New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows farm sector debt tied to real estate is expected to be at a record high of $375.9 billion in 2023. 

Farm sector real estate debt has been increasing continuously since 2009 and is expected to reach an amount that is 87.5 percent higher in 2023 compared with 2009 in inflation-adjusted dollars. 

Real estate debt now far outpaces debt that is not secured by a mortgage. 

Historically, real estate debt and non-real estate debt have trended similarly, but they have diverged in recent years. Non-real estate debt showed an 11.9-percent year-to-year increase in 2014 in inflation-adjusted dollars but declined after 2017. 

Meanwhile, there has been a continuous increase in real estate debt since 2009. In 2023, real estate debt is expected to be 33.0 percent higher than the ten-year average, while non-real estate debt is expected to be 10.2 percent lower than the ten-year average.

New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows farm sector debt tied to real estate is expected to be at a record high of $375.9 billion in 2023. Farm sector real estate debt has been increasing continuously since 2009 and is expected to reach an amount that is 87.5 percent higher in 2023 compared with 2009 in inflation-adjusted dollars. Real estate debt now far outpaces debt that is not secured by a mortgage. Historically, real estate debt and non-real estate debt have trended similarly, but they have diverged in recent years. Non-real estate debt showed an 11.9-percent year-to-year increase in 2014 in inflation-adjusted dollars but declined after 2017. Meanwhile, there has been a continuous increase in real estate debt since 2009. In 2023, real estate debt is expected to be 33.0 percent higher than the ten-year average, while non-real estate debt is expected to be 10.2 percent lower than the ten-year average.

Farm sector real estate debt hits record high

For the second straight week, the nation's average price of gasoline declined, falling 6.3 cents from a week ago to $3.58 per gallon. 

The national average is up 8.2 cents from a month ago but 59.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. 

The national average diesel price fell 5.3 cents in the last week and stands at $4.07 per gallon, $1.18 lower than one year ago. 

Oil prices have come under additional selling pressure alongside wholesale gasoline prices, and diesel prices have followed. The latest data shows diesel prices fell to their lowest level in over 13 months as demand remains weak due to concerns over the economy. 

GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says, “With refinery maintenance wrapping up, we should see supplies start to build in the weeks ahead, just in time for the summer driving season, potentially putting more downward pressure on prices.”

For the second straight week, the nation's average price of gasoline declined, falling 6.3 cents from a week ago to $3.58 per gallon. The national average is up 8.2 cents from a month ago but 59.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average diesel price fell 5.3 cents in the last week and stands at $4.07 per gallon, $1.18 lower than one year ago. Oil prices have come under additional selling pressure alongside wholesale gasoline prices, and diesel prices have followed. The latest data shows diesel prices fell to their lowest level in over 13 months as demand remains weak due to concerns over the economy. GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says, “With refinery maintenance wrapping up, we should see supplies start to build in the weeks ahead, just in time for the summer driving season, potentially putting more downward pressure on prices.”

Fuel prices slide again: diesel reaches 13-month low

Missouri’s legislative session ends in two weeks in Jefferson
City with some high-profile legislation still hanging in the balance.

One, is an attempt to regulate transgender health care for
minors.

A northwest Missouri freshmen state representative has jumped
right into the middle of the controversial issue.

Rep. Mazzie Boyd of Hamilton co-sponsors legislation that
would prohibit minors from receiving gender-transition medical care without
parental consent. Boyd, a Republican, says her stance has been informed by
those who underwent such procedures only to change their minds.

“It almost makes me want to bawl my eyes out, talking to some
of my friends, that now become my friends over this and they never will be able
to have children. They’re with life-long consequence of their body hurting and
they’re only at this point 18 or 19, but they were making these decisions at 14
and 15,” Boyd tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Boyd says too much is unknown about puberty blockers and
gender-transition surgery to refer to such treatment as gender-affirming.

“On the Mayo Clinic and even on the St. Louis gender clinic,
it’s really interesting. If you look at the side effects, it will say, side effects
yet not known,” according to Boyd. “Mayo Clinic says loss of fertility. These are
serious things that I don’t believe a 13 or 14 year old should ever be affirmed
in, because you have no idea. What I thought at 13 and what I think now at
almost 25 are completely different things.”

Other legislation would prohibit transgender youth from participating
in girls’ sports.

Freshman state Rep. Jeff Farnan of Stanberry does not want
students born as boys to play on a girls’ team, no matter how few might be
affected.

“But the people that it does, it’s not fair to them,” Farnan
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “If a biological male is playing on a woman’s team,
not only does it take the place of another biological woman that could be
playing, it gives that person an unfair advantage, or that team an unfair
advantage, by having a biological male play on that team.”

Time is running out this legislative session. Lawmakers wrap
up work in Jefferson City on the 12th.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri’s legislative session ends in two weeks in Jefferson
City with some high-profile legislation still hanging in the balance.One, is an attempt to regulate transgender health care for
minors.A northwest Missouri freshmen state representative has jumped
right into the middle of the controversial issue.Rep. Mazzie Boyd of Hamilton co-sponsors legislation that
would prohibit minors from receiving gender-transition medical care without
parental consent. Boyd, a Republican, says her stance has been informed by
those who underwent such procedures only to change their minds.“It almost makes me want to bawl my eyes out, talking to some
of my friends, that now become my friends over this and they never will be able
to have children. They’re with life-long consequence of their body hurting and
they’re only at this point 18 or 19, but they were making these decisions at 14
and 15,” Boyd tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Boyd says too much is unknown about puberty blockers and
gender-transition surgery to refer to such treatment as gender-affirming.“On the Mayo Clinic and even on the St. Louis gender clinic,
it’s really interesting. If you look at the side effects, it will say, side effects
yet not known,” according to Boyd. “Mayo Clinic says loss of fertility. These are
serious things that I don’t believe a 13 or 14 year old should ever be affirmed
in, because you have no idea. What I thought at 13 and what I think now at
almost 25 are completely different things.”Other legislation would prohibit transgender youth from participating
in girls’ sports.Freshman state Rep. Jeff Farnan of Stanberry does not want
students born as boys to play on a girls’ team, no matter how few might be
affected.“But the people that it does, it’s not fair to them,” Farnan
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “If a biological male is playing on a woman’s team,
not only does it take the place of another biological woman that could be
playing, it gives that person an unfair advantage, or that team an unfair
advantage, by having a biological male play on that team.”Time is running out this legislative session. Lawmakers wrap
up work in Jefferson City on the 12th.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Freshman-in-the-State-Legislature-e23eb7d" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

High-profile legislation hangs in balance as Missouri legislature races against time

DEKALB COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Monday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Kia Rio driven by Mohammad&nbsp; A. Mohammad, 54, Lees Summit, was southbound on MO 33 just north of Route O four miles south of Maysville.&nbsp;

The Kia rear-ended a 2011 Ford Fusion driven by Victoria M. Hillebrand, 32, Weatherby, as the it was making a right turn.

