DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Edge driven by Marjorie J. Holcomb, 34, Gallatin, was southbound on MO 13 just north of 240th three mile south of Jameson.

The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, across a creek and struck a tree. Daviess County EMS transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Edge driven by Marjorie J. Holcomb, 34, Gallatin, was southbound on MO 13 just north of 240th three mile south of Jameson.The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, across a creek and struck a tree. Daviess County EMS transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman hospitalized after SUV strikes a tree

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for skipping court.

On Tuesday, police arrested 38-year-old Jackie L. Busey of&nbsp; St. Joseph on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He was jailed in 2019 on a requested charges of counterfeiting, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715781782443.png" alt="Busey-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Busey-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for skipping court.On Tuesday, police arrested 38-year-old Jackie L. Busey of&nbsp; St. Joseph on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.He was jailed in 2019 on a requested charges of counterfeiting, according to online jail records.

St. Joseph man jailed for skipping court in Kansas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's GOP-led Legislature on Wednesday renewed a more than $4 billion Medicaid program that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">blocked</a>&nbsp;for months by a Republican faction that used it as a bargaining tool.

The bill which now heads to Gov. Mike Parson will renew a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-medicaid-abortion-db9adee20b60b625ea7b2709e5149704">longstanding tax on hospitals</a>&nbsp;and other medical providers.

Money from the tax is used to draw down $2.9 billion in federal funding, which is then given back to providers to care for low-income residents on Medicaid health care.

Because the tax is crucial to the state's budget, the Senate's Freedom Caucus had been leveraging the bill to pressure Republican leaders to pass a bill kicking Planned Parenthood off the state’s Medicaid program, which the Legislature did&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-abortion-missouri-defunding-3e09e1517bf9c1cfa8fa92306a63a404">last month</a>.

Later, the Freedom Caucus also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">demanded</a>&nbsp;that the Legislature pass a measure to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution. Currently, amendments need support from 51% of voters stateswide.

If approved by voters, the Republican proposal would make it so constitutional amendments also need support from 51% of voters in a majority of congressional districts.

Senate Freedom Caucus members allowed a final Senate vote of approval on the Medicaid tax last week, even though the constitutional amendment change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-constitution-ballot-democracy-67bea9bcf4aeeb8d47aff8c716e2298a">still has not passed the Legislature</a>.

The House took the hospital tax renewal up Wednesday, voting 136-16 to send the measure to Parson.

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Wednesday told colleagues on the chamber floor that the tax is essential “to function as a government” and “provide the most basic services.”

“This shouldn’t be used as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation,” Quade said.

Republican Rep. Tony Lovasco argued that Missouri's reliance on the tax, and on federal Medicaid funding, hurts the state.

“The fact that we are yet again leaning on the federal government and their manufactured, printed money in order to get by in Missouri is just not a positive,” Lovasco said on the House floor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715797758373.png" alt="The Missouri House chamber during debate on March 12, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>The Missouri House chamber during debate on March 12, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUMMER BALLENTINE&nbsp;JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's GOP-led Legislature on Wednesday renewed a more than $4 billion Medicaid program that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">blocked</a>&nbsp;for months by a Republican faction that used it as a bargaining tool.The bill which now heads to Gov. Mike Parson will renew a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-medicaid-abortion-db9adee20b60b625ea7b2709e5149704">longstanding tax on hospitals</a>&nbsp;and other medical providers.Money from the tax is used to draw down $2.9 billion in federal funding, which is then given back to providers to care for low-income residents on Medicaid health care.Because the tax is crucial to the state's budget, the Senate's Freedom Caucus had been leveraging the bill to pressure Republican leaders to pass a bill kicking Planned Parenthood off the state’s Medicaid program, which the Legislature did&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-abortion-missouri-defunding-3e09e1517bf9c1cfa8fa92306a63a404">last month</a>.Later, the Freedom Caucus also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">demanded</a>&nbsp;that the Legislature pass a measure to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution. Currently, amendments need support from 51% of voters stateswide.If approved by voters, the Republican proposal would make it so constitutional amendments also need support from 51% of voters in a majority of congressional districts.Senate Freedom Caucus members allowed a final Senate vote of approval on the Medicaid tax last week, even though the constitutional amendment change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-constitution-ballot-democracy-67bea9bcf4aeeb8d47aff8c716e2298a">still has not passed the Legislature</a>.The House took the hospital tax renewal up Wednesday, voting 136-16 to send the measure to Parson.Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Wednesday told colleagues on the chamber floor that the tax is essential “to function as a government” and “provide the most basic services.”“This shouldn’t be used as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation,” Quade said.Republican Rep. Tony Lovasco argued that Missouri's reliance on the tax, and on federal Medicaid funding, hurts the state.“The fact that we are yet again leaning on the federal government and their manufactured, printed money in order to get by in Missouri is just not a positive,” Lovasco said on the House floor.Parson is expected to sign the bill.

Missouri lawmakers renew crucial $4B Medicaid tax program

As the summer months arrive, more people will be pulling out their motorcycles to ride in the warm weather.  

Seargent Shane Hux, with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol, says last year 175 crashes involving motorcycles resulted in deaths. 

Hux says that the increase in fatalities is in large part due to the repeal of the Missouri helmet law. 

"Safety is our number one priority and your number one safety device on a motorcycle is your helmet," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So that's why we stress the importance of wearing that, even if you're not required to by law." 

In Missouri it is optional for anyone 26 or older that qualifies to wear a helmet when out on their motorcycle.  

During May, the Missouri Highway Patrol is promoting awareness of motorcyclists as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. 

Hux says as you pull your bike out of storage, be sure to check that everything on it is still operational 

"Make sure you check the tires, the brakes, make sure your headlights are working, because as a motorcycle operator you want to make sure you're running your headlight day and night, just to increase your visibility," Hux explains.  

"And also make sure your turn signals are working, your brake lamp, make sure everything's in good working order and road worthy before you take it out onto the roadway." 

For newer bikers, Hux says when you purchase a motorcycle, make sure it's one that fits you, and that you enroll in a training course to know how to operate it properly.  

Hux says drivers are used to being aware of other cars on the roads, but aren't always looking out for motorcycles 

"So just take extra time whenever you come up to an intersection, look both ways, look again, and always be aware of motorcycles," Hux says. "Know that they're out there and share the road with them." 

