WASHINGTON —U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Monday recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/recognition-programs/national-blue-ribbon-schools-program">National Blue Ribbon Schools</a>. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

The Missouri Schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools and&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo109pu_voy_spears_jr_elementary_school.html">Voy Spears, Jr. Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Lee's Summit;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo105pu_williams_yates_elementary_school.html">Williams Yates Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Independence;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo110pu_richland_elementary_school.html">Richland Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Essex;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo104pu_ralph_m_captain_elementary_school.html">Ralph M. Captain Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Clayton;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo106pu_oakwood_elementary_school.html">Oakwood Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Hannibal;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo108pu_metro_academic_and_classical_high_school.html">Metro Academic and Classical High School</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo107pu_meramec_elementary_school.html">Meramec Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Clayton and&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo103pu_bristol_elementary_school.html">Bristol Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis.

The Kansas schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools are Lincoln Elementary School in Junction City;&nbsp; Herington Elementary School in Herrington;&nbsp;Sunflower Elementary School in Paola and Garfield Elementary in Augusta.

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.

A National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.

The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:

Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727127791652.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Monday recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/recognition-programs/national-blue-ribbon-schools-program">National Blue Ribbon Schools</a>. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.The Missouri Schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools and&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo109pu_voy_spears_jr_elementary_school.html">Voy Spears, Jr. Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Lee's Summit;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo105pu_williams_yates_elementary_school.html">Williams Yates Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Independence;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo110pu_richland_elementary_school.html">Richland Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Essex;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo104pu_ralph_m_captain_elementary_school.html">Ralph M. Captain Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Clayton;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo106pu_oakwood_elementary_school.html">Oakwood Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Hannibal;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo108pu_metro_academic_and_classical_high_school.html">Metro Academic and Classical High School</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis;&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo107pu_meramec_elementary_school.html">Meramec Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Clayton and&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24mo103pu_bristol_elementary_school.html">Bristol Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis.The Kansas schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools are Lincoln Elementary School in Junction City;&nbsp; Herington Elementary School in Herrington;&nbsp;Sunflower Elementary School in Paola and Garfield Elementary in Augusta.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FED.gov%2Fvideos%2F400910632814177%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="314" 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>“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.A National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:<ul>
 <li>Exemplary High Performing Schools:&nbsp;These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.</li><li>Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools:&nbsp;These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.</li>
 </ul>Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

8 Missouri schools honored by U.S. Department of Education

South 22nd
Street is closed to southbound traffic on the south side of the intersection at
Garfield Avenue while a water valve is being replaced.

Sprague Excavating
Co. states the closure is expected to last a couple of days, weather
permitting.

A detour sign will
be in place to direct motorists. The detour is east on Pear Street to the Belt
Highway, south on the Belt Highway to I-29, south on I-29 to I-229 North, and
North on I-229 to South 22nd Street.

Sprague asks
motorists to plan alternate routes to avoid the closure, and use caution if
driving in the area.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSouth 22nd
Street is closed to southbound traffic on the south side of the intersection at
Garfield Avenue while a water valve is being replaced.Sprague Excavating
Co. states the closure is expected to last a couple of days, weather
permitting.A detour sign will
be in place to direct motorists. The detour is east on Pear Street to the Belt
Highway, south on the Belt Highway to I-29, south on I-29 to I-229 North, and
North on I-229 to South 22nd Street.Sprague asks
motorists to plan alternate routes to avoid the closure, and use caution if
driving in the area.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Water valve replacement closes 22nd St. at Garfield Ave.

A rash of online threats made against schools across Missouri has the St. Joseph Police Department spreading awareness.  

Police Chief Paul Luster says no matter the threat, the police department has it seriously. 

"We have to take each one of them with the same level of seriousness and it really, as the Police Chief of St. Joseph and our police department, and our partners that we work with at the school district, we have this commitment to where the safety of our students and the safety of our schools is always going to remain a top priority," Luster tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

Luster says he can recall at least two instances since he arrived in St. Joseph that officers were into work at 2am to get to work on this assessment to determine if it's safe for children to go to school.  

"And that involves a tremendous amount of resources," Luster explains. "Both local resources, state resources, federal resources at times, of course our partners within the school district, other partners within the community, so we have to complete this rapid assessment." 

Luster says those assessments take resources away from other law enforcement activities. crimes in the community, and says parents need to make sure children know how much trouble they can get into for doing it. 

Luster says it's important for parents to tell their kids how these sorts of threats can affect them.  

"Obviously it's very important that we encourage parents and students and community members to report any suspicious behavior or threats, and we know that timely reporting can make a critical difference in our response and how that can prevent potential incidents," Luster says. "But it's important to talk with your kids about this is not something to joke around about, and there can be serious charges if you are found that you're just putting this hoax out there on social media." 

Luster says these sorts of threats also cause problems in the community because his department is forced to pull officers away from helping them, to assess the online threat. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A rash of online threats made against schools across Missouri has the St. Joseph Police Department spreading awareness. Police Chief Paul Luster says no matter the threat, the police department has it seriously. "We have to take each one of them with the same level of seriousness and it really, as the Police Chief of St. Joseph and our police department, and our partners that we work with at the school district, we have this commitment to where the safety of our students and the safety of our schools is always going to remain a top priority," Luster tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Luster says he can recall at least two instances since he arrived in St. Joseph that officers were into work at 2am to get to work on this assessment to determine if it's safe for children to go to school. "And that involves a tremendous amount of resources," Luster explains. "Both local resources, state resources, federal resources at times, of course our partners within the school district, other partners within the community, so we have to complete this rapid assessment." Luster says those assessments take resources away from other law enforcement activities. crimes in the community, and says parents need to make sure children know how much trouble they can get into for doing it. Luster says it's important for parents to tell their kids how these sorts of threats can affect them. "Obviously it's very important that we encourage parents and students and community members to report any suspicious behavior or threats, and we know that timely reporting can make a critical difference in our response and how that can prevent potential incidents," Luster says. "But it's important to talk with your kids about this is not something to joke around about, and there can be serious charges if you are found that you're just putting this hoax out there on social media." Luster says these sorts of threats also cause problems in the community because his department is forced to pull officers away from helping them, to assess the online threat. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph Police take all online school threats seriously 

Barge traffic on the Missouri River has gotten a boost with a
massive influx of federal funds to repair and upgrade navigation infrastructure
damaged by the 2019 flood.

TransPort 360 CEO Aaron Khouri says the Missouri River isn’t
really as notorious a waterway for barge traffic as some make it out to be.

