PLATTE COUNTY— Prosecutors in Platte County have charged two suspects in connection with the death of three men found dead in the back yard of a Kansas City home in January of 2024.

The victims identified as 38-year-old&nbsp; Ricky Johnson; 36-year-old Clayton&nbsp;McGeeney and 37-year-old David Harrington.

&nbsp;Jordan Willis, 39,&nbsp; and Ivory Carson, 42, with involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a controlled substance, according to Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd.

In January of 2024, a woman went to a home in the 5200 Block of NW 83rd Terrace looking for her&nbsp; fiancé, according to KCPD PoliceCaptain Corey Carlisle.

When there was no answer at the door, she broke into the basement of the residence and located an unknown dead body on the back porch.

Officers responded to the back porch and found the body. Upon further investigation, officers located two other dead bodies in the back yard.&nbsp; Police asked for a search warrant for the address. There were no obvious signs of foul play observed at or near the crime scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The three victims went to the home of a friend in Kansas City to watch the Chiefs game Jan. 7, and never arrived home. A probable cause document indicated that they died from a combined toxicity of fentanyl and cocaine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741214636116.png" alt="Carson photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Carson photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PLATTE COUNTY— Prosecutors in Platte County have charged two suspects in connection with the death of three men found dead in the back yard of a Kansas City home in January of 2024.The victims identified as 38-year-old&nbsp; Ricky Johnson; 36-year-old Clayton&nbsp;McGeeney and 37-year-old David Harrington.&nbsp;Jordan Willis, 39,&nbsp; and Ivory Carson, 42, with involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a controlled substance, according to Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd.In January of 2024, a woman went to a home in the 5200 Block of NW 83rd Terrace looking for her&nbsp; fiancé, according to KCPD PoliceCaptain Corey Carlisle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741225370818.png" alt="Willis photo Platte Co" />
 <figcaption>Willis photo Platte Co</figcaption>
 </figure>When there was no answer at the door, she broke into the basement of the residence and located an unknown dead body on the back porch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705095774621.png" alt="Police near the home under investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police near the home under investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers responded to the back porch and found the body. Upon further investigation, officers located two other dead bodies in the back yard.&nbsp; Police asked for a search warrant for the address. There were no obvious signs of foul play observed at or near the crime scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;The three victims went to the home of a friend in Kansas City to watch the Chiefs game Jan. 7, and never arrived home. A probable cause document indicated that they died from a combined toxicity of fentanyl and cocaine.

Charges filed in deaths of 3 Chiefs fans whose bodies were found in friend's backyard

RICE COUNTY, Minn. —Law enforcement in Minnesota asked for the public’s help in locating a suspect in a weekend stabbing in Rice County.

Rice County officials notified the Harrison County Missouri Sheriff's office the suspect identified as Ricardo Ortiz was in northwest Missouri.&nbsp; Deputies with the assistance of the Bethany Police Department and Missouri Highway Patrol took Ortiz into custody.

Ortiz was wanted after a 50-year-old man was stabbed a little before midnight Saturday in the 600 block of Third Avenue NW in Faribault, Minnesota, according to the Fairbault Police Department.

Officers were called to the scene and found the man with multiple stab wounds to his torso and arm.&nbsp; Police say the stabbing happened inside the victinm's home.

The victim was transported to Allina Health Faribault Medical Center by North Ambulance, stabilized, and transported to North Memorial Hospital in the Twin Cities for surgical care.&nbsp;

RICE COUNTY, Minn. —Law enforcement in Minnesota asked for the public’s help in locating a suspect in a weekend stabbing in Rice County.Rice County officials notified the Harrison County Missouri Sheriff's office the suspect identified as Ricardo Ortiz was in northwest Missouri.&nbsp; Deputies with the assistance of the Bethany Police Department and Missouri Highway Patrol took Ortiz into custody.Ortiz was wanted after a 50-year-old man was stabbed a little before midnight Saturday in the 600 block of Third Avenue NW in Faribault, Minnesota, according to the Fairbault Police Department.Officers were called to the scene and found the man with multiple stab wounds to his torso and arm.&nbsp; Police say the stabbing happened inside the victinm's home.The victim was transported to Allina Health Faribault Medical Center by North Ambulance, stabilized, and transported to North Memorial Hospital in the Twin Cities for surgical care.&nbsp;

Wanted stabbing suspect arrested in northwest Missouri

The Missouri Highway Patrol responded to several accidents following last night's winter storm that cause near whiteout conditions and freezing roads.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported troopers were on the scene in Stewartsville where multiple tractor trailers have stalled and blocked westbound Highway 36.&nbsp; All lanes are now open

Tractor trailers were also partially blocking portions of northbound I-29 at the 32 mile marker.&nbsp; The passing lane was blocked for around an hour as troopers cleared that accident

The patrol answered 58 calls for service throughout the storm, coming to the aid of 37 stranded motorists, working 12 non-injury accidents, and two with injury caused by the blizzard conditions.

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Missouri Highway Patrol responded to several accidents following last night's winter storm that cause near whiteout conditions and freezing roads.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported troopers were on the scene in Stewartsville where multiple tractor trailers have stalled and blocked westbound Highway 36.&nbsp; All lanes are now openTractor trailers were also partially blocking portions of northbound I-29 at the 32 mile marker.&nbsp; The passing lane was blocked for around an hour as troopers cleared that accidentThe patrol answered 58 calls for service throughout the storm, coming to the aid of 37 stranded motorists, working 12 non-injury accidents, and two with injury caused by the blizzard conditions.

Blizzard causes accidents throughout the area

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Freightliner semi driven by a 79-year-old East Prairie man was southbound on Interstate 35 two miles south of Eagleville.

The driver lost control on the ice covered roadway. The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road and struck an embankment.

North Harrison Ambulance transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Freightliner semi driven by a 79-year-old East Prairie man was southbound on Interstate 35 two miles south of Eagleville.The driver lost control on the ice covered roadway. The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road and struck an embankment.North Harrison Ambulance transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man injured after semi slides on icy roadway

St. Joseph, Mo ---Mark Patrick Seminars is set
to host a weight loss seminar on March 11 at the Stoney Creek Hotel in St.
Joseph, Missouri. The program employs hypnosis techniques aimed at assisting
participants in achieving their weight loss goals. Registration is currently
open for those interested in attending.&nbsp;

Mark Patrick Seminars has conducted numerous
sessions nationwide, focusing on weight loss and smoking cessation through
hypnosis. The organization claims that over 500,000 individuals have
participated in their programs, which are designed to help attendees lose
weight without hunger or starvation dieting.

The seminar offers a one-year money-back
guarantee for participants who are not satisfied with the results. .
Additionally, attendees are provided with free resources, including the
"Wake Up Skinny" best-selling book, "The Psychology of Losing
Weight" audio program, and a video titled "#1 Way to Quit Smoking (#2
is better)."

