The Kansas City Chiefs have announced their High School Coach of the Week honors for week six of the high school season on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Winning the honor in the state of Missouri was North Platte Head Coach Jared Quigley.

North Platte defeated Lawson 28-14 on Friday to improve to 6-1 on the season.

As a result of this honor, North Platte will receive a $500 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation and Quigley will receive a pair of Oakley sunglasses as well as a congratulatory certificate and a commemorative Super Bowl LVII coin.

Quigley will now also join St. Joseph Central's Regi Trotter, who earned the honor in week three, as a finalist for the&nbsp;Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on later this fall.

Quigley attributes this award to the work done over the last two seasons to build the program.

“The North Platte Football Program would first and foremost like to thank the Kansas City Chiefs organization for providing such a special opportunity to recognize our city’s high school football teams.” Quigley said in a news release. “We would also like to extend a huge thank you to PrepsKC for their continued coverage and support for all athletics in the greater KC area.”

Quigley has been responsible for a massive turnaround at the helm for the Panthers.&nbsp; Last season, he led the team to a 20-0 win over Maysville which snapped a 21 game losing streak.&nbsp; Going 6-5 last year, the Panthers had their first winning season since 2011.

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Chiefs have announced their High School Coach of the Week honors for week six of the high school season on Wednesday.&nbsp;Winning the honor in the state of Missouri was North Platte Head Coach Jared Quigley.North Platte defeated Lawson 28-14 on Friday to improve to 6-1 on the season.As a result of this honor, North Platte will receive a $500 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation and Quigley will receive a pair of Oakley sunglasses as well as a congratulatory certificate and a commemorative Super Bowl LVII coin.Quigley will now also join St. Joseph Central's Regi Trotter, who earned the honor in week three, as a finalist for the&nbsp;Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on later this fall.Quigley attributes this award to the work done over the last two seasons to build the program.“The North Platte Football Program would first and foremost like to thank the Kansas City Chiefs organization for providing such a special opportunity to recognize our city’s high school football teams.” Quigley said in a news release. “We would also like to extend a huge thank you to PrepsKC for their continued coverage and support for all athletics in the greater KC area.”Quigley has been responsible for a massive turnaround at the helm for the Panthers.&nbsp; Last season, he led the team to a 20-0 win over Maysville which snapped a 21 game losing streak.&nbsp; Going 6-5 last year, the Panthers had their first winning season since 2011.

North Platte's Jared Quigley named Kansas City Chiefs Coach of the Week

The United Nations World Food Program is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating situation in Israel and Palestine. 

As the conflict intensifies, civilians, including vulnerable children and families, face mounting challenges in accessing essential food supplies, with food distribution networks disrupted and food production severely hampered by hostilities. 

The program called for humanitarian corridors on Tuesday as it launched an emergency operation for Gaza and the West Bank. 

WFP urgently requires access and funding to reach those in need. A total of $17.3 million is needed in the next four weeks to address the situation. On Monday, WFP distributed ready-to-eat food to 73,000 people. 

Distributions are ongoing daily for displaced people in shelters in Gaza. In the next few days, pending the replenishment of food stocks through the opening of humanitarian corridors, WFP will distribute food to 300,000 people in host communities and make available cash-based-platforms to humanitarian partners.

The United Nations World Food Program is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating situation in Israel and Palestine. As the conflict intensifies, civilians, including vulnerable children and families, face mounting challenges in accessing essential food supplies, with food distribution networks disrupted and food production severely hampered by hostilities. The program called for humanitarian corridors on Tuesday as it launched an emergency operation for Gaza and the West Bank. WFP urgently requires access and funding to reach those in need. A total of $17.3 million is needed in the next four weeks to address the situation. On Monday, WFP distributed ready-to-eat food to 73,000 people. Distributions are ongoing daily for displaced people in shelters in Gaza. In the next few days, pending the replenishment of food stocks through the opening of humanitarian corridors, WFP will distribute food to 300,000 people in host communities and make available cash-based-platforms to humanitarian partners.- NAFB

World Food Program launches Gaza, West Bank humanitarian efforts

It's time to
start collecting Christmas Coins For Kids!

Now through Black
Friday JoeTown is encouraging local awesome businesses to partner with JoeTown 107.5
to collect Christmas Coins for Kids. All donations collected will benefit Gregg
Lynn's Christmas For Kids Toy Drive.

JoeTown 107.5
will promote YOUR business as a Christmas Coins For Kids collection location.
VERY affordable advertising (yes it DOES cost a couple of bucks) and great PR
for you and your business. You get a ton of on air mentions from mid-October
until Thanksgiving and commercials to use any way you want!

For more
information contact your Eagle Radio marketing specialist or email <a href="mailto:liby.waltemath@eagleradio.net">liby.waltemath@eagleradio.net</a>

Who's awesome?
Let's be awesome together!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697033485485.jpeg" alt="bucket pic.jpg" />
 <figcaption>bucket pic.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>It's time to
start collecting Christmas Coins For Kids!Now through Black
Friday JoeTown is encouraging local awesome businesses to partner with JoeTown 107.5
to collect Christmas Coins for Kids. All donations collected will benefit Gregg
Lynn's Christmas For Kids Toy Drive.JoeTown 107.5
will promote YOUR business as a Christmas Coins For Kids collection location.
VERY affordable advertising (yes it DOES cost a couple of bucks) and great PR
for you and your business. You get a ton of on air mentions from mid-October
until Thanksgiving and commercials to use any way you want!For more
information contact your Eagle Radio marketing specialist or email <a href="mailto:liby.waltemath@eagleradio.net">liby.waltemath@eagleradio.net</a>Who's awesome?
Let's be awesome together!

JoeTown 107.5 Is Looking For Businesses to Collect Christmas Coins For Kids

With flu season just around the corner, the St. Joseph Health Department is getting residents prepared with a flu shot clinic today. 

The clinic will run from 9am to noon, or while supplies last, at the Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph for residents 19 years and older. 

Clinic Supervisor Holly Hazzard says you can pre-register for the clinic online but walk ins will also be accepted. 

"When you walk in, we're going to ask you some questions, give you some paperwork, and it will be a pretty process to pull you through," Hazzard tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We ask that you have your driver's license handy and if you have insurance cards have that out too, insurance is accepted but not required, and you will not receive a bill for any of these services it's completely free to the public." 

Hazzard says at this clinic residents will only be able to get their flu shot as the department has not yet received doses of the COVID vaccine. 

"We are hoping that it comes in soon, but we don't have it available yet," Hazzard says. "Once it does become available, I do plan on doing some COVID clinics, but for this year it's just flu." 

