A Cole County judge calls requirements for obtaining photo identification ‘generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole’

BY:&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>

A challenge to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/24/missouris-new-voter-id-law-faces-lawsuit-claiming-its-unconstitutional/">Missouri’s voter ID law</a>&nbsp;will proceed to the state Supreme Court following a Cole County decision&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3366631" target="_blank">upholding the 2022 legislation</a>, opponents said Tuesday.

The decision by Circuit Judge Jon Beetem found the individual voters and organizations that sued — the Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters — were unable to show they had been harmed by the application of the law and lacked standing to bring the case.

And addressing the particulars of their challenge, Beetem wrote the burdens were not onerous on any individual voter.

The law requires voters to show a Missouri or federally issued identification that includes a photo, the holder’s date of birth and an expiration date. Identification that has been expired for less than a year is acceptable.

“The individual plaintiffs and/or Missouri voters generally do not have a legally protectable interest in avoiding the everyday burdens of getting an expired license renewed,” Beetem wrote. “Any of the individual plaintiffs’ alleged injuries in this regard are generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole.”

The appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court will argue that Beetem applied the wrong standard to his analysis, said Denise Lieberman, director of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and one of the lead attorneys on the case. The focus should be on the sometimes insurmountable burdens that thousands of Missourians face obtaining the documents to secure the needed identification, she said.

“The court got the test wrong,” Lieberman said. “It is the burden of the state to demonstrate it has no other way to advance its interests than through a law that burdens voters in this way.”

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who was the defendant in the case, praised the result as a victory for election integrity.

“To maintain a secure system for voting, it only stands to reason that a photo ID should be essential,” Ashcroft said in a news release.

The timeline for the appeal is uncertain. The ruling will not be final for 30 days, so the high court will not start setting a schedule until that time.

If the law is overturned, it will also end the two week period of “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">no-excuse absentee</a>” voting that proved its popularity this year. The early voting period was part of a compromise deal to allow the voter ID measure to come to a vote in the Missouri Senate.

Establishing a government-issued photo ID as the only acceptable form of identification for voting is a longstanding goal of Republican politicians in Missouri. Prior to the 2022 law, voters could also present a county-issued voter ID card, a student identification card, a birth certificate or a recent utility bill with their name and address as proof in order to vote.

After the courts rebuffed earlier attempts to enact a photo ID law, Republicans in 2016 placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that specifically allowed it.&nbsp;

That vote was followed in 2017 by a law that allowed a voter who did not have a photo ID, but who had one of the other forms, to have their ballot counted if they signed an affidavit of their identity.

The Missouri Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=148515" target="_blank">overturned that law in 2020</a>. The law challenged in the decision issued Monday has been in effect since 2022 while the case has been argued.

A voter who does not have proper identification can cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted if they return to the polls with their ID or if their signature matches the one on file.

To succeed in their challenge, Beetem wrote, the plaintiffs had to prove “that there is no set of circumstances under which the challenged provisions of (House Bill)1878 are constitutional.”

They were unable to do so, he wrote. None of the individual plaintiffs had been denied a ballot at any election and the issues they raised — inability to obtain documents proving a name is misspelled or the expiration of an ID and the trouble involved in renewing it — have not been barriers to voting, he wrote.

The issues raised, he wrote, “do not present a substantial or severe burden upon the right to vote.”

The state has an interest in protecting elections and the public confidence they are fair, Beetem wrote. There was no evidence, however, that photo ID had prevented cheating.

“There was evidence that possible voter impersonation has been brought to the attention of local election authorities,” Beeem wrote. “However, no credible evidence was adduced of any voter impersonation which would have been prevented by requiring photo ID.”

Beetem missed that voters lose confidence in elections if they are uncertain if their vote will be counted, Lieberman said.

“Missouri has had a voter ID law on the books since 2002 and it worked fine because it allowed voters to show a range of forms of valid ID, including a voter registration card,” she said.

The organizations backing the challenge said the case needs to be appealed so it is easier for Missourians to vote.

“There’s no evidence of voter impersonation in Missouri, so these extreme restrictions don’t make our elections any safer or more secure,” said Marilyn McLeod, president of the League of Women Voters of Missouri.

The NAACP sees the law as a discriminatory act aimed at lowering turnout among people in minority groups, older adults and students, Nimrod Chapel Jr., president of the Missouri NAACP State Conference said in a news release.

“While these laws aim to fix an imaginary problem,” he said, “the disenfranchisement from the unnecessary and burdensome legal obstacles they create for voters is very real.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722436916800.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A Cole County judge calls requirements for obtaining photo identification ‘generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole’</h2>BY:&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>A challenge to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/24/missouris-new-voter-id-law-faces-lawsuit-claiming-its-unconstitutional/">Missouri’s voter ID law</a>&nbsp;will proceed to the state Supreme Court following a Cole County decision&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3366631" target="_blank">upholding the 2022 legislation</a>, opponents said Tuesday.The decision by Circuit Judge Jon Beetem found the individual voters and organizations that sued — the Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters — were unable to show they had been harmed by the application of the law and lacked standing to bring the case.And addressing the particulars of their challenge, Beetem wrote the burdens were not onerous on any individual voter.The law requires voters to show a Missouri or federally issued identification that includes a photo, the holder’s date of birth and an expiration date. Identification that has been expired for less than a year is acceptable.“The individual plaintiffs and/or Missouri voters generally do not have a legally protectable interest in avoiding the everyday burdens of getting an expired license renewed,” Beetem wrote. “Any of the individual plaintiffs’ alleged injuries in this regard are generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole.”The appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court will argue that Beetem applied the wrong standard to his analysis, said Denise Lieberman, director of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and one of the lead attorneys on the case. The focus should be on the sometimes insurmountable burdens that thousands of Missourians face obtaining the documents to secure the needed identification, she said.“The court got the test wrong,” Lieberman said. “It is the burden of the state to demonstrate it has no other way to advance its interests than through a law that burdens voters in this way.”Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who was the defendant in the case, praised the result as a victory for election integrity.“To maintain a secure system for voting, it only stands to reason that a photo ID should be essential,” Ashcroft said in a news release.The timeline for the appeal is uncertain. The ruling will not be final for 30 days, so the high court will not start setting a schedule until that time.If the law is overturned, it will also end the two week period of “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">no-excuse absentee</a>” voting that proved its popularity this year. The early voting period was part of a compromise deal to allow the voter ID measure to come to a vote in the Missouri Senate.Establishing a government-issued photo ID as the only acceptable form of identification for voting is a longstanding goal of Republican politicians in Missouri. Prior to the 2022 law, voters could also present a county-issued voter ID card, a student identification card, a birth certificate or a recent utility bill with their name and address as proof in order to vote.After the courts rebuffed earlier attempts to enact a photo ID law, Republicans in 2016 placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that specifically allowed it.&nbsp;That vote was followed in 2017 by a law that allowed a voter who did not have a photo ID, but who had one of the other forms, to have their ballot counted if they signed an affidavit of their identity.The Missouri Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=148515" target="_blank">overturned that law in 2020</a>. The law challenged in the decision issued Monday has been in effect since 2022 while the case has been argued.A voter who does not have proper identification can cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted if they return to the polls with their ID or if their signature matches the one on file.To succeed in their challenge, Beetem wrote, the plaintiffs had to prove “that there is no set of circumstances under which the challenged provisions of (House Bill)1878 are constitutional.”They were unable to do so, he wrote. None of the individual plaintiffs had been denied a ballot at any election and the issues they raised — inability to obtain documents proving a name is misspelled or the expiration of an ID and the trouble involved in renewing it — have not been barriers to voting, he wrote.The issues raised, he wrote, “do not present a substantial or severe burden upon the right to vote.”The state has an interest in protecting elections and the public confidence they are fair, Beetem wrote. There was no evidence, however, that photo ID had prevented cheating.“There was evidence that possible voter impersonation has been brought to the attention of local election authorities,” Beeem wrote. “However, no credible evidence was adduced of any voter impersonation which would have been prevented by requiring photo ID.”Beetem missed that voters lose confidence in elections if they are uncertain if their vote will be counted, Lieberman said.“Missouri has had a voter ID law on the books since 2002 and it worked fine because it allowed voters to show a range of forms of valid ID, including a voter registration card,” she said.The organizations backing the challenge said the case needs to be appealed so it is easier for Missourians to vote.“There’s no evidence of voter impersonation in Missouri, so these extreme restrictions don’t make our elections any safer or more secure,” said Marilyn McLeod, president of the League of Women Voters of Missouri.The NAACP sees the law as a discriminatory act aimed at lowering turnout among people in minority groups, older adults and students, Nimrod Chapel Jr., president of the Missouri NAACP State Conference said in a news release.“While these laws aim to fix an imaginary problem,” he said, “the disenfranchisement from the unnecessary and burdensome legal obstacles they create for voters is very real.”

