The St. Joseph School Board has officially censured board
member Whitney Lanning for her confrontation with fellow school board member
Isaura Garcia after the February 26th board meeting in which the
board narrowly rejected a proposal to adopt a four-day school week.

Lanning has been charged with misdemeanor harassment for the
confrontation that occurred after an executive session of the board. Garcia has
also filed a civil lawsuit against Lanning. Lanning has charged that Garcia
insulted her child during a verbal exchange.

Board member Kim Miller proposed to censure Lanning during the
Wednesday school board meeting after consulting with legal counsel.

A censure is a public reprimand and does not affect the member’s
position on the board.

The board voted 3-1-1 on the censure of Lanning with David
Foster and Garcia joining Miller to vote in favor of the motion. School Board
President LaTonya Williams voted against the motion. Lanning abstained.

Lanning made a counter motion, allegedly that Garcia disclosed
information about Lanning’s child. Garcia has denied the allegation. The measure
failed on a 2-3 vote. Lanning and Williams voted in favor of the motion while
Miller, Foster, and Garcia voted against. School board members Rick Gehring and
Kenneth Reeder were absent.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712241235556.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph School Board&nbsp; members (l to r) David Foster, Isaura Garcia, Kenneth Reeder, and Whitney Lanning/file photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph School Board&nbsp; members (l to r) David Foster, Isaura Garcia, Kenneth Reeder, and Whitney Lanning/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph School Board has officially censured board
member Whitney Lanning for her confrontation with fellow school board member
Isaura Garcia after the February 26th board meeting in which the
board narrowly rejected a proposal to adopt a four-day school week.Lanning has been charged with misdemeanor harassment for the
confrontation that occurred after an executive session of the board. Garcia has
also filed a civil lawsuit against Lanning. Lanning has charged that Garcia
insulted her child during a verbal exchange.Board member Kim Miller proposed to censure Lanning during the
Wednesday school board meeting after consulting with legal counsel.A censure is a public reprimand and does not affect the member’s
position on the board.The board voted 3-1-1 on the censure of Lanning with David
Foster and Garcia joining Miller to vote in favor of the motion. School Board
President LaTonya Williams voted against the motion. Lanning abstained.Lanning made a counter motion, allegedly that Garcia disclosed
information about Lanning’s child. Garcia has denied the allegation. The measure
failed on a 2-3 vote. Lanning and Williams voted in favor of the motion while
Miller, Foster, and Garcia voted against. School board members Rick Gehring and
Kenneth Reeder were absent.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph School Board censures member Whitney Lanning

St. Joseph police are looking for a man who allegedly fired
two shots into the air after an apparent domestic dispute early Thursday morning.

Police say officers arrived in the 4200 block of Oakland
Circle just after two o’clock this morning. Witnesses say a man left the home
after an apparent domestic dispute and fired two shots into the air. No one was
harmed. No property was damaged.

Police are looking for the man as the investigation continues.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are looking for a man who allegedly fired
two shots into the air after an apparent domestic dispute early Thursday morning.Police say officers arrived in the 4200 block of Oakland
Circle just after two o’clock this morning. Witnesses say a man left the home
after an apparent domestic dispute and fired two shots into the air. No one was
harmed. No property was damaged.Police are looking for the man as the investigation continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Shots fired into air after apparent domestic dispute in St. Joseph

CANCELED:&nbsp; This Endangered Silver Advisory has been canceled. Klosek has been found safe.

An Endangered
Silver Advisory Alert has been issued for an elderly Tarkio resident who never
returned from a walk.

The Tarkio Police
Department issued the Endangered Silver Advisory Alert for Anna Mae Klosek, who
suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the
alert, Klosek went for a walk from her home at 411 N. 8th Street in
Tarkio and never returned.

Klosek is
described as a white female, age 78, 5’ 3”, 185 pounds with gray hair and brown
eyes. &nbsp;Klosek was last seen wearing a
dark blue t-shirt with Atchison County Trash Service in yellow and gold
lettering. Klosek does wear glasses.

Anyone
seeing the missing person or anyone having any information related to the
endangered missing person should immediately dial 911 to contact the nearest
law enforcement agency or call the Tarkio Police Department at (660) 744-6271. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712227220131.png" alt="Anna Mae Klosek/Photo courtesy of Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Anna Mae Klosek/Photo courtesy of Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>CANCELED:&nbsp; This Endangered Silver Advisory has been canceled. Klosek has been found safe.By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn Endangered
Silver Advisory Alert has been issued for an elderly Tarkio resident who never
returned from a walk.The Tarkio Police
Department issued the Endangered Silver Advisory Alert for Anna Mae Klosek, who
suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.According to the
alert, Klosek went for a walk from her home at 411 N. 8th Street in
Tarkio and never returned.Klosek is
described as a white female, age 78, 5’ 3”, 185 pounds with gray hair and brown
eyes. &nbsp;Klosek was last seen wearing a
dark blue t-shirt with Atchison County Trash Service in yellow and gold
lettering. Klosek does wear glasses.Anyone
seeing the missing person or anyone having any information related to the
endangered missing person should immediately dial 911 to contact the nearest
law enforcement agency or call the Tarkio Police Department at (660) 744-6271. You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Endangered Silver Advisory issued for missing Tarkio woman

Two bills advanced this week targeting the initiative petition process, though they differ on the details and will likely face massive resistance in the Missouri Senate

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Two bills seeking to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process advanced through the Missouri House this week.&nbsp;

On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HJR86&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">legislation sponsored by Republican state Rep. John Black&nbsp;</a>of Marshfield was approved on a 106-49 vote. The only Republican to vote against the measure was House Majority Leader Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit.&nbsp;

Earlier in the week, a House committee approved&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=209">a different version of the bill&nbsp;</a>sponsored by state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman that the Senate passed last month.&nbsp;

If either version is approved by both chambers, the question would go on the statewide ballot in either August or November.

Citizen-led initiative petitions currently require signatures from 8% of voters in five of the state’s eight congressional districts. To pass once on the ballot, a statewide vote of 50% plus one is required — a simple majority vote.

Both the House and Senate versions make the process harder, but in very different ways.&nbsp;

Last May, House Speaker Dean Plocher, a Republican from Des Peres, said his party anticipated an initiative petition to legalize abortion<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/24/missouri-advocates-say-abortion-ban-has-far-reaching-effect-on-health-care/">&nbsp;would be brought forward and would pass.</a>&nbsp;

Since then, a<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/08/initiative-petition-abortion-rights-rape-incest-missouri/">&nbsp;campaign to legalize abortion to the point of fetal viability</a>&nbsp;in Missouri has raised millions of dollars, most recently bringing in internationally-known model and Webster Groves native&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2024-04-01/fashion-icon-karlie-kloss-says-missouri-matters-in-the-nationwide-fight-for-abortion-rights">Karlie Kloss to campaign on their behalf.</a>

Republicans in support of changing the initiative petition process have said their motivation is more wide-reaching than abortion and pre-dates the 2023 session, anti-abortion groups have been some of the main champions of the legislation.

But the bulk of Wednesday’s conversation centered on the most recent citizen-led amendment to pass.

In 2022,&nbsp;Missourians legalized recreational marijuana with<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/recreational-marijuana-is-legal-in-missouri-whats-next#">&nbsp;53% of voters in favor of the amendment.</a>

In that election, Black said, 15 counties carried the “yes” vote, arguing that urban voters “basically imposed their will on the rest of the state.”

Republicans in favor of changing the initiative petition process have repeatedly pointed to the length of the state constitution, which includes 134 amendments, as a reason for reform.&nbsp;

State Rep. Robert Sauls, a Democrat from Independence, countered that only 19 of the amendments came from initiative petitions. The rest came from the General Assembly.&nbsp;

“This idea that the constitution has gotten out of control, well look in the mirror,” Sauls said. “We’re the reason that it has. Not these 19 amendments that the people have put on.”