DeKalb County EMS transported Hillebrand to Mosaic in St. Joseph.&nbsp; DeKalb Clinton EMS transported Mohammad to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the. MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Monday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Kia Rio driven by Mohammad&nbsp; A. Mohammad, 54, Lees Summit, was southbound on MO 33 just north of Route O four miles south of Maysville.&nbsp;The Kia rear-ended a 2011 Ford Fusion driven by Victoria M. Hillebrand, 32, Weatherby, as the it was making a right turn.DeKalb County EMS transported Hillebrand to Mosaic in St. Joseph.&nbsp; DeKalb Clinton EMS transported Mohammad to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the. MSHP.

2 injured after DeKalb County rear-end crash

KANSAS CITY (AP) —&nbsp;(AP) — A Missouri judge on Monday temporarily blocked a unique rule that would require adults and children to undergo more than a year of therapy and fulfill other requirements before they could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-missouri-hormone-stockpile-4376cac68eecd22df9d3ad86825c18d3">receive gender-affirming treatments</a>&nbsp;such as puberty blockers, hormones and surgery.

St. Louis County Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo issued a temporary restraining order barring enforcement of Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-health-care-andrew-baily-65c388ae85f610a2a885e2dff486bfe8">emergency rule</a>&nbsp;until May 15 unless she extends it. She scheduled a May 11 hearing on the lawsuit challenging the rule.

In her ruling, Ribaudo wrote that those&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-care-missouri-attorney-general-ef30b41658d95b7206535c5fd67513ae">suing to block the rule</a>&nbsp;would “be subjected to immediate and irreparable loss, damage or injury if the Attorney General is permitted to enforce the Emergency Rule, and its broad, sweeping provisions were implemented without further fact-finding or evidence.”

She also wrote that patients are at “high risk” of having their medical care interrupted indefinitely and losing care through their current providers if the rule takes effect.

Bailey's office vowed in a statement to continue defending the rule.

“We remain confident in our position because the Court even acknowledged that it deferred its consideration of the science until a later date,” his statement said, adding “six pages of endnotes" speak to the experimental nature of the care.

Gillian Wilcox, deputy director of litigation for the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, which filed suit on behalf of transgender Missourians, applauded the ruling.

Wilcox' statement called it “a win for transgender Missourians over an unprecedented attempt by the Attorney General to unilaterally legislate and harm their right to self-expression, bodily autonomy, and access to lifesaving health care.”

Legal experts and transgender advocates say that if the lawsuit ultimately fails and Bailey’s rule takes effect, it would make Missouri the first state to restrict gender-affirming care for adults and the first to enact such restrictions through emergency rule-making instead of through a new law.

The lawsuit argues that the rule is discriminatory, and that Bailey sidestepped the Republican-led Legislature and exceeded his authority by attempting to regulate gender-affirming health care through Missouri's consumer-protection law.

Dom Frazier, a 39-year-old transgender Kansas City resident who is not a plaintiff, said Bailey's rule is about “dehumanizing and trying to ostracize a particular group of people.” He said allowing gender-affirming care is “giving people human rights.”

Simone Folsom, a 21-year-old transgender woman from Kansas City, said she spent “20 years emotionally deadened” until she began hormone treatments.

“It has literally made me feel like a person for the first time in my life,” said Folsom, who said the effort limit gender-affirming health care pushed her to demonstrate.

Bailey said the rule would shield minors from what he describes as experimental medical treatments, though puberty blockers and sex hormones have been prescribed for decades and the rule would also apply to adults.

The attorney general's office has said there are 12,400 Missourians who identify as transgender, the ruling noted. The office estimated that 600 to 700 Missourians would begin intervention in the next year.

The rule was initially set to take effect last Thursday. It would require people to have experienced an “intense pattern” of documented gender dysphoria for three years and to have received at least 15 hourly sessions with a therapist over at least 18 months before they could receive puberty blockers, hormones, surgery or other treatment.

Before receiving care, patients would also have to be screened for autism, and any psychiatric symptoms from mental health issues would have to be treated and resolved. Minors, but not adults, also would have to be screened for “social media addiction” before treatments could begin.

Opponents called the rule discriminatory and illegal.

Tony Rothert, an attorney for the ACLU, told Ribaudo at a hearing Wednesday that the regulations would “cause immediate, severe and potentially irreparable harm” to people who could lose access to medications like puberty blockers and sex hormones.

“We don’t allow attorneys general to legislate, and we don’t allow them to play doctor,” Rothert said.

He and other attorneys said transgender people who can’t get gender-affirming care are at higher risk of suicide.

Assistant Attorney General Joshua Divine argued that Bailey’s order would not ban gender-affirming care, but provide “basic procedural guardrails.” He cited studies showing a high percentage of children seeking to transition are dealing with mental health issues, adding they should undergo “talk therapy” instead.

Bailey issued the restrictions after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-youth-health-care-attorney-general-84da1c977c44bba9907f13b2d3a7141f">launching an investigation in February</a>&nbsp;into the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The probe was prompted by a former employee who alleged that the center was providing children with gender-affirming care without informed consent, a sufficient individualized case review and wraparound mental health services. The university's internal review found no misconduct, determing the claims were unsubstantiated.

Some transgender people have been trying to stockpile prescribed hormones or find alternative ways to get medications, fearful of losing access to the gender-affirming treatments many credit as life-saving. Some are considering leaving Missouri if the rule isn’t blocked.

“This feels like the end of Kansas City being my home,” said Stacy Cay, an autistic transgender woman. “It feels like it’s being taken away.”

Missouri's Democratic House minority leader, Crystal Quade, said recently that she asked President Joe Biden and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an executive order extending coverage to Missourians who seek gender-affirming care in other states. She also asked the Democratic governors of Kansas and Illinois if their health care systems would accept Missouri patients for such care.

Bailey’s emergency rule on gender-affirming care come as Republicans across the country have proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-lgbtq-gender-affirming-care-missouri-dd87f8682099f9073538c9c2ee544749">hundreds of laws</a>&nbsp;aimed at transgender people. At least 13 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors.

Bailey was appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson and took office in January. In a campaign email asking donors for money last week, Bailey said minors are “learning about their genders on TikTok.”

“Think about how frightening that is!” the campaign email said. “And think about how CRAZY it is to expose children to the twisted experiments advocated by extreme transgender activists.”

