ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a toddler's hospitalization have made an arrest.

On February 13, police began an investigation that focused on a child younger than 2 years old who had suffered a medical emergency, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Officers had responded to a home in the 900 block Santa Fe in Atchison shortly before 2a.m. that morning where the baby was found to be unresponsive. 

Life saving measures were taken and the baby was transported to the hospital by EMS and subsequently to Children’s Mercy.

On Sunday, police arrested 34-year-old&nbsp;Sasha E. Gerard, of Atchison in the 100 block South 3rd Street on a District Court warrant for aggravated endangering a child. She is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.&nbsp; The child recovered after the hospitalization, according to Wilson.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688394163684.png" alt="Gerard-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Gerard-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a toddler's hospitalization have made an arrest.On February 13, police began an investigation that focused on a child younger than 2 years old who had suffered a medical emergency, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Officers had responded to a home in the 900 block Santa Fe in Atchison shortly before 2a.m. that morning where the baby was found to be unresponsive. Life saving measures were taken and the baby was transported to the hospital by EMS and subsequently to Children’s Mercy.On Sunday, police arrested 34-year-old&nbsp;Sasha E. Gerard, of Atchison in the 100 block South 3rd Street on a District Court warrant for aggravated endangering a child. She is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.&nbsp; The child recovered after the hospitalization, according to Wilson.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Kansas woman accused after toddler's hospitalization

As people celebrate Independence Day, officials with the state want to make sure people celebrate the holiday safely.  

State Fire Marshal Tim Bean says to be aware and remember the safety of your neighbors and yourself as you shoot off fireworks 

"Elevation in temperatures and the drought conditions across our state really heightens the awareness of being wise when we go to shoot our fireworks," Bean tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Bean says to be sure to follow safety rules this holiday such as making sure you have water nearby and to keep children away from the fireworks.  

While the Fourth of July is tomorrow people might be buying those last-minute fireworks before nightfall on Tuesday. 

Bean says to make sure you are buying fireworks from certified fireworks stands 

"We permit those, and the stand should have a displayed certificate from us showing that they are a qualified individual to be selling them," Bean says. "So, make sure and purchase your fireworks from the certified folks and if you find somebody that's not, please report that to us because we'd like to investigate that." 

Bean says that you should also make sure to check with local authorities about the rules of shooting off fireworks where you live.  

Fireworks are already being shot off as the Independence Day Holiday is here and you should be sure to practice safety with those fireworks.  

Bean says around this time statewide and nationally there is an influx in the number of house and grass fire calls 

"Anytime you have an explosive or a fire involved there is some elevations," Bean explains. "Sometimes like our weather conditions that we find ourselves in across our state elevates some of that due to the dry nature you know." 

Bean says to be sure to properly shoot off fireworks and watch for dry areas to avoid starting any fires.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688410442131.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post As people celebrate Independence Day, officials with the state want to make sure people celebrate the holiday safely. State Fire Marshal Tim Bean says to be aware and remember the safety of your neighbors and yourself as you shoot off fireworks "Elevation in temperatures and the drought conditions across our state really heightens the awareness of being wise when we go to shoot our fireworks," Bean tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Bean says to be sure to follow safety rules this holiday such as making sure you have water nearby and to keep children away from the fireworks. While the Fourth of July is tomorrow people might be buying those last-minute fireworks before nightfall on Tuesday. Bean says to make sure you are buying fireworks from certified fireworks stands "We permit those, and the stand should have a displayed certificate from us showing that they are a qualified individual to be selling them," Bean says. "So, make sure and purchase your fireworks from the certified folks and if you find somebody that's not, please report that to us because we'd like to investigate that." Bean says that you should also make sure to check with local authorities about the rules of shooting off fireworks where you live. Fireworks are already being shot off as the Independence Day Holiday is here and you should be sure to practice safety with those fireworks. Bean says around this time statewide and nationally there is an influx in the number of house and grass fire calls "Anytime you have an explosive or a fire involved there is some elevations," Bean explains. "Sometimes like our weather conditions that we find ourselves in across our state elevates some of that due to the dry nature you know." Bean says to be sure to properly shoot off fireworks and watch for dry areas to avoid starting any fires.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Shoot-fireworks-safely-this-fourth-of-July-e26gkuo" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Shoot off those fireworks safely this Independence Day holiday 

St. Joseph residents can haul off debris left in the wake of
the weekend storms at the city landfill, starting Wednesday.

The City of St. Joseph has announced it will accept tree
branches for disposal during normal hours of operation from Wednesday, July 5th,
to Saturday, July 8th.

City residency documentation is required. No commercial
vehicles will be allowed. Customers dropping off storm debris will be expected
to follow Clean Sweep guidelines, which can be found on the city website:&nbsp; stjosephmo.gov.

Hours of operation for the St. Joseph landfill are Monday
through Friday from 7am to 4:30pm, and Saturday from 7am to 2pm.

Click <a href="https://www.stjosephmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7916/Clean-Sweep?bidId=">HERE</a> for the Clean Sweep guidelines.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph residents can haul off debris left in the wake of
the weekend storms at the city landfill, starting Wednesday.The City of St. Joseph has announced it will accept tree
branches for disposal during normal hours of operation from Wednesday, July 5th,
to Saturday, July 8th.City residency documentation is required. No commercial
vehicles will be allowed. Customers dropping off storm debris will be expected
to follow Clean Sweep guidelines, which can be found on the city website:&nbsp; stjosephmo.gov.Hours of operation for the St. Joseph landfill are Monday
through Friday from 7am to 4:30pm, and Saturday from 7am to 2pm.Click <a href="https://www.stjosephmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7916/Clean-Sweep?bidId=">HERE</a> for the Clean Sweep guidelines.

St. Joseph residents can drop off storm debris at city landfill

The National Farmers Union released the 2023 numbers for the Farmers’ Share of the Food Dollar Report covering several items typically found at a Fourth of July cookout. 

The NFU says every year, the troubling trend of farmers earning less of the dollars Americans spend at the grocery store is continuing. 

“Whether it’s the highly consolidated meatpacking industry or harmful mergers in the private sector, farmers and consumers are being squeezed out of their hard-earned money,” says NFU President Rob Larew. 

“It doesn’t have to be that way.” For example, eight-count hamburger buns retail for $3.49, but the farmers’ share is only ten cents. Party-size potato chips are $5.99, but the farmers’ share is 29 cents. 

Two pounds of ground beef is $11.07, but farmers get just $3.42. Last year, the USDA said the farmers’ share of the food dollar bottomed out at only 14.5 cents of every dollar spent.