An analysis by The Independent found that under the concurrent majority standard,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/05/as-few-as-1-in-5-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-senate-proposal/">as few as 23% of voters could defeat a ballot measure</a>. This was done by looking at the majority in the four districts with the fewest number of voters in 2020 and 2022.

“You want a minority to be able to block a majority,” said state Rep. Joe Adams, a Democrat from University City. “That is shameful.”

State Rep. Doug Richey, a Republican from Excelsior Springs, said with a simple majority, it’s possible for those leading initiative petition efforts to “ignore” congressional districts and still succeed.&nbsp;

“That is a significant move to value the voices of people in the state of Missouri no matter where they happen to live,” Richey said. “No matter what their perspective is.”&nbsp;

Reference to the current abortion initiative petition wasn’t raised until late in the debate by state Rep.&nbsp;Patty Lewis, a Democrat from Kansas City.&nbsp;

“This is about reproductive freedom,” Lewis said. “And it’s about taking away our vote to restore reproductive freedom in the state of Missouri.”

In approving Black’s legislation on Wednesday, the House made little mention of the “ballot candy” written into the resolution.&nbsp;

The ballot candy, which refers to provisions added to ballot measures in order to win over voters, has become a major point of contention between Republicans and Democrats. In the proposed initiative petition bills, language has been included that would ask voters if they want to define legal voters as citizens of the US who live in Missouri and are registered to vote and whether they want to prohibit foreign entities from sponsoring initiative petitions.

Democrats argue the inclusion of the ballot candy is an attempt by Republicans to mislead voters and distract from the effort to weaken the initiative petition process. In the Senate,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/22/missouri-senate-passes-bill-making-it-harder-for-voters-to-amend-the-constitution/">a 21-hour filibuster&nbsp;</a>ended with Republicans agreeing to remove the ballot candy in exchange for Democrats allowing the bill to come up for a vote.&nbsp;

The House restored the ballot candy at Coleman’s request, setting up a potential showdown in the Senate if the bill makes its way back to that chamber.&nbsp;

<h2>Two bills advanced this week targeting the initiative petition process, though they differ on the details and will likely face massive resistance in the Missouri Senate</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712225297220.png" alt=" Legislation sponsored by Republican state Rep. John Black to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process was approved by the Missouri House on Wednesday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Legislation sponsored by Republican state Rep. John Black to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process was approved by the Missouri House on Wednesday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>Two bills seeking to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process advanced through the Missouri House this week.&nbsp;On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HJR86&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">legislation sponsored by Republican state Rep. John Black&nbsp;</a>of Marshfield was approved on a 106-49 vote. The only Republican to vote against the measure was House Majority Leader Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit.&nbsp;Earlier in the week, a House committee approved&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=209">a different version of the bill&nbsp;</a>sponsored by state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman that the Senate passed last month.&nbsp;If either version is approved by both chambers, the question would go on the statewide ballot in either August or November.Citizen-led initiative petitions currently require signatures from 8% of voters in five of the state’s eight congressional districts. To pass once on the ballot, a statewide vote of 50% plus one is required — a simple majority vote.Both the House and Senate versions make the process harder, but in very different ways.&nbsp;The House joint resolution would:<ul>
 <li>Require signatures from 8% of registered voters in all eight congressional districts to qualify for the ballot.&nbsp;</li><li>Establish a forum hosted by the Secretary of State for voters to review and comment on proposed amendments before they head to the ballot.</li><li>Require a ballot measure receive a majority of votes in all eight of Missouri congressional districts to pass.</li><li>Require the General Assembly to have the approval of at least four-sevenths of the members in each chamber to make any modifications to citizen-led constitutional amendments within two years of when they go into effect.</li>
 </ul>The Senate joint resolution would:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Require that constitutional amendments pass by both a simple majority of votes statewide and a majority of votes in at least a majority of the votes in Missouri’s congressional districts.&nbsp;</li><li>Require the General Assembly to have the approval of at least four-sevenths of the members in each chamber to make any modifications to citizen-led constitutional amendments within two years of when it goes into effect.</li>
 </ul><h2>‘This is about reproductive freedom’</h2>Last May, House Speaker Dean Plocher, a Republican from Des Peres, said his party anticipated an initiative petition to legalize abortion<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/24/missouri-advocates-say-abortion-ban-has-far-reaching-effect-on-health-care/">&nbsp;would be brought forward and would pass.</a>&nbsp;Since then, a<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/08/initiative-petition-abortion-rights-rape-incest-missouri/">&nbsp;campaign to legalize abortion to the point of fetal viability</a>&nbsp;in Missouri has raised millions of dollars, most recently bringing in internationally-known model and Webster Groves native&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2024-04-01/fashion-icon-karlie-kloss-says-missouri-matters-in-the-nationwide-fight-for-abortion-rights">Karlie Kloss to campaign on their behalf.</a>Republicans in support of changing the initiative petition process have said their motivation is more wide-reaching than abortion and pre-dates the 2023 session, anti-abortion groups have been some of the main champions of the legislation.But the bulk of Wednesday’s conversation centered on the most recent citizen-led amendment to pass.In 2022,&nbsp;Missourians legalized recreational marijuana with<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/recreational-marijuana-is-legal-in-missouri-whats-next#">&nbsp;53% of voters in favor of the amendment.</a>In that election, Black said, 15 counties carried the “yes” vote, arguing that urban voters “basically imposed their will on the rest of the state.”Republicans in favor of changing the initiative petition process have repeatedly pointed to the length of the state constitution, which includes 134 amendments, as a reason for reform.&nbsp;State Rep. Robert Sauls, a Democrat from Independence, countered that only 19 of the amendments came from initiative petitions. The rest came from the General Assembly.&nbsp;“This idea that the constitution has gotten out of control, well look in the mirror,” Sauls said. “We’re the reason that it has. Not these 19 amendments that the people have put on.”An analysis by The Independent found that under the concurrent majority standard,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/05/as-few-as-1-in-5-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-senate-proposal/">as few as 23% of voters could defeat a ballot measure</a>. This was done by looking at the majority in the four districts with the fewest number of voters in 2020 and 2022.“You want a minority to be able to block a majority,” said state Rep. Joe Adams, a Democrat from University City. “That is shameful.”State Rep. Doug Richey, a Republican from Excelsior Springs, said with a simple majority, it’s possible for those leading initiative petition efforts to “ignore” congressional districts and still succeed.&nbsp;“That is a significant move to value the voices of people in the state of Missouri no matter where they happen to live,” Richey said. “No matter what their perspective is.”&nbsp;<h2>Reference to the current abortion initiative petition wasn’t raised until late in the debate by state Rep.&nbsp;Patty Lewis, a Democrat from Kansas City.&nbsp;</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712225243467.png" alt=" Volunteers with Missourians for Constitutional Freedom collect signatures in support of putting forward a ballot measure that would legalize abortion up to the point of fetal viability in Missouri. More than 500 people signed up for a campaign event on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Kansas City (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Volunteers with Missourians for Constitutional Freedom collect signatures in support of putting forward a ballot measure that would legalize abortion up to the point of fetal viability in Missouri. More than 500 people signed up for a campaign event on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Kansas City (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>“This is about reproductive freedom,” Lewis said. “And it’s about taking away our vote to restore reproductive freedom in the state of Missouri.”In approving Black’s legislation on Wednesday, the House made little mention of the “ballot candy” written into the resolution.&nbsp;The ballot candy, which refers to provisions added to ballot measures in order to win over voters, has become a major point of contention between Republicans and Democrats. In the proposed initiative petition bills, language has been included that would ask voters if they want to define legal voters as citizens of the US who live in Missouri and are registered to vote and whether they want to prohibit foreign entities from sponsoring initiative petitions.Democrats argue the inclusion of the ballot candy is an attempt by Republicans to mislead voters and distract from the effort to weaken the initiative petition process. In the Senate,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/22/missouri-senate-passes-bill-making-it-harder-for-voters-to-amend-the-constitution/">a 21-hour filibuster&nbsp;</a>ended with Republicans agreeing to remove the ballot candy in exchange for Democrats allowing the bill to come up for a vote.&nbsp;The House restored the ballot candy at Coleman’s request, setting up a potential showdown in the Senate if the bill makes its way back to that chamber.&nbsp;

Bills making it harder to amend state constitution proceed in Missouri House

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A man who was briefly handcuffed but not charged in the shooting at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-parade-shooting-kansas-city-d9f4466b69cbb2dfe0f007414aebe730">Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rally</a>&nbsp;is suing three more lawmakers over social media posts falsely accusing him of being among the shooters and an immigrant in the country illegally.