Brandon Hill, the interim president and CEO of Vivent Health, a health care provider with an LGBTQ+ and HIV focus serving Missouri and other states, questioned Bailey's description of gender-affirming care as “experimental.” Hill said the same hormones used in gender-affirming treatment are used off-label to treat symptoms of menopause and help some cancer survivors.

“If you’re concerned about the drug and its potential effects, you should be concerned about it for everybody,” Hill said.

Meanwhile, Republican state lawmakers are fighting over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-legislation-legislature-missouri-sports-2dd6a4c599190a08aa72d12868215547">competing Missouri House and Senate bills that would ban all gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for minors. The chambers are split over which version to send to Parson, who is threatening to force the Legislature to keep working if nothing is done on the issue before their session's scheduled May 12 finish.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681466878038.png" alt="Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued the restrictions following an investigation he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-youth-health-care-attorney-general-84da1c977c44bba9907f13b2d3a7141f">launched in February</a>&nbsp;into the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued the restrictions following an investigation he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-youth-health-care-attorney-general-84da1c977c44bba9907f13b2d3a7141f">launched in February</a>&nbsp;into the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —&nbsp;(AP) — A Missouri judge on Monday temporarily blocked a unique rule that would require adults and children to undergo more than a year of therapy and fulfill other requirements before they could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-missouri-hormone-stockpile-4376cac68eecd22df9d3ad86825c18d3">receive gender-affirming treatments</a>&nbsp;such as puberty blockers, hormones and surgery.St. Louis County Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo issued a temporary restraining order barring enforcement of Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-health-care-andrew-baily-65c388ae85f610a2a885e2dff486bfe8">emergency rule</a>&nbsp;until May 15 unless she extends it. She scheduled a May 11 hearing on the lawsuit challenging the rule.In her ruling, Ribaudo wrote that those&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-care-missouri-attorney-general-ef30b41658d95b7206535c5fd67513ae">suing to block the rule</a>&nbsp;would “be subjected to immediate and irreparable loss, damage or injury if the Attorney General is permitted to enforce the Emergency Rule, and its broad, sweeping provisions were implemented without further fact-finding or evidence.”She also wrote that patients are at “high risk” of having their medical care interrupted indefinitely and losing care through their current providers if the rule takes effect.Bailey's office vowed in a statement to continue defending the rule.“We remain confident in our position because the Court even acknowledged that it deferred its consideration of the science until a later date,” his statement said, adding “six pages of endnotes" speak to the experimental nature of the care.Gillian Wilcox, deputy director of litigation for the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, which filed suit on behalf of transgender Missourians, applauded the ruling.Wilcox' statement called it “a win for transgender Missourians over an unprecedented attempt by the Attorney General to unilaterally legislate and harm their right to self-expression, bodily autonomy, and access to lifesaving health care.”Legal experts and transgender advocates say that if the lawsuit ultimately fails and Bailey’s rule takes effect, it would make Missouri the first state to restrict gender-affirming care for adults and the first to enact such restrictions through emergency rule-making instead of through a new law.The lawsuit argues that the rule is discriminatory, and that Bailey sidestepped the Republican-led Legislature and exceeded his authority by attempting to regulate gender-affirming health care through Missouri's consumer-protection law.Dom Frazier, a 39-year-old transgender Kansas City resident who is not a plaintiff, said Bailey's rule is about “dehumanizing and trying to ostracize a particular group of people.” He said allowing gender-affirming care is “giving people human rights.”Simone Folsom, a 21-year-old transgender woman from Kansas City, said she spent “20 years emotionally deadened” until she began hormone treatments.“It has literally made me feel like a person for the first time in my life,” said Folsom, who said the effort limit gender-affirming health care pushed her to demonstrate.Bailey said the rule would shield minors from what he describes as experimental medical treatments, though puberty blockers and sex hormones have been prescribed for decades and the rule would also apply to adults.The attorney general's office has said there are 12,400 Missourians who identify as transgender, the ruling noted. The office estimated that 600 to 700 Missourians would begin intervention in the next year.The rule was initially set to take effect last Thursday. It would require people to have experienced an “intense pattern” of documented gender dysphoria for three years and to have received at least 15 hourly sessions with a therapist over at least 18 months before they could receive puberty blockers, hormones, surgery or other treatment.Before receiving care, patients would also have to be screened for autism, and any psychiatric symptoms from mental health issues would have to be treated and resolved. Minors, but not adults, also would have to be screened for “social media addiction” before treatments could begin.Opponents called the rule discriminatory and illegal.Tony Rothert, an attorney for the ACLU, told Ribaudo at a hearing Wednesday that the regulations would “cause immediate, severe and potentially irreparable harm” to people who could lose access to medications like puberty blockers and sex hormones.“We don’t allow attorneys general to legislate, and we don’t allow them to play doctor,” Rothert said.He and other attorneys said transgender people who can’t get gender-affirming care are at higher risk of suicide.Assistant Attorney General Joshua Divine argued that Bailey’s order would not ban gender-affirming care, but provide “basic procedural guardrails.” He cited studies showing a high percentage of children seeking to transition are dealing with mental health issues, adding they should undergo “talk therapy” instead.Bailey issued the restrictions after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-youth-health-care-attorney-general-84da1c977c44bba9907f13b2d3a7141f">launching an investigation in February</a>&nbsp;into the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The probe was prompted by a former employee who alleged that the center was providing children with gender-affirming care without informed consent, a sufficient individualized case review and wraparound mental health services. The university's internal review found no misconduct, determing the claims were unsubstantiated.Some transgender people have been trying to stockpile prescribed hormones or find alternative ways to get medications, fearful of losing access to the gender-affirming treatments many credit as life-saving. Some are considering leaving Missouri if the rule isn’t blocked.“This feels like the end of Kansas City being my home,” said Stacy Cay, an autistic transgender woman. “It feels like it’s being taken away.”Missouri's Democratic House minority leader, Crystal Quade, said recently that she asked President Joe Biden and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an executive order extending coverage to Missourians who seek gender-affirming care in other states. She also asked the Democratic governors of Kansas and Illinois if their health care systems would accept Missouri patients for such care.Bailey’s emergency rule on gender-affirming care come as Republicans across the country have proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-lgbtq-gender-affirming-care-missouri-dd87f8682099f9073538c9c2ee544749">hundreds of laws</a>&nbsp;aimed at transgender people. At least 13 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minors.Bailey was appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson and took office in January. In a campaign email asking donors for money last week, Bailey said minors are “learning about their genders on TikTok.”“Think about how frightening that is!” the campaign email said. “And think about how CRAZY it is to expose children to the twisted experiments advocated by extreme transgender activists.”Brandon Hill, the interim president and CEO of Vivent Health, a health care provider with an LGBTQ+ and HIV focus serving Missouri and other states, questioned Bailey's description of gender-affirming care as “experimental.” Hill said the same hormones used in gender-affirming treatment are used off-label to treat symptoms of menopause and help some cancer survivors.“If you’re concerned about the drug and its potential effects, you should be concerned about it for everybody,” Hill said.Meanwhile, Republican state lawmakers are fighting over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-legislation-legislature-missouri-sports-2dd6a4c599190a08aa72d12868215547">competing Missouri House and Senate bills that would ban all gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for minors. The chambers are split over which version to send to Parson, who is threatening to force the Legislature to keep working if nothing is done on the issue before their session's scheduled May 12 finish.___

Judge blocks Missouri rule that would limit transgender care

St. Joseph School Superintendent Gabe Edgar has pleaded guilty
to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge.

