State Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck says Gov. Kehoe should not have authorized a deployment just hours before the federal shutdown

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

Gov. Mike Kehoe’s decision to deploy Missouri National Guard soldiers to support immigration enforcement “makes no sense” because they will not get paid until the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/30/repub/midnight-federal-shutdown-edges-closer-as-us-senate-fails-to-agree-on-spending-bills/">federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;is resolved, the state Senate’s Democratic leader said Thursday.

On Tuesday, Kehoe announced that soldiers from the Guard would, on a volunteer basis, be assigned to provide administrative, clerical and logistical support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities in the state.

The shutdown started a few hours after Kehoe announced the deployment.

“Everybody knew that was coming, and to me that makes no sense,” Beck said.

Spokeswoman Gabby Picard said that there will be up to 15 soldiers on duty at any particular time until authorization ends on Sept. 30, 2026.&nbsp;

ICE continues to work while most of the government is shut down because the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/03/repub/breaking-us-house-passes-massive-tax-break-and-spending-cut-bill-sending-it-to-trump/">budget bill approved in July</a>&nbsp;funded the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/what-government-shutdown-2025-means-immigration-system/" target="_blank">with $29.9 billion for enforcement</a>&nbsp;and $5 billion for detention through September 2029.

When on federal deployment, members of the Guard are paid on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/2025ACPayDay/" target="_blank">same schedule</a>&nbsp;as active-duty personnel, with the next pay date being Oct. 15. No active duty military will receive pay until the shutdown is resolved.

The Tuesday news release said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved assigning Guard personnel to ICE facilities on July 25, allowing them to be paid from the federal treasury.&nbsp;

“The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts,” Kehoe said in a news release.

While all the soldiers taking on the duty are doing so as volunteers, they expected to get paid, Beck said.

“I’m sure, when they did this, they didn’t know that they’d be doing it possibly for free for a while,” Beck said. “I’m assuming they’ll be made whole at some point, but I’m sure they got bills just like everybody else.”

In response to Beck’s criticism, Picard said the decision to assist ICE wasn’t made hastily.

“Planning for this activation has been ongoing for weeks, and has nothing to do with the unfortunate political games of the Democrats in Washington that have caused a government shutdown,” Picard said.

The deployment has also drawn criticism from labor unions and the ACLU..

Lenny Jones, vice president and state director at the Service Employees International Union-Healthcare, said in a news release that the deployment is part of an increasingly authoritarian government.

“This is just another power grab used to silence and intimidate people who disagree with the administration’s anti-American policies,” Jones said.The ACLU said the deployment diverts resources from disaster recovery and other needs.

“National Guard troops should be reserved for genuine emergencies, not deployed to suit the president’s political whims,” Naureen Shah, director of policy and government affairs for the ACLU’s Equality Division, said in a news release.

The deployment should be unneeded because ICE has been hiring large numbers of new employees, Beck said.

“You tell me they can’t keep up with the paperwork?” Beck asked.

The standoff in Washington is over the health care subsidies for marketplace health plans that are ending under the budget reconciliation bill passed in July. Democrats are demanding they be restored, while Republicans insist the government must be reopened before they will negotiate.

Beck said he wants Democrats in Congress to hold their position.

“At the end of the day, the Republicans control everything, all three branches of the government,” Beck said. “So the question you have to ask yourself is, why did they let it get to this point?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759282109511.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck says Gov. Kehoe should not have authorized a deployment just hours before the federal shutdown</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/"></a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Gov. Mike Kehoe’s decision to deploy Missouri National Guard soldiers to support immigration enforcement “makes no sense” because they will not get paid until the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/30/repub/midnight-federal-shutdown-edges-closer-as-us-senate-fails-to-agree-on-spending-bills/">federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;is resolved, the state Senate’s Democratic leader said Thursday.On Tuesday, Kehoe announced that soldiers from the Guard would, on a volunteer basis, be assigned to provide administrative, clerical and logistical support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities in the state.The shutdown started a few hours after Kehoe announced the deployment.“Everybody knew that was coming, and to me that makes no sense,” Beck said.Spokeswoman Gabby Picard said that there will be up to 15 soldiers on duty at any particular time until authorization ends on Sept. 30, 2026.&nbsp;ICE continues to work while most of the government is shut down because the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/03/repub/breaking-us-house-passes-massive-tax-break-and-spending-cut-bill-sending-it-to-trump/">budget bill approved in July</a>&nbsp;funded the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/what-government-shutdown-2025-means-immigration-system/" target="_blank">with $29.9 billion for enforcement</a>&nbsp;and $5 billion for detention through September 2029.When on federal deployment, members of the Guard are paid on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/2025ACPayDay/" target="_blank">same schedule</a>&nbsp;as active-duty personnel, with the next pay date being Oct. 15. No active duty military will receive pay until the shutdown is resolved.The Tuesday news release said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved assigning Guard personnel to ICE facilities on July 25, allowing them to be paid from the federal treasury.&nbsp;“The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts,” Kehoe said in a news release.While all the soldiers taking on the duty are doing so as volunteers, they expected to get paid, Beck said.“I’m sure, when they did this, they didn’t know that they’d be doing it possibly for free for a while,” Beck said. “I’m assuming they’ll be made whole at some point, but I’m sure they got bills just like everybody else.”In response to Beck’s criticism, Picard said the decision to assist ICE wasn’t made hastily.“Planning for this activation has been ongoing for weeks, and has nothing to do with the unfortunate political games of the Democrats in Washington that have caused a government shutdown,” Picard said.The deployment has also drawn criticism from labor unions and the ACLU..Lenny Jones, vice president and state director at the Service Employees International Union-Healthcare, said in a news release that the deployment is part of an increasingly authoritarian government.“This is just another power grab used to silence and intimidate people who disagree with the administration’s anti-American policies,” Jones said.The ACLU said the deployment diverts resources from disaster recovery and other needs.“National Guard troops should be reserved for genuine emergencies, not deployed to suit the president’s political whims,” Naureen Shah, director of policy and government affairs for the ACLU’s Equality Division, said in a news release.The deployment should be unneeded because ICE has been hiring large numbers of new employees, Beck said.“You tell me they can’t keep up with the paperwork?” Beck asked.The standoff in Washington is over the health care subsidies for marketplace health plans that are ending under the budget reconciliation bill passed in July. Democrats are demanding they be restored, while Republicans insist the government must be reopened before they will negotiate.Beck said he wants Democrats in Congress to hold their position.“At the end of the day, the Republicans control everything, all three branches of the government,” Beck said. “So the question you have to ask yourself is, why did they let it get to this point?”

