(Radio Iowa) - The latest population report on monarch butterflies finds conservation efforts in Iowa and elsewhere are starting to show promising results. 

Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium program specialist Mykayla Hagaman says researchers track the progress of the vital orange-and-black insect by measuring how much land the pollinators take up when overwintering in Mexico. This winter, they covered four-point-four acres, which is nearly double last year's count, but scientists say they need to occupy 15 acres to be sustainable. 

Hagaman says Iowans can help by creating more monarch habitat, which includes planting native milkweed and flowering species that bloom from early spring to late fall, to help provide nectar resources for monarchs during their migration.

(Radio Iowa) - The latest population report on monarch butterflies finds conservation efforts in Iowa and elsewhere are starting to show promising results. Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium program specialist Mykayla Hagaman says researchers track the progress of the vital orange-and-black insect by measuring how much land the pollinators take up when overwintering in Mexico. This winter, they covered four-point-four acres, which is nearly double last year's count, but scientists say they need to occupy 15 acres to be sustainable. Hagaman says Iowans can help by creating more monarch habitat, which includes planting native milkweed and flowering species that bloom from early spring to late fall, to help provide nectar resources for monarchs during their migration.

Survey shows monarch numbers are rising and Iowans can help

An agri-business company
plans to build a 160,000 square foot facility in south St. Joseph, investing
$22 million in the community.

The St. Joseph
Chamber of Commerce has announced Nortian Foodtech will acquire a 24-acre tract
of heavy industrial land owned by the City of St. Joseph. The new production
facility will be located at 2202 Alabama St. in the Stockyards Industrial Park.

Nortian converts
by-products from the meat industry—materials that are often discarded—into
high-quality food-grade protein, according to the Chamber. The company expects
to hire nearly 140 workers by the end of five years of operations.

“We are proud
Nortian Foodtech chose Missouri and St. Joseph for its first U.S. location,” Gov.
Mike Kehoe said in a written statement released by the St. Joseph Chamber. “The
company’s decision to invest and grow in Missouri is testament to our strong
manufacturing industry and skilled workforce.”

The company is
taking advantage of the incentives offered by the Chapter 100 program, Missouri
Works, the Buchanan County Economic Development Forgivable Loan program. It
also will receive breaks on its utility bills from Evergy, Spire Gas, and
Missouri American Water Company.

Talks began with
the company last summer.

“We are very
pleased to have Nortian Foodtech select St. Joseph for its first U.S.
location,” St. Joseph President Natalie Hawn said in a written statement. “Nortian
Foodtech will provide an innovative and quality product for the food industry.
We appreciate the confidence of the company’s leadership team to select and
invest in St. Joseph and in Missouri.”

Andre Albuquerque,
Founder and CEO of Nortian, also issued a written statement: “St. Joseph is the
ideal location for Nortian Foodtech’s first U.S. facility. This investment
strengthens our mission to transform by-products into high-value food ingredients
through cutting-edge technology. We appreciate the support from local and state
partners and look forward to creating jobs and driving innovation in the
region."

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn agri-business company
plans to build a 160,000 square foot facility in south St. Joseph, investing
$22 million in the community.The St. Joseph
Chamber of Commerce has announced Nortian Foodtech will acquire a 24-acre tract
of heavy industrial land owned by the City of St. Joseph. The new production
facility will be located at 2202 Alabama St. in the Stockyards Industrial Park.Nortian converts
by-products from the meat industry—materials that are often discarded—into
high-quality food-grade protein, according to the Chamber. The company expects
to hire nearly 140 workers by the end of five years of operations.“We are proud
Nortian Foodtech chose Missouri and St. Joseph for its first U.S. location,” Gov.
Mike Kehoe said in a written statement released by the St. Joseph Chamber. “The
company’s decision to invest and grow in Missouri is testament to our strong
manufacturing industry and skilled workforce.”The company is
taking advantage of the incentives offered by the Chapter 100 program, Missouri
Works, the Buchanan County Economic Development Forgivable Loan program. It
also will receive breaks on its utility bills from Evergy, Spire Gas, and
Missouri American Water Company.Talks began with
the company last summer.“We are very
pleased to have Nortian Foodtech select St. Joseph for its first U.S.
location,” St. Joseph President Natalie Hawn said in a written statement. “Nortian
Foodtech will provide an innovative and quality product for the food industry.
We appreciate the confidence of the company’s leadership team to select and
invest in St. Joseph and in Missouri.”Andre Albuquerque,
Founder and CEO of Nortian, also issued a written statement: “St. Joseph is the
ideal location for Nortian Foodtech’s first U.S. facility. This investment
strengthens our mission to transform by-products into high-value food ingredients
through cutting-edge technology. We appreciate the support from local and state
partners and look forward to creating jobs and driving innovation in the
region."You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Agri-business coming to south St. Joseph

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

Wide-ranging legislation that would lower tax rates for individuals and businesses passed the Missouri House on Wednesday.

The 100 to 53 vote saw three Republicans joining with the Democrats in opposition. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.&nbsp;

A key provision&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB798&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">in the bill</a>&nbsp;is a gradual reduction in the state income tax from 4.7% to 3.7% over the next 10 years. The yearly percentage point rate reduction would only go into effect if state revenues grow by at least $175 million per year.&nbsp;

When fully phased in, the bill’s fiscal note estimates a $1.3 billion reduction in state revenue.

“That number would indicate we meet every single trigger, every single year,” said House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, a Bowling Green Republican handling the legislation. “If things are going that incredibly well, we’re all going to do great. Let’s all hope that happens. That would mean Missouri’s economy is doing great.”

The corporate tax would also be reduced from 4% to 3.75% and the capital gains tax would be eliminated.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat, complained that the inclusion of the corporate and capital gains tax cuts focuses too much of the legislation on the wealthy — and does so while potentially putting the state’s budget at risk.&nbsp;

“Everyone appreciates a tax cut,” he said.&nbsp; “But why do we have to slide in tax cuts for the rich?”&nbsp;

Gov. Mike Kehoe entered office in January pledging to fulfill his campaign promise to eliminate the state’s income tax. Republican legislative leaders have echoed his call, pushing a handful of tax cut proposals in both the House and Senate.&nbsp;

One of those proposals — a $300 million capital gains tax cut — cleared the House earlier this year and needs only to be approved by the Senate before heading to Kehoe’s desk.

&nbsp;But on Tuesday, it ran into bipartisan opposition that stalled its momentum.&nbsp;

“It’s just very skewed to the most wealthy people,” state Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Lee’s Summit Republican, said of the capital gains bill. “The 8,000 wealthiest families (in Missouri) will get more than half of the benefit.”

Federal money that bolstered the state budget for years is drying up, Cierpiot noted, and lawmakers must be mindful when considering anything that could reduce state revenue and impact services.&nbsp;

“Missouri is not like a lot of states,” he said. “If we cut taxes… we have to go back to the ballot to reinstate, so we have to be very careful.”

