A gift from the Leah Spratt Charitable Trust to the Mosaic Life Care Foundation is helping provide free nights at the InspireU Children's Discovery Center.  

The museum will provide three more free nights, after the first event was held at the end of last month.   

Museum director Katherine Patterson-Paronto says after the museum closed for its normal hours; they re-opened the doors later in the evening 

"And there was just a line of people so excited to come in waiting for us when we reopened that door,” Patterson-Paronto tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And so, we loved it, because we were having fun right away, and we ended up having about 200 people come through the doors that night, so we’re really pleased.” 

Patterson- Paronto says gifts like these help in making it more affordable for people to come experience the museum 

"These sponsors really make it possible for us to be able to afford to give opportunities to these families,” Patterson- Paronto explains.  “The free nights are really a great way for if a family can’t afford to come at all, they’ve got that time they can come and have a great time.” 

Patterson-Paronto says the most important part for her, and her staff, is to make sure every family has the opportunity to experience the museum.  

Patterson- Paronto adds that being able to provide four free nights is great, because it helps get the word out about the events 

"If you have something on a regular basis, the word gets out and more people realize it’s happening and can come,” Patteron- Paronto says.  “And so, the worst-case scenario for us is like a family learns the day after we have a free night they could have come for free, we definitely want as many people as possible to take advantage of this and have a great time with their families.” 

Free nights will be hosted again on January 22nd, March 19th, and May 21st from 5:30 to 8pm 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

By MATT PIKEA gift from the Leah Spratt Charitable Trust to the Mosaic Life Care Foundation is helping provide free nights at the InspireU Children's Discovery Center. The museum will provide three more free nights, after the first event was held at the end of last month. Museum director Katherine Patterson-Paronto says after the museum closed for its normal hours; they re-opened the doors later in the evening "And there was just a line of people so excited to come in waiting for us when we reopened that door,” Patterson-Paronto tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And so, we loved it, because we were having fun right away, and we ended up having about 200 people come through the doors that night, so we’re really pleased.” Patterson- Paronto says gifts like these help in making it more affordable for people to come experience the museum "These sponsors really make it possible for us to be able to afford to give opportunities to these families,” Patterson- Paronto explains. “The free nights are really a great way for if a family can’t afford to come at all, they’ve got that time they can come and have a great time.” Patterson-Paronto says the most important part for her, and her staff, is to make sure every family has the opportunity to experience the museum. Patterson- Paronto adds that being able to provide four free nights is great, because it helps get the word out about the events "If you have something on a regular basis, the word gets out and more people realize it’s happening and can come,” Patteron- Paronto says. “And so, the worst-case scenario for us is like a family learns the day after we have a free night they could have come for free, we definitely want as many people as possible to take advantage of this and have a great time with their families.” Free nights will be hosted again on January 22nd, March 19th, and May 21st from 5:30 to 8pm You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

InspireU welcoming more families in during free nights at the museum

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Sunday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2026 Hyundai Tucson driven by a 60-year-old Ostrander, Ohioman was westbound on MO 116 at NE Valann Lane to mile east of Lathrop. The Hyundai SUV struck a 2012 Chevy Colorado driven by an 18-year-old Lathrop man that was stationary following an earlier crash.

Tri-County EMS transported the teen driver to Liberty Hospital. Holt Fire and EMS transported the 60-year-old driver to North Kansas City Hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Sunday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2026 Hyundai Tucson driven by a 60-year-old Ostrander, Ohioman was westbound on MO 116 at NE Valann Lane to mile east of Lathrop. The Hyundai SUV struck a 2012 Chevy Colorado driven by an 18-year-old Lathrop man that was stationary following an earlier crash.Tri-County EMS transported the teen driver to Liberty Hospital. Holt Fire and EMS transported the 60-year-old driver to North Kansas City Hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 injured after SUV strikes disabled pickup on Mo. highway

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Saturday in Atchison.

A 2015 Subaru Forrester driven by Robert McCourtney, 72, Atchison, northbound in the 500 Block of 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The SUV struck a 2010 Ford Mustang and a 2018 Nissan Sentra which were both parked on the east side of the street. After impact, the subaru landed on its top. The Fire Department was on the scene and extricated McCourtney from the Subaru. EMS transported him to Amberwell Hospital for examination. The investigation continues with alcohol as a factor, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765741723356.png" alt="photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Saturday in Atchison.A 2015 Subaru Forrester driven by Robert McCourtney, 72, Atchison, northbound in the 500 Block of 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The SUV struck a 2010 Ford Mustang and a 2018 Nissan Sentra which were both parked on the east side of the street. After impact, the subaru landed on its top. The Fire Department was on the scene and extricated McCourtney from the Subaru. EMS transported him to Amberwell Hospital for examination. The investigation continues with alcohol as a factor, according to Wilson.

Police: Alcohol a possible factor in 3-vehicle Kan. crash

Officials in Joplin recently passed an ordinance banning the practice after noticing out-of-state vehicles dropping off homeless people. Columbia, meanwhile, has adopted a voluntary ride home program

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/megcunningham/">Meg Cunningham</a>

For years, stories circulated around Joplin, Missouri, about the city’s homeless population and how they arrived in the city.

Calls would come in to city officials following a recurring theme.

“People were coming to the City Council meetings and saying, ‘I don’t know why you guys don’t know this, but I’m witnessing busloads of people being dropped off in our town,’” said Joplin Mayor Keenan Cortez. “‘Buses are coming in, stopping at gas stations, unloading and the buses are turning around and going back.’”

The city commissioned a study to investigate. But it came back with no hard evidence.

Still, the reports kept coming in. So the city took a deeper look.

Officials collected video evidence of out-of-state law enforcement vehicles dropping people off at truck stops. Some medical systems seemed to be involved, too. They also gathered signed affidavits from people who were new to Joplin, saying they were given promises of a shelter bed or resources at the end of their ride.

“We were starting to hear from people in our community that, ‘I was brought to Joplin and just dropped off. I was in trouble over there. That community didn’t deal with me. They put me in a car, a van, a bus and said there’s help for you,’” Cortez said.

Instead, they were left without their support system, in a new city with limited resources and few places to turn.

Cortez said city officials aren’t sure how many people shared similar stories.

“At the end of the day, I don’t know if it was 15, if it was 50,” Cortez said. “As a mayor, it doesn’t matter.”

Joplin officials put their heads together with the city’s legal team. After sending cease-and-desist letters to the organizations they believed were dropping people off in the city, the City Council started considering legislation to ban the practice.

The City Council&nbsp;<a href="https://www.joplinmo.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/11777?fileID=69549" target="_blank">passed an ordinance</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of November. It isn’t uncommon for medical systems to refer patients needing specialized treatment, or for victims of domestic violence, to be sent to a shelter in another town. The ordinance includes exemptions for those situations.

So far, Cortez and city officials think the letters and new ordinance appear to be working. They haven’t had any reports of people being dropped off since the ordinance was passed. But the trend points to a larger problem Missouri’s cities are facing as homelessness rises across the state.

Missouri’s reliance on larger cities for services&nbsp;for the homeless population

It is fairly common for smaller, rural areas to rely on the services in larger cities for things like shelters, medical care or mental health treatment.

