The St. Joseph Mustangs baseball team is doing its part to help with food insecurity during the ongoing federal government shutdown.    

Mustangs' owner Ky Turner says the idea came when manager of the ice arena, April Wyatt, suggested converting the little red library between Bode and Phil Welch Stadium into a mini food pantry   

Turner says for both the Mustangs and Bode, sports is great, but the community is the reason they are there.  

"The people who come to our games or go ice skating, I mean this is us, this is our community, our community doesn’t end with that last out of an inning, it continues on,” Turner tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And so, we are the St. Joseph Mustangs, so St. Joseph and that surrounding area to us is so important.” 

Turner says the community is why the Mustangs are there, and it's the people that make the experience special 

"When the people have a need, it’s our responsibility to step up and assist when and where we can,” Turner explains.  “And so, with this opportunity what we’re doing now is we’re monitoring the food that is taken, we’re suggesting hey I’m not going to tell you what you can or can’t take, take what your family needs, but also leave enough for the neighbor behind you who might need something.” 

Turner says the box is also open for people to drop off non-perishable food items, and if it's full food items can be dropped at Phil Welch Stadium or Bode Ice Arena.  

Turner says even with the protentional of the shutdown ending, and SNAP benefits resuming, he could see this continuing 

"This time of year is never easy for anybody, and so yeah I can definitely see this something that going forward that we can continue regardless of where the government shutdown, assuming it will eventually end otherwise it will be complete anarchy come the next Mustangs season,” Turner says.  “But at that point I don’t think the need for help really stops.”  

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762882904339.jpeg" alt="The St. Joseph Mustangs and Bode Ice Arena have teamed up to fill the little red school box with food for those in need during the ongoing government shutdown/ Photo by Justin Peacock" />
 <figcaption>The St. Joseph Mustangs and Bode Ice Arena have teamed up to fill the little red school box with food for those in need during the ongoing government shutdown/ Photo by Justin Peacock</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs baseball team is doing its part to help with food insecurity during the ongoing federal government shutdown. Mustangs' owner Ky Turner says the idea came when manager of the ice arena, April Wyatt, suggested converting the little red library between Bode and Phil Welch Stadium into a mini food pantry Turner says for both the Mustangs and Bode, sports is great, but the community is the reason they are there. "The people who come to our games or go ice skating, I mean this is us, this is our community, our community doesn’t end with that last out of an inning, it continues on,” Turner tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And so, we are the St. Joseph Mustangs, so St. Joseph and that surrounding area to us is so important.” Turner says the community is why the Mustangs are there, and it's the people that make the experience special "When the people have a need, it’s our responsibility to step up and assist when and where we can,” Turner explains. “And so, with this opportunity what we’re doing now is we’re monitoring the food that is taken, we’re suggesting hey I’m not going to tell you what you can or can’t take, take what your family needs, but also leave enough for the neighbor behind you who might need something.” Turner says the box is also open for people to drop off non-perishable food items, and if it's full food items can be dropped at Phil Welch Stadium or Bode Ice Arena. Turner says even with the protentional of the shutdown ending, and SNAP benefits resuming, he could see this continuing "This time of year is never easy for anybody, and so yeah I can definitely see this something that going forward that we can continue regardless of where the government shutdown, assuming it will eventually end otherwise it will be complete anarchy come the next Mustangs season,” Turner says. “But at that point I don’t think the need for help really stops.” You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Joseph Mustangs & Bode Ice Arena partner to feed those in need

Concerns are being raised in Washington
about the proliferation of drones and whether there needs to be more federal
regulation of them.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has heard
testimony on the potential threat drones pose to national security.

Chair of the House Transportation
Committee, Sam Graves of northern Missouri, says his committee is considering
legislation. Graves, a pilot, tells of his experience with a drone during an
air show in Georgia as he waited in the wings.

“I saw just out of the corner of my eye
and then it went by in a flash and almost hit the windscreen on the airplane
that I was flying was a drone that was in the air illegally. It was in a
controlled airspace. It was up there taking pictures evidently is what it was
doing and it almost hit me,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It would have taken
the aircraft out.”

Graves says his committee might look into
the issue.

“It is getting out of hand and we are
taking a very close look at it and penalties for people,” Graves says. “It’s very
hard to find out where the signal is coming from, but we’re taking a good look
at it to see if we want to try to put something together on the House side.”

Some members of Congress worry drones
could be used by terrorist organizations against high-profile activities, such
as college and NFL football games. During the Senate Judiciary Committee,
members heard testimony raising the possibility of the country’s enemies using
drones against strategic targets. Also, those speaking at the hearing stated drug
cartels have been using drones to conceal their activity from authorities.

Graves says he saw the potential threat during
a trip abroad.

“For instance, when the United States
does tank exercises in Lativa, which we do. In fact, I attended one of those
here just a few years ago right on the Russian border,” Graves says. “The
Russians sent over a swarm of drones and they literally looked like geese in the
sky there were so many of them swarming over the top of our tank exercises.”

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostConcerns are being raised in Washington
about the proliferation of drones and whether there needs to be more federal
regulation of them.The Senate Judiciary Committee has heard
testimony on the potential threat drones pose to national security.Chair of the House Transportation
Committee, Sam Graves of northern Missouri, says his committee is considering
legislation. Graves, a pilot, tells of his experience with a drone during an
air show in Georgia as he waited in the wings.“I saw just out of the corner of my eye
and then it went by in a flash and almost hit the windscreen on the airplane
that I was flying was a drone that was in the air illegally. It was in a
controlled airspace. It was up there taking pictures evidently is what it was
doing and it almost hit me,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It would have taken
the aircraft out.”Graves says his committee might look into
the issue.“It is getting out of hand and we are
taking a very close look at it and penalties for people,” Graves says. “It’s very
hard to find out where the signal is coming from, but we’re taking a good look
at it to see if we want to try to put something together on the House side.”Some members of Congress worry drones
could be used by terrorist organizations against high-profile activities, such
as college and NFL football games. During the Senate Judiciary Committee,
members heard testimony raising the possibility of the country’s enemies using
drones against strategic targets. Also, those speaking at the hearing stated drug
cartels have been using drones to conceal their activity from authorities.Graves says he saw the potential threat during
a trip abroad.“For instance, when the United States
does tank exercises in Lativa, which we do. In fact, I attended one of those
here just a few years ago right on the Russian border,” Graves says. “The
Russians sent over a swarm of drones and they literally looked like geese in the
sky there were so many of them swarming over the top of our tank exercises.”You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Congress considers addressing threats drones might pose

St. Joseph city
elections next year come with a twist.

While mayoral
candidates and at-large city council candidates will run for four-year terms,
the district candidates are running for two-year terms. District candidates
will revert to four-year terms after this next election as the St. Joseph City
Council implements staggered terms.

Four candidates
are running for St. Joseph mayor. Eight candidates are running for four
at-large seats on the St. Joseph City Council and there will be two contested
races for district seats.

District Three
Councilmember, Andy Trout, says the city council decided that it needs to
staggered the terms of councilmembers to maintain some continuity.

“We decided there
wasn’t enough institutional memory. So, we decided to stagger the terms to make
sure that we had a few people on when new people did come on,” Troute tells
KFEQmmunity. “It just makes sense.”

Trout has decided
to run for re-election. He is being challenged by Dana Stickley.

St. Joseph Mayor John
Josendale is running for re-election. He is being challenged by Jonathan
McClain, Larry Miller, and Kenneth Reeder.