While many participants have reported positive
outcomes, it's important to note that individual results may vary.&nbsp;

For Early Bird s discount register online here: <a href="https://markpatrickseminars.com/register.php">https://markpatrickseminars.com/register.php</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740583298926.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SPONSORED CONTENT&nbsp;St. Joseph, Mo ---Mark Patrick Seminars is set
to host a weight loss seminar on March 11 at the Stoney Creek Hotel in St.
Joseph, Missouri. The program employs hypnosis techniques aimed at assisting
participants in achieving their weight loss goals. Registration is currently
open for those interested in attending.&nbsp;Mark Patrick Seminars has conducted numerous
sessions nationwide, focusing on weight loss and smoking cessation through
hypnosis. The organization claims that over 500,000 individuals have
participated in their programs, which are designed to help attendees lose
weight without hunger or starvation dieting.The seminar offers a one-year money-back
guarantee for participants who are not satisfied with the results. .
Additionally, attendees are provided with free resources, including the
"Wake Up Skinny" best-selling book, "The Psychology of Losing
Weight" audio program, and a video titled "#1 Way to Quit Smoking (#2
is better)."While many participants have reported positive
outcomes, it's important to note that individual results may vary.&nbsp;For Early Bird s discount register online here: <a href="https://markpatrickseminars.com/register.php">https://markpatrickseminars.com/register.php</a>

Mark Patrick Seminars coming to St. Joseph

We could see
patchy, blowing snow this morning. Gradually clearing with a high of 36 day.

It will be clear
tonight with the winds dying down and a low of 22.

A slight chance of
a mixture of rain and snow tomorrow morning with a chance of rain in the
afternoon. The high tomorrow should be 46.

Though the
Blizzard Warning officially expired at six o’clock this morning, a High Wind
Warning remains in effect until six o’clock this evening. We are still
experiencing very high winds, from 35 to 45 miles per hour with gusts of 65.

Travel remains
difficult. The mixture of moisture has caused slick road conditions. Visibility
is difficult due to the blowing snow.

The blizzard has
led to widespread power outages. Evergy reports more than 2,000 outages
with 56,000 customers without power this morning from Kansas City to St.
Joseph as well as throughout northeast Kansas.

The conditions
have led to school closings throughout the region.

St. Joseph public
schools are canceled today. The St. Joseph School District reporting it is
suspending operations Wednesday, due to inclement weather. Employees should
refer t0 Scenario B for their work schedule.

The St. Joseph
School District has exhausted all its snow days. Students will be in class
Monday, the 10th, which was originally scheduled as a Teacher
Workday as their makeup day.

The St. Joseph Catholic Academy has canceled classes today. The St. Joseph Christian School is not holding classes today.

Savannah has
canceled school for today. The Savannah R3 School District has announced it is
closing all its campuses on Wednesday due to hazardous road and weather
conditions. It is not an AMI day.

Northwest Missouri State University has closed its Maryville campus today.

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a
full list of cancelations due to the weather.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWe could see
patchy, blowing snow this morning. Gradually clearing with a high of 36 day.It will be clear
tonight with the winds dying down and a low of 22.A slight chance of
a mixture of rain and snow tomorrow morning with a chance of rain in the
afternoon. The high tomorrow should be 46.Though the
Blizzard Warning officially expired at six o’clock this morning, a High Wind
Warning remains in effect until six o’clock this evening. We are still
experiencing very high winds, from 35 to 45 miles per hour with gusts of 65.Travel remains
difficult. The mixture of moisture has caused slick road conditions. Visibility
is difficult due to the blowing snow.The blizzard has
led to widespread power outages. Evergy reports more than 2,000 outages
with 56,000 customers without power this morning from Kansas City to St.
Joseph as well as throughout northeast Kansas.The conditions
have led to school closings throughout the region.St. Joseph public
schools are canceled today. The St. Joseph School District reporting it is
suspending operations Wednesday, due to inclement weather. Employees should
refer t0 Scenario B for their work schedule.The St. Joseph
School District has exhausted all its snow days. Students will be in class
Monday, the 10th, which was originally scheduled as a Teacher
Workday as their makeup day.The St. Joseph Catholic Academy has canceled classes today. The St. Joseph Christian School is not holding classes today.Savannah has
canceled school for today. The Savannah R3 School District has announced it is
closing all its campuses on Wednesday due to hazardous road and weather
conditions. It is not an AMI day.Northwest Missouri State University has closed its Maryville campus today.Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a
full list of cancelations due to the weather.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Blizzard closes St. Joe schools, others; creates hazardous driving conditions

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>

Low-income Missourians who receive food assistance would be prohibited from buying soda and candy with their benefits under a bill debated Tuesday.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1222&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>, sponsored by state Rep. Jamie Gragg, a Republican from Ozark, would restrict food purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously called food stamps, if approved by the federal government.

The bill would “get us back to where the original program was meant to go,” Gragg argued in Tuesday afternoon during a hearing of the House Committee on Government Efficiency. “The program’s been bastardized.”&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program" target="_blank">purpose of the SNAP program</a>&nbsp;is to help low-income families supplement their grocery budgets to afford nutritious food. As of&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fsd_mhdmr/0125-family-support-mohealthnet-report.pdf" target="_blank">last month,</a>&nbsp;over 320,000 households in Missouri received SNAP benefits, loaded onto electronic benefits transfer cards used to purchase groceries. The average value of benefits per household was $396.&nbsp;

Proponents argue that taxpayer dollars, through the SNAP program, shouldn’t subsidize unhealthy food and beverages, which worsen people’s health.&nbsp;

Opponents called the proposal government overreach — limiting low income families’ freedom to choose their food — and overly broad, potentially banning SNAP access for things like granola bars and electrolyte drinks.

State Rep. Jim Murphy, a Republican from St. Louis, asked whether “any pre-process food could be deemed unhealthy” and added to the list of banned purchases.

“Do we want to be the nanny state that says, ‘you can eat this and you can’t eat that?’” Murphy said. “Where does that end?”&nbsp;

Rep. Darin Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville, said the list of unhealthy foods could keep growing.&nbsp;

“My concern is we can add to this list ad infinitum,” Chappell said. “The United Nations tells us that red meat is a carcinogen…at what point do we stop micromanaging this list?”&nbsp;

Similar bills have been proposed in other states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://azmirror.com/2025/02/04/republicans-follow-lead-of-rfk-jr-with-effort-to-ban-snap-users-from-buying-soda-candy/" target="_blank">Arizona</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://westvirginiawatch.com/2025/02/19/wv-house-committee-considers-make-america-healthy-again-bill-restricting-snap-purchases/" target="_blank">West Virginia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2025/03/03/idaho-house-narrowly-passes-bill-to-ban-snap-coverage-for-candy-soda/" target="_blank">Idaho</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/05/buying-candy-soda-with-food-stamps-banned-under-proposed-kansas-bill/" target="_blank">Kansas</a>.&nbsp;

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., health and human services secretary, has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/trump-officials-want-to-ban-junk-food-from-snap-but-past-efforts-show-its-not-easy" target="_blank">said he supports restricting SNAP for junk food,&nbsp;</a>and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-cuts-candy-soda-food-stamps-b6351b86a17b281b67480fe2d24b54f4" target="_blank">agriculture secretary</a>, Brooke Rollins, has signaled interest.&nbsp;

The conservative national think tank Foundation for Government Accountability has helped push for the change.&nbsp;

“Food stamps have fueled the junk food epidemic, with soda ranking as the number one commodity bought with food stamps,” Gragg told the committee — a direct quote from a report&nbsp;<a href="https://thefga.org/research/make-america-healthy-again-stop-taxpayer-funded-junk-food/" target="_blank">published by the Foundation for Government Accountability</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.

