State Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, learned
early on during the legislative session in Jefferson City the difference
between the House and the Senate.

Black served three terms in the Missouri House before being
elected last year to the state Senate.

“There is a difference between being on the House side of the
building and the Senate side of the building,” Black tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “In major issues, major type negotiations, probably my entire six years
on the House side, I was only involved with two or three of those.”

Black says he’s been involved in that many his first year in
the Senate.

Black represents the massive 12 Senatorial District which
spans nearly all of northwest Missouri. The biggest difference between the two
chambers at the Missouri Capitol is the size of both. The Missouri House has
163 members while the Senate has only 34.

Black succeeded Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby, who had to leave
the Senate due to term limits.

“Life changes when there are only 34 of you compared to 163; that
changes,” according to Black. “And Dan has been so good at being a mentor through
that and not telling me what to do, but helping me think about. Well, you have
to think about this, you have to think about x to be able to do it.”

Black says he understood the difference between the two
chambers on his very first day.

“I felt it the day we were sworn in,” Black says. “For three
different swear-ins in the House, because I served three terms, there’s 163 people
standing up and saying ‘Aye.’ In the Senate, you go up in front of a big crowd
and there’s 17 of you.&nbsp; That’s when the weight
changed, was that day.”

Black, the former agriculture educator, represents the largest
senatorial district in Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684168263684.jpeg" alt="Eagle St. Joseph News Director Brent Martin interviews Sen. Rusty Black/Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Eagle St. Joseph News Director Brent Martin interviews Sen. Rusty Black/Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostState Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, learned
early on during the legislative session in Jefferson City the difference
between the House and the Senate.Black served three terms in the Missouri House before being
elected last year to the state Senate.“There is a difference between being on the House side of the
building and the Senate side of the building,” Black tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “In major issues, major type negotiations, probably my entire six years
on the House side, I was only involved with two or three of those.”Black says he’s been involved in that many his first year in
the Senate.Black represents the massive 12 Senatorial District which
spans nearly all of northwest Missouri. The biggest difference between the two
chambers at the Missouri Capitol is the size of both. The Missouri House has
163 members while the Senate has only 34.Black succeeded Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby, who had to leave
the Senate due to term limits.“Life changes when there are only 34 of you compared to 163; that
changes,” according to Black. “And Dan has been so good at being a mentor through
that and not telling me what to do, but helping me think about. Well, you have
to think about this, you have to think about x to be able to do it.”Black says he understood the difference between the two
chambers on his very first day.“I felt it the day we were sworn in,” Black says. “For three
different swear-ins in the House, because I served three terms, there’s 163 people
standing up and saying ‘Aye.’ In the Senate, you go up in front of a big crowd
and there’s 17 of you.&nbsp; That’s when the weight
changed, was that day.”Black, the former agriculture educator, represents the largest
senatorial district in Missouri.

Sen. Black sees big difference between MO Senate and MO House

Three people suffered injuries, including a seven-year-old, in
a crash at a St. Joseph intersection early Sunday evening.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports a pick-up, westbound
on Seneca Street, ran a stop sign at 22nd Street and crashed into
the side of a car. The impact flipped the pick-up on its side.

Police report the driver of the pick-up, a man in his 30s, was
partially ejected from the pick-up, suffering serious injuries.

The driver of the car, a man in his 40s, suffered moderate to
serious injuries as did his seven-year-old passenger.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThree people suffered injuries, including a seven-year-old, in
a crash at a St. Joseph intersection early Sunday evening.The St. Joseph Police Department reports a pick-up, westbound
on Seneca Street, ran a stop sign at 22nd Street and crashed into
the side of a car. The impact flipped the pick-up on its side.Police report the driver of the pick-up, a man in his 30s, was
partially ejected from the pick-up, suffering serious injuries.The driver of the car, a man in his 40s, suffered moderate to
serious injuries as did his seven-year-old passenger.

Three injured in two-vehicle crash in St. Joseph

By REBECCA RIVAS <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/15/voters-local-election-officials-working-to-navigate-missouris-new-voting-law/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri’s marijuana businesses would have fewer obstacles when it comes to accessing banking,&nbsp;under legislation approved Thursday.

<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/11/banks-remain-wary-of-marijuana-industry-even-after-missouri-legalization-vote/">Few banks&nbsp;</a>nationwide serve cannabis businesses and their owners — or even their auxiliary partners&nbsp; — because most want nothing to do with a business that sells a product the federal government still considers illegal. That’s true even in states that have legalized marijuana.

On Friday, the Missouri House passed a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44613">bill</a>&nbsp;allowing marijuana business owners to sign a waiver giving permission for state agencies to share their licensing and inspection information with their financial institutions.

The feds have advised banks that they can provide services to the marijuana industry if they follow the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidelines.&nbsp;

FinCEN requires banks to inspect every facility and licensee to make sure they’re legal and reputable — something the Department of Health and Senior Services, which oversees the state’s marijuana program, already does, said Jim Regna, CEO and founder of Triad Bank.

“In lieu of doing our own inspections,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/22/missouri-banks-ask-lawmakers-to-approve-sharing-of-marijuana-business-inspections/">Regna told lawmakers in March</a>, “it’d be very, very helpful for us to be able to get this information from the Department of Health and Senior Services to make the program fluid and keep us in compliance with federal regulators.”

The provision was part of a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislature-signs-off-on-a-pair-of-public-safety-bills/">wide-ranging public safety bill&nbsp;</a>that also includes requiring fingerprint background checks for all cannabis employees and contractors — language that also passed on a separate<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/11/missouri-legislators-vote-to-require-fingerprint-background-checks-for-cannabis-employees/">&nbsp;bill</a>&nbsp;on Thursday.&nbsp;

The bill is now headed to the governor’s desk.&nbsp;

Sen. Steve Roberts, D-St. Louis, has sponsored the bill since 2021 and says it has passed out of the Senate committee every year but always stalled after that. His&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44386">bill</a>&nbsp;this year also passed out of the House Friday, and needs one more vote from the Senate.