Missouri Guard troops assigned to duty with ICE working without pay during federal shutdown

Marvin O. Looney
wasn’t just the first president of Missouri Western State University. He guided
the university from a two-year junior college to a four-year institution.

“He’s instrumental,”
Kennedy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “If it weren’t for Dr. Looney, I’m not sure
we would have been here.”

Current Missouri
Western President, Elizabeth Kennedy, says Looney undertook no small task to
move the school from one building in downtown St. Joseph to its current campus
on the eastern edge of the city. Kennedy says it didn’t just have a big impact
on the college, but on the community as well.

“Going from a
junior college to a state college has had and then, again, when we (moved) from
a state college to a university. The impact that we’ve had on the community,” Kennedy
says. “What a wonderful opportunity for Dr. Looney to be the leader of that.”

Looney died September
29th in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was 97.

Kennedy says
Looney had a vision of what Missouri Western could be when he took over
leadership of the junior college in 1967. Two years later, he led Missouri
Western to become a four-year institution on the new, spacious campus in St.
Joseph.

Kennedy says it
must have been an exciting time as Looney led the college to its new campus and
new role.

“To move it from
that building, one building, and to say we are going to move this to this area
to provide for the city of St. Joseph and our region another four-year college
where folks can come and earn, at that time, both associate degrees and
bachelor degrees to really add to the economic prosperity of our community,”
Kennedy says.

Kennedy says she
takes lessons from Looney’s tenure.

“It’s always
important from my perspective to think about the university doesn’t operate on
an island or in a vacuum,” Kennedy says. “And I am always thinking about what
is the benefits of the university to our community? Beyond our students, beyond
our faculty, beyond our staff, beyond our administrators, what are we doing to
really add to quality of life for St. Joseph and our region? Because that is
the function of a regional public university.”

Kennedy says she
had a chance of meet Looney in 2021 when his son gave him a tour of the St.
Joseph campus and came to her office.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759425866884.jpeg" alt="MWSU President Kennedy and M. O. Looney met in 2021/Photo courtesy of MWSU" />
 <figcaption>MWSU President Kennedy and M. O. Looney met in 2021/Photo courtesy of MWSU</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMarvin O. Looney
wasn’t just the first president of Missouri Western State University. He guided
the university from a two-year junior college to a four-year institution.“He’s instrumental,”
Kennedy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “If it weren’t for Dr. Looney, I’m not sure
we would have been here.”Current Missouri
Western President, Elizabeth Kennedy, says Looney undertook no small task to
move the school from one building in downtown St. Joseph to its current campus
on the eastern edge of the city. Kennedy says it didn’t just have a big impact
on the college, but on the community as well.“Going from a
junior college to a state college has had and then, again, when we (moved) from
a state college to a university. The impact that we’ve had on the community,” Kennedy
says. “What a wonderful opportunity for Dr. Looney to be the leader of that.”Looney died September
29th in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was 97.Kennedy says
Looney had a vision of what Missouri Western could be when he took over
leadership of the junior college in 1967. Two years later, he led Missouri
Western to become a four-year institution on the new, spacious campus in St.
Joseph.Kennedy says it
must have been an exciting time as Looney led the college to its new campus and
new role.“To move it from
that building, one building, and to say we are going to move this to this area
to provide for the city of St. Joseph and our region another four-year college
where folks can come and earn, at that time, both associate degrees and
bachelor degrees to really add to the economic prosperity of our community,”
Kennedy says.Kennedy says she
takes lessons from Looney’s tenure.“It’s always
important from my perspective to think about the university doesn’t operate on
an island or in a vacuum,” Kennedy says. “And I am always thinking about what
is the benefits of the university to our community? Beyond our students, beyond
our faculty, beyond our staff, beyond our administrators, what are we doing to
really add to quality of life for St. Joseph and our region? Because that is
the function of a regional public university.”Kennedy says she
had a chance of meet Looney in 2021 when his son gave him a tour of the St.
Joseph campus and came to her office.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

MWSU President calls Looney instrumental in growth of university

For a fourth consecutive year, enrollment at Northwest Missouri State University has grown.  

Enrollment increased slightly on the Maryville campus, with 8,747 students enrolled in the fall semester as of the annual census conducted just after the beginning of the semester.  

President Lance Tatum says he's proud of the people at Northwest focused on strategies that have produced positive outcomes in sustained enrollment growth 

“We have seen probably the most significant gains in our portfolio in the area of transfers, as well as keeping the students that we recruited in previous years,” Tatum tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And so, just tickled to death that we continue to see sustainability in our growth and looking forward to the future.” 

Tatum says there was a decline in the number of graduate students, in large part thanks to a decline in the number of international students 

"The geopolitical activity that is occurring around the world as it related to visa attainment has certainly had an impact on our overall enrollment,” Tatum explains.  “We have spent the last two years being very focused on building capacity in that undergraduate segment.” 

Tatum points out where there was growth in enrollment was the number of transfer students, up 9%, and those students enrolled in dual credit course, up 14%. 

Tatum says though, despite the continued growth through the years, they cannot rest on their laurels 

"I think the movement that we see in the higher education industry is going to force us to be flexible, we have to be willing to pivot, when necessary, we have to be willing to invest, when necessary,” Tatum says.  “So, I don’t think that it’s business as usual, I think we’ll continue every year to sit down, figure out where our strengths are, figure out where our weaknesses are, and then look to build with opportunities that are presented to us.” 

