HawkFest begins
this evening in downtown St. Joseph.

HawkFest brings
blues and jazz to Coleman Hawkins Park, a celebration honoring the legacy of
St. Joseph-born jazz saxophonist, Coleman Hawkins.

Missouri Western
Director of Jazz Studies, Bob Long, a member of the Coleman Hawkins Jazz
Society, sees a growing popularity for jazz among the youth.

“It’s been great
to watch how that has developed and how the students take hold of that,” Long
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “UMKC has a great jazz program going right now. We
have one going out here. You see it happening at all the colleges right now. It’s
exciting to see.”

Long says many
have a misconception of jazz, thinking of the more traditional jazz of musicians
such as Louis Armstrong.

“But the term jazz
incorporates so much more than that,” Long says. “It can incorporate straight ahead
swing. It can include what we call fusion and funk, all these different styles.
And also, some more modern styles. It infuses all those factors into one new
genre.” 

Long invites
everyone to come to downtown St. Joseph to take in a wide variety of music.

“Hoping they get
an understanding about what jazz is about, maybe they’ll find something there
they really like and a certain style,” Long says. “The other thing I want them
to come away with is just seeing the excitement of the youth performing and see
the future of this music is moving forward with the youth. That to me is as
important as anything else.”

The blues takes
center stage Friday night at Coleman Hawkins Park with performances beginning
at six o’clock Jazz takes over Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1:30.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749831621645.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostHawkFest begins
this evening in downtown St. Joseph.HawkFest brings
blues and jazz to Coleman Hawkins Park, a celebration honoring the legacy of
St. Joseph-born jazz saxophonist, Coleman Hawkins.Missouri Western
Director of Jazz Studies, Bob Long, a member of the Coleman Hawkins Jazz
Society, sees a growing popularity for jazz among the youth.“It’s been great
to watch how that has developed and how the students take hold of that,” Long
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “UMKC has a great jazz program going right now. We
have one going out here. You see it happening at all the colleges right now. It’s
exciting to see.”Long says many
have a misconception of jazz, thinking of the more traditional jazz of musicians
such as Louis Armstrong.“But the term jazz
incorporates so much more than that,” Long says. “It can incorporate straight ahead
swing. It can include what we call fusion and funk, all these different styles.
And also, some more modern styles. It infuses all those factors into one new
genre.” Long invites
everyone to come to downtown St. Joseph to take in a wide variety of music.“Hoping they get
an understanding about what jazz is about, maybe they’ll find something there
they really like and a certain style,” Long says. “The other thing I want them
to come away with is just seeing the excitement of the youth performing and see
the future of this music is moving forward with the youth. That to me is as
important as anything else.”The blues takes
center stage Friday night at Coleman Hawkins Park with performances beginning
at six o’clock Jazz takes over Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1:30.HawkFest is free
and open to the public.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

HawkFest brings blues and jazz to downtown St. Joseph

Higher education
is entering a new world.

Missouri Western
State University Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Andy
Otto, says the demographics don’t look good.

“The biggest
thing, if you follow higher education in any fashion, is there’s the thing
called the enrollment cliff, where the college-going population is about to
drop off," Otto tells KFEQmmunity.

Otto says it
simply is a matter of numbers. There aren’t as many 16-to-18 year olds now as
in the past.

“That has kind of
been this impending, daunting issue that everyone in higher ed has kind of had
their eye on for the last few years,” Otto says.

It is a challenge Otto
must confront as the new Chief Enrollment Officer at Missouri Western. Otto
also serves as Chief Communications Officer after Missouri Western combined the
positions of enrollment management and marketing. 

Otto began his duties
on the St. Joseph campus in April after serving at William Woods University in
Fulton since 2022. Prior to that, he worked for nine years at his alma mater, Ottawa
University in Kansas.

The pending
enrollment cliff creates a challenge for the nation’s colleges and universities.
Otto says Missouri Western is up to the challenge, but must fit its educational
offerings with the demands of workforce, both for today’s job market and that
of tomorrow.

“I think skills
are a huge piece to where higher education’s going; the workforce,” according
to Otto. “How can we translate that to the workforce? So, when you have
programs like we hold out at the Houlne Center that we talk about industrial
engineering, manufacturing, cyber security, occupations that are in high demand
right now.”

The cost of
college has also become an issue, along with the national debate over student
debt. Otto says even with the rising cost of a college education, studies show
that those with a degree earn more over their lifetime than those with only a
high school education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749834126550.jpeg" alt="Houlne Center of Convergent Technology" />
 <figcaption>Houlne Center of Convergent Technology</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostHigher education
is entering a new world.Missouri Western
State University Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Andy
Otto, says the demographics don’t look good.“The biggest
thing, if you follow higher education in any fashion, is there’s the thing
called the enrollment cliff, where the college-going population is about to
drop off," Otto tells KFEQmmunity.Otto says it
simply is a matter of numbers. There aren’t as many 16-to-18 year olds now as
in the past.“That has kind of
been this impending, daunting issue that everyone in higher ed has kind of had
their eye on for the last few years,” Otto says.It is a challenge Otto
must confront as the new Chief Enrollment Officer at Missouri Western. Otto
also serves as Chief Communications Officer after Missouri Western combined the
positions of enrollment management and marketing. Otto began his duties
on the St. Joseph campus in April after serving at William Woods University in
Fulton since 2022. Prior to that, he worked for nine years at his alma mater, Ottawa
University in Kansas.The pending
enrollment cliff creates a challenge for the nation’s colleges and universities.
Otto says Missouri Western is up to the challenge, but must fit its educational
offerings with the demands of workforce, both for today’s job market and that
of tomorrow.“I think skills
are a huge piece to where higher education’s going; the workforce,” according
to Otto. “How can we translate that to the workforce? So, when you have
programs like we hold out at the Houlne Center that we talk about industrial
engineering, manufacturing, cyber security, occupations that are in high demand
right now.”The cost of
college has also become an issue, along with the national debate over student
debt. Otto says even with the rising cost of a college education, studies show
that those with a degree earn more over their lifetime than those with only a
high school education.<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6F5FqtwvUNSlscFwFmgpaD?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU VP says the college must cope with new world of higher ed

St. Joseph School District officials
continue to look toward the future, though it’s not the future they had
planned.

“Plan A failed, so Plan B is to still go
to two high schools with that being Central and Lafayette,” Assistant
Superintendent of Academic and Education Services, Ashly McGinnis, says defeat
at the polls in April won’t change the long-range plan to reduce the number of
public high schools from three to two.

McGinnis, who soon will become
superintendent, tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post the district is looking at expanding
parking and the cafeteria at Lafayette to hold more students. 

“We still haven’t given up hope on a new
high school,” McGinnis says. “I think we need that for our community to move
forward. Our administrative team believes that, that that will draw folks into
our community and have people live here and be invested in our community. And so,
we haven’t given up on a new high school.”

Voters in April turned down a $157
million bond issue the St. Joseph School District proposed to build a new high
school. The issue needed 57% majority to pass. It received only 46% of the
vote.

McGinnis says declining enrollment and a
staffing shortage are really driving the move to reduce the number of public
high schools in St. Joseph from three to two. Central High School is the largest
with approximately 1,650 students. Benton has 620 students with the Lafayette student population at
585.

“So we’ve talked about some unequal
opportunities across the board at all three high schools, which is another
reason why we want to go to two high schools to condense our resources and
provide better services for all of our kids,” McGinnis says.

