Amelia Earhart's birthday is still a few days away, but the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, Kansas is offering a unique opportunity to celebrate early.  

Three of Earhart's grandnephews will be at the museum this evening enjoying a cocktail hour and dinner with guests.  

Museum Executive Director Heather Roesch says the idea actually came from the family as an idea to raise money for the museum.  

"And they just became more involved in the last year or so with the museum and I always feel like it's more of their house than ours," Roesch tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Roesch says there has been a lot of interest in the event, even as far as an event next year which isn't even planned yet 

"So, we're not sure if we'll do it next year, but we do have two people interested in next year for the dinner," Roesch says.

Roesch says the family has always been supportive of the museum.  

"They've always been a great family to talk with and their grandmother, which would have been Muriel and that was Amelia's sister, had been here lots of times," Roesch explains.  

Roesch says the family has been involved with the museum for a long time, including Muriel helping with the design of the interior.  

There are still 10 spots open for the cocktail hour and two spots for dinner.  The cocktail hour is 100 dollars per person, while the dinner costs 5 thousand dollars per person due to the limited amount of space at the table. 

The museum has welcomed many guests over the years and people continue to visit to learn about Amelia and her life.  

Roesch says people love the museum because of all the services they offer, including virtual tours of the home 

"We do virtual tours now live with people, maybe a school can't afford to get a bus and a driver and all those things, so we do that," Roesch says. "Our biggest group was 160 in a school, and they were in a gymnasium watching us as we walked along and then they could ask questions." 

You can still register for the event by clicking <a href="https://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/general-4-1">HERE</a> or by calling the museum.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689869856493.jpeg" alt="Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum/ Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum/ Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Amelia Earhart's birthday is still a few days away, but the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison, Kansas is offering a unique opportunity to celebrate early. Three of Earhart's grandnephews will be at the museum this evening enjoying a cocktail hour and dinner with guests. Museum Executive Director Heather Roesch says the idea actually came from the family as an idea to raise money for the museum. "And they just became more involved in the last year or so with the museum and I always feel like it's more of their house than ours," Roesch tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Roesch says there has been a lot of interest in the event, even as far as an event next year which isn't even planned yet "So, we're not sure if we'll do it next year, but we do have two people interested in next year for the dinner," Roesch says.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689869895957.jpeg" alt="The formal dining room will be the site of the dinner with descendants of Amelia Earhart this evening/ Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>The formal dining room will be the site of the dinner with descendants of Amelia Earhart this evening/ Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Roesch says the family has always been supportive of the museum. "They've always been a great family to talk with and their grandmother, which would have been Muriel and that was Amelia's sister, had been here lots of times," Roesch explains. Roesch says the family has been involved with the museum for a long time, including Muriel helping with the design of the interior. There are still 10 spots open for the cocktail hour and two spots for dinner. The cocktail hour is 100 dollars per person, while the dinner costs 5 thousand dollars per person due to the limited amount of space at the table. The museum has welcomed many guests over the years and people continue to visit to learn about Amelia and her life. Roesch says people love the museum because of all the services they offer, including virtual tours of the home "We do virtual tours now live with people, maybe a school can't afford to get a bus and a driver and all those things, so we do that," Roesch says. "Our biggest group was 160 in a school, and they were in a gymnasium watching us as we walked along and then they could ask questions." You can still register for the event by clicking <a href="https://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/general-4-1">HERE</a> or by calling the museum. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689869970955.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Amelia Earhart grandnephews come to Atchison to celebrate birthday, raise money

A man has been arrested, suspected of being involved in a shooting
in St. Joseph that left the victim in critical condition.

St. Joseph police report a 30-year-old St. Joseph resident was
arrested after a high-speed chase in which shots were fired at the pursuing Missouri
State Highway Patrol car. A passenger in the fleeing vehicle, a 19-year-old
woman, is accused of shooting at the patrol car multiple times, striking the
vehicle, but not hitting the trooper.

The victim, described as a St. Joseph resident in his 30s, is in
critical condition.

Police say a man was shot and seriously wounded Wednesday afternoon
around three o’clock at 113 North 17th Street. The victim went to
the hospital by private vehicle.

A few hours later, a pursuit began on Highway 36, then switch to
I-29, fleeing south on the interstate. The highway patrol car began pursuit and
quickly was joined by officers from the St. Joseph Police Department, the
Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.
The chase moved to blacktop highways, driving through Dearborn until it ended
on EE Highway. The man and woman surrendered when surrounded by officers around six o'clock.

The investigation continues. If you have any information, call
the Crime Stoppers Hotline:&nbsp; 816-238-TIPS.

Note:&nbsp; this article updates a previous one on the shooting.

You can follow Brent on Twitter @GBrent, @680KFEQ, and @StJosephPost.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA man has been arrested, suspected of being involved in a shooting
in St. Joseph that left the victim in critical condition.St. Joseph police report a 30-year-old St. Joseph resident was
arrested after a high-speed chase in which shots were fired at the pursuing Missouri
State Highway Patrol car. A passenger in the fleeing vehicle, a 19-year-old
woman, is accused of shooting at the patrol car multiple times, striking the
vehicle, but not hitting the trooper.The victim, described as a St. Joseph resident in his 30s, is in
critical condition.Police say a man was shot and seriously wounded Wednesday afternoon
around three o’clock at 113 North 17th Street. The victim went to
the hospital by private vehicle.A few hours later, a pursuit began on Highway 36, then switch to
I-29, fleeing south on the interstate. The highway patrol car began pursuit and
quickly was joined by officers from the St. Joseph Police Department, the
Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.
The chase moved to blacktop highways, driving through Dearborn until it ended
on EE Highway. The man and woman surrendered when surrounded by officers around six o'clock.The investigation continues. If you have any information, call
the Crime Stoppers Hotline:&nbsp; 816-238-TIPS.Note:&nbsp; this article updates a previous one on the shooting.You can follow Brent on Twitter @GBrent, @680KFEQ, and @StJosephPost.

One man arrested in connection with St. Joseph shooting after high-speed pursuit

Cargill recently partnered with TREES Consulting to develop a new Gold Standard-approved methodology giving beef producers a way to measure methane emissions reductions. 

The methodology uses feed supplements incorporated into beef cattle diets. 

The new methodology defines a set of parameters that beef producers can adopt to quantify reductions in methane emissions, a greenhouse gas derived from the digestion process in cattle as well as manure handling. 

It’s now available for beef producers to quantify, audit, and verify methane reductions, enabling them to register their GHG mitigation projects for Gold Standard Certification. Those verified emissions reductions can be traded in carbon markets, allowing credit purchasers to directly support the projects. 

“We are committed to finding ways to ensure that producers can get recognized and rewarded for their emissions reduction efforts,” says Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard. For more information about the new methodology, go to Cargill’s “Feeding Intelligence” site.