Tatum says the university will continue to refine and adjust its strategy as needed to keep students on campus, knowing that enrollment numbers will fluctuate year to year. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

By MATT PIKEFor a fourth consecutive year, enrollment at Northwest Missouri State University has grown. Enrollment increased slightly on the Maryville campus, with 8,747 students enrolled in the fall semester as of the annual census conducted just after the beginning of the semester. President Lance Tatum says he's proud of the people at Northwest focused on strategies that have produced positive outcomes in sustained enrollment growth “We have seen probably the most significant gains in our portfolio in the area of transfers, as well as keeping the students that we recruited in previous years,” Tatum tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And so, just tickled to death that we continue to see sustainability in our growth and looking forward to the future.” Tatum says there was a decline in the number of graduate students, in large part thanks to a decline in the number of international students "The geopolitical activity that is occurring around the world as it related to visa attainment has certainly had an impact on our overall enrollment,” Tatum explains. “We have spent the last two years being very focused on building capacity in that undergraduate segment.” Tatum points out where there was growth in enrollment was the number of transfer students, up 9%, and those students enrolled in dual credit course, up 14%. Tatum says though, despite the continued growth through the years, they cannot rest on their laurels "I think the movement that we see in the higher education industry is going to force us to be flexible, we have to be willing to pivot, when necessary, we have to be willing to invest, when necessary,” Tatum says. “So, I don’t think that it’s business as usual, I think we’ll continue every year to sit down, figure out where our strengths are, figure out where our weaknesses are, and then look to build with opportunities that are presented to us.” Tatum says the university will continue to refine and adjust its strategy as needed to keep students on campus, knowing that enrollment numbers will fluctuate year to year. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

NWMSU sees another year of enrollment growth

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2BjE9eaETyroVE2HWtlr6z?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7ir5UizivUPsjqCXE79uMe?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

GENTRY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 2a.m. Thursday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Buick LaCrosse driven by a 24-year-old Maryville man was westbound on U.S. 136 just west of CR 435 two miles west of Stanberry. The vehicle struck a deer.

Grand River ambulance transported the driver an an 18-year-old female passenger to Mosaic in St. Joseph. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer reports names of accident victims.

GENTRY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 2a.m. Thursday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Buick LaCrosse driven by a 24-year-old Maryville man was westbound on U.S. 136 just west of CR 435 two miles west of Stanberry. The vehicle struck a deer.Grand River ambulance transported the driver an an 18-year-old female passenger to Mosaic in St. Joseph. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer reports names of accident victims.

Two hospitalized in St. Joe after car strikes a deer

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Ford Transit van driven by a 48-year-old Woodland Park, New Jersey man was southbound on U.S. 65 at SE lilac Lane eight miles south of Trenton. The van crossed the center line and sideswiped a northbound 2008 Ford Focus driven by an 18-year-old Lathop man.

Grundy County ambulance transported the teen driver to Wright Memorial Hospital of Trenton. There were no other injuries. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Ford Transit van driven by a 48-year-old Woodland Park, New Jersey man was southbound on U.S. 65 at SE lilac Lane eight miles south of Trenton. The van crossed the center line and sideswiped a northbound 2008 Ford Focus driven by an 18-year-old Lathop man.Grundy County ambulance transported the teen driver to Wright Memorial Hospital of Trenton. There were no other injuries. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen hospitalized after van sideswipes car

DEKALB COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just after 9a.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an all- electric three wheeled VanderHall Santa Rosa driven by a 28-year-old Cameron man was eastbound on U.S. 36 one mile west of Cameron. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It began to skid, traveled off the south side of the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.

Cameron EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DEKALB COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just after 9a.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an all- electric three wheeled VanderHall Santa Rosa driven by a 28-year-old Cameron man was eastbound on U.S. 36 one mile west of Cameron. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It began to skid, traveled off the south side of the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.Cameron EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after ejected when electric vehicle overturns

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Freightliner semi driven by a 37-year-old Dawson, Iowa man was southbound on Interstate 35 four miles north of Eagleville. The front driver's side tire blew. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, then traveled into the northbound lane and overturned.

North Missouri EMS transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Freightliner semi driven by a 37-year-old Dawson, Iowa man was southbound on Interstate 35 four miles north of Eagleville. The front driver's side tire blew. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, then traveled into the northbound lane and overturned.North Missouri EMS transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Driver hospitalized after semi overturns

&nbsp;BROWN COUNTY —&nbsp;On Wednesday, the Brown County Sheriff's office took several reports from farmers who were concerned about suspicious vehicles lurking around their fields recently, according to a statement from Sheriff John Merchant.

 A dark colored SUV and a Maroon colored pickup have been reported pulling in to fields where harvest is taking place and when farmers notice this, the vehicles leave in a hurry.&nbsp; Another report of a lighter colored passenger car with Missouri plates was notice driving around the fields repeatedly. 

Most of this activity has been in the northern part of Brown County. Deputies and other law enforcement agencies have been notified of this and will be providing extra patrol, according to Merchant.

We are alerting farmers so they can take extra precautions when changing fields or leaving vehicles or equipment unattended or with keys left in the ignition. 

No theft have been reported , only suspicious activity. "Unfortunately, this time of year we have unscrupulous individuals who are always looking for an opportunity to steal from others instead of working an honest job," Merchant wrote. We are asking that if anyone notices anything suspicious or unusual to contact the Sheriff's Office at once at 785-742-7125 or 911 ifan emergency exists.

&nbsp;BROWN COUNTY —&nbsp;On Wednesday, the Brown County Sheriff's office took several reports from farmers who were concerned about suspicious vehicles lurking around their fields recently, according to a statement from Sheriff John Merchant. A dark colored SUV and a Maroon colored pickup have been reported pulling in to fields where harvest is taking place and when farmers notice this, the vehicles leave in a hurry.&nbsp; Another report of a lighter colored passenger car with Missouri plates was notice driving around the fields repeatedly. Most of this activity has been in the northern part of Brown County. Deputies and other law enforcement agencies have been notified of this and will be providing extra patrol, according to Merchant.We are alerting farmers so they can take extra precautions when changing fields or leaving vehicles or equipment unattended or with keys left in the ignition. No theft have been reported , only suspicious activity. "Unfortunately, this time of year we have unscrupulous individuals who are always looking for an opportunity to steal from others instead of working an honest job," Merchant wrote. We are asking that if anyone notices anything suspicious or unusual to contact the Sheriff's Office at once at 785-742-7125 or 911 ifan emergency exists.

