House Agriculture Committee Republicans started the week by announcing the committee’s Roster for the 118th&nbsp;Congress. 

Glenn GT Thompson of Pennsylvania serves as the chair of the committee. 

The roster features 12 new members, which includes returning member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma. 

Lucas previously chaired the committee from 2011 – 2015. Lucas led the committee during the development of the 2014 Farm Bill. Other notable new members include John Duarte of California and Mark Alford of Missouri. Duarte was the subject of a high-profile lawsuit filed by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act. 

The dispute ended in 2017 with Duarte agreeing to pay a civil penalty and preserve and restore streams and wetlands on his farm. Alford, a new member of Congress, ended a career as a Kansas City area news anchor to run for Congress. Additionally, 15 members return to the committee after serving in the previous Congress.

House Agriculture Committee Republicans started the week by announcing the committee’s Roster for the 118th&nbsp;Congress. Glenn GT Thompson of Pennsylvania serves as the chair of the committee. The roster features 12 new members, which includes returning member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma. Lucas previously chaired the committee from 2011 – 2015. Lucas led the committee during the development of the 2014 Farm Bill. Other notable new members include John Duarte of California and Mark Alford of Missouri. Duarte was the subject of a high-profile lawsuit filed by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act. The dispute ended in 2017 with Duarte agreeing to pay a civil penalty and preserve and restore streams and wetlands on his farm. Alford, a new member of Congress, ended a career as a Kansas City area news anchor to run for Congress. Additionally, 15 members return to the committee after serving in the previous Congress.

House Ag Committee Republicans set roster

Missouri Corrections officials say a 49-year-old inmate at the
Chillicothe prison died of apparent natural causes.

The Corrections Department reports Margaret Phillips died very
early Sunday morning at the Chillicothe Correctional Center. Phillips was serving
a 10-year sentence for first-degree domestic assault from Scott County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674056232395.png" alt="Phillips -photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Phillips -photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Corrections officials say a 49-year-old inmate at the
Chillicothe prison died of apparent natural causes.The Corrections Department reports Margaret Phillips died very
early Sunday morning at the Chillicothe Correctional Center. Phillips was serving
a 10-year sentence for first-degree domestic assault from Scott County.

Inmate at Chillicothe prison dies of apparent natural causes

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man charged with threatening to kill a Kansas congressman is harmless, believing he has a special relationship with God and his weapons are “meteors and plagues,” not “knives and guns,” a defense attorney argued Tuesday during a federal criminal trial.

The trial for Chase Neill, 32, began amid what authorities says is a sharp rise in threats to the nation's lawmakers and their families. Prosecutors say Neill became fixated on U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill him</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail left with the Republican congressman's Topeka office.

Prosecutors argue that Neill was upset with LaTurner, meant the June message as a death threat and prompted LaTurner and his staff to beef up security at his Topeka office. But defense attorneys argued that Neill also threatened “everyone in the universe” in the same call, and his concerns included witchcraft, unidentified flying objects and Neill's claim that a host of U.S. government agencies were monitoring him.

Kirk Redmond, a federal public defender representing Neill, told jurors in his opening statement that authorities in Neill's northeastern Kansas hometown of Lawrence concluded after the June call that he was harmless and did not need to be arrested or sent to a mental hospital. Redmond said Neill “never went anywhere near the congressman” because he believes he can “speak a word and it happens.”

“His weapons aren't knives and guns,” Redmond said. “His weapons are meteors and plagues.”

Members of Congress have faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. also have endured harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday arrested a former Republican candidate for a state House seat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-shootings-fbed4efadff3bc7469f83a01dd888e63">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting the homes or offices of elected Democratic officials, though none were injured.

LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner’s eastern Kansas district included Lawrence, home to the main University of Kansas campus, which is among the state’s most liberal communities.

In Neill's trial, after one of LaTurner's staffers testified as the first witness, Neill said he wants to represent himself. He had previously made that request through his attorneys Friday but withdrew it in court Tuesday morning before his jury was selected.

U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter ended the day early so that Neill could think more about his request overnight and told him, “I think it is an unwise decision.”

Neill said his attorneys weren't accurately portraying his beliefs. He said he didn't represent himself as God but conveyed messages from God using “an Old Testament perspective,” like prophets who spoke for God in the first person. A pretrial report on Neill said he saw himself as “the Messiah.”

When the first witness said Neill had talked about UFOs in a call in May, Neill interrupted by saying, “I think the UFOs made national headlines.”

He added, “Just so I don't look crazy in the courtroom.”

In court Tuesday, Neill wore khaki pants, a dress shirt and a navy blue jacket without a tie. He had a full beard. His ankles remained chained throughout the trial.

Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that "a preponderance of the evidence” showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.

In a separate order in August, a U.S. magistrate judge who refused to released Neill from custody said in that order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs played part of the June call during his opening statement. Jurors heard Neill identify himself as “the Messiah” and “the Son of Man,” a common description of Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible.

"I am saying I will kill you, but the insurance will say it's an act of God,” Neill said in the call.

The call also included a threat against all members of Congress.