The top marginal rate for Missouri’s income tax has gradually declined from 6% in 2015 to 4.7% this year under legislation passed in 2014.

Two future tax cuts, to a 4.5% rate, are already in state law and will take effect if general revenue growth hits targets.

Income tax remains the single largest portion of state general revenue, with the individual income tax contributing 65% and the corporate income tax about 7% of the $13.4 billion received in fiscal 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658243002664.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Wide-ranging legislation that would lower tax rates for individuals and businesses passed the Missouri House on Wednesday.The 100 to 53 vote saw three Republicans joining with the Democrats in opposition. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.&nbsp;A key provision&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB798&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">in the bill</a>&nbsp;is a gradual reduction in the state income tax from 4.7% to 3.7% over the next 10 years. The yearly percentage point rate reduction would only go into effect if state revenues grow by at least $175 million per year.&nbsp;When fully phased in, the bill’s fiscal note estimates a $1.3 billion reduction in state revenue.“That number would indicate we meet every single trigger, every single year,” said House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, a Bowling Green Republican handling the legislation. “If things are going that incredibly well, we’re all going to do great. Let’s all hope that happens. That would mean Missouri’s economy is doing great.”The corporate tax would also be reduced from 4% to 3.75% and the capital gains tax would be eliminated.State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat, complained that the inclusion of the corporate and capital gains tax cuts focuses too much of the legislation on the wealthy — and does so while potentially putting the state’s budget at risk.&nbsp;“Everyone appreciates a tax cut,” he said.&nbsp; “But why do we have to slide in tax cuts for the rich?”&nbsp;Gov. Mike Kehoe entered office in January pledging to fulfill his campaign promise to eliminate the state’s income tax. Republican legislative leaders have echoed his call, pushing a handful of tax cut proposals in both the House and Senate.&nbsp;One of those proposals — a $300 million capital gains tax cut — cleared the House earlier this year and needs only to be approved by the Senate before heading to Kehoe’s desk.&nbsp;But on Tuesday, it ran into bipartisan opposition that stalled its momentum.&nbsp;“It’s just very skewed to the most wealthy people,” state Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Lee’s Summit Republican, said of the capital gains bill. “The 8,000 wealthiest families (in Missouri) will get more than half of the benefit.”Federal money that bolstered the state budget for years is drying up, Cierpiot noted, and lawmakers must be mindful when considering anything that could reduce state revenue and impact services.&nbsp;“Missouri is not like a lot of states,” he said. “If we cut taxes… we have to go back to the ballot to reinstate, so we have to be very careful.”The top marginal rate for Missouri’s income tax has gradually declined from 6% in 2015 to 4.7% this year under legislation passed in 2014.Two future tax cuts, to a 4.5% rate, are already in state law and will take effect if general revenue growth hits targets.Income tax remains the single largest portion of state general revenue, with the individual income tax contributing 65% and the corporate income tax about 7% of the $13.4 billion received in fiscal 2024.

Missouri House approves $1.3 billion tax cut plan

The state Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit targeting the voter-approved measures

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>

Months after Missouri voters&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">overwhelmingly approved a minimum wage increase and paid sick leave</a>&nbsp;requirements, the new laws face challenges this week in court and the state legislature.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court Court heard arguments in a lawsuit seeking to strike down Proposition A, which guarantees sick leave for hundreds of thousands of workers and gradually hikes the minimum wage to $15.&nbsp;

A day earlier, the Missouri House gave initial approval to a bill repealing the sick leave law and modifying the minimum wage.&nbsp;

“This is a one-two punch to businesses, and it creates a one size fits all approach,” said Republican state Rep. Sherri Gallick of Belton, who is sponsoring the legislation targeting the paid sick leave law.&nbsp;

A coalition of business groups and individuals argued Wednesday morning to the Missouri Supreme Court that the minimum wage and paid sick leave laws should be thrown out for violating constitutional rules on ballot initiatives.

“Both on the statutory side and the constitutional side, voters were misled,” Marc Ellinger, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, told the court. “The constitution was not complied with.”

The lawsuit,<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/09/business-groups-file-legal-challenge-to-voter-approved-minimum-wage-hike-sick-leave/">&nbsp;filed late last year</a>, argues the election results should be overturned because of several alleged constitutional violations, including violations of the state constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++50&amp;bid=31808&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">single-subject requirement&nbsp;</a>and a lack of a clear title.&nbsp;

It also contends that sick time and minimum wage are distinct issues that violate the single-subject rule, which should result in the election outcome being invalidated. It requests a new election be held, alleging the ballot title, which includes a summary of the proposition and its potential cost to the state, was misleading.&nbsp;

“This case is an example of where all of those procedures have been ignored,” Ellinger said.

A lawyer for Missouri Jobs with Justice, which led the campaign in support of Proposition A, said the court should uphold the law if at all possible, since voters approved it.

“The challengers ask you to overturn the will of the voters who exercised their fundamental right of the initiative,” said attorney Loretta Haggard, “based on technical issues that were not raised before the election.”

The measure won by a margin of over 400,000 votes. Haggard and other attorneys representing the responding parties wrote in a recent filing that the plaintiffs are asking the court “to tell these voters that their votes do not matter, and the court, not the people, will decide whether Proposition A should stay in effect,” calling it an “extraordinary request.”&nbsp;

Andrew Crane, an assistant attorney general representing the Secretary of State on Wednesday, defended the single subject of employee compensation, saying sick leave and pay “logically relate together…&nbsp;these are the kind things that employees and lawyers consider in any hiring decision.”&nbsp;

Robert Tillman, representing the auditor’s office, defended the fiscal note summary and said the plaintiffs didn’t prove any alleged irregularities that would have impacted the election.

“Even if contestants could establish election irregularities, they must then demonstrate that such irregularity sufficiently cast doubt for the entire election, to justify a new election.” Tillman said. “…As you can see from the record, contestants have offered no such evidence.”

The judges asked a few questions about whether they have jurisdiction to review the case, or whether a lower court would be the more appropriate venue.

Prop A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">passed</a>&nbsp;with 58% of the vote and had the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=45428" target="_blank">group of businesses filed</a>&nbsp;a friend-of-the-court brief in this case defending the proposition.&nbsp;

Under the law, beginning May 1, the law requires employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year to provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours.&nbsp;

On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB567&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">a bill in Missouri’s House</a>&nbsp;to overturn the sick leave provisions and modify the minimum wage provisions was given initial approval. It needs to be approved one more time in the House before heading to the Senate for consideration.

Because the measure changed state law and not the constitution, the legislature can modify or overturn it without returning for a new vote of the people.

Gallick’s bill would repeal the paid sick leave provisions approved by voters.

