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

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Ford Focus driven by a 19-year-old Pattonsburg man was westbound on MO 116 at Route T three miles west of Polo. The car rear-ended a 2002 BMW 325I driven by a 25-year-old Lawson woman who slowed to allow another vehicle to turn.

A private vehicle transported the BMW driver to Liberty Hospital. The teen driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CALDWELL COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Thursday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Ford Focus driven by a 19-year-old Pattonsburg man was westbound on MO 116 at Route T three miles west of Polo. The car rear-ended a 2002 BMW 325I driven by a 25-year-old Lawson woman who slowed to allow another vehicle to turn.A private vehicle transported the BMW driver to Liberty Hospital. The teen driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman hospitalized after rear-end crash

Lawmakers pointed to capital gains tax cut, St. Louis police control and private school funding among the long list of GOP priorities that passed this year

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

When Missouri Senate leaders turned to a rarely-used procedural maneuver Wednesday to cut off debate and force a vote to ban abortion and repeal a paid-sick leave law, they essentially ended the legislative session two days early.

They also sealed the fate of a litany of bills.&nbsp;

– A massive incentive package designed to convince the Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri;&nbsp;

– A bill clarifying that a judge can’t prevent a divorce from being finalized just because a woman is pregnant;&nbsp;

– An effort to reenact a law penalizing Missouri police for enforcing federal gun laws;

– Legislation allowing Missouri students to enroll in neighboring school districts;

– A tax-credit program aimed at improving access to child care.

It was the 5th year in a row the Senate was unable to make it to the 6 p.m. Friday constitutional deadline for the session to adjourn. Even the House decided to adjourn early, announcing that it would work on bills Thursday then head home for the year.

It marks the first time the House has not worked on the legislative session’s final day since a fixed adjournment date was set in 1952.&nbsp;

House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, said despite the Wednesday meltdown, the Senate actually functioned much better than any year since he joined the legislature.&nbsp;

“With the Senate, you just have to keep your expectations in check,” he said. “But I’m actually very happy with the way things went. You can’t always end the way you want.”

After years of the Senate’s discord being caused by internal GOP squabbles, Republican leaders celebrated soon after the early adjournment Wednesday by touting party unity and a host of big-ticket accomplishments.&nbsp;

They pointed to legislation sent to the governor enacting state control of the St. Louis police, exempting capital gains from the income tax and pumping $50 million into a private school voucher program, among others.&nbsp;

“This session proved what’s possible when Republicans lead together,” said Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Shelbina Republican.&nbsp;

But after a mostly placid legislative session, which O’Laughlin noted last week was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/12/abortion-ban-repeal-of-paid-sick-leave-top-agenda-for-missouri-legislatures-final-week/">marked by solid cooperation with Senate Democrats</a>, the decision to cut off debate in order to roll back two voter-approved initiatives could have long-lasting consequences.&nbsp;

“It’s sad. We tried. We tried to negotiate all session on these issues,” said Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat, later adding: “You think things are going back to business as usual. I’ve heard a long time, ‘well, nobody has ever made us pay.’ You’ll find out now.”

Republicans cut off debate using a procedural maneuver known as “calling the previous question,” or PQ.&nbsp;

Used regularly in the Missouri House, it is used rarely in the Senate because the chamber has a tradition of unlimited debate and negotiations over difficult issues. Wednesday was the first time since 2020 when a PQ was invoked and the first time since 2017 when it was used during a regular session.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe spent the session’s final days trying to avoid a PQ and win support for his plan to help finance stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals.

Kehoe formally rolled out his plan Tuesday morning to cover up to half of the cost of a new stadium for the Royals and a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.&nbsp;

It easily cleared the House, but when it landed in the Senate, it ran into a wall of resistance.&nbsp;

Looking for a path forward on stadium funding, Kehoe began pushing for a compromise that could lead to a vote on his plan along with paid sick leave and abortion.&nbsp;

Democrats agreed to end their filibuster and allow Republicans to repeal the paid sick leave law — which voters approved in November and went into effect May 1 — as long the minimum wage would continue to be indexed to inflation.&nbsp;

They also were willing to let Republicans put an abortion ban constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot if they agreed to remove a provision purporting to ban gender-affirming care for minors, something that is already illegal in Missouri.

A repeal of Missouri’s abortion ban was approved by voters in November, and Planned Parenthood clinics have restarted surgical abortions for those up to 12 weeks gestation at clinics in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis.&nbsp;

“We put everything out there on negotiations, we were willing to do everything,” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat. “It came down to making sure that we were being honest with voters when it came to amendments that were being placed on the ballot. And to us, it is non negotiable to lie to voters.”

In the end, Republican leadership decided to deploy the PQ and force a vote.&nbsp;

O’Laughlin defended the move in a post on social media, declaring that while she respects her colleagues on both sides of the aisle and is willing to “work endlessly” to reach compromise, “sometimes it simply is not something we can achieve.”

“Those who support conservative measures and vote us into office expect us to stand our ground on issues which reflect their bedrock beliefs,” she said. “That is what we did and I am proud of all my colleagues for taking a stand for what we consider right.”

Democrats contend Republican leadership was not interested in finding a compromise.

“Republicans did not step up and provide leadership,” said state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat.&nbsp;

The governor vowed Tuesday to call the General Assembly back into session later this year if the stadium funding plan didn’t pass. Missouri is competing to keep the teams with Kansas, which last year expanded a tax incentive program in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate.&nbsp;

The leases for both teams’ Jackson County stadiums run through the end of the 2030 season.

Senators have also floated the idea of a special session to consider a $500 million construction package the House refused to pass that would have funded projects for health care, education and law enforcement across the state.

“You could possibly have a special session,” said state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Defiance Republican. “But what’s that going to look like? I hope my colleagues on both sides can continue moving forward. We showed that we could work together on the majority of these issues this year, both sides making concessions, and that’s how it should be. Unfortunately we hit a brick wall, but I’m hoping for the best once we do come back, whether it’s in a special or in January.”

But on Wednesday, as the legislative session was collapsing under the weight of the Senate PQ, Democrats promised a much more confrontational approach.

