ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Hyundai Kina driven by a 34-year-old Savannah man was northbound in the driving lane of Business 71 at CR 364 three miles south of Savannah.

The driver attempted to pass a 2012 Honda Civic driven by a 16-year-old Savannah girl as she slowed down to make a left turn.&nbsp; The Honda struck the Hyundai in the right front wheel well.

Andrew County EMS transported the driver of the Hyundai and a 58-year-old female passenger in the Honda to Mosaic Life Care. The teen driver was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Hyundai Kina driven by a 34-year-old Savannah man was northbound in the driving lane of Business 71 at CR 364 three miles south of Savannah.The driver attempted to pass a 2012 Honda Civic driven by a 16-year-old Savannah girl as she slowed down to make a left turn.&nbsp; The Honda struck the Hyundai in the right front wheel well.Andrew County EMS transported the driver of the Hyundai and a 58-year-old female passenger in the Honda to Mosaic Life Care. The teen driver was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 injured after 2-vehicle Andrew County crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a home invasion burglary.

Just before 11:30a.m. on Tuesday police responded to a burglary in progress call at a residence in the 1500 block North 7th Street in Atchison, according to&nbsp; Police Chief Mike Wilson. A suspect identified as 50-year-old Jody Erickson, had allegedly forced entry into his 64-year old neighbor's residence.&nbsp; Erickson then allegedly&nbsp;threatened the victim with a knife.

 Officers arrived on the scene as Erickson was exiting the residence still holding onto the knife. Officers took him into custody after a brief struggle.

He is being held on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal restraint and inference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758723170937.png" alt="Erickson-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Erickson-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with a home invasion burglary.Just before 11:30a.m. on Tuesday police responded to a burglary in progress call at a residence in the 1500 block North 7th Street in Atchison, according to&nbsp; Police Chief Mike Wilson. A suspect identified as 50-year-old Jody Erickson, had allegedly forced entry into his 64-year old neighbor's residence.&nbsp; Erickson then allegedly&nbsp;threatened the victim with a knife. Officers arrived on the scene as Erickson was exiting the residence still holding onto the knife. Officers took him into custody after a brief struggle.He is being held on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal restraint and inference with law enforcement.

Police: Kan. man jailed for burglary at neighbor's home

BUCHANAN COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Wednesday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford Taurus driven by a 56-year-old St. Joseph man was northbound on the entrance lane to Interstate 29 from eastbound U.S. 36 in St. Joseph. The car rear-ended a 2025 Nissan Sentra driven by a 40-year-old St. Joseph man. The impact pushed the Nisan into the back of a 2007 Toyota Prius driven by a 37-year-old St. Joseph man.

Buchanan County EMS transported the driver of the Nissan and a 30-year-old passenger in the&nbsp; Prius to Mosaic Life Care. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

BUCHANAN COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Wednesday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford Taurus driven by a 56-year-old St. Joseph man was northbound on the entrance lane to Interstate 29 from eastbound U.S. 36 in St. Joseph. The car rear-ended a 2025 Nissan Sentra driven by a 40-year-old St. Joseph man. The impact pushed the Nisan into the back of a 2007 Toyota Prius driven by a 37-year-old St. Joseph man.Buchanan County EMS transported the driver of the Nissan and a 30-year-old passenger in the&nbsp; Prius to Mosaic Life Care. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 hospitalized in St. Joe after 3-vehicle rear-end crash

St. Joseph School
District officials remain committed to a two-high school model, eliminating a
high school from the current model.

How that will be
done remains up in the air.

Superintendent,
Ashly McGinnis, says the school board has instructed her staff to review a
Lafayette-Central model as well as a Benton-Central model that would include
the Hyde Elementary school building. A recommendation is to be made next month
during the St. Joseph Board of Education work session and regular meeting.

“And so, from this
point, what we will do is gather quite a bit of data for our board to consider,
look at the pros and cons of both of those options, and then ultimately hope to
make a recommendation to the board at the October work session for them to make
a decision at the October board meeting,” McGinnis says on KFEQmmunity.

The Benton model
would include Hyde, because Benton is the smallest of the three high school
buildings and isn’t big enough to house an entire high school. It would need
the room Hyde would provide.

McGinnis says both
models also include potential school building closures as the district adjusts
its facilities to a student population that has dropped below 10,000. Fall
enrollment has set a new mark with 9-Thousand, 781 students enrolled in St.
Joseph public schools, the lowest student enrollment of the district.

McGinnis says the
drop is more than symbolic.

“And so, to fall
below that 10,000 mark is concerning,” McGinnis says. “We know birth rates are
down and those numbers will continue to decline.”

McGinnis says the
drop in enrollment confirms the decision to move to two high schools.

“I presented at
Rotary just a couple of weeks ago and someone asked me, ‘What would it take to
keep the three high schools open?’ And I think this is important, because it’s
very simple. We would need more students,” McGinnis says. “And because we are
below 10,000, it’s simply not a wise use of our taxpayer dollars to continue
operating with three high schools.”

Under the
Lafayette-Central model, Pickett, Hyde, Ellison, and Webster would close. Under
the Benton/Hyde-Central model, Ellison, Field, and Webster would close.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph School
District officials remain committed to a two-high school model, eliminating a
high school from the current model.How that will be
done remains up in the air.Superintendent,
Ashly McGinnis, says the school board has instructed her staff to review a
Lafayette-Central model as well as a Benton-Central model that would include
the Hyde Elementary school building. A recommendation is to be made next month
during the St. Joseph Board of Education work session and regular meeting.“And so, from this
point, what we will do is gather quite a bit of data for our board to consider,
look at the pros and cons of both of those options, and then ultimately hope to
make a recommendation to the board at the October work session for them to make
a decision at the October board meeting,” McGinnis says on KFEQmmunity.The Benton model
would include Hyde, because Benton is the smallest of the three high school
buildings and isn’t big enough to house an entire high school. It would need
the room Hyde would provide.McGinnis says both
models also include potential school building closures as the district adjusts
its facilities to a student population that has dropped below 10,000. Fall
enrollment has set a new mark with 9-Thousand, 781 students enrolled in St.
Joseph public schools, the lowest student enrollment of the district.McGinnis says the
drop is more than symbolic.“And so, to fall
below that 10,000 mark is concerning,” McGinnis says. “We know birth rates are
down and those numbers will continue to decline.”McGinnis says the
drop in enrollment confirms the decision to move to two high schools.“I presented at
Rotary just a couple of weeks ago and someone asked me, ‘What would it take to
keep the three high schools open?’ And I think this is important, because it’s
very simple. We would need more students,” McGinnis says. “And because we are
below 10,000, it’s simply not a wise use of our taxpayer dollars to continue
operating with three high schools.”Under the
Lafayette-Central model, Pickett, Hyde, Ellison, and Webster would close. Under
the Benton/Hyde-Central model, Ellison, Field, and Webster would close.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Declining enrollment pushes St. Joseph to 2 high school model

St. Joseph history will step off the pages during the Voices of the Past early next month.  

The theme of this year’s event is Now That's Entertainment, featuring actors portraying well-known entertainment figures of the past, including one many might not know has a connection to St. Joseph.  

