CALDWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Blazer driven by Kyle G. Kelly, 27, Braymer, was eastbound, downhill on Soo Line Drive three miles southwest of Braymer.

The driver lost control on the icy road. The SUV traveled off the right side of the road, became airborne over the creek, struck the creek bed on the opposite side and overturned.

Caldwell County EMS transported Kelly to Liberty Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Blazer driven by Kyle G. Kelly, 27, Braymer, was eastbound, downhill on Soo Line Drive three miles southwest of Braymer.The driver lost control on the icy road. The SUV traveled off the right side of the road, became airborne over the creek, struck the creek bed on the opposite side and overturned.Caldwell County EMS transported Kelly to Liberty Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man injured after SUV goes airborne over creek

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Sunday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris side by side driven by Lisa Clark, 52, Darlington, was southbound on 535th Road two miles west of Gentryville.

The ATV began sliding on the snow and ice covered road. It traveled off the west side of the road and overturned. The driver was ejected and pinned under the vehicle.

Grand River Ambulance transported Clark to Mosaic in St. Joseph. She was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Sunday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris side by side driven by Lisa Clark, 52, Darlington, was southbound on 535th Road two miles west of Gentryville.The ATV began sliding on the snow and ice covered road. It traveled off the west side of the road and overturned. The driver was ejected and pinned under the vehicle.Grand River Ambulance transported Clark to Mosaic in St. Joseph. She was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman injured after ejected, pinned under ATV

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — On the first business day of the new year, Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek began accepting applications for about $120 million of state-subsidized, low-interest loans to small businesses, farmers and affordable housing developers.

Within six hours, Malek had so many requests for the money that he had to&nbsp;<a href="https://treasurer.mo.gov/newsroom/news-and-events-item?pr=2d796735-a82e-4215-8b83-c1c159e7c95f">cut off applications</a>.

“The demand is huge, and it is real,” Malek said.

Missouri's situation, though extreme, is not entirely unique. From New York to Illinois to Montana, states have seen surging public interest in little-known programs that use state funds to spur private investment with bargain-priced loans. The programs have taken off after a series of key interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve made virtually all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-yield-rates-wall-street-mortgage-aa78d3c3c50728ed62291a58695f3cd0?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">loans more expansive</a>, whether for farmers purchasing seed or businesses wanting to expand.

To&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-prices-interest-rates-cuts-815e42c425cff3e76e89b8f37aaa52f4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">combat inflation</a>&nbsp;in consumer prices, the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times from March 2022 to last July, setting it at a two-decade high.

Under so-called linked-deposit programs, states deposit money in banks at below-market interest rates. Banks then leverage those funds to provide short-term, low-interest loans to particular borrowers, often in agriculture or small business. The programs can save thousands of dollars for borrowers by reducing their interest rates by an average 2-3 percentage points.

States typically cap the amount of money available for such discounted rates at either a flat dollar amount or a percentage of their total fund balances, because the programs result in less earnings for the state. Many states have built large surpluses from pandemic-era revenues, meaning they have more money available to deposit in banks.

Though most states don't currently offer such programs, some that shelved them when interest rates were low are now considering whether to revive them to aid financially-strapped businesses and residents.

“I can say in talks with other state treasurers that there is a definite increased interest in treasury money, whether that is through a linked-deposit program or a different vehicle," said Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, who is president of the National Association of State Treasurers.

Illinois has nearly $950 million of deposits linked to low-interest loans for farmers, businesses and individuals. That's up substantially from past years. In 2015, Frerichs said, the state's agricultural investment program had just two low-interest loans. By 2022, that had grown to $51 million of loans. Last year, Illinois made $667 million of low-rate deposits for agricultural loans.

With rising demand, Frerichs recently raised the program’s overall cap from $1 billion to $1.5 billion.

Though smaller in scope, New York's program also has seen an explosion of applicants.

In 2022, New York had 42 applications for state deposits in financial institutions linked to $20 million in low-interest loans. Last year, that rose to 317 applications linked to more than $220 million of loans, said Rafael Salaberrios, a senior vice president who manages capital access programs at Empire State Development, New York's economic development agency.

“As the banks see the benefit, they are inundating us with applications — and that’s a good thing,” Salaberrios said. He added: "The linked deposit has allowed for the growth of small businesses to continue even during these high (interest) rate environments.”

Because of rising demand, Missouri's linked-deposit loan program neared its statutory cap of $800 million last May. After some existing loans expired, the treasurer's office was able to reopen applications at 10 a.m. on Jan. 2. By 4 p.m. that day, it had approached the cap again — receiving 142 applications totaling over $119 million — and closed the application window.

About half the applications came on behalf of customers of just two financial institutions — OakStar Bank and FCS Financial, a leading agricultural lender. FCS Financial had over 100 additional applications in line to submit when applications were cut off, said Brian Zimmerschied, vice president for its commercial crop lending team.

BTC Bank in rural Bethany, Missouri, had planned to turn in about dozen applications on behalf of its customers. But it missed out entirely because of the quick cutoff, bank CEO Doug Fish said.

Among those left disappointed was Jason Bernard, a farmer near Bethany who had hoped for a low-interest loan to help purchase this year's supply of seed, fertilizer and chemical spray.

With higher interest rates, "it’s a lot harder to make it, just because your payments,” Bernard said.

The Missouri treasurer's office is&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1803&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">backing legislation</a>&nbsp;to raise the program's cap from $800 million to $1.2 billion, which would mark a 50% increase in capacity. The expansion could cost the state $12 million of potential earnings, though that could be partly offset by the economic activity generated from those loans, according to a legislative&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/fiscal/fispdf/3236H.01I.ORG.pdf">fiscal analysis</a>.

In Montana, lawmakers last year authorized a new program to address a shortage of affordable housing. The Montana Board of Investments launched a linked-deposit loan initiative in October that received $77 million of applications within two months, reaching a self-imposed cap and forcing it to close applications sooner than expected.

Republican state Rep. Mike Hopkins, who sponsored the housing incentive legislation, was thrilled with the response.

“We’re in a bit of a jam in the state of Montana" for affordable housing, Hopkins said, and “we were able to get money out the door as quickly as possible.”

Officials in Iowa, Kansas and Ohio also told the AP they had increased demand for programs that deposit state money in banks to provide low-interest loans. The number of such loan recipients in Kansas tripled from 2022 to 2023. In Ohio, the amount of money provided for those loans rose by two-thirds during that time, to more than $600 million.

Oklahoma's linked-deposit program has been dormant since 2010 amid low interest rates, but at least two banks recently contacted the treasurer's office about the possibility of restarting it, said Deputy Treasurer Jordan Harvey.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said he hadn't approved any linked deposits for low-interest loans since taking office in 2015 — until last year, when he approved his first two.

“There wasn’t much need because interest rates were cheap," Miller said.

