St. Joseph city government might soon regulate houses being
used for short-term rentals.

Using a home for an Airbnb or a Vrbo has been around for a
while, but complaints have filtered to city hall about problems created when
houses in a residential neighborhood are used, in effect, as a hotel.

City Manager Bryan Carter has posted some proposed regulations
on the city website.

“This kind of arose from a few citizens who are affected by it,”
according to Carter. “They have Airbnb or Vrbo properties within their neighborhood
and they’re seeing different people coming in and out on various days. They’re
seeing a little more traffic than a typical residential house might have.”

Carter says city staff is trying to balance the detrimental
impact short-term rentals can have on a residential neighbor with the rights of
property owners to use their property as they see fit. Carter says the city is
soliciting feedback on proposed regulations being drafted by city officials.

“Feedback from folks who are affected by Airbnb or Vrbo
properties next to them and who really personally understand the effect those
properties have,” Carter says. “But also the feedback from those folks who own
those properties, who put money into those properties, preparing to use them in
this way and have really invested and honestly helped us fill a hotel room gap.”

St. Joseph lacks hotel space for major events.

Carter says some St. Joseph residential neighborhoods aren’t
designed for the increase traffic short-term rentals generate, leading
residents to complain.

“A lot of parking has been taken up around their home or there
have been parties in houses in purely typical residential neighborhoods, parties
that wouldn’t ordinarily happen in a house,” Carter says. “They brought the
concerns up. They brought it up and we didn’t have good ways of regulating
these things and that triggered the conversation about what is right.”

Carter says any feedback received will be used in altering the
proposal to be passed along to the St. Joseph City Council for its
consideration.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph city government might soon regulate houses being
used for short-term rentals.Using a home for an Airbnb or a Vrbo has been around for a
while, but complaints have filtered to city hall about problems created when
houses in a residential neighborhood are used, in effect, as a hotel.City Manager Bryan Carter has posted some proposed regulations
on the city website.“This kind of arose from a few citizens who are affected by it,”
according to Carter. “They have Airbnb or Vrbo properties within their neighborhood
and they’re seeing different people coming in and out on various days. They’re
seeing a little more traffic than a typical residential house might have.”Carter says city staff is trying to balance the detrimental
impact short-term rentals can have on a residential neighbor with the rights of
property owners to use their property as they see fit. Carter says the city is
soliciting feedback on proposed regulations being drafted by city officials.“Feedback from folks who are affected by Airbnb or Vrbo
properties next to them and who really personally understand the effect those
properties have,” Carter says. “But also the feedback from those folks who own
those properties, who put money into those properties, preparing to use them in
this way and have really invested and honestly helped us fill a hotel room gap.”St. Joseph lacks hotel space for major events.Carter says some St. Joseph residential neighborhoods aren’t
designed for the increase traffic short-term rentals generate, leading
residents to complain.“A lot of parking has been taken up around their home or there
have been parties in houses in purely typical residential neighborhoods, parties
that wouldn’t ordinarily happen in a house,” Carter says. “They brought the
concerns up. They brought it up and we didn’t have good ways of regulating
these things and that triggered the conversation about what is right.”Carter says any feedback received will be used in altering the
proposal to be passed along to the St. Joseph City Council for its
consideration.

St. Joseph looking to regulate houses used for short-term rentals

Two northwest Missouri Republican freshmen representatives are
back in Jefferson City for the annual veto session at the state Capitol, a bit
wiser than when they began their first legislative session in January.

Rep. Jeff Farnan of Stanberry says lawmakers did some good
work this year, passing a few good bills.

“One of them was for getting young farmers back into farming
by having older generational farmers sell their land to a younger farmer,” Farnan
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, I thought that was great bill. I was really
glad that passed.”

Farnan represents Nodaway, Atchison, Holt, and Gentry Counties
in the Missouri House.

Gov. Mike Parson used his line-item veto power to eliminate
more than $555 million in spending from the $53 billion state budget.

Farnan doesn’t see lawmakers overriding any of those line-item
vetoes to restore the spending.

“I think that the House was very generous with the budget. The
Senate added more money to the budget,” Farnan says. “I don’t think that
anything will probably happen. I think that we have a very good budget for the
year.”

Fellow freshmen legislator, Rep. Mazzie Boyd of Hamilton, is
blunt when asked if she expects anything from this veto session.

“Absolutely not,” was her succinct answer to a question posed
by KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone interview.

In fact, Boyd sees little reason to return to the Capitol.

“I wish we could be talking about initiative petition reform,
because I think that’s one of the biggest things that we have here in the state
of Missouri that we need to fix and make better. We’re not only a democracy. We’re
a republic,” Boyd says. “But I haven’t heard that. So, I think it’s just going
to be a waste of time.”

Boyd believes raising the voting threshold to amend the state
constitution is a big enough issue to warrant a special session on it.

“We have, you know, five or six months out of the year to
actually do things and everybody always waits until the last week of session in
May to actually get things started,” Boyd says. “The fact that the governor
hasn’t called for a special session to really work on this issue has just been
extremely disappointing to me.”

Boyd represents Grundy, Harrison, Caldwell, Daviess, and Worth
Counties.

Aside from the spending cuts, the only veto issued by Gov.
Parson was on <a href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44562">SB 189</a>, a wide-ranging anti-crime bill. A section of that bill
was called Max’s Law, named after St. Joseph’s K-9 Max, the police dog shot and
killed chasing a suspect in 2021. It would have increased the penalty for
harming a law enforcement animal.

Also attached to that bill was a section making it a crime to
discharge a firearm within the city limits. That section was named Blair’s Law
after 11-year-old Blair Lane of Kansas City who died from celebratory gunfire
during Independence Day celebrations in 2011.

Parson objected to separate sections of the bill, including
one that would allow certain criminals convicted of sex crimes to expunge their
records and remove their names from the sex offender registry. Another section
would have required the state to pay restitution to felons exonerated through DNA
testing.