Roberts said the information from DHSS on licenses is required for financial institutions to comply with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s analysis to combat money laundering and other financial crimes.&nbsp;

“This bill also permits agencies involved to share information,” Roberts said during a hearing in February, “so that the banks or credit unions may ensure the business is a legal cannabis business, paying taxes to the state of Missouri.”&nbsp;

Republican Rep. Chad Perkins of Bowling Green also sponsored a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB425&amp;year=2023&amp;code=R">bill</a>&nbsp;this year. He told lawmakers during a March hearing that the bill is about giving banking institutions “some protection” if they chose to provide services to marijuana businesses.

“If you were questionable about Amendment 3 last year, you would think that these banking industries have a right to a little more transparency,” Perkins said. “So I would think you would really want to support this.”

The bill has support from the Missouri Division of Finance, the Missouri Bankers Association, the Missouri Credit Union Association, as well as The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which represents cannabis professionals and businesses.&nbsp;

Supporters also said helping cannabis businesses get access to banking is a public safety issue.&nbsp;Major credit card companies don’t permit cannabis purchases. That means all transactions for cannabis businesses nationwide are done in cash.

“There’s this divide between the federal and the state perspective on the topic that puts banks in a kind of tricky position,” said Jackson Hataway, president of the Missouri Bankers Association.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That divide has left businesses unbanked, victims of frequent robberies and at the mercy of companies offering banking services for exorbitant fees — some that have now been deemed in violation of federal financial laws.&nbsp;

The association is advocating for the federal Safe Banking Act, which is proposed legislation aiming to allow banks to do business within states that have legalized marijuana. It’s cleared the House several times, but has not yet passed.

“So we remain in the current quagmire we’re stuck in,” he said, “where you have a lot of states like Missouri that have upward pressure from businesses to have a secure and safe banking environment. Because if they’re all cash, they’re very risky.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://missouriindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_5826-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="- Robust Cannabis has a 75,000-square-foot greenhouse in Cuba, Mo. and uses organic growing methods. (Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>- Robust Cannabis has a 75,000-square-foot greenhouse in Cuba, Mo. and uses organic growing methods. (Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>By REBECCA RIVAS <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/15/voters-local-election-officials-working-to-navigate-missouris-new-voting-law/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s marijuana businesses would have fewer obstacles when it comes to accessing banking,&nbsp;under legislation approved Thursday.<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/11/banks-remain-wary-of-marijuana-industry-even-after-missouri-legalization-vote/">Few banks&nbsp;</a>nationwide serve cannabis businesses and their owners — or even their auxiliary partners&nbsp; — because most want nothing to do with a business that sells a product the federal government still considers illegal. That’s true even in states that have legalized marijuana.On Friday, the Missouri House passed a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44613">bill</a>&nbsp;allowing marijuana business owners to sign a waiver giving permission for state agencies to share their licensing and inspection information with their financial institutions.The feds have advised banks that they can provide services to the marijuana industry if they follow the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidelines.&nbsp;FinCEN requires banks to inspect every facility and licensee to make sure they’re legal and reputable — something the Department of Health and Senior Services, which oversees the state’s marijuana program, already does, said Jim Regna, CEO and founder of Triad Bank.“In lieu of doing our own inspections,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/22/missouri-banks-ask-lawmakers-to-approve-sharing-of-marijuana-business-inspections/">Regna told lawmakers in March</a>, “it’d be very, very helpful for us to be able to get this information from the Department of Health and Senior Services to make the program fluid and keep us in compliance with federal regulators.”The provision was part of a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislature-signs-off-on-a-pair-of-public-safety-bills/">wide-ranging public safety bill&nbsp;</a>that also includes requiring fingerprint background checks for all cannabis employees and contractors — language that also passed on a separate<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/11/missouri-legislators-vote-to-require-fingerprint-background-checks-for-cannabis-employees/">&nbsp;bill</a>&nbsp;on Thursday.&nbsp;The bill is now headed to the governor’s desk.&nbsp;Sen. Steve Roberts, D-St. Louis, has sponsored the bill since 2021 and says it has passed out of the Senate committee every year but always stalled after that. His&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44386">bill</a>&nbsp;this year also passed out of the House Friday, and needs one more vote from the Senate.Roberts said the information from DHSS on licenses is required for financial institutions to comply with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s analysis to combat money laundering and other financial crimes.&nbsp;“This bill also permits agencies involved to share information,” Roberts said during a hearing in February, “so that the banks or credit unions may ensure the business is a legal cannabis business, paying taxes to the state of Missouri.”&nbsp;Republican Rep. Chad Perkins of Bowling Green also sponsored a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB425&amp;year=2023&amp;code=R">bill</a>&nbsp;this year. He told lawmakers during a March hearing that the bill is about giving banking institutions “some protection” if they chose to provide services to marijuana businesses.“If you were questionable about Amendment 3 last year, you would think that these banking industries have a right to a little more transparency,” Perkins said. “So I would think you would really want to support this.”The bill has support from the Missouri Division of Finance, the Missouri Bankers Association, the Missouri Credit Union Association, as well as The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which represents cannabis professionals and businesses.&nbsp;Supporters also said helping cannabis businesses get access to banking is a public safety issue.&nbsp;Major credit card companies don’t permit cannabis purchases. That means all transactions for cannabis businesses nationwide are done in cash.“There’s this divide between the federal and the state perspective on the topic that puts banks in a kind of tricky position,” said Jackson Hataway, president of the Missouri Bankers Association.&nbsp;&nbsp;That divide has left businesses unbanked, victims of frequent robberies and at the mercy of companies offering banking services for exorbitant fees — some that have now been deemed in violation of federal financial laws.&nbsp;The association is advocating for the federal Safe Banking Act, which is proposed legislation aiming to allow banks to do business within states that have legalized marijuana. It’s cleared the House several times, but has not yet passed.“So we remain in the current quagmire we’re stuck in,” he said, “where you have a lot of states like Missouri that have upward pressure from businesses to have a secure and safe banking environment. Because if they’re all cash, they’re very risky.”

Mo. marijuana businesses improve access to banks under bill heading to governor

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before midnight Sunday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Martin D. Elmore, 55, Bellevue, Nebraska, was northbound on U.S. 75 just north of 130th Street.

The motorcycle struck the side of 2005 Toyota Camry driven by Andrew T. Gerstner, 51, Topeka, who was entering U.S. 75 from the east and failed to yield to the motorcycle.