James Harris, a lobbyist for the Foundation for Government Accountability, called the bill common sense.

“If this were to pass and it helps one child have a little more milk or something of actual nutrition in their home, that’s great,” Harris testified. “…This just would allow Missouri to hopefully help some children have access to more nutritional food, besides maybe what they get at school.”

Those testifying in opposition included the progressive anti-poverty nonprofit Empower Missouri, along with industry groups such as the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Missouri Grocers Association and the Missouri Beverage Association.&nbsp;

Nationally, beverage groups have been lobbying to keep sodas in the program,<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/rfk-jr-soda-snap-food-stamps-coke-pepsi-9bd9a872" target="_blank">&nbsp;the Wall Street Journal reported late last year.</a>

A&nbsp;<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/ops/SNAPFoodsTypicallyPurchased-Summary.pdf" target="_blank">2016 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>, which oversees SNAP, found that the households that rely on the program have similar spending patterns to non-SNAP households. For both SNAP and non-SNAP households, the report stated, “more money was spent on soft drinks than any other item.” SNAP households spent 5% of their grocery budget on soft drinks, and non-SNAP households spent 4%.&nbsp;The percent spent on candy, 2%, was the same between both groups.

The bill defines candy as a food product “containing sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruit, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the forms of bars, drops, or pieces.”

It defines a soft drink as “nonalcoholic beverages that contain natural or artificial sweeteners” but does not contain milk or milk substitutes or beverages that are more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice by volume.&nbsp;

The definition would prevent the purchase of Powerade with SNAP funds, but allow sugary bottled coffee drinks with milk, said Katie Gamble, a lobbyist for Missouri Beverage Association.&nbsp;

State Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Republican from Savannah, said it seems that granola bars would fall under the candy definition, “and I always thought they were supposed to be healthy.”&nbsp;

Christine Woody, director of food policy for Empower Missouri, said individuals could cross the border into neighboring states and spend their SNAP dollars on banned items there.&nbsp;

She added that a better strategy would be to incentivize the purchase of healthy food, by “really investing in some of the programs that are successful,” such as by incentivizing the purchase of fruits and vegetables.

Those opposed said any changes should be federally decided, rather than having each state determine what is healthy or not.

Missouri would submit a waiver to the federal government requesting this change, if the bill is passed, but there’s no guarantee it’d be approved. States’ previous attempts to limit SNAP purchases in this way have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/13/well/eat/food-stamp-snap-soda.html" target="_blank">rejected by the federal government</a>, including because of being complex to implement, having vague standards of what is defined as healthy, and failing to show they would reduce obesity.&nbsp;

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>Low-income Missourians who receive food assistance would be prohibited from buying soda and candy with their benefits under a bill debated Tuesday.The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1222&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>, sponsored by state Rep. Jamie Gragg, a Republican from Ozark, would restrict food purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously called food stamps, if approved by the federal government.The bill would “get us back to where the original program was meant to go,” Gragg argued in Tuesday afternoon during a hearing of the House Committee on Government Efficiency. “The program’s been bastardized.”&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program" target="_blank">purpose of the SNAP program</a>&nbsp;is to help low-income families supplement their grocery budgets to afford nutritious food. As of&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fsd_mhdmr/0125-family-support-mohealthnet-report.pdf" target="_blank">last month,</a>&nbsp;over 320,000 households in Missouri received SNAP benefits, loaded onto electronic benefits transfer cards used to purchase groceries. The average value of benefits per household was $396.&nbsp;Proponents argue that taxpayer dollars, through the SNAP program, shouldn’t subsidize unhealthy food and beverages, which worsen people’s health.&nbsp;Opponents called the proposal government overreach — limiting low income families’ freedom to choose their food — and overly broad, potentially banning SNAP access for things like granola bars and electrolyte drinks.State Rep. Jim Murphy, a Republican from St. Louis, asked whether “any pre-process food could be deemed unhealthy” and added to the list of banned purchases.“Do we want to be the nanny state that says, ‘you can eat this and you can’t eat that?’” Murphy said. “Where does that end?”&nbsp;Rep. Darin Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville, said the list of unhealthy foods could keep growing.&nbsp;“My concern is we can add to this list ad infinitum,” Chappell said. “The United Nations tells us that red meat is a carcinogen…at what point do we stop micromanaging this list?”&nbsp;Similar bills have been proposed in other states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://azmirror.com/2025/02/04/republicans-follow-lead-of-rfk-jr-with-effort-to-ban-snap-users-from-buying-soda-candy/" target="_blank">Arizona</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://westvirginiawatch.com/2025/02/19/wv-house-committee-considers-make-america-healthy-again-bill-restricting-snap-purchases/" target="_blank">West Virginia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2025/03/03/idaho-house-narrowly-passes-bill-to-ban-snap-coverage-for-candy-soda/" target="_blank">Idaho</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/05/buying-candy-soda-with-food-stamps-banned-under-proposed-kansas-bill/" target="_blank">Kansas</a>.&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., health and human services secretary, has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/trump-officials-want-to-ban-junk-food-from-snap-but-past-efforts-show-its-not-easy" target="_blank">said he supports restricting SNAP for junk food,&nbsp;</a>and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snap-cuts-candy-soda-food-stamps-b6351b86a17b281b67480fe2d24b54f4" target="_blank">agriculture secretary</a>, Brooke Rollins, has signaled interest.&nbsp;The conservative national think tank Foundation for Government Accountability has helped push for the change.&nbsp;“Food stamps have fueled the junk food epidemic, with soda ranking as the number one commodity bought with food stamps,” Gragg told the committee — a direct quote from a report&nbsp;<a href="https://thefga.org/research/make-america-healthy-again-stop-taxpayer-funded-junk-food/" target="_blank">published by the Foundation for Government Accountability</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.James Harris, a lobbyist for the Foundation for Government Accountability, called the bill common sense.“If this were to pass and it helps one child have a little more milk or something of actual nutrition in their home, that’s great,” Harris testified. “…This just would allow Missouri to hopefully help some children have access to more nutritional food, besides maybe what they get at school.”Those testifying in opposition included the progressive anti-poverty nonprofit Empower Missouri, along with industry groups such as the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Missouri Grocers Association and the Missouri Beverage Association.&nbsp;Nationally, beverage groups have been lobbying to keep sodas in the program,<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/rfk-jr-soda-snap-food-stamps-coke-pepsi-9bd9a872" target="_blank">&nbsp;the Wall Street Journal reported late last year.</a>A&nbsp;<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/ops/SNAPFoodsTypicallyPurchased-Summary.pdf" target="_blank">2016 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>, which oversees SNAP, found that the households that rely on the program have similar spending patterns to non-SNAP households. For both SNAP and non-SNAP households, the report stated, “more money was spent on soft drinks than any other item.” SNAP households spent 5% of their grocery budget on soft drinks, and non-SNAP households spent 4%.&nbsp;The percent spent on candy, 2%, was the same between both groups.The bill defines candy as a food product “containing sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruit, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the forms of bars, drops, or pieces.”It defines a soft drink as “nonalcoholic beverages that contain natural or artificial sweeteners” but does not contain milk or milk substitutes or beverages that are more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice by volume.&nbsp;The definition would prevent the purchase of Powerade with SNAP funds, but allow sugary bottled coffee drinks with milk, said Katie Gamble, a lobbyist for Missouri Beverage Association.&nbsp;State Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Republican from Savannah, said it seems that granola bars would fall under the candy definition, “and I always thought they were supposed to be healthy.”&nbsp;Christine Woody, director of food policy for Empower Missouri, said individuals could cross the border into neighboring states and spend their SNAP dollars on banned items there.&nbsp;She added that a better strategy would be to incentivize the purchase of healthy food, by “really investing in some of the programs that are successful,” such as by incentivizing the purchase of fruits and vegetables.Those opposed said any changes should be federally decided, rather than having each state determine what is healthy or not.Missouri would submit a waiver to the federal government requesting this change, if the bill is passed, but there’s no guarantee it’d be approved. States’ previous attempts to limit SNAP purchases in this way have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/13/well/eat/food-stamp-snap-soda.html" target="_blank">rejected by the federal government</a>, including because of being complex to implement, having vague standards of what is defined as healthy, and failing to show they would reduce obesity.&nbsp;No action was taken on the bill Tuesday.