SB 189 was sponsored by state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of
Parkville.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTwo northwest Missouri Republican freshmen representatives are
back in Jefferson City for the annual veto session at the state Capitol, a bit
wiser than when they began their first legislative session in January.Rep. Jeff Farnan of Stanberry says lawmakers did some good
work this year, passing a few good bills.“One of them was for getting young farmers back into farming
by having older generational farmers sell their land to a younger farmer,” Farnan
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, I thought that was great bill. I was really
glad that passed.”Farnan represents Nodaway, Atchison, Holt, and Gentry Counties
in the Missouri House.Gov. Mike Parson used his line-item veto power to eliminate
more than $555 million in spending from the $53 billion state budget.Farnan doesn’t see lawmakers overriding any of those line-item
vetoes to restore the spending.“I think that the House was very generous with the budget. The
Senate added more money to the budget,” Farnan says. “I don’t think that
anything will probably happen. I think that we have a very good budget for the
year.”Fellow freshmen legislator, Rep. Mazzie Boyd of Hamilton, is
blunt when asked if she expects anything from this veto session.“Absolutely not,” was her succinct answer to a question posed
by KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone interview.In fact, Boyd sees little reason to return to the Capitol.“I wish we could be talking about initiative petition reform,
because I think that’s one of the biggest things that we have here in the state
of Missouri that we need to fix and make better. We’re not only a democracy. We’re
a republic,” Boyd says. “But I haven’t heard that. So, I think it’s just going
to be a waste of time.”Boyd believes raising the voting threshold to amend the state
constitution is a big enough issue to warrant a special session on it.“We have, you know, five or six months out of the year to
actually do things and everybody always waits until the last week of session in
May to actually get things started,” Boyd says. “The fact that the governor
hasn’t called for a special session to really work on this issue has just been
extremely disappointing to me.”Boyd represents Grundy, Harrison, Caldwell, Daviess, and Worth
Counties.Aside from the spending cuts, the only veto issued by Gov.
Parson was on <a href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44562">SB 189</a>, a wide-ranging anti-crime bill. A section of that bill
was called Max’s Law, named after St. Joseph’s K-9 Max, the police dog shot and
killed chasing a suspect in 2021. It would have increased the penalty for
harming a law enforcement animal.Also attached to that bill was a section making it a crime to
discharge a firearm within the city limits. That section was named Blair’s Law
after 11-year-old Blair Lane of Kansas City who died from celebratory gunfire
during Independence Day celebrations in 2011.Parson objected to separate sections of the bill, including
one that would allow certain criminals convicted of sex crimes to expunge their
records and remove their names from the sex offender registry. Another section
would have required the state to pay restitution to felons exonerated through DNA
testing.SB 189 was sponsored by state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of
Parkville.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Northwest-Missouri-Freshman-legislators-on-first-veto-session-e2999jf" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

New NW MO legislators see little happening in veto session

President Joe Biden this week nominated Dr. Basil Gooden to serve as USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development. 

If confirmed by the Senate, Gooden would fill the undersecretary position left vacant by Xochitl Torres Small, who was confirmed in July 2023 as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack responded, “Dr. Basil Gooden is a widely-respected, accomplished champion for affordable housing, community advancement, and economic development.” 

One of USDA’s seven mission areas, Rural Development helps to expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. 

Gooden recently served as a Visiting Scholar in the Sustainable Food Access Core of the Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

From 2016-2018, he served as the 3rd Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Before that, Gooden served as the Virginia State Director for Rural Development at USDA.

President Joe Biden this week nominated Dr. Basil Gooden to serve as USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development. If confirmed by the Senate, Gooden would fill the undersecretary position left vacant by Xochitl Torres Small, who was confirmed in July 2023 as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack responded, “Dr. Basil Gooden is a widely-respected, accomplished champion for affordable housing, community advancement, and economic development.” One of USDA’s seven mission areas, Rural Development helps to expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. Gooden recently served as a Visiting Scholar in the Sustainable Food Access Core of the Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University. From 2016-2018, he served as the 3rd Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Before that, Gooden served as the Virginia State Director for Rural Development at USDA.- NAFB

Basil Gooden nominated as USDA Rural Development Undersecretary

USDA released the September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report Tuesday. 

This month’s corn outlook calls for slightly larger supplies and ending stocks. 

Projected beginning stocks for 2023/24 are five million bushels lower, and corn production is forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, up 23 million from last month. 

The national average yield is forecast at 173.8 bushels per acre, down 1.3 bushels. 

Ending stocks are up 19 million bushels to 2.2 billion. The season-average corn price is unchanged at $4.90 per bushel. Soybean supply and use changes for 2023/24 include lower beginning stocks, production, crush, exports, and ending stocks. 

The soybean yield of 50.1 bushels per acre is down 0.8 bushels from last month. Ending stocks are projected at 220 million bushels, down 25 million from last month. The season-average soybean price is forecast at $12.90 per bushel, up $0.20 from last month. 

The wheat outlook for supply and use is unchanged this month. The projected 2023/24 season-average farm price is also unchanged at $7.50 per bushel.

USDA released the September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report Tuesday. This month’s corn outlook calls for slightly larger supplies and ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks for 2023/24 are five million bushels lower, and corn production is forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, up 23 million from last month. The national average yield is forecast at 173.8 bushels per acre, down 1.3 bushels. Ending stocks are up 19 million bushels to 2.2 billion. The season-average corn price is unchanged at $4.90 per bushel. Soybean supply and use changes for 2023/24 include lower beginning stocks, production, crush, exports, and ending stocks. The soybean yield of 50.1 bushels per acre is down 0.8 bushels from last month. Ending stocks are projected at 220 million bushels, down 25 million from last month. The season-average soybean price is forecast at $12.90 per bushel, up $0.20 from last month. The wheat outlook for supply and use is unchanged this month. The projected 2023/24 season-average farm price is also unchanged at $7.50 per bushel.- NAFB

USDA releases September WASDE Report

The Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art is finding fun ways to get children engaged with the arts, bringing back a popular program.  

The Kids Media Mix-up brings in kids ages 6 through 12 to make projects ranging from paintings and sculptures to mixed media prints.  

Museum Director Eric Fuson says the program operates through what they call Collection Connections. 

"We have such a resource just right upstairs with all of our permanent collection that B, who is our instructor for this class, takes kids up and talks about some of the works that are in the collection and then they go down and make a project based off of that," Fuson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "So, they can be inspired by the artist, inspired by the media, whatever technique." 

Fuson says kids are very enthusiastic about the program and are always excited to show off what they learned by attending.  

The event runs every Tuesday through December 19th from 4 to 6pm.  Class sizes are limited so you should call the Albrecht for information.  

It's still just under a month away but the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art is also gearing up for a popular fundraising event.  

The Sugarplum festival is coming up in November at the Albrecht bringing in several vendors and festivities to get people in the holiday spirit.  

Museum Director Eric Fuson says the event has been happening at the Albrecht for 40 years now. 

"It's very early in November so you can get some of that Christmas shopping done early and get in the mood for Christmas and things, it really is the community kind of coming together for celebrating the museum and the holiday coming up" Fuson explains. "This year we've already got some of the youth corrals and things in town scheduled to come and sing, it really gets you in the mood for the whole Christmas." 

A preview event will be held on November 9th, with a special ticket required, with the festival opening to the general public November 10th and 11th. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566485088591.jpeg" alt="Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art/ file photo" />
 <figcaption>Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art/ file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art is finding fun ways to get children engaged with the arts, bringing back a popular program. The Kids Media Mix-up brings in kids ages 6 through 12 to make projects ranging from paintings and sculptures to mixed media prints. Museum Director Eric Fuson says the program operates through what they call Collection Connections. "We have such a resource just right upstairs with all of our permanent collection that B, who is our instructor for this class, takes kids up and talks about some of the works that are in the collection and then they go down and make a project based off of that," Fuson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "So, they can be inspired by the artist, inspired by the media, whatever technique." Fuson says kids are very enthusiastic about the program and are always excited to show off what they learned by attending. The event runs every Tuesday through December 19th from 4 to 6pm. Class sizes are limited so you should call the Albrecht for information. It's still just under a month away but the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art is also gearing up for a popular fundraising event. The Sugarplum festival is coming up in November at the Albrecht bringing in several vendors and festivities to get people in the holiday spirit. Museum Director Eric Fuson says the event has been happening at the Albrecht for 40 years now. "It's very early in November so you can get some of that Christmas shopping done early and get in the mood for Christmas and things, it really is the community kind of coming together for celebrating the museum and the holiday coming up" Fuson explains. "This year we've already got some of the youth corrals and things in town scheduled to come and sing, it really gets you in the mood for the whole Christmas." A preview event will be held on November 9th, with a special ticket required, with the festival opening to the general public November 10th and 11th.

