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

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

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

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

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

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

HPAI confirmed in South Dakota

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fertilizer prices mostly higher in September

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

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

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

Shooting in St. Joseph causes property damage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Group of House Republicans against EATS Act

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Missouri River Runoff near average in September

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Graves "extremely disappointed" by removal of Speaker McCarthy

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

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

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

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

Police investigate criminal damage at Benedictine College

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I know everyone’s anxious, so I’ll get to it as soon after the 27th as possible,” Walker said.

The case began when Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers in October 2021&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/2021/dec/04/MoDOT-suing-state-over-ability-to-use-funds-for-em/">refused to issue increased paychecks</a>&nbsp;to MoDOT employees authorized by the highways commission as part of a “market adjustment” plan to stem turnover. The raises exceeded the amounts set aside by lawmakers for department pay and benefits.

The highways commission sued, arguing that constitutional language that money in the road fund shall&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++30(b)&amp;bid=31847&amp;constit=y">“stand appropriated”</a>&nbsp;for use by the commission meant Zellers must allow spending that did not exceed the fund’s balance.

Attorney Jim Layton, representing the highways commission, argued Thursday that all seven Supreme Court judges recognized a difference between the language governing the road fund and the provisions controlling the conservation fund.&nbsp;

The court found that the Conservation Department cannot spend more than lawmakers appropriated, even if there is a resulting surplus in the fund. But lawmakers cannot limit how appropriated funds are spent on authorized uses, such as purchasing land.

The majority decision, and the dissent, used the “stand appropriated” language to show there are times when the constitution takes appropriation authority away from lawmakers, Layton said.

“In our view, that’s the end of the analysis,” he said.

Assistant Attorney General Emily Dodge argued in February 2022 that the “stand appropriated” provision only applies to the department’s debt from bonds issued for road construction. On Thursday, she&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++28&amp;bid=31844&amp;constit=y">cited another provision</a>&nbsp;that no state money can be spent except “in accordance with an appropriation made by law.”

That means in an appropriation bill passed by lawmakers, she said.

“The decision in the conservation case that the Missouri Supreme Court handed down in June does not change the answer to that question,” Dodge said.

“The constitution is a law,” he said. “It doesn’t say in the constitution that it has to be done by a bill.”

MoDOT employs approximately 5,000 people in jobs ranging from driving snowplows in winter to engineering complex new road projects.&nbsp;

The pay plan at issue in the lawsuit was intended to slow turnover after a year where the department lost 600 employees. Turnover accelerated when the pay plan stalled in litigation, department Director Patrick McKenna&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/07/lawsuit-over-modot-pay-plan-could-put-roadblock-into-missouri-governors-plan-for-i-70/">told a legislative committee in February</a>.&nbsp;

“Turnover rates rose to a crisis level, with 70 employees leaving per month,”&nbsp; McKenna said.&nbsp;

Since the lawsuit was filed, state employees generally have received historically large raises. Lawmakers approved a 5.5% raise during the 2022 session and another 8.7% in this year’s budget.&nbsp;

The goal of MoDOT’s market adjustment plan is to pay 65% or more of its employees at or above the midpoint in the pay range for their job. Even with the recent raises, only 10.6% of MoDOT employees were at or above the midpoint in fiscal 2023, which ended June 30,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2025_Transportation_Budget_Request.pdf">state budget documents show</a>.

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

After lengthy delay, ruling likely soon on MoDOT authority over state road fund

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Sunday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Ranger driven by a 17-year-old Cameron boy was northbound on U.S. 69 four miles south of Cameron.&nbsp;

The driver failed to yield after stopping at a stop sign. The front of the pickup struck the front of a southbound 2008 Ford Explorer driven by Kenneth R. Gwinn, 74, Hamilton.