It would also modify the minimum wage increase by no longer indexing it to inflation, a policy that has been<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/20/new-paid-sick-leave-requirement-targeted-by-missouri-republicans/">&nbsp;in place since 2007</a>. The minimum wage would still increase to $15 per hour in 2026, as voters approved, but it would not be adjusted for inflation thereafter.&nbsp;

Gallick has&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/20/new-paid-sick-leave-requirement-targeted-by-missouri-republicans/">argued</a>&nbsp;employees will “abuse” the sick leave.

In states that have adopted sick leave mandates, employees take, on average, two more sick days a year than prior to the law going into effect, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w26832/w26832.pdf" target="_blank">National Bureau of Economic Research report</a>&nbsp;found.

<a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/paid-sick-leave-2023/" target="_blank">Studies</a>&nbsp;have found that offering paid sick time can increase workers’ productivity and reduce illness, and generally adds little or nothing to business expenses.

Republican state Rep. Scott Miller from St. Charles said “just because 57% of the people that voted that day, voted in favor of something, that doesn’t make it right. “They’re taking away the choice of businesses to engage in free market.”

Businesses are not equipped to handle the additional expenses from the proposition, said Republican state Rep. Jeff Vernetti of from Camdenton.

“I know that the will of the people will be brought up several times in this and I think that we’ve also got to represent the 87 counties that did not vote for this,” Vernetti said. “I think it’s our duty to respect the will of the people, but also at the same time, safeguard the long term prosperity of Missouri.”

Rep. Eric Woods, a Democrat from Kansas City, pointed out that Prop A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-missouri-proposition-a-raise-minimum-wage.html" target="_blank">passed</a>&nbsp;in rural counties as well, including Clark, Adair, Mississippi and Henry.

“This isn’t a situation where Proposition A just passed in the cities,” he said, “this was a broad acceptance percentage wise.”&nbsp;

Lawmakers are wrong to treat voters as having been oblivious to what they were voting on, said state Rep. Keri Ingle, a Democrat from Lee’s Summit.

“The part that irks me is that you guys repeatedly call your constituents dumb,” Ingle said. “You say that they’re too stupid to understand what they voted for. I mean, you don’t use those words, but they hear you loud and clear, and they continue to vote for these policies.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686689481146.png" alt=" The Supreme Court of Missouri (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> The Supreme Court of Missouri (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The state Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit targeting the voter-approved measures</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>Months after Missouri voters&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">overwhelmingly approved a minimum wage increase and paid sick leave</a>&nbsp;requirements, the new laws face challenges this week in court and the state legislature.&nbsp;On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court Court heard arguments in a lawsuit seeking to strike down Proposition A, which guarantees sick leave for hundreds of thousands of workers and gradually hikes the minimum wage to $15.&nbsp;A day earlier, the Missouri House gave initial approval to a bill repealing the sick leave law and modifying the minimum wage.&nbsp;“This is a one-two punch to businesses, and it creates a one size fits all approach,” said Republican state Rep. Sherri Gallick of Belton, who is sponsoring the legislation targeting the paid sick leave law.&nbsp;A coalition of business groups and individuals argued Wednesday morning to the Missouri Supreme Court that the minimum wage and paid sick leave laws should be thrown out for violating constitutional rules on ballot initiatives.“Both on the statutory side and the constitutional side, voters were misled,” Marc Ellinger, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, told the court. “The constitution was not complied with.”The lawsuit,<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/09/business-groups-file-legal-challenge-to-voter-approved-minimum-wage-hike-sick-leave/">&nbsp;filed late last year</a>, argues the election results should be overturned because of several alleged constitutional violations, including violations of the state constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++50&amp;bid=31808&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">single-subject requirement&nbsp;</a>and a lack of a clear title.&nbsp;It also contends that sick time and minimum wage are distinct issues that violate the single-subject rule, which should result in the election outcome being invalidated. It requests a new election be held, alleging the ballot title, which includes a summary of the proposition and its potential cost to the state, was misleading.&nbsp;“This case is an example of where all of those procedures have been ignored,” Ellinger said.A lawyer for Missouri Jobs with Justice, which led the campaign in support of Proposition A, said the court should uphold the law if at all possible, since voters approved it.“The challengers ask you to overturn the will of the voters who exercised their fundamental right of the initiative,” said attorney Loretta Haggard, “based on technical issues that were not raised before the election.”The measure won by a margin of over 400,000 votes. Haggard and other attorneys representing the responding parties wrote in a recent filing that the plaintiffs are asking the court “to tell these voters that their votes do not matter, and the court, not the people, will decide whether Proposition A should stay in effect,” calling it an “extraordinary request.”&nbsp;Andrew Crane, an assistant attorney general representing the Secretary of State on Wednesday, defended the single subject of employee compensation, saying sick leave and pay “logically relate together…&nbsp;these are the kind things that employees and lawyers consider in any hiring decision.”&nbsp;Robert Tillman, representing the auditor’s office, defended the fiscal note summary and said the plaintiffs didn’t prove any alleged irregularities that would have impacted the election.“Even if contestants could establish election irregularities, they must then demonstrate that such irregularity sufficiently cast doubt for the entire election, to justify a new election.” Tillman said. “…As you can see from the record, contestants have offered no such evidence.”The judges asked a few questions about whether they have jurisdiction to review the case, or whether a lower court would be the more appropriate venue.Prop A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">passed</a>&nbsp;with 58% of the vote and had the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=45428" target="_blank">group of businesses filed</a>&nbsp;a friend-of-the-court brief in this case defending the proposition.&nbsp;Under the law, beginning May 1, the law requires employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year to provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours.&nbsp;<h2>Legislature</h2>On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB567&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">a bill in Missouri’s House</a>&nbsp;to overturn the sick leave provisions and modify the minimum wage provisions was given initial approval. It needs to be approved one more time in the House before heading to the Senate for consideration.Because the measure changed state law and not the constitution, the legislature can modify or overturn it without returning for a new vote of the people.Gallick’s bill would repeal the paid sick leave provisions approved by voters.It would also modify the minimum wage increase by no longer indexing it to inflation, a policy that has been<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/20/new-paid-sick-leave-requirement-targeted-by-missouri-republicans/">&nbsp;in place since 2007</a>. The minimum wage would still increase to $15 per hour in 2026, as voters approved, but it would not be adjusted for inflation thereafter.&nbsp;Gallick has&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/20/new-paid-sick-leave-requirement-targeted-by-missouri-republicans/">argued</a>&nbsp;employees will “abuse” the sick leave.In states that have adopted sick leave mandates, employees take, on average, two more sick days a year than prior to the law going into effect, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w26832/w26832.pdf" target="_blank">National Bureau of Economic Research report</a>&nbsp;found.<a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/paid-sick-leave-2023/" target="_blank">Studies</a>&nbsp;have found that offering paid sick time can increase workers’ productivity and reduce illness, and generally adds little or nothing to business expenses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741862216947.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Republican state Rep. Scott Miller from St. Charles said “just because 57% of the people that voted that day, voted in favor of something, that doesn’t make it right. “They’re taking away the choice of businesses to engage in free market.”Businesses are not equipped to handle the additional expenses from the proposition, said Republican state Rep. Jeff Vernetti of from Camdenton.“I know that the will of the people will be brought up several times in this and I think that we’ve also got to represent the 87 counties that did not vote for this,” Vernetti said. “I think it’s our duty to respect the will of the people, but also at the same time, safeguard the long term prosperity of Missouri.”Rep. Eric Woods, a Democrat from Kansas City, pointed out that Prop A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-missouri-proposition-a-raise-minimum-wage.html" target="_blank">passed</a>&nbsp;in rural counties as well, including Clark, Adair, Mississippi and Henry.“This isn’t a situation where Proposition A just passed in the cities,” he said, “this was a broad acceptance percentage wise.”&nbsp;Lawmakers are wrong to treat voters as having been oblivious to what they were voting on, said state Rep. Keri Ingle, a Democrat from Lee’s Summit.“The part that irks me is that you guys repeatedly call your constituents dumb,” Ingle said. “You say that they’re too stupid to understand what they voted for. I mean, you don’t use those words, but they hear you loud and clear, and they continue to vote for these policies.”