Fall events coming to the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art

The pricing plans, which place a premium on power used at times of peak demand, were met with controversy this summer

By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

The largest utility in western Missouri has requested permission to allow customers to opt out of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/17/missouri-utility-regulators-plan-for-peak-pricing-prompts-pushback-from-top-republican/">controversial time-of-use pricing plans</a>&nbsp;imposed by state regulators.

Evergy is expected under an order from the Missouri Public Service Commission to implement time-of-use pricing, which places a premium on electricity prices at times of high demand, starting next month.

This summer, as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-06-30/peak-electricity-rates-will-nearly-quadruple-under-default-evergy-electricity-plans-in-missouri">customers were asked to select one of the new plans</a>, Evergy saw blowback from those concerned their bills would skyrocket. Under one of the plans, power used on summer days between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. —&nbsp;when residents are most likely to be using their air conditioners — would be almost four times as expensive as the rest of the day.

The company also drew fire from Missouri Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, who in July accused state regulators of trying to ration power, gouge customers and force a transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy.&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://efis.psc.mo.gov/Document/Display/754111">request to alter the program, filed Friday</a>&nbsp;with the Missouri Public Service Commission, Evergy said it received a “substantial” number of complaints on social media about the new pricing mechanism.&nbsp;

“The tone of the comments is mostly negative and speaks to customer frustration with being forced to move rates because Evergy is trying to spike customer bills to increase profits,” the filing says.&nbsp;

And in June, Ameren Missouri, which serves the St. Louis area, was allowed to roll out optional time-of-use pricing for its electric customers.&nbsp;

Citing customer discontent and commissioners’ suggestions at a meeting last month of possible amendments to the time-of-use pricing program, Evergy asked the commission’s permission for several changes.&nbsp;

In a news release, Evergy said it believed a traditional flat-rate plan should be an option for customers who may not be able to shift their electricity usage.

“Evergy has always advocated for customer rate choice and does not support mandated time-based rates,” said Chuck Caisley, the company’s chief customer officer. “Customers, elected officials and other stakeholders have clearly voiced their concerns about mandating summer peak pricing, and we appreciate that the commission is willing to listen to this feedback.”

Most significantly, Evergy asked permission to allow customers to return to a traditional flat-rate pricing plan starting in May. With the new plans going into effect next month, offering a return to a traditional plan in May “would have the added advantage of allowing all residential customers to experience one of the (time-of-use) options before choosing to return to the traditional residential rate structure,” the company’s filing says.&nbsp;

The company also asked permission to change the default plan from its “Standard Peak Saver,” which nearly quadruples the price of energy on summer afternoons, to the “Peak Reward Saver,” which has a much smaller price increase at that times and a discount for power used between midnight and 6 a.m.

The reward saver plan, according to Evergy’s website, is the closest to its current standard plan. But prices per kilowatt hour can increase throughout the month depending on the amount of energy used.&nbsp;

In its Friday filing, Evergy also asked the commission’s permission to restrict customers’ ability to switch rate plans. Specifically, if a customer switches from one rate plan to another, the customer wants to require that they wait a year before switching back. They could switch to a third plan at any time.&nbsp;

“Evergy is concerned that customers may move from one of the three ‘high differential’…rates…and into one of the two ‘low differential’ rates…to take advantage of seasonal differences in the rates,” the filing says.

Evergy said it “cannot recover its costs to serve if customers take seasonal advantage of this difference.”&nbsp;

The commission initially instructed Evergy to implement mandatory time-of-use pricing because while&nbsp; the company has been installing smart meters in customers homes for years, most of the benefits, including being able to remotely disconnect customers who haven’t paid their bills, have flowed to the utility.&nbsp;

In an interview with The Independent last week, O’Laughlin said she’s asking regulators to suspend the decision or reverse it.&nbsp;

“If they do not, then you will see legislation coming through, which I believe both Democrats and Republicans will support, that will remove some of their power and likely make it much more difficult for people to get on that commission,” she said.

The Missouri Public Service Commission scheduled a hearing to discuss Evergy’s request for Sept. 19.

The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this report.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687004047927.png" alt=" Evergy headquarters in downtown Topeka, Kansas (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)." />
 <figcaption> Evergy headquarters in downtown Topeka, Kansas (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The pricing plans, which place a premium on power used at times of peak demand, were met with controversy this summer</h2>By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>The largest utility in western Missouri has requested permission to allow customers to opt out of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/17/missouri-utility-regulators-plan-for-peak-pricing-prompts-pushback-from-top-republican/">controversial time-of-use pricing plans</a>&nbsp;imposed by state regulators.Evergy is expected under an order from the Missouri Public Service Commission to implement time-of-use pricing, which places a premium on electricity prices at times of high demand, starting next month.This summer, as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-06-30/peak-electricity-rates-will-nearly-quadruple-under-default-evergy-electricity-plans-in-missouri">customers were asked to select one of the new plans</a>, Evergy saw blowback from those concerned their bills would skyrocket. Under one of the plans, power used on summer days between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. —&nbsp;when residents are most likely to be using their air conditioners — would be almost four times as expensive as the rest of the day.The company also drew fire from Missouri Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, who in July accused state regulators of trying to ration power, gouge customers and force a transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy.&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://efis.psc.mo.gov/Document/Display/754111">request to alter the program, filed Friday</a>&nbsp;with the Missouri Public Service Commission, Evergy said it received a “substantial” number of complaints on social media about the new pricing mechanism.&nbsp;“The tone of the comments is mostly negative and speaks to customer frustration with being forced to move rates because Evergy is trying to spike customer bills to increase profits,” the filing says.&nbsp;And in June, Ameren Missouri, which serves the St. Louis area, was allowed to roll out optional time-of-use pricing for its electric customers.&nbsp;Citing customer discontent and commissioners’ suggestions at a meeting last month of possible amendments to the time-of-use pricing program, Evergy asked the commission’s permission for several changes.&nbsp;In a news release, Evergy said it believed a traditional flat-rate plan should be an option for customers who may not be able to shift their electricity usage.“Evergy has always advocated for customer rate choice and does not support mandated time-based rates,” said Chuck Caisley, the company’s chief customer officer. “Customers, elected officials and other stakeholders have clearly voiced their concerns about mandating summer peak pricing, and we appreciate that the commission is willing to listen to this feedback.”Most significantly, Evergy asked permission to allow customers to return to a traditional flat-rate pricing plan starting in May. With the new plans going into effect next month, offering a return to a traditional plan in May “would have the added advantage of allowing all residential customers to experience one of the (time-of-use) options before choosing to return to the traditional residential rate structure,” the company’s filing says.&nbsp;The company also asked permission to change the default plan from its “Standard Peak Saver,” which nearly quadruples the price of energy on summer afternoons, to the “Peak Reward Saver,” which has a much smaller price increase at that times and a discount for power used between midnight and 6 a.m.The reward saver plan, according to Evergy’s website, is the closest to its current standard plan. But prices per kilowatt hour can increase throughout the month depending on the amount of energy used.&nbsp;In its Friday filing, Evergy also asked the commission’s permission to restrict customers’ ability to switch rate plans. Specifically, if a customer switches from one rate plan to another, the customer wants to require that they wait a year before switching back. They could switch to a third plan at any time.&nbsp;“Evergy is concerned that customers may move from one of the three ‘high differential’…rates…and into one of the two ‘low differential’ rates…to take advantage of seasonal differences in the rates,” the filing says.Evergy said it “cannot recover its costs to serve if customers take seasonal advantage of this difference.”&nbsp;The commission initially instructed Evergy to implement mandatory time-of-use pricing because while&nbsp; the company has been installing smart meters in customers homes for years, most of the benefits, including being able to remotely disconnect customers who haven’t paid their bills, have flowed to the utility.&nbsp;In an interview with The Independent last week, O’Laughlin said she’s asking regulators to suspend the decision or reverse it.&nbsp;“If they do not, then you will see legislation coming through, which I believe both Democrats and Republicans will support, that will remove some of their power and likely make it much more difficult for people to get on that commission,” she said.The Missouri Public Service Commission scheduled a hearing to discuss Evergy’s request for Sept. 19.The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Evergy asks Missouri regulators to let customers opt out of time-of-use pricing