Cargill recently partnered with TREES Consulting to develop a new Gold Standard-approved methodology giving beef producers a way to measure methane emissions reductions. The methodology uses feed supplements incorporated into beef cattle diets. The new methodology defines a set of parameters that beef producers can adopt to quantify reductions in methane emissions, a greenhouse gas derived from the digestion process in cattle as well as manure handling. It’s now available for beef producers to quantify, audit, and verify methane reductions, enabling them to register their GHG mitigation projects for Gold Standard Certification. Those verified emissions reductions can be traded in carbon markets, allowing credit purchasers to directly support the projects. “We are committed to finding ways to ensure that producers can get recognized and rewarded for their emissions reduction efforts,” says Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard. For more information about the new methodology, go to Cargill’s “Feeding Intelligence” site.- NAFB

Methane emissions reduction for beef cattle

CORRECTION: One man and one woman were arrested. Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/8121ab93-5db8-4e1c-996e-a55bb365b58b">HERE</a> for an updated story.

Two men have been arrested in connection with a shooting in
St. Joseph that has left a man with life-threatening wounds.

St. Joseph police report a man was shot and seriously wounded Wednesday afternoon at 113 North 17th Street. The victim went to the
hospital by private vehicle.

St. Joseph police, along with Buchanan County deputies and
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers began a pursuit on I-29 a few hours
after the shooting that ended with the arrest of two suspects near Camden
Point.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostCORRECTION: One man and one woman were arrested. Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/8121ab93-5db8-4e1c-996e-a55bb365b58b">HERE</a> for an updated story.Two men have been arrested in connection with a shooting in
St. Joseph that has left a man with life-threatening wounds.St. Joseph police report a man was shot and seriously wounded Wednesday afternoon at 113 North 17th Street. The victim went to the
hospital by private vehicle.St. Joseph police, along with Buchanan County deputies and
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers began a pursuit on I-29 a few hours
after the shooting that ended with the arrest of two suspects near Camden
Point.The investigation continues.You can follow Brent on Twitter @GBrent, @680KFEQ, and @StJosephPost.

Two arrested after St. Joseph shooting left victim seriously wounded

DAVIESS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Honda Accord driven by Elio N. Hernandez Mencias, 27, Clive, Iowa, was northbound on Interstate 35 six miles south of Pattonsburg.

The car crossed the median, traveled across southbound lanes and overturned off the west side of the road.&nbsp;

Daviess County EMS transported Hernandez Mencias to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Honda Accord driven by Elio N. Hernandez Mencias, 27, Clive, Iowa, was northbound on Interstate 35 six miles south of Pattonsburg.The car crossed the median, traveled across southbound lanes and overturned off the west side of the road.&nbsp;Daviess County EMS transported Hernandez Mencias to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Man hospitalized after car overturns in Daviess County

WORTH COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Wednesday in Worth County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Donna R. Findley, 94, Albany, was southbound on Highway YY at the intersection of Lyon Avenue five miles south of Grant City.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The SUV began to skid, traveled off the west side of the road and struck a tree.

North Harrison Ambulance transported Findley to Mosaic in Albany. A private vehicle transported a passenger Emily A. Davis, 18, Albany, to Mosaic in Albany. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

WORTH COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Wednesday in Worth County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Donna R. Findley, 94, Albany, was southbound on Highway YY at the intersection of Lyon Avenue five miles south of Grant City.The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The SUV began to skid, traveled off the west side of the road and struck a tree.North Harrison Ambulance transported Findley to Mosaic in Albany. A private vehicle transported a passenger Emily A. Davis, 18, Albany, to Mosaic in Albany. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

94-year Mo. driver, teen injured after SUV strikes a tree

The Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art is in need of more space and a new project will provide that space to aid for more classes and visitors to the museum&nbsp;

A new education center is planned to be built in what is currently the carriage house on the museum grounds&nbsp;

Director Eric Fuson says though this project has been planned for a long time, the pandemic taught us the need for human interaction the space would provide.&nbsp;

"So many times, artists even are kind of like I like to work by myself, but what 99.9% of us all realize is we really need that human interaction, we need that feedback, we need to share ideas, and that's what the education center is really going to excel at," Fuson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. &nbsp;

Fuson says the new space will also provide the opportunity for new classes and camps the museum can provide. &nbsp;

Fuson says the new space will also make it easier for people to interact with the museum in multiple ways&nbsp;

"Right now, we're limited a little bit with the hours that we do classes, because we have to have the museum open, we have to have somebody that can help monitor the collection and things the same time as the classes are going on," Fuson explains. "With this new space we'll be able to have a much wider range of times that classes can be offered that's more flexible for not just the teachers but the students."&nbsp;

Fuson says the education center will allow scheduling to be planned around when students can make it out and not just one set time. &nbsp;

Much of the funding for the project has already been raised Fuson says, but there is still a little more needed&nbsp;

"We have raised over $300,000 for the project, we just got our bids back to say this is how much it's going to cost, we have one grant of about $70,000 that will help us make this happen by the end of the year," Fuson says. "We're about that much shy at the moment 50 to 70 grand will polish it out to make it happen, we really want to push to make it happen by the end of the year."&nbsp;

Fuson says applications for grants will be made by the end of the year.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657821115229.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art is in need of more space and a new project will provide that space to aid for more classes and visitors to the museum&nbsp;A new education center is planned to be built in what is currently the carriage house on the museum grounds&nbsp;Director Eric Fuson says though this project has been planned for a long time, the pandemic taught us the need for human interaction the space would provide.&nbsp;"So many times, artists even are kind of like I like to work by myself, but what 99.9% of us all realize is we really need that human interaction, we need that feedback, we need to share ideas, and that's what the education center is really going to excel at," Fuson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. &nbsp;Fuson says the new space will also provide the opportunity for new classes and camps the museum can provide. &nbsp;Fuson says the new space will also make it easier for people to interact with the museum in multiple ways&nbsp;"Right now, we're limited a little bit with the hours that we do classes, because we have to have the museum open, we have to have somebody that can help monitor the collection and things the same time as the classes are going on," Fuson explains. "With this new space we'll be able to have a much wider range of times that classes can be offered that's more flexible for not just the teachers but the students."&nbsp;Fuson says the education center will allow scheduling to be planned around when students can make it out and not just one set time. &nbsp;Much of the funding for the project has already been raised Fuson says, but there is still a little more needed&nbsp;"We have raised over $300,000 for the project, we just got our bids back to say this is how much it's going to cost, we have one grant of about $70,000 that will help us make this happen by the end of the year," Fuson says. "We're about that much shy at the moment 50 to 70 grand will polish it out to make it happen, we really want to push to make it happen by the end of the year."&nbsp;Fuson says applications for grants will be made by the end of the year.&nbsp;

Albrecht Kemper just short of goal to turn Carriage House into classroom space

The first training camp practice isn't until Sunday, but Chiefs quarterbacks and rookies reported to St. Joseph on Tuesday to begin work.  

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says his advice to the rookies is to get ready to be worked hard as they begin their first training camp.  

