A state senator new to legislative
sessions in Topeka says he entered the race for District One to give northeast
Kansas different representation in the Kansas Senate.

Sen. Craig Bowser, a Republican from
Holton, says there’s no secret as to why he entered the race.

“If you think back in time, our current
state senator that was representing Senate District Number One; he left the
Republican Party, became an independent, and ran for governor,” Bowser tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph. “He lost that race, but at that point in time, I thought that
our district needed better representation and so that’s when I really decided
to run.”

Bowser defeated incumbent, Sen. Dennis
Pyle of Hiwatha, and another candidate last year to earn the seat.

Kansas Republicans fumed when Pyle
decided to become an independent and run for governor. Pyle lost badly,
garnering only 2% of the vote. Still, some Republicans blamed Pyle for the
party coming up short in its bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Laura
Kelly, who won the race with 49.5% of the vote, edging Republican challenger,
Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who received 47.33% of the vote. A Libertarian
candidate took one percent of the vote.

Schmidt would bounce back to win the
Second Congressional District race, succeeding Congressman Jake LaTurner, who
decided not to run for re-election.

Bowser says he has had to hit the ground
running in Topeka.

“I can tell you the current legislative
session here has been a lot busier than I anticipated,” Bowser says.

Last year, the Kansas legislative session
didn’t wrap up until early June.

This year, lawmakers hope to wrap up
business at the state Capitol by mid-April.

“They’re condensing it by about six weeks
and, of course, when you do that there’s still a large volume of bills that
need to be heard and work that needs to be done,” Bowser says. “And so that
compression has really made for a busy 2025 legislative session.”

Bowser works in cyber security. He has
been active in politics for a while, but this is the first office he has held.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741716191350.jpeg" alt="Sen. Craig Bowser/Photo courtesy of Sen. Bowser's office" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Craig Bowser/Photo courtesy of Sen. Bowser's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA state senator new to legislative
sessions in Topeka says he entered the race for District One to give northeast
Kansas different representation in the Kansas Senate.Sen. Craig Bowser, a Republican from
Holton, says there’s no secret as to why he entered the race.“If you think back in time, our current
state senator that was representing Senate District Number One; he left the
Republican Party, became an independent, and ran for governor,” Bowser tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph. “He lost that race, but at that point in time, I thought that
our district needed better representation and so that’s when I really decided
to run.”Bowser defeated incumbent, Sen. Dennis
Pyle of Hiwatha, and another candidate last year to earn the seat.Kansas Republicans fumed when Pyle
decided to become an independent and run for governor. Pyle lost badly,
garnering only 2% of the vote. Still, some Republicans blamed Pyle for the
party coming up short in its bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Laura
Kelly, who won the race with 49.5% of the vote, edging Republican challenger,
Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who received 47.33% of the vote. A Libertarian
candidate took one percent of the vote.Schmidt would bounce back to win the
Second Congressional District race, succeeding Congressman Jake LaTurner, who
decided not to run for re-election.Bowser says he has had to hit the ground
running in Topeka.“I can tell you the current legislative
session here has been a lot busier than I anticipated,” Bowser says.Last year, the Kansas legislative session
didn’t wrap up until early June.This year, lawmakers hope to wrap up
business at the state Capitol by mid-April.“They’re condensing it by about six weeks
and, of course, when you do that there’s still a large volume of bills that
need to be heard and work that needs to be done,” Bowser says. “And so that
compression has really made for a busy 2025 legislative session.”Bowser works in cyber security. He has
been active in politics for a while, but this is the first office he has held.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

New state senator says northeast Kansas needed new representation

Charlotte O’Hara, announced Tuesday she will seek the&nbsp;Republican nomination&nbsp;for&nbsp;governor&nbsp;in 2026, according to a media release.

O’Hara, a business woman and conservative Republican, stated in the release, she "is done with Kansas being the high tax point on the prairie. As Governor, she will focus on reining in state spending and ludicrous corporate welfare, ban DEI and get schools back to education.

&nbsp;Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly's second term is nearing an end. Kelly is term-limited from running again in 2026. In January,&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of State <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ec164f8e-f8d7-4438-9c64-8f8ebaa1c7ea">Scott Schwab of Overland Park announced </a>his intention&nbsp;to run for governor.

O’Hara has long fought corporate welfare/tax incentives, which increase property taxes for homeowners and small businesses, according to the media release from her campaign. 

O’Hara is a past Republican Party 3rd District Chairwoman and served in the Kansas House (2011-2012). She voted against Governor Brownback’s 7.5% increase in the 2012 General Fund budget and blew the whistle on Brownback’s acceptance of the federal Early Innovator Grant money to build the IT infrastructure for ObamaCare in Kansas.

O’Hara (2021-2025) served as Johnson County Commissioner, District 3, "where she refused to capitulate to COVID masks and vaccine mandates." She tirelessly fought against Democrat controlled Johnson County Commission’s spending frenzy.O’Hara emphasized, “The hidden increase of taxes through inflation has become extraordinarily draconian, especially property taxes. 

"While Democrats along with Republicans support corporate welfare/tax incentives, the rest of us have to pay our property taxes in full with no shelter. This hits all of our budgets, but especially those on fixed incomes, whose disposable income shrinks with every tax increase.”

"O’Hara was raised on a family farm in Bourbon County. There her strong faith, work ethic and common sense were honed. O’Hara added, “I’ve had the opportunity to succeed in many endeavors: general contractor and developer, public servant, substitute teacher and homeschooler."

"Now, with my son, I co-own a small manufacturing company. I cannot stand silent and watch small businesses and homeowners be destroyed through high property taxes or watch our children drown in the sewer of WOKEism in our schools. It is time to have a proven conservative at the helm of our Republican super-majority.”

O’Hara, mother of 5 and grandmother of seven, finds joy in cooking for her family, on horseback, writing poetry and playing her piano and guitar. She lives in Overland Park with her two Australian Shepherds, Harvey and Bear.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741707494446.png" alt="-Charlotte O'Hara" />
 <figcaption>-Charlotte O'Hara</figcaption>
 </figure>Charlotte O’Hara, announced Tuesday she will seek the&nbsp;Republican nomination&nbsp;for&nbsp;governor&nbsp;in 2026, according to a media release.O’Hara, a business woman and conservative Republican, stated in the release, she "is done with Kansas being the high tax point on the prairie. As Governor, she will focus on reining in state spending and ludicrous corporate welfare, ban DEI and get schools back to education. &nbsp;Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly's second term is nearing an end. Kelly is term-limited from running again in 2026. In January,&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of State <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/ec164f8e-f8d7-4438-9c64-8f8ebaa1c7ea">Scott Schwab of Overland Park announced </a>his intention&nbsp;to run for governor.O’Hara has long fought corporate welfare/tax incentives, which increase property taxes for homeowners and small businesses, according to the media release from her campaign. O’Hara is a past Republican Party 3rd District Chairwoman and served in the Kansas House (2011-2012). She voted against Governor Brownback’s 7.5% increase in the 2012 General Fund budget and blew the whistle on Brownback’s acceptance of the federal Early Innovator Grant money to build the IT infrastructure for ObamaCare in Kansas.O’Hara (2021-2025) served as Johnson County Commissioner, District 3, "where she refused to capitulate to COVID masks and vaccine mandates." She tirelessly fought against Democrat controlled Johnson County Commission’s spending frenzy.O’Hara emphasized, “The hidden increase of taxes through inflation has become extraordinarily draconian, especially property taxes. "While Democrats along with Republicans support corporate welfare/tax incentives, the rest of us have to pay our property taxes in full with no shelter. This hits all of our budgets, but especially those on fixed incomes, whose disposable income shrinks with every tax increase.”"O’Hara was raised on a family farm in Bourbon County. There her strong faith, work ethic and common sense were honed. O’Hara added, “I’ve had the opportunity to succeed in many endeavors: general contractor and developer, public servant, substitute teacher and homeschooler.""Now, with my son, I co-own a small manufacturing company. I cannot stand silent and watch small businesses and homeowners be destroyed through high property taxes or watch our children drown in the sewer of WOKEism in our schools. It is time to have a proven conservative at the helm of our Republican super-majority.”O’Hara, mother of 5 and grandmother of seven, finds joy in cooking for her family, on horseback, writing poetry and playing her piano and guitar. She lives in Overland Park with her two Australian Shepherds, Harvey and Bear.