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

Just before 4:30a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 39-year-old Billy E. Madison, Jr. of Atchison, in the 1000 block of North 10th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He is being held on requested charges of disorderly conduct and assault on a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; In 2019, he was arrested on requested charges of interference with law enforcement and obstruction.

He has previous convictions for burglary, drugs and battery of a law enforcement officer, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694528920645.png" alt="Madison-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Madison-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple allegations after an arrest.Just before 4:30a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 39-year-old Billy E. Madison, Jr. of Atchison, in the 1000 block of North 10th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.He is being held on requested charges of disorderly conduct and assault on a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; In 2019, he was arrested on requested charges of interference with law enforcement and obstruction.He has previous convictions for burglary, drugs and battery of a law enforcement officer, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon accused of assault on a law enforcement officer

By JIM SALTER and SUMMER BALLENTINE&nbsp;

ST. LOUIS (AP) — At least two Missouri health care centers stopped prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to minors for the purpose of gender transition, citing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-nonbinary-hormone-puberty-missouri-lawmakers-5a8922430ffab9e43cf9b7ce254bff9f">new state law</a>&nbsp;that the clinic says “creates unsustainable liability” for health care workers.

Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital on Monday announced it stopped providing those services, and a spokesman said University of Missouri Health Care stopped treatments for minors Aug. 28.

The new Missouri law, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-nonbinary-health-missouri-dfb348b44e4a11b18bda10c89744841a">took effect Aug. 28</a>, outlawed puberty blockers, hormones and gender-affirming surgery for minors. But there are exceptions for youth who were already taking those medications before the law kicked in, allowing them to continue receiving that health care.

Both Washington University and University of Missouri said physicians there are referring current patients to other providers. Washington University will continue to provide education and mental health support for minors, as well as medical care for patients over the age of 18.

“We are disheartened to have to take this step,” the statement read. “However, Missouri’s newly enacted law regarding transgender care has created a new legal claim for patients who received these medications as minors. This legal claim creates unsustainable liability for health-care professionals and makes it untenable for us to continue to provide comprehensive transgender care for minor patients without subjecting the university and our providers to an unacceptable level of liability.”

Health care providers who violate the law face having their medical licenses revoked. Beyond that, any provider who prescribes puberty blockers and hormones as a form of gender-affirming care for minors faces lawsuits from those patients for as long as 15 years after they turn 21.

If the patients win, physicians must pay at least $500,000 in punitive damages alone and as much as $1.5 million in total damages.

“Providers could be held liable for damages even if they did not do anything wrong or unreasonable,” University of Missouri System spokesman Christian Basi said.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson signed the bill in June, calling hormones, puberty blockers and gender-affirming surgeries “harmful, irreversible treatments and procedures” for minors. He said the state “must protect children from making life-altering decisions that they could come to regret in adulthood once they have physically and emotionally matured.”

Most adults still have access to transgender health care under the law, but Medicaid won’t cover it. Prisoners must pay for gender-affirming surgeries out-of-pocket under the law.

The ACLU of Missouri, Lambda Legal and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in July&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-gender-affirming-health-care-ban-lawsuit-9696f0c28b63baf8c52a95448811795e">sued to overturn the Missouri law</a>&nbsp;on behalf of another St. Louis health care center, families of three transgender minors and LGBTQ+ organizations.

They asked that the law be temporarily blocked as the court challenge against it plays out, but the judge disagreed, saying the lawsuit is "not likely to succeed.”

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 22.

Every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, has opposed the bans on gender-affirming care for minors and supported the medical care for youth when administered appropriately. Lawsuits have been filed in several states where bans have been enacted this year.

Parson also signed legislation in June to require students from kindergarten through college to play on sports teams that align with their sex assigned at birth. Both public and private schools face losing all state funding for violating the law.

Shira Berkowitz, of the state’s LGBTQ+ advocacy group PROMO, said in a statement that Parson, Attorney General Andrew Bailey and the state legislature “blatantly committed a hate crime against transgender Missourians.”

“We are working quickly with coalition partners to explore all possible avenues to combat the harm being inflicted upon transgender Missourians,” Berkowitz said.

The St. Louis clinic fell under scrutiny early this year after former case manager Jamie Reed claimed&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2-07-2023-reed-affidavit---signed.pdf?sfvrsn=6a64d339_2">in an affidavit</a>&nbsp;that the center mainly provides gender-affirming care and does little to address mental health issues that patients also faced. Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley and Bailey announced investigations after Reed's claims.

Missouri’s bans come amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-gender-affirming-lawsuits-court-14b09741257b971911367250055f671c">national push</a>&nbsp;by conservatives to put restrictions on transgender and nonbinary people, which alongside abortion has become a major theme of state legislative sessions this year. Missouri is among nearly two-dozen states to have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.