“Moving forward, we’re going to operate with an assumption that Republicans don’t respect their fellow senators, they don’t respect the voters, they don’t respect the process and they don’t respect the institution,” Webber said. “We didn’t pick this fight, but we’re not scared.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709142006045.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Aerial view of newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium. Courtesy image." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Aerial view of newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium. Courtesy image.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Lawmakers pointed to capital gains tax cut, St. Louis police control and private school funding among the long list of GOP priorities that passed this year</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>When Missouri Senate leaders turned to a rarely-used procedural maneuver Wednesday to cut off debate and force a vote to ban abortion and repeal a paid-sick leave law, they essentially ended the legislative session two days early.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747338967301.png" alt="Missouri Senate security shuts down protestors with a “stop the ban” banner in the Senate’s upper gallery Wednesday evening (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Senate security shuts down protestors with a “stop the ban” banner in the Senate’s upper gallery Wednesday evening (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>They also sealed the fate of a litany of bills.&nbsp;Among the final-day casualties:&nbsp;– A massive incentive package designed to convince the Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri;&nbsp;– A bill clarifying that a judge can’t prevent a divorce from being finalized just because a woman is pregnant;&nbsp;– An effort to reenact a law penalizing Missouri police for enforcing federal gun laws;– Legislation allowing Missouri students to enroll in neighboring school districts;– A tax-credit program aimed at improving access to child care.It was the 5th year in a row the Senate was unable to make it to the 6 p.m. Friday constitutional deadline for the session to adjourn. Even the House decided to adjourn early, announcing that it would work on bills Thursday then head home for the year.It marks the first time the House has not worked on the legislative session’s final day since a fixed adjournment date was set in 1952.&nbsp;House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, said despite the Wednesday meltdown, the Senate actually functioned much better than any year since he joined the legislature.&nbsp;“With the Senate, you just have to keep your expectations in check,” he said. “But I’m actually very happy with the way things went. You can’t always end the way you want.”After years of the Senate’s discord being caused by internal GOP squabbles, Republican leaders celebrated soon after the early adjournment Wednesday by touting party unity and a host of big-ticket accomplishments.&nbsp;They pointed to legislation sent to the governor enacting state control of the St. Louis police, exempting capital gains from the income tax and pumping $50 million into a private school voucher program, among others.&nbsp;“This session proved what’s possible when Republicans lead together,” said Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Shelbina Republican.&nbsp;But after a mostly placid legislative session, which O’Laughlin noted last week was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/12/abortion-ban-repeal-of-paid-sick-leave-top-agenda-for-missouri-legislatures-final-week/">marked by solid cooperation with Senate Democrats</a>, the decision to cut off debate in order to roll back two voter-approved initiatives could have long-lasting consequences.&nbsp;“It’s sad. We tried. We tried to negotiate all session on these issues,” said Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat, later adding: “You think things are going back to business as usual. I’ve heard a long time, ‘well, nobody has ever made us pay.’ You’ll find out now.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747266967562.png" alt=" Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck speaks about negotiations on a bill that seeks to establish a constitutional amendment to ban abortion (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck speaks about negotiations on a bill that seeks to establish a constitutional amendment to ban abortion (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>Republicans cut off debate using a procedural maneuver known as “calling the previous question,” or PQ.&nbsp;Used regularly in the Missouri House, it is used rarely in the Senate because the chamber has a tradition of unlimited debate and negotiations over difficult issues. Wednesday was the first time since 2020 when a PQ was invoked and the first time since 2017 when it was used during a regular session.Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe spent the session’s final days trying to avoid a PQ and win support for his plan to help finance stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals.Kehoe formally rolled out his plan Tuesday morning to cover up to half of the cost of a new stadium for the Royals and a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.&nbsp;It easily cleared the House, but when it landed in the Senate, it ran into a wall of resistance.&nbsp;Looking for a path forward on stadium funding, Kehoe began pushing for a compromise that could lead to a vote on his plan along with paid sick leave and abortion.&nbsp;Democrats agreed to end their filibuster and allow Republicans to repeal the paid sick leave law — which voters approved in November and went into effect May 1 — as long the minimum wage would continue to be indexed to inflation.&nbsp;They also were willing to let Republicans put an abortion ban constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot if they agreed to remove a provision purporting to ban gender-affirming care for minors, something that is already illegal in Missouri.A repeal of Missouri’s abortion ban was approved by voters in November, and Planned Parenthood clinics have restarted surgical abortions for those up to 12 weeks gestation at clinics in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis.&nbsp;“We put everything out there on negotiations, we were willing to do everything,” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat. “It came down to making sure that we were being honest with voters when it came to amendments that were being placed on the ballot. And to us, it is non negotiable to lie to voters.”In the end, Republican leadership decided to deploy the PQ and force a vote.&nbsp;O’Laughlin defended the move in a post on social media, declaring that while she respects her colleagues on both sides of the aisle and is willing to “work endlessly” to reach compromise, “sometimes it simply is not something we can achieve.”“Those who support conservative measures and vote us into office expect us to stand our ground on issues which reflect their bedrock beliefs,” she said. “That is what we did and I am proud of all my colleagues for taking a stand for what we consider right.”Democrats contend Republican leadership was not interested in finding a compromise.“Republicans did not step up and provide leadership,” said state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat.&nbsp;The governor vowed Tuesday to call the General Assembly back into session later this year if the stadium funding plan didn’t pass. Missouri is competing to keep the teams with Kansas, which last year expanded a tax incentive program in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate.&nbsp;The leases for both teams’ Jackson County stadiums run through the end of the 2030 season.Senators have also floated the idea of a special session to consider a $500 million construction package the House refused to pass that would have funded projects for health care, education and law enforcement across the state.“You could possibly have a special session,” said state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Defiance Republican. “But what’s that going to look like? I hope my colleagues on both sides can continue moving forward. We showed that we could work together on the majority of these issues this year, both sides making concessions, and that’s how it should be. Unfortunately we hit a brick wall, but I’m hoping for the best once we do come back, whether it’s in a special or in January.”But on Wednesday, as the legislative session was collapsing under the weight of the Senate PQ, Democrats promised a much more confrontational approach.“Moving forward, we’re going to operate with an assumption that Republicans don’t respect their fellow senators, they don’t respect the voters, they don’t respect the process and they don’t respect the institution,” Webber said. “We didn’t pick this fight, but we’re not scared.”

Stadium funding, gun rights law among casualties of Missouri Senate breakdown

The St. Joseph Fire Department has chosen it's new leader from within its own ranks, naming  Ivan Klippenstein the department’s new chief.   

Klippenstein joined the St. Joseph Fire Department in January 2002 and has served in several roles, including as a firefighter, first responder, confined space technician, driver and captain. He has been a training officer with the department since October 2019.

Beginning his career with the Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, Fire Company as a volunteer firefighter  in 1989, Klippenstein also worked as an EMT in that community. He joined the Lewiston, Idaho, Rural Fire Service as a volunteer wildland firefighter in 1990 and has been a member of the Central DeKalb County Fire Protection District since 1998, serving as its chief from 2002 to 2005.

Klippenstein was a firefighter at Rosecrans Memorial Airport from 2001 to 2002 and taught firefighting, HAZMAT and first responder courses as an adjunct instructor at Hillyard Technical Center from 2003 to 2007.

“I have been involved in fire service since I was 17 in some form, and there’s a lot of good coming in the St. Joseph Fire Department that I look forward to leading,” Klippenstein said in a news release from the city. “I want to create involvement and inspire people. I think many would like to participate, and they just need to be given the opportunity.”

Klippenstein, who will lead a staff of about 130 in St. Joseph, was chosen from a pool of 20 applicants.  St. Joseph City Manager Mike Schumacher says Klippenstein’s experience in training set him apart.

“Ivan is the right person to move our fire department forward,” Schumacher says. “We want to take care of our professional and hardworking firefighters by making sure they are equipped with training that prioritizes their safety and that of our citizens.”

Klippenstein’s appointment is effective May 19. His salary will be $140,000. He replaces Kenny Cordonnier, who retired on April 4.

