St. Joseph Mayor
John Josendale will run for a second term.

Josendale, along
with St. Joseph city councilmembers, Madison Davis, Marty Novak, and Randy Schultz,
have picked up petitions at city hall, signaling their intent to run for
re-election during municipal elections next year.

Both Novak and
Schultz are at-large members on the St. Joseph City Council. Davis represents
District One.

Newcomer, Collin
Clibon, has picked up a petition to run for an at-large seat.

Tuesday was the
first day candidates for mayor, city council, and municipal judge could pick up
petitions to start the process of running for office.

Petitions can be
filed with the city clerk between October 7th and October 28th.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757511478036.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale/file photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Mayor
John Josendale will run for a second term.Josendale, along
with St. Joseph city councilmembers, Madison Davis, Marty Novak, and Randy Schultz,
have picked up petitions at city hall, signaling their intent to run for
re-election during municipal elections next year.Both Novak and
Schultz are at-large members on the St. Joseph City Council. Davis represents
District One.Newcomer, Collin
Clibon, has picked up a petition to run for an at-large seat.Tuesday was the
first day candidates for mayor, city council, and municipal judge could pick up
petitions to start the process of running for office.Petitions can be
filed with the city clerk between October 7th and October 28th.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph mayor, councilmembers make 1st step toward re-election bid

Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/4fd3ae1f-7384-4ecd-ad3c-b173af227c8c">HERE</a> for an update to this story.

A St. Joseph juvenile
has been struck and wounded after shots were fired into a house in the 900
block of South 18th early Wednesday morning.

St. Joseph police
report the shooting took place around three o’clock this morning. The wound,
according to police, does not appear to be life-threatening. &nbsp;An investigation is underway. 

Police report
several shots were fired into the house. The juvenile was the only person
harmed.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostClick <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/4fd3ae1f-7384-4ecd-ad3c-b173af227c8c">HERE</a> for an update to this story.A St. Joseph juvenile
has been struck and wounded after shots were fired into a house in the 900
block of South 18th early Wednesday morning.St. Joseph police
report the shooting took place around three o’clock this morning. The wound,
according to police, does not appear to be life-threatening. &nbsp;An investigation is underway. Police report
several shots were fired into the house. The juvenile was the only person
harmed.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph juvenile wounded in early morning shooting

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>

The effort would repeal the 41-page constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana in 2022.

A coalition of Missouri hemp business leaders and advocates formally filed four initiative petitions Tuesday that would ask voters to allow marijuana and intoxicating hemp products to be sold in the same stores as alcohol and tobacco.

The goal of the effort, led by Kansas-City-based hemp business American Shaman, is to repeal the 41-page constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana in 2022.&nbsp;

Each version of the proposed initiative petition would replace the marijuana legalization amendment with language that instructs Missouri lawmakers to create regulations that are “no more burdensome than what we already have for alcohol and tobacco,” said Eapen Thampy, a longtime hemp lobbyist.

“Marijuana and hemp are one plant,” Thampy said in an interview Tuesday. “They should be regulated in the same way. It should be a free, fair and regulated market.”

The effort is being organized under a new political action committee called&nbsp;<a href="https://mec.mo.gov/MEC/Campaign_Finance/CommInfo.aspx?MECID=C253534#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank">Missourians for a Single Market</a>.

The four petitions differ slightly, but they each would take out criminal offenses for possessing too much marijuana. They’d also retain the current taxes on the products for at least the next 10 years, and allow businesses to obtain licenses to sell the products through a similar process as they do with alcohol and tobacco products.&nbsp;

Currently marijuana facility licenses are limited and highly regulated, but businesses don’t need a license to sell intoxicating hemp products — despite numerous legislative attempts to outright ban them.&nbsp;

“Legislative efforts to ban hemp products allow the illegal market to flourish,” said Gary Wiegert, a retired St. Louis City police sergeant, in the group’s Tuesday press release announcing the initiative petition campaign. “Regulating these products and preserving legal access to the market ensures public safety by allowing business owners to serve the consumer market instead.”

In many ways, it’s the latest showdown between the marijuana industry, which has operated legally in Missouri since 2018 but is still outlawed federally,&nbsp; and the hemp industry, whose products were legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill.

At the end of the day, what’s the difference between intoxicating hemp products and intoxicating marijuana products?

Hemp and marijuana are essentially terms the government uses to distinguish between the part of the cannabis plant that has high amounts of THC, or their psychoactive component.

Any part of the plant containing 0.3% or less THC by dry weight is defined as hemp. And that’s why in 2018 Congress removed hemp and hemp seeds from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s schedule of controlled substances as part of the Farm Bill.

Cannabis buds – or what the industry calls “flower” – must be smoked or heated to release Delta-9 THC that produces a high.&nbsp;

So eating most raw cannabis flower shouldn’t get someone high.

There is a growing legal argument that marijuana sold in dispensaries that doesn’t contain .3% Delta-9 THC before it’s smoked or heated is actually hemp.

Currently, a number of Missouri cannabis events – where people are selling weed outside of dispensaries – are operating under this interpretation of the federal definition.

The initiative petitions filed Tuesday support this interpretation.&nbsp;

The effort also aims to regulate products, such as edibles, beverages and vapes, that are currently being sold in gas stations and stores without any testing or tracking requirements. The lack of state regulation has led some&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/14/war-between-intoxicating-hemp-and-marijuana-industries-resumes-in-st-louis/">municipal governments</a>&nbsp;to try and find a way to regulate them through city health departments.&nbsp;

“Our position is that marijuana legalization has always been not about getting ‘high’ but to end prohibition against one of the most beneficial plants on earth,” said Tim Gilio, founder of the Missouri Marijuana Legalization Movement. “Our goal is to open up a free and open market to all and prevent a monopoly from encroaching on any benefits of the cannabis plant.”

However, Andrew Mullins, executive director for the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, told The Independent in June that the idea is a “bait and switch.”&nbsp;

The state’s regulated marijuana industry, he said, generated $241 million in state and local tax revenues last year alone and is regarded as one of the most successful marijuana programs in the country, citing a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/missouri-cannabis-market-business-34dd47ad?mod=e2tw&amp;gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=ASWzDAi6PE3BQERvbb-fuJyCT3TUHPqzyDmZaOBA7z2p4IrJNE448pqQQlOJuYZuLnI%3D&amp;gaa_sig=589hKhzJJ83VibbJThKqws5L0tFMC4cfGLVI7iP9s6rCqnTgzMAFY3xKdfW3eaoC4-voDJHOVTTiObvrNWiHgw%3D%3D&amp;gaa_ts=68507e7e" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal article</a>. At a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/05/missouri-cannabis-sales-remain-steady-as-new-products-emerge/">marijuana industry conference&nbsp;</a>last week, company leaders agreed that limited licenses for dispensaries and grow facilities was key to Missouri’s success.&nbsp;

Voters have twice voted for cannabis regulation, Mullins said in June, and any effort to roll back those constitutional protections would be a “spectacular failure.”

“Missourians aren’t about to take hundreds of millions away from local communities, veterans and our justice system, all in hopes that politicians will eventually replace it with something down the road,” Mullins said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thampy said that tax revenue wouldn’t go away. The taxable market would increase by about a third, he said, “meaning tens of millions in new revenue for public defenders, substance abuse prevention, and the Missouri Veterans Commission.”