“There’s this stigma that the Missouri River is unreliable,”
Khouri tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s not unreliable, it’s just challenging
in the same way that other river segments are challenging.”

TransPort 360 operates the ports in St. Joseph and Kansas City,
as well as other transportation options in the area.

Khouri says the $340 million in repairs to Missouri River
infrastructure made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has made the river more
reliable for navigation.

Khouri says the company plans to increase its capacity for
grain shipments out of the St. Joseph port. The company would like to have storage reach approximately 75% of a full barge, which is 1,500 net tons.

“I think grain is going to be the key,” Khouri says. “It’s one
of our primary areas of focus. There’s just a tremendous amount of production;
demand on the fertilizer side in the region.”

Kouri says the company plans to increase its grain processing
storage capacity in St. Joseph to store more soybean meal and DDGs for barge
shipments.

The port also will be looking to haul bulk commodities, such
as scrap metal.

“Those are a little bit, I would say, fewer and far between
compared to the opportunities that we see on the agricultural side.”

Khouri says operating ports in both St. Joseph and Kansas City
allows TransPort 360 to shave expenses by sharing resources.

“So as we become stronger in Kansas City, we’ll be stronger in
St. Joe. Being able to, either between personnel or equipment, you name it,
both have helped us be able to grow into the organization that we are now. So,
without one or the other, you’re sort of limiting our ability,” according to
Khouri. “Separate opportunities, but the opportunities that we see in Kansas
City will help us be better at what we do in St. Joe.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727108761426.jpeg" alt="Loading grain onto a barge at the St. Joseph Post/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Loading grain onto a barge at the St. Joseph Post/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBarge traffic on the Missouri River has gotten a boost with a
massive influx of federal funds to repair and upgrade navigation infrastructure
damaged by the 2019 flood.TransPort 360 CEO Aaron Khouri says the Missouri River isn’t
really as notorious a waterway for barge traffic as some make it out to be.“There’s this stigma that the Missouri River is unreliable,”
Khouri tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s not unreliable, it’s just challenging
in the same way that other river segments are challenging.”TransPort 360 operates the ports in St. Joseph and Kansas City,
as well as other transportation options in the area.Khouri says the $340 million in repairs to Missouri River
infrastructure made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has made the river more
reliable for navigation.Khouri says the company plans to increase its capacity for
grain shipments out of the St. Joseph port. The company would like to have storage reach approximately 75% of a full barge, which is 1,500 net tons.“I think grain is going to be the key,” Khouri says. “It’s one
of our primary areas of focus. There’s just a tremendous amount of production;
demand on the fertilizer side in the region.”Kouri says the company plans to increase its grain processing
storage capacity in St. Joseph to store more soybean meal and DDGs for barge
shipments.The port also will be looking to haul bulk commodities, such
as scrap metal.“Those are a little bit, I would say, fewer and far between
compared to the opportunities that we see on the agricultural side.”Khouri says operating ports in both St. Joseph and Kansas City
allows TransPort 360 to shave expenses by sharing resources.“So as we become stronger in Kansas City, we’ll be stronger in
St. Joe. Being able to, either between personnel or equipment, you name it,
both have helped us be able to grow into the organization that we are now. So,
without one or the other, you’re sort of limiting our ability,” according to
Khouri. “Separate opportunities, but the opportunities that we see in Kansas
City will help us be better at what we do in St. Joe.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

TransPort 360 sees grain shipments as the key to St. Joseph Port

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Sunday in Atchison.

A 2006 Honda motorcycle ridden by Caleb Cummins, 22, Atchison, was northbound in the 700 Block of North 8th Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Cummins lost control of the vehicle. It left the roadway on the west side of the street, struck a mailbox and a metal handrail. 

He was ejected from the motorcycle and came to rest in a yard of a residence.&nbsp; EMS transported him to Mosaic in St. Joseph for treatment. Charges are pending, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727100343410.png" alt="Photo Police Chief Mike Wilson" />
 <figcaption>Photo Police Chief Mike Wilson</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Sunday in Atchison.A 2006 Honda motorcycle ridden by Caleb Cummins, 22, Atchison, was northbound in the 700 Block of North 8th Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Cummins lost control of the vehicle. It left the roadway on the west side of the street, struck a mailbox and a metal handrail. He was ejected from the motorcycle and came to rest in a yard of a residence.&nbsp; EMS transported him to Mosaic in St. Joseph for treatment. Charges are pending, according to Wilson.

Police: Motorcyclist hospitalized in St. Joe faces potential charges

Contract tied to six revoked microbusiness licenses aimed to give investor full ownership of the business, while Black disabled veteran applied for the license

By REBECCA RIVAS&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Destiny Brown thought she had been recruited last year to own and operate a small-scale Missouri cannabis dispensary — and get paid $200,000 to do it.&nbsp;

Cannabis investor Michael Halow told Brown, who is Black, that her disabled veteran status and the marijuana offense on her father’s record qualified her for a Missouri microbusiness license.&nbsp;The qualifications were designed for these licenses to end up in the hands of disadvantaged business owners, including disabled veterans, those with lower incomes and people with non-violent marijuana offenses.

Brown didn’t closely read the 40-page contract she signed with Halow, but says he repeatedly told her he would help her with $2 million to get the business up and running, according to a transcript of Brown’s interview in March with the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation investigators.&nbsp;

“Mike just said he had money to do that,” Brown told officials, according to the document The Independent obtained through a public records request. “He always says that. He just said, ‘I have the money. I can help.’”&nbsp;

He never told Brown that the contract’s fineprint aimed to give Halow full ownership of the business while using her as the legal front of it. A felony on Halow’s record could potentially disqualify him from holding a license himself.

Brown — who told state regulators she lives in Arizona and declined to be interviewed for this story — was among 16 people who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/a-quarter-of-missouri-cannabis-microbusiness-license-winners-deemed-ineligible/">won the lottery</a>&nbsp;for Missouri microbusiness dispensary licenses last October. Six were connected to Halow, and each of those licenses has since been revoked.

After Brown got the license, she hired a lawyer and separated herself from Halow and his consultants. She gave cannabis regulators agreements she signed or that Halow had sent her — including documents the state previously did not have, according to legal filings.&nbsp;

The agreements stated she would not be allowed to sell any marijuana products in Missouri until ownership changed hands to Halow, or until Brown repaid the full $2 million plus interest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Halow’s hired consulting firm, Cannabis Business Advisors, was listed as the designated contact on more than 400 of the 1,048 Missouri dispensary applicants, a practice known as flooding the lottery.&nbsp;The six winners connected to Halow all had similar contracts&nbsp;— each of which are technically complicated and ensure he ends up with control of the business, according to legal filings.