McGinnis says school officials have
already walked through Central and Lafayette High Schools to determine what
must be done to fit the new model.

Board of Education Vice President, Ronda
Chesney, says the board has big decisions ahead.

“Look at what the administrators have
proposed to us,” Chesney says, “asking any questions that we need to ask and
looking at the big picture of our district I think is important so that we’re
making sure that all students in our district receive the best possible education.”

McGinnis says the district’s
administrators and the Board of Education will be working together to better
detail the long-range plan.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph School District officials
continue to look toward the future, though it’s not the future they had
planned.“Plan A failed, so Plan B is to still go
to two high schools with that being Central and Lafayette,” Assistant
Superintendent of Academic and Education Services, Ashly McGinnis, says defeat
at the polls in April won’t change the long-range plan to reduce the number of
public high schools from three to two.McGinnis, who soon will become
superintendent, tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post the district is looking at expanding
parking and the cafeteria at Lafayette to hold more students. “We still haven’t given up hope on a new
high school,” McGinnis says. “I think we need that for our community to move
forward. Our administrative team believes that, that that will draw folks into
our community and have people live here and be invested in our community. And so,
we haven’t given up on a new high school.”Voters in April turned down a $157
million bond issue the St. Joseph School District proposed to build a new high
school. The issue needed 57% majority to pass. It received only 46% of the
vote.McGinnis says declining enrollment and a
staffing shortage are really driving the move to reduce the number of public
high schools in St. Joseph from three to two. Central High School is the largest
with approximately 1,650 students. Benton has 620 students with the Lafayette student population at
585.“So we’ve talked about some unequal
opportunities across the board at all three high schools, which is another
reason why we want to go to two high schools to condense our resources and
provide better services for all of our kids,” McGinnis says.McGinnis says school officials have
already walked through Central and Lafayette High Schools to determine what
must be done to fit the new model.Board of Education Vice President, Ronda
Chesney, says the board has big decisions ahead.“Look at what the administrators have
proposed to us,” Chesney says, “asking any questions that we need to ask and
looking at the big picture of our district I think is important so that we’re
making sure that all students in our district receive the best possible education.”McGinnis says the district’s
administrators and the Board of Education will be working together to better
detail the long-range plan.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph school officials look toward future and Plan B

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1J67PodIRst2vBlUyEtb4p?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/14hPaU3rrNLYafjdksZ1o5?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

Tomorrow, St. Joseph will host its first ever video game convention.  

St. Joseph Retro Con is happening tomorrow at the Good Times Event Center, beginning bright and early for VIP's at 8am, and the general audience at 9am.  

Organizer Colt Skouby says there has been a lot of interest in having something like this around the community 

"We don't have any game stores in town besides Gamestop and Entertainmart, so wanted to give our community a chance to have something different, see some amazing vendors, celebrities, special guests, cosplay contest, just a big way to bring in the community," Skouby tells KFEQmunnity host Brent Martin.  

Skouby says one of the biggest draws of the convention will be famed artist Paule E Niemeyer  

"For those in the video game community he is really big, he is actually the original artist for Mortal Kombat, so that iconic Mortal Kombat logo that we all know, and love is going to be there," Skouby explains.  "He's also done work on Tron, all the Pac-Man's, some major motion pictures he was in charge of their advertisement, Lost World: Jurassic Park, Men in Black 2, and a bunch of others."

There will also be a cosplay contest as well as several vendors.  Tickets to the event are two dollars, or three dollars for VIPs. It will run until 5pm.   

Skouby says as more video games move to be digital only, it's nice to have conventions like this to keep physical games alive for people 

"Relive their childhood, I love when I vend shows and a parent goes up to their kid and is like I used to have that as a kid, this is what I used to play," Skouby says.  "So, if i can make those memories for kids to pass on, that would mean the world, because kids are the future of anything." 

There will also be a big after party for people 21 and older, which will go from 7 to 11pm, 10 dollars general admission or five if you attended the con. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Tomorrow, St. Joseph will host its first ever video game convention. St. Joseph Retro Con is happening tomorrow at the Good Times Event Center, beginning bright and early for VIP's at 8am, and the general audience at 9am. Organizer Colt Skouby says there has been a lot of interest in having something like this around the community "We don't have any game stores in town besides Gamestop and Entertainmart, so wanted to give our community a chance to have something different, see some amazing vendors, celebrities, special guests, cosplay contest, just a big way to bring in the community," Skouby tells KFEQmunnity host Brent Martin. Skouby says one of the biggest draws of the convention will be famed artist Paule E Niemeyer "For those in the video game community he is really big, he is actually the original artist for Mortal Kombat, so that iconic Mortal Kombat logo that we all know, and love is going to be there," Skouby explains. "He's also done work on Tron, all the Pac-Man's, some major motion pictures he was in charge of their advertisement, Lost World: Jurassic Park, Men in Black 2, and a bunch of others."<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F61570916127554%2Fvideos%2F1929901964495241%2F&show_text=true&width=309&t=0" width="309" height="591" 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>There will also be a cosplay contest as well as several vendors. Tickets to the event are two dollars, or three dollars for VIPs. It will run until 5pm. Skouby says as more video games move to be digital only, it's nice to have conventions like this to keep physical games alive for people "Relive their childhood, I love when I vend shows and a parent goes up to their kid and is like I used to have that as a kid, this is what I used to play," Skouby says. "So, if i can make those memories for kids to pass on, that would mean the world, because kids are the future of anything." There will also be a big after party for people 21 and older, which will go from 7 to 11pm, 10 dollars general admission or five if you attended the con. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749832278190.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Retro Convention Facebook" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Retro Convention Facebook</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

St. Joseph's first video game convention happening this weekend

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/zoenaylor/">Zoe Naylor</a>&nbsp;-

A “No Kings” demonstration is scheduled Saturday in downtown Columbia, one of nearly 30 planned in Missouri and almost 2,000 across the country against Trump administration policies.

The “No Kings Day of Defiance” was organized nationwide at the same time a military parade will mark the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C. The date also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

In response to the planned rallies in Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he had activated the Missouri National Guard in preparation for the protests. The Guard will be mobilized only if “assistance is needed to support local law enforcement,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The rallies across the country are intended to “honor civil liberties for all” and protest deportation, U.S. actions in Gaza and recent funding cuts to government departments such as USAID, said Jeff Stack, coordinator of the Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation and an organizer of the demonstration in Columbia.

A number of rallies are planned in Kansas City and St. Louis, with additional demonstrations scheduled in Boonville, Fayette, Marshall, Jefferson City, Warrensburg, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Joplin, Rolla, St. Joseph, Poplar Bluff, West Plains, Kirksville, Maryville, Clinton and several other locations.

The demonstrations were spurred by the 50501 movement, a network of opposition that organizes and calls for protests across the country. The number refers to 50 protests, 50 states, one movement, according to the organization’s website.

It began on the social media platform Reddit after Trump’s second inauguration in January. The movement issued a statement earlier this month that “all No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety.”

Saturday is also Flag Day, a federal holiday that marks the adoption of the American flag on the date in 1777. No protest rally will be held in Washington, D.C., with the organizers saying it will “make action everywhere else the story of America that day.”

The rally in Columbia will be a “nonpartisan event,” Stack said. It is not in direct response to the presence of the National Guard and ICE in Los Angeles, Stack said, but federal action on the streets of California is emblematic of what will be protested.