Hazzard says a benefit to coming to the clinic is things will move faster than they would if you got your shot at the health department. 

"The clinic that's all we're doing, we've got all hands-on deck, so it's going to go really smooth and real fast," Hazzard explains. "At the health department we're doing lots of things out of the same window so it does go a little bit slower and you have to take into account the other things that we do at the health department, so you might have to wait for other people to get vaccines of different types and still have to fill out your paper work and kind of sit and wait." 

200 doses of the flu shot are what the health department will have on hand at Civic Arena, and Hazzard says rarely do they have to turn people away.  

If you are unable to make it downtown today, flu shots will be available tomorrow when the health department reopens. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post With flu season just around the corner, the St. Joseph Health Department is getting residents prepared with a flu shot clinic today. The clinic will run from 9am to noon, or while supplies last, at the Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph for residents 19 years and older. Clinic Supervisor Holly Hazzard says you can pre-register for the clinic online but walk ins will also be accepted. "When you walk in, we're going to ask you some questions, give you some paperwork, and it will be a pretty process to pull you through," Hazzard tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We ask that you have your driver's license handy and if you have insurance cards have that out too, insurance is accepted but not required, and you will not receive a bill for any of these services it's completely free to the public." Hazzard says at this clinic residents will only be able to get their flu shot as the department has not yet received doses of the COVID vaccine. "We are hoping that it comes in soon, but we don't have it available yet," Hazzard says. "Once it does become available, I do plan on doing some COVID clinics, but for this year it's just flu." Hazzard says a benefit to coming to the clinic is things will move faster than they would if you got your shot at the health department. "The clinic that's all we're doing, we've got all hands-on deck, so it's going to go really smooth and real fast," Hazzard explains. "At the health department we're doing lots of things out of the same window so it does go a little bit slower and you have to take into account the other things that we do at the health department, so you might have to wait for other people to get vaccines of different types and still have to fill out your paper work and kind of sit and wait." 200 doses of the flu shot are what the health department will have on hand at Civic Arena, and Hazzard says rarely do they have to turn people away. If you are unable to make it downtown today, flu shots will be available tomorrow when the health department reopens.

Annual flu shot clinic being held today in downtown St. Joseph

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

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by Avery N. Emery, 22, Maryville, was southbound on Route H two miles north of Sheridan.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car traveled off the west side of the road, struck a hay bale and started to overturn.

Worth County EMS transported Emery to Mosaic in Maryville. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

WORTH COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday in Worth County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by Avery N. Emery, 22, Maryville, was southbound on Route H two miles north of Sheridan.The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car traveled off the west side of the road, struck a hay bale and started to overturn.Worth County EMS transported Emery to Mosaic in Maryville. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after car strikes hay bale

A St. Joseph man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin as well as illegally possessing firearms.  

Federal prosecutors report 48-year-old Roderick A. Hughes was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison with no parole after pleading guilty on May 27, 2022.  

Hughes pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin in the St. Joseph Area between September 2019 to March 2021 and to possessing a firearm.  

Reports say Hughes is responsible for distributing at least 461.9 grams of heroin, which is over 4,600 potentially lethal, 0.1-gram “doses” of the drug. Officers executed a search warrant of Hughes' home in February 2021. 

Officers during the search found a gun on the kitchen table as well as in the nightstand, and also a safe containing heroin and money.  C0-defendant 42-year-old Franklin T Hicks also of St. joseph pleaded guilty to the same charges as Hughes and will be sentenced next month. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin as well as illegally possessing firearms. Federal prosecutors report 48-year-old Roderick A. Hughes was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison with no parole after pleading guilty on May 27, 2022. Hughes pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin in the St. Joseph Area between September 2019 to March 2021 and to possessing a firearm. Reports say Hughes is responsible for distributing at least 461.9 grams of heroin, which is over 4,600 potentially lethal, 0.1-gram “doses” of the drug. Officers executed a search warrant of Hughes' home in February 2021. Officers during the search found a gun on the kitchen table as well as in the nightstand, and also a safe containing heroin and money. C0-defendant 42-year-old Franklin T Hicks also of St. joseph pleaded guilty to the same charges as Hughes and will be sentenced next month.

St. Joseph man found guilty for role in heroin distribution conspiracy

It appears the St. Joseph Police Department is closing the gap
on vacancies in its ranks.

St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster says recent, targeted
recruitment efforts are paying off.

“We’re cautiously optimistic right now,” Luster says. “St. Joe
was not immune from a national crisis of a shortage of police officers in many
departments. That was the case when I started as chief back in late June. We
were short-staffed.&nbsp; Like I said, that’s
not unique to St. Joe. That’s going on at a national level.”

Luster sees two main culprits. The coronavirus pandemic caused
some police officers to decide to quit. The social uproar over police
brutality, such as the George Floyd death in Minneapolis, discouraged many
police officers as certain members of the public used a broad brush to smear
all law enforcement.

A switch in approach has helped greatly, according to Luster.

City officials reached agreement with the St. Joseph Fraternal
Order of Police to remove the cap that limited the salary offer St. Joseph
could make to veteran officers serving in other cities to five years. Under the
new agreement, the city can offer a salary comparable to what a St. Joseph
officer would be making, up to 13 years, which is the top pay in the St. Joseph
Police Department.

Luster says St. Joseph has been able to convince two former
St. Joseph police officers to return to the fold with two others in the hiring
process. The department is reviewing the applications of four officers from
other police departments.

Luster calls that a promising trend, though he cautions that it
comes with stipulations.

“I need to emphasize that we won’t just take anybody. Our hiring
standards are still in effect,” Luster says. “So, with that, what we found as
we started this is we’re about at a 50% ratio on those, meaning I’m not going
to take on another department’s problem.”

Luster says the standards will not be lowered just to fill
vacancies.

“I want to make sure we’re bringing in the right officers for
St. Joe, the right officers that are going to fit into our culture here and
that are going to do right by our citizens in serving the city.”

Even as the city is attempting to recruit veteran officers
from other departments, it is continuing to recruit young men and women. Luster
says the department has new recruits set to enter the Law Enforcement Academy
at Missouri Western State University in January. New recruits, though, take a
while before they are ready to hit the streets.

“All in all, I’d say with the academy at six months and then
three-and-a-half, four months of FTO, when you get that person day one of the
academy, about a year later you’re seeing the benefits of that, roughly,”
according to Luster. “It takes a lot longer to get them trained. Of course, it’s
important that they’re trained and they’re trained well. It’s something we’re not
going to stray from.”