"Obviously St. Joe is an amazing spot to have camp and we come out here and have a lot of fun but you've got to be ready to work," Mahomes tells reporters.   "I told them if you can get through Andy Reid's training camp then you're going to be able to get through an NFL season, I think they just have to have that mindset."  

"They got a taste of it during OTA's and that minicamp but they're going to really see what it's like in training camp and they know that if they do it the right way they have as good a chance as anybody to win that Super Bowl." 

Head Coach Andy Reid says now that training camp is here the rookies on the team will start to get more of a feel for the NFL and the team’s expectations. 

"I think you're a little bit guarded just by the rules for your OTA's but it's a good foundation to build with," Reid says to media during the press conference. "But this here will test you both mentally and physically when you have to go through a training camp, and then they have to deal with you guys every day, it's just different." 

Reid says it will also provide the opportunity for players to have more eyes on them with all the fans that come out to Training Camp 

Veterans will report later this week.  The first camp practice will be held on Sunday at 9:15am. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The first training camp practice isn't until Sunday, but Chiefs quarterbacks and rookies reported to St. Joseph on Tuesday to begin work. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says his advice to the rookies is to get ready to be worked hard as they begin their first training camp. "Obviously St. Joe is an amazing spot to have camp and we come out here and have a lot of fun but you've got to be ready to work," Mahomes tells reporters. "I told them if you can get through Andy Reid's training camp then you're going to be able to get through an NFL season, I think they just have to have that mindset." "They got a taste of it during OTA's and that minicamp but they're going to really see what it's like in training camp and they know that if they do it the right way they have as good a chance as anybody to win that Super Bowl." Head Coach Andy Reid says now that training camp is here the rookies on the team will start to get more of a feel for the NFL and the team’s expectations. "I think you're a little bit guarded just by the rules for your OTA's but it's a good foundation to build with," Reid says to media during the press conference. "But this here will test you both mentally and physically when you have to go through a training camp, and then they have to deal with you guys every day, it's just different." Reid says it will also provide the opportunity for players to have more eyes on them with all the fans that come out to Training Camp Veterans will report later this week. The first camp practice will be held on Sunday at 9:15am.

Chiefs rookies and quarterbacks in St. Joseph ahead of Chiefs Training Camp

One day after Russia terminated the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the country attacked Ukraine grain facilities at the Odesa port. 

Russia terminated the deal following an attack by Ukraine on a bridge in the Crimean Peninsula. 

The port attacks were in retaliation to the Ukraine attack. The Black Sea grain export deal allowed for the safe transport of grain through the Black Sea by Ukraine. 

Reuters reports that any attempt to reopen Ukrainian grain shipments without Russia's participation would depend on insurance companies agreeing to provide coverage. Russia could return to the grain deal, but only if its demands are met for rules to be eased for its own exports of food and fertilizer. 

The country, for now, has not guaranteed the safety of ships in the Black Sea carrying products from Ukraine. Ukraine has invested in other ports, and could shift grain to those, but at a reduced shipping capacity.

One day after Russia terminated the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the country attacked Ukraine grain facilities at the Odesa port. Russia terminated the deal following an attack by Ukraine on a bridge in the Crimean Peninsula. The port attacks were in retaliation to the Ukraine attack. The Black Sea grain export deal allowed for the safe transport of grain through the Black Sea by Ukraine. Reuters reports that any attempt to reopen Ukrainian grain shipments without Russia's participation would depend on insurance companies agreeing to provide coverage. Russia could return to the grain deal, but only if its demands are met for rules to be eased for its own exports of food and fertilizer. The country, for now, has not guaranteed the safety of ships in the Black Sea carrying products from Ukraine. Ukraine has invested in other ports, and could shift grain to those, but at a reduced shipping capacity.- NAFB

Russia attacks Ukraine grain port

University research shows ad hoc payments result in farmers holding more grain in storage. 

Published by the University of Illinois’ FarmdocDAILY, the research estimated the impact of the unprecedented surge in ad hoc farm payments from 2018 to 2020 on grain inventories held by farmers. 

Under the Market Facilitation Program, U.S. farmers received approximately $23 billion during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 marketing years. 

While USDA designed MFP to avoid distorting farmer planting and production decisions, these payments may still have affected farm decision-making, in particular, the decision to store production after harvest. 

However, the research estimates the impact of MFP payments on the market-level inventories was modest.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even in the case of soybeans in December 2018, the market and quarter where with the largest impact, U.S. soybean stocks were only 226 million bushels or six percent higher than they would have been in the absence of MFP payments. 

The conclusion: MFP did impact outcomes relevant to commodity price levels, though any potential market distortion was likely small.

University research shows ad hoc payments result in farmers holding more grain in storage. Published by the University of Illinois’ FarmdocDAILY, the research estimated the impact of the unprecedented surge in ad hoc farm payments from 2018 to 2020 on grain inventories held by farmers. Under the Market Facilitation Program, U.S. farmers received approximately $23 billion during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 marketing years. While USDA designed MFP to avoid distorting farmer planting and production decisions, these payments may still have affected farm decision-making, in particular, the decision to store production after harvest. However, the research estimates the impact of MFP payments on the market-level inventories was modest.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even in the case of soybeans in December 2018, the market and quarter where with the largest impact, U.S. soybean stocks were only 226 million bushels or six percent higher than they would have been in the absence of MFP payments. The conclusion: MFP did impact outcomes relevant to commodity price levels, though any potential market distortion was likely small.- NAFB

Ad hoc government payments caused farmers to store more grain

ATCHISON—Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; Tuesday in Atchison.

A Dodge Dakota pickup driven by Remington Roberts, 17, Everest, was northbound on 14th Street and was turning west onto Main Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The pickup and a southbound Chevrolet Equinox driven by David Lackey, 71, Atchison, collided. 

EMS was on the scene and treated and evaluated both drivers and a passenger but did not transport anyone. 

Remington Roberts and his 9-year-old passenger were taken by private vehicle to Amberwell Hospital for examination. Roberts was cited for failure to yield.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689780236991.png" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON—Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; Tuesday in Atchison.A Dodge Dakota pickup driven by Remington Roberts, 17, Everest, was northbound on 14th Street and was turning west onto Main Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.The pickup and a southbound Chevrolet Equinox driven by David Lackey, 71, Atchison, collided. EMS was on the scene and treated and evaluated both drivers and a passenger but did not transport anyone. Remington Roberts and his 9-year-old passenger were taken by private vehicle to Amberwell Hospital for examination. Roberts was cited for failure to yield.

EMS treats drivers, 9-year-old after Kansas crash

Clean up continues at the Buchanan County Courthouse after the
Independence Day storm in St. Joseph blew off temporary roofing and damaged the
courtroom on its northeast corner.

Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson recalls
going into the courtroom and offices of Presiding Judge Kate Schaefer the day
after the storm.