Lawmakers, business groups push rollback of Mo. minimum wage hike, sick leave law

The #21 Missouri Tigers open the SEC Tournament on Thursday, after earning a first round bye, taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Mississippi State advanced after beating LSU 91-62 in the opening round.&nbsp; In one game against the Bulldogs this season, the Tigers won on the road 88-61.

Missouri ended the season on a three game losing streak, with losses to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Kentucky.&nbsp; But even with that, Tigers head coach Dennis Gates doesn't believe there's any sort of fatigue

"No fatigue, no mental, emotional fatigue or anything like that, our guys have done a great job, if you look at our minutes distribution they've been below 30 minutes," Gates told reporters before the tournament.&nbsp; "And when you can do that with your depth, you obviously extend health, you extend the possibility of having mental or emotional fatigue that has not crept into our program."

The Tigers had a bounce back season this year, despite suffering a slump near the end, posting a 21-10 overall record in the regular season, and going 10-8 in the SEC one year after going through an 0-18 conference schedule.&nbsp; Gates hopes his team uses this SEC tournament as a springboard in preparing for the NCAA tournament.&nbsp;

"When you look at the history of the NCAA tournament, some winners have finished right where we are, some have finished right where we are," Gates says.&nbsp; "So, we're excited about the SEC tournament, it's an opportunity for us to win an SEC tournament championship, and that's our approach."

Missouri and Mississippi State will tipoff at 6pm on Thursday.&nbsp; Coverage on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM) will begin at 5:30.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741833881515.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Mizzou Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Mizzou Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe #21 Missouri Tigers open the SEC Tournament on Thursday, after earning a first round bye, taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.Mississippi State advanced after beating LSU 91-62 in the opening round.&nbsp; In one game against the Bulldogs this season, the Tigers won on the road 88-61.Missouri ended the season on a three game losing streak, with losses to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Kentucky.&nbsp; But even with that, Tigers head coach Dennis Gates doesn't believe there's any sort of fatigue"No fatigue, no mental, emotional fatigue or anything like that, our guys have done a great job, if you look at our minutes distribution they've been below 30 minutes," Gates told reporters before the tournament.&nbsp; "And when you can do that with your depth, you obviously extend health, you extend the possibility of having mental or emotional fatigue that has not crept into our program."The Tigers had a bounce back season this year, despite suffering a slump near the end, posting a 21-10 overall record in the regular season, and going 10-8 in the SEC one year after going through an 0-18 conference schedule.&nbsp; Gates hopes his team uses this SEC tournament as a springboard in preparing for the NCAA tournament.&nbsp;"When you look at the history of the NCAA tournament, some winners have finished right where we are, some have finished right where we are," Gates says.&nbsp; "So, we're excited about the SEC tournament, it's an opportunity for us to win an SEC tournament championship, and that's our approach."Missouri and Mississippi State will tipoff at 6pm on Thursday.&nbsp; Coverage on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM) will begin at 5:30.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

#21 Missouri to open SEC Tournament against Mississippi State on Thursday

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa school boards could decide to let eighth graders play high school sports during the school year under a bill that's passed the House. 

Under current law, eighth grader may play on varsity softball and baseball teams during the summer. Representative Skyler Wheeler of Hull, who is a high school baseball coach, says a couple of high schools in his area didn't have enough players to field girls basketball teams this past season and letting 8th graders play on the varsity could help. 

The bill passed the House on an 89 to two vote and goes to the Senate for consideration. Thirteen states currently allow eighth graders to compete at the varsity level during the school year.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa school boards could decide to let eighth graders play high school sports during the school year under a bill that's passed the House. Under current law, eighth grader may play on varsity softball and baseball teams during the summer. Representative Skyler Wheeler of Hull, who is a high school baseball coach, says a couple of high schools in his area didn't have enough players to field girls basketball teams this past season and letting 8th graders play on the varsity could help. The bill passed the House on an 89 to two vote and goes to the Senate for consideration. Thirteen states currently allow eighth graders to compete at the varsity level during the school year.

Iowa could join 13 states that let 8th graders play on all high school sports teams

(Radio Iowa) - A bill that's cleared an Iowa Senate subcommittee would cut taxes that businesses pay to cover unemployment benefits when people get laid off from their jobs.

 Governor Reynolds, who made the same proposal last year, is asking lawmakers to lower the top unemployment tax rate and reduce the taxable wage base by half. The same bill stalled last year over concerns that the state might have to raise business taxes if there's a recession and Iowa's unemployment rate soars. 

Governor Reynolds says Iowa's Unemployment Trust Fund has too much money in it and she wants to provide more tax relief.

(Radio Iowa) - A bill that's cleared an Iowa Senate subcommittee would cut taxes that businesses pay to cover unemployment benefits when people get laid off from their jobs. Governor Reynolds, who made the same proposal last year, is asking lawmakers to lower the top unemployment tax rate and reduce the taxable wage base by half. The same bill stalled last year over concerns that the state might have to raise business taxes if there's a recession and Iowa's unemployment rate soars. Governor Reynolds says Iowa's Unemployment Trust Fund has too much money in it and she wants to provide more tax relief.

Senate subcommittee approves governor's bill to reduce an Iowa business tax

(Radio Iowa) - The director of the Iowa Department of Transportation says they have seen some federal programs put on pause. 

