The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers published the revised Waters of the U.S. rule in the Federal Register Wednesday.

The publication means the revised rule will go into effect on March 20, 2023.

EPA and the Army Corps announced the rule at the end of 2022, which will replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

At the time, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented, “EPA has doubled down on the old significant nexus test, creating more complicated regulations that will impose a quagmire of regulatory uncertainty.”

The rule comes as agriculture awaits a Supreme Court decision in the Sacketts vs. EPA case, which could send WOTUS back to the drawing board. However, the Sackett case is not focused on the new rule. AFBF General Counsel Travis Cushman says, “you would probably need to have a new challenge to that rule,” based on the Sackett Supreme Court decision.

The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers published the revised Waters of the U.S. rule in the Federal Register Wednesday.The publication means the revised rule will go into effect on March 20, 2023.EPA and the Army Corps announced the rule at the end of 2022, which will replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule.At the time, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented, “EPA has doubled down on the old significant nexus test, creating more complicated regulations that will impose a quagmire of regulatory uncertainty.”The rule comes as agriculture awaits a Supreme Court decision in the Sacketts vs. EPA case, which could send WOTUS back to the drawing board. However, the Sackett case is not focused on the new rule. AFBF General Counsel Travis Cushman says, “you would probably need to have a new challenge to that rule,” based on the Sackett Supreme Court decision.

EPA posts revised WOTUS to Federal Register

The Producer Price Index for final demand declined 0.5 percent in December, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. 

The index measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. 

Final demand prices advanced 0.2 percent in November and 0.4 percent in October. 

The index for final demand increased 6.2 percent in 2022 after rising 10.0 percent in 2021. Prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services edged up 0.1 percent in December, up 4.6 percent in 2022, following a seven percent rise in 2021. 

Nearly half of the December decrease for final demand goods can be traced to a 13.4-percent decline in prices for gasoline. 

The indexes for diesel fuel, jet fuel, fresh and dry vegetables, canned, cooked, smoked, or prepared poultry, and basic organic chemicals also fell. In contrast, prices for carbon steel scrap increased 8.3 percent. The indexes for chicken eggs and for electric power also moved higher.

The Producer Price Index for final demand declined 0.5 percent in December, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. The index measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. Final demand prices advanced 0.2 percent in November and 0.4 percent in October. The index for final demand increased 6.2 percent in 2022 after rising 10.0 percent in 2021. Prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services edged up 0.1 percent in December, up 4.6 percent in 2022, following a seven percent rise in 2021. Nearly half of the December decrease for final demand goods can be traced to a 13.4-percent decline in prices for gasoline. The indexes for diesel fuel, jet fuel, fresh and dry vegetables, canned, cooked, smoked, or prepared poultry, and basic organic chemicals also fell. In contrast, prices for carbon steel scrap increased 8.3 percent. The indexes for chicken eggs and for electric power also moved higher.

December Producer Price Index declines

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man on trial for threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner cross-examined the Kansas Republican on Wednesday in federal court, with the congressman rejecting the defendant's suggestions that he was conveying a message from God.

LaTurner was the last prosecution witness in the trial of Chase Neill, 32, from the northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence. Prosecutors contend that Neill, who is representing himself in court, became fixated on LaTurner and then made his threat in a June 5 phone message left after hours at LaTurner’s office in Topeka.

The trial came amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in threats against the nation’s lawmakers over the past two years. LaTurner testified that he beefed up the security at his Topeka office and home in response to Neill’s message because he worried about the safety of his family and staff.

Neill suggested Wednesday during his cross-examination of prosecution witnesses that he believes he is a “religious heir” whose message to LaTurner followed a tradition of Old Testament prophets following a duty of speaking for God and doing it as if they were God themselves. In questioning LaTurner, Neill asked whether it was reasonable for Neill to identify himself in his voicemail as the son of God.

“I thought the whole voicemail was unreasonable, especially the death threat parts,” LaTurner replied.