“Looked in there and it was a mess,” Nelson tells host Barry
Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “Of course, the water knocked down the sheetrock and
it knocked down the drop ceiling and it just came, insulation and all.” 

Ambrozi Contracting, which has the $1.2 million contract to
repair the courthouse roof and dome, is doing the repair work. Judge Schaefer
has been using other courtrooms in the meantime.

Nelson says the July 4th storm tore through
temporary roofing in the northeast part of the courthouse, sending water into
the courtroom and office of Judge Schaefer.

“It was a mess, it just really was,” Nelson says. “We had
asbestos tests and things like that and then, Monday, we had air-quality
testing in the courthouse.”

Repair of the courthouse roof continues in downtown St. Joseph.

Nelson says before work on the dome begins, a massive set of
scaffolding must be erected from the bottom up.

“If they just put scaffolding up on the third or fourth floor,
around the dome or inside, wherever they’re going to put it, it would just collapse
the floor,” according to Nelson. “So they have to support it in the basement
and continue to support it on up. So that will be starting pretty soon.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689775978773.jpeg" alt="Roof repair is underway at the Buchanan County Courthouse/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Roof repair is underway at the Buchanan County Courthouse/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By Brent MartinSt. Joseph PostClean up continues at the Buchanan County Courthouse after the
Independence Day storm in St. Joseph blew off temporary roofing and damaged the
courtroom on its northeast corner.Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson recalls
going into the courtroom and offices of Presiding Judge Kate Schaefer the day
after the storm.“Looked in there and it was a mess,” Nelson tells host Barry
Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “Of course, the water knocked down the sheetrock and
it knocked down the drop ceiling and it just came, insulation and all.” Ambrozi Contracting, which has the $1.2 million contract to
repair the courthouse roof and dome, is doing the repair work. Judge Schaefer
has been using other courtrooms in the meantime.Nelson says the July 4th storm tore through
temporary roofing in the northeast part of the courthouse, sending water into
the courtroom and office of Judge Schaefer.“It was a mess, it just really was,” Nelson says. “We had
asbestos tests and things like that and then, Monday, we had air-quality
testing in the courthouse.”Repair of the courthouse roof continues in downtown St. Joseph.Nelson says before work on the dome begins, a massive set of
scaffolding must be erected from the bottom up.“If they just put scaffolding up on the third or fourth floor,
around the dome or inside, wherever they’re going to put it, it would just collapse
the floor,” according to Nelson. “So they have to support it in the basement
and continue to support it on up. So that will be starting pretty soon.”

Clean up from July 4th storm continues at Buchanan CO Courthouse

ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas man jailed for burglary, computer and financial crimes is back in jail.

On Tuesday, police arrested 30-year-old&nbsp;Stacey M. Gorman, Jr., Atchison, on District and Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear in court, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

In August of 2022, Gorman was booked into jail for burglary, criminal use of a financial card and interference with law enforcement.&nbsp; He was accused of a parole violation in October.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689686123335.png" alt="Gorman-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Gorman-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas man jailed for burglary, computer and financial crimes is back in jail.On Tuesday, police arrested 30-year-old&nbsp;Stacey M. Gorman, Jr., Atchison, on District and Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear in court, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.In August of 2022, Gorman was booked into jail for burglary, criminal use of a financial card and interference with law enforcement.&nbsp; He was accused of a parole violation in October.&nbsp;

Kan. man accused of financial crimes is back in jail

Midland Empire residents are being encouraged to give their
input to an Army Corps of Engineers study to lower the risk of flooding along
the Missouri River.

The Corps is holding a series of public meetings to gather
input. The first, Monday, was held in Council Bluffs, Iowa. A second will be
held Tuesday evening in Nebraska City.

Corps Program Manager of the Lower Missouri River studies, Colleen
Roberts, says the Corps will begin the meetings with a short presentation, but
will mostly be listening to residents along the river.

“Just be able to document and have the conversation with them
on the way they see the river versus how we see it and get their first-hand
experiences with it,” Roberts tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in an interview.

The Corps is working on what is officially called the Lower
Missouri River Basin Flood Risk and Resiliency Study. It will look at the flood
risks along the entire 735 miles of the lower Missouri River from Rulo,
Nebraska to St. Louis.

Roberts says this is a unique study with the public invited to
contribute early in the process.

“It’s not anything we’ve done before,” Roberts says. “And
pretty early in the process to be able to get people’s input on the problem
areas.”

Corps Community Planner Ginger Niemann-Harper says the study
is an outgrowth of the governors of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa
getting together to call for something different be done to end recurring
Missouri River flooding.

“To look at the flood devastation, look at the problem areas
and come up with a solution that gets us moving forward toward that system
resiliency and towards some solutions for communities up and down the river,”
Niemann-Harper says during the interview.

The governors of the four states met in an effort to provide a
unified voice calling for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make changes seen
as vital to end a cycle of flooding that began in 1993, recurred in 2011 as
well as 2019.

Niemann-Harper says this is an opportunity for the Corps to
look at the Missouri River system as a whole and hear from those most affected
by Missouri River flooding.

“And to get some folks together that may not have always learned
about each other’s problems or learned about each other’s areas of the river,
learned about how the river is used in different areas and try to come up with
solutions that benefit a larger area and more people,” according to Niemann-Harper.

The Corps does plan some spin-off studies on specific sites,
including studies in Holt County, Brunswick, and Jefferson City.

The meeting tonight will begin at 5:30 in the Morton-James
Public Library in Nebraska City. On Wednesday, the Corps will hold a meeting at
the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in Jefferson City. Thursday, the
Corps will hold a meeting in the Ferrell Academic Center at Benedictine College
in Atchison, Kansas.

Click <a href="https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Civil-Works-Programs-And-Projects/Lower-Missouri-River-Basin/">HERE</a> for more on the Lower Missouri River Basin Flood
Risk and Resiliency Study and the scheduled scoping meetings.