The St. Joseph Police Department is authorized for 138
commissioned officers and has around 20 vacancies.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt appears the St. Joseph Police Department is closing the gap
on vacancies in its ranks.St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster says recent, targeted
recruitment efforts are paying off.“We’re cautiously optimistic right now,” Luster says. “St. Joe
was not immune from a national crisis of a shortage of police officers in many
departments. That was the case when I started as chief back in late June. We
were short-staffed.&nbsp; Like I said, that’s
not unique to St. Joe. That’s going on at a national level.”Luster sees two main culprits. The coronavirus pandemic caused
some police officers to decide to quit. The social uproar over police
brutality, such as the George Floyd death in Minneapolis, discouraged many
police officers as certain members of the public used a broad brush to smear
all law enforcement.A switch in approach has helped greatly, according to Luster.City officials reached agreement with the St. Joseph Fraternal
Order of Police to remove the cap that limited the salary offer St. Joseph
could make to veteran officers serving in other cities to five years. Under the
new agreement, the city can offer a salary comparable to what a St. Joseph
officer would be making, up to 13 years, which is the top pay in the St. Joseph
Police Department.Luster says St. Joseph has been able to convince two former
St. Joseph police officers to return to the fold with two others in the hiring
process. The department is reviewing the applications of four officers from
other police departments.Luster calls that a promising trend, though he cautions that it
comes with stipulations.“I need to emphasize that we won’t just take anybody. Our hiring
standards are still in effect,” Luster says. “So, with that, what we found as
we started this is we’re about at a 50% ratio on those, meaning I’m not going
to take on another department’s problem.”Luster says the standards will not be lowered just to fill
vacancies.“I want to make sure we’re bringing in the right officers for
St. Joe, the right officers that are going to fit into our culture here and
that are going to do right by our citizens in serving the city.”Even as the city is attempting to recruit veteran officers
from other departments, it is continuing to recruit young men and women. Luster
says the department has new recruits set to enter the Law Enforcement Academy
at Missouri Western State University in January. New recruits, though, take a
while before they are ready to hit the streets.“All in all, I’d say with the academy at six months and then
three-and-a-half, four months of FTO, when you get that person day one of the
academy, about a year later you’re seeing the benefits of that, roughly,”
according to Luster. “It takes a lot longer to get them trained. Of course, it’s
important that they’re trained and they’re trained well. It’s something we’re not
going to stray from.”The St. Joseph Police Department is authorized for 138
commissioned officers and has around 20 vacancies.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/St--Joseph-Police-Department-having-some-success-recruiting-e2ad8n2" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

St. Joseph finally having some success filling police vacancies

Second Harvest Community Food Bank is seeking input on how it best can serve the area’s senior citizens.  

Last month Second Harvest held summits and gained input on how it can best serve children. Now, Second Harvest moves to the other end of the spectrum. 

The St. Joseph food bank will hold three Senior Hunger summits to gain input on how to serve senior citizens in need.  

CEO Chad Higdon says he and his staff are going into these listening sessions with no expectations and an open mind 

"When you look at bringing all these folks together to get feedback on your services and programs, you really do have to go into it without a sense of where you want to go, because you don't know what you're going to hear," Higdon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Higdon says getting people around the table and getting feedback will help Second Harvest as they evaluate their strategy.  

Higdon says the food bank divides its programs into children's initiatives, senior citizen initiatives, and family initiatives.   

Higdon says Second Harvest is working to update its strategic plan, and to do that officials have scheduled these listening sessions.  

"So, we had some great feedback with our Childrens Hunger Summits and got some great feedback on how we serve kids and things we're doing to really support backpack buddies and school pantries and summer feeding," Higdon says. "And now this next iteration is really focused on what seniors need." 

Higdon says Second Harvest serves many elderly residents and the food bank is searching for the best ways to better support them.  

Three listening sessions have been scheduled.  The first one will be on October 27th at LifePoint Church in Chillicothe at 434 Locust Street. 

Higdon says sometimes Second Harvest officials don't know how critical the need is unless they get out and ask. 

"So, we do have senior box programs where we're packing monthly food distributions, some of those are delivered to individual homes by volunteers, we may be working with another agency or somewhere outside of St. Joseph to try to get to these individuals," Higdon explains. 

Higdon says the purpose of holding these forums is to get insight into the existing services and hear what is being done well and what can be done better. 

Listening sessions will also be held on November 3rd at The Event Center at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park located at 1 Fall Drive in Maryville and November 6th at the Joyce Patterson Center located at 100 South 10th in St. Joseph. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Second Harvest Community Food Bank is seeking input on how it best can serve the area’s senior citizens. Last month Second Harvest held summits and gained input on how it can best serve children. Now, Second Harvest moves to the other end of the spectrum. The St. Joseph food bank will hold three Senior Hunger summits to gain input on how to serve senior citizens in need. CEO Chad Higdon says he and his staff are going into these listening sessions with no expectations and an open mind "When you look at bringing all these folks together to get feedback on your services and programs, you really do have to go into it without a sense of where you want to go, because you don't know what you're going to hear," Higdon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Higdon says getting people around the table and getting feedback will help Second Harvest as they evaluate their strategy. Higdon says the food bank divides its programs into children's initiatives, senior citizen initiatives, and family initiatives. Higdon says Second Harvest is working to update its strategic plan, and to do that officials have scheduled these listening sessions. "So, we had some great feedback with our Childrens Hunger Summits and got some great feedback on how we serve kids and things we're doing to really support backpack buddies and school pantries and summer feeding," Higdon says. "And now this next iteration is really focused on what seniors need." Higdon says Second Harvest serves many elderly residents and the food bank is searching for the best ways to better support them. Three listening sessions have been scheduled. The first one will be on October 27th at LifePoint Church in Chillicothe at 434 Locust Street. Higdon says sometimes Second Harvest officials don't know how critical the need is unless they get out and ask. "So, we do have senior box programs where we're packing monthly food distributions, some of those are delivered to individual homes by volunteers, we may be working with another agency or somewhere outside of St. Joseph to try to get to these individuals," Higdon explains. Higdon says the purpose of holding these forums is to get insight into the existing services and hear what is being done well and what can be done better. Listening sessions will also be held on November 3rd at The Event Center at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park located at 1 Fall Drive in Maryville and November 6th at the Joyce Patterson Center located at 100 South 10th in St. Joseph.

Second Harvest looking to improve how they help senior citizens

Information Courtesy National Weather Service

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks any part of the Sun. On Saturday, October 14, 2023, a solar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) in North, Central, and South America. All 49 continental U.S. states will experience at least a partial eclipse, as will most of Canada and all countries in Central and South America.


