The legislation, which state Rep. Jim Murphy called ‘a pro-life bill that everybody agrees with,’ also expands tax credits for maternity homes and diaper banks and creates a ‘Zero-Cost Adoption Fund’

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

A<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/bill-text/senate-substitute-hb121.pdf?c=41032" target="_blank">&nbsp;bill</a>&nbsp;that would help fund the installation of rescue boxes for parents in crisis to anonymously relinquish newborns to the state is headed to Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe.

State Rep. Jim Murphy, a St. Louis Republican and the sponsor of the “Safe Place for Newborns Fund,” called his legislation “a pro-life bill that everybody agrees with.”&nbsp;

That was nearly true. The bill faced no opposition until it reached the Senate, where state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, voted against it Wednesday when it passed 31 to 1. When the bill returned to the House for final approval on Thursday evening, it passed 136 to 1, with state Rep. Bryan Wolfin, a Republican from Ste. Genevieve, as the lone dissenting vote.

The legislation was amended in the Senate where lawmakers tacked on an increased tax credit allowance for maternity homes from 70% to 100% and raised the ceiling from $50,000 to $100,000 per taxpayer per year. The Senate also extended the expiration date on the diaper bank tax credit to 2031.&nbsp;

The amended bill also establishes the “Zero-Cost Adoption Fund,” which would go toward helping Missourians pay for adoption costs, giving priority to those adopting children in foster care. The fund would be administered by the Missouri Department of Social Services and also provide financial support for community-based interventions to help prevent children from entering foster care.&nbsp;

“Any time we can make not only the adoption process smoother and more cost-efficient and also put supports in place to ensure that the adoption is successful, that’s an easy yes for me,”&nbsp; state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge, said Thursday.&nbsp;

But the “newborn safety incubators” remained the focus of the bill. These boxes are increasingly popular around the country, allowing parents to anonymously relinquish their infant to the state without criminal consequence for abandoning the child. Under state law, parents who relinquish their infants still have an opportunity to ask the state for custody of their child again in the future.

<a href="https://project-safe-haven-babybox.vercel.app/" target="_blank">Six&nbsp;of these safe boxes&nbsp;</a>have been installed around Missouri with four more on the way, all thanks to private donors, Murphy said. One child has been safely relinquished through this method, he said.&nbsp;

The first box was installed in August 2023 at the Mehlville Fire Protection District in south Saint Louis County. Exactly six months later, the box’s silent alarm went off. Inside the box,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/health-science-environment/2024-02-13/first-child-is-surrendered-to-mehlville-fire-stations-baby-box" target="_blank">first responders found an hours-old newborn.&nbsp;</a>

In early February, while testifying in support of the bill, Hendricks said he planned to attend the little girl’s 1st birthday later that month with her adoptive family.

“There is no reason in the world we live in that babies end up in dumpsters,” Hendricks told state representatives in February. “We can do better. But the funding is an issue.”&nbsp;

The fire chief said he receives at least three calls a month from other fire departments and law enforcement agencies interested in installing their own boxes. But in most cases, funding is a major barrier.&nbsp;

The cost of installing each box is roughly $20,000, Murphy said. This includes equipping the box with temperature controls, alarms to notify first responders the box has been activated and a feature that dials 911. Some are also outfitted with video cameras that show a live feed of the baby.&nbsp;

The current budget earmarks $250,000 for the program, which would put up to $10,000 toward each box, thus contributing to the installation of 25 more boxes in the next fiscal year.

Murphy told his colleagues that the interest in the boxes spans the state. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article303409891.html" target="_blank">Kansas City</a>, for example, one councilman is looking to install six boxes, he said.

During the House hearing on the bill, state Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, told Hendricks that she was texting the fire chiefs in Berkeley and Ferguson in north Saint Louis County about the technology.&nbsp;

“I want that box,” said Proudie, who suggested extending the relinquishment period to six or 12 months.

In 2002, Missouri passed a safe haven law that allowed mothers to surrender babies within the first weeks of their lives to staff at hospitals, fire departments, ambulance services, law enforcement agencies, maternity homes or pregnancy resource centers.

Since then, Murphy said, “many, many babies were still found in dumpsters and alleys<a href="https://krcgtv.com/news/local/maries-county-newborn-baby-put-in-plastic-bag-by-teenage-mother-recovering-in-hospital" target="_blank">&nbsp;and places like that</a>,” adding: “The safe haven bill didn’t work as planned.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/advisory-committees/infant-mortality/meetings/infant-abandonment-prevention.pdf" target="_blank">The National Safe Haven Alliance,</a>&nbsp;a nonprofit that advocates for “infant abandonment protection,” reports that in 2021, 73 infants were relinquished through Safe Haven laws around the country. That same year, the nonprofit reports, 31 babies were found abandoned in dangerous locations like dumpsters around the country. Of those 31 infants, 22 were found dead.&nbsp;

During Senate debate Wednesday,&nbsp;state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, expressed her support for the bill as she addressed Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold, who handled the legislation in the Senate, acknowledging both their roles as adoptive mothers.&nbsp;

“My son was placed in my arms at 13 days. I can’t imagine what his birth mom was going through during those days, but I am so grateful that after 13 days, she was able to place him in my arms,” Nurrenbern said. “That’s what we want for all birth parents in that situation, to recognize that there is a safe place for their baby.”

On Thursday, state Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore, a St. Louis Democrat, accused&nbsp; Senate Republicans of hypocrisy for passing the baby box legislation then leading a filibuster the evening prior to kill&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/07/republican-filibuster-blocks-missouri-bill-expanding-access-to-child-care/">legislation that would have created a child care tax credit</a>.