EMS transported Elmore to the hospital in Holton. Gerstner and a passenger in the car were not injured. Elmore was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before midnight Sunday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Martin D. Elmore, 55, Bellevue, Nebraska, was northbound on U.S. 75 just north of 130th Street.The motorcycle struck the side of 2005 Toyota Camry driven by Andrew T. Gerstner, 51, Topeka, who was entering U.S. 75 from the east and failed to yield to the motorcycle.EMS transported Elmore to the hospital in Holton. Gerstner and a passenger in the car were not injured. Elmore was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Man injured after motorcycle, car accident

HARRISON COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Sunday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Polaris Ranger driven by Antonio Tercero, 19, Bethany, was northbound in a field on private property three miles south of Bethany.

The driver attempted a left turn and the vehicle overturned.

A private vehicle transported three passengers on the UTV, 13-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl both from Bethany and a 16-year-old girl from Des Moines, Iowa, to Harrison County Community Hospital. Tercero was not injured.&nbsp;

HARRISON COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Sunday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Polaris Ranger driven by Antonio Tercero, 19, Bethany, was northbound in a field on private property three miles south of Bethany.The driver attempted a left turn and the vehicle overturned.A private vehicle transported three passengers on the UTV, 13-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl both from Bethany and a 16-year-old girl from Des Moines, Iowa, to Harrison County Community Hospital. Tercero was not injured.&nbsp;

3 teens hospitalized after UTV overturns

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford Fusion driven by Kelsey L. Jack, 26, Kansas City, Mo., was southbound on Interstate 35 three miles north of Lathrop.

The car struck a deer in the road. Tri-County ambulance transported Jack to Liberty Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford Fusion driven by Kelsey L. Jack, 26, Kansas City, Mo., was southbound on Interstate 35 three miles north of Lathrop.The car struck a deer in the road. Tri-County ambulance transported Jack to Liberty Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after car strikes a deer

ATCHISON —One person was injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Saturday in Atchison.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Veronica Canderiaria, 51, Houston Texas, was northbound on 17th Street at Country Club Road.

When the SUV entered the intersection, it collided with an eastbound 2009 Mitsubishi passenger car driven by Linda Patton, 76, Atchison. 

EMS transported Patton was transported to the hospital. Veronica Canderlaria was cited for failure to yield. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684068661888.png" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON —One person was injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Saturday in Atchison.According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Veronica Canderiaria, 51, Houston Texas, was northbound on 17th Street at Country Club Road.When the SUV entered the intersection, it collided with an eastbound 2009 Mitsubishi passenger car driven by Linda Patton, 76, Atchison. EMS transported Patton was transported to the hospital. Veronica Canderlaria was cited for failure to yield. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Kansas woman injured after 2-vehicle crash

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Russell L. Bollinger, 56, Holt, was southbound on MO 33 two miles south of Lathrop.

The driver lost control of the motorcycle. It traveled off the west side of the road, overturned, slid across a private drive and the driver was ejected.

Tri-County ambulance transported Bollinger to Liberty Hospital. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Russell L. Bollinger, 56, Holt, was southbound on MO 33 two miles south of Lathrop.The driver lost control of the motorcycle. It traveled off the west side of the road, overturned, slid across a private drive and the driver was ejected.Tri-County ambulance transported Bollinger to Liberty Hospital. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized after motorcycle accident

RILEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Harley Davidson FLHX motorcycle driven by Daniel G. Davis, 66,&nbsp; Manhattan, was northbound on Tuttle Creek Boulevard twelve miles north of Manhattan.

The motorcycle rear-ended&nbsp;a 2016 Ford F-150 driven by Donald E. Oriley, 66, Hopkins Missouri,&nbsp; who was preparing to turn left onto West 92nd Avenue.&nbsp; Davis was ejected from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Debris from the crash struck a southbound&nbsp;a 2018 Dodge Journey driven Hope Wilson, 15, Wakefield.

Oriley, Wilson and a passenger in the Dodge were not injured. Davis was wearing safety glasses, but no helmet, according to the KHP.

Tuttle Creek Boulevard was closed while emergency crews worked the scene of the crash. The roadway was reopened around 7:30 p.m., according to Riley County Police.

RILEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Riley County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Harley Davidson FLHX motorcycle driven by Daniel G. Davis, 66,&nbsp; Manhattan, was northbound on Tuttle Creek Boulevard twelve miles north of Manhattan.The motorcycle rear-ended&nbsp;a 2016 Ford F-150 driven by Donald E. Oriley, 66, Hopkins Missouri,&nbsp; who was preparing to turn left onto West 92nd Avenue.&nbsp; Davis was ejected from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;Debris from the crash struck a southbound&nbsp;a 2018 Dodge Journey driven Hope Wilson, 15, Wakefield.Oriley, Wilson and a passenger in the Dodge were not injured. Davis was wearing safety glasses, but no helmet, according to the KHP.Tuttle Creek Boulevard was closed while emergency crews worked the scene of the crash. The roadway was reopened around 7:30 p.m., according to Riley County Police.

Nodaway Co. man involved in fatal Kansas crash

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chaos in Missouri's Republican-led Senate on the final day of session Friday meant the failure of a longtime GOP priority to make it harder to amend the state's constitution, which lawmakers predicted could ease the path to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-constitution-voters-election-0d2fdde552c2478b283937a6fab78cfc">restoring abortion rights</a>&nbsp;in the state.

Republicans have been trying to raise the bar to amend the Missouri Constitution for years, arguing that the current simple majority is too easy. Senators failed to approve a proposal Friday that would have raised that threshold to 57% if approved by voters.

Republican House Speaker Dean Plocher predicted Friday that if the threshold is not raised, an initiative petition to allow abortions will be approved by voters under the current standards.

“The Senate should be held accountable for allowing abortion to return,” Plocher said.

Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-missouri-government-and-politics-7bb5798bae32c3f15abad3a10941dfb5">outlawed most abortions</a>, including in cases of rape and incest, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Abortion-rights supporters are trying to put the issue to a public vote in 2024, although the petition is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-attorney-general-auditor-fbe60ab843041b3509c5275e8a703207">caught up in a legal challenge</a>&nbsp;with the state's attorney general.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden told reporters Friday that raising the threshold to amend the constitution will be a priority during the next legislative session, which begins in January 2024.