“We’re not aligned with one particular party,” Stack said. “We’re just concerned about the policies.”

The goals of “No Kings” are to “give people a chance to come together to air grievances” and “honor the human rights and civil rights that we all have,” he said.

Cutting federal funding, deporting immigrants, enacting policies that “benefit the wealthiest of the wealthy” and laying off scores of federal employees are examples of the grievances, Stack said.

The demonstration in Columbia will begin at 11 a.m. at the Boone County Courthouse, 705 E. Walnut St. Speakers will address the crowd until about 12:30 p.m., when there will be a march through downtown.

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/at-least-30-no-kings-rallies-are-planned-saturday-in-missouri-thousands-nationwide/article_8af6088b-9252-4dc1-91e2-5c06d1f6ddb3.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749822989688.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/zoenaylor/">Zoe Naylor</a>&nbsp;-A “No Kings” demonstration is scheduled Saturday in downtown Columbia, one of nearly 30 planned in Missouri and almost 2,000 across the country against Trump administration policies.The “No Kings Day of Defiance” was organized nationwide at the same time a military parade will mark the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C. The date also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.In response to the planned rallies in Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he had activated the Missouri National Guard in preparation for the protests. The Guard will be mobilized only if “assistance is needed to support local law enforcement,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.The rallies across the country are intended to “honor civil liberties for all” and protest deportation, U.S. actions in Gaza and recent funding cuts to government departments such as USAID, said Jeff Stack, coordinator of the Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation and an organizer of the demonstration in Columbia.A number of rallies are planned in Kansas City and St. Louis, with additional demonstrations scheduled in Boonville, Fayette, Marshall, Jefferson City, Warrensburg, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Joplin, Rolla, St. Joseph, Poplar Bluff, West Plains, Kirksville, Maryville, Clinton and several other locations.The demonstrations were spurred by the 50501 movement, a network of opposition that organizes and calls for protests across the country. The number refers to 50 protests, 50 states, one movement, according to the organization’s website.It began on the social media platform Reddit after Trump’s second inauguration in January. The movement issued a statement earlier this month that “all No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety.”Saturday is also Flag Day, a federal holiday that marks the adoption of the American flag on the date in 1777. No protest rally will be held in Washington, D.C., with the organizers saying it will “make action everywhere else the story of America that day.”The rally in Columbia will be a “nonpartisan event,” Stack said. It is not in direct response to the presence of the National Guard and ICE in Los Angeles, Stack said, but federal action on the streets of California is emblematic of what will be protested.“We’re not aligned with one particular party,” Stack said. “We’re just concerned about the policies.”The goals of “No Kings” are to “give people a chance to come together to air grievances” and “honor the human rights and civil rights that we all have,” he said.Cutting federal funding, deporting immigrants, enacting policies that “benefit the wealthiest of the wealthy” and laying off scores of federal employees are examples of the grievances, Stack said.The demonstration in Columbia will begin at 11 a.m. at the Boone County Courthouse, 705 E. Walnut St. Speakers will address the crowd until about 12:30 p.m., when there will be a march through downtown.This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/at-least-30-no-kings-rallies-are-planned-saturday-in-missouri-thousands-nationwide/article_8af6088b-9252-4dc1-91e2-5c06d1f6ddb3.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

At least 30 ‘No Kings’ rallies planned Saturday in Missouri, thousands nationwide

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Troop H will conduct a Hazardous Moving Violations Operation on Saturday, June 28th, in Clinton, Daviess &amp; Harrison counties. Troopers will focus on violations that contribute to vehicle crashes. Obey all traffic laws, avoid distractions &amp; never drive impaired. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuckleUpPhoneDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuckleUpPhoneDown</a> <a href="https://t.co/gL3nYum6E8">pic.twitter.com/gL3nYum6E8</a>&mdash; MSHP Troop H (@MSHPTrooperH) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSHPTrooperH/status/1933191112451334331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

MSHP will conduct a hazardous moving violations operation Saturday

St. Joseph’s
celebration of Juneteenth begins this weekend and stretches over the next couple
of weeks.

Executive
Director, Sara Wilson, with St. Joseph Museums says it all begins this weekend with
the theatrical production of Our Town at the Missouri Theater.

“So, we have just
a lot of fun stuff going on over the next couple of weeks,” Wilson tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I hope everybody will come out and celebrate Juneteenth,
because Juneteenth is for everyone. It is a national holiday now and we are all
celebrating it together.” 

Our Town will be
performed at the Missouri Theater Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

A 3-Point Shootout
will be held at the Bartlett Center on the 15th. The Juneteenth Gala
will be held on the 19th, followed by the Juneteenth Family Festival
and Vendor Fair on the 20th and 21st. The Juneteenth
Parade and Fashion Show will be held on the 21st, with the
Juneteenth Family Picnic the following day.

Wilson says
Juneteenth should be a celebration for everyone.

“I think it should
be really an exciting celebration of freedom. We live in the United States
where we are free,” Wilson says. “And that’s what we want to celebrate is the
emancipation of all people, for us to be who we are and embrace who we are, to
celebrate culture and to celebrate our differences as well as our
commonalities.”

Juneteenth
celebrates the day slaves in Texas were informed of their freedom. The United States
Capitol Historical Society states that on June 19th, 1865, more than a quarter
million slaves in Galveston, Texas received news of their emancipation from Union
Army General, Gordon Granger.

President Joe
Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act at the White House in
2021. It is observed on June 19th.

Wilson says
Juneteenth should be seen as a celebration of freedom.

“We tend to
celebrate the Fourth of July as the celebration of freedom, but Juneteenth is
the celebration of freedom for all people,” Wilson says. “For many years, not
all Americans were free. And so, Juneteenth is the celebration of the freedom
for all Americans.” 

Click <a href="https://www.stjosephmuseum.org/juneteenth">HERE</a> for
more on the Juneteenth celebration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749756521159.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph’s
celebration of Juneteenth begins this weekend and stretches over the next couple
of weeks.Executive
Director, Sara Wilson, with St. Joseph Museums says it all begins this weekend with
the theatrical production of Our Town at the Missouri Theater.“So, we have just
a lot of fun stuff going on over the next couple of weeks,” Wilson tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I hope everybody will come out and celebrate Juneteenth,
because Juneteenth is for everyone. It is a national holiday now and we are all
celebrating it together.” Our Town will be
performed at the Missouri Theater Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.A 3-Point Shootout
will be held at the Bartlett Center on the 15th. The Juneteenth Gala
will be held on the 19th, followed by the Juneteenth Family Festival
and Vendor Fair on the 20th and 21st. The Juneteenth
Parade and Fashion Show will be held on the 21st, with the
Juneteenth Family Picnic the following day.Wilson says
Juneteenth should be a celebration for everyone.“I think it should
be really an exciting celebration of freedom. We live in the United States
where we are free,” Wilson says. “And that’s what we want to celebrate is the
emancipation of all people, for us to be who we are and embrace who we are, to
celebrate culture and to celebrate our differences as well as our
commonalities.”Juneteenth
celebrates the day slaves in Texas were informed of their freedom. The United States
Capitol Historical Society states that on June 19th, 1865, more than a quarter
million slaves in Galveston, Texas received news of their emancipation from Union
Army General, Gordon Granger.President Joe
Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act at the White House in
2021. It is observed on June 19th.Wilson says
Juneteenth should be seen as a celebration of freedom.“We tend to
celebrate the Fourth of July as the celebration of freedom, but Juneteenth is
the celebration of freedom for all people,” Wilson says. “For many years, not
all Americans were free. And so, Juneteenth is the celebration of the freedom
for all Americans.” Click <a href="https://www.stjosephmuseum.org/juneteenth">HERE</a> for
more on the Juneteenth celebration.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Juneteenth celebration begins tonight in St. Joseph

Jefferson City&nbsp;— On Thursday, in response to immigration enforcement protests planned across Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-25, activating the Missouri National Guard as a precautionary measure in reaction to recent instances of civil unrest across the country, according to a statement from the governor's office.