At-Large city
councilmembers Randy Schultz, Marty Novak, Kenton Randolph, and Jeff Schomburg
are all running for re-election. Four other candidates have also filed for
at-large seats. They are Frederick Martin, Gary Wilkinson, Collin Clibon, and Dakota
Allen.

District Four
Councilmember, Michael Grimm, is running for re-election. Russell Moore is
challenging him.

District One
Councilmember, Madison Davis, is running unopposed for re-election. District Two
Councilmember, Jason Eslinger, is running unopposed for re-election.

Trout supports
running for a two-year term this year to implement staggered terms, so the council
can function effectively.

“New people come in
at a distinct disadvantage, not knowing how the city works, not knowing all the
people, not knowing where everything is, not knowing how the budget works,” Trout
says. “So, I think in the long run it will work out to be a really, really
positive thing.”

Trout says the
current council has learned how to function effectively, hashing out issues
during frequent work sessions prior to official meetings.

“So, when we go to
vote on something we know the topic, we know what is going into it, we know the
ramifications, we know each other’s feelings, and we’ve hashed it all out before
we vote on it,” according to Trout. “So, we tend to vote very quickly and very
unanimously; a lot of unanimous votes because we’ve talk about it for weeks and
months.”

St. Joseph voters
will decide the races early next year. The city primary will be held February 3rd
with a general municipal election on April 7th.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph city
elections next year come with a twist.While mayoral
candidates and at-large city council candidates will run for four-year terms,
the district candidates are running for two-year terms. District candidates
will revert to four-year terms after this next election as the St. Joseph City
Council implements staggered terms.Four candidates
are running for St. Joseph mayor. Eight candidates are running for four
at-large seats on the St. Joseph City Council and there will be two contested
races for district seats.District Three
Councilmember, Andy Trout, says the city council decided that it needs to
staggered the terms of councilmembers to maintain some continuity.“We decided there
wasn’t enough institutional memory. So, we decided to stagger the terms to make
sure that we had a few people on when new people did come on,” Troute tells
KFEQmmunity. “It just makes sense.”Trout has decided
to run for re-election. He is being challenged by Dana Stickley.St. Joseph Mayor John
Josendale is running for re-election. He is being challenged by Jonathan
McClain, Larry Miller, and Kenneth Reeder.At-Large city
councilmembers Randy Schultz, Marty Novak, Kenton Randolph, and Jeff Schomburg
are all running for re-election. Four other candidates have also filed for
at-large seats. They are Frederick Martin, Gary Wilkinson, Collin Clibon, and Dakota
Allen.District Four
Councilmember, Michael Grimm, is running for re-election. Russell Moore is
challenging him.District One
Councilmember, Madison Davis, is running unopposed for re-election. District Two
Councilmember, Jason Eslinger, is running unopposed for re-election.Trout supports
running for a two-year term this year to implement staggered terms, so the council
can function effectively.“New people come in
at a distinct disadvantage, not knowing how the city works, not knowing all the
people, not knowing where everything is, not knowing how the budget works,” Trout
says. “So, I think in the long run it will work out to be a really, really
positive thing.”Trout says the
current council has learned how to function effectively, hashing out issues
during frequent work sessions prior to official meetings.“So, when we go to
vote on something we know the topic, we know what is going into it, we know the
ramifications, we know each other’s feelings, and we’ve hashed it all out before
we vote on it,” according to Trout. “So, we tend to vote very quickly and very
unanimously; a lot of unanimous votes because we’ve talk about it for weeks and
months.”St. Joseph voters
will decide the races early next year. The city primary will be held February 3rd
with a general municipal election on April 7th.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph city elections next year will be a little different

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4DrpQfALdUgxriJkF7tnIb?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0YRHslqsKzftVVVzIbGvqy?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

Refugees and asylees are among those who can no longer qualify for federal nutrition support until 5 years after obtaining green cards

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">Steph Quinn</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

More than 3,000 immigrants who are in Missouri legally but are not citizens are expected to lose eligibility for the nation’s largest federal food assistance program this month due to the massive tax and spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law in July, according to the state’s Department of Social Services.

Another 6,000 could lose benefits in the coming months.&nbsp;

The bill disqualifies refugees, people who have been granted asylum and other humanitarian immigrants from receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

As a result, families who have already missed November SNAP payments due to the ongoing federal government shutdown are staring down reduced food budgets that will outlast the current gridlock in Washington.

People who lose eligibility because they are in an affected group cannot re-qualify for SNAP until they have held lawful permanent residence, commonly known as a green card, for 5 years, said Chris Moreland, director of communications for the state’s social services department.

Syed Yousuf Hussain, case manager for ICNA Relief Missouri, a Muslim faith-based charity in St. Louis, said the center’s food pantry has seen a 20% increase in attendance since SNAP payments were suspended on Nov. 1. Of the 90 families the food pantry serves each month, Hussain said, most are refugees, from countries including Afghanistan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Venezuela and Colombia, but the food pantry is open to anyone in need, regardless of their immigration status or religion.

“Many families, they’re suddenly left with a big question mark, how to cope up with the situation when suddenly the benefits have been drastically reduced,” Hussain said.

Joan Kelly, director of strategic partnerships at Jewish Vocational Services of Kansas City, a nonprofit that aids refugees, said she expects 170 of the families her organization serves to lose benefits. Of these, she said 78% have at least one working family member and 75% have children.

“In a family that is working, and working really hard, these are really challenging conversations that we are having with folks already to say, ‘I don’t know how we’re going to make your budget work,’” Kelly said. “You’re already working. Your wife is working. You can’t really just walk in and say, ‘Hey boss, I lost my SNAP benefits. Can I get a raise?’”

Members of these groups have long been the exception to federal restrictions on immigrants’ access to safety-net programs.&nbsp;

Adults living in the U.S. without legal status are not&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility#:~:text=Are%20students%20eligible%20for%20SNAP,Be%20children%20under%2018." target="_blank">eligible</a>&nbsp;for SNAP, though they can apply and get benefits for members of their household who meet requirements, such as children born in the U.S.&nbsp;

Since 1996, federal law has required most immigrants with green cards to wait 5 years before they can qualify, even if they meet all other requirements applied to U.S. citizens.

Adriana Cadena, executive director of Protecting Immigrant Families, a national coalition of groups that advocates for low-income immigrants, said the new exclusions mark a departure from longstanding U.S. policy.

“In the past, there would be this sort of division among different types of immigrants in this country,” Cadena said. “Right now, the attack is on everyone.”

Advocates said that while many refugees are eager to support themselves and their families without assistance, SNAP is a key tool for clients to meet basic needs during their early days in the U.S.

“Some of them are just gung-ho, ‘I don’t want any of this orientation stuff. Just get me a job. I want to support my family,’” Paul Costigan, state refugee coordinator at the Missouri Office of Refugee Administration.

Hussain said that in addition to food, the ICNA center in St. Louis provides English language and financial literacy courses, resume and job interview support, and mental health services. ICNA Relief USA provides a broader array of services throughout the country, including disaster relief, transitional housing and support for students.

“One can understand when somebody is coming here in the beginning, much more support is needed,” Hussain said, “but we try our best to make them fully self-reliant as soon as possible.”

For some refugees still using SNAP, Kelly said, the prospect of going to a food pantry after taking steps toward self-sufficiency is demoralizing.

“We have clients that have said, ‘I’ve stood in line for food my entire life. The thought of going to a pantry and standing for food again is untenable,’” Kelly said.