“These baby boxes are all well and good,” Walsh Moore said. “But if we invested in our families and our working families making sure that mothers are healthy and cared for and that children are safe in child care, then maybe people wouldn’t have to hand their children over to the government.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733419622838.jpeg" alt="Safe Haven Baby Box-Photo by Nick Gosnell" />
 <figcaption>Safe Haven Baby Box-Photo by Nick Gosnell</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The legislation, which state Rep. Jim Murphy called ‘a pro-life bill that everybody agrees with,’ also expands tax credits for maternity homes and diaper banks and creates a ‘Zero-Cost Adoption Fund’</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>A<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/bill-text/senate-substitute-hb121.pdf?c=41032" target="_blank">&nbsp;bill</a>&nbsp;that would help fund the installation of rescue boxes for parents in crisis to anonymously relinquish newborns to the state is headed to Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe.State Rep. Jim Murphy, a St. Louis Republican and the sponsor of the “Safe Place for Newborns Fund,” called his legislation “a pro-life bill that everybody agrees with.”&nbsp;That was nearly true. The bill faced no opposition until it reached the Senate, where state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, voted against it Wednesday when it passed 31 to 1. When the bill returned to the House for final approval on Thursday evening, it passed 136 to 1, with state Rep. Bryan Wolfin, a Republican from Ste. Genevieve, as the lone dissenting vote.The legislation was amended in the Senate where lawmakers tacked on an increased tax credit allowance for maternity homes from 70% to 100% and raised the ceiling from $50,000 to $100,000 per taxpayer per year. The Senate also extended the expiration date on the diaper bank tax credit to 2031.&nbsp;The amended bill also establishes the “Zero-Cost Adoption Fund,” which would go toward helping Missourians pay for adoption costs, giving priority to those adopting children in foster care. The fund would be administered by the Missouri Department of Social Services and also provide financial support for community-based interventions to help prevent children from entering foster care.&nbsp;“Any time we can make not only the adoption process smoother and more cost-efficient and also put supports in place to ensure that the adoption is successful, that’s an easy yes for me,”&nbsp; state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge, said Thursday.&nbsp;But the “newborn safety incubators” remained the focus of the bill. These boxes are increasingly popular around the country, allowing parents to anonymously relinquish their infant to the state without criminal consequence for abandoning the child. Under state law, parents who relinquish their infants still have an opportunity to ask the state for custody of their child again in the future.<a href="https://project-safe-haven-babybox.vercel.app/" target="_blank">Six&nbsp;of these safe boxes&nbsp;</a>have been installed around Missouri with four more on the way, all thanks to private donors, Murphy said. One child has been safely relinquished through this method, he said.&nbsp;The first box was installed in August 2023 at the Mehlville Fire Protection District in south Saint Louis County. Exactly six months later, the box’s silent alarm went off. Inside the box,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/health-science-environment/2024-02-13/first-child-is-surrendered-to-mehlville-fire-stations-baby-box" target="_blank">first responders found an hours-old newborn.&nbsp;</a>In early February, while testifying in support of the bill, Hendricks said he planned to attend the little girl’s 1st birthday later that month with her adoptive family.“There is no reason in the world we live in that babies end up in dumpsters,” Hendricks told state representatives in February. “We can do better. But the funding is an issue.”&nbsp;The fire chief said he receives at least three calls a month from other fire departments and law enforcement agencies interested in installing their own boxes. But in most cases, funding is a major barrier.&nbsp;The cost of installing each box is roughly $20,000, Murphy said. This includes equipping the box with temperature controls, alarms to notify first responders the box has been activated and a feature that dials 911. Some are also outfitted with video cameras that show a live feed of the baby.&nbsp;The current budget earmarks $250,000 for the program, which would put up to $10,000 toward each box, thus contributing to the installation of 25 more boxes in the next fiscal year.Murphy told his colleagues that the interest in the boxes spans the state. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article303409891.html" target="_blank">Kansas City</a>, for example, one councilman is looking to install six boxes, he said.During the House hearing on the bill, state Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, told Hendricks that she was texting the fire chiefs in Berkeley and Ferguson in north Saint Louis County about the technology.&nbsp;“I want that box,” said Proudie, who suggested extending the relinquishment period to six or 12 months.In 2002, Missouri passed a safe haven law that allowed mothers to surrender babies within the first weeks of their lives to staff at hospitals, fire departments, ambulance services, law enforcement agencies, maternity homes or pregnancy resource centers.Since then, Murphy said, “many, many babies were still found in dumpsters and alleys<a href="https://krcgtv.com/news/local/maries-county-newborn-baby-put-in-plastic-bag-by-teenage-mother-recovering-in-hospital" target="_blank">&nbsp;and places like that</a>,” adding: “The safe haven bill didn’t work as planned.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/advisory-committees/infant-mortality/meetings/infant-abandonment-prevention.pdf" target="_blank">The National Safe Haven Alliance,</a>&nbsp;a nonprofit that advocates for “infant abandonment protection,” reports that in 2021, 73 infants were relinquished through Safe Haven laws around the country. That same year, the nonprofit reports, 31 babies were found abandoned in dangerous locations like dumpsters around the country. Of those 31 infants, 22 were found dead.&nbsp;During Senate debate Wednesday,&nbsp;state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, expressed her support for the bill as she addressed Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold, who handled the legislation in the Senate, acknowledging both their roles as adoptive mothers.&nbsp;“My son was placed in my arms at 13 days. I can’t imagine what his birth mom was going through during those days, but I am so grateful that after 13 days, she was able to place him in my arms,” Nurrenbern said. “That’s what we want for all birth parents in that situation, to recognize that there is a safe place for their baby.”On Thursday, state Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore, a St. Louis Democrat, accused&nbsp; Senate Republicans of hypocrisy for passing the baby box legislation then leading a filibuster the evening prior to kill&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/07/republican-filibuster-blocks-missouri-bill-expanding-access-to-child-care/">legislation that would have created a child care tax credit</a>.“These baby boxes are all well and good,” Walsh Moore said. “But if we invested in our families and our working families making sure that mothers are healthy and cared for and that children are safe in child care, then maybe people wouldn’t have to hand their children over to the government.”&nbsp;