Challenge to voter ID law heading for appeal to Missouri Supreme Court

Ruling says the Missouri Constitution allows the commission to use unspent money in the state Road Fund for any permissible purpose, including implementing a market pay plan for MoDOT employees

Missouri Department of Transportation employees are entitled to raises included in a market pay plan even if lawmakers haven’t appropriated enough money to cover the cost, the Western District Missouri Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=214797" target="_blank">ruled Tuesday</a>.

In the unanimous decision, Judge Gary Witt wrote that the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++30(b)&amp;bid=31847&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">Missouri Constitution is unambiguous</a>&nbsp;in the power it gives to the Highways and Transportation Commission to spend money in the state Road Fund.

The only off-limits money in the Road Fund, Witt wrote, is the portion set aside for debt payments.

“Once MHTC complies with these requirements,” Witt wrote, “MHTC retains sole discretion in&nbsp;using and expending the remaining balance of the State Road Fund in accordance with&nbsp;the constitutionally permissible uses.”

The ruling comes less than three weeks after the three-judge panel&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/07/appeals-court-judges-hear-arguments-over-limits-on-use-of-missouri-road-fund/">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;and, barring a final appeal to the Supreme Court, ends a case that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/2021/dec/04/MoDOT-suing-state-over-ability-to-use-funds-for-em/" target="_blank">began in 2021</a>&nbsp;. The decision upholds a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/01/judge-approves-pay-raise-plan-for-missouri-transportation-agency-workers/">trial court ruling</a>&nbsp;from Cole County.

The dispute began when Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers refused to issue paychecks that included raises intended to stem rapidly rising turnover in the department.

The heart of the case is language in the Constitution that states money in the Road Fund shall “stand appropriated without legislative action” for the limited purposes of road construction and maintenance. Money in the road fund comes from fuel taxes and license fees.

“The payment of the employees of MHTC is within the constitutionally permissible uses of the State Road Fund to ‘employ such personnel as necessary,’” Witt wrote.

MoDOT will not comment on the case until the court decision is final, spokeswoman Linda Horn wrote in an email to The Independent.

The Attorney General’s office, which represented Zellers, also did not respond.

In opposing the pay raises, Deputy Solicitor General Sam Freedlund argued to the appeals court that only the debt obligations of the commission could be paid if lawmakers did not appropriate sufficient money. Otherwise, the legislature must appropriate the money, he said.

“All sorts of agencies, I’m sure, want to pay their employees different amounts, but it’s the legislation that ultimately controls the public purse strings,” Freedlund said.

The judges were skeptical of that argument in the hearing and the ruling shows why. The constitutional language, Witt wrote, “unambiguously provides that the entire State Road Fund stands appropriated without legislative action.”

The language has never been tested previously because the commission stayed within the annual appropriations made by lawmakers. The market plan went outside the appropriations in an effort to stem massive turnover in the agency.

The department lost an average of 600 employees per year from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2021 out of an employee base of about 5,000. During that period, state pay raises were small or non-existent.

Turnover has remained high — 14%, or 654 employees in fiscal 2024 — even as pay raises became more generous throughout state government. Since the lawsuit started, state employees generally have received raises equaling almost 21% more than their salaries in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The commission’s goal for the pay plan was to raise pay levels so 65% of MoDOT employees are at or above the midpoint in the pay range for their job. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024, 89.3% were below the midpoint, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_MODOT_Appropriation_Book.pdf" target="_blank">state budget documents</a>.

The lawsuit was filed two months after the first state fuel tax increase in 27 years took effect. State lawmakers approved the tax increase – 12.5 cents per gallon phased in over five years – without seeking a statewide vote.

So far, the tax increase has added 10 cents a gallon to the cost of fuel and when fully implemented on July 1, 2025, motorists will be paying a total of 29.9 cents per gallon in state fuel taxes.

The lawsuit enraged some lawmakers. State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, and five other Republican senators, in a February 2022 letter to the commission, demanded that MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna either resign or be fired.

McKenna survived the attacks. In August, after securing a new job, he told the commission he was resigning after nine years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732659244668.png" alt=" The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission can spend more on salaries than lawmakers appropriate if there is enough money in the Road Fund, a Missouri Western District of Appeals panel of Judges Gary Witt, left, Mark Pfeiffer, center and Thomas Chapman ruled Tuesday. The judges are shown during oral arguments Nov. 7 at the University of Missouri's law school. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission can spend more on salaries than lawmakers appropriate if there is enough money in the Road Fund, a Missouri Western District of Appeals panel of Judges Gary Witt, left, Mark Pfeiffer, center and Thomas Chapman ruled Tuesday. The judges are shown during oral arguments Nov. 7 at the University of Missouri's law school. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ruling says the Missouri Constitution allows the commission to use unspent money in the state Road Fund for any permissible purpose, including implementing a market pay plan for MoDOT employees</h2>BY:&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>Missouri Department of Transportation employees are entitled to raises included in a market pay plan even if lawmakers haven’t appropriated enough money to cover the cost, the Western District Missouri Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=214797" target="_blank">ruled Tuesday</a>.In the unanimous decision, Judge Gary Witt wrote that the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++30(b)&amp;bid=31847&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">Missouri Constitution is unambiguous</a>&nbsp;in the power it gives to the Highways and Transportation Commission to spend money in the state Road Fund.The only off-limits money in the Road Fund, Witt wrote, is the portion set aside for debt payments.“Once MHTC complies with these requirements,” Witt wrote, “MHTC retains sole discretion in&nbsp;using and expending the remaining balance of the State Road Fund in accordance with&nbsp;the constitutionally permissible uses.”The ruling comes less than three weeks after the three-judge panel&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/07/appeals-court-judges-hear-arguments-over-limits-on-use-of-missouri-road-fund/">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;and, barring a final appeal to the Supreme Court, ends a case that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/2021/dec/04/MoDOT-suing-state-over-ability-to-use-funds-for-em/" target="_blank">began in 2021</a>&nbsp;. The decision upholds a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/01/judge-approves-pay-raise-plan-for-missouri-transportation-agency-workers/">trial court ruling</a>&nbsp;from Cole County.The dispute began when Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers refused to issue paychecks that included raises intended to stem rapidly rising turnover in the department.The heart of the case is language in the Constitution that states money in the Road Fund shall “stand appropriated without legislative action” for the limited purposes of road construction and maintenance. Money in the road fund comes from fuel taxes and license fees.“The payment of the employees of MHTC is within the constitutionally permissible uses of the State Road Fund to ‘employ such personnel as necessary,’” Witt wrote.MoDOT will not comment on the case until the court decision is final, spokeswoman Linda Horn wrote in an email to The Independent.The Attorney General’s office, which represented Zellers, also did not respond.In opposing the pay raises, Deputy Solicitor General Sam Freedlund argued to the appeals court that only the debt obligations of the commission could be paid if lawmakers did not appropriate sufficient money. Otherwise, the legislature must appropriate the money, he said.“All sorts of agencies, I’m sure, want to pay their employees different amounts, but it’s the legislation that ultimately controls the public purse strings,” Freedlund said.The judges were skeptical of that argument in the hearing and the ruling shows why. The constitutional language, Witt wrote, “unambiguously provides that the entire State Road Fund stands appropriated without legislative action.”The language has never been tested previously because the commission stayed within the annual appropriations made by lawmakers. The market plan went outside the appropriations in an effort to stem massive turnover in the agency.The department lost an average of 600 employees per year from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2021 out of an employee base of about 5,000. During that period, state pay raises were small or non-existent.Turnover has remained high — 14%, or 654 employees in fiscal 2024 — even as pay raises became more generous throughout state government. Since the lawsuit started, state employees generally have received raises equaling almost 21% more than their salaries in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;The commission’s goal for the pay plan was to raise pay levels so 65% of MoDOT employees are at or above the midpoint in the pay range for their job. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024, 89.3% were below the midpoint, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_MODOT_Appropriation_Book.pdf" target="_blank">state budget documents</a>.“The payment of the employees of MHTC is within the constitutionally permissible uses of the State Road Fund to ‘employ such personnel as necessary,’” Witt wrote.The lawsuit was filed two months after the first state fuel tax increase in 27 years took effect. State lawmakers approved the tax increase – 12.5 cents per gallon phased in over five years – without seeking a statewide vote.So far, the tax increase has added 10 cents a gallon to the cost of fuel and when fully implemented on July 1, 2025, motorists will be paying a total of 29.9 cents per gallon in state fuel taxes.The lawsuit enraged some lawmakers. State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, and five other Republican senators, in a February 2022 letter to the commission, demanded that MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna either resign or be fired.McKenna survived the attacks. In August, after securing a new job, he told the commission he was resigning after nine years.

Missouri appeals court backs highways commission on raises for state road workers

The Noyes Home for Children is recognizing people in the St. Joseph community for their kindness 

Kindness St. Joseph is designed to recognize acts of kindness and people's work in the city.   