Ban on use of food stamps for candy, soda debated by Missouri lawmakers

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a full list of winter weather cancelations.

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a full list of winter weather cancelations.

Winter weather cancelations

Missouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe has appointed a Chillicothe man as an associate circuit judge.

Kehoe appointed
Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney, Adam Warren, as Associate Circuit Judge
for Sullivan County in the 9th Judicial Circuit.

Warren has been
the Livingston County Prosecutor since 2011. He earned his law degree from the
University of Missouri School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in
hospitality and restaurant administration from Missouri State University.

Warren ran a
private practice, Warren Law Office. He served in the Missouri Army National
Guard from 2004 to 2011 before being honorably discharged.

Warren fills the
vacancy left by the death of Judge Tracey Mason-White.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe has appointed a Chillicothe man as an associate circuit judge.Kehoe appointed
Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney, Adam Warren, as Associate Circuit Judge
for Sullivan County in the 9th Judicial Circuit.Warren has been
the Livingston County Prosecutor since 2011. He earned his law degree from the
University of Missouri School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in
hospitality and restaurant administration from Missouri State University.Warren ran a
private practice, Warren Law Office. He served in the Missouri Army National
Guard from 2004 to 2011 before being honorably discharged.Warren fills the
vacancy left by the death of Judge Tracey Mason-White.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Gov. Kehoe appoints Warren as Associate Circuit Judge

Yet another major winter storm is set to hit the area tonight (Tues) into tomorrow morning (Wed.). 

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning between 9pm tonight until 5am tomorrow morning.  

Senior Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill Chris Bowman says the most dangerous part of this storm will be the heavy winds. 

"We might see some dangerous wind gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour with this really powerful storm system," Bowman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "The secondary thing is the snow fall, and up there it looks like you could get several inches of snow." 

Bowman says with those high winds and blowing snow will come reduced visibility 

"Near whiteout conditions with falling and blowing snow, so people on interstates that's going to be problematic for people driving and not being able to see very far," Bowman explains.  "One of the criteria for a blizzard is visibility less than a quarter mile, and that's in the realm of possibility with this system." 

Bowman advises that if anyone is traveling and gets stuck in this storm, slow down and increase your driving distance to avoid any accidents.  

Bowman says blizzard warnings like this are not super frequent 

"Every four to six years you might get a storm that strong," Bowman says.  "For this particular system, I've been in the Kansas City office since 2009, and I can't remember a system as strong as this one producing the magnitude of winds for as long as we have forecast." 

The National Weather Service is projecting around one to three inches of snow to fall during this storm. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Yet another major winter storm is set to hit the area tonight (Tues) into tomorrow morning (Wed.). The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning between 9pm tonight until 5am tomorrow morning. Senior Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill Chris Bowman says the most dangerous part of this storm will be the heavy winds. "We might see some dangerous wind gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour with this really powerful storm system," Bowman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "The secondary thing is the snow fall, and up there it looks like you could get several inches of snow." Bowman says with those high winds and blowing snow will come reduced visibility "Near whiteout conditions with falling and blowing snow, so people on interstates that's going to be problematic for people driving and not being able to see very far," Bowman explains. "One of the criteria for a blizzard is visibility less than a quarter mile, and that's in the realm of possibility with this system." Bowman advises that if anyone is traveling and gets stuck in this storm, slow down and increase your driving distance to avoid any accidents. Bowman says blizzard warnings like this are not super frequent "Every four to six years you might get a storm that strong," Bowman says. "For this particular system, I've been in the Kansas City office since 2009, and I can't remember a system as strong as this one producing the magnitude of winds for as long as we have forecast." The National Weather Service is projecting around one to three inches of snow to fall during this storm.

National Weather Service issues blizzard warning

Gov. Mike Kehoe
has appointed two more members of the Missouri Western State University Board of
Governors.

Kehoe has
appointed Scott Albers of Country Club to the board.

Albers is the
president of Public Refrigerated Warehousing at Nor-Am Cold Storage and has
served in leadership roles at the company since 2009. Albers serves on the
board of the Global Cold Chain Alliance and previously held roles with the
Greater St. Joseph United Way and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

Albers earned a
Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master
of Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Business.

Kehoe also
appointed Todd Michalski of St. Joseph to the Missouri Western Board of
Governors.

Michalski is the
senior vice president of sales and marketing at Gray Manufacturing Company. He
serves as a board member for the Missouri Western State University Foundation
and the Automotive Lift Institute.

Michalski is an
alumnus of Missouri Western. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration and minor in Marketing and Management from MWSU. 

Kehoe earlier
appointed Bill Severn to the MWSU Board of Governors.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostGov. Mike Kehoe
has appointed two more members of the Missouri Western State University Board of
Governors.Kehoe has
appointed Scott Albers of Country Club to the board.Albers is the
president of Public Refrigerated Warehousing at Nor-Am Cold Storage and has
served in leadership roles at the company since 2009. Albers serves on the
board of the Global Cold Chain Alliance and previously held roles with the
Greater St. Joseph United Way and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.Albers earned a
Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master
of Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Business.Kehoe also
appointed Todd Michalski of St. Joseph to the Missouri Western Board of
Governors.Michalski is the
senior vice president of sales and marketing at Gray Manufacturing Company. He
serves as a board member for the Missouri Western State University Foundation
and the Automotive Lift Institute.Michalski is an
alumnus of Missouri Western. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration and minor in Marketing and Management from MWSU. Kehoe earlier
appointed Bill Severn to the MWSU Board of Governors.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Gov. Kehoe appoints 2 more to MWSU Board of Governors

Bitter cold
ushered in the new year. Now, the bill comes due.