Hux also encourages bikers to wear protective and reflective clothing to ensure they are visible to other drivers on the road.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715787291048.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post As the summer months arrive, more people will be pulling out their motorcycles to ride in the warm weather. Seargent Shane Hux, with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol, says last year 175 crashes involving motorcycles resulted in deaths. Hux says that the increase in fatalities is in large part due to the repeal of the Missouri helmet law. "Safety is our number one priority and your number one safety device on a motorcycle is your helmet," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So that's why we stress the importance of wearing that, even if you're not required to by law." In Missouri it is optional for anyone 26 or older that qualifies to wear a helmet when out on their motorcycle. During May, the Missouri Highway Patrol is promoting awareness of motorcyclists as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. Hux says as you pull your bike out of storage, be sure to check that everything on it is still operational "Make sure you check the tires, the brakes, make sure your headlights are working, because as a motorcycle operator you want to make sure you're running your headlight day and night, just to increase your visibility," Hux explains. "And also make sure your turn signals are working, your brake lamp, make sure everything's in good working order and road worthy before you take it out onto the roadway." For newer bikers, Hux says when you purchase a motorcycle, make sure it's one that fits you, and that you enroll in a training course to know how to operate it properly. Hux says drivers are used to being aware of other cars on the roads, but aren't always looking out for motorcycles "So just take extra time whenever you come up to an intersection, look both ways, look again, and always be aware of motorcycles," Hux says. "Know that they're out there and share the road with them." Hux also encourages bikers to wear protective and reflective clothing to ensure they are visible to other drivers on the road.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/MSHP-Advises-Motorcycle-Safety-during-May-e2jo76f" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MSHP urges motorists to watch out for motorcyclists 

A St. Joseph man received a non-life-threatening stab wound
during a confrontation at the intersection of Hickory and South 13th
very early Wednesday morning.

St. Joseph police report the stabbing took place shortly after
one o’clock this morning.

Police say 44-year-old Ronnie Davis, Jr. suffered a wound to his hand.

No one has been arrested. The investigation continues.

This article has been updated since first published.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man received a non-life-threatening stab wound
during a confrontation at the intersection of Hickory and South 13th
very early Wednesday morning.St. Joseph police report the stabbing took place shortly after
one o’clock this morning.Police say 44-year-old Ronnie Davis, Jr. suffered a wound to his hand.No one has been arrested. The investigation continues.This article has been updated since first published.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph man wounded in stabbing

A St. Joseph man suspected in a domestic assault has been
taken into custody after a nearly five-hour standoff.

St. Joseph police report officers arrived at a residence in
the 2500 block of South 15th Street after receiving a report
about a domestic assault/robbery.

Police say the victim made a report at 6:30 Tuesday night. Officers located the suspect, a 28-year-old man, at a residence in the 2300 block of Felix Street, but he refused to give himself up. The Special Response
Team surrounded the residence and he finally gave up to police without
incident shortly before two o’clock Wednesday morning.

This article has been updated since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man suspected in a domestic assault has been
taken into custody after a nearly five-hour standoff.St. Joseph police report officers arrived at a residence in
the 2500 block of South 15th Street after receiving a report
about a domestic assault/robbery.Police say the victim made a report at 6:30 Tuesday night. Officers located the suspect, a 28-year-old man, at a residence in the 2300 block of Felix Street, but he refused to give himself up. The Special Response
Team surrounded the residence and he finally gave up to police without
incident shortly before two o’clock Wednesday morning.This article has been updated since first published.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Suspect in domestic dispute gives up to St. Joseph police after 5-hour standoff

St. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in which a St.
Joseph man suffered a non-life-threatening wound.

Police say they received multiple calls around 7:30 Tuesday night about shots being fired in the area of 9th and Powell.
Officers found 55-year-old Jeff Epps of St. Joseph wounded from a gunshot. Epps was treated and released from the local hospital. Investigators have
information on a suspect, but no one has been arrested at this time.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in which a St.
Joseph man suffered a non-life-threatening wound.Police say they received multiple calls around 7:30 Tuesday night about shots being fired in the area of 9th and Powell.
Officers found 55-year-old Jeff Epps of St. Joseph wounded from a gunshot. Epps was treated and released from the local hospital. Investigators have
information on a suspect, but no one has been arrested at this time.This article has been updated since first published.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph man shot and wounded

PLATTE COUNTY—Thieves targeted portions of Platte County on Tuesday.

 The Links Apartment Complex, Walnut Creek Subdivision and Thousand Oaks Subdivision were victim to suspects stealing from vehicles, according to a media release from the Platte County Sheriff. 

Crash, credit cards, electronics and firearms were the most common items taken. The preliminary time of occurrence is believed to be between 11:00p.m. on Monday and 3:30a.m. on Tuesday. 

 The Sheriff’s Office received reports from at least 20 victims from those apartment complexes.  Detectives are in the process of investigating leads to identify the suspects.

The sheriff reminds the public to be sure to keep your vehicle secured at all times and items of value either hidden or not in the vehicle at all.  A locked door is a deterrent, not a guarantee.

If you have any information related to these crimes, please contact us at 816-858-2424 or the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (816-474-8477).

PLATTE COUNTY—Thieves targeted portions of Platte County on Tuesday. The Links Apartment Complex, Walnut Creek Subdivision and Thousand Oaks Subdivision were victim to suspects stealing from vehicles, according to a media release from the Platte County Sheriff. Crash, credit cards, electronics and firearms were the most common items taken. The preliminary time of occurrence is believed to be between 11:00p.m. on Monday and 3:30a.m. on Tuesday. The Sheriff’s Office received reports from at least 20 victims from those apartment complexes. Detectives are in the process of investigating leads to identify the suspects.The sheriff reminds the public to be sure to keep your vehicle secured at all times and items of value either hidden or not in the vehicle at all. A locked door is a deterrent, not a guarantee.If you have any information related to these crimes, please contact us at 816-858-2424 or the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (816-474-8477).

20 victims report theft from vehicles in Platte County 

A wide-ranging education bill signed by Gov. Mike Parson last week will further press a reduced education budget with mandated lunch for preschoolers and items causing anxiety about the future

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

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education anticipates asking lawmakers for more money later this year in order to meet the demands of a massive new education law and make up for reduced federal funding.

“My gut is… because you have a lot of federal authority deleted… ​​you’ll see the mother of all supplemental budgets, probably in a special session,” State Board of Education Chair Charlie Shields, of St. Joseph, said during Tuesday’s board meeting.

The budget approved by lawmakers for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is more than $1 billion short of the current year’s appropriation, despite a 3.2% bump in pay for the education department’s employees.&nbsp;

This is before any possible vetoes or budget withholds by Gov. Mike Parson.

Kari Monsees, the department’s commissioner of financial and administrative services, told the board that a “common theme” of the budget was reductions in federal funding. And that impacts the amount of general revenue required next year, he said.