Former state representative announces run for Kan. governor

The Kansas City Royals have been trimming down their camp roster over the past weeks, and some of the more notable moves came on Sunday and Monday as pitchers Noah Cameron (The Royals #5 prospect),&nbsp; Luinder Avila (#19), and Eric Cerantola (#28) were all optioned to Triple A Omaha and assigned to minor league camp.&nbsp;

Along with those three pitchers, who had all been added to the 40-man roster this past offseason, the Royals optioned outfielder Tyler Gentry (#25) to Triple-A, and he will also head to Minor League camp.

In his first big league camp, Cameron wasted no time showing why the Royals protected him from the Rule 5 draft last offseason.&nbsp; The pitcher from St. Joseph allowed four earned runs across 10 inning with one walk and seven strikeouts in four Cactus League appearances, with one start.&nbsp; He also recorded one save.&nbsp;&nbsp;He’ll now head to Triple-A at the beginning of the season trying to build on the 2.32 ERA he posted there in nine starts at the end of last season.

Manager Matt Quatraro was impressed with Cameron, and it's become a matter of when, not if, he gets to Kansas City to make his major league debut.

“He was really impressive, first and foremost,” manager Matt Quatraro tells reporters. “His poise, delivery, stuff, command, all those things were outstanding. He could not have had a better camp. Fortunately for us right now, with pitchers being healthy and guys that are established big leaguers, he’s going to have to wait his turn, so to speak.

“But we’re really excited about what we saw. And you know how this goes. It could be a moment’s notice that we need him and need him to help us win.”

Cameron was solid in three innings Sunday, his first Cactus League start, allowing one unearned run with two strikeouts. He’s always been a strike-thrower in his Minor League career, and that didn’t waver when he got on the mound in front of big league coaches.

“It’s definitely helped, for sure,” Cameron said Sunday. “Just being around everybody and having the locker room atmosphere. Whenever [my debut] comes, just having relationships with these guys takes all the stress off of you a little bit. Just having confidence in me, knowing that whenever I do go up or whatever that looks like, knowing that I deserve to be there and can help the team win.”

-MLB.com's Anne Rogers contributed to this report

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741572394248.jpeg" alt="Noah Cameron/ File photo" />
 <figcaption>Noah Cameron/ File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Royals have been trimming down their camp roster over the past weeks, and some of the more notable moves came on Sunday and Monday as pitchers Noah Cameron (The Royals #5 prospect),&nbsp; Luinder Avila (#19), and Eric Cerantola (#28) were all optioned to Triple A Omaha and assigned to minor league camp.&nbsp;Along with those three pitchers, who had all been added to the 40-man roster this past offseason, the Royals optioned outfielder Tyler Gentry (#25) to Triple-A, and he will also head to Minor League camp.In his first big league camp, Cameron wasted no time showing why the Royals protected him from the Rule 5 draft last offseason.&nbsp; The pitcher from St. Joseph allowed four earned runs across 10 inning with one walk and seven strikeouts in four Cactus League appearances, with one start.&nbsp; He also recorded one save.&nbsp;&nbsp;He’ll now head to Triple-A at the beginning of the season trying to build on the 2.32 ERA he posted there in nine starts at the end of last season.Manager Matt Quatraro was impressed with Cameron, and it's become a matter of when, not if, he gets to Kansas City to make his major league debut.“He was really impressive, first and foremost,” manager Matt Quatraro tells reporters. “His poise, delivery, stuff, command, all those things were outstanding. He could not have had a better camp. Fortunately for us right now, with pitchers being healthy and guys that are established big leaguers, he’s going to have to wait his turn, so to speak.“But we’re really excited about what we saw. And you know how this goes. It could be a moment’s notice that we need him and need him to help us win.”Cameron was solid in three innings Sunday, his first Cactus League start, allowing one unearned run with two strikeouts. He’s always been a strike-thrower in his Minor League career, and that didn’t waver when he got on the mound in front of big league coaches.“It’s definitely helped, for sure,” Cameron said Sunday. “Just being around everybody and having the locker room atmosphere. Whenever [my debut] comes, just having relationships with these guys takes all the stress off of you a little bit. Just having confidence in me, knowing that whenever I do go up or whatever that looks like, knowing that I deserve to be there and can help the team win.”-MLB.com's Anne Rogers contributed to this reportYou can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Despite being sent to Omaha, Royals management impressed with Noah Cameron

(Radio Iowa) - Cases of measles are being reported in a dozen states, with outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. 

So far, there are no outbreaks reported in Iowa -- or in any Midwestern state -- but that could quickly change. Megan Meller, an infection preventionist with Gundersen Health, says measles is an airborne, extremely infectious, and potentially-severe rash illness and most of the cases are in populations of people who are unvaccinated. Meller says measles is very preventable, and while the shot protects you, it also protects others who may be immunocompromised. 

Before the vaccine came out in the early 1960s, measles caused some 48-thousand people in the U-S to be hospitalized, and up to 500 deaths each year.

(Radio Iowa) - Cases of measles are being reported in a dozen states, with outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. So far, there are no outbreaks reported in Iowa -- or in any Midwestern state -- but that could quickly change. Megan Meller, an infection preventionist with Gundersen Health, says measles is an airborne, extremely infectious, and potentially-severe rash illness and most of the cases are in populations of people who are unvaccinated. Meller says measles is very preventable, and while the shot protects you, it also protects others who may be immunocompromised. Before the vaccine came out in the early 1960s, measles caused some 48-thousand people in the U-S to be hospitalized, and up to 500 deaths each year.

No measles outbreaks in Iowa yet, expert calls vaccines solid

JEFFERSON CITY Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey secured a historic $24 billion judgment against the Chinese Communist Party for unleashing the COVID-19 pandemic — six times more than the previous largest judgment in Missouri history, according to a media release from the AG's office.

“This is a landmark victory for Missouri and the United States in the fight to hold China accountable for unleashing COVID-19 on the world,”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey. “China refused to show up to court, but that doesn’t mean they get away with causing untold suffering and economic devastation. We intend to collect every penny by seizing Chinese-owned assets, including Missouri farmland.”

The Federal court ruled that Missouri “has established this claim of damages through evidence satisfactory to the court,” proving that China caused and exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic, harming Missourians. The ruling follows former Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s 2020 lawsuit against the Chinese Communist Party for obstructing the production, purchase, and export of critical medical equipment, including PPE, during the pandemic.

Missouri will now move to collect the $24 billion judgment and, if necessary, will work with the Trump Administration to identify and seize Chinese-owned assets — a critical step in protecting Missouri’s economy and national security.

A full copy of the judgment can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=03c11393ad&amp;e=fe147aceeb__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!BtTkoi2PNgoGBaMBQsQpWr5gzq6koN0OFVbnxR9nhfDDAyoep6eBlOXRIaV-ludjItDMaBzsj7lh_mc6ktr8sTxJYg$">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681466878038.png" alt="Missouri AG Andrew Bailey courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri AG Andrew Bailey courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey secured a historic $24 billion judgment against the Chinese Communist Party for unleashing the COVID-19 pandemic — six times more than the previous largest judgment in Missouri history, according to a media release from the AG's office.“This is a landmark victory for Missouri and the United States in the fight to hold China accountable for unleashing COVID-19 on the world,”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey. “China refused to show up to court, but that doesn’t mean they get away with causing untold suffering and economic devastation. We intend to collect every penny by seizing Chinese-owned assets, including Missouri farmland.”The Federal court ruled that Missouri “has established this claim of damages through evidence satisfactory to the court,” proving that China caused and exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic, harming Missourians. The ruling follows former Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s 2020 lawsuit against the Chinese Communist Party for obstructing the production, purchase, and export of critical medical equipment, including PPE, during the pandemic.Missouri will now move to collect the $24 billion judgment and, if necessary, will work with the Trump Administration to identify and seize Chinese-owned assets — a critical step in protecting Missouri’s economy and national security.A full copy of the judgment can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=03c11393ad&amp;e=fe147aceeb__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!BtTkoi2PNgoGBaMBQsQpWr5gzq6koN0OFVbnxR9nhfDDAyoep6eBlOXRIaV-ludjItDMaBzsj7lh_mc6ktr8sTxJYg$">here</a>.