After impact both vehicles traveled off the south side of the road.&nbsp;

Cameron EMS transported Gwinn and a passenger Jo A. Gwin, 73, Hamilton, to Liberty Hospital. The teen driver was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Sunday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Ranger driven by a 17-year-old Cameron boy was northbound on U.S. 69 four miles south of Cameron.&nbsp; The driver failed to yield after stopping at a stop sign. The front of the pickup struck the front of a southbound 2008 Ford Explorer driven by Kenneth R. Gwinn, 74, Hamilton.After impact both vehicles traveled off the south side of the road.&nbsp;Cameron EMS transported Gwinn and a passenger Jo A. Gwin, 73, Hamilton, to Liberty Hospital. The teen driver was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Two injured after pickup, SUV crash

BENTON COUNTY —Two&nbsp; people died in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Saturday in Benton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle driven by Matthew W. Dixon, 63, Chillicothe, was southbound on U.S. 65 just north of Jackman Avenue.

The car traveled off the right side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The car returned to the road, began to skid, crossed the center of the road, traveled off the left side of the road and struck three trees.

Dixon and a passenger Carin L. Dixon, 66, Chillicothe, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Reser Funeral Home in Warsaw. Carin Dixon was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

BENTON COUNTY —Two&nbsp; people died in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Saturday in Benton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle driven by Matthew W. Dixon, 63, Chillicothe, was southbound on U.S. 65 just north of Jackman Avenue.The car traveled off the right side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The car returned to the road, began to skid, crossed the center of the road, traveled off the left side of the road and struck three trees.Dixon and a passenger Carin L. Dixon, 66, Chillicothe, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Reser Funeral Home in Warsaw. Carin Dixon was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri couple dead after car crash into trees

DONIPHAN COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Saturday in Doniphan County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Chevy Avalanche driven by Harry E. Smith, 74, Troy, Kansas, was northbound on 195th Access Road one mile north of U.S. 36.

The vehicle struck a 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Sherman E. Smith, 63, Troy, that was stationary facing southbound in the northbound lanes.

After impact, the Chevy Avalanche struck an unoccupied 2007 Chevy Silverado that was on the shoulder of the road.&nbsp; A pedestrian identified as Logan K. Smith, 31, Cosby, was standing outside of the 2006 Silverado when the head-on collision occurred.

EMS transported Harry Smith and Logan Smith to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Sherman Smith was not transported for treatment.

Harry Smith and Sherman Smith were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the KHP.

DONIPHAN COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Saturday in Doniphan County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Chevy Avalanche driven by Harry E. Smith, 74, Troy, Kansas, was northbound on 195th Access Road one mile north of U.S. 36.The vehicle struck a 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Sherman E. Smith, 63, Troy, that was stationary facing southbound in the northbound lanes.After impact, the Chevy Avalanche struck an unoccupied 2007 Chevy Silverado that was on the shoulder of the road.&nbsp; A pedestrian identified as Logan K. Smith, 31, Cosby, was standing outside of the 2006 Silverado when the head-on collision occurred.EMS transported Harry Smith and Logan Smith to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Sherman Smith was not transported for treatment.Harry Smith and Sherman Smith were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the KHP.

Two hospitalized in St. Joe after head-on crash

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.

Just before 10p.m. Oct. 2, a sheriff's deputy on routine patrol on U.S. 75 Highway&nbsp; near 150th Road&nbsp; encountered a vehicle that he noticed had a tag light violation.&nbsp; 

During the traffic stop and talk with the driver identified as Shedrick Ford,&nbsp; 58, of Liberty, Texas,&nbsp; the deputy detected an odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.&nbsp; 

After investigation, Ford was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Expired Vehicle Registration,No Proof of insurance and Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended orRevoked and transported to the Brown County jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;He remains jailed without bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696435560235.png" alt="Ford-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Ford-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.Just before 10p.m. Oct. 2, a sheriff's deputy on routine patrol on U.S. 75 Highway&nbsp; near 150th Road&nbsp; encountered a vehicle that he noticed had a tag light violation.&nbsp; During the traffic stop and talk with the driver identified as Shedrick Ford,&nbsp; 58, of Liberty, Texas,&nbsp; the deputy detected an odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.&nbsp; After investigation, Ford was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Expired Vehicle Registration,No Proof of insurance and Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended orRevoked and transported to the Brown County jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;He remains jailed without bond, according to online jail records.