Bill funding newborn rescue boxes heads to Missouri governor

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Dodge Dakota driven by a 27-year-old Savannah man was northbound on U.S. 169 near Brookwood Way one and one half miles north of St. Joseph.

The driver was distracted by a hand held device and the pickup rear-ended a 2004 Toyota Corolla driven by a 40-year-old Savannah woman who was waiting to west.

Andrew County EMS transported Toyota driver to Mosaic. The pickup driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Friday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Dodge Dakota driven by a 27-year-old Savannah man was northbound on U.S. 169 near Brookwood Way one and one half miles north of St. Joseph.The driver was distracted by a hand held device and the pickup rear-ended a 2004 Toyota Corolla driven by a 40-year-old Savannah woman who was waiting to west.Andrew County EMS transported Toyota driver to Mosaic. The pickup driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman injured after crash due to distracted driver

A longtime program designed to educate youth about aviation and teach STEM activities will offer flights this weekend at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.  

The Young Eagles program will offer flights to kids between eight and 17 years old, to show off the planes, and maybe get some kids interested in aviation.  

Volunteer Pilot with Young Eagles Lute Atieh says on the day pilots will take kids up in the air for what he likes to call a 'lap around the block'  

"We take off from the airport, we head east out to Riverside and then we, well depending on what direction the wind is we turn north or south, and we come back towards the airport and land," Atieh tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "It's a great experience, I've seen several kids come back year after year." 

Atieh says nationwide Young Eagles, whose sole mission is to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation. has given 2.5 million flights to kids 

"If you think about that and the impact it has, I mean these kids between the ages of eight and 17 by the time they're in their late 20's or early 30's, some of them are potentially flying commercial aircraft," Atieh explains.  "So, it's just a really great experience, not just flying but also producing aviation mechanics and other aviation related careers, but there's just no other program like it." 

Atieh says locally he's seen kids that have gone through the program later in their lives in flight training, becoming pilots, or in other aviation fields as well.  

Atieh says not only will kids on the day learn about flight, but they will even be able to learn more at home 

"Every person that flies gets access to this online portal that gives you sort of free ground school as part of this experience," Atieh says.  "So, you can go on the internet, watch a ton of videos, and learn more about flight." 

Atieh says on the day pilots take about 50 to 70 kids up into the air, depending on how many pilots are available, but sadly sometimes to not get to everyone that comes.  

The flights will be offered tomorrow from 8am to 12pm at Rosecrans.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746726953412.jpeg" alt="Youth fly free this weekend during the Young Eagles program at Rosecrans Memorial Airport/ Photo courtesy of Lute Atieh" />
 <figcaption>Youth fly free this weekend during the Young Eagles program at Rosecrans Memorial Airport/ Photo courtesy of Lute Atieh</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A longtime program designed to educate youth about aviation and teach STEM activities will offer flights this weekend at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. The Young Eagles program will offer flights to kids between eight and 17 years old, to show off the planes, and maybe get some kids interested in aviation. Volunteer Pilot with Young Eagles Lute Atieh says on the day pilots will take kids up in the air for what he likes to call a 'lap around the block' "We take off from the airport, we head east out to Riverside and then we, well depending on what direction the wind is we turn north or south, and we come back towards the airport and land," Atieh tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "It's a great experience, I've seen several kids come back year after year." Atieh says nationwide Young Eagles, whose sole mission is to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation. has given 2.5 million flights to kids "If you think about that and the impact it has, I mean these kids between the ages of eight and 17 by the time they're in their late 20's or early 30's, some of them are potentially flying commercial aircraft," Atieh explains. "So, it's just a really great experience, not just flying but also producing aviation mechanics and other aviation related careers, but there's just no other program like it." Atieh says locally he's seen kids that have gone through the program later in their lives in flight training, becoming pilots, or in other aviation fields as well. Atieh says not only will kids on the day learn about flight, but they will even be able to learn more at home "Every person that flies gets access to this online portal that gives you sort of free ground school as part of this experience," Atieh says. "So, you can go on the internet, watch a ton of videos, and learn more about flight." Atieh says on the day pilots take about 50 to 70 kids up into the air, depending on how many pilots are available, but sadly sometimes to not get to everyone that comes. The flights will be offered tomorrow from 8am to 12pm at Rosecrans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746727030954.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Lute Atieh" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Lute Atieh</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Kids fly free with volunteer pilots this weekend to spark love of aviation

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Friday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Rav4 driven by Jessica&nbsp;Prieto Rodriguez, 26, Tampa, Florida, was eastbound on 270th one half mile east of Sabetha.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the road into a ditch and rolled.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EMS transported Rodriguez to the hospital in Sabetha. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Friday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Rav4 driven by Jessica&nbsp;Prieto Rodriguez, 26, Tampa, Florida, was eastbound on 270th one half mile east of Sabetha.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the road into a ditch and rolled.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported Rodriguez to the hospital in Sabetha. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Woman hospitalized after SUV rollover accident

On this repeat episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with NASA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/victor-j-glover/biography" target="_blank">Astronaut Victor Glover, Jr.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;who will pilot NASA's mission to fly by the moon in 2026.