The National Farmers Union released the 2023 numbers for the Farmers’ Share of the Food Dollar Report covering several items typically found at a Fourth of July cookout. The NFU says every year, the troubling trend of farmers earning less of the dollars Americans spend at the grocery store is continuing. “Whether it’s the highly consolidated meatpacking industry or harmful mergers in the private sector, farmers and consumers are being squeezed out of their hard-earned money,” says NFU President Rob Larew. “It doesn’t have to be that way.” For example, eight-count hamburger buns retail for $3.49, but the farmers’ share is only ten cents. Party-size potato chips are $5.99, but the farmers’ share is 29 cents. Two pounds of ground beef is $11.07, but farmers get just $3.42. Last year, the USDA said the farmers’ share of the food dollar bottomed out at only 14.5 cents of every dollar spent.- NAFB

Farmers’ share of July Fourth food dollar continues to shrink

A derecho storm system hit parts of the Midwest last week. Hundreds of thousands had no power, homes and cars were smashed, and fields of crops were flattened by the high winds. 

The line of severe thunderstorms contained wind gusts of 90 miles per hour. 

The storm moved quickly, starting in southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas before pushing further east into Illinois and Indiana. 

“It was a classic line of severe thunderstorms that met all of the criteria for a typical derecho,” says Jonathan Erdman, a senior meteorologist with weather.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;“These types of storms typically form in late spring or early summer and are long-lived, widespread, and damaging wind events.” 

A derecho typically forms along the edge of an excessively hot and humid airmass like the heat dome that’s been parked over the Southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley. “They often ride the northern edge of heat domes,” Erdman says.

A derecho storm system hit parts of the Midwest last week. Hundreds of thousands had no power, homes and cars were smashed, and fields of crops were flattened by the high winds. The line of severe thunderstorms contained wind gusts of 90 miles per hour. The storm moved quickly, starting in southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas before pushing further east into Illinois and Indiana. “It was a classic line of severe thunderstorms that met all of the criteria for a typical derecho,” says Jonathan Erdman, a senior meteorologist with weather.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;“These types of storms typically form in late spring or early summer and are long-lived, widespread, and damaging wind events.” A derecho typically forms along the edge of an excessively hot and humid airmass like the heat dome that’s been parked over the Southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley. “They often ride the northern edge of heat domes,” Erdman says.- NAFB

Derecho hits farm country

Missouri will receive $1.7 billion from the
federal government to expand broadband in the state, an incredible step toward
covering the entire state, according to Broadband Development Office Director B.
J. Tanksley.

“It’s huge. It’s an historic opportunity for us in
the state of Missouri,” Tanksley tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We’ve been
talking about broadband for a long time and never thought we would have funding
like this to truly be able to address access, the infrastructure access, across
the state.”

Tanksley says the money will go a long way to
providing high-speed internet to all Missourians, no matter where they live.

“Our true goal with this is to connect all
Missourians and that’s what we’re going to try to do and with this amount of
funding, we’ll go a long was towards that,” according to Tanksley.

Pockets of Missouri do not have access to
high-speed internet or have only limited access.

“Especially when you look across the Iowa border,
there’s some significant pockets. Western Missouri does and then also across
southern Missouri,” Tanksley says. “There’s some tough to reach areas, because
of geography and otherwise.”

Tanksley says those parts of the state still
without broadband service have similar characteristics.

“It’s largely two things,” Tanksley says. “It’s
either population density or the difficulty of the terrain or the combination
of the two.”

Tanksley says the state will work with internet
providers to expand broadband. He expects it to take about six months to form a
plan with expansion starting in earnest early next year.

Tanksley calls this allocation of federal funds historic.

“Unbelievable opportunity in front of us to
really close the gap and make sure people in Missouri can live where they want
to and not have to wonder if they’ll have that the services that they expect to
have available to them.”

The money comes from the Department of Commerce
National Telecommunications and Information Administration and is based on the
number of unserved or under-served residents in the state.

By BRENT MARTINMissouri will receive $1.7 billion from the
federal government to expand broadband in the state, an incredible step toward
covering the entire state, according to Broadband Development Office Director B.
J. Tanksley.“It’s huge. It’s an historic opportunity for us in
the state of Missouri,” Tanksley tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We’ve been
talking about broadband for a long time and never thought we would have funding
like this to truly be able to address access, the infrastructure access, across
the state.”Tanksley says the money will go a long way to
providing high-speed internet to all Missourians, no matter where they live.“Our true goal with this is to connect all
Missourians and that’s what we’re going to try to do and with this amount of
funding, we’ll go a long was towards that,” according to Tanksley.Pockets of Missouri do not have access to
high-speed internet or have only limited access.“Especially when you look across the Iowa border,
there’s some significant pockets. Western Missouri does and then also across
southern Missouri,” Tanksley says. “There’s some tough to reach areas, because
of geography and otherwise.”Tanksley says those parts of the state still
without broadband service have similar characteristics.“It’s largely two things,” Tanksley says. “It’s
either population density or the difficulty of the terrain or the combination
of the two.”Tanksley says the state will work with internet
providers to expand broadband. He expects it to take about six months to form a
plan with expansion starting in earnest early next year.Tanksley calls this allocation of federal funds historic.“Unbelievable opportunity in front of us to
really close the gap and make sure people in Missouri can live where they want
to and not have to wonder if they’ll have that the services that they expect to
have available to them.”The money comes from the Department of Commerce
National Telecommunications and Information Administration and is based on the
number of unserved or under-served residents in the state.

Northern Missouri to benefit from huge broadband grant

The City of St. Joseph has announced that once again the Red Rally will take over Civic Center Park to welcome the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs back to St. Joseph for Training Camp.&nbsp;

The event will be held on Saturday, July 29th beginning at 1pm with live music, food vendors, and inflatables for kids.&nbsp; Red Rally T-Shirts will also be available to purchase.&nbsp;

Live music will include 90's cover bands Motley Crucial and Poison Overdose.&nbsp; &nbsp;Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus will be on stage along with the KC Rumble drum line and the Chiefs Cheerleaders.&nbsp;

Highlighting the event will once again be an appearance from Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne and country singer Blaine Howard who will close out the event which will run until 7:30pm.