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/2025/5/1747332977863.jpeg" alt="Ivan Klippenstein/ Photo courtesy of the City of St. Joseph" />
 <figcaption>Ivan Klippenstein/ Photo courtesy of the City of St. Joseph</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Fire Department has chosen it's new leader from within its own ranks, naming Ivan Klippenstein the department’s new chief. Klippenstein joined the St. Joseph Fire Department in January 2002 and has served in several roles, including as a firefighter, first responder, confined space technician, driver and captain. He has been a training officer with the department since October 2019.Beginning his career with the Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, Fire Company as a volunteer firefighter in 1989, Klippenstein also worked as an EMT in that community. He joined the Lewiston, Idaho, Rural Fire Service as a volunteer wildland firefighter in 1990 and has been a member of the Central DeKalb County Fire Protection District since 1998, serving as its chief from 2002 to 2005.Klippenstein was a firefighter at Rosecrans Memorial Airport from 2001 to 2002 and taught firefighting, HAZMAT and first responder courses as an adjunct instructor at Hillyard Technical Center from 2003 to 2007.“I have been involved in fire service since I was 17 in some form, and there’s a lot of good coming in the St. Joseph Fire Department that I look forward to leading,” Klippenstein said in a news release from the city. “I want to create involvement and inspire people. I think many would like to participate, and they just need to be given the opportunity.”Klippenstein, who will lead a staff of about 130 in St. Joseph, was chosen from a pool of 20 applicants. St. Joseph City Manager Mike Schumacher says Klippenstein’s experience in training set him apart.“Ivan is the right person to move our fire department forward,” Schumacher says. “We want to take care of our professional and hardworking firefighters by making sure they are equipped with training that prioritizes their safety and that of our citizens.”Klippenstein’s appointment is effective May 19. His salary will be $140,000. He replaces Kenny Cordonnier, who retired on April 4.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Joseph Fire Department names Ivan Klippenstein as new chief

Missouri universities will receive a 3%
increase in their core budgets under the $52 billion state budget approved by
the legislature.

That isn’t enough to stave off a tuition
increase at Missouri Western State University.

Missouri Western President, Elizabeth
Kennedy, says the St. Joseph campus receives about 33% of its budget from the
state. Its share of that increase will run between $700,000 and $800,000, much
less than its peer institutions.

“Institution that have fewer students
than we do get significantly more in core (funding),” Kennedy tells
KFEQmmunity. “You know, it’s challenging. I use this example and I love Sue
Thomas, who’s the president of Truman (State University), but Truman gets about
$24 million more than we do for a core appropriation and they have fewer
students.”

Kennedy says efforts to change the
formula have been attempted in the state legislature, but have gone nowhere.

Kennedy says inflation is outpacing the
growth in state appropriations. She says fixed costs at the university has grown
by $6 million since Fiscal Year 2022.

Kennedy says Missouri Western has been
left with no choice but to raise tuition.

“We’re looking at another 7 ½% increase
in tuition. But our tuition is so low that with the tuition and mandatory fees
that’s only a $25 an hour, credit hour, increase. Seven and a half percent is $25.
That’s a reasonable increase,” Kennedy says. “And I think, unfortunately, with
what’s going for our appropriations, we’re left no alternative.”

Simply put, Kennedy says the money
flowing from Jefferson City to the St. Joseph campus cannot make up for the
increased cost of running a university.

“Think about your own household. What’s
gone up for you? I bet your insurance has gone up. Our property insurance has
gone up. I bet your utilities have gone up. Our utilities have gone up,” Kennedy
says. “So, it’s just the basic things that we can’t control.”

Kennedy says Missouri Western doesn’t
want to add to a student’s burden.

“It is a tricky balance between how do we
look at tuition? How do we look at the state appropriations? And then, also, we’ve
been doing things to diversify our revenue streams, because we have to,” Kennedy
says. “And we hadn’t done that as a university before.”

Kennedy does say the Missouri Western
Foundation has been providing more and more money for scholarships.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri universities will receive a 3%
increase in their core budgets under the $52 billion state budget approved by
the legislature.That isn’t enough to stave off a tuition
increase at Missouri Western State University.Missouri Western President, Elizabeth
Kennedy, says the St. Joseph campus receives about 33% of its budget from the
state. Its share of that increase will run between $700,000 and $800,000, much
less than its peer institutions.“Institution that have fewer students
than we do get significantly more in core (funding),” Kennedy tells
KFEQmmunity. “You know, it’s challenging. I use this example and I love Sue
Thomas, who’s the president of Truman (State University), but Truman gets about
$24 million more than we do for a core appropriation and they have fewer
students.”Kennedy says efforts to change the
formula have been attempted in the state legislature, but have gone nowhere.Kennedy says inflation is outpacing the
growth in state appropriations. She says fixed costs at the university has grown
by $6 million since Fiscal Year 2022.Kennedy says Missouri Western has been
left with no choice but to raise tuition.“We’re looking at another 7 ½% increase
in tuition. But our tuition is so low that with the tuition and mandatory fees
that’s only a $25 an hour, credit hour, increase. Seven and a half percent is $25.
That’s a reasonable increase,” Kennedy says. “And I think, unfortunately, with
what’s going for our appropriations, we’re left no alternative.”Simply put, Kennedy says the money
flowing from Jefferson City to the St. Joseph campus cannot make up for the
increased cost of running a university.“Think about your own household. What’s
gone up for you? I bet your insurance has gone up. Our property insurance has
gone up. I bet your utilities have gone up. Our utilities have gone up,” Kennedy
says. “So, it’s just the basic things that we can’t control.”Kennedy says Missouri Western doesn’t
want to add to a student’s burden.“It is a tricky balance between how do we
look at tuition? How do we look at the state appropriations? And then, also, we’ve
been doing things to diversify our revenue streams, because we have to,” Kennedy
says. “And we hadn’t done that as a university before.”Kennedy does say the Missouri Western
Foundation has been providing more and more money for scholarships.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU says 3% more from state not enough to cover increased costs

The 13th annual Beer Walk for the Arts hosted by the Allied Arts Council in St. Joseph is happening this weekend.  

The event on Saturday, which begins at 2pm and runs until 5pm, combines historic homes, food, beer and music for a fun filled afternoon all to help support the Allied Arts Council's Arts Fund.  

Director of Communications Brooke McBride says there's a lot of historic homes along the tour that people can experience however they want to  

"You can go in, we're going to food at all the different houses, all of them are being sponsored by local restaurants," McBride says on the KFEQmunnity show.  "So, for instance, I believe, I don't know which restaurant is necessarily at which, but we have Geneo's, we have Room 108, Murphy's Barbecue."  

The event also features samples of craft beers from a variety of midwestern breweries with a local musician or artist performing at each site.  

St. Joseph Allied Arts Council Executive Director Jessica Agnew says the beer walk really is an immersive experience into the St. Joseph community 

"From the culinary arts of Belle Epoque to the musicians that will be at each home, to the artists that are just out in the lawns and creating art along the way," Agnew says.  "I know last year when I attended, there was a gentleman who was sketching one of the homes from across the street and you look at that you think my goodness are you a professional? And he's just like I enjoy doing this, and while he does sell art, he's a teacher." 

The event combines historic homes, food, beer and music for a fun filled afternoon all to help support the Arts Fund, which helps seven arts organizations in the city.  

McBride says it's important to support the arts, because of what the arts brings to St. Joseph financially 

"They bring in almost $10 million to our community and then they bring in an additional $10 million by the audiences who spend money when they come here," McBride explains.  "They eat somewhere, they buy gas somewhere, they shop downtown, and so all of that is important for the economic development of our community."  