Jerrad Hardin with St. Joseph Museums will play John Wilkes Boothe at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion to start the evening, with a story of a night he was trapped in St. Joe during a snowstorm.  

"This is actually before the great tragic event that we’re all familiar with about Booth, just about a year and a half before,” Hardin tells KFEQmunnity host Brent Martin.  “He is in St. Joe in 1864, it’s a cold January, he had a show in Leavenworth and laid over here for almost a week, that’s kind of how Booth fits in, he’s not buried at Mt. Mora, but that’s how he fits into our story.” 

Hardin, who is with St. Joseph Museums, says in a way, due to the theme of the performance, it sheds a light on who Booth was as an actor 

"His family, I have come to learn, was famous for hundreds of years actually,” Hardin explains.  “So famous that when John Wilkes Booth went to acting school he actually dropped the Booth name so that it didn’t interfere with his experience, so he just went by John Wilkes which I think is interesting, it’s also interesting that he was I mean maybe 25, 26, when he assassinated the president, so when he’s here he was 24, 25.” 

Performances will take place at 6, 7 and 8pm on October 2nd and 3rd.  The event will feature actors portraying several historical entertainment figures with the theme Now That's Entertainment.  

Hardin says the stories will focus on some of the more tragic aspects of these entertainers’ lives. 

"So, we’re going to talk about entertainers but really like some more specific stories,” Hardin says.  “You know and that kind of is how Wilkes Booth gets put into this role, he is a tragedy and Shakesperean actor, always performing those styles, and so that kind of sets the tone for the rest of the show.” 

Costumed interpreters will portray figures such as Fred Hamm, Cordilia Hawkins, and Hugh McNutt 

Tickets are $30 for general admission or $27 for St. Joseph Museum and Mount Mora Preservation members.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758733007903.jpeg" alt="People gather and listen to stories at Mt. Mora Cemetery during Voices of the Past/ Photo courtesy of Mt. Mora Cemetery Facebook" />
 <figcaption>People gather and listen to stories at Mt. Mora Cemetery during Voices of the Past/ Photo courtesy of Mt. Mora Cemetery Facebook</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph history will step off the pages during the Voices of the Past early next month. The theme of this year’s event is Now That's Entertainment, featuring actors portraying well-known entertainment figures of the past, including one many might not know has a connection to St. Joseph. Jerrad Hardin with St. Joseph Museums will play John Wilkes Boothe at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion to start the evening, with a story of a night he was trapped in St. Joe during a snowstorm. "This is actually before the great tragic event that we’re all familiar with about Booth, just about a year and a half before,” Hardin tells KFEQmunnity host Brent Martin. “He is in St. Joe in 1864, it’s a cold January, he had a show in Leavenworth and laid over here for almost a week, that’s kind of how Booth fits in, he’s not buried at Mt. Mora, but that’s how he fits into our story.” Hardin, who is with St. Joseph Museums, says in a way, due to the theme of the performance, it sheds a light on who Booth was as an actor "His family, I have come to learn, was famous for hundreds of years actually,” Hardin explains. “So famous that when John Wilkes Booth went to acting school he actually dropped the Booth name so that it didn’t interfere with his experience, so he just went by John Wilkes which I think is interesting, it’s also interesting that he was I mean maybe 25, 26, when he assassinated the president, so when he’s here he was 24, 25.” Performances will take place at 6, 7 and 8pm on October 2nd and 3rd. The event will feature actors portraying several historical entertainment figures with the theme Now That's Entertainment. Hardin says the stories will focus on some of the more tragic aspects of these entertainers’ lives. "So, we’re going to talk about entertainers but really like some more specific stories,” Hardin says. “You know and that kind of is how Wilkes Booth gets put into this role, he is a tragedy and Shakesperean actor, always performing those styles, and so that kind of sets the tone for the rest of the show.” Costumed interpreters will portray figures such as Fred Hamm, Cordilia Hawkins, and Hugh McNutt Tickets are $30 for general admission or $27 for St. Joseph Museum and Mount Mora Preservation members.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

History comes to life during Voices of the Past at Mt. Mora Cemetery

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/78XtNzTXapmbGvDhT5Nuaf?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0rge2DdqFeAlnvZ7eVTGn2?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

‘Our opposition has proven to be very well-funded and very well-organized,’ a campaign advisor said of launching an anti-abortion campaign more than a year ahead of the election

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

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s political team is taking a lead role in the campaign to pass a constitutional amendment banning abortion, enlisting key advisors and tapping First Lady Claudia Kehoe as treasurer.

Claudia Kehoe is the only officer listed in organization filings at the Missouri Ethics Commission for&nbsp;<a href="https://mec.mo.gov/MEC/Campaign_Finance/CommInfo.aspx?mecid=C253648#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank">Her Health, Her Future PAC,</a>&nbsp;created Sept. 9.

The campaign’s goal is to&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/hlrbillspdf/2454H.05T.pdf" target="_blank">pass the measure</a>&nbsp;placed on the ballot by lawmakers, which would repeal the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++36&amp;bid=54984&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">amendment passed in November</a>&nbsp;that restored abortion rights. The legislative proposal will appear on a 2026 statewide ballot as Amendment 3, the same name held by the previous abortion rights amendment.&nbsp;

“The Her Health, Her Future PAC was launched with one clear and unwavering mission,” said Mike Hafner, who was an advisor to Kehoe’s gubernatorial campaign and who is now a campaign advisor for the PAC. “To defend the dignity of human life and ensure Missourians have the knowledge and necessary tools to stand boldly for the unborn.”

In November 2024, Missourians voted by a slim margin to legalize abortion up to the point of fetal viability.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/HCSHJR73-SignedCopy.pdf" target="_blank">The new proposed amendment</a>&nbsp;seeks to repeal the constitutional right to an abortion but allow exceptions for medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomalies and for survivors of rape and incest in the first 12 weeks of gestation.&nbsp;

A spokesperson for the governor’s office referred all comments to the PAC.

The governor and his wife have&nbsp;<a href="https://catholicmissourianonline.com/stories/pro-life-advocates-herald-the-missouri-miracle-during-this-years-midwest-march-for-life,3251" target="_blank">long opposed abortion.</a>&nbsp;But Claudia Kehoe’s involvement in the campaign is notable nonetheless.

“I don’t recall in my over 40 years as pro-life lobbyist a first lady taking such a prominent role for any ballot measures – let alone a pro-life one,” said Sam Lee, who helped campaign against the 2024 abortion rights amendment.

<a href="https://www.nga.org/governor-spouse/claudia-kehoe/" target="_blank">Claudia Kehoe</a>&nbsp;has the financial knowledge for her new role. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in business administration. She went on to work in banking in the St. Louis area.&nbsp;

Members of the anti-abortion movement hope that access to the governor’s bully pulpit will help propel early fundraising success.&nbsp;

“I know that with (Claudia Kehoe’s) fervor, her energy, her strength, her contacts, that things are going to be a lot different than they were the last time,” said Kathy Forck, with 40 Days for Life.&nbsp;

Last year, the campaign in support of the abortion rights amendment, called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, raised more than $31.5 million, raking in large donations from organizations including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, as well as from liberal groups including the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the Fairness Project and Open Source Action Fund, all based out of Washington D.C.&nbsp;

Fundraising efforts among the anti-abortion movement last year were split among a handful of campaigns totaling less than $4 million in donations. A bulk of the fundraising was done in the final months before the election.