Executive Director Chelsea Howlett says students in kindergarten through 12th grade were invited to submit essays nominating people in the community 

"Obviously, kindergartners got to draw pictures and have someone help them write those sentiments about the kindest person they know," Howlett tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "And just last week we actually read all the essays, they were due on November 8th, and I tell you what it was really heartwarming to see what our children see out in the world and those that are doing great things." 

The event is based off the Kindness Kansas Citian, presented by Synergy Services in Kansas City.  

Howlett says the people submitted run the gamut, and adds that as a mother herself, it was heartwarming to see many submissions from students nominating their moms. 

"And all the things that they do to make sure their lives are good, that they're nourished and cared for, and all the extra things that moms do, and dads do too, to ensure that they have what they want and what they need in life," Howlett explains.  "There were so many essays about moms but there were also great essays about grandparents, aunts, neighbors, teachers were very common." 

Howlett says winners of the event will be announced in January, with a celebration in March. 

And Howlett says they aren't just honoring people though, and currently people can nominate the Kindest School in the city.  

"So, anybody of any age can say you know what I feel that this school really exemplifies what it means to be kind and accepting, whether it be how the students engage with one another, the teachers, the administrative staff, just the culture of kindness in general," Howlett says. 

Individuals can also nominate anyone in St. Joseph as a Kindness Keeper. Forms are available on the <a href="https://noyeshome.org/">Noyes Homes website</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732649291317.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Noyes Home for Children is recognizing people in the St. Joseph community for their kindness Kindness St. Joseph is designed to recognize acts of kindness and people's work in the city. Executive Director Chelsea Howlett says students in kindergarten through 12th grade were invited to submit essays nominating people in the community "Obviously, kindergartners got to draw pictures and have someone help them write those sentiments about the kindest person they know," Howlett tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And just last week we actually read all the essays, they were due on November 8th, and I tell you what it was really heartwarming to see what our children see out in the world and those that are doing great things." The event is based off the Kindness Kansas Citian, presented by Synergy Services in Kansas City. Howlett says the people submitted run the gamut, and adds that as a mother herself, it was heartwarming to see many submissions from students nominating their moms. "And all the things that they do to make sure their lives are good, that they're nourished and cared for, and all the extra things that moms do, and dads do too, to ensure that they have what they want and what they need in life," Howlett explains. "There were so many essays about moms but there were also great essays about grandparents, aunts, neighbors, teachers were very common." Howlett says winners of the event will be announced in January, with a celebration in March. And Howlett says they aren't just honoring people though, and currently people can nominate the Kindest School in the city. "So, anybody of any age can say you know what I feel that this school really exemplifies what it means to be kind and accepting, whether it be how the students engage with one another, the teachers, the administrative staff, just the culture of kindness in general," Howlett says. Individuals can also nominate anyone in St. Joseph as a Kindness Keeper. Forms are available on the <a href="https://noyeshome.org/">Noyes Homes website</a>. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Noyes Home for Children honoring kindness in the community

St. Joseph police say a 19-year-old St. Joseph resident has
suffered a gunshot wound in what appears to be an accidental shooting.

Police report officers responded to a residence in the 12-Hundred
block of Angelique Street shortly after eight o’clock Monday night after a
shot was fired inside the residence. Officers found the wounded man who is said
to be in stable condition.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police say a 19-year-old St. Joseph resident has
suffered a gunshot wound in what appears to be an accidental shooting.Police report officers responded to a residence in the 12-Hundred
block of Angelique Street shortly after eight o’clock Monday night after a
shot was fired inside the residence. Officers found the wounded man who is said
to be in stable condition.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph police respond to accidental shooting

Millions of travelers are expected on America's roadways this week in anticipation of Thanksgiving.

Sergeant Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph, has some simple tips to keep in mind for safe holiday travel, especially if weather becomes an issue. "First and foremost, its always important to plan your trip. This time of year in Missouri, you never know what the weather will hold. Always check the weather forecast along your route."

Hux adds other simple precautions drivers can take are to always obey traffic laws, buckle up, and put your phone down. "We hope that people comply with the state's new hands free law and avoid distractions."

Hux notes that over 100 people lose their lives every year in Missouri due to distracted driving. "Its important to remember there is a law in place that you cannot hold or support a cell phone or other wireless device while you are driving."&nbsp;

Hux recommends purchasing a phone holder for your dash, or having a passenger handle the phone for GPS.

The peak travel days this year for the Thanksgiving holiday are Wednesday, November 27th thru Sunday, December 1st. Hux says, "All available troopers throughout Missouri will be working during the holiday counting period, especially in Northwest Missouri."

AAA estimates 80,000,000 people will travel for Thanksgiving this year.

By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostMillions of travelers are expected on America's roadways this week in anticipation of Thanksgiving.Sergeant Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph, has some simple tips to keep in mind for safe holiday travel, especially if weather becomes an issue. "First and foremost, its always important to plan your trip. This time of year in Missouri, you never know what the weather will hold. Always check the weather forecast along your route."Hux adds other simple precautions drivers can take are to always obey traffic laws, buckle up, and put your phone down. "We hope that people comply with the state's new hands free law and avoid distractions."Hux notes that over 100 people lose their lives every year in Missouri due to distracted driving. "Its important to remember there is a law in place that you cannot hold or support a cell phone or other wireless device while you are driving."&nbsp;Hux recommends purchasing a phone holder for your dash, or having a passenger handle the phone for GPS.The peak travel days this year for the Thanksgiving holiday are Wednesday, November 27th thru Sunday, December 1st. Hux says, "All available troopers throughout Missouri will be working during the holiday counting period, especially in Northwest Missouri."AAA estimates 80,000,000 people will travel for Thanksgiving this year.

Highway Patrol reminds drivers to be safe during Thanksgiving travel

A 74-page ruling backs state’s argument defending law that has blocked transgender Missourians from accessing gender-affirming health care

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

Missouri’s restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone treatment for transgender minors are constitutional and may remain in place,&nbsp;Wright County Circuit Court Judge Craig Carter wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3366224" target="_blank">74-page ruling</a>&nbsp;Monday.

Soon after the ruling became public, the ACLU of Missouri and Lambda Legal promised to appeal.

The state’s restrictions on gender-affirming care, passed by state lawmakers in 2023, not only bar minors from beginning cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers and undergoing gender transition surgeries. It also blocks the state from paying for gender-affirming care for adults through Missouri Medicaid and care in state prisons.

Many&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/washington-university-the-second-missouri-provider-to-stop-transgender-care-for-minors/">providers in Missouri have ceased offering gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for minors, including patients that had begun prescriptions prior to the law’s effective date.

Plaintiffs in the case — which include gender-affirming health care providers, transgender minors and their families — had the burden to prove the statute “clearly and undoubtedly violates a constitutional provision,” the judge wrote. And because plaintiffs challenged the law in its entirety, they had to prove that there is “no set of circumstances under which the provisions would be valid.”

Carter determined the challenge did not clear the high bar on multiple arguments, but the overarching debate looked at medical consensus on gender-affirming care.

His ruling focuses on a U.S. Supreme Court precedent that allows lawmakers broad discretion in areas “fraught with medical and scientific uncertainty.” Carter concluded that there is “an almost total lack of consensus as to the medical ethics of adolescent gender dysphoria treatment,” granting the state legislature authority to ban the care.

“Regarding the ethics of adolescent gender-affirming treatment, it would seem that the medical profession stands in the middle of an ethical minefield, with scant evidence to lead it out.” he wrote.

During the nine-day trial, which took place at the end of September, experts on both sides opined on the availability of scientific research on gender-affirming care. Carter notes that plaintiffs agreed that standards of care were based on scientifically low-quality evidence. Expert witnesses for plaintiffs said during trial they still felt there was enough to justify the area of treatment.

The witnesses at trial&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/02/credibility-of-states-expert-witnesses-questioned-in-missouri-transgender-health-care-trial/">varied in credibility</a>, with some of the state’s experts discussing research that had been retracted. Solicitor General Joshua Divine, representing the state and defending the law, argued that the scientific community had only dismissed his experts’ findings because of “cancel culture.”

Carter’s judgment does not cite the state’s most controversial expert but does rely on the testimony of Jamie Reed, who was permitted as a fact witness instead of an expert on the topic. Reed was called to testify in order to establish facts on gender-affirming care in Missouri.

Reed, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/09/missouri-agencies-launch-investigation-into-health-center-for-transgender-youth/">public affidavit in February 2023</a>&nbsp;inspired the passage of the restrictions, testified that Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital treated many patients with mental health problems without comprehensive psychological evaluations.

There was disagreement during the trial over whether treatment from a licensed therapist was enough to warrant gender-affirming medical care or if a psychologist or psychiatrist should be a requirement.

Plaintiffs did not have a witness from the Transgender Center, apart from patient testimonies, so Carter concluded that Reed’s testimony was unrebutted.