Baylee Watts, media director for the state’s social services department, said in an email that 3,651 individuals are expected to lose SNAP benefits because they belong to one of the impacted groups. Another 6,052 could lose eligibility after further examination of their cases.

The department has been updating its systems during the government shutdown to apply SNAP eligibility changes.

Watts said the department is working on implementing the new eligibility rules for refugees and other humanitarian immigrants in accordance with guidance from the&nbsp;<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/OBBB-Implementation-Memo-Alien-SNAP-Eligibility-Oct31.pdf#page=5" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>. Once the updates are complete, the department will notify impacted people and “issue the necessary adverse action notices.”&nbsp;

The changes will then apply to current recipients’ cases at their next annual recertification, or when they submit a change to the department, Watts said.&nbsp;

The federal law also&nbsp;<a href="https://mydss.mo.gov/hr1/timeline" target="_blank">excludes</a>&nbsp;refugees, asylees and some other groups from eligibility for&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/10/03/1-4m-lawfully-present-immigrants-could-lose-subsidized-health-coverage/" target="_blank">Medicaid</a>, the nation’s health insurance program for low-income people, beginning October 2026.

Meanwhile, some advocates said it remains unclear which groups of humanitarian immigrants will lose eligibility for SNAP and how many families they work with will be affected.&nbsp;

Costigan said new restrictions may apply mostly to refugees who entered the country in late 2024 or January 2025.

New arrivals of refugees have all but halted since Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program/" target="_blank">suspended</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in late January. Refugees must live in the U.S. for one year before they can apply for a green card.

“It may just be a small number of people who have come in over the last year who have not adjusted their status yet, because it hasn’t been the one year mark,” Costigan said.

Cadena, of Protecting Immigrant Families, said her group has been working since January to understand the Trump administration’s policy changes on immigration and who is still eligible to receive help.

“What are the actual changes?” Cadena said. “Because a lot of this as well is about creating fear in keeping people from not accessing services they are really eligible for.”

Cadena noted that households with children who are U.S. citizens can qualify for SNAP benefits, regardless of the status of their parents.

The state social services department confirmed this.

Watts said that when an individual loses eligibility due to membership in one of the affected groups, “the household would still receive benefits for members of the household that meet citizenship requirements.”

Hussain said that although he expects more families to visit the food pantry in the coming months, donations have increased, and the center is coordinating with local partners to reach more households and supplementing food distribution with meal deliveries.

“We are trying to support our clients in the best way possible, regardless of the legal situation,” Hussain said. “This is something secondary, but our primary objective is to support those families.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762870268356.png" alt="A worker prepares food packages for distribution to clients visiting ICNA Relief's food pantry in St. Louis (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>A worker prepares food packages for distribution to clients visiting ICNA Relief's food pantry in St. Louis (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Refugees and asylees are among those who can no longer qualify for federal nutrition support until 5 years after obtaining green cards</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">Steph Quinn</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>More than 3,000 immigrants who are in Missouri legally but are not citizens are expected to lose eligibility for the nation’s largest federal food assistance program this month due to the massive tax and spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law in July, according to the state’s Department of Social Services.Another 6,000 could lose benefits in the coming months.&nbsp;The bill disqualifies refugees, people who have been granted asylum and other humanitarian immigrants from receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.As a result, families who have already missed November SNAP payments due to the ongoing federal government shutdown are staring down reduced food budgets that will outlast the current gridlock in Washington.People who lose eligibility because they are in an affected group cannot re-qualify for SNAP until they have held lawful permanent residence, commonly known as a green card, for 5 years, said Chris Moreland, director of communications for the state’s social services department.Syed Yousuf Hussain, case manager for ICNA Relief Missouri, a Muslim faith-based charity in St. Louis, said the center’s food pantry has seen a 20% increase in attendance since SNAP payments were suspended on Nov. 1. Of the 90 families the food pantry serves each month, Hussain said, most are refugees, from countries including Afghanistan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Venezuela and Colombia, but the food pantry is open to anyone in need, regardless of their immigration status or religion.“Many families, they’re suddenly left with a big question mark, how to cope up with the situation when suddenly the benefits have been drastically reduced,” Hussain said.Joan Kelly, director of strategic partnerships at Jewish Vocational Services of Kansas City, a nonprofit that aids refugees, said she expects 170 of the families her organization serves to lose benefits. Of these, she said 78% have at least one working family member and 75% have children.“In a family that is working, and working really hard, these are really challenging conversations that we are having with folks already to say, ‘I don’t know how we’re going to make your budget work,’” Kelly said. “You’re already working. Your wife is working. You can’t really just walk in and say, ‘Hey boss, I lost my SNAP benefits. Can I get a raise?’”Members of these groups have long been the exception to federal restrictions on immigrants’ access to safety-net programs.&nbsp;Adults living in the U.S. without legal status are not&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility#:~:text=Are%20students%20eligible%20for%20SNAP,Be%20children%20under%2018." target="_blank">eligible</a>&nbsp;for SNAP, though they can apply and get benefits for members of their household who meet requirements, such as children born in the U.S.&nbsp;Since 1996, federal law has required most immigrants with green cards to wait 5 years before they can qualify, even if they meet all other requirements applied to U.S. citizens.Adriana Cadena, executive director of Protecting Immigrant Families, a national coalition of groups that advocates for low-income immigrants, said the new exclusions mark a departure from longstanding U.S. policy.“In the past, there would be this sort of division among different types of immigrants in this country,” Cadena said. “Right now, the attack is on everyone.”<h2>A key tool for self-sufficiency</h2>Advocates said that while many refugees are eager to support themselves and their families without assistance, SNAP is a key tool for clients to meet basic needs during their early days in the U.S.“Some of them are just gung-ho, ‘I don’t want any of this orientation stuff. Just get me a job. I want to support my family,’” Paul Costigan, state refugee coordinator at the Missouri Office of Refugee Administration.Hussain said that in addition to food, the ICNA center in St. Louis provides English language and financial literacy courses, resume and job interview support, and mental health services. ICNA Relief USA provides a broader array of services throughout the country, including disaster relief, transitional housing and support for students.“One can understand when somebody is coming here in the beginning, much more support is needed,” Hussain said, “but we try our best to make them fully self-reliant as soon as possible.”For some refugees still using SNAP, Kelly said, the prospect of going to a food pantry after taking steps toward self-sufficiency is demoralizing.“We have clients that have said, ‘I’ve stood in line for food my entire life. The thought of going to a pantry and standing for food again is untenable,’” Kelly said.<h2>Changing eligibility during the shutdown</h2>Baylee Watts, media director for the state’s social services department, said in an email that 3,651 individuals are expected to lose SNAP benefits because they belong to one of the impacted groups. Another 6,052 could lose eligibility after further examination of their cases.The department has been updating its systems during the government shutdown to apply SNAP eligibility changes.Watts said the department is working on implementing the new eligibility rules for refugees and other humanitarian immigrants in accordance with guidance from the&nbsp;<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/OBBB-Implementation-Memo-Alien-SNAP-Eligibility-Oct31.pdf#page=5" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>. Once the updates are complete, the department will notify impacted people and “issue the necessary adverse action notices.”&nbsp;The changes will then apply to current recipients’ cases at their next annual recertification, or when they submit a change to the department, Watts said.&nbsp;The federal law also&nbsp;<a href="https://mydss.mo.gov/hr1/timeline" target="_blank">excludes</a>&nbsp;refugees, asylees and some other groups from eligibility for&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2025/10/03/1-4m-lawfully-present-immigrants-could-lose-subsidized-health-coverage/" target="_blank">Medicaid</a>, the nation’s health insurance program for low-income people, beginning October 2026.Meanwhile, some advocates said it remains unclear which groups of humanitarian immigrants will lose eligibility for SNAP and how many families they work with will be affected.&nbsp;Costigan said new restrictions may apply mostly to refugees who entered the country in late 2024 or January 2025.New arrivals of refugees have all but halted since Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program/" target="_blank">suspended</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in late January. Refugees must live in the U.S. for one year before they can apply for a green card.“It may just be a small number of people who have come in over the last year who have not adjusted their status yet, because it hasn’t been the one year mark,” Costigan said.<h2>Supporting families</h2>Cadena, of Protecting Immigrant Families, said her group has been working since January to understand the Trump administration’s policy changes on immigration and who is still eligible to receive help.“What are the actual changes?” Cadena said. “Because a lot of this as well is about creating fear in keeping people from not accessing services they are really eligible for.”Cadena noted that households with children who are U.S. citizens can qualify for SNAP benefits, regardless of the status of their parents.The state social services department confirmed this.Watts said that when an individual loses eligibility due to membership in one of the affected groups, “the household would still receive benefits for members of the household that meet citizenship requirements.”Hussain said that although he expects more families to visit the food pantry in the coming months, donations have increased, and the center is coordinating with local partners to reach more households and supplementing food distribution with meal deliveries.“We are trying to support our clients in the best way possible, regardless of the legal situation,” Hussain said. “This is something secondary, but our primary objective is to support those families.”