The microbusiness program was sold to Missouri voters as a way to help victims of the War on Drugs get a toehold in this burgeoning industry. But contracts obtained in recent months by The Independent reveal out-of-state companies or cannabis industry insiders have repeatedly attempted to use qualified applicants to win the licenses but then largely shut them out of the profit.

Last year, The Independent revealed that a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">Michigan-based company was recruiting people on Craigslist&nbsp;</a>to enter Missouri’s social equity license lottery using contracts forcing them to eventually relinquish all control — and profits.

The two licenses connected to the company were revoked, though the company is appealing that decision.&nbsp;

The Independent reported in July on&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/26/missouri-cannabis-leader-accused-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-win-social-equity-licenses/">Missouri cannabis leader John Payne</a>&nbsp;using agreements for some applications that would give&nbsp;him and his partners 90.1% of profits and majority control of the business.

Legal experts who reviewed Payne’s contracts called them&nbsp;unfair and potentially predatory. This summer, cannabis regulators opened an investigation into one license connected to Payne that was awarded in October to verify whether they “continue to be majority owned and operated by eligible individuals.”&nbsp;

The investigation is ongoing, a department spokesperson told The Independent.

Joseph von Kaenel, a St. Louis corporate governance attorney who reviewed Payne’s contracts for The Independent, said the documents presented to&nbsp;Brown are just as problematic.&nbsp;

“It’s really the same old story we’ve seen of unscrupulous promoters trying to find a disadvantaged person,” von Kaenel said, “and have them front the business and then take it over when they can’t pay.”

The revocations of the five licenses still connected to Halow are being appealed with the legal representation of St. Louis-based law firm Armstrong Teasdale.&nbsp;

It’s the same law firm Payne claimed wrote the contract that The Independent obtained for his client this spring.&nbsp;Even though the firm’s name appears in the contract, Armstrong Teasdale adamantly denies preparing or providing it to Payne.&nbsp;

Halow declined to comment in a phone call with The Independent, and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Brown has also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25169294-ever-eco" target="_blank">appealed the state’s decision</a>&nbsp;to revoke the license with the Administrative Hearing Commission, a group of five judges who hear state licensing disputes. However, the commission found her complaint was filed after the deadline, which puts her case at risk of being dismissed.

According to Halow’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mikehalow_pioneeringchange-communityfirst-cannabisinnovation-activity-7175542032193441794-fCfZ?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop" target="_blank">LinkedIn page</a>, he lives in Puerto Rico and “holds numerous cannabis licenses spanning multiple states.”&nbsp;

“But I’ve always had my eye on the bigger picture – championing social equity and empowerment,” he stated in a recent post. “It’s why I’m dedicated to mentoring underrepresented candidates and guiding them through the complex licensing process.”

While that may be his goal, he’s also faced controversy in Arizona over his practices obtaining social-equity licenses.&nbsp;

In August 2023, he was sued by a woman who said Halow recruited her to apply for the social-equity license and then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marijuanamoment.net/arizona-marijuana-business-sues-over-unlawful-license-transfer-as-states-social-equity-program-comes-under-scrutiny/" target="_blank">took over the business</a>&nbsp;license without her knowledge or permission.

Halow and his Wyoming-based companies Investing in the Future LLC and Helping Handz won the suit and he retained the license. The judge awarded him $45,000 in legal fees.&nbsp;

Halow’s LinkedIn page says he studied in criminal justice and business at University of Texas at El Paso and Arizona State University.

In 2003, a grand jury in El Paso indicted Halow on several counts of sexual assault of a child, along with several more for producing child pornography. The charges were dismissed as a part of a plea agreement, in which he pled guilty to a second-degree felony offense of aggravated assault. He received three years of community supervision.

The constitution states that people with a “disqualifying felony” can’t work in the industry, but it doesn’t specify what types of felony offenses. It exempts marijuana offenses that are eligible for expungement. It also says that if it’s a nonviolent felony offense, employees are in the clear if it has been more than five years since the charge.&nbsp;

For other felonies, “more than five years have passed since the person was released from parole or probation, and he or she has not been convicted of any subsequent felony criminal offenses,” it states.

According to DHSS, a lot of their review is subjective.

“What is written into law is then applied to each individual record, so it is a case-by-case analysis and can’t simply be determined by a checklist of potential offenses,” Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for DHSS,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/03/missouri-sees-surge-in-cannabis-jobs-after-legalization-vote/">told The Independent</a>&nbsp;last year.

Brown told state regulators this spring that she filled out an “inquiry” online, stating that she’d like to run a dispensary to help veterans like herself.&nbsp;

Halow’s brother, whose name Brown says she doesn’t remember, responded by calling and requesting documents, including her driver’s license and veterans disability paperwork. He asked her to sign several agreements that she thought were outlining how the business would be run and that she would be paid $200,000 to do it.&nbsp;

She didn’t realize that the documents would give away ownership of the company to Halow after the license was issued.

She also didn’t know about Ever Eco LLC, which is the business the microbusiness application was filed under.

According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25169292-ever-eco-dhss-response-may" target="_blank">state’s response&nbsp;</a>to Brown’s April appeal of the license revocation, Ever Eco is an Arizona limited liability company formed on July 23, 2023. At the time of filing, Halow was listed as the sole member and manager of Ever Eco — yet he was not listed as an owner or designated contact in the microbusiness application.

A month later, and after the application was submitted, the business’ articles of organization were amended to remove Halow as the sole owner and operator, replacing him with Brown.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The license’s designated contact was Maxime Kot, with Cannabis Business Advisors. In her interview, Brown said she had never met or heard of Kot.&nbsp;

On Oct. 17, the department requested that Ever Eco provide several documents, including all agreements, verbal or written.&nbsp;

A couple weeks later, Kot responded to the department, saying her company was “unable to provide the requested information and documents due to a lack of response or interest by the purported owner.”

However, on Nov. 15, Brown’s attorney requested that Kot be removed as designated contact. The attorney then&nbsp;provided a number of documents, including a memorandum of understanding, a consulting agreement, a promissory note and a conditional management services agreement.

Each document was signed by Brown, either on behalf of herself or on behalf of the company, with a separate signature block for Halow, the response states.&nbsp;

The memo of understanding and promissory gave Halow the right to convert the loan he promised to provide Brown’s LLC into 100% of the “membership interest” — or all of the profits and voting rights of the business.

The state revoked the license on seven grounds, including that the application included “false or misleading information” and the licensee withheld information.