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said the current Republican majority wants to make it harder to amend the constitution “because they know the citizens don't like what they're doing here.” She said if the current requirements for constitutional amendments stay in place, that will “absolutely” help the effort to allow abortions again.

“It's an opportunity for us to get our rights back if the initiative goes to the ballot,” Quade said.

Democrats and some Republican former lawmakers have criticized the push to make it harder to amend the constitution as an attempt to take power away from voters, who in recent years have flouted the Republican-led legislature by enacting policies through ballot measures.

Republicans, for example, for many years ignored public calls to legalize medical and recreational marijuana use. Voters eventually sidestepped lawmakers and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-marijuana-3f735b5ecae3e9deb0808bb3f6f3a52b">enshrined marijuana in the constitution</a>, which also makes it much more difficult for legislators to immediately undo voter-approved policies.

Former Republican House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden said the initiative petition process is meant to be a “check on” the legislature. He said the effort to make it more difficult “directly infringes upon the Constitutional freedoms of Missouri citizens.”

“It is not a conservative policy,” Bearden said in a statement.

Republicans passed several attention-grabbing priorities before Friday, including budgeting a whopping $2.8 billion to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/budget-interstate-70-i70-missouri-teacher-pay-21981d1cd33092cd03c61f6c1e09a9fc">expand Interstate 70</a>&nbsp;to three lanes across the state.

Lawmakers also voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-nonbinary-hormone-puberty-missouri-lawmakers-5a8922430ffab9e43cf9b7ce254bff9f">ban minors from receiving puberty blockers</a>, hormones and gender-affirming surgeries. If signed by Parson, which is expected, the bill also would affect some adults. Medicaid won’t cover any gender-affirming care in the state, and surgery will no longer be available to prisoners and inmates.

Another bill passed by lawmakers would ban transgender student-athletes from joining girls and women’s teams from kindergarten through college, both at public and private schools. Schools that allow transgender girls and women to play on such teams would lose state funding.

Both proposals would take effect Aug. 28 and expire in 2027.

Senators passed no legislation Friday as Republican Sen. Bill Eigel held up work in what he said was a last-ditch effort to pass legislation cutting personal property taxes.

In a Senate floor speech, Eigel called his decision to block all legislation from passing unless his personal property tax bill is approved his “Darth Vader moment" in reference to the famous fictional Star Wars character's decision to join the forces of evil.

“There are moments for all of us on God's earth where we will face our own Darth Vader moment,” Eigel said. “We will face that moment where individually, we must decide who we are.”

Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican ally of Eigel's, later blasted Vader's theme song loud enough to be heard down the halls.

Republican Majority Leader Cindy O'Laughlin called Eigel's stall tactic “political theater” that's part of his 2024 gubernatorial aspirations.

“We're not all running for governor,” O'Laughlin said.

Bills passed by the GOP-led House on Friday include a ban on phone use while driving, with exceptions for hands-free calls and emergencies. The law is set to take effect in 2025. Until then, violators will only be given a warning.

Lawmakers also succeeded in extending Medicaid health care benefits for new mothers from the current two months to a full year after birth.

Missouri voters will get a chance to weigh in on whether child care facilities should be exempt from property taxes under another measure passed Friday.

The proposed constitutional amendment would authorize tax-exemption laws applying to any property used for child care outside of a person’s own home. It will appear on the November 2024 ballot, unless the governor sets an earlier special election.

There was little debate on the measure among lawmakers. But the proposal’s ballot summary says the intent is to make child care more available, which it says will support families, the workforce and society as a whole.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683943247636.png" alt="Members of the Missouri House throw paper into the air to celebrate the end of the 2023 legislative session on Friday -photo courtesy Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Missouri House throw paper into the air to celebrate the end of the 2023 legislative session on Friday -photo courtesy Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chaos in Missouri's Republican-led Senate on the final day of session Friday meant the failure of a longtime GOP priority to make it harder to amend the state's constitution, which lawmakers predicted could ease the path to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-constitution-voters-election-0d2fdde552c2478b283937a6fab78cfc">restoring abortion rights</a>&nbsp;in the state.Republicans have been trying to raise the bar to amend the Missouri Constitution for years, arguing that the current simple majority is too easy. Senators failed to approve a proposal Friday that would have raised that threshold to 57% if approved by voters.Republican House Speaker Dean Plocher predicted Friday that if the threshold is not raised, an initiative petition to allow abortions will be approved by voters under the current standards.“The Senate should be held accountable for allowing abortion to return,” Plocher said.Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-missouri-government-and-politics-7bb5798bae32c3f15abad3a10941dfb5">outlawed most abortions</a>, including in cases of rape and incest, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022.Abortion-rights supporters are trying to put the issue to a public vote in 2024, although the petition is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-attorney-general-auditor-fbe60ab843041b3509c5275e8a703207">caught up in a legal challenge</a>&nbsp;with the state's attorney general.Republican Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden told reporters Friday that raising the threshold to amend the constitution will be a priority during the next legislative session, which begins in January 2024.Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said the current Republican majority wants to make it harder to amend the constitution “because they know the citizens don't like what they're doing here.” She said if the current requirements for constitutional amendments stay in place, that will “absolutely” help the effort to allow abortions again.“It's an opportunity for us to get our rights back if the initiative goes to the ballot,” Quade said.Democrats and some Republican former lawmakers have criticized the push to make it harder to amend the constitution as an attempt to take power away from voters, who in recent years have flouted the Republican-led legislature by enacting policies through ballot measures.Republicans, for example, for many years ignored public calls to legalize medical and recreational marijuana use. Voters eventually sidestepped lawmakers and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-marijuana-3f735b5ecae3e9deb0808bb3f6f3a52b">enshrined marijuana in the constitution</a>, which also makes it much more difficult for legislators to immediately undo voter-approved policies.Former Republican House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden said the initiative petition process is meant to be a “check on” the legislature. He said the effort to make it more difficult “directly infringes upon the Constitutional freedoms of Missouri citizens.”“It is not a conservative policy,” Bearden said in a statement.Republicans passed several attention-grabbing priorities before Friday, including budgeting a whopping $2.8 billion to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/budget-interstate-70-i70-missouri-teacher-pay-21981d1cd33092cd03c61f6c1e09a9fc">expand Interstate 70</a>&nbsp;to three lanes across the state.Lawmakers also voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-nonbinary-hormone-puberty-missouri-lawmakers-5a8922430ffab9e43cf9b7ce254bff9f">ban minors from receiving puberty blockers</a>, hormones and gender-affirming surgeries. If signed by Parson, which is expected, the bill also would affect some adults. Medicaid won’t cover any gender-affirming care in the state, and surgery will no longer be available to prisoners and inmates.Another bill passed by lawmakers would ban transgender student-athletes from joining girls and women’s teams from kindergarten through college, both at public and private schools. Schools that allow transgender girls and women to play on such teams would lose state funding.Both proposals would take effect Aug. 28 and expire in 2027.Senators passed no legislation Friday as Republican Sen. Bill Eigel held up work in what he said was a last-ditch effort to pass legislation cutting personal property taxes.In a Senate floor speech, Eigel called his decision to block all legislation from passing unless his personal property tax bill is approved his “Darth Vader moment" in reference to the famous fictional Star Wars character's decision to join the forces of evil.“There are moments for all of us on God's earth where we will face our own Darth Vader moment,” Eigel said. “We will face that moment where individually, we must decide who we are.”Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican ally of Eigel's, later blasted Vader's theme song loud enough to be heard down the halls.Republican Majority Leader Cindy O'Laughlin called Eigel's stall tactic “political theater” that's part of his 2024 gubernatorial aspirations.“We're not all running for governor,” O'Laughlin said.Bills passed by the GOP-led House on Friday include a ban on phone use while driving, with exceptions for hands-free calls and emergencies. The law is set to take effect in 2025. Until then, violators will only be given a warning.Lawmakers also succeeded in extending Medicaid health care benefits for new mothers from the current two months to a full year after birth.Missouri voters will get a chance to weigh in on whether child care facilities should be exempt from property taxes under another measure passed Friday.The proposed constitutional amendment would authorize tax-exemption laws applying to any property used for child care outside of a person’s own home. It will appear on the November 2024 ballot, unless the governor sets an earlier special election.There was little debate on the measure among lawmakers. But the proposal’s ballot summary says the intent is to make child care more available, which it says will support families, the workforce and society as a whole.