Sheriff investigating suspicious activity near harvest fields

By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph Post

Eastern Kansas
Congressman Derek Schmidt hopes the country learns something in the wake of the
tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk was shot and
killed while taking questions from students at Utah Valley University September
10th.

Schmidt, a
Republican, says he didn’t know Kirk personally, but had followed his work.

“Look, here’s the
bottom line, we all say that we want people who are willing to sit down and debate
with and try to persuade people who have a very different view from them. That’s
the way our self-governing system is supposed to work and that’s what Charlie Kirk
did,” Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;
“Some people really didn’t like or they really did like it, but at the
end of the day he went and sat down and debated with people who had a different
world view and tried to persuade them and often did. And I think we ought to
celebrate that. It’s the way the system is supposed to work.”

Suspect Tyler
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and could face the death
penalty.

Schmidt says this
goes beyond the murder of one young man.

“So, when he was assassinated,
when he was murdered, you know it was an assault not just on one young man, it
was also an assault on the idea that we want this country to work in a
non-violent way, where instead there’s a clash of ideas and not a clash of
bullets,” according to Schmidt.

Schmidt hopes the
country grows from this tragedy.

“I hope it’s been
a wakeup call for a lot of people,” Schmidt says. “It’s always easier to sort
of default to the name calling and the exaggeration. It’s harder to have a thoughtful
discussion about issues you disagree on, but that’s what the country requires. It’s
what the people expect. And I hope it’s what’s going to come out of this
terrible, terrible crime.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757551583450.png" alt="Charlie Kirk -photo White House" />
 <figcaption>Charlie Kirk -photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph PostEastern Kansas
Congressman Derek Schmidt hopes the country learns something in the wake of the
tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Kirk was shot and
killed while taking questions from students at Utah Valley University September
10th.Schmidt, a
Republican, says he didn’t know Kirk personally, but had followed his work.“Look, here’s the
bottom line, we all say that we want people who are willing to sit down and debate
with and try to persuade people who have a very different view from them. That’s
the way our self-governing system is supposed to work and that’s what Charlie Kirk
did,” Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;
“Some people really didn’t like or they really did like it, but at the
end of the day he went and sat down and debated with people who had a different
world view and tried to persuade them and often did. And I think we ought to
celebrate that. It’s the way the system is supposed to work.”Suspect Tyler
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and could face the death
penalty.Schmidt says this
goes beyond the murder of one young man.“So, when he was assassinated,
when he was murdered, you know it was an assault not just on one young man, it
was also an assault on the idea that we want this country to work in a
non-violent way, where instead there’s a clash of ideas and not a clash of
bullets,” according to Schmidt.Schmidt hopes the
country grows from this tragedy.“I hope it’s been
a wakeup call for a lot of people,” Schmidt says. “It’s always easier to sort
of default to the name calling and the exaggeration. It’s harder to have a thoughtful
discussion about issues you disagree on, but that’s what the country requires. It’s
what the people expect. And I hope it’s what’s going to come out of this
terrible, terrible crime.”You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Congressman Schmidt hopes country learns from Kirk tragedy

The St. Joseph Sports Commission is celebrating another successful marathon.

Director Brett Esely says he determines the success of an event on how participants felt and says he received several positive comments from attendees on Saturday.  

Esely says it was another record year for attendance in the marathon 

"We ended up with 635 folks that registered for the event, and that included roughly 100 marathoners, 210 half marathoners, we had a record number of 10kers this year with over 150, roughly 150 5kers, and then a handful of virtual participants as well,” Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “So that’s up slightly from last year, each year that registration number continues to climb.” 

Esely says the hope though is the event will continue to grow, with hopes of one day having over 1,000 runners participating in the race 

"But for us to get there we’ve got to find a way to get at least 350 more folks registered for a race, is it possible, yes, is there a magic potion for that, no, I think there’s a number of different ways we can do that,” Esely explains.  “I think a great goal for us moving forward is to find another race that wants to partner with us in marketing, you see that a lot in series racing, whether that be in locales that are close together or locales that have similar themes for their race.” 

Esely says finding a race to partner up with, providing incentives to participate in both races, could draw more runners looking for things like that to St. Joseph for the marathon.  

Runners from 20 states and two countries participated in the St. Joseph Marathon on Saturday, some qualifying for a spot in the Boston Marathon. 

Esely says there are several factors to consider qualifying for the Boston Marathon, such as age and gender.  

"Our winner of the marathon on the men’s side, and our overall winner, William Henry actually was the winner in our inaugural year, so pretty cool that he came back and ran the race two years later,” Esely says.  “He ran in two hours and forty-five minutes, which that is definitely a Boston qualifying time for somebody his age, so definitely one for sure.” 

Esely reports overall from the marathon there were seven total qualifiers for the Boston Marathon, with four women qualifying and three men. 