Armstrong Teasdale is not representing Brown in her case. However, in the appeals of the other five licenses Halow is connected to, his attorney responded to the state’s allegation that the licensee “entered into an agreement that transferred ownership and operational control to another entity.”&nbsp;

“…this contention envisions a hypothetical situation at most,” Halow’s attorney writes, “as the documents alleged to grant such ownership and operational control are expressly conditioned on DHSS approval and such rights for third parties are optional to exercise, not mandatory.”

In Brown’s March 4 interview with cannabis regulators, her attorney said she wants to move forward with the license.&nbsp;

“She has every intent of it,” he said. “And from everything I can see, she’s more than qualified under the program and is eager to move forward either way. So, whatever we can provide to you to allay any concerns, just let us know.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727095639041.jpeg" alt="The microbusiness program was sold to Missouri voters as a way to help victims of the war on drugs get a toehold in this burgeoning industry (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>The microbusiness program was sold to Missouri voters as a way to help victims of the war on drugs get a toehold in this burgeoning industry (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Contract tied to six revoked microbusiness licenses aimed to give investor full ownership of the business, while Black disabled veteran applied for the license</h2>By REBECCA RIVAS&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Destiny Brown thought she had been recruited last year to own and operate a small-scale Missouri cannabis dispensary — and get paid $200,000 to do it.&nbsp;Cannabis investor Michael Halow told Brown, who is Black, that her disabled veteran status and the marijuana offense on her father’s record qualified her for a Missouri microbusiness license.&nbsp;The qualifications were designed for these licenses to end up in the hands of disadvantaged business owners, including disabled veterans, those with lower incomes and people with non-violent marijuana offenses.Brown didn’t closely read the 40-page contract she signed with Halow, but says he repeatedly told her he would help her with $2 million to get the business up and running, according to a transcript of Brown’s interview in March with the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation investigators.&nbsp;“Mike just said he had money to do that,” Brown told officials, according to the document The Independent obtained through a public records request. “He always says that. He just said, ‘I have the money. I can help.’”&nbsp;He never told Brown that the contract’s fineprint aimed to give Halow full ownership of the business while using her as the legal front of it. A felony on Halow’s record could potentially disqualify him from holding a license himself.Brown — who told state regulators she lives in Arizona and declined to be interviewed for this story — was among 16 people who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/a-quarter-of-missouri-cannabis-microbusiness-license-winners-deemed-ineligible/">won the lottery</a>&nbsp;for Missouri microbusiness dispensary licenses last October. Six were connected to Halow, and each of those licenses has since been revoked.After Brown got the license, she hired a lawyer and separated herself from Halow and his consultants. She gave cannabis regulators agreements she signed or that Halow had sent her — including documents the state previously did not have, according to legal filings.&nbsp;The agreements stated she would not be allowed to sell any marijuana products in Missouri until ownership changed hands to Halow, or until Brown repaid the full $2 million plus interest.&nbsp;&nbsp;Halow’s hired consulting firm, Cannabis Business Advisors, was listed as the designated contact on more than 400 of the 1,048 Missouri dispensary applicants, a practice known as flooding the lottery.&nbsp;The six winners connected to Halow all had similar contracts&nbsp;— each of which are technically complicated and ensure he ends up with control of the business, according to legal filings.But Halow is not alone in this strategy.The microbusiness program was sold to Missouri voters as a way to help victims of the War on Drugs get a toehold in this burgeoning industry. But contracts obtained in recent months by The Independent reveal out-of-state companies or cannabis industry insiders have repeatedly attempted to use qualified applicants to win the licenses but then largely shut them out of the profit.Last year, The Independent revealed that a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">Michigan-based company was recruiting people on Craigslist&nbsp;</a>to enter Missouri’s social equity license lottery using contracts forcing them to eventually relinquish all control — and profits.The two licenses connected to the company were revoked, though the company is appealing that decision.&nbsp;The Independent reported in July on&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/26/missouri-cannabis-leader-accused-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-win-social-equity-licenses/">Missouri cannabis leader John Payne</a>&nbsp;using agreements for some applications that would give&nbsp;him and his partners 90.1% of profits and majority control of the business.Legal experts who reviewed Payne’s contracts called them&nbsp;unfair and potentially predatory. This summer, cannabis regulators opened an investigation into one license connected to Payne that was awarded in October to verify whether they “continue to be majority owned and operated by eligible individuals.”&nbsp;The investigation is ongoing, a department spokesperson told The Independent.Joseph von Kaenel, a St. Louis corporate governance attorney who reviewed Payne’s contracts for The Independent, said the documents presented to&nbsp;Brown are just as problematic.&nbsp;“It’s really the same old story we’ve seen of unscrupulous promoters trying to find a disadvantaged person,” von Kaenel said, “and have them front the business and then take it over when they can’t pay.”The revocations of the five licenses still connected to Halow are being appealed with the legal representation of St. Louis-based law firm Armstrong Teasdale.&nbsp;It’s the same law firm Payne claimed wrote the contract that The Independent obtained for his client this spring.&nbsp;Even though the firm’s name appears in the contract, Armstrong Teasdale adamantly denies preparing or providing it to Payne.&nbsp;Halow declined to comment in a phone call with The Independent, and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Brown has also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25169294-ever-eco" target="_blank">appealed the state’s decision</a>&nbsp;to revoke the license with the Administrative Hearing Commission, a group of five judges who hear state licensing disputes. However, the commission found her complaint was filed after the deadline, which puts her case at risk of being dismissed.<h2>Investing in the Future</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692273868300.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>According to Halow’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mikehalow_pioneeringchange-communityfirst-cannabisinnovation-activity-7175542032193441794-fCfZ?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop" target="_blank">LinkedIn page</a>, he lives in Puerto Rico and “holds numerous cannabis licenses spanning multiple states.”&nbsp;“But I’ve always had my eye on the bigger picture – championing social equity and empowerment,” he stated in a recent post. “It’s why I’m dedicated to mentoring underrepresented candidates and guiding them through the complex licensing process.”While that may be his goal, he’s also faced controversy in Arizona over his practices obtaining social-equity licenses.&nbsp;In August 2023, he was sued by a woman who said Halow recruited her to apply for the social-equity license and then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marijuanamoment.net/arizona-marijuana-business-sues-over-unlawful-license-transfer-as-states-social-equity-program-comes-under-scrutiny/" target="_blank">took over the business</a>&nbsp;license without her knowledge or permission.Halow and his Wyoming-based companies Investing in the Future LLC and Helping Handz won the suit and he retained the license. The judge awarded him $45,000 in legal fees.&nbsp;Halow’s LinkedIn page says he studied in criminal justice and business at University of Texas at El Paso and Arizona State University.In 2003, a grand jury in El Paso indicted Halow on several counts of sexual assault of a child, along with several more for producing child pornography. The charges were dismissed as a part of a plea agreement, in which he pled guilty to a second-degree felony offense of aggravated assault. He received three years of community supervision.The constitution states that people with a “disqualifying felony” can’t work in the industry, but it doesn’t specify what types of felony offenses. It exempts marijuana offenses that are eligible for expungement. It also says that if it’s a nonviolent felony offense, employees are in the clear if it has been more than five years since the charge.&nbsp;For other felonies, “more than five years have passed since the person was released from parole or probation, and he or she has not been convicted of any subsequent felony criminal offenses,” it states.According to DHSS, a lot of their review is subjective.“What is written into law is then applied to each individual record, so it is a case-by-case analysis and can’t simply be determined by a checklist of potential offenses,” Lisa Cox, a spokeswoman for DHSS,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/03/missouri-sees-surge-in-cannabis-jobs-after-legalization-vote/">told The Independent</a>&nbsp;last year.<h2>The contract</h2>Brown told state regulators this spring that she filled out an “inquiry” online, stating that she’d like to run a dispensary to help veterans like herself.&nbsp;Halow’s brother, whose name Brown says she doesn’t remember, responded by calling and requesting documents, including her driver’s license and veterans disability paperwork. He asked her to sign several agreements that she thought were outlining how the business would be run and that she would be paid $200,000 to do it.&nbsp;She didn’t realize that the documents would give away ownership of the company to Halow after the license was issued.She also didn’t know about Ever Eco LLC, which is the business the microbusiness application was filed under.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25169292-ever-eco-dhss-response-may" target="_blank">state’s response&nbsp;</a>to Brown’s April appeal of the license revocation, Ever Eco is an Arizona limited liability company formed on July 23, 2023. At the time of filing, Halow was listed as the sole member and manager of Ever Eco — yet he was not listed as an owner or designated contact in the microbusiness application.A month later, and after the application was submitted, the business’ articles of organization were amended to remove Halow as the sole owner and operator, replacing him with Brown.&nbsp;&nbsp;The license’s designated contact was Maxime Kot, with Cannabis Business Advisors. In her interview, Brown said she had never met or heard of Kot.&nbsp;On Oct. 17, the department requested that Ever Eco provide several documents, including all agreements, verbal or written.&nbsp;A couple weeks later, Kot responded to the department, saying her company was “unable to provide the requested information and documents due to a lack of response or interest by the purported owner.”However, on Nov. 15, Brown’s attorney requested that Kot be removed as designated contact. The attorney then&nbsp;provided a number of documents, including a memorandum of understanding, a consulting agreement, a promissory note and a conditional management services agreement.Each document was signed by Brown, either on behalf of herself or on behalf of the company, with a separate signature block for Halow, the response states.&nbsp;The memo of understanding and promissory gave Halow the right to convert the loan he promised to provide Brown’s LLC into 100% of the “membership interest” — or all of the profits and voting rights of the business.The state revoked the license on seven grounds, including that the application included “false or misleading information” and the licensee withheld information.Armstrong Teasdale is not representing Brown in her case. However, in the appeals of the other five licenses Halow is connected to, his attorney responded to the state’s allegation that the licensee “entered into an agreement that transferred ownership and operational control to another entity.”&nbsp;“…this contention envisions a hypothetical situation at most,” Halow’s attorney writes, “as the documents alleged to grant such ownership and operational control are expressly conditioned on DHSS approval and such rights for third parties are optional to exercise, not mandatory.”In Brown’s March 4 interview with cannabis regulators, her attorney said she wants to move forward with the license.&nbsp;“She has every intent of it,” he said. “And from everything I can see, she’s more than qualified under the program and is eager to move forward either way. So, whatever we can provide to you to allay any concerns, just let us know.”