From 2023 to 2024, the number of unsheltered people grew 9% in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-02-11/homeless-residents-midwest-cities-increasingly-hard-track-help" target="_blank">Missouri</a>, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development point-in-time counts. In&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/05/02/kansas-cities-struggling-increase-homelessness/" target="_blank">Kansas</a>, the number grew by 6%, while Oklahoma saw an 18% jump.

Columbia is similar to Joplin when it comes to being a regional hub for services and shelter beds.

Columbia began working more closely on reducing homelessness in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.como.gov/city-managers-office/homelessness-citywide-efforts/" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;by establishing a program within Boone County’s Department of Public Health to connect people with resources. City officials also created a homeless outreach team within the police department to try and divert people from the justice system.

Now, the city has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/pilot-program-in-columbia-hopes-to-reduce-homelessness-through-transportation/article_936f234d-3c03-47c8-a518-81f286951664.html" target="_blank">launched</a>&nbsp;the Ride Home program, which gives homeless or impoverished community members free rides back to their hometowns or to support systems up to three hours away. If someone needs to travel farther, the city will purchase a bus ticket to get them to where they need to go.

Since the launch in October, the city has provided three rides, said Austin Krohn, public information specialist at the Columbia &amp; Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.

“People come in for mental health services, or if there is a facility that can only do a certain type of screening for them,” Krohn said. “People are coming here from all over Missouri to get services, and then they’re stuck here.”

Local service providers and shelters can refer people to the program to receive a free ride. People must have verifiable support at the destination, a referral, photo ID and no outstanding warrants in the county.

Studies have shown that voluntary transport to a support system can be instrumental in improving someone’s housing situation.

San Francisco runs a robust transportation program, similar to Ride Home in Columbia. In fiscal year 2024, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfhsa.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-10/homeward_bound_annual_report_fy_2024-25_final.pdf" target="_blank">agency</a>&nbsp;that runs the program gave 230 rides.

San Francisco officials followed up with riders 90 days after their ride, and found that of the 230 served, 61 found housing, while 29 had another or unknown location. The remaining riders were unreachable or declined to be surveyed as part of the program.

“When I was doing direct service 30 years ago, people called it Greyhound therapy,” said Jeff Olivet, the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. “Get a bus ticket to another town, just get out of here, basically. Sometimes that can be incredibly helpful if people are really wanting and needing to get back to family and social supports.”

But if someone is transported or coerced to leave town against their will, it can lead to poorer outcomes, Olivet said.

“Transportation can be critical,” Olivet said. “But if it’s basically, ‘Get out of town or we’re going to arrest you,’ that doesn’t solve homelessness for anybody. It just moves the problem around.”

One&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2803839?guestAccessKey=f321ceca-78d6-4d55-bcc5-e7a775ce1152&amp;utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_content=tfl&amp;utm_term=041023" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;study modeled over 20 U.S. cities concluded that involuntary displacement of people experiencing homelessness — things like encampment sweeps or involuntary transport to another area — could lead to substantial increases in morbidity and mortality.

The study linked involuntary displacement with worse outcomes for overdoses and hospitalizations and a decrease in getting connected with treatment for opioid use. It said the displacements could contribute to deaths of homeless people who use drugs.

A 2017&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/dec/20/bussed-out-america-moves-homeless-people-country-study" target="_blank">investigation</a>&nbsp;from The Guardian analyzed nearly 35,000 relocation journeys over a six-year period. The investigation found that most riders were relocated to places with a lower median income.

And as homelessness rates rise across all of Missouri, cities may need to start thinking about how to address these gaps, Olivet said.

“In the case of rural areas, or even suburban areas, where there aren’t as many shelter options for people, there aren’t as many mental health treatment programs, there aren’t as many supportive services. Oftentimes, the only way to get help is by going to a larger urban area,” Olivet said.

“That speaks to a tremendous gap when we don’t have good services, support and housing options for people in rural areas. They have to go somewhere else, even if they are from that rural area.”

In Missouri, the numbers aren’t improving.

The state’s continuum of care — a group of agencies that work under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness — found in its most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://moboscoc.org/resources/data/gaps-analysis/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;that homelessness is rapidly increasing across the state.

In Region 9, which includes the southwest corner of the state (but does not include metro areas like Joplin or Springfield, which run their own continuums of care outside of the statewide framework), 2023 data found a 133% rise in unsheltered homelessness and a 100% rise in sheltered homelessness from 2022 to 2023.

The area also saw family homelessness increase by 100% from 2022 to 2023.

Region 10, which represents the counties surrounding the Kansas City area, 2023 point-in-time data showed a 3% increase in unsheltered homelessness and a 119% increase in sheltered homelessness from 2022. Family homelessness increased by 173%.

In the group’s annual report, every region saw at least one metric of homelessness, sheltered or unsheltered, increase from 2022 to 2023.

It rings alarm bells with Mary Kenion, the chief equity officer at the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

“At least half of all people experiencing homelessness in largely rural continuums of care do so outdoors, in unsheltered locations,” Kenion said. “We’re also seeing family homelessness on the rise, in rural communities specifically.”

And in their report, the Missouri continuum of care providers noted that while larger towns were better equipped to handle homelessness, it highlights the lack of resources in more rural areas.

The report found a positive relationship between the number of beds available in permanent housing situations and the length of time someone was homeless. For every 1% increase in permanent housing beds, there was a 54-day decrease in the length of time someone was homeless.

Although solutions like access to permanent housing show promise, roadblocks remain.

A coalition of nonprofits and local governments recently&nbsp;<a href="https://democracyforward.org/updates/local-governments-and-nonprofit-groups-challenge-unlawful-new-trump-vance-administration-restrictions-that-threaten-proven-solutions-to-homelessness/?utm_source=Master+Email+List&amp;utm_campaign=12ffa7439b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_22_03_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bd1968e562-&amp;utm_source=Master+Email+List&amp;utm_campaign=12ffa7439b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_22_03_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bd1968e562-267376953" target="_blank">sued</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration, arguing it created unreasonable restrictions on state continuums of care across the country. The lawsuit argues that the administration is looking to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc" target="_blank">shift funding away</a>&nbsp;from proven solutions that improve homelessness and that it could force up to 170,000 Americans into homelessness.

The new rules change what types of projects are eligible for funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the criteria for selecting projects and the conditions grantees have to accept to receive the funding, the lawsuit argues.

Ultimately, Joplin Mayor Cortez and other experts said that following up with someone after they receive care or resources is key in reducing homelessness.

Cortez is excited about a new development of 16 tiny homes dedicated to providing permanent housing situations for Joplin. But addressing the issue takes everyone coming together, he said.