“Is that normal?” Mary Schrag, a board member from West Plains asked. “Is it considered realistic that we’re not going to use all those federal funds moving forward from year to year?”

Some items usually funded by federal money may be part of a supplemental request, Monsees said. He is most worried about the child-care-subsidy program, which encourages child care providers to serve low-income families.

The budget approved by lawmakers last week gives the department almost $260 million for two child care subsidies — a reduction of $23.4 million from current funding. The amount pulled from the state’s general revenue fund is stagnant between the fiscal years, showing a reduction in federal funding.

“We are seeing the case loads increase to the point where we’re going to need some of that capacity moving forward,” Monsees said. “It lowers the overall state budget by reducing some of those federal funds. The question is, is there enough left there?”

House Budget Chair Cody Smith, a Republican from Carthage, told reporters in a press conference last week that the House consolidated federal fund requests based on how much was used in the previous year. According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2025_Department_of_Elementary_and_Secondary_Education_Budget_Request_with_Governor%27s_Recommendations.pdf">budget documents</a>, the program has a projected 92% utilization rate in the upcoming fiscal year. .

The budget, which squeaked through hours before the constitutional deadline, doesn’t include provisions of an omnibus education&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=244">bill</a>&nbsp;recently signed into law by Parson.&nbsp;

The bill at its core expands the K-12 tax-credit scholarships called MOScholars. But it also includes public-education priorities like a raise to the base teacher pay and scholarships for future educators. House lawmakers, in a floor debate on the legislation, wondered if there would be enough money in the state’s budget in future years to help districts raise teacher salaries and other costly provisions.

Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, a board member from Pasadena Hills, noted the law’s projected price tag of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2024-1/3329S.24P.UPD.pdf">$468 million</a>&nbsp;when fully implemented.

“Do you feel like this budget adequately incorporates all the mandates that are outlined in this bill?” she asked Monsees. “There is a lot of concern from the educational community that there are a lot of unfunded mandates in this bill.”

A couple items, like expanding the small school grant program and providing lunch to pre-k students, are unfunded, Monsees said. He anticipates requesting the funding in a supplemental budget.

The mandated raise to teachers base pay doesn’t take effect until fiscal year 2026, he said. The state has been offering an opt-in matching grant program to raise teacher pay to $38,000, subject to annual reappropriation. This year, that amount will bump up to $40,000 before the new law forces districts to raise salaries with a grant program that will also require funds annually.

“The requests that you’re gonna see for fiscal year (2026) will be significant,” Monsees told board members. “It was going to be significant anyway, and (the new law) makes it where it will be an even bigger request.”

“I think you are two to three years out from having a huge challenge,” he said.

Shields and Monsees agreed that they had never seen a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/missouri-senate-avoids-impasse-over-budget-to-make-constitutional-deadline/">budget process like the one that occurred last week</a>, with closed-door negotiations and without a conference committee where lawmakers openly compromise on the budget.

The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715729851386.png" alt=" Missouri State Board of Education members look line by line at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education budget Tuesday morning during their board meeting (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri State Board of Education members look line by line at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education budget Tuesday morning during their board meeting (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A wide-ranging education bill signed by Gov. Mike Parson last week will further press a reduced education budget with mandated lunch for preschoolers and items causing anxiety about the future</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">ANNELISE HANSHAW</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education anticipates asking lawmakers for more money later this year in order to meet the demands of a massive new education law and make up for reduced federal funding.“My gut is… because you have a lot of federal authority deleted… ​​you’ll see the mother of all supplemental budgets, probably in a special session,” State Board of Education Chair Charlie Shields, of St. Joseph, said during Tuesday’s board meeting.The budget approved by lawmakers for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is more than $1 billion short of the current year’s appropriation, despite a 3.2% bump in pay for the education department’s employees.&nbsp;This is before any possible vetoes or budget withholds by Gov. Mike Parson.Kari Monsees, the department’s commissioner of financial and administrative services, told the board that a “common theme” of the budget was reductions in federal funding. And that impacts the amount of general revenue required next year, he said.“Is that normal?” Mary Schrag, a board member from West Plains asked. “Is it considered realistic that we’re not going to use all those federal funds moving forward from year to year?”Some items usually funded by federal money may be part of a supplemental request, Monsees said. He is most worried about the child-care-subsidy program, which encourages child care providers to serve low-income families.The budget approved by lawmakers last week gives the department almost $260 million for two child care subsidies — a reduction of $23.4 million from current funding. The amount pulled from the state’s general revenue fund is stagnant between the fiscal years, showing a reduction in federal funding.“We are seeing the case loads increase to the point where we’re going to need some of that capacity moving forward,” Monsees said. “It lowers the overall state budget by reducing some of those federal funds. The question is, is there enough left there?”House Budget Chair Cody Smith, a Republican from Carthage, told reporters in a press conference last week that the House consolidated federal fund requests based on how much was used in the previous year. According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2025_Department_of_Elementary_and_Secondary_Education_Budget_Request_with_Governor%27s_Recommendations.pdf">budget documents</a>, the program has a projected 92% utilization rate in the upcoming fiscal year. .The budget, which squeaked through hours before the constitutional deadline, doesn’t include provisions of an omnibus education&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=244">bill</a>&nbsp;recently signed into law by Parson.&nbsp;The bill at its core expands the K-12 tax-credit scholarships called MOScholars. But it also includes public-education priorities like a raise to the base teacher pay and scholarships for future educators. House lawmakers, in a floor debate on the legislation, wondered if there would be enough money in the state’s budget in future years to help districts raise teacher salaries and other costly provisions.Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, a board member from Pasadena Hills, noted the law’s projected price tag of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2024-1/3329S.24P.UPD.pdf">$468 million</a>&nbsp;when fully implemented.“Do you feel like this budget adequately incorporates all the mandates that are outlined in this bill?” she asked Monsees. “There is a lot of concern from the educational community that there are a lot of unfunded mandates in this bill.”A couple items, like expanding the small school grant program and providing lunch to pre-k students, are unfunded, Monsees said. He anticipates requesting the funding in a supplemental budget.The mandated raise to teachers base pay doesn’t take effect until fiscal year 2026, he said. The state has been offering an opt-in matching grant program to raise teacher pay to $38,000, subject to annual reappropriation. This year, that amount will bump up to $40,000 before the new law forces districts to raise salaries with a grant program that will also require funds annually.“The requests that you’re gonna see for fiscal year (2026) will be significant,” Monsees told board members. “It was going to be significant anyway, and (the new law) makes it where it will be an even bigger request.”Shields also foresees budget woes.“I think you are two to three years out from having a huge challenge,” he said.Shields and Monsees agreed that they had never seen a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/missouri-senate-avoids-impasse-over-budget-to-make-constitutional-deadline/">budget process like the one that occurred last week</a>, with closed-door negotiations and without a conference committee where lawmakers openly compromise on the budget.The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this report.