"But now that the rates are up," Miller added, “it could be a viable program, and we could help some people.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705584027458.png" alt="Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek stands near a poster promoting drought conditions and state aid programs on Jan. 4, 2024, at his Capitol office in Jefferson City, Mo. Agricultural entities are among several categories of businesses that can receive low-interest loans backed by deposits of state funds made by the treasurer's office. Participation in such programs has grown in various states. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek stands near a poster promoting drought conditions and state aid programs on Jan. 4, 2024, at his Capitol office in Jefferson City, Mo. Agricultural entities are among several categories of businesses that can receive low-interest loans backed by deposits of state funds made by the treasurer's office. Participation in such programs has grown in various states. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — On the first business day of the new year, Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek began accepting applications for about $120 million of state-subsidized, low-interest loans to small businesses, farmers and affordable housing developers.Within six hours, Malek had so many requests for the money that he had to&nbsp;<a href="https://treasurer.mo.gov/newsroom/news-and-events-item?pr=2d796735-a82e-4215-8b83-c1c159e7c95f">cut off applications</a>.“The demand is huge, and it is real,” Malek said.Missouri's situation, though extreme, is not entirely unique. From New York to Illinois to Montana, states have seen surging public interest in little-known programs that use state funds to spur private investment with bargain-priced loans. The programs have taken off after a series of key interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve made virtually all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/treasury-yield-rates-wall-street-mortgage-aa78d3c3c50728ed62291a58695f3cd0?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">loans more expansive</a>, whether for farmers purchasing seed or businesses wanting to expand.To&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-prices-interest-rates-cuts-815e42c425cff3e76e89b8f37aaa52f4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">combat inflation</a>&nbsp;in consumer prices, the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times from March 2022 to last July, setting it at a two-decade high.Under so-called linked-deposit programs, states deposit money in banks at below-market interest rates. Banks then leverage those funds to provide short-term, low-interest loans to particular borrowers, often in agriculture or small business. The programs can save thousands of dollars for borrowers by reducing their interest rates by an average 2-3 percentage points.States typically cap the amount of money available for such discounted rates at either a flat dollar amount or a percentage of their total fund balances, because the programs result in less earnings for the state. Many states have built large surpluses from pandemic-era revenues, meaning they have more money available to deposit in banks.Though most states don't currently offer such programs, some that shelved them when interest rates were low are now considering whether to revive them to aid financially-strapped businesses and residents.“I can say in talks with other state treasurers that there is a definite increased interest in treasury money, whether that is through a linked-deposit program or a different vehicle," said Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, who is president of the National Association of State Treasurers.Illinois has nearly $950 million of deposits linked to low-interest loans for farmers, businesses and individuals. That's up substantially from past years. In 2015, Frerichs said, the state's agricultural investment program had just two low-interest loans. By 2022, that had grown to $51 million of loans. Last year, Illinois made $667 million of low-rate deposits for agricultural loans.With rising demand, Frerichs recently raised the program’s overall cap from $1 billion to $1.5 billion.Though smaller in scope, New York's program also has seen an explosion of applicants.In 2022, New York had 42 applications for state deposits in financial institutions linked to $20 million in low-interest loans. Last year, that rose to 317 applications linked to more than $220 million of loans, said Rafael Salaberrios, a senior vice president who manages capital access programs at Empire State Development, New York's economic development agency.“As the banks see the benefit, they are inundating us with applications — and that’s a good thing,” Salaberrios said. He added: "The linked deposit has allowed for the growth of small businesses to continue even during these high (interest) rate environments.”Because of rising demand, Missouri's linked-deposit loan program neared its statutory cap of $800 million last May. After some existing loans expired, the treasurer's office was able to reopen applications at 10 a.m. on Jan. 2. By 4 p.m. that day, it had approached the cap again — receiving 142 applications totaling over $119 million — and closed the application window.About half the applications came on behalf of customers of just two financial institutions — OakStar Bank and FCS Financial, a leading agricultural lender. FCS Financial had over 100 additional applications in line to submit when applications were cut off, said Brian Zimmerschied, vice president for its commercial crop lending team.BTC Bank in rural Bethany, Missouri, had planned to turn in about dozen applications on behalf of its customers. But it missed out entirely because of the quick cutoff, bank CEO Doug Fish said.Among those left disappointed was Jason Bernard, a farmer near Bethany who had hoped for a low-interest loan to help purchase this year's supply of seed, fertilizer and chemical spray.With higher interest rates, "it’s a lot harder to make it, just because your payments,” Bernard said.The Missouri treasurer's office is&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1803&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">backing legislation</a>&nbsp;to raise the program's cap from $800 million to $1.2 billion, which would mark a 50% increase in capacity. The expansion could cost the state $12 million of potential earnings, though that could be partly offset by the economic activity generated from those loans, according to a legislative&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/fiscal/fispdf/3236H.01I.ORG.pdf">fiscal analysis</a>.In Montana, lawmakers last year authorized a new program to address a shortage of affordable housing. The Montana Board of Investments launched a linked-deposit loan initiative in October that received $77 million of applications within two months, reaching a self-imposed cap and forcing it to close applications sooner than expected.Republican state Rep. Mike Hopkins, who sponsored the housing incentive legislation, was thrilled with the response.“We’re in a bit of a jam in the state of Montana" for affordable housing, Hopkins said, and “we were able to get money out the door as quickly as possible.”Officials in Iowa, Kansas and Ohio also told the AP they had increased demand for programs that deposit state money in banks to provide low-interest loans. The number of such loan recipients in Kansas tripled from 2022 to 2023. In Ohio, the amount of money provided for those loans rose by two-thirds during that time, to more than $600 million.Oklahoma's linked-deposit program has been dormant since 2010 amid low interest rates, but at least two banks recently contacted the treasurer's office about the possibility of restarting it, said Deputy Treasurer Jordan Harvey.Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said he hadn't approved any linked deposits for low-interest loans since taking office in 2015 — until last year, when he approved his first two.“There wasn’t much need because interest rates were cheap," Miller said."But now that the rates are up," Miller added, “it could be a viable program, and we could help some people.”

States expand low-interest loan programs for farms, businesses and new housing

CLINTON COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Ford Explorer driven by Lisa L. Palmer, 57, Kearney, Missouri, was eastbound on CR 264 at U.S. 69 three miles east of Lathrop.

The SUV began sliding on the snow and ice covered road.&nbsp; The driver failed to stop at the stop sign and traveled into the northbound lane of U.S. 69.&nbsp; The SUV struck a northbound 2000 Ford F350 driven by Wayne E. Greene, 50, Lawson.

After impact the pickup traveled off the road and overturned.

Tri-County EMS transported Greene to Liberty Hospital, Palmer and a 1-year-old passenger in the SUV to North Kansas City Hospital.&nbsp; A private vehicle transported a second. passenger in the SUV identified as Margaret A. Eisenberger, 59, Lathrop, to Advent Hospital in Shawnee Mission. All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Ford Explorer driven by Lisa L. Palmer, 57, Kearney, Missouri, was eastbound on CR 264 at U.S. 69 three miles east of Lathrop.The SUV began sliding on the snow and ice covered road.&nbsp; The driver failed to stop at the stop sign and traveled into the northbound lane of U.S. 69.&nbsp; The SUV struck a northbound 2000 Ford F350 driven by Wayne E. Greene, 50, Lawson.After impact the pickup traveled off the road and overturned.Tri-County EMS transported Greene to Liberty Hospital, Palmer and a 1-year-old passenger in the SUV to North Kansas City Hospital.&nbsp; A private vehicle transported a second. passenger in the SUV identified as Margaret A. Eisenberger, 59, Lathrop, to Advent Hospital in Shawnee Mission. All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

3 adults, 1-year-old injured after SUV, pickup crash

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/johnmurphy/">JOHN MURPHY</a>&nbsp;

The Missouri House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education voted 14-3 Thursday morning to push forward legislation that would allow school administrators to increase the number of people who can carry guns in schools.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/hlrbillspdf/2874H.01I.pdf">legislation advanced on Thursday</a>&nbsp;concerns school protection officers. Currently, school districts may designate only teachers or administrators as school protection officers. This bill adds other designated school personnel to the list of employees a district may designate as a school protection officer.