The Boston Marathon will be held in April next year.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759338575592.jpeg" alt="William Henry crosses the finish line of the third annual St. Joseph marathon/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Sports Commission on X&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>William Henry crosses the finish line of the third annual St. Joseph marathon/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Sports Commission on X&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post The St. Joseph Sports Commission is celebrating another successful marathon. Director Brett Esely says he determines the success of an event on how participants felt and says he received several positive comments from attendees on Saturday. Esely says it was another record year for attendance in the marathon "We ended up with 635 folks that registered for the event, and that included roughly 100 marathoners, 210 half marathoners, we had a record number of 10kers this year with over 150, roughly 150 5kers, and then a handful of virtual participants as well,” Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So that’s up slightly from last year, each year that registration number continues to climb.” Esely says the hope though is the event will continue to grow, with hopes of one day having over 1,000 runners participating in the race "But for us to get there we’ve got to find a way to get at least 350 more folks registered for a race, is it possible, yes, is there a magic potion for that, no, I think there’s a number of different ways we can do that,” Esely explains. “I think a great goal for us moving forward is to find another race that wants to partner with us in marketing, you see that a lot in series racing, whether that be in locales that are close together or locales that have similar themes for their race.” Esely says finding a race to partner up with, providing incentives to participate in both races, could draw more runners looking for things like that to St. Joseph for the marathon. Runners from 20 states and two countries participated in the St. Joseph Marathon on Saturday, some qualifying for a spot in the Boston Marathon. Esely says there are several factors to consider qualifying for the Boston Marathon, such as age and gender. "Our winner of the marathon on the men’s side, and our overall winner, William Henry actually was the winner in our inaugural year, so pretty cool that he came back and ran the race two years later,” Esely says. “He ran in two hours and forty-five minutes, which that is definitely a Boston qualifying time for somebody his age, so definitely one for sure.” Esely reports overall from the marathon there were seven total qualifiers for the Boston Marathon, with four women qualifying and three men. The Boston Marathon will be held in April next year.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Joseph Marathon succesful again, but still room for growth

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/51TDF39ziNTJjOwgD9OICu?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5enXhuG8YKibMqlLC2P1mo?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

Missouri Western
State University’s first president, Marvin O. Looney, has died.

Missouri Western
reports Looney died September 29th in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He
was 97.

“There are few
figures, if any, more vital than Dr. Looney to the development of Missouri
Western State University,” Missouri Western President, Elizabeth Kennedy, the
University’s fifth president said in a written statement released by the
university. “When he arrived in St. Joseph, a four-year regional university was
little more than a dream. He gave that dream shape and substance, inspiring
faculty, staff, students and the community to build MoWest into the vibrant
university it remains today.”

Looney grew up in
southwest Missouri and graduated from what then was Southwest Missouri State
University in Springfield. He served in the Navy during World War II and began
teaching and coaching at his alma mater, Gainesville High School.

Looney earned his
Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in 1961 and after stops at the University
of Central Missouri, Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan, and
Mahoning Community College. Looney became president of Missouri Western Junior
College in 1967, two years before the college became a four-year institution
and moved to its current campus.

Looney establish
Missouri Western as a four-year institution and saw it through accreditation.
He oversaw construction of buildings on the St. Joseph campus. The M.O. Looney
Fieldhouse bears his name.

He and his
family–wife Dorsey and sons Doug, Bill and Chris–lived in the President’s House
on campus until it was destroyed by fire on New Year’s Eve, 1981.

“We can say with
certainty that he has been a good leader,” wrote Dr. Frances Flanagan in her
history of the college. “If we recall the struggling–no, staggering–junior
college in which Dr. Looney began his presidency and contrast that institution
with the energetic and assured college in which he will end his presidential
odyssey, we will see what he has accomplished.” 

Looney retired
from MWSU in 1983, but returned to the workforce to lead the University of
Alaska Anchorage, then served eight years as chancellor of Missouri State
University-West Plains. He lived in Pontiac, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759320369033.jpeg" alt="M. O. Looney/Photo courtesy of Missouri Western State University" />
 <figcaption>M. O. Looney/Photo courtesy of Missouri Western State University</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western
State University’s first president, Marvin O. Looney, has died.Missouri Western
reports Looney died September 29th in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He
was 97.“There are few
figures, if any, more vital than Dr. Looney to the development of Missouri
Western State University,” Missouri Western President, Elizabeth Kennedy, the
University’s fifth president said in a written statement released by the
university. “When he arrived in St. Joseph, a four-year regional university was
little more than a dream. He gave that dream shape and substance, inspiring
faculty, staff, students and the community to build MoWest into the vibrant
university it remains today.”Looney grew up in
southwest Missouri and graduated from what then was Southwest Missouri State
University in Springfield. He served in the Navy during World War II and began
teaching and coaching at his alma mater, Gainesville High School.Looney earned his
Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in 1961 and after stops at the University
of Central Missouri, Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan, and
Mahoning Community College. Looney became president of Missouri Western Junior
College in 1967, two years before the college became a four-year institution
and moved to its current campus.Looney establish
Missouri Western as a four-year institution and saw it through accreditation.
He oversaw construction of buildings on the St. Joseph campus. The M.O. Looney
Fieldhouse bears his name.He and his
family–wife Dorsey and sons Doug, Bill and Chris–lived in the President’s House
on campus until it was destroyed by fire on New Year’s Eve, 1981.“We can say with
certainty that he has been a good leader,” wrote Dr. Frances Flanagan in her
history of the college. “If we recall the struggling–no, staggering–junior
college in which Dr. Looney began his presidency and contrast that institution
with the energetic and assured college in which he will end his presidential
odyssey, we will see what he has accomplished.” Looney retired
from MWSU in 1983, but returned to the workforce to lead the University of
Alaska Anchorage, then served eight years as chancellor of Missouri State
University-West Plains. He lived in Pontiac, Missouri.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

MWSU 1st President, Marvin O. Looney, dies at age 97

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

Legislators upset that a bill they oppose becomes law don’t have a right to sue over it, attorneys defending the special session measure that provides&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-kansas-city-stadium-funding-st-louis-disaster-aid/">state support to professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;said in court on Tuesday.

“It’s not recognized in the state of Missouri that a legislator can come to the court simply because they don’t like a vote that was taken… the court system would be flooded,” Marc Ellinger, an attorney representing the Missouri General Assembly, argued in Cole County Circuit Court.

Ellinger was joined by assistant attorney general Sean McDowell in arguments seeking to dismiss the lawsuit filed in July by state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, and state Rep. Bryant Wolfin, a Republican from Ste. Genevieve and conservative activist Ron Calzone.