By JIM SALTER and SUMMER BALLENTINE&nbsp;ST. LOUIS (AP) — At least two Missouri health care centers stopped prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to minors for the purpose of gender transition, citing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-nonbinary-hormone-puberty-missouri-lawmakers-5a8922430ffab9e43cf9b7ce254bff9f">new state law</a>&nbsp;that the clinic says “creates unsustainable liability” for health care workers.Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital on Monday announced it stopped providing those services, and a spokesman said University of Missouri Health Care stopped treatments for minors Aug. 28.The new Missouri law, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-nonbinary-health-missouri-dfb348b44e4a11b18bda10c89744841a">took effect Aug. 28</a>, outlawed puberty blockers, hormones and gender-affirming surgery for minors. But there are exceptions for youth who were already taking those medications before the law kicked in, allowing them to continue receiving that health care.Both Washington University and University of Missouri said physicians there are referring current patients to other providers. Washington University will continue to provide education and mental health support for minors, as well as medical care for patients over the age of 18.“We are disheartened to have to take this step,” the statement read. “However, Missouri’s newly enacted law regarding transgender care has created a new legal claim for patients who received these medications as minors. This legal claim creates unsustainable liability for health-care professionals and makes it untenable for us to continue to provide comprehensive transgender care for minor patients without subjecting the university and our providers to an unacceptable level of liability.”Health care providers who violate the law face having their medical licenses revoked. Beyond that, any provider who prescribes puberty blockers and hormones as a form of gender-affirming care for minors faces lawsuits from those patients for as long as 15 years after they turn 21.If the patients win, physicians must pay at least $500,000 in punitive damages alone and as much as $1.5 million in total damages.“Providers could be held liable for damages even if they did not do anything wrong or unreasonable,” University of Missouri System spokesman Christian Basi said.Republican Gov. Mike Parson signed the bill in June, calling hormones, puberty blockers and gender-affirming surgeries “harmful, irreversible treatments and procedures” for minors. He said the state “must protect children from making life-altering decisions that they could come to regret in adulthood once they have physically and emotionally matured.”Most adults still have access to transgender health care under the law, but Medicaid won’t cover it. Prisoners must pay for gender-affirming surgeries out-of-pocket under the law.The ACLU of Missouri, Lambda Legal and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in July&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-gender-affirming-health-care-ban-lawsuit-9696f0c28b63baf8c52a95448811795e">sued to overturn the Missouri law</a>&nbsp;on behalf of another St. Louis health care center, families of three transgender minors and LGBTQ+ organizations.They asked that the law be temporarily blocked as the court challenge against it plays out, but the judge disagreed, saying the lawsuit is "not likely to succeed.”The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 22.Every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, has opposed the bans on gender-affirming care for minors and supported the medical care for youth when administered appropriately. Lawsuits have been filed in several states where bans have been enacted this year.Parson also signed legislation in June to require students from kindergarten through college to play on sports teams that align with their sex assigned at birth. Both public and private schools face losing all state funding for violating the law.Shira Berkowitz, of the state’s LGBTQ+ advocacy group PROMO, said in a statement that Parson, Attorney General Andrew Bailey and the state legislature “blatantly committed a hate crime against transgender Missourians.”“We are working quickly with coalition partners to explore all possible avenues to combat the harm being inflicted upon transgender Missourians,” Berkowitz said.The St. Louis clinic fell under scrutiny early this year after former case manager Jamie Reed claimed&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2-07-2023-reed-affidavit---signed.pdf?sfvrsn=6a64d339_2">in an affidavit</a>&nbsp;that the center mainly provides gender-affirming care and does little to address mental health issues that patients also faced. Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley and Bailey announced investigations after Reed's claims.Missouri’s bans come amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-gender-affirming-lawsuits-court-14b09741257b971911367250055f671c">national push</a>&nbsp;by conservatives to put restrictions on transgender and nonbinary people, which alongside abortion has become a major theme of state legislative sessions this year. Missouri is among nearly two-dozen states to have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.

Missouri clinics halt transgender care for minors in wake of new state law

The Imagine St. Joseph 2040 plan has been implemented since 2019 and soon St. Joseph Community Alliance will reevaluate the plan and its goals.  

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Redmond says Community Alliance will meet in 2024 to update the plan.  

Redmond says the plan could need some updates because there might be relevant needs now that weren't as relevant in 2018 when it was developed.  

"There may be things that have changed since 2018 that are now a community priority that weren't in 2024 and none of the Alliance partners own this plan, it's a community plan, so anybody can have input in it, anybody can take pieces of it and make up their own," Redmond tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr.  

You can find out more about the plan at<a href="https://imaginestjoseph2040.com/"> imaginestjoseph2040.com </a>

Redmond says many people may not know about the plan, and also how they in the community have a say in it.  

Redmond says through a recent community survey the Alliance learned that one thing they need to focus on in the upcoming year is raising awareness.  

"So, the communications and the awareness piece, getting more people involved, and getting younger people is going to be the key in in one of our focus areas in the next two years," Redmond says. 

To help raise awareness Community Alliance has partnered with the Joseph Company for a series of community breakfasts on the first Friday of every month.  

Redmond says anyone that wants to make a positive impact on St. Joseph is welcome at these meetings.  

"So whether you live here, you work here, or you play here if you want to be inspired and create a better community, or you're looking to better develop your leadership skills, cause the Joseph company is really a leadership development organization and the 2040 plan is all about building a better St. Joseph," Redmond explains.  

The next meeting will be coming up in October.  

Each breakfast will focus on the seven areas impacted by the Imagine 2040 plan. You can learn more at <a href="https://thejosephcompany.com/">thejosephcompany.com </a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692270536605.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Skyline.jpg" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Skyline.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Imagine St. Joseph 2040 plan has been implemented since 2019 and soon St. Joseph Community Alliance will reevaluate the plan and its goals. St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Redmond says Community Alliance will meet in 2024 to update the plan. Redmond says the plan could need some updates because there might be relevant needs now that weren't as relevant in 2018 when it was developed. "There may be things that have changed since 2018 that are now a community priority that weren't in 2024 and none of the Alliance partners own this plan, it's a community plan, so anybody can have input in it, anybody can take pieces of it and make up their own," Redmond tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. You can find out more about the plan at<a href="https://imaginestjoseph2040.com/"> imaginestjoseph2040.com </a>Redmond says many people may not know about the plan, and also how they in the community have a say in it. Redmond says through a recent community survey the Alliance learned that one thing they need to focus on in the upcoming year is raising awareness. "So, the communications and the awareness piece, getting more people involved, and getting younger people is going to be the key in in one of our focus areas in the next two years," Redmond says. To help raise awareness Community Alliance has partnered with the Joseph Company for a series of community breakfasts on the first Friday of every month. Redmond says anyone that wants to make a positive impact on St. Joseph is welcome at these meetings. "So whether you live here, you work here, or you play here if you want to be inspired and create a better community, or you're looking to better develop your leadership skills, cause the Joseph company is really a leadership development organization and the 2040 plan is all about building a better St. Joseph," Redmond explains. The next meeting will be coming up in October. Each breakfast will focus on the seven areas impacted by the Imagine 2040 plan. You can learn more at <a href="https://thejosephcompany.com/">thejosephcompany.com </a><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Imagine-2040-plan-strives-to-build-a-better-St--Joseph-e297tje" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Community Alliance hopes to make more aware of St. Joseph Imagine 2040 plan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Abortion-rights advocates asked a judge on Monday to rewrite what they call misleading descriptions of several&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/31e5d91121b0be6ae41548eb11f2e751/0d2fdde552c2478b283937a6fab78cfc">constitutional amendments</a>&nbsp;on abortion that voters could see on Missouri’s 2024 ballot.

Missouri is among several states,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-rights-ohio-ballot-constitutional-amendment-e921f46d04a1f3367cf0e42917485335">including Ohio</a>, where abortion opponents are fighting efforts to ensure or restore access to the procedure following the fall of Roe v. Wade last year.

In part, one of the Missouri petitions would amend the state's constitution to ban government infringement on the “fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which entails the right to make and carry out decisions about all matters relating to reproductive health care."

Decisions on abortion, birth control and childbirth are some examples of reproductive care protected under the proposed amendments.

In Missouri, summaries of proposed constitutional amendments are provided on ballots to help voters understand what the measures would do.

Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/governor-missouri-ashcroft-election-republican-cceea45c2a7369a9ec37ea85ec6998c6">running for governor in 2024</a>, summarized the amendments as allowing “dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice.”