Area customers are
experiencing various forms of sticker shock as they open their heating bills
this month, after the second extremely cold month to usher in 2025.

Venita Rodgers,
Community and Agency Services Manager for Spire, says the utility has payment
plans through a customer’s online account, where they can also find energy
efficiency tips as well as enroll in budget billing.

“Just so that they
know what options are available to them,” Rodgers tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Every
account is different, of course, but those are really good starting points for
them to see how they can manage their bill moving forward.”

Rodgers advises
customers worried about paying their bill following the sub-zero temperatures
of February to go online and explore options or to call customer service.

“We have a lot of
good options that are available 24/7 to manage their account, like our online
My Account,” Rodgers says. “So, I would encourage customers if they look at
their bill and they’re looking for options on how to manage that that they explore
our My Account system.”

A spokesperson for
<a href="https://www.evergy.com/ways-to-save/resources-link/energy-tips/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips">Evergy</a>, Courtney Lewis, encourages customers who worry about paying their bill
to call.

“We can walk you
through the steps,” Lewis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We can take a look at
what your bill is and your payment history, etc. And we can really work with
you to set up a payment plan and then kind of get back to a level setting, just
to help you get through these few months.”

Spire has budget
billing, in which customers pay the average price each month. Evergy has an
Average Payment Plan.

“If you don’t like
those ups and downs of energy usage and the bill that comes with it, this can
really help you have a very even, sort of predictable, payment that you’re
going to have each month,” Lewis says.

Rodgers says those
high bills can prove to be a motivator to make homes more energy efficient and
to switch to a budget billing plan.

“I would just
recommend that any customer that’s looking for ways to make sure that their
home is energy efficient or looking for options regarding bill payment for them
to visit our website we have specifically designated for this time of year, which
is <a href="https://www.spireenergy.com/coldweather">spireenergy.com/coldweather</a>,” Rodger says.

Both Spire and
Evergy caution that the wrong thing to do if you are worried about paying your
bill is to do nothing. Both companies say they will work with customers facing
higher-than-normal bills.

Lewis cautions
customers against ignoring a bill they might have trouble paying. Lewis wants
customers to contact Evergy.

“We don’t want you
to ignore it and then the problem compounds,” Lewis says. “We want to work with
you. Our goal is really to make sure that our customers are able to keep the
lights on in their home. We don’t want you being cold. We don’t want you being
hot during the summer. We to make sure you’re able to safely be in your home.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741110311351.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Spire Energy" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Spire Energy</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBitter cold
ushered in the new year. Now, the bill comes due.Area customers are
experiencing various forms of sticker shock as they open their heating bills
this month, after the second extremely cold month to usher in 2025.Venita Rodgers,
Community and Agency Services Manager for Spire, says the utility has payment
plans through a customer’s online account, where they can also find energy
efficiency tips as well as enroll in budget billing.“Just so that they
know what options are available to them,” Rodgers tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Every
account is different, of course, but those are really good starting points for
them to see how they can manage their bill moving forward.”Rodgers advises
customers worried about paying their bill following the sub-zero temperatures
of February to go online and explore options or to call customer service.“We have a lot of
good options that are available 24/7 to manage their account, like our online
My Account,” Rodgers says. “So, I would encourage customers if they look at
their bill and they’re looking for options on how to manage that that they explore
our My Account system.”A spokesperson for
<a href="https://www.evergy.com/ways-to-save/resources-link/energy-tips/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips">Evergy</a>, Courtney Lewis, encourages customers who worry about paying their bill
to call.“We can walk you
through the steps,” Lewis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We can take a look at
what your bill is and your payment history, etc. And we can really work with
you to set up a payment plan and then kind of get back to a level setting, just
to help you get through these few months.”Spire has budget
billing, in which customers pay the average price each month. Evergy has an
Average Payment Plan.“If you don’t like
those ups and downs of energy usage and the bill that comes with it, this can
really help you have a very even, sort of predictable, payment that you’re
going to have each month,” Lewis says.Rodgers says those
high bills can prove to be a motivator to make homes more energy efficient and
to switch to a budget billing plan.“I would just
recommend that any customer that’s looking for ways to make sure that their
home is energy efficient or looking for options regarding bill payment for them
to visit our website we have specifically designated for this time of year, which
is <a href="https://www.spireenergy.com/coldweather">spireenergy.com/coldweather</a>,” Rodger says.Both Spire and
Evergy caution that the wrong thing to do if you are worried about paying your
bill is to do nothing. Both companies say they will work with customers facing
higher-than-normal bills.Lewis cautions
customers against ignoring a bill they might have trouble paying. Lewis wants
customers to contact Evergy.“We don’t want you
to ignore it and then the problem compounds,” Lewis says. “We want to work with
you. Our goal is really to make sure that our customers are able to keep the
lights on in their home. We don’t want you being cold. We don’t want you being
hot during the summer. We to make sure you’re able to safely be in your home.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Bitter cold ended. Now, the huge heating bills come due.

A new resource for men is launching in St. Joseph beginning today.  

Good Dads offers support, encouragement, and training to help men up their game in the area of fathering.  

Organizer Tim Doyle says the program helps provide the confidence to men heading into fatherhood, that it's something they can do 

"Many of us did not have a great example growing up, we weren't mentored well, maybe our fathers were present, but they weren't engaged emotionally," Doyle explains to KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "So, Good Dads comes along with just some very masculine, couched language and approach, it's guys getting together and just as the Proverb says iron sharpens iron, and that's what Good Dads is all about." 

Good Dads is the only organization in Missouri solely focused on increasing engagement between fathers and their children.  

Doyle says as he's spoken with agencies in St. Joseph who work with at-risk families 

"I'm finding that there are very few, sometimes no resources for the men," Doyle says.  "We do a lot for the women, we do a lot for single moms, we do a lot for children, we do a lot for at risk teens, but there are so few programs for men." 

Doyle says while there are agencies like Community Action Partnership that do work with families, this program is really exclusive to the guys 

"And it's so rare to see a program that can come along, get men together not approaching it from a there's something wrong with you, we're not shaming men, we're saying no we can coach each other up in this important effort," Doyle explains. 

Doyle says the program covers a vast array of information through the 16-week program 

"Including how to express love to your children, how to discipline in a healthy way, how to handle conflict, we cover from toddlers to teens, so all those scenarios between," Doyle says.  "And it's not just lecture, it is hands on in class processing, small groups, interactive group discussion, role-playing, I mean we hit it all." 