Moon and the other plaintiffs want to throw out the entire legislative package, which includes tax credits for home repairs after natural disasters this year and property-tax restrictions for some counties.

The law, they say, goes beyond the bill’s original subject and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislators-file-lawsuit-claiming-stadium-funding-for-chiefs-royals-is-unconstitutional/">provides unconstitutional aid</a>&nbsp;to private interests. But if the state’s motion to dismiss is approved, they won’t get to argue these points in court.

Ellinger and McDowell argued the case can’t move forward, saying plaintiffs lack taxpayer standing and dismissing the idea of “legislative standing.”

“I don’t think there’s any standing for specific legislators to bring a case as the plaintiffs have,” McDowell said.

Taxpayer standing requires a direct expenditure and because the bill operates through tax credits and is “subject to appropriation,” there is no direct cost to the taxpayer, he argued.

Attorney Bevis Schock, who is representing the law’s challengers, said there are up-front costs to the bill such as an estimated $10,000 expense to create the tax-credit application.

“If these plaintiffs have no standing and we throw this case in the trash, we might as well pitch the constitution in there with it,” he wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Memo%20in%20Opposition%20to%20Defendants%20Motion%20to%20Dismiss.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3667593" target="_blank">in a pre-hearing filing</a>.

The purpose of the lawsuit, Schock said in court on Tuesday, is to challenge bills with multiple subjects.

“The problem is.. the voter can’t tell what item the legislator is for or against,” he said. “That is why we are bringing the case.”

If they lose in circuit court, Schock said, he will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748263709817.png" alt="GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Legislators upset that a bill they oppose becomes law don’t have a right to sue over it, attorneys defending the special session measure that provides&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-kansas-city-stadium-funding-st-louis-disaster-aid/">state support to professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;said in court on Tuesday.“It’s not recognized in the state of Missouri that a legislator can come to the court simply because they don’t like a vote that was taken… the court system would be flooded,” Marc Ellinger, an attorney representing the Missouri General Assembly, argued in Cole County Circuit Court.Ellinger was joined by assistant attorney general Sean McDowell in arguments seeking to dismiss the lawsuit filed in July by state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, and state Rep. Bryant Wolfin, a Republican from Ste. Genevieve and conservative activist Ron Calzone.Moon and the other plaintiffs want to throw out the entire legislative package, which includes tax credits for home repairs after natural disasters this year and property-tax restrictions for some counties.The law, they say, goes beyond the bill’s original subject and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislators-file-lawsuit-claiming-stadium-funding-for-chiefs-royals-is-unconstitutional/">provides unconstitutional aid</a>&nbsp;to private interests. But if the state’s motion to dismiss is approved, they won’t get to argue these points in court.Ellinger and McDowell argued the case can’t move forward, saying plaintiffs lack taxpayer standing and dismissing the idea of “legislative standing.”“I don’t think there’s any standing for specific legislators to bring a case as the plaintiffs have,” McDowell said.Taxpayer standing requires a direct expenditure and because the bill operates through tax credits and is “subject to appropriation,” there is no direct cost to the taxpayer, he argued.Attorney Bevis Schock, who is representing the law’s challengers, said there are up-front costs to the bill such as an estimated $10,000 expense to create the tax-credit application.“If these plaintiffs have no standing and we throw this case in the trash, we might as well pitch the constitution in there with it,” he wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Memo%20in%20Opposition%20to%20Defendants%20Motion%20to%20Dismiss.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3667593" target="_blank">in a pre-hearing filing</a>.The purpose of the lawsuit, Schock said in court on Tuesday, is to challenge bills with multiple subjects.“The problem is.. the voter can’t tell what item the legislator is for or against,” he said. “That is why we are bringing the case.”If they lose in circuit court, Schock said, he will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Missouri AG, General Assembly seek to dismiss lawsuit against stadium funding bill

Jefferson City&nbsp;—&nbsp;Governor Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that he has authorized the Missouri National Guard (MONG) to assist with administrative, clerical, and logistical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facilities within the State of Missouri, according to a media release from the governor's office.

 This decision comes in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of War (DOW) to ensure the resources and personnel needed to effectively enforce immigration laws and maintain operational control of the border.

Missouri National Guard service members will provide support starting October 1, 2025, by assisting with tasks such as data entry, case management, and logistical support, enabling ICE personnel to focus on core enforcement and security functions. MONG personnel who have been assigned to this mission were selected on a volunteer basis.

“Public safety, keeping Missourians safe, and upholding the rule of law is our administration's top priority,” said&nbsp;Governor Kehoe. “The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts. Missouri is proud to join in the Trump administration's efforts to keep our state and nation secure.”

On July 25, 2025, the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved the duty status of DOW military personnel providing support at ICE processing facilities allowing for Title 32 duty status, which is a federally funded status under authority of the Governor. The Missouri National Guard regularly works alongside local, state, and federal agencies in support roles to ensure the safety and security of communities.

Military personnel are authorized to be on duty for this mission through September 30, 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759282109511.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Jefferson City&nbsp;—&nbsp;Governor Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that he has authorized the Missouri National Guard (MONG) to assist with administrative, clerical, and logistical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facilities within the State of Missouri, according to a media release from the governor's office. This decision comes in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of War (DOW) to ensure the resources and personnel needed to effectively enforce immigration laws and maintain operational control of the border.Missouri National Guard service members will provide support starting October 1, 2025, by assisting with tasks such as data entry, case management, and logistical support, enabling ICE personnel to focus on core enforcement and security functions. MONG personnel who have been assigned to this mission were selected on a volunteer basis.“Public safety, keeping Missourians safe, and upholding the rule of law is our administration's top priority,” said&nbsp;Governor Kehoe. “The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts. Missouri is proud to join in the Trump administration's efforts to keep our state and nation secure.”On July 25, 2025, the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved the duty status of DOW military personnel providing support at ICE processing facilities allowing for Title 32 duty status, which is a federally funded status under authority of the Governor. The Missouri National Guard regularly works alongside local, state, and federal agencies in support roles to ensure the safety and security of communities.Military personnel are authorized to be on duty for this mission through September 30, 2026.