Before presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter allowed Neill to take over his own defense Wednesday, federal public defenders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-government-kansas-state-lawrence-6fea225d8b04ecd4e9eb31b5acd65166">argued that Neill is harmless</a>&nbsp;because he expected God to send "meteors and plagues” to punish LaTurner and government officials across the Earth. The public defenders also said Neill never tried to get close to LaTurner and after Neill left the message, local authorities did not arrest him or send him to a mental health hospital or ward.

In the June voicemail message, Neill said he had contacted LaTurner’s office before about whether Congress was pursuing issues involving witchcraft, divination, wizards and “creatures.”

Threats against members of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">have increased</a>&nbsp;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">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 nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a former Republican legislative candidate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices, though none were injured.

Neill acknowledges that he left the voicemail message in June telling LaTurner, “I am saying that I will kill you,” but argues that his use of the phrase “act of God” in the same message means he was forwarding a message from God, not himself.

While LaTurner testified that he thought Neill was using some “ridiculous talk," he focused on the death threat. He received an anonymous written threat in the mailbox at his Topeka home early in 2021, when he first entered Congress.

As for the “act of God phrase, LaTurner told Neill: "I thought it meant something more nefarious, that there would be an attempt to kill me and it wouldn't be detectable.”

Neill's questioning of LaTurner was bizarrely low-key, with the clean-shaven LaTurner sitting at the witness stand in a dark suit and the bearded Neill at the lawyers' podium wearing khaki pants, a blue jacket and a dress shirt without a tie. Neill had a Bible with him at the podium.

His cross-examination of LaTurner ended abruptly after an objection from prosecutors to a question to the congressman, “Do you believe that God has a right to punish people?”

A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.” But Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that Neill was capable of following what was going on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial.

Twice within the past week, Neill asked to represent himself, withdrawing one request before his federal court jury was selected Tuesday. He said Wednesday in court that he has been portrayed as “a false Christ,” damaging his reputation.

Teeter granted the second request, finding it was his right to to represent himself and he could do so competently, despite his lack of legal training as a high school graduate with some college education. The judge warned Neill repeatedly Wednesday that she thought it unwise for him to represent himself, but he was adamant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673992624611.png" alt="Neill is being held in Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Neill is being held in Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man on trial for threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner cross-examined the Kansas Republican on Wednesday in federal court, with the congressman rejecting the defendant's suggestions that he was conveying a message from God.LaTurner was the last prosecution witness in the trial of Chase Neill, 32, from the northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence. Prosecutors contend that Neill, who is representing himself in court, became fixated on LaTurner and then made his threat in a June 5 phone message left after hours at LaTurner’s office in Topeka.The trial came amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in threats against the nation’s lawmakers over the past two years. LaTurner testified that he beefed up the security at his Topeka office and home in response to Neill’s message because he worried about the safety of his family and staff.Neill suggested Wednesday during his cross-examination of prosecution witnesses that he believes he is a “religious heir” whose message to LaTurner followed a tradition of Old Testament prophets following a duty of speaking for God and doing it as if they were God themselves. In questioning LaTurner, Neill asked whether it was reasonable for Neill to identify himself in his voicemail as the son of God.“I thought the whole voicemail was unreasonable, especially the death threat parts,” LaTurner replied.Before presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter allowed Neill to take over his own defense Wednesday, federal public defenders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-government-kansas-state-lawrence-6fea225d8b04ecd4e9eb31b5acd65166">argued that Neill is harmless</a>&nbsp;because he expected God to send "meteors and plagues” to punish LaTurner and government officials across the Earth. The public defenders also said Neill never tried to get close to LaTurner and after Neill left the message, local authorities did not arrest him or send him to a mental health hospital or ward.In the June voicemail message, Neill said he had contacted LaTurner’s office before about whether Congress was pursuing issues involving witchcraft, divination, wizards and “creatures.”Threats against members of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">have increased</a>&nbsp;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">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 nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a former Republican legislative candidate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices, though none were injured.Neill acknowledges that he left the voicemail message in June telling LaTurner, “I am saying that I will kill you,” but argues that his use of the phrase “act of God” in the same message means he was forwarding a message from God, not himself.While LaTurner testified that he thought Neill was using some “ridiculous talk," he focused on the death threat. He received an anonymous written threat in the mailbox at his Topeka home early in 2021, when he first entered Congress.As for the “act of God phrase, LaTurner told Neill: "I thought it meant something more nefarious, that there would be an attempt to kill me and it wouldn't be detectable.”Neill's questioning of LaTurner was bizarrely low-key, with the clean-shaven LaTurner sitting at the witness stand in a dark suit and the bearded Neill at the lawyers' podium wearing khaki pants, a blue jacket and a dress shirt without a tie. Neill had a Bible with him at the podium.His cross-examination of LaTurner ended abruptly after an objection from prosecutors to a question to the congressman, “Do you believe that God has a right to punish people?”A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.” But Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that Neill was capable of following what was going on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial.Twice within the past week, Neill asked to represent himself, withdrawing one request before his federal court jury was selected Tuesday. He said Wednesday in court that he has been portrayed as “a false Christ,” damaging his reputation.Teeter granted the second request, finding it was his right to to represent himself and he could do so competently, despite his lack of legal training as a high school graduate with some college education. The judge warned Neill repeatedly Wednesday that she thought it unwise for him to represent himself, but he was adamant.