“Our opposition has proven to be very well-funded and very well-organized,” Hafner said. “This year our PAC is going to be very focused on early fundraising and organizing to make sure that spending disparity doesn’t exist at that level again.”&nbsp;

Opponents of the abortion ban formed a campaign committee in May. Called<a href="https://mec.mo.gov/MEC/Campaign_Finance/CommInfo.aspx?mecid=C253512#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank">&nbsp;Stop The Ban</a>, it has taken over the website used by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and has the same treasurer, Mike Pridmore. No one involved with the campaign offered a comment on Kehoe’s role in the opposing campaign.

Hafner said the Kehoes intend to involve every anti-abortion group in the state that’s interested in collaborating.&nbsp;

“Our work this cycle is laser-focused on informing, engaging and mobilizing Missourians early,” Hafner said, “to take action on one of the most consequential issues we will ever face in Missouri.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758712105122.png" alt=" Missouri's First Lady Claudia Kehoe looks out at the crowd assembled Jan. 13 for her husband's inauguration as governor (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri's First Lady Claudia Kehoe looks out at the crowd assembled Jan. 13 for her husband's inauguration as governor (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘Our opposition has proven to be very well-funded and very well-organized,’ a campaign advisor said of launching an anti-abortion campaign more than a year ahead of the election</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s political team is taking a lead role in the campaign to pass a constitutional amendment banning abortion, enlisting key advisors and tapping First Lady Claudia Kehoe as treasurer.Claudia Kehoe is the only officer listed in organization filings at the Missouri Ethics Commission for&nbsp;<a href="https://mec.mo.gov/MEC/Campaign_Finance/CommInfo.aspx?mecid=C253648#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank">Her Health, Her Future PAC,</a>&nbsp;created Sept. 9.The campaign’s goal is to&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/hlrbillspdf/2454H.05T.pdf" target="_blank">pass the measure</a>&nbsp;placed on the ballot by lawmakers, which would repeal the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=I++++36&amp;bid=54984&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">amendment passed in November</a>&nbsp;that restored abortion rights. The legislative proposal will appear on a 2026 statewide ballot as Amendment 3, the same name held by the previous abortion rights amendment.&nbsp;“The Her Health, Her Future PAC was launched with one clear and unwavering mission,” said Mike Hafner, who was an advisor to Kehoe’s gubernatorial campaign and who is now a campaign advisor for the PAC. “To defend the dignity of human life and ensure Missourians have the knowledge and necessary tools to stand boldly for the unborn.”In November 2024, Missourians voted by a slim margin to legalize abortion up to the point of fetal viability.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/HCSHJR73-SignedCopy.pdf" target="_blank">The new proposed amendment</a>&nbsp;seeks to repeal the constitutional right to an abortion but allow exceptions for medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomalies and for survivors of rape and incest in the first 12 weeks of gestation.&nbsp;A spokesperson for the governor’s office referred all comments to the PAC.The governor and his wife have&nbsp;<a href="https://catholicmissourianonline.com/stories/pro-life-advocates-herald-the-missouri-miracle-during-this-years-midwest-march-for-life,3251" target="_blank">long opposed abortion.</a>&nbsp;But Claudia Kehoe’s involvement in the campaign is notable nonetheless.“I don’t recall in my over 40 years as pro-life lobbyist a first lady taking such a prominent role for any ballot measures – let alone a pro-life one,” said Sam Lee, who helped campaign against the 2024 abortion rights amendment.<a href="https://www.nga.org/governor-spouse/claudia-kehoe/" target="_blank">Claudia Kehoe</a>&nbsp;has the financial knowledge for her new role. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in business administration. She went on to work in banking in the St. Louis area.&nbsp;Members of the anti-abortion movement hope that access to the governor’s bully pulpit will help propel early fundraising success.&nbsp;“I know that with (Claudia Kehoe’s) fervor, her energy, her strength, her contacts, that things are going to be a lot different than they were the last time,” said Kathy Forck, with 40 Days for Life.&nbsp;Last year, the campaign in support of the abortion rights amendment, called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, raised more than $31.5 million, raking in large donations from organizations including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, as well as from liberal groups including the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the Fairness Project and Open Source Action Fund, all based out of Washington D.C.&nbsp;Fundraising efforts among the anti-abortion movement last year were split among a handful of campaigns totaling less than $4 million in donations. A bulk of the fundraising was done in the final months before the election.“Our opposition has proven to be very well-funded and very well-organized,” Hafner said. “This year our PAC is going to be very focused on early fundraising and organizing to make sure that spending disparity doesn’t exist at that level again.”&nbsp;Opponents of the abortion ban formed a campaign committee in May. Called<a href="https://mec.mo.gov/MEC/Campaign_Finance/CommInfo.aspx?mecid=C253512#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank">&nbsp;Stop The Ban</a>, it has taken over the website used by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and has the same treasurer, Mike Pridmore. No one involved with the campaign offered a comment on Kehoe’s role in the opposing campaign.Hafner said the Kehoes intend to involve every anti-abortion group in the state that’s interested in collaborating.&nbsp;“Our work this cycle is laser-focused on informing, engaging and mobilizing Missourians early,” Hafner said, “to take action on one of the most consequential issues we will ever face in Missouri.”

Missouri First Lady tapped as treasurer for 2026 abortion ban campaign

Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph is offering free prostate cancer screenings this weekend 

Dr. Andrew Walker at the Mosaic Cancer Center says getting these prostate screenings is important 

"The United States Preventative Task Force actually recommended against prostate cancer screening years ago, and what we found was that prostate cancer mortality went up dramatically,” Walker tells reporters.  “So, we’ve learned that if we can diagnose prostate cancer at an earlier stage, we’re more likely to be able to cure more prostate cancers.” 

The screenings will be held on Friday and Saturday at the Cancer Center.  Walker says patients who come in should expect just a simple blood draw 

"It’s as simple as any other blood test, there’s nothing else invasive about the whole process, and we do have the results back within a few days,” Walker says. 

Mallory Lefler a nurse at the Cancer Center says screening and early detection are the keys with treating any sort of cancer  

"With breast cancer you have mammograms, with colon cancer you have colonoscopies, this is one of those things you can do to at least catch things in the earlier process as Dr. Walker had said,” Lefler explains. “So, just taking power over your health really, being an active advocate for yourself, and just coming in and making that step.” 

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men and men age 50 and older are encouraged to get a screening to take the steps to help protect their health.  

 Walker says holding this free event at Mosaic is two-fold 

"One we take the cost factor out of this for those in the community,” Walker says.  “And also, if guys have been putting this off you don’t have to make an appointment, we do prefer if you schedule ahead, but if you’re available and just want to drop in and have a free PSA test it kind of takes out any of the planning involved in seeing your primary care physician.”  

It's encouraged to register ahead of time on Mosaic Life Care's website but walk ins will be accepted.  The event will run from 4 to 7pm on Friday and 8 to 11am on Saturday.  