On this repeat episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with NASA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/victor-j-glover/biography" target="_blank">Astronaut Victor Glover, Jr.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;who will pilot NASA's mission to fly by the moon in 2026.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BsB43T6P6Ns?si=YhteHw1CYZmbkFdE&amp;start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680538101123.png" alt="Official crew portrait for Artemis II, from left: NASA Astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen." />
 <figcaption>Official crew portrait for Artemis II, from left: NASA Astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen.</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎤 Forward Ever: NASA Astronaut Victor Glover, Jr.

While it's been a problem for some time now, Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says a growing problem has been people sneaking drugs into jail. 

Puett reports that just this week alone his office found three people smuggling drugs into jail inside their bodies.  Puett hopes people might understand one thing after this. 

"We want to send a very clear message to people that this is not acceptable, this is not allowed, it's multiple felony crimes, and we're not going to tolerate it," Puett says on the KFEQmunnity show.

Puett reports people smuggling drugs into jail inside their bodies.  Puett says advancements in technology have helped in discovering these attempts

"Before this body scanner and this technology, we weren't able to see what somebody might have inside them," Puett explains.  "And believe it or not, people do all kinds of crazy stuff and put all kinds of crazy things in their body, weapons, narcotics, the whole nine yards."

Puett says keeping drugs out of the jails is important because of the dangers they present to inmates and his staff

"It's a complex situation and the more we add to or compound that with things like fentanyl or methamphetamine or heroine or anything, it makes the problem grow exponentially," Puett says.

Seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and pills were made.  Charges have been submitted to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office on all individuals involved, including other inmates in the jail.

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWhile it's been a problem for some time now, Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says a growing problem has been people sneaking drugs into jail. Puett reports that just this week alone his office found three people smuggling drugs into jail inside their bodies. Puett hopes people might understand one thing after this. "We want to send a very clear message to people that this is not acceptable, this is not allowed, it's multiple felony crimes, and we're not going to tolerate it," Puett says on the KFEQmunnity show.Puett reports people smuggling drugs into jail inside their bodies. Puett says advancements in technology have helped in discovering these attempts"Before this body scanner and this technology, we weren't able to see what somebody might have inside them," Puett explains. "And believe it or not, people do all kinds of crazy stuff and put all kinds of crazy things in their body, weapons, narcotics, the whole nine yards."Puett says keeping drugs out of the jails is important because of the dangers they present to inmates and his staff"It's a complex situation and the more we add to or compound that with things like fentanyl or methamphetamine or heroine or anything, it makes the problem grow exponentially," Puett says.Seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and pills were made. Charges have been submitted to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office on all individuals involved, including other inmates in the jail.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Sheriff Puett sends message to not bring drugs to jail as problem grows

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3kNq60pp32BQRkaPIeCSr0?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1tD8KGFuk7fBfAg5OfZmvR?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

A special Mother’s Day Brunch is planned
for Saturday by the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph. 

Executive Director, Eric Fuson, will be
preparing savory and sweet crepes to go with iced tea, coffee, and juice.

“So, you will be able to have a nice, savory
one to begin with and top it off with a sweet one or two,” Fuson tells
KFEQmmunity. “We’ll have a cash bar which will have mimosas, Bloody Marys,
signature mocktails, you name it.”

The Mother’s Day Brunch and Blooms also
allows guests to tap into their creative side with a hands-on paper flower
making activity. The Mother’s Day celebration begins at 10am and runs until one
Saturday afternoon. It costs $35 per ticket.

And while a special Mother’s Day Brunch is
planned for Saturday, Albrecht Kemper hasn’t forgotten the fathers.

Fuson says the art museum will celebrate
Father’s Day as well with a Whisky Tasting and Hog Roast on June 21st.

“It’s $50 a ticket, but we’ll be doing a
whole hog roast. We have whisky tasting,” Fuson says. “And I believe we’ll have
some cigars for enjoyment out on the patio, out back.”

A special exhibit begins Friday at Albrecht
Kemper, an exhibit celebrating nature.

“Our Very Nature” by Rachelle Gardner-Roe
of Kansas City blends fiber, sculpture, painting, and poetry influenced by the
artist’s practice of meditation.

Fuson says art such as this calls on you
to step back, break away from your hectic pace, and take in the beauty around us,
something he has observed when interacting with those who come to the museum.

“They kind of say, you know, I don’t know
why I don’t take more time to do this. Why don’t I take a minute to just stop
by, even if it’s only for a few minutes, to just stop in and look around? They
always say it’s just so calming here. It’s beautiful. I always see something I
haven’t seen before,” Fuson says. “It’s just that respite from your normal workload
and life going on that you give to yourself a little bit.”