Mo. lawmakers fail to raise bar to amend constitution, easing path for abortion rights

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with NASA <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/victor-j-glover/biography" target="_blank">Astronaut Victor Glover, Jr.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;who will pilot NASA's mission to the moon next year.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Astronaut Victor Glover, Jr." allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=php3r-1408c50-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with NASA <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/victor-j-glover/biography" target="_blank">Astronaut Victor Glover, Jr.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;who will pilot NASA's mission to the moon next year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680538101123.png" alt="The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission (left to right):NASA astronauts Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman (seated), Victor Glover, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen- Credits: NASA" />
 <figcaption>The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission (left to right):NASA astronauts Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman (seated), Victor Glover, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen- Credits: NASA</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎤 Forward Ever: NASA Astronaut Victor Glover, Jr.

The National Pork Producers Council reacted negatively to the Supreme Court’s decision on California’s Prop 12. 

“We are very disappointed with the Supreme Court’s opinion,” says Scott Hays, NPPC president. 

“Allowing state overreach will increase prices for consumers and drive small farms out of business, leading to more consolidation.” 

NPPC is still evaluating the Court’s full opinion to fully understand all the implications. “We will continue fighting for our pork farmers and American families against misguided regulations,” Hays adds. 

Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the U.S., says she’s “delighted” that the Supreme Court upheld California’s Prop 12. 

“It’s the nation’s strongest farm animal welfare law, and the Court made clear that preventing animal cruelty and protecting public health are core functions of our state governments,” she says. Also, HS-USA “won’t stop fighting until the pork industry stops confining sows in cages so small they can’t turn around.”

The National Pork Producers Council reacted negatively to the Supreme Court’s decision on California’s Prop 12. “We are very disappointed with the Supreme Court’s opinion,” says Scott Hays, NPPC president. “Allowing state overreach will increase prices for consumers and drive small farms out of business, leading to more consolidation.” NPPC is still evaluating the Court’s full opinion to fully understand all the implications. “We will continue fighting for our pork farmers and American families against misguided regulations,” Hays adds. Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the U.S., says she’s “delighted” that the Supreme Court upheld California’s Prop 12. “It’s the nation’s strongest farm animal welfare law, and the Court made clear that preventing animal cruelty and protecting public health are core functions of our state governments,” she says. Also, HS-USA “won’t stop fighting until the pork industry stops confining sows in cages so small they can’t turn around.”

Reaction to Supreme Court decision on Prop 12

The Museum Hill District in St. Joseph will be adorned with walkers on Saturday as an annual event returns for an outstanding tenth year. &nbsp;

The 10th annual Beer Walk for the Arts is on Saturday giving people the chance to view some local historic architecture and drink some local beers. &nbsp;

Executive Director of the Allied Arts Council Teresa Fankhauser says there's also local food and local music, making the event a real community effort.&nbsp;

"Because our musicians, the food vendors, everybody's volunteering to help raise money for the arts fund so that our non-profit organizations can continue serving our community by producing quality art events," Fankhauser tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. &nbsp;

Check in for the walk will be at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion on Saturday and walkers will explore seven different historic homes between 2 and 5 pm.&nbsp;

Co-Chair of the Beer Walk for the Arts Robbie Morton says the walk is a good chance to see some of the historic homes in St. Joseph.&nbsp;

"They're beautiful, the owners are very nice and let us walk in and view the work that they've done to restore them and keep them as period accurate as possible, and so it's just a fun event," Morton says.&nbsp;

Funds from the Beer Walk for the Arts go towards the arts fund and Fankhauser says on average it has raised between $6,000 and $8,000.&nbsp;

Morton says there are multiple factors that have made the beer walk successful during its ten-year run.&nbsp;

"We try and strive to present the best homes, the best foods, and the best beers that you just can't get everywhere, and it just creates a great event," Morton explains.&nbsp;