The Red Rally is a collaboration of Made with Uncommon Character, an organization supported by Mosaic Life Care, the City of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph School District, and the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688396529452.jpeg" alt="Tech N9ne performs during the 2022 Red Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown St. Joseph/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Tech N9ne performs during the 2022 Red Rally at Civic Center Park in downtown St. Joseph/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe City of St. Joseph has announced that once again the Red Rally will take over Civic Center Park to welcome the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs back to St. Joseph for Training Camp.&nbsp;The event will be held on Saturday, July 29th beginning at 1pm with live music, food vendors, and inflatables for kids.&nbsp; Red Rally T-Shirts will also be available to purchase.&nbsp;Live music will include 90's cover bands Motley Crucial and Poison Overdose.&nbsp; &nbsp;Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus will be on stage along with the KC Rumble drum line and the Chiefs Cheerleaders.&nbsp;Highlighting the event will once again be an appearance from Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne and country singer Blaine Howard who will close out the event which will run until 7:30pm.The Red Rally is a collaboration of Made with Uncommon Character, an organization supported by Mosaic Life Care, the City of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph School District, and the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Red Rally announced, Tech N9ne returning to St. Joseph and Blaine Howard to headline

A 12-year-old has been taken into custody after a shooting in the
2300 block of Faraon Street in St. Joseph just after midnight.

St. Joseph police report officers arrived at the scene and confirmed
the shooting. It appears no one was shot and there wasn’t any property damage.

Officers took the juvenile into custody. The investigation
continues.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports officers are looking
for a 32-year-old subject who might have been involved.

This article has been updated since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 12-year-old has been taken into custody after a shooting in the
2300 block of Faraon Street in St. Joseph just after midnight.St. Joseph police report officers arrived at the scene and confirmed
the shooting. It appears no one was shot and there wasn’t any property damage.Officers took the juvenile into custody. The investigation
continues.The St. Joseph Police Department reports officers are looking
for a 32-year-old subject who might have been involved.This article has been updated since first published.

Juvenile taken into custody after early morning St. Joseph shooting

Evergy reports nearly all of its customers have had power restored in wake of the severe thunderstorms that battered the Midland Empire late Friday night into Saturday morning.

The utility reports Sunday morning that only 56 customers lack electricity from seven outages that remain.

The storm took down power lines and ripped down tree limbs throughout the area, leaving more than one thousand St. Joseph residents in the dark.&nbsp;

A severe storm gathered strength late Friday evening, prompting several warnings from the National Weather Service in Kansas City. NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Leavenworth and Wathena, Kansas shortly after 9:30pm. Rosecrans Memorial Airport, located across the Missouri River from St. Joseph, reported 82 mph winds around 10pm, according to NWS.&nbsp;

The storm knocked out power throughout the Midland Empire.&nbsp;

Evergy reported early Saturday afternoon that slightly more than one thousand St. Joseph residents remained without power. A total of nearly 3,000 Evergy customers in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas lost power from the storm.

The National Weather Service in Kansas City reported some storms returned to northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri Saturday evening, but a lot of the severe weather moved to central and southeast Missouri.&nbsp;

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostEvergy reports nearly all of its customers have had power restored in wake of the severe thunderstorms that battered the Midland Empire late Friday night into Saturday morning.The utility reports Sunday morning that only 56 customers lack electricity from seven outages that remain.The storm took down power lines and ripped down tree limbs throughout the area, leaving more than one thousand St. Joseph residents in the dark.&nbsp;A severe storm gathered strength late Friday evening, prompting several warnings from the National Weather Service in Kansas City. NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Leavenworth and Wathena, Kansas shortly after 9:30pm. Rosecrans Memorial Airport, located across the Missouri River from St. Joseph, reported 82 mph winds around 10pm, according to NWS.&nbsp;The storm knocked out power throughout the Midland Empire.&nbsp;Evergy reported early Saturday afternoon that slightly more than one thousand St. Joseph residents remained without power. A total of nearly 3,000 Evergy customers in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas lost power from the storm.The National Weather Service in Kansas City reported some storms returned to northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri Saturday evening, but a lot of the severe weather moved to central and southeast Missouri.&nbsp;

Power restored after storms batter greater St. Joseph area

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after an investigation.

On June 27, deputies investigating&nbsp;criminal activity on and or near the Kickapoo reservation applied for and received a $50,000&nbsp; Brown County&nbsp;&nbsp; warrant for Joseph Ross, 46, of&nbsp; Horton for Felony Aggravated Assault, Felony Criminal Threat and Battery.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Topeka police arrested Ross without incident. Ross has previous convictions for criminal damage to property, criminal deprivation of a motor vehicle and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687985360318.png" alt="Ross-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Ross-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after an investigation.On June 27, deputies investigating&nbsp;criminal activity on and or near the Kickapoo reservation applied for and received a $50,000&nbsp; Brown County&nbsp;&nbsp; warrant for Joseph Ross, 46, of&nbsp; Horton for Felony Aggravated Assault, Felony Criminal Threat and Battery.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Topeka police arrested Ross without incident. Ross has previous convictions for criminal damage to property, criminal deprivation of a motor vehicle and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sheriff: Wanted Kansas felon accused of new crimes

GENTRY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Saturday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Jeep Wrangler driven by Dustin W. Beaty, 46, Bethany, was eastbound on U.S.136 one mile west of Stanberry.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Jeep traveled off the south side of the road down an embankment, struck a field entrance, became airborne and rolled.

A 13-year-old male passenger from Bethany was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Roberson Funeral Home. Grand River Ambulance transported Beaty to Mosaic Life Care. A second passenger identified as Angela D. Beaty, 43, Bethany, was airlifted to Mosaic. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Saturday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Jeep Wrangler driven by Dustin W. Beaty, 46, Bethany, was eastbound on U.S.136 one mile west of Stanberry.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Jeep traveled off the south side of the road down an embankment, struck a field entrance, became airborne and rolled.A 13-year-old male passenger from Bethany was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Roberson Funeral Home. Grand River Ambulance transported Beaty to Mosaic Life Care. A second passenger identified as Angela D. Beaty, 43, Bethany, was airlifted to Mosaic. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

13-year-old Bethany boy dead after Jeep rollover crash

More than one thousand St. Joseph residents remain without power early this afternoon following a severe storm that packed winds topping 80 miles an hour, taking down power lines and trees limbs throughout the evening.&nbsp;

Evergy reports early this afternoon that 1,189 St. Joseph residents remain without power from 265 outages. A total of nearly 3,000 Evergy customers in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas remain without power.&nbsp;

The National Weather Service in Kansas City forecasts scattered storms could return to northwest Missouri Saturday afternoon, moving east to southeast with central Missouri and southeast Missouri expected to take the brunt of this storm system later this afternoon into the evening.&nbsp;

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMore than one thousand St. Joseph residents remain without power early this afternoon following a severe storm that packed winds topping 80 miles an hour, taking down power lines and trees limbs throughout the evening.&nbsp;A severe storm gathered strength late Friday evening, prompting several warnings from the National Weather Service in Kansas City. NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Leavenworth and Wathena, Kansas shortly after 9:30pm. Rosecrans Memorial Airport, located across the Missouri River from St. Joseph, reported 82 mph winds around 10pm, according to NWS.&nbsp;The storm knocked out power throughout the Midland Empire.&nbsp;Evergy reports early this afternoon that 1,189 St. Joseph residents remain without power from 265 outages. A total of nearly 3,000 Evergy customers in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas remain without power.&nbsp;The National Weather Service in Kansas City forecasts scattered storms could return to northwest Missouri Saturday afternoon, moving east to southeast with central Missouri and southeast Missouri expected to take the brunt of this storm system later this afternoon into the evening.&nbsp;

Some St. Joe residents remain without power after severe storm

Drought is spreading in Missouri and throughout the Midland
Empire.