Thousands of refugees, legal immigrants in Missouri could lose food assistance

DAVIESS COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after noon Monday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Freightliner semi driven by a&nbsp; 34-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, man was southbound in the driving lane of Interstate 35 seven miles south of Patronsburg.

The semi struck the towed unit of a 2005 Winnebago driven by an 81-year-old Golden Valley, Minnesota man.&nbsp; After impact the Winnebago began to skid and rotated counterclockwise.&nbsp; The towed unit from the Winnebago became unhooked, skidded off the right side of the road down an embankment and struck a tree. The Winnebago skidded off the left side of the road and overturned. The semi traveled off the road to the right, down an embankment and struck a tree.

EMS transported the Winnebago driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center and a 77-year-old female passenger to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp; The semi driver refused treatment at the scene. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DAVIESS COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after noon Monday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Freightliner semi driven by a&nbsp; 34-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, man was southbound in the driving lane of Interstate 35 seven miles south of Patronsburg.The semi struck the towed unit of a 2005 Winnebago driven by an 81-year-old Golden Valley, Minnesota man.&nbsp; After impact the Winnebago began to skid and rotated counterclockwise.&nbsp; The towed unit from the Winnebago became unhooked, skidded off the right side of the road down an embankment and struck a tree. The Winnebago skidded off the left side of the road and overturned. The semi traveled off the road to the right, down an embankment and struck a tree.EMS transported the Winnebago driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center and a 77-year-old female passenger to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp; The semi driver refused treatment at the scene. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 hospitalized after semi rear-ends towed unit on RV

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED FROM A PREVIOUS STORY

St. Joseph Police have charged Romeloe Kevonte Ballard in a shooting incident early Sunday afternoon.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.

Officers encountered Ballard near the doorway of an apartment and after refusing commands, he was taken into custody.  Officers found several shell casings and the firearm was recovered. 

 Ballard  was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon  by the Buchanan County Prosecutors Office. Ballard is currently being held at the Buchanan County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

The St. Joseph Police Department would like to thank residents for their cooperation as officers safely resolved the incident.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt,&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ,&nbsp;and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762812845131.jpeg" alt="Romeloe Kevonte Ballard/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Romeloe Kevonte Ballard/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE and BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTHIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED FROM A PREVIOUS STORYSt. Joseph Police have charged Romeloe Kevonte Ballard in a shooting incident early Sunday afternoon.The St. Joseph Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.Officers encountered Ballard near the doorway of an apartment and after refusing commands, he was taken into custody. Officers found several shell casings and the firearm was recovered. Ballard was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon by the Buchanan County Prosecutors Office. Ballard is currently being held at the Buchanan County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.The St. Joseph Police Department would like to thank residents for their cooperation as officers safely resolved the incident.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt,&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ,&nbsp;and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

One arrested in Sunday St. Joseph shooting incident 

The Gene Field Road Bridge over Interstate 29 in St. Joseph is closed until futher notice. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced that the bridge will be closed after it was struck by an oversized load.  Crews are currently evaluating the condition of the bridge.  

Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge have been closed, so drivers will need to find an alternate route.  The closure will not affect travel along I-29.  

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Gene Field Road Bridge over Interstate 29 in St. Joseph is closed until futher notice. The Missouri Department of Transportation announced that the bridge will be closed after it was struck by an oversized load. Crews are currently evaluating the condition of the bridge. Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge have been closed, so drivers will need to find an alternate route. The closure will not affect travel along I-29. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Gene Field Road bridge closed after being struck by oversized load

The Northwest
Missouri Labor Council has elected Zack Dunn as President.

The council also
elected Daniel Robinson as Vice President, stating the elections usher in a new
era of leadership focused on rebuilding worker power and strengthening the
voice of organized labor across northwest Missouri.

The elections come
after the death of Mike Veale in August. Veale served as President of the
Northwest Missouri Labor Council for the last 11 years.

“Mike was a
courageous leader who stood shoulder to shoulder with members of the community.
He never hesitated to jump in and offer his help whenever the need arose. Mike
was a kind man and a strong leader,” Jake Hummel, President of the Missouri
AFL-CIO, said in a written statement. “Mike has left big shoes to fill and I’m
confident Zack’s leadership will carry that commitment forward.”

Dunn now serves as
Government Affairs Director for the Missouri and Kansas Laborers District
Council of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). Dunn, a
Savannah native, began his career in 2018 as Regional Field Director during
Missouri’s historic campaign to defeat “right-to-work” legislation. Under his
leadership, Northwest Missouri organized 200 volunteers who knocked on more
than 15,000 doors and delivered victories in 16 of 17 counties on Election Day.

“This is about
rebuilding strength from the ground up,” Dunn said in a written statement.
“Northwest Missouri has always had a proud union history. From the men and
women who built our roads, bridges, and schools to the workers who keep our
communities running today. We’re going to honor that legacy by building an
organization that fights for all working people, union and non-union alike.”