The Rachelle Gardner-Roe “Over Very
Nature” opening reception begins a four o’clock Friday afternoon and runs until
seven that evening. It is free and open to the public.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA special Mother’s Day Brunch is planned
for Saturday by the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph. Executive Director, Eric Fuson, will be
preparing savory and sweet crepes to go with iced tea, coffee, and juice.“So, you will be able to have a nice, savory
one to begin with and top it off with a sweet one or two,” Fuson tells
KFEQmmunity. “We’ll have a cash bar which will have mimosas, Bloody Marys,
signature mocktails, you name it.”The Mother’s Day Brunch and Blooms also
allows guests to tap into their creative side with a hands-on paper flower
making activity. The Mother’s Day celebration begins at 10am and runs until one
Saturday afternoon. It costs $35 per ticket.And while a special Mother’s Day Brunch is
planned for Saturday, Albrecht Kemper hasn’t forgotten the fathers.Fuson says the art museum will celebrate
Father’s Day as well with a Whisky Tasting and Hog Roast on June 21st.“It’s $50 a ticket, but we’ll be doing a
whole hog roast. We have whisky tasting,” Fuson says. “And I believe we’ll have
some cigars for enjoyment out on the patio, out back.”A special exhibit begins Friday at Albrecht
Kemper, an exhibit celebrating nature.“Our Very Nature” by Rachelle Gardner-Roe
of Kansas City blends fiber, sculpture, painting, and poetry influenced by the
artist’s practice of meditation.Fuson says art such as this calls on you
to step back, break away from your hectic pace, and take in the beauty around us,
something he has observed when interacting with those who come to the museum.“They kind of say, you know, I don’t know
why I don’t take more time to do this. Why don’t I take a minute to just stop
by, even if it’s only for a few minutes, to just stop in and look around? They
always say it’s just so calming here. It’s beautiful. I always see something I
haven’t seen before,” Fuson says. “It’s just that respite from your normal workload
and life going on that you give to yourself a little bit.”The Rachelle Gardner-Roe “Over Very
Nature” opening reception begins a four o’clock Friday afternoon and runs until
seven that evening. It is free and open to the public.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Albrecht Kemper opens a new exhibit, celebrates Mother's Day & doesn't forget fathers...

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>

The House and Senate conference committees wrapped up two days of talks Thursday afternoon, finalizing a $53.5B budget for the coming fiscal year

After a sharp, brief fight in which Democrats were outnumbered by majority Republicans, Missouri legislative budget negotiators agreed Thursday to spend $50 million to expand the MOScholars program that helps pay tuition at private and parochial schools.

The general revenue support would be the first time state tax dollars have been appropriated directly to the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/21/funding-lag-creates-barrier-for-missouri-private-school-tax-credit-program/">program begun in 2021</a>. The line item, a major part of Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">Gov. Mike Kehoe’s budget proposal</a>, found favor in the Missouri House but was rejected by the state Senate when it passed spending bills last week.

The item was one of the last to be reached as budget negotiators worked through 13 spending bills paying for state operations in the coming year. All 13 bills, as well as three capital improvements bills awaiting a vote in the state Senate, must be passed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">6 p.m. Friday constitutional deadline</a>.

Official figures were not yet available, but tracking by The Independent shows lawmakers intend to spend $53.5 billion in the coming fiscal year.

State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, said she objects to providing tax money for the tuition program because the state doesn’t prevent parents from using the scholarships to send their children to schools that are selective for academic achievement or religious beliefs.

“This is fiscally irresponsible, and quite frankly I think it’s shameful to put $50 million into funds that can directly discriminate against the students they are supposed to be serving,” she said.

The program provides stipends equal to the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/18/rudi-splains-it-the-state-adequacy-target/">State Adequacy Target</a>, the figure that drives how much money is needed for the school foundation formula, the basic aid program for public schools. Families with incomes 300% of the federal poverty guideline or less — $173,000 a year for a family of four — can apply for the aid.

Republicans argue the direct appropriation is legal and needed to expand access to the program, which was set up to be funded by donations secured by tax credits for donors.&nbsp;

“This was one that was very important to the House and we passed it out very strongly,” said House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel.

The budget negotiating committees are 10 members, five from each chamber made up of three Republicans and two Democrats. State Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis Democrat, appointed to the negotiation committee over objections of other Democrats because of her support for school choice bills, backed Republicans on the MoScholars funding.

“I believe in education and a good education for all children, whether it be private schools, charter schools, public schools,” Terry said. “We want our children to get the best education that they can, and we want to give them the help to get it.”

All of the differences, large and small, were reconciled over two days of public budget negotiations. Several big decisions&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/08/lawmakers-negotiating-missouri-budget-add-300m-to-public-schools-spending/">were made Wednesday,</a>&nbsp;including agreement to increase school funding through the foundation formula by $300 million, spend $107 million more on child care supports and to use Kehoe’s pay raise plan that rewards longevity in state employment.

The budget overall calls for spending about $210 million less than Kehoe recommended, approximately $1.9 billion more than the House version and $237 million more than the Senate voted for when it passed the budget last week.

The legislative budget calls for spending $16.2 billion of general revenue, money mainly from income and sales taxes. That is $200 million more than Kehoe proposed, $1 billion more than the House spending plan and about $391 million less general revenue than in the Senate budget.

The final budget finds savings over the Senate plan in large part by tapping a pool of almost $500 million in banked federal funds to underwrite the Medicaid program.

The Thursday meeting focused on funding for health, social services and state official and judicial budgets. Some of the decisions finalized Thursday would:

Hoskins had supporters on the negotiating committee but not enough to change the decision. State Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, asked for five of the positions to be restored. And state Rep. Darin Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville, also backed Hoskins.

“I don’t mean to belabor what appears to be a dead horse, but I would like to ask us to consider that the new secretary of state may need some time to be able to level out what he actually does need, and maybe a little bit of grace might be appropriate,” Chappell said.

Despite the plea, Deaton made the cut stick.

“This wasn’t a House position, but our Senate colleagues are pretty impassioned here,” Deaton said.