“This is an ongoing thing that everybody in the community is involved in —– the health care community, the religious community,” Cortez said. “We have some passionate champions in our community working to resolve this problem.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/12/missouri-homeless-drop-offs-joplin-rides-columbia/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Missouri</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765715093916.png" alt=" Officials collected video evidence of out-of-state law enforcement vehicles dropping people off at truck stops. Some medical systems seemed to be involved, too (Naomi O’Donnell/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption> Officials collected video evidence of out-of-state law enforcement vehicles dropping people off at truck stops. Some medical systems seemed to be involved, too (Naomi O’Donnell/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Officials in Joplin recently passed an ordinance banning the practice after noticing out-of-state vehicles dropping off homeless people. Columbia, meanwhile, has adopted a voluntary ride home program</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/megcunningham/">Meg Cunningham</a>For years, stories circulated around Joplin, Missouri, about the city’s homeless population and how they arrived in the city.Calls would come in to city officials following a recurring theme.“People were coming to the City Council meetings and saying, ‘I don’t know why you guys don’t know this, but I’m witnessing busloads of people being dropped off in our town,’” said Joplin Mayor Keenan Cortez. “‘Buses are coming in, stopping at gas stations, unloading and the buses are turning around and going back.’”The city commissioned a study to investigate. But it came back with no hard evidence.Still, the reports kept coming in. So the city took a deeper look.Officials collected video evidence of out-of-state law enforcement vehicles dropping people off at truck stops. Some medical systems seemed to be involved, too. They also gathered signed affidavits from people who were new to Joplin, saying they were given promises of a shelter bed or resources at the end of their ride.“We were starting to hear from people in our community that, ‘I was brought to Joplin and just dropped off. I was in trouble over there. That community didn’t deal with me. They put me in a car, a van, a bus and said there’s help for you,’” Cortez said.Instead, they were left without their support system, in a new city with limited resources and few places to turn.Cortez said city officials aren’t sure how many people shared similar stories.“At the end of the day, I don’t know if it was 15, if it was 50,” Cortez said. “As a mayor, it doesn’t matter.”Joplin officials put their heads together with the city’s legal team. After sending cease-and-desist letters to the organizations they believed were dropping people off in the city, the City Council started considering legislation to ban the practice.The City Council&nbsp;<a href="https://www.joplinmo.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/11777?fileID=69549" target="_blank">passed an ordinance</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of November. It isn’t uncommon for medical systems to refer patients needing specialized treatment, or for victims of domestic violence, to be sent to a shelter in another town. The ordinance includes exemptions for those situations.So far, Cortez and city officials think the letters and new ordinance appear to be working. They haven’t had any reports of people being dropped off since the ordinance was passed. But the trend points to a larger problem Missouri’s cities are facing as homelessness rises across the state.<h2>Missouri’s reliance on larger cities for services&nbsp;for the homeless population</h2>It is fairly common for smaller, rural areas to rely on the services in larger cities for things like shelters, medical care or mental health treatment.From 2023 to 2024, the number of unsheltered people grew 9% in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-02-11/homeless-residents-midwest-cities-increasingly-hard-track-help" target="_blank">Missouri</a>, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development point-in-time counts. In&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/05/02/kansas-cities-struggling-increase-homelessness/" target="_blank">Kansas</a>, the number grew by 6%, while Oklahoma saw an 18% jump.Columbia is similar to Joplin when it comes to being a regional hub for services and shelter beds.Columbia began working more closely on reducing homelessness in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.como.gov/city-managers-office/homelessness-citywide-efforts/" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;by establishing a program within Boone County’s Department of Public Health to connect people with resources. City officials also created a homeless outreach team within the police department to try and divert people from the justice system.Now, the city has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/pilot-program-in-columbia-hopes-to-reduce-homelessness-through-transportation/article_936f234d-3c03-47c8-a518-81f286951664.html" target="_blank">launched</a>&nbsp;the Ride Home program, which gives homeless or impoverished community members free rides back to their hometowns or to support systems up to three hours away. If someone needs to travel farther, the city will purchase a bus ticket to get them to where they need to go.Since the launch in October, the city has provided three rides, said Austin Krohn, public information specialist at the Columbia &amp; Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.“People come in for mental health services, or if there is a facility that can only do a certain type of screening for them,” Krohn said. “People are coming here from all over Missouri to get services, and then they’re stuck here.”Local service providers and shelters can refer people to the program to receive a free ride. People must have verifiable support at the destination, a referral, photo ID and no outstanding warrants in the county.Studies have shown that voluntary transport to a support system can be instrumental in improving someone’s housing situation.San Francisco runs a robust transportation program, similar to Ride Home in Columbia. In fiscal year 2024, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfhsa.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-10/homeward_bound_annual_report_fy_2024-25_final.pdf" target="_blank">agency</a>&nbsp;that runs the program gave 230 rides.San Francisco officials followed up with riders 90 days after their ride, and found that of the 230 served, 61 found housing, while 29 had another or unknown location. The remaining riders were unreachable or declined to be surveyed as part of the program.“When I was doing direct service 30 years ago, people called it Greyhound therapy,” said Jeff Olivet, the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. “Get a bus ticket to another town, just get out of here, basically. Sometimes that can be incredibly helpful if people are really wanting and needing to get back to family and social supports.”But if someone is transported or coerced to leave town against their will, it can lead to poorer outcomes, Olivet said.“Transportation can be critical,” Olivet said. “But if it’s basically, ‘Get out of town or we’re going to arrest you,’ that doesn’t solve homelessness for anybody. It just moves the problem around.”One&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2803839?guestAccessKey=f321ceca-78d6-4d55-bcc5-e7a775ce1152&amp;utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_content=tfl&amp;utm_term=041023" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;study modeled over 20 U.S. cities concluded that involuntary displacement of people experiencing homelessness — things like encampment sweeps or involuntary transport to another area — could lead to substantial increases in morbidity and mortality.The study linked involuntary displacement with worse outcomes for overdoses and hospitalizations and a decrease in getting connected with treatment for opioid use. It said the displacements could contribute to deaths of homeless people who use drugs.A 2017&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/dec/20/bussed-out-america-moves-homeless-people-country-study" target="_blank">investigation</a>&nbsp;from The Guardian analyzed nearly 35,000 relocation journeys over a six-year period. The investigation found that most riders were relocated to places with a lower median income.<h2>How Missouri fares&nbsp;</h2>And as homelessness rates rise across all of Missouri, cities may need to start thinking about how to address these gaps, Olivet said.“In the case of rural areas, or even suburban areas, where there aren’t as many shelter options for people, there aren’t as many mental health treatment programs, there aren’t as many supportive services. Oftentimes, the only way to get help is by going to a larger urban area,” Olivet said.“That speaks to a tremendous gap when we don’t have good services, support and housing options for people in rural areas. They have to go somewhere else, even if they are from that rural area.”In Missouri, the numbers aren’t improving.The state’s continuum of care — a group of agencies that work under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness — found in its most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://moboscoc.org/resources/data/gaps-analysis/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;that homelessness is rapidly increasing across the state.In Region 9, which includes the southwest corner of the state (but does not include metro areas like Joplin or Springfield, which run their own continuums of care outside of the statewide framework), 2023 data found a 133% rise in unsheltered homelessness and a 100% rise in sheltered homelessness from 2022 to 2023.The area also saw family homelessness increase by 100% from 2022 to 2023.Region 10, which represents the counties surrounding the Kansas City area, 2023 point-in-time data showed a 3% increase in unsheltered homelessness and a 119% increase in sheltered homelessness from 2022. Family homelessness increased by 173%.In the group’s annual report, every region saw at least one metric of homelessness, sheltered or unsheltered, increase from 2022 to 2023.It rings alarm bells with Mary Kenion, the chief equity officer at the National Alliance to End Homelessness.“At least half of all people experiencing homelessness in largely rural continuums of care do so outdoors, in unsheltered locations,” Kenion said. “We’re also seeing family homelessness on the rise, in rural communities specifically.”And in their report, the Missouri continuum of care providers noted that while larger towns were better equipped to handle homelessness, it highlights the lack of resources in more rural areas.The report found a positive relationship between the number of beds available in permanent housing situations and the length of time someone was homeless. For every 1% increase in permanent housing beds, there was a 54-day decrease in the length of time someone was homeless.Although solutions like access to permanent housing show promise, roadblocks remain.A coalition of nonprofits and local governments recently&nbsp;<a href="https://democracyforward.org/updates/local-governments-and-nonprofit-groups-challenge-unlawful-new-trump-vance-administration-restrictions-that-threaten-proven-solutions-to-homelessness/?utm_source=Master+Email+List&amp;utm_campaign=12ffa7439b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_22_03_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bd1968e562-&amp;utm_source=Master+Email+List&amp;utm_campaign=12ffa7439b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_22_03_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bd1968e562-267376953" target="_blank">sued</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration, arguing it created unreasonable restrictions on state continuums of care across the country. The lawsuit argues that the administration is looking to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc" target="_blank">shift funding away</a>&nbsp;from proven solutions that improve homelessness and that it could force up to 170,000 Americans into homelessness.The new rules change what types of projects are eligible for funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the criteria for selecting projects and the conditions grantees have to accept to receive the funding, the lawsuit argues.Ultimately, Joplin Mayor Cortez and other experts said that following up with someone after they receive care or resources is key in reducing homelessness.Cortez is excited about a new development of 16 tiny homes dedicated to providing permanent housing situations for Joplin. But addressing the issue takes everyone coming together, he said.“This is an ongoing thing that everybody in the community is involved in —– the health care community, the religious community,” Cortez said. “We have some passionate champions in our community working to resolve this problem.”This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/12/missouri-homeless-drop-offs-joplin-rides-columbia/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Missouri</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