Alleged ‘predatory’ contracts continue to surface in Missouri social-equity marijuana program

CALDWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Sunday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy S-10 driven by a 15-year-old girl from Lathrop was eastbound on SW Austin Drive three miles southwest of Mirabile.

The pickup was traveling too fast for conditions. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It traveled off the north side of the road, struck several trees and came to rest in a ditch.

A private vehicle transported a passenger identified as Gabrile J. Baker, 18, Richmond, to Cameron Regional Medical Center. The driver was not injured.&nbsp; Baker was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Sunday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy S-10 driven by a 15-year-old girl from Lathrop was eastbound on SW Austin Drive three miles southwest of Mirabile.The pickup was traveling too fast for conditions. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It traveled off the north side of the road, struck several trees and came to rest in a ditch.A private vehicle transported a passenger identified as Gabrile J. Baker, 18, Richmond, to Cameron Regional Medical Center. The driver was not injured.&nbsp; Baker was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Missouri teen injured after pickup crash into trees

NODAWAY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Chevy Equinox driven by Twila M. Ellis, 77, Maryville, was eastbound on Route V at Fairway Road nine miles west of Maryville.

The driver lost control of the vehicle in the rain. The SUV traveled off the south side of the road, struck a stop sign and a utility pole.

Nodaway County EMS transported Ellis to Mosaic of Maryville. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Chevy Equinox driven by Twila M. Ellis, 77, Maryville, was eastbound on Route V at Fairway Road nine miles west of Maryville.The driver lost control of the vehicle in the rain. The SUV traveled off the south side of the road, struck a stop sign and a utility pole.Nodaway County EMS transported Ellis to Mosaic of Maryville. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman hospitalized after SUV strikes stop sign

The two major party candidates, along with third party contenders for U.S. Senate, met for the first time on stage at the debate sponsored by the Missouri Press Association

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

SPRINGFIELD —The United States should abandon its support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said Friday during his first debate with challenger Lucas Kunce and two third party candidates.

“I do not support continued funding to Ukraine,” Hawley said, adding that he would not support any more aid until Congress agrees to compensate Missourians who have suffered diseases from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/12/st-louis-radioactive-waste-records/">exposure to radioactive waste</a>&nbsp;left over from World War II.

Kunce, a Marine veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the alternative to military and economic aid to the beleaguered republic is sending U.S. troops. Hawley’s position will embolden other world adversaries, Kunce said, including China and Iran.

“Our aid to Ukraine, at $200 billion, is infinitely cheaper than the $6 trillion we spent in Iraq and Afghanistan, supposedly nation building there once we put boots on the ground,” Kunce said.