Missouri to seize assets to make China pay a $24 billion judgment

A House committee voted Monday to approve a bill repealing the ban on construction work in progress charges on utility bills. It could be sent to Gov. Mike Kehoe by the end of the week

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

A bill changing&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/massive-utility-legislation-expected-to-boost-missouri-power-generation-and-energy-bills/">how utility rates are set</a>&nbsp;won overwhelming approval in a Missouri House committee Monday after a hearing where backers said it is vital to the state’s economy and opponents said it would soak consumers with higher costs.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=66" target="_blank">proposal</a>&nbsp;to repeal&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=393.135&amp;bid=22080&amp;hl=" target="_blank">a 1976 law</a>&nbsp;passed by initiative petition that prohibits companies from charging for power plants under construction but not yet operating has already passed the state Senate. Following the 17-4 vote Monday in the House Utilities Committee, it could go directly to Gov. Mike Kehoe if nothing is changed during the upcoming debate in the full House.

The legislation would allow companies to seek rate increases for “construction work in progress,” or CWIP, with a specific allowance for new generating plants that burn natural gas and an allowance in another section for any generating plant that is an approved resource plan.

The initiative that passed the 1976 law was launched by people upset over rate hikes allowed for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Callaway County.&nbsp;

The bill repeals the ban for 10 years and allows the Public Service Commission to extend it for another 10. State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, the Republican from Lee’s Summit who is sponsoring the bill, said he doubts the new CWIP allowance would be used for a new nuclear power plant.

“I was asked to have nuclear CWIP this bill, and I actually don’t think that’s a horrible idea, but I think it’s kind of 15 years off before we actually start deploying those,” Cierpiot said.

In the Monday vote, two of the committee’s seven Democratic members supported the legislation along with 15 of 16 Republicans, while three Democrats and one Republican were opposed.

During two hours of testimony, opponents argued the CWIP provisions, when coupled with other allowances for utilities to seek more from customers, would add as much as $1,100 a year to residential electric bills.&nbsp;

“This bill is not designed to benefit Missourians,” said Gretchen Barwick, director of the Missouri chapter of the Sierra Club. “It’s designed to provide corporate welfare to monopoly utilities.”

Representatives of utilities and the Public Service Commission said growing power demands mean new generation plants will be built in the Midwest. Passing the law allowing the charge for construction of new plants will be an incentive to build in Missouri, they said.

Large industrial users of electricity will locate plants where power is plentiful, said Jason Klindt, senior director of external affairs at Evergy. The bill includes requirements that large users pay a rate that is not subsidized by residential users, he said, arguing that will spread the cost out and result in lower overall rates for everyone.

Evergy is the major power provider for western Missouri. It is building two new&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/evergy-plans-to-build-two-new-natural-gas-plants-in-kansas-by-2030/">gas-fired power plants</a>&nbsp;in Kansas. The company would like to build in Missouri as well, Klindt said.

&nbsp;“We look forward, frankly, to announcing new power plants if we can get this bill across the finish line,” he said.

The bill would apply to investor-owned utilities regulated by the PSC. The commission has no control over rates for municipal power companies or rural electric cooperatives.

The bill would also allow all utilities regulated by the commission — water, gas and sewer along with electricity — to seek rates based on what the bill calls a “future test year.”

Currently, rates are set after the PSC examines the actual costs incurred to deliver service and determines if each expense was prudent and necessary. In a future test year scenario, the utility would outline what it expects to spend and the costs would be pre-approved by the PSC.

There are some aspects of the bill intended to benefit consumers. The Office of Public Counsel, which represents the interests of ratepayers in utility cases, would receive dedicated funding for the first time from an assessment on utility revenues.

There are changes to the rule blocking shutoffs for non-payment during hot and cold months as well as provisions requiring the commission to account for any federal tax savings by adjusting rates.

The bill would also allow the PSC to order electric utilities to repay customers for construction work in progress charges if the plant does not go into service.

The time is now for CWIP because of a rapidly escalating demand for power, said Rich Germinder, policy and strategic initiatives advisor to the PSC. The rapid increase in the number of electric vehicles and the construction of power-hungry data centers is helping drive up demand.

“Everyone was caught unprepared for the demands of the increased load growth that we’re seeing,” Germinder said.

Opponents of the bill said the items intended to help consumers won’t offset the additional costs.

All three of Missouri’s major electric suppliers are before the commission seeking rate increases. Evergy is seeking a rate increase to&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/08/26/evergy-west-2025-rate-increase/" target="_blank">boost revenues by 14%</a>, Ameren, which serves eastern Missouri, is seeking a rate increase&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missourians-speak-out-against-proposed-ameren-electric-rate-increase-in-public-hearing/#:~:text=Ameren%20Missouri%20wants%20to%20increase,additional%20%24446%20million%20per%20year.">of nearly 16%</a>&nbsp;and the Empire District Electric Company, which serves many smaller communities doing business as Liberty, wants regulators to increase its revenue by nearly 30%.

The CWIP and future test year provisions will just add to the additional costs consumers already face, opponents said.

If this legislation passes, it will be the most costly and expensive legislation ever passed by the Missouri legislature,” said Diana Plescia, attorney for the Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers, a consortium of 14 major manufacturers.

The legislation will increase rates by an additional 40- to 80%, she said, making it too expensive to attract new investment.