&nbsp;The Northwest Missouri Labor Council, an
affiliate of the Missouri AFL-CIO, represents union members across eleven
counties. The Council brings together labor unions, trade organizations, and
community allies who collectively advocate for fair wages, strong benefits, and
the dignity of work.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762802085185.jpeg" alt="Zack Dunn/Photo courtesy of NW Missouri Labor Council" />
 <figcaption>Zack Dunn/Photo courtesy of NW Missouri Labor Council</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINThe Northwest
Missouri Labor Council has elected Zack Dunn as President.The council also
elected Daniel Robinson as Vice President, stating the elections usher in a new
era of leadership focused on rebuilding worker power and strengthening the
voice of organized labor across northwest Missouri.The elections come
after the death of Mike Veale in August. Veale served as President of the
Northwest Missouri Labor Council for the last 11 years.“Mike was a
courageous leader who stood shoulder to shoulder with members of the community.
He never hesitated to jump in and offer his help whenever the need arose. Mike
was a kind man and a strong leader,” Jake Hummel, President of the Missouri
AFL-CIO, said in a written statement. “Mike has left big shoes to fill and I’m
confident Zack’s leadership will carry that commitment forward.”Dunn now serves as
Government Affairs Director for the Missouri and Kansas Laborers District
Council of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). Dunn, a
Savannah native, began his career in 2018 as Regional Field Director during
Missouri’s historic campaign to defeat “right-to-work” legislation. Under his
leadership, Northwest Missouri organized 200 volunteers who knocked on more
than 15,000 doors and delivered victories in 16 of 17 counties on Election Day.“This is about
rebuilding strength from the ground up,” Dunn said in a written statement.
“Northwest Missouri has always had a proud union history. From the men and
women who built our roads, bridges, and schools to the workers who keep our
communities running today. We’re going to honor that legacy by building an
organization that fights for all working people, union and non-union alike.”&nbsp;The Northwest Missouri Labor Council, an
affiliate of the Missouri AFL-CIO, represents union members across eleven
counties. The Council brings together labor unions, trade organizations, and
community allies who collectively advocate for fair wages, strong benefits, and
the dignity of work.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Dunn elected president of Northwest Missouri Labor Council

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7KQOVhIzyFFOKX2tpcejkT?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/787eJJIym4RJgLMw5sGDQ0?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

A two vehicle crash on northbound I-29 early this morning is being investigated by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. 

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office reports at nine this morning near the interchange of I-29 at Frederick Avenue a two vehicle crash involving a caution vehicle trailing an oversize load and a pickup occurred.  Both drivers reported mild to moderate injuries, with one being hospitalized. 

The crash forced traffic to slow down as northbound I-29 was closed down to one lane near the crash until it was cleaned up.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA two vehicle crash on northbound I-29 early this morning is being investigated by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office reports at nine this morning near the interchange of I-29 at Frederick Avenue a two vehicle crash involving a caution vehicle trailing an oversize load and a pickup occurred. Both drivers reported mild to moderate injuries, with one being hospitalized. The crash forced traffic to slow down as northbound I-29 was closed down to one lane near the crash until it was cleaned up.The crash remains under investigation.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Two vehicle crash on northbound I-29 leaves two injured

A St. Joseph student is the
first student-researcher at the University of Dubuque in Iowa to receive a
prestigious fellowship.

The University of Dubuque reports environmental
science major Tatum Levendahl, who is a junior, is the first student-researcher
selected for the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies. The
university reports Levendahl learned about field research and conducted surveys
as well as collected, prepared, and cataloged specimens over the summer. She has
systematically surveyed a variety of fungi, arthropods, plants, and more at the
University of Dubuque’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and
Retreat Center.

“One of the most exciting organisms to add to the collection was the
Asiatic Dayflower. The bloom only lasts for one day, so I was really lucky to
run into it when I did,” Levendahl said in a written statement issued by
Dubuque University. “I also love to find parasitic insects. They’re so
interesting to learn about, and it almost feels like I’m uncovering a mystery
when trying to identify them.”

David Koch, PhD, assistant director of Wolter Woods and Prairies,
curator of the Wolter Woods and Prairies Herbarium Collection, and associate
professor of environmental science, was impressed by Levendahl’s observational
skills.

“Tatum located rare and hard-to-find specimens for the herbarium
collection,” Koch said in a written statement. “In the third year of the
herbarium collection project, Tatum has accounted for around 20 percent of the
collection’s total species count at a time when finding new species should be
difficult.”

The university reports Levendahl continues to organize her collection
and will add new specimens as the academic year progresses. She will wrap up
her experience with the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship in April when she
presents her findings in a poster at the annual meeting of the Mississippi
River Research Consortium in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies is
sponsored by Pat (Wild) Franzen (C’68) and Dick Franzen (C’67).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762798854384.jpeg" alt="Tatum Levendahl/Photo courtesy of Dubuque University" />
 <figcaption>Tatum Levendahl/Photo courtesy of Dubuque University</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph student is the
first student-researcher at the University of Dubuque in Iowa to receive a
prestigious fellowship.The University of Dubuque reports environmental
science major Tatum Levendahl, who is a junior, is the first student-researcher
selected for the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies. The
university reports Levendahl learned about field research and conducted surveys
as well as collected, prepared, and cataloged specimens over the summer. She has
systematically surveyed a variety of fungi, arthropods, plants, and more at the
University of Dubuque’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and
Retreat Center.“One of the most exciting organisms to add to the collection was the
Asiatic Dayflower. The bloom only lasts for one day, so I was really lucky to
run into it when I did,” Levendahl said in a written statement issued by
Dubuque University. “I also love to find parasitic insects. They’re so
interesting to learn about, and it almost feels like I’m uncovering a mystery
when trying to identify them.”David Koch, PhD, assistant director of Wolter Woods and Prairies,
curator of the Wolter Woods and Prairies Herbarium Collection, and associate
professor of environmental science, was impressed by Levendahl’s observational
skills.“Tatum located rare and hard-to-find specimens for the herbarium
collection,” Koch said in a written statement. “In the third year of the
herbarium collection project, Tatum has accounted for around 20 percent of the
collection’s total species count at a time when finding new species should be
difficult.”The university reports Levendahl continues to organize her collection
and will add new specimens as the academic year progresses. She will wrap up
her experience with the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship in April when she
presents her findings in a poster at the annual meeting of the Mississippi
River Research Consortium in La Crosse, Wisconsin.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762798925994.jpeg" alt="Tatum Levendahl/Photo courtesy of Dubuque University" />
 <figcaption>Tatum Levendahl/Photo courtesy of Dubuque University</figcaption>
 </figure>The Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies is
sponsored by Pat (Wild) Franzen (C’68) and Dick Franzen (C’67).You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph student 1st to receive Dubuque University fellowship

Maximize Northwest
Missouri has received national recognition.

Communities of
Excellence and Resilience [C.O.R.E.], a national nonprofit organization,
recently awarded bronze recognition to Maximize NWMO, the regional vitality
initiative of The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri. 

West Kendall, Florida
and Coral Springs, Florida earned silver. Coral Gables, Florida received gold
recognition.

“These communities
exemplify what happens when people come together across sectors to create
shared systems for improvement,” Stephanie Norling, President and CEO of
C.O.R.E. aid in a written statement. “Each one shows us that resilience and
excellence are not separate goals – they’re what make communities stronger over
time.”

The communities
participated in C.O.R.E.’s Assessment and Recognition Program, where
cross-sector teams describe their processes, partnerships, and key results
using The C.O.R.E. Guide’s criteria of questions on leadership, strategy,
residents and other stakeholders, data measurement and management, people
resources, operations, and culture.

The communities
were recognized during the annual Fall Conference in Denver.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762796763366.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINMaximize Northwest
Missouri has received national recognition.Communities of
Excellence and Resilience [C.O.R.E.], a national nonprofit organization,
recently awarded bronze recognition to Maximize NWMO, the regional vitality
initiative of The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri. West Kendall, Florida
and Coral Springs, Florida earned silver. Coral Gables, Florida received gold
recognition.“These communities
exemplify what happens when people come together across sectors to create
shared systems for improvement,” Stephanie Norling, President and CEO of
C.O.R.E. aid in a written statement. “Each one shows us that resilience and
excellence are not separate goals – they’re what make communities stronger over
time.”The communities
participated in C.O.R.E.’s Assessment and Recognition Program, where
cross-sector teams describe their processes, partnerships, and key results
using The C.O.R.E. Guide’s criteria of questions on leadership, strategy,
residents and other stakeholders, data measurement and management, people
resources, operations, and culture.Maximize NWMO servers
18 counties.The communities
were recognized during the annual Fall Conference in Denver.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Maximize NWMO earns national recognition

Buchanan County
sheriff’s deputies cited 21 registered sex offenders for violated the state
Halloween statute this year.