Jacobs told jurors that Topeka police started a patrol around LaTurner's home. His staffer testified that in May, the Topeka office remained locked when only one staffer was present and that after the June call, it remained locked even during business hours, and cameras were installed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673992624611.png" alt="Neill-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Neill-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man charged with threatening to kill a Kansas congressman is harmless, believing he has a special relationship with God and his weapons are “meteors and plagues,” not “knives and guns,” a defense attorney argued Tuesday during a federal criminal trial.The trial for Chase Neill, 32, began amid what authorities says is a sharp rise in threats to the nation's lawmakers and their families. Prosecutors say Neill became fixated on U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill him</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail left with the Republican congressman's Topeka office.Prosecutors argue that Neill was upset with LaTurner, meant the June message as a death threat and prompted LaTurner and his staff to beef up security at his Topeka office. But defense attorneys argued that Neill also threatened “everyone in the universe” in the same call, and his concerns included witchcraft, unidentified flying objects and Neill's claim that a host of U.S. government agencies were monitoring him.Kirk Redmond, a federal public defender representing Neill, told jurors in his opening statement that authorities in Neill's northeastern Kansas hometown of Lawrence concluded after the June call that he was harmless and did not need to be arrested or sent to a mental hospital. Redmond said Neill “never went anywhere near the congressman” because he believes he can “speak a word and it happens.”“His weapons aren't knives and guns,” Redmond said. “His weapons are meteors and plagues.”Members of Congress have faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. also have endured harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday arrested a former Republican candidate for a state House seat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-shootings-fbed4efadff3bc7469f83a01dd888e63">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting the homes or offices of elected Democratic officials, though none were injured.LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner’s eastern Kansas district included Lawrence, home to the main University of Kansas campus, which is among the state’s most liberal communities.In Neill's trial, after one of LaTurner's staffers testified as the first witness, Neill said he wants to represent himself. He had previously made that request through his attorneys Friday but withdrew it in court Tuesday morning before his jury was selected.U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter ended the day early so that Neill could think more about his request overnight and told him, “I think it is an unwise decision.”Neill said his attorneys weren't accurately portraying his beliefs. He said he didn't represent himself as God but conveyed messages from God using “an Old Testament perspective,” like prophets who spoke for God in the first person. A pretrial report on Neill said he saw himself as “the Messiah.”When the first witness said Neill had talked about UFOs in a call in May, Neill interrupted by saying, “I think the UFOs made national headlines.”He added, “Just so I don't look crazy in the courtroom.”In court Tuesday, Neill wore khaki pants, a dress shirt and a navy blue jacket without a tie. He had a full beard. His ankles remained chained throughout the trial.Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that "a preponderance of the evidence” showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.In a separate order in August, a U.S. magistrate judge who refused to released Neill from custody said in that order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.”Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs played part of the June call during his opening statement. Jurors heard Neill identify himself as “the Messiah” and “the Son of Man,” a common description of Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible."I am saying I will kill you, but the insurance will say it's an act of God,” Neill said in the call.The call also included a threat against all members of Congress.Jacobs told jurors that Topeka police started a patrol around LaTurner's home. His staffer testified that in May, the Topeka office remained locked when only one staffer was present and that after the June call, it remained locked even during business hours, and cameras were installed.----------

Defense: Man harmless despite threat to kill Kansas lawmaker

An annual event at a local coffee shop helped raise a record amount of money for those suffering from breast cancer. &nbsp;

The seventh annual Coffee for a Cure was held back in October at The Human Bean.&nbsp; Through the shops sales and tips $10, 525.94 was raised.&nbsp;

Morgan Spencer, an employee at The Human Bean, says during October there is massive support for the annual drive. &nbsp;

"We get just crazy good responses from everybody, and they're like oh we'll be here, we'll be here, we'll be here," Spencer tells reporters.&nbsp; "And it's just really amazing to see different faces and then see them come back to us after the whole event is over with."&nbsp;

The annual event took place on October 22nd last year.&nbsp; All funds raised were also matched by the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary.&nbsp;

President of the Auxiliary Rocky Massin says it means a lot to see the community support, whether it be from Coffee for a Cure, or other community members raising money.&nbsp;

"And be able to receive money from those entities to be able to give to people who just really need it," Massin says. "So, it's really gratifying."&nbsp;

With the Auxiliary's match $21,051. 88 went to the Breast Cancer Patient Assistance fund.&nbsp; The 2021 event generated $20,146.&nbsp;

Spencer says the support for the event is amazing.&nbsp; But she says what's even more amazing is the people they see that survived breast cancer.&nbsp;

"They come and support us and then they'll show us like they're little tattoos saying they're a survivor and it just warms our hearts," Spencer says. "We're very close and we're very emotional girls, and just seeing our impact on somebody that we actually see in person is just an amazing feeling."&nbsp;

The Human Bean presented a check to the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary for the money raised.&nbsp; Massin says the money raised means a lot. &nbsp;

"It means a lot to the people that are in need of the money to go towards things that they don't get from insurance, like travel, or hair, or other things that again, insurance just doesn't cover," Massin explains.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673998803144.jpeg" alt="Morgan Spencer (right) from The Human Bean presents a check to President of the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Rocky Massin (left) for funds raised from Coffee for a Cure/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Morgan Spencer (right) from The Human Bean presents a check to President of the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary Rocky Massin (left) for funds raised from Coffee for a Cure/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;An annual event at a local coffee shop helped raise a record amount of money for those suffering from breast cancer. &nbsp;The seventh annual Coffee for a Cure was held back in October at The Human Bean.&nbsp; Through the shops sales and tips $10, 525.94 was raised.&nbsp;Morgan Spencer, an employee at The Human Bean, says during October there is massive support for the annual drive. &nbsp;"We get just crazy good responses from everybody, and they're like oh we'll be here, we'll be here, we'll be here," Spencer tells reporters.&nbsp; "And it's just really amazing to see different faces and then see them come back to us after the whole event is over with."&nbsp;The annual event took place on October 22nd last year.&nbsp; All funds raised were also matched by the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary.&nbsp;President of the Auxiliary Rocky Massin says it means a lot to see the community support, whether it be from Coffee for a Cure, or other community members raising money.&nbsp;"And be able to receive money from those entities to be able to give to people who just really need it," Massin says. "So, it's really gratifying."&nbsp;With the Auxiliary's match $21,051. 88 went to the Breast Cancer Patient Assistance fund.&nbsp; The 2021 event generated $20,146.&nbsp;Spencer says the support for the event is amazing.&nbsp; But she says what's even more amazing is the people they see that survived breast cancer.&nbsp;"They come and support us and then they'll show us like they're little tattoos saying they're a survivor and it just warms our hearts," Spencer says. "We're very close and we're very emotional girls, and just seeing our impact on somebody that we actually see in person is just an amazing feeling."&nbsp;The Human Bean presented a check to the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary for the money raised.&nbsp; Massin says the money raised means a lot. &nbsp;"It means a lot to the people that are in need of the money to go towards things that they don't get from insurance, like travel, or hair, or other things that again, insurance just doesn't cover," Massin explains.&nbsp;

Local coffee shop breaks record raising money in fight against breast cancer

Senator Chuck Grassley last week announced he intends to reintroduce the Farm Credit for Americans Act. 