School protection officers have the authority to carry a weapon on school grounds if the officer has obtained a concealed carry endorsement permit.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, voted in support of the bill, but she made her stance on gun control in schools clear.

“I oppose guns in schools, so it was really hard for me to support this bill because on face value it looks like it’s against everything I believe in,” she said.

Steinhoff said it’s important that if people carry guns in schools, it must be the right person. “If a school board chooses to authorize someone to carry a gun in their schools, I want to make sure they have the flexibility to make sure that the right person is doing that,” she said.

Steinhoff added, “I believe the success of public schools lies in making sure that every position is filled by somebody who’s highly qualified and highly trained. I don’t see teachers and administrators being the ones who can carry out that sort of job duty.”

Kristin Bowen is a volunteer with the Missouri chapter of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://momsdemandaction.org/?fbclid=IwAR3PPZixaJeUrdRHOcRO7Ib21fq1QkE9WW4AzA7hZoE8VttGHx0ysXtekRk">Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.</a>&nbsp;Her organization disagrees with the committee’s decision to advance the bill.

“We were disappointed, not surprised,” she said. “This is a bill that expands who can carry loaded guns in our K-12 schools in Missouri.”

Bowen argued any legislation that increases the number of potential guns that could be brought into a school is bad.

“We know, research shows, putting more guns in our schools puts kids in a position of being less safe, not more safe,” she said.

Steinhoff said that each district will have to make its own decision on who can be a school protection officer even if the new bill becomes law.

“This is not mandating it,” Steinhoff said. “It’s making it so that a school board can choose to do that. I hope that no school board chooses to do that.”

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/house-bill-expanding-who-can-carry-guns-in-schools-advances/article_34af652d-ec65-5943-b2da-0b0863167675.html">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702505915425.png" alt="School protection officers have the authority to carry a weapon on school grounds if the officer has obtained a concealed carry endorsement permit (Aristide Economopoulos for New Jersey Monitor)." />
 <figcaption>School protection officers have the authority to carry a weapon on school grounds if the officer has obtained a concealed carry endorsement permit (Aristide Economopoulos for New Jersey Monitor).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/johnmurphy/">JOHN MURPHY</a>&nbsp;The Missouri House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education voted 14-3 Thursday morning to push forward legislation that would allow school administrators to increase the number of people who can carry guns in schools.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/hlrbillspdf/2874H.01I.pdf">legislation advanced on Thursday</a>&nbsp;concerns school protection officers. Currently, school districts may designate only teachers or administrators as school protection officers. This bill adds other designated school personnel to the list of employees a district may designate as a school protection officer.School protection officers have the authority to carry a weapon on school grounds if the officer has obtained a concealed carry endorsement permit.State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, voted in support of the bill, but she made her stance on gun control in schools clear.“I oppose guns in schools, so it was really hard for me to support this bill because on face value it looks like it’s against everything I believe in,” she said.Steinhoff said it’s important that if people carry guns in schools, it must be the right person. “If a school board chooses to authorize someone to carry a gun in their schools, I want to make sure they have the flexibility to make sure that the right person is doing that,” she said.Steinhoff added, “I believe the success of public schools lies in making sure that every position is filled by somebody who’s highly qualified and highly trained. I don’t see teachers and administrators being the ones who can carry out that sort of job duty.”Kristin Bowen is a volunteer with the Missouri chapter of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://momsdemandaction.org/?fbclid=IwAR3PPZixaJeUrdRHOcRO7Ib21fq1QkE9WW4AzA7hZoE8VttGHx0ysXtekRk">Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.</a>&nbsp;Her organization disagrees with the committee’s decision to advance the bill.“We were disappointed, not surprised,” she said. “This is a bill that expands who can carry loaded guns in our K-12 schools in Missouri.”Bowen argued any legislation that increases the number of potential guns that could be brought into a school is bad.“We know, research shows, putting more guns in our schools puts kids in a position of being less safe, not more safe,” she said.Steinhoff said that each district will have to make its own decision on who can be a school protection officer even if the new bill becomes law.“This is not mandating it,” Steinhoff said. “It’s making it so that a school board can choose to do that. I hope that no school board chooses to do that.”This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/house-bill-expanding-who-can-carry-guns-in-schools-advances/article_34af652d-ec65-5943-b2da-0b0863167675.html">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.

Bill expanding who can carry guns in schools advances in Missouri House

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (AP) — Attorneys for a Missouri woman who has spent more than four decades in prison for a murder her supporters believe she did not commit argued at a hearing this week that the evidence points to a police officer who was investigated for burglaries and later went to prison.

The only evidence linking Sandra Hemme to the 1980 killing of St. Joseph library worker Patricia Jeschke is the “wildly contradictory” and “factually impossible” statements she made to detectives while she was a patient at a psychiatric hospital, her attorneys say. Hemme, who goes by Sandy and is now 63, was sentenced to life.

The hearing to present evidence of her innocence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evidentiary-hearing-missouri-1980-killing-06c5467d17759d214089cc4c13d3d6c7">was granted</a>&nbsp;after her attorneys filed a 147-page petition laying out their claims. Livingston County Presiding Judge Ryan Horsman will issue a decision in the coming weeks or months,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article284178778.html">The Kansas City Star reported</a>.

If Hemme is exonerated, her prison term would mark the longest known wrongful conviction of a woman in U.S. history.

Steven Fueston, a retired St. Joseph Police Department detective, testified that he stopped one of the interviews with Hemme at the St. Joseph State Hospital because “she didn’t seem totally coherent.”

Over eight sessions of questioning, Hemme’s attorneys with the Innocence Project say her story changed from denying any involvement to implicating a man who turned out to have an airtight alibi and falsely confessing to Jeschke’s murder.

Hemme’s legal team said evidence instead points to Michael Holman, a 22-year-old police officer who was investigated for insurance fraud and burglaries and later went to prison. He died in 2015.

Holman had been a suspect and was questioned one time. He told investigators he used Jeschke’s credit card after finding a purse in a ditch. His truck was also seen in the area of the killing; the alibi he provided about why he was nearby could not be corroborated.