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

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care in St. Joseph is offering free prostate cancer screenings this weekend Dr. Andrew Walker at the Mosaic Cancer Center says getting these prostate screenings is important "The United States Preventative Task Force actually recommended against prostate cancer screening years ago, and what we found was that prostate cancer mortality went up dramatically,” Walker tells reporters. “So, we’ve learned that if we can diagnose prostate cancer at an earlier stage, we’re more likely to be able to cure more prostate cancers.” The screenings will be held on Friday and Saturday at the Cancer Center. Walker says patients who come in should expect just a simple blood draw "It’s as simple as any other blood test, there’s nothing else invasive about the whole process, and we do have the results back within a few days,” Walker says. Mallory Lefler a nurse at the Cancer Center says screening and early detection are the keys with treating any sort of cancer "With breast cancer you have mammograms, with colon cancer you have colonoscopies, this is one of those things you can do to at least catch things in the earlier process as Dr. Walker had said,” Lefler explains. “So, just taking power over your health really, being an active advocate for yourself, and just coming in and making that step.” Prostate cancer affects one in eight men and men age 50 and older are encouraged to get a screening to take the steps to help protect their health. Walker says holding this free event at Mosaic is two-fold "One we take the cost factor out of this for those in the community,” Walker says. “And also, if guys have been putting this off you don’t have to make an appointment, we do prefer if you schedule ahead, but if you’re available and just want to drop in and have a free PSA test it kind of takes out any of the planning involved in seeing your primary care physician.” It's encouraged to register ahead of time on Mosaic Life Care's website but walk ins will be accepted. The event will run from 4 to 7pm on Friday and 8 to 11am on Saturday. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Mosaic Life Care offers free prostate cancer screening this weekend

North Central
Missouri College in Trenton celebrates throughout this year its 100th
anniversary.

North Central
President, Lenny Klaver, says the college has been on a growth spurt, pointing
in particular to its partnership with Missouri Western State University on the
Houlne Center for Convergent Technology on the St. Joseph campus.

“We took a risk to
do this and it is the first two-year, four-year partnership in the state where
we have combined on a facility to meet workforce needs,” Klaver tells
KFEQmmunity. “And I think when you consider that St. Joseph is the third
largest exporter in the state of manufactured goods and industry, if all things
go well, we’ll be continuing to ramp up as the years go forward.”

Based in Trenton,
North Central Missouri College serves a 17-county region of north-northwest
Missouri. It all began 100 years ago in the third floor of the Trenton High
School with only 57 students. Enrollment at North Central continues to inch
upward. This fall, NCMC saw a 2% increase in enrollment with a record number of
students enroll:&nbsp; 1,987.

Klaver says a
foray into the western part of its service area has helped North Central. The
college recently remodeled at old car dealership to open a branch in Savannah.

“It’s worked very
well. Our growth in Savannah has been tremendous. We’ve had great support from
the community,” according to Klaver. “We’ve continued to grow in enrollment,
overall, with a large part of that growth in Savannah.”

Klaver says the
key to growth over the years and growth in the future is a focus on the
individual student, what the college calls the uncommon attention it gives its
students.

“And that we meet
the needs in the terms of the technical and career areas, whether it’s
agriculture, industry, health care, nursing, etc.,” Klaver says. “We need to
keep our ear to the ground on what’s going on in the regional economy and we
need to continue to meet that in terms of the programs we offer and the quality
of the programs we offer.”

Klaver says it’s
all about staying current.

“We need to be
able to adapt on the fly. We need to be able to continue to offer quality; the
affordable, accessible opportunity for students to get a college education that
otherwise they may not have.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758649032741.jpeg" alt="As part of its centennial celebration, North Central Missouri College unearthed a time capsule buried during its 75th anniversary./Photo courtesy of NCMC" />
 <figcaption>As part of its centennial celebration, North Central Missouri College unearthed a time capsule buried during its 75th anniversary./Photo courtesy of NCMC</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINNorth Central
Missouri College in Trenton celebrates throughout this year its 100th
anniversary.North Central
President, Lenny Klaver, says the college has been on a growth spurt, pointing
in particular to its partnership with Missouri Western State University on the
Houlne Center for Convergent Technology on the St. Joseph campus.“We took a risk to
do this and it is the first two-year, four-year partnership in the state where
we have combined on a facility to meet workforce needs,” Klaver tells
KFEQmmunity. “And I think when you consider that St. Joseph is the third
largest exporter in the state of manufactured goods and industry, if all things
go well, we’ll be continuing to ramp up as the years go forward.”Based in Trenton,
North Central Missouri College serves a 17-county region of north-northwest
Missouri. It all began 100 years ago in the third floor of the Trenton High
School with only 57 students. Enrollment at North Central continues to inch
upward. This fall, NCMC saw a 2% increase in enrollment with a record number of
students enroll:&nbsp; 1,987.Klaver says a
foray into the western part of its service area has helped North Central. The
college recently remodeled at old car dealership to open a branch in Savannah.“It’s worked very
well. Our growth in Savannah has been tremendous. We’ve had great support from
the community,” according to Klaver. “We’ve continued to grow in enrollment,
overall, with a large part of that growth in Savannah.”Klaver says the
key to growth over the years and growth in the future is a focus on the
individual student, what the college calls the uncommon attention it gives its
students.“And that we meet
the needs in the terms of the technical and career areas, whether it’s
agriculture, industry, health care, nursing, etc.,” Klaver says. “We need to
keep our ear to the ground on what’s going on in the regional economy and we
need to continue to meet that in terms of the programs we offer and the quality
of the programs we offer.”Klaver says it’s
all about staying current.“We need to be
able to adapt on the fly. We need to be able to continue to offer quality; the
affordable, accessible opportunity for students to get a college education that
otherwise they may not have.”You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

North Central MO College celebrates 100 years, expansion & growing enrollment

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3EDq25NLi028Z3aBBsJv2k?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/04zLegERcdNMOAIsz18x3w?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Monday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Chevy Traverse driven by a 20-year-old Philadelphia, Mo., man was southbound on U.S. 65 five miles south of Trenton. The driver swerved to miss a deer.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the west side of the road and struck a guardrail.

Grundy County EMS transported the driver to Wright Memorial Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Monday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Chevy Traverse driven by a 20-year-old Philadelphia, Mo., man was southbound on U.S. 65 five miles south of Trenton. The driver swerved to miss a deer.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the west side of the road and struck a guardrail.Grundy County EMS transported the driver to Wright Memorial Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man hospitalized after SUV strikes a guardrail

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Monday in Clinton County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Kenworth semi driven by a 65-year-old Shawnee, Kansas man was eastbound on MO 116 at Interstate 35 in Lathrop. As the driver made a left turn into a private drive, the vehicle traveled into the path of a westbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 37-year-old Lathrop woman. The front of the semi struck the front of the Jeep.

Tri-County EMS transported the Jeep driver to Liberty Hospital. The semi driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Monday in Clinton County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Kenworth semi driven by a 65-year-old Shawnee, Kansas man was eastbound on MO 116 at Interstate 35 in Lathrop. As the driver made a left turn into a private drive, the vehicle traveled into the path of a westbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 37-year-old Lathrop woman. The front of the semi struck the front of the Jeep.Tri-County EMS transported the Jeep driver to Liberty Hospital. The semi driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman injured after crash with a semi

It's officially the first day of autumn.  