As homeless population rises in Missouri, cities confront cross-border ‘drop-offs’

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0RpHhrPFu9VsSor80gvVgM?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 Week in Review

Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph will celebrate 204 graduates at its Winter Commencement at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in the MWSU Fieldhouse at the M.O. Looney Complex. The public is invited to attend, with doors opening at 10:15 a.m. 

This semester, MWSU will confer 172 undergraduate degrees, including 51 with honors, and 32 graduate degrees to students from Missouri,&nbsp; including 11 other states, and five foreign countries. 

The ceremony will feature graduates from the College of Science and Health, General Studies, the College of Business and Professional Studies, and the College of Liberal Arts.

The commencement ceremony will include an address from guest speaker Lee Tieman, managing partner of Tieman, Spencer and Hicks and Chairman of the MWSU Board of Governors.&nbsp; As well as student speaker Patty Lashbrook, an applied communications and journalism major. Following the event, the Missouri Western Alumni Association will sponsor a brief reception in the Looney practice gym. 

Additionally, nursing graduates will participate in a separate pinning ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the Fulkerson Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763052753788.jpeg" alt="MWSU 4.jpg" />
 <figcaption>MWSU 4.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHMissouri Western State University in St. Joseph will celebrate 204 graduates at its Winter Commencement at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in the MWSU Fieldhouse at the M.O. Looney Complex. The public is invited to attend, with doors opening at 10:15 a.m. This semester, MWSU will confer 172 undergraduate degrees, including 51 with honors, and 32 graduate degrees to students from Missouri,&nbsp; including 11 other states, and five foreign countries. The ceremony will feature graduates from the College of Science and Health, General Studies, the College of Business and Professional Studies, and the College of Liberal Arts.The commencement ceremony will include an address from guest speaker Lee Tieman, managing partner of Tieman, Spencer and Hicks and Chairman of the MWSU Board of Governors.&nbsp; As well as student speaker Patty Lashbrook, an applied communications and journalism major. Following the event, the Missouri Western Alumni Association will sponsor a brief reception in the Looney practice gym. Additionally, nursing graduates will participate in a separate pinning ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the Fulkerson Center.

MWSU Winter Commencement Set for Dec. 13

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/40eHsKYJno2Z0BoMPxa1V1?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 RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2SI8i4dG2BNyeDiSFrn0H3?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

The first year of having all seven Missouri high school football championships in St. Joseph was a successful event.  

St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely says he judges the success of the event on the experience of participants and the feedback received.  And Esely says the feedback has been positive. 

Esely says one thing that was validated in the first year was that Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western State University was the perfect size for these games 

"You know if you came to the Class 5 championship game in which Platte County won on Friday night or the Class 6 championship game where Lees Summit won on Saturday night, you saw a stadium that was absolutely electric, it was almost full,” Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And again, that’s the environment a state championship should be played in, and in all due respect to Faurot Field in Columbia, you’re really going to struggle to get that just because of the stadium size.” 

Esely says there are not a lot of stadiums in this state that are set up and built to host three football games in one day any better than Spratt Stadium is as well which made for a memorable three days. 

Esely says he's received several positive comments about the championships, the most positive being teams saying that it felt like they were wanted here 

"I think that’s absolutely evident to people that saw the championship behind the scenes, the administrators, the media, is we definitely wanted them there,” Esely explains. 

And Esely says no matter if it's a team as close as Platte County, or as far as Live for Life Academy from St. Louis 

"I think you walked into an environment that was championship ready, I think the red carpet was rolled out for those folks, and I think it definitely left a good impression, not only for this year, but the next three guaranteed years we have,” Esely says. 

Esely says while the event was successful, they are always evaluating how to improve the event, all the way from concessions to security.  

Esely says first and foremost though, it's about the experience given to the 14 teams, and that it felt like a championship environment. 

"I think based on the feedback that we received is we delivered there,” Esely says.  “And we also want to make sure that our partner is happy as well, and that’s our friends at the Missouri High School Activities Association, they trusted us to bring their championship here and they certainly have a level of expectation as well, and I think their staff left here happy late Saturday night as well.” 

Esely says the hope is a good impression was left and the success of the event leads to even more success in the next three years, and hopefully even longer term. 