Texas man caught transporting meth, marijuana in NE Kan.

State regulators have agreed to delay revoking the license of the company at the center of the recall as a hearing over the matter is pushed to December

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

Companies around Missouri have been required to store nearly 63,000 recalled cannabis products since early August.&nbsp;

But if they want to destroy that product, they can now consult with state cannabis regulators about how to do it, after a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/27/opposing-sides-of-missouri-marijuana-recall-to-face-off-in-administrative-hearing/">Sept. 29 hearing</a>&nbsp;on the recall was postponed until at least December.

Licensed cannabis businesses may not take action on the recalled product without permission for the state,&nbsp;said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the agency that oversees the state’s cannabis program, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in an email to The Independent Thursday.&nbsp;

“If a licensee wishes to voluntarily destroy product on hold, they should contact the department to discuss,” Cox said.

However, it’s possible, she said, the case surrounding the recall could be resolved by Oct. 20.

Robertsonville-based marijuana manufacturer Delta Extraction has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013007-amended-complaint-delta">asked</a>&nbsp;the Administrative Hearing Commission to rescind the company’s license suspension and rollback the recall.

The company’s attorney, Chuck Hatfield, said he also “hopes and believes” the matter can be resolved by Oct. 20 or sooner.&nbsp;

“We’re providing all the records that they’re asking for,” Hatfield said. “We’re making folks available to them for interviews, and we have been doing that since the first day that this was raised. Delta Extraction is an open book.”

Attorneys for the state and Delta Extraction agreed in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24009301-joint-motion-to-continue-sept-25">Sept. 25 joint motion</a>&nbsp;that the hearing will not be rescheduled prior to Nov. 30. A commissioner with the Administrative Hearing Commission&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24009302-order-on-continuance-sept-26">granted the motion</a>&nbsp;the next day.

The state also agreed not to order any cannabis licensee to destroy the recalled products, which potentially contain a THC concentrate that’s under investigation. If licensees choose to destroy it voluntarily, Cox said, “it would be destroyed according to the requirements for destruction/waste in applicable regulations.”

On Aug. 2, the state regulating agency suspended Delta Extraction’s operations after accusing the company of sourcing untested “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23910265-conference-call-delta-extraction">marijuana or converted hemp</a>&nbsp;from outside of a Missouri licensed cultivation facility.”&nbsp;

The state issued an administrative hold on the products days after and then a full&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/16/state-faces-pushback-from-missouri-marijuana-industry-over-product-recall/">product recall</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 14.&nbsp;

Delta has denied accusations that it illegally imported marijuana into the state by arguing it actually imported a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/missouri-cannabis-recall-hemp/">non-psychoactive hemp product</a>&nbsp;that was converted into THC once in Missouri.&nbsp;

The commissioner overseeing Delta’s appeal of the recall and license suspension said the company will likely&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/missouri-company-at-center-of-cannabis-recall-used-hemp-instead-of-marijuana-in-products/">lose that argument</a>, because it’s illegal in Missouri to add “hemp-derived chemically modified ‘converted’ cannabinoids” to marijuana products.

Last month, the department&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013062-motion-to-continue-sept-7">asked the commission</a>&nbsp;to delay the hearing that was scheduled for Sept. 29.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013056-deltas-opposition-to-continuance-sept-15">Delta opposed the motion</a>, and a commissioner&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013061-motion-denied-sept-19">denied</a>&nbsp;it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

However in the Sept. 25 joint motion, the department agreed to hold off on its attempt to revoke Delta’s license until Oct. 20 — and Delta agreed to pushing back the hearing date.