During a partial or annular (ring) solar eclipse, such as the one on October 14, 2023, there is no time when it is safe to look directly at the Sun without using a special-purpose solar filter that complies with the transmission requirements of the ISO
12312-2 international standard.&nbsp;&nbsp;

When will the partial eclipse be visible?

The Eclipse will begin at 10:21 a.m. CDT. The max visibility point will occur at 11:47 a.m. and the partial eclipse will conclude at 1:19 p.m.&nbsp;

Watch the solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14 with a pair of eclipse glasses donated by Salina, KS Downtown Lions Club! Visit the Salina Public Library information desk or youth services to pick up a pair before the weekend.

Instructions for the Safe Use of Solar Filters and Viewers
﻿﻿

● Always inspect your solar filter before use;
if scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged, discard it.

● Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
﻿﻿Always supervise children using solar filters.


﻿● If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on.
Put your eclipse glasses on over them or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
﻿﻿

● Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. 

● After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter - do not remove it while looking at the Sun.


﻿﻿● Do not look at the uneclipsed, partially eclipsed, or annularly eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.&nbsp;

● Do not look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing your eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes - the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.

﻿﻿● Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device; note that solar filters must be securely attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696953898599.png" alt="Eclipse Graphic NWS" />
 <figcaption>Eclipse Graphic NWS</figcaption>
 </figure>Information Courtesy National Weather ServiceA solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks any part of the Sun. On Saturday, October 14, 2023, a solar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) in North, Central, and South America. All 49 continental U.S. states will experience at least a partial eclipse, as will most of Canada and all countries in Central and South America.
During a partial or annular (ring) solar eclipse, such as the one on October 14, 2023, there is no time when it is safe to look directly at the Sun without using a special-purpose solar filter that complies with the transmission requirements of the ISO
12312-2 international standard.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>When will the partial eclipse be visible?</h2>The Eclipse will begin at 10:21 a.m. CDT. The max visibility point will occur at 11:47 a.m. and the partial eclipse will conclude at 1:19 p.m.&nbsp;Watch the solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14 with a pair of eclipse glasses donated by Salina, KS Downtown Lions Club! Visit the Salina Public Library information desk or youth services to pick up a pair before the weekend.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696954147052.jpeg" alt="Oct. 14 Annular Solar Eclipse Information" />
 <figcaption>Oct. 14 Annular Solar Eclipse Information</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Instructions for the Safe Use of Solar Filters and Viewers
﻿﻿</h2>● Always inspect your solar filter before use;
if scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged, discard it.● Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
﻿﻿Always supervise children using solar filters.
﻿● If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on.
Put your eclipse glasses on over them or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
﻿﻿● Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. ● After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter - do not remove it while looking at the Sun.
﻿﻿● Do not look at the uneclipsed, partially eclipsed, or annularly eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.&nbsp;● Do not look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing your eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes - the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.
﻿﻿● Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device; note that solar filters must be securely attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Partial solar eclipse visible in Kansas on Saturday

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed that the first commercial case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was discovered in South Dakota. 

APHIS says the virus was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock of 47,300 birds on October 4. 

Another case was also recently confirmed in a small non-commercial flock located in Idaho. 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also reported four commercial cases of the virus since mid-September. The most recent case was announced on October 3 in a commercial flock located in Alberta. The agency doesn’t disclose the type of poultry or how many birds were involved in the infection. 

One of the first clinical signs of HPAI in domestic birds is sudden, unexplainable death. Many infected birds drop their water consumption in the 72 hours that lead up to their unexplainable death. Decreased egg production and depression in layers may be another sign that the birds are ill. &nbsp;

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed that the first commercial case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was discovered in South Dakota. APHIS says the virus was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock of 47,300 birds on October 4. Another case was also recently confirmed in a small non-commercial flock located in Idaho. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also reported four commercial cases of the virus since mid-September. The most recent case was announced on October 3 in a commercial flock located in Alberta. The agency doesn’t disclose the type of poultry or how many birds were involved in the infection. One of the first clinical signs of HPAI in domestic birds is sudden, unexplainable death. Many infected birds drop their water consumption in the 72 hours that lead up to their unexplainable death. Decreased egg production and depression in layers may be another sign that the birds are ill. &nbsp;- NAFB

HPAI confirmed in South Dakota

The Agricultural Marketing Information System’s October “Market Monitor” report says that fertilizer prices were mostly higher in September, as were the prices for the main fertilizer inputs. 

Farm Policy News from the University of Illinois says price movements for several fertilizer categories were influenced by strength in the Indian market and uncertainty around exports from China. 

AMIS also says these two countries will be a major influence on market developments as will demand for the fall application season in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Fertilizer inputs like natural gas went higher in September. Markets should be focusing on monitoring EU stock levels, which are currently near capacity. Ammonia prices also surged in September, supported by major plant outages. 

Ammonia buyers also showed unusually strong interest during this time of year that’s normally a quiet period. Nitrogen fertilizer prices rose in September. Urea price increases were driven by concerns about Chinese export levels.

The Agricultural Marketing Information System’s October “Market Monitor” report says that fertilizer prices were mostly higher in September, as were the prices for the main fertilizer inputs. Farm Policy News from the University of Illinois says price movements for several fertilizer categories were influenced by strength in the Indian market and uncertainty around exports from China. AMIS also says these two countries will be a major influence on market developments as will demand for the fall application season in the Northern Hemisphere. Fertilizer inputs like natural gas went higher in September. Markets should be focusing on monitoring EU stock levels, which are currently near capacity. Ammonia prices also surged in September, supported by major plant outages. Ammonia buyers also showed unusually strong interest during this time of year that’s normally a quiet period. Nitrogen fertilizer prices rose in September. Urea price increases were driven by concerns about Chinese export levels.- NAFB

Fertilizer prices mostly higher in September

St. Joseph police are investigating a shooting that caused
property damage.

Police report the shooting occurred just before 11 o’clock
Monday night in the 1300 block of South 17th Street. Area
residents report hearing between 15 to 20 shots. Police recovered shell casings.
Shots hit vehicles and houses. Some of the houses were occupied. No one was
harmed in the shooting.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating a shooting that caused
property damage.Police report the shooting occurred just before 11 o’clock
Monday night in the 1300 block of South 17th Street. Area
residents report hearing between 15 to 20 shots. Police recovered shell casings.
Shots hit vehicles and houses. Some of the houses were occupied. No one was
harmed in the shooting.No suspect has been taken into custody.