A pair of gold horseshoe-shaped earrings identified by Jeschke’s father was also found in Holman’s possession.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687623288901.png" alt="-Sandra Hemme-photo courtesy The Innocence Project" />
 <figcaption>-Sandra Hemme-photo courtesy The Innocence Project</figcaption>
 </figure>CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (AP) — Attorneys for a Missouri woman who has spent more than four decades in prison for a murder her supporters believe she did not commit argued at a hearing this week that the evidence points to a police officer who was investigated for burglaries and later went to prison.The only evidence linking Sandra Hemme to the 1980 killing of St. Joseph library worker Patricia Jeschke is the “wildly contradictory” and “factually impossible” statements she made to detectives while she was a patient at a psychiatric hospital, her attorneys say. Hemme, who goes by Sandy and is now 63, was sentenced to life.The hearing to present evidence of her innocence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evidentiary-hearing-missouri-1980-killing-06c5467d17759d214089cc4c13d3d6c7">was granted</a>&nbsp;after her attorneys filed a 147-page petition laying out their claims. Livingston County Presiding Judge Ryan Horsman will issue a decision in the coming weeks or months,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article284178778.html">The Kansas City Star reported</a>.If Hemme is exonerated, her prison term would mark the longest known wrongful conviction of a woman in U.S. history.Steven Fueston, a retired St. Joseph Police Department detective, testified that he stopped one of the interviews with Hemme at the St. Joseph State Hospital because “she didn’t seem totally coherent.”Over eight sessions of questioning, Hemme’s attorneys with the Innocence Project say her story changed from denying any involvement to implicating a man who turned out to have an airtight alibi and falsely confessing to Jeschke’s murder.Hemme’s legal team said evidence instead points to Michael Holman, a 22-year-old police officer who was investigated for insurance fraud and burglaries and later went to prison. He died in 2015.Holman had been a suspect and was questioned one time. He told investigators he used Jeschke’s credit card after finding a purse in a ditch. His truck was also seen in the area of the killing; the alibi he provided about why he was nearby could not be corroborated.A pair of gold horseshoe-shaped earrings identified by Jeschke’s father was also found in Holman’s possession.

Attorney: Woman innocent in 1980 killing; former Mo. police officer to blame

MERCER COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1:30a.m. Friday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Western Star truck&nbsp; driven by Charles T. Tucker, 53, Harris, was eastbound on snow covered Route E two and one half miles southeast of Princeton.

The truck traveled too close to the edge of the road. The vehicle traveled off the south side of the road and overturned onto its top.

Mercer County ambulance transported Tucker to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

MERCER COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1:30a.m. Friday in Mercer County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Western Star truck&nbsp; driven by Charles T. Tucker, 53, Harris, was eastbound on snow covered Route E two and one half miles southeast of Princeton.The truck traveled too close to the edge of the road. The vehicle traveled off the south side of the road and overturned onto its top.Mercer County ambulance transported Tucker to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man injured after truck overturns

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash have identified the bicyclist who died as 31-year-old Rick D. Snow, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.

On Sunday a Ford F150 driven by 41-year-old Brian Zug of St. Joseph was southbound on North Oak Trafficway near 82nd Street. and struck a bicycle driven by Snow, according to Carlisle.

Snow, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from the bike and pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup did not stop.

Police located the pickup near 79th Street and took Zug into custody on a requested charge of DWI.&nbsp;

The Clay County, Missouri, Prosecutor's Office has charged Zug&nbsp; with felony leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and felony DWI-death of another, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705713423830.png" alt="Zug-photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Zug-photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash have identified the bicyclist who died as 31-year-old Rick D. Snow, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.On Sunday a Ford F150 driven by 41-year-old Brian Zug of St. Joseph was southbound on North Oak Trafficway near 82nd Street. and struck a bicycle driven by Snow, according to Carlisle.Snow, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from the bike and pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup did not stop.Police located the pickup near 79th Street and took Zug into custody on a requested charge of DWI.&nbsp;The Clay County, Missouri, Prosecutor's Office has charged Zug&nbsp; with felony leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and felony DWI-death of another, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

St. Joseph man charged in deadly hit-and-run

After a short bit of warmer weather, frigid temperatures are hitting the area again this weekend, with highs not expected over 10 degrees until Sunday.  

St. Joseph Fire Inspector Steve Henrichson says if you pull out those space heaters to stay warm, make sure to give it three feet of space.  

"Where nothing combustible is within three feet of it while it's running," Henrichson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "You never want to leave them unattended, because if a cat comes along and knocks it off or something falls on top of it you want to be there, you don't want to leave it running while you're out of the house or things like that." 

Henrichson adds if you have a heater rated for indoor use that runs on gas or propane. 

"You also need to have a CO detector just in case something internally goes wrong so you're not poisoning yourself while you use them," Henrichson explains.  

Henrichson says they do see an increased number of fires this time of year due to external heating sources. 

"We always do when people bring out the space heaters or people that are squatting things like that, start small fires and get away from them," Henrichson says. "There's all kinds of reasons for it." 

With the bitter cold, homeless individuals could look to squat inside vacant homes to stay warm, sometimes by starting fires. 

Henrichson says while they haven't seen any cases of that this year, they often do during colder weather.  Henrichson says people should keep an eye out in their neighborhood.  

"Everybody in the neighborhood, I mean there's three of us inspectors and how many thousands of houses in St. Joe that need attention," Henrichson points out. "If you see something in your neighborhood, get ahold of property maintenance, if you see somebody going into a house that doesn't belong to them call the PD." 

Henrichson says though with efforts in place to help get people into homes or off the streets, things seem to be getting better this year. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostAfter a short bit of warmer weather, frigid temperatures are hitting the area again this weekend, with highs not expected over 10 degrees until Sunday. St. Joseph Fire Inspector Steve Henrichson says if you pull out those space heaters to stay warm, make sure to give it three feet of space. "Where nothing combustible is within three feet of it while it's running," Henrichson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "You never want to leave them unattended, because if a cat comes along and knocks it off or something falls on top of it you want to be there, you don't want to leave it running while you're out of the house or things like that." Henrichson adds if you have a heater rated for indoor use that runs on gas or propane. "You also need to have a CO detector just in case something internally goes wrong so you're not poisoning yourself while you use them," Henrichson explains. Henrichson says they do see an increased number of fires this time of year due to external heating sources. "We always do when people bring out the space heaters or people that are squatting things like that, start small fires and get away from them," Henrichson says. "There's all kinds of reasons for it." With the bitter cold, homeless individuals could look to squat inside vacant homes to stay warm, sometimes by starting fires. Henrichson says while they haven't seen any cases of that this year, they often do during colder weather. Henrichson says people should keep an eye out in their neighborhood. "Everybody in the neighborhood, I mean there's three of us inspectors and how many thousands of houses in St. Joe that need attention," Henrichson points out. "If you see something in your neighborhood, get ahold of property maintenance, if you see somebody going into a house that doesn't belong to them call the PD." Henrichson says though with efforts in place to help get people into homes or off the streets, things seem to be getting better this year.

Be careful with heating sources as bitterly cold temperatures hit the area once again

An
executive with Herzog Contracting has been elected chair of the board of the
Associated General Contractors of Missouri.

Heavy
Highway Division Senior Vice President, Kyle Phillips of St. Joseph, will guide
the association’s board of directors for 2024.

The Associated General Contractors of Missouri represents
contractors, specialty contractors, and suppliers throughout Missouri.

Herzog, which has 2,500 employees and has its headquarters
in St. Joseph, is a private rail and heavy/highway construction company. Herzog
has been a member of AGC since the company was founded in St. Joseph in 1969. Phillips
previously served as chair of the board of the AGC of Missouri during 2014 when
it merged with AGC of St. Louis in late 2014. 