You can follow Brent on Twitter @GBrent, @680KFEQ &amp; @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689694804094.jpeg" alt="Flooding along the Little Tarkio Creek in Holt County in 2019/Photo by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers" />
 <figcaption>Flooding along the Little Tarkio Creek in Holt County in 2019/Photo by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMidland Empire residents are being encouraged to give their
input to an Army Corps of Engineers study to lower the risk of flooding along
the Missouri River.The Corps is holding a series of public meetings to gather
input. The first, Monday, was held in Council Bluffs, Iowa. A second will be
held Tuesday evening in Nebraska City.Corps Program Manager of the Lower Missouri River studies, Colleen
Roberts, says the Corps will begin the meetings with a short presentation, but
will mostly be listening to residents along the river.“Just be able to document and have the conversation with them
on the way they see the river versus how we see it and get their first-hand
experiences with it,” Roberts tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in an interview.The Corps is working on what is officially called the Lower
Missouri River Basin Flood Risk and Resiliency Study. It will look at the flood
risks along the entire 735 miles of the lower Missouri River from Rulo,
Nebraska to St. Louis.Roberts says this is a unique study with the public invited to
contribute early in the process.“It’s not anything we’ve done before,” Roberts says. “And
pretty early in the process to be able to get people’s input on the problem
areas.”Corps Community Planner Ginger Niemann-Harper says the study
is an outgrowth of the governors of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa
getting together to call for something different be done to end recurring
Missouri River flooding.“To look at the flood devastation, look at the problem areas
and come up with a solution that gets us moving forward toward that system
resiliency and towards some solutions for communities up and down the river,”
Niemann-Harper says during the interview.The governors of the four states met in an effort to provide a
unified voice calling for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make changes seen
as vital to end a cycle of flooding that began in 1993, recurred in 2011 as
well as 2019.Niemann-Harper says this is an opportunity for the Corps to
look at the Missouri River system as a whole and hear from those most affected
by Missouri River flooding.“And to get some folks together that may not have always learned
about each other’s problems or learned about each other’s areas of the river,
learned about how the river is used in different areas and try to come up with
solutions that benefit a larger area and more people,” according to Niemann-Harper.The Corps does plan some spin-off studies on specific sites,
including studies in Holt County, Brunswick, and Jefferson City.The meeting tonight will begin at 5:30 in the Morton-James
Public Library in Nebraska City. On Wednesday, the Corps will hold a meeting at
the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in Jefferson City. Thursday, the
Corps will hold a meeting in the Ferrell Academic Center at Benedictine College
in Atchison, Kansas.Click <a href="https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Civil-Works-Programs-And-Projects/Lower-Missouri-River-Basin/">HERE</a> for more on the Lower Missouri River Basin Flood
Risk and Resiliency Study and the scheduled scoping meetings.You can follow Brent on Twitter @GBrent, @680KFEQ &amp; @StJosephPost.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Public-invited-to-Corps-meeting-on-Missouri-River-Flood-Study-e2738tb" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Army Corps Missouri River study invites input during public meetings

There was already a lot happening at Phil Welch Stadium on Saturday evening, but a chance at Taylor Swift tickets was the cherry on top to a record-breaking night.  

6,013 fans showed up and watched Mustangs baseball and celebrated a Mustangs win with a Taylor Swift themed postgame fireworks show.  Plus, fans attending the game had the chance to win an exceptional prize, two Taylor Swift concert tickets in Seattle and a $250 gift card towards air fare. 

Mustangs General Manager and Owner Ky Turner says after a week of planning Taylor Swift night the reception was incredible, but the lead up to it was nerve wracking 

"That whole week I was just nervous, I refused to look at the weather, the day of it was just like a pit in your stomach because we knew we had the potential for something fun and special to happen," Turner tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "But I'll tell you I grew up in St. Joe and I've never seen the ballpark like that, and it was just so much fun." 

Turner says the energy from the crowd on Saturday was excellent and fans packed the seats by first pitch to where the only place to sit was the grass in left field. 

Even before gates opened on Saturday fans were lined up across the street for the game, hoping for their chance to win the big prize.  Turner says it felt like a major event in a big city.

Turner says the turnout was incredible, but you don't always see this large crowd at the stadium.  

"You know whether it's from our concessions to our restrooms, to just the walking area, trashcans just all that stuff goes through your head as well like holy cow are we prepared for all of this," Turner says. 

With a turnout similar to that of a Savannah Bananas game, Turner hopes that this can be replicated again. 

"As many people as there were and how crazy it was throughout the night, as soon as we turned off the lights, I was ready to do it again, I mean it was just so much fun," Turner says. 

Taylor Swift night at Phil Welch Stadium surpassed 'Frozen' night in 2014 which brought in 5,345 fans. 

Turner says what Saturday shows is that everyone has a reason to come out to a Mustangs game. 

"Maybe you really like baseball, maybe you like Taylor Swift, maybe it's the summer thing to do and to hang out with your friends or your family, everyone's got a reason, I'll tell you there's definitely not a better value," Turner points out. 

Turner says he's not sure where else you could go and get a free t-shirt, a poster, fireworks, and three hours of baseball for only eight dollars, meeting the mission of providing affordable, family friendly fun in St. Joseph. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689694959689.jpeg" alt="The stands were filled Saturday night as 6,013 Mustangs fans helped shatter an attendance record set nine years ago/Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Mustangs Facebook" />
 <figcaption>The stands were filled Saturday night as 6,013 Mustangs fans helped shatter an attendance record set nine years ago/Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Mustangs Facebook</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post There was already a lot happening at Phil Welch Stadium on Saturday evening, but a chance at Taylor Swift tickets was the cherry on top to a record-breaking night. 6,013 fans showed up and watched Mustangs baseball and celebrated a Mustangs win with a Taylor Swift themed postgame fireworks show. Plus, fans attending the game had the chance to win an exceptional prize, two Taylor Swift concert tickets in Seattle and a $250 gift card towards air fare. Mustangs General Manager and Owner Ky Turner says after a week of planning Taylor Swift night the reception was incredible, but the lead up to it was nerve wracking "That whole week I was just nervous, I refused to look at the weather, the day of it was just like a pit in your stomach because we knew we had the potential for something fun and special to happen," Turner tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "But I'll tell you I grew up in St. Joe and I've never seen the ballpark like that, and it was just so much fun." Turner says the energy from the crowd on Saturday was excellent and fans packed the seats by first pitch to where the only place to sit was the grass in left field. Even before gates opened on Saturday fans were lined up across the street for the game, hoping for their chance to win the big prize. Turner says it felt like a major event in a big city.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689694990867.jpeg" alt="Mustangs fans lined up clear across the street hoping for their chance to win Taylor Swift tickets during a record breaking night at Phil Welch Stadium /Photo by Emma Crouch with the Mustangs" />
 <figcaption>Mustangs fans lined up clear across the street hoping for their chance to win Taylor Swift tickets during a record breaking night at Phil Welch Stadium /Photo by Emma Crouch with the Mustangs</figcaption>
 </figure>Turner says the turnout was incredible, but you don't always see this large crowd at the stadium. "You know whether it's from our concessions to our restrooms, to just the walking area, trashcans just all that stuff goes through your head as well like holy cow are we prepared for all of this," Turner says. With a turnout similar to that of a Savannah Bananas game, Turner hopes that this can be replicated again. "As many people as there were and how crazy it was throughout the night, as soon as we turned off the lights, I was ready to do it again, I mean it was just so much fun," Turner says. Taylor Swift night at Phil Welch Stadium surpassed 'Frozen' night in 2014 which brought in 5,345 fans. Turner says what Saturday shows is that everyone has a reason to come out to a Mustangs game. "Maybe you really like baseball, maybe you like Taylor Swift, maybe it's the summer thing to do and to hang out with your friends or your family, everyone's got a reason, I'll tell you there's definitely not a better value," Turner points out. Turner says he's not sure where else you could go and get a free t-shirt, a poster, fireworks, and three hours of baseball for only eight dollars, meeting the mission of providing affordable, family friendly fun in St. Joseph. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689695024036.jpeg" alt="Mustangs Owner and General Manager Ky Turner greets fans at the gate as they head in for the game /Photo by Emma Crouch with the Mustangs" />
 <figcaption>Mustangs Owner and General Manager Ky Turner greets fans at the gate as they head in for the game /Photo by Emma Crouch with the Mustangs</figcaption>
 </figure>

Taylor Swift Night brings record crowd to Phil Welch Stadium

Lawmakers recently introduced the Women in Agriculture Act. The legislation would establish a research priority for agriculture machinery and equipment designed to be used by women, and create a funding set aside for childcare facilities in rural areas. 