The legislation bans the federal government from allowing foreign individuals to obtain credit and financial services through the Farm Credit System. 

The Iowa Republican wrote the legislation with Senator Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat. 

Specifically, the legislation prevents the Farm Credit Administration from underwriting foreign buyers seeking to purchase U.S. farmland. It would amend the 1971 Farm Credit Act to ensure foreign nationals can’t obtain financing through federal government-backed financial institutions to purchase American farmland. 

Grassley says, “Young and beginning farmers here at home should not be squeezed out or compete with foreign investors subsidized by the American taxpayer.” According to the USDA, foreign ownership of U.S. farm acres increased 60 percent between 2009 and 2019. 

Increasingly, young and beginning farmers are competing with institutional investors, such as pension funds, endowments and even professional athletes who are diversifying their financial portfolios with prime farmland.

Senator Chuck Grassley last week announced he intends to reintroduce the Farm Credit for Americans Act. The legislation bans the federal government from allowing foreign individuals to obtain credit and financial services through the Farm Credit System. The Iowa Republican wrote the legislation with Senator Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat. Specifically, the legislation prevents the Farm Credit Administration from underwriting foreign buyers seeking to purchase U.S. farmland. It would amend the 1971 Farm Credit Act to ensure foreign nationals can’t obtain financing through federal government-backed financial institutions to purchase American farmland. Grassley says, “Young and beginning farmers here at home should not be squeezed out or compete with foreign investors subsidized by the American taxpayer.” According to the USDA, foreign ownership of U.S. farm acres increased 60 percent between 2009 and 2019. Increasingly, young and beginning farmers are competing with institutional investors, such as pension funds, endowments and even professional athletes who are diversifying their financial portfolios with prime farmland.

Grassley intends to reintroduce Farm Credit for Americans Act

Farmers in Iowa can attend a USDA's Risk Management Agency workshop to learn more about crop insurance options, including those designed for agricultural producers who grow specialty and organic crops. 

RMA will host the free in-person workshops Tuesday, January 24, in Davenport, Iowa. 

A morning and afternoon session is scheduled, and both have virtual options for producers outside the state or those who can't make it to the in-person event. 

The workshops will cover the ins and outs of the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm programs, which are great insurance options for specialty crop, organic, urban, and other producers with diverse operations. 

RMA subject matter experts will provide an in-depth look at these policies. The events will include RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger and other RMA experts. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and get answers in real-time. The Risk Management Agency will hold another round of workshops next month in Michigan.

Farmers in Iowa can attend a USDA's Risk Management Agency workshop to learn more about crop insurance options, including those designed for agricultural producers who grow specialty and organic crops. RMA will host the free in-person workshops Tuesday, January 24, in Davenport, Iowa. A morning and afternoon session is scheduled, and both have virtual options for producers outside the state or those who can't make it to the in-person event. The workshops will cover the ins and outs of the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm programs, which are great insurance options for specialty crop, organic, urban, and other producers with diverse operations. RMA subject matter experts will provide an in-depth look at these policies. The events will include RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger and other RMA experts. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and get answers in real-time. The Risk Management Agency will hold another round of workshops next month in Michigan.

RMA to host crop insurance workshop for specialty crops, organics

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month and law enforcement officials want everyone to be aware of the growing problem. &nbsp;

According the Human Trafficking Hotline there were 24o cases in Missouri in 2021.&nbsp; Law enforcement officers are attempting to slow that number down. &nbsp;

Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol in St. Joseph says human trafficking is a big problem. &nbsp;

"It's a $150 billion industry annually, that's the second largest the only one that's in front of it is the narcotics trade, so like I said it's the second biggest criminal enterprise going on right now in the United States," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;

The Highway Patrol last week helped raise awareness by handing out brochures during interactions with commercial vehicle drivers, showing signs of potential human trafficking as well as giving out the number to call if it is suspected.&nbsp;

Hux says many people may not know the full definition of what human trafficking is.&nbsp;

"A lot of people when they think of it, they think of it as a sex trafficking, but it also includes forced labor or domestic servitude," Hux explains. &nbsp;

Hux says one sign of potential human trafficking is if you see a juvenile with an adult who is not related to them.&nbsp;

"A lot of times they have lack of control over their schedule, their money or items, even when it comes to their identification, they may not be in possession of that," Hux says. "The person that is trafficking them will probably be in possession of those types of documents."&nbsp;

Hux says that people should also look for signs of physical trauma, such as bruises or cuts, as well as signs of substance abuse. &nbsp;

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says the problem is continually growing in Missouri, especially locally. &nbsp;

"Kansas City is considered the fifth largest hub for human trafficking in the United States because obviously the locality and all the different routes in and out, you have an international airport," Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.&nbsp;

And that's why Puett says law enforcement is constantly working with convenience store workers as well as commercial truck drivers&nbsp;

"Is because they know that these victims are trafficked by vehicle and they're not flown around and these types of things," Puett explains.&nbsp;

Puett says his office is also always working with officers to detect signs of potential human trafficking. &nbsp;