“It is the secretary's duty to set aside his personal bias against the proposals and craft a neutral statement,” Missouri ACLU attorney Tony Rothert told the judge during Monday's hearing. ”Instead, the secretary acted as if he were playing the political-spin and manipulation-edition of mad libs."

Assistant Attorney General Jason Krol Lewis defended Ashcroft's summaries. He said the plaintiffs' argument for a rewrite of the summaries “hides the ball about what these initiative petitions would do.”

Under current Missouri law, almost all abortions are banned. But Lewis said the measures could also mean the fall of laws requiring abortion providers to have relationships with local hospitals, which he said is aimed at improving patient health.

“The secretary's summaries actually do summarize and convey to voters the massive loopholes in the initiative petition that would bring access to effectively unregulated and unrestricted abortion in Missouri," Lewis said.

Rothert said restrictions on abortions would still be allowed under the amendments, which include exceptions for government regulations for health and safety. He added that current rules on abortion could be upheld in court even if the amendment passes.

The legal, legislative and ballot battles on abortion have been playing out at the state level since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade and ended a nationwide right to abortion.

A measure to ensure abortion access is on the November ballot in Ohio after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-rights-ohio-ballot-constitutional-amendment-e921f46d04a1f3367cf0e42917485335">withstanding legal challenges</a>&nbsp;from opponents. That state’s voters in August&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a">rejected a measure</a>&nbsp;that would have required at least 60% of the vote to amend the state constitution, an approach supported by abortion opponents that would have made it harder to adopt the November ballot question.

Ballot measures on abortion could also be put before voters in 2024 in states including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-arizona-ballot-voters-2024-a7ea711840cbe2103a9c75c4c4dd4ef3">Arizona</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-protections-maryland-constitution-8457276fd72fbe1367f7f8a99559731b">Maryland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-womens-rights-new-york-5ae2968ab80098246978af10765ed9ae">New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-south-dakota-sd-state-wire-constitutions-49618de8441cf8813ff64266cccc192d">South Dakota</a>. But in conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-tulsa-oklahoma-united-states-government-e9cb92772546e3fd33ef7599e6a07dd1">Oklahoma</a>, an initiative petition to legalize abortion was withdrawn soon after it started last year. Conservatives’ challenges to the ballot questions have been so intense partly because of the way the votes have been going. After the ruling last year, the issue appeared on the ballot in six states. In all of them, including generally conservative Kansas and Kentucky,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-voting-rights-health-kentucky-fabb3a40797c5491e9b2a3a696435161">the abortion rights side prevailed</a>.

Efforts to restore abortion rights in Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-attorney-general-auditor-fbe60ab843041b3509c5275e8a703207">hit a snag</a>&nbsp;in April when Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey refused to sign off on fellow Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s cost estimates for the petitions, claiming that Fitzpatrick did not account for loss in tax revenue because of a lower birth rate and fewer taxpayers as a result of greater access to abortions.

The Missouri Supreme Court later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-attorney-general-voters-initiative-petition-56ef2731480c786c87d1a8e9be191e2b">ordered Bailey</a>&nbsp;to approve Fitzpatrick’s price tags, which then allowed Ashcroft’s office to craft summaries of the proposals.

The Missouri judge can approve Ashcroft’s summaries or rewrite the descriptions for voters. In either case, a resolution would allow the petitioners to begin collecting voters signatures that are needed to get the measures on the ballot.

Also on Monday, a lawyer for abortion opponents revived arguments that the state auditor’s cost estimates for the measures were misleadingly low because they did not account for a potential loss in property and sales tax revenue as a result of lower birth rates.

The abortion opponents also said restoring abortion rights could prompt the federal government to pull all of Missouri’s federal Medicaid funding, although both opponents and proponents agreed that the federal government has never before revoked all of a state’s Medicaid funding because of abortion access.

The auditor's office has said there is no evidence Missouri is at risk of losing all Medicaid funding if the amendment passes.

The judge is expected to rule on both lawsuits next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693425446976.png" alt="Decisions on abortion, birth control and childbirth are some examples of reproductive care protected under the proposed amendments-photo Planned Parenthood&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Decisions on abortion, birth control and childbirth are some examples of reproductive care protected under the proposed amendments-photo Planned Parenthood&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Abortion-rights advocates asked a judge on Monday to rewrite what they call misleading descriptions of several&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/31e5d91121b0be6ae41548eb11f2e751/0d2fdde552c2478b283937a6fab78cfc">constitutional amendments</a>&nbsp;on abortion that voters could see on Missouri’s 2024 ballot.Missouri is among several states,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-rights-ohio-ballot-constitutional-amendment-e921f46d04a1f3367cf0e42917485335">including Ohio</a>, where abortion opponents are fighting efforts to ensure or restore access to the procedure following the fall of Roe v. Wade last year.In part, one of the Missouri petitions would amend the state's constitution to ban government infringement on the “fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which entails the right to make and carry out decisions about all matters relating to reproductive health care."Decisions on abortion, birth control and childbirth are some examples of reproductive care protected under the proposed amendments.In Missouri, summaries of proposed constitutional amendments are provided on ballots to help voters understand what the measures would do.Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/governor-missouri-ashcroft-election-republican-cceea45c2a7369a9ec37ea85ec6998c6">running for governor in 2024</a>, summarized the amendments as allowing “dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice.”“It is the secretary's duty to set aside his personal bias against the proposals and craft a neutral statement,” Missouri ACLU attorney Tony Rothert told the judge during Monday's hearing. ”Instead, the secretary acted as if he were playing the political-spin and manipulation-edition of mad libs."Assistant Attorney General Jason Krol Lewis defended Ashcroft's summaries. He said the plaintiffs' argument for a rewrite of the summaries “hides the ball about what these initiative petitions would do.”Under current Missouri law, almost all abortions are banned. But Lewis said the measures could also mean the fall of laws requiring abortion providers to have relationships with local hospitals, which he said is aimed at improving patient health.“The secretary's summaries actually do summarize and convey to voters the massive loopholes in the initiative petition that would bring access to effectively unregulated and unrestricted abortion in Missouri," Lewis said.Rothert said restrictions on abortions would still be allowed under the amendments, which include exceptions for government regulations for health and safety. He added that current rules on abortion could be upheld in court even if the amendment passes.The legal, legislative and ballot battles on abortion have been playing out at the state level since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade and ended a nationwide right to abortion.A measure to ensure abortion access is on the November ballot in Ohio after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-rights-ohio-ballot-constitutional-amendment-e921f46d04a1f3367cf0e42917485335">withstanding legal challenges</a>&nbsp;from opponents. That state’s voters in August&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-special-election-227cde039f8d51723612878525164f1a">rejected a measure</a>&nbsp;that would have required at least 60% of the vote to amend the state constitution, an approach supported by abortion opponents that would have made it harder to adopt the November ballot question.Ballot measures on abortion could also be put before voters in 2024 in states including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-arizona-ballot-voters-2024-a7ea711840cbe2103a9c75c4c4dd4ef3">Arizona</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-protections-maryland-constitution-8457276fd72fbe1367f7f8a99559731b">Maryland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-womens-rights-new-york-5ae2968ab80098246978af10765ed9ae">New York</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-south-dakota-sd-state-wire-constitutions-49618de8441cf8813ff64266cccc192d">South Dakota</a>. But in conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-tulsa-oklahoma-united-states-government-e9cb92772546e3fd33ef7599e6a07dd1">Oklahoma</a>, an initiative petition to legalize abortion was withdrawn soon after it started last year. Conservatives’ challenges to the ballot questions have been so intense partly because of the way the votes have been going. After the ruling last year, the issue appeared on the ballot in six states. In all of them, including generally conservative Kansas and Kentucky,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-voting-rights-health-kentucky-fabb3a40797c5491e9b2a3a696435161">the abortion rights side prevailed</a>.Efforts to restore abortion rights in Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-attorney-general-auditor-fbe60ab843041b3509c5275e8a703207">hit a snag</a>&nbsp;in April when Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey refused to sign off on fellow Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s cost estimates for the petitions, claiming that Fitzpatrick did not account for loss in tax revenue because of a lower birth rate and fewer taxpayers as a result of greater access to abortions.The Missouri Supreme Court later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-attorney-general-voters-initiative-petition-56ef2731480c786c87d1a8e9be191e2b">ordered Bailey</a>&nbsp;to approve Fitzpatrick’s price tags, which then allowed Ashcroft’s office to craft summaries of the proposals.The Missouri judge can approve Ashcroft’s summaries or rewrite the descriptions for voters. In either case, a resolution would allow the petitioners to begin collecting voters signatures that are needed to get the measures on the ballot.Also on Monday, a lawyer for abortion opponents revived arguments that the state auditor’s cost estimates for the measures were misleadingly low because they did not account for a potential loss in property and sales tax revenue as a result of lower birth rates.The abortion opponents also said restoring abortion rights could prompt the federal government to pull all of Missouri’s federal Medicaid funding, although both opponents and proponents agreed that the federal government has never before revoked all of a state’s Medicaid funding because of abortion access.The auditor's office has said there is no evidence Missouri is at risk of losing all Medicaid funding if the amendment passes.The judge is expected to rule on both lawsuits next week.