The department issued a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013014-notice-of-pending-revocation">notice of pending revocation</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 1, and Delta would’ve had until Oct. 2 to prove its case against the accusations. However, Delta’s attorneys argued in an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013015-emails-between-attorneys-delta-case">email</a>&nbsp;that there was no need to expedite the revocation process because the company’s operations have already been suspended.&nbsp;

The two parties agreed that the revocation process will be completed by Oct. 20. And if the parties cannot reach an agreement, then a hearing would be set after Nov. 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696682550411.png" alt="(Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>(Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State regulators have agreed to delay revoking the license of the company at the center of the recall as a hearing over the matter is pushed to December</h2>By REBECCA RIVAS,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Companies around Missouri have been required to store nearly 63,000 recalled cannabis products since early August.&nbsp;But if they want to destroy that product, they can now consult with state cannabis regulators about how to do it, after a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/27/opposing-sides-of-missouri-marijuana-recall-to-face-off-in-administrative-hearing/">Sept. 29 hearing</a>&nbsp;on the recall was postponed until at least December.Licensed cannabis businesses may not take action on the recalled product without permission for the state,&nbsp;said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the agency that oversees the state’s cannabis program, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in an email to The Independent Thursday.&nbsp;“If a licensee wishes to voluntarily destroy product on hold, they should contact the department to discuss,” Cox said.However, it’s possible, she said, the case surrounding the recall could be resolved by Oct. 20.Robertsonville-based marijuana manufacturer Delta Extraction has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013007-amended-complaint-delta">asked</a>&nbsp;the Administrative Hearing Commission to rescind the company’s license suspension and rollback the recall.The company’s attorney, Chuck Hatfield, said he also “hopes and believes” the matter can be resolved by Oct. 20 or sooner.&nbsp;“We’re providing all the records that they’re asking for,” Hatfield said. “We’re making folks available to them for interviews, and we have been doing that since the first day that this was raised. Delta Extraction is an open book.”Attorneys for the state and Delta Extraction agreed in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24009301-joint-motion-to-continue-sept-25">Sept. 25 joint motion</a>&nbsp;that the hearing will not be rescheduled prior to Nov. 30. A commissioner with the Administrative Hearing Commission&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24009302-order-on-continuance-sept-26">granted the motion</a>&nbsp;the next day.The state also agreed not to order any cannabis licensee to destroy the recalled products, which potentially contain a THC concentrate that’s under investigation. If licensees choose to destroy it voluntarily, Cox said, “it would be destroyed according to the requirements for destruction/waste in applicable regulations.”On Aug. 2, the state regulating agency suspended Delta Extraction’s operations after accusing the company of sourcing untested “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23910265-conference-call-delta-extraction">marijuana or converted hemp</a>&nbsp;from outside of a Missouri licensed cultivation facility.”&nbsp;The state issued an administrative hold on the products days after and then a full&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/16/state-faces-pushback-from-missouri-marijuana-industry-over-product-recall/">product recall</a>&nbsp;on Aug. 14.&nbsp;Delta has denied accusations that it illegally imported marijuana into the state by arguing it actually imported a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/missouri-cannabis-recall-hemp/">non-psychoactive hemp product</a>&nbsp;that was converted into THC once in Missouri.&nbsp;The commissioner overseeing Delta’s appeal of the recall and license suspension said the company will likely&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/missouri-company-at-center-of-cannabis-recall-used-hemp-instead-of-marijuana-in-products/">lose that argument</a>, because it’s illegal in Missouri to add “hemp-derived chemically modified ‘converted’ cannabinoids” to marijuana products.Last month, the department&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013062-motion-to-continue-sept-7">asked the commission</a>&nbsp;to delay the hearing that was scheduled for Sept. 29.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013056-deltas-opposition-to-continuance-sept-15">Delta opposed the motion</a>, and a commissioner&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013061-motion-denied-sept-19">denied</a>&nbsp;it.&nbsp;&nbsp;However in the Sept. 25 joint motion, the department agreed to hold off on its attempt to revoke Delta’s license until Oct. 20 — and Delta agreed to pushing back the hearing date.The department issued a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013014-notice-of-pending-revocation">notice of pending revocation</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 1, and Delta would’ve had until Oct. 2 to prove its case against the accusations. However, Delta’s attorneys argued in an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24013015-emails-between-attorneys-delta-case">email</a>&nbsp;that there was no need to expedite the revocation process because the company’s operations have already been suspended.&nbsp;The two parties agreed that the revocation process will be completed by Oct. 20. And if the parties cannot reach an agreement, then a hearing would be set after Nov. 30.