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

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe first year of having all seven Missouri high school football championships in St. Joseph was a successful event. St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely says he judges the success of the event on the experience of participants and the feedback received. And Esely says the feedback has been positive. Esely says one thing that was validated in the first year was that Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western State University was the perfect size for these games "You know if you came to the Class 5 championship game in which Platte County won on Friday night or the Class 6 championship game where Lees Summit won on Saturday night, you saw a stadium that was absolutely electric, it was almost full,” Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And again, that’s the environment a state championship should be played in, and in all due respect to Faurot Field in Columbia, you’re really going to struggle to get that just because of the stadium size.” Esely says there are not a lot of stadiums in this state that are set up and built to host three football games in one day any better than Spratt Stadium is as well which made for a memorable three days. Esely says he's received several positive comments about the championships, the most positive being teams saying that it felt like they were wanted here "I think that’s absolutely evident to people that saw the championship behind the scenes, the administrators, the media, is we definitely wanted them there,” Esely explains. And Esely says no matter if it's a team as close as Platte County, or as far as Live for Life Academy from St. Louis "I think you walked into an environment that was championship ready, I think the red carpet was rolled out for those folks, and I think it definitely left a good impression, not only for this year, but the next three guaranteed years we have,” Esely says. Esely says while the event was successful, they are always evaluating how to improve the event, all the way from concessions to security. Esely says first and foremost though, it's about the experience given to the 14 teams, and that it felt like a championship environment. "I think based on the feedback that we received is we delivered there,” Esely says. “And we also want to make sure that our partner is happy as well, and that’s our friends at the Missouri High School Activities Association, they trusted us to bring their championship here and they certainly have a level of expectation as well, and I think their staff left here happy late Saturday night as well.” Esely says the hope is a good impression was left and the success of the event leads to even more success in the next three years, and hopefully even longer term. JOURNAL<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0Ean8JWhLxy9gJPmoHloZM?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

First year of MSHSAA football championships in St. Joseph a success

Community members are invited to join St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale and a special visitor from the North Pole for free skating, prizes and giveaways at Bode Ice Arena, located at 2500 Southwest Parkway.

The Mayor’s Christmas Party will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

Attendees will be treated to a short program featuring the Griffon Gliders Synchronized Skating Teams and the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club’s 2026 seniors.

Following the performance, everyone is welcome to skate with Santa. Skates will be provided at no charge. Guests will also receive tickets for door prizes, and each person will go home with a T-shirt and a goodie bag.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764861377264.jpg" alt="santa, parade, wave, jolly, st nick, santa clause, waving, santa clause, santa clause, santa clause, santa clause, santa clause" />
 <figcaption>santa, parade, wave, jolly, st nick, santa clause, waving, santa clause, santa clause, santa clause, santa clause, santa clause</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHCommunity members are invited to join St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale and a special visitor from the North Pole for free skating, prizes and giveaways at Bode Ice Arena, located at 2500 Southwest Parkway.The Mayor’s Christmas Party will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.Attendees will be treated to a short program featuring the Griffon Gliders Synchronized Skating Teams and the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club’s 2026 seniors.Following the performance, everyone is welcome to skate with Santa. Skates will be provided at no charge. Guests will also receive tickets for door prizes, and each person will go home with a T-shirt and a goodie bag.

Free skating, gifts await at Mayor's Christmas Party this Saturday at Bode Ice Arena

Area families are invited to help celebrate the Christmas season with 'Cookies, Cops, and Santa Claus' this Sunday at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in St. Joseph.

Patrol officer with the St. Joseph Police Department and event organizer, Joey Thompson, says there are several activities planned for this Sunday, "We'll have coloring pages, people can craft a holiday ornament, there will be cookies, drinks, and of course we can't forget about Santa Claus."

The event is free and open to everyone. Thompson says free digital photos will also be available. "You can either use your own equipment but we'll have a camera set up at the lodge."

FOP Lodge #3 is located at 621 S. 36th Street and takes place from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 14.

Thompson says this is the inaugural event, "This is our very first year and we hope to continue it each year after this."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765306372997.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostArea families are invited to help celebrate the Christmas season with 'Cookies, Cops, and Santa Claus' this Sunday at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in St. Joseph.Patrol officer with the St. Joseph Police Department and event organizer, Joey Thompson, says there are several activities planned for this Sunday, "We'll have coloring pages, people can craft a holiday ornament, there will be cookies, drinks, and of course we can't forget about Santa Claus."The event is free and open to everyone. Thompson says free digital photos will also be available. "You can either use your own equipment but we'll have a camera set up at the lodge."FOP Lodge #3 is located at 621 S. 36th Street and takes place from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 14.Thompson says this is the inaugural event, "This is our very first year and we hope to continue it each year after this."

Celebrate the holiday season with Cookies, Cops and Santa Claus at FOP Lodge

A significant cold front is forecast to move through Missouri this weekend, bringing the coldest temperatures experienced so far this season. Residents should prepare for a sharp drop in mercury.

Overnight lows on Saturday are expected to dip into the single digits across much of the state. Coupled with brisk winds, wind chills could fall below zero, creating potentially hazardous conditions.

Northern and northeast Missouri should also anticipate accumulating snow, with up to three total inches possible between Friday and Saturday. Temperatures are expected to begin warming up early next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761773444972.jpg" alt="ice, crystals, frost, window, frosted, icy, winter, snow, glass, cold, snowflake, freezing, frozen, transparent, flake, clear, freeze, water, weather, snowfall, silver, white, blue window, nature, blue glass, blue snow, blue glasses" />
 <figcaption>ice, crystals, frost, window, frosted, icy, winter, snow, glass, cold, snowflake, freezing, frozen, transparent, flake, clear, freeze, water, weather, snowfall, silver, white, blue window, nature, blue glass, blue snow, blue glasses</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHA significant cold front is forecast to move through Missouri this weekend, bringing the coldest temperatures experienced so far this season. Residents should prepare for a sharp drop in mercury.Overnight lows on Saturday are expected to dip into the single digits across much of the state. Coupled with brisk winds, wind chills could fall below zero, creating potentially hazardous conditions.Northern and northeast Missouri should also anticipate accumulating snow, with up to three total inches possible between Friday and Saturday. Temperatures are expected to begin warming up early next week.

Brace for the deep freeze in Northern Missouri

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/juanvassallo/">Juan Vassallo</a>

The nation’s cattle inventory is at its lowest level in decades, the result of a long-term decline that has been pushed even lower in recent years by drought.

Much of the country endured severe dry spells in recent years, most notably in 2022. But the impact has been especially felt in the regions where America’s beef industry is most concentrated.

In November 2022, the U.S reached a drought index of 202 on the Drought Severity and Coverage Index (DSCI), where values range from 0, meaning no dryness, to 500, indicating exceptional drought across an entire area. That month marked the nation’s second-highest drought reading of the century, surpassed only by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212094715300360" target="_blank">2012-2013 North American drought</a>.

But for the top 200 cattle-producing counties — together representing roughly a quarter of the national herd — the drought index peaked at 267.5 in the same period, far higher than the national average.

A similar pattern happened in 2024, when national drought conditions intensified in October and November, and again were more severe across the top beef-producing counties. These counties span 21 states. While they are largely clustered across the central U.S. — particularly in the top five beef-producing states of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota — several are outside that core region as well, including in states like Oregon and Florida.

Ranchers in those regions have faced shrinking pastures, dwindling water supplies and the rising cost of feed, conditions that have forced many to thin their herds. And because rebuilding cattle numbers is a slow biological process, there is no quick path to replenishing the nation’s supply.

As beef prices continue to rise, meat has become a political flashpoint.