The petitions were filed with the Missouri Secretary of State on Tuesday afternoon. The group aims to get enough signatures by May to appear on the November 2026 ballot.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757500072567.png" alt="Hemp-derived THC beverages like these Mighty Kind THC seltzers can be found at Total Wine and other large liquor stores throughout Missouri (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>Hemp-derived THC beverages like these Mighty Kind THC seltzers can be found at Total Wine and other large liquor stores throughout Missouri (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>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><h2>The effort would repeal the 41-page constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana in 2022.</h2>A coalition of Missouri hemp business leaders and advocates formally filed four initiative petitions Tuesday that would ask voters to allow marijuana and intoxicating hemp products to be sold in the same stores as alcohol and tobacco.The goal of the effort, led by Kansas-City-based hemp business American Shaman, is to repeal the 41-page constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana in 2022.&nbsp;Each version of the proposed initiative petition would replace the marijuana legalization amendment with language that instructs Missouri lawmakers to create regulations that are “no more burdensome than what we already have for alcohol and tobacco,” said Eapen Thampy, a longtime hemp lobbyist.“Marijuana and hemp are one plant,” Thampy said in an interview Tuesday. “They should be regulated in the same way. It should be a free, fair and regulated market.”The effort is being organized under a new political action committee called&nbsp;<a href="https://mec.mo.gov/MEC/Campaign_Finance/CommInfo.aspx?MECID=C253534#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank">Missourians for a Single Market</a>.The four petitions differ slightly, but they each would take out criminal offenses for possessing too much marijuana. They’d also retain the current taxes on the products for at least the next 10 years, and allow businesses to obtain licenses to sell the products through a similar process as they do with alcohol and tobacco products.&nbsp;Currently marijuana facility licenses are limited and highly regulated, but businesses don’t need a license to sell intoxicating hemp products — despite numerous legislative attempts to outright ban them.&nbsp;“Legislative efforts to ban hemp products allow the illegal market to flourish,” said Gary Wiegert, a retired St. Louis City police sergeant, in the group’s Tuesday press release announcing the initiative petition campaign. “Regulating these products and preserving legal access to the market ensures public safety by allowing business owners to serve the consumer market instead.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757500035317.png" alt="Hemp lobbyist Eapen Thampy and Deb Nash of Canna Answers filed four initiative petitions on hemp and marijuana regulations on Tuesday with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>Hemp lobbyist Eapen Thampy and Deb Nash of Canna Answers filed four initiative petitions on hemp and marijuana regulations on Tuesday with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>In many ways, it’s the latest showdown between the marijuana industry, which has operated legally in Missouri since 2018 but is still outlawed federally,&nbsp; and the hemp industry, whose products were legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill.At the end of the day, what’s the difference between intoxicating hemp products and intoxicating marijuana products?Hemp and marijuana are essentially terms the government uses to distinguish between the part of the cannabis plant that has high amounts of THC, or their psychoactive component.Any part of the plant containing 0.3% or less THC by dry weight is defined as hemp. And that’s why in 2018 Congress removed hemp and hemp seeds from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s schedule of controlled substances as part of the Farm Bill.Cannabis buds – or what the industry calls “flower” – must be smoked or heated to release Delta-9 THC that produces a high.&nbsp;So eating most raw cannabis flower shouldn’t get someone high.There is a growing legal argument that marijuana sold in dispensaries that doesn’t contain .3% Delta-9 THC before it’s smoked or heated is actually hemp.Currently, a number of Missouri cannabis events – where people are selling weed outside of dispensaries – are operating under this interpretation of the federal definition.The initiative petitions filed Tuesday support this interpretation.&nbsp;The effort also aims to regulate products, such as edibles, beverages and vapes, that are currently being sold in gas stations and stores without any testing or tracking requirements. The lack of state regulation has led some&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/14/war-between-intoxicating-hemp-and-marijuana-industries-resumes-in-st-louis/">municipal governments</a>&nbsp;to try and find a way to regulate them through city health departments.&nbsp;“Our position is that marijuana legalization has always been not about getting ‘high’ but to end prohibition against one of the most beneficial plants on earth,” said Tim Gilio, founder of the Missouri Marijuana Legalization Movement. “Our goal is to open up a free and open market to all and prevent a monopoly from encroaching on any benefits of the cannabis plant.”However, Andrew Mullins, executive director for the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, told The Independent in June that the idea is a “bait and switch.”&nbsp;The state’s regulated marijuana industry, he said, generated $241 million in state and local tax revenues last year alone and is regarded as one of the most successful marijuana programs in the country, citing a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/missouri-cannabis-market-business-34dd47ad?mod=e2tw&amp;gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=ASWzDAi6PE3BQERvbb-fuJyCT3TUHPqzyDmZaOBA7z2p4IrJNE448pqQQlOJuYZuLnI%3D&amp;gaa_sig=589hKhzJJ83VibbJThKqws5L0tFMC4cfGLVI7iP9s6rCqnTgzMAFY3xKdfW3eaoC4-voDJHOVTTiObvrNWiHgw%3D%3D&amp;gaa_ts=68507e7e" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal article</a>. At a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/05/missouri-cannabis-sales-remain-steady-as-new-products-emerge/">marijuana industry conference&nbsp;</a>last week, company leaders agreed that limited licenses for dispensaries and grow facilities was key to Missouri’s success.&nbsp;Voters have twice voted for cannabis regulation, Mullins said in June, and any effort to roll back those constitutional protections would be a “spectacular failure.”“Missourians aren’t about to take hundreds of millions away from local communities, veterans and our justice system, all in hopes that politicians will eventually replace it with something down the road,” Mullins said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thampy said that tax revenue wouldn’t go away. The taxable market would increase by about a third, he said, “meaning tens of millions in new revenue for public defenders, substance abuse prevention, and the Missouri Veterans Commission.”The petitions were filed with the Missouri Secretary of State on Tuesday afternoon. The group aims to get enough signatures by May to appear on the November 2026 ballot.&nbsp;

New initiative petition would regulate Missouri marijuana, hemp products the same as alcohol

Both bills now head to the Missouri Senate, where Democrats are expected to use the filibuster and other procedural maneuvers to gum up legislative business as much as possible

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Bills creating a gerrymandered congressional map and making it virtually impossible to change the state constitution through the initiative petition process are on their way to the Missouri Senate.

The Missouri House gave final approval to both proposals Tuesday after two days of contentious debate.&nbsp;

Gov. Mike Kehoe called the legislature back into session after&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/">weeks of pressure from the President Donald Trump&nbsp;</a>for GOP-run states to redraw congressional districts to ensure more Republican seats before next year’s midterm elections.&nbsp;

In Missouri, the effort targeted the 5th District, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City, by carving it up and dispersing its voters into three districts that give Republicans an electoral advantage in seven of the state’s eight congressional districts.&nbsp;

“This is a superior map,” said state Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Noel Republican sponsoring the proposed new congressional map. “It better represents the state of Missouri.”

In addition to the gerrymandered map, Republicans also took aim at the citizen initiative petition process. The House approved a plan Tuesday that would require constitutional amendments put on the ballot by Missouri voters to attain both a simple majority statewide and a majority in all eight congressional districts in order to pass.&nbsp;

Based on last year’s election results, that change would mean&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/04/as-few-as-5-of-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-gop-legislation/">as few as 5% of voters could defeat any ballot measure</a>. The proposal would also ban foreign contributions to initiative petition campaigns, something that is already illegal.&nbsp;

If it passes the Senate, the issue would go on the statewide ballot in 2026 and require a simple majority to approve.&nbsp;

State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Moberly Republican, said amending the state constitution has become too easy and has been dominated by out-of-state interests. His proposal, he said, would address both of those issues.&nbsp;

“There should be a broad consensus across the state to amend the constitution,” he said.&nbsp;

Democrats denounced both of the proposals as a power grab by the Republican supermajority and a&nbsp;Trump-inspired assault on democracy.&nbsp;

“The Missouri GOP is aiding and abetting the systematic destruction of our democracy by an authoritarian regime led by geriatric conman who knows the only way he can win is to cheat,” said House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat.

