Missouri Western
State University has been ranked the top regional public university in Missouri
for social mobility.

The US News and
World Report 2026 Best College rankings places Missouri Western 80th
for social mobility among regional universities in the Midwest, 16th
among public universities in the 12-state region.

Missouri Western
President, Elizabeth Kennedy, says the ranking reflects the success of the
university’s students, most of whom come from the four-county region around St.
Joseph.

“Educating this
population is making an investment in the future of northwest Missouri,” Kennedy
tells KFEQmmunity.

More than three-quarters
of the students attending Missouri Western come from the 10-county region
surrounding St. Joseph; a majority of those from Buchanan and the other three
adjacent counties. Missouri Western has approximately 3,700 students.

As for social
mobility, Kennedy says that simply means students who graduate from Missouri
Western have a great opportunity for success.

“When you talk
about this ranking and they talk about social mobility, it doesn’t mean we’re
transporting people out of town,” Kennedy jokes, “what it means is we are transforming
lives.”

In short, to
Kennedy, social mobility means those who come to Missouri Western, work hard,
and graduate can succeed in life.

“Think of social
mobility as the American Dream,” Kennedy says. “You can start from any place
that you want in this country and if you have an education, you can achieve
your dreams. And that’s what we mean about social mobility.”

A recent
Georgetown study estimates that those who graduate with four-year degrees, on
average, earn $850,000 more over the course of their careers that those with
only a high school degree.

It’s not just
about money, though, according to Kennedy who says college can help young
students become successful adults.

“Going to college
teaches you about how to you deal with other people; how do you handle
conflict, how do you get along, how do you work together, how do you think
critically, how do you deal with kind of a microcosm of life and an opportunity
where you can learn and
grow?”

Social mobility
also suggests students successfully chasing their dreams.

“You have a dream,”
Kennedy says. “You’re here. You’re coming through the doors to achieve
something and how do we support you to make sure that you can do that?”

Kennedy says the
recognition only motivates the university to focus on student success even more.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western
State University has been ranked the top regional public university in Missouri
for social mobility.The US News and
World Report 2026 Best College rankings places Missouri Western 80th
for social mobility among regional universities in the Midwest, 16th
among public universities in the 12-state region.Missouri Western
President, Elizabeth Kennedy, says the ranking reflects the success of the
university’s students, most of whom come from the four-county region around St.
Joseph.“Educating this
population is making an investment in the future of northwest Missouri,” Kennedy
tells KFEQmmunity.More than three-quarters
of the students attending Missouri Western come from the 10-county region
surrounding St. Joseph; a majority of those from Buchanan and the other three
adjacent counties. Missouri Western has approximately 3,700 students.As for social
mobility, Kennedy says that simply means students who graduate from Missouri
Western have a great opportunity for success.“When you talk
about this ranking and they talk about social mobility, it doesn’t mean we’re
transporting people out of town,” Kennedy jokes, “what it means is we are transforming
lives.”In short, to
Kennedy, social mobility means those who come to Missouri Western, work hard,
and graduate can succeed in life.“Think of social
mobility as the American Dream,” Kennedy says. “You can start from any place
that you want in this country and if you have an education, you can achieve
your dreams. And that’s what we mean about social mobility.”A recent
Georgetown study estimates that those who graduate with four-year degrees, on
average, earn $850,000 more over the course of their careers that those with
only a high school degree.It’s not just
about money, though, according to Kennedy who says college can help young
students become successful adults.“Going to college
teaches you about how to you deal with other people; how do you handle
conflict, how do you get along, how do you work together, how do you think
critically, how do you deal with kind of a microcosm of life and an opportunity
where you can learn and
grow?”Social mobility
also suggests students successfully chasing their dreams.“You have a dream,”
Kennedy says. “You’re here. You’re coming through the doors to achieve
something and how do we support you to make sure that you can do that?”Kennedy says the
recognition only motivates the university to focus on student success even more.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

MoWest ranked #1 Missouri regional public university for social mobility

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4VU1dpgRGQVXzVIuUEDRi1?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0ykgYuq1K6QROgile0rjGv?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

Savannah R-3
school officials have announced Amazonia Elementary will be closed
today due to a water main break. All other campuses in the Savannah R-3 School District
will remain open today.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760096886220.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Savannah R-3
school officials have announced Amazonia Elementary will be closed
today due to a water main break. All other campuses in the Savannah R-3 School District
will remain open today.

Water main break closes Amazonia Elementary school today

ANDREW COUNTY—A St. Joseph woman was arrested after an accident just before 1:30a.m. Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Kia Sorrento driven by Danielle L. Swiastyn, 29, St. Joseph, was northbound on Business 71 at U.S. 59. The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, struck two signs and then returned to the road.&nbsp; 

Swiastyn refused treatment at the scene but was later arrested on requested charges of DWI alcohol and failure to drive within the right lane of the highway with two or more lanes in the same directions resulting in an accident, according to online jail records. The Patrol did not report her seat belt usage information.

ANDREW COUNTY—A St. Joseph woman was arrested after an accident just before 1:30a.m. Friday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Kia Sorrento driven by Danielle L. Swiastyn, 29, St. Joseph, was northbound on Business 71 at U.S. 59. The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, struck two signs and then returned to the road.&nbsp; Swiastyn refused treatment at the scene but was later arrested on requested charges of DWI alcohol and failure to drive within the right lane of the highway with two or more lanes in the same directions resulting in an accident, according to online jail records. The Patrol did not report her seat belt usage information.&nbsp;

St. Joseph woman accused of DWI after SUV crash

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Thursday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Toyota Highlander driven by an 89-year-old Gower man was eastbound on MO H two miles east of Gower. The SUV traveled off the south side of the road and overturned.

Buchanan County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Thursday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Toyota Highlander driven by an 89-year-old Gower man was eastbound on MO H two miles east of Gower. The SUV traveled off the south side of the road and overturned.Buchanan County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

89-year-old Missouri man hospitalized after SUV overturns

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Thursday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a horse drawn buggy driven by a 38-year-old Trenton woman was entering Route F from a private drive near SW 50th Avenue six miles east of Jamesport.

An eastbound 2016 Chevy Silverado driven by a 59-year-old Trenton man rear-ended the buggy. After impact the pickup traveled down an embankment and came to rest on its wheels. The buggy came to rest in the roadway.

Grundy County EMS transported the buggy driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The pickup driver was properly restrained and not injured, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686146756144.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Thursday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a horse drawn buggy driven by a 38-year-old Trenton woman was entering Route F from a private drive near SW 50th Avenue six miles east of Jamesport.An eastbound 2016 Chevy Silverado driven by a 59-year-old Trenton man rear-ended the buggy. After impact the pickup traveled down an embankment and came to rest on its wheels. The buggy came to rest in the roadway.Grundy County EMS transported the buggy driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The pickup driver was properly restrained and not injured, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman injured after pickup rear-ends horse and buggy 

Friends of the Animal Shelter has a new
look.