Denton Loudermill Jr. of Olathe, Kansas, filed the nearly identical federal lawsuits Tuesday against three Republican Missouri state senators: Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County.

The complaints say Loudermill suffered “humiliation, embarrassment, insult, and inconvenience" over the “highly offensive” posts.

Loudermill made similar allegations last week in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-parade-shooting-congressman-a4550422b444f2184f25a830b15bcf5f">a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee.

Schroer and Hoskins declined to comment, and Brattin did not immediately respond to a text message Wednesday seeking comment. A spokeswoman for Burchett said last week that the congressman's office does not discuss pending litigation.

The Feb. 14 shooting outside the historic Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, killed a well-known DJ and injured more than 20 others, many of them children.

Loudermill, who was never cited or arrested in the shooting, is seeking at least $75,000 in damages in each of the suits.

According to the suits, Loudermill froze for so long after gunfire erupted that police had time to put up crime scene tape. As he tried to go under the tape to leave, officers stopped him and told him he was moving “too slow.”

They handcuffed him and put him on a curb, where people began taking pictures and posting them on social media. Loudermill ultimately was led away from the area and told he was free to go.

But posts soon began appearing on the lawmakers' accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter, that included a picture of Loudermill and called him an “illegal alien” and a “shooter,” the suits said.

Loudermill, who was born and raised in the U.S., received death threats even though he had no involvement in the shooting, according to the complaints.

The litigation described him as a “contributing member of his African-American family, a family with deep and long roots in his Kansas community.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708018861457.jpeg" alt="-FILE - Police clear the area following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 14, 2024. Denton Loudermill Jr., a man who was briefly handcuffed but not charged in the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rally, filed suit Tuesday, April 2, against three more lawmakers — Rick Brattin of Harrisonville; Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg; and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County — over social media posts falsely accusing him of being among the shooters and an immigrant in the country illegally. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)" />
 <figcaption>-FILE - Police clear the area following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 14, 2024. Denton Loudermill Jr., a man who was briefly handcuffed but not charged in the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rally, filed suit Tuesday, April 2, against three more lawmakers — Rick Brattin of Harrisonville; Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg; and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County — over social media posts falsely accusing him of being among the shooters and an immigrant in the country illegally. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A man who was briefly handcuffed but not charged in the shooting at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-parade-shooting-kansas-city-d9f4466b69cbb2dfe0f007414aebe730">Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl rally</a>&nbsp;is suing three more lawmakers over social media posts falsely accusing him of being among the shooters and an immigrant in the country illegally.Denton Loudermill Jr. of Olathe, Kansas, filed the nearly identical federal lawsuits Tuesday against three Republican Missouri state senators: Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County.The complaints say Loudermill suffered “humiliation, embarrassment, insult, and inconvenience" over the “highly offensive” posts.Loudermill made similar allegations last week in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-parade-shooting-congressman-a4550422b444f2184f25a830b15bcf5f">a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee.Schroer and Hoskins declined to comment, and Brattin did not immediately respond to a text message Wednesday seeking comment. A spokeswoman for Burchett said last week that the congressman's office does not discuss pending litigation.The Feb. 14 shooting outside the historic Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, killed a well-known DJ and injured more than 20 others, many of them children.Loudermill, who was never cited or arrested in the shooting, is seeking at least $75,000 in damages in each of the suits.According to the suits, Loudermill froze for so long after gunfire erupted that police had time to put up crime scene tape. As he tried to go under the tape to leave, officers stopped him and told him he was moving “too slow.”They handcuffed him and put him on a curb, where people began taking pictures and posting them on social media. Loudermill ultimately was led away from the area and told he was free to go.But posts soon began appearing on the lawmakers' accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter, that included a picture of Loudermill and called him an “illegal alien” and a “shooter,” the suits said.Loudermill, who was born and raised in the U.S., received death threats even though he had no involvement in the shooting, according to the complaints.The litigation described him as a “contributing member of his African-American family, a family with deep and long roots in his Kansas community.”

Man cuffed but not charged after Chiefs rally shooting sues 3 more lawmakers 

The confetti has fallen, the trophy has been hoisted and the curtain has drawn on another NCAA Division II women’s basketball Elite Eight hosted by the St. Joseph Sports Commission and Missouri Western State University.

This was the sixth time ever that this event was in St. Joseph - all of them since 2003. It was also the first time since 2011 that the city got to host the DII women’s national title game.

Brett Esely, director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission and director of the tournament, says getting to host the title game this year, unlike last year, made it that much more special.

The title game was in Dallas last year as part of the NCAA's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

"To see that in Civic Arena and to see how happy people are around that, that happiness spreads to a lot of people," Esely told KFEQ Radio. "And it spreads to the folks who put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears to make it a great championship week."

Esely says about 2,200 people were in attendance last Friday night when <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/b0c6804d-9c17-4d11-9549-c1752fec6100">Minnesota State defeated Texas Woman’s University 89-73</a> at Civic Arena.

"If you were in the building Friday night, and a lot of people were, you saw an experience that I don't think you'll forget anytime soon."

Eight teams from eight different states qualified, and that spanned literally coast-to-coast, from California to New York. As the week went on, fans of the winning teams stuck around, making local eateries and establishments their gathering spots.

Esely says the fans from Ferris State University, for example, were often seen at Geneo's Pizza downtown before games.

"That's just one example of folks saying, 'Hey, I saw this travel party out at this restaurant or this place,'" he said. "I think we measure these championships and their success by a number of different things. But, we love to talk about economic impact."

"We don't have those numbers back yet, but I think the economic impact of having this event for a full week in St. Joseph is certainly a plus."

Another highlight from the week was teams going to area high schools for team welcome events.

<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/4b8c8cb3-477a-4fed-8e78-b9760a84f7e3">The Texas Woman’s team went to Mid-Buchanan High School</a> where they made an instant connection with young girls and athletes in 3rd-8th grade.

In return, those young fans showed out in full force to support Texas Woman’s all week.

"It starts with the leadership at the school," Esely said. "(Texas Woman's) embraced that and that's what community engagement is all about and that's what the beauty of Division II athletics is all about. You have that grassroots effort to get out and engage and teach and be role models for the students of tomorrow."

With the Elite 8 now in the rearview, Esely and the Sports Commission look ahead to future events, which includes the unveiling of the next St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class on May 16.

"We'll make that public on the 16th," he said. "That gives the selection committee an opportunity to review the candidates, select the class. From there, we'll notify the class. We want them to know before it goes public. Then, we're shooting to release the 2024 Hall of Fame Class on May 16th."

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is slated for Sunday, August 25.