“I feel like
we’ve come full circle with our association.&nbsp; When we contemplated merging AGC of St. Louis
with AGC of Missouri 10 years ago, Kyle Phillips was chairman of the AGC of
Missouri board.&nbsp; Now he is returning as
chairman of the largest construction organization in the state representing building, highway, transportation, and utility infrastructure contractors, industry partners and
related firms in 110
counties across the state. With
525-plus members, AGCMO &nbsp;has both grown in numbers, and has expanded
the types of members we serve and the areas we serve across the state. The full
integration of the two associations has been realized and continues to move
forward.” Leonard Toenjes, CAE, president of AGCMO said in a written statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705693048138.jpeg" alt="Kyle Phillips, Herzog Contracting/Photo courtesy of Associated General Contractors of Missouri" />
 <figcaption>Kyle Phillips, Herzog Contracting/Photo courtesy of Associated General Contractors of Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn
executive with Herzog Contracting has been elected chair of the board of the
Associated General Contractors of Missouri.Heavy
Highway Division Senior Vice President, Kyle Phillips of St. Joseph, will guide
the association’s board of directors for 2024.The Associated General Contractors of Missouri represents
contractors, specialty contractors, and suppliers throughout Missouri.Herzog, which has 2,500 employees and has its headquarters
in St. Joseph, is a private rail and heavy/highway construction company. Herzog
has been a member of AGC since the company was founded in St. Joseph in 1969. Phillips
previously served as chair of the board of the AGC of Missouri during 2014 when
it merged with AGC of St. Louis in late 2014. “I feel like
we’ve come full circle with our association.&nbsp; When we contemplated merging AGC of St. Louis
with AGC of Missouri 10 years ago, Kyle Phillips was chairman of the AGC of
Missouri board.&nbsp; Now he is returning as
chairman of the largest construction organization in the state representing building, highway, transportation, and utility infrastructure contractors, industry partners and
related firms in 110
counties across the state. With
525-plus members, AGCMO &nbsp;has both grown in numbers, and has expanded
the types of members we serve and the areas we serve across the state. The full
integration of the two associations has been realized and continues to move
forward.” Leonard Toenjes, CAE, president of AGCMO said in a written statement.

Herzog executive elected chair of Associated General Contractors of Missouri

Gregg Lynn's Happy Camper Scamper to benefit Camp Quality is coming up Saturday 3/30 at Bartlett Park and registration is open right now.

Hosted by JoeTown 107.5 Radio Personality Gregg Lynn this is a 5k Run/Walk to benefit Camp Quality Northwest Missouri. The Happy Camp Scamper is a fun family run held at Bartlett Park in Saint Joseph. All proceeds go to Camp Quality Northwest Missouri, a nonprofit organization that provides year round programming and experiences for children diagnosed with cancer and their families.&nbsp;

Chip timing, finish line pictures and video, and instant results!

Early bird registration is only $25 until midnight Sunday night.

https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/SaintJoseph/HAPPYCAMPERSCAMPER

Gregg Lynn's Happy Camper Scamper to benefit Camp Quality is coming up Saturday 3/30 at Bartlett Park and registration is open right now.Hosted by JoeTown 107.5 Radio Personality Gregg Lynn this is a 5k Run/Walk to benefit Camp Quality Northwest Missouri. The Happy Camp Scamper is a fun family run held at Bartlett Park in Saint Joseph. All proceeds go to Camp Quality Northwest Missouri, a nonprofit organization that provides year round programming and experiences for children diagnosed with cancer and their families.&nbsp;Chip timing, finish line pictures and video, and instant results!Early bird registration is only $25 until midnight Sunday night.https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/SaintJoseph/HAPPYCAMPERSCAMPER

Happy Camper Scamper Coming Saturday 3/30

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

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

School, other closings today

Other bills heard in a House committee include restrictions on care for transgender adults and bathroom and locker-room usage

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

With state law already banning transgender youth from accessing puberty blockers and hormones, a Missouri House committee met late into the evening Wednesday to debate adding more restrictions.

Two statehouse hearing rooms overflowed with witnesses in favor and against bills in the House Emerging Issues Committee that would determine whether it should be compulsory for medical professionals to provide gender-affirming care or if transgender people can use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.

The committee had a similar hearing a year ago, when it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/25/missouri-committee-debates-transgender-sports-healthcare-drag-shows-for-nine-hours/">heard bills seeking to limit transgender Missourians’ rights</a>&nbsp;and place restrictions on drag performances.

Wednesday’s nearly nine-hour meeting began with bills sponsored by Republican state Rep. Brad Hudson of Cape Fair that would eliminate a four-year sunset on a law enacted last year banning gender-affirming care for minors. It would also strike a section of the law allowing those already receiving treatment to continue.

These provisions were added as a compromise after&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/20/missouri-democrats-once-again-filibuster-ban-on-medical-procedures-for-transgender-minors/">Democrats in the Senate filibustered</a>&nbsp;the legislation last spring.

But most testimony lingered on Hudson’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1520&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">other bill</a>, which would allow medical professionals to object to providing gender-affirming care to transgender patients — both children and adults.

“Every American should have the freedom to operate according to their ethical and religious beliefs, and that includes doctors, nurses and other medical providers,” he told the committee. “The Constitution protects their freedom as much as everyone else’s.”

He said he based his bill on current laws allowing doctors to opt out of providing abortions.

David Stansfield, a family medicine doctor in Hillsboro and member of the Catholic Medical Association, said he previously treated a transgender woman — misgendering her while telling his story — but does not want to provide gender-affirming care again.

“The ability to say no to certain medical procedures, whether they be about transgender medicine or just in general, needs to be in the purview of the physician,” he told committee members.

Leandra Morgenthaler, a medical student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said she has felt berated in her studies because of her Catholic faith. She would like the option to choose not to perform certain procedures, like gender-affirming care.

“My classmates who share my beliefs and I have been told we should not intersect faith and medicine because of our religion,” she said, “that anyone who has faith beliefs like ours are obviously having the wrong opinion.”&nbsp;

Others were worried the bill may further reduce care options and have additional unintended consequences.

Cassie Brown, executive director of the Missouri chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said the bill seeks to protect providers, whereas medical practice typically protects patients.

“The reason why all of these ethical codes exist is because patients are in a more vulnerable situation,” she said. “And gender-affirming care has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety and suicidality.”

Rep. Doug Mann, a Democrat from Columbia, asked Hudson who would be held responsible if care is withheld from a transgender person and they are harmed or die as a result. Hudson said it was a “hypothetical,” though many opposing the bill linked gender-affirming care with alleviating suicidality.

Winston Apple testified that he watched his grandson struggle, getting poor grades and suffering with depression until transitioning.

“Now, representative Hudson wants to keep him safe by taking away his right to continue the treatments that have kept him safe from unhappiness, depression and possibly suicide,” Apple told the committee. “I am here today hoping to keep my grandchild safe from politicians who want to violate his god-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director for Missouri LGBTQ advocacy group PROMO, said last year’s legislation has had a life-changing impact on transgender Missourians&nbsp; — pushing some to move out of state. During her testimony, she&nbsp; honored a transgender woman who she said died by suicide in December.

“The total harm this legislative body has committed against trans and queer Missourians is incalculable,” she said.

Shannon Cooper, a former Republican lawmaker and a lobbyist representing Kansas City and the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, said both entities fear the legislation is keeping people from moving to the area.