"We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,"&nbsp;Governor Kehoe&nbsp;said. "While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities.”

This week, the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Missouri National Guard established a Unified Command to monitor situations on the ground and prepare to assist local law enforcement.

Executive Order 25-25 declares that a State of Emergency exists in the State of Missouri due to civil unrest and calls on the Adjutant General, or his designee, to call and order into active service such portions of the National Guard personnel as he deems necessary to aid executive officials of Missouri to protect life and property.

It is further ordered and directed that the Adjutant General or his designee, and through him, the commanding officer of any unit or other organization of the National Guard, to take action and employ such equipment as may be necessary in support of civilian authorities and provide such assistance as may be authorized and directed by Governor Kehoe.

To view Executive Order 25-25, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2025/eo25">this link</a>.

Jefferson City&nbsp;— On Thursday, in response to immigration enforcement protests planned across Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-25, activating the Missouri National Guard as a precautionary measure in reaction to recent instances of civil unrest across the country, according to a statement from the governor's office."We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,"&nbsp;Governor Kehoe&nbsp;said. "While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities.”This week, the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Missouri National Guard established a Unified Command to monitor situations on the ground and prepare to assist local law enforcement.Executive Order 25-25 declares that a State of Emergency exists in the State of Missouri due to civil unrest and calls on the Adjutant General, or his designee, to call and order into active service such portions of the National Guard personnel as he deems necessary to aid executive officials of Missouri to protect life and property.It is further ordered and directed that the Adjutant General or his designee, and through him, the commanding officer of any unit or other organization of the National Guard, to take action and employ such equipment as may be necessary in support of civilian authorities and provide such assistance as may be authorized and directed by Governor Kehoe.To view Executive Order 25-25, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2025/eo25">this link</a>.

Missouri Gov. activates National Guard ahead of planned protests across the state

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Pet owners in St. Joseph will now experience a more streamlined process when licensing their pets, thanks to a new online system launched by St. Joseph Animal Services.

The city has partnered with DocuPet, a digital pet licensing platform designed to help reunite lost pets with their families more quickly and efficiently. The new system allows residents to register their pets online by visiting <a href="https://stjosephmo.docupet.com">stjosephmo.docupet.com</a>.

To complete registration, pet owners will need to upload vaccination records and spay/neuter documentation. Before creating a new profile, Animal Services asks residents to search the database to see if a profile for their pet already exists, which can help avoid delays and duplicate entries.

For questions or additional assistance, contact Holly Bowie at 816-271-4877 or via email at <a>hbowie@stjosephmo.gov</a>.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Pet owners in St. Joseph will now experience a more streamlined process when licensing their pets, thanks to a new online system launched by St. Joseph Animal Services.The city has partnered with DocuPet, a digital pet licensing platform designed to help reunite lost pets with their families more quickly and efficiently. The new system allows residents to register their pets online by visiting <a href="https://stjosephmo.docupet.com">stjosephmo.docupet.com</a>.To complete registration, pet owners will need to upload vaccination records and spay/neuter documentation. Before creating a new profile, Animal Services asks residents to search the database to see if a profile for their pet already exists, which can help avoid delays and duplicate entries.For questions or additional assistance, contact Holly Bowie at 816-271-4877 or via email at <a>hbowie@stjosephmo.gov</a>.

St. Joseph Launches New Online Pet Licensing System

A former Missouri Western women's lacrosse player is hoping to help grow the game locally by launching a new program. 

A record holding goalkeeper at Western, Mackenzie Porter is hoping to teach more young girls about the sport she's played since second grade. 

Porter is launching Mighty Mo Lacrosse, a girls youth lacrosse clinic-based program here in St. Joseph.

Porter hopes with this program she can help grow the game, and bring more awareness

"Showing people like hey this is here, and I think once young girl see that the sport exists, then it's going to start to draw people more to Missouri Western and Missouri Western lacrosse," Porter tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Porter says the game helps girls build community by playing on a team, and says while there are several other youth sports

"Something different, especially here that people don't even know exists and finding like maybe girls can find their community within this sport and it can become a love for them just like it was for me, it was an escape," Porter explains.

Porter says she felt something special while she played the game

"A part of something bigger I guess, because I was a part of a team," Porter says.

The program is still in its early stages.  Porter says currently she is working to gauge interest from people and raise funds, with hopes of starting clinics later this summer. 

"I know it's soon, because we're in the midst of summer right now, but I truly believe with community engagement and just sharing this initiative and getting people to hop on board, I think we can make it happen," Porter says.

Porter says she also hopes to get some of her former teammates from Missouri Western involved to help with the future clinics when they begin. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749749193120.jpeg" alt="Former Missouri Western women's lacrosse goalkeeper Mackenzie Porter (26 in goal) is launching a new program in St. Joseph to teach young girls about lacrosse/ Photo courtesy of MIssouri Western Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Former Missouri Western women's lacrosse goalkeeper Mackenzie Porter (26 in goal) is launching a new program in St. Joseph to teach young girls about lacrosse/ Photo courtesy of MIssouri Western Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA former Missouri Western women's lacrosse player is hoping to help grow the game locally by launching a new program. A record holding goalkeeper at Western, Mackenzie Porter is hoping to teach more young girls about the sport she's played since second grade. Porter is launching Mighty Mo Lacrosse, a girls youth lacrosse clinic-based program here in St. Joseph.Porter hopes with this program she can help grow the game, and bring more awareness"Showing people like hey this is here, and I think once young girl see that the sport exists, then it's going to start to draw people more to Missouri Western and Missouri Western lacrosse," Porter tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Porter says the game helps girls build community by playing on a team, and says while there are several other youth sports"Something different, especially here that people don't even know exists and finding like maybe girls can find their community within this sport and it can become a love for them just like it was for me, it was an escape," Porter explains.Porter says she felt something special while she played the game"A part of something bigger I guess, because I was a part of a team," Porter says.The program is still in its early stages. Porter says currently she is working to gauge interest from people and raise funds, with hopes of starting clinics later this summer. "I know it's soon, because we're in the midst of summer right now, but I truly believe with community engagement and just sharing this initiative and getting people to hop on board, I think we can make it happen," Porter says.Porter says she also hopes to get some of her former teammates from Missouri Western involved to help with the future clinics when they begin. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Former MWSU women's lacrosse legend launching new youth program

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/089nCQXs6lvvnAJ2Yt8MeY?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0p72KM9L3g4MpLFmJ4Wedf?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

An 18-year-old St.
Joseph man suffered serious injuries Wednesday night when he crashed his car
into a rock wall at Bartlett Park.

St. Joseph police
report the crash occurred around 9:18 last night in the 1400 block of
South Noyes Boulevard. Police believe the car was speeding prior to the crash. The
driver was the only one in the vehicle. He suffered multiple, serious injuries
and has been hospitalized. 