The Buchanan
County Sheriff’s Office reports it conducted 252 Halloween sex offender compliance
checks Halloween night. Deputies found 210 compliant with 37 at work. Seventeen
homeless sex offenders reported to the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office in
downtown St. Joseph until 10:30 that night.

In addition to the
21 citations for violating the Halloween statute, two were cited for residency
violations.

State law
prohibits registered sex offenders from engaging in Halloween activities,
including passing out candy to trick or treaters.

Buchanan County
has 306 registered sex offenders.

The compliance checks
Halloween night were led by Investigator Kenny Shryock and Sex Offender Analyst
Cindy Ownby. Thirty-four deputies were assisted by three sheriff's office administrative
aides, one member of the St. Joseph Police Department, and a Deputy United
States Marshal.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBuchanan County
sheriff’s deputies cited 21 registered sex offenders for violated the state
Halloween statute this year.The Buchanan
County Sheriff’s Office reports it conducted 252 Halloween sex offender compliance
checks Halloween night. Deputies found 210 compliant with 37 at work. Seventeen
homeless sex offenders reported to the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office in
downtown St. Joseph until 10:30 that night.In addition to the
21 citations for violating the Halloween statute, two were cited for residency
violations.State law
prohibits registered sex offenders from engaging in Halloween activities,
including passing out candy to trick or treaters.Buchanan County
has 306 registered sex offenders.The compliance checks
Halloween night were led by Investigator Kenny Shryock and Sex Offender Analyst
Cindy Ownby. Thirty-four deputies were assisted by three sheriff's office administrative
aides, one member of the St. Joseph Police Department, and a Deputy United
States Marshal.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

21 Buchanan CO sex offenders cited for violating Halloween statute

Water releases
into the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam will soon be reduced.

The United States
Army Corps of Engineers reports releases will be reduced late this month as
navigation along the Missouri comes to an end. Releases are currently 25,500
cubic feet per second (cfs).

“We will continue
to make releases from Gavins Point Dam to provide flow support at a level 4,500
cfs less than full service, through the end of the navigation flow support
season, which ends on Dec. 1 at the mouth of the Missouri River,” John Remus,
chief of the USACE, Missouri River Water Management Division, said in a written
statement released by the Corps.

The Army Corps of
Engineers will begin reducing flows from Gavins Point around November 22nd.
The Corps plans to reduce releases by 3,000 cfs each day until reaching a rate
of 15,000 cfs. The Corps says the rate of reduction will then slow to 1,000 cfs
every five days until reaching the winter release.

“Based on the
Sept. 1 Mainstem Reservoir System storage check, releases from Gavins Point Dam
for the 2025-2026 winter will be at the minimum rate of 12,000 cfs,” said
Remus.

The Corps reports October
runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 1.1
million-acre-feet (MAF), which is 89% of average. Runoff was below average in
the Fort Peck, Garrison, and Fort Randall reaches and above normal for the
remaining reaches. Based on the most recent Drought Monitor, about 54% of the
Basin is currently in abnormally dry or drought conditions. 

Reservoir studies
indicate System storage will be below the base of the Flood Control Zone at the
start of the 2026 runoff season, according to the Corps.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762795078348.jpeg" alt="Gavins Point Dam/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Gavins Point Dam/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINWater releases
into the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam will soon be reduced.The United States
Army Corps of Engineers reports releases will be reduced late this month as
navigation along the Missouri comes to an end. Releases are currently 25,500
cubic feet per second (cfs).“We will continue
to make releases from Gavins Point Dam to provide flow support at a level 4,500
cfs less than full service, through the end of the navigation flow support
season, which ends on Dec. 1 at the mouth of the Missouri River,” John Remus,
chief of the USACE, Missouri River Water Management Division, said in a written
statement released by the Corps.The Army Corps of
Engineers will begin reducing flows from Gavins Point around November 22nd.
The Corps plans to reduce releases by 3,000 cfs each day until reaching a rate
of 15,000 cfs. The Corps says the rate of reduction will then slow to 1,000 cfs
every five days until reaching the winter release.“Based on the
Sept. 1 Mainstem Reservoir System storage check, releases from Gavins Point Dam
for the 2025-2026 winter will be at the minimum rate of 12,000 cfs,” said
Remus.The Corps reports October
runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 1.1
million-acre-feet (MAF), which is 89% of average. Runoff was below average in
the Fort Peck, Garrison, and Fort Randall reaches and above normal for the
remaining reaches. Based on the most recent Drought Monitor, about 54% of the
Basin is currently in abnormally dry or drought conditions. Reservoir studies
indicate System storage will be below the base of the Flood Control Zone at the
start of the 2026 runoff season, according to the Corps.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Releases from Gavins Point Dam to be reduced later this month

One person is in
custody as St. Joseph police investigate a Sunday shooting.

The St. Joseph
Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon
Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered
signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.

The department
says officers secured the area. No one seems to have been harmed in the shooting.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostOne person is in
custody as St. Joseph police investigate a Sunday shooting.The St. Joseph
Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon
Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered
signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.The department
says officers secured the area. No one seems to have been harmed in the shooting.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph police investigating Sunday shooting

Many are grappling with financial uncertainty of investing their life savings as they work to make their marijuana businesses a success

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Samantha Blum hasn’t been able to secure investors for her small-scale marijuana cultivation facility in the two years since Missouri awarded her a microbusiness license.

So she and her longtime partner, Anthony La Pietra, decided to give up and fund the entire operation themselves, cashing in La Pietra’s retirement to build a greenhouse in Adrian, an hour outside of Kansas City.&nbsp;

After two years of “blood, sweat and tears,” they finally received the state’s final approval to begin operating on Sept. 3. But just hours after the state’s email arrived, a massive storm crushed one side of the greenhouse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“To go from such a high to such an incredibly bottom low…” she said. “It’s been such a roller coaster.”

Despite the setback, her family rallied to fix the wall, and now their business, Bud Wizard, is expected to have its first harvest in the coming weeks.

Blum’s facility is among the 12 microbusinesses the state has approved to begin operating out of 68 total licenses issued. Two are dispensaries. The rest are wholesale licenses like Blum’s that can grow up to 250 plants and manufacture marijuana products.&nbsp;

The microbusiness program — sometimes called the social-equity cannabis program —&nbsp;was designed to boost opportunities in the industry for people in disadvantaged communities that have been most impacted by the war on drugs. It began in 2023, after passing as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022.

Up until this summer, the state had approved only a handful licenses to commence operations – which involves meeting rigorous health standards and security protocols. But in the past few months, the microbusiness community has finally started to fill in, with the state greenlighting a surge of cultivation licensees.

Like Blum, many of these owners stopped looking for funding and finally decided to put their life savings into getting the business off the ground. Now they’ve either had their first harvest this month or are expecting one in the next few weeks.&nbsp;

James Mondl, owner of Klondike Cannabis micro cultivation facility in Farmington, just watched his first harvest ship Tuesday to another licensed facility for the manufacturing phase.