After the meeting concluded, Hough said he is not concerned that the budget spends more general revenue than either Kehoe or the House included. The budget grows through the process, he said, as lawmakers seek help for community projects.

“A lot of members from the House and a lot of a lot of interested parties all over the state come banging on the Senate,” Hough said. “They say, ‘why would you leave $2 billion in the bank when we have investments that we’d like to see in our communities?’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746787756639.png" alt=" Missouri Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough, right, discusses a budget item Thursday with House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton during negotiations over spending differences in the fiscal 2026 budget (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough, right, discusses a budget item Thursday with House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton during negotiations over spending differences in the fiscal 2026 budget (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>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><h2>The House and Senate conference committees wrapped up two days of talks Thursday afternoon, finalizing a $53.5B budget for the coming fiscal year</h2>After a sharp, brief fight in which Democrats were outnumbered by majority Republicans, Missouri legislative budget negotiators agreed Thursday to spend $50 million to expand the MOScholars program that helps pay tuition at private and parochial schools.The general revenue support would be the first time state tax dollars have been appropriated directly to the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/21/funding-lag-creates-barrier-for-missouri-private-school-tax-credit-program/">program begun in 2021</a>. The line item, a major part of Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">Gov. Mike Kehoe’s budget proposal</a>, found favor in the Missouri House but was rejected by the state Senate when it passed spending bills last week.The item was one of the last to be reached as budget negotiators worked through 13 spending bills paying for state operations in the coming year. All 13 bills, as well as three capital improvements bills awaiting a vote in the state Senate, must be passed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">6 p.m. Friday constitutional deadline</a>.Official figures were not yet available, but tracking by The Independent shows lawmakers intend to spend $53.5 billion in the coming fiscal year.State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, said she objects to providing tax money for the tuition program because the state doesn’t prevent parents from using the scholarships to send their children to schools that are selective for academic achievement or religious beliefs.“This is fiscally irresponsible, and quite frankly I think it’s shameful to put $50 million into funds that can directly discriminate against the students they are supposed to be serving,” she said.The program provides stipends equal to the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/18/rudi-splains-it-the-state-adequacy-target/">State Adequacy Target</a>, the figure that drives how much money is needed for the school foundation formula, the basic aid program for public schools. Families with incomes 300% of the federal poverty guideline or less — $173,000 a year for a family of four — can apply for the aid.Republicans argue the direct appropriation is legal and needed to expand access to the program, which was set up to be funded by donations secured by tax credits for donors.&nbsp;“This was one that was very important to the House and we passed it out very strongly,” said House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel.The budget negotiating committees are 10 members, five from each chamber made up of three Republicans and two Democrats. State Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis Democrat, appointed to the negotiation committee over objections of other Democrats because of her support for school choice bills, backed Republicans on the MoScholars funding.“I believe in education and a good education for all children, whether it be private schools, charter schools, public schools,” Terry said. “We want our children to get the best education that they can, and we want to give them the help to get it.”All of the differences, large and small, were reconciled over two days of public budget negotiations. Several big decisions&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/08/lawmakers-negotiating-missouri-budget-add-300m-to-public-schools-spending/">were made Wednesday,</a>&nbsp;including agreement to increase school funding through the foundation formula by $300 million, spend $107 million more on child care supports and to use Kehoe’s pay raise plan that rewards longevity in state employment.The budget overall calls for spending about $210 million less than Kehoe recommended, approximately $1.9 billion more than the House version and $237 million more than the Senate voted for when it passed the budget last week.The legislative budget calls for spending $16.2 billion of general revenue, money mainly from income and sales taxes. That is $200 million more than Kehoe proposed, $1 billion more than the House spending plan and about $391 million less general revenue than in the Senate budget.The final budget finds savings over the Senate plan in large part by tapping a pool of almost $500 million in banked federal funds to underwrite the Medicaid program.The Thursday meeting focused on funding for health, social services and state official and judicial budgets. Some of the decisions finalized Thursday would:<ul>
 <li>Set aside almost $93 million to pay off a judgment against the state for damages claimed by a vendor who worked on the state’s computerized Medicaid enrollment system. A $23 million judgment&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/29/cost-balloons-for-missouri-taxpayers-in-medicaid-contract-dispute/">grew to more than $50 million</a>&nbsp;as the state appealed and interest accrued. The appropriation includes both state and federal funds to allow flexibility in the way the judgment is paid.</li><li>Allow more than 300 near earmarked projects — items sought by lawmakers for their district or lobbyists seeking money for clients — with a general revenue cost of $600 million and an overall cost of $750 million.&nbsp;</li><li>Cut 25 open employee slots from Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ budget and one from the budget of Lt. Gov. David Wasinger. The cuts were initiated in the Senate, where Hoskins served eight years and sought repeatedly to cut unfilled jobs, while Wasinger won his job after defeating Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough in a primary last year.</li>
 </ul>Hoskins had supporters on the negotiating committee but not enough to change the decision. State Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, asked for five of the positions to be restored. And state Rep. Darin Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville, also backed Hoskins.“I don’t mean to belabor what appears to be a dead horse, but I would like to ask us to consider that the new secretary of state may need some time to be able to level out what he actually does need, and maybe a little bit of grace might be appropriate,” Chappell said.Despite the plea, Deaton made the cut stick.“This wasn’t a House position, but our Senate colleagues are pretty impassioned here,” Deaton said.After the meeting concluded, Hough said he is not concerned that the budget spends more general revenue than either Kehoe or the House included. The budget grows through the process, he said, as lawmakers seek help for community projects.“A lot of members from the House and a lot of a lot of interested parties all over the state come banging on the Senate,” Hough said. “They say, ‘why would you leave $2 billion in the bank when we have investments that we’d like to see in our communities?’”