The program begins today at 7pm at the Restoration Natatorium at 2nd and Francis.  Registration is required and you can contact 816 558 0508 to register. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741103403236.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A new resource for men is launching in St. Joseph beginning today. Good Dads offers support, encouragement, and training to help men up their game in the area of fathering. Organizer Tim Doyle says the program helps provide the confidence to men heading into fatherhood, that it's something they can do "Many of us did not have a great example growing up, we weren't mentored well, maybe our fathers were present, but they weren't engaged emotionally," Doyle explains to KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "So, Good Dads comes along with just some very masculine, couched language and approach, it's guys getting together and just as the Proverb says iron sharpens iron, and that's what Good Dads is all about." Good Dads is the only organization in Missouri solely focused on increasing engagement between fathers and their children. Doyle says as he's spoken with agencies in St. Joseph who work with at-risk families "I'm finding that there are very few, sometimes no resources for the men," Doyle says. "We do a lot for the women, we do a lot for single moms, we do a lot for children, we do a lot for at risk teens, but there are so few programs for men." Doyle says while there are agencies like Community Action Partnership that do work with families, this program is really exclusive to the guys "And it's so rare to see a program that can come along, get men together not approaching it from a there's something wrong with you, we're not shaming men, we're saying no we can coach each other up in this important effort," Doyle explains. Doyle says the program covers a vast array of information through the 16-week program "Including how to express love to your children, how to discipline in a healthy way, how to handle conflict, we cover from toddlers to teens, so all those scenarios between," Doyle says. "And it's not just lecture, it is hands on in class processing, small groups, interactive group discussion, role-playing, I mean we hit it all." The program begins today at 7pm at the Restoration Natatorium at 2nd and Francis. Registration is required and you can contact 816 558 0508 to register. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Good Dads encourages embracing fatherhood

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-Sports-e2vml46/a-abqhsp7" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div></div>

KFEQ Morning News

St. Joseph, MO –&nbsp;As marketing and media evolve at lightning speed, Eagle
Media&nbsp;is stepping up to help local businesses stay ahead. On March 11, the
company will host a free Lunch &amp; Learn&nbsp;at the Albrecht Kemper Museum
of Art, focusing on AI’s growing influence on search, SEO, and modern marketing
strategies.

“Marketing and media are moving so quickly,”
said Liby Waltemath, General Manager of Eagle Media. “I’m glad we can host
these free events to support our local business community. They’re informative,
and fun. I love hearing the growth strategies people are using.”

The session begins at 11 AM&nbsp;in the museum’s
lower-level theater, where attendees will gain insights from local business
leaders&nbsp;who have successfully adapted their digital marketing strategies.
A catered lunch will follow at 12 PM, providing a great opportunity to network
and discuss innovative approaches in today’s fast-changing marketing landscape.

Seats are limited, so early registration is
encouraged. For more details or to reserve your spot, Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/c2fae922-e85f-48d7-b81b-13dc71325700#//">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739543724297.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>St. Joseph, MO –&nbsp;As marketing and media evolve at lightning speed, Eagle
Media&nbsp;is stepping up to help local businesses stay ahead. On March 11, the
company will host a free Lunch &amp; Learn&nbsp;at the Albrecht Kemper Museum
of Art, focusing on AI’s growing influence on search, SEO, and modern marketing
strategies.“Marketing and media are moving so quickly,”
said Liby Waltemath, General Manager of Eagle Media. “I’m glad we can host
these free events to support our local business community. They’re informative,
and fun. I love hearing the growth strategies people are using.”The session begins at 11 AM&nbsp;in the museum’s
lower-level theater, where attendees will gain insights from local business
leaders&nbsp;who have successfully adapted their digital marketing strategies.
A catered lunch will follow at 12 PM, providing a great opportunity to network
and discuss innovative approaches in today’s fast-changing marketing landscape.Seats are limited, so early registration is
encouraged. For more details or to reserve your spot, Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/c2fae922-e85f-48d7-b81b-13dc71325700#//">HERE</a>.

Eagle Media Hosts Free Lunch & Learn on AI and Modern Marketing

Rain today will
likely turn to snow tonight. That, combined with high winds, will create
hazardous weather conditions.

The National Weather
Service has issued a High Wind Warning from late Tuesday evening until six o’clock
Wednesday evening. The NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning for late this evening
until 5am Wednesday. Snow accumulations of only one to two inches are expected,
but the wind could create whiteout conditions.

It should clear
fairly quickly tomorrow. The Weather Service forecast blowing snow Wednesday
morning. Then, gradually clearing. Colder on Wednesday, with a high of only 38.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWinter isn’t done
with us.Rain today will
likely turn to snow tonight. That, combined with high winds, will create
hazardous weather conditions.The National Weather
Service has issued a High Wind Warning from late Tuesday evening until six o’clock
Wednesday evening. The NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning for late this evening
until 5am Wednesday. Snow accumulations of only one to two inches are expected,
but the wind could create whiteout conditions.It should clear
fairly quickly tomorrow. The Weather Service forecast blowing snow Wednesday
morning. Then, gradually clearing. Colder on Wednesday, with a high of only 38.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Winter returns:  blizzard warning issued for area

As they revise the $54 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, lawmakers are striking out money unused in major programs, trimming others as they pack new items into spending bills

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

A Missouri House budget subcommittee slashed more than $300 million from agency budgets Monday, which the chairman said is intended to align spending authority with actual spending.

Another budget subcommittee, also meeting Monday, cut $59.5 million more in general revenue from several agencies, earmarking the money instead for local projects that include&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-governor-slashes-1-billion-from-state-budget-approved-by-lawmakers/">several that were vetoed last year</a>.

The Subcommittee on Appropriations – Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources and Economic Development went first and state Rep. Darin Chappell, the chairman, said most of the cuts target lapsed funds — money appropriated but not actually spent — and should have no impact on agency operations.

Other cuts, he said, target earmarked funds that agencies say they do not need and did not request.

“Our job is to go through and find out where the money is being spent, where it’s actually going, and what it’s returning on the investment,” said Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville. “There is no ability for us to exercise legislative oversight if the budget is so muddied that we cannot see where the funds are actually going.”

The subcommittee was the first of five that are recommending changes to the $53.7 billion budget&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">submitted in January</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Mike Kehoe. When they are finished, the full House Budget Committee will decide whether to accept the changes as part of the spending plan sent to the House for debate.

Subcommittees meeting Tuesday will make recommendations for funding education, social services and health programs, among others.

The budget, which must be completed one week before the session ends, is moving faster than many recent years. The House gave first-round approval Monday to a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/27/budget-committee-sends-2-billion-supplemental-spending-bill-to-missouri-house/">$2 billion supplemental spending bill</a>&nbsp;for the current fiscal year, which includes $14 million for Area Agencies on Aging, which could run out of funds for senior meals and transportation by the end of the month.

Both subcommittees meeting Monday made cuts based on lapsed funds. Unlike Chappell’s subcommittee, which did not spend its cuts in other areas, the Subcommittee on Appropriations – Public Safety, Corrections, Transportation and Revenue redirected most of its cuts to earmarks.

During fiscal 2024, which ended June 30, lawmakers appropriated $52.4 billion for day-to-day operations of state government but agencies only spent $41.1 billion, or 78.4% of the total.