Challengers seek rewrite of Missouri abortion-rights ballot measures

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas woman was arraigned Monday on federal charges in connection with a years-long scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer, Muddy River Credit Union. Rita Hartman, 68, of Atchison was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 23, 2023, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Hartman was the manager of Muddy River Credit Union (formerly Bradken Federal Credit Union) from the early 1990s through January 2021. 

Muddy River served the employees of the Bradken foundry located in Atchison, Kansas. In 2013, the Governor of the State of Kansas appointed Hartman to the Kansas Credit Union Council, which advises the Kansas Department of Credit Unions on issues and needs of credit unions.

As manager, Hartman had responsibility for and control over all aspects of Muddy River’s finances and books and records. From at least 2010 through December 2020, Hartman is accused of using her position to steal money from Muddy River. 

Hartman allegedly did so by crediting fraudulent deposits and loan payments to her or her relatives’ accounts or by stealing cash deposits, then concealing her conduct by altering Muddy River’s books and records, and falsifying information submitted to Muddy River’s regulators.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694461784724.png" alt="Muddy River served the employees of the Bradken foundry located in Atchison, Kansas.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Muddy River served the employees of the Bradken foundry located in Atchison, Kansas.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas woman was arraigned Monday on federal charges in connection with a years-long scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer, Muddy River Credit Union. Rita Hartman, 68, of Atchison was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 23, 2023, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents and other information presented in court, Hartman was the manager of Muddy River Credit Union (formerly Bradken Federal Credit Union) from the early 1990s through January 2021. Muddy River served the employees of the Bradken foundry located in Atchison, Kansas. In 2013, the Governor of the State of Kansas appointed Hartman to the Kansas Credit Union Council, which advises the Kansas Department of Credit Unions on issues and needs of credit unions.As manager, Hartman had responsibility for and control over all aspects of Muddy River’s finances and books and records. From at least 2010 through December 2020, Hartman is accused of using her position to steal money from Muddy River. Hartman allegedly did so by crediting fraudulent deposits and loan payments to her or her relatives’ accounts or by stealing cash deposits, then concealing her conduct by altering Muddy River’s books and records, and falsifying information submitted to Muddy River’s regulators.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

Kan. woman accused of embezzling thousands from credit union

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Monday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Havin C. Marrant, 42, Lathrop, was northbound on Highway 33 four miles west of Osborn.

The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road. The driver overcorrected, the vehicle returned to the road, traveled off the east side of the road, struck a culvert, a fence and came to rest in a field.

DeKalb Clinton County ambulance transported Marrant to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Monday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Havin C. Marrant, 42, Lathrop, was northbound on Highway 33 four miles west of Osborn.The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road. The driver overcorrected, the vehicle returned to the road, traveled off the east side of the road, struck a culvert, a fence and came to rest in a field.DeKalb Clinton County ambulance transported Marrant to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man injured after vehicle strikes fence, lands in a field

DEKALB COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Monday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Toyota Sequoia driven by Bruce L. Pratt, 72, St. Joseph, was southbound on MO 31 four miles west of Stewartsville,

The SUV entered the intersection on U.S. 36 in front of a westbound&nbsp; 2018 Ford Focus driven by Kip V. Whitt, 42, Turney. The SUV then slid off the west side of the crossover into the median.

DeKalb Clinton ambulance transported Whitt to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Pratt was not injured.&nbsp; Both drivers were. properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Monday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Toyota Sequoia driven by Bruce L. Pratt, 72, St. Joseph, was southbound on MO 31 four miles west of Stewartsville,The SUV entered the intersection on U.S. 36 in front of a westbound&nbsp; 2018 Ford Focus driven by Kip V. Whitt, 42, Turney. The SUV then slid off the west side of the crossover into the median.DeKalb Clinton ambulance transported Whitt to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Pratt was not injured.&nbsp; Both drivers were. properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man hospitalized after 2-vehicle DeKalb Co. crash

St. Joseph residents will once again have an opportunity to give input on the improvements they would like to see at Krug Park.  

District one councilmember Madison Davis says the meetings are important because everyone has their own idea, but the common goal is to make Krug the best it can be 

"You know there's been some discussion is there large events at Krug Park or not, is it private events or not, I think it should be a park that's open to the public those sorts of things, but those are discussions that have been community conversations so we want to make certain we answer those questions," Davis tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

Nearly 12-Million dollars is designated to make improvements at Krug Park after St. Joseph voters approved by the park's sales tax and the capital improvement sales tax.  

Davis says with money coming from multiple sources it’s not difficult to decide how much goes towards a project 

"I think it's one of those it has to be done, you've got to make certain that when your spending money for any project, whether it's my dollars or tax dollars, that you're doing the right thing, you're doing something that the community will appreciate and that the community will use, those are the main things," Davis explains.  

Community members will have a second opportunity to give input on what they would like to see done at Krug Park this Wednesday.  

Madison Davis sees Krug Park improvements as a chance to reset what was once a gem for St. Joseph.  

"And show the community that the city itself as well as citizens of St. Joseph will invest in itself and what that will look like as a result of it," Davis says. 