Missouri budget negotiators agree to spend $50 million on private school scholarship program

In a three-hour session, negotiators added millions more in general revenue across eight spending bills The negotiations conclude Thursday with final votes scheduled for Friday.

Missouri’s public schools would be fully funded and a policy some blame for undermining a child care subsidy program would be fixed, legislative budget negotiators decided Wednesday night as they worked through eight of the 13 spending bills for state operations in the coming year.

Over about three hours, the conference committees of five lawmakers from both the House and Senate resolved differences between the spending bills, more often than not by selecting the option that spent more money.

Tracking by The Independent shows the eight bills completed Wednesday would spend $450 million more general revenue than Gov. Mike Kehoe’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">January budget proposal</a>, $636 million more than the House version&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/03/missouri-house-finishes-work-on-48-billion-state-budget-plan/">approved in April</a>&nbsp;and $118 million more than the version&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/30/missouri-senate-approves-budget-plan-with-boost-for-schools-child-care/">approved in the Senate last week</a>.

The committees will reconvene Thursday to finalize spending decisions on five more bills, with the full House and Senate scheduled to vote Friday in advance of the constitutional deadline.

The differences that must be resolved are between the $49.4 billion plan for day-to-day operations approved in the Senate and the $47.9 billion plan approved in the House.

The education budget that will go to the chambers for final approval includes $4 billion for the public school foundation formula, including a $297 million increase that Kehoe opposed. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education budget will also include $107 million Kehoe recommended to revamp how child care providers are paid, basing it on enrollment instead of attendance.

House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, tried to defend the decision to back Kehoe’s view that the money shouldn’t be spent. But he was outnumbered, with Democratic House members joining unanimous backing from senators for Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough’s position that state law required the money to be appropriated.

“This is the most important thing we’re going to do today, and this is a statutory minimum that we have in a commitment that we’ve made to our kids back home,” state Rep. Betsy Fogle, a Springfield Democrat, said as she advocated for the foundation formula increase.

As he agreed to the increase, Deaton looked forward to the commission Kehoe created to consider changes to the formula.

“I do hope, when you look at the formula, if we have an opportunity to rewrite it, that we won’t let unelected bureaucrats make a $300 million call or something similar to future general assemblies,” Deaton said.

Along with the two big items in the education department, the conference committees:

The budget negotiators began working about 8:30 p.m., about 12 hours later than the scheduled start.

The day began with tensions between Deaton and Hough. As Hough was wrapping up a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee two rooms away, Deaton was announcing that because Hough was absent, the conference meetings would begin at 10 p.m.

Deaton said he was kept waiting six hours Monday before Hough met with him. They worked for about seven hours to resolve issues that they could present to the conference committees, then for 15 minutes on Tuesday.

He said he was not informed of Hough’s intent to be ready to work in the afternoon after a recess of the committee for short floor sessions.

“I’ve not heard anything since yesterday at 1 o’clock,” Deaton said.

Hough said he worked with Senate leadership to plan time for the conference meeting. He thought it was communicated to the House.&nbsp;

“It was stated by me on multiple occasions that my intention was to get together this afternoon after a few hours of floor time,” Hough said.

Hough tried to get the conference committees together about 3 p.m., after both chambers had adjourned for the day, but Deaton was not willing and did not appear.

The budget negotiations, when they finally began, went relatively quickly and without rancor. Deaton and Hough took turns reading through the budget lines and stating the intent to take the House or Senate position, or a compromise number in between.

Members interrupted often, usually to challenge a decision about an item among the 166 new earmarked items for programs or projects added to the eight bills. Only 12 added at some point didn’t make the final cut.

State Sen. Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat, spoke up in favor of one threatened with a cut, $50,000 for Global One Urban Farming in Kansas City.

“This really helps the children in that community with growing food,” Washington said. “It is only $50,000. It’s so little. I know I ask for a lot, but I don’t ask for a lot of money.”

Instead of being cut, the organization will receive $25,000.

Hough and Deaton both got the earmarks most identified with them in the budget. Deaton cut $8 million to restore a historic footbridge in Springfield and Hough cut $19 million to buy land for a state park in McDonald County.

Unsurprisingly, both made it into the budget.

State Sen. Brian Williams, a University City Democrat, questioned Deaton on the decision to cut $500,000 slated for an urgent care program for veterans in Kansas City. It was one of three earmarked items for veterans alongside $1 million for temporary housing for veterans in St. Louis and $1 million for a veterans housing program in Columbia.

Williams said one consideration for earmarked appropriations of general revenue should be where the money is generated in taxes. Kansas City and St. Louis need to be treated fairly as the richest areas of the state, he said.

“Jackson County makes up a significant amount of the economy in our state, we need to ensure that our budget reflects that,” Williams said.

Deaton said one factor in the decision was the amount being dedicated to veterans programs and the limited nature of state funds.

“There’s the give and the take, there’s money in, money out,” Deaton said. “We can’t do everything, unfortunately and be all things for all people at all times. We’re doing a lot for veterans in this budget.”

The final budget will have $500,000 for the Kansas City urgent care program and $500,000 for the St. Louis temporary housing program.

No one challenged Hough or Deaton when they said they were approving earmarked spending that was in or near their districts. Fogle, however, challenged Hough when he cut $4 million from an economic development organization called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.innovatesomo.org/about-us" target="_blank">Innovate SOMO</a>.&nbsp;

“I know you feel like you gotta give a little bit, but I would rather not give with our community,” Fogle said.