Missouri education department prepares for ‘mother of all supplemental budgets’

St. Joseph voters will be asked in August to increase the
school levy by 59-cents to increase teacher pay.

Assistant Superintendent Robert Sigrist says the increase in
the school levy will also pay for raises for all St. Joseph School District
employees, such as cooks and janitors.

“Our staff that are at the lower end of those pay scales, we
would really like to bring those pay scales up, at the bottom especially,”
Sigrist tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So this would be a good step in doing
that.”

In fact, the St. Joseph School Board has indicated it wants to
give district employees a flat $2,400 to $2,750 pay raise the first year if
voters approve the levy increase. That would provide St. Joseph School District
employees making the least the largest percentage pay raise.

The St. Joseph School District proposes giving up its
Proposition C waiver in favor of the 59-cent increase to its levy. Proposition
C created a special statewide sales tax Missouri school districts could use for
teacher pay. Nearly all of Missouri’s school districts have given up their Prop
C waiver in favor of larger local levies.

Sigrist says the St. Joseph School District no longer has competitive
salaries as compared with the 32 comparable districts. Sigrist says the St.
Joseph district has fallen behind in teacher pay.

“Again, that would be a large step in that direction of making
us much more competitive,” Sigrist says. “It’s not going to put us anywhere near
the top of those 32 districts that we kind of compare to, but at least would
put us in a much more competitive space than what we are right now.”

Right now, St. Joseph ranks near the bottom of those 32
districts in teacher pay, despite the school board moving to add $1,300 to the base
pay for teachers in the district.

Sigrist says the St. Joseph district needs to catch up with comparable
districts.

“Education jobs are very competitive right now as a whole,
from an industry-wide place, especially in the state of Missouri,” according to
Sigrist. “We have a lot more teachers at retirement age than we do have teachers
coming in out of colleges right now. And so, that space has become very, very
competitive in the last few years and I think that will continue to become more
competitive over the next several years.”

The tax increase is expected to raise $7.1 million annually.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph voters will be asked in August to increase the
school levy by 59-cents to increase teacher pay.Assistant Superintendent Robert Sigrist says the increase in
the school levy will also pay for raises for all St. Joseph School District
employees, such as cooks and janitors.“Our staff that are at the lower end of those pay scales, we
would really like to bring those pay scales up, at the bottom especially,”
Sigrist tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So this would be a good step in doing
that.”In fact, the St. Joseph School Board has indicated it wants to
give district employees a flat $2,400 to $2,750 pay raise the first year if
voters approve the levy increase. That would provide St. Joseph School District
employees making the least the largest percentage pay raise.The St. Joseph School District proposes giving up its
Proposition C waiver in favor of the 59-cent increase to its levy. Proposition
C created a special statewide sales tax Missouri school districts could use for
teacher pay. Nearly all of Missouri’s school districts have given up their Prop
C waiver in favor of larger local levies.Sigrist says the St. Joseph School District no longer has competitive
salaries as compared with the 32 comparable districts. Sigrist says the St.
Joseph district has fallen behind in teacher pay.“Again, that would be a large step in that direction of making
us much more competitive,” Sigrist says. “It’s not going to put us anywhere near
the top of those 32 districts that we kind of compare to, but at least would
put us in a much more competitive space than what we are right now.”Right now, St. Joseph ranks near the bottom of those 32
districts in teacher pay, despite the school board moving to add $1,300 to the base
pay for teachers in the district.Sigrist says the St. Joseph district needs to catch up with comparable
districts.“Education jobs are very competitive right now as a whole,
from an industry-wide place, especially in the state of Missouri,” according to
Sigrist. “We have a lot more teachers at retirement age than we do have teachers
coming in out of colleges right now. And so, that space has become very, very
competitive in the last few years and I think that will continue to become more
competitive over the next several years.”The tax increase is expected to raise $7.1 million annually.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph voters will be asked to raise school levy to increase teacher pay

Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph works to help military students adjust to life outside of the military through the Center for Military and Veteran Services. 

Center director Chelsey Clark says the center helps military connected students and potential military students 

"Navigate everything in their education career, everything from those benefits to finding a community to just having an actual physical space that is for them and that is their own," Clark tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

Missouri Western had about 300 military connected students on campus using the center. 

The Center for Military and Veteran Services on the St. Joseph campus was established in 2020 to provide assistance to military connected students.  

Clark says knowing what benefits are available to students can be difficult, but at Missouri Western they work to make it as easy as possible to navigate 

"Especially because a lot of students come to me and they don't even know what they qualify for, so I help them, I'll sit with them, we'll go through the VA together or maybe in the national guard, so I help them with those benefits," Clark explains.  

"Whatever it is I'll sit down with them and explain it to them in my opinion in a way that makes sense, and make sure that when they leave my office, they don't have any more questions." 

Clark says her office is a one stop shop to ensure students find all benefits available to them, and after that she works to ensure students are taken care of. 

Clark says she often sees challenges in the adjustment in veterans and older active service members 

"It is a challenge to go from this very structured, very sometimes black and white world of the military to a much more flexible, much more gray, much less structured civilian life," Clark points out. "And the education system is even more so." 

Two separate organizations honored Western this past fall.  Missouri Western earned a Military Friendly School gold designation and was named to the Military Times Best for Vets: colleges list.  

It's the second consecutive year Missouri Western earned the honors, which must be applied for every year.

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph works to help military students adjust to life outside of the military through the Center for Military and Veteran Services. Center director Chelsey Clark says the center helps military connected students and potential military students "Navigate everything in their education career, everything from those benefits to finding a community to just having an actual physical space that is for them and that is their own," Clark tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Missouri Western had about 300 military connected students on campus using the center. The Center for Military and Veteran Services on the St. Joseph campus was established in 2020 to provide assistance to military connected students. Clark says knowing what benefits are available to students can be difficult, but at Missouri Western they work to make it as easy as possible to navigate "Especially because a lot of students come to me and they don't even know what they qualify for, so I help them, I'll sit with them, we'll go through the VA together or maybe in the national guard, so I help them with those benefits," Clark explains. "Whatever it is I'll sit down with them and explain it to them in my opinion in a way that makes sense, and make sure that when they leave my office, they don't have any more questions." Clark says her office is a one stop shop to ensure students find all benefits available to them, and after that she works to ensure students are taken care of. Clark says she often sees challenges in the adjustment in veterans and older active service members "It is a challenge to go from this very structured, very sometimes black and white world of the military to a much more flexible, much more gray, much less structured civilian life," Clark points out. "And the education system is even more so." Two separate organizations honored Western this past fall. Missouri Western earned a Military Friendly School gold designation and was named to the Military Times Best for Vets: colleges list. It's the second consecutive year Missouri Western earned the honors, which must be applied for every year.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Western helping veterans and military members adjust to normal life

Sounds of Summer returns to downtown St. Joseph this Friday.