Scott Marler says that includes the New Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program to install electric chargers. The D-O-T had announced 16 million federal dollars would go to 28 projects to install electric vehicle charges across the state. D-O-T planner Stuart Anderson tells Radio Iowa that money has not gone out yet. Anderson says federal officials say they will announce new NEVI guidelines this spring. 

Marler says the weekly contractor reimbursement program used to process reimbursements through the Federal Highway Administration for Iowa's road and highway construction program is continuing at this time.

(Radio Iowa) - The director of the Iowa Department of Transportation says they have seen some federal programs put on pause. Scott Marler says that includes the New Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program to install electric chargers. The D-O-T had announced 16 million federal dollars would go to 28 projects to install electric vehicle charges across the state. D-O-T planner Stuart Anderson tells Radio Iowa that money has not gone out yet. Anderson says federal officials say they will announce new NEVI guidelines this spring. Marler says the weekly contractor reimbursement program used to process reimbursements through the Federal Highway Administration for Iowa's road and highway construction program is continuing at this time.

Program To Install Electric Vehicle Chargers On Hold

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa House has -- for a fourth year -- passed the "Public Expression Protection Act" to help Iowans facing lawsuits that backers of the bill say are meant to intimidate critics. 

Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison sponsored the bill after a former Carroll policeman sued the local newspaper for what Holt says was truthful reporting on the policeman's relationships with teenage girls -- and the Carroll Times Herald had to spend 100-thousand dollars on a legal defense. Holt's bill would let Iowans being sued over public statements ask a judge to immediately review the case to see if it could be thrown out.

 If the lawsuit is ruled a "Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation" or SLAPP action, the person or group that filed the lawsuit could be forced to cover the legal fees of the person they sued. Thirty-four other states already have so-called "anti-SLAPP" laws.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa House has -- for a fourth year -- passed the "Public Expression Protection Act" to help Iowans facing lawsuits that backers of the bill say are meant to intimidate critics. Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison sponsored the bill after a former Carroll policeman sued the local newspaper for what Holt says was truthful reporting on the policeman's relationships with teenage girls -- and the Carroll Times Herald had to spend 100-thousand dollars on a legal defense. Holt's bill would let Iowans being sued over public statements ask a judge to immediately review the case to see if it could be thrown out. If the lawsuit is ruled a "Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation" or SLAPP action, the person or group that filed the lawsuit could be forced to cover the legal fees of the person they sued. Thirty-four other states already have so-called "anti-SLAPP" laws.

Iowa could join 34 other states with 'anti-SLAPP' laws

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a statement Wednesday about a “Black Mass” event scheduled for March 28, at the Kansas Statehouse.

The Satanic Grotto announced on social media they organized an event for inside the Capitol building that day.

(The video below is for mature audiences only)

In a statement from office, Governor Kelly wrote, "I have been informed about concerns regarding an event at the Statehouse on March 28, and I share those concerns.&nbsp; There are more constructive ways to protest and express disagreements without insulting or denigrating sacred religious symbols."

"However, as governor, I also have a duty to protect protesters’ constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression, regardless of how offensive or distasteful I might find the content to be."Since these rights are constitutionally protected, the Governor’s Office has limited authority to respond to such actions."

"That said, it is important to keep the Statehouse open and accessible to the public while ensuring all necessary health and safety regulations are enforced."Therefore, all events planned for March 28 will be moved outdoors to the grounds surrounding the Statehouse. Again, no protests will be allowed inside the Statehouse on March 28."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741797937973.png" alt="Satanic Grotto" />
 <figcaption>Satanic Grotto</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a statement Wednesday about a “Black Mass” event scheduled for March 28, at the Kansas Statehouse.The Satanic Grotto announced on social media they organized an event for inside the Capitol building that day.(The video below is for mature audiences only)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheSatanicGrotto%2Fvideos%2F1710299846574282%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=1" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>In a statement from office, Governor Kelly wrote, "I have been informed about concerns regarding an event at the Statehouse on March 28, and I share those concerns.&nbsp; There are more constructive ways to protest and express disagreements without insulting or denigrating sacred religious symbols.""However, as governor, I also have a duty to protect protesters’ constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression, regardless of how offensive or distasteful I might find the content to be."Since these rights are constitutionally protected, the Governor’s Office has limited authority to respond to such actions.""That said, it is important to keep the Statehouse open and accessible to the public while ensuring all necessary health and safety regulations are enforced."Therefore, all events planned for March 28 will be moved outdoors to the grounds surrounding the Statehouse. Again, no protests will be allowed inside the Statehouse on March 28."

🎥Governor moves controversial 'Black Mass' outside Kansas Statehouse

The Kansas City Chiefs have restructured the contracts of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones, freeing up&nbsp;$49.446 million in salary cap space

The report on the move came from a source telling ESPN's Field Yates on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

The moves were needed to clear the cap space to needed to cover the Chiefs' activity in recent weeks. They placed the franchise tag on guard Trey Smith and re-signed linebacker Nick Bolton and wide receiver Hollywood Brown.&nbsp; They also added in free agency, most notably picking up offensive tackle Jaylon Moore and cornerback Kristian Fulton.

This is the fourth time Mahomes has reworked his contract since before the 2021 season. He signed a revised contract in 2023 that moved up some money he was scheduled to receive in later years of his contract, and a restructure in March 2024 created $21.6 million of salary cap space.

Mahomes is signed through the 2031 season at a total cost of almost $500 million.

-ESPN's Adam Teicher contributed to this report

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723743945433.jpeg" alt="Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws a pass during Chiefs practice/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws a pass during Chiefs practice/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Chiefs have restructured the contracts of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones, freeing up&nbsp;$49.446 million in salary cap spaceThe report on the move came from a source telling ESPN's Field Yates on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;The moves were needed to clear the cap space to needed to cover the Chiefs' activity in recent weeks. They placed the franchise tag on guard Trey Smith and re-signed linebacker Nick Bolton and wide receiver Hollywood Brown.&nbsp; They also added in free agency, most notably picking up offensive tackle Jaylon Moore and cornerback Kristian Fulton.This is the fourth time Mahomes has reworked his contract since before the 2021 season. He signed a revised contract in 2023 that moved up some money he was scheduled to receive in later years of his contract, and a restructure in March 2024 created $21.6 million of salary cap space.Mahomes is signed through the 2031 season at a total cost of almost $500 million.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721584304820.jpeg" alt="Chris Jones rides to the locker room following practice waving to fans/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Chris Jones rides to the locker room following practice waving to fans/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>-ESPN's Adam Teicher contributed to this reportYou can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones restructure to help out Chiefs cap space

Festivities surrounding the Apple Blossom parade kick off this month with the Apple Blossom Royalty Pageant.  