Jennifer Kline with the St. Joseph group
says it seemed the time was ripe to upgrade its image.

“Branding for us is just an overall
refresh, just kind of updating the look of our logo,” Kline tells KFEQmmunity. “We
do have the new shelter in the works and so just kind of felt it was a good
time to also refresh our appearance and get a more modern look.”

For years, Friends of the Animal Shelter
pushed for a new animal shelter in St. Joseph. It hit roadblock after roadblock
until finally breaking through, reaching an agreement with the St. Joseph City
Council to build a new shelter. It is under construction on the South Belt
Highway next to the city recycling center.

Kline says with construction of the new shelter
underway, it seems prime time for a rebrand.

“The logo that we had had served us well
for a very long time and it just felt like, you know, with a new modern
facility coming along it really made sense to also just update that image and
kind of present ourselves differently to the community.”

Kline says the new logo is also being
used to sell merchandise for Friends of the Animal Shelter to raise money for
the non-profit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760038645902.jpeg" alt="The new Friends of the Animal Shelter logo/Courtesy of Friends of the Animal Shelter" />
 <figcaption>The new Friends of the Animal Shelter logo/Courtesy of Friends of the Animal Shelter</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFriends of the Animal Shelter has a new
look.Jennifer Kline with the St. Joseph group
says it seemed the time was ripe to upgrade its image.“Branding for us is just an overall
refresh, just kind of updating the look of our logo,” Kline tells KFEQmmunity. “We
do have the new shelter in the works and so just kind of felt it was a good
time to also refresh our appearance and get a more modern look.”For years, Friends of the Animal Shelter
pushed for a new animal shelter in St. Joseph. It hit roadblock after roadblock
until finally breaking through, reaching an agreement with the St. Joseph City
Council to build a new shelter. It is under construction on the South Belt
Highway next to the city recycling center.Kline says with construction of the new shelter
underway, it seems prime time for a rebrand.“The logo that we had had served us well
for a very long time and it just felt like, you know, with a new modern
facility coming along it really made sense to also just update that image and
kind of present ourselves differently to the community.”Kline says the new logo is also being
used to sell merchandise for Friends of the Animal Shelter to raise money for
the non-profit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760038707039.jpeg" alt="The old Friends of the Animal Shelter logo/file graphic" />
 <figcaption>The old Friends of the Animal Shelter logo/file graphic</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

With new shelter coming, Friends of the Animal Shelter gets new look

Krug Park Castle is closed as renovations
continue at the park.

A two-year, $11.75 million renovation is
underway at Krug Park. 

Fourth District St. Joseph
Couincilmember, Michael Grimm, is excited about what a renovated Krug Park
Castle will offer.

“But there will be a venue where there’ll
be dressing rooms, there will be an area where vendors can set up and sell food
and beverage,” Grimm tells KFEQmmunity. “It’ll also have an elevator so you can
get from underneath the castle to up to the top.”

The interior of the castle is being
gutted and rebuilt.

Electric power has been turned off during
renovations. The Krug Bowl amphitheater is being reconstructed and the
children’s circus also being upgraded.

The Krug Park Castle has deteriorated after
decades of neglect. It is aging as well and not remotely close to compliant
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It needs updating, to say the least. 

Grimm believes this renovation will accomplish
that.

“That’s the plan, particularly if there’s
a wedding and they want to hold it they can bring in a vendor to take care of
things,” Grimm says.

E. L. Crawford Construction is the
contractor and hopes to complete renovations by the fall of 2027. The half-cent
parks sales tax approved by voters in 2021 is paying for the renovations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760037149370.jpeg" alt="Krug Park Castle/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Krug Park Castle/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostKrug Park Castle is closed as renovations
continue at the park.A two-year, $11.75 million renovation is
underway at Krug Park. Fourth District St. Joseph
Couincilmember, Michael Grimm, is excited about what a renovated Krug Park
Castle will offer.“But there will be a venue where there’ll
be dressing rooms, there will be an area where vendors can set up and sell food
and beverage,” Grimm tells KFEQmmunity. “It’ll also have an elevator so you can
get from underneath the castle to up to the top.”The interior of the castle is being
gutted and rebuilt.Electric power has been turned off during
renovations. The Krug Bowl amphitheater is being reconstructed and the
children’s circus also being upgraded.The Krug Park Castle has deteriorated after
decades of neglect. It is aging as well and not remotely close to compliant
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It needs updating, to say the least. Grimm believes this renovation will accomplish
that.“That’s the plan, particularly if there’s
a wedding and they want to hold it they can bring in a vendor to take care of
things,” Grimm says.E. L. Crawford Construction is the
contractor and hopes to complete renovations by the fall of 2027. The half-cent
parks sales tax approved by voters in 2021 is paying for the renovations.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Krug Castle closed...for renovations

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2rPJk8Ymur4adthjpQGTll?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3FBl7dy2cn0kQHAaj9yUuU?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

As federal pandemic aid runs out, the state general revenue fund must pick up the difference. But the massive surplus is dwindling and tax receipts show no growth

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

Missouri’s bank balance looked pretty healthy at the end of September. But in reality, it’s like the family account before the mortgage check clears — and there are signs that future revenue will struggle to meet expectations.

Three months into the fiscal year — and three months before lawmakers return for a session that will write the next budget — fluctuations in daily revenue figures can cause repeating cycles of elation and concern, said newly-appointed Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Rusty Black.

As of Sept. 30, revenues for the year to date were down 0.6%, while a few days later, on Saturday, reports showed they were up 0.4%. The official forecast is for revenues to increase 1.6% in the year that ends June 30.

“If you look at one day or one month, you get really excited, and the next day might completely change it, especially this early in the process,” Black said in an interview with The Independent. “At the end of August, there were people coming up with ways to spend extra money.”

There was $7.1 billion in the general revenue fund and accounts that can be spent like general revenue<a href="https://treasurer.mo.gov/bank/FundReport/2025/MonthlyFundActivityReport_Sep2025.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;in the state treasury</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 30. The uncleared checks total $5.6 billion — $1 billion for capital projects from past years; $2.1 billion earmarked for major projects like expanding Interstate 70; and $2.2 billion to cover the difference between projected revenue and spending for state operations.

The coming year will bring additional pressure on current revenue as the state exhausts extra federal aid for health care banked during the COVID-19 pandemic. To make up the difference, the Department of Social Services is asking for $784 million in two areas of the Medicaid program.