The cuts approved in Chappell’s subcommittee include:

The water infrastructure grants and loans are financed with dedicated funds that cannot be spent anywhere else.&nbsp;

“Is DNR ok with this or not?” state Rep. Jim Kalberloh, a Republican from Lowry City asked Chappell.

“Probably not,” Chappell replied. “I’ve talked to them, and I’m sure I’ll be talking to them very shortly here.”

The $15 million cut to the Department of Economic Development was on a list of items, totaling $144 million, that Chappell said the agency did not request or want.&nbsp;

“They’ve been moved around the budget, and I’m going after all of them,” Chappell said.

The $9.6 million grant was included last year for the&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/2025/01/27/api-innovation-center-funding-from-missouri-department-of-economic-development/" target="_blank">University of Missouri-St. Louis</a>&nbsp;to partner with a not-for-profit to develop processes for making pharmaceutical ingredients that are mainly made overseas. The $5.4 million was directed&nbsp;<a href="https://engineering.missouri.edu/2022/mizzou-engineers-develop-new-method-to-design-semiconductors/" target="_blank">to the university’s Columbia campus</a>&nbsp;to promote computer chip manufacturing in the state.

When departments point out places where they have excess spending authority or unwanted earmarks, the subcommittee’s job is easier, Chappell said.

“If the departments would bring me the squishy stuff, I’m happy to not dig into the heavier stuff if I don’t have to right away,” he said.

The general revenue cuts made in the second subcommittee to meet, chaired by Republican state Rep. Donnie Brown of New Madrid, were generally less than $1 million from any single budget line. The exceptions include $30.7 million for rail grade crossing improvements and $4 million from a transportation cost-share program.

The 32 earmarked items added include $1.15 million for grants to 16 volunteer fire departments, as well as $37.5 million for projects vetoed last year, including $8 million for a police training facility in O’Fallon and $5 million for the New Madrid Port Authority.

The subcommittee also tapped the state Highway Fund to earmark $88 million for improvements to U.S. Highway 412 in the Bootheel and $100 million for rural routes.

Brown’s subcommittee also recommended a major change in the language controlling how $1.4 billion of state tax funds are used for highway improvements. When first set aside in 2023, the money was part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/05/missouri-lawmakers-approve-largest-budget-in-state-history-almost-51-billion/">$2.8 billion plan</a>&nbsp;for widening Interstate 70.

The language change, proposed by state Rep. Don Mayhew, a Republican from Crocker, would make the money generally available for any road project.

Very little of the $1.4 billion has actually been spent because current work is being financed with bonds. The original set-aside has grown by $40 million because of accrued interest.

The change means the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may keep the money in the I-70 project or redirect it, Mayhew said.&nbsp;

“We have a new (federal) highway act that will be coming out in the next couple of years, and we will need significant match money to be able to achieve some of the things, the goals that are going to be directed to us,” Mayhew said.

In an interview after the subcommittee meeting, Chappell said he will continue to push to reduce lines where a substantial amount of money isn’t being spent.

“When I see it year over year over year, they’re clearly not spending it, and that budget should reflect what we’re actually doing,” Chappell said.

During the subcommittee meeting, Chappell said he will listen if departments show why the money should remain in the budget.

“If I see any department that has lapse year over year over year, and I suggest that half of that be pulled away in appropriation authority, it’s not the equivalent of me trying to sacrifice somebody’s child on the courthouse steps,” he said, “but I’m open to discussion when the hearing is over.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741093253664.png" alt=" State Rep. Darin Chappell of Rogersville speaks in March 2024 during Missouri House floor debate (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Darin Chappell of Rogersville speaks in March 2024 during Missouri House floor debate (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>As they revise the $54 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, lawmakers are striking out money unused in major programs, trimming others as they pack new items into spending bills</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A Missouri House budget subcommittee slashed more than $300 million from agency budgets Monday, which the chairman said is intended to align spending authority with actual spending.Another budget subcommittee, also meeting Monday, cut $59.5 million more in general revenue from several agencies, earmarking the money instead for local projects that include&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-governor-slashes-1-billion-from-state-budget-approved-by-lawmakers/">several that were vetoed last year</a>.The Subcommittee on Appropriations – Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources and Economic Development went first and state Rep. Darin Chappell, the chairman, said most of the cuts target lapsed funds — money appropriated but not actually spent — and should have no impact on agency operations.Other cuts, he said, target earmarked funds that agencies say they do not need and did not request.“Our job is to go through and find out where the money is being spent, where it’s actually going, and what it’s returning on the investment,” said Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville. “There is no ability for us to exercise legislative oversight if the budget is so muddied that we cannot see where the funds are actually going.”The subcommittee was the first of five that are recommending changes to the $53.7 billion budget&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">submitted in January</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Mike Kehoe. When they are finished, the full House Budget Committee will decide whether to accept the changes as part of the spending plan sent to the House for debate.Subcommittees meeting Tuesday will make recommendations for funding education, social services and health programs, among others.The budget, which must be completed one week before the session ends, is moving faster than many recent years. The House gave first-round approval Monday to a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/27/budget-committee-sends-2-billion-supplemental-spending-bill-to-missouri-house/">$2 billion supplemental spending bill</a>&nbsp;for the current fiscal year, which includes $14 million for Area Agencies on Aging, which could run out of funds for senior meals and transportation by the end of the month.Both subcommittees meeting Monday made cuts based on lapsed funds. Unlike Chappell’s subcommittee, which did not spend its cuts in other areas, the Subcommittee on Appropriations – Public Safety, Corrections, Transportation and Revenue redirected most of its cuts to earmarks.During fiscal 2024, which ended June 30, lawmakers appropriated $52.4 billion for day-to-day operations of state government but agencies only spent $41.1 billion, or 78.4% of the total.The cuts approved in Chappell’s subcommittee include:<ul>
 <li>$280 million from Department of Natural Resources water and energy projects. Most of the cut, $250 million, is from water infrastructure grants and loans, where between $405 million and $695 million has been unspent in each of the past three years.</li><li>$15 million from the Department of Economic Development, with $9.6 million from a program to promote pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing and $5.4 million from a program to promote semiconductor manufacturing. Both items were added as&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/27/state-budget-loaded-with-earmarks-nears-deadline-for-action-by-missouri-gov-mike-parson/">earmarks in last year’s budget</a>.</li><li>$20 million from administration at the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.</li>
 </ul>The water infrastructure grants and loans are financed with dedicated funds that cannot be spent anywhere else.&nbsp;“Is DNR ok with this or not?” state Rep. Jim Kalberloh, a Republican from Lowry City asked Chappell.“Probably not,” Chappell replied. “I’ve talked to them, and I’m sure I’ll be talking to them very shortly here.”The $15 million cut to the Department of Economic Development was on a list of items, totaling $144 million, that Chappell said the agency did not request or want.&nbsp;“They’ve been moved around the budget, and I’m going after all of them,” Chappell said.The $9.6 million grant was included last year for the&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/2025/01/27/api-innovation-center-funding-from-missouri-department-of-economic-development/" target="_blank">University of Missouri-St. Louis</a>&nbsp;to partner with a not-for-profit to develop processes for making pharmaceutical ingredients that are mainly made overseas. The $5.4 million was directed&nbsp;<a href="https://engineering.missouri.edu/2022/mizzou-engineers-develop-new-method-to-design-semiconductors/" target="_blank">to the university’s Columbia campus</a>&nbsp;to promote computer chip manufacturing in the state.When departments point out places where they have excess spending authority or unwanted earmarks, the subcommittee’s job is easier, Chappell said.“If the departments would bring me the squishy stuff, I’m happy to not dig into the heavier stuff if I don’t have to right away,” he said.The general revenue cuts made in the second subcommittee to meet, chaired by Republican state Rep. Donnie Brown of New Madrid, were generally less than $1 million from any single budget line. The exceptions include $30.7 million for rail grade crossing improvements and $4 million from a transportation cost-share program.The 32 earmarked items added include $1.15 million for grants to 16 volunteer fire departments, as well as $37.5 million for projects vetoed last year, including $8 million for a police training facility in O’Fallon and $5 million for the New Madrid Port Authority.The subcommittee also tapped the state Highway Fund to earmark $88 million for improvements to U.S. Highway 412 in the Bootheel and $100 million for rural routes.Brown’s subcommittee also recommended a major change in the language controlling how $1.4 billion of state tax funds are used for highway improvements. When first set aside in 2023, the money was part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/05/missouri-lawmakers-approve-largest-budget-in-state-history-almost-51-billion/">$2.8 billion plan</a>&nbsp;for widening Interstate 70.The language change, proposed by state Rep. Don Mayhew, a Republican from Crocker, would make the money generally available for any road project.Very little of the $1.4 billion has actually been spent because current work is being financed with bonds. The original set-aside has grown by $40 million because of accrued interest.The change means the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may keep the money in the I-70 project or redirect it, Mayhew said.&nbsp;“We have a new (federal) highway act that will be coming out in the next couple of years, and we will need significant match money to be able to achieve some of the things, the goals that are going to be directed to us,” Mayhew said.In an interview after the subcommittee meeting, Chappell said he will continue to push to reduce lines where a substantial amount of money isn’t being spent.“When I see it year over year over year, they’re clearly not spending it, and that budget should reflect what we’re actually doing,” Chappell said.During the subcommittee meeting, Chappell said he will listen if departments show why the money should remain in the budget.“If I see any department that has lapse year over year over year, and I suggest that half of that be pulled away in appropriation authority, it’s not the equivalent of me trying to sacrifice somebody’s child on the courthouse steps,” he said, “but I’m open to discussion when the hearing is over.”