“The damage to our economic base in Missouri will be real,” Plescia said “And I say this in terms of both the jobs that will be lost and the jobs that will never come.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741689295959.png" alt=" State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Republican from Lee’s Summit, on Monday presents his bill allowing utilities to charge customers for power plants while they are under construction to the House Utilities Committee. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Republican from Lee’s Summit, on Monday presents his bill allowing utilities to charge customers for power plants while they are under construction to the House Utilities Committee. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A House committee voted Monday to approve a bill repealing the ban on construction work in progress charges on utility bills. It could be sent to Gov. Mike Kehoe by the end of the week</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A bill changing&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/massive-utility-legislation-expected-to-boost-missouri-power-generation-and-energy-bills/">how utility rates are set</a>&nbsp;won overwhelming approval in a Missouri House committee Monday after a hearing where backers said it is vital to the state’s economy and opponents said it would soak consumers with higher costs.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=66" target="_blank">proposal</a>&nbsp;to repeal&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=393.135&amp;bid=22080&amp;hl=" target="_blank">a 1976 law</a>&nbsp;passed by initiative petition that prohibits companies from charging for power plants under construction but not yet operating has already passed the state Senate. Following the 17-4 vote Monday in the House Utilities Committee, it could go directly to Gov. Mike Kehoe if nothing is changed during the upcoming debate in the full House.The legislation would allow companies to seek rate increases for “construction work in progress,” or CWIP, with a specific allowance for new generating plants that burn natural gas and an allowance in another section for any generating plant that is an approved resource plan.The initiative that passed the 1976 law was launched by people upset over rate hikes allowed for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Callaway County.&nbsp;The bill repeals the ban for 10 years and allows the Public Service Commission to extend it for another 10. State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, the Republican from Lee’s Summit who is sponsoring the bill, said he doubts the new CWIP allowance would be used for a new nuclear power plant.“I was asked to have nuclear CWIP this bill, and I actually don’t think that’s a horrible idea, but I think it’s kind of 15 years off before we actually start deploying those,” Cierpiot said.In the Monday vote, two of the committee’s seven Democratic members supported the legislation along with 15 of 16 Republicans, while three Democrats and one Republican were opposed.During two hours of testimony, opponents argued the CWIP provisions, when coupled with other allowances for utilities to seek more from customers, would add as much as $1,100 a year to residential electric bills.&nbsp;“This bill is not designed to benefit Missourians,” said Gretchen Barwick, director of the Missouri chapter of the Sierra Club. “It’s designed to provide corporate welfare to monopoly utilities.”Representatives of utilities and the Public Service Commission said growing power demands mean new generation plants will be built in the Midwest. Passing the law allowing the charge for construction of new plants will be an incentive to build in Missouri, they said.Large industrial users of electricity will locate plants where power is plentiful, said Jason Klindt, senior director of external affairs at Evergy. The bill includes requirements that large users pay a rate that is not subsidized by residential users, he said, arguing that will spread the cost out and result in lower overall rates for everyone.Evergy is the major power provider for western Missouri. It is building two new&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/evergy-plans-to-build-two-new-natural-gas-plants-in-kansas-by-2030/">gas-fired power plants</a>&nbsp;in Kansas. The company would like to build in Missouri as well, Klindt said.&nbsp;“We look forward, frankly, to announcing new power plants if we can get this bill across the finish line,” he said.The bill would apply to investor-owned utilities regulated by the PSC. The commission has no control over rates for municipal power companies or rural electric cooperatives.The bill would also allow all utilities regulated by the commission — water, gas and sewer along with electricity — to seek rates based on what the bill calls a “future test year.”Currently, rates are set after the PSC examines the actual costs incurred to deliver service and determines if each expense was prudent and necessary. In a future test year scenario, the utility would outline what it expects to spend and the costs would be pre-approved by the PSC.There are some aspects of the bill intended to benefit consumers. The Office of Public Counsel, which represents the interests of ratepayers in utility cases, would receive dedicated funding for the first time from an assessment on utility revenues.There are changes to the rule blocking shutoffs for non-payment during hot and cold months as well as provisions requiring the commission to account for any federal tax savings by adjusting rates.The bill would also allow the PSC to order electric utilities to repay customers for construction work in progress charges if the plant does not go into service.The time is now for CWIP because of a rapidly escalating demand for power, said Rich Germinder, policy and strategic initiatives advisor to the PSC. The rapid increase in the number of electric vehicles and the construction of power-hungry data centers is helping drive up demand.“Everyone was caught unprepared for the demands of the increased load growth that we’re seeing,” Germinder said.Opponents of the bill said the items intended to help consumers won’t offset the additional costs.All three of Missouri’s major electric suppliers are before the commission seeking rate increases. Evergy is seeking a rate increase to&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/08/26/evergy-west-2025-rate-increase/" target="_blank">boost revenues by 14%</a>, Ameren, which serves eastern Missouri, is seeking a rate increase&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missourians-speak-out-against-proposed-ameren-electric-rate-increase-in-public-hearing/#:~:text=Ameren%20Missouri%20wants%20to%20increase,additional%20%24446%20million%20per%20year.">of nearly 16%</a>&nbsp;and the Empire District Electric Company, which serves many smaller communities doing business as Liberty, wants regulators to increase its revenue by nearly 30%.The CWIP and future test year provisions will just add to the additional costs consumers already face, opponents said.If this legislation passes, it will be the most costly and expensive legislation ever passed by the Missouri legislature,” said Diana Plescia, attorney for the Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers, a consortium of 14 major manufacturers.The legislation will increase rates by an additional 40- to 80%, she said, making it too expensive to attract new investment.“The damage to our economic base in Missouri will be real,” Plescia said “And I say this in terms of both the jobs that will be lost and the jobs that will never come.”

Bill loosening rules for Missouri electric rates speeding toward passage

A trio of Missouri Tigers have been honored by the Southeastern Conference with end of season awards announced on Monday. 

Caleb Grill was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year, while junior Mark Mitchell was named all SEC third team.  Sophomore Anthony Robinson was named to the SEC All-Defense team.

Grill is the second Tiger to be named the Sixth Man of the Year by the conference.  He ranked second on the team overall, and first during conference play, in points per game.

Meanwhile Mitchell led the team in points per game.  He also ranks second on the team in rebounds, first in blocks, third in assists, and fifth in steals.  

Robinson became just the second Tiger to be named to the all defense team, and the only underclassmen in the conference in the last two seasons.  Robinson leads Mizzou and ranks 38th nationally with 2.03 steals per game, swiping 61 in 30 games as a sophomore.

The trio is set to lead Mizzou into the postseason, starting on Thursday when the Tigers play in the SEC Tournament Second Round at 6 p.m. against either Mississippi State or LSU.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741647573422.jpeg" alt="The Tigers surround Caleb Grill in celebration.&nbsp; Grill was named the SEC's Sixth Man of the Year on Monday/ Photo courtesy of Mizzou Athletics" />
 <figcaption>The Tigers surround Caleb Grill in celebration.&nbsp; Grill was named the SEC's Sixth Man of the Year on Monday/ Photo courtesy of Mizzou Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA trio of Missouri Tigers have been honored by the Southeastern Conference with end of season awards announced on Monday. Caleb Grill was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year, while junior Mark Mitchell was named all SEC third team. Sophomore Anthony Robinson was named to the SEC All-Defense team.Grill is the second Tiger to be named the Sixth Man of the Year by the conference. He ranked second on the team overall, and first during conference play, in points per game.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741647678389.jpeg" alt="Mark Mitchell/ Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Mark Mitchell/ Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Meanwhile Mitchell led the team in points per game. He also ranks second on the team in rebounds, first in blocks, third in assists, and fifth in steals. Robinson became just the second Tiger to be named to the all defense team, and the only underclassmen in the conference in the last two seasons. Robinson leads Mizzou and ranks 38th nationally with 2.03 steals per game, swiping 61 in 30 games as a sophomore.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741647939636.jpeg" alt="Anthony Robinson/ Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Anthony Robinson/ Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The trio is set to lead Mizzou into the postseason, starting on Thursday when the Tigers play in the SEC Tournament Second Round at 6 p.m. against either Mississippi State or LSU.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Trio of Tigers earn SEC Awards

South Dakota’s governor has signed a bill prohibiting use of eminent domain for pipelines carrying carbon dioxide, throwing a wrench into Summit Carbon Solutions' project to build a pipeline carrying liquefied carbon dioxide to a sequestration site in North Dakota. 

South Dakota’s governor has signed a bill prohibiting use of eminent domain for pipelines carrying carbon dioxide, throwing a wrench into Summit Carbon Solutions' project to build a pipeline carrying liquefied carbon dioxide to a sequestration site in North Dakota.

New law prohibits use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines

St. Joseph police
are investigating a series of burglaries that targeted businesses downtown.

St. Joseph Police
Department spokesman, Sergeant Richard McGregory, says a business owner
contacted police late Sunday night after surveillance systems picked up a
break-in. Police rushed to the downtown, but were too late to catch anyone.

Businesses that
suffered loss were located in the 600 block of Felix and Edmund Streets.
McGregory says it appears the first break-in occurred late Sunday night with the
final one occurring in the early morning hours of Monday.

McGregory says the
police department welcomes any input from the public that could help in the
investigation.

“If they’ve seen anything,
if any businesses around there have any video surveillance or anything that
they can provide to us, we’re definitely open to utilize that,” McGregory tells
reporters during a news briefing.