Shooting in St. Joseph causes property damage

The attorney general’s office says it has five staffers working on the Sunshine Law backlog and a policy of not charging fees for processing requests. But the first come, first serve strategy has meant hundreds of requests wait in limbo for months — even years

By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey expects to finally complete work on public&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/12/black-hole-public-faces-long-delays-obtaining-records-from-missouri-attorney-general/">records requests submitted to the office under his predecessor</a>&nbsp;by the end of the year.&nbsp;

A review by The Independent of the massive Sunshine Law backlog — which stood at 315 pending requests on Friday — found inquiries from reporters and political operatives, as well as a litany of requests from Missourians seeking information about things like consumer protection investigations or details on how the office conducts business.

Madeline Sieren, spokesperson for the attorney general’s office, said there are now five staff members working to reduce the backlog, and that the office has “fulfilled 155 requests since Aug. 17.”&nbsp;

The attorney general’s office says it is on track to complete work on the 224 requests it inherited from former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt by the end of the year.&nbsp;

At that point, it can begin working through pending requests submitted after Bailey took office in January.&nbsp;

But its method of working through the backlog — handling requests in the order they were received — has meant newer inquiries that are small and easily dispensed with sit in limbo as staff work on older and more expansive requests.&nbsp;

It’s a strategy critics say has actually made the problem worse, a concern amplified by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/05/missouri-andrew-bailey-governor-sunshine-law/">Bailey’s efforts while working for Gov. Mike Parson to weaken Missouri’s transparency laws</a>.&nbsp;

“Public governmental bodies should recognize that it is unreasonable to delay fulfilling small, easily-addressed requests until the body has first completed larger, more complicated requests,” said David Roland, director of litigation for the libertarian nonprofit Freedom Center of Missouri.

The spirit of the Sunshine Law, Roland said, suggests the wisdom of adopting a “triage” approach that prioritizes fulfilling as many requests as possible as quickly as possible, even if that means tackling the requests in an order different from which they were received.

Sieren said the attorney general is trying to ensure “each request is fulfilled with the same attention and care. The attorney general’s office is not in the business of picking winners and losers.”

Getting an objective understanding of the scope of the backlog has been difficult.&nbsp;

Requests for documentation — such as the attorney general’s sunshine log, which is a list or spreadsheet most government offices maintain of pending requests — have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/29/pile-of-public-records-requests-swells-as-missouri-ag-works-through-stack-from-2021/">themselves been caught in the backlog</a>.&nbsp;

In June, the attorney general’s office said a request by The Independent for the sunshine log couldn’t be fulfilled until Dec. 11. This sort of narrow request historically can be turned around in a matter of days.

With that in mind, earlier this month The Independent invoked a different, lesser-known state law that requires public records “<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=109.180#:~:text=109.180.,refusal%20to%20permit%20inspection%2C%20penalty.">at all reasonable times be open for a personal inspection by any citizen of Missouri</a>.”

Any government official who denies a citizen the ability to personally inspect public records, the law states, “shall be subject to removal and impeachment, and in addition shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100, or by confinement in the county jail not exceeding 90 days, or by both the fine and the confinement.”

The Independent asked to inspect pending Sunshine Law requests, and within days was notified the sunshine log would be made available at the attorney general’s Jefferson City office.

The log documented 18 requests dating back to 2021, which the attorney general’s office finally completed in August, and another 206 from 2022.&nbsp;

Of the requests submitted last year, around 90 were filed by the Democratic National Committee seeking records r<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/democrats-mine-missouri-attorney-general-s-office-for-information-on-hawley/article_58f36879-17d3-5e0f-b6af-ca54ebfe6e68.html">elated to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s two years as attorney general</a>. Some were quickly processed, while others remain unfulfilled.&nbsp;

There were also media requests seeking records involving Schmitt’s actions while in office, such as his lawsuits against local school districts and interactions with national groups surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.&nbsp;

Also included are numerous requests for information about companies accused of ripping off customers. The attorney general’s office enforces the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, which protects consumers from deceptive, unethical or illegal actions by businesses.

In addition to details about the scope of the backlog, the sunshine log confirmed the attorney general’s office under Bailey does not charge fees for processing records requests.&nbsp;

When Roland learned the attorney general’s office allowed a reporter to inspect the sunshine log, he was quick to offer his praise.&nbsp;

“I am gratified that the attorney general’s office appears to have recognized its legal obligation to grant this sort of access to the records The Independent asked to review,” he said, “and I encourage all other public governmental bodies to follow its example.”

But the fact that a document was immediately available for inspection, Roland said, yet won’t be provided under the Sunshine Law until December shows the absurdity of the situation.&nbsp;