Gov. Kehoe authorizes Missouri National Guard to assist in ICE enforcement

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

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins must try again to write ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday.

Circuit Judge Daniel Green, in his second ruling on the ballot description of the measure proposed by lawmakers, said that Hoskins got most of the language right.

But Hoskins’ language on the portion that will be the issue the question turns on — repealing the abortion rights protections approved by voters last year —&nbsp; is “insufficient and unfair” and must be revised, Green ruled.

Hoskins rewrote the ballot language&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">prepared by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;after Green ruled it, also, did not alert voters that<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">&nbsp;it would repeal the voter-approved amendment.</a>

The measure would repeal the citizen-led initiative passed in 2024 that made Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">the first state to overturn an abortion ban</a>&nbsp;by guaranteeing the constitutional right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Green ruled that Hoskins also missed the mark by failing to inform voters of the repeal, taking issue with just one bullet point in Hoskins’ summary that reads:&nbsp;

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:&nbsp;&nbsp;

This summary “fails to adequately alert voters that the proposed constitutional amendment would abrogate&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?constit=y&amp;section=I%20%2036" target="_blank">Article 1, Section 36 of the Missouri Constitution,</a>&nbsp;which voters recently approved,” Green wrote.&nbsp;

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s Office in briefings submitted Monday said Hoskins’ latest language was sufficient because it stated the new amendment would cause a “modification” of state statute and that repeal language would be inaccurate because the new amendment “does not abolish all the constitutional rights first enshrined in Article I, section 36,” including the right to miscarriage care.

For example, the attorney general wrote, the new amendment “recognizes a right to abortion in some cases, and such a right was unprecedented in the Missouri Constitution before the voters enacted Article I, section 36 in 2024.”&nbsp;

Prior to the passage of the abortion rights amendment, nearly all abortions were illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies.

Attorneys with The ACLU of Missouri and Stinson Law&nbsp;in briefings Monday said Hoskins’ new language “at best, pays lip service” to Green’s order but “does not describe the probable effects of the measure.”

Hoskins is obligated, they argued, “to tell voters that they are being asked to repeal, not merely amend, the right to reproductive freedom.”

Jefferson City attorney Chuck Hatfield, in his filing, also took issue with the use of a semi-colon in the statement, saying it contributes to the “grammatical nonsense” of the language sure to leave voters confused.

Green on Tuesday ruled that the remaining bullet points are now acceptable. They read:&nbsp;

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

Under a law passed this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld in a separate case by Green</a>, Hoskins has five days to submit revised ballot language to the court. If after that, Green decides the language still doesn’t follow the law, Hoskins has one&nbsp;more opportunity to rewrite it. If Green still doesn’t find the language satisfactory, the judge will rewrite it himself.&nbsp;

Hoskins was also responsible for writing the fair ballot statement that appears in polling places and on the office’s website that summarize what both a “yes” and “no” vote mean.

Green previously told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In his ruling Tuesday, Green deemed the new summary was sufficient.&nbsp;

This approved summary states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.

As the one-year anniversary of the abortion rights amendment approaches, access to the procedure in Missouri remains limited as legal battles challenging a series of abortion regulations play out in the courts.

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/11/laws-regulations-medication-abortion-mifepristone-misoprostol-missouri/">Medication abortions remain halted.</a>&nbsp;Procedural abortions are available on a limited basis at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759281068209.png" alt="Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has been ordered to rewrite ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has been ordered to rewrite ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins must try again to write ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday.Circuit Judge Daniel Green, in his second ruling on the ballot description of the measure proposed by lawmakers, said that Hoskins got most of the language right.But Hoskins’ language on the portion that will be the issue the question turns on — repealing the abortion rights protections approved by voters last year —&nbsp; is “insufficient and unfair” and must be revised, Green ruled.Hoskins rewrote the ballot language&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">prepared by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;after Green ruled it, also, did not alert voters that<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">&nbsp;it would repeal the voter-approved amendment.</a>The measure would repeal the citizen-led initiative passed in 2024 that made Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">the first state to overturn an abortion ban</a>&nbsp;by guaranteeing the constitutional right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability.&nbsp;On Wednesday, Green ruled that Hoskins also missed the mark by failing to inform voters of the repeal, taking issue with just one bullet point in Hoskins’ summary that reads:&nbsp;“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Amend Article I, section 36, approved in 2024; allowing abortions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, and incest;”</li>
 </ul>This summary “fails to adequately alert voters that the proposed constitutional amendment would abrogate&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?constit=y&amp;section=I%20%2036" target="_blank">Article 1, Section 36 of the Missouri Constitution,</a>&nbsp;which voters recently approved,” Green wrote.&nbsp;Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s Office in briefings submitted Monday said Hoskins’ latest language was sufficient because it stated the new amendment would cause a “modification” of state statute and that repeal language would be inaccurate because the new amendment “does not abolish all the constitutional rights first enshrined in Article I, section 36,” including the right to miscarriage care.For example, the attorney general wrote, the new amendment “recognizes a right to abortion in some cases, and such a right was unprecedented in the Missouri Constitution before the voters enacted Article I, section 36 in 2024.”&nbsp;Prior to the passage of the abortion rights amendment, nearly all abortions were illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies.Attorneys with The ACLU of Missouri and Stinson Law&nbsp;in briefings Monday said Hoskins’ new language “at best, pays lip service” to Green’s order but “does not describe the probable effects of the measure.”Hoskins is obligated, they argued, “to tell voters that they are being asked to repeal, not merely amend, the right to reproductive freedom.”Jefferson City attorney Chuck Hatfield, in his filing, also took issue with the use of a semi-colon in the statement, saying it contributes to the “grammatical nonsense” of the language sure to leave voters confused.Green on Tuesday ruled that the remaining bullet points are now acceptable. They read:&nbsp;“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:<ul>
 <li>Guarantee women’s medical care for emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages;&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure women’s safety during abortions;&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure parental consent for minors;&nbsp;</li><li>and Prohibit sex-change procedures for children?”</li>
 </ul>Under a law passed this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld in a separate case by Green</a>, Hoskins has five days to submit revised ballot language to the court. If after that, Green decides the language still doesn’t follow the law, Hoskins has one&nbsp;more opportunity to rewrite it. If Green still doesn’t find the language satisfactory, the judge will rewrite it himself.&nbsp;Hoskins was also responsible for writing the fair ballot statement that appears in polling places and on the office’s website that summarize what both a “yes” and “no” vote mean.Green previously told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;In his ruling Tuesday, Green deemed the new summary was sufficient.&nbsp;This approved summary states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.As the one-year anniversary of the abortion rights amendment approaches, access to the procedure in Missouri remains limited as legal battles challenging a series of abortion regulations play out in the courts.<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/11/laws-regulations-medication-abortion-mifepristone-misoprostol-missouri/">Medication abortions remain halted.</a>&nbsp;Procedural abortions are available on a limited basis at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis.&nbsp;