Tickets are still available to purchase online <a href="https://stjoearts.ticketleap.com/beer-walk-for-the-arts-2023/dates/May-13-2023_at_0200PM">HERE</a> and will be available up until Saturday.&nbsp; Tickets can also be purchased on Saturday at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683905663624.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the Allied Arts Council Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the Allied Arts Council Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The Museum Hill District in St. Joseph will be adorned with walkers on Saturday as an annual event returns for an outstanding tenth year. &nbsp;The 10th annual Beer Walk for the Arts is on Saturday giving people the chance to view some local historic architecture and drink some local beers. &nbsp;Executive Director of the Allied Arts Council Teresa Fankhauser says there's also local food and local music, making the event a real community effort.&nbsp;"Because our musicians, the food vendors, everybody's volunteering to help raise money for the arts fund so that our non-profit organizations can continue serving our community by producing quality art events," Fankhauser tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. &nbsp;Check in for the walk will be at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion on Saturday and walkers will explore seven different historic homes between 2 and 5 pm.&nbsp;Co-Chair of the Beer Walk for the Arts Robbie Morton says the walk is a good chance to see some of the historic homes in St. Joseph.&nbsp;"They're beautiful, the owners are very nice and let us walk in and view the work that they've done to restore them and keep them as period accurate as possible, and so it's just a fun event," Morton says.&nbsp;Funds from the Beer Walk for the Arts go towards the arts fund and Fankhauser says on average it has raised between $6,000 and $8,000.&nbsp;Morton says there are multiple factors that have made the beer walk successful during its ten-year run.&nbsp;"We try and strive to present the best homes, the best foods, and the best beers that you just can't get everywhere, and it just creates a great event," Morton explains.&nbsp;Tickets are still available to purchase online <a href="https://stjoearts.ticketleap.com/beer-walk-for-the-arts-2023/dates/May-13-2023_at_0200PM">HERE</a> and will be available up until Saturday.&nbsp; Tickets can also be purchased on Saturday at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Beer-Walk-for-the-Arts-returns-to-St--Joseph-for-10th-year-e23usok" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Tour some historic homes and drink some unique beers Saturday in St. Joseph

A 20-year-old St. Joseph man has been sentenced to 20 years in
prison for firing a gun from a moving vehicle into a home in the 1100 block of Randolph
Street in St. Joseph, New Year's Day 2022.

Nicholas Minear, Jr’s shot struck 55-year-old Larry McClain,
killing him.

Minear pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon earlier this
year and returned to the Buchanan County Courthouse for sentencing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683899321879.jpeg" alt="Nicholas Minear, Jr./Photo courtesy of Buchanan County Sheriff's Dept." />
 <figcaption>Nicholas Minear, Jr./Photo courtesy of Buchanan County Sheriff's Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 20-year-old St. Joseph man has been sentenced to 20 years in
prison for firing a gun from a moving vehicle into a home in the 1100 block of Randolph
Street in St. Joseph, New Year's Day 2022.Nicholas Minear, Jr’s shot struck 55-year-old Larry McClain,
killing him.Minear pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon earlier this
year and returned to the Buchanan County Courthouse for sentencing.

20-year-old sentenced to 20 years in St. Joseph shooting

An attempt to ease the child care crisis in Missouri might not
make it through the legislative process.

State Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph succeeded in moving
her measure through the Missouri House, but it is stuck in the Senate. Shields’
bill would provide tax credits to businesses helping employees cover child care
costs.

“We have a workforce crisis in our state, which means we have
a childcare crisis, because many people can’t go to work because they can’t
find quality, reliable, affordable child care for their children,” Shields
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, we are tackling it in a different way than any
other state has tried to tackle it before.”

<a href="https://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB870&amp;year=2023&amp;code=R">House Bill 870</a> would allow child care providers to claim a tax
credit of up to 30% of their expenses. Child care providers would also be
allowed to keep the withholding tax of their employees.

The proposal limits the total tax credits to be issued by the
state to $20 million annually.

Shields Missouri has to increase child care options if the
state economy is to grow.

“Businesses tell us that they have a problem hiring people and
they say the number one reason, 58% say, that child care is the issue,”
according to Shields. “This allows businesses to put skin in the game and be
the first one to put skin in the game to help solve the problem and once they
put skin the game the state will follow suit and make sure that we have child
care.”

Shields says the number of childcare providers hasn’t bounced
back since the pandemic.

“We lost a significant amount of our child cares during the
pandemic when people were staying at home and only about three percent of those
child cares have come back and that is just in the state of Missouri alone,”
Shields says. “But it is an issue. If you read nationally, child care is an
issue across the nation.”

The bill breezed to passage in the Missouri House 133-20 in
early April. It initially passed out of a Senate committee, but now sits in the
Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee.

A 2021 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
report estimated that Missouri loses more than $1.3 billion annually as a
result of childcare shortages.

The Missouri legislative session ends at six o'clock this evening.

Missourinet contributed to this article.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn attempt to ease the child care crisis in Missouri might not
make it through the legislative process.State Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph succeeded in moving
her measure through the Missouri House, but it is stuck in the Senate. Shields’
bill would provide tax credits to businesses helping employees cover child care
costs.“We have a workforce crisis in our state, which means we have
a childcare crisis, because many people can’t go to work because they can’t
find quality, reliable, affordable child care for their children,” Shields
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, we are tackling it in a different way than any
other state has tried to tackle it before.”<a href="https://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB870&amp;year=2023&amp;code=R">House Bill 870</a> would allow child care providers to claim a tax
credit of up to 30% of their expenses. Child care providers would also be
allowed to keep the withholding tax of their employees.The proposal limits the total tax credits to be issued by the
state to $20 million annually.Shields Missouri has to increase child care options if the
state economy is to grow.“Businesses tell us that they have a problem hiring people and
they say the number one reason, 58% say, that child care is the issue,”
according to Shields. “This allows businesses to put skin in the game and be
the first one to put skin in the game to help solve the problem and once they
put skin the game the state will follow suit and make sure that we have child
care.”Shields says the number of childcare providers hasn’t bounced
back since the pandemic.“We lost a significant amount of our child cares during the
pandemic when people were staying at home and only about three percent of those
child cares have come back and that is just in the state of Missouri alone,”
Shields says. “But it is an issue. If you read nationally, child care is an
issue across the nation.”The bill breezed to passage in the Missouri House 133-20 in
early April. It initially passed out of a Senate committee, but now sits in the
Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee.A 2021 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
report estimated that Missouri loses more than $1.3 billion annually as a
result of childcare shortages.The Missouri legislative session ends at six o'clock this evening.Missourinet contributed to this article.