Leaves on the trees will begin changing, and the Missouri Department of Conservation is predicting a promising season of fall colors in the northwest region of the state.   

In fact, Forester Timothy Wolfe says some leaves have already begun to change.  

"Your Sumacs and as well as Walnut trees they’ve somewhat started, but our harder woods, like Hickories and some of the Oak species, those are going to start a little later,” Wolfe tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “So, we’ve started now, and I anticipate that we’ll probably be around that October 20th area is going to be our peak fall color based on the current conditions that we have.” 

 Wolfe with the Missouri Department of Conservation says the weather at the end of summer set the northwest region up for a promising bout of fall color 

"Increasing cooler temperatures there towards the end of August, which was wonderful, we had a hot spell for a hot minute and then it transitioned into those cooler nights and warmer days, which is exactly what we are looking for for that transitional change,” Wolfe explains. 

Wolfe says by the end of October it will be past the peak season of colors and things will start browning out after that, depending on the different variations of tree.    

Wolfe says there are some prime places to view the fall colors in the northwest region  

"You get down like on the river side, like 59 Highway or even like T Highway that goes down there along Amazonia and those areas, and even in St. Joseph southside like the Bluffwoods Conservation Area along those highways you’re going to see those hillsides, those hillsides are going to produce the good colors that we’re probably potentially getting to look for,” Wolfe says 

Wolfe says some of the best areas to view the fall colors can be driving along the Loess Bluffs system or walking into open areas such as the Mark Youngdahl Conservation area in St. Joseph.    

The Missouri Department of Conservation also offers reports on its website to the conditions where some of the best fall colors are around the state. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

By MATT PIKEIt's officially the first day of autumn. Leaves on the trees will begin changing, and the Missouri Department of Conservation is predicting a promising season of fall colors in the northwest region of the state. In fact, Forester Timothy Wolfe says some leaves have already begun to change. "Your Sumacs and as well as Walnut trees they’ve somewhat started, but our harder woods, like Hickories and some of the Oak species, those are going to start a little later,” Wolfe tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, we’ve started now, and I anticipate that we’ll probably be around that October 20th area is going to be our peak fall color based on the current conditions that we have.” Wolfe with the Missouri Department of Conservation says the weather at the end of summer set the northwest region up for a promising bout of fall color "Increasing cooler temperatures there towards the end of August, which was wonderful, we had a hot spell for a hot minute and then it transitioned into those cooler nights and warmer days, which is exactly what we are looking for for that transitional change,” Wolfe explains. Wolfe says by the end of October it will be past the peak season of colors and things will start browning out after that, depending on the different variations of tree. Wolfe says there are some prime places to view the fall colors in the northwest region "You get down like on the river side, like 59 Highway or even like T Highway that goes down there along Amazonia and those areas, and even in St. Joseph southside like the Bluffwoods Conservation Area along those highways you’re going to see those hillsides, those hillsides are going to produce the good colors that we’re probably potentially getting to look for,” Wolfe says Wolfe says some of the best areas to view the fall colors can be driving along the Loess Bluffs system or walking into open areas such as the Mark Youngdahl Conservation area in St. Joseph. The Missouri Department of Conservation also offers reports on its website to the conditions where some of the best fall colors are around the state. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

Let Conservation Dept. guide you to watching fall colors

The United States House has approved on a
party-line vote a measure to keep the federal government running for the next
seven weeks as budget negotiators try to reach agreement on a new spending
plan.

Eastern Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt,
a Republican, says this is a major step toward Congress returning to the normal
budget process.

“I’m really encouraged that for the first
time in many years it looks like Congress is poised to enact, I’m not quite
prepared to say all, but at least several of the annual appropriations bills,”
Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We should be doing all, but for some years,
they’ve been doing none.”

The federal government currently is
living off a continuing resolution reached a year ago. Congress hasn’t approved
an actual budget for years.

Schmidt says it appears House budget
committee members have agreement on three of the 12 budget bills, with many
others close to completion.

The deal has already been met with a rough
reception in the Senate, where Republicans will have to have Democratic votes
to approve an extension. Senate Republicans brought the House measure up for a
vote and it fell well short of the votes needed for passage.

Schmidt says the move by the House is an
important step toward returning to the regular budget process.

“So, we’re trying to get back on track
with doing these individual bills with lots of eyeballs looking at programs and
saying, do we really need to do this and if not, how do we it differently or should
we just end it or do we need to do more here?&nbsp;
All that sort of thing,” Schmidt says. “That’s what people mean when
they say we need to get back to regular order. But, most of us who live in the
real world don’t run around the cafes in eastern Kansas talking about regular
order. We talk about government being efficient and doing its job. It’s the
same thing.”

Schmidt says Congress needs to return to
the regular budget process, not rely on continuing resolutions, which are
intended to be stopgap measures.

“The one that we are operating under last
year just basically kept the government going for an entire year,” Schmidt
says. “It’s not optimal. We may end up doing that for some of the agencies, but
I don’t want to do it for all of them. I want to get as many of these done in a
line-by-line, thoughtful way as we possibly can.”

Schmidt is hopeful Congress will pass all
12 budget bills, but says he would be satisfied if agreement can be reached on
at least a majority of them.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt is now up to the Senate.The United States House has approved on a
party-line vote a measure to keep the federal government running for the next
seven weeks as budget negotiators try to reach agreement on a new spending
plan.Eastern Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt,
a Republican, says this is a major step toward Congress returning to the normal
budget process.“I’m really encouraged that for the first
time in many years it looks like Congress is poised to enact, I’m not quite
prepared to say all, but at least several of the annual appropriations bills,”
Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We should be doing all, but for some years,
they’ve been doing none.”The federal government currently is
living off a continuing resolution reached a year ago. Congress hasn’t approved
an actual budget for years.Schmidt says it appears House budget
committee members have agreement on three of the 12 budget bills, with many
others close to completion.The deal has already been met with a rough
reception in the Senate, where Republicans will have to have Democratic votes
to approve an extension. Senate Republicans brought the House measure up for a
vote and it fell well short of the votes needed for passage.Schmidt says the move by the House is an
important step toward returning to the regular budget process.“So, we’re trying to get back on track
with doing these individual bills with lots of eyeballs looking at programs and
saying, do we really need to do this and if not, how do we it differently or should
we just end it or do we need to do more here?&nbsp;
All that sort of thing,” Schmidt says. “That’s what people mean when
they say we need to get back to regular order. But, most of us who live in the
real world don’t run around the cafes in eastern Kansas talking about regular
order. We talk about government being efficient and doing its job. It’s the
same thing.”Schmidt says Congress needs to return to
the regular budget process, not rely on continuing resolutions, which are
intended to be stopgap measures.“The one that we are operating under last
year just basically kept the government going for an entire year,” Schmidt
says. “It’s not optimal. We may end up doing that for some of the agencies, but
I don’t want to do it for all of them. I want to get as many of these done in a
line-by-line, thoughtful way as we possibly can.”Schmidt is hopeful Congress will pass all
12 budget bills, but says he would be satisfied if agreement can be reached on
at least a majority of them.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Congressman Schmidt hopes Congress can move to a regular budget process

Patients with the
St. Joseph Health Department are being notified their personal information
might have been compromised due to the June 9th data breach.