Tickets for the beer walk are $40, or you can purchase the Beer Buddy package which is two tickets for $60. The event will happen rain or shine.&nbsp; You can purchase tickets by clicking <a href="https://www.ticketleap.events/events/stjoearts">HERE</a>

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651530700424.jpeg" alt="Beer Walk/ File photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Beer Walk/ File photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The 13th annual Beer Walk for the Arts hosted by the Allied Arts Council in St. Joseph is happening this weekend. The event on Saturday, which begins at 2pm and runs until 5pm, combines historic homes, food, beer and music for a fun filled afternoon all to help support the Allied Arts Council's Arts Fund. Director of Communications Brooke McBride says there's a lot of historic homes along the tour that people can experience however they want to "You can go in, we're going to food at all the different houses, all of them are being sponsored by local restaurants," McBride says on the KFEQmunnity show. "So, for instance, I believe, I don't know which restaurant is necessarily at which, but we have Geneo's, we have Room 108, Murphy's Barbecue." The event also features samples of craft beers from a variety of midwestern breweries with a local musician or artist performing at each site. St. Joseph Allied Arts Council Executive Director Jessica Agnew says the beer walk really is an immersive experience into the St. Joseph community "From the culinary arts of Belle Epoque to the musicians that will be at each home, to the artists that are just out in the lawns and creating art along the way," Agnew says. "I know last year when I attended, there was a gentleman who was sketching one of the homes from across the street and you look at that you think my goodness are you a professional? And he's just like I enjoy doing this, and while he does sell art, he's a teacher." The event combines historic homes, food, beer and music for a fun filled afternoon all to help support the Arts Fund, which helps seven arts organizations in the city. McBride says it's important to support the arts, because of what the arts brings to St. Joseph financially "They bring in almost $10 million to our community and then they bring in an additional $10 million by the audiences who spend money when they come here," McBride explains. "They eat somewhere, they buy gas somewhere, they shop downtown, and so all of that is important for the economic development of our community." Tickets for the beer walk are $40, or you can purchase the Beer Buddy package which is two tickets for $60. The event will happen rain or shine.&nbsp; You can purchase tickets by clicking <a href="https://www.ticketleap.events/events/stjoearts">HERE</a>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Sample beer, eat some food, and support the arts this weekend in St. Joseph

DAVIESS COUNTY —A juvenile was injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Jeep Wrangler driven by an 18-year-old Gallatin woman was eastbound on MO 6 at 330th two miles east of Jamesport. The Jeep struck a horse ridden by a 5-year-old Jamesport boy.&nbsp; The boy was ejected from the horse.

 Life Flight airlifted the boy to Children's Mercy. The teen driver was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Patrol confirmed late Thursday morning that the horse died from injuries in the accident.

Update 11:a.m. ThursdayDAVIESS COUNTY —A juvenile was injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Jeep Wrangler driven by an 18-year-old Gallatin woman was eastbound on MO 6 at 330th two miles east of Jamesport. The Jeep struck a horse ridden by a 5-year-old Jamesport boy.&nbsp; The boy was ejected from the horse. Life Flight airlifted the boy to Children's Mercy. The teen driver was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Patrol confirmed late Thursday morning that the horse died from injuries in the accident.

Update: 5-year-old airlifted to hospital after Jeep strikes a horse

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2RLScIe2xwUS5A23fBznuD?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

St. Joseph Board
of Education members have appointed a retired Altec executive to fill the vacancy
left when Rick Gehring unexpectedly resigned.

Tom Richmond emerged
from a group of seven which applied for the seat.

The board interviewed
the seven during a four-hour session. Richmond will fill the vacant seat until
April of next year.

Richmond served as
a member of the St. Joseph School District Finance Committee. He also serves as
a volunteer on numerous boards and local organizations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747320162470.jpeg" alt="Tom Richmond is sworn in by St. Joseph Board of Education Secretary, Donna Baker/Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph School District" />
 <figcaption>Tom Richmond is sworn in by St. Joseph Board of Education Secretary, Donna Baker/Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph School District</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Board
of Education members have appointed a retired Altec executive to fill the vacancy
left when Rick Gehring unexpectedly resigned.Tom Richmond emerged
from a group of seven which applied for the seat.The board interviewed
the seven during a four-hour session. Richmond will fill the vacant seat until
April of next year.Richmond served as
a member of the St. Joseph School District Finance Committee. He also serves as
a volunteer on numerous boards and local organizations.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Richmond chosen to fill St. Joseph Board of Education vacancy

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0gcLU1ndoaBECdsI6c6MWc?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

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

Missourians receiving federal food assistance for low-income women and children will face fewer administrative hurdles to get benefits after the state this month modernized its system.

The Women, Infants and Children Program, known as WIC, for years required participants to&nbsp;physically visit an office to have their benefits loaded onto their cards — a requirement that sometimes hindered eligible Missourians from getting the food benefits at all.

But as of this month, the Department of Health and Senior Services has completed updates to allow participants to receive benefits remotely — transitioning to a system that has long been operated in nearly every other state.&nbsp;

WIC is a federal program providing supplemental food, nutrition education and referrals to health care to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk.&nbsp;

The new WIC card technology in Missouri in effect as of May 1 “will improve the participants’ benefit issuance and redemption experience,” said Lisa Cox, spokesperson for Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which operates the program. “So we anticipate that participants may remain enrolled in WIC for a longer time, which could increase participation.”

Missouri’s rate of WIC participation has long been below the national average, though it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/01/08/childrens-nutrition-program-revved-up-in-the-pandemic-faces-severe-cuts/" target="_blank">improved in recent years</a>. Some attributed Missouri’s administratively-challenging system to the low rate,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/10/10/missouri-participation-in-public-benefits-program-wic-fell-sharply-during-pandemic/">especially during COVID,</a>&nbsp;when the state had to continue requiring in-person issuance.

In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/trends-in-wic-coverage-and-participation-0#Missouri" target="_blank">only 41% of eligible Missourians</a>&nbsp;were enrolled in WIC, and the national average was 54%. As of April, Cox said, there were 95,401 Missourians participating in WIC.&nbsp;

As of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/10/10/missouri-participation-in-public-benefits-program-wic-fell-sharply-during-pandemic/">2022,</a>&nbsp;Missouri was one of just nine states which used a WIC system that required participants to bring their benefits cards to the local agency office when loading benefits — what’s called&nbsp; an “offline” system for reloading benefits.

Participants on the offline system dealt with transportation and socioeconomic barriers to accessing in-person benefits.\

“I have to request off work just to come load the card,”&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/10/10/missouri-participation-in-public-benefits-program-wic-fell-sharply-during-pandemic/">one mother told The Independent.</a>

The modernization effort in effect this month allows the state to operate an “online” system capable of remotely and automatically reloading benefits.

Cox&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/10/10/missouri-participation-in-public-benefits-program-wic-fell-sharply-during-pandemic/">previously said</a>&nbsp;the reason Missouri elected to operate an offline system was based on an analysis conducted roughly a decade ago.

In 2020, “it became apparent that an online system would be more user friendly,” Cox previously said, but “Missouri WIC was unable to change that decision mid-implementation.”