Importantly, he also found Reed credible.

“Her testimony does not arise from any ideological or other bias,” Carter wrote. “In fact, she is married to a transgender individual.”

Reed is the executive director of a small advocacy group called the LGBT Courage Coalition, which opposes gender-affirming care for minors. Her partner is stopping testosterone treatments and “detransitioning,” an article published the day before Reed’s testimony announced.

In contrast to his views on the state’s witnesses, Carter wrote he “has concerns with deferring to the organizations relied on by plaintiffs, such as WPATH, which self-describes itself as an organization ‘committed to advocacy.’”&nbsp;

WPATH, which stands for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, is a professional organization that sets standards for gender-affirming care. During the trial, the state questioned whether WPATH was stifling research with outcomes contrary to its worldview.

Apart from these concerns, Carter said three witnesses were particularly compelling: Chloe Cole, a young woman who transitioned as a minor in California and since stopped treatment and has spoken publicly about her regrets, along with bioethicist Farr Curlin and plastic surgeon Patrick Lappert, both who emphasized potential side effects of gender-affirming care.

Because the risks were high for gender-affirming care, the treatment couldn’t be compared to experimental treatments with few known side effects, Carter wrote, and allowing teenagers to opt into an experimental treatment is dubious.

“If we don’t let a 16-year-old buy a six pack of beer and a pack of smokes, or let an adult buy those items for them, should we allow the same kid/parent team to decide to change a teenager’s sex forever?” Carter wrote in his ruling.

The ACLU of Missouri and Lambda Legal said in an emailed statement that the judgment mirrored the state’s brief, and a transcript of the trial has yet to be completed.

“The court’s findings signal a troubling acceptance of discrimination, ignore an extensive trial record and the voices of transgender Missourians and those who care for them, and deny transgender adolescents and Medicaid beneficiaries from their right to access to evidence-based, effective, and often life-saving medical care,” the legal organizations said in a joint statement.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AGAndrewBailey/status/1861114918457561543" target="_blank">in a social media post</a>&nbsp;that “the national mood on this issue has moved significantly since we launched our investigation.”

“The state has a role to play,” he said, “to determine what systems need to be in place to protect kids and ensure that the adults and patients understand the lack of science and medicine behind certain recommended procedures.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727446832059.png" alt="Judge Craig Carter, a Wright County judge serving in Cole County for Missouri's gender-affirming care trial, listens to testimony. "There were so many binders of evidence that were piled so high on the bench&nbsp;that the court’s vision was at times obscured," he noted in his ruling Monday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Judge Craig Carter, a Wright County judge serving in Cole County for Missouri's gender-affirming care trial, listens to testimony. "There were so many binders of evidence that were piled so high on the bench&nbsp;that the court’s vision was at times obscured," he noted in his ruling Monday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A 74-page ruling backs state’s argument defending law that has blocked transgender Missourians from accessing gender-affirming health care</h2>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone treatment for transgender minors are constitutional and may remain in place,&nbsp;Wright County Circuit Court Judge Craig Carter wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3366224" target="_blank">74-page ruling</a>&nbsp;Monday.Soon after the ruling became public, the ACLU of Missouri and Lambda Legal promised to appeal.The state’s restrictions on gender-affirming care, passed by state lawmakers in 2023, not only bar minors from beginning cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers and undergoing gender transition surgeries. It also blocks the state from paying for gender-affirming care for adults through Missouri Medicaid and care in state prisons.Many&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/washington-university-the-second-missouri-provider-to-stop-transgender-care-for-minors/">providers in Missouri have ceased offering gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for minors, including patients that had begun prescriptions prior to the law’s effective date.Plaintiffs in the case — which include gender-affirming health care providers, transgender minors and their families — had the burden to prove the statute “clearly and undoubtedly violates a constitutional provision,” the judge wrote. And because plaintiffs challenged the law in its entirety, they had to prove that there is “no set of circumstances under which the provisions would be valid.”Carter determined the challenge did not clear the high bar on multiple arguments, but the overarching debate looked at medical consensus on gender-affirming care.His ruling focuses on a U.S. Supreme Court precedent that allows lawmakers broad discretion in areas “fraught with medical and scientific uncertainty.” Carter concluded that there is “an almost total lack of consensus as to the medical ethics of adolescent gender dysphoria treatment,” granting the state legislature authority to ban the care.“Regarding the ethics of adolescent gender-affirming treatment, it would seem that the medical profession stands in the middle of an ethical minefield, with scant evidence to lead it out.” he wrote.During the nine-day trial, which took place at the end of September, experts on both sides opined on the availability of scientific research on gender-affirming care. Carter notes that plaintiffs agreed that standards of care were based on scientifically low-quality evidence. Expert witnesses for plaintiffs said during trial they still felt there was enough to justify the area of treatment.The witnesses at trial&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/02/credibility-of-states-expert-witnesses-questioned-in-missouri-transgender-health-care-trial/">varied in credibility</a>, with some of the state’s experts discussing research that had been retracted. Solicitor General Joshua Divine, representing the state and defending the law, argued that the scientific community had only dismissed his experts’ findings because of “cancel culture.”Carter’s judgment does not cite the state’s most controversial expert but does rely on the testimony of Jamie Reed, who was permitted as a fact witness instead of an expert on the topic. Reed was called to testify in order to establish facts on gender-affirming care in Missouri.Reed, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/09/missouri-agencies-launch-investigation-into-health-center-for-transgender-youth/">public affidavit in February 2023</a>&nbsp;inspired the passage of the restrictions, testified that Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital treated many patients with mental health problems without comprehensive psychological evaluations.There was disagreement during the trial over whether treatment from a licensed therapist was enough to warrant gender-affirming medical care or if a psychologist or psychiatrist should be a requirement.Plaintiffs did not have a witness from the Transgender Center, apart from patient testimonies, so Carter concluded that Reed’s testimony was unrebutted.Importantly, he also found Reed credible.“Her testimony does not arise from any ideological or other bias,” Carter wrote. “In fact, she is married to a transgender individual.”Reed is the executive director of a small advocacy group called the LGBT Courage Coalition, which opposes gender-affirming care for minors. Her partner is stopping testosterone treatments and “detransitioning,” an article published the day before Reed’s testimony announced.In contrast to his views on the state’s witnesses, Carter wrote he “has concerns with deferring to the organizations relied on by plaintiffs, such as WPATH, which self-describes itself as an organization ‘committed to advocacy.’”&nbsp;WPATH, which stands for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, is a professional organization that sets standards for gender-affirming care. During the trial, the state questioned whether WPATH was stifling research with outcomes contrary to its worldview.Apart from these concerns, Carter said three witnesses were particularly compelling: Chloe Cole, a young woman who transitioned as a minor in California and since stopped treatment and has spoken publicly about her regrets, along with bioethicist Farr Curlin and plastic surgeon Patrick Lappert, both who emphasized potential side effects of gender-affirming care.Because the risks were high for gender-affirming care, the treatment couldn’t be compared to experimental treatments with few known side effects, Carter wrote, and allowing teenagers to opt into an experimental treatment is dubious.“If we don’t let a 16-year-old buy a six pack of beer and a pack of smokes, or let an adult buy those items for them, should we allow the same kid/parent team to decide to change a teenager’s sex forever?” Carter wrote in his ruling.The ACLU of Missouri and Lambda Legal said in an emailed statement that the judgment mirrored the state’s brief, and a transcript of the trial has yet to be completed.“The court’s findings signal a troubling acceptance of discrimination, ignore an extensive trial record and the voices of transgender Missourians and those who care for them, and deny transgender adolescents and Medicaid beneficiaries from their right to access to evidence-based, effective, and often life-saving medical care,” the legal organizations said in a joint statement.Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AGAndrewBailey/status/1861114918457561543" target="_blank">in a social media post</a>&nbsp;that “the national mood on this issue has moved significantly since we launched our investigation.”“The state has a role to play,” he said, “to determine what systems need to be in place to protect kids and ensure that the adults and patients understand the lack of science and medicine behind certain recommended procedures.”

Missouri judge upholds state ban on transgender health care for minors

The St. Joseph School District showed improvement in the
latest statewide measuring stick with improvement still needed in areas such as
graduation rate and reading.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
issued the district’s Annual Performance Report with a composite score of 67.9%,
just shy of the district’s goal of 70%.

Director of School Improvement, Kendra Lau, says the
graduation rate climbed more than 12% to 89%.

“We saw a great uptick in graduation rate,” Lau tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post. “So, we’re really please with that. It’s the highest graduation
rate we’ve had post-pandemic.”

Lau says the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted progress in the St.
Joseph School District, hurting the graduation rate and classroom attendance.
While the graduation rate saw improvement, classroom attendance has yet to
bounce back. It has hovered around 77% the past few years.