The accident
remains under investigation.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn 18-year-old St.
Joseph man suffered serious injuries Wednesday night when he crashed his car
into a rock wall at Bartlett Park.St. Joseph police
report the crash occurred around 9:18 last night in the 1400 block of
South Noyes Boulevard. Police believe the car was speeding prior to the crash. The
driver was the only one in the vehicle. He suffered multiple, serious injuries
and has been hospitalized. The accident
remains under investigation.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Speeding likely cause of injury accident in St. Joseph

BY:&nbsp;&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>

The Missouri House voted to set aside $1.5 billion of future tax revenue to finance stadium projects and provide $125 million of aid for communities hit by severe weather

The Missouri House closed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/27/missouri-governor-calls-special-session-for-kansas-city-stadiums-st-louis-disaster-funding/">the special legislative session</a>&nbsp;Wednesday with votes to finance&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/02/missouri-special-session-begins-with-lawmakers-split-on-stadium-funding-plan/">professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;in Kansas City and provide&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/trump-allows-fema-aid-for-st-louis-tornado-recovery/">tornado relief for St. Louis</a>.

Three special session bills, already&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/05/missouri-governor-allows-more-spending-property-tax-cap-as-he-pursues-stadium-deal/">approved in the state Senate</a>, are now in the hands of Gov. Mike Kehoe. He is expected to sign them quickly, putting the decision on whether to stay in Missouri in the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, who are also considering an offer from Kansas to cross the state line.

State Rep. Chris Brown, a Republican from Kansas City handling the stadium bill, asked his colleagues to do what they would do to retain any large employer.

“We really need to, or should, look at these franchises, not just as entertainment,” Brown said. “They are entertaining, obviously, but it’s an incredibly big business.”

Opponents of the legislation said it improperly benefits wealthy team owners at the expense of other Missourians. They also contend the bill is unconstitutional.

“The middle class, everyday Missourian is expected to pay for this,” said state Rep. Richard West, a Republican from Wentzville. “We’ve been promising for years for some form of tax relief or tax adjustment or something to ease the burden on what they have, and this is exactly the opposite of what we promised them to come up here to do.”

The measure to finance new stadiums was the most controversial of the three bills, passing on a 90-58 vote, with 32 Democrats joining with 58 Republicans to provide the majority. There were 13 Democrats and 45 Republicans who voted against the bill.

To finance the stadium construction, the bill sets aside tax revenue generated by the teams and economic activity at Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. Estimated at just under $1.5 billion over 30 years, the funding would pay for half the costs of improvements at Arrowhead and a new home for the Royals.

The Kansas offer would cover 70% of the construction costs for new stadiums, but it expires at the end of the month. The bill passed Wednesday requires financing from local governments, either in Jackson County, where the teams currently reside, or Clay County, which is trying to lure the Royals.

It is impossible to put a ballot measure before voters in the time remaining for the Kansas offer. House leaders from the Kansas City area had differing views on whether the teams should accept or reject Missouri’s offer now that it is a firm commitment but without knowing what voters will approve in the Kansas City region.

“I don’t know what the teams will do,” said House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican. “They have their own plan. I think that’s very unlikely, but I’m just worried about the things I can control, and teams are on their own schedule and will act accordingly.”

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, said the teams should make a decision before June 30

“I would call on them to do so,” Aune said. “We bent over backwards here in the Missouri legislature to deliver them something by the end of their imposed deadline of June 30. And I would very much like for them to hold true to that deadline and let us know where they’re going before that.”

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02vF4BdALzcghzkkop9ZNFJeGpLRBZqwWMgXUgTPF9f7ALK1DCmLS9wqQnoFFCFHeEl&amp;id=61552483836166" target="_blank">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;thanking the legislature but made no commitment.

“The passing of this legislation is an important piece of the overall effort,” Hunt said. “While there’s still work to be done, this legislation enables the Chiefs to continue exploring potential options to consider remaining in Missouri.”

Patterson and Aune also disagreed on whether the extra disaster aid and property tax controls Kehoe added to the special session agenda had made the difference between success and failure on the stadium bill.

Patterson said each bill was considered on its own merits and that the property tax provisions may have cost votes. The stadium legislation won 103 votes in the House in May but the bill died in the state Senate.

“I’d like to think that people took a look at both those things on their own,” Patterson said. “I don’t think anybody here voted for one thing just because of the other.”

The House voted down two amendments so the bill did not require another vote in the state Senate. Patterson said it would have failed the second time around.

“A second Senate vote on the (stadium bill) would have been impossible, just the political climate after that vote,” Patterson said. “So we were very mindful of that. I thought if it goes back, it’s not going to pass.”

Aune said the additional disaster aid was essential to securing Democratic votes.

“If he wanted to get this stadium done, which is an economic development opportunity for the state and a priority of our governor, it was necessary to make sure that he could shore up those votes by making folks happy in other ways,” Aune said.

During debate on the special session spending bill, the House fell silent as state Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, a St. Louis Democrat, described the devastation of her north St. Louis legislative district.

Collins was home on May 16 because the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/15/stadium-funding-gun-rights-law-among-casualties-of-missouri-senate-breakdown/">General Assembly adjourned early</a>&nbsp;instead of working to the final day allowed by the Missouri Constitution. She was in her car, preparing to attend a high school graduation when the tornado hit, she said.

“I watched a tornado rip through the middle of my house district,” Collins said. “I also watched it rip off my roof, and I watched the tornado rip off my neighbor’s roof. To this day, debris still sits in my front yard, and I’m a girl that has no insurance.”

Four of the five Missourians who died in the tornado lived in her district, Collins said.

The disaster relief provisions in the legislation address both the devastation of the May 16 tornado in St. Louis and the damages suffered by other Missourians in storms and flooding earlier in the year. They are:

The provisions were demanded before the Senate vote because of uncertainty about the federal response to the tornado. Kehoe asked President Donald Trump for a federal disaster declaration for the tornado on May 25 and for April 29 storms in Scott on May 19.&nbsp;

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/trump-allows-fema-aid-for-st-louis-tornado-recovery/">approved both late Monday</a>, making federal aid for emergency housing and rebuilding available to individuals and providing money to reimburse the state and local governments for recovery costs.

State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson who is in her last term in the House, asked her colleagues to stand by St. Louis for the long-term.

“For those of us who will be termed-out next year,” Proudie said, “we need the rest of you who will be here five years later to continue to remember this day, to remember this time, to remember these last three weeks, to continue to pour help into these communities, into these people.”

The property tax cap in the stadium bill will be imposed in 97 counties. There would be 75 counties where basic tax bills would not increase more than 5% per year and 22 where no increase would be allowed.

The list excludes most of the largest counties of the state and many members opposed it because the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++3&amp;bid=32025&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">Missouri Constitution requires</a>&nbsp;property taxes to be “uniform upon the same class or subclass of subjects.”

Another constitutional objection was raised that the bill improperly aids a private entity by giving state support to the Chiefs and Royals, in violation of a provision&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++38(a)&amp;bid=31785&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">added to the Constitution in 1875</a>.&nbsp;

“I haven’t heard an argument yet that this bill is going to be upheld,” said state Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Republican from Dixon. “I’ve only heard arguments that we should ignore the fact that it’s unconstitutional.”

The likelihood of the property tax provisions being blocked by the courts led at least one Democrat to vote for the bill. State Rep. Kathy Steinmetz of Columbia, speaking at a news conference after the vote, said she sees the cap as shifting the tax burden for schools to state taxpayers.