Edgar pleaded guilty in front of Associate Circuit Court Judge
Rebecca Spencer. Edgar will not serve any jail time. He has received a six-month
suspended sentence.

Edgar earlier apologized for his actions. The St. Joseph
School Board held executive sessions after the March 26th arrest in St.
Joseph. The board decided to retain Edgar without a formal vote. Edgar’s
contract runs through June 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682971557404.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph School Supt. Gabe Edgar/file photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph School Supt. Gabe Edgar/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph School Superintendent Gabe Edgar has pleaded guilty
to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge.Edgar pleaded guilty in front of Associate Circuit Court Judge
Rebecca Spencer. Edgar will not serve any jail time. He has received a six-month
suspended sentence.Edgar earlier apologized for his actions. The St. Joseph
School Board held executive sessions after the March 26th arrest in St.
Joseph. The board decided to retain Edgar without a formal vote. Edgar’s
contract runs through June 2026.

St. Joseph School Supt. Edgar pleads guilty to misdemeanor DWI

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 7a.m. Sunday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Freightliner semi driven by Rusingiza I. Blaise, 32, Lexington, Kentucky, was southbound on Interstate 35 in Bethany.

The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road, struck a sign, returned to the road and the driver overcorrected. The semi overturned and struck another sign.

NTA ambulance transported Blaise to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 7a.m. Sunday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Freightliner semi driven by Rusingiza I. Blaise, 32, Lexington, Kentucky, was southbound on Interstate 35 in Bethany.The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road, struck a sign, returned to the road and the driver overcorrected. The semi overturned and struck another sign.NTA ambulance transported Blaise to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized after semi crash in Bethany

An event being held in St. Joseph for 12th year will celebrate a nationwide event bringing several communities together in prayer. &nbsp;

The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, and a gathering will be held at St. Joseph's Civic Arena early that morning. &nbsp;

Chairman Dale Rodney says everyone in this time and day has something going on in their lives. &nbsp;

"One of the best ways, and if not the only way, is to spend that time in prayer," Rodney tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "And if there's any power that we can bring to the things we've got going on, if there's any hope, is that we can stop for a moment and talk to the God of all creation and say listen we need help, we come back to you, and this National Day of Prayer is just bringing people in the community together."&nbsp;

Vice Chair Melissa Frakes says the event will begin early Thursday morning with breakfast at 6:45am. &nbsp;

"But what a great way to start your day in prayer and with a breakfast with Gina's and then I think it's over by 8 o'clock," Frakes says. "That's our goal so that people can get to work on time and be able to start their day in a fun way with 500 other people eating breakfast and gathering."&nbsp;

Doors to Civic Arena will open at 6am.&nbsp; If you don't want to pay for breakfast, you can also attend the event for free up in the arena seats.&nbsp;

Rodney says this year’s keynote speaker will be Chris Singleton, a former baseball player and current commentator, whose presentation will be about a tragedy in his life.&nbsp;

"In 2015 his mother was killed in the Emanuel AME Church, she was there with her team, with her fellow parishioners, and she was killed in that shooting that occurred in that church, it was in 2015," Rodney explains. "So, out of that tragedy it kind of launched, from reading about him, kind of launched him into a different arena of his life."&nbsp;

Singleton will speak around 7:20am.&nbsp; You can contact the Civic Arena for tickets for the event.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682954796404.jpeg" alt="An event for The National Day of Prayer will be held on Thursday&nbsp; in St. Joseph at the Civic Arena/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph National Day of Prayer Facebook page." />
 <figcaption>An event for The National Day of Prayer will be held on Thursday&nbsp; in St. Joseph at the Civic Arena/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph National Day of Prayer Facebook page.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;An event being held in St. Joseph for 12th year will celebrate a nationwide event bringing several communities together in prayer. &nbsp;The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, and a gathering will be held at St. Joseph's Civic Arena early that morning. &nbsp;Chairman Dale Rodney says everyone in this time and day has something going on in their lives. &nbsp;"One of the best ways, and if not the only way, is to spend that time in prayer," Rodney tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "And if there's any power that we can bring to the things we've got going on, if there's any hope, is that we can stop for a moment and talk to the God of all creation and say listen we need help, we come back to you, and this National Day of Prayer is just bringing people in the community together."&nbsp;Vice Chair Melissa Frakes says the event will begin early Thursday morning with breakfast at 6:45am. &nbsp;"But what a great way to start your day in prayer and with a breakfast with Gina's and then I think it's over by 8 o'clock," Frakes says. "That's our goal so that people can get to work on time and be able to start their day in a fun way with 500 other people eating breakfast and gathering."&nbsp;Doors to Civic Arena will open at 6am.&nbsp; If you don't want to pay for breakfast, you can also attend the event for free up in the arena seats.&nbsp;Rodney says this year’s keynote speaker will be Chris Singleton, a former baseball player and current commentator, whose presentation will be about a tragedy in his life.&nbsp;"In 2015 his mother was killed in the Emanuel AME Church, she was there with her team, with her fellow parishioners, and she was killed in that shooting that occurred in that church, it was in 2015," Rodney explains. "So, out of that tragedy it kind of launched, from reading about him, kind of launched him into a different arena of his life."&nbsp;Singleton will speak around 7:20am.&nbsp; You can contact the Civic Arena for tickets for the event.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FStJoeNDP%2Fvideos%2F721361322769862%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

Event on Thursday celebrating National Day of Prayer brings community together

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday that it will use existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend often marketed as Unleaded 88. 

“We appreciate Administrator Regan’s timely action to prevent a disruption in E15 availability,” says National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. 

“EPA’s action will help address the fuel supply constraints and ensure drivers continue to have access to a lower-cost fuel choice that cuts emissions.” 