Another big event is the second St. Joseph Marathon, set for Saturday, September 28. Sign up for that race has been open on the Sports Commission's website since January.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712179192750.jpeg" alt="Minnesota State was celebrated as the Division II women's basketball national champion last Friday at Civic Arena in St. Joseph. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Minnesota State was celebrated as the Division II women's basketball national champion last Friday at Civic Arena in St. Joseph. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe confetti has fallen, the trophy has been hoisted and the curtain has drawn on another NCAA Division II women’s basketball Elite Eight hosted by the St. Joseph Sports Commission and Missouri Western State University.This was the sixth time ever that this event was in St. Joseph - all of them since 2003. It was also the first time since 2011 that the city got to host the DII women’s national title game.Brett Esely, director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission and director of the tournament, says getting to host the title game this year, unlike last year, made it that much more special.The title game was in Dallas last year as part of the NCAA's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX."To see that in Civic Arena and to see how happy people are around that, that happiness spreads to a lot of people," Esely told KFEQ Radio. "And it spreads to the folks who put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears to make it a great championship week."Esely says about 2,200 people were in attendance last Friday night when <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/b0c6804d-9c17-4d11-9549-c1752fec6100">Minnesota State defeated Texas Woman’s University 89-73</a> at Civic Arena."If you were in the building Friday night, and a lot of people were, you saw an experience that I don't think you'll forget anytime soon."Eight teams from eight different states qualified, and that spanned literally coast-to-coast, from California to New York. As the week went on, fans of the winning teams stuck around, making local eateries and establishments their gathering spots.Esely says the fans from Ferris State University, for example, were often seen at Geneo's Pizza downtown before games."That's just one example of folks saying, 'Hey, I saw this travel party out at this restaurant or this place,'" he said. "I think we measure these championships and their success by a number of different things. But, we love to talk about economic impact.""We don't have those numbers back yet, but I think the economic impact of having this event for a full week in St. Joseph is certainly a plus."Another highlight from the week was teams going to area high schools for team welcome events.<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/4b8c8cb3-477a-4fed-8e78-b9760a84f7e3">The Texas Woman’s team went to Mid-Buchanan High School</a> where they made an instant connection with young girls and athletes in 3rd-8th grade.In return, those young fans showed out in full force to support Texas Woman’s all week."It starts with the leadership at the school," Esely said. "(Texas Woman's) embraced that and that's what community engagement is all about and that's what the beauty of Division II athletics is all about. You have that grassroots effort to get out and engage and teach and be role models for the students of tomorrow." With the Elite 8 now in the rearview, Esely and the Sports Commission look ahead to future events, which includes the unveiling of the next St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class on May 16."We'll make that public on the 16th," he said. "That gives the selection committee an opportunity to review the candidates, select the class. From there, we'll notify the class. We want them to know before it goes public. Then, we're shooting to release the 2024 Hall of Fame Class on May 16th."The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is slated for Sunday, August 25.Another big event is the second St. Joseph Marathon, set for Saturday, September 28. Sign up for that race has been open on the Sports Commission's website since January.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712179117925.jpeg" alt="Brett Esely (right) presented Minnesota State women's basketball coach Emilee Thiesse (left) with a commemorative Pony Express Mochila after the Mavericks won the national title last week. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Brett Esely (right) presented Minnesota State women's basketball coach Emilee Thiesse (left) with a commemorative Pony Express Mochila after the Mavericks won the national title last week. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Esely reflects on successful Elite 8, looks ahead to other big events in 2024

St. Joseph voters showed strong support for a $20 million bond issue that'll benefit the entire St. Joseph School District.

More than 65 percent of voters who showed out were in favor of the bond issue, which will go toward public safety upgrades, academic programs and activities. The bond needed 57 percent approval for passage.

Kevin Kelly, Co-Chair of Friends of the St. Joseph School District, says this was a needed victory, as the district looks to make some needed improvements.

"We're extremely pleased that the community saw through a lot of the misinformation and a lot of the noise that really was a distraction," Kelly told KFEQ Radio Tuesday night. "The community said, 'No, we support the school district.' Their vote (Tuesday) was a clear indicator that it is moving in the right direction. This bond passage gives us the support and money we need to make some of the investments necessary."

The passage of this bond comes at no additional cost to taxpayers. Public safety projects in the bond include extending the district sidewalk program, which plans sidewalks for Pickett and Pershing Elementary and possibly Spring Garden Middle School.

Public safety projects also include a partnership with the city to build roads at Carden Park and Oak Grove Elementary Schools

HVAC upgrades will be funded, as will an upgrade to the district-wide intercom system. Artificial turf will be added to the high school football fields, and money will also be invested in the performing arts.

Kelly says a common misconception surrounding this bond is the money was only going to go toward turf football fields. But, he says it spans well beyond that.

"Theater and fine arts in multiple schools," he said. "We're adding onto Hosea (Elementary), putting classrooms in, which are needed, because it's over capacity. So, we can get out of trailers and put them in real classrooms."

"We have access points - the driving up and walking around several of the schools. It should have been done when they were built. Two of the newer schools, but it wasn't. Therefore, now we can put in the safety measures of the sidewalks and dropping kids off without having to worry about things."

Kelly adds this bond is crucial, as the district works to keep up with peer districts in the Kansas City metro when it comes to facilities and opportunities for students.

"It helps get us back on track," he said. "We have to reverse the enrollment decline and start attracting the families and getting them to stay here. This at least puts us on the right direction to get the school district rebuilt and able to compete with other surrounding school districts."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692636252553.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph School District Superintendent Gabe Edgar (left) and Hyde Elementary Principal Jaimee Lawrence (right) greet students on the first day of school in 2023. Photo by Matt Pike." />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph School District Superintendent Gabe Edgar (left) and Hyde Elementary Principal Jaimee Lawrence (right) greet students on the first day of school in 2023. Photo by Matt Pike.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph voters showed strong support for a $20 million bond issue that'll benefit the entire St. Joseph School District.More than 65 percent of voters who showed out were in favor of the bond issue, which will go toward public safety upgrades, academic programs and activities. The bond needed 57 percent approval for passage.Kevin Kelly, Co-Chair of Friends of the St. Joseph School District, says this was a needed victory, as the district looks to make some needed improvements."We're extremely pleased that the community saw through a lot of the misinformation and a lot of the noise that really was a distraction," Kelly told KFEQ Radio Tuesday night. "The community said, 'No, we support the school district.' Their vote (Tuesday) was a clear indicator that it is moving in the right direction. This bond passage gives us the support and money we need to make some of the investments necessary."The passage of this bond comes at no additional cost to taxpayers. Public safety projects in the bond include extending the district sidewalk program, which plans sidewalks for Pickett and Pershing Elementary and possibly Spring Garden Middle School.Public safety projects also include a partnership with the city to build roads at Carden Park and Oak Grove Elementary SchoolsHVAC upgrades will be funded, as will an upgrade to the district-wide intercom system. Artificial turf will be added to the high school football fields, and money will also be invested in the performing arts.Kelly says a common misconception surrounding this bond is the money was only going to go toward turf football fields. But, he says it spans well beyond that."Theater and fine arts in multiple schools," he said. "We're adding onto Hosea (Elementary), putting classrooms in, which are needed, because it's over capacity. So, we can get out of trailers and put them in real classrooms.""We have access points - the driving up and walking around several of the schools. It should have been done when they were built. Two of the newer schools, but it wasn't. Therefore, now we can put in the safety measures of the sidewalks and dropping kids off without having to worry about things."Kelly adds this bond is crucial, as the district works to keep up with peer districts in the Kansas City metro when it comes to facilities and opportunities for students."It helps get us back on track," he said. "We have to reverse the enrollment decline and start attracting the families and getting them to stay here. This at least puts us on the right direction to get the school district rebuilt and able to compete with other surrounding school districts."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph School District Bond issue passes with ease Tuesday

A measure to lower the tax levy on the Rolling Hills Library, which serves Buchanan and Andrew counties, passed overwhelmingly in the Tuesday election. 