The Trump administration has ordered a review of consolidation in the meatpacking industry and lifted tariffs on beef imports from Brazil and Argentina in an effort to expand supply, while also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/us/politics/hamburger-beef-prices-trump.html" target="_blank">blaming immigrants and former President Biden</a>&nbsp;for the high cost of beef.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oklahomafarmreport.com/okfr/2025/11/07/dr-darrell-peel-cattle-market-fundamentals-havent-changed-despite-the-noise/" target="_blank">experts say</a>&nbsp;the price surge is mostly driven by drought, which has shown signs of improvement in recent months.

This year, the top 200 beef-producing counties have fared better than the rest of the country.

“Drought conditions have improved to the point where it is not a major limiting factor for potential herd rebuilding,” said Derrell Peel, professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University and one of the country’s leading experts on the cattle industry. “Drought is less of an issue now compared to the last several years.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/12/09/data-harvest-droughts-cattle-production-states/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722448527185.png" alt="&nbsp;Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/juanvassallo/">Juan Vassallo</a>The nation’s cattle inventory is at its lowest level in decades, the result of a long-term decline that has been pushed even lower in recent years by drought.Much of the country endured severe dry spells in recent years, most notably in 2022. But the impact has been especially felt in the regions where America’s beef industry is most concentrated.In November 2022, the U.S reached a drought index of 202 on the Drought Severity and Coverage Index (DSCI), where values range from 0, meaning no dryness, to 500, indicating exceptional drought across an entire area. That month marked the nation’s second-highest drought reading of the century, surpassed only by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212094715300360" target="_blank">2012-2013 North American drought</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765538680857.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>But for the top 200 cattle-producing counties — together representing roughly a quarter of the national herd — the drought index peaked at 267.5 in the same period, far higher than the national average.A similar pattern happened in 2024, when national drought conditions intensified in October and November, and again were more severe across the top beef-producing counties. These counties span 21 states. While they are largely clustered across the central U.S. — particularly in the top five beef-producing states of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota — several are outside that core region as well, including in states like Oregon and Florida.Ranchers in those regions have faced shrinking pastures, dwindling water supplies and the rising cost of feed, conditions that have forced many to thin their herds. And because rebuilding cattle numbers is a slow biological process, there is no quick path to replenishing the nation’s supply.As beef prices continue to rise, meat has become a political flashpoint.The Trump administration has ordered a review of consolidation in the meatpacking industry and lifted tariffs on beef imports from Brazil and Argentina in an effort to expand supply, while also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/us/politics/hamburger-beef-prices-trump.html" target="_blank">blaming immigrants and former President Biden</a>&nbsp;for the high cost of beef.But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oklahomafarmreport.com/okfr/2025/11/07/dr-darrell-peel-cattle-market-fundamentals-havent-changed-despite-the-noise/" target="_blank">experts say</a>&nbsp;the price surge is mostly driven by drought, which has shown signs of improvement in recent months.This year, the top 200 beef-producing counties have fared better than the rest of the country.“Drought conditions have improved to the point where it is not a major limiting factor for potential herd rebuilding,” said Derrell Peel, professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University and one of the country’s leading experts on the cattle industry. “Drought is less of an issue now compared to the last several years.”This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/12/09/data-harvest-droughts-cattle-production-states/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

Recent droughts hit the top cattle counties hardest, including in Missouri

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacobrichey/">Jacob Richey</a>

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Missouri’s request to restrict the use of food stamps for the purchase of some junk food items, according to a news release from the USDA.

Starting in 2026,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/state/missouri-files-request-to-remove-junk-food-from-snap-approved-foods/article_f81709be-78a8-4671-a459-0a6ececb50d3.html" target="_blank">Missouri is set to stop allowing SNAP benefits to be used</a>&nbsp;to purchase candy, prepared desserts, soda, beverage mixes, juices and punches that are 50% or less natural fruit or vegetable juice, and concentrates intended to be made into drinks that are 50% or less natural fruit or vegetable juice.

The Missouri Department of Social Services filed the waiver request with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service in late September. The USDA administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on the federal level.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.mo.gov/media/pdf/missouri-snap-waiver-request" target="_blank">the waiver request</a>,&nbsp;the state anticipates implementing the change on Oct. 1, 2026.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the approval of Missouri’s waiver on Wednesday.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe asked the state Department of Social Services to file the request.

“We are incredibly thankful for Secretary Rollins’ approval of our waiver,” Kehoe said in a news release from the USDA. “Missouri is proud to partner with the Trump administration on the Make America Healthy Again movement as we refocus SNAP to maximize nutritional health for families while also supporting the abundant agricultural output of our state.”

The USDA also approved waiver requests for Hawaii, North Dakota, South Carolina,&nbsp;Tennessee and Virginia. The waiver requests, including Missouri’s, change the statutory definition of “food for purchase” under SNAP.

This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/state/missouri-set-to-block-junk-food-from-snap-purchases-after-usda-approval/article_9b5ee7c1-213c-4f4c-9619-c2020fd91684.html" target="_blank">KOMU</a>&nbsp;via Missouri Independent

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765503998882.png" alt=" Sodas and chips are displayed at a convenience store in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens in New York. As of this month, 12 states, mostly Republican and in the South, have opted to limit SNAP recipients from purchasing foods such as soda and candy (Shalina Chatlani/ Stateline)." />
 <figcaption> Sodas and chips are displayed at a convenience store in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens in New York. As of this month, 12 states, mostly Republican and in the South, have opted to limit SNAP recipients from purchasing foods such as soda and candy (Shalina Chatlani/ Stateline).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacobrichey/">Jacob Richey</a>The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Missouri’s request to restrict the use of food stamps for the purchase of some junk food items, according to a news release from the USDA.Starting in 2026,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/state/missouri-files-request-to-remove-junk-food-from-snap-approved-foods/article_f81709be-78a8-4671-a459-0a6ececb50d3.html" target="_blank">Missouri is set to stop allowing SNAP benefits to be used</a>&nbsp;to purchase candy, prepared desserts, soda, beverage mixes, juices and punches that are 50% or less natural fruit or vegetable juice, and concentrates intended to be made into drinks that are 50% or less natural fruit or vegetable juice.The Missouri Department of Social Services filed the waiver request with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service in late September. The USDA administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on the federal level.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.mo.gov/media/pdf/missouri-snap-waiver-request" target="_blank">the waiver request</a>,&nbsp;the state anticipates implementing the change on Oct. 1, 2026.U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the approval of Missouri’s waiver on Wednesday.Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe asked the state Department of Social Services to file the request.“We are incredibly thankful for Secretary Rollins’ approval of our waiver,” Kehoe said in a news release from the USDA. “Missouri is proud to partner with the Trump administration on the Make America Healthy Again movement as we refocus SNAP to maximize nutritional health for families while also supporting the abundant agricultural output of our state.”The USDA also approved waiver requests for Hawaii, North Dakota, South Carolina,&nbsp;Tennessee and Virginia. The waiver requests, including Missouri’s, change the statutory definition of “food for purchase” under SNAP.This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/state/missouri-set-to-block-junk-food-from-snap-purchases-after-usda-approval/article_9b5ee7c1-213c-4f4c-9619-c2020fd91684.html" target="_blank">KOMU</a>&nbsp;via Missouri Independent

Missouri set to block junk food from SNAP purchases after USDA approval

With temperatures dipping and the wind picking up, pet owners are reminded to take care proper care of their four-legged family members during the colder months.