The fuel conditions that warranted EPA taking the same successful step last year are continuing today. Haag says the nation’s corn growers are proud to contribute to an energy and environmental solution that saves consumers money at the pump. 

Continued access to E15 during the summer months will help relieve ongoing energy supply pressures. When EPA took a similar action last year, drivers saved nearly a dollar per gallon in some locations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday that it will use existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend often marketed as Unleaded 88. “We appreciate Administrator Regan’s timely action to prevent a disruption in E15 availability,” says National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “EPA’s action will help address the fuel supply constraints and ensure drivers continue to have access to a lower-cost fuel choice that cuts emissions.” The fuel conditions that warranted EPA taking the same successful step last year are continuing today. Haag says the nation’s corn growers are proud to contribute to an energy and environmental solution that saves consumers money at the pump. Continued access to E15 during the summer months will help relieve ongoing energy supply pressures. When EPA took a similar action last year, drivers saved nearly a dollar per gallon in some locations.

Biden Administration allowing summertime sales of E15

The United States requested trade consultations in March on Mexico’s plan to limit the use of genetically modified corn. 

Reuters says a top Mexican official called the request an “unacceptable violation” of Mexican law that feeds the interest of giant seed companies. 

The U.S. is Mexico’s main trading partner and requested the consultations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which calls for science-based regulations. 

Mexico’s Deputy Agriculture Minister Victor Suarez says, “The United States’ request to Mexico follows the interests of seed, agrochemical, and other foodproducing oligopolies.” 

He also points out that seed makers like Bayer, Corteva, ChemChina’s Syngenta, and BASF are winning under U.S. agriculture and trade policies. 

However, Suarez feels those companies don’t represent all U.S. farmers. The consultations are a first step toward a trade panel that could ultimately mean a ruling calling for placing punitive tariffs on Mexico. Suarez says Mexico’s policy won’t affect U.S. corn farmers at all.

The United States requested trade consultations in March on Mexico’s plan to limit the use of genetically modified corn. Reuters says a top Mexican official called the request an “unacceptable violation” of Mexican law that feeds the interest of giant seed companies. The U.S. is Mexico’s main trading partner and requested the consultations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which calls for science-based regulations. Mexico’s Deputy Agriculture Minister Victor Suarez says, “The United States’ request to Mexico follows the interests of seed, agrochemical, and other foodproducing oligopolies.” He also points out that seed makers like Bayer, Corteva, ChemChina’s Syngenta, and BASF are winning under U.S. agriculture and trade policies. However, Suarez feels those companies don’t represent all U.S. farmers. The consultations are a first step toward a trade panel that could ultimately mean a ruling calling for placing punitive tariffs on Mexico. Suarez says Mexico’s policy won’t affect U.S. corn farmers at all.

U.S. trade consultation request “Violates Mexican Law”

St. Joseph School Board President LaTonya Williams defends the
board’s decision to retain Superintendent Gabe Edgar in wake of his arrest for
drunk driving.

“Our choice in retaining Gabe, it was not about Gabe, it was
about the district,” Williams tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.

The school board decided to retain Edgar after the superintendent
was pulled over the evening of March 26th and eventually charged
with misdemeanor driving-while-intoxicated.

Williams says no one should consider the decision to keep
Edgar as superintendent to be a condoning of his action.

“We were disappointed in his action as he was,” Williams says.
“But it is not only about the action, it is about the whole picture as well.”

The St. Joseph School Board met in executive decision a few
times after the after. No vote was taken on retaining Edgar, who’s contract
runs through 2026.

School board Vice President Kenneth Reeder criticizes Birr for
bringing up the issue during their appearance on the KFEQ Hotline Friday.

“And I’m really disappointed that we’re talking about this,”
Reeder says. “The personnel issue is something that locks us in legally and we
are not going to put ourselves in jeopardy for that.”

Reeder asserts Edgar has been punished enough.

“He’s gone through a great amount of punishment and, guess
what, Gabriel is going to have punishment for the rest of the time of his
career in this town,” Reeder says. “I only hope we can keep him for the next
five years at least, so we can totally turn this ship and we’re going down that
right path. And, by the way, it does not involve new, shiny buildings. It involves
educating our kids.”

While Reeder asserts school board members shouldn’t discuss
their decision to retain Edgar, Williams does address it, insisting the
decision to keep Edgar was based on the best interest of the district.

“Gabe is just like everybody else. He’s a man, he’s human and
we all make choices and, at times, it’s not the best choice.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1682941220196.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph School Board President LaTonya Williams and Vice President Ken Reeder appear on the KFEQ Hotline/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph School Board President LaTonya Williams and Vice President Ken Reeder appear on the KFEQ Hotline/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph School Board President LaTonya Williams defends the
board’s decision to retain Superintendent Gabe Edgar in wake of his arrest for
drunk driving.“Our choice in retaining Gabe, it was not about Gabe, it was
about the district,” Williams tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.The school board decided to retain Edgar after the superintendent
was pulled over the evening of March 26th and eventually charged
with misdemeanor driving-while-intoxicated.Williams says no one should consider the decision to keep
Edgar as superintendent to be a condoning of his action.“We were disappointed in his action as he was,” Williams says.
“But it is not only about the action, it is about the whole picture as well.”The St. Joseph School Board met in executive decision a few
times after the after. No vote was taken on retaining Edgar, who’s contract
runs through 2026.School board Vice President Kenneth Reeder criticizes Birr for
bringing up the issue during their appearance on the KFEQ Hotline Friday.“And I’m really disappointed that we’re talking about this,”
Reeder says. “The personnel issue is something that locks us in legally and we
are not going to put ourselves in jeopardy for that.”Reeder asserts Edgar has been punished enough.“He’s gone through a great amount of punishment and, guess
what, Gabriel is going to have punishment for the rest of the time of his
career in this town,” Reeder says. “I only hope we can keep him for the next
five years at least, so we can totally turn this ship and we’re going down that
right path. And, by the way, it does not involve new, shiny buildings. It involves
educating our kids.”While Reeder asserts school board members shouldn’t discuss
their decision to retain Edgar, Williams does address it, insisting the
decision to keep Edgar was based on the best interest of the district.“Gabe is just like everybody else. He’s a man, he’s human and
we all make choices and, at times, it’s not the best choice.”<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/School-Board-Leadership-discusses-decision-to-retain-Superintendent-Gabe-Edgar-e23aig8" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

St. Joseph School Board execs defend retaining Supt. Edgar 

HOLT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3a.m. Sunday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Altima driven by Thomas C. Sule, 21, Omaha, was northbound on Interstate 29 one mile south of Mound City.