The City of St.
Joseph says these notices are intended to alert potentially impacted
individuals of the incident and the steps the city is taking in wake of the
breach. The city experienced a network disruption on June 9th. An
investigation determined that certain files might have been acquired during the
breach. 

St. Joseph engaged
a data mining vendor to review the incident and after an extensive review
concluded on September 4th a hacker might have acquired some
individual health information from the St. Joseph Health Department.

The city is
providing written notice to individuals whose personal health information was compromised.

St. Joseph city
officials report the following information could have been acquired and
disclosed by an unauthorized third party:&nbsp;
first name, last name, date of birth, driver's license number or state
identification number, passport number, Social Security number, and medical
diagnosis of treatment information.

The city says it
is committed to helping those people who may have been impacted by the data
breach.

Individuals
seeking more information or questions about this incident, should call 1-833-844-5829,
from 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758558262051.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostPatients with the
St. Joseph Health Department are being notified their personal information
might have been compromised due to the June 9th data breach.The City of St.
Joseph says these notices are intended to alert potentially impacted
individuals of the incident and the steps the city is taking in wake of the
breach. The city experienced a network disruption on June 9th. An
investigation determined that certain files might have been acquired during the
breach. St. Joseph engaged
a data mining vendor to review the incident and after an extensive review
concluded on September 4th a hacker might have acquired some
individual health information from the St. Joseph Health Department.The city is
providing written notice to individuals whose personal health information was compromised.St. Joseph city
officials report the following information could have been acquired and
disclosed by an unauthorized third party:&nbsp;
first name, last name, date of birth, driver's license number or state
identification number, passport number, Social Security number, and medical
diagnosis of treatment information.The city says it
is committed to helping those people who may have been impacted by the data
breach.Individuals
seeking more information or questions about this incident, should call 1-833-844-5829,
from 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph notifying city health patients about impact of data breach

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6aiQlLoJqA70mLeDnrKkvQ?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6i0GSPF3eZCezVV0q4j0At?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

A St. Joseph man
arrested by U.S. Marshals in California has been convicted of drug trafficking
and money laundering.

Federal
prosecutors report 32-year-old Montrez Dixon faces a minimum sentence of 10
years in a federal prison with the possibility of being sentenced to life
without parole.

Prosecutors say
law enforcement officers recovered a package shipped from Arizona to Kansas City,
Missouri which contained 4,715 fentanyl pills. Dixon distributed that package
and others containing thousands of fentanyl pills throughout western Missouri. In
November of 2022, Drug Enforcement Administration officers and officers with
the IRS searched a home Dixon has in Los Angeles, California. They recovered
more than 7,500 fentanyl pills and a firearm, according to prosecutors. Dixon
fled to Fresno, California, where federal marshals took him into custody.

A federal jury deliberated
for three hours before returning the guilty verdict.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man
arrested by U.S. Marshals in California has been convicted of drug trafficking
and money laundering.Federal
prosecutors report 32-year-old Montrez Dixon faces a minimum sentence of 10
years in a federal prison with the possibility of being sentenced to life
without parole.Prosecutors say
law enforcement officers recovered a package shipped from Arizona to Kansas City,
Missouri which contained 4,715 fentanyl pills. Dixon distributed that package
and others containing thousands of fentanyl pills throughout western Missouri. In
November of 2022, Drug Enforcement Administration officers and officers with
the IRS searched a home Dixon has in Los Angeles, California. They recovered
more than 7,500 fentanyl pills and a firearm, according to prosecutors. Dixon
fled to Fresno, California, where federal marshals took him into custody.A federal jury deliberated
for three hours before returning the guilty verdict.Dixon will be sentenced
later.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph man convicted of distributing fentanyl

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a juvenile for alleged criminal behavior in Atchison.&nbsp;

Just after 7p.m. Friday, police took an&nbsp;11-year-old boy into custody, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. The boy is accused of criminal damage to a business window in the 500 block Commercial Street.

Police released the boy to a parent. Police releawed no additional details.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a juvenile for alleged criminal behavior in Atchison.&nbsp;Just after 7p.m. Friday, police took an&nbsp;11-year-old boy into custody, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. The boy is accused of criminal damage to a business window in the 500 block Commercial Street.Police released the boy to a parent. Police releawed no additional details.

11-year-old accused of criminal damage in NE Kansas

Even as court cases seek to throw out the new redistricting plan approved in the special session, a referendum campaign to put it before voters is gaining momentum. At the same time, campaign committees are preparing to battle over the initiative process

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

By mid-December, Missourians will know a lot more than they do now about the fate of the measures passed in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">this month’s special legislative session</a>.

By that time,&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III+++52(a)&amp;bid=31810&amp;hl=referendum%u2044&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">signatures are due</a>&nbsp;for the group seeking to force a referendum on the new congressional district map, intended to hand Republicans the 5th Congressional District. Missourians will also be voting at some point next year on&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/04/as-few-as-5-of-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-gop-legislation/">new majority requirements</a>&nbsp;for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative, and by that time the political alignments and funding for the upcoming campaign will be clear.

Finally, before the end of the year at least some of the&nbsp;court challenges&nbsp;being heard in Cole and Jackson counties will likely be through the trial courts and in the hands of appeals court judges.

Richard von Glahn, a veteran of four initiative campaigns on minimum wage, is leading the effort to put the new congressional map on the ballot. If the campaign committee People NOT Politicians collects about 110,000 signatures by Dec. 11, the law revising the state’s eight congressional districts will not take effect until there is a statewide vote.

“In less than a week since this map was passed, we’ve had over 2,200 Missourians sign up to volunteer to gather signatures,” von Glahn said. “I’ve obviously been through this a couple times, but I’ve never seen the sort of groundswell we’re seeing now.”

The final verdict on the Legislature’s work will come next year, when voters would see the referendum, if successful, on a statewide ballot. The election would be held in November 2026 unless the General Assembly sets an earlier date.

That is also when voters will act on the measure targeting initiative petitions and perhaps a second proposal on initiatives, proposed by petition, to counter the one passed by lawmakers.

During the 10-day special session, Republican leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/after-hearing-from-trump-missouri-gop-muscle-gerrymandered-map-forward-in-state-senate/">changed the rules</a>&nbsp;and shut down debate in the state Senate to pass the legislation. Now they must face the people, von Glahn said.

“It’s so clearly politicians not focusing on what Missourians want and need, but simply on what politicians want,” he said. “I think you’re going to see a huge outpouring of anger.”

Along with volunteer sign-ups, People NOT Politicians has raised $805,000 for the petition effort, including a $500,000 check from Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, a 501c4 nonprofit that is not required to disclose its donors.

“I feel very confident, and we’re going to turn in the signatures needed by December 11,” he said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HJR3&amp;year=2025&amp;code=S2" target="_blank">measure passed by lawmakers</a>&nbsp;to change majorities for initiative proposals will appear on a ballot as Amendment 4. It will go before voters in November 2026 unless Gov. Mike Kehoe sets an earlier election date.