Hawley, the Republican incumbent seeking his second term in the Senate, and Kunce, a Democrat making his second run for the Senate, appeared at a debate sponsored by the Missouri Press Association. They were joined on stage by Nathan Kline, nominee of the Green Party, and Jared Young, who petitioned to form the Better Party as the label for his effort.

Kline said U.S. involvement in Ukraine is an example of corporate interests pushing the nation to war and failed policies of both the Democratic and Republican parties.

“The disastrous war in Ukraine is a perfect example of the blue team and the red team skipping hand in hand to Armageddon,” Kline said.

Continued aid to bolster Ukraine is essential for U.S. national security, Young said.

“Russia and China and Iran represent a serious threat to our country,” he said. “They are actively working to undermine the world order that served us so well for the last 60 or 70 years. And in order to push back, we need to have a strong stance.”

The debate was not televised but it was streamed online. Hawley and Kunce have&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/josh-hawley-lucas-kunce-agree-to-missouri-senate-debate-just-days-before-election/">agreed to a televised debate</a>&nbsp;without the other two candidates on Oct. 31.

Throughout the debate, Hawley pushed Kunce to say which candidate he supports for president — Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, or former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Kunce did not respond.

Kunce sought to damage Hawley by tying him to anti-abortion positions that include opposition to protections for in vitro fertilization and support for Missouri’s near-total ban on abortions.

“It’s Josh Hawley’s abortion ban,” Kunce said. “He wants to bans all abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.”

Kunce said he supports Amendment 3, which would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">restore abortion rights in Missouri</a>. Hawley said he opposes it and claimed that one reason Kunce backs it is to reverse a Missouri law banning gender-affirming medical treatments for children.“Lucas Kunce and his allies talk about reproductive health, but what it really does is it allows transgender surgeries without parental consent,” Hawley said.

That characterization, both of his position and the amendment, is wrong, Kunce said.

“He sees mandated sex change surgeries around every single corner because he thinks he can rile people up that way and actually win the election,” Kunce said.

Kunce is the best-funded Democrat running statewide this year, but he is bucking a trend that has seen every statewide Democratic candidate go down to defeat since 2018. Kunce has spent $4.3 million on television ads — more than he had on hand on June 30 — that have been running since late July.

His pace of ad spending in recent weeks has slowed and the coming week will only be half of this week’s buy and one-third of that two weeks ago, according to tracking by The Independent.

In an interview, Kunce said he will be building up his effort again as the election approaches after a first phase of introducing himself to the state.

Hawley’s campaign has spent about $2.8 million on television and an independent PAC supporting his re-election, Show Me Strong, has spent about $1.5 million.

The SLU/YouGov poll in August showed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/29/poll-shows-missouri-voters-back-trump-hawley-abortion-rights-and-minimum-wage-hike/">Hawley with a double-digit lead</a>, a margin that&nbsp;<a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/september-2024-missouri-poll-republican-candidates-lead-in-president-governor-senate-races/" target="_blank">has not changed</a>&nbsp;despite the television blitz.

Young is the best-funded independent candidate in the state in many years, but the $900,000 he has raised has not been used for any television advertising. Instead, Young said in an interview after the debate, he’s focused on digital platforms and other ways of making his money stretch.

“We knew all along that nobody was really going to be paying attention until these last two months, and so we’re seeing the momentum pick up,” Young said.

Kline, of Kansas City, works for the city’s Planning and Development Department.

The candidates also addressed immigration, with Hawley accusing Kunce of supporting “putting immigrants on Social Security and Medicare.”

Kunce said Hawley was lying about his views. He backs a bill that was defeated in the U.S. Senate that would increase border patrols and limit the number of people entering every day.

“The sad thing here is that Josh Hawley has voted against keeping us safe,” Kunce said, “because he wants to keep it as a campaign issue rather than address the train wreck we have going on.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726921327481.png" alt=" U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, right, speaks during the Missouri Press Association debate Friday in Springfield. Hawley was joined on stage by, from left, Nathan Kline of the Green Party; Lucas Kunce, Democratic nominee; and Jared Young, who petitioned for a spot on the ballot. David Lieb of the Associated Press, far left, modera" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, right, speaks during the Missouri Press Association debate Friday in Springfield. Hawley was joined on stage by, from left, Nathan Kline of the Green Party; Lucas Kunce, Democratic nominee; and Jared Young, who petitioned for a spot on the ballot. David Lieb of the Associated Press, far left, modera</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The two major party candidates, along with third party contenders for U.S. Senate, met for the first time on stage at the debate sponsored by the Missouri Press Association</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>SPRINGFIELD —The United States should abandon its support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said Friday during his first debate with challenger Lucas Kunce and two third party candidates.“I do not support continued funding to Ukraine,” Hawley said, adding that he would not support any more aid until Congress agrees to compensate Missourians who have suffered diseases from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/12/st-louis-radioactive-waste-records/">exposure to radioactive waste</a>&nbsp;left over from World War II.Kunce, a Marine veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the alternative to military and economic aid to the beleaguered republic is sending U.S. troops. Hawley’s position will embolden other world adversaries, Kunce said, including China and Iran.“Our aid to Ukraine, at $200 billion, is infinitely cheaper than the $6 trillion we spent in Iraq and Afghanistan, supposedly nation building there once we put boots on the ground,” Kunce said.Hawley, the Republican incumbent seeking his second term in the Senate, and Kunce, a Democrat making his second run for the Senate, appeared at a debate sponsored by the Missouri Press Association. They were joined on stage by Nathan Kline, nominee of the Green Party, and Jared Young, who petitioned to form the Better Party as the label for his effort.Kline said U.S. involvement in Ukraine is an example of corporate interests pushing the nation to war and failed policies of both the Democratic and Republican parties.“The disastrous war in Ukraine is a perfect example of the blue team and the red team skipping hand in hand to Armageddon,” Kline said.Continued aid to bolster Ukraine is essential for U.S. national security, Young said.“Russia and China and Iran represent a serious threat to our country,” he said. “They are actively working to undermine the world order that served us so well for the last 60 or 70 years. And in order to push back, we need to have a strong stance.”The debate was not televised but it was streamed online. Hawley and Kunce have&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/josh-hawley-lucas-kunce-agree-to-missouri-senate-debate-just-days-before-election/">agreed to a televised debate</a>&nbsp;without the other two candidates on Oct. 31.Throughout the debate, Hawley pushed Kunce to say which candidate he supports for president — Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, or former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Kunce did not respond.Kunce sought to damage Hawley by tying him to anti-abortion positions that include opposition to protections for in vitro fertilization and support for Missouri’s near-total ban on abortions.“It’s Josh Hawley’s abortion ban,” Kunce said. “He wants to bans all abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.”Kunce said he supports Amendment 3, which would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">restore abortion rights in Missouri</a>. Hawley said he opposes it and claimed that one reason Kunce backs it is to reverse a Missouri law banning gender-affirming medical treatments for children.“Lucas Kunce and his allies talk about reproductive health, but what it really does is it allows transgender surgeries without parental consent,” Hawley said.That characterization, both of his position and the amendment, is wrong, Kunce said.“He sees mandated sex change surgeries around every single corner because he thinks he can rile people up that way and actually win the election,” Kunce said.Kunce is the best-funded Democrat running statewide this year, but he is bucking a trend that has seen every statewide Democratic candidate go down to defeat since 2018. Kunce has spent $4.3 million on television ads — more than he had on hand on June 30 — that have been running since late July.His pace of ad spending in recent weeks has slowed and the coming week will only be half of this week’s buy and one-third of that two weeks ago, according to tracking by The Independent.In an interview, Kunce said he will be building up his effort again as the election approaches after a first phase of introducing himself to the state.Hawley’s campaign has spent about $2.8 million on television and an independent PAC supporting his re-election, Show Me Strong, has spent about $1.5 million.The SLU/YouGov poll in August showed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/29/poll-shows-missouri-voters-back-trump-hawley-abortion-rights-and-minimum-wage-hike/">Hawley with a double-digit lead</a>, a margin that&nbsp;<a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/september-2024-missouri-poll-republican-candidates-lead-in-president-governor-senate-races/" target="_blank">has not changed</a>&nbsp;despite the television blitz.Young is the best-funded independent candidate in the state in many years, but the $900,000 he has raised has not been used for any television advertising. Instead, Young said in an interview after the debate, he’s focused on digital platforms and other ways of making his money stretch.“We knew all along that nobody was really going to be paying attention until these last two months, and so we’re seeing the momentum pick up,” Young said.Kline, of Kansas City, works for the city’s Planning and Development Department.The candidates also addressed immigration, with Hawley accusing Kunce of supporting “putting immigrants on Social Security and Medicare.”Kunce said Hawley was lying about his views. He backs a bill that was defeated in the U.S. Senate that would increase border patrols and limit the number of people entering every day.“The sad thing here is that Josh Hawley has voted against keeping us safe,” Kunce said, “because he wants to keep it as a campaign issue rather than address the train wreck we have going on.”