Companies can now work with state to destroy recalled Missouri marijuana products

BUCHANAN COUNTY —&nbsp; Two people were injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Friday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Toyota Camry driven by Nevaeh M. Phelps, 18, Jefferson City, was northbound on the Belt Highway in St. Joseph.

The driver was unable to stop and rear-ended a 2021 GMC Terrain driven by Traci M.&nbsp; Peetoom, 44, Savannah who was stopped in traffic.&nbsp; The impact pushed the SUV into a 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by William R. Swartz, 72, Union Star.

Buchanan County EMS transported Phelps and a passenger in the Camry&nbsp; Terri L. Popeka, 19, Toledo, Iowa, to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp;

Peetoom and Swartz were not injured. All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

BUCHANAN COUNTY —&nbsp; Two people were injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Friday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Toyota Camry driven by Nevaeh M. Phelps, 18, Jefferson City, was northbound on the Belt Highway in St. Joseph.The driver was unable to stop and rear-ended a 2021 GMC Terrain driven by Traci M.&nbsp; Peetoom, 44, Savannah who was stopped in traffic.&nbsp; The impact pushed the SUV into a 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by William R. Swartz, 72, Union Star.Buchanan County EMS transported Phelps and a passenger in the Camry&nbsp; Terri L. Popeka, 19, Toledo, Iowa, to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp;Peetoom and Swartz were not injured. All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 hospitalized after 3-vehicle crash on the Belt Highway

Talks of a new St. Jospeh animal shelter might not be done yet. 

Inflation proved to be a roadblock too big for the prospects of a new animal shelter to hurdle.  But one city official says he believes there's still hope. 

At Large St. Joseph City Councilmember Marty Novak says he's optimistic the city council can still come up with a plan for a new animal shelter

"And it may not be exactly the picture we were looking at, but there is a way that we can come up with a new animal shelter," Novak tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. 

Novak says while he doesn't know the exact solution like where it would be or what it would look like

"I know it's forefront that we do need a new animal shelter," Novak says.

Talks stalled after inflation pushed the total for a new animal shelter to nearly six million dollars, with the city unwilling to put more money toward it. 

Novak says everyone needs to work together to make a new animal shelter possible.

"We need to figure out what we can do in order to make this happen, I as with all the other councilmembers, are all in favor of moving forward with a new animal shelter, but we've got to be prudent about what we're doing and what we're spending," Novak says. "That money, that CIP money, is still earmarked for an animal shelter it has not gone away."

Novak hopes a work session can be called soon to discuss the shelter.

Novak says the council knows the benefit a new shelter would bring, and the purpose of the meeting would be to discuss what the council can do.

"Maybe this particular building is not the right way to go, I don't know, that was what was presented to us, maybe there's a different facility that we can go through which we can all accomplish the same thing," Novak explains. "But it's going to take everybody working together jointly to make this happen."

Novak acknowledges that this is a very important project and a meeting focusing on just the animal shelter will be vital to coming up with a solution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696615779846.jpeg" alt="Talks of a new St. Joseph Animal Shelter seem to have stalled, but the St. Joseph City Council remains optimistic the city will get a new shelter /Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Talks of a new St. Joseph Animal Shelter seem to have stalled, but the St. Joseph City Council remains optimistic the city will get a new shelter /Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostTalks of a new St. Jospeh animal shelter might not be done yet. Inflation proved to be a roadblock too big for the prospects of a new animal shelter to hurdle. But one city official says he believes there's still hope. At Large St. Joseph City Councilmember Marty Novak says he's optimistic the city council can still come up with a plan for a new animal shelter"And it may not be exactly the picture we were looking at, but there is a way that we can come up with a new animal shelter," Novak tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. Novak says while he doesn't know the exact solution like where it would be or what it would look like"I know it's forefront that we do need a new animal shelter," Novak says.Talks stalled after inflation pushed the total for a new animal shelter to nearly six million dollars, with the city unwilling to put more money toward it. Novak says everyone needs to work together to make a new animal shelter possible."We need to figure out what we can do in order to make this happen, I as with all the other councilmembers, are all in favor of moving forward with a new animal shelter, but we've got to be prudent about what we're doing and what we're spending," Novak says. "That money, that CIP money, is still earmarked for an animal shelter it has not gone away."Novak hopes a work session can be called soon to discuss the shelter.Novak says the council knows the benefit a new shelter would bring, and the purpose of the meeting would be to discuss what the council can do."Maybe this particular building is not the right way to go, I don't know, that was what was presented to us, maybe there's a different facility that we can go through which we can all accomplish the same thing," Novak explains. "But it's going to take everybody working together jointly to make this happen."Novak acknowledges that this is a very important project and a meeting focusing on just the animal shelter will be vital to coming up with a solution.