The latest map issued by the U.S. Drought Monitor has nearly
every part of Missouri in some stage of drought, with other parts of the state
considered abnormally dry.

Farmer Jason Kurtz from Oregon, Missouri, a Missouri Farm
Bureau board member, says the lack of moisture has gotten serious in much of
northwest Missouri.

“We’ve seen some droughts and dry weather, but I have never
seen it this dry this early in the growing season,” Kurtz tells host Barry Birr
on the KFEQ Hotline. “Usually, the crop is made and then it will turn off
really dry toward the end of July/August.”

Hardest hit in Missouri is the central portion of the state.
That extreme drought is growing, though, spreading into much of northeast
Missouri, according to the Drought Monitor map. The map shows much of
north-central Missouri in severe drought with nearly all of northwest Missouri
in moderate drought.

Most of Buchanan County is abnormally dry with the northeast
portion considered in a moderate drought condition. Only a small portion of
extreme south-central Missouri has escaped the drought, so far.

Northeast Kansas is starting to feel the effects of the dry
weather with most of the region considered abnormally dry with portions
beginning to show moderate drought. Nebraska has been suffering under spreading
drought conditions with southeast Nebraska now considered in a moderate
drought. Iowa also has been suffering from dry weather with southwest Iowa experiencing
moderate to severe drought.

Kurtz says the dry conditions combined with increasingly hot
temperatures are hurting crops throughout the area.

“It’s going to take some time to turn it around. We were dry going
into the last part of the fall last year,” according to Kurtz. “So, the ground
moisture wasn’t there like we’ve had in the past and I think that’s really
showing evident this year.”

Agreeing is former Missouri Farm Bureau member Vernon Hart, a
Buchanan County farmer, who says it will take sustained rains to turn this
around.

“Your winter moisture, snow and everything, that adds up to
the sub-soil moisture and we just do not have that,” Hart says. “There are
creeks not running. I run cattle, a cow-calf operation besides farming row crop
with my brother. Creeks are dry and everything. The cows have got to drink on
the rural water district. That’s more expense. The hay crop, it’s been running
about half to two-thirds, at the best, of what it normally should run.”

The U.S. Drought Monitor operates out of the National Drought
Mitigation Center on the Lincoln campus of the University of Nebraska with the
aid of the USDA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

You can follow Brent on Twitter @GBrentKFEQ and @StJosephPost.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostDrought is spreading in Missouri and throughout the Midland
Empire.The latest map issued by the U.S. Drought Monitor has nearly
every part of Missouri in some stage of drought, with other parts of the state
considered abnormally dry.Farmer Jason Kurtz from Oregon, Missouri, a Missouri Farm
Bureau board member, says the lack of moisture has gotten serious in much of
northwest Missouri.“We’ve seen some droughts and dry weather, but I have never
seen it this dry this early in the growing season,” Kurtz tells host Barry Birr
on the KFEQ Hotline. “Usually, the crop is made and then it will turn off
really dry toward the end of July/August.”Hardest hit in Missouri is the central portion of the state.
That extreme drought is growing, though, spreading into much of northeast
Missouri, according to the Drought Monitor map. The map shows much of
north-central Missouri in severe drought with nearly all of northwest Missouri
in moderate drought.Most of Buchanan County is abnormally dry with the northeast
portion considered in a moderate drought condition. Only a small portion of
extreme south-central Missouri has escaped the drought, so far.Northeast Kansas is starting to feel the effects of the dry
weather with most of the region considered abnormally dry with portions
beginning to show moderate drought. Nebraska has been suffering under spreading
drought conditions with southeast Nebraska now considered in a moderate
drought. Iowa also has been suffering from dry weather with southwest Iowa experiencing
moderate to severe drought.Kurtz says the dry conditions combined with increasingly hot
temperatures are hurting crops throughout the area.“It’s going to take some time to turn it around. We were dry going
into the last part of the fall last year,” according to Kurtz. “So, the ground
moisture wasn’t there like we’ve had in the past and I think that’s really
showing evident this year.”Agreeing is former Missouri Farm Bureau member Vernon Hart, a
Buchanan County farmer, who says it will take sustained rains to turn this
around.“Your winter moisture, snow and everything, that adds up to
the sub-soil moisture and we just do not have that,” Hart says. “There are
creeks not running. I run cattle, a cow-calf operation besides farming row crop
with my brother. Creeks are dry and everything. The cows have got to drink on
the rural water district. That’s more expense. The hay crop, it’s been running
about half to two-thirds, at the best, of what it normally should run.”The U.S. Drought Monitor operates out of the National Drought
Mitigation Center on the Lincoln campus of the University of Nebraska with the
aid of the USDA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.You can follow Brent on Twitter @GBrentKFEQ and @StJosephPost.

Drought spreading throughout the Midland Empire

MERCER COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Friday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 GMC Acadia driven by by Clarence R. Bell, 84, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, was northbound on U.S. 65 at U.S. 136.

The driver fell asleep. The SUV traveled off the road, struck a light post and came to rest in a parking lot. 

Mercer County EMS transported a passenger Josephine E. Bell, 84, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, to Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Iowa. Clarence Bell was treated and released at the scene. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

MERCER COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Friday in Mercer County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 GMC Acadia driven by by Clarence R. Bell, 84, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, was northbound on U.S. 65 at U.S. 136.The driver fell asleep. The SUV traveled off the road, struck a light post and came to rest in a parking lot. Mercer County EMS transported a passenger Josephine E. Bell, 84, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, to Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Iowa. Clarence Bell was treated and released at the scene. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

One injured after SUV strikes light post when driver falls asleep

ATCHISON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on new charges after an arrest.

On Thursday, police arrested 35-year-old&nbsp; Jeffery E. Walker of Atchison on a requested charge for domestic battery in the 200 block North 9th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

In October of 2o21, police arrested Walker after a disturbance at an apartment complex in the 900 block South 4th Street in Atchison, according to Wilson.