“We are looking for folks who want to come to Kansas City and continue to make it a very vibrant community, and legislation like this has consistently held people back from making a decision to come move to the state of Missouri, to move into the Kansas City region,” he said. “Currently, we are almost 100,000 employees short of the job opportunities that are there.”

Rep. Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, asked if Hudson’s bills could affect investment in the region.

“There are many companies that and also events that want to know what kind of community they’re looking at and investing millions of dollars in,” Cooper said.

Four bills seek to legislate bathroom and locker-room usage by biological sex.

Rep. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St. Charles, is sponsoring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2308&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow parents to sue school districts for allowing a person of the opposite sex into restrooms with their child. He said his bill was intended to prevent sexual assaults.

Aune asked him to name an example of an assault his bill would prevent. He couldn’t, later alleging incidents happened in his local school district.

Schnelting said he based part of his bill from sample legislation by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C..

Republican Reps.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2355&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">Ben Baker</a>&nbsp;of Neosho, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2357&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">Chris Lonsdale</a>&nbsp;of Liberty filed identical bills to legislate school restrooms.

“As a father of four daughters, I can tell you that it is imperative that we act and protect our children by implementing a universal statewide policy,” Baker told the committee.

Lonsdale described the legislation as “not the most controversial bill we’ve heard in committee,” and said he was inspired by incidents in the national news. He used the pre-transition name, or “deadname,” of swimmer Lia Thomas.

Lonsdale’s and Baker’s bills define biological sex by the sex “indicated on their birth certificate.” It allows for accommodations, like a single-stall restroom, with the approval of parents.

Some questioned the parental approval, saying it could reveal children’s gender identity to unsupportive parents.

Focusing primarily on adults, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1674&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">bill by Republican Rep. Mark Matthiesen</a>&nbsp;of O’Fallon would place these restrictions on restrooms and locker rooms in the workplace. It would bar transgender people from their chosen restroom unless they have completed “a full medical procedure to change (their) sex.”

Matthiesen said the legislation was intended to protect women.

“As&nbsp;we&nbsp;work&nbsp;together&nbsp;to&nbsp;ensure&nbsp;that&nbsp;all&nbsp;people&nbsp;have&nbsp;access&nbsp;to&nbsp;public&nbsp;spaces, it has been at the expense of biological women,” he said.

He said he was urged to write the bill after constituents worried for female lifeguards at a local pool.

“It needs to start at the state level and bring people together to provide the facilities that accommodate everyone’s needs but certainly not at the expense of women,” he said.

Cooper testified in opposition to Matthiesen’s bill, saying employers don’t want to talk to employees about bathrooms and gender.

“We don’t need you-all telling us all how to use the bathroom,” he said.

Representatives for the City of St. Louis and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry also told committee members that the bill would hurt businesses.

Others opposed to the legislation said transgender people are more vulnerable to assault.

“Sexual assault and sexual harassment on the basis of being (transgender) happens as well in schools,” Mann said. “It happens at a much higher rate. By forcing them to go into a bathroom that is against their gender identity, the way they present themselves, you’re putting them at risk.”

There is currently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/01/aclu-sues-missouri-school-district-for-transgender-bathroom-policy/">a case in Platte County Circuit Court</a>&nbsp;where a 16-year-old transgender girl alleges she faced a threat of sexual assault after being forced to use the boys’ restroom at school.

May Hall, a transgender college student, told the committee she uses the men’s restroom because she doesn’t want to make other women feel uncomfortable. But her conscientiousness&nbsp; has consequences.

“I’ve walked in, and people have groped me; people have called me names; people have called me slurs,” she said. “It is an extremely uncomfortable environment, but I continue to in some spaces use the men’s restroom purely to not discomfort cisgender women.”

Charlie Adams, a transgender medical school student, said he has worked in states with similar laws in place. He doesn’t feel comfortable using the women’s restroom, as would align with the sex at birth, because it doesn’t match his gender.

Adams has broad shoulders, a beard and thick eyebrows. Aune wondered what it would be like if he tried to enter a women’s restroom.

“Talk to me about the concern of just using the restroom that you are using, a men’s restroom, versus what the response would be if you walked in looking as you do, sir, into a women’s restroom,” she said.

Adams said this bill would force him to use the women’s restroom, or otherwise break the law.