Hawley, Kunce clash over aid to Ukraine, abortion rights ballot measure, during Senate debate

Week 4 of high school football in Missouri and Week 3 in Kansas are in the books! Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!

Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!

Chillicothe 28 (2-2) Cameron 26 (0-4)&nbsp;

St. Pius X 61 (3-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Maryville 0 (2-2)

Benton (1-2) @ University Academy Charter (2-1)- Sat. @1pm

-Week 5: University Academy Charter vs Pembroke Hill

  Savannah 53 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lafayette 0 (2-2)

-Week 5: Lafayette vs Summit Christian Academy- Fri @7pm

 Bishop Leblond 60 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Plattsburg 12 (2-1)

-Week 5: Plattsburg vs Kansas City East- Fri @6pm

East Buchanan 13 (3-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; North Platte 7 (1-3)

-Week 5: East Buchanan vs Lathrop= Fri @7pm

-Week 5: North Platte vs Hamilton-Fri @7pm

Hamilton 29 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lawson 15 (0-4)

-Week 5: Lawson vs Mid-Buchanan- Fri @7pm

Skyline 32 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lathrop 20 (1-3)&nbsp;

Mid-Buchanan 40 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; West Platte 8 (2-2)

-Week 5: West Platte vs Father Tolton- Fri @7pm

 Trenton 35 (1-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Gallatin 12 (2-2)

-Week 5: Trenton vs South Harrison-Fri @7pm

South Harrison 22 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Scotland County 15 (3-1)

 Putnam County 36 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Maysville 8 (0-4)

-Week 5: Maysville vs Marceline- Fri @7pm

-Week 5: Putnam County vs Brookfield&nbsp;

King City 64 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Princeton 62 (1-3)

-Week 5: King City vs Pattonsburg= Fri @7pm

-Week 5: Princeton vs Stanberry- Fri @7pm

 Pattonsburg 58 (1-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stanberry 22 (1-3)

Mound City 42 (1-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; East Atchison 20 (1-3)&nbsp; &nbsp;

-Week 5: East Atchison vs Platte Valley- Fri @7pm

-Week 5: Mound City @ Nodaway Valley- Fri @7pm

Nodaway Valley 58 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Platte Valley 20 (3-1)

 North Andrew 26 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;St. Joseph Christian 12 (2-2)

-Week 5: St. Joseph Christian vs Worth County- Fri @7pm

 Albany 36 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Worth County 34 (2-2)&nbsp;

Rock Port 54 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Dekalb 0 (0-4)&nbsp;

-Week 5: Dekalb vs Stewartsville- Osborn- Fri @7pm

-Week 5: South Holt vs Rock Port- Fri @7pm

 South Holt 69 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stewartsville-Osborn 12 (0-4)

North Kansas City 36 (3-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Central 1o (3-1)&nbsp;

Sumner Academy 41 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp;Atchison 22 (1-2)

-Week 4: Atchison vs&nbsp;Kansas City-FL Schlagle HS

Sabetha 35 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Hiawatha 0 (0-3)&nbsp; &nbsp;

-Week 4: Hiawatha vs&nbsp;Meriden-Jefferson West HS

Troy&nbsp; 62 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Pleasant Ridge 0 (0-3)

McLouth 14 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Riverside 3 (1-2)&nbsp;