“They’re ending up paying more,” she said, “so that we can help the school districts that are not putting forth that local tax effort.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749680219632.png" alt=" State Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City, speaks Wednesday in favor of the bill he handled that would finance new or improved professional sports stadiums in Kansas City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City, speaks Wednesday in favor of the bill he handled that would finance new or improved professional sports stadiums in Kansas City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&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><h2>The Missouri House voted to set aside $1.5 billion of future tax revenue to finance stadium projects and provide $125 million of aid for communities hit by severe weather</h2>The Missouri House closed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/27/missouri-governor-calls-special-session-for-kansas-city-stadiums-st-louis-disaster-funding/">the special legislative session</a>&nbsp;Wednesday with votes to finance&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/02/missouri-special-session-begins-with-lawmakers-split-on-stadium-funding-plan/">professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;in Kansas City and provide&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/trump-allows-fema-aid-for-st-louis-tornado-recovery/">tornado relief for St. Louis</a>.Three special session bills, already&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/05/missouri-governor-allows-more-spending-property-tax-cap-as-he-pursues-stadium-deal/">approved in the state Senate</a>, are now in the hands of Gov. Mike Kehoe. He is expected to sign them quickly, putting the decision on whether to stay in Missouri in the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, who are also considering an offer from Kansas to cross the state line.State Rep. Chris Brown, a Republican from Kansas City handling the stadium bill, asked his colleagues to do what they would do to retain any large employer.“We really need to, or should, look at these franchises, not just as entertainment,” Brown said. “They are entertaining, obviously, but it’s an incredibly big business.”Opponents of the legislation said it improperly benefits wealthy team owners at the expense of other Missourians. They also contend the bill is unconstitutional.“The middle class, everyday Missourian is expected to pay for this,” said state Rep. Richard West, a Republican from Wentzville. “We’ve been promising for years for some form of tax relief or tax adjustment or something to ease the burden on what they have, and this is exactly the opposite of what we promised them to come up here to do.”The measure to finance new stadiums was the most controversial of the three bills, passing on a 90-58 vote, with 32 Democrats joining with 58 Republicans to provide the majority. There were 13 Democrats and 45 Republicans who voted against the bill.To finance the stadium construction, the bill sets aside tax revenue generated by the teams and economic activity at Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. Estimated at just under $1.5 billion over 30 years, the funding would pay for half the costs of improvements at Arrowhead and a new home for the Royals.The Kansas offer would cover 70% of the construction costs for new stadiums, but it expires at the end of the month. The bill passed Wednesday requires financing from local governments, either in Jackson County, where the teams currently reside, or Clay County, which is trying to lure the Royals.It is impossible to put a ballot measure before voters in the time remaining for the Kansas offer. House leaders from the Kansas City area had differing views on whether the teams should accept or reject Missouri’s offer now that it is a firm commitment but without knowing what voters will approve in the Kansas City region.“I don’t know what the teams will do,” said House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican. “They have their own plan. I think that’s very unlikely, but I’m just worried about the things I can control, and teams are on their own schedule and will act accordingly.”House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, said the teams should make a decision before June 30“I would call on them to do so,” Aune said. “We bent over backwards here in the Missouri legislature to deliver them something by the end of their imposed deadline of June 30. And I would very much like for them to hold true to that deadline and let us know where they’re going before that.”Chiefs owner Clark Hunt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02vF4BdALzcghzkkop9ZNFJeGpLRBZqwWMgXUgTPF9f7ALK1DCmLS9wqQnoFFCFHeEl&amp;id=61552483836166" target="_blank">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;thanking the legislature but made no commitment.“The passing of this legislation is an important piece of the overall effort,” Hunt said. “While there’s still work to be done, this legislation enables the Chiefs to continue exploring potential options to consider remaining in Missouri.”Patterson and Aune also disagreed on whether the extra disaster aid and property tax controls Kehoe added to the special session agenda had made the difference between success and failure on the stadium bill.Patterson said each bill was considered on its own merits and that the property tax provisions may have cost votes. The stadium legislation won 103 votes in the House in May but the bill died in the state Senate.“I’d like to think that people took a look at both those things on their own,” Patterson said. “I don’t think anybody here voted for one thing just because of the other.”The House voted down two amendments so the bill did not require another vote in the state Senate. Patterson said it would have failed the second time around.“A second Senate vote on the (stadium bill) would have been impossible, just the political climate after that vote,” Patterson said. “So we were very mindful of that. I thought if it goes back, it’s not going to pass.”Aune said the additional disaster aid was essential to securing Democratic votes.“If he wanted to get this stadium done, which is an economic development opportunity for the state and a priority of our governor, it was necessary to make sure that he could shore up those votes by making folks happy in other ways,” Aune said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749680176449.png" alt=" State Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, D-St. Louis, speaks Wednesday on the devastation her district has suffered after a tornado hit the area on May 16 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, D-St. Louis, speaks Wednesday on the devastation her district has suffered after a tornado hit the area on May 16 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Disaster relief</h2>During debate on the special session spending bill, the House fell silent as state Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, a St. Louis Democrat, described the devastation of her north St. Louis legislative district.Collins was home on May 16 because the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/15/stadium-funding-gun-rights-law-among-casualties-of-missouri-senate-breakdown/">General Assembly adjourned early</a>&nbsp;instead of working to the final day allowed by the Missouri Constitution. She was in her car, preparing to attend a high school graduation when the tornado hit, she said.“I watched a tornado rip through the middle of my house district,” Collins said. “I also watched it rip off my roof, and I watched the tornado rip off my neighbor’s roof. To this day, debris still sits in my front yard, and I’m a girl that has no insurance.”Four of the five Missourians who died in the tornado lived in her district, Collins said.The disaster relief provisions in the legislation address both the devastation of the May 16 tornado in St. Louis and the damages suffered by other Missourians in storms and flooding earlier in the year. They are:<ul>
 <li>$100 million in the spending bill for storm recovery in the city of St. Louis;</li><li>$25 million for home repairs and other housing needs through programs of the Missouri Housing Development Commission, available in any county included in a request for federal disaster aid;</li><li>A tax credit worth up to $5,000 for insurance deductibles paid for residential damage in an area included in a request for federal disaster aid. The legislation would allow $90 million in claims this year and $45 million per year for future years.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>The provisions were demanded before the Senate vote because of uncertainty about the federal response to the tornado. Kehoe asked President Donald Trump for a federal disaster declaration for the tornado on May 25 and for April 29 storms in Scott on May 19.&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/trump-allows-fema-aid-for-st-louis-tornado-recovery/">approved both late Monday</a>, making federal aid for emergency housing and rebuilding available to individuals and providing money to reimburse the state and local governments for recovery costs.State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson who is in her last term in the House, asked her colleagues to stand by St. Louis for the long-term.“For those of us who will be termed-out next year,” Proudie said, “we need the rest of you who will be here five years later to continue to remember this day, to remember this time, to remember these last three weeks, to continue to pour help into these communities, into these people.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749680145631.png" alt=" State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, speaks on the House floor Wednesday about how property tax provisions in the stadium funding bill affects local schools (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, speaks on the House floor Wednesday about how property tax provisions in the stadium funding bill affects local schools (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Constitutional questions</h2>The property tax cap in the stadium bill will be imposed in 97 counties. There would be 75 counties where basic tax bills would not increase more than 5% per year and 22 where no increase would be allowed.The list excludes most of the largest counties of the state and many members opposed it because the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++3&amp;bid=32025&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">Missouri Constitution requires</a>&nbsp;property taxes to be “uniform upon the same class or subclass of subjects.”Another constitutional objection was raised that the bill improperly aids a private entity by giving state support to the Chiefs and Royals, in violation of a provision&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++38(a)&amp;bid=31785&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">added to the Constitution in 1875</a>.&nbsp;“I haven’t heard an argument yet that this bill is going to be upheld,” said state Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Republican from Dixon. “I’ve only heard arguments that we should ignore the fact that it’s unconstitutional.”The likelihood of the property tax provisions being blocked by the courts led at least one Democrat to vote for the bill. State Rep. Kathy Steinmetz of Columbia, speaking at a news conference after the vote, said she sees the cap as shifting the tax burden for schools to state taxpayers.“They’re ending up paying more,” she said, “so that we can help the school districts that are not putting forth that local tax effort.”