Buchanan County voters gave the measure 62% approval and Andrew County saw 63% of voters approve the question.

In Buchanan County, 2,481 voted in favor with 1,513 voting against.&nbsp; In Andrew County, 1,058 voted in favor with only 624 voting against.

Spokesman Alan Stolfus says the library district is appreciative of the supporters who understood what the district was trying to do and helped the measure pass.

"By right sizing our budget, our tax levy, so we can provide them with a modern new library here in just a couple of years," Stolfus tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Stolfus says the next steps will be to combine the two levies for the library and begin seeking bonds for construction of the new library building 

The passage will lower the tax levy on the library by three cents, removing the sunset over about half the levy, giving the district the ability to seek bonds to finance the new construction.

Stolfus compares financing for a new library to the difference between a 30 year and 15-year mortgage on a house. 

"That part of the tax levy with that sunset clause we wouldn't be able to go for 30-year bonds, we would have to go with 15-year bonds, which would be too expensive for our budget," Stolfus explains. 

Stolfus says having the sunset removed provides a better foundation to plan for the new library. 

Stolfus says with a contractor already selected; the next step is preparing the financing for the new building. 

"By the time you sell the bonds and get onto the contractors schedule, construction should start by the end of the year, looking at December time for starting construction," Stolfus says. 

The new library will be near Faraon and Riverside Road near the new UMKC School of Medicine.  Hope is the new building will be open in 2026. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A measure to lower the tax levy on the Rolling Hills Library, which serves Buchanan and Andrew counties, passed overwhelmingly in the Tuesday election. Buchanan County voters gave the measure 62% approval and Andrew County saw 63% of voters approve the question.In Buchanan County, 2,481 voted in favor with 1,513 voting against.&nbsp; In Andrew County, 1,058 voted in favor with only 624 voting against.Spokesman Alan Stolfus says the library district is appreciative of the supporters who understood what the district was trying to do and helped the measure pass."By right sizing our budget, our tax levy, so we can provide them with a modern new library here in just a couple of years," Stolfus tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Stolfus says the next steps will be to combine the two levies for the library and begin seeking bonds for construction of the new library building The passage will lower the tax levy on the library by three cents, removing the sunset over about half the levy, giving the district the ability to seek bonds to finance the new construction.Stolfus compares financing for a new library to the difference between a 30 year and 15-year mortgage on a house. "That part of the tax levy with that sunset clause we wouldn't be able to go for 30-year bonds, we would have to go with 15-year bonds, which would be too expensive for our budget," Stolfus explains. Stolfus says having the sunset removed provides a better foundation to plan for the new library. Stolfus says with a contractor already selected; the next step is preparing the financing for the new building. "By the time you sell the bonds and get onto the contractors schedule, construction should start by the end of the year, looking at December time for starting construction," Stolfus says. The new library will be near Faraon and Riverside Road near the new UMKC School of Medicine. Hope is the new building will be open in 2026. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRollingHillsLibrary%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02i47Y3mVNLnaxJX5cgvACQqFEcaQwoEhpd8FEwwMiGfJ67iCiAvE356GbHSTVCX58l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="488" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Rolling Hills officials appreciative of support of tax issue and look ahead to new library

St. Joseph voters gave overwhelming approval to a $20 million school bond issue and re-elected the president of the St. Joseph School
Board during the municipal elections Tuesday.

The Buchanan County Clerk’s office reports all but one
precinct has reported results. The Sojourn precinct remains out in the
unofficial vote tally released by the office.

[CORRECTION:&nbsp; The Buchanan County Clerk's office reports the Sojourn voters have been combined with the St. Peter location, making a total of 23 precincts. The totals released are the unofficial total votes. We regret the error and any inconvenience it might have caused.]

More than 7,000 St. Joseph voters cast ballots in favor
of the school bond issue that requires no tax increase with only about 3,600 voting against the proposal. That nearly 66% margin well surpasses
the 57% threshold needed to approve the bonds.

St. Joseph School Board President LaTonya Williams garnered
the most votes in a crowded field for three St. Joseph School Board seats, receiving more than 4,000 votes. Mike Moore came in second with Ronda Chesney third;
both those candidates also breaking the 4,000 vote barrier. Jacob
McMillian came in fourth with former St. Joseph School Board member, Tami
Pasley, coming in fifth. School Board Vice President Kenneth Reeder lost his
bid for re-election, coming in sixth.

The proposal by the Rolling Hills Consolidated Library
District to reduce its overall levy by three cents in exchange for voters
lifting the sunset clause on about half the levy passed overwhelmingly in both
Buchanan and Andrew Counties. The question received 62% approval in
Buchanan County with 63% approving in Andrew County.

The City of St. Joseph placed seven changes to the city charter on the ballot. All but two won approval, though the two that failed were fairly close. Proposition 4 which would allow the city council to modify city departments by city code rather than by city saw 52% vote no with 48% voting yes. Proposition 5, moving the Personnel Board and the Museum Oversight Board from the charter to the code received saw 53% vote no to 46 percent voting yes. All other proposals received nearly 70% to more than 70% approval.

Voter turnout exceeded expectations. Buchanan County Clerk Mary
Baack Garvey predicted a turnout of 15%. The actual turnout topped
22% with more than 11,000 of the county’s 52,000 registered
voters casting ballots.

This article has been changed since first published, making a correction on what city charter changes passed.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph voters gave overwhelming approval to a $20 million school bond issue and re-elected the president of the St. Joseph School
Board during the municipal elections Tuesday.The Buchanan County Clerk’s office reports all but one
precinct has reported results. The Sojourn precinct remains out in the
unofficial vote tally released by the office.[CORRECTION:&nbsp; The Buchanan County Clerk's office reports the Sojourn voters have been combined with the St. Peter location, making a total of 23 precincts. The totals released are the unofficial total votes. We regret the error and any inconvenience it might have caused.]More than 7,000 St. Joseph voters cast ballots in favor
of the school bond issue that requires no tax increase with only about 3,600 voting against the proposal. That nearly 66% margin well surpasses
the 57% threshold needed to approve the bonds.St. Joseph School Board President LaTonya Williams garnered
the most votes in a crowded field for three St. Joseph School Board seats, receiving more than 4,000 votes. Mike Moore came in second with Ronda Chesney third;
both those candidates also breaking the 4,000 vote barrier. Jacob
McMillian came in fourth with former St. Joseph School Board member, Tami
Pasley, coming in fifth. School Board Vice President Kenneth Reeder lost his
bid for re-election, coming in sixth.The proposal by the Rolling Hills Consolidated Library
District to reduce its overall levy by three cents in exchange for voters
lifting the sunset clause on about half the levy passed overwhelmingly in both
Buchanan and Andrew Counties. The question received 62% approval in
Buchanan County with 63% approving in Andrew County.The City of St. Joseph placed seven changes to the city charter on the ballot. All but two won approval, though the two that failed were fairly close. Proposition 4 which would allow the city council to modify city departments by city code rather than by city saw 52% vote no with 48% voting yes. Proposition 5, moving the Personnel Board and the Museum Oversight Board from the charter to the code received saw 53% vote no to 46 percent voting yes. All other proposals received nearly 70% to more than 70% approval.Voter turnout exceeded expectations. Buchanan County Clerk Mary
Baack Garvey predicted a turnout of 15%. The actual turnout topped
22% with more than 11,000 of the county’s 52,000 registered
voters casting ballots.This article has been changed since first published, making a correction on what city charter changes passed.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph voters approve school bond issue, re-elect School Board President

Final votes will be taken Thursday to send the spending plan to the state Senate. All budget bills must be finished by the constitutional deadline of May 10

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

The Missouri House spent nine hours Tuesday debating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/26/democrats-gripe-over-limited-time-for-debating-proposed-50-billion-missouri-budget/">$50.7 billion state budget</a>, with Republicans voting down most ideas from Democrats to add to the spending plan, even amendments that would restore cuts to Gov. Mike Parson’s proposals.