The bill also creates a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison position at the Department of Agriculture. 

Although the number of women in the agriculture industry is growing, the majority of tools are designed and manufactured the height, strength and body type of a man. 

Representative Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, led the introduction of the bill. She says, “The Women in Agriculture Act provides resources specifically for women farmers and ranchers to level the playing field and work towards a fairer agriculture industry." 

In 2019, women accounted for 26 percent of the farm labor workforce, a 19 percent increase since 2009. However, farms operated by women earn 40 percent less income compared to male-dominated farms.

Lawmakers recently introduced the Women in Agriculture Act. The legislation would establish a research priority for agriculture machinery and equipment designed to be used by women, and create a funding set aside for childcare facilities in rural areas. The bill also creates a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison position at the Department of Agriculture. Although the number of women in the agriculture industry is growing, the majority of tools are designed and manufactured the height, strength and body type of a man. Representative Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, led the introduction of the bill. She says, “The Women in Agriculture Act provides resources specifically for women farmers and ranchers to level the playing field and work towards a fairer agriculture industry." In 2019, women accounted for 26 percent of the farm labor workforce, a 19 percent increase since 2009. However, farms operated by women earn 40 percent less income compared to male-dominated farms.- NAFB

Lawmakers introduce Women in Agriculture Bill

The Environmental Protection Agency has denied 26 Small Refinery Exemption petitions for the Renewable Fuel Standard spanning compliance years 2016-2018 and 2021-2023. 

The action demonstrates the agency’s continued commitment to ending the backlog of pending SREs. 

The American Soybean Association welcomed the continued transparent and fair assessment of SREs through more stringent hardship and economic impact requirements. 

Historically, significant SRE approvals without clear and consistent metrics for evaluation created vast market uncertainty and undermined the intent of the RFS, creating a challenging environment for continued growth in the biomass-based diesel industry. 

EPA has worked in recent years to develop new parameters for petition approvals that have proven effective at strengthening the RFS. 

ASA is pleased with this progress and hopes EPA will continue to work with the biofuels industry to implement the RFS as intended. With the finalization of these 26 SRE petition denials, EPA has cut down SRE backlogs significantly, with only two outstanding petitions remaining from compliance year 2018.

The Environmental Protection Agency has denied 26 Small Refinery Exemption petitions for the Renewable Fuel Standard spanning compliance years 2016-2018 and 2021-2023. The action demonstrates the agency’s continued commitment to ending the backlog of pending SREs. The American Soybean Association welcomed the continued transparent and fair assessment of SREs through more stringent hardship and economic impact requirements. Historically, significant SRE approvals without clear and consistent metrics for evaluation created vast market uncertainty and undermined the intent of the RFS, creating a challenging environment for continued growth in the biomass-based diesel industry. EPA has worked in recent years to develop new parameters for petition approvals that have proven effective at strengthening the RFS. ASA is pleased with this progress and hopes EPA will continue to work with the biofuels industry to implement the RFS as intended. With the finalization of these 26 SRE petition denials, EPA has cut down SRE backlogs significantly, with only two outstanding petitions remaining from compliance year 2018.- NAFB

EPA denies 26 RFS Small Refinery Exemptions

MGP Ingredients last week announced the planned closure of its industrial alcohol distillery expected in January 2024. 

The facility in Atchison, Kansas, produces grain neutral spirits, industrial alcohol products and related co-products. 

The decision to close this distillery is consistent with the company’s plan to address profitability headwinds associated within the sector. 

MGP Ingredients will continue to operate and invest in its Ingredient Solutions business located in Atchison, Kansas, including the previously announced $16.7 million-dollar texturized protein facility scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. 

The company will also continue to operate and invest in its Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distillery operations. 

MGP President and CEO David Colo says, “The additional supply of grain neutral spirits and industrial alcohol that has entered the market during the past few years has had a meaningful and structural impact on the market.” The company also cited the increase in local corn basis costs that reduced profitability.

MGP Ingredients last week announced the planned closure of its industrial alcohol distillery expected in January 2024. The facility in Atchison, Kansas, produces grain neutral spirits, industrial alcohol products and related co-products. The decision to close this distillery is consistent with the company’s plan to address profitability headwinds associated within the sector. MGP Ingredients will continue to operate and invest in its Ingredient Solutions business located in Atchison, Kansas, including the previously announced $16.7 million-dollar texturized protein facility scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The company will also continue to operate and invest in its Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distillery operations. MGP President and CEO David Colo says, “The additional supply of grain neutral spirits and industrial alcohol that has entered the market during the past few years has had a meaningful and structural impact on the market.” The company also cited the increase in local corn basis costs that reduced profitability.- NAFB

MGP ingredients to close industrial alcohol distillery

A St. Joseph woman suffered two gunshot wounds during a
shooting outside the Frog Hop convenience store in St. Joseph late Monday night.

St. Joseph police say the woman was shot in the thigh and in
the foot. Neither wound is considered life threatening. The woman, who is 56, was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Police say officers responded to a call about shots being
fired at 2001 Messanie Street shortly after 11 o’clock. Multiple shots had been
fired. Two struck the woman, the only victim in the shooting. Several hit the
Frog Hop building.

Police are waiting to get the video from the Frog Hop as the
investigation continues.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph woman suffered two gunshot wounds during a
shooting outside the Frog Hop convenience store in St. Joseph late Monday night.St. Joseph police say the woman was shot in the thigh and in
the foot. Neither wound is considered life threatening. The woman, who is 56, was taken to the hospital for treatment.Police say officers responded to a call about shots being
fired at 2001 Messanie Street shortly after 11 o’clock. Multiple shots had been
fired. Two struck the woman, the only victim in the shooting. Several hit the
Frog Hop building.Police are waiting to get the video from the Frog Hop as the
investigation continues.

St. Joseph woman wounded in Frog Hop shooting

Senate Majority Leader O’Laughlin accuses PSC of pushing ‘woke’ policies that will gouge customers with top summer rates four times higher than off-peak costs

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

Over the objections of Evergy Missouri, staff with the Missouri Public Service Commission last year pushed for power prices to be based on the time of day when the electricity was consumed, with a small premium for use at peak times.

The commission, known as the PSC, adopted the concept but not the particulars, opting instead for a big difference at peak times rather than the “training wheels” approach recommended by commission staff.