The second meeting will happen at the Remington Nature Center on Wednesday from 4 to 7pm 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph residents will once again have an opportunity to give input on the improvements they would like to see at Krug Park. District one councilmember Madison Davis says the meetings are important because everyone has their own idea, but the common goal is to make Krug the best it can be "You know there's been some discussion is there large events at Krug Park or not, is it private events or not, I think it should be a park that's open to the public those sorts of things, but those are discussions that have been community conversations so we want to make certain we answer those questions," Davis tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Nearly 12-Million dollars is designated to make improvements at Krug Park after St. Joseph voters approved by the park's sales tax and the capital improvement sales tax. Davis says with money coming from multiple sources it’s not difficult to decide how much goes towards a project "I think it's one of those it has to be done, you've got to make certain that when your spending money for any project, whether it's my dollars or tax dollars, that you're doing the right thing, you're doing something that the community will appreciate and that the community will use, those are the main things," Davis explains. Community members will have a second opportunity to give input on what they would like to see done at Krug Park this Wednesday. Madison Davis sees Krug Park improvements as a chance to reset what was once a gem for St. Joseph. "And show the community that the city itself as well as citizens of St. Joseph will invest in itself and what that will look like as a result of it," Davis says. The second meeting will happen at the Remington Nature Center on Wednesday from 4 to 7pm

Second community meeting on Krug Park improvements coming up on Wednesday

Rainfall in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was above normal during August, resulting in above-average runoff. 

However, because of drier-than-normal conditions in previous years, total storage in the Missouri River reservoir system remains lower than normal. 

Based on September 1 system storage, releases from the Gavins Point Dam will be 13,000 cubic feet per second, slightly above the minimum rate. 

“August rainfall provided some inflow into the Upper Missouri River Basin Reservoir System,” says John Remus, chief of the Army Corps’ Missouri River Basin Water Management System. 

“Some areas received up to 400 percent of normal rainfall.” August runoff was 1.7 million acre-feet, 121 percent above average in Sioux City. 

The updated 2023 forecast for the upper basin is 29.1-million-acre feet, 113 percent of average. The annual average runoff for the upper basin is 25.7-million-acre fee. The total volume in the System was 55.5 MAF on September 1.

Rainfall in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was above normal during August, resulting in above-average runoff. However, because of drier-than-normal conditions in previous years, total storage in the Missouri River reservoir system remains lower than normal. Based on September 1 system storage, releases from the Gavins Point Dam will be 13,000 cubic feet per second, slightly above the minimum rate. “August rainfall provided some inflow into the Upper Missouri River Basin Reservoir System,” says John Remus, chief of the Army Corps’ Missouri River Basin Water Management System. “Some areas received up to 400 percent of normal rainfall.” August runoff was 1.7 million acre-feet, 121 percent above average in Sioux City. The updated 2023 forecast for the upper basin is 29.1-million-acre feet, 113 percent of average. The annual average runoff for the upper basin is 25.7-million-acre fee. The total volume in the System was 55.5 MAF on September 1.- NAFB

August rainfall provides inflow to the Missouri River system

New rules issued by the Biden administration in wake of a United
States Supreme Court defeat have done little to calm the criticism of its
“Waters of the United States” rule.

In fact, northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, a
Republican, accuses the Biden administration of barely paying lip service to
the Supreme Court ruling, claiming the revised rule is just as vague as the
previous rule.

“We have gone round and round and round on this thing and they
refuse to work with farmers,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They just
completely turn their back on landowners.”

The revised rule issued by the EPA removes the “significant
nexus” test so despised by its critics. A news release from the EPA states, “This action provides the clarity that is
needed to advance these goals, while moving forward with infrastructure
projects, economic opportunities, and agricultural activities.”



“While I am disappointed by the
Supreme Court’s decision in the&nbsp;Sackett&nbsp;case,
EPA and Army have an obligation to apply this decision alongside our state
co-regulators, Tribes, and partners," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a
written statement issued by the agency.&nbsp;“We’ve moved
quickly to finalize amendments to the definition of ‘waters of the United
States’ to provide a clear path forward that adheres to the Supreme Court’s
ruling.&nbsp;EPA will never waver from our responsibility to ensure clean water
for all. Moving forward, we will do everything we can with our existing
authorities and resources to help communities, states, and Tribes protect the
clean water upon which we all depend.”

Critics dispute the statement by Regan. They contend the EPA’s
revision of the Waters of the United States rule fails to adhere to the Supreme
Court decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency and lacks clarity.

Graves claims the EPA revised rule does nothing to resolve the
problems farmers see with WOTUS.

“I guarantee you this is going to be back in the courts once
again and litigated,” according to Graves.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNew rules issued by the Biden administration in wake of a United
States Supreme Court defeat have done little to calm the criticism of its
“Waters of the United States” rule.In fact, northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, a
Republican, accuses the Biden administration of barely paying lip service to
the Supreme Court ruling, claiming the revised rule is just as vague as the
previous rule.“We have gone round and round and round on this thing and they
refuse to work with farmers,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They just
completely turn their back on landowners.”The revised rule issued by the EPA removes the “significant
nexus” test so despised by its critics. A news release from the EPA states, “This action provides the clarity that is
needed to advance these goals, while moving forward with infrastructure
projects, economic opportunities, and agricultural activities.”

“While I am disappointed by the
Supreme Court’s decision in the&nbsp;Sackett&nbsp;case,
EPA and Army have an obligation to apply this decision alongside our state
co-regulators, Tribes, and partners," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a
written statement issued by the agency.&nbsp;“We’ve moved
quickly to finalize amendments to the definition of ‘waters of the United
States’ to provide a clear path forward that adheres to the Supreme Court’s
ruling.&nbsp;EPA will never waver from our responsibility to ensure clean water
for all. Moving forward, we will do everything we can with our existing
authorities and resources to help communities, states, and Tribes protect the
clean water upon which we all depend.”Critics dispute the statement by Regan. They contend the EPA’s
revision of the Waters of the United States rule fails to adhere to the Supreme
Court decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency and lacks clarity.Graves claims the EPA revised rule does nothing to resolve the
problems farmers see with WOTUS.“I guarantee you this is going to be back in the courts once
again and litigated,” according to Graves.Graves predicts this latest round in the ongoing fight against
WOTUS will eventually end up back in court with a dispute over agricultural
land becoming the latest test case.“They like to say that farmers are exempt, yet it’s farmers
that are the ones in lawsuits with the EPA and being fined millions of dollars
for the use of their property,” Graves claims. “But there will be a case brought
and then it will ultimately be litigated and it will bounce through the courts
and I think it will end up back in the Supreme Court and they are going to have
to clarify even further.”Graves accuses the Biden administration of purposely keeping WOTUS
wording vague, giving the EPA the discretion necessary to interfere with the
decisions of landowners. Graves says clarity is necessary so landowners know whether
their actions are in compliance, something Graves says the Supreme Court
decision requires.Graves says it appears the issue has reverted back to square
one.“It’s just frustrating. It’s government overreach. It’s pure
government overreach and it has to stop.”Graves succeeded in passing a revision of WOTUS through
Congress earlier this year; 227-198 in the House and 53-43 in the Senate. Those
margins were not wide enough to overcome a veto by President Joe Biden.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Sam-Graves-forsees-WOTUS-heading-back-to-court-e296gqg" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

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