Defendant cross-examines Kansas congressman he threatened

A fun new experience at the Glore Psychiatric Museum will turn normal museum goers into detectives.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Murder at the Asylum gives everyone the chance to don their detective caps in order to figure out who murdered Doctor Harlow Mills at the old State Lunatic Asylum #2. &nbsp;

Group Tours Director Kami Jones says the experience is fully interactive and takes you through all four floors of the museum.&nbsp;

"You are given QR codes, you play it on your handheld device, and in each murder location you have a clue card, you have all of your suspects, your murder weapons, and in each suspected murder location there's a QR code that you actually get to watch a video, meet the suspects, and interact with that video," Jones tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And then you have to try and figure out who done it." &nbsp;

Jones says the idea for the murder mystery actually started as a mystery murder dinner that would span one night, but from there she says it snowballed. &nbsp;

"We decided we wanted something that wasn't a here you have to come on this one night at this one time, we wanted to make it much more accessible and available to the public," Jones explains. "So, that's kind of where it snowballed from and has become what it is, and it's being very well received by the public."&nbsp;

Jones says currently museum goers can add the fully interactive experience to their museum trip, but people can also experience the game in a bigger way. &nbsp;

"If you and 10 of your closest friends want to come play, then you can actually book it after hours," Jones says. "And we will close the museum down, you have the whole museum to yourself, and with that one you do get a live character actress that actually comes in and does the whole intro and will guide you around."&nbsp;

The museum will hold a grand opening for the game on February 10th.&nbsp; Tickets can be purchased online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674079242987.png" alt="Experience Murder at the Asylum at the Glore Psychiatric Museum/ Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Museums" />
 <figcaption>Experience Murder at the Asylum at the Glore Psychiatric Museum/ Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Museums</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA fun new experience at the Glore Psychiatric Museum will turn normal museum goers into detectives.&nbsp; &nbsp;Murder at the Asylum gives everyone the chance to don their detective caps in order to figure out who murdered Doctor Harlow Mills at the old State Lunatic Asylum #2. &nbsp;Group Tours Director Kami Jones says the experience is fully interactive and takes you through all four floors of the museum.&nbsp;"You are given QR codes, you play it on your handheld device, and in each murder location you have a clue card, you have all of your suspects, your murder weapons, and in each suspected murder location there's a QR code that you actually get to watch a video, meet the suspects, and interact with that video," Jones tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And then you have to try and figure out who done it." &nbsp;Jones says the idea for the murder mystery actually started as a mystery murder dinner that would span one night, but from there she says it snowballed. &nbsp;"We decided we wanted something that wasn't a here you have to come on this one night at this one time, we wanted to make it much more accessible and available to the public," Jones explains. "So, that's kind of where it snowballed from and has become what it is, and it's being very well received by the public."&nbsp;Jones says currently museum goers can add the fully interactive experience to their museum trip, but people can also experience the game in a bigger way. &nbsp;"If you and 10 of your closest friends want to come play, then you can actually book it after hours," Jones says. "And we will close the museum down, you have the whole museum to yourself, and with that one you do get a live character actress that actually comes in and does the whole intro and will guide you around."&nbsp;The museum will hold a grand opening for the game on February 10th.&nbsp; Tickets can be purchased online.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VIuAvoT3-oVs1oZUT.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Murder Promo Video" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674079264358.jpeg" alt="Once you finish the game, there is an area for you to take a picture much like above, to show off your victory/ Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Museums" />
 <figcaption>Once you finish the game, there is an area for you to take a picture much like above, to show off your victory/ Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Museums</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 Explore the Glore Psychiatric Museum and solve a murder 

BROWN COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by Cody Thomas Carson, 24,&nbsp;Muscotah, was westbound on 330th Road near Raccoon Road. 