GOP state Rep. Bryant Wolfin of Ste. Genevieve was one of the few Republicans who voted against both measures, saying this week’s special session proves that the only thing that matters in the Missouri Capitol is “political power.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not ethics,” he said. “It’s not morality. It’s definitely not liberty. It’s just political power.”

If Democrats were in charge, Wolfin, said, he’s sure they would do the same thing. But that doesn’t justify what Republicans are doing.

“There’s certainly nothing conservative about ignoring the moral implications of our actions,” he said. “Morality is not defined by what is legal. Morality is not defined by what you can get away with.”

Revising congressional district lines occurs every 10 years, after the allocation of seats following the federal census. The Missouri Constitution mandates it but is silent on whether lawmakers have the power to do so at other times.&nbsp;

Democrats argue it is unconstitutional to draw another map before the next census is complete.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2025-09-04/naacp-sues-missouri-republicans-unconstitutional-gerrymander-kansas-city" target="_blank">Missouri NAACP filed a lawsuit last week</a>&nbsp;in Cole County arguing the governor’s decision to call a special session was unconstitutional. Cleaver has also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/rep-emanuel-cleaver-promises-lawsuit-if-missouri-republicans-gerrymander-his-district/">promised to go to court</a>&nbsp;to challenge any gerrymandered map lawmakers approve.

But Republicans say critics are misreading the constitution and are confident the new map would survive a legal challenge.&nbsp;

“The constitution is clear that we can alter districts as we desire at any point at any point,” Deaton said.&nbsp;

Legislators were elected to represent the people, Deaton said, and if a majority of legislators vote in support of the map “that’s representative democracy.”

The new map does not include an emergency clause that would have made it go into effect upon Kehoe’s signature. That means opponents of the map will have 90s days after it is signed into law to collect signatures to force a statewide vote.&nbsp;

St. Louis Public Radio reported Monday that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-09-08/missouri-redistricting-opponents-referendum" target="_blank">the Missouri AFL-CIO is considering whether to launch a petition drive</a>&nbsp;to force a referendum vote. If enough signatures are gathered before the law takes effect, it would be held in abeyance until after the vote.

That strategy was last deployed in 2018, when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/07/politics/missouri-right-to-work-vote" target="_blank">labor unions collected more than 300,000 signatures in 90 days</a>&nbsp;— more than three times the amount needed — to put a question on the statewide ballot repealing a GOP-backed right-to-work law.&nbsp;

The repeal push was ultimately successful, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/08/08/636568530/missouri-blocks-right-to-work-law" target="_blank">67% of voters rejecting the right-to-work law</a>.&nbsp;

In fact, of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the ballot, voters have rejected actions by the General Assembly all but twice.

Missouri is<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/initiative-and-referendum-processes" target="_blank">&nbsp;one of 24 states</a>&nbsp;that allows citizen initiative petitions. They can be used to either amend the constitution or change state law, though the path to successfully doing so is often&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/05/missouri-abortion-2024-initiative-petition-ballot/">arduous and expensive</a>, requiring tens of thousands of signatures to even land on the ballot.&nbsp;

Missourians in recent years have used the initiative petition process to legalize abortion and recreational marijuana use, as well expand Medicaid eligibility.&nbsp;

In November, the abortion-rights amendment passed with just shy of 52% of the vote driven by large support from the state’s urban, more-populated areas. Voters in all but eight of Missouri’s 115 counties opposed the amendment.

Lewis argued Tuesday that the process is dominated by liberal, out-of-state organizations who are pushing partisan amendments that would be impossible to pass through the Republican-dominated legislature.&nbsp;

“Do you want partisan things going into the constitution,” Lewis said, “or do we want something that a broad consensus of all Missourians could support.”

State Rep. Martin Jacobs, a Democrat from Liberty, questioned why the process should be changed to allow a fraction of voters to sink an initiative petition, arguing it violates the principle of one person, one vote.&nbsp;

“Voters in one district can override voters of every other district,” Jacobs said.&nbsp;

Based on last year’s general election, where 2,960,266 votes were cast for governor and only 311,915 in the 1st District, under the proposed change only 156,000 voters could defeat ballot question — or just shy of 5.3% of the statewide vote.

The GOP-backed legislation “rigs the system,” said Democratic state Rep. Kathey Steinhoof of Columbia, “and I assure you all Missourians on both sides of the aisle are tired of the system being rigged.”

Both bills now head to the Missouri Senate, where Democrats are expected to use the filibuster and other procedural maneuvers to gum up legislative business as much as possible.&nbsp;

In order to overcome the gridlock, Senate Republicans may once again have to break a filibuster and force a vote by turning to a rule that was previously rarely-used but got deployed twice during the regular legislative session in May.&nbsp;

Doing so would create even more bad blood in a legislative chamber already teetering on the edge of full on partisan collapse. It could also upend the 2026 session before it even gets started.&nbsp;

Republican leaders in the Senate are determined to push both measures across the finish line.&nbsp;