You can call the
St. Joseph Police Department at 816-271-4701 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Hotline
at 816-238-TIPP with any information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741635689421.jpeg" alt="Sgt. Richard McGregory speaks with reporters on the downtown St. Joseph break-ins/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Sgt. Richard McGregory speaks with reporters on the downtown St. Joseph break-ins/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police
are investigating a series of burglaries that targeted businesses downtown.St. Joseph Police
Department spokesman, Sergeant Richard McGregory, says a business owner
contacted police late Sunday night after surveillance systems picked up a
break-in. Police rushed to the downtown, but were too late to catch anyone.Businesses that
suffered loss were located in the 600 block of Felix and Edmund Streets.
McGregory says it appears the first break-in occurred late Sunday night with the
final one occurring in the early morning hours of Monday.McGregory says the
police department welcomes any input from the public that could help in the
investigation.“If they’ve seen anything,
if any businesses around there have any video surveillance or anything that
they can provide to us, we’re definitely open to utilize that,” McGregory tells
reporters during a news briefing.You can call the
St. Joseph Police Department at 816-271-4701 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Hotline
at 816-238-TIPP with any information.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Thieves hit downtown St. Joseph businesses

Maryville School Superintendent
Logan Lightfoot has been placed on administrative leave, though the Maryville
R-II School District is not disclosing the reason for the action.

The Maryville
Forum reports Lightfoot was placed on administrative leave February 24th.
The Forum says School Board President Josh McKim would not answer questions about
the leave.

Assistant
Superintendent Philip Pohren will step in to the manage the day-to-day
operations of the district.

The Maryville
School Board declined to expand the contract of Lightfoot in January.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMaryville School Superintendent
Logan Lightfoot has been placed on administrative leave, though the Maryville
R-II School District is not disclosing the reason for the action.The Maryville
Forum reports Lightfoot was placed on administrative leave February 24th.
The Forum says School Board President Josh McKim would not answer questions about
the leave.Assistant
Superintendent Philip Pohren will step in to the manage the day-to-day
operations of the district.The Maryville
School Board declined to expand the contract of Lightfoot in January.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Maryville school district places superintendent on administrative leave

(Radio Iowa) - University of Iowa Health Care is among only three academic medical centers in the nation, and the first in the Midwest, to offer what promises to be groundbreaking treatment for people with major depression. 

Dr. Nick Trapp, a U-I psychiatry professor, says they're using a time-tested type of therapy called T-M-S along with several innovative new techniques. Trapp says the SAINT technology can pinpoint the best location to target in each patient’s brain for non-invasive electric fields, and the therapy can be condensed to five days of treatment instead of six weeks. 

Trapp says SAINT is being used in a limited number of patients who have major depression and who haven't responded to other therapies and medications. He says the early data shows up to 80-percent of patients experience remission of their symptoms.

(Radio Iowa) - University of Iowa Health Care is among only three academic medical centers in the nation, and the first in the Midwest, to offer what promises to be groundbreaking treatment for people with major depression. Dr. Nick Trapp, a U-I psychiatry professor, says they're using a time-tested type of therapy called T-M-S along with several innovative new techniques. Trapp says the SAINT technology can pinpoint the best location to target in each patient’s brain for non-invasive electric fields, and the therapy can be condensed to five days of treatment instead of six weeks. Trapp says SAINT is being used in a limited number of patients who have major depression and who haven't responded to other therapies and medications. He says the early data shows up to 80-percent of patients experience remission of their symptoms.

UIHC is first in the Midwest to offer game-changing treatment for major depression

A new volunteer opportunity is being made available at the United Way of Greater St. Joseph.  

Rather than volunteering out in the community, President Kylee Strough says they wanted to find some easy volunteer chances within the United Way offices. 

"Where we can also talk about the need that is being met by the project we're working on," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "So that's what the Caring Connections series is, and we're inviting people to be part of the Caring Connection Crew and show up and volunteer." 

The first Caring Connections volunteer opportunity is tomorrow where volunteers will pack meal kits which will be distributed through Interserv 

Strough says the goal is to offer these opportunities monthly, but currently they don't have them quite all lined out 

"We know we're going to do a series where we do cleaning kits that will be given out by social service agencies to the clients that they serve," Strough explains.  "So, we're trying to kind of align what some of the needs are that are hard to meet in the community and how we can match that with willing volunteers to meet the need." 

Strough says these events are designed to be more intimate, to explain why they are doing what they are doing, and to get people more interested in volunteering 

"We're trying to create it where it's a little bit more of a forum where you get a little more deeply engaged than just on the specific thing you're doing, like reading to a child or collecting school supplies," Strough says.  "Now, if all somebody wants to do is show up for two hours, pack meal supplies, and never think about it again, that's ok too, we welcome that, but it will create the forum where they can learn a little bit about the community need and ways to address it." 

The first opportunity tomorrow is already full. You can sign up for a waitlist to learn about future opportunities on the <a href="https://www.stjosephunitedway.org/events">United Way website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694110305015.jpeg" alt="United Way of Greater St. joseph President Kylee Strough speaks during the 2023 Campaign Kickoff File photo" />
 <figcaption>United Way of Greater St. joseph President Kylee Strough speaks during the 2023 Campaign Kickoff File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A new volunteer opportunity is being made available at the United Way of Greater St. Joseph. Rather than volunteering out in the community, President Kylee Strough says they wanted to find some easy volunteer chances within the United Way offices. "Where we can also talk about the need that is being met by the project we're working on," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So that's what the Caring Connections series is, and we're inviting people to be part of the Caring Connection Crew and show up and volunteer." The first Caring Connections volunteer opportunity is tomorrow where volunteers will pack meal kits which will be distributed through Interserv Strough says the goal is to offer these opportunities monthly, but currently they don't have them quite all lined out "We know we're going to do a series where we do cleaning kits that will be given out by social service agencies to the clients that they serve," Strough explains. "So, we're trying to kind of align what some of the needs are that are hard to meet in the community and how we can match that with willing volunteers to meet the need." Strough says these events are designed to be more intimate, to explain why they are doing what they are doing, and to get people more interested in volunteering "We're trying to create it where it's a little bit more of a forum where you get a little more deeply engaged than just on the specific thing you're doing, like reading to a child or collecting school supplies," Strough says. "Now, if all somebody wants to do is show up for two hours, pack meal supplies, and never think about it again, that's ok too, we welcome that, but it will create the forum where they can learn a little bit about the community need and ways to address it." The first opportunity tomorrow is already full. You can sign up for a waitlist to learn about future opportunities on the <a href="https://www.stjosephunitedway.org/events">United Way website</a>.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

New volunteer opportunity coming to United Way of Greater St. Joseph

The Energy Information Administration says ethanol output rose to its highest level in almost a month while inventories declined slightly during the week ending on February 28. Production rose to an average of 1.09 million barrels a day during the week. That’s up from 1.08 million barrels a day, on average, and the highest since the week ending January 31st.

The Energy Information Administration says ethanol output rose to its highest level in almost a month while inventories declined slightly during the week ending on February 28. Production rose to an average of 1.09 million barrels a day during the week. That’s up from 1.08 million barrels a day, on average, and the highest since the week ending January 31st.

Ethanol production reaches highest level in a month

The updated 2025 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, continues to be below average. February runoff in the Basin above Sioux City was one million acre-feet, 91 percent of the average. “Runoff in the reservoir system was slightly below average for February, and the conditions across most of the basin remain dry,” said John Remus of the Army Corps of Engineers. “Mountain snowpack improved in February but is still below average, while the Plains snowpack, which was already below average, has mostly melted.”

The updated 2025 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, continues to be below average. February runoff in the Basin above Sioux City was one million acre-feet, 91 percent of the average. “Runoff in the reservoir system was slightly below average for February, and the conditions across most of the basin remain dry,” said John Remus of the Army Corps of Engineers. “Mountain snowpack improved in February but is still below average, while the Plains snowpack, which was already below average, has mostly melted.”

Flows increasing on Missouri River for navigation support

(Radio Iowa) - Surveys find 98-percent of all adult Iowans now own a cell phone, and while the technology has changed many aspects of our lives for the better, it's also sometimes good to take a break from it. 

Friday is what's known as the Global Day of Unplugging, as people are encouraged to leave their devices in a pocket or purse. Joel Burt, with U-S-Cellular in metro Des Moines, says the devices can do a lot great things, but they can also be a distraction. 

Burt says the day is designed to remind people to put down their phones and spend time with the people that mean the most to you.