“And we have hired attendance interventionists. We have worked
with the prosecuting attorney’s office. Each one of our buildings has an
attendance budget. They have attendance plans. We do home visits, more home
visits than we’ve ever done. We make more phone calls than we’ve ever made. And
yet our attendance was very stubborn,” Lau says.

Though attendance in the latest report was stuck at 78%, the
latest count taken in the middle of this month disclosed attendance at 85%
district-wide.

Student performance makes up 70% of the Annual Performance
Report with the remaining 30% coming from the Continuous Improvement Program.
Student performance has improved in science and math, but lags in reading.

Lau says lower scores in reading has the district’s attention.

“Our students in English Language Arts are not growing at the
same rate that they are across the state of Missouri and we have to fix that,”
Lau says.

Lau says a new approach to reading instruction now underway in
Kindergarten through Second Grade should help.

“And we’ve seen some really good improvements with a
consistent approach to teaching reading in those early grade levels,” according
to Lau. “So, we expect to start seeing that on our APR in the Third and the
Fourth Grade, but we need to do more to help and support English Language Arts
in the St. Joe School District.” 

Many schools made improvements in their state scores. Hyde,
Hosea, Coleman, and Lindbergh all made gains of 15% with Pershing gaining more
than 30%.

The St. Joseph School District composite score on the state
APR is 67.9%. Lau says the district is within reach of achieving its goal of
70%.

“Here’s a small example. Our attendance rate was right at 89%,
but if we would have gotten to 92%, we would have gotten five extra points and
that would have closed the gap.”

The APR disclosed gains in mathematics in grades 3, 5, and 6
as well as in Algebra 1. Student scores improved in Social Studies with the district
earning 83.3% of the points possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732566298773.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph School District showed improvement in the
latest statewide measuring stick with improvement still needed in areas such as
graduation rate and reading.The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
issued the district’s Annual Performance Report with a composite score of 67.9%,
just shy of the district’s goal of 70%.Director of School Improvement, Kendra Lau, says the
graduation rate climbed more than 12% to 89%.“We saw a great uptick in graduation rate,” Lau tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post. “So, we’re really please with that. It’s the highest graduation
rate we’ve had post-pandemic.”Lau says the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted progress in the St.
Joseph School District, hurting the graduation rate and classroom attendance.
While the graduation rate saw improvement, classroom attendance has yet to
bounce back. It has hovered around 77% the past few years.“And we have hired attendance interventionists. We have worked
with the prosecuting attorney’s office. Each one of our buildings has an
attendance budget. They have attendance plans. We do home visits, more home
visits than we’ve ever done. We make more phone calls than we’ve ever made. And
yet our attendance was very stubborn,” Lau says.Though attendance in the latest report was stuck at 78%, the
latest count taken in the middle of this month disclosed attendance at 85%
district-wide.Student performance makes up 70% of the Annual Performance
Report with the remaining 30% coming from the Continuous Improvement Program.
Student performance has improved in science and math, but lags in reading.Lau says lower scores in reading has the district’s attention.“Our students in English Language Arts are not growing at the
same rate that they are across the state of Missouri and we have to fix that,”
Lau says.Lau says a new approach to reading instruction now underway in
Kindergarten through Second Grade should help.“And we’ve seen some really good improvements with a
consistent approach to teaching reading in those early grade levels,” according
to Lau. “So, we expect to start seeing that on our APR in the Third and the
Fourth Grade, but we need to do more to help and support English Language Arts
in the St. Joe School District.” Many schools made improvements in their state scores. Hyde,
Hosea, Coleman, and Lindbergh all made gains of 15% with Pershing gaining more
than 30%.The St. Joseph School District composite score on the state
APR is 67.9%. Lau says the district is within reach of achieving its goal of
70%.“Here’s a small example. Our attendance rate was right at 89%,
but if we would have gotten to 92%, we would have gotten five extra points and
that would have closed the gap.”The APR disclosed gains in mathematics in grades 3, 5, and 6
as well as in Algebra 1. Student scores improved in Social Studies with the district
earning 83.3% of the points possible.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph School District shows improvement in state scores

The St. Joseph Police department is warning the public of a wave of scams. 

Captain Jeff Wilson says the department wants residents, and particularly the elderly, to be aware of these criminals targeting them

"in some form of fashion they ask for a payment to be made to them, basically they state that they have had to much money put into their account," Wilson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "Whether it be a Paypal account or some other form of an account and that money needs to be returned."

Wilson says the scammers ask for this money to be returned in gift cards or bitcoin, and even recently by meeting face to face with cash. 

Wilson says they want residents to be aware of these scams so they can avoid falling victim

"You know meeting in person can become very dangerous, but as well I've seen several victims that have been taken for a substantial amount of money and we just don't want to see that for our folks in the community, especially our elderly folks," Wilson explains.

Wilson says these scams come in ebbs and flows. 

"There's definitely times throughout the year where they seem more prevalent than others, and like I said we've seen multiple reports here within a short time frame of them taking place," Wilson says.  "Like I said, there's rise and fall to it, but I think we're going into a busy season for it right now."

Wilson says if you or someone you know has heard one of these scams, contact your bank to verify if what you are being told is true.

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

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Police department is warning the public of a wave of scams. Captain Jeff Wilson says the department wants residents, and particularly the elderly, to be aware of these criminals targeting them"in some form of fashion they ask for a payment to be made to them, basically they state that they have had to much money put into their account," Wilson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Whether it be a Paypal account or some other form of an account and that money needs to be returned."Wilson says the scammers ask for this money to be returned in gift cards or bitcoin, and even recently by meeting face to face with cash. Wilson says they want residents to be aware of these scams so they can avoid falling victim"You know meeting in person can become very dangerous, but as well I've seen several victims that have been taken for a substantial amount of money and we just don't want to see that for our folks in the community, especially our elderly folks," Wilson explains.Wilson says these scams come in ebbs and flows. "There's definitely times throughout the year where they seem more prevalent than others, and like I said we've seen multiple reports here within a short time frame of them taking place," Wilson says. "Like I said, there's rise and fall to it, but I think we're going into a busy season for it right now."Wilson says if you or someone you know has heard one of these scams, contact your bank to verify if what you are being told is true.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Joseph Police warn against latest scam

Andrew County voters gave strong support to a couple of issues
aimed at bolstering law enforcement.

The county November 5th gave 54.96% support to a
half-cent law enforcement sales tax and 58.41% support to its companion
measure, elevating the prosecutor’s office from part-time to full-time.

Andrew County Eastern District Commissioner, Fritz Hegeman,
says the county has seen new businesses opening, established businesses
expanding, and North Central Missouri College opening a campus in Savannah.

“We’ve got some good momentum and we kind of wanted to keep
that (going) and we knew that some of these things that we have presented this
half-cent sales tax to address would hopefully continue that momentum,” Hegeman
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

The half-cent sales tax along with the accompanying increased
revenue from the use tax is expected to generate $1.4 million annually. It will
pay for making the prosecutor full-time as well as help fund at least five
school resource officers.

Hegeman says the sales tax will fund needed improvements for
county law enforcement.

“In particular, the full-time prosecuting attorney position,”
Hegeman says. “Yeah, we’ve been asking more from a part-time prosecuting
attorney than, I think, we deserve to ask, because there’s a lot more work than
a part-time prosecuting attorney position.”

Hegeman says the county has found itself in competition with
neighbors which have approved raising taxes to fund law enforcement.

“Not only St. Joseph, but other surrounding counties and
municipalities have passed law enforcement issues,” Hegeman points out.&nbsp; “And we’re competing against those same
entities and counties for deputy sheriffs, deputies, and dispatches and such.
We’re kind of behind the eight ball. To be competitive in the marketplace we
need to up our game.”