The committee did not take action on any of the bills Wednesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705663444994.png" alt=" LGBTQ+ activists eyed eight bills up for hearings Wednesday, which proponent and opponents arrived at the Missouri Capitol to testify on throughout the afternoon and into the evening (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> LGBTQ+ activists eyed eight bills up for hearings Wednesday, which proponent and opponents arrived at the Missouri Capitol to testify on throughout the afternoon and into the evening (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Other bills heard in a House committee include restrictions on care for transgender adults and bathroom and locker-room usage</h2>By ANNELISE HANSHAW&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>With state law already banning transgender youth from accessing puberty blockers and hormones, a Missouri House committee met late into the evening Wednesday to debate adding more restrictions.Two statehouse hearing rooms overflowed with witnesses in favor and against bills in the House Emerging Issues Committee that would determine whether it should be compulsory for medical professionals to provide gender-affirming care or if transgender people can use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.The committee had a similar hearing a year ago, when it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/25/missouri-committee-debates-transgender-sports-healthcare-drag-shows-for-nine-hours/">heard bills seeking to limit transgender Missourians’ rights</a>&nbsp;and place restrictions on drag performances.Wednesday’s nearly nine-hour meeting began with bills sponsored by Republican state Rep. Brad Hudson of Cape Fair that would eliminate a four-year sunset on a law enacted last year banning gender-affirming care for minors. It would also strike a section of the law allowing those already receiving treatment to continue.These provisions were added as a compromise after&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/20/missouri-democrats-once-again-filibuster-ban-on-medical-procedures-for-transgender-minors/">Democrats in the Senate filibustered</a>&nbsp;the legislation last spring.But most testimony lingered on Hudson’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1520&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">other bill</a>, which would allow medical professionals to object to providing gender-affirming care to transgender patients — both children and adults.“Every American should have the freedom to operate according to their ethical and religious beliefs, and that includes doctors, nurses and other medical providers,” he told the committee. “The Constitution protects their freedom as much as everyone else’s.”He said he based his bill on current laws allowing doctors to opt out of providing abortions.David Stansfield, a family medicine doctor in Hillsboro and member of the Catholic Medical Association, said he previously treated a transgender woman — misgendering her while telling his story — but does not want to provide gender-affirming care again.“The ability to say no to certain medical procedures, whether they be about transgender medicine or just in general, needs to be in the purview of the physician,” he told committee members.Leandra Morgenthaler, a medical student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said she has felt berated in her studies because of her Catholic faith. She would like the option to choose not to perform certain procedures, like gender-affirming care.“My classmates who share my beliefs and I have been told we should not intersect faith and medicine because of our religion,” she said, “that anyone who has faith beliefs like ours are obviously having the wrong opinion.”&nbsp;Others were worried the bill may further reduce care options and have additional unintended consequences.Cassie Brown, executive director of the Missouri chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said the bill seeks to protect providers, whereas medical practice typically protects patients.“The reason why all of these ethical codes exist is because patients are in a more vulnerable situation,” she said. “And gender-affirming care has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety and suicidality.”Rep. Doug Mann, a Democrat from Columbia, asked Hudson who would be held responsible if care is withheld from a transgender person and they are harmed or die as a result. Hudson said it was a “hypothetical,” though many opposing the bill linked gender-affirming care with alleviating suicidality.Winston Apple testified that he watched his grandson struggle, getting poor grades and suffering with depression until transitioning.“Now, representative Hudson wants to keep him safe by taking away his right to continue the treatments that have kept him safe from unhappiness, depression and possibly suicide,” Apple told the committee. “I am here today hoping to keep my grandchild safe from politicians who want to violate his god-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director for Missouri LGBTQ advocacy group PROMO, said last year’s legislation has had a life-changing impact on transgender Missourians&nbsp; — pushing some to move out of state. During her testimony, she&nbsp; honored a transgender woman who she said died by suicide in December.“The total harm this legislative body has committed against trans and queer Missourians is incalculable,” she said.Shannon Cooper, a former Republican lawmaker and a lobbyist representing Kansas City and the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, said both entities fear the legislation is keeping people from moving to the area.“We are looking for folks who want to come to Kansas City and continue to make it a very vibrant community, and legislation like this has consistently held people back from making a decision to come move to the state of Missouri, to move into the Kansas City region,” he said. “Currently, we are almost 100,000 employees short of the job opportunities that are there.”Rep. Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, asked if Hudson’s bills could affect investment in the region.“There are many companies that and also events that want to know what kind of community they’re looking at and investing millions of dollars in,” Cooper said.<h2>Restrooms and locker rooms</h2>Four bills seek to legislate bathroom and locker-room usage by biological sex.Rep. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St. Charles, is sponsoring&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2308&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow parents to sue school districts for allowing a person of the opposite sex into restrooms with their child. He said his bill was intended to prevent sexual assaults.Aune asked him to name an example of an assault his bill would prevent. He couldn’t, later alleging incidents happened in his local school district.Schnelting said he based part of his bill from sample legislation by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C..Republican Reps.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2355&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">Ben Baker</a>&nbsp;of Neosho, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2357&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">Chris Lonsdale</a>&nbsp;of Liberty filed identical bills to legislate school restrooms.“As a father of four daughters, I can tell you that it is imperative that we act and protect our children by implementing a universal statewide policy,” Baker told the committee.Lonsdale described the legislation as “not the most controversial bill we’ve heard in committee,” and said he was inspired by incidents in the national news. He used the pre-transition name, or “deadname,” of swimmer Lia Thomas.Lonsdale’s and Baker’s bills define biological sex by the sex “indicated on their birth certificate.” It allows for accommodations, like a single-stall restroom, with the approval of parents.Some questioned the parental approval, saying it could reveal children’s gender identity to unsupportive parents.Focusing primarily on adults, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1674&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">bill by Republican Rep. Mark Matthiesen</a>&nbsp;of O’Fallon would place these restrictions on restrooms and locker rooms in the workplace. It would bar transgender people from their chosen restroom unless they have completed “a full medical procedure to change (their) sex.”Matthiesen said the legislation was intended to protect women.“As&nbsp;we&nbsp;work&nbsp;together&nbsp;to&nbsp;ensure&nbsp;that&nbsp;all&nbsp;people&nbsp;have&nbsp;access&nbsp;to&nbsp;public&nbsp;spaces, it has been at the expense of biological women,” he said.He said he was urged to write the bill after constituents worried for female lifeguards at a local pool.“It needs to start at the state level and bring people together to provide the facilities that accommodate everyone’s needs but certainly not at the expense of women,” he said.Cooper testified in opposition to Matthiesen’s bill, saying employers don’t want to talk to employees about bathrooms and gender.“We don’t need you-all telling us all how to use the bathroom,” he said.Representatives for the City of St. Louis and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry also told committee members that the bill would hurt businesses.Others opposed to the legislation said transgender people are more vulnerable to assault.“Sexual assault and sexual harassment on the basis of being (transgender) happens as well in schools,” Mann said. “It happens at a much higher rate. By forcing them to go into a bathroom that is against their gender identity, the way they present themselves, you’re putting them at risk.”There is currently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/01/aclu-sues-missouri-school-district-for-transgender-bathroom-policy/">a case in Platte County Circuit Court</a>&nbsp;where a 16-year-old transgender girl alleges she faced a threat of sexual assault after being forced to use the boys’ restroom at school.May Hall, a transgender college student, told the committee she uses the men’s restroom because she doesn’t want to make other women feel uncomfortable. But her conscientiousness&nbsp; has consequences.“I’ve walked in, and people have groped me; people have called me names; people have called me slurs,” she said. “It is an extremely uncomfortable environment, but I continue to in some spaces use the men’s restroom purely to not discomfort cisgender women.”Charlie Adams, a transgender medical school student, said he has worked in states with similar laws in place. He doesn’t feel comfortable using the women’s restroom, as would align with the sex at birth, because it doesn’t match his gender.Adams has broad shoulders, a beard and thick eyebrows. Aune wondered what it would be like if he tried to enter a women’s restroom.“Talk to me about the concern of just using the restroom that you are using, a men’s restroom, versus what the response would be if you walked in looking as you do, sir, into a women’s restroom,” she said.Adams said this bill would force him to use the women’s restroom, or otherwise break the law.The committee did not take action on any of the bills Wednesday night.

Missouri lawmakers debate permanent ban on transgender care for minors

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas man jailed for a violent domestic crime in November is back jail on new allegations.

On Wednesday, police arrested 32-year-old Elvin H. Kenny III of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He is being held on a Community Corrections detain order.&nbsp; In November Kenny was jailed on requested charges of interference with law enforcement, a Community Corrections detain order, and a District Court warrant for violation of a protective order and domestic battery.&nbsp; In June police arrested him for alleged criminal threat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705587359782.png" alt="Kenny-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Kenny-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas man jailed for a violent domestic crime in November is back jail on new allegations.On Wednesday, police arrested 32-year-old Elvin H. Kenny III of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.He is being held on a Community Corrections detain order.&nbsp; In November Kenny was jailed on requested charges of interference with law enforcement, a Community Corrections detain order, and a District Court warrant for violation of a protective order and domestic battery.&nbsp; In June police arrested him for alleged criminal threat.

Kan. man accused of domestic violence jailed on new allegations

Former Northwest Missouri State University President John
Jasinski is a finalist to become the next president of Missouri State University
in Springfield.

Jasinski served as Northwest president in Maryville from 2009
to 2022. Jasinski became a provost at Missouri State in 2022 and is a senior
consultant for the American Association of State College and Universities.

Jasinski is one of three finalists announced by the Missouri
State University Board of Governors as a finalist to become the school’s next
president.

The other two are Roger Thompson, vice president for student
services and enrollment management at the University of Oregon and Richard
Williams, president of Utah Tech University.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705603252696.jpeg" alt="John Jasinski/Photo courtesy of Missouri State University" />
 <figcaption>John Jasinski/Photo courtesy of Missouri State University</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFormer Northwest Missouri State University President John
Jasinski is a finalist to become the next president of Missouri State University
in Springfield.Jasinski served as Northwest president in Maryville from 2009
to 2022. Jasinski became a provost at Missouri State in 2022 and is a senior
consultant for the American Association of State College and Universities.Jasinski is one of three finalists announced by the Missouri
State University Board of Governors as a finalist to become the school’s next
president.The other two are Roger Thompson, vice president for student
services and enrollment management at the University of Oregon and Richard
Williams, president of Utah Tech University.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Former NWMSU President Jasinski a finalist for Missouri State president

St. Joseph police dog, K-9 Max, lost his life late on June 21st
of 2021 and with that sacrifice likely saved the lives of St. Joseph police
officers.