“It seems clear,” Roland said, “that if the attorney general’s office was capable of quickly making this information available for your personal inspection, it certainly would have been capable of producing the records you requested in a similar timeframe.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696940237972.png" alt=" Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks Jan. 20 to the Missouri chapter of the Federalist Society on the Missouri House of Representatives chamber (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks Jan. 20 to the Missouri chapter of the Federalist Society on the Missouri House of Representatives chamber (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The attorney general’s office says it has five staffers working on the Sunshine Law backlog and a policy of not charging fees for processing requests. But the first come, first serve strategy has meant hundreds of requests wait in limbo for months — even years</h2>By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey expects to finally complete work on public&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/12/black-hole-public-faces-long-delays-obtaining-records-from-missouri-attorney-general/">records requests submitted to the office under his predecessor</a>&nbsp;by the end of the year.&nbsp;A review by The Independent of the massive Sunshine Law backlog — which stood at 315 pending requests on Friday — found inquiries from reporters and political operatives, as well as a litany of requests from Missourians seeking information about things like consumer protection investigations or details on how the office conducts business.Madeline Sieren, spokesperson for the attorney general’s office, said there are now five staff members working to reduce the backlog, and that the office has “fulfilled 155 requests since Aug. 17.”&nbsp;The attorney general’s office says it is on track to complete work on the 224 requests it inherited from former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt by the end of the year.&nbsp;At that point, it can begin working through pending requests submitted after Bailey took office in January.&nbsp;But its method of working through the backlog — handling requests in the order they were received — has meant newer inquiries that are small and easily dispensed with sit in limbo as staff work on older and more expansive requests.&nbsp;It’s a strategy critics say has actually made the problem worse, a concern amplified by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/05/missouri-andrew-bailey-governor-sunshine-law/">Bailey’s efforts while working for Gov. Mike Parson to weaken Missouri’s transparency laws</a>.&nbsp;“Public governmental bodies should recognize that it is unreasonable to delay fulfilling small, easily-addressed requests until the body has first completed larger, more complicated requests,” said David Roland, director of litigation for the libertarian nonprofit Freedom Center of Missouri.The spirit of the Sunshine Law, Roland said, suggests the wisdom of adopting a “triage” approach that prioritizes fulfilling as many requests as possible as quickly as possible, even if that means tackling the requests in an order different from which they were received.Sieren said the attorney general is trying to ensure “each request is fulfilled with the same attention and care. The attorney general’s office is not in the business of picking winners and losers.”<h2>‘Personal inspection by any citizen’</h2>Getting an objective understanding of the scope of the backlog has been difficult.&nbsp;Requests for documentation — such as the attorney general’s sunshine log, which is a list or spreadsheet most government offices maintain of pending requests — have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/29/pile-of-public-records-requests-swells-as-missouri-ag-works-through-stack-from-2021/">themselves been caught in the backlog</a>.&nbsp;In June, the attorney general’s office said a request by The Independent for the sunshine log couldn’t be fulfilled until Dec. 11. This sort of narrow request historically can be turned around in a matter of days.With that in mind, earlier this month The Independent invoked a different, lesser-known state law that requires public records “<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=109.180#:~:text=109.180.,refusal%20to%20permit%20inspection%2C%20penalty.">at all reasonable times be open for a personal inspection by any citizen of Missouri</a>.”Any government official who denies a citizen the ability to personally inspect public records, the law states, “shall be subject to removal and impeachment, and in addition shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100, or by confinement in the county jail not exceeding 90 days, or by both the fine and the confinement.”The Independent asked to inspect pending Sunshine Law requests, and within days was notified the sunshine log would be made available at the attorney general’s Jefferson City office.The log documented 18 requests dating back to 2021, which the attorney general’s office finally completed in August, and another 206 from 2022.&nbsp;Of the requests submitted last year, around 90 were filed by the Democratic National Committee seeking records r<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/democrats-mine-missouri-attorney-general-s-office-for-information-on-hawley/article_58f36879-17d3-5e0f-b6af-ca54ebfe6e68.html">elated to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s two years as attorney general</a>. Some were quickly processed, while others remain unfulfilled.&nbsp;There were also media requests seeking records involving Schmitt’s actions while in office, such as his lawsuits against local school districts and interactions with national groups surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.&nbsp;Also included are numerous requests for information about companies accused of ripping off customers. The attorney general’s office enforces the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, which protects consumers from deceptive, unethical or illegal actions by businesses.In addition to details about the scope of the backlog, the sunshine log confirmed the attorney general’s office under Bailey does not charge fees for processing records requests.&nbsp;When Roland learned the attorney general’s office allowed a reporter to inspect the sunshine log, he was quick to offer his praise.&nbsp;“I am gratified that the attorney general’s office appears to have recognized its legal obligation to grant this sort of access to the records The Independent asked to review,” he said, “and I encourage all other public governmental bodies to follow its example.”But the fact that a document was immediately available for inspection, Roland said, yet won’t be provided under the Sunshine Law until December shows the absurdity of the situation.&nbsp;“It seems clear,” Roland said, “that if the attorney general’s office was capable of quickly making this information available for your personal inspection, it certainly would have been capable of producing the records you requested in a similar timeframe.”

Missouri AG vows to complete 2022 public records requests by end of this year

St. Joseph residents will get to learn the history of some of the mayors of the city during a unique event at Mount Mora Cemetery this week. 

Organizer Bob Fitzpatrick says this year’s event will re-visit the history of some of the mayors of St. Joseph. 

"We have a number of mayors that reside at Mt. Mora Cemetery, as a matter of fact we have 21 of the 46 mayors at Mt. Mora, and we're going to tell a few stories of how they come to life basically in chronological order and tell some very interesting stories," Fitzpatrick tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. 

The 21st annual Voices of the Past will take place this Thursday and Friday, starting at Wyeth Tootle mansion before traveling over to Mt. Mora.

Fitzpatrick says the event will feature several local actors at the cemetery.

"We'll have our emcee introduce most of the other characters and that will be Mayor Jeff Thompson portrayed by Bob Ford, we're also going to meet Armstrong Beattie who will be portrayed by Marshall White," Fitzpatrick explains. "Marshall White is actually a distant relative of Armstrong Beattie."

Also featured will be the wives of three of St. Joseph's mayors telling stories. The event will feature three shows at 6,7, and 8pm.  Limited tickets are still available.

You can reserve a ticket by clicking<a href="https://stjosephmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/59053-voices-of-the-past"> HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696874240153.jpeg" alt="Mt. Mora Cemetery will be the home of the 21st annual Voices of the Past, telling stories of some of St. Joseph's former mayors/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Mt. Mora Cemetery will be the home of the 21st annual Voices of the Past, telling stories of some of St. Joseph's former mayors/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph residents will get to learn the history of some of the mayors of the city during a unique event at Mount Mora Cemetery this week. Organizer Bob Fitzpatrick says this year’s event will re-visit the history of some of the mayors of St. Joseph. "We have a number of mayors that reside at Mt. Mora Cemetery, as a matter of fact we have 21 of the 46 mayors at Mt. Mora, and we're going to tell a few stories of how they come to life basically in chronological order and tell some very interesting stories," Fitzpatrick tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. The 21st annual Voices of the Past will take place this Thursday and Friday, starting at Wyeth Tootle mansion before traveling over to Mt. Mora.Fitzpatrick says the event will feature several local actors at the cemetery."We'll have our emcee introduce most of the other characters and that will be Mayor Jeff Thompson portrayed by Bob Ford, we're also going to meet Armstrong Beattie who will be portrayed by Marshall White," Fitzpatrick explains. "Marshall White is actually a distant relative of Armstrong Beattie."Also featured will be the wives of three of St. Joseph's mayors telling stories. The event will feature three shows at 6,7, and 8pm. Limited tickets are still available.You can reserve a ticket by clicking<a href="https://stjosephmuseum.networkforgood.com/events/59053-voices-of-the-past"> HERE</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696874376551.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hear from past St. Joseph Mayors as Voices of the Past enters its 21st year

Sixteen members of the House of Representatives pushed back against the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression Act. 

The group sent a letter to House Ag Chair Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA). 

Groups backing the letter included the Organization for Competitive Markets, Competitive Markets Action, National Dairy Producers Organization, and others. 

“We applaud the representatives for taking a stand against the EATS Act that would sell out American agriculture to China,” says Marty Irby, president of Competitive Markets Action. 

“The Hinson-Marshall EATS Act is an assault on states’ rights that’s backed by Smithfield, a wholly owned Chinese corporation that continues to rake in billions of dollars by oppressing and exploiting American family farmers.” 