“The map and the initiative petition reform measures will strike a huge blow to progressives and their efforts to turn Missouri into California,” Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Shelbina Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid037UKuVtbBEUmy8c1NQ8FPzChj5zeVoFpxBfC9DonvRBiZChHTzgYdQkiG9JdDRJcZl" target="_blank">posted on social media</a>. “We are not California. We are not progressives.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757444832621.png" alt="House Speaker Jon Patterson presides over the final day of the 2025 legislative session on May 15 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Jon Patterson presides over the final day of the 2025 legislative session on May 15 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Both bills now head to the Missouri Senate, where Democrats are expected to use the filibuster and other procedural maneuvers to gum up legislative business as much as possible</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Bills creating a gerrymandered congressional map and making it virtually impossible to change the state constitution through the initiative petition process are on their way to the Missouri Senate.The Missouri House gave final approval to both proposals Tuesday after two days of contentious debate.&nbsp;Gov. Mike Kehoe called the legislature back into session after&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/">weeks of pressure from the President Donald Trump&nbsp;</a>for GOP-run states to redraw congressional districts to ensure more Republican seats before next year’s midterm elections.&nbsp;In Missouri, the effort targeted the 5th District, currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City, by carving it up and dispersing its voters into three districts that give Republicans an electoral advantage in seven of the state’s eight congressional districts.&nbsp;“This is a superior map,” said state Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Noel Republican sponsoring the proposed new congressional map. “It better represents the state of Missouri.”In addition to the gerrymandered map, Republicans also took aim at the citizen initiative petition process. The House approved a plan Tuesday that would require constitutional amendments put on the ballot by Missouri voters to attain both a simple majority statewide and a majority in all eight congressional districts in order to pass.&nbsp;Based on last year’s election results, that change would mean&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/04/as-few-as-5-of-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-gop-legislation/">as few as 5% of voters could defeat any ballot measure</a>. The proposal would also ban foreign contributions to initiative petition campaigns, something that is already illegal.&nbsp;If it passes the Senate, the issue would go on the statewide ballot in 2026 and require a simple majority to approve.&nbsp;State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Moberly Republican, said amending the state constitution has become too easy and has been dominated by out-of-state interests. His proposal, he said, would address both of those issues.&nbsp;“There should be a broad consensus across the state to amend the constitution,” he said.&nbsp;Democrats denounced both of the proposals as a power grab by the Republican supermajority and a&nbsp;Trump-inspired assault on democracy.&nbsp;“The Missouri GOP is aiding and abetting the systematic destruction of our democracy by an authoritarian regime led by geriatric conman who knows the only way he can win is to cheat,” said House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat.GOP state Rep. Bryant Wolfin of Ste. Genevieve was one of the few Republicans who voted against both measures, saying this week’s special session proves that the only thing that matters in the Missouri Capitol is “political power.”“Unfortunately, it’s not ethics,” he said. “It’s not morality. It’s definitely not liberty. It’s just political power.”If Democrats were in charge, Wolfin, said, he’s sure they would do the same thing. But that doesn’t justify what Republicans are doing.“There’s certainly nothing conservative about ignoring the moral implications of our actions,” he said. “Morality is not defined by what is legal. Morality is not defined by what you can get away with.”<h2>Gerrymandering</h2>Revising congressional district lines occurs every 10 years, after the allocation of seats following the federal census. The Missouri Constitution mandates it but is silent on whether lawmakers have the power to do so at other times.&nbsp;Democrats argue it is unconstitutional to draw another map before the next census is complete.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2025-09-04/naacp-sues-missouri-republicans-unconstitutional-gerrymander-kansas-city" target="_blank">Missouri NAACP filed a lawsuit last week</a>&nbsp;in Cole County arguing the governor’s decision to call a special session was unconstitutional. Cleaver has also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/rep-emanuel-cleaver-promises-lawsuit-if-missouri-republicans-gerrymander-his-district/">promised to go to court</a>&nbsp;to challenge any gerrymandered map lawmakers approve.But Republicans say critics are misreading the constitution and are confident the new map would survive a legal challenge.&nbsp;“The constitution is clear that we can alter districts as we desire at any point at any point,” Deaton said.&nbsp;Legislators were elected to represent the people, Deaton said, and if a majority of legislators vote in support of the map “that’s representative democracy.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757444658128.png" alt="Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago " />
 <figcaption>Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago </figcaption>
 </figure>The new map does not include an emergency clause that would have made it go into effect upon Kehoe’s signature. That means opponents of the map will have 90s days after it is signed into law to collect signatures to force a statewide vote.&nbsp;St. Louis Public Radio reported Monday that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-09-08/missouri-redistricting-opponents-referendum" target="_blank">the Missouri AFL-CIO is considering whether to launch a petition drive</a>&nbsp;to force a referendum vote. If enough signatures are gathered before the law takes effect, it would be held in abeyance until after the vote.That strategy was last deployed in 2018, when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/07/politics/missouri-right-to-work-vote" target="_blank">labor unions collected more than 300,000 signatures in 90 days</a>&nbsp;— more than three times the amount needed — to put a question on the statewide ballot repealing a GOP-backed right-to-work law.&nbsp;The repeal push was ultimately successful, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/08/08/636568530/missouri-blocks-right-to-work-law" target="_blank">67% of voters rejecting the right-to-work law</a>.&nbsp;In fact, of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the ballot, voters have rejected actions by the General Assembly all but twice.<h2>Constitutional amendments</h2>Missouri is<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/initiative-and-referendum-processes" target="_blank">&nbsp;one of 24 states</a>&nbsp;that allows citizen initiative petitions. They can be used to either amend the constitution or change state law, though the path to successfully doing so is often&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/05/missouri-abortion-2024-initiative-petition-ballot/">arduous and expensive</a>, requiring tens of thousands of signatures to even land on the ballot.&nbsp;Missourians in recent years have used the initiative petition process to legalize abortion and recreational marijuana use, as well expand Medicaid eligibility.&nbsp;In November, the abortion-rights amendment passed with just shy of 52% of the vote driven by large support from the state’s urban, more-populated areas. Voters in all but eight of Missouri’s 115 counties opposed the amendment.Lewis argued Tuesday that the process is dominated by liberal, out-of-state organizations who are pushing partisan amendments that would be impossible to pass through the Republican-dominated legislature.&nbsp;“Do you want partisan things going into the constitution,” Lewis said, “or do we want something that a broad consensus of all Missourians could support.”State Rep. Martin Jacobs, a Democrat from Liberty, questioned why the process should be changed to allow a fraction of voters to sink an initiative petition, arguing it violates the principle of one person, one vote.&nbsp;“Voters in one district can override voters of every other district,” Jacobs said.&nbsp;Based on last year’s general election, where 2,960,266 votes were cast for governor and only 311,915 in the 1st District, under the proposed change only 156,000 voters could defeat ballot question — or just shy of 5.3% of the statewide vote.The GOP-backed legislation “rigs the system,” said Democratic state Rep. Kathey Steinhoof of Columbia, “and I assure you all Missourians on both sides of the aisle are tired of the system being rigged.”<h2>On to the Senate</h2>Both bills now head to the Missouri Senate, where Democrats are expected to use the filibuster and other procedural maneuvers to gum up legislative business as much as possible.&nbsp;In order to overcome the gridlock, Senate Republicans may once again have to break a filibuster and force a vote by turning to a rule that was previously rarely-used but got deployed twice during the regular legislative session in May.&nbsp;Doing so would create even more bad blood in a legislative chamber already teetering on the edge of full on partisan collapse. It could also upend the 2026 session before it even gets started.&nbsp;Republican leaders in the Senate are determined to push both measures across the finish line.&nbsp;“The map and the initiative petition reform measures will strike a huge blow to progressives and their efforts to turn Missouri into California,” Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Shelbina Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid037UKuVtbBEUmy8c1NQ8FPzChj5zeVoFpxBfC9DonvRBiZChHTzgYdQkiG9JdDRJcZl" target="_blank">posted on social media</a>. “We are not California. We are not progressives.”

Missouri House passes GOP-friendly congressional map, limits on initiative petitions

Doniphan County is
getting help from the state of Kansas along with the federal government to finance
a major bridge replacement near Troy.

Gov. Laura Kelly’s
office announced it is awarding money to help replace the Oxide Road bridge
over an abandoned CRI railroad line south of U.S. 36 Highway. The bridge is
located two-and-a-half miles east of Troy.

The total cost of
the bridge is $1,250,000. Under the state program, Doniphan County is
contributing $82,994 or 6.8% of the project’s cost.

The project is one
of 27 local and off-system bridge projects across Kansas receiving a combined
$40.5 million in state and federal funding.

“By funding bridge
projects across our state, we are directly investing in the future of our
communities,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a written statement released by her
office. “Repairing and replacing aging bridges ensures people and commerce can
move safely and efficiently throughout Kansas.”

The governor’s
office says that by reshaping the local bridge programs, the Kansas Department
of Transportation more than doubled its annual funding as part of the existing
Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).

The office reports
that of the 19,000 local bridges more than 5,000 need to be updated.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostDoniphan County is
getting help from the state of Kansas along with the federal government to finance
a major bridge replacement near Troy.Gov. Laura Kelly’s
office announced it is awarding money to help replace the Oxide Road bridge
over an abandoned CRI railroad line south of U.S. 36 Highway. The bridge is
located two-and-a-half miles east of Troy.The total cost of
the bridge is $1,250,000. Under the state program, Doniphan County is
contributing $82,994 or 6.8% of the project’s cost.The project is one
of 27 local and off-system bridge projects across Kansas receiving a combined
$40.5 million in state and federal funding.“By funding bridge
projects across our state, we are directly investing in the future of our
communities,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a written statement released by her
office. “Repairing and replacing aging bridges ensures people and commerce can
move safely and efficiently throughout Kansas.”The governor’s
office says that by reshaping the local bridge programs, the Kansas Department
of Transportation more than doubled its annual funding as part of the existing
Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).The office reports
that of the 19,000 local bridges more than 5,000 need to be updated.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Doniphan County benefits from state bridge program

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph's annual campaign is underway.   