(Radio Iowa) - Surveys find 98-percent of all adult Iowans now own a cell phone, and while the technology has changed many aspects of our lives for the better, it's also sometimes good to take a break from it. Friday is what's known as the Global Day of Unplugging, as people are encouraged to leave their devices in a pocket or purse. Joel Burt, with U-S-Cellular in metro Des Moines, says the devices can do a lot great things, but they can also be a distraction. Burt says the day is designed to remind people to put down their phones and spend time with the people that mean the most to you.

Iowans are urged to unplug from the distraction of technology

(Radio Iowa) - Authorities conducting a welfare check on a western Iowa woman encountered an armed suspect Thursday. 

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arriving at the scene in Harlan a little after 4:30-a.m. wound-up in a stand-off with 36-year-old David Plagmann, who authorities say was armed. The news release says when Plagmann made aggressive movements toward law enforcement, he was shot by a deputy, and despite lifesaving measures, died at the hospital. 

The body of 31-year-old Alexis Martin was found inside the home. The incident was described as isolated and there was no threat to the community.

(Radio Iowa) - Authorities conducting a welfare check on a western Iowa woman encountered an armed suspect Thursday. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arriving at the scene in Harlan a little after 4:30-a.m. wound-up in a stand-off with 36-year-old David Plagmann, who authorities say was armed. The news release says when Plagmann made aggressive movements toward law enforcement, he was shot by a deputy, and despite lifesaving measures, died at the hospital. The body of 31-year-old Alexis Martin was found inside the home. The incident was described as isolated and there was no threat to the community.

Western Iowa woman found dead, suspect killed during standoff

It appears St. Joseph will get a new
animal shelter, finally.

After years of on again, off again
negotiations with Friends of the Animal Shelter, the city is inching closer toward
breaking ground.

Mayor John Josendale says a new shelter
is needed, evidenced by the fact that the current shelter is full once again.

“We’ve gone back and forth on it for a
long time, but we’ve identified the site down at the end of the South Belt and
this construction will start and hopefully you’ll see work on the grounds over
the next month or so and we’re looking for the possibility of a completion early
fall or late fall of this year,” Josendale tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ
Hotline.

The St. Joseph City Council is expected
to vote during its March 17th meeting on a $4.7 million contract
with E. L. Crawford to construct a new shelter on the South Belt Highway.
Friends of the Animal Shelter will donate more than $1.6 million toward the
project.

Josendale is pleased with the latest
development.

“I think it’s very positive and, again, I
can’t say enough for Friends of the Animal Shelter that has worked with it for
years and years,” Josendale says. “They had the dream to go one direction. It
wasn’t working. So, again, coming back to the table and being able to work
together and with their support being able to move forward with the new animal
shelter.”

Josendale praises the flexibility of
Friends of the Animal Shelter and how willing the group was to work with the
city on alternative plans when the original plans proved too costly.

“Again, working with them and knowing
what their dreams have been to put this in place for a long time,” Josendale
says. “But the need for it in the city and knowing how if you’ve ever been down
and toured the facility, the current facility, you understand the need for the
new and expanded facility.”

The contract still must be formally
approved by the city council, then a new animal shelter might actually become a
reality for St. Joseph.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741279441405.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Animal Shelter/file photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Animal Shelter/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt appears St. Joseph will get a new
animal shelter, finally.After years of on again, off again
negotiations with Friends of the Animal Shelter, the city is inching closer toward
breaking ground.Mayor John Josendale says a new shelter
is needed, evidenced by the fact that the current shelter is full once again.“We’ve gone back and forth on it for a
long time, but we’ve identified the site down at the end of the South Belt and
this construction will start and hopefully you’ll see work on the grounds over
the next month or so and we’re looking for the possibility of a completion early
fall or late fall of this year,” Josendale tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ
Hotline.The St. Joseph City Council is expected
to vote during its March 17th meeting on a $4.7 million contract
with E. L. Crawford to construct a new shelter on the South Belt Highway.
Friends of the Animal Shelter will donate more than $1.6 million toward the
project.Josendale is pleased with the latest
development.“I think it’s very positive and, again, I
can’t say enough for Friends of the Animal Shelter that has worked with it for
years and years,” Josendale says. “They had the dream to go one direction. It
wasn’t working. So, again, coming back to the table and being able to work
together and with their support being able to move forward with the new animal
shelter.”Josendale praises the flexibility of
Friends of the Animal Shelter and how willing the group was to work with the
city on alternative plans when the original plans proved too costly.“Again, working with them and knowing
what their dreams have been to put this in place for a long time,” Josendale
says. “But the need for it in the city and knowing how if you’ve ever been down
and toured the facility, the current facility, you understand the need for the
new and expanded facility.”The contract still must be formally
approved by the city council, then a new animal shelter might actually become a
reality for St. Joseph.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph could be getting a new animal shelter, finally

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

One part of the bill approved by the Senate Thursday requires the state to establish residential care programs for foster children who are currently staying in places like hospitals and offices because they have nowhere else to go

Issues that have long been plaguing Missouri’s child welfare system were the focus of hours-long debates in the state Senate this week, as lawmakers approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">sprawling bill&nbsp;</a>aimed at helping the state’s most vulnerable children.

Missouri takes children into foster care at a rate higher than the national average and houses some of them in hospitals, hotels and offices locally, and residential treatment facilities out of state.&nbsp;

One section of the wide-ranging bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Travis Fitzwater of Holts Summit and approved by the Missouri Senate Thursday, would require the state to establish residential care programs for children currently housed in inappropriate settings.&nbsp;

The state would contract with qualified service providers to deliver comprehensive care to those children, many of whom have behavioral issues.

“A kid shouldn’t be in a hospital that has behavioral challenges when we have facilities around the state that I think would be willing to take these kids and help,” Fitzwater said during a Senate debate on the bill Tuesday. “And they shouldn’t be in businesses. They shouldn’t be in hotels. And so we’re trying to answer that.”&nbsp;

The bill — which also includes provisions related to legal counsel for foster kids, tax credits for youth programs and nondisclosure agreements for victims of childhood sexual abuse — was passed out of the Senate Thursday by a vote of 31 to 2.&nbsp;

It now heads to the House for consideration.

Concerns surrounding foster care were so persistent that they delayed Senate confirmation of Jess Bax, who Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed to be the new director for the Department of Social Services.&nbsp;

State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican from Arnold,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/28/missouri-senate-delays-vote-on-new-social-services-director-over-foster-care-concerns/">said last week she was holding up the confirmation</a>&nbsp;until she got answers from the department about chronic problems and the agency’s failure to implement new laws approved by the legislature to address the issues.&nbsp;

Coleman said in an interview with The Independent on Thursday that the department has been responsive in providing information and she’s looking forward to continuing their relationship to help Missouri kids.

“This was about making sure that I had the leadership team that was committed to working with the General Assembly to follow the laws of the state and the appropriations that have been made,” Coleman said, “and it took a little bit of a longer runway for us to get to a position of trust because of the past failures in leadership.”

Missouri foster children who have nowhere else to go are receiving residential treatment in states as far flung as Florida, Arizona and Utah, Baylee Watts, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services, told The Independent this week.

There are around 85 kids receiving treatment out of state, according to department&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/28/missouri-senate-delays-vote-on-new-social-services-director-over-foster-care-concerns/">data</a>&nbsp;shared at an appropriations hearing. It costs the state over $3,200 daily per child to house them out of state,&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2025-1/1205S.01I.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">according to a fiscal note</a>, totaling $13.6 million total last year.

“Think about what that feels like to a foster care kid that they don’t even stay in their home state,” Fitzwater said. “And the cost that entails.”