St. Joseph City Council remains hopeful a new animal shelter can be built in the city

The cost to buy a Thanksgiving turkey could be lower this year, thanks to a drop in avian influenza cases and a recovery of the turkey population in the U.S. 

Farm Bureau economists analyzed turkey and egg prices and found that the average price for an eight-to-16-pound turkey typically served for Thanksgiving was $1.27 per pound lower than in August 2023. 

That’s 22 percent lower than the same time last year. 

“The status of HPAI is different now than it was just a year ago,” the economists say in a Market Intel Report. “Migratory birds are a major vector of this virus, which naturally makes spring and fall migration high-risk times.” 

June marked the first month with no detections since the outbreak began in February 2022. Egg production also saw a year-to-year increase, with 9.38 billion eggs produced in September 2023, a two percent increase from the same time last year.

The cost to buy a Thanksgiving turkey could be lower this year, thanks to a drop in avian influenza cases and a recovery of the turkey population in the U.S. Farm Bureau economists analyzed turkey and egg prices and found that the average price for an eight-to-16-pound turkey typically served for Thanksgiving was $1.27 per pound lower than in August 2023. That’s 22 percent lower than the same time last year. “The status of HPAI is different now than it was just a year ago,” the economists say in a Market Intel Report. “Migratory birds are a major vector of this virus, which naturally makes spring and fall migration high-risk times.” June marked the first month with no detections since the outbreak began in February 2022. Egg production also saw a year-to-year increase, with 9.38 billion eggs produced in September 2023, a two percent increase from the same time last year.- NAFB

Turkey prices falling as Thanksgiving approaches

Repayment of federal college student loans begins
this month.

Con artists are hoping to prey on those worried
about repaying their student loan debt.

The federal government suspended repayment of
federal student loans during the coronavirus pandemic. Interest on those loans
began accumulating last month with the first payments after forbearance coming
due this month.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostRepayment of federal college student loans begins
this month.Con artists are hoping to prey on those worried
about repaying their student loan debt.The federal government suspended repayment of
federal student loans during the coronavirus pandemic. Interest on those loans
began accumulating last month with the first payments after forbearance coming
due this month.Missouri Western State University Interim
Financial Aid Director, Jessica Hills, cautions that the con artists are
working full-time right now, playing off fear and confusion.“So just know that you don’t have to pay for help
in applying for an income-based repayment plan or consolidation,” Hills advises
in an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So if a company is reaching out to
you and saying, ‘If you pay us a fee, we’ll fill out all this paperwork for you,’
you don’t want to do that. You always want to work specifically with your loan
servicer and they can help you with all of those.”Hills says her office has heard from students who
have reported suspicious letters and offers.“We have had students reach out to us that maybe
got a letter in the mail and thought, this doesn’t seem right,” Hills says. “And
so, they’ve brought it in to our office and said, ‘Can you look at this?’ And
we’ve said that’s definitely a scam. You don’t want to call them. You don’t want
to reach out to them.”Hills says that often scams pressure students, graduates,
and their parents to give sensitive financial information or else.“And a lot of times they try to make it sound
like you’re running out of time:&nbsp; you
have to apply by next Thursday or your time’s going to run out,” according to
Hills. “But those income-based repayment plans are always out there for you.
So, students can apply at any point in time for those.”Hills reminds federal student loan borrowers that
they never have to pay for advice. She suggests speaking with the company that
holds your loan to work out a consolidation or an income-based repayment plan.

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