The campaign kicked off at the end of last week and will go on over the next two months after successfully raising nearly $1 million dollars, raising $970,506.40 through the pacesetter campaign.  

President Kylee Strough says the pacesetter campaign is a good indicator for United Way of how the campaign is going to go 

"When the pacesetters get us off to such a strong start, it gives us a peek inside, as to how donors and potential donors are feeling and if United Way is capturing their hearts this year," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "And so, that pacesetter number gives us a lot of enthusiasm for where we're headed." 

Strough says while there is no particular goal to hit with this year’s campaign, the hope is to raise more than last year when the campaign raised just over $2.5 million. 

Strough says one big hurdle they face in getting people to donate, however, is donors knowing how much their donation matters.  

"When you talk about $2.5 million dollars, I think it's easy to think that like oh that's happening somewhere else, what's my $25 or $100 make a difference, how does mine make a difference if they're raising that much money?" Strough explains.  "But that much money comes from thousands of people giving their fair share, and so I think that's one of our largest hurdles." 

Strough says another hurdle is the work of those partner agencies is so expansive, donors have trouble grasping that they are a part of everything.  

Strough says over the next few weeks United Way employees will be planning out businesses to go into to talk about the campaign, but starting today volunteers will come in to begin calling out 

"They will select a list of businesses to reach out to, and invite those businesses to give, so the phones will start ringing here in the next couple weeks," Strough says.  "And it will really be friends calling their friends here in the community, saying hey I'm volunteering for United Way would you support the campaign with a gift?" 

To donate to United Way's campaign or to learn more, you can visit their website or contact the agency. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The United Way of Greater St. Joseph's annual campaign is underway. The campaign kicked off at the end of last week and will go on over the next two months after successfully raising nearly $1 million dollars, raising $970,506.40 through the pacesetter campaign. President Kylee Strough says the pacesetter campaign is a good indicator for United Way of how the campaign is going to go "When the pacesetters get us off to such a strong start, it gives us a peek inside, as to how donors and potential donors are feeling and if United Way is capturing their hearts this year," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, that pacesetter number gives us a lot of enthusiasm for where we're headed." Strough says while there is no particular goal to hit with this year’s campaign, the hope is to raise more than last year when the campaign raised just over $2.5 million. Strough says one big hurdle they face in getting people to donate, however, is donors knowing how much their donation matters. "When you talk about $2.5 million dollars, I think it's easy to think that like oh that's happening somewhere else, what's my $25 or $100 make a difference, how does mine make a difference if they're raising that much money?" Strough explains. "But that much money comes from thousands of people giving their fair share, and so I think that's one of our largest hurdles." Strough says another hurdle is the work of those partner agencies is so expansive, donors have trouble grasping that they are a part of everything. Strough says over the next few weeks United Way employees will be planning out businesses to go into to talk about the campaign, but starting today volunteers will come in to begin calling out "They will select a list of businesses to reach out to, and invite those businesses to give, so the phones will start ringing here in the next couple weeks," Strough says. "And it will really be friends calling their friends here in the community, saying hey I'm volunteering for United Way would you support the campaign with a gift?" To donate to United Way's campaign or to learn more, you can visit their website or contact the agency. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

United Way of Greater St Joseph campaign successful pacesetter opens '25 campaign

ATCHISON COUNTY —Two teens were injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Monday in Atchison.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2001 Lexus passenger car driven by Haylee Roles, 16, Atchison, was westbound at a high rate of speed in the 1300 Block of Commercial Street in Atchison.

She lost control of the vehicle.&nbsp; The car traveled off the roadway, struck a concrete retaining wall on the north side of the street and then struck concrete steps and a metal railing.&nbsp; The vehicle then overturned and landed on its top on Commercial Street. Both the driver and a 15-year-old male passenger were ejected from the vehicle. 

EMS transported both to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757429344392.png" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Two teens were injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Monday in Atchison.According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2001 Lexus passenger car driven by Haylee Roles, 16, Atchison, was westbound at a high rate of speed in the 1300 Block of Commercial Street in Atchison.She lost control of the vehicle.&nbsp; The car traveled off the roadway, struck a concrete retaining wall on the north side of the street and then struck concrete steps and a metal railing.&nbsp; The vehicle then overturned and landed on its top on Commercial Street. Both the driver and a 15-year-old male passenger were ejected from the vehicle. EMS transported both to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

2 teens hospitalized in St. Joe after ejected in rollover crash

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2omf9skVdORyM7LNJ9C6Ig?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/17CMuoyyzkAnNgzFGJ7tao?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

Republicans defended the proposal as one crafted in Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office, while Democrats accused them of ‘pandering’ to President Trump to protect him from investigations&nbsp;

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

The Missouri House on Monday moved the new congressional district map&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/missouri-gop-leader-says-lawmakers-will-start-with-a-congressional-map-drawn-in-d-c/">demanded by President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;one step closer to passing.

The only drama during the more than four hours of debate was whether any Republicans would vote against the revisions intended to give the GOP safe seats in seven of Missouri’s eight congressional districts.&nbsp;

When the vote came to give preliminary approval to the new map, 12 of the chamber’s 107 Republicans — including House Speaker Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit — voted against it, along with all Democrats present. The vote was 89-63, setting&nbsp; up a final vote Tuesday that will send the bill to the state Senate.

Once the debate began, state Rep. Dirk Deaton, the Republican from Noel who is sponsoring the new map, said the legislation is an attempt to “improve” the redistricting plan approved at the end of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/14/battle-lines-remain-fixed-in-missouri-senate-republican-factional-fights-as-session-ends/">tumultuous debates in 2022</a>.&nbsp;

Deaton denied that the map was designed in the White House and given to lawmakers to pass.

“This map came from the governor’s office, and it was written at the governor’s direction by the staff,” he said.

Under questioning from state Rep. Jo Doll, a Democrat from St. Louis, Deaton said redistricting was not an issue in the regular session earlier this year because there was no consensus, no “groundswell of support” to work on redistricting during the regular legislative session.

Doll responded by accusing Republicans of manipulating the electoral process for one reason — because Trump demanded it.

“This is nothing more than the Republican Party pandering to Donald Trump and his agenda,” Doll said. “We all heard the directive. We’re not stupid over here, we know where this came from. And it’s not the governor’s office.”

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, said at a news conference before the debate that she expected most Republicans who oppose the bill to remain silent.

“It’s what they do day in and day out in this building,” Aune said. “It is exhausting to watch, but it is their normal, and I’m certain that it will happen again.”

Gov. Mike Kehoe called the special session after weeks of speculation following a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/weve-already-done-that-missouri-lawmakers-show-little-enthusiasm-for-new-congressional-maps/">report in late July</a>&nbsp;that Trump wanted Missouri to redraw districts so the GOP could take the 5th District, currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City.&nbsp;

Texas lawmakers were already meeting to find Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/04/texas-legislature-adjourns-special-session-sine-die/" target="_blank">five additional seats</a>&nbsp;in the 34-member delegation from that state. California has followed suit, putting a new map on the ballot for November intended to&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/09/california-gop-proposition-50-campaign/" target="_blank">shift five seats to Democrats</a>.