"Why is this child in the car, does it look right, the patrol is very aggressive on that and they've got some folks," Puett explains. "I know Kansas City just put some stuff out recently and they're looking at it."&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;January is Human Trafficking Awareness month and law enforcement officials want everyone to be aware of the growing problem. &nbsp;According the Human Trafficking Hotline there were 24o cases in Missouri in 2021.&nbsp; Law enforcement officers are attempting to slow that number down. &nbsp;Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol in St. Joseph says human trafficking is a big problem. &nbsp;"It's a $150 billion industry annually, that's the second largest the only one that's in front of it is the narcotics trade, so like I said it's the second biggest criminal enterprise going on right now in the United States," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;The Highway Patrol last week helped raise awareness by handing out brochures during interactions with commercial vehicle drivers, showing signs of potential human trafficking as well as giving out the number to call if it is suspected.&nbsp;Hux says many people may not know the full definition of what human trafficking is.&nbsp;"A lot of people when they think of it, they think of it as a sex trafficking, but it also includes forced labor or domestic servitude," Hux explains. &nbsp;Hux says one sign of potential human trafficking is if you see a juvenile with an adult who is not related to them.&nbsp;"A lot of times they have lack of control over their schedule, their money or items, even when it comes to their identification, they may not be in possession of that," Hux says. "The person that is trafficking them will probably be in possession of those types of documents."&nbsp;Hux says that people should also look for signs of physical trauma, such as bruises or cuts, as well as signs of substance abuse. &nbsp;Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says the problem is continually growing in Missouri, especially locally. &nbsp;"Kansas City is considered the fifth largest hub for human trafficking in the United States because obviously the locality and all the different routes in and out, you have an international airport," Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.&nbsp;And that's why Puett says law enforcement is constantly working with convenience store workers as well as commercial truck drivers&nbsp;"Is because they know that these victims are trafficked by vehicle and they're not flown around and these types of things," Puett explains.&nbsp;Puett says his office is also always working with officers to detect signs of potential human trafficking. &nbsp;"Why is this child in the car, does it look right, the patrol is very aggressive on that and they've got some folks," Puett explains. "I know Kansas City just put some stuff out recently and they're looking at it."&nbsp;

Human trafficking is real and a real problem locally

A state senator proposes dropping the Missouri state income
tax on Social Security benefits.

Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer says very few states still take a bite
out of Social Security checks.

“So the other 39 states have eliminated the state-level income
tax on Social Security benefits,” Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And Missouri
is one of only 11 states that still taxes Social Security.”

Luetkemeyer adds that the state taxes gross income, so it can
be argued that the state is double-dipping when it taxes Social Security
benefits.

Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville who represents Platte
and Buchanan Counties in the Senate, says Senate staff has yet to determine
what the elimination would cost the state, but it doesn’t much matter to him
what that determination is.

“For my purposes, no,” Luetkemeyer says. “If 39 other states
have figured out how to not double tax our seniors, I think Missouri can figure
out how to do that and live within our budget.”

Luetkemeyer sees his measure as a continuation of the tax cuts
approved in the last legislative session.

“My view as a Republican, as a conservative, when we have
excess money and we have good revenue, as we have experienced at the state level,
rather than spending it on more government programs, more government spending, the
better thing to do is to put that money back into the pocket of taxpayers and people
who are working hard.”

Luetkemeyer’s measure has a long way to go. It first must be
reviewed by a Senate committee. If the committee approves it, it then goes to
the full Senate for debate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673967214263.jpeg" alt="Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA state senator proposes dropping the Missouri state income
tax on Social Security benefits.Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer says very few states still take a bite
out of Social Security checks.“So the other 39 states have eliminated the state-level income
tax on Social Security benefits,” Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And Missouri
is one of only 11 states that still taxes Social Security.”Luetkemeyer adds that the state taxes gross income, so it can
be argued that the state is double-dipping when it taxes Social Security
benefits.Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville who represents Platte
and Buchanan Counties in the Senate, says Senate staff has yet to determine
what the elimination would cost the state, but it doesn’t much matter to him
what that determination is.“For my purposes, no,” Luetkemeyer says. “If 39 other states
have figured out how to not double tax our seniors, I think Missouri can figure
out how to do that and live within our budget.”Luetkemeyer sees his measure as a continuation of the tax cuts
approved in the last legislative session.“My view as a Republican, as a conservative, when we have
excess money and we have good revenue, as we have experienced at the state level,
rather than spending it on more government programs, more government spending, the
better thing to do is to put that money back into the pocket of taxpayers and people
who are working hard.”Luetkemeyer’s measure has a long way to go. It first must be
reviewed by a Senate committee. If the committee approves it, it then goes to
the full Senate for debate.

State senator proposes Missouri no longer tax Social Security checks

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Jury selection began Tuesday in a federal criminal trial for a man prosecutors say became fixated on a Kansas congressman and threatened to kill him, a case that comes amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in treats to the nation's lawmakers and their families.

Prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail message left at the Republican congressman's office, then continued to make threatening calls the following day. In one message, presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter said in court Tuesday, he told LaTurner that he would “die by the hand of God.”

Jury selection began in the morning after Neill withdrew a request to act as his own attorney. His court-appointed public defenders notified Teeter of that request Friday and told her they would refuse to work with him in a “hybrid" defense. After a private conference, Teeter told Neill from the bench that she believed such an arrangement would be “untenable.”

After Neill withdrew his request, Teeter told him, “For whatever it's worth, I think that's a very wise decision.”

Neill's trial in U.S. District Court on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled through Friday. It came weeks after Teeter concluded that evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.

Before jury selection, Teeter confirmed with prosecutors and Neill's attorneys that no plea bargains had been offered or sought.

Neill told her, without explaining further, “I believe there were arguable grounds for immunity, but that's fine.”

In court, Neill wore khaki pants, a dress shirt and a navy blue jacket without a tie. He had a full beard.

A pretrial report said Neill believes he is “the Messiah." Prosecutors have said in court documents that Neill believes he was “obligated by God” to warn “certain public figures” and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.

A magistrate who ordered Neill to remain in custody in June 2022 said he also had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.

LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner's eastern Kansas district included Neill's hometown of Lawrence, which includes the main University of Kansas campus and is among Kansas' most liberal communities.

Members of Congress have seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

In the Kansas case, Neill's attorney and prosecutors declined to comment ahead of the trial.

LaTurner's office also did not comment. The congressman and four of his staffers are potential prosecution witnesses.

The pretrial report on Neill, describing his “Messiah” belief, also said police in Lawrence had reports in March 2018 that Neill was delusional and paranoid and had accused one officer of trying to steal his “unicorn business idea.” Neill was sentenced to six months in jail in February 2019 on a domestic battery charge, the report said.

U.S. Magistrate Rachel Schwartz cited the pretrial report in refusing a request from Neill in August to be released from custody. Schwartz said in her order that he had $150,000 in student loan debt but no income.