Executive Director Michelle Wolfe says there has been good turnout for this year's pageant 

"14 princesses, 12 junior queens, and six queen candidates right now," Wolfe tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

In the past, Wolfe says a lower turnout forced the Apple Blossom to extend the deadline.   

"But this year we are not extending the deadline, because we have plenty, I mean we will take more until the deadline, but we're not going to extend the deadline," Wolfe says.  "Gives me more time to get everything done." 

Wolfe says it feels wonderful to not have to extend the deadline 

"Because sometimes we're worried like are we going to have to cancel the pageant because we don't get enough people, I've done this for 25 years and I've never had to do that, so we're excited," Wolfe explains. 

Registration for the pageant ends this Saturday March 15th. Wolfe says the pageant will be held on March 29th. 

"It will start at 6pm for the princesses, the juniors will start 10 minutes after the end of the princess, and the queen will start 10 minutes after the juniors," Wolfe says.  "There's no admission charge; it's at the Missouri Theatre." 

You can register for the pageant by clicking <a href="https://appleblossomparade.com/pageant/">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741794563886.jpeg" alt="Former winners of the Apple Blossom Pageant/ Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Former winners of the Apple Blossom Pageant/ Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostFestivities surrounding the Apple Blossom parade kick off this month with the Apple Blossom Royalty Pageant. Executive Director Michelle Wolfe says there has been good turnout for this year's pageant "14 princesses, 12 junior queens, and six queen candidates right now," Wolfe tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. In the past, Wolfe says a lower turnout forced the Apple Blossom to extend the deadline. "But this year we are not extending the deadline, because we have plenty, I mean we will take more until the deadline, but we're not going to extend the deadline," Wolfe says. "Gives me more time to get everything done." Wolfe says it feels wonderful to not have to extend the deadline "Because sometimes we're worried like are we going to have to cancel the pageant because we don't get enough people, I've done this for 25 years and I've never had to do that, so we're excited," Wolfe explains. Registration for the pageant ends this Saturday March 15th. Wolfe says the pageant will be held on March 29th. "It will start at 6pm for the princesses, the juniors will start 10 minutes after the end of the princess, and the queen will start 10 minutes after the juniors," Wolfe says. "There's no admission charge; it's at the Missouri Theatre." You can register for the pageant by clicking <a href="https://appleblossomparade.com/pageant/">HERE</a>.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Deadline to register for the Apple Blossom Parade fast approaching

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

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday said it’s cutting a substantial number of the agency’s staff through a “<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force-rif/" target="_blank">reduction in force</a>” process, bringing the department’s workforce to roughly half the number in place when President Donald Trump took office.

According to senior department officials speaking on background to reporters Tuesday evening, roughly 1,315 employees are subject to the initiative. The officials said the employees will get, starting Tuesday, 90 days full pay and benefits and will telework from Wednesday until March 21, when they are placed on administrative leave. &nbsp;

The sweeping cuts are part of a government-wide effort by Trump and billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk to reduce the federal workforce in an effort to slash government spending and reduce what they see as waste.

When Trump took office, the department had 4,133 employees. Following Tuesday’s announcement, the agency said it will have roughly 2,183 workers remaining. In the past several weeks, nearly 600 workers took voluntary resignation opportunities or retirement, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force" target="_blank">Tuesday evening press release</a>.

The department also terminated 63 probationary employees in February, according to senior department officials.

The senior officials clarified that this staffing reduction will not impact the department’s ability to deliver on civil rights investigations, the rollout of the federal student aid application, Title I funding for low-income school districts and other statutorily mandated functions Congress has given the agency.

The senior officials confirmed earlier reporting that the department’s Washington-area office buildings would close Tuesday evening for safety reasons and would reopen Thursday.

“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement Tuesday.

“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”

Congressional Democrats and labor union leaders blasted the cuts Tuesday.

“Today’s staff eliminations are illegal, and they are a slap in the face to the dedicated public servants who work to make sure American children have access to a quality education,” Connecticut U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said. “No president or member of the executive branch has the authority to end public education, violate the law, and unilaterally steal dollars promised to students.”

Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat who is the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the cuts were meant to sidestep the legislative difficulty of eliminating the department itself.

“Donald Trump and Linda McMahon know they can’t abolish the Department of Education on their own but they understand that if you gut it to its very core and fire all the people who run programs that help students, families, and teachers, you might end up with a similar, ruinous result,” she said.

“Ultimately, what they want to do is clear: fire the people who help our kids and gut funding for our students, teachers, and schools. This is about breaking government for working families — and enriching billionaires like themselves in the process.”

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said “denuding an agency so it cannot function effectively is the most cowardly way of dismantling it.”&nbsp;

“The massive reduction in force at the Education Department is an attack on opportunity that will gut the agency and its ability to support students, throwing federal education programs into chaos across the country,” said Weingarten, who leads one of the largest teachers unions in the country.

Trump has targeted the Education Department specifically in the spending cuts initiative, repeatedly pledging to shutter the 45-year-old agency in his quest to move education “back to the states.”

The department had already seen dramatic shifts in the weeks since Trump took office — from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/elon-musks-doge-targets-us-department-education-millions-funding-cuts" target="_blank">major contract cuts</a>, to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/28/education-department-quit-00206765" target="_blank">staff buyouts</a>.

Other departments and agencies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vets-worry-trump-cuts-va-workforce-will-interrupt-benefits&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1741740543665052&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OZuQ95exTw4F_s_yKUi7E" target="_blank">including the Department of Veterans Affairs</a>, have also seen broad staffing decreases under Trump.

Last week, McMahon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/new-secretary-linda-mcmahon-unveils-final-mission-us-department-education" target="_blank">sent an email to department employees</a>&nbsp;regarding the agency’s “final mission,” where she detailed her plans to “overhaul” the federal agency.

The former World Wrestling Entertainment executive told employees that the department’s “role in this new era of accountability is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington.”

McMahon said “this restoration will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations here at the Department.”

Even if Trump were to sign an executive order on dismantling the department, only Congress has the authority to shut it down. Any bill to close down the agency would face extreme difficulties getting through the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, with at least 60 senators needed to advance past the filibuster.

In her statement, DeLauro dared Republican lawmakers to try to eliminate the department through legislation.

“To my Republican colleagues: if you want to eliminate the Department of Education, then put your name on a bill to do that,” she said. “Let your constituents see it. Let us debate it. Let us and the American people deliberate. Do not yield our authority, and the rule of law, to unchecked billionaires.”