“I haven’t completely exhaled, to be honest,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of time and money in this, and so to see the product leave today was as big a step – maybe a bigger one than when we brought plants in.”

Wholesalers’ products can legally only go to the two operational microbusiness dispensaries at the moment:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/816Dispensary/about" target="_blank">816 Dispensary</a>&nbsp;in Platte City and&nbsp;<a href="https://kush21.com/kush21-poplar-bluff/" target="_blank">Kush 21</a>&nbsp;in Poplar Bluff. The Missouri Constitution mandates that micro cultivators only sell to micro dispensaries.

Lesley Turk, chief equity officer with the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation who oversees the program, says the success of the micro community is like a “puzzle” because it depends on enough growers and dispensaries being up and running at the same time.&nbsp;

And both of them depend on the middleman – the manufacturers – or wholesalers who have gotten approval to make things like edibles and vapes.

“My excitement lies in the next six months,” Turk said.

As anticipation around more micros opening builds, so does the pressure to succeed.&nbsp;

Some license owners have already hit a number of road blocks and aren’t sure how much more they can invest into getting the business off the ground. Sam Vosburg, whose cultivation facility in Aurora has been operational since March, fears he invested his retirement on a failed business.&nbsp;

“We’re suffering right now,” Vosburg, owner of Ozark Mountain Gypsy LLC, told The Independent in October. “I don’t know how much longer I keep my lights on. Our electric bills are crazy, and we’re not making any money. So, yeah, it’s not looking good.”

However last week, Vosburg was approved to become one of the first two manufacturers, so he says he sees “a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Blum is the chairwoman of the Missouri Microbusiness Association, and she says her passion for the industry is a major driving force in making it through “one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my entire life.”&nbsp;

The other driver is her four daughters.&nbsp;

“One day they’ll have dreams,” Blum said of her daughters, “and they’ll want to do something big, that’s insurmountable and accomplish it because they watched their mom and their dad accomplish it.”

Jimi Poe is the owner of 816 Dispensary, which was the first micro dispensary to open its doors to the public on Aug. 16. He’s quickly become a pillar for the microbusiness community, as someone to not only buy wholesalers’ products but also offer guidance on getting started.&nbsp;

“I’m not going to succeed if I can’t get wholesalers to succeed,” he said.

October was his biggest month yet, he said, with 1,500 transactions. He works closely with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blumecannabis/" target="_blank">Blume LLC</a>, one of the first operating wholesalers, because he says they’ve been “killing it” on their craft marijuana buds, or what the industry calls flower.

Up until now, a major challenge for Poe has been that no wholesale facility had the capability to manufacture products, such as edibles or vapes, because it can require expensive equipment.&nbsp;

With the state approving Vosburg and Kansas-City area microbusiness Urban Farm to manufacture products, Poe only expects his sales to grow. Another one in the Farmington area, Levity Cannabis, has also applied for approval, according to the division.&nbsp;

Nearly 20 years ago, Poe was sent to prison for 14 months on a non-violent marijuana felony – a charge that made it hard to find work or a place to live. Because the program aims to mend some of the harm marijuana prohibition has caused on people’s lives, his offense made him eligible to apply for the microbusiness program.

“When I was in prison, I was telling myself I was never going to sell cannabis again,” he said. “And now I’m legally able to sell cannabis at my own store. So it’s been a crazy journey, that is for sure.”

In 2023, Mitchell Alexander submitted one microbusiness application with his uncle, Jesse Greco, who qualifies for the program as a disabled veteran, and paid a $1,500 fee. Their application was entered into the lottery with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/29/missouri-announces-lottery-results-for-microbusiness-cannabis-licenses/">more than 1,600 applications</a>, and they were picked.

“He and I got together and decided to do it because we had nothing to lose,” Alexander said. “Because the lottery was: if you lose, you get your money back. If you win, you get your license.”

Alexander runs ReLeaf Dispensary in Kansas City, and he’s excited to grow in the way that he believes produces the best weed: living soil.

“No chemicals, no pesticides,” he said. “It’s literally, we’re just feeding the soil, and it’s as organic as it gets.”

For Greco, cannabis has always been something he turned to in his life for his PTSD, Alexander said. They’ve invested their own money and resources, and he’s optimistic about their first harvest that’s expected just before Christmas.

“We take so much pride in being completely independent,” he said. “We didn’t have any consulting groups help us out. We really just grassrooted this, and that’s exactly how we’re going to run this company.”

The team at Monsta Farms LLC in Sarcoxie has a similar mantra. It’s a group that includes two couples who’ve all pulled together their own money and time. They all have a “strength in the building,” said co-owner Chris Hampel, and everyone’s doing something they’re passionate about.

“I like watering the plants, for example,” Hampel said. “My wife hates watering the plants. But she’ll sit over there with dirt and pot plants all day long. And she loves that. I hate that.”&nbsp;