The annual free concert series will again be held at Coleman
Hawkins Park at Felix Street Square.

St. Joseph Downtown Association Executive Director Wendy Lilly
says the concerts draw a diverse audience to the downtown, adding, if you
haven’t been downtown for a while.

“Please check it out, because it has been revitalized,” Lilly
tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “So, to be able to be at night,
downtown, live music. It’s a really cool atmosphere that a lot of other towns
maybe don’t have. So, we’re real lucky to have that here.”

Sounds of Summer kicks off with a performance by Blue Oyster
Culture Club. The free concerts will be held every third Friday through
October. There will be two in June; Vinyl Revival on June 7th and
The Vincents on June 21st.

Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, but
no coolers. Drinks, including alcohol, and food will be available at the
concession area.

Lilly says it takes a lot of work to organize and pull off the
free concert series, adding the nonprofit association leans heavily on the
goodwill and work of its volunteers.

“We have volunteers that make this happen,” Lilly says. “So,
without having the volunteers, none of this would happen. The Downtown
Association is really for the promotion of downtown and the welfare of downtown
and making sure that there is a safe environment for things like this to
happen, for all of the events that we sponsor.”

The series kicks off Friday night at 6:30 at Coleman Hawkins
Park in Felix Street Square with a performance by Blue Oyster Culture Club.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715703303805.jpeg" alt="Coleman Hawkins Park/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Coleman Hawkins Park/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSounds of Summer returns to downtown St. Joseph this Friday.The annual free concert series will again be held at Coleman
Hawkins Park at Felix Street Square.St. Joseph Downtown Association Executive Director Wendy Lilly
says the concerts draw a diverse audience to the downtown, adding, if you
haven’t been downtown for a while.“Please check it out, because it has been revitalized,” Lilly
tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “So, to be able to be at night,
downtown, live music. It’s a really cool atmosphere that a lot of other towns
maybe don’t have. So, we’re real lucky to have that here.”Sounds of Summer kicks off with a performance by Blue Oyster
Culture Club. The free concerts will be held every third Friday through
October. There will be two in June; Vinyl Revival on June 7th and
The Vincents on June 21st.Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, but
no coolers. Drinks, including alcohol, and food will be available at the
concession area.Lilly says it takes a lot of work to organize and pull off the
free concert series, adding the nonprofit association leans heavily on the
goodwill and work of its volunteers.“We have volunteers that make this happen,” Lilly says. “So,
without having the volunteers, none of this would happen. The Downtown
Association is really for the promotion of downtown and the welfare of downtown
and making sure that there is a safe environment for things like this to
happen, for all of the events that we sponsor.”The series kicks off Friday night at 6:30 at Coleman Hawkins
Park in Felix Street Square with a performance by Blue Oyster Culture Club.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Sounds-of-Summer-returns-to-downtown-St--Joseph-e2jloco" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Sounds of Summer returns to downtown St. Joseph Friday

A 17-year-old St. Joseph man has pleaded guilty in the
shooting death of a teenager near the St. Joseph REC Center nearly one year
ago.

Kaden Wilfong pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Buchanan
County Circuit Court, admitting involvement in the shooting death of
15-year-old Carter Smith at the intersection of 18th and Commercial
Streets during a robbery.

St. Joseph police officers responded to a shots fired call the
morning of June 15, 2023. Carter’s body was found in the southbound lane of 28th,
dead from a gunshot wound. Video footage led officers to execute a search
warrant at Wilfong’s residence, where they found the gun used in the shooting, bloody
clothing, and the victim’s bloody duffel bag.

Wilfong is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

The cases of two other defendants, 19-year-old
Jackson Griffith of Country Club and 18-year-old Teontre Kirby of St. Joseph,
are working their way through the court system. Kirby has a Friday court date.
Griffith is scheduled for a trial setting in early June.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 17-year-old St. Joseph man has pleaded guilty in the
shooting death of a teenager near the St. Joseph REC Center nearly one year
ago.Kaden Wilfong pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Buchanan
County Circuit Court, admitting involvement in the shooting death of
15-year-old Carter Smith at the intersection of 18th and Commercial
Streets during a robbery.St. Joseph police officers responded to a shots fired call the
morning of June 15, 2023. Carter’s body was found in the southbound lane of 28th,
dead from a gunshot wound. Video footage led officers to execute a search
warrant at Wilfong’s residence, where they found the gun used in the shooting, bloody
clothing, and the victim’s bloody duffel bag.Wilfong is scheduled to be sentenced in July.The cases of two other defendants, 19-year-old
Jackson Griffith of Country Club and 18-year-old Teontre Kirby of St. Joseph,
are working their way through the court system. Kirby has a Friday court date.
Griffith is scheduled for a trial setting in early June.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph teen pleads guilty in death of 15-year-old one year ago

KANSAS CITY —A new report released Monday by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick emphasizes the need for the state to establish a culture of security that takes cyber threats seriously and teaches employees how to protect state resources, according to a statement from Fitzpatrick's office.

&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024035&amp;token=1110437132">CLICK here</a>&nbsp;to read the complete report

The audit report looked at awareness and training efforts for 34 state government entities that include nearly 52,000 state employees and found both a need for improved oversight for awareness training efforts for some entities, and the need to implement effective training and phishing testing for others.

"The rapid advance of technology has undoubtedly made it possible for government to operate more efficiently, but has also brought with it greatly increased risk for data breaches and other hacking efforts that could disrupt essential services. With tens of thousands of our state employees using computers with internet access on a daily basis, it is extremely important for the state to make effective security awareness training a key component of its culture," said Fitzpatrick. "Our audit report makes recommendations that can help the state take additional steps to ensure state employees are trained appropriately and armed with the knowledge they need to avoid scams and phishing attempts. I'm glad to see our recommendations have been well received and the state is working to put them into place."

The audit report, which primarily looked at the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, examined the policies and procedures related to security awareness training for 18 state government entities that are overseen by, the Office of Administration Information Technology Services Division (ITSD), as well as 16 state entities that are structurally independent of the ITSD. For the consolidated entities (CEs) overseen by ITSD, the report found approximately 20 percent of employees did not complete any security awareness training during the test period despite the fact ITSD policy requires all employees who use state-owned systems to complete monthly security awareness training. Furthermore, the lack of training for one-fifth of the employees was not detected because ITSD policy does not require anyone to monitor the completion of security awareness training. Additionally, many of the CEs have employees who were unofficially exempted from training requirements.