Trump’s push to move education “back to the states” also comes as much of the funding and oversight of schools already occurs at the state and local levels. Legally, the department cannot control the curriculum of schools across the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741729690736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday said it’s cutting a substantial number of the agency’s staff through a “<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force-rif/" target="_blank">reduction in force</a>” process, bringing the department’s workforce to roughly half the number in place when President Donald Trump took office.According to senior department officials speaking on background to reporters Tuesday evening, roughly 1,315 employees are subject to the initiative. The officials said the employees will get, starting Tuesday, 90 days full pay and benefits and will telework from Wednesday until March 21, when they are placed on administrative leave. &nbsp;The sweeping cuts are part of a government-wide effort by Trump and billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk to reduce the federal workforce in an effort to slash government spending and reduce what they see as waste.When Trump took office, the department had 4,133 employees. Following Tuesday’s announcement, the agency said it will have roughly 2,183 workers remaining. In the past several weeks, nearly 600 workers took voluntary resignation opportunities or retirement, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force" target="_blank">Tuesday evening press release</a>.The department also terminated 63 probationary employees in February, according to senior department officials.The senior officials clarified that this staffing reduction will not impact the department’s ability to deliver on civil rights investigations, the rollout of the federal student aid application, Title I funding for low-income school districts and other statutorily mandated functions Congress has given the agency.The senior officials confirmed earlier reporting that the department’s Washington-area office buildings would close Tuesday evening for safety reasons and would reopen Thursday.“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement Tuesday.“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”<h2>Layoffs gut department, Dems say</h2>Congressional Democrats and labor union leaders blasted the cuts Tuesday.“Today’s staff eliminations are illegal, and they are a slap in the face to the dedicated public servants who work to make sure American children have access to a quality education,” Connecticut U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said. “No president or member of the executive branch has the authority to end public education, violate the law, and unilaterally steal dollars promised to students.”Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat who is the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the cuts were meant to sidestep the legislative difficulty of eliminating the department itself.“Donald Trump and Linda McMahon know they can’t abolish the Department of Education on their own but they understand that if you gut it to its very core and fire all the people who run programs that help students, families, and teachers, you might end up with a similar, ruinous result,” she said.“Ultimately, what they want to do is clear: fire the people who help our kids and gut funding for our students, teachers, and schools. This is about breaking government for working families — and enriching billionaires like themselves in the process.”Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said “denuding an agency so it cannot function effectively is the most cowardly way of dismantling it.”&nbsp;“The massive reduction in force at the Education Department is an attack on opportunity that will gut the agency and its ability to support students, throwing federal education programs into chaos across the country,” said Weingarten, who leads one of the largest teachers unions in the country.<h2>Department overhaul</h2>Trump has targeted the Education Department specifically in the spending cuts initiative, repeatedly pledging to shutter the 45-year-old agency in his quest to move education “back to the states.”The department had already seen dramatic shifts in the weeks since Trump took office — from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/elon-musks-doge-targets-us-department-education-millions-funding-cuts" target="_blank">major contract cuts</a>, to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/28/education-department-quit-00206765" target="_blank">staff buyouts</a>.Other departments and agencies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vets-worry-trump-cuts-va-workforce-will-interrupt-benefits&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1741740543665052&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OZuQ95exTw4F_s_yKUi7E" target="_blank">including the Department of Veterans Affairs</a>, have also seen broad staffing decreases under Trump.Last week, McMahon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/new-secretary-linda-mcmahon-unveils-final-mission-us-department-education" target="_blank">sent an email to department employees</a>&nbsp;regarding the agency’s “final mission,” where she detailed her plans to “overhaul” the federal agency.The former World Wrestling Entertainment executive told employees that the department’s “role in this new era of accountability is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington.”McMahon said “this restoration will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations here at the Department.”<h2>Congressional action would be tough</h2>Even if Trump were to sign an executive order on dismantling the department, only Congress has the authority to shut it down. Any bill to close down the agency would face extreme difficulties getting through the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, with at least 60 senators needed to advance past the filibuster.In her statement, DeLauro dared Republican lawmakers to try to eliminate the department through legislation.“To my Republican colleagues: if you want to eliminate the Department of Education, then put your name on a bill to do that,” she said. “Let your constituents see it. Let us debate it. Let us and the American people deliberate. Do not yield our authority, and the rule of law, to unchecked billionaires.”Trump’s push to move education “back to the states” also comes as much of the funding and oversight of schools already occurs at the state and local levels. Legally, the department cannot control the curriculum of schools across the country.

U.S. Education Department to Cut Hundreds of Staff Members

Missouri Western State University will be searching for a new men's basketball coach after Will Martin announced his resignation today Athletic Director Andy Carter announced.

"Will is a class-act who has led our program with love, passion and integrity," Carter said in a news release from the university.&nbsp; "I appreciate his dedication to our student-athletes and our university. We thank him for his efforts of elevating our program back to respectability."

Martin spent seven total seasons on the Griffon sidelines, including the last five as head coach.&nbsp; He compiled a 77-70 overall record and a 51-56 mark in MIAA conference play.&nbsp; Joining the staff in 2018 as an assistant under Sundance Wicks, Martin was elevated to first-time head coach in the Spring of 2020. 

He led the Griffons to an NCAA Tournament berth during the Covid-shortened season of 2020-21, MWSU's 18-13 record in 2024-25 was the program's highest regular-season win total in 22 years.

"I am extremely grateful for my time at Missouri Western," Martin said."I will forever be humbled by the opportunity to be a Head Coach for this entire community, and appreciative to everyone who made it possible. I am proud of the success we were able to have on the court, in the classroom, and in the community."

"Most importantly, I will forever cherish the wonderful relationships cultivated in my time here. Thank you to my staff and all the student-athletes I was blessed to coach. Your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication undoubtedly served to leave the program better than we found it. Griffon Nation will always hold a special place in my heart!"

The search for Martin's replacement begins immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591383897177.jpeg" alt="Will Martin/ File photo" />
 <figcaption>Will Martin/ File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University will be searching for a new men's basketball coach after Will Martin announced his resignation today Athletic Director Andy Carter announced."Will is a class-act who has led our program with love, passion and integrity," Carter said in a news release from the university.&nbsp; "I appreciate his dedication to our student-athletes and our university. We thank him for his efforts of elevating our program back to respectability."Martin spent seven total seasons on the Griffon sidelines, including the last five as head coach.&nbsp; He compiled a 77-70 overall record and a 51-56 mark in MIAA conference play.&nbsp; Joining the staff in 2018 as an assistant under Sundance Wicks, Martin was elevated to first-time head coach in the Spring of 2020. He led the Griffons to an NCAA Tournament berth during the Covid-shortened season of 2020-21, MWSU's 18-13 record in 2024-25 was the program's highest regular-season win total in 22 years."I am extremely grateful for my time at Missouri Western," Martin said."I will forever be humbled by the opportunity to be a Head Coach for this entire community, and appreciative to everyone who made it possible. I am proud of the success we were able to have on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.""Most importantly, I will forever cherish the wonderful relationships cultivated in my time here. Thank you to my staff and all the student-athletes I was blessed to coach. Your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication undoubtedly served to leave the program better than we found it. Griffon Nation will always hold a special place in my heart!"The search for Martin's replacement begins immediately.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

MWSU to begin search for new head coach as Will Martin resigns

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Food System Coalition says the U-S-D-A has cancelled contracts worth more than 11-million dollars.