During the disturbance a 51 year old man who resides at the complex was threatened with a hammer. Police took Walker into custody at his apartment in the complex on a requested charge of aggravated assault, according to Wilson. There were no injuries.

Walker has a previous convictions involving drugs, according to online jail records

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688133060268.png" alt="Walker-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Walker-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on new charges after an arrest.On Thursday, police arrested 35-year-old&nbsp; Jeffery E. Walker of Atchison on a requested charge for domestic battery in the 200 block North 9th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.In October of 2o21, police arrested Walker after a disturbance at an apartment complex in the 900 block South 4th Street in Atchison, according to Wilson.During the disturbance a 51 year old man who resides at the complex was threatened with a hammer. Police took Walker into custody at his apartment in the complex on a requested charge of aggravated assault, according to Wilson. There were no injuries.Walker has a previous convictions involving drugs, according to online jail records

Kan. man accused of threatening neighbor with hammer is back in jail

The Independence Day holiday travel period signals more drivers going to and from holiday gatherings. &nbsp;

It also signals more fireworks displays going off as you travel. &nbsp;

Missouri State Highway Patrol Seargent Shayne Hux with Troop H says be sure you don't get distracted by all those displays while you're driving.&nbsp;

"It's great if the passengers inside of a vehicle want to watch fireworks displays as they're going down the highway, however we do not recommend that for the driver," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "If the driver wants to do that pull over at a safe location, but other than that driving is a full-time job and it requires 100% of your attention, so do not get distracted by firework displays as you're traveling down the roadway."&nbsp;

Hux says to be aware of people traveling slower with campers or boats during the holiday period as well.&nbsp;

The Highway Patrol counting period will run today starting at 6pm until Tuesday July 4th at midnight.&nbsp;

Fireworks displays will be going off all around holiday travelers this Independence Day holiday, but there's one place the Missouri State Highway Patrol doesn't want to see them... from moving vehicles. &nbsp;

Hux says during this holiday period, the patrol receives influxes of calls about fireworks being shot from moving cars.&nbsp;

"Roman candles, things like that, and can you imagine if you light one and you don't get it out the window and that thing goes off inside the vehicle?" Hux says. "Everybody inside that vehicle is going to be at risk and then also the other motoring public if the driver loses control and has a vehicle crash, there's just a lot at stake there, lot of lives at risk, that's why we highly discourage that."&nbsp;

Hux says it's a crime to shoot fireworks from both vehicles and boats out on the water. &nbsp;

And with more people heading to the lake this Independence Day holiday period to enjoy fireworks and being out on the water, Hux says to be vigilant as you get out. &nbsp;

"Remain alert for other boats and swimmers when they're out there on the water," Hux explains. "And as always, be courteous, and never operate a vessel if you've consumed any type of alcohol or controlled substance."&nbsp;

Hux says last year statewide there were nine boating crashes with no fatalities and five injuries during the Independence Day holiday.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The Independence Day holiday travel period signals more drivers going to and from holiday gatherings. &nbsp;It also signals more fireworks displays going off as you travel. &nbsp;Missouri State Highway Patrol Seargent Shayne Hux with Troop H says be sure you don't get distracted by all those displays while you're driving.&nbsp;"It's great if the passengers inside of a vehicle want to watch fireworks displays as they're going down the highway, however we do not recommend that for the driver," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "If the driver wants to do that pull over at a safe location, but other than that driving is a full-time job and it requires 100% of your attention, so do not get distracted by firework displays as you're traveling down the roadway."&nbsp;Hux says to be aware of people traveling slower with campers or boats during the holiday period as well.&nbsp;The Highway Patrol counting period will run today starting at 6pm until Tuesday July 4th at midnight.&nbsp;Fireworks displays will be going off all around holiday travelers this Independence Day holiday, but there's one place the Missouri State Highway Patrol doesn't want to see them... from moving vehicles. &nbsp;Hux says during this holiday period, the patrol receives influxes of calls about fireworks being shot from moving cars.&nbsp;"Roman candles, things like that, and can you imagine if you light one and you don't get it out the window and that thing goes off inside the vehicle?" Hux says. "Everybody inside that vehicle is going to be at risk and then also the other motoring public if the driver loses control and has a vehicle crash, there's just a lot at stake there, lot of lives at risk, that's why we highly discourage that."&nbsp;Hux says it's a crime to shoot fireworks from both vehicles and boats out on the water. &nbsp;And with more people heading to the lake this Independence Day holiday period to enjoy fireworks and being out on the water, Hux says to be vigilant as you get out. &nbsp;"Remain alert for other boats and swimmers when they're out there on the water," Hux explains. "And as always, be courteous, and never operate a vessel if you've consumed any type of alcohol or controlled substance."&nbsp;Hux says last year statewide there were nine boating crashes with no fatalities and five injuries during the Independence Day holiday.&nbsp;

Don't be distracted by those fireworks as you travel for your Fourth of July plans

With highs expected in the upper 90's today, avoiding heat exhaustion and dehydration should be top of mind.&nbsp;

St. Joseph Health Educator Jada Johnson advises to watch signs of dehydration as you are out playing or working in this heat.&nbsp;

"Definitely heavy sweating, like profusely sweating and not on a normal level, if they're going through clothes, a lot of sweating," Johnson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Rapid heartbeat, if they're feeling faint like they're going to pass out, dizziness, severe fatigue, if they have intense muscle cramps that kind of come out of nowhere, nausea and even vomiting, and then headache."&nbsp;

Johnson says the even more extreme signs to look out for include losing consciousness, becoming confused, and overheating the body to above 104 degrees.&nbsp;

Johnson says you should stay properly hydrated while out playing or working in the heat this summer. &nbsp;

Johnson says the best way to stay hydrated is drinking water rather than sports drinks.&nbsp;

"Sometimes those have a lot of sugar, so just opting for plain water and maybe infusing your water with fresh fruits like lemon, berries, or even mint leaves can make drinking water a lot easier," Johnson explains. "But water is just really key for optimal hydration."&nbsp;

For children and teens, that could be easier said than done.&nbsp; Johnson says youth tend to go for sugary drinks over water while out in the heat&nbsp;

"Get them maybe a fun water bottle to drink out of and add the fruits in there to make it taste better so they're more willing to drink it," Johnson says. "If they do opt for pop and stuff maybe tell them to level it out with a glass of water."&nbsp;

Johnson says children can also stay hydrated by eating more fruits and vegetables.&nbsp;

"Fruits are really good during the summer so strawberries, peaches, cucumbers, celery, all of those fruits and veggies have a lot of those hydrating qualities to them as well," Johnson points out.&nbsp;