Schwartz also said in her order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A criminal trial was set to start Tuesday for a northeastern Kansas man who federal prosecutors say developed a fixation on U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and threatened to kill him, at a time when authorities have seen a sharp increase in threats to the nation's lawmakers and their families.

Prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill LaTurner</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail message left at the Republican congressman's office, then continued to make threatening calls the following day.

His federal trial on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection, weeks after a judge concluded evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.

U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that "a preponderance of the evidence” showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.

Members of Congress have seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. In October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A northeastern Kansas man is facing a felony charge of threatening to kill one of the state's congressmen. But his trial has been postponed indefinitely so that a federal judge can decide whether he is too mentally ill to help his lawyers or follow what's going on in court.

Federal prosecutors contend in court documents that Chase Neill, 31, from Lawrence, developed a fixation on Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner, who represents an eastern Kansas district. Neill is accused of threatening to kill LaTurner in a June 5 voicemail message left at LaTurner's office and continuing to make threatening calls the following day.

A magistrate said later that month in ordering Neill to remain in custody that he had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named, and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.

A hearing is scheduled in the case for Nov. 8, Election Day. Neill's trial initially was set to start in September, but U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter granted a request from both sides to have Neill's mental health examined.

“There is reasonable cause to believe that Mr. Neill has a mental disease and that the mental disease renders him unable to assist properly in his defense,” Teeter wrote in her two-page order.

LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020.

Threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high almost two years after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. In San Francisco early Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked</a>&nbsp;and severely beat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their home while searching for the Democratic leader and shouting: “Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?”

In the Kansas case, neither the U.S. attorney's office for the state nor Neill's defense attorneys would comment Friday. LaTurner's office also wouldn't discuss the case. It was not clear whether Neill's examination is complete.

"Rep. LaTurner’s office will continue to cooperate with local and federal law enforcement on this matter,” spokesperson Mike Howard said in an email.

One pretrial report on Neill said he believes he is “the Messiah,” and prosecutors have said in court documents that he believes he was “obligated by God” to warn “certain public figures” and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.

U.S. Magistrate Rachel Schwartz cited the pretrial report in refusing a request from Neill in August to be released from custody. She said in her order that he had $150,000 in student loan debt but no income.

Schwartz said in her order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago, “characterized as a head fracture.”

The pretrial report said that in March 2018, Lawrence police had reports that Neill, who was living with his mother there, was delusional and paranoid and accused one officer of trying to steal his “unicorn business idea.” Neill was sentenced to six months in jail in February 2019 on a domestic battery charge, the report said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604489595623.png" alt="Rep. Jake LaTurner- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Jake LaTurner- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Jury selection began Tuesday in a federal criminal trial for a man prosecutors say became fixated on a Kansas congressman and threatened to kill him, a case that comes amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in treats to the nation's lawmakers and their families.Prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail message left at the Republican congressman's office, then continued to make threatening calls the following day. In one message, presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter said in court Tuesday, he told LaTurner that he would “die by the hand of God.”Jury selection began in the morning after Neill withdrew a request to act as his own attorney. His court-appointed public defenders notified Teeter of that request Friday and told her they would refuse to work with him in a “hybrid" defense. After a private conference, Teeter told Neill from the bench that she believed such an arrangement would be “untenable.”After Neill withdrew his request, Teeter told him, “For whatever it's worth, I think that's a very wise decision.”Neill's trial in U.S. District Court on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled through Friday. It came weeks after Teeter concluded that evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.Before jury selection, Teeter confirmed with prosecutors and Neill's attorneys that no plea bargains had been offered or sought.Neill told her, without explaining further, “I believe there were arguable grounds for immunity, but that's fine.”In court, Neill wore khaki pants, a dress shirt and a navy blue jacket without a tie. He had a full beard.A pretrial report said Neill believes he is “the Messiah." Prosecutors have said in court documents that Neill believes he was “obligated by God” to warn “certain public figures” and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that "a preponderance of the evidence” showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.A magistrate who ordered Neill to remain in custody in June 2022 said he also had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner's eastern Kansas district included Neill's hometown of Lawrence, which includes the main University of Kansas campus and is among Kansas' most liberal communities.Members of Congress have seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. also have endured harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday arrested a former Republican candidate for a state House seat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-shootings-fbed4efadff3bc7469f83a01dd888e63">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting the homes or offices of elected Democratic officials, though none were injured.In the Kansas case, Neill's attorney and prosecutors declined to comment ahead of the trial.LaTurner's office also did not comment. The congressman and four of his staffers are potential prosecution witnesses.The pretrial report on Neill, describing his “Messiah” belief, also said police in Lawrence had reports in March 2018 that Neill was delusional and paranoid and had accused one officer of trying to steal his “unicorn business idea.” Neill was sentenced to six months in jail in February 2019 on a domestic battery charge, the report said.U.S. Magistrate Rachel Schwartz cited the pretrial report in refusing a request from Neill in August to be released from custody. Schwartz said in her order that he had $150,000 in student loan debt but no income.Schwartz also said in her order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.”___TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A criminal trial was set to start Tuesday for a northeastern Kansas man who federal prosecutors say developed a fixation on U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and threatened to kill him, at a time when authorities have seen a sharp increase in threats to the nation's lawmakers and their families.Prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill LaTurner</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail message left at the Republican congressman's office, then continued to make threatening calls the following day.His federal trial on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection, weeks after a judge concluded evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.A pretrial report said Neill believes he is “the Messiah." Prosecutors have said in court documents that Neill believes he was “obligated by God” to warn “certain public figures” and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that "a preponderance of the evidence” showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.A magistrate who ordered Neill to remain in custody in June 2022 said he also had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner's eastern Kansas district included Neill's hometown of Lawrence, which includes the main University of Kansas campus and is among Kansas' most liberal communities.Members of Congress have seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. In October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. also have endured harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday arrested a former Republican candidate for a state House seat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-shootings-fbed4efadff3bc7469f83a01dd888e63">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting the homes or offices of elected Democratic officials, though none were injured.In the Kansas case, Neill's attorney and prosecutors declined to comment ahead of the trial.LaTurner's office also did not comment. The congressman and four of his staffers are potential prosecution witnesses.The pretrial report on Neill, describing his “Messiah” belief, also said police in Lawrence had reports in March 2018 that Neill was delusional and paranoid and had accused one officer of trying to steal his “unicorn business idea.” Neill was sentenced to six months in jail in February 2019 on a domestic battery charge, the report said.U.S. Magistrate Rachel Schwartz cited the pretrial report in refusing a request from Neill in August to be released from custody. Schwartz said in her order that he had $150,000 in student loan debt but no income.Schwartz also said in her order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.”___TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A northeastern Kansas man is facing a felony charge of threatening to kill one of the state's congressmen. But his trial has been postponed indefinitely so that a federal judge can decide whether he is too mentally ill to help his lawyers or follow what's going on in court.Federal prosecutors contend in court documents that Chase Neill, 31, from Lawrence, developed a fixation on Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner, who represents an eastern Kansas district. Neill is accused of threatening to kill LaTurner in a June 5 voicemail message left at LaTurner's office and continuing to make threatening calls the following day.A magistrate said later that month in ordering Neill to remain in custody that he had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named, and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.A hearing is scheduled in the case for Nov. 8, Election Day. Neill's trial initially was set to start in September, but U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter granted a request from both sides to have Neill's mental health examined.“There is reasonable cause to believe that Mr. Neill has a mental disease and that the mental disease renders him unable to assist properly in his defense,” Teeter wrote in her two-page order.LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020.Threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high almost two years after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. In San Francisco early Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked</a>&nbsp;and severely beat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their home while searching for the Democratic leader and shouting: “Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?”In the Kansas case, neither the U.S. attorney's office for the state nor Neill's defense attorneys would comment Friday. LaTurner's office also wouldn't discuss the case. It was not clear whether Neill's examination is complete."Rep. LaTurner’s office will continue to cooperate with local and federal law enforcement on this matter,” spokesperson Mike Howard said in an email.One pretrial report on Neill said he believes he is “the Messiah,” and prosecutors have said in court documents that he believes he was “obligated by God” to warn “certain public figures” and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.U.S. Magistrate Rachel Schwartz cited the pretrial report in refusing a request from Neill in August to be released from custody. She said in her order that he had $150,000 in student loan debt but no income.Schwartz said in her order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago, “characterized as a head fracture.”The pretrial report said that in March 2018, Lawrence police had reports that Neill, who was living with his mother there, was delusional and paranoid and accused one officer of trying to steal his “unicorn business idea.” Neill was sentenced to six months in jail in February 2019 on a domestic battery charge, the report said.