With those large states cancelling each other out, the fight has moved to smaller states like Missouri. With a 219-212 majority in the 435-seat House of Representatives — four seats are vacant, including three previously held by Democrats — Republicans are worried that a small shift in voter sentiment could put them again in the minority.

Revising congressional district lines occurs every 10 years, after the allocation of seats following the federal census. The state Constitution mandates it but is silent on whether lawmakers have the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">power to do so at other times</a>.&nbsp;

Democrats seem resigned to losing the initial battle in the legislative chambers, but hold out hope for defeating the measure in court or at the ballot box.

The lack of clear authority for mid-term redistricting, as well as procedural questions in the special session, are ripe for the courts to decide, Aune said.

“It’s unconstitutional from the start to the finish,” she said during the news conference.

Cleaver has&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/rep-emanuel-cleaver-promises-lawsuit-if-missouri-republicans-gerrymander-his-district/">vowed to sue</a>&nbsp;if lawmakers pass a new map.&nbsp;

Deaton also defended the map as constitutional, arguing that Democrats’ warnings they will sue would be doomed to failure.

“There’s no evidence to support this,” Deaton said. “There’s nothing to back this up, just ‘this is unconstitutional.’”

The bill was given first-round approval without an emergency clause that would make it effective with Kehoe’s signature. If the bill is passed as expected, opponents would have 90 days to gather signatures to force a statewide vote on the bill.

<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-09-08/missouri-redistricting-opponents-referendum" target="_blank">St. Louis Public Radio reported Monday</a>&nbsp;that the Missouri AFL-CIO is considering whether to launch a petition drive to force a referendum vote. If enough signatures are gathered before the law takes effect, it would be held in abeyance until after the vote.

The bill makes many changes to the current districts to bring enough Republican voters into the 5th District to flip it to the GOP and distribute Democratic votes to dilute their impact on other districts.

The 5th District does see the most substantial changes. Previously encompassing nearly all of Kansas City, the district now only includes the city’s east side, then stretches east to encompass Jefferson City all the way to Phelps County. It also includes the northern portion of Boone County, but not the Democrat-leaning areas of Columbia.&nbsp;

The 5th District also picks up six counties from the 3rd District — Cole, Cooper, Howard, Maries, Moniteau and Miller counties as well as Morgan County from the 4th District.

The 4th and 6th Districts are where the Kansas City voters who previously all lived in the 5th will be moved.&nbsp;

The 4th District loses parts of Columbia, along with Sedalia and Warrensburg to the 5th District in order to pick up downtown Kansas City. It is represented by Republican Mark Alford.&nbsp;

The 6th District runs across the entire northern half of the state, picking up a piece of Kansas City north of the Missouri River.&nbsp;

Two districts would be untouched — the 7th District in southwest Missouri and 8th District in southeast Missouri, both represented by Republicans. It only tinkers with the 1st District, based in St. Louis and represented by Democrat Wesley Bell.

Other changes made on the east side of the state would swap voters between the 2nd and 3rd districts.&nbsp;

The 2nd District, represented by Republican Ann Wagner, moves south of the Missouri River, taking in southern St. Louis suburbs along with Gasconade,&nbsp; Crawford, Jefferson and Washington counties.&nbsp;

The 3rd District, represented by Republican Bob Onder, takes over all of St. Charles and Warren counties, adding Audrain, Lincoln, Monroe, Pike and Ralls counties as it stretches north to Hannabil and encompasses nearly all of Columbia.

As Aune predicted, there were few Republicans willing to buck the party majority to oppose the bill.

State Rep. Marty Joe Murray, a Democrat from St. Louis, said Republicans had told him in whispers that they didn’t believe in the bill.“Why aren’t they here, saying that on the microphone?” he said.

Several GOP members had said, when the idea was first being floated, that they&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/weve-already-done-that-missouri-lawmakers-show-little-enthusiasm-for-new-congressional-maps/">didn’t want to go through redistricting again</a>. Only one Republican spoke against it on the floor.

State Rep. Tony Harbison, a Republican from Arcadia, said he’s concerned about senior centers in his district being able to provide meals and property taxes that are forcing people out of their homes.