Johnson says for adults it's also best to not drink alcohol to avoid dehydration. &nbsp;

Temperatures are expected to drop below 90 through the weekend, with the chances of rain and thunderstorms, but will be back up to a high of 92 on Monday.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;With highs expected in the upper 90's today, avoiding heat exhaustion and dehydration should be top of mind.&nbsp;St. Joseph Health Educator Jada Johnson advises to watch signs of dehydration as you are out playing or working in this heat.&nbsp;"Definitely heavy sweating, like profusely sweating and not on a normal level, if they're going through clothes, a lot of sweating," Johnson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Rapid heartbeat, if they're feeling faint like they're going to pass out, dizziness, severe fatigue, if they have intense muscle cramps that kind of come out of nowhere, nausea and even vomiting, and then headache."&nbsp;Johnson says the even more extreme signs to look out for include losing consciousness, becoming confused, and overheating the body to above 104 degrees.&nbsp;Johnson says you should stay properly hydrated while out playing or working in the heat this summer. &nbsp;Johnson says the best way to stay hydrated is drinking water rather than sports drinks.&nbsp;"Sometimes those have a lot of sugar, so just opting for plain water and maybe infusing your water with fresh fruits like lemon, berries, or even mint leaves can make drinking water a lot easier," Johnson explains. "But water is just really key for optimal hydration."&nbsp;For children and teens, that could be easier said than done.&nbsp; Johnson says youth tend to go for sugary drinks over water while out in the heat&nbsp;"Get them maybe a fun water bottle to drink out of and add the fruits in there to make it taste better so they're more willing to drink it," Johnson says. "If they do opt for pop and stuff maybe tell them to level it out with a glass of water."&nbsp;Johnson says children can also stay hydrated by eating more fruits and vegetables.&nbsp;"Fruits are really good during the summer so strawberries, peaches, cucumbers, celery, all of those fruits and veggies have a lot of those hydrating qualities to them as well," Johnson points out.&nbsp;Johnson says for adults it's also best to not drink alcohol to avoid dehydration. &nbsp;Temperatures are expected to drop below 90 through the weekend, with the chances of rain and thunderstorms, but will be back up to a high of 92 on Monday.&nbsp;

Stay hydrated as summer heats continue to rise

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association filed a motion in the U.S. District Court of Southern Texas asking it to strike down the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. Rule. 

The motion comes in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA. 

“A full rewrite of the Biden administration’s WOTUS definition is the only path to comply with the Sackett decision,” says NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. 

“NCBA is seeking summary judgment in our lawsuit against the Biden WOTUS rule and urging the Southern District of Texas to strike the rule from the books.” Separate from the Sackett case, NCBA led a coalition in filing suit against the Biden rule to keep it from taking effect. 

NCBA helped secure injunctions in 27 states to temporarily halt the rule. “NCBA has been fighting the overreaching WOTUS rules for years, and this is the latest example of our fight,” says Hart. &nbsp;

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association filed a motion in the U.S. District Court of Southern Texas asking it to strike down the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. Rule. The motion comes in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA. “A full rewrite of the Biden administration’s WOTUS definition is the only path to comply with the Sackett decision,” says NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “NCBA is seeking summary judgment in our lawsuit against the Biden WOTUS rule and urging the Southern District of Texas to strike the rule from the books.” Separate from the Sackett case, NCBA led a coalition in filing suit against the Biden rule to keep it from taking effect. NCBA helped secure injunctions in 27 states to temporarily halt the rule. “NCBA has been fighting the overreaching WOTUS rules for years, and this is the latest example of our fight,” says Hart. &nbsp;- NAFB

NCBA files motion to strike down WOTUS

The Midwest and east-central Great Plains saw conditions worsen with widespread crop stress and lower stream flows in this week’s Drought Monitor. 

Heavy rains in parts of Ohio and Kentucky led to some improvements in the short-term drought. 

However, much of the Midwest saw conditions stay the same or get worse, especially in central Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, and southeast Iowa. 

Almost completely-dry weather in Missouri and southern Illinois created potential problems for corn and soybean production. In southeast Iowa, producers reported rolling corn leaves and stunted soybeans. The weather was varied in the High Plains. 

Much of the northern parts, except for eastern Nebraska and eastern Kansas, saw widespread precipitation, some of it heavy. Conditions got drier in southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas. 

Much warmer than normal temperatures covered the western half of the South. Most of the West was near to below-normal in temps during the week.

The Midwest and east-central Great Plains saw conditions worsen with widespread crop stress and lower stream flows in this week’s Drought Monitor. Heavy rains in parts of Ohio and Kentucky led to some improvements in the short-term drought. However, much of the Midwest saw conditions stay the same or get worse, especially in central Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, and southeast Iowa. Almost completely-dry weather in Missouri and southern Illinois created potential problems for corn and soybean production. In southeast Iowa, producers reported rolling corn leaves and stunted soybeans. The weather was varied in the High Plains. Much of the northern parts, except for eastern Nebraska and eastern Kansas, saw widespread precipitation, some of it heavy. Conditions got drier in southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas. Much warmer than normal temperatures covered the western half of the South. Most of the West was near to below-normal in temps during the week.- NAFB

Drought tightens grip on Midwest, Eastern Great Plains

A St. Joseph woman and Red Cross volunteer is headed to an island and U.S. Territory in the Pacific Ocean that was recently hit by one of the strongest typhoons in recent history.

Typhoon Mawar hit the island of Guam in late May. Guam is a U.S. territory in the North Pacific. It’s the most populated island in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Mawar made landfall in Guam on May 24, dumping over 20 inches of rain and bringing 140 mph winds with it. It was the strongest tropical cyclone in the northern hemisphere so far this year.

Peggy Gaines has volunteered through the St. Joseph Red Cross for over 15 years. This will be her first international trip, and she’ll be helping residents on the island find more suitable housing.

"It'll be a long trip," she said. "I'm going there to work with Red Cross disaster recovery. I'm going to be doing shelter residence transition, which means I'll try and help people get out of shelters into more sustainable housing."

Gaines says a big motivation for her going on this trip is the large U.S. Military presence at Guam, who also took the brunt of the storm damage. Of the 150,000 residents on the island, about a third of them are U.S. military personnel.

"They all had this disaster, too," Gaines said. "They're all part of this recovery. Red Cross is working in sheltering and feeding of course, but we're also trying to take those steps in recovery, because it's been almost a month now."

Gaines leaves for Guam on Friday. She’ll be there for three weeks. She says one of the biggest challenges of this disaster relief effort will be helping the larger families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

"I was told it's not abnormal to find families of 14-15 people in home, so it'll be hard to find housing for those bigger families."