Hegeman is hopeful the county will be able to add more than
five school resource officers. It will depend on exactly how much money the tax
increase generates. School districts in Andrew County will be asked to
contribute to the cost, funding approximately 25% of the cost of an in-school
officer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732552484249.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAndrew County voters gave strong support to a couple of issues
aimed at bolstering law enforcement.The county November 5th gave 54.96% support to a
half-cent law enforcement sales tax and 58.41% support to its companion
measure, elevating the prosecutor’s office from part-time to full-time.Andrew County Eastern District Commissioner, Fritz Hegeman,
says the county has seen new businesses opening, established businesses
expanding, and North Central Missouri College opening a campus in Savannah.“We’ve got some good momentum and we kind of wanted to keep
that (going) and we knew that some of these things that we have presented this
half-cent sales tax to address would hopefully continue that momentum,” Hegeman
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.The half-cent sales tax along with the accompanying increased
revenue from the use tax is expected to generate $1.4 million annually. It will
pay for making the prosecutor full-time as well as help fund at least five
school resource officers.Hegeman says the sales tax will fund needed improvements for
county law enforcement.“In particular, the full-time prosecuting attorney position,”
Hegeman says. “Yeah, we’ve been asking more from a part-time prosecuting
attorney than, I think, we deserve to ask, because there’s a lot more work than
a part-time prosecuting attorney position.”Hegeman says the county has found itself in competition with
neighbors which have approved raising taxes to fund law enforcement.“Not only St. Joseph, but other surrounding counties and
municipalities have passed law enforcement issues,” Hegeman points out.&nbsp; “And we’re competing against those same
entities and counties for deputy sheriffs, deputies, and dispatches and such.
We’re kind of behind the eight ball. To be competitive in the marketplace we
need to up our game.”Hegeman is hopeful the county will be able to add more than
five school resource officers. It will depend on exactly how much money the tax
increase generates. School districts in Andrew County will be asked to
contribute to the cost, funding approximately 25% of the cost of an in-school
officer.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Law enforcement improvements coming to Andrew County, thanks to voters

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Sunday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero driven by a 16-year-old boy from Brookfield was northbound on Route V three miles south of Chula.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The SUV traveled off the east side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle traveled off the west side of the road. The driver overcorrected again and the SUV traveled off the east side of the road. The teen driver overcorrected again and the vehicle traveled off the west side of the road, roled and struck a utility pole.&nbsp;

Life Flight transported a 37-year-old male passenger from Galt to St. Lukes in Kansas City.&nbsp;Livingston County ambulance transported the driver to Hedrick Medical Center.&nbsp; They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Sunday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero driven by a 16-year-old boy from Brookfield was northbound on Route V three miles south of Chula.The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The SUV traveled off the east side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle traveled off the west side of the road. The driver overcorrected again and the SUV traveled off the east side of the road. The teen driver overcorrected again and the vehicle traveled off the west side of the road, roled and struck a utility pole.&nbsp;Life Flight transported a 37-year-old male passenger from Galt to St. Lukes in Kansas City.&nbsp;Livingston County ambulance transported the driver to Hedrick Medical Center.&nbsp; They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man airlifted to hospital after SUV overturns

TOPEKA — Emergency loans are available to help Kansans who had losses from storms last spring.

Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated 13 counties as natural disaster areas due to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding on May 19.

The counties are Barton, Ellsworth, Harvey, Hodgeman, Lincoln, Morris, Ottawa, Pawnee, Reno, Russell, Stafford, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte.

In additionn, neighboring counties Butler, Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Geary, Johnson, Kingman, Leavenworth, Lyon, McPherson, Marion, Mitchell, Ness, Osage, Osborne, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, and Shawnee.

Contiguous counties of Platte, Clay and Jackson in Missouri are also eligible.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The loans can be used to meet various recovery needs, like replacing essential items, including equipment or livestock, reorganizing a farming operation, or refinancing certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans/index">emergency loans</a>. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.&nbsp;

On farmers.gov, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/node/28989">Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2021-09/fsa-disasterassistance-at-a-glance-sept.-2021.pdf">Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://lat.fpac.usda.gov/">Loan Assistance Tool</a>&nbsp;can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator">&nbsp;USDA Service Center</a>.FEMA offers different assistance programs for individual citizens, public groups including government agencies and private nonprofit organizations.&nbsp; To find the FEMA help you need following a disaster event, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/assistance">fema.gov/assistance</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732376315753.png" alt="Photo National Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo National Service</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Emergency loans are available to help Kansans who had losses from storms last spring.Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated 13 counties as natural disaster areas due to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding on May 19.The counties are Barton, Ellsworth, Harvey, Hodgeman, Lincoln, Morris, Ottawa, Pawnee, Reno, Russell, Stafford, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte.In additionn, neighboring counties Butler, Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Geary, Johnson, Kingman, Leavenworth, Lyon, McPherson, Marion, Mitchell, Ness, Osage, Osborne, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, and Shawnee.Contiguous counties of Platte, Clay and Jackson in Missouri are also eligible.&nbsp; &nbsp;The loans can be used to meet various recovery needs, like replacing essential items, including equipment or livestock, reorganizing a farming operation, or refinancing certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans/index">emergency loans</a>. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.&nbsp;The deadline to apply is April 21, 2025.On farmers.gov, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/node/28989">Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2021-09/fsa-disasterassistance-at-a-glance-sept.-2021.pdf">Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://lat.fpac.usda.gov/">Loan Assistance Tool</a>&nbsp;can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator">&nbsp;USDA Service Center</a>.FEMA offers different assistance programs for individual citizens, public groups including government agencies and private nonprofit organizations.&nbsp; To find the FEMA help you need following a disaster event, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/assistance">fema.gov/assistance</a>.

FEMA designates counties in Missouri, Kansas as disaster areas

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 10a.m. Sunday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Silverado driven by a 26-year-old from Excelsior Springs was southbound on U.S. 69 four miles north of Lawson.

The pickup traveled off the west side of the road, struck a private drive and overturned onto its top.

Holt ambulance transported the driver and a 21-year-old male passenger to Liberty Hospital. They were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 10a.m. Sunday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Silverado driven by a 26-year-old from Excelsior Springs was southbound on U.S. 69 four miles north of Lawson.The pickup traveled off the west side of the road, struck a private drive and overturned onto its top.Holt ambulance transported the driver and a 21-year-old male passenger to Liberty Hospital. They were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Two hospitalized after pickup rollover accident

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating burglary/thefts in the southeast part of Brown County, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

"We have great cooperation&nbsp; from&nbsp; the public, victims of the crimes and surrounding&nbsp; law enforcement agencies throughout the investigation.&nbsp; "

The Brown County sheriff's deputies have spent many countless hours investigating these crimes, modifying patrol procedures, speaking with concerned individuals, reviewing camera footage, following up on leads as well as networking with other law enforcement agencies and collaborating information.

This week, based on this joint investigation and collected information,&nbsp;&nbsp; Brown County investigators and Valley Falls Police Chief coordinated a search warrant in Jefferson County that lead to the arrest of 42-year-old Richard Croft of Atchison.&nbsp; 

Brown County deputies took custody of Croft on requested charges that incoude&nbsp; 3 felony counts of Burglary and 1 felony count of Theft&nbsp; as well as 2 misdemeanor counts of Theft which occurred in Brown County, according to Merchant.

Deputies recovered stolen property from the Brown County burglaries at the search warrant location.

Additional agencies participating in the search warrant were Troy Police, Doniphan County Sheriffs office and Jefferson County Sheriffs Office. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732297056827.png" alt="Croft photo Brown Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Croft photo Brown Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating burglary/thefts in the southeast part of Brown County, according to Sheriff John Merchant."We have great cooperation&nbsp; from&nbsp; the public, victims of the crimes and surrounding&nbsp; law enforcement agencies throughout the investigation.&nbsp; "The Brown County sheriff's deputies have spent many countless hours investigating these crimes, modifying patrol procedures, speaking with concerned individuals, reviewing camera footage, following up on leads as well as networking with other law enforcement agencies and collaborating information.This week, based on this joint investigation and collected information,&nbsp;&nbsp; Brown County investigators and Valley Falls Police Chief coordinated a search warrant in Jefferson County that lead to the arrest of 42-year-old Richard Croft of Atchison.&nbsp; Brown County deputies took custody of Croft on requested charges that incoude&nbsp; 3 felony counts of Burglary and 1 felony count of Theft&nbsp; as well as 2 misdemeanor counts of Theft which occurred in Brown County, according to Merchant.Deputies recovered stolen property from the Brown County burglaries at the search warrant location.Additional agencies participating in the search warrant were Troy Police, Doniphan County Sheriffs office and Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies capture suspect in series of Kan. burglaries

Tigers carried by Carroll's 3 TD game in win over Mississippi State

The #23 Missouri Tigers trailed early, but a big defensive play helped flip the script, and the Tigers defeated Mississippi State in dominant fashion on Saturday in Starkville 39-20.&nbsp;

Missouri trailed 3-0 early in the game after the Bulldogs opened the scoring with a 38 yard field goal from&nbsp;Kyle Ferrie.&nbsp; Mizzou's offense struggled to get going, with two consecutive three and outs, but it was the defense that got the Tigers on the board first, defensive lineman punching the ball out of the hands of Mississippi State quarterback&nbsp;Michael Van Buren Jr.'s hands before Daylan Carnell scooped it up and went 37 yards to the house for the touchdown.&nbsp;

The defensive touchdown was the spark Mizzou needed, scoring another first quarter touchdown after forcing a three and out by the Bulldogs, running back Marcus Carroll rushing in from two yards out, his first of three touchdowns on the day.&nbsp;

The Bulldogs did answer with a score of their own, an 11 yard touchdown pass from Van Buren Jr to&nbsp;Jordan Mosley, but in the second quarter the Tigers scored 14 unanswered points, Brady Cook threading the needle for a 28 yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden III and a 19 yard rushing score from Carroll.&nbsp; The Bulldogs ended the scoring in the half with another field goal from Ferrie, this time from 26 yards away, sending Mizzou to the halftime break with a 28-13 lead.&nbsp;