Two other items push the need for new spending to continue current operations above $1 billion. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says it needs $190 million to continue foundation formula school aid at current levels and $32 million to meet the demand for student transportation.

When lawmakers wrote the current budget, they were working from a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-revenue-estimate-predicts-70-million-drop-in-state-tax-receipts-through-june/">consensus estimate</a>&nbsp;that the general revenue fund would bring in $13.6 billion this fiscal year. The trend through Saturday would result in revenue about $75 million below the estimate.

And state Budget Director Dan Haug said in June that there won’t be another $2 billion available in the coming year to cover the gap between spending and revenue. The unencumbered balance on June 30, he said,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/10/end-of-multi-billion-missouri-fiscal-surplus-is-near-budget-director-says/">will be around $700 million</a>.

“The times are going to be getting tougher as we go forward, and so I think we would like to try to limit general revenue spending so that we are able to craft responsible budgets,” Haug told lawmakers at the time.

The estimate made in December didn’t account for tax cuts made by lawmakers in the spring — an exemption for capital gains income and an increase in a property tax credit program for lower income people over 65 or living with disabilities.

The official estimate for the capital gains exemption is a revenue reduction of approximately $157 million in the current fiscal year and about&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-becomes-first-state-to-repeal-capital-gains-tax-at-an-estimated-625m-cost/">$111 million annually</a>&nbsp;on an ongoing basis. Other estimates, however, put the potential cut in revenue&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/07/missouri-lawmakers-set-to-pass-capital-gains-tax-cut-with-questions-about-its-total-cost/">at $625 million or more</a>.

Most of the benefits from the capital gains exemption would go to a small slice of taxpayers. The 23,800 federal returns filed for 2022 with incomes greater than $500,000 a year represent 0.8% of all returns but included 65% of the capital gains income.

“It’s really important that folks recognize that this is for the ultra-rich at the front of the line,” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “But all the people I talk to every day who are going to the grocery store and recognizing that their food costs more, that their prescription drugs cost more, that their utilities are costing more, aren’t getting any relief whatsoever from the General Assembly, and that’s what I find most frustrating.”

Another factor putting downward pressure on revenues is interest income. As interest rates rose, and Missouri’s fund balances soared, so did interest revenue. But balances are falling and rates are down slightly. So far this year, the income from overnight deposits is down about $22 million.

Democrats who lead their party in budget committees of both chambers said they are worried that Republicans in the majority will continue to push for tax cuts despite growing demands for spending.

“I am very concerned,” Nurrenbern said. “We are really headed towards this fiscal cliff much sooner than many anticipated.”

The last time there was a major decline in state revenue, following the 2008 financial crisis, higher education and school transportation were among the services hardest hit by cuts.

“We can look back in history on tough fiscal years and see the services that get cut first,” Nurrenbern said.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has targeted the income tax for elimination but that doesn’t answer where the state will obtain its revenue, said state Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee.

“I would encourage the majority party to stop having conversations about reducing our state budget and our state revenue by such significant amounts without a solid plan to backfill,” Fogle said.

There are two types of spending items in the Missouri budget — mandatory outlays and discretionary disbursements.

Mandatory items include public school support, which must be at least 25% of revenue, and Medicaid, which has its own list of mandatory services in order to qualify for federal matching aid. Another mandatory item is pension and other benefits for state workers, which is estimated at&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Estimated%20Fringe%20Benefit%20Contribution%20Rates.pdf" target="_blank">65% of payroll</a>&nbsp;for the coming year.

Discretionary disbursements are anything not required by law, and can range from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/29/missouri-senate-to-debate-budget-with-450-million-in-spending-on-pet-projects/">small-dollar earmarks</a>&nbsp;to major construction projects such as the $2.8 billion program to add lanes to Interstate 70.

Kehoe&nbsp;vetoed $300 million&nbsp;in discretionary spending in June, and restricted the release of $211 million more. In his veto message, Kehoe warned of a $1 billion spending shortfall in the coming year.

Of the four new budget requests that total $1 billion, two are mandatory and one — fully funding school transportation — is discretionary. The fourth — $190 million in new money to maintain current support for schools in the foundation formula — is viewed as mandatory by Democrats but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">may not be by Kehoe</a>.

The largest mandatory item is $421 million to continue the managed care program that covers most families on Medicaid. The money is needed to replace a federal pandemic fund that will be exhausted by the end of the year.

The other major Medicaid mandatory item is $363 million for the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2020/10/22/missouri-medicaid-expansion-will-it-bust-the-budget-or-pay-for-itself/">adults age 19 to 64</a>&nbsp;covered under the constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2020. The program is budgeted to cost $4.2 billion in the current year, with federal funds paying 90%.

Since the program was placed into a separate line item for fiscal 2023, there has been no general revenue cost for the expansion population of 350,000 Missourians. The state’s 10% share has been paid from pandemic health care funds supplied from Washington.

By the end of the fiscal year, that means federal funds have paid for $17 billion in health assistance to Missouri with&nbsp;<a href="https://timothymcbride.substack.com/p/missouri-medicaid-financing-update" target="_blank">no direct cost to the state taxpayers</a>.

“We have not had to cover any of that 10% because it’s being covered by this Stabilization Fund, which was originally about a billion dollars, and it’s going to be exhausted in about a year,” said Tim McBride, a professor in the Washington University School of Public Health who studies Medicaid financing and previously served on the oversight board of Missouri’s Medicaid program.

There have also been shifts in applications away from traditional Medicaid programs toward the expansion group, especially among people with disabilities, McBride said. The savings to state general revenue from that shift is equal to about half of the state’s share of the Medicaid expansion program.

“If you can do it, you don’t have to go through a bunch of paperwork, and get a doctor to approve it,” he said. “So you might as well do that.”

While many aspects of Medicaid&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/mandatory-optional-medicaid-benefits" target="_blank">are mandatory</a>, such as hospital care, physician visits and medical transportation, others are not. Optional services include physical therapy after an injury or surgery, dental services, eyeglasses and home-based care.

In 2005, when the state was facing a shortfall in Medicaid, many optional services were cut. Many have been restored but they could be eliminated again, Democrats said.

“I was in a primary care association meeting a week or two ago where the conversation, the dialogue, surrounded or started to become, ‘what services are we going to cut?’” Fogle said.