Missouri special session ends with passage of KC stadium funding, disaster aid

BROWN COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Wednesday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy Silverado driven by Deanna N.&nbsp;Roybal, 16, Horton, was southbound on U.S. 73 approximately five miles north of the city of Horton. The pickup traveled into the west ditch and rolled.

EMS transported&nbsp;Roybal and passengers Melissa A. Mathewson, 50, and Clayette&nbsp;Snow Wakole, 16, both of Horton to Amberwell in Hiawatha.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Wednesday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy Silverado driven by Deanna N.&nbsp;Roybal, 16, Horton, was southbound on U.S. 73 approximately five miles north of the city of Horton. The pickup traveled into the west ditch and rolled.EMS transported&nbsp;Roybal and passengers Melissa A. Mathewson, 50, and Clayette&nbsp;Snow Wakole, 16, both of Horton to Amberwell in Hiawatha.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2-teens, adult hospitalized after pickup rollover crash

ANDREW COUNTY —Two juveniles were injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Dodge 1500 driven by a 16-year-old Savannah girl was eastbound on County Road 339 two miles south of Savannah. The driver failed to negotiate a left turn onto County Road 335. The pickup started sliding, traveled off the east side of the road and overturned.

Andrew County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; A 16-year-old female passenger was released to her mother for treatment of a minor injury. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —Two juveniles were injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Dodge 1500 driven by a 16-year-old Savannah girl was eastbound on County Road 339 two miles south of Savannah. The driver failed to negotiate a left turn onto County Road 335. The pickup started sliding, traveled off the east side of the road and overturned.Andrew County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; A 16-year-old female passenger was released to her mother for treatment of a minor injury. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Two Missouri teens injured after pickup overturns

Legendary boxer Rob Calloway will become a new member of the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame.  

Calloway, known as the All-American Prize Fighter, became the Kansas City Gold Gloves Champion three times.  He also fought many times at St. Joseph's Civic Arena.  

Calloway says he's happy and honored to be a member of the 2025 class in the Hall of Fame.  

"I love St. Joseph, I was the All American Prize Fighter for 20 years, so this is very much a dream come true," Calloway tells reporters.  

Calloway says a lot of work went into his long boxing career, starting all the way back in his amateur fighting days at 19 years old 

"A bit older than most, 40 amateur bouts and the '92 Olympic trials and turned pro in '92 to 2012, so 20 years fighting all over the world, over 20 different states, 10 different countries," Calloway says.  "It takes a lot of hard work, but you've got to love what you're doing, and I loved every minute of training, and I loved every fight I was in." 

Calloway won several titles throughout his career.  He fought 23 of his 92 career matches at Civic Arena, and in those 92 matches, he boasted an outstanding 72-14-2 record with four no contests.  He also won several titles. 

Calloway says there's a lot that stands out to him about his illustrious career 

"I love that I won the world title in the Gold Coast of Australia and it was the fight of the year and it was probably my best fight," Calloway says.  "I also had several fights on ESPN, Showtime, some great fights I was glad the city got to be a part of, I had a great career and I'm glad to be honored now." 

Calloway was one of nine individuals in the class along with one Special Olympian and one team. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749657271770.jpeg" alt="Rob Calloway in a boxing match against Ruslan Chagaev on May 10th, 2002, one of just two draws in Calloway's career.&nbsp; Calloway is a member of the 2025 class of the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame/ Photo courtesy of Youtube" />
 <figcaption>Rob Calloway in a boxing match against Ruslan Chagaev on May 10th, 2002, one of just two draws in Calloway's career.&nbsp; Calloway is a member of the 2025 class of the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame/ Photo courtesy of Youtube</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Legendary boxer Rob Calloway will become a new member of the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. Calloway, known as the All-American Prize Fighter, became the Kansas City Gold Gloves Champion three times. He also fought many times at St. Joseph's Civic Arena. Calloway says he's happy and honored to be a member of the 2025 class in the Hall of Fame. "I love St. Joseph, I was the All American Prize Fighter for 20 years, so this is very much a dream come true," Calloway tells reporters. Calloway says a lot of work went into his long boxing career, starting all the way back in his amateur fighting days at 19 years old "A bit older than most, 40 amateur bouts and the '92 Olympic trials and turned pro in '92 to 2012, so 20 years fighting all over the world, over 20 different states, 10 different countries," Calloway says. "It takes a lot of hard work, but you've got to love what you're doing, and I loved every minute of training, and I loved every fight I was in." Calloway won several titles throughout his career. He fought 23 of his 92 career matches at Civic Arena, and in those 92 matches, he boasted an outstanding 72-14-2 record with four no contests. He also won several titles. Calloway says there's a lot that stands out to him about his illustrious career "I love that I won the world title in the Gold Coast of Australia and it was the fight of the year and it was probably my best fight," Calloway says. "I also had several fights on ESPN, Showtime, some great fights I was glad the city got to be a part of, I had a great career and I'm glad to be honored now." Calloway was one of nine individuals in the class along with one Special Olympian and one team. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749657126596.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Sports Commission&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Sports Commission&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>

Calloway considers St. Joseph Hall of Fame a dream come true

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5NlFF0dnX2jZ67NfdgxYuR?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1Vpmxv1LaeQd44fYe0cjf0?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

PLATTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect after two reports of burglaries in Platte County.

Just before 8:30 a.m. on June 10, deputies responded to the Timber Park where a burglary suspect was believed to still be on foot in the area, according to a media release.

Platte County deputies began searching for the suspect while using a K9s and drone deployment. Deputies continued to search the Timber Park area, Summit Way neighborhood and Prairie Creek Greenway for the suspect until just after noon with no results.

At 4:10 p.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a residence on Running Horse Road on another report of residential burglary. Deputies located and took a suspect into custody. The suspect matched the description of the earlier residential burglary report.

The suspect, 25-year-old Lucas Majors, identified from online jail records, received medical attention on scene before being transported to the Platte County Detention Center. Majors is on a twenty-four hour investigative hold pending the filing of charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749654610323.png" alt="Majors photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Majors photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PLATTE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect after two reports of burglaries in Platte County.Just before 8:30 a.m. on June 10, deputies responded to the Timber Park where a burglary suspect was believed to still be on foot in the area, according to a media release.Platte County deputies began searching for the suspect while using a K9s and drone deployment. Deputies continued to search the Timber Park area, Summit Way neighborhood and Prairie Creek Greenway for the suspect until just after noon with no results.At 4:10 p.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a residence on Running Horse Road on another report of residential burglary. Deputies located and took a suspect into custody. The suspect matched the description of the earlier residential burglary report.The suspect, 25-year-old Lucas Majors, identified from online jail records, received medical attention on scene before being transported to the Platte County Detention Center. Majors is on a twenty-four hour investigative hold pending the filing of charges.