There are two campaign committees ready to oppose it, one supporting it and another trying to get an alternative on the ballot.

It would change the way majorities are calculated for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition. Instead of just a statewide majority, initiative proposals would need both a statewide majority and a majority within each of the state’s eight congressional districts.

That would allow as&nbsp;few as 5.3% of voters to control the outcome. Recent&nbsp;<a href="https://boltsmag.org/missouri-amendment-on-ballot-initiatives/" target="_blank">election results show&nbsp;</a>that Missouri would not have legal marijuana, Medicaid coverage for working-age adults, sports betting or legal abortions if the proposed new standard were already in place.

The most powerful group, financially, working to defeat Amendment 4 is the Missouri Realtors, who in their internal blogging set themselves apart as a separate political party. They are building a campaign under the name Missourians for Fair Governance.

The Realtors have used the initiative process twice, in 2010 to prohibit&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++25&amp;bid=32062&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">sales tax on real estate</a>&nbsp;transfers and again in 2016 to prohibit&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++26&amp;bid=36205&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">sales tax on services</a>.

The initiative process safeguards industry and empowers voters to protect their rights, a recent post stated.&nbsp;

“Efforts to weaken it or limit it are bad policy,” the post read. “They threaten the balance between lawmakers and the people they serve, while limiting Missourians’ ability to directly shape laws and constitutional protections.”

There are 25,000 Realtors in Missouri and fundraising by the organization’s PAC shows their financial strength. In the second quarter, the PAC raised $395,000, with donations from 648 realtors or affiliated employees.

Sam Licklider, lobbyist for the Realtors, told legislators in his testimony that the entire network would be activated to work against the initiative changes.

“We have somewhere in the neighborhood of $8,317,000, so we are well-positioned to ensure our arguments reach the public,” Licklider said.

The other opposition committee, in formation, is the Will of the People Coalition. Denise Lieberman, director of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, said it will bring together all the groups opposed to Amendment 4.

“The fate of Missouri democracy is on the ballot next year,” Lieberman said.

The committee supporting passage of Amendment 4 is Protect MO Voters, led by Andy Bakker, executive director of&nbsp;<a href="https://libertyallianceusa.com/liberty-alliance-usa-announces-andy-bakker-as-executive-director/" target="_blank">Liberty Alliance USA</a>, one of many&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/10/nonprofit-near-kansas-city-seeks-to-become-epicenter-of-the-school-choice-movement/">not-for-profit political organizations</a>&nbsp;backed by the foundation established by the late St. Joseph business owner Stan Herzog.

The proposal on the ballot also bans foreign contributions to Missouri ballot campaigns, something prohibited in a law that took effect Aug. 28, and tightens rules for collecting signatures.

“We look forward to working with a broad coalition of Missourians who want to protect our initiative petition process from signature fraud and safeguard our constitution from foreign adversaries seeking to undermine it,” Bakker said in an email to The Independent.

The name chosen for Bakker’s committee is almost identical to the social media handle and hashtag identifier for Lieberman’s group. She said she expects a lot of traffic to her sites because of the similarity and welcomes the chance to get the opposition message out.

“So if you look up Protect Mo Voters, you’re going to get to the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, which is working to protect the citizens in this process,” she said.

Bakker, however, said the committee is just adopting the name for the amendment included in the legislation.

“Any confusion is being caused by liberals who oppose these common-sense reforms,” Bakker said.

The measure that will be Amendment 4 goes further in giving a small portion of the state a veto over the whole than proposals in previous years. A measure debated up to the final days of the 2024 session would have required a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/15/50-hour-filibuster-forces-more-negotiations-on-gop-backed-initiative-petition-changes/">majority in five of the eight districts</a>.

James Harris, a long-time Republican consultant and lobbyist, backed the 2024 proposal and this year’s measure for clients FGA Action and State Shield. He said the argument that will work best is one highlighting portions of initiative proposals that were not well known at the time of passage.

“Citizens will likely support this ballot measure because it will make common sense to them,” Harris said. “I have sat through focus groups, and when you tell them a little more about what they voted on, they are irritated by what they learn.”

The initiative proposal that would counter the legislative amendment is being circulated by a committee called Respect MO Voters. Instead of making it harder to pass an initiative, it would make it&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14TCL9r8GR9If-PvIWidIjV4TTcRCu2Oe/view" target="_blank">harder for lawmakers to change one</a>&nbsp;after it passes.

Last year, voters approved an initiative that increased the minimum wage and required employers to provide paid sick leave. Republicans in the state Senate shut off debate to pass a bill&nbsp;repealing the paid sick leave&nbsp;and a provision adjusting the minimum wage for inflation that had been law since 2006.

Under the Respect MO Voters&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14TCL9r8GR9If-PvIWidIjV4TTcRCu2Oe/view" target="_blank">proposal</a>, passage of a bill changing anything in a successful initiative would require support from 80% of lawmakers in both chambers and be subject to another statewide vote.

The Republican plan to increase the majority requirement found no support at the 25 town halls the campaign has conducted, campaign director Benjamin Singer said.

“What we kept hearing from people across the political spectrum at these town halls and listening sessions was that they wanted it to be as difficult as possible for politicians to repeal or change what the people decided,” Singer said.

The campaign is operating on a small budget, raising only about $280,000 so far. It is relying heavily on volunteers to circulate petitions, Singer said.

The similarity of names in the coming campaign may confuse voters, von Glahn said, but the issues should not.