Changes to federal budgeting included in the bill signed in July by President Donald Trump will likely add&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/03/federal-budget-megabill-would-shift-billions-in-cost-to-missouri-taxpayers/">billions to the state’s costs</a>&nbsp;for participating in shared programs.&nbsp;

The biggest portion of that shortfall will be in the Medicaid program, which became a prime target for cuts in the federal budget bill.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/allocating-cbos-estimates-of-federal-medicaid-spending-reductions-across-the-states-enacted-reconciliation-package/?utm_campaign=kff-medicaid&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2anqtz-_zm3lwumkl5wy2haxviaaes4e09yijxwjzzroomznoqveahlvn9mqj7soof2xs2eoftsce61g-s7aipaiw_kocyl4x0g&amp;_hsmi=369561629&amp;utm_content=369561629" target="_blank">According to KFF</a>, Missouri could lose approximately 14% of its federal Medicaid funding over the next decade, or approximately $17 billion.

That will mean a close look at whether the state can afford optional services under Medicaid, said House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel.

“In some cases, we’re more generous than the federal law requires, so you could look at things like that,” Deaton said.

Another way to control costs in Medicaid is to cut the payments to medical providers, Deaton noted.

“Those would probably be the things that I would be looking at,” he said.

Along with $421 million from general revenue to replace other resources in the managed care program, the social services agency is asking for $90 million of general revenue, and $343 million overall, to increase monthly payments by 6.5% for managed care in Medicaid.

McBride said he doesn’t see why the increase is necessary when medical inflation is running at about 3%. There should be ways to make it less expensive without cutting services, he said.&nbsp;

Missouri spent an average of $9,382 for every person enrolled in Medicaid in fiscal 2023, KFF said in a report issued Monday.&nbsp;

That is $1,804 more than the average of the eight states surrounding Missouri. Only Kansas and Nebraska have higher average costs.

“Missouri, for some reason, is more expensive for most population groups than most other states,” McBride said. “Why that is is not clear to me, but I don’t think we do a very good job of controlling costs in Missouri.”

For the first time since 2019, state Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield, will not be the chairman or vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Hough was fired by Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/14/missouri-gop-senator-slams-party-leaders-for-forcing-vote-on-bills-without-allowing-debate/">in September</a>&nbsp;after opposing leadership tactics to slam through a new congressional district map and changes to how majorities are calculated for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative.&nbsp;

Black, who was vice chair under Hough, said he expected to become chairman at some point.

“Did I know it was going to happen that day, that way? No, I did not,” Black said. “But did I realize there’s a chance I’m going to be making appropriations decisions for the state? Yes, I was hopeful that would have happened.”

Black said other lawmakers should not expect any disruption in the process of designing the budget. He was on the House Budget Committee when he was a representative and has been on the Senate Appropriations Committee since his election to the upper chamber.

The job will be tougher with tighter finances, Black said.

“People will be in a position to have to make decisions that none of them will be good, none of them will be popular, but our state’s not going to borrow money to keep going,” he said.

Black was the Senate sponsor of the redistricting plan and his willingness to take it to a vote without allowing any amendments is troubling, Nurrenbern said.

“That is an example of him taking orders from Republican leadership and relinquishing his responsibilities of being a senator,” she said. “And so for that reason, I share those concerns of how he’s going to approach being the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.”

Any cuts, Black said, will be as painless as possible.