The groups say if the EATS Act becomes law, it would invalidate hundreds of state and local agriculture laws that support family farmers and hundreds of laws relating to food safety and invasive pest control.

Sixteen members of the House of Representatives pushed back against the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression Act. The group sent a letter to House Ag Chair Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA). Groups backing the letter included the Organization for Competitive Markets, Competitive Markets Action, National Dairy Producers Organization, and others. “We applaud the representatives for taking a stand against the EATS Act that would sell out American agriculture to China,” says Marty Irby, president of Competitive Markets Action. “The Hinson-Marshall EATS Act is an assault on states’ rights that’s backed by Smithfield, a wholly owned Chinese corporation that continues to rake in billions of dollars by oppressing and exploiting American family farmers.” The groups say if the EATS Act becomes law, it would invalidate hundreds of state and local agriculture laws that support family farmers and hundreds of laws relating to food safety and invasive pest control.- NAFB

Group of House Republicans against EATS Act

September brought mixed results for precipitation across the Missouri River Basin. 

Parts of Montana, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska received above-average rainfall, while the remainder of the upper basin and lower basin were below average. 

September runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 1.3 million acre-feet, 109 percent of the long-term average. 

The annual runoff forecast for the upper Missouri River Basin above Sioux City is 29.1-million-acre feet, 113 percent of average, and the same as last month’s forecast. 

“Rainfall was above average in portions of the Upper Missouri River Basin during September,” says John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. 

“Runoff was above average or near average in every reach except Sioux City, which was below average. He also says soil moisture conditions have improved in parts of the basin, but many parts remain abnormally dry.

September brought mixed results for precipitation across the Missouri River Basin. Parts of Montana, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska received above-average rainfall, while the remainder of the upper basin and lower basin were below average. September runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 1.3 million acre-feet, 109 percent of the long-term average. The annual runoff forecast for the upper Missouri River Basin above Sioux City is 29.1-million-acre feet, 113 percent of average, and the same as last month’s forecast. “Rainfall was above average in portions of the Upper Missouri River Basin during September,” says John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “Runoff was above average or near average in every reach except Sioux City, which was below average. He also says soil moisture conditions have improved in parts of the basin, but many parts remain abnormally dry.- NAFB

Missouri River Runoff near average in September

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says he’s “extremely
disappointed” and frustrated by the vote to remove California Congressman Kevin
McCarthy as Speaker of the United States House.

Graves says the House Republican Caucus must overcome the
disruption, settle on the next Speaker, and get back to business.

“It’s a mess at the moment,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post
during an in-studio interview. “We’re going through this process of picking a
new Speaker and everybody’s kind of jockeying for that position and making
calls; the two front-runners being Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise.”

Graves backs Scalise, the House Majority Leader, saying he would
be able to maintain the momentum created by McCarthy.

Congressman Jordan from Ohio chairs the House Judiciary
Committee, the subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, and
the Oversight and Accountability Committee.

Other Republicans testing the waters include House Minority
Whip, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, who actually called Graves during the interview;
Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry of North Carolina; Congressman Tom Cole of
Oklahoma; Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana; and Congressman Jodey
Arrington of Texas.

This all started after four-term Republican Congressman Matt
Gaetz of Florida made a motion to vacate the Speaker’s chair. Gaetz accused
McCarthy of working with Democrats to pass a spending measure to avoid a
federal government shutdown. The package failed to contain the budget cuts the
House Freedom Caucus sought. Gaetz and seven other Republicans voted with the
entire Democratic Caucus to remove McCarthy as Speaker on a 216-210 vote.

Graves, though, accuses Gaetz of moving to oust Speaker
McCarthy for purely personal reasons.

“He’s just got a personal vendetta against Kevin McCarthy and
that’s what this was all about,” according to Graves. “It’s a personal vendetta
against Kevin and he was willing to do anything he could to hurt him.”

Graves backed McCarthy, saying he has done a great job as
Speaker, including reaching a deal to keep the government open. Graves also
praised McCarthy’s ability to raise money for Republican Congressional
candidates.

Former Republican President Donald Trump has come out in
support of Jordan as the new Speaker. Trump even volunteered to serve in the
role of Speaker for the next 90 days. Graves says Trump’s support of Jordan is
having mixed results.

“I’ve talked to people that as a result of the president
endorsing him, now they’re no longer supporting Jim. The flip side to that is
some now have come over to Jim’s side,” Graves says. “It’ll be interesting to
see how that works out within the conference and if it will have an impact.”

Graves, the senior member of the Missouri Congressional
delegation, didn’t foresee a successful vote to remove the Speaker of the
House.

“I didn’t. I really didn’t. I’ve seen a lot in my time in
Washington, a lot of historic moments,” but Graves says he didn’t see this one
coming. “And it’s unfortunate. It’s unfortunate for the country.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696862589734.jpeg" alt="Congressman Sam Graves/files photo" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Sam Graves/files photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says he’s “extremely
disappointed” and frustrated by the vote to remove California Congressman Kevin
McCarthy as Speaker of the United States House.Graves says the House Republican Caucus must overcome the
disruption, settle on the next Speaker, and get back to business.“It’s a mess at the moment,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post
during an in-studio interview. “We’re going through this process of picking a
new Speaker and everybody’s kind of jockeying for that position and making
calls; the two front-runners being Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise.”Graves backs Scalise, the House Majority Leader, saying he would
be able to maintain the momentum created by McCarthy.Congressman Jordan from Ohio chairs the House Judiciary
Committee, the subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, and
the Oversight and Accountability Committee.Other Republicans testing the waters include House Minority
Whip, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, who actually called Graves during the interview;
Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry of North Carolina; Congressman Tom Cole of
Oklahoma; Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana; and Congressman Jodey
Arrington of Texas.This all started after four-term Republican Congressman Matt
Gaetz of Florida made a motion to vacate the Speaker’s chair. Gaetz accused
McCarthy of working with Democrats to pass a spending measure to avoid a
federal government shutdown. The package failed to contain the budget cuts the
House Freedom Caucus sought. Gaetz and seven other Republicans voted with the
entire Democratic Caucus to remove McCarthy as Speaker on a 216-210 vote.Graves, though, accuses Gaetz of moving to oust Speaker
McCarthy for purely personal reasons.“He’s just got a personal vendetta against Kevin McCarthy and
that’s what this was all about,” according to Graves. “It’s a personal vendetta
against Kevin and he was willing to do anything he could to hurt him.”Graves backed McCarthy, saying he has done a great job as
Speaker, including reaching a deal to keep the government open. Graves also
praised McCarthy’s ability to raise money for Republican Congressional
candidates.Former Republican President Donald Trump has come out in
support of Jordan as the new Speaker. Trump even volunteered to serve in the
role of Speaker for the next 90 days. Graves says Trump’s support of Jordan is
having mixed results.“I’ve talked to people that as a result of the president
endorsing him, now they’re no longer supporting Jim. The flip side to that is
some now have come over to Jim’s side,” Graves says. “It’ll be interesting to
see how that works out within the conference and if it will have an impact.”Graves, the senior member of the Missouri Congressional
delegation, didn’t foresee a successful vote to remove the Speaker of the
House.“I didn’t. I really didn’t. I’ve seen a lot in my time in
Washington, a lot of historic moments,” but Graves says he didn’t see this one
coming. “And it’s unfortunate. It’s unfortunate for the country.”<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Sam-Graves-disappointed-to-see-Kevin-McCarthy-go-e2abmhm" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Graves "extremely disappointed" by removal of Speaker McCarthy