The report recommends the ITSD update its security awareness training policy to require oversight procedures for CE security awareness training to ensure required trainings are being completed, and clarify whether CEs are allowed to exempt certain employees from training requirements. ITSD has agreed with the recommendation and is working to implement the changes.

For the non-consolidated entities (NCEs) not overseen by ITSD, the report found 4 of the 16 entities do not provide or obtain ongoing security awareness training for their employees. In addition, 9 of 16 NCEs do not perform or obtain phishing testing on their employees. The 4 NCEs that do not provide security awareness training to their employees are also included in the 9 entities that do not do phishing testing. As a result of these weaknesses, state resources such as data, systems, and/or monetary funds are at increased risk of loss or exposure. The report recommends the NCEs not performing training should consider the ITSD's security awareness training policy and phishing testing efforts and establish policies and procedures to ensure training and testing are completed regularly for their employees. Furthermore, NCEs not currently providing security training or phishing testing should consider using ITSD as a resource to implement such procedures.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712151509022.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A new report released Monday by Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick emphasizes the need for the state to establish a culture of security that takes cyber threats seriously and teaches employees how to protect state resources, according to a statement from Fitzpatrick's office.&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024035&amp;token=1110437132">CLICK here</a>&nbsp;to read the complete reportThe audit report looked at awareness and training efforts for 34 state government entities that include nearly 52,000 state employees and found both a need for improved oversight for awareness training efforts for some entities, and the need to implement effective training and phishing testing for others."The rapid advance of technology has undoubtedly made it possible for government to operate more efficiently, but has also brought with it greatly increased risk for data breaches and other hacking efforts that could disrupt essential services. With tens of thousands of our state employees using computers with internet access on a daily basis, it is extremely important for the state to make effective security awareness training a key component of its culture," said Fitzpatrick. "Our audit report makes recommendations that can help the state take additional steps to ensure state employees are trained appropriately and armed with the knowledge they need to avoid scams and phishing attempts. I'm glad to see our recommendations have been well received and the state is working to put them into place."The audit report, which primarily looked at the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, examined the policies and procedures related to security awareness training for 18 state government entities that are overseen by, the Office of Administration Information Technology Services Division (ITSD), as well as 16 state entities that are structurally independent of the ITSD. For the consolidated entities (CEs) overseen by ITSD, the report found approximately 20 percent of employees did not complete any security awareness training during the test period despite the fact ITSD policy requires all employees who use state-owned systems to complete monthly security awareness training. Furthermore, the lack of training for one-fifth of the employees was not detected because ITSD policy does not require anyone to monitor the completion of security awareness training. Additionally, many of the CEs have employees who were unofficially exempted from training requirements.The report recommends the ITSD update its security awareness training policy to require oversight procedures for CE security awareness training to ensure required trainings are being completed, and clarify whether CEs are allowed to exempt certain employees from training requirements. ITSD has agreed with the recommendation and is working to implement the changes.For the non-consolidated entities (NCEs) not overseen by ITSD, the report found 4 of the 16 entities do not provide or obtain ongoing security awareness training for their employees. In addition, 9 of 16 NCEs do not perform or obtain phishing testing on their employees. The 4 NCEs that do not provide security awareness training to their employees are also included in the 9 entities that do not do phishing testing. As a result of these weaknesses, state resources such as data, systems, and/or monetary funds are at increased risk of loss or exposure. The report recommends the NCEs not performing training should consider the ITSD's security awareness training policy and phishing testing efforts and establish policies and procedures to ensure training and testing are completed regularly for their employees. Furthermore, NCEs not currently providing security training or phishing testing should consider using ITSD as a resource to implement such procedures.

Missouri state audit reveals need for improved cyber security training

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged altercation in Atchison.

Shortly after 1:30p.m. Sunday, officers responded to the 900 block North 7th&nbsp; in Atchison where a 20-year-old man reported he had been confronted by another man known to him, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson

&nbsp;During the confrontation the suspect allegedly struck the victim several times in the face with his fist. EMS transported the victim to Amberwell Hospital&nbsp;for treatment of injuries. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old George Phillips had left the area but was located by officers at his residence and taken into custody.

He is being held on requested charges of aggravated battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715607150348.png" alt="Phillips-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Phillips-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged altercation in Atchison.Shortly after 1:30p.m. Sunday, officers responded to the 900 block North 7th&nbsp; in Atchison where a 20-year-old man reported he had been confronted by another man known to him, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson&nbsp;During the confrontation the suspect allegedly struck the victim several times in the face with his fist. EMS transported the victim to Amberwell Hospital&nbsp;for treatment of injuries. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old George Phillips had left the area but was located by officers at his residence and taken into custody.He is being held on requested charges of aggravated battery.

Suspect accused of injuring man during altercation

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

Lawmakers trying to ban child marriage in Missouri hope a last-minute push in the legislative session’s final days can overcome opposition from some Republicans that put the bill’s chances in doubt.&nbsp;

A bill outlawing 16 and 17 years old from getting married stalled in a House committee when a handful of Republicans voiced opposition. There are five days left before lawmakers adjourn for the year.

Republican state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder of Scott City told The Independent last week that a last-ditch effort to save the legislation could take place as early as Monday, when she expects it to be added as an amendment to another bill.&nbsp;

“There’s more opposition than I thought there would be,” she said. “But you know, I think that overall, it’s generational, and I haven’t had any women opposed come and talk to me about this.”

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

Those in favor of the ban argue child marriage is coercive and can transform into forced marriage, especially because children&nbsp;lack the legal rights of adulthood. Almost all minors married to adults are girls, data shows, and child marriage is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://19thnews.org/2023/07/explaining-child-marriage-laws-united-states/">associated with</a>&nbsp;higher rates of dropping out of high school and later poverty.

But while Rehder’s bill, which she co-sponsored with Democratic state Sen. Lauren Arthur of Kansas City, sailed through the Senate nearly unanimously, it is stuck in a House committee due to critics who say a ban constitutes government overreach and would clash with parental rights.&nbsp;

Fraidy Reiss, an activist who founded the nonprofit against forced marriage Unchained at Last and has been active in testifying in support of the bill in Missouri, called the opposition “horrifying.”

“How can anybody be opposed to legislation that costs nothing, harms no one and ends a human rights abuse?” Fraidy said in an interview with The Independent. “It is shameful it has not already passed and shameful that we’re coming up against the end of the legislative session. And we still don’t know for sure whether legislators are going to do this.”