“Some of those decisions won’t be easy to make if it happens,” Black said. “But I will try to do my best to make them do no harm to Missourians, unless we get to a point where I have to.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760013518902.png" alt=" State Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, was named chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee just a few hours after presenting a motion to force a vote on a gerrymandered map of the state's congressional districts. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, was named chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee just a few hours after presenting a motion to force a vote on a gerrymandered map of the state's congressional districts. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>As federal pandemic aid runs out, the state general revenue fund must pick up the difference. But the massive surplus is dwindling and tax receipts show no growth</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s bank balance looked pretty healthy at the end of September. But in reality, it’s like the family account before the mortgage check clears — and there are signs that future revenue will struggle to meet expectations.Three months into the fiscal year — and three months before lawmakers return for a session that will write the next budget — fluctuations in daily revenue figures can cause repeating cycles of elation and concern, said newly-appointed Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Rusty Black.As of Sept. 30, revenues for the year to date were down 0.6%, while a few days later, on Saturday, reports showed they were up 0.4%. The official forecast is for revenues to increase 1.6% in the year that ends June 30.“If you look at one day or one month, you get really excited, and the next day might completely change it, especially this early in the process,” Black said in an interview with The Independent. “At the end of August, there were people coming up with ways to spend extra money.”There was $7.1 billion in the general revenue fund and accounts that can be spent like general revenue<a href="https://treasurer.mo.gov/bank/FundReport/2025/MonthlyFundActivityReport_Sep2025.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;in the state treasury</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 30. The uncleared checks total $5.6 billion — $1 billion for capital projects from past years; $2.1 billion earmarked for major projects like expanding Interstate 70; and $2.2 billion to cover the difference between projected revenue and spending for state operations.The coming year will bring additional pressure on current revenue as the state exhausts extra federal aid for health care banked during the COVID-19 pandemic. To make up the difference, the Department of Social Services is asking for $784 million in two areas of the Medicaid program.Two other items push the need for new spending to continue current operations above $1 billion. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says it needs $190 million to continue foundation formula school aid at current levels and $32 million to meet the demand for student transportation.<h2>Revenues flat</h2>When lawmakers wrote the current budget, they were working from a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-revenue-estimate-predicts-70-million-drop-in-state-tax-receipts-through-june/">consensus estimate</a>&nbsp;that the general revenue fund would bring in $13.6 billion this fiscal year. The trend through Saturday would result in revenue about $75 million below the estimate.And state Budget Director Dan Haug said in June that there won’t be another $2 billion available in the coming year to cover the gap between spending and revenue. The unencumbered balance on June 30, he said,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/10/end-of-multi-billion-missouri-fiscal-surplus-is-near-budget-director-says/">will be around $700 million</a>.“The times are going to be getting tougher as we go forward, and so I think we would like to try to limit general revenue spending so that we are able to craft responsible budgets,” Haug told lawmakers at the time.The estimate made in December didn’t account for tax cuts made by lawmakers in the spring — an exemption for capital gains income and an increase in a property tax credit program for lower income people over 65 or living with disabilities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760013481370.png" alt="Missouri budget director Dan Haug speaks during the 2024 legislative session to the House Budget Committee. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri budget director Dan Haug speaks during the 2024 legislative session to the House Budget Committee. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>The official estimate for the capital gains exemption is a revenue reduction of approximately $157 million in the current fiscal year and about&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-becomes-first-state-to-repeal-capital-gains-tax-at-an-estimated-625m-cost/">$111 million annually</a>&nbsp;on an ongoing basis. Other estimates, however, put the potential cut in revenue&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/07/missouri-lawmakers-set-to-pass-capital-gains-tax-cut-with-questions-about-its-total-cost/">at $625 million or more</a>.Most of the benefits from the capital gains exemption would go to a small slice of taxpayers. The 23,800 federal returns filed for 2022 with incomes greater than $500,000 a year represent 0.8% of all returns but included 65% of the capital gains income.“It’s really important that folks recognize that this is for the ultra-rich at the front of the line,” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “But all the people I talk to every day who are going to the grocery store and recognizing that their food costs more, that their prescription drugs cost more, that their utilities are costing more, aren’t getting any relief whatsoever from the General Assembly, and that’s what I find most frustrating.”Another factor putting downward pressure on revenues is interest income. As interest rates rose, and Missouri’s fund balances soared, so did interest revenue. But balances are falling and rates are down slightly. So far this year, the income from overnight deposits is down about $22 million.Democrats who lead their party in budget committees of both chambers said they are worried that Republicans in the majority will continue to push for tax cuts despite growing demands for spending.“I am very concerned,” Nurrenbern said. “We are really headed towards this fiscal cliff much sooner than many anticipated.”The last time there was a major decline in state revenue, following the 2008 financial crisis, higher education and school transportation were among the services hardest hit by cuts.“We can look back in history on tough fiscal years and see the services that get cut first,” Nurrenbern said.Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has targeted the income tax for elimination but that doesn’t answer where the state will obtain its revenue, said state Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee.“I would encourage the majority party to stop having conversations about reducing our state budget and our state revenue by such significant amounts without a solid plan to backfill,” Fogle said.<h2>Spending demands</h2>There are two types of spending items in the Missouri budget — mandatory outlays and discretionary disbursements.Mandatory items include public school support, which must be at least 25% of revenue, and Medicaid, which has its own list of mandatory services in order to qualify for federal matching aid. Another mandatory item is pension and other benefits for state workers, which is estimated at&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/Estimated%20Fringe%20Benefit%20Contribution%20Rates.pdf" target="_blank">65% of payroll</a>&nbsp;for the coming year.Discretionary disbursements are anything not required by law, and can range from&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/29/missouri-senate-to-debate-budget-with-450-million-in-spending-on-pet-projects/">small-dollar earmarks</a>&nbsp;to major construction projects such as the $2.8 billion program to add lanes to Interstate 70.Kehoe&nbsp;vetoed $300 million&nbsp;in discretionary spending in June, and restricted the release of $211 million more. In his veto message, Kehoe warned of a $1 billion spending shortfall in the coming year.Of the four new budget requests that total $1 billion, two are mandatory and one — fully funding school transportation — is discretionary. The fourth — $190 million in new money to maintain current support for schools in the foundation formula — is viewed as mandatory by Democrats but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">may not be by Kehoe</a>.The largest mandatory item is $421 million to continue the managed care program that covers most families on Medicaid. The money is needed to replace a federal pandemic fund that will be exhausted by the end of the year.The other major Medicaid mandatory item is $363 million for the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2020/10/22/missouri-medicaid-expansion-will-it-bust-the-budget-or-pay-for-itself/">adults age 19 to 64</a>&nbsp;covered under the constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2020. The program is budgeted to cost $4.2 billion in the current year, with federal funds paying 90%.Since the program was placed into a separate line item for fiscal 2023, there has been no general revenue cost for the expansion population of 350,000 Missourians. The state’s 10% share has been paid from pandemic health care funds supplied from Washington.By the end of the fiscal year, that means federal funds have paid for $17 billion in health assistance to Missouri with&nbsp;<a href="https://timothymcbride.substack.com/p/missouri-medicaid-financing-update" target="_blank">no direct cost to the state taxpayers</a>.“We have not had to cover any of that 10% because it’s being covered by this Stabilization Fund, which was originally about a billion dollars, and it’s going to be exhausted in about a year,” said Tim McBride, a professor in the Washington University School of Public Health who studies Medicaid financing and previously served on the oversight board of Missouri’s Medicaid program.There have also been shifts in applications away from traditional Medicaid programs toward the expansion group, especially among people with disabilities, McBride said. The savings to state general revenue from that shift is equal to about half of the state’s share of the Medicaid expansion program.“If you can do it, you don’t have to go through a bunch of paperwork, and get a doctor to approve it,” he said. “So you might as well do that.”While many aspects of Medicaid&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/mandatory-optional-medicaid-benefits" target="_blank">are mandatory</a>, such as hospital care, physician visits and medical transportation, others are not. Optional services include physical therapy after an injury or surgery, dental services, eyeglasses and home-based care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760013418640.png" alt="Rep. Betsy Fogle, D-Springfield, speaks at a press conference Feb. 13 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Betsy Fogle, D-Springfield, speaks at a press conference Feb. 13 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>In 2005, when the state was facing a shortfall in Medicaid, many optional services were cut. Many have been restored but they could be eliminated again, Democrats said.“I was in a primary care association meeting a week or two ago where the conversation, the dialogue, surrounded or started to become, ‘what services are we going to cut?’” Fogle said.Changes to federal budgeting included in the bill signed in July by President Donald Trump will likely add&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/03/federal-budget-megabill-would-shift-billions-in-cost-to-missouri-taxpayers/">billions to the state’s costs</a>&nbsp;for participating in shared programs.&nbsp;The biggest portion of that shortfall will be in the Medicaid program, which became a prime target for cuts in the federal budget bill.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/allocating-cbos-estimates-of-federal-medicaid-spending-reductions-across-the-states-enacted-reconciliation-package/?utm_campaign=kff-medicaid&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2anqtz-_zm3lwumkl5wy2haxviaaes4e09yijxwjzzroomznoqveahlvn9mqj7soof2xs2eoftsce61g-s7aipaiw_kocyl4x0g&amp;_hsmi=369561629&amp;utm_content=369561629" target="_blank">According to KFF</a>, Missouri could lose approximately 14% of its federal Medicaid funding over the next decade, or approximately $17 billion.That will mean a close look at whether the state can afford optional services under Medicaid, said House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel.“In some cases, we’re more generous than the federal law requires, so you could look at things like that,” Deaton said.Another way to control costs in Medicaid is to cut the payments to medical providers, Deaton noted.“Those would probably be the things that I would be looking at,” he said.Along with $421 million from general revenue to replace other resources in the managed care program, the social services agency is asking for $90 million of general revenue, and $343 million overall, to increase monthly payments by 6.5% for managed care in Medicaid.McBride said he doesn’t see why the increase is necessary when medical inflation is running at about 3%. There should be ways to make it less expensive without cutting services, he said.&nbsp;Missouri spent an average of $9,382 for every person enrolled in Medicaid in fiscal 2023, KFF said in a report issued Monday.&nbsp;That is $1,804 more than the average of the eight states surrounding Missouri. Only Kansas and Nebraska have higher average costs.“Missouri, for some reason, is more expensive for most population groups than most other states,” McBride said. “Why that is is not clear to me, but I don’t think we do a very good job of controlling costs in Missouri.”<h2>New budget leadership</h2>For the first time since 2019, state Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield, will not be the chairman or vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.Hough was fired by Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/14/missouri-gop-senator-slams-party-leaders-for-forcing-vote-on-bills-without-allowing-debate/">in September</a>&nbsp;after opposing leadership tactics to slam through a new congressional district map and changes to how majorities are calculated for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative.&nbsp;Black, who was vice chair under Hough, said he expected to become chairman at some point.“Did I know it was going to happen that day, that way? No, I did not,” Black said. “But did I realize there’s a chance I’m going to be making appropriations decisions for the state? Yes, I was hopeful that would have happened.”Black said other lawmakers should not expect any disruption in the process of designing the budget. He was on the House Budget Committee when he was a representative and has been on the Senate Appropriations Committee since his election to the upper chamber.The job will be tougher with tighter finances, Black said.“People will be in a position to have to make decisions that none of them will be good, none of them will be popular, but our state’s not going to borrow money to keep going,” he said.Black was the Senate sponsor of the redistricting plan and his willingness to take it to a vote without allowing any amendments is troubling, Nurrenbern said.“That is an example of him taking orders from Republican leadership and relinquishing his responsibilities of being a senator,” she said. “And so for that reason, I share those concerns of how he’s going to approach being the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.”Any cuts, Black said, will be as painless as possible.“Some of those decisions won’t be easy to make if it happens,” Black said. “But I will try to do my best to make them do no harm to Missourians, unless we get to a point where I have to.”