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage at Benedictine College.

On Sunday, the school reported criminal damage in the area of the baseball field, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The damage included a golf cart pushed on its side and damage to an electrical box. Police reported no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696858499549.png" alt="image courtesy Benedictine Athletics" />
 <figcaption>image courtesy Benedictine Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage at Benedictine College.On Sunday, the school reported criminal damage in the area of the baseball field, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The damage included a golf cart pushed on its side and damage to an electrical box. Police reported no additional details.

Police investigate criminal damage at Benedictine College

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

There is $60 million at stake on the meaning of two words in the Missouri Constitution.&nbsp;

On Thursday, a Cole County judge said he will provide the definition as soon as possible.

The money, from the state road fund, would mean significant raises for thousands of employees in the Department of Transportation. The question Circuit Judge Cotton Walker must answer is whether the Highways and Transportation Commission can spend it when lawmakers didn’t appropriate it.

Walker held a one-day trial in the case in February 2022 and told attorneys at a hearing Thursday that he held the decision while awaiting a Missouri Supreme Court ruling on a similar case involving the Department of Conservation.

That decision, upholding the Conservation Commission’s authority&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/13/missouri-supreme-court-rules-lawmakers-had-no-power-to-limit-conservation-spending/">over the use of appropriated funds</a>&nbsp;against legislative efforts to limit it, was issued in June.&nbsp;

“I was a little bit damned if I do, damned if I don’t if I decided this while they had the other one under consideration,” Walker said Thursday afternoon.

Walker gave the attorneys until Oct. 27 to file final suggestions for his ruling.&nbsp;

By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>There is $60 million at stake on the meaning of two words in the Missouri Constitution.&nbsp;On Thursday, a Cole County judge said he will provide the definition as soon as possible.The money, from the state road fund, would mean significant raises for thousands of employees in the Department of Transportation. The question Circuit Judge Cotton Walker must answer is whether the Highways and Transportation Commission can spend it when lawmakers didn’t appropriate it.Walker held a one-day trial in the case in February 2022 and told attorneys at a hearing Thursday that he held the decision while awaiting a Missouri Supreme Court ruling on a similar case involving the Department of Conservation.That decision, upholding the Conservation Commission’s authority&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/13/missouri-supreme-court-rules-lawmakers-had-no-power-to-limit-conservation-spending/">over the use of appropriated funds</a>&nbsp;against legislative efforts to limit it, was issued in June.&nbsp;“I was a little bit damned if I do, damned if I don’t if I decided this while they had the other one under consideration,” Walker said Thursday afternoon.Walker gave the attorneys until Oct. 27 to file final suggestions for his ruling.&nbsp;“I know everyone’s anxious, so I’ll get to it as soon after the 27th as possible,” Walker said.The case began when Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers in October 2021&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/2021/dec/04/MoDOT-suing-state-over-ability-to-use-funds-for-em/">refused to issue increased paychecks</a>&nbsp;to MoDOT employees authorized by the highways commission as part of a “market adjustment” plan to stem turnover. The raises exceeded the amounts set aside by lawmakers for department pay and benefits.The highways commission sued, arguing that constitutional language that money in the road fund shall&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++30(b)&amp;bid=31847&amp;constit=y">“stand appropriated”</a>&nbsp;for use by the commission meant Zellers must allow spending that did not exceed the fund’s balance.Attorney Jim Layton, representing the highways commission, argued Thursday that all seven Supreme Court judges recognized a difference between the language governing the road fund and the provisions controlling the conservation fund.&nbsp;The court found that the Conservation Department cannot spend more than lawmakers appropriated, even if there is a resulting surplus in the fund. But lawmakers cannot limit how appropriated funds are spent on authorized uses, such as purchasing land.The majority decision, and the dissent, used the “stand appropriated” language to show there are times when the constitution takes appropriation authority away from lawmakers, Layton said.“In our view, that’s the end of the analysis,” he said.Assistant Attorney General Emily Dodge argued in February 2022 that the “stand appropriated” provision only applies to the department’s debt from bonds issued for road construction. On Thursday, she&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++28&amp;bid=31844&amp;constit=y">cited another provision</a>&nbsp;that no state money can be spent except “in accordance with an appropriation made by law.”That means in an appropriation bill passed by lawmakers, she said.“The decision in the conservation case that the Missouri Supreme Court handed down in June does not change the answer to that question,” Dodge said.Layton, however, was sure it did.“The constitution is a law,” he said. “It doesn’t say in the constitution that it has to be done by a bill.”MoDOT employs approximately 5,000 people in jobs ranging from driving snowplows in winter to engineering complex new road projects.&nbsp;The pay plan at issue in the lawsuit was intended to slow turnover after a year where the department lost 600 employees. Turnover accelerated when the pay plan stalled in litigation, department Director Patrick McKenna&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/07/lawsuit-over-modot-pay-plan-could-put-roadblock-into-missouri-governors-plan-for-i-70/">told a legislative committee in February</a>.&nbsp;“Turnover rates rose to a crisis level, with 70 employees leaving per month,”&nbsp; McKenna said.&nbsp;Since the lawsuit was filed, state employees generally have received historically large raises. Lawmakers approved a 5.5% raise during the 2022 session and another 8.7% in this year’s budget.&nbsp;The goal of MoDOT’s market adjustment plan is to pay 65% or more of its employees at or above the midpoint in the pay range for their job. Even with the recent raises, only 10.6% of MoDOT employees were at or above the midpoint in fiscal 2023, which ended June 30,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2025_Transportation_Budget_Request.pdf">state budget documents show</a>.

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