Proponents hope to tack on the child marriage ban as an amendment to another of Rehder’s bills that deals with children. Rehder said she wants a roll call vote on the amendment, rather than a voice vote, which would show exactly how many and which legislators are opposed.

Republican state Rep. Jim Murphy of St. Louis chairs the House committee where the child marriage ban is stuck. He told The Independent that he supports ending child marriage but doesn’t have the votes to advance the bill to the full House.&nbsp;

Murphy said he was “surprised” that changing the minimum age of marriage from 16 to 18 got as much pushback as it did.&nbsp;

State Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, Republican of Savannah and the vice chair of the committee, was one of the voices in opposition.

“It’s government intrusion in people’s lives,” he said in an interview with The Independent on Friday.&nbsp;

Asked what would be lost if 16 and 17 year olds couldn’t get marriage permits anymore, Van Schoiack replied, “Liberties that people currently have.”

“After what’s been through the press and what people are doing, I’m not changing my position now,” he said. “I don’t typically change my mind very easily.”

Other lawmakers who voiced concerns about the bill in committee include GOP state Reps. Ben Baker of Neosho and Mitch Boggs of LaRussell.

Rehder said the concerns about government overreach are “ridiculous” because the state government already sets a minimum age, “so why not set it at the age of when you’re an adult?”

“To me, a parent should not be signing their child into a lifetime commitment. That’s a decision you make for yourself as an adult,” said Rehder, who got married at 15 and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/29/missouri-lawmakers-seek-to-ban-child-marriage-without-exception/">has said</a>&nbsp;she didn’t realize at the time she was not operating under an adult mindset.

Until the legislature voted to raise the minimum marriage age to 16 in 2018, Missouri had among the most&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article204329774.html">lenient</a>&nbsp;child marriage laws in the nation — making it an especially popular state for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article204287484.html">15-year-olds</a>&nbsp;to travel to be married.

Despite the 2018 change, Missouri law still does not align with international human rights standards, which set the minimum age at 18.&nbsp;

Fraidy said around 70 minors every year are entered into marriage in Missouri.

“There’s no input required from the minor when they’re married — it’s their parent signing a form. There’s no recourse for a teen that doesn’t want to marry.

“And then once they’re married, they’re trapped because they can’t even file for divorce. So it’s about ending this nightmarish legal trap,” Fraidy said.

Missouri would join 12 states that have in recent years banned child marriage if the legislation passes.

Rehder said she hopes the House will attach the ban to a wide-ranging&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=229">bill</a>&nbsp;about children that bars the state from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/29/legislation-aims-to-stop-missouri-from-taking-federal-benefits-owed-to-foster-kids/">seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits.</a>&nbsp;That bill will be handled by Republican state Rep. Wendy Hausman, Rehder said. Republican state Rep. Chris Dinkins, who is handling the House version of the child marriage bill, will be working to help Hausman get the amendment on, Rehder said.&nbsp;

Timing is critical, as any changes to the bill would require it to return to the Senate, which has been bogged down in gridlock for much of the legislative session.&nbsp;

All bills must be approved and sent to the governor by 6 p.m. Friday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715627548875.png" alt=" Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, presents a resolution on the Senate floor Feb. 12 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, presents a resolution on the Senate floor Feb. 12 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By CLARA BATES&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Lawmakers trying to ban child marriage in Missouri hope a last-minute push in the legislative session’s final days can overcome opposition from some Republicans that put the bill’s chances in doubt.&nbsp;A bill outlawing 16 and 17 years old from getting married stalled in a House committee when a handful of Republicans voiced opposition. There are five days left before lawmakers adjourn for the year.Republican state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder of Scott City told The Independent last week that a last-ditch effort to save the legislation could take place as early as Monday, when she expects it to be added as an amendment to another bill.&nbsp;“There’s more opposition than I thought there would be,” she said. “But you know, I think that overall, it’s generational, and I haven’t had any women opposed come and talk to me about this.”Under current Missouri law, anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting married. But 16 and 17 year olds can get married with parental consent to anyone under 21.Those in favor of the ban argue child marriage is coercive and can transform into forced marriage, especially because children&nbsp;lack the legal rights of adulthood. Almost all minors married to adults are girls, data shows, and child marriage is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://19thnews.org/2023/07/explaining-child-marriage-laws-united-states/">associated with</a>&nbsp;higher rates of dropping out of high school and later poverty.But while Rehder’s bill, which she co-sponsored with Democratic state Sen. Lauren Arthur of Kansas City, sailed through the Senate nearly unanimously, it is stuck in a House committee due to critics who say a ban constitutes government overreach and would clash with parental rights.&nbsp;Fraidy Reiss, an activist who founded the nonprofit against forced marriage Unchained at Last and has been active in testifying in support of the bill in Missouri, called the opposition “horrifying.”“How can anybody be opposed to legislation that costs nothing, harms no one and ends a human rights abuse?” Fraidy said in an interview with The Independent. “It is shameful it has not already passed and shameful that we’re coming up against the end of the legislative session. And we still don’t know for sure whether legislators are going to do this.”Proponents hope to tack on the child marriage ban as an amendment to another of Rehder’s bills that deals with children. Rehder said she wants a roll call vote on the amendment, rather than a voice vote, which would show exactly how many and which legislators are opposed.Republican state Rep. Jim Murphy of St. Louis chairs the House committee where the child marriage ban is stuck. He told The Independent that he supports ending child marriage but doesn’t have the votes to advance the bill to the full House.&nbsp;Murphy said he was “surprised” that changing the minimum age of marriage from 16 to 18 got as much pushback as it did.&nbsp;State Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, Republican of Savannah and the vice chair of the committee, was one of the voices in opposition.“It’s government intrusion in people’s lives,” he said in an interview with The Independent on Friday.&nbsp;Asked what would be lost if 16 and 17 year olds couldn’t get marriage permits anymore, Van Schoiack replied, “Liberties that people currently have.”“After what’s been through the press and what people are doing, I’m not changing my position now,” he said. “I don’t typically change my mind very easily.”Other lawmakers who voiced concerns about the bill in committee include GOP state Reps. Ben Baker of Neosho and Mitch Boggs of LaRussell.Rehder said the concerns about government overreach are “ridiculous” because the state government already sets a minimum age, “so why not set it at the age of when you’re an adult?”“To me, a parent should not be signing their child into a lifetime commitment. That’s a decision you make for yourself as an adult,” said Rehder, who got married at 15 and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/29/missouri-lawmakers-seek-to-ban-child-marriage-without-exception/">has said</a>&nbsp;she didn’t realize at the time she was not operating under an adult mindset.Until the legislature voted to raise the minimum marriage age to 16 in 2018, Missouri had among the most&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article204329774.html">lenient</a>&nbsp;child marriage laws in the nation — making it an especially popular state for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article204287484.html">15-year-olds</a>&nbsp;to travel to be married.Despite the 2018 change, Missouri law still does not align with international human rights standards, which set the minimum age at 18.&nbsp;Fraidy said around 70 minors every year are entered into marriage in Missouri.“There’s no input required from the minor when they’re married — it’s their parent signing a form. There’s no recourse for a teen that doesn’t want to marry.“And then once they’re married, they’re trapped because they can’t even file for divorce. So it’s about ending this nightmarish legal trap,” Fraidy said.Missouri would join 12 states that have in recent years banned child marriage if the legislation passes.Rehder said she hopes the House will attach the ban to a wide-ranging&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=229">bill</a>&nbsp;about children that bars the state from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/29/legislation-aims-to-stop-missouri-from-taking-federal-benefits-owed-to-foster-kids/">seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits.</a>&nbsp;That bill will be handled by Republican state Rep. Wendy Hausman, Rehder said. Republican state Rep. Chris Dinkins, who is handling the House version of the child marriage bill, will be working to help Hausman get the amendment on, Rehder said.&nbsp;Timing is critical, as any changes to the bill would require it to return to the Senate, which has been bogged down in gridlock for much of the legislative session.&nbsp;All bills must be approved and sent to the governor by 6 p.m. Friday.&nbsp;