-Week 4: Riverside @&nbsp;Atchison-Maur Hill-Mount Academy

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWeek 4 of high school football in Missouri and Week 3 in Kansas are in the books! Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!MECChillicothe 28 (2-2) Cameron 26 (0-4)&nbsp;=Week 5: Cameron vs Maryville- Fri @7pm-Week 5: Chillicothe @ St. Pius- Fri 7pmSt. Pius X 61 (3-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Maryville 0 (2-2)Benton (1-2) @ University Academy Charter (2-1)- Sat. @1pm-Week 5: Benton vs Savannah- Fri @7pm-Week 5: University Academy Charter vs Pembroke Hill Savannah 53 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lafayette 0 (2-2)-Week 5: Lafayette vs Summit Christian Academy- Fri @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Savannah-Head-Coach-Anthony-Hays-e2olvh7/a-abhp3p8" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div> Bishop Leblond 60 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Plattsburg 12 (2-1)-Week 5: Bishop Leblond vs Archie (4-0)-Week 5: Plattsburg vs Kansas City East- Fri @6pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Bishop-LeBlond-Head-Coach-Chuck-Davis-e2olvdc/a-abhp3kb" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Plattsburg-Head-Coach-Brandon-Boswell-e2olvk1/a-abhp3t3" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>KCIEast Buchanan 13 (3-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; North Platte 7 (1-3)-Week 5: East Buchanan vs Lathrop= Fri @7pm-Week 5: North Platte vs Hamilton-Fri @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/East-Buchanan-Head-Coach-Dan-Ritter-e2olvn0" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Hamilton 29 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lawson 15 (0-4)-Week 5: Lawson vs Mid-Buchanan- Fri @7pmSkyline 32 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lathrop 20 (1-3)&nbsp;-Week 5: Skyline vs Pierce CityMid-Buchanan 40 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; West Platte 8 (2-2)-Week 5: West Platte vs Father Tolton- Fri @7pmGRC 11-man (East Division) Trenton 35 (1-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Gallatin 12 (2-2)-Week 5: Trenton vs South Harrison-Fri @7pm-Week 5: Gallatin vs Westran= Fri @7pmSouth Harrison 22 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Scotland County 15 (3-1)-Week 5: Scotland County @ Salisbury Putnam County 36 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Maysville 8 (0-4)-Week 5: Maysville vs Marceline- Fri @7pm-Week 5: Putnam County vs Brookfield&nbsp;GRC 8-man (West Division)King City 64 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Princeton 62 (1-3)-Week 5: King City vs Pattonsburg= Fri @7pm-Week 5: Princeton vs Stanberry- Fri @7pm Pattonsburg 58 (1-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stanberry 22 (1-3)Mound City 42 (1-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; East Atchison 20 (1-3)&nbsp; &nbsp;-Week 5: East Atchison vs Platte Valley- Fri @7pm-Week 5: Mound City @ Nodaway Valley- Fri @7pmNodaway Valley 58 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Platte Valley 20 (3-1) North Andrew 26 (2-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;St. Joseph Christian 12 (2-2)-Week 5: North Andrew @ Albany- Fri @7pm-Week 5: St. Joseph Christian vs Worth County- Fri @7pm Albany 36 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Worth County 34 (2-2)&nbsp;Rock Port 54 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Dekalb 0 (0-4)&nbsp;-Week 5: Dekalb vs Stewartsville- Osborn- Fri @7pm-Week 5: South Holt vs Rock Port- Fri @7pm275 Conference South Holt 69 (4-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stewartsville-Osborn 12 (0-4)Greater KC SuburbanNorth Kansas City 36 (3-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Central 1o (3-1)&nbsp;-Week 5: Central vs Liberty - Fri @7pm-Week 5: North Kansas City @ KearneyNortheast KansasSumner Academy 41 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp;Atchison 22 (1-2)-Week 4: Atchison vs&nbsp;Kansas City-FL Schlagle HSSabetha 35 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Hiawatha 0 (0-3)&nbsp; &nbsp;-Week 4: Hiawatha vs&nbsp;Meriden-Jefferson West HSTroy&nbsp; 62 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Pleasant Ridge 0 (0-3)-Week 4: Troy @&nbsp;Horton HS<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Troy-Head-Coach-Derek-Jasper-e2olvlr/a-abhp3ve" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>McLouth 14 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Riverside 3 (1-2)&nbsp;-Week 4: Riverside @&nbsp;Atchison-Maur Hill-Mount Academy

Area High School Football Scoreboard Sept. 20th-21st

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a wanted Kansas woman on new allegations.

Just before 6p.m. Thursday,&nbsp;Brown County Deputy arrested 33-year-old Latisha Campbell of Fairview, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

She was wanted an a $20,000 Felony Probation Violation Warrant in Hiawatha.&nbsp; She remains in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726863727143.png" alt="Campbell-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Campbell-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a wanted Kansas woman on new allegations.Just before 6p.m. Thursday,&nbsp;Brown County Deputy arrested 33-year-old Latisha Campbell of Fairview, according to Sheriff John Merchant.She was wanted an a $20,000 Felony Probation Violation Warrant in Hiawatha.&nbsp; She remains in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas woman jailed on a felony warrant

The University of Missouri Tigers are back on
KFEQ.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726849667197.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of University of Missouri Athletics X account" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of University of Missouri Athletics X account</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe University of Missouri Tigers are back on
KFEQ.This year, the Tigers football and basketball
games will return to the airwaves on KFEQ with the voice of the Tigers, Mike
Kelly, calling all the action.Kelly, who has called 372 consecutive MU football
games, says the year could be special.“This football season has an opportunity really
to go down as an historic one if this team is able to reach its goals,” Kelly
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And they’re very, very lofty.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726849963594.png" alt="The MU radio crew:&nbsp; (Background to foreground) Producer Matt Tarnawa, the voice of the Tigers Mike Kelly, spotter Hanks Edwards, and analyst Howard Richards. Photo courtesy of Learfield Communications" />
 <figcaption>The MU radio crew:&nbsp; (Background to foreground) Producer Matt Tarnawa, the voice of the Tigers Mike Kelly, spotter Hanks Edwards, and analyst Howard Richards. Photo courtesy of Learfield Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>That loftiness borne out of last year’s
success:&nbsp; an 11-and-2 record with a
Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State. The Tigers finished the year ranked 9th.Kelly says a keys to their 11-and-2 season were a
little bit of good fortune and a lot of faith in each other.“Whether it be a 61-yard field goal to beat
Kansas State or converting on 4th and 17 to come back and beat
Florida. There were a variety of different things during the season that went
well,” Kelly says. “But, the most important thing is that the guys in the
locker room and the guys on the coaching staff all stuck together and all
believed in one another and didn’t listen to outside noise.”Missouri wants to make more noise this season
with the goal being making it to the college football playoffs.“I mean, my lands, could you imagine if Missouri
could get into the playoffs and be able to host a playoff game in December at
Faurot Field?” Kelly asks. “It’d be the most anticipated game in the history of
Missouri football.”Yet, Kelly says Missouri tempers expectations by
the reality of playing every Saturday during the college football season.“But there are a number of days between now and
then and a lot of tough competition along the way,” Kelly points out.Missouri ranks 7th nationally with a
3-and-0 record going into the Tigers’ home game against Vanderbilt to open SEC
play.KFEQ will have the game, beginning with the
pre-game tomorrow at 1:15pm.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726849751479.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of University of Missouri X account" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of University of Missouri X account</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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