“It doesn’t actually matter what political party you come from, Missouri voters like having power themselves. They want things that encourage accountability back to our needs and desires,” he said. “I’m not worried about people being confused by the different things, because a lot of it is actually from the same framework of a power grab by politicians.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758539848101.png" alt=" Boone County residents line up to vote in October 2024 at the Boone County Government Center in Columbia (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Boone County residents line up to vote in October 2024 at the Boone County Government Center in Columbia (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Even as court cases seek to throw out the new redistricting plan approved in the special session, a referendum campaign to put it before voters is gaining momentum. At the same time, campaign committees are preparing to battle over the initiative process</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>By mid-December, Missourians will know a lot more than they do now about the fate of the measures passed in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">this month’s special legislative session</a>.By that time,&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III+++52(a)&amp;bid=31810&amp;hl=referendum%u2044&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">signatures are due</a>&nbsp;for the group seeking to force a referendum on the new congressional district map, intended to hand Republicans the 5th Congressional District. Missourians will also be voting at some point next year on&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/04/as-few-as-5-of-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-gop-legislation/">new majority requirements</a>&nbsp;for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative, and by that time the political alignments and funding for the upcoming campaign will be clear.Finally, before the end of the year at least some of the&nbsp;court challenges&nbsp;being heard in Cole and Jackson counties will likely be through the trial courts and in the hands of appeals court judges.Richard von Glahn, a veteran of four initiative campaigns on minimum wage, is leading the effort to put the new congressional map on the ballot. If the campaign committee People NOT Politicians collects about 110,000 signatures by Dec. 11, the law revising the state’s eight congressional districts will not take effect until there is a statewide vote.“In less than a week since this map was passed, we’ve had over 2,200 Missourians sign up to volunteer to gather signatures,” von Glahn said. “I’ve obviously been through this a couple times, but I’ve never seen the sort of groundswell we’re seeing now.”The final verdict on the Legislature’s work will come next year, when voters would see the referendum, if successful, on a statewide ballot. The election would be held in November 2026 unless the General Assembly sets an earlier date.That is also when voters will act on the measure targeting initiative petitions and perhaps a second proposal on initiatives, proposed by petition, to counter the one passed by lawmakers.During the 10-day special session, Republican leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/after-hearing-from-trump-missouri-gop-muscle-gerrymandered-map-forward-in-state-senate/">changed the rules</a>&nbsp;and shut down debate in the state Senate to pass the legislation. Now they must face the people, von Glahn said.“It’s so clearly politicians not focusing on what Missourians want and need, but simply on what politicians want,” he said. “I think you’re going to see a huge outpouring of anger.”Along with volunteer sign-ups, People NOT Politicians has raised $805,000 for the petition effort, including a $500,000 check from Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, a 501c4 nonprofit that is not required to disclose its donors.“I feel very confident, and we’re going to turn in the signatures needed by December 11,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758539820735.png" alt="Protesters filled the Missouri Capitol rotunda Sept. 10 in opposition to the gerrymandered congressional district map awaiting Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Protesters filled the Missouri Capitol rotunda Sept. 10 in opposition to the gerrymandered congressional district map awaiting Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Initiatives campaign</h2>The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HJR3&amp;year=2025&amp;code=S2" target="_blank">measure passed by lawmakers</a>&nbsp;to change majorities for initiative proposals will appear on a ballot as Amendment 4. It will go before voters in November 2026 unless Gov. Mike Kehoe sets an earlier election date.There are two campaign committees ready to oppose it, one supporting it and another trying to get an alternative on the ballot.It would change the way majorities are calculated for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition. Instead of just a statewide majority, initiative proposals would need both a statewide majority and a majority within each of the state’s eight congressional districts.That would allow as&nbsp;few as 5.3% of voters to control the outcome. Recent&nbsp;<a href="https://boltsmag.org/missouri-amendment-on-ballot-initiatives/" target="_blank">election results show&nbsp;</a>that Missouri would not have legal marijuana, Medicaid coverage for working-age adults, sports betting or legal abortions if the proposed new standard were already in place.The most powerful group, financially, working to defeat Amendment 4 is the Missouri Realtors, who in their internal blogging set themselves apart as a separate political party. They are building a campaign under the name Missourians for Fair Governance.The Realtors have used the initiative process twice, in 2010 to prohibit&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++25&amp;bid=32062&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">sales tax on real estate</a>&nbsp;transfers and again in 2016 to prohibit&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++26&amp;bid=36205&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">sales tax on services</a>.The initiative process safeguards industry and empowers voters to protect their rights, a recent post stated.&nbsp;“Efforts to weaken it or limit it are bad policy,” the post read. “They threaten the balance between lawmakers and the people they serve, while limiting Missourians’ ability to directly shape laws and constitutional protections.”There are 25,000 Realtors in Missouri and fundraising by the organization’s PAC shows their financial strength. In the second quarter, the PAC raised $395,000, with donations from 648 realtors or affiliated employees.Sam Licklider, lobbyist for the Realtors, told legislators in his testimony that the entire network would be activated to work against the initiative changes.“We have somewhere in the neighborhood of $8,317,000, so we are well-positioned to ensure our arguments reach the public,” Licklider said.The other opposition committee, in formation, is the Will of the People Coalition. Denise Lieberman, director of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, said it will bring together all the groups opposed to Amendment 4.“The fate of Missouri democracy is on the ballot next year,” Lieberman said.The committee supporting passage of Amendment 4 is Protect MO Voters, led by Andy Bakker, executive director of&nbsp;<a href="https://libertyallianceusa.com/liberty-alliance-usa-announces-andy-bakker-as-executive-director/" target="_blank">Liberty Alliance USA</a>, one of many&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/10/nonprofit-near-kansas-city-seeks-to-become-epicenter-of-the-school-choice-movement/">not-for-profit political organizations</a>&nbsp;backed by the foundation established by the late St. Joseph business owner Stan Herzog.The proposal on the ballot also bans foreign contributions to Missouri ballot campaigns, something prohibited in a law that took effect Aug. 28, and tightens rules for collecting signatures.“We look forward to working with a broad coalition of Missourians who want to protect our initiative petition process from signature fraud and safeguard our constitution from foreign adversaries seeking to undermine it,” Bakker said in an email to The Independent.The name chosen for Bakker’s committee is almost identical to the social media handle and hashtag identifier for Lieberman’s group. She said she expects a lot of traffic to her sites because of the similarity and welcomes the chance to get the opposition message out.“So if you look up Protect Mo Voters, you’re going to get to the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, which is working to protect the citizens in this process,” she said.Bakker, however, said the committee is just adopting the name for the amendment included in the legislation.“Any confusion is being caused by liberals who oppose these common-sense reforms,” Bakker said.The measure that will be Amendment 4 goes further in giving a small portion of the state a veto over the whole than proposals in previous years. A measure debated up to the final days of the 2024 session would have required a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/15/50-hour-filibuster-forces-more-negotiations-on-gop-backed-initiative-petition-changes/">majority in five of the eight districts</a>.James Harris, a long-time Republican consultant and lobbyist, backed the 2024 proposal and this year’s measure for clients FGA Action and State Shield. He said the argument that will work best is one highlighting portions of initiative proposals that were not well known at the time of passage.“Citizens will likely support this ballot measure because it will make common sense to them,” Harris said. “I have sat through focus groups, and when you tell them a little more about what they voted on, they are irritated by what they learn.”The initiative proposal that would counter the legislative amendment is being circulated by a committee called Respect MO Voters. Instead of making it harder to pass an initiative, it would make it&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14TCL9r8GR9If-PvIWidIjV4TTcRCu2Oe/view" target="_blank">harder for lawmakers to change one</a>&nbsp;after it passes.Last year, voters approved an initiative that increased the minimum wage and required employers to provide paid sick leave. Republicans in the state Senate shut off debate to pass a bill&nbsp;repealing the paid sick leave&nbsp;and a provision adjusting the minimum wage for inflation that had been law since 2006.Under the Respect MO Voters&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14TCL9r8GR9If-PvIWidIjV4TTcRCu2Oe/view" target="_blank">proposal</a>, passage of a bill changing anything in a successful initiative would require support from 80% of lawmakers in both chambers and be subject to another statewide vote.The Republican plan to increase the majority requirement found no support at the 25 town halls the campaign has conducted, campaign director Benjamin Singer said.“What we kept hearing from people across the political spectrum at these town halls and listening sessions was that they wanted it to be as difficult as possible for politicians to repeal or change what the people decided,” Singer said.The campaign is operating on a small budget, raising only about $280,000 so far. It is relying heavily on volunteers to circulate petitions, Singer said.The similarity of names in the coming campaign may confuse voters, von Glahn said, but the issues should not.“It doesn’t actually matter what political party you come from, Missouri voters like having power themselves. They want things that encourage accountability back to our needs and desires,” he said. “I’m not worried about people being confused by the different things, because a lot of it is actually from the same framework of a power grab by politicians.”

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