Attempt to ease Missouri child care shortage running out of time

St. Joseph police are investigating the crash of an
all-terrain-vehicle off the 1000 block of 5th Avenue that left
a man with severe injuries.

Police say they don’t have a lot to go on. Residents in the
area heard the crash and called police who discovered a man in his 50s thrown
from the ATV and seriously injured.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating the crash of an
all-terrain-vehicle off the 1000 block of 5th Avenue that left
a man with severe injuries.Police say they don’t have a lot to go on. Residents in the
area heard the crash and called police who discovered a man in his 50s thrown
from the ATV and seriously injured.

ATV crash in St. Joseph seriously injures rider

ATCHISON COUNTY, Mo.—One person was injured in an accident just before 10a.m. Thursday in Atchison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol a 1999 International 9400 semi driven by Byron A. Clark, 39, Clearmont, was westbound on U.S. 136 six miles east of Tarkio.

The driver started to turn north onto Route YY. The vehicle began to skid, overturned and slid off the road.

Holt-Atchison ambulance transported Clark to Fairfax Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ATCHISON COUNTY, Mo.—One person was injured in an accident just before 10a.m. Thursday in Atchison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol a 1999 International 9400 semi driven by Byron A. Clark, 39, Clearmont, was westbound on U.S. 136 six miles east of Tarkio.The driver started to turn north onto Route YY. The vehicle began to skid, overturned and slid off the road.Holt-Atchison ambulance transported Clark to Fairfax Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized after semi overturns

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to California’s Prop 12. 

The law bans the sale of pork from pigs that are kept in tightly confined spaces. 

The justices voted 5-4 to uphold a lower court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau that sought to invalidate the law. 

The groups argued that the measure violated a U.S. constitutional provision called the Commerce Clause that courts say gives the federal government the power to regulate interstate commerce, not the states themselves. 

“While the Constitution addresses many weighty issues, the type of pork chops California merchants may sell is not on that list,” wrote conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch, who authored the Court’s main opinion. 

The Prop 12 measure was approved by California voters in 2018. It bans in-state sales of pork, veal, and eggs from animals whose confinements didn’t meet space requirements. &nbsp;

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to California’s Prop 12. The law bans the sale of pork from pigs that are kept in tightly confined spaces. The justices voted 5-4 to uphold a lower court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau that sought to invalidate the law. The groups argued that the measure violated a U.S. constitutional provision called the Commerce Clause that courts say gives the federal government the power to regulate interstate commerce, not the states themselves. “While the Constitution addresses many weighty issues, the type of pork chops California merchants may sell is not on that list,” wrote conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch, who authored the Court’s main opinion. The Prop 12 measure was approved by California voters in 2018. It bans in-state sales of pork, veal, and eggs from animals whose confinements didn’t meet space requirements. &nbsp;Courtesy of NAFB

Supreme Court rejects challenge to Prop 12

A bill that meant a little more than the normal
legislation carried by St. Joseph state Rep. Brenda Shields has been signed
into law by Gov. Mike Parson.

Shields carried <a href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/BillList.aspx?SessionType=R">Senate Bill 51</a> in the House and
saw it pass the legislature and head to the governor’s desk.

The measure allows Missourians to seek physical
therapy without consulting a doctor first.

Shields says she was pleased the bill made it to
Gov. Parson’s desk before the last hectic weeks of the legislative session.

“I am excited that the legislature was able to
get this passed several weeks before the craziness of the last two weeks of session
and that we were able to be able to provide for patients in this state the
opportunity to choose, if they want to choose, to visit a physical therapist first,”
Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

The bill does contain safeguards. It requires the
physical therapist to consult with a doctor after the patient has completed 10
visits or it has been 30 days since first starting physical therapy.

Shields says the current requirement to get a
referral can delay needed care.

The bill signing in Gov. Parson’s office in the
state Capitol took a personal turn for Shields. She got to share the moment
with the physical therapist she credits with giving her back her life, Ben Perkins.

“Unfortunately, seven years ago I suffered a
stroke and I was under the care of a physical therapist as well as a speech and
occupational therapist and I was able to have my physical therapist that really
kind of managed my care throughout my recovery with me on the day of the bill
signing and that was incredibly special.”

Shields says she learned through that tragedy the
value of what a physical therapist does as well as the value of the work of
occupational and speech therapists.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683829394179.jpeg" alt="Rep. Brenda Shields&nbsp; of St. Joseph (left) applauds at the bill signing with Gov. Mike Parson and Senate sponsor, Sen. Kara Eslinger of Wasola/Photo courtesy of Gov. Parson's office" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Brenda Shields&nbsp; of St. Joseph (left) applauds at the bill signing with Gov. Mike Parson and Senate sponsor, Sen. Kara Eslinger of Wasola/Photo courtesy of Gov. Parson's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA bill that meant a little more than the normal
legislation carried by St. Joseph state Rep. Brenda Shields has been signed
into law by Gov. Mike Parson.Shields carried <a href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/BillList.aspx?SessionType=R">Senate Bill 51</a> in the House and
saw it pass the legislature and head to the governor’s desk.The measure allows Missourians to seek physical
therapy without consulting a doctor first.Shields says she was pleased the bill made it to
Gov. Parson’s desk before the last hectic weeks of the legislative session.“I am excited that the legislature was able to
get this passed several weeks before the craziness of the last two weeks of session
and that we were able to be able to provide for patients in this state the
opportunity to choose, if they want to choose, to visit a physical therapist first,”
Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.The bill does contain safeguards. It requires the
physical therapist to consult with a doctor after the patient has completed 10
visits or it has been 30 days since first starting physical therapy.Shields says the current requirement to get a
referral can delay needed care.The bill signing in Gov. Parson’s office in the
state Capitol took a personal turn for Shields. She got to share the moment
with the physical therapist she credits with giving her back her life, Ben Perkins.“Unfortunately, seven years ago I suffered a
stroke and I was under the care of a physical therapist as well as a speech and
occupational therapist and I was able to have my physical therapist that really
kind of managed my care throughout my recovery with me on the day of the bill
signing and that was incredibly special.”Shields says she learned through that tragedy the
value of what a physical therapist does as well as the value of the work of
occupational and speech therapists.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683829625547.jpeg" alt="Rep. Shields speaks with Gov. Parson after the bill signing/Photo courtesy of Gov. Parson's office" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Shields speaks with Gov. Parson after the bill signing/Photo courtesy of Gov. Parson's office</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Brenda-Shields-Physical-Therapy-Bill-signed-into-law-e23rjnr" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Bill signing has special meaning for Rep. Shields of St. Joseph

Parties on the Parkway will not be held on Thursday night as planned due to impending rain.