Senior Animal Care Specialist at the St. Joseph Animal Shelter, Aubrey Silvey, says one of the main things to remember is, "if it's too cold for you, its probably too chilly for your pet too."

She says to keep in mind that all pets are different and may require different care in the winter, depending on age, breed and overall health. "The best thing you can do is consult your veterinarian  if you aren't sure how long your pet should be outside when it's cold."

According to Silvey, most dogs generally are comfortable if the temperature is 45 degrees or over but she adds, "anything under that and they're going to start feeling a little more uncomfortable, so that's something to keep in mind."

The type of breed is a factor in the overall winter health of dogs especially. Silvery says, "Thick-coated dogs and double-coated dogs are more apt to be in that type of weather. They are kind of designed for that."

Silvey stresses that small dogs, puppies, and older dogs are more susceptible to colder temperatures. "You really need to be aware of the type of pet you have."

She says cats are more resourcfeul, though. "If cats have a good shelter for the winter they do pretty well." But still, kittens, older cats, and felines with any type of illness may not tolerate the cold as well.

Silvey emphasizes that if you have a dog that needs to be kept outside, to provide adequate shelter and dry bedding. "If it's going to be under 32 degrees outside, and if at all possible, you need to bring them and know the signs of hypothermia."

Some of the signs of hypothermia are shivering, lethargy, weakness, stiffness, and pale gums.

"Sometimes if an animal has hypothermia they can appear confused or clumsy and have increased urination. Those are early signs of hypothermia," Silvey says.

She adds that if your pet has been outside in the cold for fifteen minutes or longer, you need to take the appropriate steps to warm them up, and if in doubt, contact a veterinarian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755793251450.jpg" alt="dog, pet, cat, pets, mammals, animals, nature, friends, animal, friendship, brown dog, black cat, domestic, domestic animals, portrait, friendship day" />
 <figcaption>dog, pet, cat, pets, mammals, animals, nature, friends, animal, friendship, brown dog, black cat, domestic, domestic animals, portrait, friendship day</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHWith temperatures dipping and the wind picking up, pet owners are reminded to take care proper care of their four-legged family members during the colder months.Senior Animal Care Specialist at the St. Joseph Animal Shelter, Aubrey Silvey, says one of the main things to remember is, "if it's too cold for you, its probably too chilly for your pet too."She says to keep in mind that all pets are different and may require different care in the winter, depending on age, breed and overall health. "The best thing you can do is consult your veterinarian if you aren't sure how long your pet should be outside when it's cold."According to Silvey, most dogs generally are comfortable if the temperature is 45 degrees or over but she adds, "anything under that and they're going to start feeling a little more uncomfortable, so that's something to keep in mind."The type of breed is a factor in the overall winter health of dogs especially. Silvery says, "Thick-coated dogs and double-coated dogs are more apt to be in that type of weather. They are kind of designed for that."Silvey stresses that small dogs, puppies, and older dogs are more susceptible to colder temperatures. "You really need to be aware of the type of pet you have."She says cats are more resourcfeul, though. "If cats have a good shelter for the winter they do pretty well." But still, kittens, older cats, and felines with any type of illness may not tolerate the cold as well.Silvey emphasizes that if you have a dog that needs to be kept outside, to provide adequate shelter and dry bedding. "If it's going to be under 32 degrees outside, and if at all possible, you need to bring them and know the signs of hypothermia."Some of the signs of hypothermia are shivering, lethargy, weakness, stiffness, and pale gums."Sometimes if an animal has hypothermia they can appear confused or clumsy and have increased urination. Those are early signs of hypothermia," Silvey says.She adds that if your pet has been outside in the cold for fifteen minutes or longer, you need to take the appropriate steps to warm them up, and if in doubt, contact a veterinarian.

Winter weather requires extra care for furry friends

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph has meal kits available for residents who need a little extra help with food costs this holiday season.

President of The United Way of Greater St. Joseph, Kylee Strough, says the agency is anticipating to assemble about 3,000 meal kits. "We are sharing the meal kits with dozens of different organizations throughout the area, including food pantries, churches, nonprofits and schools." This includes Buchanan, Andrew and Doniphan Counties.

Volunteers are donating their time to help assemble the kits. Strough notes the volunteer turnout has been great, "We have room for forty volunteers per session and most of them are full, but there are still a few openings."

The next voulnteer session is Friday, Dec. 12 at 1:00 p.m. followed by another session Saturday morning.

Strough adds, "We actually kicked off December 9th and will run through December 22nd, and we have eight volunteer sessions left."

She goes on to say that with the holidays, December can be an expensive month for a lot of people, "Anybody can benefit from this. We don't ask for any proof of anything. If this helps relieve a little stress and stretch a limited budget, its our pleasure to be a part of it."

The kits are designed to provide easy-to-prepare meals for small families (4-6 servings). Each kit is packed in a foil pan and includes all the necessary shelf-stable ingredients and a simple recipe card.

The initial recipes include: chicken &amp; stuffing, tuna noodle casserole, chili mac, and chicken taco soup.

The United Way says all food items are provided in their original packaging, ensuring recipients can easily view ingredients and adjust preparation to meet any food sensitivity or allergy needs.

If you would like to inquire about volunteer opportunites or need a meal kit, contact the United Way of Greater Joseph.

Strough gave a special thank you to Mosaic Life Care and Mosaic Life Care Foundation for their financial support with the meal kits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762972481032.jpeg" alt="United Way of St. Joseph.jpg" />
 <figcaption>United Way of St. Joseph.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe United Way of Greater St. Joseph has meal kits available for residents who need a little extra help with food costs this holiday season.President of The United Way of Greater St. Joseph, Kylee Strough, says the agency is anticipating to assemble about 3,000 meal kits. "We are sharing the meal kits with dozens of different organizations throughout the area, including food pantries, churches, nonprofits and schools." This includes Buchanan, Andrew and Doniphan Counties.Volunteers are donating their time to help assemble the kits. Strough notes the volunteer turnout has been great, "We have room for forty volunteers per session and most of them are full, but there are still a few openings."The next voulnteer session is Friday, Dec. 12 at 1:00 p.m. followed by another session Saturday morning.Strough adds, "We actually kicked off December 9th and will run through December 22nd, and we have eight volunteer sessions left."She goes on to say that with the holidays, December can be an expensive month for a lot of people, "Anybody can benefit from this. We don't ask for any proof of anything. If this helps relieve a little stress and stretch a limited budget, its our pleasure to be a part of it."The kits are designed to provide easy-to-prepare meals for small families (4-6 servings). Each kit is packed in a foil pan and includes all the necessary shelf-stable ingredients and a simple recipe card.The initial recipes include: chicken &amp; stuffing, tuna noodle casserole, chili mac, and chicken taco soup.The United Way says all food items are provided in their original packaging, ensuring recipients can easily view ingredients and adjust preparation to meet any food sensitivity or allergy needs.If you would like to inquire about volunteer opportunites or need a meal kit, contact the United Way of Greater Joseph.Strough gave a special thank you to Mosaic Life Care and Mosaic Life Care Foundation for their financial support with the meal kits.