“Our plate is full of things that need to be done for the people of this state,” Harbison said, “and this ain’t one of them.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757419606073.png" alt=" State Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, speaks during a Jan. 30 news conference with House Speaker Jon Patterson. Deaton is sponsoring the new congressional district map being debated in a special session. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)" />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, speaks during a Jan. 30 news conference with House Speaker Jon Patterson. Deaton is sponsoring the new congressional district map being debated in a special session. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Republicans defended the proposal as one crafted in Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office, while Democrats accused them of ‘pandering’ to President Trump to protect him from investigations&nbsp;</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri House on Monday moved the new congressional district map&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/missouri-gop-leader-says-lawmakers-will-start-with-a-congressional-map-drawn-in-d-c/">demanded by President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;one step closer to passing.The only drama during the more than four hours of debate was whether any Republicans would vote against the revisions intended to give the GOP safe seats in seven of Missouri’s eight congressional districts.&nbsp;When the vote came to give preliminary approval to the new map, 12 of the chamber’s 107 Republicans — including House Speaker Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit — voted against it, along with all Democrats present. The vote was 89-63, setting&nbsp; up a final vote Tuesday that will send the bill to the state Senate.Once the debate began, state Rep. Dirk Deaton, the Republican from Noel who is sponsoring the new map, said the legislation is an attempt to “improve” the redistricting plan approved at the end of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/14/battle-lines-remain-fixed-in-missouri-senate-republican-factional-fights-as-session-ends/">tumultuous debates in 2022</a>.&nbsp;Deaton denied that the map was designed in the White House and given to lawmakers to pass.“This map came from the governor’s office, and it was written at the governor’s direction by the staff,” he said.Under questioning from state Rep. Jo Doll, a Democrat from St. Louis, Deaton said redistricting was not an issue in the regular session earlier this year because there was no consensus, no “groundswell of support” to work on redistricting during the regular legislative session.Doll responded by accusing Republicans of manipulating the electoral process for one reason — because Trump demanded it.“This is nothing more than the Republican Party pandering to Donald Trump and his agenda,” Doll said. “We all heard the directive. We’re not stupid over here, we know where this came from. And it’s not the governor’s office.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757419546755.png" alt="House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, speaks to reporters Monday prior to the House’s session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, speaks to reporters Monday prior to the House’s session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, said at a news conference before the debate that she expected most Republicans who oppose the bill to remain silent.“It’s what they do day in and day out in this building,” Aune said. “It is exhausting to watch, but it is their normal, and I’m certain that it will happen again.”Gov. Mike Kehoe called the special session after weeks of speculation following a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/weve-already-done-that-missouri-lawmakers-show-little-enthusiasm-for-new-congressional-maps/">report in late July</a>&nbsp;that Trump wanted Missouri to redraw districts so the GOP could take the 5th District, currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City.&nbsp;Texas lawmakers were already meeting to find Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/04/texas-legislature-adjourns-special-session-sine-die/" target="_blank">five additional seats</a>&nbsp;in the 34-member delegation from that state. California has followed suit, putting a new map on the ballot for November intended to&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/09/california-gop-proposition-50-campaign/" target="_blank">shift five seats to Democrats</a>.With those large states cancelling each other out, the fight has moved to smaller states like Missouri. With a 219-212 majority in the 435-seat House of Representatives — four seats are vacant, including three previously held by Democrats — Republicans are worried that a small shift in voter sentiment could put them again in the minority.Revising congressional district lines occurs every 10 years, after the allocation of seats following the federal census. The state Constitution mandates it but is silent on whether lawmakers have the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">power to do so at other times</a>.&nbsp;Democrats seem resigned to losing the initial battle in the legislative chambers, but hold out hope for defeating the measure in court or at the ballot box.The lack of clear authority for mid-term redistricting, as well as procedural questions in the special session, are ripe for the courts to decide, Aune said.“It’s unconstitutional from the start to the finish,” she said during the news conference.Cleaver has&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/rep-emanuel-cleaver-promises-lawsuit-if-missouri-republicans-gerrymander-his-district/">vowed to sue</a>&nbsp;if lawmakers pass a new map.&nbsp;Deaton also defended the map as constitutional, arguing that Democrats’ warnings they will sue would be doomed to failure.“There’s no evidence to support this,” Deaton said. “There’s nothing to back this up, just ‘this is unconstitutional.’”The bill was given first-round approval without an emergency clause that would make it effective with Kehoe’s signature. If the bill is passed as expected, opponents would have 90 days to gather signatures to force a statewide vote on the bill.<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-09-08/missouri-redistricting-opponents-referendum" target="_blank">St. Louis Public Radio reported Monday</a>&nbsp;that the Missouri AFL-CIO is considering whether to launch a petition drive to force a referendum vote. If enough signatures are gathered before the law takes effect, it would be held in abeyance until after the vote.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757068115039.png" alt="Missouri Republicans are pushing to enact this map to revise congressional district lines in a special session. The GOP’s goal is to win the 5th District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat (Screenshot from Missouri House website)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Republicans are pushing to enact this map to revise congressional district lines in a special session. The GOP’s goal is to win the 5th District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat (Screenshot from Missouri House website).</figcaption>
 </figure>The bill makes many changes to the current districts to bring enough Republican voters into the 5th District to flip it to the GOP and distribute Democratic votes to dilute their impact on other districts.The 5th District does see the most substantial changes. Previously encompassing nearly all of Kansas City, the district now only includes the city’s east side, then stretches east to encompass Jefferson City all the way to Phelps County. It also includes the northern portion of Boone County, but not the Democrat-leaning areas of Columbia.&nbsp;The 5th District also picks up six counties from the 3rd District — Cole, Cooper, Howard, Maries, Moniteau and Miller counties as well as Morgan County from the 4th District.The 4th and 6th Districts are where the Kansas City voters who previously all lived in the 5th will be moved.&nbsp;The 4th District loses parts of Columbia, along with Sedalia and Warrensburg to the 5th District in order to pick up downtown Kansas City. It is represented by Republican Mark Alford.&nbsp;The 6th District runs across the entire northern half of the state, picking up a piece of Kansas City north of the Missouri River.&nbsp;Two districts would be untouched — the 7th District in southwest Missouri and 8th District in southeast Missouri, both represented by Republicans. It only tinkers with the 1st District, based in St. Louis and represented by Democrat Wesley Bell.Other changes made on the east side of the state would swap voters between the 2nd and 3rd districts.&nbsp;The 2nd District, represented by Republican Ann Wagner, moves south of the Missouri River, taking in southern St. Louis suburbs along with Gasconade,&nbsp; Crawford, Jefferson and Washington counties.&nbsp;The 3rd District, represented by Republican Bob Onder, takes over all of St. Charles and Warren counties, adding Audrain, Lincoln, Monroe, Pike and Ralls counties as it stretches north to Hannabil and encompasses nearly all of Columbia.As Aune predicted, there were few Republicans willing to buck the party majority to oppose the bill.State Rep. Marty Joe Murray, a Democrat from St. Louis, said Republicans had told him in whispers that they didn’t believe in the bill.“Why aren’t they here, saying that on the microphone?” he said.Several GOP members had said, when the idea was first being floated, that they&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/weve-already-done-that-missouri-lawmakers-show-little-enthusiasm-for-new-congressional-maps/">didn’t want to go through redistricting again</a>. Only one Republican spoke against it on the floor.State Rep. Tony Harbison, a Republican from Arcadia, said he’s concerned about senior centers in his district being able to provide meals and property taxes that are forcing people out of their homes.“Our plate is full of things that need to be done for the people of this state,” Harbison said, “and this ain’t one of them.”

Plan to gerrymander congressional districts advances in Missouri House

NODAWAY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Cadillac Escalade driven by a 26-year-old Forrest City woman was eastbound on Route A and Eagle Road one half miles west of Graham. The SUV rear-ended a 2018 Dodge Journey driven by a 74-year-old Graham woman who was slowing to a right turn.

Nodaway County EMS transported the 74-year-old to Fairfax Community Hospital.&nbsp; The SUV driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

NODAWAY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Cadillac Escalade driven by a 26-year-old Forrest City woman was eastbound on Route A and Eagle Road one half miles west of Graham. The SUV rear-ended a 2018 Dodge Journey driven by a 74-year-old Graham woman who was slowing to a right turn.Nodaway County EMS transported the 74-year-old to Fairfax Community Hospital.&nbsp; The SUV driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman hospitalized after rear-end crash

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend manhunt in northeast Kansas.

Just after noon on Sept. 5, a sheriff's&nbsp;deputy on routine patrol in the vicinity of U.S. 36&nbsp; near Bittersweet,&nbsp; was alerted of a stolen vehicle out of Wisconsin, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

The deputy attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle and a short chase ensued.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled southout of Fairview and&nbsp; ended up in a soybean field just east of the Sac andFox Casino on Coyote between 130th and 140th Road.&nbsp;

 At this point the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle Dustin Hampton 40 of Prairie DuChein, Wisconsin, ran from the vehicle.&nbsp;

Several tracking dogs were brought in and located Hampton approximately 3/4 mile east of where his original location. No injuries were reported and once Hampton was located, he complied without incident.

The vehicle Hampton was driving, a 1983 Datsun pickup, had been reported stolen out of Rice, Wisconsin. Hampton is in custody on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Criminal Damage to Property, Felony Flee to Elude and Obstruction.

With the tall crops the search was very difficult and without&nbsp; a joint effort that included a Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter, other KHP troopers, Jackson County Sheriff deputies, Sabetha police, Hiawatha police, Horton police, Kickapoo and Sac and Fox police, Hiawatha Town and Country he may have eluded arrest.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757329643145.png" alt="Hampton photo Brown County" />
 <figcaption>Hampton photo Brown County</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend manhunt in northeast Kansas.Just after noon on Sept. 5, a sheriff's&nbsp;deputy on routine patrol in the vicinity of U.S. 36&nbsp; near Bittersweet,&nbsp; was alerted of a stolen vehicle out of Wisconsin, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.The deputy attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle and a short chase ensued.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled southout of Fairview and&nbsp; ended up in a soybean field just east of the Sac andFox Casino on Coyote between 130th and 140th Road.&nbsp; At this point the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle Dustin Hampton 40 of Prairie DuChein, Wisconsin, ran from the vehicle.&nbsp;Several tracking dogs were brought in and located Hampton approximately 3/4 mile east of where his original location. No injuries were reported and once Hampton was located, he complied without incident.The vehicle Hampton was driving, a 1983 Datsun pickup, had been reported stolen out of Rice, Wisconsin. Hampton is in custody on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Criminal Damage to Property, Felony Flee to Elude and Obstruction.With the tall crops the search was very difficult and without&nbsp; a joint effort that included a Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter, other KHP troopers, Jackson County Sheriff deputies, Sabetha police, Hiawatha police, Horton police, Kickapoo and Sac and Fox police, Hiawatha Town and Country he may have eluded arrest.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Sheriff: Pickup theft suspect captured hiding in tall Kansas crops

A vehicle ran through the front of the Subway at&nbsp;6101 Lake Avenue, on the south side of Saint Joseph. Per Saint Joseph Police, the incident occurred at around 1:51 PM Monday, with the vehicle ending up halfway inside the restaurant.