Last-ditch push to ban child marriage in Missouri must overcome resistance in House

An effort to clean up the Missouri River in St.
Joseph gets underway Saturday.

<a href="https://riverrelief.org/">Missouri River Relief</a> sponsors clean-up efforts
up and down the Missouri, from Omaha to St. Louis.

Alyssa Thomas with Missouri River Relief says
many who volunteer receive a bit of a shock about what is pulled out of the
Missouri River. 

“Everyone’s pretty surprised, especially their
first time out on the river,” Thomas tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “As an
organization that does this pretty consistently, we’re not really surprised by
anything anymore. But we have a little activity we do call the trash contest. When
we send volunteers out, we ask them to bring some cool finds that they find.”

The Saturday morning clean-up begins at nine o’clock
at the French Bottom river access. As many as 150 volunteers will work to fish
trash out of the Missouri River over a 10-mile stretch. The clean-up will take
about two hours. Volunteers will be fed lunch.

Thomas says too many people fail to understand
the importance of the Missouri River.

“It’s our drinking water for a lot of Missourians,”
Thomas says. “It’s a resource that we should be protecting and a lot of people
need to be aware of that.”

Missouri River Relief sponsors river clean-ups
from Omaha to St. Louis.

Thomas says the aim of the effort is
two-fold:&nbsp; clean up the Missouri River
and connect people with the Missouri.

“We are doing something big as far as cleanups go,”
Thomas says. “We pull out tons of trash, but also, the best results come from
people getting out there, experiencing an amazing resource that they probably
have never been out on before; taking that back home to their community,
spreading that awareness.”

Missouri River Relief works with the Missouri
Department of Conservation as well as the City of St. Joseph and Buchanan
County. Sponsors of the project include Spire, Missouri American Water, and Hy
Vee. Its partners include Beautify St. Joseph, Sustainable Environmental Action
Committee of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Water Protections, the Missouri Stream
Team, and the Missouri River Bird Observatory.

The Missouri River Bird Observatory will conduct
an audit of the trash pulled from the river in an effort to determine is
origin.

Click <a href="https://riverrelief.org/programs/river-cleanups/upcoming-cleanups/">HERE</a> for more information on volunteering.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715614421588.jpeg" alt="Missouri River/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri River/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn effort to clean up the Missouri River in St.
Joseph gets underway Saturday.<a href="https://riverrelief.org/">Missouri River Relief</a> sponsors clean-up efforts
up and down the Missouri, from Omaha to St. Louis.Alyssa Thomas with Missouri River Relief says
many who volunteer receive a bit of a shock about what is pulled out of the
Missouri River. “Everyone’s pretty surprised, especially their
first time out on the river,” Thomas tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “As an
organization that does this pretty consistently, we’re not really surprised by
anything anymore. But we have a little activity we do call the trash contest. When
we send volunteers out, we ask them to bring some cool finds that they find.”The Saturday morning clean-up begins at nine o’clock
at the French Bottom river access. As many as 150 volunteers will work to fish
trash out of the Missouri River over a 10-mile stretch. The clean-up will take
about two hours. Volunteers will be fed lunch.Thomas says too many people fail to understand
the importance of the Missouri River.“It’s our drinking water for a lot of Missourians,”
Thomas says. “It’s a resource that we should be protecting and a lot of people
need to be aware of that.”Missouri River Relief sponsors river clean-ups
from Omaha to St. Louis.Thomas says the aim of the effort is
two-fold:&nbsp; clean up the Missouri River
and connect people with the Missouri.“We are doing something big as far as cleanups go,”
Thomas says. “We pull out tons of trash, but also, the best results come from
people getting out there, experiencing an amazing resource that they probably
have never been out on before; taking that back home to their community,
spreading that awareness.”Missouri River Relief works with the Missouri
Department of Conservation as well as the City of St. Joseph and Buchanan
County. Sponsors of the project include Spire, Missouri American Water, and Hy
Vee. Its partners include Beautify St. Joseph, Sustainable Environmental Action
Committee of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Water Protections, the Missouri Stream
Team, and the Missouri River Bird Observatory.The Missouri River Bird Observatory will conduct
an audit of the trash pulled from the river in an effort to determine is
origin.Click <a href="https://riverrelief.org/programs/river-cleanups/upcoming-cleanups/">HERE</a> for more information on volunteering.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Cleaning-up-the-muddy-Missouri-e2jjp88" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

To clean up a river:  Missouri River clean-up effort launches in St. Joseph Saturday

St. Joseph police are investigating an early morning shooting.

Police say it appears the passenger in a vehicle shot 5-to-7
shots into the air at the corner of 10th and Henry around 2:30 this morning.

No one was harmed in the shooting and it appears no property
was damaged.

Police do have a suspect vehicle. No suspect has been taken
into custody. The investigation continues.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating an early morning shooting.Police say it appears the passenger in a vehicle shot 5-to-7
shots into the air at the corner of 10th and Henry around 2:30 this morning.No one was harmed in the shooting and it appears no property
was damaged.Police do have a suspect vehicle. No suspect has been taken
into custody. The investigation continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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