The event will be held on its rain date, next Thursday, May 18, from 5-8 p.m, at the same place, with the same band – Southwest Parkway and King Hill Drive and The Matchsellers.

Parties on the Parkway is presented by Nodaway Valley Bank.

St. Joseph PostParties on the Parkway will not be held on Thursday night as planned due to impending rain.The event will be held on its rain date, next Thursday, May 18, from 5-8 p.m, at the same place, with the same band – Southwest Parkway and King Hill Drive and The Matchsellers.Parties on the Parkway is presented by Nodaway Valley Bank.

Parties on the Parkway for Thursday postponed

Communication with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department on Facebook will be difficult for an unknown amount of time. &nbsp;

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says he received notice recently that Facebook took the department’s page down for what it claims to be for violating its community standards.&nbsp;

"Obviously we use that as one forum to communicate with our citizens and the last thing we posted was an acknowledgement of the outstanding job of our admin aides and put their pictures up so I don't know how in the world that would have violated community standards," Puett tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. &nbsp;

"But we have appealed that, but we haven't heard anything yet."&nbsp;

Puett says he's received no specific word about what triggered Facebook to take the page down. &nbsp;

"Until they decide to reinstate us or if they reinstate us, I don't know what the process is, there was no warning it was just removed for violating a community standard," Puett explains. "So, I don't know what that means."&nbsp;

Puett says it's important for the community to know his office is not avoiding communicating with them through the social media platform.&nbsp;

"We obviously try to be as transparent and get as much information out as possible, but it makes it really difficult when the forum is not available to us," Puett says.&nbsp;

Puett says he and his team take communication with the community very seriously and are working to try to get its Facebook page back up for use.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;Communication with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department on Facebook will be difficult for an unknown amount of time. &nbsp;Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says he received notice recently that Facebook took the department’s page down for what it claims to be for violating its community standards.&nbsp;"Obviously we use that as one forum to communicate with our citizens and the last thing we posted was an acknowledgement of the outstanding job of our admin aides and put their pictures up so I don't know how in the world that would have violated community standards," Puett tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. &nbsp;"But we have appealed that, but we haven't heard anything yet."&nbsp;Puett says he's received no specific word about what triggered Facebook to take the page down. &nbsp;"Until they decide to reinstate us or if they reinstate us, I don't know what the process is, there was no warning it was just removed for violating a community standard," Puett explains. "So, I don't know what that means."&nbsp;Puett says it's important for the community to know his office is not avoiding communicating with them through the social media platform.&nbsp;"We obviously try to be as transparent and get as much information out as possible, but it makes it really difficult when the forum is not available to us," Puett says.&nbsp;Puett says he and his team take communication with the community very seriously and are working to try to get its Facebook page back up for use.&nbsp;

Sheriff Puett stunned by mysterious Facebook ban

A joint project between Missouri Western State University and
North Central Missouri College has gotten a big boost from the legislature.

The $50 billion budget approved by the General Assembly
contains $2.5 million toward the funding of the Convergent Technology Alliance
Center.

Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy says much thought
has gone into the project, including asking local business leaders what type of
training is needed to prepare students for the real world.

“Traditional models of higher education would have been, we’re
going to build this building and look what we’ve bought and don’t you like it,”
Kennedy tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “And now, what we’re saying
is, hey, how should we build this? What should be in it? What equipment? And,
can we think about different ways so that we’re not spending a ton of money on
technology that we all know in five years is going to be completely different?”


By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA joint project between Missouri Western State University and
North Central Missouri College has gotten a big boost from the legislature.The $50 billion budget approved by the General Assembly
contains $2.5 million toward the funding of the Convergent Technology Alliance
Center.Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy says much thought
has gone into the project, including asking local business leaders what type of
training is needed to prepare students for the real world.“Traditional models of higher education would have been, we’re
going to build this building and look what we’ve bought and don’t you like it,”
Kennedy tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “And now, what we’re saying
is, hey, how should we build this? What should be in it? What equipment? And,
can we think about different ways so that we’re not spending a ton of money on
technology that we all know in five years is going to be completely different?”
The $10 million project will be located next to the Kit Bond
Science and Technology Incubator. It will be a 20,000 square foot building.
Missouri Western is soliciting money from the City of St. Joseph, Buchanan
County, as well as private businesses.The center will concentrate on manufacturing and construction
technology, industrial maintenance, cyber security, and robotics; offering both
two-year and four-year degrees.Kennedy says the center will offer training for the high-skill
labor jobs open throughout the area.“I’m excited, because I believe it’s the first of its kind project
where you have a two-year school coming on a four-year campus to really deliver
education, both credit as in degree programs and certificates, but also
non-credit for the workforce,” Kennedy says.Missouri Western, along with other four-year universities in
Missouri, is set to get a 7% increase in its core budget to offset rising costs
due to inflation.The budget sent to the governor also contains $3 million to
upgrade the Kansas City Chiefs’ training facility on the Missouri Western
campus.Kennedy says the budget process can be a draining process.“It’s an interesting experience,” Kennedy says. “Budget, even
if we’re not talking Chiefs, budget in higher education, it really starts to
hit the ground running in January even though you’ve had a lot of conversations
up to that point. But you really have to watch kind of the sausage being made
all spring and then you hope in June that what you see is what you’ll get.”Kennedy points out nothing is finalized until Gov. Mike Parson
signs the budget bills. Missouri law does allow the governor to veto line items
in the state budget submitted by the legislature.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Missouri-Western-State-University-benefits-from-state-budget-approval-e23ssqo" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

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