SJPD added that two people were injured in the incident, with one taken to the hospital with reported minor injuries.

A vehicle ran through the front of the Subway at&nbsp;6101 Lake Avenue, on the south side of Saint Joseph. Per Saint Joseph Police, the incident occurred at around 1:51 PM Monday, with the vehicle ending up halfway inside the restaurant.SJPD added that two people were injured in the incident, with one taken to the hospital with reported minor injuries.

South Side Subway Crash

A longtime pool in St. Joseph will soon be demolished after approval by the St. Joseph City Council.  

City Council members approved the demolition of the slides and the lap pool on Noyes Boulevard at the site of the old Aquatic Park. 

District One Councilmember Madison Davis says the pools had caused many issues for city staff to fix, to where it became necessary. 

"If we're not going the route of repairing all of that and spending the large amount of money that we talked about for a pool that wouldn't be used but maybe three months out of the year, that we need to, alright now let's decide, let's pull it out, let's go ahead and finish the lazy river and the splash pad," Davis says on the KFEQmunnity show. 

The approval of the demolition was contingent on the council coming to an agreement with the YMCA to build an indoor pool at its site in the North Village Shoppes, which happened in May.  

Davis says the YMCA is still currently working on the pool and its design but says it will be a great amenity. 

"An opportunity to partner with private investors that said they wanted to be part of it as well as other public entities such as the county and trying to provide a high-level amenity for St. Joseph," Davis explains.  "An indoor pool that people can use year-round that will last for a while." 

The demolition at the Aquatic Park is to help focus on making the lazy river and splash pad fully functional without the slides and lap pool. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A longtime pool in St. Joseph will soon be demolished after approval by the St. Joseph City Council. City Council members approved the demolition of the slides and the lap pool on Noyes Boulevard at the site of the old Aquatic Park. District One Councilmember Madison Davis says the pools had caused many issues for city staff to fix, to where it became necessary. "If we're not going the route of repairing all of that and spending the large amount of money that we talked about for a pool that wouldn't be used but maybe three months out of the year, that we need to, alright now let's decide, let's pull it out, let's go ahead and finish the lazy river and the splash pad," Davis says on the KFEQmunnity show. The approval of the demolition was contingent on the council coming to an agreement with the YMCA to build an indoor pool at its site in the North Village Shoppes, which happened in May. Davis says the YMCA is still currently working on the pool and its design but says it will be a great amenity. "An opportunity to partner with private investors that said they wanted to be part of it as well as other public entities such as the county and trying to provide a high-level amenity for St. Joseph," Davis explains. "An indoor pool that people can use year-round that will last for a while." The demolition at the Aquatic Park is to help focus on making the lazy river and splash pad fully functional without the slides and lap pool. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

With new pool in future, City Council approves demolition of old pool utilities

Defense Department
officials have confirmed the remains of a young St. Joseph Army sergeant forced
to endure the Bataan Death March in World War II have been positively
identified.

The Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency reports 22-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Simon Garelick, a member
of the Headquarters Company in the Philippines, was captured when Japanese
forces overran the Philippines, forcing the surrender of U.S. and Filipino
service members on the Bataan peninsula on April 9th, 1942.

Those captured in
Bataan were forced to march 65 miles under brutal conditions to the Cabanatuan POW
camp. More than 2,500 prisoners perished at the camp during the war. Prison
camp and other historical records report Garelick died November 4th
of 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local
Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 707.

After the war,
American Graves Registration Service personnel exhumed those buried at the Cabanatuan
cemetery in an effort to identify their remains. In 1947, the AGRS succeeded in
identifying nine sets of remains from Common Grave 707, but declared the rest unidentifiable.
The unidentified remains were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and
Memorial as Unknowns.

Another attempt at
identification began in early 2019. DPAA exhumed the remains of seven Unknowns
associated with Common Grave707 and sent them to the DPAA laboratory for
analysis. DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis along with circumstantial
evidence to identify Garelick’s remains.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757354787835.jpeg" alt="Sgt. Simon Garelick of St. Joseph/Photo courtesy of&nbsp;Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency " />
 <figcaption>Sgt. Simon Garelick of St. Joseph/Photo courtesy of&nbsp;Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostDefense Department
officials have confirmed the remains of a young St. Joseph Army sergeant forced
to endure the Bataan Death March in World War II have been positively
identified.The Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency reports 22-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Simon Garelick, a member
of the Headquarters Company in the Philippines, was captured when Japanese
forces overran the Philippines, forcing the surrender of U.S. and Filipino
service members on the Bataan peninsula on April 9th, 1942.Those captured in
Bataan were forced to march 65 miles under brutal conditions to the Cabanatuan POW
camp. More than 2,500 prisoners perished at the camp during the war. Prison
camp and other historical records report Garelick died November 4th
of 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local
Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 707.After the war,
American Graves Registration Service personnel exhumed those buried at the Cabanatuan
cemetery in an effort to identify their remains. In 1947, the AGRS succeeded in
identifying nine sets of remains from Common Grave 707, but declared the rest unidentifiable.
The unidentified remains were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and
Memorial as Unknowns.Another attempt at
identification began in early 2019. DPAA exhumed the remains of seven Unknowns
associated with Common Grave707 and sent them to the DPAA laboratory for
analysis. DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis along with circumstantial
evidence to identify Garelick’s remains.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757354905729.jpeg" alt="Newspaper clipping of Garelick death/Courtesy of&nbsp;Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency" />
 <figcaption>Newspaper clipping of Garelick death/Courtesy of&nbsp;Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Remains of St. Joseph WWII veteran involved in Bataan Death March identified

Around 11-Thousand
St. Joseph residents are being notified by the City of St. Joseph they might
have been impacted by a cyberattack against the city in early June.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAround 11-Thousand
St. Joseph residents are being notified by the City of St. Joseph they might
have been impacted by a cyberattack against the city in early June.The city has sent
out a news release stating those residents will receive letters regarding the incident
on June 9th that could have exposed their personal information.
Those residents will be offered free credit monitoring and identity theft
protection services. Resources will be provided to help protect sensitive information.City officials
state there is no evidence that any information has been misused. It is
possible, though, that records from the St. Joseph police and health
departments could have been acquired by an unauthorized third party.The news release
says employees in the Communications Center detected technical issues with the
city network at 2:30am on June 9th. The city IT department shut down
all locations as a precaution and began its investigation by six o’clock that
morning. Outside IT specialists were consulted. The city wiped and rebuilt
affected systems, but certain files might have been acquired without authorization.“The city regrets
that this incident took place and is immediately taking steps to notify those
affected now that the investigation has been completed,” the news release
states.The incident did
not affect police, fire, and emergency medical services due to long-standing
protocols and contingency planning. Workarounds kept city business running
within hours of the network disruption.“I’m very proud of
the employees of the City of St. Joseph who performed exceedingly well in
handling this situation, just like those at so many businesses and government
entities, big and small, who have suffered from these types of incidents,” St.
Joseph City Manager Mike Schumacher said in a written statement released by the
city. “They made a negative experience for this organization the least
disruptive as possible.”The City of St.
Joseph carries cybersecurity insurance. The St. Joseph City Council will review
an ordinance to authorize a $50,000 insurance deductible payment during its
September 29th meeting. You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

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