Missouri public schools, Medicaid need $1 billion more to continue current programs

WORTH COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday in Worth County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford F150 driven by a 25-year-old Grant City man was eastboiund on 190th Road five miles south of Grant City. The pickup traveled off the south side of the road and struck a tree.

Worth County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic in Albany. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases the name of accident victims.

WORTH COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday in Worth County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford F150 driven by a 25-year-old Grant City man was eastboiund on 190th Road five miles south of Grant City. The pickup traveled off the south side of the road and struck a tree.Worth County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic in Albany. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases the name of accident victims.

Missouri man injured after pickup strikes a tree

DEKALB COUNTY —Five people were injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F150 driven by a 62-year-old St. Joseph man was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles west of Stewartsville.

The pickup traveled off the north side of the road. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle returned to the road, then traveled off the north side of the road again, down an embankment and overturned.

EMS transported the driver and passengers including a 19-year-old man, a 39-year-old man, a 54-year-old man all of St. Joseph and a 39-year-old Greenfield, Iowa woman to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. The 19-year-old was not seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —Five people were injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F150 driven by a 62-year-old St. Joseph man was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles west of Stewartsville.The pickup traveled off the north side of the road. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle returned to the road, then traveled off the north side of the road again, down an embankment and overturned.EMS transported the driver and passengers including a 19-year-old man, a 39-year-old man, a 54-year-old man all of St. Joseph and a 39-year-old Greenfield, Iowa woman to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. The 19-year-old was not seat belt, according to the MSHP.

4 from St. Joseph hospitalized after pickup overturns

When the Missouri Western State University football team takes the field next Saturday, it will honor one young man from Kansas City.  

14-year-old Julius Byers suffered an injury on the first play of his high school football career, which left him partially paralyzed.  Byers dreamed of playing football at MoWest.

President Elizabeth Kennedy says Byers story caught her attention and others within the athletics department.   

"When he was in 8th grade, because he’s a freshman now at high school, but when he was in 8th grade he actually came to MoWest for a visit day, and got to see us, got to learn about us, got to probably see our stadium and what not, and came home from that field trip telling his dad he was going to play football at Missouri Western,” Kennedy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Byers suffered his injury during a game against Lee's Summit High School.&nbsp; Three fractures in his neck, a concussion, and an incomplete spinal cord injury that has left both of his arms paralyzed.

Kennedy says during next week's game against Pittsburgh State, Byers will be at the game, serving as an honorary captain for the team  

"He’ll have the opportunity to be on the field I believe, and it’s all about hey there are other people that care about you, people that you’ve not met, people that you just need to know are thinking of you and praying for you, and hoping that you have a good recovery,” Kennedy says.  “And just sometimes offering hope in that regard can be very uplifting to people.” 

Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick visited Byers and his family, gifting him with a jersey as well as surprising him with the honor of being named a captain. 

Kennedy says they always talk at MoWest about being a family, and doing the right thing, and this is one of the ways they can prove it. 

"We have tangible acts that we do to show people that we care,” Kennedy explains. 

Kennedy says it was it was an amazing opportunity to show the family, they aren't alone 

"Sometimes in circumstances like this it can feel very isolating and very lonely for families like this is their own private journey,” Kennedy says.  “But just to let them know that you have other people, people that don’t even know you, are pulling for you and rooting for you, and that should hopefully be some inspiration for everyone.” 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759955085589.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick met with 14 year old Julius Byers and his family today.&nbsp; Byers, a freshman at Liberty High School dreamed of playing for the Griffons, but suffered an injury early this season that left him partially paralyzed.&nbsp; Byers will serve as an honorary captain for the Griffon football team on Oct. 18th against Pittsburgh State/ Photo courtesy of MoWest on Facebook" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick met with 14 year old Julius Byers and his family today.&nbsp; Byers, a freshman at Liberty High School dreamed of playing for the Griffons, but suffered an injury early this season that left him partially paralyzed.&nbsp; Byers will serve as an honorary captain for the Griffon football team on Oct. 18th against Pittsburgh State/ Photo courtesy of MoWest on Facebook</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWhen the Missouri Western State University football team takes the field next Saturday, it will honor one young man from Kansas City. 14-year-old Julius Byers suffered an injury on the first play of his high school football career, which left him partially paralyzed. Byers dreamed of playing football at MoWest.President Elizabeth Kennedy says Byers story caught her attention and others within the athletics department. "When he was in 8th grade, because he’s a freshman now at high school, but when he was in 8th grade he actually came to MoWest for a visit day, and got to see us, got to learn about us, got to probably see our stadium and what not, and came home from that field trip telling his dad he was going to play football at Missouri Western,” Kennedy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Byers suffered his injury during a game against Lee's Summit High School.&nbsp; Three fractures in his neck, a concussion, and an incomplete spinal cord injury that has left both of his arms paralyzed.Kennedy says during next week's game against Pittsburgh State, Byers will be at the game, serving as an honorary captain for the team "He’ll have the opportunity to be on the field I believe, and it’s all about hey there are other people that care about you, people that you’ve not met, people that you just need to know are thinking of you and praying for you, and hoping that you have a good recovery,” Kennedy says. “And just sometimes offering hope in that regard can be very uplifting to people.” Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick visited Byers and his family, gifting him with a jersey as well as surprising him with the honor of being named a captain. Kennedy says they always talk at MoWest about being a family, and doing the right thing, and this is one of the ways they can prove it. "We have tangible acts that we do to show people that we care,” Kennedy explains. Kennedy says it was it was an amazing opportunity to show the family, they aren't alone "Sometimes in circumstances like this it can feel very isolating and very lonely for families like this is their own private journey,” Kennedy says. “But just to let them know that you have other people, people that don’t even know you, are pulling for you and rooting for you, and that should hopefully be some inspiration for everyone.” You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Liberty teen whose dream of being a Griffon derailed by injury named honorary captain

This week is Fire Prevention Week as the weather is getting cooler.  