Missouri judge says new ballot language again fails to mention repeal of abortion rights

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Shortly after 8:30a.m. on Sept. 28, police responded to the area of 7th and R Street in Atchison to check the welfare of several people in and around a parked vehicle, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

One of those persons was&nbsp; 22-year-old Christian Tollett of Branson, Missouri, who was found to be in possession of illegal drugs.

Tollett is being held in the county jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759158665904.png" alt="Tollett photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Tollett photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Shortly after 8:30a.m. on Sept. 28, police responded to the area of 7th and R Street in Atchison to check the welfare of several people in and around a parked vehicle, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.One of those persons was&nbsp; 22-year-old Christian Tollett of Branson, Missouri, who was found to be in possession of illegal drugs.Tollett is being held in the county jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Drug suspect jailed after welfare check on parked car

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2DCqbUWDZ2Bbrg538COsCp?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/739xQ6qdAvfMV09sVdcjxJ?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas woman avoided serious injury after a crash in Atchison.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, police responded to an accident in the 1000 block South 7th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; A 2013 Honda Pilot SUV driven by Rebecca Smith, 45, Atchison, was northbound on 7th Street when she struck a parked vehicle causing the Honda SUV to land on its side.

EMS responded to the scene. Smith was not injured.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759241575072.png" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas woman avoided serious injury after a crash in Atchison.Just after 11p.m. Monday, police responded to an accident in the 1000 block South 7th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; A 2013 Honda Pilot SUV driven by Rebecca Smith, 45, Atchison, was northbound on 7th Street when she struck a parked vehicle causing the Honda SUV to land on its side.EMS responded to the scene. Smith was not injured.&nbsp;

Kansas woman avoids injury after SUV crash

Lindbergh Elementary School is seeking area volunteers that are looking to mentor students by helping read to a class every Wednesday during the fall.

 Volunteers are being asked to be a part of the school's&nbsp;&nbsp;"Be a Reading Mentor on Flight 2812!"program.&nbsp; The program starts on October 8th and runs from 10:40 a.m. until 11:40 a.m. every Wednesday through December 17th. 

Volunteers will read to 2nd graders. Onboarding for the program is October 1st at 10:40 a.m.

If you'd like to be a volunteer you can contact Lindbergh Elementary Assistant Principal Kaleb Johnson by emailing kalebjohnson@sjsd.k12.mo.us.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759227889584.jpeg" alt="Lindbergh Elementary seeking volunteers to read to 2nd grade class/ Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Lindbergh Elementary seeking volunteers to read to 2nd grade class/ Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostLindbergh Elementary School is seeking area volunteers that are looking to mentor students by helping read to a class every Wednesday during the fall. Volunteers are being asked to be a part of the school's&nbsp;&nbsp;"Be a Reading Mentor on Flight 2812!"program.&nbsp; The program starts on October 8th and runs from 10:40 a.m. until 11:40 a.m. every Wednesday through December 17th. Volunteers will read to 2nd graders. Onboarding for the program is October 1st at 10:40 a.m.If you'd like to be a volunteer you can contact Lindbergh Elementary Assistant Principal Kaleb Johnson by emailing kalebjohnson@sjsd.k12.mo.us.

Volunteers needed to read with students at Lindbergh Elementary

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Buick Rendezvous driven by a 59-year-old Bolckow man was northbound on U.S. 71 three miles north of Savannah.&nbsp; The truck rear-ended a&nbsp;1981 C-7000 Grain Truck driven by a 66-year-old Rosendale man who was slowing to turn east into Andrew County Oil. After impact the grain truck overturned.

Andrew County EMS transported the SUV driver to Mosaic Life Care. A private vehicle transported the truck driver to Mosaic.&nbsp; The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer reports names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Buick Rendezvous driven by a 59-year-old Bolckow man was northbound on U.S. 71 three miles north of Savannah.&nbsp; The truck rear-ended a&nbsp;1981 C-7000 Grain Truck driven by a 66-year-old Rosendale man who was slowing to turn east into Andrew County Oil. After impact the grain truck overturned.Andrew County EMS transported the SUV driver to Mosaic Life Care. A private vehicle transported the truck driver to Mosaic.&nbsp; The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer reports names of accident victims.

2 Mo. men injured after SUV rear-ends grain truck

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect after an altercation between two women in a store parking lot.

Just before 1p.m. September 24, police investigated a disturbance that had occurred in the Walmart parking lot in the 1900 block U.S.73 Highway in the city of Atchson, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759158957289.png" alt="Phillips photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Phillips photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect after an altercation between two women in a store parking lot.Just before 1p.m. September 24, police investigated a disturbance that had occurred in the Walmart parking lot in the 1900 block U.S.73 Highway in the city of Atchson, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.A 72-year-old woman reported being threatened, struck and pulled to the ground by a person known to her. The 78 year old suspect had left the scene before officers arrived.&nbsp; At 7p.m. police took 78-year-old Paula Phillips into custody at her residence. She remains jailed on requested charges that includes criminal threat and battery.&nbsp;

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