The car rear-ended a 2015 International semi driven by Damion M. Zachary, 47, Kansas City, that was stationary in the northbound lanes.

A passenger identified as Deng A. Arop, 20, Omaha, was pronounced dead at the scene. Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Sule and two other passengers in the car Shangag S.Shangag, 19, and Ramkel P . Gatdiet, 21, both of Omaha to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Zachary was not injured.

 Sule, Shangag, and Arop were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3a.m. Sunday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Altima driven by Thomas C. Sule, 21, Omaha, was northbound on Interstate 29 one mile south of Mound City.The car rear-ended a 2015 International semi driven by Damion M. Zachary, 47, Kansas City, that was stationary in the northbound lanes.A passenger identified as Deng A. Arop, 20, Omaha, was pronounced dead at the scene. Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Sule and two other passengers in the car Shangag S.Shangag, 19, and Ramkel P . Gatdiet, 21, both of Omaha to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Zachary was not injured. Sule, Shangag, and Arop were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

One dead, 3 hospitalized in St. Joe after rear-end crash

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Saturday in Atchison.

&nbsp;1996 Jeep Cherokee driven by Richard Croft, 67, Atchison struck a parked vehicle and a tree causing in the 900 Block of South 5th, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

After impact, the Jeep overturned on its side. Fire Department personnel extricated Croft from the vehicle. EMS&nbsp; transported to Amberwell for evaluation. Police cited him for no valid driver’s license, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682863592209.png" alt="Police cited the driver for no valid driver’s license. -Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Police cited the driver for no valid driver’s license. -Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Saturday in Atchison.&nbsp;1996 Jeep Cherokee driven by Richard Croft, 67, Atchison struck a parked vehicle and a tree causing in the 900 Block of South 5th, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.After impact, the Jeep overturned on its side. Fire Department personnel extricated Croft from the vehicle. EMS&nbsp; transported to Amberwell for evaluation. Police cited him for no valid driver’s license, according to Wilson.

Kansas man hospitalized after Jeep strikes a tree

NODAWAY COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just before 2:30a.m. Saturday in Nodaway&nbsp; County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Chase E. Atkins, 20, Ravenwood, was eastbound on U.S. 136 at Liberty Road six miles east of Maryville.

The&nbsp; car traveled into the westbound lanes and struck a 2018 Chevy Cruz driven by John F. Luke, 64, Maryville.

Atkins was airlifted to KU Medical Center.&nbsp; Nodaway County ambulance transported Luke and a passenger in the Chevy Toyka J. Rosier, 60, Stanberry, to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

NODAWAY COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just before 2:30a.m. Saturday in Nodaway&nbsp; County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Chase E. Atkins, 20, Ravenwood, was eastbound on U.S. 136 at Liberty Road six miles east of Maryville.The&nbsp; car traveled into the westbound lanes and struck a 2018 Chevy Cruz driven by John F. Luke, 64, Maryville.Atkins was airlifted to KU Medical Center.&nbsp; Nodaway County ambulance transported Luke and a passenger in the Chevy Toyka J. Rosier, 60, Stanberry, to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

3 hospitalized after Nodaway Co. head-on crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after an arrest.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, an unlawful entry was made into a residence in the 500 block North 5th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. 

A suspect had entered the residence through a front door, grabbed a playstation, and ran from the residence. The residence was occupied at the time but there was no contact between the resident and the suspect.&nbsp;

The investigation led police to 28-year-old Darius Fleming who was taken into custody at 8:00AM on Thursday morning at 5th and Santa Fe on a Kansas Department of Corrections detain order for parole violation and requested charges of aggravated burglary and theft. 

He has two previous convictions for theft and had been listed as an absconder April 21, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682689521439.png" alt="Fleming-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Fleming-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after an arrest.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, an unlawful entry was made into a residence in the 500 block North 5th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. A suspect had entered the residence through a front door, grabbed a playstation, and ran from the residence. The residence was occupied at the time but there was no contact between the resident and the suspect.&nbsp;The investigation led police to 28-year-old Darius Fleming who was taken into custody at 8:00AM on Thursday morning at 5th and Santa Fe on a Kansas Department of Corrections detain order for parole violation and requested charges of aggravated burglary and theft. He has two previous convictions for theft and had been listed as an absconder April 21, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. man with previous theft convictions accused of burglary

St. Joseph native. Royals fan. All-American pitcher at Central Arkansas.

 By the end of his freshmen season in college, pitcher Noah Cameron had put himself on the professional baseball radar.

Little did he know that he'd only start 18 total games at the college level.

After his sophomore season was cut short in 2020 due to COVID, and after Tommy John surgery that same year, Cameron had to wait and see what his future held.

But on July 12, 2021, a phone call came from the front office of the team he’s loved his whole life. Cameron was drafted in the seventh round, 199th overall, by the Kansas City Royals.

"It's been a blessing for sure," Cameron said in an interview with KFEQ Radio. "Just being close to home. Obviously, we know not everyone is blessed in that way. Yeah, we're just lucky to be from St. Joseph and have all of the (Royals minor league) affiliates pretty close by."

After sitting out the 2021 season and rehabbing in Arizona, Cameron was assigned to the low-A Columbia Fireflies in South Carolina last April before going to the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits in May.

He posted a 3.56 ERA in 65.2 innings with three teams across three levels in 2022 with 99 strikeouts and just 16 walks. A minor shoulder injury set him back last year, but so far, Cameron says he’s feeling strong this year.

"I'm feeling good, feeling healthy," he said. "I'm just excited for the rest of the season and how it plays out. Just continuing to pitch well and hopefully get some more wins for the team."

In four starts with Quad Cities this season, Cameron is 1-1 with a 2.71 ERA in 19.2 innings, striking out 31 while walking only five.

His 31 strikeouts tie for fourth most amongst all minor league pitchers right now, and his 14.19 strikeouts-per-nine innings ranks 11th. His strikeout-to-walk percentage, 34.2%, ranks fifth.

 Cameron is a lefty. At 6-3 and 220 pounds, the 23-year-old St. Joseph Central alum can touch the mid-90s on a fastball. His curveball is coming along too, but Cameron has always had a signature.

"Definitely the change-up is my go-to pitch," he said. "Has been for as long as I can remember. The curve has been getting a lot better. So, just being able to throw that and throwing it a little more to make my changeup a little better."

Noah Cameron is the No. 22 prospect for the Royals right now. Only time, and front office executives will tell ,when Cameron is ready to move up.

 The Northwest Arkansas Naturals in Double-A would be next, but in the minors, there’s no real timeline or way to know when that time comes.

For now, Cameron is enjoying the moment with the dream of playing in Kaufmann Stadium very much alive in his mind.