There are other advantages to the modernization, Cox said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODHSS/bulletins/3deaf00" target="_blank">press release,</a>&nbsp;designed to make it easier for participants to track their benefits and for retailers to receive their reimbursement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747312488833.png" alt=" Bread at the Schnuck’s grocery story in Columbia marked as permitted to be purchased through Missouri’s WIC program, which provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Bread at the Schnuck’s grocery story in Columbia marked as permitted to be purchased through Missouri’s WIC program, which provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missourians receiving federal food assistance for low-income women and children will face fewer administrative hurdles to get benefits after the state this month modernized its system.The Women, Infants and Children Program, known as WIC, for years required participants to&nbsp;physically visit an office to have their benefits loaded onto their cards — a requirement that sometimes hindered eligible Missourians from getting the food benefits at all.But as of this month, the Department of Health and Senior Services has completed updates to allow participants to receive benefits remotely — transitioning to a system that has long been operated in nearly every other state.&nbsp;WIC is a federal program providing supplemental food, nutrition education and referrals to health care to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk.&nbsp;The new WIC card technology in Missouri in effect as of May 1 “will improve the participants’ benefit issuance and redemption experience,” said Lisa Cox, spokesperson for Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which operates the program. “So we anticipate that participants may remain enrolled in WIC for a longer time, which could increase participation.”Missouri’s rate of WIC participation has long been below the national average, though it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/01/08/childrens-nutrition-program-revved-up-in-the-pandemic-faces-severe-cuts/" target="_blank">improved in recent years</a>. Some attributed Missouri’s administratively-challenging system to the low rate,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/10/10/missouri-participation-in-public-benefits-program-wic-fell-sharply-during-pandemic/">especially during COVID,</a>&nbsp;when the state had to continue requiring in-person issuance.In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/trends-in-wic-coverage-and-participation-0#Missouri" target="_blank">only 41% of eligible Missourians</a>&nbsp;were enrolled in WIC, and the national average was 54%. As of April, Cox said, there were 95,401 Missourians participating in WIC.&nbsp;As of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/10/10/missouri-participation-in-public-benefits-program-wic-fell-sharply-during-pandemic/">2022,</a>&nbsp;Missouri was one of just nine states which used a WIC system that required participants to bring their benefits cards to the local agency office when loading benefits — what’s called&nbsp; an “offline” system for reloading benefits.Participants on the offline system dealt with transportation and socioeconomic barriers to accessing in-person benefits.\“I have to request off work just to come load the card,”&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/10/10/missouri-participation-in-public-benefits-program-wic-fell-sharply-during-pandemic/">one mother told The Independent.</a>The modernization effort in effect this month allows the state to operate an “online” system capable of remotely and automatically reloading benefits.Cox&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/10/10/missouri-participation-in-public-benefits-program-wic-fell-sharply-during-pandemic/">previously said</a>&nbsp;the reason Missouri elected to operate an offline system was based on an analysis conducted roughly a decade ago.In 2020, “it became apparent that an online system would be more user friendly,” Cox previously said, but “Missouri WIC was unable to change that decision mid-implementation.”There are other advantages to the modernization, Cox said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODHSS/bulletins/3deaf00" target="_blank">press release,</a>&nbsp;designed to make it easier for participants to track their benefits and for retailers to receive their reimbursement.

Missouri upgrades system for public benefits program WIC to allow remote benefits loading

Democrats pledged that the motion to end debate, unused since 2020, will mean confrontation and the end of cooperation

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

Missouri Senate Republicans invoked a rarely used rule Wednesday to shut down a Democratic filibuster blocking a vote on a measure overturning the abortion rights amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">passed by voters in November</a>.

That action was immediately followed by another use of the rule, this time to get a bill passed repealing the paid sick leave law that was also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">approved by voters.</a>

The use of the rule — a procedural maneuver known as “calling the previous question,” or PQ — requires a signed motion from 10 members and forces an immediate vote on the bill under debate.

Sen. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St. Charles, made the motion for a PQ on the abortion amendment shortly after 5 p.m. By 5:30 p.m., that bill, which must be approved by voters on a statewide ballot, had passed.

The sick leave repeal followed, and by 6 p.m. both bills were finished.

In the hour leading up to the vote, Democrats warned that Republicans were destroying months of good will and could expect no more cooperation this year and well into the future.

“Nothing will happen, nothing,” said Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck. “The banner year that everybody had in this place? That is over with.”

Wednesday’s use of the previous question rule is the first time since 2020 when it was invoked and the first time since 2017 when it was used during a regular session. Used regularly in the Missouri House, it is used rarely in the Senate because the chamber has a tradition of unlimited debate and negotiations over difficult issues.

“What we’re doing today is a failure of the Senate,” said state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia. “And when there’s a failure in the Senate, there needs to be a response, and that response can’t last forever, but that response has to happen, and it has to be painful, and has to make us all understand that when the Senate doesn’t function as a body, we all lose.”

Just as Republicans were moving to put an abortion ban on the ballot, protests erupted in the Senate gallery, with abortion-rights activists shouting down lawmakers. The gallery was briefly cleared, including the press, and the Senate continued with its work until it adjourned for the year a few hours later.

State Sen. Nick Schroer, a Defiance Republican, said using the PQ is always a last resort. But it was his understanding that “goal posts were being moved” in negotiations by Democrats.&nbsp;

“I don’t know what transpired, but I do know that we hit a log jam,” he said, leaving the PQ as the only way forward to pass the sick leave repeal and abortion ban.&nbsp;

The proposed ban seeks to repeal the constitutional right to an abortion but allow exceptions for medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomalies and for survivors of rape and incest in the first 12 weeks of gestation.&nbsp;

Missourians could see the question on the November 2026 ballot, or as soon as this year if the governor chose to call a special election on the issue.&nbsp;

The proposed ban, if approved by a simple majority of voters, would&nbsp;reinstate several targeted regulations on abortion providers, or TRAP laws, that were recently&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/14/missouri-judge-blocks-discriminatory-abortion-clinics-rules-blamed-for-lack-of-access/">struck down as unconstitutional</a>&nbsp;by a Missouri judge.&nbsp;

It would also ban gender transition surgeries and prescribing medications for gender transition, including puberty blockers, for children younger than 18.

The amendment also includes a severability clause. This could allow the rape and incest exceptions in the amendment to be challenged in federal court as being discriminatory and in violation of the 14th Amendment.&nbsp;

If approved, the amendment would also require any legal challenges to the state law around reproductive health care be heard in Cole County. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office was recently unsuccessful in convincing the courts to move an ongoing legal battle between the state and Planned Parenthood from Jackson County to Cole County.

The language that could appear on each ballot does not mention the amendment would ban abortions, a detail that’s been highly-criticized by Democrats as deceiving.&nbsp;

Democrats have also accused Republicans of including the ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which is already illegal in Missouri, as a form of “ballot candy” — a ruse aimed at tricking voters to support a measure they might otherwise vote against.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Schroer said removal of the transgender health care provisions was a deal breaker for conservative senators.&nbsp;

“We talked to a lot of our members,” he said, “and they said that issue needs to be included.”&nbsp;

Amendment 3 narrowly passed in November following a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/spending-on-missouri-ballot-measures-nears-100-million-as-campaign-enters-final-week/">multi-million dollar campaign</a>&nbsp;by abortion-rights advocates. A day later, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri sued the state, challenging several of Missouri’s laws focused on abortion facilities and providers.

An amendment to alter the language so it directly states that it is repealing Amendment 3 was defeated just before the motion to cut off debate.

While many sitting Republicans have previously opposed abortion exceptions outside of those to save the mother’s life, many said the November election showed Missourians’ desire for a less stringent law.

<a href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/data-archive/august-2022-poll/-pdf/slu-poll-august-2022-crosstabs.pdf" target="_blank">Missourians overwhelmingly support abortion exceptions for survivors,&nbsp;</a>an August 2022 SLU/YouGov poll found. The polling was done several weeks after Missouri became the first state to enact a full abortion ban following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Since Amendment 3 took effect, surgical abortions are being performed but medication abortions have not.

Three of the state’s several Planned Parenthood clinics have restarted surgical abortions for those up to 12 weeks gestation at clinics in Kansas City,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/04/abortion-returns-columbia-missouri-planned-parenthood-clinic/">Columbia</a>&nbsp;and St. Louis.&nbsp;

The clinics were authorized to begin the procedure again for the first time in nearly three years after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/14/missouri-judge-blocks-discriminatory-abortion-clinics-rules-blamed-for-lack-of-access/">judge struck down many of the state’s abortion regulations,</a>&nbsp;citing them as discriminatory.