Trial starts for man accused of threatening Rep. LaTurner

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Buick Enclave driven by Billy D. Brookshire, 72, Graham, was westbound on Route A five miles east of Graham.

As the driver turned into a private drive, he pulled into the path of a 2012 Ford Fusion driven by Barton K. Oberhauser, 30, Hopkins.&nbsp; The Ford struck the rear of the Buick.

Nodaway County ambulance transported Oberhauser and a passenger in the Buick Jeanette Brookshire, 72, Graham, to Mosaic in Maryville. Barton Oberhauser was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Buick Enclave driven by Billy D. Brookshire, 72, Graham, was westbound on Route A five miles east of Graham.As the driver turned into a private drive, he pulled into the path of a 2012 Ford Fusion driven by Barton K. Oberhauser, 30, Hopkins.&nbsp; The Ford struck the rear of the Buick.Nodaway County ambulance transported Oberhauser and a passenger in the Buick Jeanette Brookshire, 72, Graham, to Mosaic in Maryville. Barton Oberhauser was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 injured after 2-vehicle Nodaway Co. crash

Former Northwest Missouri State football player and former Northwest team chaplain Marcellus Casey, who's in his sixth year as team chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs, was the keynote speaker at the ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. "Solutions Summit" at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph Monday.

The event was put on by St. Joseph's MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center.

Casey, who's worked in ministry for 17 years, was complimentary of the musical performances put on Monday by YouthCity Gospel and MCE's St. Joe Stixx Drumline.

"It was just powerful for me to hear these children sing about the Kingdom of God," Casey said, "and to hear them raise their voices to God. That moved me in a special way today."

Casey's speech had two main messages - be a neighbor, and give a name. He referenced the book of Genesis when he talked about giving names.

"It's our opportunity as leaders in this community to name these children," Casey said. "God gave us the power to name things in Genesis when He told us to give names to everything around us. He gave us that power, that word."

Casey also used the opportunity to encourage people to volunteer with MCE, whose mission is to "transition at-risk youth into adulthood for academic success, emotional stability and to discover purpose and value through Christian-based principles."

"These children today minister to us, through their faith, their belief, through things they're learning," Casey pointed out. "We all have the opportunity to get online and volunteer with MCE."

Casey, a former Northwest Missouri State football player and former team chaplain for coach Mel Tjeerdsma, is not only the team chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs, but also for the University of Illinois' football and men's basketball teams.

Casey's parting message Monday again hit on his two themes of giving names and being a neighbor.