The Tigers extended the lead midway through the third quarter, a 35 yard field goal from Blake Craig, before the Bulldogs scored their final touchdown of the game on the following drive in just two plays as Davon Booth broke a 43 yard run.&nbsp; The final score of the game came in the fourth quarter, Carroll's third touchdown from one yard out.&nbsp;

Cook was 15 of 20 passing on the day for 268 yards with one touchdown. While Carroll scored all the touchdowns, rushing for 61 yards on 14 carries, it was Nate Noel that was the leading rusher with 25 carries for 95 yards.&nbsp; Burden III caught seven passes for 91 yards and the touchdown.&nbsp;

Missouri will close out the regular season on Saturday in the annual Battle Line rivalry game against Arkansas at Faurot Field. Kickoff is set for 2:30, with pregame at 12:30 on KFEQ.&nbsp; The game will be televised on SEC Network.&nbsp;

Jayhawks top Colorado for third straight win over ranked opponent

The Kansas Jayhawks have looked like a completely different team through the month of November.&nbsp; On Saturday, at Arrowhead Stadium, they extended their win streak to three games, all over ranked opponents, beating the#16 Colorado Buffaloes 37-21.&nbsp;

With the win Kansas also made college football history becoming the first FBS team ever to win three straight games against ranked opponents with a losing record.&nbsp;

The Jayhawks started off the game on a 17-0 run before even allowing Colorado to get onto the scoreboard, starting immediately with a big play on the first drive of the game, a 51 yard touchdown pass from Jalon Daniels to Devin Neal.&nbsp; After a three and out from the Buffaloes, the Jayhawks put together a 13 play drive for the only other score of the first quarter, a 24 yard field goal from Tabor Allen.&nbsp;

After Kansas forced a turnover on downs early in the second quarter, the Jayhawks added another touchdown from Neal on the ground, a nine yard score.&nbsp; From there, both teams went on to trade scoring blows.&nbsp;

The Buffaloes finally found the scoreboard after a four play drive, getting a big play of their own from quarterback Shedeur Sanders with a 51 yard touchdown pass to Travis Hunter.&nbsp; After the Jayhawks answered with another field goal by Allen, this time from 23 yards out, Sanders found the endzone again through the air, this time 19 yards to&nbsp;Drelon Miller narrowing the lead.&nbsp; Allen knocked through his third field goal to end the half, from 25 yards away, sending Kansas to the halftime break with a 23-14 lead.&nbsp;