There were fights over higher education funding, child care subsidies and where Missouri should deploy the National Guard — to the Texas-Mexico border or to cities within the state where officials want help controlling crime.&nbsp;

Democrats wanted to restore Parson’s 3% funding increase for colleges and universities, which was cut to 2% by House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, but the amendment failed. They wanted to increase child care subsidies, but the amendment failed. They wanted the $8 million dedicated to Parson’s deployment of the National Guard to Texas to be used for fighting crime, but the amendment failed.

Other failed Democratic proposals to change the budget would have increased services for people with disabilities through centers for independent living, cut children’s health premiums and removed the cap on a key variable that determines how much money is given to public schools.

The marathon floor session ended with voice votes on the 17 bills that make up the budget. The next step will be roll-call votes Thursday to send the bills to the Senate. Lawmakers have until May 10 to complete work on a spending plan for the year that begins July 1.Democrats, who hold fewer than one-third of the seats in the House, are accustomed to defeat when they offer budget amendments. Their biggest complaint is that the state has plenty of money — Missouri is sitting on an historically high surplus — but House rules put that surplus off limits. Any amendment that spends general revenue must have a corresponding cut somewhere else in the budget as presented.

“It is hard to find general revenue when the budget chair has decreased the governor’s recommendation by $1.9 billion,” said state Rep. Deb Lavender, a Democrat from Manchester.

Smith, however, said it was his duty to align ongoing spending with the state’s revenue stream.

“We have worked long and hard at the process to make sure that general revenue spending is not greater than what we project our ongoing revenues to be,” Smith said during the debate.

General revenue, which totaled $13.2 million in the year that ended June 30, is expected to fall slightly during the current fiscal year and remain almost flat in fiscal year 2025. Through Friday, tax collections were showing a slight increase of 0.5% for the year to date.

During a discussion of education spending, state Rep. Peter Merideth of St. Louis, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, was critical of the rules that put the surplus off-limits.

“This time let’s actually use some for something that will make a difference,” Merideth said.

The budget is nearly $2 billion less than proposed by Parson in January, with most of the cuts in spending from federal funds dedicated to specific programs or available because of COVID-19 relief efforts. Smith cut a net of $136 million of the $15.1 billion in general revenue spending sought by Parson, but also shifted around hundreds of millions more.

He removed items like a $52.8 million plan to redevelop the old Missouri State Penitentiary site for tourism and $100 million in extraordinary transfers to a fund dedicated to repair and maintenance needs of state facilities.

One of the biggest additions is $363.7 million that would go to a fund for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/14/missouri-house-budget-chairman-trims-2-billion-from-governors-proposed-spending-plan/">improvements on Interstate 44</a>. Another is $100 million for low-volume roads in rural areas.

The spending plan includes $3.8 billion for public schools in the foundation formula, $360 million for school transportation and $1.3 billion from a dedicated 1% sales tax delivered on a per-pupil basis. That will push the per-pupil amount to about $1,512, up 50% since fiscal 2020.

Other big-ticket items in the budget include a 3.2% pay raise for state employees, a boost in state grants to support teacher pay to make the minimum salary $40,000 and $1.5 billion to expand broadband access in rural areas.

The closest Democrats came to securing a large increase in any program was Lavender’s amendment to add $97 million to services for the developmentally disabled. The money would have gone towards raises and new staffing to support people currently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/22/missourians-with-developmental-disabilities-languish-in-hospitals-jails-shelters/">housed in hospitals, shelters and jails</a>.

“This will finally get the provider rates to where they can hire and care for the most vulnerable in our community,” said Lavender.&nbsp;

State Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel and vice chairman of the House Budget Committee, opposed the increase, which would have been paid for with federal funds. That money requires a state match from general revenue, he said.

“This is empty authority,” Deaton said.

The amendment failed on a 66-77 vote, with 27 Republicans joining every Democrat in favor.&nbsp;

There were a few fights among Republicans, including whether the state should allow any development of a trail on the old Rock Island railroad line, recently acquired by the state for use as a trail.&nbsp;

State Rep. Bruce Sassman, a Republican from Bland, tried to remove language barring any spending on “maintenance, rehabilitation, restoration, and repair of the Missouri Rock Island Trail Corridor.”&nbsp;

The sticking point for Republicans is whether landowners along the line are due payments for conversion of the rail corridor to trail use.

“We’re not going to do anything that is going to allow money to be expended to further this project until those property rights issues have been resolved,” said Rep. Scott Cupps, a Shell Knob Republican.

State Rep Tim Taylor, a Republican of Bunceton, backed Sassman’s proposal to lift the ban. He said property owners along the trail want fences to protect their property from interference from the trail.

“There are landowners with cattle, there are landowners with property, who are looking forward to this funding to build those fences,” Taylor said.

The biggest change in the budget from the version brought to the floor was a cut that removed $53.4 million in federal funding from the Department of Health and Senior Services for COVID-19 mitigation and prevention. The sponsor of the amendment, Republican state Rep. Mazzie Christensen of Bethany, said only $3 million was spent last year from a similar appropriation, all for radio ads promoting a coronavirus vaccine.

Democrats failed in an attempt to force Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to rely on Attorney General Andrew Bailey, rather than private counsel, to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/24/jay-ashcroft-seeks-1-2-million-to-defend-anti-esg-investing-rules-in-federal-court/">defend the rule</a>&nbsp;he portrays as protecting investors from “politically motivated” financial advisers.

Ashcroft’s office hired outside counsel, Ed Greim of the prominent Republican law firm Graves Garrett, and asked for $1.2 million in the budget. Democrats tried to stop him from taking the money from the investor education fund.

Ashcroft is a candidate for governor and Greim contributed $2,825 to his campaign and $1,500 to his joint fundraising PAC.