And that’s why in June, Evergy customers in Missouri learned that power used from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in summer months will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.evergy.com/manage-account/rate-information-link/plan-options/standard-peak-saver">cost four times more</a>&nbsp;than the other hours of the day.&nbsp;

The idea was to&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">get people’s attention</a>&nbsp;— and it worked.&nbsp;

But it also got the attention of Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, who said she fears customers will be hit with massive bills.

In a series of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid01HEXa5UfJE9ncCN9ZSM37e6BcPzFx7nGQkioJeP171y5jgX6NJfEj1A49LECupurl">Facebook posts</a>&nbsp;earlier this month, O’Laughlin accused the PSC of seeking to ration power, gouge customers and force a conversion to solar and wind power.

“This rate increase is going to be terrible,” O’Laughlin said in an interview last week with The Independent. “What they’re actually trying to do is get people to ration how much energy they use, because they want to move to, you know, green energy, and they understand that the grid cannot serve all the demands and I find that not just objectionable, but unconscionable.”

The policy has nothing to do with power rationing or whether power comes from solar, wind, coal or gas, PSC Chairman Scott Rupp said in an interview. Instead, he said, time-of-use pricing gives consumers more control of their utility costs.

“That allows price signals from the free market to be delivered to the consumer and then they can react accordingly,” Rupp said.

The commission isn’t stopping with Evergy Missouri, which has 640,000 power customers in two service regions of western Missouri. Utilities are installing smart meters that can allow constant monitoring of electric use and customers are paying for them as part of their base charge.

Ameren Missouri residential customers in eastern Missouri will receive notices soon that on April 1, they will be in a rate plan that has peak summer prices more than three times higher than other hours. And Rupp said Liberty Utilities’ customers in southwest Missouri will see a similar design when it is next up for a full rate review.

While every utility will also offer alternative rates, the commission overruled a staff recommendation for small differentials in default plans that would introduce more customers to the concept without major disruptions.

“The basis for staff’s low differential proposal is that it is the ‘training wheels’ approach for introducing (time of use) rates to customers that currently are not and have never been enrolled in Evergy’s (time of use) pilot,” the commission’s December order states. “Staff’s low differential rate, even though it would provide protections to some customers, does not provide sufficient incentive or opportunities for customers to see savings from (time of use) rates.”

Evergy didn’t want mandatory time-of-use rates at all.&nbsp;In a statement, spokeswoman Gina Penzig said the company preferred for the rates to remain voluntary.

“Evergy has offered voluntary time-base rate options for several years because we see value in providing rate options for our customers,” Penzig wrote in an email. “We feel strongly that time-based rate plans should be voluntary and we advocated for that choice in our last rate case.”

Rupp, however, said Evergy has been installing the smart meters for years and most of the benefits, such as being able to remotely disconnect customers for non-payment, have flowed to the utility.

“Eventually we came in and said, ‘you’ve been promising for eight years and now you’re doing it.’” Rupp said. “‘You have the fancy toy that’s attached to the house. You’ve got to start using it to benefit the customer.’”

Mandatory time-of-use pricing will only apply to residential customers of regulated utilities who have smart meters.&nbsp;

Evergy has two service areas, Evergy Missouri Metro and Evergy Missouri West. About 98% of residential customers of Evergy Missouri Metro, a 13-county area that includes Kansas City,&nbsp; and close to 60% of customers of Evergy Missouri West, a 31-county area.

Evergy already has an optional time-of-use plan but only 1.1% of customers were enrolled when they filed for a rate increase in early 2022.

Ameren has installed smart meters for about three-quarters of its customers, said Steve Wills, director of regulatory affairs for the utility. It intends to have all residential customers converted by the end of 2024, he said.

Liberty, also known as Empire District Electric Company, introduced time-of-use rates in the rate design approved by the commission in early 2022. The rates took effect in October and provided a discount for power consumed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. as the default time-of-use plan.

The PSC can only require time-of-use rates for the investor-owned, for-profit utilities it regulates. Almost all the customers those utilities serve live in incorporated cities and towns.