 The money was to help the state's food banks, schools and child care centers purchase local food from more than 300 Iowa farmers over three years. Coalition executive director Chris Schwartz says the U-S-D-A has not explained why it’s cancelling the contracts for a program that's been "wildly successful" and a "national model.” He says the money from previous contracts is set to run out at the end of this month. 

Schwartz says this action may send farms into foreclosure and cause people to lose their homes as "good faith partners" who want to help feed Iowa children are "going to be hanging...out to dry.”

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Food System Coalition says the U-S-D-A has cancelled contracts worth more than 11-million dollars. The money was to help the state's food banks, schools and child care centers purchase local food from more than 300 Iowa farmers over three years. Coalition executive director Chris Schwartz says the U-S-D-A has not explained why it’s cancelling the contracts for a program that's been "wildly successful" and a "national model.” He says the money from previous contracts is set to run out at the end of this month. Schwartz says this action may send farms into foreclosure and cause people to lose their homes as "good faith partners" who want to help feed Iowa children are "going to be hanging...out to dry.”

USDA kills contracts that help buy local food for Iowa kids and food banks

Grocery stores and gas pumps are important inflation indicators. While inflationary concerns have been persistent in recent years, the back and forth regarding tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as the tariffs on Chinese goods, have prompted additional concerns about prices. Results from the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey find most consumers across both political parties expect tariffs to increase the prices they pay for food. 

Grocery stores and gas pumps are important inflation indicators. While inflationary concerns have been persistent in recent years, the back and forth regarding tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as the tariffs on Chinese goods, have prompted additional concerns about prices. Results from the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey find most consumers across both political parties expect tariffs to increase the prices they pay for food.

Consumers worry about tariffs and food prices

The University of Missouri
– Kansas City has a School of Medicine satellite campus in St. Joseph. It might
have a School of Dentistry in St. Joseph as well.

UMKC Chancellor
Mauli Agrawal says the university expanded to St. Joseph to address a shortage
of medical professionals in rural Missouri and soon hopes to also address a
severe shortage of dentists and dental hygienists.

“And so now that
we felt more comfortable with a satellite program in St. Joe because of the
medical program, we thought it’s time to address the dental shortage as well,” Agrawal
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone interview.

Work must be done
before it becomes reality. UMKC must receive approval. It must also raise
money.

Agrawal says UMKC
has been in negotiations with Missouri Western State University about
renovating open space on its St. Joseph campus. Agrawal says UMKC estimates it
will take $12 million for renovations.

Under the
proposal, dental students would spend their first two years on the Kansas City
campus. They then would transfer to clinics on the MWSU campus in St. Joseph.
There, they will do actual dental work on low-income patients who might not
have dental insurance or not enough insurance to afford a dentist.

Agrawal says UMKC
began to consider expansion to St. Joseph after he spoke with leaders in
northern Missouri about the lack of dental care in rural Missouri. The federal
government has identified approximately 500 areas throughout the country
suffering from a severe shortage of dentists or dental hygienists. 

“In Iowa and
Nebraska, the federal government has identified four areas of shortage. In Kansas,
seven or eight. Missouri had 18; 1-8,” according to Agrawal. “And, as you can
see, that’s way above our fair share across the nation. So, yes, there is a
severe shortage across the whole state of Missouri.”

The UMKC School of
Medicine in St. Joseph began in cooperation with Mosaic Life Care at the
hospital campus in St. Joseph. It graduated its first students in January. A
$14.5 million medical building is under construction across the street from
Mosaic.

Agrawal says the
goal of both the medical school and the dental school is to address the
shortage of medical and dental care in rural Missouri. The thought being that
if students train in an area, they are more likely to set up practice in that
area.

“I think it’s been
a win-win,” Agrawal says. “Only time will tell if we really impact the shortage,
but we cannot not do anything. There’s a severe shortage in our state and we
need to step up and do the work so that we can at least start addressing the
shortage.”

If approval is
granted and the money raised, UMKC hopes to open its St. Joseph School of Dentistry
satellite campus in the fall of 2027.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741720193629.jpeg" alt="UMKC School of Dentistry/Photo courtesy of UMKC" />
 <figcaption>UMKC School of Dentistry/Photo courtesy of UMKC</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe University of Missouri
– Kansas City has a School of Medicine satellite campus in St. Joseph. It might
have a School of Dentistry in St. Joseph as well.UMKC Chancellor
Mauli Agrawal says the university expanded to St. Joseph to address a shortage
of medical professionals in rural Missouri and soon hopes to also address a
severe shortage of dentists and dental hygienists.“And so now that
we felt more comfortable with a satellite program in St. Joe because of the
medical program, we thought it’s time to address the dental shortage as well,” Agrawal
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone interview.Work must be done
before it becomes reality. UMKC must receive approval. It must also raise
money.Agrawal says UMKC
has been in negotiations with Missouri Western State University about
renovating open space on its St. Joseph campus. Agrawal says UMKC estimates it
will take $12 million for renovations.Under the
proposal, dental students would spend their first two years on the Kansas City
campus. They then would transfer to clinics on the MWSU campus in St. Joseph.
There, they will do actual dental work on low-income patients who might not
have dental insurance or not enough insurance to afford a dentist.Agrawal says UMKC
began to consider expansion to St. Joseph after he spoke with leaders in
northern Missouri about the lack of dental care in rural Missouri. The federal
government has identified approximately 500 areas throughout the country
suffering from a severe shortage of dentists or dental hygienists. “In Iowa and
Nebraska, the federal government has identified four areas of shortage. In Kansas,
seven or eight. Missouri had 18; 1-8,” according to Agrawal. “And, as you can
see, that’s way above our fair share across the nation. So, yes, there is a
severe shortage across the whole state of Missouri.”The UMKC School of
Medicine in St. Joseph began in cooperation with Mosaic Life Care at the
hospital campus in St. Joseph. It graduated its first students in January. A
$14.5 million medical building is under construction across the street from
Mosaic.Agrawal says the
goal of both the medical school and the dental school is to address the
shortage of medical and dental care in rural Missouri. The thought being that
if students train in an area, they are more likely to set up practice in that
area.“I think it’s been
a win-win,” Agrawal says. “Only time will tell if we really impact the shortage,
but we cannot not do anything. There’s a severe shortage in our state and we
need to step up and do the work so that we can at least start addressing the
shortage.”If approval is
granted and the money raised, UMKC hopes to open its St. Joseph School of Dentistry
satellite campus in the fall of 2027.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

UMKC proposes setting up a School of Dentistry in St. Joseph

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.”

<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.

Kbct