This will be Gaines’ 51st disaster relief trip. She’s helped with a variety of events and hardships, from house fires, hurricanes and tornadoes. She was in Florida this past winter helping with Hurricane Ian relief.

Gaines says her motivation for doing this is fairly simple.

"I have everything I need," she said. "These people have nothing, or close to nothing. That's why I go to help. If I can offer hope and give them a way forward, that's what I'll try to do, and Red Cross educates you very well on that."

Gaines says there’s several ways everyone can help the Red Cross in these disaster relief efforts.

"People in the U.S. can learn to be a volunteer and volunteer your time and skills and go. Or, you can go to RedCross.org and donate."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687982758174.png" alt="Peggy Gaines. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Peggy Gaines. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph woman and Red Cross volunteer is headed to an island and U.S. Territory in the Pacific Ocean that was recently hit by one of the strongest typhoons in recent history.Typhoon Mawar hit the island of Guam in late May. Guam is a U.S. territory in the North Pacific. It’s the most populated island in the Northern Mariana Islands.Mawar made landfall in Guam on May 24, dumping over 20 inches of rain and bringing 140 mph winds with it. It was the strongest tropical cyclone in the northern hemisphere so far this year.Peggy Gaines has volunteered through the St. Joseph Red Cross for over 15 years. This will be her first international trip, and she’ll be helping residents on the island find more suitable housing."It'll be a long trip," she said. "I'm going there to work with Red Cross disaster recovery. I'm going to be doing shelter residence transition, which means I'll try and help people get out of shelters into more sustainable housing."Gaines says a big motivation for her going on this trip is the large U.S. Military presence at Guam, who also took the brunt of the storm damage. Of the 150,000 residents on the island, about a third of them are U.S. military personnel."They all had this disaster, too," Gaines said. "They're all part of this recovery. Red Cross is working in sheltering and feeding of course, but we're also trying to take those steps in recovery, because it's been almost a month now."Gaines leaves for Guam on Friday. She’ll be there for three weeks. She says one of the biggest challenges of this disaster relief effort will be helping the larger families whose homes were damaged or destroyed."I was told it's not abnormal to find families of 14-15 people in home, so it'll be hard to find housing for those bigger families."This will be Gaines’ 51st disaster relief trip. She’s helped with a variety of events and hardships, from house fires, hurricanes and tornadoes. She was in Florida this past winter helping with Hurricane Ian relief.Gaines says her motivation for doing this is fairly simple."I have everything I need," she said. "These people have nothing, or close to nothing. That's why I go to help. If I can offer hope and give them a way forward, that's what I'll try to do, and Red Cross educates you very well on that."Gaines says there’s several ways everyone can help the Red Cross in these disaster relief efforts."People in the U.S. can learn to be a volunteer and volunteer your time and skills and go. Or, you can go to RedCross.org and donate."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph woman, Red Cross volunteer headed for Guam to help with typhoon relief

The state’s funding for school districts has remained relatively unchanged as inflation sped up in the past decade

By ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/30/open-enrollment-missouri-school-choice/">Missouri Independent</a>

Local education leaders around Missouri say the formula that determines state funding of public schools hasn’t kept up with inflation and other pressures districts face in 2023.

At least 35 school boards have passed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://go.boarddocs.com/mo/lsr7sd/Board.nsf/files/CPSUUY7AC990/$file/Resolution%20Calling%20for%20the%20Appointment%20of%20a%20Blue%20Ribbon%20Commission%20to%20Study%20Missouri%E2%80%99s%20Funding%20Formula.pdf">resolutions asking the State Board of Education</a>&nbsp;to convene a blue ribbon commission to study the formula, which each year adds up to less and less of their overall funding.

David Buck, superintendent of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, has watched state funding dip from 34.4% of the district’s revenue to 26% in nine years. The district’s voters recently approved a levy transfer to allocate more revenue to teacher salaries to keep up with inflation.

“(The formula) is shifting the financial burden of operations from state to local level, because it’s so flat,” Buck said.

State lawmakers say they “fully fund the formula,” said Mehlville Superintendent Chris Gaines, but that doesn’t account for changes made seven years ago that make it easier to qualify as fully funded.

“They still get to say, ‘We fully funded the formula’ — even as they manipulated the cost to be lower,” Mehlville Superintendent Chris Gaines told The Independent.

The amount of money the state allots as a base cost for educating each student has increased 4% since 2009. The consumer price index, an indicator of inflation, has risen over 33% in the St. Louis Metro during the same period of time.

The call for an update to the foundation formula is felt by lawmakers like state Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, who chairs the House elementary and secondary education committee. He said most education funding formulas last 10 years, and this current formula is past its 17th.

During the legislative session this spring, he steered his committee toward learning more about the formula, but he didn’t feel confident the legislature was ready to tackle the update.

“I think we need to update (the formula), but that’s a pretty heavy lift and not very many people understand it,” Pollitt said. “Very few people understand the formula that are actually in the capital.”

Lawsuits have preceded the past two major changes to the formula, but Missouri superintendents are hoping for edits soon and hoping a blue ribbon commission can help.

The current formula, crafted in 2005 amid litigation, leans on a “state adequacy target,” or the minimum cost of educating each student. This target is recalculated regularly by looking at the expenses of the state’s high-performing districts.

The state adequacy target has been frozen since 2020.