Missouri House budget writers target unspent funds for cuts, new earmarks

For a second consecutive season, and just the third time in school history, the East Buchanan Bulldog boys' basketball team is advancing to the Class 3 State Quarterfinals after beating the Lexington Minutemen 73-56.  

After a tough district championship just two days prior, where the Bulldogs didn't take the lead back until the fourth quarter, East Buchanan got off to a quick start against Lexington racing to a 6-0 lead before the Minutemen called a timeout with 5:49 left in the first quarter.  

The timeout helped and Lexington made the adjustments they needed too, going on to take the lead at the buzzer with a layup by Damario Moss, who got fouled but missed the and one free throw, giving the Minutemen a 21-20 lead at the end of one.

East Buchanan and Lexington continued trading blows throughout the second quarter, the Bulldogs only ever leading by as much as five points, but a late three by the Minutemen made the score 38-36 at the halftime break.   

Once the second half began though, it was all East Buchanan.  The Bulldogs started the second half on an 8-3 run before a timeout was called.  With one minute remaining in the quarter, East Buchanan had outscored Lexington 14-3 and ended the third with a 55-44 lead.  

East Buchanan continued their dominant second half, outscoring Lexington in the fourth quarter 18-12 on way to the 73-56 victory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059503419.jpeg" alt="Seth Spencer puts back a shot over Lexington's Daymon Slater (23)/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Seth Spencer puts back a shot over Lexington's Daymon Slater (23)/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostFor a second consecutive season, and just the third time in school history, the East Buchanan Bulldog boys' basketball team is advancing to the Class 3 State Quarterfinals after beating the Lexington Minutemen 73-56. After a tough district championship just two days prior, where the Bulldogs didn't take the lead back until the fourth quarter, East Buchanan got off to a quick start against Lexington racing to a 6-0 lead before the Minutemen called a timeout with 5:49 left in the first quarter. The timeout helped and Lexington made the adjustments they needed too, going on to take the lead at the buzzer with a layup by Damario Moss, who got fouled but missed the and one free throw, giving the Minutemen a 21-20 lead at the end of one.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059548738.jpeg" alt="Isaiah Watkins lays the ball up on a breakaway in the first quarter of East Buchanan's sectional matchup with Lexington/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Isaiah Watkins lays the ball up on a breakaway in the first quarter of East Buchanan's sectional matchup with Lexington/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>East Buchanan and Lexington continued trading blows throughout the second quarter, the Bulldogs only ever leading by as much as five points, but a late three by the Minutemen made the score 38-36 at the halftime break. Once the second half began though, it was all East Buchanan. The Bulldogs started the second half on an 8-3 run before a timeout was called. With one minute remaining in the quarter, East Buchanan had outscored Lexington 14-3 and ended the third with a 55-44 lead. East Buchanan continued their dominant second half, outscoring Lexington in the fourth quarter 18-12 on way to the 73-56 victory.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059585958.jpeg" alt="Clark Scott (24) physically goes up against Lexington's Colten Sawyer (2)/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Clark Scott (24) physically goes up against Lexington's Colten Sawyer (2)/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>Senior Seth Spencer led five Bulldogs in double digit scoring with 14 points. Junior Ben Rhoad scored 13, senior Clark Scott put up 12, while seniors Isaiah Watkins and Dylan Davidson added 11 and 10 points respectively Spencer says as a team, the Bulldogs just focus on moving the ball around and finding the best shot "Get inside the paint, get it out, just try to get as many shots as we can and try to get inside," Spencer tells reporters following the game. "That's all we kind of do, that's what we praise at practice. East Buchanan made it to the quarterfinals last year, falling in a heartbreaker to Summit Christian Academy 66-64. Head Coach Michael Carpenter says, with a group of five seniors who played in that game, his team, and particularly those guys, are very driven to take the next step and get to Columbia. "They've played really hard, that group they've been together since elementary school, they've come up together and you can really see that when they go out there and make those runs and stuff because they kind of know where everyone is going to be at and they know what they've done they played together for a long time," Carpenter says "And so it means a lot." East Buchanan will face KIPP KC Legacy in the Class 3 Quarterfinals on Friday. MSHSAA has yet to announce the tip off time or the location.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059619171.jpeg" alt="Kolten Woodside (11) goes for three against Lexington's Chael Lichte (30)/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Kolten Woodside (11) goes for three against Lexington's Chael Lichte (30)/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059640939.jpeg" alt="Aidan Smith/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Aidan Smith/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

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