Medication abortion — the most common means of ending a pregnancy —&nbsp;remains inaccessible in Missouri after<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/31/missouri-abortion-ban-constitutional-amendment-rape-incest/">&nbsp;the state health department rejected complication plans&nbsp;</a>submitted by the clinics outlining continued care for patients in the case they had any adverse effects from the medication.&nbsp;

If the bill is signed by the governor, the paid-sick leave benefits approved by voters that went&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/01/missouri-paid-sick-leave-law-now-in-effect-though-legislative-challenges-still-loom/">into effect on May 1</a>&nbsp;will be stripped away on Aug. 28.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB567&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;also removes the requirement that the minimum wage be indexed to inflation, which has been in place since 2007

The paid sick leave and minimum wage provisions passed with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">58% of the vote in November</a>&nbsp;as Proposition A, garnering support from unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights groups, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessforafairminimumwage.org/statement/Missouri2024" target="_blank">over 500 business owners.&nbsp;</a>

“Workers are earning paid sick leave right now,” said state Sen. Patty Lewis, a Democrat from Kansas City, “and then it’s going to get taken away and they’re going to be fired up about it.”

GOP critics have&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/26/missouri-bill-to-overturn-voter-approved-paid-sick-leave-clears-senate-committee/">portrayed paid sick leave as a “job killer”</a>&nbsp;that would hurt small businesses. The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, a Republican from Jefferson City, and Republican state Rep. Sherri Gallick of Belton.&nbsp;

Senate Democrats have been in negotiations with Republicans over the last month to modify the bill, in what they’ve said is an effort to maintain the will of the voters in expanding paid sick leave rather than gut it entirely, as well as make it easier for businesses to comply.

State Sen. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat, said senators have “worked tirelessly to figure out some kind of compromise.”&nbsp;

The Democrats spent two nights blocking a vote on the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/17/missouri-democrats-filibuster-gop-effort-to-overturn-voter-approved-paid-sick-leave/">paid sick leave repeal earlier in the session</a>.

Under Proposition A, employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year must provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours.

The measure made sick leave guaranteed for 728,000 workers who lacked it statewide, or over 1 in 3 Missouri workers, according to an analysis from the progressive nonprofit the Missouri Budget Project.&nbsp;

Richard Von Glahn, policy director for Missouri Jobs with Justice, the organization that helped lead the campaign for Proposition A, said it’s a slap in the face to voters that will create “disgruntled employees” and cause “chaos” for businesses.

“Proposition A was passed so overwhelmingly, with so much support from Republican voters, it seemed that it would be so controversial in the legislature that Republican politicians would be more hesitant than they apparently are,” he said, “to overturn the will of their own voters, and cause them economic pain.”

The message lawmakers are sending is: “They don’t believe that you deserve economic security,” he added.&nbsp;

It could also cause backlash for the lawmakers from districts who supported the measure, he said.&nbsp;

“We’re going to make sure that workers don’t experience this as something that just happens to us without understanding these are decisions made by people, and workers have the ability to hold people accountable for those decisions,” he said.

Von Glahn said it’s not the end of the fight for paid sick leave, and advocates will consider putting it on the ballot again as a constitutional amendment, a move that would make it much harder for lawmakers to repeal.&nbsp;

“I’m confident,” he said, “this is a policy that Missourians want and we’re going to continue to fight for that through every means necessary.”&nbsp;

The debate Wednesday afternoon began about 12:30 p.m. and Democrats held the floor for much of the time. But near the start of the debate, state Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Lee’s Summit Republican, aired his grievances with the leadership of Missouri Right to LIfe.

Cierpiot accused the organization, one of the most visible anti-abortion groups in the state, of focusing more on enforcing purity of thought and maintaining its influence within the GOP than writing laws acceptable to most Missourians.

Amendment 3 reinstated abortion rights lost in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. If Missouri Right to Life’s leaders had not demanded a ban with no exceptions for rape or incest, he said, Amendment 3 might have been defeated.

“Their leadership, Ms. (Susan) Klein, and Mr. (Dave) Plemmons and Mr. (Steve) Rupp have been much more interested in causing Republican brush fires over issues with much smaller or no impact on the huge effort for life,” Cierpiot said.&nbsp;

The problems with Missouri Right to Life was evident in the 2024 elections when it made single-candidate endorsements, freezing out candidates who had been ardent anti-abortion legislators. The organization endorsed then-Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in the Republican primary for governor, then refused to endorse Republican nominee Mike Kehoe for the general election.

Other Republicans who won without the endorsement of Missouri Right to Life joined in the criticism. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican from Arnold, said the law triggered by the 2022 abortion decision was negotiated in spite of Missouri Right to Life, not with its help.