Gaines said he always felt the current formula shorted districts, but changes in 2014 and 2016 worsened the pinch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688126091968.png" alt=" Lee’s Summit R-7 School District’s Tony L. Stansberry Leadership Center, as photographed December 30, 2022 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Lee’s Summit R-7 School District’s Tony L. Stansberry Leadership Center, as photographed December 30, 2022 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The state’s funding for school districts has remained relatively unchanged as inflation sped up in the past decade</h2>By ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/30/open-enrollment-missouri-school-choice/">Missouri Independent</a>Local education leaders around Missouri say the formula that determines state funding of public schools hasn’t kept up with inflation and other pressures districts face in 2023.At least 35 school boards have passed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://go.boarddocs.com/mo/lsr7sd/Board.nsf/files/CPSUUY7AC990/$file/Resolution%20Calling%20for%20the%20Appointment%20of%20a%20Blue%20Ribbon%20Commission%20to%20Study%20Missouri%E2%80%99s%20Funding%20Formula.pdf">resolutions asking the State Board of Education</a>&nbsp;to convene a blue ribbon commission to study the formula, which each year adds up to less and less of their overall funding.David Buck, superintendent of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, has watched state funding dip from 34.4% of the district’s revenue to 26% in nine years. The district’s voters recently approved a levy transfer to allocate more revenue to teacher salaries to keep up with inflation.“(The formula) is shifting the financial burden of operations from state to local level, because it’s so flat,” Buck said.State lawmakers say they “fully fund the formula,” said Mehlville Superintendent Chris Gaines, but that doesn’t account for changes made seven years ago that make it easier to qualify as fully funded.“They still get to say, ‘We fully funded the formula’ — even as they manipulated the cost to be lower,” Mehlville Superintendent Chris Gaines told The Independent.The amount of money the state allots as a base cost for educating each student has increased 4% since 2009. The consumer price index, an indicator of inflation, has risen over 33% in the St. Louis Metro during the same period of time.The call for an update to the foundation formula is felt by lawmakers like state Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, who chairs the House elementary and secondary education committee. He said most education funding formulas last 10 years, and this current formula is past its 17th.During the legislative session this spring, he steered his committee toward learning more about the formula, but he didn’t feel confident the legislature was ready to tackle the update.“I think we need to update (the formula), but that’s a pretty heavy lift and not very many people understand it,” Pollitt said. “Very few people understand the formula that are actually in the capital.”Lawsuits have preceded the past two major changes to the formula, but Missouri superintendents are hoping for edits soon and hoping a blue ribbon commission can help.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688126030572.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>How the formula works</h2>The current formula, crafted in 2005 amid litigation, leans on a “state adequacy target,” or the minimum cost of educating each student. This target is recalculated regularly by looking at the expenses of the state’s high-performing districts.The state adequacy target has been frozen since 2020.Gaines said he always felt the current formula shorted districts, but changes in 2014 and 2016 worsened the pinch.“There's always been frustration from the start,” Gaines said. “When the legislature started manipulating and limiting growth in the state adequacy target in order to get the formula to work within a defined amount of money,&nbsp; that just added to it.”In 2014, state lawmakers passed a law allowing the state to recalculate the target when it didn’t appropriate enough funds. And two years later, lawmakers set a cap on the amount the state adequacy target is allowed to grow.The target is multiplied by the weighted average daily attendance, or a district’s average attendance with extra funding for students that cost more to educate.The state sets a threshold based on the average number of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch, receive special-education services and have limited English language proficiency. Then, districts receive additional funding per each student they educate over the threshold.Districts with more students in the high-needs groups have a higher weight.A third factor completes the multiplication: A dollar-value modifier. This factor adjusts state funding for an area’s cost of living.Then, the state subtracts school districts’ locally generated revenue from 2004-2005, based on a tax levy of $3.43. The amount remaining is the state aid that districts get annually from the formula.The state also gives districts money through Proposition C, a 1% sales tax approved by voters, and the Classroom Trust Fund, a fund that includes gambling revenues.&nbsp;Lawmakers also include annual money in the state budget to provide for transportation costs and grants to increase teacher salaries.Gaines said these budget items aren’t as reliable because they seem to be the first cut when state revenue is down.“If we would fund the formula the way it should be,” he said, “maybe we wouldn't have to be doing these grant programs.”<h2>A call for a commission</h2>Past foundation formulas were crafted before Missouri finalized term limits. Now, state lawmakers are less likely to have a history with the formula when making changes.Charlie Shields, chair of the State Board of Education, worked on the current formula as a state senator in 2005. He told The Independent that the process took nearly two years.“You need to do it in years that you have money, which we're blessed right now that the state’s budgets are in pretty good shape. So if you're going to revise a formula, this is probably a good time to start,” he said. “But I can't overemphasize the difficulty factor in doing this.”He said the state board is ready to assist legislators, but he doesn’t think a blue ribbon commission is the right path.“It is the legislature that writes the formula, and for us just to come up with a commission that hands a legislature recommendation doesn't seem like that would be a process that would work,” Shields said.A blue ribbon commission provides studies and suggestions to the State Board of Education and lawmakers, but the state’s elected officials will ultimately write the legislation.“We understand superintendents and districts wanting us to have somebody looking at the formula,” Shields said. “It doesn't seem an appropriate process in my mind to do that outside of the legislature.”There is currently a commission studying teacher recruitment and retention that recently made its first round of suggestions. Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, took many of the group’s legislative priorities as he filed bills.Midway through the legislative session, his teacher recruitment and retention legislation was merged into one bill and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-approves-legislation-seeking-to-boost-minimum-teacher-salaries/">overwhelmingly supported by the House</a>. The bill died,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/06/lawmakers-lament-failure-of-bills-aimed-at-addressing-missouri-teacher-shortage/">although a plan was crafted to bring it to the Senate floor</a>, during GOP infighting in the Senate.Legislation proposing additional funding for high-needs students through the formula also made progress this spring but did not get a final stamp of approval.Pollitt said he doesn’t think the formula should be rewritten entirely, but he does foresee edits. He held a workshop on the formula in his committee this year to begin to get lawmakers ready for changes.Buck hopes a new blue ribbon commission studying the formula could engage superintendents, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and state lawmakers.“This needs to be a collaborative effort,” he said.Buck pointed to a recent study of the formula conducted by an expert on state education funding. He said it was a good starting point, but he wants districts to be engaged in the next step of the research.<h2>Studying the formula</h2>The State Board of Education touched on the study in its recent meeting, barely grazing points made in a lengthy report by Bruce Baker, chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami.Baker&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/missouri-school-funding-march-2023">looked at Missouri’s formula this year</a>&nbsp;and found that the current formula hurts districts with the highest amount of low-income students.He suggested a change to the weighted average daily attendance, saying the weights were “not based on any empirical analysis.”Instead, he recommended removing the threshold and updating the weights to the actual cost of educating high-needs students.Currently, the state gives districts an additional 25% of funding costs for low-income students. Baker said his research supports a boost of 111% for low-income students.Low-income students in cities or the fringe of cities cost 139% more to educate, he said. Baker estimated a weight of 310% for English-language learners, compared to the current 60% boost.Baker also suggests switching to enrollment rather than attendance as a pupil count.“It is well understood that average daily attendance rates tend to be lower (relative to enrolled, eligible pupils) in districts that are higher in child poverty and in minority concentrations. As such, when state aid is calculated based on average daily attendance, that aid is systematically reduced in higher poverty, higher minority concentration districts,” he wrote.Gaines liked the shift away from attendance but wished Baker’s report would’ve looked into the state adequacy target. He said the target is what got superintendents thinking about a path forward.“The stagnation of this state tag adequacy target was the thing that was driving frustration in a lot of people,” Gaines said. “So that really got us to engage and start having conversations around that formula.”Pollitt said he hopes to discuss education funding with legislative leaders soon.