The vehicle left the roadway to the right, overturned, struck a culvert, and came to rest in the north ditch at the base of a steep embankment.

Carson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by Cody Thomas Carson, 24,&nbsp;Muscotah, was westbound on 330th Road near Raccoon Road. The vehicle left the roadway to the right, overturned, struck a culvert, and came to rest in the north ditch at the base of a steep embankment.Carson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after semi overturns down embankment

Former St. Joseph dentist Scott Nelson easily won his election bid to become the new Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner, succeeding Lee Sawyer, who decided not to run again after serving in the role for four years.

Nelson says one of the biggest things he's had to do during his early days on the job is simply meeting a lot of different people at the Buchanan County Courthouse.

"The first couple of weeks is an interesting process," Nelson said on KFEQ's The Hotline. "I have to try and get introduced to all of the different people there at the courthouse, or introduce myself and try to meet them. Especially those who are kind of under me."

Nelson defeated Democratic challenger Andrew Nelson during the election this past November. Nelson serves alongside fellow county commissioners Scott Burnham and Ron Hook.

Nelson says the biggest task that he and the other commissioners have faced in his early days on the job was finalizing the new county budget, which was just finalized this past Thursday.

"The budgeting process was always going to be front and center," Nelson explained. "It started compilating and things like that toward the end of last year, and I must thank Lee Sawyer for allowing me to come in and shadow him and be part of that."

Nelson says the county budget is available at the county commissioner's offices for any members of the general public who want to look at it, or for anyone who might have any questions.

Buchanan County has about $49 million annually in discretionary income.

Nelson says the commissioners strive to be transparent and open with the public.

He's also learned that one of the most important parts of the job is simply allowing others within the courthouse to do their jobs the best that they know how.

"The fact we have open meetings that the public can come in and listen," Nelson said, "and comment at times, it's all part of transparency and I think that's a good thing. But, you don't want to get in the way of people who are more experienced at running certain offices than others."

Buchanan County Commissioner meetings take place every weekday morning at 9 a.m. at the courthouse and they are open to the public. The commissioners do not meet on federal holidays.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659380101374.jpeg" alt="Photo by Brent Martin." />
 <figcaption>Photo by Brent Martin.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostFormer St. Joseph dentist Scott Nelson easily won his election bid to become the new Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner, succeeding Lee Sawyer, who decided not to run again after serving in the role for four years.Nelson says one of the biggest things he's had to do during his early days on the job is simply meeting a lot of different people at the Buchanan County Courthouse."The first couple of weeks is an interesting process," Nelson said on KFEQ's The Hotline. "I have to try and get introduced to all of the different people there at the courthouse, or introduce myself and try to meet them. Especially those who are kind of under me."Nelson defeated Democratic challenger Andrew Nelson during the election this past November. Nelson serves alongside fellow county commissioners Scott Burnham and Ron Hook.Nelson says the biggest task that he and the other commissioners have faced in his early days on the job was finalizing the new county budget, which was just finalized this past Thursday."The budgeting process was always going to be front and center," Nelson explained. "It started compilating and things like that toward the end of last year, and I must thank Lee Sawyer for allowing me to come in and shadow him and be part of that."Nelson says the county budget is available at the county commissioner's offices for any members of the general public who want to look at it, or for anyone who might have any questions.Buchanan County has about $49 million annually in discretionary income.Nelson says the commissioners strive to be transparent and open with the public.He's also learned that one of the most important parts of the job is simply allowing others within the courthouse to do their jobs the best that they know how."The fact we have open meetings that the public can come in and listen," Nelson said, "and comment at times, it's all part of transparency and I think that's a good thing. But, you don't want to get in the way of people who are more experienced at running certain offices than others."Buchanan County Commissioner meetings take place every weekday morning at 9 a.m. at the courthouse and they are open to the public. The commissioners do not meet on federal holidays.You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

New Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner settling in on the job

Several downtown business owners have been exploring ways to draw more attention to downtown St. Joseph, and they seem to have found a way.&nbsp;

A first-time event has already begun drawing more people to downtown St. Joseph's many shops and boutiques. &nbsp;

Downtown Bingo was created as a fun way to get to know the retailers downtown.&nbsp;

Owner of the Manic Snail Dana Massin says even in the first days of the event many people were already playing.&nbsp;

"There are several that I saw that had multiple stickers just on the first day and we hope that it will encourage people, there's a number of ways that you can get a bingo, if you're just going for a single line bingo, or maybe you're a really ambitious person whose going for the full blackout, you know the full card," Massin tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, hopefully it keeps downtown present of mind for a lot people."&nbsp;

Massin, along with Riley Wolfe from Mokaska Coffee, designed the month-long event.&nbsp; The game will run through February 4th with several prizes being designed for winners. &nbsp;

Massin says those participating in the game can fill out as many bingo cards as they would like. &nbsp;

"They'll only get one sticker per purchase, and each of the businesses has their own unique sticker," Massin explains. "But they can start as many cards as they like."&nbsp;

Massin says herself and Wolfe are still working on all the different prize packs, but the prizes range from a gift card to possibly even bigger prizes if you get a premium bingo&nbsp;

"Prize or experience from four different merchants, so you'd maybe get a gift card and maybe get a gift basket from someone," Massin says. "There have been some really cool prizes that were donated by businesses, so we're putting together packages that make sense and kind of go together."&nbsp;

You can find the rules and different types of bingos you can get on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/712460246872487/?ti=ls">event page on Facebook</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674066019360.jpeg" alt="Downtown Bingo cards can be picked up at participating businesses/ Photo courtesy of Dana Massin" />
 <figcaption>Downtown Bingo cards can be picked up at participating businesses/ Photo courtesy of Dana Massin</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostSeveral downtown business owners have been exploring ways to draw more attention to downtown St. Joseph, and they seem to have found a way.&nbsp;A first-time event has already begun drawing more people to downtown St. Joseph's many shops and boutiques. &nbsp;Downtown Bingo was created as a fun way to get to know the retailers downtown.&nbsp;Owner of the Manic Snail Dana Massin says even in the first days of the event many people were already playing.&nbsp;"There are several that I saw that had multiple stickers just on the first day and we hope that it will encourage people, there's a number of ways that you can get a bingo, if you're just going for a single line bingo, or maybe you're a really ambitious person whose going for the full blackout, you know the full card," Massin tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, hopefully it keeps downtown present of mind for a lot people."&nbsp;Massin, along with Riley Wolfe from Mokaska Coffee, designed the month-long event.&nbsp; The game will run through February 4th with several prizes being designed for winners. &nbsp;Massin says those participating in the game can fill out as many bingo cards as they would like. &nbsp;"They'll only get one sticker per purchase, and each of the businesses has their own unique sticker," Massin explains. "But they can start as many cards as they like."&nbsp;Massin says herself and Wolfe are still working on all the different prize packs, but the prizes range from a gift card to possibly even bigger prizes if you get a premium bingo&nbsp;"Prize or experience from four different merchants, so you'd maybe get a gift card and maybe get a gift basket from someone," Massin says. "There have been some really cool prizes that were donated by businesses, so we're putting together packages that make sense and kind of go together."&nbsp;You can find the rules and different types of bingos you can get on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/712460246872487/?ti=ls">event page on Facebook</a>.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/1182023-Journal--Downtown-Bingo-hopes-to-bring-more-attention-to-downtown-St--Joseph-e1tlvve" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674065792471.png" alt="Downtown Bingo/ Photo courtesy of Dana Massin" />
 <figcaption>Downtown Bingo/ Photo courtesy of Dana Massin</figcaption>
 </figure>

Play bingo, win prizes, learn more about downtown St. Joseph

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.

<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.