“I don’t know that I really care, frankly, that they didn’t endorse me,” Coleman said. “What I do care about is that they didn’t endorse Gov. Kehoe in the primary, and they didn’t endorse him in the general.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747267006529.png" alt=" Jaeda Roth and other protestors from Abortion Access Missouri unfurl “Stop the Ban” banners as the Missouri Senate passes a proposed constitutional amendment to ban abortion (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Jaeda Roth and other protestors from Abortion Access Missouri unfurl “Stop the Ban” banners as the Missouri Senate passes a proposed constitutional amendment to ban abortion (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Democrats pledged that the motion to end debate, unused since 2020, will mean confrontation and the end of cooperation</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Senate Republicans invoked a rarely used rule Wednesday to shut down a Democratic filibuster blocking a vote on a measure overturning the abortion rights amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">passed by voters in November</a>.That action was immediately followed by another use of the rule, this time to get a bill passed repealing the paid sick leave law that was also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">approved by voters.</a>The use of the rule — a procedural maneuver known as “calling the previous question,” or PQ — requires a signed motion from 10 members and forces an immediate vote on the bill under debate.Sen. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St. Charles, made the motion for a PQ on the abortion amendment shortly after 5 p.m. By 5:30 p.m., that bill, which must be approved by voters on a statewide ballot, had passed.The sick leave repeal followed, and by 6 p.m. both bills were finished.In the hour leading up to the vote, Democrats warned that Republicans were destroying months of good will and could expect no more cooperation this year and well into the future.“Nothing will happen, nothing,” said Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck. “The banner year that everybody had in this place? That is over with.”Wednesday’s use of the previous question rule is the first time since 2020 when it was invoked and the first time since 2017 when it was used during a regular session. Used regularly in the Missouri House, it is used rarely in the Senate because the chamber has a tradition of unlimited debate and negotiations over difficult issues.“What we’re doing today is a failure of the Senate,” said state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia. “And when there’s a failure in the Senate, there needs to be a response, and that response can’t last forever, but that response has to happen, and it has to be painful, and has to make us all understand that when the Senate doesn’t function as a body, we all lose.”Just as Republicans were moving to put an abortion ban on the ballot, protests erupted in the Senate gallery, with abortion-rights activists shouting down lawmakers. The gallery was briefly cleared, including the press, and the Senate continued with its work until it adjourned for the year a few hours later.State Sen. Nick Schroer, a Defiance Republican, said using the PQ is always a last resort. But it was his understanding that “goal posts were being moved” in negotiations by Democrats.&nbsp;“I don’t know what transpired, but I do know that we hit a log jam,” he said, leaving the PQ as the only way forward to pass the sick leave repeal and abortion ban.&nbsp;<h2>Abortion ban</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747266967562.png" alt=" Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck speaks about negotiations on a bill that seeks to establish a constitutional amendment to ban abortion (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck speaks about negotiations on a bill that seeks to establish a constitutional amendment to ban abortion (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>The proposed ban seeks to repeal the constitutional right to an abortion but allow exceptions for medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomalies and for survivors of rape and incest in the first 12 weeks of gestation.&nbsp;Missourians could see the question on the November 2026 ballot, or as soon as this year if the governor chose to call a special election on the issue.&nbsp;The proposed ban, if approved by a simple majority of voters, would&nbsp;reinstate several targeted regulations on abortion providers, or TRAP laws, that were recently&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/14/missouri-judge-blocks-discriminatory-abortion-clinics-rules-blamed-for-lack-of-access/">struck down as unconstitutional</a>&nbsp;by a Missouri judge.&nbsp;It would also ban gender transition surgeries and prescribing medications for gender transition, including puberty blockers, for children younger than 18.The amendment also includes a severability clause. This could allow the rape and incest exceptions in the amendment to be challenged in federal court as being discriminatory and in violation of the 14th Amendment.&nbsp;If approved, the amendment would also require any legal challenges to the state law around reproductive health care be heard in Cole County. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office was recently unsuccessful in convincing the courts to move an ongoing legal battle between the state and Planned Parenthood from Jackson County to Cole County.The language that could appear on each ballot does not mention the amendment would ban abortions, a detail that’s been highly-criticized by Democrats as deceiving.&nbsp;Democrats have also accused Republicans of including the ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which is already illegal in Missouri, as a form of “ballot candy” — a ruse aimed at tricking voters to support a measure they might otherwise vote against.&nbsp;&nbsp;Schroer said removal of the transgender health care provisions was a deal breaker for conservative senators.&nbsp;“We talked to a lot of our members,” he said, “and they said that issue needs to be included.”&nbsp;Amendment 3 narrowly passed in November following a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/spending-on-missouri-ballot-measures-nears-100-million-as-campaign-enters-final-week/">multi-million dollar campaign</a>&nbsp;by abortion-rights advocates. A day later, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri sued the state, challenging several of Missouri’s laws focused on abortion facilities and providers.An amendment to alter the language so it directly states that it is repealing Amendment 3 was defeated just before the motion to cut off debate.While many sitting Republicans have previously opposed abortion exceptions outside of those to save the mother’s life, many said the November election showed Missourians’ desire for a less stringent law.<a href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/data-archive/august-2022-poll/-pdf/slu-poll-august-2022-crosstabs.pdf" target="_blank">Missourians overwhelmingly support abortion exceptions for survivors,&nbsp;</a>an August 2022 SLU/YouGov poll found. The polling was done several weeks after Missouri became the first state to enact a full abortion ban following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.Since Amendment 3 took effect, surgical abortions are being performed but medication abortions have not.Three of the state’s several Planned Parenthood clinics have restarted surgical abortions for those up to 12 weeks gestation at clinics in Kansas City,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/04/abortion-returns-columbia-missouri-planned-parenthood-clinic/">Columbia</a>&nbsp;and St. Louis.&nbsp;The clinics were authorized to begin the procedure again for the first time in nearly three years after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/14/missouri-judge-blocks-discriminatory-abortion-clinics-rules-blamed-for-lack-of-access/">judge struck down many of the state’s abortion regulations,</a>&nbsp;citing them as discriminatory.Medication abortion — the most common means of ending a pregnancy —&nbsp;remains inaccessible in Missouri after<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/31/missouri-abortion-ban-constitutional-amendment-rape-incest/">&nbsp;the state health department rejected complication plans&nbsp;</a>submitted by the clinics outlining continued care for patients in the case they had any adverse effects from the medication.&nbsp;<h2>Sick leave law</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747266935012.png" alt=" State Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, prepares for Senate Republicans to force a vote on a constitutional amendment to ban abortion (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, prepares for Senate Republicans to force a vote on a constitutional amendment to ban abortion (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>If the bill is signed by the governor, the paid-sick leave benefits approved by voters that went&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/01/missouri-paid-sick-leave-law-now-in-effect-though-legislative-challenges-still-loom/">into effect on May 1</a>&nbsp;will be stripped away on Aug. 28.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB567&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;also removes the requirement that the minimum wage be indexed to inflation, which has been in place since 2007The paid sick leave and minimum wage provisions passed with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">58% of the vote in November</a>&nbsp;as Proposition A, garnering support from unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights groups, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessforafairminimumwage.org/statement/Missouri2024" target="_blank">over 500 business owners.&nbsp;</a>“Workers are earning paid sick leave right now,” said state Sen. Patty Lewis, a Democrat from Kansas City, “and then it’s going to get taken away and they’re going to be fired up about it.”GOP critics have&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/26/missouri-bill-to-overturn-voter-approved-paid-sick-leave-clears-senate-committee/">portrayed paid sick leave as a “job killer”</a>&nbsp;that would hurt small businesses. The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, a Republican from Jefferson City, and Republican state Rep. Sherri Gallick of Belton.&nbsp;Senate Democrats have been in negotiations with Republicans over the last month to modify the bill, in what they’ve said is an effort to maintain the will of the voters in expanding paid sick leave rather than gut it entirely, as well as make it easier for businesses to comply.State Sen. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat, said senators have “worked tirelessly to figure out some kind of compromise.”&nbsp;The Democrats spent two nights blocking a vote on the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/17/missouri-democrats-filibuster-gop-effort-to-overturn-voter-approved-paid-sick-leave/">paid sick leave repeal earlier in the session</a>.Under Proposition A, employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year must provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours.The measure made sick leave guaranteed for 728,000 workers who lacked it statewide, or over 1 in 3 Missouri workers, according to an analysis from the progressive nonprofit the Missouri Budget Project.&nbsp;Richard Von Glahn, policy director for Missouri Jobs with Justice, the organization that helped lead the campaign for Proposition A, said it’s a slap in the face to voters that will create “disgruntled employees” and cause “chaos” for businesses.“Proposition A was passed so overwhelmingly, with so much support from Republican voters, it seemed that it would be so controversial in the legislature that Republican politicians would be more hesitant than they apparently are,” he said, “to overturn the will of their own voters, and cause them economic pain.”The message lawmakers are sending is: “They don’t believe that you deserve economic security,” he added.&nbsp;It could also cause backlash for the lawmakers from districts who supported the measure, he said.&nbsp;“We’re going to make sure that workers don’t experience this as something that just happens to us without understanding these are decisions made by people, and workers have the ability to hold people accountable for those decisions,” he said.Von Glahn said it’s not the end of the fight for paid sick leave, and advocates will consider putting it on the ballot again as a constitutional amendment, a move that would make it much harder for lawmakers to repeal.&nbsp;“I’m confident,” he said, “this is a policy that Missourians want and we’re going to continue to fight for that through every means necessary.”&nbsp;<h2>Republican fractures&nbsp;</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747266893046.png" alt=" Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit, speaks on the Senate floor on Feb. 10, 2021 (screenshot courtesy of Senate Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit, speaks on the Senate floor on Feb. 10, 2021 (screenshot courtesy of Senate Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>The debate Wednesday afternoon began about 12:30 p.m. and Democrats held the floor for much of the time. But near the start of the debate, state Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Lee’s Summit Republican, aired his grievances with the leadership of Missouri Right to LIfe.Cierpiot accused the organization, one of the most visible anti-abortion groups in the state, of focusing more on enforcing purity of thought and maintaining its influence within the GOP than writing laws acceptable to most Missourians.Amendment 3 reinstated abortion rights lost in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. If Missouri Right to Life’s leaders had not demanded a ban with no exceptions for rape or incest, he said, Amendment 3 might have been defeated.“Their leadership, Ms. (Susan) Klein, and Mr. (Dave) Plemmons and Mr. (Steve) Rupp have been much more interested in causing Republican brush fires over issues with much smaller or no impact on the huge effort for life,” Cierpiot said.&nbsp;The problems with Missouri Right to Life was evident in the 2024 elections when it made single-candidate endorsements, freezing out candidates who had been ardent anti-abortion legislators. The organization endorsed then-Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in the Republican primary for governor, then refused to endorse Republican nominee Mike Kehoe for the general election.Other Republicans who won without the endorsement of Missouri Right to Life joined in the criticism. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican from Arnold, said the law triggered by the 2022 abortion decision was negotiated in spite of Missouri Right to Life, not with its help.“I don’t know that I really care, frankly, that they didn’t endorse me,” Coleman said. “What I do care about is that they didn’t endorse Gov. Kehoe in the primary, and they didn’t endorse him in the general.”