"You have the opportunity to be a neighbor and give names," he said. "I pray in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the authority of God the Father, that He would use you to be a neighbor and to give names in powerful ways."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673911622144.jpeg" alt="Marcellus Casey was the keynote speaker at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Marcellus Casey was the keynote speaker at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostFormer Northwest Missouri State football player and former Northwest team chaplain Marcellus Casey, who's in his sixth year as team chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs, was the keynote speaker at the ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. "Solutions Summit" at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph Monday.The event was put on by St. Joseph's MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center.Casey, who's worked in ministry for 17 years, was complimentary of the musical performances put on Monday by YouthCity Gospel and MCE's St. Joe Stixx Drumline."It was just powerful for me to hear these children sing about the Kingdom of God," Casey said, "and to hear them raise their voices to God. That moved me in a special way today."Casey's speech had two main messages - be a neighbor, and give a name. He referenced the book of Genesis when he talked about giving names."It's our opportunity as leaders in this community to name these children," Casey said. "God gave us the power to name things in Genesis when He told us to give names to everything around us. He gave us that power, that word."Casey also used the opportunity to encourage people to volunteer with MCE, whose mission is to "transition at-risk youth into adulthood for academic success, emotional stability and to discover purpose and value through Christian-based principles.""These children today minister to us, through their faith, their belief, through things they're learning," Casey pointed out. "We all have the opportunity to get online and volunteer with MCE."Casey, a former Northwest Missouri State football player and former team chaplain for coach Mel Tjeerdsma, is not only the team chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs, but also for the University of Illinois' football and men's basketball teams.Casey's parting message Monday again hit on his two themes of giving names and being a neighbor."You have the opportunity to be a neighbor and give names," he said. "I pray in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the authority of God the Father, that He would use you to be a neighbor and to give names in powerful ways."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673916526950.jpeg" alt="People gather at the Word of Life Church for&nbsp;the ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. "Solutions Summit"&nbsp;put on by St. Joseph's MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center Monday. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>People gather at the Word of Life Church for&nbsp;the ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. "Solutions Summit"&nbsp;put on by St. Joseph's MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center Monday. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Chiefs team chaplain, former Bearcat speaks at MLK Day Celebration in St. Joseph

GENTRY COUNTY—Two Missouri boys were injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Monday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Polaris Ranger driven by a 13-year-old Albany boy was northbound on Isaac Miller Trail one half mile south of Albany.

The driver lost control of the ATV. It began to skid, overturned and the driver was ejected.

 Grand River ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph and a passenger, identified as a 15-year-old King City boy, to Mosaic in Albany. They were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY—Two Missouri boys were injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Monday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Polaris Ranger driven by a 13-year-old Albany boy was northbound on Isaac Miller Trail one half mile south of Albany. The driver lost control of the ATV. It began to skid, overturned and the driver was ejected. Grand River ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph and a passenger, identified as a 15-year-old King City boy, to Mosaic in Albany. They were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.

Two Missouri boys hospitalized after ATV overturns

The St. Joseph School District is looking to fill out its team for the remainder of the school year&nbsp;

A hiring fair will be held at the district administration building from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday for interested applicants. &nbsp;

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Brian Krause says while there are several open positions, there are a few key needs.&nbsp;

"We have quite a few openings for paraprofessionals, for custodians, for nutrition services workers, so those would be the biggest three areas," Krause tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;

Krause says they're looking to hire people for the remainder of the school year, as well as potentially into next school year as well&nbsp;

"But if somebody says, you know I have a job now but, in the fall, I would be interested in being a para for you, we would definitely want to talk with that person at this point in time too," Krause says.&nbsp;

The event is free and open to the public.&nbsp; You can view available job openings on the district’s website.&nbsp;

Krause says the requirements to work in these positions varies based on which one you might be applying for.&nbsp;

"Most of these are what we call classified positions which are paid hourly, most of them the most simple requirement is high school graduate or equivalent, some of our para positions we want them to have 60 college credit hours and a sub certificate," Krause explains. "But most of them are positions that don't have real high entry requirements."&nbsp;

Krause says they're looking for people to come apply that want to help shape the future.&nbsp;

"I mean that's what education does," Krause says. "It's somebody who loves kids, is willing to work hard and come to work every day if they possibly can, that's really what we're looking for somebody who wants to have an impact on the lives of children."&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The St. Joseph School District is looking to fill out its team for the remainder of the school year&nbsp;A hiring fair will be held at the district administration building from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday for interested applicants. &nbsp;Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Brian Krause says while there are several open positions, there are a few key needs.&nbsp;"We have quite a few openings for paraprofessionals, for custodians, for nutrition services workers, so those would be the biggest three areas," Krause tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;Krause says they're looking to hire people for the remainder of the school year, as well as potentially into next school year as well&nbsp;"But if somebody says, you know I have a job now but, in the fall, I would be interested in being a para for you, we would definitely want to talk with that person at this point in time too," Krause says.&nbsp;The event is free and open to the public.&nbsp; You can view available job openings on the district’s website.&nbsp;Krause says the requirements to work in these positions varies based on which one you might be applying for.&nbsp;"Most of these are what we call classified positions which are paid hourly, most of them the most simple requirement is high school graduate or equivalent, some of our para positions we want them to have 60 college credit hours and a sub certificate," Krause explains. "But most of them are positions that don't have real high entry requirements."&nbsp;Krause says they're looking for people to come apply that want to help shape the future.&nbsp;"I mean that's what education does," Krause says. "It's somebody who loves kids, is willing to work hard and come to work every day if they possibly can, that's really what we're looking for somebody who wants to have an impact on the lives of children."&nbsp;

St. Joseph School District hopes to fill team this year, and perhaps into the future as well

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves has been appointed
chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“Very happy with that, that my colleagues on the Republican
side decided to choose me to lead the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in an interview. “So, I’m very
excited about that and something I’m very much looking forward to.”

Graves had been the ranking Republican on the committee when
Democrats held the majority in the House. Graves says that even as the minority
leader on the committee he was able to secure money to repave Missouri highways,
expand one-lane bridges, and build a build a new Buck O’Neil Bridge to connect the Northland to
downtown Kansas City.

Graves says as chair, he will work with Democrats on the
committee to concentrate on doing its work such as reauthorization of the
Federal Aviation Administration, pipeline safety legislation, a Coast Guard
bill, and the next Water Resources Development Act.

Graves says the committee also will provide oversight on how
the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed in 2021 is spent.

“We have some situations where the (Biden) administration’s
trying to rewrite the letter of the law and we want to make sure that those
agencies out there are following the letter of the law. Now that it is the law
of the land, we want to make sure it’s being followed,” Graves says. “We’re
also going to be looking into the waste and abuse. When you’re pushing $1.2
trillion out the door as fast as they’re trying to push it out, there’s a lot
of waste and abuse in that process.”