"I'm getting paid to play baseball, which it's just crazy to even say that all of the time," he said. "I mean, yeah. I'm just playing a game, you know? So, I'm just thankful to be playing and be healthy and I'm going to keep pitching in Quad Cities as long as I have to."

"I'd have been super happy with any team, but the fact it's the Royals makes it a lot more special."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682708149148.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph native. Royals fan. All-American pitcher at Central Arkansas. By the end of his freshmen season in college, pitcher Noah Cameron had put himself on the professional baseball radar.Little did he know that he'd only start 18 total games at the college level.After his sophomore season was cut short in 2020 due to COVID, and after Tommy John surgery that same year, Cameron had to wait and see what his future held.But on July 12, 2021, a phone call came from the front office of the team he’s loved his whole life. Cameron was drafted in the seventh round, 199th overall, by the Kansas City Royals."It's been a blessing for sure," Cameron said in an interview with KFEQ Radio. "Just being close to home. Obviously, we know not everyone is blessed in that way. Yeah, we're just lucky to be from St. Joseph and have all of the (Royals minor league) affiliates pretty close by."After sitting out the 2021 season and rehabbing in Arizona, Cameron was assigned to the low-A Columbia Fireflies in South Carolina last April before going to the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits in May.He posted a 3.56 ERA in 65.2 innings with three teams across three levels in 2022 with 99 strikeouts and just 16 walks. A minor shoulder injury set him back last year, but so far, Cameron says he’s feeling strong this year."I'm feeling good, feeling healthy," he said. "I'm just excited for the rest of the season and how it plays out. Just continuing to pitch well and hopefully get some more wins for the team."In four starts with Quad Cities this season, Cameron is 1-1 with a 2.71 ERA in 19.2 innings, striking out 31 while walking only five.His 31 strikeouts tie for fourth most amongst all minor league pitchers right now, and his 14.19 strikeouts-per-nine innings ranks 11th. His strikeout-to-walk percentage, 34.2%, ranks fifth. Cameron is a lefty. At 6-3 and 220 pounds, the 23-year-old St. Joseph Central alum can touch the mid-90s on a fastball. His curveball is coming along too, but Cameron has always had a signature."Definitely the change-up is my go-to pitch," he said. "Has been for as long as I can remember. The curve has been getting a lot better. So, just being able to throw that and throwing it a little more to make my changeup a little better."Noah Cameron is the No. 22 prospect for the Royals right now. Only time, and front office executives will tell ,when Cameron is ready to move up. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals in Double-A would be next, but in the minors, there’s no real timeline or way to know when that time comes.For now, Cameron is enjoying the moment with the dream of playing in Kaufmann Stadium very much alive in his mind."I'm getting paid to play baseball, which it's just crazy to even say that all of the time," he said. "I mean, yeah. I'm just playing a game, you know? So, I'm just thankful to be playing and be healthy and I'm going to keep pitching in Quad Cities as long as I have to.""I'd have been super happy with any team, but the fact it's the Royals makes it a lot more special."Full interview<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tommy-rezac/embed/episodes/St--Joseph-native-and-Quad-City-River-Bandits-pitcher-Noah-Cameron-e235f8k" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St . Joseph native, pitcher Noah Cameron making waves in Royals farm system

Two tax break proposals before the Missouri General Assembly
have little time to make it through this legislative process.

Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville who
represents Platte and Buchanan Counties, proposes Missouri eliminate the state
income tax on Social Security benefits.

“Missouri is one of only 11 states in the country that taxes
Social Security benefits,” Luetkemeyer says, “and so my bill would eliminate
those state-level income taxes on Social Security and I think this is
particularly important right now with the environment that we’re in with inflation
and costs going up on everything from gas to groceries.”

Luetkemeyer, during an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post,
also proposes capping the property taxes on homeowners 65-years-old and older.

Both proposals have cleared the Senate and now are in the
House with two weeks left to go in the Missouri legislative session.

Luetkemeyer won’t choose one as more important than the other.

“I think for the people who are facing the prospect of being
taxed out of their home, that’s probably a more impactful piece of legislation,”
Luetkemeyer says. “But I think whenever it comes to the broadest impact in
terms of the number of seniors that are impacted, probably the Social Security
income tax one would have a broader impact.”

Luetkemeyer has little time to waste. Both proposals have
cleared the Senate and now are in the hands of the House with the May 12th
deadline approaching.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682704368458.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTwo tax break proposals before the Missouri General Assembly
have little time to make it through this legislative process.Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville who
represents Platte and Buchanan Counties, proposes Missouri eliminate the state
income tax on Social Security benefits.“Missouri is one of only 11 states in the country that taxes
Social Security benefits,” Luetkemeyer says, “and so my bill would eliminate
those state-level income taxes on Social Security and I think this is
particularly important right now with the environment that we’re in with inflation
and costs going up on everything from gas to groceries.”Luetkemeyer, during an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post,
also proposes capping the property taxes on homeowners 65-years-old and older.Both proposals have cleared the Senate and now are in the
House with two weeks left to go in the Missouri legislative session.Luetkemeyer won’t choose one as more important than the other.“I think for the people who are facing the prospect of being
taxed out of their home, that’s probably a more impactful piece of legislation,”
Luetkemeyer says. “But I think whenever it comes to the broadest impact in
terms of the number of seniors that are impacted, probably the Social Security
income tax one would have a broader impact.”Luetkemeyer has little time to waste. Both proposals have
cleared the Senate and now are in the hands of the House with the May 12th
deadline approaching.

Tax breaks for senior citizens head toward finish line at Missouri Capitol

The Mosaic Life Care Cancer Center has been granted accreditation for a second time through a national program from the American College of Surgeons. &nbsp;

The Commission of Cancer Care has granted a three-year accreditation to the hospital's cancer center, after it last received accreditation in 2020. &nbsp;

Medical Oncologist Dr. Andrew Walker says the importance of earning accreditation is reinforcement of the good work already being done at the center.&nbsp;

"I think beyond just good doctors, nurses, I think it also shines a light on a lot of the ancillary services," Walker tells reporters. "Our research department, nutrition, social services, just all the extra services we provide for patients going through cancer care."&nbsp;

The accreditation covers all hospitals in the umbrella of Mosaic Life Care across northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.&nbsp; It will need to be reapplied for in 2026.&nbsp;

Walker says the accreditation is an opportunity to reinforce the work being done at the Cancer Center&nbsp;

"I think it really also allows an opportunity to provide good feedback to so many members of the team that sometimes may be seen as like unsung heroes behind the scenes," Walker says. &nbsp;

Walker says while accreditation is important, it's not the overall goal.&nbsp;