Missouri has two other types of electric providers, rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities.&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>Senate Majority Leader O’Laughlin accuses PSC of pushing ‘woke’ policies that will gouge customers with top summer rates four times higher than off-peak costs</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Over the objections of Evergy Missouri, staff with the Missouri Public Service Commission last year pushed for power prices to be based on the time of day when the electricity was consumed, with a small premium for use at peak times.The commission, known as the PSC, adopted the concept but not the particulars, opting instead for a big difference at peak times rather than the “training wheels” approach recommended by commission staff.And that’s why in June, Evergy customers in Missouri learned that power used from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in summer months will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.evergy.com/manage-account/rate-information-link/plan-options/standard-peak-saver">cost four times more</a>&nbsp;than the other hours of the day.&nbsp;The idea was to&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">get people’s attention</a>&nbsp;— and it worked.&nbsp;But it also got the attention of Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, who said she fears customers will be hit with massive bills.In a series of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid01HEXa5UfJE9ncCN9ZSM37e6BcPzFx7nGQkioJeP171y5jgX6NJfEj1A49LECupurl">Facebook posts</a>&nbsp;earlier this month, O’Laughlin accused the PSC of seeking to ration power, gouge customers and force a conversion to solar and wind power.“This rate increase is going to be terrible,” O’Laughlin said in an interview last week with The Independent. “What they’re actually trying to do is get people to ration how much energy they use, because they want to move to, you know, green energy, and they understand that the grid cannot serve all the demands and I find that not just objectionable, but unconscionable.”The policy has nothing to do with power rationing or whether power comes from solar, wind, coal or gas, PSC Chairman Scott Rupp said in an interview. Instead, he said, time-of-use pricing gives consumers more control of their utility costs.“That allows price signals from the free market to be delivered to the consumer and then they can react accordingly,” Rupp said.The commission isn’t stopping with Evergy Missouri, which has 640,000 power customers in two service regions of western Missouri. Utilities are installing smart meters that can allow constant monitoring of electric use and customers are paying for them as part of their base charge.Ameren Missouri residential customers in eastern Missouri will receive notices soon that on April 1, they will be in a rate plan that has peak summer prices more than three times higher than other hours. And Rupp said Liberty Utilities’ customers in southwest Missouri will see a similar design when it is next up for a full rate review.While every utility will also offer alternative rates, the commission overruled a staff recommendation for small differentials in default plans that would introduce more customers to the concept without major disruptions.“The basis for staff’s low differential proposal is that it is the ‘training wheels’ approach for introducing (time of use) rates to customers that currently are not and have never been enrolled in Evergy’s (time of use) pilot,” the commission’s December order states. “Staff’s low differential rate, even though it would provide protections to some customers, does not provide sufficient incentive or opportunities for customers to see savings from (time of use) rates.”Evergy didn’t want mandatory time-of-use rates at all.&nbsp;In a statement, spokeswoman Gina Penzig said the company preferred for the rates to remain voluntary.“Evergy has offered voluntary time-base rate options for several years because we see value in providing rate options for our customers,” Penzig wrote in an email. “We feel strongly that time-based rate plans should be voluntary and we advocated for that choice in our last rate case.”Rupp, however, said Evergy has been installing the smart meters for years and most of the benefits, such as being able to remotely disconnect customers for non-payment, have flowed to the utility.“Eventually we came in and said, ‘you’ve been promising for eight years and now you’re doing it.’” Rupp said. “‘You have the fancy toy that’s attached to the house. You’ve got to start using it to benefit the customer.’”<h2>Who will pay</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689677784329.png" alt=" Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, speaks at a news conference after the end of the 2023 legislative session with President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, speaks at a news conference after the end of the 2023 legislative session with President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>Mandatory time-of-use pricing will only apply to residential customers of regulated utilities who have smart meters.&nbsp;Evergy has two service areas, Evergy Missouri Metro and Evergy Missouri West. About 98% of residential customers of Evergy Missouri Metro, a 13-county area that includes Kansas City,&nbsp; and close to 60% of customers of Evergy Missouri West, a 31-county area.Evergy already has an optional time-of-use plan but only 1.1% of customers were enrolled when they filed for a rate increase in early 2022.Ameren has installed smart meters for about three-quarters of its customers, said Steve Wills, director of regulatory affairs for the utility. It intends to have all residential customers converted by the end of 2024, he said.Liberty, also known as Empire District Electric Company, introduced time-of-use rates in the rate design approved by the commission in early 2022. The rates took effect in October and provided a discount for power consumed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. as the default time-of-use plan.The PSC can only require time-of-use rates for the investor-owned, for-profit utilities it regulates. Almost all the customers those utilities serve live in incorporated cities and towns.Missouri has two other types of electric providers, rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities.&nbsp;Rural electric cooperatives serve unincorporated portions of most counties. Their rates are set by boards elected by the customers, who are also owners and receive distributions when revenues exceed costs.Two of the state’s largest cities, Springfield and Columbia, have municipal utilities and rates are set by the city councils in those communities.<h2>How much it costs</h2>When the PSC decides a rate case, a news release issued to report the decision will state how much more or less revenue the utility will obtain from customers and the impact on a residential user.For electric power cases, that cost is stated as the difference for a home that consumes 1,000 kilowatt hours per month. When it decided the Evergy Missouri case in December, the PSC reported that household would pay about $3.75 a month more in Evergy Missouri Metro areas and $4.50 more in locations served by Evergy Missouri West.But those figures don’t give the cost of a typical bill and, under the four pricing options offered, no bill is likely to be typical.Under traditional utility pricing the meter is read once a month and the customer pays a flat rate.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.como.gov/utilities/utility-rates/">Sometimes it varies</a>&nbsp;based on total consumption, with higher consumption sometimes coming&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cityutilities.net/wp-content/uploads/pricing-electric-residential.pdf">at a cheaper cost</a>. Some set summer rates higher because of higher total demand and the extra cost to supply it.Evergy customers who do not have a smart meter will remain on a traditional plan that would cost about $116 a month for 1,000 kilowatt hours. But no one with a smart meter can choose a flat rate.Under the default plan, called the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.evergy.com/manage-account/rate-information-link/plan-options/standard-peak-saver">Standard Saver Rate</a>, residential customers will pay the highest rates from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during summer months of June, July and August and September. During the winter, the time-of-use differential would be for consumption between midnight and 6 a.m., where the price is discounted 50% from other hours.Power is not consumed uniformly across a day, so it is difficult to compare what a bill under a time-of-use plan would be like. But if it was, that 1,000 kilowatt hours would cost about $144 a month in summer and $99 a month in winter under the default plan.Under the low-differential&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.evergy.com/manage-account/rate-information-link/plan-options/peak-reward-saver">Peak Reward Saver plan</a>, uniform use across all hours would cost about $140 a month in summer and $101 in winter.For Ameren Missouri customers, there are minimal differences between a flat rate plan, which will continue to be an option for customers, and the default time-of-use rate when power use is assumed to be consumed uniformly through all hours of a month.That 1,000 kilowatt hours would cost a flat-rate customer $137 in summer and $88 in the winter. The default plan, called the Smart Saver service, would cost about $138 in summer and $86 in winter.“There very definitely will be customers who have saved money, and there will be some customers whose bill is higher,” Wills said. “The best thing that we, as a utility, can do is to do our best to help customers find the right rate so that they will actually save money and give them tips on how to manage their usage to help them save money.”<h2>Why now</h2>In her Facebook posts, O’Laughlin attributes the reason for introduction of vastly varying power rates to “woke” policies intended to drive the conversion from fossil fuel power generation to wind and solar resources.“The PSC is to be protecting and acting in the best interests of the customers and instead they are joining in the ‘Woke’ movement which involves shutting down your power,” O’Laughlin&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid092R33ehhgV7HZ1a3MEPcxiEW99CVTD4fvrduoT2gmoX3tHtf3VRSPAkDcSnWQpTVl">wrote in one post</a>.Woke policies, she said in an interview, are “government policies that are pushed on to the citizens, that are actually directly opposite of what the citizens need and want in pursuit of a political activist goal.”In another Facebook post, O’Laughlin said there is no proof of human-caused climate change.“Nonetheless our schools teach our students we are in imminent danger and weird misfits like Greta Thornburg (sic) run around the world telling us the world will end any minute unless we do what she says,” O’Laughlin wrote.Solar and wind power is unreliable and can’t replace other power generation, O’Laughlin said.The push for alternative energy has nothing to do with time-of-use rates, said James Owen of Renew Missouri, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy and energy efficiency.“I have no earthly idea where she has gotten that idea,” he said. “For some lawmakers, renewable energy is an easy foil and Sen. O’Llaughlin is making it an easy foil.”Renewable energy is actually a cheap source of power that often is providing the most power when demand is peaking. During the recent Texas heat wave, when temperatures exceeded 110 in many locations, solar and wind power provided the extra energy that prevented blackouts and brownouts, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-solar-power-grid-heat-wave/">Texas Tribune reported</a>.Time-of-use pricing “has nothing to do with wokeness has nothing to do with price gouging,” Rupp said. “It’s actually a very free market consumer driven. Hey, here’s the price signals. The prices are super sky high because everybody’s cranking up their air conditioner all at the same time. And if you want to save money, you know you have this opportunity.”The opportunity, O’Laughlin said, is a chimera. There is one Evergy plan, called the “Nights &amp; Weekends Max Saver” rate, where electricity used between midnight and 6 a.m. is less than 10% of the cost of energy used at peak times.That plan actually offers little to working people, O’Laughlin said.&nbsp;“​​Who in the hell is going to be up doing laundry from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. and get up for work the next day?” O’Laughlin said. “G–d–n. And you can quote me on that.”

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