Graves also wants to give the states more flexibility in how
to spend the money.

The infrastructure bill won passage in 2021 over objections
made by Graves and other prominent Republicans. It funds roads, bridges,
climate control measures, and broadband, among other projects. Gaves contends
the bill went well beyond what traditionally is considered infrastructure.

Graves says the committee will provide oversight, not seek any
personal vendettas.

“Well, we’re not after any particular agenda or trying to get
to any particular individual. We are a work committee. We’re not a show
committee,” according to Graves. “And so, we’re just going to make sure all
that money that is going out the door is not being abused and is being spent in
the proper way.”

Graves says that while some House committees crave media attention,
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee works mostly out of the
spotlight, doing work vital to the country’s economy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673879754674.jpeg" alt="Congressman Sam Graves speaks with St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Sam Graves speaks with St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves has been appointed
chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.“Very happy with that, that my colleagues on the Republican
side decided to choose me to lead the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in an interview. “So, I’m very
excited about that and something I’m very much looking forward to.”Graves had been the ranking Republican on the committee when
Democrats held the majority in the House. Graves says that even as the minority
leader on the committee he was able to secure money to repave Missouri highways,
expand one-lane bridges, and build a build a new Buck O’Neil Bridge to connect the Northland to
downtown Kansas City.Graves says as chair, he will work with Democrats on the
committee to concentrate on doing its work such as reauthorization of the
Federal Aviation Administration, pipeline safety legislation, a Coast Guard
bill, and the next Water Resources Development Act.Graves says the committee also will provide oversight on how
the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed in 2021 is spent.“We have some situations where the (Biden) administration’s
trying to rewrite the letter of the law and we want to make sure that those
agencies out there are following the letter of the law. Now that it is the law
of the land, we want to make sure it’s being followed,” Graves says. “We’re
also going to be looking into the waste and abuse. When you’re pushing $1.2
trillion out the door as fast as they’re trying to push it out, there’s a lot
of waste and abuse in that process.”Graves also wants to give the states more flexibility in how
to spend the money.The infrastructure bill won passage in 2021 over objections
made by Graves and other prominent Republicans. It funds roads, bridges,
climate control measures, and broadband, among other projects. Gaves contends
the bill went well beyond what traditionally is considered infrastructure.Graves says the committee will provide oversight, not seek any
personal vendettas.“Well, we’re not after any particular agenda or trying to get
to any particular individual. We are a work committee. We’re not a show
committee,” according to Graves. “And so, we’re just going to make sure all
that money that is going out the door is not being abused and is being spent in
the proper way.”Graves says that while some House committees crave media attention,
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee works mostly out of the
spotlight, doing work vital to the country’s economy.

Congressman Graves ready to get to work as Transportation Committee chair

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Saturday in Atchison.

According to Police Chief Mike Wilson, a Ford Fusion driven by Taylor Bonar, 26, Atchison, was eastbound&nbsp; in the 600 block Laramie Street and struck a parked vehicle.&nbsp;

After impact the Ford rolled over onto its top. EMS transported Bonar to Mosaic Life Care for treatment. Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673792566937.png" alt="photo Police Chief Mike Wilson" />
 <figcaption>photo Police Chief Mike Wilson</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Saturday in Atchison.According to Police Chief Mike Wilson, a Ford Fusion driven by Taylor Bonar, 26, Atchison, was eastbound&nbsp; in the 600 block Laramie Street and struck a parked vehicle.&nbsp;After impact the Ford rolled over onto its top. EMS transported Bonar to Mosaic Life Care for treatment. Police released no additional details.

Kansas woman hospitalized in St. Joe after rollover crash

BUCHANAN COUNTY—Two teens were injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Friday in St. Joseph.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Nissan Maxima driven by a 16-year-old boy from St. Joseph was northbound on Waterworks Road just north of Ellinger Road in St. Joseph.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve and continued onto BNSF Railroad private property. The car struck an embankment and overturned onto the railroad tracks. The driver and a passenger identified as a 15-year-old girl from St. Joseph exited the car as a BNSF locomotive struck the vehicle.

Buchanan County EMS transported the teens to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of minor injuries. There were no injuries on the train.

BUCHANAN COUNTY—Two teens were injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Friday in St. Joseph.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Nissan Maxima driven by a 16-year-old boy from St. Joseph was northbound on Waterworks Road just north of Ellinger Road in St. Joseph.The driver failed to negotiate a curve and continued onto BNSF Railroad private property. The car struck an embankment and overturned onto the railroad tracks. The driver and a passenger identified as a 15-year-old girl from St. Joseph exited the car as a BNSF locomotive struck the vehicle.Buchanan County EMS transported the teens to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of minor injuries. There were no injuries on the train.

Two St. Joseph teens avoid serious injury after train, car crash

ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas man jailed for alleged burglary, computer crimes and criminal use of a financial card is back in jail.

On Thursday, police arrested Stacey M. Gorman, Jr., 29, Atchison, on a Community Corrections detain order, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

In October, Gorman spent time in jail in connection with a city of Atchison warrant, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673618129950.png" alt="Gorman-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Gorman-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas man jailed for alleged burglary, computer crimes and criminal use of a financial card is back in jail.On Thursday, police arrested Stacey M. Gorman, Jr., 29, Atchison, on a Community Corrections detain order, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.In October, Gorman spent time in jail in connection with a city of Atchison warrant, according to online jail records.

Computer crime suspect back in jail for parole violation

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Friday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Explorer driven by a 16-year-old Trenton boy was eastbound on NE 20th Street one mile north of Trenton.

The SUV began to skid. The driver overcorrected, the SUV traveled off the road and overturned.

A private vehicle transported a 15-year-old passenger to Wright Memorial Hospital. The driver was not injured. Both teens were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Friday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Explorer driven by a 16-year-old Trenton boy was eastbound on NE 20th Street one mile north of Trenton.The SUV began to skid. The driver overcorrected, the SUV traveled off the road and overturned.A private vehicle transported a 15-year-old passenger to Wright Memorial Hospital. The driver was not injured. Both teens were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.