Missouri Republicans shut down Senate debate to pass abortion ban, repeal sick leave law

St. Joseph Benton High School's Andrea Simmons, a two time all state basketball player, has changed her mind and will play closer to home.  

After originally signing last November to play at Rockhurst, Simmons reopened her recruitment in April and now will head to Maryville to play for head coach Austin Meyer and Northwest Missouri State University.  

Simmons says she received a lot of great offers, but she grew up being a Bearcat 

"I always dreamed of playing for green, I do bleed some green, and it's only 45 minutes up the road and I really love being around my family," Simmons tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "I have three younger brothers that i love to watch play and grow, and they'll be able to be a part of my college basketball career too now." 

Simmons mom Amy and her aunt Annie both played basketball for the Bearcats.  Her dad Wes played football.  

Simmons went to state three times with Benton, with three second place finishes.  She says each state championship loss is a certain lesson she learned and will take with her to the next level 

"I think the hard work and preparation for those big moments and being able to play under that pressure is something that I will continue to hold on to into my college experience," Simmons says.  "Playing under the big lights, I think those are great experiences for a young player to have early on in their career." 

Simmons says knowing the success the Bearcats men's program has had over the years, she hopes that she can help to bring the same success to the women's side 

"I got to talk with and had offers from established programs, and I think it would be way more fun to go do it in green, because that's just how I was raised and I've grown up loving Northwest," Simmons says. 

Northwest's women have not won a championship, and last made a trip to the Elite Eight in 2023.  The Bearcats last made the national semifinals in 2011.  

As a senior at Benton Simmons averaged 15 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.   

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679011448426.jpeg" alt="Andrea Simmons (23)/ File photo by Tommy Rezac" />
 <figcaption>Andrea Simmons (23)/ File photo by Tommy Rezac</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph Benton High School's Andrea Simmons, a two time all state basketball player, has changed her mind and will play closer to home. After originally signing last November to play at Rockhurst, Simmons reopened her recruitment in April and now will head to Maryville to play for head coach Austin Meyer and Northwest Missouri State University. Simmons says she received a lot of great offers, but she grew up being a Bearcat "I always dreamed of playing for green, I do bleed some green, and it's only 45 minutes up the road and I really love being around my family," Simmons tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "I have three younger brothers that i love to watch play and grow, and they'll be able to be a part of my college basketball career too now." Simmons mom Amy and her aunt Annie both played basketball for the Bearcats. Her dad Wes played football. Simmons went to state three times with Benton, with three second place finishes. She says each state championship loss is a certain lesson she learned and will take with her to the next level "I think the hard work and preparation for those big moments and being able to play under that pressure is something that I will continue to hold on to into my college experience," Simmons says. "Playing under the big lights, I think those are great experiences for a young player to have early on in their career." Simmons says knowing the success the Bearcats men's program has had over the years, she hopes that she can help to bring the same success to the women's side "I got to talk with and had offers from established programs, and I think it would be way more fun to go do it in green, because that's just how I was raised and I've grown up loving Northwest," Simmons says. Northwest's women have not won a championship, and last made a trip to the Elite Eight in 2023. The Bearcats last made the national semifinals in 2011. As a senior at Benton Simmons averaged 15 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Benton's Andrea Simmons commits to Northwest Missouri State

Veteran author, Milt Toratti, has begun a
series of book signings to raise money for the Cameron Veterans Home.

Toratti helped Vietnam War veteran pilot,
Captain Guy Gruters, tell his story of capture and torture at the infamous
Hanoi Hilton; and ultimately his triumph.

Toratti reads Gruters' own words from "Faith
Conquers Through Courage Tested" in which the veteran says his story is not
a story about war, but about the indomitable spirit of man.

“It is about how men, American fighting
men, trapped in the most hellish of circumstances endured. It is about how,
left only with their faith in God, their country and their fellow pilots, they
managed to keep fighting in every way they could without physical weapons,”
Toratti reads during his appearance on KFEQmmunity.

Toratti signed copies of the book at
Panera Bread Tuesday. He will sign copies at the East Hills Library June 7th
and at the Cameron Golf Course on Saturday, June 14th.

Gruters tells Toratti not only his story
of his stay at the Hanoi Hilton, but the stories of Bud Day, Bob Craner, P.K.
Robinson, and even the late John McCain, former U.S. Senator and presidential
candidate; the fellowship of the Misty pilot POWs. All suffered excruciating torture,
some died.

Toratti says Gruters, as well as others,
tell him they gained power to make it through torture when bitterness melted
away.

“And as soon as these prisoners would
actually forgive their interrogators and the guards that beat them is when they
got their greatest strength: the power of forgiveness,” Toratti says.

"Faith Conquers Through Courage Tested" incorporates their stories.

Toratti says Gruters took his devotion to
the limit during his time in at the Hanoi Hilton.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747253421214.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostVeteran author, Milt Toratti, has begun a
series of book signings to raise money for the Cameron Veterans Home.Toratti helped Vietnam War veteran pilot,
Captain Guy Gruters, tell his story of capture and torture at the infamous
Hanoi Hilton; and ultimately his triumph.Toratti reads Gruters' own words from "Faith
Conquers Through Courage Tested" in which the veteran says his story is not
a story about war, but about the indomitable spirit of man.“It is about how men, American fighting
men, trapped in the most hellish of circumstances endured. It is about how,
left only with their faith in God, their country and their fellow pilots, they
managed to keep fighting in every way they could without physical weapons,”
Toratti reads during his appearance on KFEQmmunity.Toratti signed copies of the book at
Panera Bread Tuesday. He will sign copies at the East Hills Library June 7th
and at the Cameron Golf Course on Saturday, June 14th.Gruters tells Toratti not only his story
of his stay at the Hanoi Hilton, but the stories of Bud Day, Bob Craner, P.K.
Robinson, and even the late John McCain, former U.S. Senator and presidential
candidate; the fellowship of the Misty pilot POWs. All suffered excruciating torture,
some died.Toratti says Gruters, as well as others,
tell him they gained power to make it through torture when bitterness melted
away.“And as soon as these prisoners would
actually forgive their interrogators and the guards that beat them is when they
got their greatest strength: the power of forgiveness,” Toratti says."Faith Conquers Through Courage Tested" incorporates their stories.Toratti says Gruters took his devotion to
the limit during his time in at the Hanoi Hilton.“He actually evangelized while he was in
the prison,” Toratti says. “And when you decide evangelizing with the Christian
religion in a communist situation what do you think happened to him? He got
beat more, right? But he was able to tolerate it, because he knew where is
strength was coming from it.”Other book signings for Faith Conquers
Through Courage Tested include at the St. Joseph Country Club Thursday,
July 17th; Harley Davidson, 4020 South 169 Highway, St. Joseph July
19th; and the Mozingo Country Club in Maryville August 1st.
Other signing events will be announced later.Proceeds from the book sales go to the
Cameron Veterans Home.Gruters will be in St. Joseph September
11th for a special Patriot’s Day celebration at Wyatt Park Baptist Church.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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