Last year, 314 foster children resided in hospitals. The total current cost to house foster children in hospitals is&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2025-1/1205S.01I.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">over $28.7 million.&nbsp;</a>

It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2025-1/1205S.01I.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">estimated</a>&nbsp;that shifting away from placing foster kids in hospitals and out of state could cost over $9 million in startup costs, but in the long run could save the state around $13 million yearly in general revenue.&nbsp;

The bill would also change the model of legal representation for foster children who are 14 and older, so kids “have somebody going to bat, that are on their side in the court system,” Fitzwater said Tuesday.&nbsp;

Currently, foster children in Missouri are assigned guardians ad litem, who are attorneys tasked with acting in what they view as the child’s best interest.&nbsp;

The bill would assign children 14 and older to client-directed attorneys, meaning they would act based on the goals of the children.&nbsp;

There are 10 states that have adopted client-directed legal representation for all foster children, and 11 other states have adopted it for kids of a certain age, competency or need,&nbsp;<a href="https://counselforkids.org/resources/client-directed-advocacy-faqs/" target="_blank">according to the National Association of Counsel for Children’s campaign Counsel for Kids.</a>

State Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, was concerned some children would want to go to unsafe homes, such as return to parents who’d recently gotten out of prison. The bill was changed in response to her concerns to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">offer the judge discretion</a>&nbsp;as to whether to appoint counsel in addition to a guardian ad litem.&nbsp;

Additionally, the American Bar Association’s model rules of conduct provide guidance for attorneys in those kinds of situations, and studies have shown the client-directed model for kids to&nbsp;<a href="https://counselforkids.org/resources/client-directed-advocacy-faqs/" target="_blank">produce better outcomes in terms of time spent in foster care, and chances of reunification.&nbsp;</a>

Senators tacked on their own child welfare-related priorities as amendments to Fitzwater’s bill.&nbsp;

Fitzwater has called his bill his top priority for the session, which Democrat state Sen. Stephen Webber lauded during the Senate debate.

“So much in this building is driven by those who have the financial ability to hire people to advocate for them — to hire lobbyists — or to reach out to politicians,” Webber said. “And the fact that this group of kids clearly does not, and that you made that a priority, I sincerely think that’s very commendable and really important.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741365242348.png" alt=" State Sen. Travis Fitzwater introduces Sen. Barbara Washington on the first day of the 2025 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Travis Fitzwater introduces Sen. Barbara Washington on the first day of the 2025 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/"></a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>One part of the bill approved by the Senate Thursday requires the state to establish residential care programs for foster children who are currently staying in places like hospitals and offices because they have nowhere else to go</h2>Issues that have long been plaguing Missouri’s child welfare system were the focus of hours-long debates in the state Senate this week, as lawmakers approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">sprawling bill&nbsp;</a>aimed at helping the state’s most vulnerable children.Missouri takes children into foster care at a rate higher than the national average and houses some of them in hospitals, hotels and offices locally, and residential treatment facilities out of state.&nbsp;One section of the wide-ranging bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Travis Fitzwater of Holts Summit and approved by the Missouri Senate Thursday, would require the state to establish residential care programs for children currently housed in inappropriate settings.&nbsp;The state would contract with qualified service providers to deliver comprehensive care to those children, many of whom have behavioral issues.“A kid shouldn’t be in a hospital that has behavioral challenges when we have facilities around the state that I think would be willing to take these kids and help,” Fitzwater said during a Senate debate on the bill Tuesday. “And they shouldn’t be in businesses. They shouldn’t be in hotels. And so we’re trying to answer that.”&nbsp;The bill — which also includes provisions related to legal counsel for foster kids, tax credits for youth programs and nondisclosure agreements for victims of childhood sexual abuse — was passed out of the Senate Thursday by a vote of 31 to 2.&nbsp;It now heads to the House for consideration.Concerns surrounding foster care were so persistent that they delayed Senate confirmation of Jess Bax, who Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed to be the new director for the Department of Social Services.&nbsp;State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican from Arnold,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/28/missouri-senate-delays-vote-on-new-social-services-director-over-foster-care-concerns/">said last week she was holding up the confirmation</a>&nbsp;until she got answers from the department about chronic problems and the agency’s failure to implement new laws approved by the legislature to address the issues.&nbsp;The Senate confirmed Bax on Thursday.Coleman said in an interview with The Independent on Thursday that the department has been responsive in providing information and she’s looking forward to continuing their relationship to help Missouri kids.“This was about making sure that I had the leadership team that was committed to working with the General Assembly to follow the laws of the state and the appropriations that have been made,” Coleman said, “and it took a little bit of a longer runway for us to get to a position of trust because of the past failures in leadership.”<h2>Placement issues</h2>Missouri foster children who have nowhere else to go are receiving residential treatment in states as far flung as Florida, Arizona and Utah, Baylee Watts, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services, told The Independent this week.There are around 85 kids receiving treatment out of state, according to department&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/28/missouri-senate-delays-vote-on-new-social-services-director-over-foster-care-concerns/">data</a>&nbsp;shared at an appropriations hearing. It costs the state over $3,200 daily per child to house them out of state,&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2025-1/1205S.01I.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">according to a fiscal note</a>, totaling $13.6 million total last year.“Think about what that feels like to a foster care kid that they don’t even stay in their home state,” Fitzwater said. “And the cost that entails.”Last year, 314 foster children resided in hospitals. The total current cost to house foster children in hospitals is&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2025-1/1205S.01I.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">over $28.7 million.&nbsp;</a>It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2025-1/1205S.01I.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">estimated</a>&nbsp;that shifting away from placing foster kids in hospitals and out of state could cost over $9 million in startup costs, but in the long run could save the state around $13 million yearly in general revenue.&nbsp;<h2>Children’s attorneys</h2>The bill would also change the model of legal representation for foster children who are 14 and older, so kids “have somebody going to bat, that are on their side in the court system,” Fitzwater said Tuesday.&nbsp;Currently, foster children in Missouri are assigned guardians ad litem, who are attorneys tasked with acting in what they view as the child’s best interest.&nbsp;The bill would assign children 14 and older to client-directed attorneys, meaning they would act based on the goals of the children.&nbsp;There are 10 states that have adopted client-directed legal representation for all foster children, and 11 other states have adopted it for kids of a certain age, competency or need,&nbsp;<a href="https://counselforkids.org/resources/client-directed-advocacy-faqs/" target="_blank">according to the National Association of Counsel for Children’s campaign Counsel for Kids.</a>State Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, was concerned some children would want to go to unsafe homes, such as return to parents who’d recently gotten out of prison. The bill was changed in response to her concerns to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">offer the judge discretion</a>&nbsp;as to whether to appoint counsel in addition to a guardian ad litem.&nbsp;Additionally, the American Bar Association’s model rules of conduct provide guidance for attorneys in those kinds of situations, and studies have shown the client-directed model for kids to&nbsp;<a href="https://counselforkids.org/resources/client-directed-advocacy-faqs/" target="_blank">produce better outcomes in terms of time spent in foster care, and chances of reunification.&nbsp;</a><h2>Amendments</h2>Senators tacked on their own child welfare-related priorities as amendments to Fitzwater’s bill.&nbsp;Those amendments include:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">Increasing a tax credit</a>&nbsp;for donations to certain youth programs ;</li><li>Making&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">non-disclosure agreements in childhood sexual abuse cases</a>&nbsp;void and not judicially enforceable;</li><li>Requiring law enforcement to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">enforce child custody and visitation orders</a>;</li><li>Changing the criminal offense of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">endangering the welfare of a child&nbsp;</a>in the first degree, by raising the age of a child from “under 17” to “under 18”;</li><li>Raising the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">marriage age</a>&nbsp;to 18, which was also passed as a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-once-again-overwhelmingly-approves-child-marriage-ban/">standalone bill</a>&nbsp;Thursday;</li><li>And requiring Children’s Division caseworkers to present&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">identification</a>&nbsp;of themselves when conducting investigations of child abuse and neglect, and<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Amendments/?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=207" target="_blank">&nbsp;inform parents of their rights.</a></li>
 </ul>Fitzwater has called his bill his top priority for the session, which Democrat state Sen. Stephen Webber lauded during the Senate debate.“So much in this building is driven by those who have the financial ability to hire people to advocate for them — to hire lobbyists — or to reach out to politicians,” Webber said. “And the fact that this group of kids clearly does not, and that you made that a priority, I sincerely think that’s very commendable and really important.”&nbsp;

Missouri Senate approves massive child welfare bill aimed at foster care system

The Mid- America Intercollegiate Athletics Association presidents unanimously voted to keep the men's and women's basketball tournaments in Kansas City until at least 2030.  