However, they each balance their cannabis work with their fulltime jobs, including two who work as nurses. Their collective dream is to make it their fulltime jobs.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762780543421.png" alt=" Brenton Ihms, lead grower and part owner of Klondike Cannabis in Farmington, tends to marijuana plants (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption> Brenton Ihms, lead grower and part owner of Klondike Cannabis in Farmington, tends to marijuana plants (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Many are grappling with financial uncertainty of investing their life savings as they work to make their marijuana businesses a success</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Samantha Blum hasn’t been able to secure investors for her small-scale marijuana cultivation facility in the two years since Missouri awarded her a microbusiness license.So she and her longtime partner, Anthony La Pietra, decided to give up and fund the entire operation themselves, cashing in La Pietra’s retirement to build a greenhouse in Adrian, an hour outside of Kansas City.&nbsp;After two years of “blood, sweat and tears,” they finally received the state’s final approval to begin operating on Sept. 3. But just hours after the state’s email arrived, a massive storm crushed one side of the greenhouse.&nbsp;&nbsp;“To go from such a high to such an incredibly bottom low…” she said. “It’s been such a roller coaster.”Despite the setback, her family rallied to fix the wall, and now their business, Bud Wizard, is expected to have its first harvest in the coming weeks.Blum’s facility is among the 12 microbusinesses the state has approved to begin operating out of 68 total licenses issued. Two are dispensaries. The rest are wholesale licenses like Blum’s that can grow up to 250 plants and manufacture marijuana products.&nbsp;The microbusiness program — sometimes called the social-equity cannabis program —&nbsp;was designed to boost opportunities in the industry for people in disadvantaged communities that have been most impacted by the war on drugs. It began in 2023, after passing as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022.Up until this summer, the state had approved only a handful licenses to commence operations – which involves meeting rigorous health standards and security protocols. But in the past few months, the microbusiness community has finally started to fill in, with the state greenlighting a surge of cultivation licensees.Like Blum, many of these owners stopped looking for funding and finally decided to put their life savings into getting the business off the ground. Now they’ve either had their first harvest this month or are expecting one in the next few weeks.&nbsp;James Mondl, owner of Klondike Cannabis micro cultivation facility in Farmington, just watched his first harvest ship Tuesday to another licensed facility for the manufacturing phase.“I haven’t completely exhaled, to be honest,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of time and money in this, and so to see the product leave today was as big a step – maybe a bigger one than when we brought plants in.”Wholesalers’ products can legally only go to the two operational microbusiness dispensaries at the moment:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/816Dispensary/about" target="_blank">816 Dispensary</a>&nbsp;in Platte City and&nbsp;<a href="https://kush21.com/kush21-poplar-bluff/" target="_blank">Kush 21</a>&nbsp;in Poplar Bluff. The Missouri Constitution mandates that micro cultivators only sell to micro dispensaries.Lesley Turk, chief equity officer with the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation who oversees the program, says the success of the micro community is like a “puzzle” because it depends on enough growers and dispensaries being up and running at the same time.&nbsp;And both of them depend on the middleman – the manufacturers – or wholesalers who have gotten approval to make things like edibles and vapes.“My excitement lies in the next six months,” Turk said.As anticipation around more micros opening builds, so does the pressure to succeed.&nbsp;Some license owners have already hit a number of road blocks and aren’t sure how much more they can invest into getting the business off the ground. Sam Vosburg, whose cultivation facility in Aurora has been operational since March, fears he invested his retirement on a failed business.&nbsp;“We’re suffering right now,” Vosburg, owner of Ozark Mountain Gypsy LLC, told The Independent in October. “I don’t know how much longer I keep my lights on. Our electric bills are crazy, and we’re not making any money. So, yeah, it’s not looking good.”However last week, Vosburg was approved to become one of the first two manufacturers, so he says he sees “a light at the end of the tunnel.”Blum is the chairwoman of the Missouri Microbusiness Association, and she says her passion for the industry is a major driving force in making it through “one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my entire life.”&nbsp;The other driver is her four daughters.&nbsp;“One day they’ll have dreams,” Blum said of her daughters, “and they’ll want to do something big, that’s insurmountable and accomplish it because they watched their mom and their dad accomplish it.”<h2>Winning the lottery</h2>Jimi Poe is the owner of 816 Dispensary, which was the first micro dispensary to open its doors to the public on Aug. 16. He’s quickly become a pillar for the microbusiness community, as someone to not only buy wholesalers’ products but also offer guidance on getting started.&nbsp;“I’m not going to succeed if I can’t get wholesalers to succeed,” he said.October was his biggest month yet, he said, with 1,500 transactions. He works closely with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blumecannabis/" target="_blank">Blume LLC</a>, one of the first operating wholesalers, because he says they’ve been “killing it” on their craft marijuana buds, or what the industry calls flower.Up until now, a major challenge for Poe has been that no wholesale facility had the capability to manufacture products, such as edibles or vapes, because it can require expensive equipment.&nbsp;With the state approving Vosburg and Kansas-City area microbusiness Urban Farm to manufacture products, Poe only expects his sales to grow. Another one in the Farmington area, Levity Cannabis, has also applied for approval, according to the division.&nbsp;Nearly 20 years ago, Poe was sent to prison for 14 months on a non-violent marijuana felony – a charge that made it hard to find work or a place to live. Because the program aims to mend some of the harm marijuana prohibition has caused on people’s lives, his offense made him eligible to apply for the microbusiness program.“When I was in prison, I was telling myself I was never going to sell cannabis again,” he said. “And now I’m legally able to sell cannabis at my own store. So it’s been a crazy journey, that is for sure.”In 2023, Mitchell Alexander submitted one microbusiness application with his uncle, Jesse Greco, who qualifies for the program as a disabled veteran, and paid a $1,500 fee. Their application was entered into the lottery with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/29/missouri-announces-lottery-results-for-microbusiness-cannabis-licenses/">more than 1,600 applications</a>, and they were picked.“He and I got together and decided to do it because we had nothing to lose,” Alexander said. “Because the lottery was: if you lose, you get your money back. If you win, you get your license.”Alexander runs ReLeaf Dispensary in Kansas City, and he’s excited to grow in the way that he believes produces the best weed: living soil.“No chemicals, no pesticides,” he said. “It’s literally, we’re just feeding the soil, and it’s as organic as it gets.”For Greco, cannabis has always been something he turned to in his life for his PTSD, Alexander said. They’ve invested their own money and resources, and he’s optimistic about their first harvest that’s expected just before Christmas.“We take so much pride in being completely independent,” he said. “We didn’t have any consulting groups help us out. We really just grassrooted this, and that’s exactly how we’re going to run this company.”The team at Monsta Farms LLC in Sarcoxie has a similar mantra. It’s a group that includes two couples who’ve all pulled together their own money and time. They all have a “strength in the building,” said co-owner Chris Hampel, and everyone’s doing something they’re passionate about.“I like watering the plants, for example,” Hampel said. “My wife hates watering the plants. But she’ll sit over there with dirt and pot plants all day long. And she loves that. I hate that.”&nbsp;However, they each balance their cannabis work with their fulltime jobs, including two who work as nurses. Their collective dream is to make it their fulltime jobs.&nbsp;They just had their first harvest on Monday.Chad Sommer, an owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://strainworxmo.com/" target="_blank">Strainworx LLC</a>&nbsp;in Lebanon, is also expecting his first harvest soon, he said, after two years of trying to keep “everything in check.”&nbsp;“I mean, trying to keep family in check, trying to keep my fulltime job in check,&nbsp;and then also wanting to try to build this out,” he said.&nbsp;His specialty is industrial automation systems, and it’s taken time to finetune that process, he said. He got into cannabis because he suffered from migraines. He realized a cannabis gummy worked a lot better at controlling them than the expensive shots he was receiving.“So from that point, it’s held a special position in my heart,” Sommer said.Now his migraines are gone. His team had to “hit several retirement funds,” to start up the business, but they’re optimistic.“One thing that is a challenge is for many of the micros…starting resources,” he said. “It is a tough start. Everything is so expensive with the hope that one day you get a return.”<h2>Financial troubles</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762780493337.png" alt="An employee at Ozark Mountain Gypsy wholesale microbusiness tends to the marijuana plants in the greenhouse (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>An employee at Ozark Mountain Gypsy wholesale microbusiness tends to the marijuana plants in the greenhouse (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>When Vosburg’s cultivation facility Ozark Mountain Gypsy LLC got its approval to open in March, he was feeling “very optimistic.”&nbsp;“The only thing I didn’t calculate was the delays from the state,” he said.State marijuana rules mandate that regulators approve labels before products are sent to stores. And it took months for that approval to come back.&nbsp;“Now they’re putting all these tutorials on how to do this,” Vosburg said of the labels and packaging. “We were doing this from scratch with no help.”&nbsp;Turk said the division has worked to improve tutorials, and now each facility has a designated compliance representative who can help guide the micros through the labeling and packaging approval process.&nbsp;Another challenge for his team has been the lack of manufacturing equipment. It’s been hard to compete with the other companies that are selling only flower and pre-rolled joints.&nbsp;All together, Vosburg estimates they’ve put $500,000 of their own money into the business. And he fears they could lose it all at any moment.&nbsp;But as of last week, Vosburg was approved to manufacture products on a small scale, providing him with a way forward.&nbsp;“I could pay my electric bill if I can sell a few dabs by the end of the month,” he said.Veteran David Huckins owns a dispensary license in Columbia with his wife, and they lead a weekly podcast to help microbusinesses share resources on a variety of topics.But they aren’t anywhere close to being able to open, he said.&nbsp;While the cultivators can often find land to build a facility in rural areas, dispensaries need to be in places with high visibility and traffic. And that’s hard when landlords often don’t want to lease a building to dispensaries, Huckins said, and he can’t get capital to buy a building.The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is not aware of any microbusinesses that have received loans from banks, a spokesperson said.“It’s so hard for the cannabis businesses,” he said. “I don’t qualify for small business loans. So far, this has not been the blessing that I hoped it was going to be.”&nbsp;

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