The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri wants residents to make sure they are taking steps to prevent home fires.  

Executive Director JoAnn Woody says now is the perfect time to check your smoke alarms, and adds most people don't realize smoke alarms have a life span 

"Most smoke alarms will be good, or be in good functional order, for about 10 years,” Woody tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And those smoke alarms that do have batteries we want to make sure we’re testing the smoke alarms and the batteries, and replacing the batteries, on a regular basis.” 

Woody says there are several campaigns to remind you, such as change your clock, change your batteries.  

"Most batteries can be good for up to a year, so we do recommend that at the very least replace your smoke alarm batteries once a year, at the very least,” Woody says.  “But you want to test them every month.” 

Woody says you also want to dust around your smoke alarm to help with its effectiveness.  

Woody says while you are checking those smoke alarms, now is also a good time to go over your home fire escape plan as well 

"I’ve done it a few times where i tested my smoke alarm and I practiced getting myself and my dogs out of the house, just to see if the dogs are going to cooperate with me or not, most often they don’t because they’re so distracted by all the noise, but that’s why you practice these things,” Woody explains.  “And that way that also allows you the opportunity to adjust your plan if there are more people in the home or if someone's physical abilities have changed since the last time you tested your alarm.” 

Woody says it’s important to make sure everyone in the home knows the plan and where to meet if a fire were to happen. 

Woody says as you start preparing your fireplace for the winter, it’s time to have someone check that fireplace and chimney 

"Having a professional come in and clean it periodically and make sure it's all good, have them inspect it and make sure all of that is functional, especially if you have a gas fireplace, making sure the pilot light is functioning correctly, and the gas lines are working well, making sure all that is functional,” Woody says.  “And then protecting the space around the fireplace.” 

Woody says as for other heating methods, such as space heaters, it’s important to check the cords and make sure they function properly to reduce the risk of a home fire this winter. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

By MATT PIKEThis week is Fire Prevention Week as the weather is getting cooler. The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri wants residents to make sure they are taking steps to prevent home fires. Executive Director JoAnn Woody says now is the perfect time to check your smoke alarms, and adds most people don't realize smoke alarms have a life span "Most smoke alarms will be good, or be in good functional order, for about 10 years,” Woody tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And those smoke alarms that do have batteries we want to make sure we’re testing the smoke alarms and the batteries, and replacing the batteries, on a regular basis.” Woody says there are several campaigns to remind you, such as change your clock, change your batteries. "Most batteries can be good for up to a year, so we do recommend that at the very least replace your smoke alarm batteries once a year, at the very least,” Woody says. “But you want to test them every month.” Woody says you also want to dust around your smoke alarm to help with its effectiveness. Woody says while you are checking those smoke alarms, now is also a good time to go over your home fire escape plan as well "I’ve done it a few times where i tested my smoke alarm and I practiced getting myself and my dogs out of the house, just to see if the dogs are going to cooperate with me or not, most often they don’t because they’re so distracted by all the noise, but that’s why you practice these things,” Woody explains. “And that way that also allows you the opportunity to adjust your plan if there are more people in the home or if someone's physical abilities have changed since the last time you tested your alarm.” Woody says it’s important to make sure everyone in the home knows the plan and where to meet if a fire were to happen. Woody says as you start preparing your fireplace for the winter, it’s time to have someone check that fireplace and chimney "Having a professional come in and clean it periodically and make sure it's all good, have them inspect it and make sure all of that is functional, especially if you have a gas fireplace, making sure the pilot light is functioning correctly, and the gas lines are working well, making sure all that is functional,” Woody says. “And then protecting the space around the fireplace.” Woody says as for other heating methods, such as space heaters, it’s important to check the cords and make sure they function properly to reduce the risk of a home fire this winter. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

Fall is a good time to check your smoke alarms 

State Sen. Rusty
Black has been placed in a powerful position in the Missouri Senate.

Black, a
Republican from Chillicothe, has been appointed chair of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, responsible for drafting the $51 billion state
budget. Black says it has been a goal of his to take a leading role in shaping
the state budget.

“With that, I was
happy to have that happen and looking forward to serving in that role,” Black
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Black says an
immediate challenge his committee and the legislature as a whole face is the
reduction of the federal dollars which have been flowing into the state from
the federal government for COVID-19 relief and recovery.

“We try to do as
little harm as we can to the citizens and to those core services that people
expect state government to provide,” Black says.

Black points out
federal dollars had made up a third of the state budget, but has grown to 45%
in wake of the pandemic. That will change as the federal COVID money recedes.

As Black looks
ahead to the 2026 legislative session and the 2026/27 state budget, he sees a
tighter budget than many in the legislature have experienced. Black, though,
remembers a tight state budget in 2017, his first year in the legislature.

“We probably
weren’t physically cutting any core costs, but we were slowing the growth or
expansion of money in a lot of different areas, because things didn’t look very
good in 2017,” Black says. “Not to the point of cuts, but to the point that
every department, every ask, was not going to get a yes answer.”

Lawmakers meeting
in Jefferson City next year might just have a similar experience as the federal
pandemic money runs dry.

“As those monies
draw back, yeah, I’m going to have friends, including me, I’m going to have to
look at some things and make choices that maybe both choices aren’t the best in
the world, but I’m going to have to make one,” Black says.

While it has been
Black’s goal to become chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he got
there sooner than he thought. Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin
of Shelbina appointed Black chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee shortly
after the special legislative session called to redraw the state Congressional
districts. Black had served as vice chair under the leadership of Sen. Lincoln
Hough, a Republican from Springfield. O’Laughlin removed Hough as chair shortly
after he cast one of the two Republican votes against the new Congressional
map.



“I did not
advocate for Sen. Hough to lose his position,” Black says, “but the fact that I
received that appointment is something that I truly wanted to do and I hope I
can do a good job for the taxpayers of this state.”