K9 helps capture home burglary suspect after search

The special session called by Gov. Mike Kehoe could wrap up Wednesday if no changes are made to the bills already passed in the Senate

The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/27/missouri-governor-calls-special-session-for-kansas-city-stadiums-st-louis-disaster-funding/">special session</a>&nbsp;bills to fund&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=E1&amp;BillID=18267440" target="_blank">professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;in Kansas City and provide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=E1&amp;BillID=18267452" target="_blank">disaster relief to St. Louis</a>&nbsp;passed House committees easily on Tuesday, setting up final votes that will send them to Gov. Mike Kehoe.

There were no changes from the Senate-approved versions as the stadium financing bill passed the House Economic Development Committee on an 11-2 vote and a spending bill with $100 million for storm cleanup in St. Louis by a unanimous vote.

As long as there are no amendments passed on the floor, those two bills and another to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=E1&amp;BillID=18267450" target="_blank">authorize disaster housing support</a>&nbsp;will be finished Wednesday. If there are any changes, they will have to be approved by the state Senate, which passed all three bills last week.

The immediate purpose of the special session was to get state lawmakers on record with an offer to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and MLB’s Royals before the teams had to make a decision on whether to jump the state line to take a deal offered by Kansas.&nbsp;

The Kansas offer, with a deadline at the end of the month, is a serious proposal and Missouri will lose the teams — and the economic activity associated with them — if it does not put up a counter-offer, said state Sen. Kurtis Gregory, a Republican from Marshall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749637478080.png" alt=" St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer listens to a question Tuesday as she testifies on the need for tornado relief funds alongside city policy director Casey Millburg. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer listens to a question Tuesday as she testifies on the need for tornado relief funds alongside city policy director Casey Millburg. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&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><h2>The special session called by Gov. Mike Kehoe could wrap up Wednesday if no changes are made to the bills already passed in the Senate</h2>The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/27/missouri-governor-calls-special-session-for-kansas-city-stadiums-st-louis-disaster-funding/">special session</a>&nbsp;bills to fund&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=E1&amp;BillID=18267440" target="_blank">professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;in Kansas City and provide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=E1&amp;BillID=18267452" target="_blank">disaster relief to St. Louis</a>&nbsp;passed House committees easily on Tuesday, setting up final votes that will send them to Gov. Mike Kehoe.There were no changes from the Senate-approved versions as the stadium financing bill passed the House Economic Development Committee on an 11-2 vote and a spending bill with $100 million for storm cleanup in St. Louis by a unanimous vote.As long as there are no amendments passed on the floor, those two bills and another to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=E1&amp;BillID=18267450" target="_blank">authorize disaster housing support</a>&nbsp;will be finished Wednesday. If there are any changes, they will have to be approved by the state Senate, which passed all three bills last week.The immediate purpose of the special session was to get state lawmakers on record with an offer to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and MLB’s Royals before the teams had to make a decision on whether to jump the state line to take a deal offered by Kansas.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748263709817.png" alt="GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas offer, with a deadline at the end of the month, is a serious proposal and Missouri will lose the teams — and the economic activity associated with them — if it does not put up a counter-offer, said state Sen. Kurtis Gregory, a Republican from Marshall.Under the stadium bill, Missouri would calculate the tax revenue generated by activities in Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums — home of the Chiefs and Royals, respectively, since the early 1970s — and dedicate the money to bond payments.“This isn’t using tax dollars off of the income tax that’s collected from someone that’s working at Dollar General or a feed store or a fertilizer shop or a clothing store or wherever,” Gregory said. “This is using the taxes that are generated at the stadiums themselves, off of Joe Burrow when he comes to play in Kansas City, we collect taxes off his paycheck, or when Taylor Swift has a concert at Arrowhead Stadium.”Backers of the bill estimate that close to $1.5 billion would be spent over 30 years. The money would pay about half the cost of upgrades at Arrowhead and a brand new stadium for the Royals.Opponents of the plan tried to persuade the committee to wait. The Chiefs and Royals have not accepted the Kansas offer and haven’t promised to stay if Missouri makes a firm financial commitment, said Patrick Tuohey, a senior fellow at the conservative Show-Me Institute.“This entire special session and this deal is an absolute hustle,” Tuohey said.The Kansas offer is dependent on investors being willing to buy bonds backed only by the new tax revenue generated in a district around the stadiums, Tuohey said. That won’t be enough money to service the debt, he said.“This deadline simply means that the Kansas offer ends,” Tuouhey said. “The absolute worst time for Missouri to offer, to make an offer is during that time. You should wait until after the 30th and see if Kansas wants to extend. But the idea that the Chiefs and the Royals are dictating deadlines to the Missouri Legislature is crazy.”Under the legislation, Missouri would keep money received that exceeds the current tax revenue, Gregory said. And if the teams move, he added, the state loses both.“We’re not talking just about the potential revenue loss for the team moving across the state lines,” he said. “I think we are talking about jobs and tax revenue coming from a lot of different places across the Kansas City metro area.”The property tax cap in the legislation would apply to 97 counties, 75 where base bills could not increase more than 5% per year and 22 more where no increase would be allowed. The bill exempts additions to the tax bill for newly voted levies and the additional value of home improvements.&nbsp;The bill includes two other major provisions, with the most expensive being a tax credit for people living in areas where a federal disaster declaration has been requested. The credit would be equal to their insurance deductible and available regardless of whether the disaster request is approved. The other provision would renew a tax credit program that supports major amateur sporting events.The disaster tax credit, only for damage occurring this year, would be capped at $5,000 per person and $90 million total this year. For people who cannot use their full tax credit, the bill would allow them to carry the loss forward for another 29 years and cap the total allowed at $45 million per year.The provision could eventually cost state taxpayers about $600 million, Dan Haug, state budget director, said in testimony to the House Budget Committee.“That is what I would call an upper limit,” he said.In the spending bill, Kehoe initially sought $25 million for housing assistance grants, adding it to the core items he wanted from a construction bill spiked in the House just before a final vote in the regular session. Under pressure from Democratic lawmakers in the Senate — votes vital to passing the stadium package — Kehoe agreed to add $100 million to help St. Louis recover from a devastating tornado that hit May 16.The bill spends $360 million overall — $175 million of general revenue and $185 million from other funds.Despite grumbling that many items in the bill spiked during the regular session were badly needed, House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, said nothing would be added.When Kehoe agreed to the additional money, federal recovery aid for St. Louis was uncertain. That changed Monday when President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/trump-allows-fema-aid-for-st-louis-tornado-recovery/">approved the request</a>&nbsp;for a disaster declaration, making federal help to the state and local governments available as well as aid to individuals with damaged property.The federal recovery aid is welcome but the state funding should be maintained, Haug said to the budget committee.“These disasters are so expensive that without federal help, there’s no way we can cover all of this,” Haug said. “We just don’t have the general revenue resources to do that.”Just in the city of St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer told the committee, the tornado damaged 23,000 homes and affected 48,000 people.“Many of the homes that are so badly damaged are generational homes,” Spencer said. “These are homes that represent all that many of these families have.”

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