Easy-to-prepare meal kits available through United Way of Greater St. Joseph

Missouri Western State University will once again host elementary and middle school students as the Field Trip with the Griffs returns, this year going a little bigger.  

In the inaugural year of the event, MoWest invited students from within the St. Joseph School District.  It was so well received; the district wanted to do it again. 

Senior Associate Athletic Director Ryan Menley says the district is planning to bring even more students to the event in the second year 

"So that led us to looking into a second game and basically saying well what does this look like for a men’s and a women’s game this year and the second date basically inviting all the surrounding counties,” Menley tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “Because there’s almost 30 schools around St. Joseph in a 30-mile radius in eight or nine surrounding counties and we figured why not extend the invitation, because the only negative last year, we were limited on space.” 

And this year, with two games, along with the St. Joseph School District, MoWest will invite students from around the Midland Empire, all the way from Mound City to Troy, Kansas. 

Senior Associate Athletic Director Ryan Menley says it's important for Missouri Western to showcase the university and get people on campus who may have never stepped foot on it. 

"I think this is a really good opportunity to build relationships with some of these schools and really some of these communities that this becomes an event,” Menley explains. 

In addition, Menley says every student who attends will receive a rally towel that acts as a season ticket, in hopes that those students will return to campus for more games.  

Menley says the hope is that following the event, students will continue to come back to campus, growing the next generation of Griffons and Griffon fans. 

"I think that’s really the focus here, yes it’s a great moment, it’s a great memory, it’s a great event, but we are trying to build something for the long term, and I think that’s the secondary goal of these two education games,” Menley says.  “And especially with the Midland Empire game, where getting the Maysville’s the Stewartsville’s, the Cameron’s, the Plattsburg’s to step foot on our campus and remember that this is your hometown university.” 

All of the St. Joseph School District will be in attendance on Monday to see the Griffon women face Livin the Dream, while several schools from the surrounding area will watch the men on Tuesday take on Avila.  

Both games will be at 11am, making it a true field trip for students.  An estimated 5,000 students from 37 area elementary schools will be in attendance over the two games. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765470899374.jpeg" alt="Students packed the Missouri Western fieldhouse during the inaugural Education Game last year.&nbsp; This year, MoWest will host two Education games on Monday and Tuesday for students from the St. Joseph School District and the Midland Empire/ Photo courtesy of MoWest Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Students packed the Missouri Western fieldhouse during the inaugural Education Game last year.&nbsp; This year, MoWest will host two Education games on Monday and Tuesday for students from the St. Joseph School District and the Midland Empire/ Photo courtesy of MoWest Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University will once again host elementary and middle school students as the Field Trip with the Griffs returns, this year going a little bigger. In the inaugural year of the event, MoWest invited students from within the St. Joseph School District. It was so well received; the district wanted to do it again. Senior Associate Athletic Director Ryan Menley says the district is planning to bring even more students to the event in the second year "So that led us to looking into a second game and basically saying well what does this look like for a men’s and a women’s game this year and the second date basically inviting all the surrounding counties,” Menley tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Because there’s almost 30 schools around St. Joseph in a 30-mile radius in eight or nine surrounding counties and we figured why not extend the invitation, because the only negative last year, we were limited on space.” And this year, with two games, along with the St. Joseph School District, MoWest will invite students from around the Midland Empire, all the way from Mound City to Troy, Kansas. Senior Associate Athletic Director Ryan Menley says it's important for Missouri Western to showcase the university and get people on campus who may have never stepped foot on it. "I think this is a really good opportunity to build relationships with some of these schools and really some of these communities that this becomes an event,” Menley explains. In addition, Menley says every student who attends will receive a rally towel that acts as a season ticket, in hopes that those students will return to campus for more games. Menley says the hope is that following the event, students will continue to come back to campus, growing the next generation of Griffons and Griffon fans. "I think that’s really the focus here, yes it’s a great moment, it’s a great memory, it’s a great event, but we are trying to build something for the long term, and I think that’s the secondary goal of these two education games,” Menley says. “And especially with the Midland Empire game, where getting the Maysville’s the Stewartsville’s, the Cameron’s, the Plattsburg’s to step foot on our campus and remember that this is your hometown university.” All of the St. Joseph School District will be in attendance on Monday to see the Griffon women face Livin the Dream, while several schools from the surrounding area will watch the men on Tuesday take on Avila. Both games will be at 11am, making it a true field trip for students. An estimated 5,000 students from 37 area elementary schools will be in attendance over the two games. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

MoWest to host several area students during second 'Field Trip with the Griffs'

The annual St. Joseph Holiday Homes tour returns this weekend allowing residents to view some of St. Joseph's historic architecture.  

Organizer Sarah Wilson says the tour features new homes every single year... 

"Many, I would say most of the homes, on the tour this year I have not even had a chance to step in but every year they’re spectacular,” Wilson says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “And I’m very excited about the lineup this year because there’s some homes that I’ve definitely wanted to get to see inside that I haven’t got the chance to yet.” 

The tour features five home and one church around St. Joseph.  Wilson says there's something for everyone 

"From a very small cottage that was the home of P.E Chestnut, to really, really large mansions,” Wilson explains.  “So, I think that everybody is going to really enjoy this year.” 

The homes tour will be held on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.  Tickets must be purchased in advance for 35 dollars, or 30 for museum members.   

Wilson says viewing the homes along the tour is always a source of inspiration for her 

"I’m just always excited about the creativity of the homeowners as they solve the problems of preserving these exquisite mansions and properties and also their decorating choices, it’s always very tasteful and so interesting, it’s just really a sight for the eyes,” Wilson says.  So, it’s going to be great.” 

There will also be an exclusive preview night on Friday, limited to just 10 people. You can contact St. Joseph Museums to see if any spots are available. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe annual St. Joseph Holiday Homes tour returns this weekend allowing residents to view some of St. Joseph's historic architecture. Organizer Sarah Wilson says the tour features new homes every single year... "Many, I would say most of the homes, on the tour this year I have not even had a chance to step in but every year they’re spectacular,” Wilson says on the KFEQmunnity show. “And I’m very excited about the lineup this year because there’s some homes that I’ve definitely wanted to get to see inside that I haven’t got the chance to yet.” The tour features five home and one church around St. Joseph. Wilson says there's something for everyone "From a very small cottage that was the home of P.E Chestnut, to really, really large mansions,” Wilson explains. “So, I think that everybody is going to really enjoy this year.” The homes tour will be held on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance for 35 dollars, or 30 for museum members. Wilson says viewing the homes along the tour is always a source of inspiration for her "I’m just always excited about the creativity of the homeowners as they solve the problems of preserving these exquisite mansions and properties and also their decorating choices, it’s always very tasteful and so interesting, it’s just really a sight for the eyes,” Wilson says. So, it’s going to be great.” There will also be an exclusive preview night on Friday, limited to just 10 people. You can contact St. Joseph Museums to see if any spots are available. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;