ve been waiting online all day and nobody’s getting back to us.’

“So I really hope that this is something that this committee can put some emphasis on and making sure that we are being as efficient as possible with these services,” she added.&nbsp;

Bax replied that she “could not agree more.”&nbsp;

Bax’s testimony differed from prior testimony of Evans, who typically&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">downplayed</a>&nbsp;issues with wait times to legislators.&nbsp;At one hearing in late 2023, Evans told lawmakers she was “excited” the wait time was only a few minutes the morning of a hearing, though&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">records obtained by The Independent would later show the average that month was actually over an hour.&nbsp;</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742250970378.png" alt=" Kim Evans, center, announced Friday she was retiring from her position as director of the Family Support Division. She's pictured here speaking to the media in Jefferson City on March 28, 2023, about Medicaid renewals, alongside MO HealthNet director Todd Richardson, right, and former department director, Robert Knodell (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Kim Evans, center, announced Friday she was retiring from her position as director of the Family Support Division. She's pictured here speaking to the media in Jefferson City on March 28, 2023, about Medicaid renewals, alongside MO HealthNet director Todd Richardson, right, and former department director, Robert Knodell (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>During Kim Evans’ tenure, the department faced criticism from state lawmakers, the federal government and advocacy organizations over its administration of public benefits</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>The head of the Missouri agency that for years has struggled to administer public benefit programs like food assistance and Medicaid announced her retirement on Friday afternoon, effective immediately.Kim Evans had served as director of the Family Support Division within the Missouri Department of Social Services since 2020. She spent over two decades working for the department, including as a program eligibility specialist, manager and deputy director.“(The Department of Social Services) is grateful for her service and wishes her the best in the next chapter,” Baylee Watts, the department’s spokeswoman, said in an email.The interim director will be Mandi Adams, who is currently one of the division’s deputy directors.Evans’ departure last week is the latest in a series of leadership changes underway at Missouri’s embattled social services agency since Gov. Mike Kehoe was elected in November. A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/mike-kehoe-appoints-new-leader-for-missouri-social-services-agency/">new department director</a>, Jessica Bax, began in January, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-social-services-agency-appoints-new-child-welfare-director/">new director for the child welfare division</a>, Sara Smith, was named last week.&nbsp;During Evans’ tenure, the department faced criticism from state lawmakers, the federal government and advocacy organizations over its administration of public benefits — which affect the lives of millions of Missourians.&nbsp;A federal judge last year&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/federal-court-rules-missourians-were-illegally-denied-food-aid-by-the-state/">ruled</a>&nbsp;Missourians were illegally denied food aid by the state due to hours-long call center wait times for participants to receive a required interview.&nbsp;Those delays — which leadership has largely&nbsp;blamed&nbsp;on call center&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">staffing issues&nbsp;</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">—&nbsp;</a>translate to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/02/broken-system-call-center-backlogs-impede-missouri-families-seeking-food-assistance/">families struggling to feed their young children</a>&nbsp;while rearranging their days to wait on hold, Missourians with disabilities who can’t understand the application forms being unable to get help and some subsisting on little food while using up prepaid phone minutes on hold.“While call wait times fluctuate and have shown some improvement, the record demonstrates too little progress,” the judge in that case, U.S. District Court Judge M. Douglas Harpool, wrote last year. “Consequently, Missourians who suffer food insecurity have been forced to either go hungry or seek alternative sources of food when their applications are denied.”The state has been required to submit monthly reports as part of the lawsuit.&nbsp;The average wait time for the interview line for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was 45 minutes in January, the&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25589928-2-18-25-status-report-dss-snap-lawsuit/" target="_blank">most recent monthly data</a>&nbsp;states.&nbsp;The average wait time for the general call line, which handles all other inquiries — for programs including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and non-interview related SNAP queries — was just under one hour in January.That&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63105919/holmes-v-knodell/?order_by=desc" target="_blank">case is still ongoing</a>, and the parties are in mediation.The department in its budget request to the state legislature asked for $11 million to hire 220 new staff in the Family Support Division to help ensure the agency complies with federal and state rules on timely processing, and “maintains a reasonable wait time in the call centers,” the budget&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_DSS_Appropriation_Book.pdf" target="_blank">request</a>&nbsp;stated. The governor recommended only 55 new positions.&nbsp;Asked about the call center issues in a Senate appropriations committee hearing last month, Bax was candid about the ongoing problems, stating that over 10,000 applications for SNAP were rejected solely due to failure to interview in January.Bax told the committee the agency is looking at “overall efficiencies” including trying to get a shortened and condensed SNAP interview approved, and specializing some of the call center staff.&nbsp;“So that is where the plan is: to really kind of take back those specialized teams and then have an ability to condense that interview so that we can free up the phone lines,” Bax said.Democratic state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City said she continues to hear from constituents about their issues accessing aid to which they’re entitled.“This is one of the things that I continue to have very grave concerns about,” Nurrenbern said at last months’s appropriations committee hearing. “How long people are waiting online for essential services, and hear a lot of frustration from constituents reaching out and saying, ‘I’ve been waiting online all day and nobody’s getting back to us.’“So I really hope that this is something that this committee can put some emphasis on and making sure that we are being as efficient as possible with these services,” she added.&nbsp;Bax replied that she “could not agree more.”&nbsp;Bax’s testimony differed from prior testimony of Evans, who typically&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">downplayed</a>&nbsp;issues with wait times to legislators.&nbsp;At one hearing in late 2023, Evans told lawmakers she was “excited” the wait time was only a few minutes the morning of a hearing, though&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">records obtained by The Independent would later show the average that month was actually over an hour.&nbsp;</a>There have also been years-long problems with Medicaid application processing, leading to issues like&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/23/perfect-storm-missouri-advocates-decry-medicaid-application-delays-coverage-losses/">pregnant Missourians going without prenatal care</a>.Last summer, the federal Medicaid agency&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/feds-to-scrutinize-missouris-worst-in-the-nation-medicaid-application-delays/">announced</a>&nbsp;it was intervening to help bring the state back into compliance with timely processing.Bax said last month, regarding some Medicaid cases, “we’re about three months behind on the applications.”According to&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fsd_mhdmr/0125-family-support-mohealthnet-report.pdf" target="_blank">data for January</a>, the average time to process Medicaid applications for aged, blind and disabled applications was 107 days. The federal limit is 90 days for those applications. The average for the other category of Medicaid applications was 29 days, climbing in recent months but still below the 45-day standard. Bax also said last month the department is looking at using contractors to help with annual Medicaid renewals.

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