Max’s handler, Officer Lucas Winder, will never forget Max
chasing, then attacking Valdez McDonald, 24 at the time, as McDonald fled from
5108 Barbara Street to avoid arrest. Max continued his attack even after
McDonald shot and fatally wounded the police dog.

“I think that was the most valiant, I don’t know if that’s
even a good word for it, the bravest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Winder
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post as we wrap up our three-part series on efforts to
pass Max’s Law.

Winder says McDonald was heavily armed and seemingly gave up
only after his assault rifle jammed after he shot Max.

“So, he had every intention that day to kill whoever he
could,” according to Winder. “Fortunately, Max was there to stop that. I’m
still a firm believer if we weren’t there as a team that day, we probably would
have some officers lost that day.”

That evening started innocently enough. Winder got a call from
his sergeant, asking that he bring Max to the south end as the Special Response
Team served a warrant. It soon grew tense when officers learned more about the
situation.

The mother of McDonald had called police, stating McDonald had
beaten her with a two-by-four and threatened his grandmother. McDonald had
barricaded himself inside the residence. He had prepared for a confrontation; a
violent one.

Winder and Max set up behind the house. Winder saw McDonald
jump through a window and out the screened-in porch, attempting to escape
through an alley. Winder saw McDonald was armed with an assault weapon. He
worried McDonald would find cover and begin firing at officers. In a
split-second decision, Winder let Max loose without a command, knowing Max
could sense what to do.

Max chased McDonald, caught up with him, and attacked.

McDonald fired a single .223 round into Max’s shoulder. The
bullet lodged in the police dog’s chest. Max, though mortally wounded,
continued his attack, not stopping. McDonald’s rifle then jammed. He
surrendered.

It was only after officers cuffed McDonald and led him off
that Winder heard a yelp and knew Max was suffering. Winder went to his dog,
found the wound, but saw no exit hole. He put Max in his patrol car and sped
off to an emergency veterinarian in North Kansas City.

Max was too severely wounded to save, though the vets at Blue
Pearl worked for hours, attempting to save his life.

Winder firmly believes Max saved the lives of St. Joseph
police officers when he confronted McDonald, who had four 30-round magazines
tied together with spacers so he could fire 120-t0-130 rounds without stopping.

“I’m thankful that I had him,” Winder says of Max. “I’ll never
have a way to repay him. But the best I can do is continue to talk about his
legacy and what he had done for us and our department and this community”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705596511097.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Police Officer Lucas Winder says goodbye to K-9 Max during the memorial service held at Civic Center Park./Photo by Tommy Rezac" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Police Officer Lucas Winder says goodbye to K-9 Max during the memorial service held at Civic Center Park./Photo by Tommy Rezac</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police dog, K-9 Max, lost his life late on June 21st
of 2021 and with that sacrifice likely saved the lives of St. Joseph police
officers.Max’s handler, Officer Lucas Winder, will never forget Max
chasing, then attacking Valdez McDonald, 24 at the time, as McDonald fled from
5108 Barbara Street to avoid arrest. Max continued his attack even after
McDonald shot and fatally wounded the police dog.“I think that was the most valiant, I don’t know if that’s
even a good word for it, the bravest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Winder
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post as we wrap up our three-part series on efforts to
pass Max’s Law.Winder says McDonald was heavily armed and seemingly gave up
only after his assault rifle jammed after he shot Max.“So, he had every intention that day to kill whoever he
could,” according to Winder. “Fortunately, Max was there to stop that. I’m
still a firm believer if we weren’t there as a team that day, we probably would
have some officers lost that day.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705596612335.jpeg" alt="Photo by Tommy Rezac" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Tommy Rezac</figcaption>
 </figure>That evening started innocently enough. Winder got a call from
his sergeant, asking that he bring Max to the south end as the Special Response
Team served a warrant. It soon grew tense when officers learned more about the
situation.The mother of McDonald had called police, stating McDonald had
beaten her with a two-by-four and threatened his grandmother. McDonald had
barricaded himself inside the residence. He had prepared for a confrontation; a
violent one.Winder and Max set up behind the house. Winder saw McDonald
jump through a window and out the screened-in porch, attempting to escape
through an alley. Winder saw McDonald was armed with an assault weapon. He
worried McDonald would find cover and begin firing at officers. In a
split-second decision, Winder let Max loose without a command, knowing Max
could sense what to do.Max chased McDonald, caught up with him, and attacked.McDonald fired a single .223 round into Max’s shoulder. The
bullet lodged in the police dog’s chest. Max, though mortally wounded,
continued his attack, not stopping. McDonald’s rifle then jammed. He
surrendered.It was only after officers cuffed McDonald and led him off
that Winder heard a yelp and knew Max was suffering. Winder went to his dog,
found the wound, but saw no exit hole. He put Max in his patrol car and sped
off to an emergency veterinarian in North Kansas City.Max was too severely wounded to save, though the vets at Blue
Pearl worked for hours, attempting to save his life.Winder firmly believes Max saved the lives of St. Joseph
police officers when he confronted McDonald, who had four 30-round magazines
tied together with spacers so he could fire 120-t0-130 rounds without stopping.“I’m thankful that I had him,” Winder says of Max. “I’ll never
have a way to repay him. But the best I can do is continue to talk about his
legacy and what he had done for us and our department and this community”Winder says losing Max was like losing an old friend.“It’s bittersweet, because I know our time together was of the
highest quality, but it was cut short.”Winder says Max has left a legacy, a legacy he hopes is not
just confined to the St. Joseph Police Department and the St. Joseph community.“I think that Max’s Law is the legacy of losing Max,” Winder
says. “He was taken from us too soon. However, his loss has been the conduit
for change in Missouri. That’s my hope.”The Missouri General Assembly considers Max’s Law for the
third year this legislative session. The measure ran out of time two years ago
and fell to a gubernatorial veto last year when Gov. Mike Parson vetoed the
anti-crime package that contained Max’s Law on an unrelated matter.McDonald was sentenced to four years in prison for shooting
and killing Max. He received another eight years when prosecutors enhanced his
sentence by adding the charge of armed criminal action.Winder hopes this is the year Max’s Law passes the legislature
and is signed into law by the governor, preserving Max’s legacy and honoring
the sacrifice he made, because to Winder, Max wasn’t just a dog.“I’ve heard that a couple of times over the years, well he was
just a dog, what’s the big deal?” Winder says. “No. He was much more than a dog,
much more than a dog.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705596681927.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Part-Three-Preserving-Maxs-legacy-e2ek9g2" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/34ddfc30-5b7d-4ec0-a3b6-4b7c18b9eb76">HERE</a> for Part One:&nbsp; Remembering MaxClick <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5d112593-6ae4-487b-8fb4-0655459fed3a">HERE</a> for Part Two:&nbsp; Preserving Max's LegacyYou can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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