Colorado scored their final touchdown of the game on the first drive of the second half, Sanders again connecting with Hunter for a 26 yard touchdown pass.&nbsp; Neal scored the final two touchdowns for the Jayhawks, a one yard score in the third quarter and a two yard rush early in the fourth quarter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732424886098.jpeg" alt="Missouri running back Marcus Carroll (9) rushed for three touchdowns in a 39-20 win over Mississippi State on Saturday/ Photo courtesy of Mizzou Football on X" />
 <figcaption>Missouri running back Marcus Carroll (9) rushed for three touchdowns in a 39-20 win over Mississippi State on Saturday/ Photo courtesy of Mizzou Football on X</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostTigers carried by Carroll's 3 TD game in win over Mississippi StateThe #23 Missouri Tigers trailed early, but a big defensive play helped flip the script, and the Tigers defeated Mississippi State in dominant fashion on Saturday in Starkville 39-20.&nbsp;Missouri trailed 3-0 early in the game after the Bulldogs opened the scoring with a 38 yard field goal from&nbsp;Kyle Ferrie.&nbsp; Mizzou's offense struggled to get going, with two consecutive three and outs, but it was the defense that got the Tigers on the board first, defensive lineman punching the ball out of the hands of Mississippi State quarterback&nbsp;Michael Van Buren Jr.'s hands before Daylan Carnell scooped it up and went 37 yards to the house for the touchdown.&nbsp;The defensive touchdown was the spark Mizzou needed, scoring another first quarter touchdown after forcing a three and out by the Bulldogs, running back Marcus Carroll rushing in from two yards out, his first of three touchdowns on the day.&nbsp;The Bulldogs did answer with a score of their own, an 11 yard touchdown pass from Van Buren Jr to&nbsp;Jordan Mosley, but in the second quarter the Tigers scored 14 unanswered points, Brady Cook threading the needle for a 28 yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden III and a 19 yard rushing score from Carroll.&nbsp; The Bulldogs ended the scoring in the half with another field goal from Ferrie, this time from 26 yards away, sending Mizzou to the halftime break with a 28-13 lead.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">IS LUTHER HIM BECAUSE FOLKS ARE ASKING<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIZ</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STP</a> <a href="https://t.co/KeAGhUsI9z">pic.twitter.com/KeAGhUsI9z</a>&mdash; Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizzouFootball/status/1860450278329450899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Tigers extended the lead midway through the third quarter, a 35 yard field goal from Blake Craig, before the Bulldogs scored their final touchdown of the game on the following drive in just two plays as Davon Booth broke a 43 yard run.&nbsp; The final score of the game came in the fourth quarter, Carroll's third touchdown from one yard out.&nbsp;Cook was 15 of 20 passing on the day for 268 yards with one touchdown. While Carroll scored all the touchdowns, rushing for 61 yards on 14 carries, it was Nate Noel that was the leading rusher with 25 carries for 95 yards.&nbsp; Burden III caught seven passes for 91 yards and the touchdown.&nbsp;Missouri will close out the regular season on Saturday in the annual Battle Line rivalry game against Arkansas at Faurot Field. Kickoff is set for 2:30, with pregame at 12:30 on KFEQ.&nbsp; The game will be televised on SEC Network.&nbsp;Jayhawks top Colorado for third straight win over ranked opponent<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732427069361.jpeg" alt="Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns as Kansas made FBS history defeating Colorado 37-21 at Arrowhead Stadium/ Photo courtesy of Kansas Football on X" />
 <figcaption>Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns as Kansas made FBS history defeating Colorado 37-21 at Arrowhead Stadium/ Photo courtesy of Kansas Football on X</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Jayhawks have looked like a completely different team through the month of November.&nbsp; On Saturday, at Arrowhead Stadium, they extended their win streak to three games, all over ranked opponents, beating the#16 Colorado Buffaloes 37-21.&nbsp;With the win Kansas also made college football history becoming the first FBS team ever to win three straight games against ranked opponents with a losing record.&nbsp;The Jayhawks started off the game on a 17-0 run before even allowing Colorado to get onto the scoreboard, starting immediately with a big play on the first drive of the game, a 51 yard touchdown pass from Jalon Daniels to Devin Neal.&nbsp; After a three and out from the Buffaloes, the Jayhawks put together a 13 play drive for the only other score of the first quarter, a 24 yard field goal from Tabor Allen.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The legend 🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RockChalk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RockChalk</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/Dev_Neal23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dev_Neal23</a> <a href="https://t.co/Yfk0lVU5hP">https://t.co/Yfk0lVU5hP</a> <a href="https://t.co/zDFD85rgwp">pic.twitter.com/zDFD85rgwp</a>&mdash; Kansas Football (@KU_Football) <a href="https://twitter.com/KU_Football/status/1860427508153258439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After Kansas forced a turnover on downs early in the second quarter, the Jayhawks added another touchdown from Neal on the ground, a nine yard score.&nbsp; From there, both teams went on to trade scoring blows.&nbsp;The Buffaloes finally found the scoreboard after a four play drive, getting a big play of their own from quarterback Shedeur Sanders with a 51 yard touchdown pass to Travis Hunter.&nbsp; After the Jayhawks answered with another field goal by Allen, this time from 23 yards out, Sanders found the endzone again through the air, this time 19 yards to&nbsp;Drelon Miller narrowing the lead.&nbsp; Allen knocked through his third field goal to end the half, from 25 yards away, sending Kansas to the halftime break with a 23-14 lead.&nbsp;Colorado scored their final touchdown of the game on the first drive of the second half, Sanders again connecting with Hunter for a 26 yard touchdown pass.&nbsp; Neal scored the final two touchdowns for the Jayhawks, a one yard score in the third quarter and a two yard rush early in the fourth quarter.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🗣️ &quot;DEVIN NEAL&quot; Devin Neal chants have broken out at Arrowhead Stadium for the <a href="https://twitter.com/KU_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KU_Football</a> star 👏 <a href="https://t.co/BqBxQaF3YC">pic.twitter.com/BqBxQaF3YC</a>&mdash; FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1860471583917154646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Daniels was 14 of 21 passing for 189 yards with one touchdown, also rushing six times for 72 yards. Neal ran 37 times for 207 yards with three touchdowns, and had four catches for 80 yards and a score to lead the receivers.&nbsp; &nbsp;Neal also passed 1,000 yards rushing on the season, hitting the mark for a third season in a row, and becoming the first player in Kansas football history to run for 1,000+ yards in three straight seasons.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;We built this, and we take a lot of pride in that... I can&#39;t imagine being part of a better school.&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/KU_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KU_Football</a> RB Devin Neal spoke with Allison Williams about the emotions of a historic win over Colorado in his final home game as a Jayhawk. <a href="https://t.co/QCSauyiAZ7">pic.twitter.com/QCSauyiAZ7</a>&mdash; FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1860474621411099071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kansas will wrap up the regular season next week on the road taking on Baylor, looking to finish the season at .500.&nbsp; Kickoff from McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas will be at 11am on Saturday.&nbsp; The game will be televised on ESPN2.KKansas State snaps two game losing skid behind Giddens' big day<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732431241743.jpeg" alt="Kansas State running back DJ Giddens (31) rushed for 143 yards and a two touchdowns as the Wildcats snapped a short two game losing skid Saturday/ Photo courtesy of K State Football on X" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State running back DJ Giddens (31) rushed for 143 yards and a two touchdowns as the Wildcats snapped a short two game losing skid Saturday/ Photo courtesy of K State Football on X</figcaption>
 </figure>Behind a dominant first half, the Kansas State Wildcats snapped a two game losing skid against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday night at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, winning 41-15.&nbsp;The first half was dominant for the Wildcats as they scored on five of their six offensive drives, starting with the first drive of the game that took just five plays before quarterback Avery Johnson rushed for a 21 yard score early in the frame.&nbsp; Late in the quarter to end an eight play drive, Chris Tennant knocked in a field goal from 28 yards away.&nbsp;And the scoring wasn't over there, following a turnover on downs by Cincinnati, Kansas State got another field goal from Tennant early in the second quarter, this time from 38 yards out, before finding the endzone on a 32 yard run from DJ Giddens.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">GO DJ, GO DJ 🎧 <a href="https://t.co/zCfWZrX39j">pic.twitter.com/zCfWZrX39j</a>&mdash; K-State Football (@KStateFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateFB/status/1860508667495481853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Bearcats temporarily slowed down the Kansas State run, but only with a 42 yard field goal from&nbsp;Nathan Hawks, the Wildcats though would score once more before halftime, with eight seconds left, Johnson finding Tre Spivey for a six yard touchdown pass, giving Kansas State a 27-3 halftime lead.&nbsp;Cincinnati scored the lone touchdown of the third quarter, a nine yard touchdown pass from&nbsp;Brendan Sorsby to&nbsp;Tony Johnson, but failed the two point conversion attempt.&nbsp; Kansas State added two more touchdowns though in the fourth quarter, Giddens scoring his second rushing touchdown from 17 yards and Johnson getting his third touchdown overall through the air connecting with Will Swanson for an eight yard pass, before the Bearcats got the final score of the game, Sorsby finding Johnson again for a six yard touchdown pass.&nbsp;Johnson was 13 of 23 passing for 147 yards with two touchdowns, also rushing 10 times for 72 yards and one score.&nbsp; Giddens rushed 15 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns, while Spivey led the receivers with five catches for 63 yards and a score.Kansas State will end the regular season at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa taking on #23 Iowa State.&nbsp; Kickoff will be at 6:30pm.&nbsp; The game will be televised on Fox.Cornhuskers bowl eligible after dominant win over Wisconsin<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732432449646.jpeg" alt="Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) celebrates with teammates during Nebraska's 44-25 over Wisconsin. With the win the Cornhuskers are bowl eligible for the first time since 2016/ Photo courtesy of Nebraska Football on X " />
 <figcaption>Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) celebrates with teammates during Nebraska's 44-25 over Wisconsin. With the win the Cornhuskers are bowl eligible for the first time since 2016/ Photo courtesy of Nebraska Football on X </figcaption>
 </figure>The Nebraska Cornhuskers stopped a four-game losing streak and beat the&nbsp; Wisconsin Badgers for the first time in 11 meetings, beating the Badgers 44-25 on Senior Day at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday.&nbsp;The victory was the Cornhuskers' first in nine tries under second-year coach Matt Rhule when playing for bowl eligibility.&nbsp; The Huskers came into the season with the longest bowl drought among power-conference teams and the program's longest since 1955-61.The game started with both teams trading touchdowns on their first two offensive drives, first with Nebraska getting a five yard rushing touchdown by backup quarterback&nbsp;Heinrich Haarberg, before Wisconsin answered with a four yard passing touchdown from&nbsp;Braedyn Locke to&nbsp;Bryson Green.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the game went into the second quarter tied at seven, the Corhuskers pulled ahead early in the frame,&nbsp; on an eight play drive that carried between quarters, running back Dante Dowdell rushing in from 12 yards out.&nbsp; The Badgers answered on the next offensive drive, but only with a field goal, 33 yards from&nbsp;Nathanial Vakos.Nebraska went on to punt on their next drive, and after Wisconsin missed a field goal, the Cornhuskers put together a 10 play drive that ended with freshman standout quarterback Dylan Raiola finding&nbsp;Jahmal Banks in the back of the endzone from five yards out.&nbsp; The Badgers fumbled on the next offensive drive, setting Nebraska kicker&nbsp;John Hohl up for a 37 yard field goal with two seconds left, and the Huskers took a 24-10 lead to the halftime break.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A thing of beauty. 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/BigTenNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BigTenNetwork</a> <a href="https://t.co/Lm7WjsKERe">pic.twitter.com/Lm7WjsKERe</a>&mdash; Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuskerFootball/status/1860443438254063653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hohl opened the scoring in the second half for Nebraska with a 45 yard field goal, and after the Huskers defense forced a turnover on downs by the Badgers, the offense went to work for a seven play drive that ended with a three yard touchdown by Dowdell, his second score of the day.Wisconsin scored quickly however after the touchdown, needing just four plays for Locke to again connect with Green from 24 yards away, continuing to try to fight their way back into the game, something Nebraska would not allow going into the final quarter.&nbsp;Hohl again started the scoring in the final frame, a 26 yard field goal, which was followed with Locke's third touchdown pass of the game 58 yards to&nbsp;Vinny Anthony II with a two point conversion pass from Locke to Green, but the final score of the game by the Huskers put it away, Dowdell rushing in from one yard out.&nbsp;Raiola was 28 of 38 passing for 293 yards with one touchdown. Emmett Johnson led all rushers with 16 carries for 113 yards,&nbsp; the first time in his 27 career games, while Dowdell rushed 10 times for 41 yards with three scores.&nbsp; Johnson (six catches, 85 yards) and&nbsp;Jacory Barney Jr. (nine catches, 85 yards) led the receivers.Nebraska will finish the regular season on the road with a rivalry matchup in Iowa City at Kinnick Stadium, taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes.&nbsp; Kickoff will be at 6:30 pm.&nbsp; The game will be televised on NBC.#9 Benedictine draws #8 Texas Wesleyan in second round of playoffs<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728196471486.jpeg" alt="Quarterback Jackson Dooley (15) takes the snap against Culver-Stockton/ Photo courtesy of Benedictine Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Quarterback Jackson Dooley (15) takes the snap against Culver-Stockton/ Photo courtesy of Benedictine Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>With the First Round concluded, the NAIA announced the 8 Second-Round pairings for the Second Round of the 2024 NAIA Football Championship Series on Saturday night, and (9) Benedictine Football will be heading South.The Ravens will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to take on (8) Texas Wesleyan University at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Crowley Multipurpose Stadium.Texas Wesleyan earned its berth into the FCS after finishing the regular season at 10-0 and earning the automatic berth as the Sooner Athletic Conference champion.The winner between the Ravens and the Rams will advance to the Quarterfinals of the NAIA FCS played at a campus site designated by the NAIA based on the remaining seeded programs.Benedictine Football earned 23 All-Heart South honors&nbsp; with three individual award winners.Receiver Jacob Gathright was named the Heart South Player of the Year, quarterback Jackson Dooley was named the Heart South Offensive Player of the Year, and head coach Joel Osborn was named the Heart South Head Coach of the Year.Offensively, Dooley and Gathright were joined on the first team by JaShawn Todd (WR), Tanner Zimmerman (TE), Britton Smith (OL), Rashad Beckham (OL) and Ja'Kobe Hinton (OL). Defensively, Isaac Anderson (DL), Heath Baker (DL), Zachary LaCombe (LB), Javhi Blomquist (DB), and Jackson Hoskins (DB) were named to the first team Cullen Bruner (P), and Zach Philippi (LS) joined Todd as first-team special teams list. Todd was named the first-team kick returner and athlete.Two Ravens earned second-team honors on offense in Dalton Witherspoon (RB) and Harrison Schmitt (OL), while Abram Phillips (LB) was named to the second-team defense. Harry Balke was named as the second-team kicker.Joseph Lagafuaina (WR), Tim Glaser (DL), and Blue Caplinger (DB) rounded out the Ravens all-conference honors, as they were all named honorable mention.

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