With a contract expiring in 2026, a bid process was put out for communities to try to get the tournament away from Municipal Auditorium.  St. Joseph was one of those bids.  

St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely says he's disappointed for St. Joseph in the MIAA's decision 

"Simply because, we host events of that nature in a very professional, hospitable manner, and being around that event for so long, just from my previous experience, the MIAA basketball championship would be a great fit for St. Joseph," Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "And it still could be someday." 

Esely says he feels like they put together a very competitive bid to bring the tournament to St. Joseph, but adds he respects the decision to go back to Kansas City.  

Esely doesn't feel though as if the bids from other communities were used to get a better deal from Kansas City 

"I think the MIAA, Commissioner Racy and his staff, did their due diligence to seek, really, communities that could host the leagues marquee championship," Esely says.  "And we felt from day one that it was a real bid process; I think it definitely was."  

Esely feels like this is just the reality of the bid process and says he respects the decision and the opportunity and looks forward to future opportunities with the MIAA. 

Esely says when the next bid process comes around, an obvious thing that could make a stronger case for St. Joseph is more hotels and conference space 

"I do think, four years from now, I think that landscape in St. Joseph will look considerably different than it does today." Esely says.  

Esely points out one new hotel has already been developed in the North Village Shoppes, and there is another on the way.  There is also development underway on a hotel and conference center at the site of the old Ramada Inn at I-29 and Frederick. 

Esely says it is also paramount to continue working on getting more hotel spaces in downtown St. Joseph 

"I don't know this, but you often wonder if there was a downtown hotel open and functional today, would the MIAA's decision have been different?" Esely questions.  "You know, I don't know that I can't answer that, but I know it certainly wouldn't have hurt." 

Esely says he thinks keeping amenities in mind and knowing what out-of-town groups need needs to be kept in the forefront when talking about tourism as well as these big sporting events.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679502589475.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Mid- America Intercollegiate Athletics Association presidents unanimously voted to keep the men's and women's basketball tournaments in Kansas City until at least 2030. With a contract expiring in 2026, a bid process was put out for communities to try to get the tournament away from Municipal Auditorium. St. Joseph was one of those bids. St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely says he's disappointed for St. Joseph in the MIAA's decision "Simply because, we host events of that nature in a very professional, hospitable manner, and being around that event for so long, just from my previous experience, the MIAA basketball championship would be a great fit for St. Joseph," Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And it still could be someday." Esely says he feels like they put together a very competitive bid to bring the tournament to St. Joseph, but adds he respects the decision to go back to Kansas City. Esely doesn't feel though as if the bids from other communities were used to get a better deal from Kansas City "I think the MIAA, Commissioner Racy and his staff, did their due diligence to seek, really, communities that could host the leagues marquee championship," Esely says. "And we felt from day one that it was a real bid process; I think it definitely was." Esely feels like this is just the reality of the bid process and says he respects the decision and the opportunity and looks forward to future opportunities with the MIAA. Esely says when the next bid process comes around, an obvious thing that could make a stronger case for St. Joseph is more hotels and conference space "I do think, four years from now, I think that landscape in St. Joseph will look considerably different than it does today." Esely says. Esely points out one new hotel has already been developed in the North Village Shoppes, and there is another on the way. There is also development underway on a hotel and conference center at the site of the old Ramada Inn at I-29 and Frederick. Esely says it is also paramount to continue working on getting more hotel spaces in downtown St. Joseph "I don't know this, but you often wonder if there was a downtown hotel open and functional today, would the MIAA's decision have been different?" Esely questions. "You know, I don't know that I can't answer that, but I know it certainly wouldn't have hurt." Esely says he thinks keeping amenities in mind and knowing what out-of-town groups need needs to be kept in the forefront when talking about tourism as well as these big sporting events.JOURNAL<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Journal-Esely-disappointed-for-St--Joseph-by-MIAA-decision-e2vrfce/a-abqnvuu" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>FULL INTERVIEW<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Full-Interiew-Brett-Esely-on-MIAA-decision-to-stay-in-KC-e2vrg4s/a-abqo0rn" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Joseph Sports Director dissapointed for city by MIAA choice to stay in KC

Marriage would be banned for anyone under 18 under a law that advanced out of the Missouri Senate Thursday.&nbsp;

Under current Missouri law, anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting married. But 16 and 17 year olds can get married with parental consent to anyone under 21.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=449" target="_blank">bill, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Tracy McCreery</a>, would ban child marriage outright. State Sen. Rick&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=3171482" target="_blank">Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, filed similar legislation</a>.&nbsp;

“The current marriage laws incentivize and legalize the trafficking of minors under the guise of marriage,” McCreery said Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741350417008.png" alt="State Sen. Tracy McCreery, a Democrat from Olivette, prepares to introduce a bill (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Tracy McCreery, a Democrat from Olivette, prepares to introduce a bill (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/"></a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Marriage would be banned for anyone under 18 under a law that advanced out of the Missouri Senate Thursday.&nbsp;Under current Missouri law, anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting married. But 16 and 17 year olds can get married with parental consent to anyone under 21.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=449" target="_blank">bill, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Tracy McCreery</a>, would ban child marriage outright. State Sen. Rick&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=3171482" target="_blank">Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, filed similar legislation</a>.&nbsp;“The current marriage laws incentivize and legalize the trafficking of minors under the guise of marriage,” McCreery said Thursday.The vote Thursday was 32 to 1. The only no vote was state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove.&nbsp;In 2023, Moon garnered national attention when he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article274244525.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">said</a>: “Do you know any kids who have been married at age 12? I do. And guess what? They’re still married.”There was no opposition voiced in the public hearing in January, or the Senate debates this week.&nbsp;The bill now heads to the House for consideration.Last year, the bill&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/10/missouri-senate-gives-initial-approval-to-complete-ban-on-child-marriage/">cleared the Senate</a>&nbsp;in April with only Moon in opposition.&nbsp; It was stalled by a small group of Republican critics in a House committee, who said it would constitute government overreach and infringe on parental rights. After the bill finally passed out of that committee, when several of those critics were not present for the vote, it was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/legislation-enacting-total-ban-on-child-marriage-in-missouri-dies-in-the-house/">never brought up in the House for a vote.&nbsp;</a>“I’m&nbsp;honored to pick up where we left off last year and to get this legislation passed into law,” McCreery said during Monday’s Senate debate.Those in favor of the ban argue child marriage is coercive and can transform into forced marriage, especially because children lack the legal rights of adulthood.&nbsp;“This is not only a legislative imperative, but also a moral one,” McCreery said, pointing to data showing those married as children are at a higher risk of mental and physical health issues, isolation, poverty, and intimate partner abuse.Others in favor at the public hearing in January included women who had been forced into marriage as children and advocates against domestic violence and child abuse. No one testified in opposition.Until the legislature voted to raise the minimum marriage age to 16 in 2018, Missouri had among the most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article204329774.html" target="_blank">lenient</a>&nbsp;child marriage laws in the nation — making it&nbsp; an especially popular state for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article204287484.html" target="_blank">15-year-olds</a>&nbsp;to travel to be married.Despite the 2018 change, Missouri law still does not align with international human rights standards, which set the minimum age at 18.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article211345289.html" target="_blank">Activists argued at the time</a>&nbsp;Missouri’s new law would continue to leave 16 and 17-year-olds vulnerable to potential coercion.Brattin said Monday during Senate debate that initially he’d been against the ban because he knew family members who’d been married young and had long, successful marriages.“And it was difficult to kind of come to the realization that that’s not where we’re at any longer, that yesterday was yesterday, and this is today,” Brattin said. “…I’ve come around completely, so much so that I’ve even sponsored the parallel bill that you have.”&nbsp;

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