“He should not be using this money, which is dedicated to very specific purposes,” Merideth said, “to pay for his campaign.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712155245615.png" alt=" House Budget Chair Cody Smith, R-Carthage, summarizes his budget proposal to reporters Thursday, March 14 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> House Budget Chair Cody Smith, R-Carthage, summarizes his budget proposal to reporters Thursday, March 14 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Final votes will be taken Thursday to send the spending plan to the state Senate. All budget bills must be finished by the constitutional deadline of May 10</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri House spent nine hours Tuesday debating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/26/democrats-gripe-over-limited-time-for-debating-proposed-50-billion-missouri-budget/">$50.7 billion state budget</a>, with Republicans voting down most ideas from Democrats to add to the spending plan, even amendments that would restore cuts to Gov. Mike Parson’s proposals.There were fights over higher education funding, child care subsidies and where Missouri should deploy the National Guard — to the Texas-Mexico border or to cities within the state where officials want help controlling crime.&nbsp;Democrats wanted to restore Parson’s 3% funding increase for colleges and universities, which was cut to 2% by House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, but the amendment failed. They wanted to increase child care subsidies, but the amendment failed. They wanted the $8 million dedicated to Parson’s deployment of the National Guard to Texas to be used for fighting crime, but the amendment failed.Other failed Democratic proposals to change the budget would have increased services for people with disabilities through centers for independent living, cut children’s health premiums and removed the cap on a key variable that determines how much money is given to public schools.The marathon floor session ended with voice votes on the 17 bills that make up the budget. The next step will be roll-call votes Thursday to send the bills to the Senate. Lawmakers have until May 10 to complete work on a spending plan for the year that begins July 1.Democrats, who hold fewer than one-third of the seats in the House, are accustomed to defeat when they offer budget amendments. Their biggest complaint is that the state has plenty of money — Missouri is sitting on an historically high surplus — but House rules put that surplus off limits. Any amendment that spends general revenue must have a corresponding cut somewhere else in the budget as presented.“It is hard to find general revenue when the budget chair has decreased the governor’s recommendation by $1.9 billion,” said state Rep. Deb Lavender, a Democrat from Manchester.Smith, however, said it was his duty to align ongoing spending with the state’s revenue stream.“We have worked long and hard at the process to make sure that general revenue spending is not greater than what we project our ongoing revenues to be,” Smith said during the debate.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712155202706.png" alt=" State Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Manchester, speaks during debate on March 1, 2023, in the Missouri House (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Manchester, speaks during debate on March 1, 2023, in the Missouri House (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>General revenue, which totaled $13.2 million in the year that ended June 30, is expected to fall slightly during the current fiscal year and remain almost flat in fiscal year 2025. Through Friday, tax collections were showing a slight increase of 0.5% for the year to date.During a discussion of education spending, state Rep. Peter Merideth of St. Louis, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, was critical of the rules that put the surplus off-limits.“This time let’s actually use some for something that will make a difference,” Merideth said.The budget is nearly $2 billion less than proposed by Parson in January, with most of the cuts in spending from federal funds dedicated to specific programs or available because of COVID-19 relief efforts. Smith cut a net of $136 million of the $15.1 billion in general revenue spending sought by Parson, but also shifted around hundreds of millions more.He removed items like a $52.8 million plan to redevelop the old Missouri State Penitentiary site for tourism and $100 million in extraordinary transfers to a fund dedicated to repair and maintenance needs of state facilities.One of the biggest additions is $363.7 million that would go to a fund for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/14/missouri-house-budget-chairman-trims-2-billion-from-governors-proposed-spending-plan/">improvements on Interstate 44</a>. Another is $100 million for low-volume roads in rural areas.The spending plan includes $3.8 billion for public schools in the foundation formula, $360 million for school transportation and $1.3 billion from a dedicated 1% sales tax delivered on a per-pupil basis. That will push the per-pupil amount to about $1,512, up 50% since fiscal 2020.Other big-ticket items in the budget include a 3.2% pay raise for state employees, a boost in state grants to support teacher pay to make the minimum salary $40,000 and $1.5 billion to expand broadband access in rural areas.The closest Democrats came to securing a large increase in any program was Lavender’s amendment to add $97 million to services for the developmentally disabled. The money would have gone towards raises and new staffing to support people currently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/22/missourians-with-developmental-disabilities-languish-in-hospitals-jails-shelters/">housed in hospitals, shelters and jails</a>.“This will finally get the provider rates to where they can hire and care for the most vulnerable in our community,” said Lavender.&nbsp;State Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel and vice chairman of the House Budget Committee, opposed the increase, which would have been paid for with federal funds. That money requires a state match from general revenue, he said.“This is empty authority,” Deaton said.The amendment failed on a 66-77 vote, with 27 Republicans joining every Democrat in favor.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712155166165.png" alt=" State Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Noel, speaks on the Missouri House floor in May 2022 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)" />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Noel, speaks on the Missouri House floor in May 2022 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>There were a few fights among Republicans, including whether the state should allow any development of a trail on the old Rock Island railroad line, recently acquired by the state for use as a trail.&nbsp;State Rep. Bruce Sassman, a Republican from Bland, tried to remove language barring any spending on “maintenance, rehabilitation, restoration, and repair of the Missouri Rock Island Trail Corridor.”&nbsp;The sticking point for Republicans is whether landowners along the line are due payments for conversion of the rail corridor to trail use.“We’re not going to do anything that is going to allow money to be expended to further this project until those property rights issues have been resolved,” said Rep. Scott Cupps, a Shell Knob Republican.State Rep Tim Taylor, a Republican of Bunceton, backed Sassman’s proposal to lift the ban. He said property owners along the trail want fences to protect their property from interference from the trail.“There are landowners with cattle, there are landowners with property, who are looking forward to this funding to build those fences,” Taylor said.The amendment failed on a 60-77 vote.The biggest change in the budget from the version brought to the floor was a cut that removed $53.4 million in federal funding from the Department of Health and Senior Services for COVID-19 mitigation and prevention. The sponsor of the amendment, Republican state Rep. Mazzie Christensen of Bethany, said only $3 million was spent last year from a similar appropriation, all for radio ads promoting a coronavirus vaccine.Democrats failed in an attempt to force Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to rely on Attorney General Andrew Bailey, rather than private counsel, to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/24/jay-ashcroft-seeks-1-2-million-to-defend-anti-esg-investing-rules-in-federal-court/">defend the rule</a>&nbsp;he portrays as protecting investors from “politically motivated” financial advisers.Ashcroft’s office hired outside counsel, Ed Greim of the prominent Republican law firm Graves Garrett, and asked for $1.2 million in the budget. Democrats tried to stop him from taking the money from the investor education fund.Ashcroft is a candidate for governor and Greim contributed $2,825 to his campaign and $1,500 to his joint fundraising PAC.“He should not be using this money, which is dedicated to very specific purposes,” Merideth said, “to pay for his campaign.”

House GOP advances $50 billion Missouri budget, rejecting dozens of Democrat amendments

By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that state marijuana regulators were within their authority to deny a cultivation business license to a company that failed to include proper paperwork with its application.&nbsp;

Mo Cann Do Inc. applied for a cultivation license to grow marijuana in 2019. The company was denied when the state said it didn’t include a certification of good standing from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office in its application.

However, the company argues state rules require the Division of Cannabis Regulation to specify what information is lacking in an application in a letter — which the state didn’t do before it denied Mo Cann Do’s license.&nbsp;

So the company filed an appeal — one of more than 800 appeals filed after the state imposed caps on the number of marijuana business licenses it would award.&nbsp; After losing at the Administrative Hearing Commission and circuit court levels, Mo Cann Do won in the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District in February 2023.

The court ordered Missouri to award the company a marijuana cultivation facility license.&nbsp;

The state asked the Missouri Supreme Court to hear the case, in part, because there are dozens of pending cases before the commission and courts “where the particular document deficiency may not have been itemized” in the state’s rejection notice, according to court documents.

On Tuesday, a unanimous ruling written by Judge W. Brent Powell concluded that failing to include a certificate of good standing meant Mo Cann Do did not meet the minimum standards to get a license.&nbsp;

The state was therefore justified in its denial. Failure to inform the&nbsp; company of the deficiency in its application, the court ruled, did not preclude the state from denying the application.&nbsp;

“Even if (the Department of Health and Senior Services) did not provide specific notice to (Mo Cann Do) of the deficiency in its application,” the ruling stated, “the state cannot be thwarted in its effort to enforce public policy and protect the public interest as it pertains to regulating the cultivation and use of marijuana. It is incumbent on DHSS to ensure MCD or other entities entering the marijuana industry follow the laws and regulations related to the industry so the public can remain safe.”