Black could serve
in the role through 2030. Sen. Brad Hudson, a Republican from Cape Fair, will
serve as the committee vice chair. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759939182574.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rusty Black being interviewed by Eagle St. Joseph News Director, Brent Martin/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rusty Black being interviewed by Eagle St. Joseph News Director, Brent Martin/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostState Sen. Rusty
Black has been placed in a powerful position in the Missouri Senate.Black, a
Republican from Chillicothe, has been appointed chair of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, responsible for drafting the $51 billion state
budget. Black says it has been a goal of his to take a leading role in shaping
the state budget.“With that, I was
happy to have that happen and looking forward to serving in that role,” Black
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Black says an
immediate challenge his committee and the legislature as a whole face is the
reduction of the federal dollars which have been flowing into the state from
the federal government for COVID-19 relief and recovery.“We try to do as
little harm as we can to the citizens and to those core services that people
expect state government to provide,” Black says.Black points out
federal dollars had made up a third of the state budget, but has grown to 45%
in wake of the pandemic. That will change as the federal COVID money recedes.As Black looks
ahead to the 2026 legislative session and the 2026/27 state budget, he sees a
tighter budget than many in the legislature have experienced. Black, though,
remembers a tight state budget in 2017, his first year in the legislature.“We probably
weren’t physically cutting any core costs, but we were slowing the growth or
expansion of money in a lot of different areas, because things didn’t look very
good in 2017,” Black says. “Not to the point of cuts, but to the point that
every department, every ask, was not going to get a yes answer.”Lawmakers meeting
in Jefferson City next year might just have a similar experience as the federal
pandemic money runs dry.“As those monies
draw back, yeah, I’m going to have friends, including me, I’m going to have to
look at some things and make choices that maybe both choices aren’t the best in
the world, but I’m going to have to make one,” Black says.While it has been
Black’s goal to become chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he got
there sooner than he thought. Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin
of Shelbina appointed Black chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee shortly
after the special legislative session called to redraw the state Congressional
districts. Black had served as vice chair under the leadership of Sen. Lincoln
Hough, a Republican from Springfield. O’Laughlin removed Hough as chair shortly
after he cast one of the two Republican votes against the new Congressional
map.

“I did not
advocate for Sen. Hough to lose his position,” Black says, “but the fact that I
received that appointment is something that I truly wanted to do and I hope I
can do a good job for the taxpayers of this state.”Black could serve
in the role through 2030. Sen. Brad Hudson, a Republican from Cape Fair, will
serve as the committee vice chair. You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Sen. Black moves up in Senate, now budget committee chair

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/04Y3LHnGGGPi8xZP6M1RzK?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3jHW0xujCSFBwmTJKarRln?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

PLATTE COUNTY—A motorcyclist who died in an accident just after 4p.m. Sunday has been identified as 38-year-old Kyle Jonsson of Leavenworth, according to a statement from the Platte County Sheriff.

A Kansas man was killed Sunday afternoon in a motorcycle crash along a rural road in Platte County, according to the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.

First responders responded to the crash along Farley Hampton Road and Baker Road, where they found a motorcycle in the grass on the southwest corner of the intersection. Jonsson was discovered about 20 yards from the motorcycle. EMS transported him to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

PLATTE COUNTY—A motorcyclist who died in an accident just after 4p.m. Sunday has been identified as 38-year-old Kyle Jonsson of Leavenworth, according to a statement from the Platte County Sheriff.A Kansas man was killed Sunday afternoon in a motorcycle crash along a rural road in Platte County, according to the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.First responders responded to the crash along Farley Hampton Road and Baker Road, where they found a motorcycle in the grass on the southwest corner of the intersection. Jonsson was discovered about 20 yards from the motorcycle. EMS transported him to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Sheriff IDs Kansas motorcyclist who died in crash

BUCHANAN COUNTY —A St. Joseph man was taken into custody after an accident that occurred just after 11:30p.m. Saturday in St. Joseph involving a patrol vehicle. On social media, the Missouri State Highway shared a photo from the crash.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy 2500 driven by&nbsp; a 24-year-old Alec M.. Gray of St. Joseph was westbound on Howard Street in St. Joseph.&nbsp; The driver failed to stop at the stop sigh at 20th Street. The Chevy struck a southbound 2024 Dodge Durango Patrol vehicle driven by a 42-year-old St. Joseph man, according the MSHP.

Law enforcement arrested Gray on requested felony charges of resisting arrest, misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, hit and run; operate a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner; for no auto insurance and on an Andrew County misdemeanor failure to appear warrant on an original charge involving a non-moving traffic violation.&nbsp;

Medical cleared the driver of the Dodge Durango at the scene of the crash. The MSHP did not release the name of the Trooper.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759696265084.png" alt="Gray photo Buchanan Co." />
 <figcaption>Gray photo Buchanan Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BUCHANAN COUNTY —A St. Joseph man was taken into custody after an accident that occurred just after 11:30p.m. Saturday in St. Joseph involving a patrol vehicle. On social media, the Missouri State Highway shared a photo from the crash.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On Sat, Oct 4, a suspected impaired driver ran a stop sign &amp; was hit by a patrol vehicle in St. Joseph. The driver was not injured &amp; fled the scene on foot. He was quickly taken into custody. Our Trooper was treated and released at the scene. Impaired driving endangers everyone. <a href="https://t.co/wHKLvqpiuN">pic.twitter.com/wHKLvqpiuN</a>&mdash; MSHP Troop H (@MSHPTrooperH) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSHPTrooperH/status/1975561290665078878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy 2500 driven by&nbsp; a 24-year-old Alec M.. Gray of St. Joseph was westbound on Howard Street in St. Joseph.&nbsp; The driver failed to stop at the stop sigh at 20th Street. The Chevy struck a southbound 2024 Dodge Durango Patrol vehicle driven by a 42-year-old St. Joseph man, according the MSHP.Law enforcement arrested Gray on requested felony charges of resisting arrest, misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, hit and run; operate a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner; for no auto insurance and on an Andrew County misdemeanor failure to appear warrant on an original charge involving a non-moving traffic violation.&nbsp;Medical cleared the driver of the Dodge Durango at the scene of the crash. The MSHP did not release the name of the Trooper.

MSHP shares photo of crash involving impaired driver, patrol vehicle

PLATTE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday in Plaatte County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Freightliner semi driven by a 62-year-old Topeka man was northbound on Interstate 29 near the eastbound 435 interchange. The semi traveled off the road and overturned.&nbsp;

Platte County EMS transported the driver to North Kansas City Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

PLATTE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday in Plaatte County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Freightliner semi driven by a 62-year-old Topeka man was northbound on Interstate 29 near the eastbound 435 interchange. The semi traveled off the road and overturned.&nbsp;Platte County EMS transported the driver to North Kansas City Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

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