"The accreditation process is just good proof that we are providing all these wonderful services for our patients," Walker explains. "Really, our motivation is not the accreditation from any institution, more importantly is the reason why the accreditation is important is for the day-to-day care of our patients."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682701694488.jpeg" alt="The Mosaic Life Care Cancer Center has been granted accreditation through a national program/ File photo" />
 <figcaption>The Mosaic Life Care Cancer Center has been granted accreditation through a national program/ File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The Mosaic Life Care Cancer Center has been granted accreditation for a second time through a national program from the American College of Surgeons. &nbsp;The Commission of Cancer Care has granted a three-year accreditation to the hospital's cancer center, after it last received accreditation in 2020. &nbsp;Medical Oncologist Dr. Andrew Walker says the importance of earning accreditation is reinforcement of the good work already being done at the center.&nbsp;"I think beyond just good doctors, nurses, I think it also shines a light on a lot of the ancillary services," Walker tells reporters. "Our research department, nutrition, social services, just all the extra services we provide for patients going through cancer care."&nbsp;The accreditation covers all hospitals in the umbrella of Mosaic Life Care across northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.&nbsp; It will need to be reapplied for in 2026.&nbsp;Walker says the accreditation is an opportunity to reinforce the work being done at the Cancer Center&nbsp;"I think it really also allows an opportunity to provide good feedback to so many members of the team that sometimes may be seen as like unsung heroes behind the scenes," Walker says. &nbsp;Walker says while accreditation is important, it's not the overall goal.&nbsp;"The accreditation process is just good proof that we are providing all these wonderful services for our patients," Walker explains. "Really, our motivation is not the accreditation from any institution, more importantly is the reason why the accreditation is important is for the day-to-day care of our patients."&nbsp;

Mosaic Life Care Cancer Center receives national accredidation

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary at Memorial Hall, home to the Atchison Recreation Commission, 819, Commercial Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The burglary occurred shortly after 6:00a.m. on Thursday. 

Forced entry was made into the building and then forced entry was made into an office area where cash was taken.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary at Memorial Hall, home to the Atchison Recreation Commission, 819, Commercial Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The burglary occurred shortly after 6:00a.m. on Thursday. Forced entry was made into the building and then forced entry was made into an office area where cash was taken.

Police: Cash taken in burglary at recreation commission office

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's Republican governor on Thursday said he's ready to force lawmakers to keep working if they do not send him bills putting limits on transgender kids' health care and participation in sports by the session's upcoming end.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Mike Parson confirmed that he plans to call a special legislative session if lawmakers fail to pass bills on transgender issues by the May 12 end of their regular session.

Parson's last-minute push comes amid widespread support for those bills in both the GOP-led House and Senate but disagreement over the best approach.

House and Senate leaders on Thursday assured reporters that the policies will get passed. But a legislative game of chicken over whether the House or Senate version becomes law has delayed a final vote.

“The House is going to pass our bill," Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden said. “We’ve done our work, and everything else is hypothetical.”

House Speaker Dean Plocher said his chamber's version is “far more conservative." He bristled at the expectation that the House follow the lead of the Senate, where power is less consolidated and controversial bills rarely pass without compromise.

“The Senate is welcome to take up our bills over there as well," Plocher said.

In the Senate, where the Democratic minority holds more negotiating power, lawmakers agreed to allow kids whose gender-affirming treatment is already underway to continue receiving that health care. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-care-sports-missouri-d4297eebf904ef58c0fb1dabed93e331">Senate ban</a>&nbsp;would expire in 2027.

The House version does not include exceptions for in-progress treatments and would not expire unless repealed by future lawmakers or by citizens through an initiative petition.

“I can’t use the word that one is better than the other, because this whole discussion is disgusting,” Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade said. “But I will tell you that the work that the Senate Democrats did in putting the grandfather clause in there and the sunset, is important.”

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's Republican governor on Thursday said he's ready to force lawmakers to keep working if they do not send him bills putting limits on transgender kids' health care and participation in sports by the session's upcoming end.A spokeswoman for Gov. Mike Parson confirmed that he plans to call a special legislative session if lawmakers fail to pass bills on transgender issues by the May 12 end of their regular session.Parson's last-minute push comes amid widespread support for those bills in both the GOP-led House and Senate but disagreement over the best approach.House and Senate leaders on Thursday assured reporters that the policies will get passed. But a legislative game of chicken over whether the House or Senate version becomes law has delayed a final vote.“The House is going to pass our bill," Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden said. “We’ve done our work, and everything else is hypothetical.”House Speaker Dean Plocher said his chamber's version is “far more conservative." He bristled at the expectation that the House follow the lead of the Senate, where power is less consolidated and controversial bills rarely pass without compromise.“The Senate is welcome to take up our bills over there as well," Plocher said.In the Senate, where the Democratic minority holds more negotiating power, lawmakers agreed to allow kids whose gender-affirming treatment is already underway to continue receiving that health care. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-care-sports-missouri-d4297eebf904ef58c0fb1dabed93e331">Senate ban</a>&nbsp;would expire in 2027.The House version does not include exceptions for in-progress treatments and would not expire unless repealed by future lawmakers or by citizens through an initiative petition.“I can’t use the word that one is better than the other, because this whole discussion is disgusting,” Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade said. “But I will tell you that the work that the Senate Democrats did in putting the grandfather clause in there and the sunset, is important.”The Senate passed legislation to ban transgender girls from playing on girls sports teams from kindergarten through college, both at public and private schools. The law would expire in 2027.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-sports-ban-missouri-814d459ad054976b21a45636ae04fb0d">House version</a>&nbsp;would apply to student athletes beginning in grade 6 and would not expire.Republican infighting in the Legislature comes amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-health-care-andrew-baily-65c388ae85f610a2a885e2dff486bfe8">an effort by GOP Attorney General Andrew Bailey</a>&nbsp;to put strict limits on gender-affirming treatments for both adults and children through consumer-protection regulations.A St. Louis County judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-hormones-puberty-republican-lawsuit-health-care-d92ae32d850851556bd69347a4e3ceb3">temporarily pushed back the effective date</a>&nbsp;of the rule from Thursday to Monday, but she's considering delaying its effectiveness even longer while a legal challenge to it plays out in court.The attorney general's rule will require people to have experienced an “intense pattern” of documented gender dysphoria for three years and to have received at least 15 hourly sessions with a therapist over at least 18 months before receiving puberty blockers, hormones, surgery or other treatment. Patients also must first be screened for autism and “social media addiction,” and any psychiatric symptoms from mental health issues would have to be treated and resolved.Some people would be able to maintain their prescriptions while undergoing required assessments.

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