If the Court of Appeals ruling had been allowed to stand, the state argued it would have been forced to award marijuana licenses to applicants who might not have even gotten the necessary scores in 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712141630999.png" alt=" If the Court of Appeals ruling had been allowed to stand, the state argued it would have been forced to award marijuana licenses to applicants who might not have even gotten the necessary scores in 2019 (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> If the Court of Appeals ruling had been allowed to stand, the state argued it would have been forced to award marijuana licenses to applicants who might not have even gotten the necessary scores in 2019 (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that state marijuana regulators were within their authority to deny a cultivation business license to a company that failed to include proper paperwork with its application.&nbsp;Mo Cann Do Inc. applied for a cultivation license to grow marijuana in 2019. The company was denied when the state said it didn’t include a certification of good standing from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office in its application.However, the company argues state rules require the Division of Cannabis Regulation to specify what information is lacking in an application in a letter — which the state didn’t do before it denied Mo Cann Do’s license.&nbsp;So the company filed an appeal — one of more than 800 appeals filed after the state imposed caps on the number of marijuana business licenses it would award.&nbsp; After losing at the Administrative Hearing Commission and circuit court levels, Mo Cann Do won in the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District in February 2023.The court ordered Missouri to award the company a marijuana cultivation facility license.&nbsp;The state asked the Missouri Supreme Court to hear the case, in part, because there are dozens of pending cases before the commission and courts “where the particular document deficiency may not have been itemized” in the state’s rejection notice, according to court documents.On Tuesday, a unanimous ruling written by Judge W. Brent Powell concluded that failing to include a certificate of good standing meant Mo Cann Do did not meet the minimum standards to get a license.&nbsp;The state was therefore justified in its denial. Failure to inform the&nbsp; company of the deficiency in its application, the court ruled, did not preclude the state from denying the application.&nbsp;“Even if (the Department of Health and Senior Services) did not provide specific notice to (Mo Cann Do) of the deficiency in its application,” the ruling stated, “the state cannot be thwarted in its effort to enforce public policy and protect the public interest as it pertains to regulating the cultivation and use of marijuana. It is incumbent on DHSS to ensure MCD or other entities entering the marijuana industry follow the laws and regulations related to the industry so the public can remain safe.”If the Court of Appeals ruling had been allowed to stand, the state argued it would have been forced to award marijuana licenses to applicants who might not have even gotten the necessary scores in 2019.

Missouri Supreme Court denies marijuana company’s appeal of denied license

Two young men have been arrested after a shooting Tuesday
morning that sent one person to the hospital.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports a 26-year-old and a
23-year-old have been taken into custody following a shooting in the 1300 block
of West Joseph Street. Charges are pending.

Police report officers responded to the scene after receiving
emergency calls reporting a shooting involving several people.

One suspect was taken to the hospital with what are reported
to be non-life-threatening wounds.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTwo young men have been arrested after a shooting Tuesday
morning that sent one person to the hospital.The St. Joseph Police Department reports a 26-year-old and a
23-year-old have been taken into custody following a shooting in the 1300 block
of West Joseph Street. Charges are pending.Police report officers responded to the scene after receiving
emergency calls reporting a shooting involving several people.One suspect was taken to the hospital with what are reported
to be non-life-threatening wounds.The investigation continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Two arrested in Tuesday morning St. Joseph shooting

The St. Joseph Police department saw a significant decrease overall in the number of crimes through 2023. 

Police Chief Paul Luster reported on the crime stats during a news conference at the Law Enforcement Center downtown. Luster says overall there was a decrease in St. Joseph between 2022 and 2023.  

"In 2022, there were 3,365 part one crimes reported, compared to 2,879 reported in 2023, that represents a 14% decrease," Luster tells reporters and fellow officers during the news conference. 

Part one crimes are classified in the two categories of violent crimes, such as rape and murder, and property crimes like arson and burglary.  

Luster credits the drop to a focus on what he calls precision policing, focusing on offenders and building relationships with partner agencies and the community.  

Luster says the analogy he uses to describe what he means by precision policing, is fishing with a spear, instead of a net.  

"So, we're focusing our resources, it's always our hope that we'll continue to see decreases, there's obviously some the police department has to do with that but there's other things outside of our control," Luster explains. "We need the community partnerships, we need to community to step up at all times, we need the crime reported so we can address it." 

"So. there's just lots of factors beyond the police departments control that factor into the crime statistics." 

Luster says as they work through 2024 now, his department wants to keep a concerted focus on violent crime.  

"That's going to be our primary focus, on the violent offenders in our community that are putting this community at risk, and that's where we're going to put the resources to," Luster says. "And that's not to say we're not going to address other things, we focus on pattern crimes as well, if we see burglary or theft patterns we focus on that as well. 

"But there's always going to be an emphasis on violent offenders in our community, because that's what creates a danger to our community." 

Luster also says since July of 2023 they've seen lover overall crime numbers than the past two years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712088472887.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster reports on the 2023 Crime Statistics at the Law Enforcement Center downtown/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster reports on the 2023 Crime Statistics at the Law Enforcement Center downtown/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The St. Joseph Police department saw a significant decrease overall in the number of crimes through 2023. Police Chief Paul Luster reported on the crime stats during a news conference at the Law Enforcement Center downtown. Luster says overall there was a decrease in St. Joseph between 2022 and 2023. "In 2022, there were 3,365 part one crimes reported, compared to 2,879 reported in 2023, that represents a 14% decrease," Luster tells reporters and fellow officers during the news conference. Part one crimes are classified in the two categories of violent crimes, such as rape and murder, and property crimes like arson and burglary. Luster credits the drop to a focus on what he calls precision policing, focusing on offenders and building relationships with partner agencies and the community. Luster says the analogy he uses to describe what he means by precision policing, is fishing with a spear, instead of a net. "So, we're focusing our resources, it's always our hope that we'll continue to see decreases, there's obviously some the police department has to do with that but there's other things outside of our control," Luster explains. "We need the community partnerships, we need to community to step up at all times, we need the crime reported so we can address it." "So. there's just lots of factors beyond the police departments control that factor into the crime statistics." Luster says as they work through 2024 now, his department wants to keep a concerted focus on violent crime. "That's going to be our primary focus, on the violent offenders in our community that are putting this community at risk, and that's where we're going to put the resources to," Luster says. "And that's not to say we're not going to address other things, we focus on pattern crimes as well, if we see burglary or theft patterns we focus on that as well. "But there's always going to be an emphasis on violent offenders in our community, because that's what creates a danger to our community." Luster also says since July of 2023 they've seen lover overall crime numbers than the past two years.

St. Joseph Police report decrease in violent crime in 2023

Voters in St. Joseph will be headed to the polls today to vote on a school bond issue, school board members, a library tax issue,&nbsp; as well as proposed city charter changes.  

However, Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack Garvey is only expecting voter turnout to tick up slightly from last year's April election 

"Last year for the April election we almost hit 13%, and the ballot is somewhat similar to what it was last year," Baack Garvey tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, I'm hoping we have an uptick in turnout, always for our local elections, so 15% it is." 

Baack Garvey says local elections do typically see a lower turnout than a national election, though she's not sure why 

"They affect us right away immediately as a local level election, so you would think that we would have a better turnout for these tax issues and such, but I don't know why people just really only want to vote for President," Baack Garvey says. "It's just the way it's been, that's the trend, I wish people would start coming out more in these local elections." 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Voters in St. Joseph will be headed to the polls today to vote on a school bond issue, school board members, a library tax issue,&nbsp; as well as proposed city charter changes. However, Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack Garvey is only expecting voter turnout to tick up slightly from last year's April election "Last year for the April election we almost hit 13%, and the ballot is somewhat similar to what it was last year," Baack Garvey tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, I'm hoping we have an uptick in turnout, always for our local elections, so 15% it is." Baack Garvey says local elections do typically see a lower turnout than a national election, though she's not sure why "They affect us right away immediately as a local level election, so you would think that we would have a better turnout for these tax issues and such, but I don't know why people just really only want to vote for President," Baack Garvey says. "It's just the way it's been, that's the trend, I wish people would start coming out more in these local elections." Issues on today's ballot include voting on three new school board members. A $20 million bond issue for the school district, and a reduced tax levy for the Rolling Hills Library. The city also has seven proposed changes to the city charter.Baack Garvey says as voters head to the polls, they should be sure to know what exactly they are voting for."They need to do their homework and see who they want to vote for and turnout each election," Baack Garvey says. Polls opened at 6am and will close at 7pm. You can contact the Buchanan County Clerk's office if you are unsure of your polling location.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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