“I think,” Hough replied, “our community is fairly well served in this legislature.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746727790775.png" alt=" A screenshot from the livestream of the House-Senate budget conference committee meeting Wednesday night. Members began work about 8:30 p.m. and settled their differences on eight spending bills at 11:30 p.m. (Screenshot from livestream video via Missouri House Communications)" />
 <figcaption> A screenshot from the livestream of the House-Senate budget conference committee meeting Wednesday night. Members began work about 8:30 p.m. and settled their differences on eight spending bills at 11:30 p.m. (Screenshot from livestream video via Missouri House Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>In a three-hour session, negotiators added millions more in general revenue across eight spending bills The negotiations conclude Thursday with final votes scheduled for Friday.</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’s public schools would be fully funded and a policy some blame for undermining a child care subsidy program would be fixed, legislative budget negotiators decided Wednesday night as they worked through eight of the 13 spending bills for state operations in the coming year.Over about three hours, the conference committees of five lawmakers from both the House and Senate resolved differences between the spending bills, more often than not by selecting the option that spent more money.Tracking by The Independent shows the eight bills completed Wednesday would spend $450 million more general revenue than Gov. Mike Kehoe’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">January budget proposal</a>, $636 million more than the House version&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/03/missouri-house-finishes-work-on-48-billion-state-budget-plan/">approved in April</a>&nbsp;and $118 million more than the version&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/30/missouri-senate-approves-budget-plan-with-boost-for-schools-child-care/">approved in the Senate last week</a>.The committees will reconvene Thursday to finalize spending decisions on five more bills, with the full House and Senate scheduled to vote Friday in advance of the constitutional deadline.The differences that must be resolved are between the $49.4 billion plan for day-to-day operations approved in the Senate and the $47.9 billion plan approved in the House.The education budget that will go to the chambers for final approval includes $4 billion for the public school foundation formula, including a $297 million increase that Kehoe opposed. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education budget will also include $107 million Kehoe recommended to revamp how child care providers are paid, basing it on enrollment instead of attendance.House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, tried to defend the decision to back Kehoe’s view that the money shouldn’t be spent. But he was outnumbered, with Democratic House members joining unanimous backing from senators for Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough’s position that state law required the money to be appropriated.“This is the most important thing we’re going to do today, and this is a statutory minimum that we have in a commitment that we’ve made to our kids back home,” state Rep. Betsy Fogle, a Springfield Democrat, said as she advocated for the foundation formula increase.As he agreed to the increase, Deaton looked forward to the commission Kehoe created to consider changes to the formula.“I do hope, when you look at the formula, if we have an opportunity to rewrite it, that we won’t let unelected bureaucrats make a $300 million call or something similar to future general assemblies,” Deaton said.Along with the two big items in the education department, the conference committees:<ul>
 <li>Adopted Kehoe’s pay plan proposal for state employee raises, which will reward longevity. State workers will get a 1% raise for every two years of state employment, capped at 10% for 20 years.</li><li>Agreed to increase the base budgets for all state colleges and universities by 3%, which was the amount approved in the Senate. The House had adopted Kehoe’s recommendation for a 1.5% boost and added $27.1 million for campus maintenance needs, which was cut by the negotiators.</li><li>Removed language directing the Missouri Lottery to begin a three-year pilot program for&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/06/push-to-allow-online-lottery-ticket-sales-in-missouri-adds-new-issue-to-budget-talks/">lottery courier services</a>.</li>
 </ul>The budget negotiators began working about 8:30 p.m., about 12 hours later than the scheduled start.The day began with tensions between Deaton and Hough. As Hough was wrapping up a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee two rooms away, Deaton was announcing that because Hough was absent, the conference meetings would begin at 10 p.m.Deaton said he was kept waiting six hours Monday before Hough met with him. They worked for about seven hours to resolve issues that they could present to the conference committees, then for 15 minutes on Tuesday.He said he was not informed of Hough’s intent to be ready to work in the afternoon after a recess of the committee for short floor sessions.“I’ve not heard anything since yesterday at 1 o’clock,” Deaton said.Hough said he worked with Senate leadership to plan time for the conference meeting. He thought it was communicated to the House.&nbsp;“It was stated by me on multiple occasions that my intention was to get together this afternoon after a few hours of floor time,” Hough said.Hough tried to get the conference committees together about 3 p.m., after both chambers had adjourned for the day, but Deaton was not willing and did not appear.The budget negotiations, when they finally began, went relatively quickly and without rancor. Deaton and Hough took turns reading through the budget lines and stating the intent to take the House or Senate position, or a compromise number in between.Members interrupted often, usually to challenge a decision about an item among the 166 new earmarked items for programs or projects added to the eight bills. Only 12 added at some point didn’t make the final cut.State Sen. Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat, spoke up in favor of one threatened with a cut, $50,000 for Global One Urban Farming in Kansas City.“This really helps the children in that community with growing food,” Washington said. “It is only $50,000. It’s so little. I know I ask for a lot, but I don’t ask for a lot of money.”Instead of being cut, the organization will receive $25,000.Hough and Deaton both got the earmarks most identified with them in the budget. Deaton cut $8 million to restore a historic footbridge in Springfield and Hough cut $19 million to buy land for a state park in McDonald County.Unsurprisingly, both made it into the budget.State Sen. Brian Williams, a University City Democrat, questioned Deaton on the decision to cut $500,000 slated for an urgent care program for veterans in Kansas City. It was one of three earmarked items for veterans alongside $1 million for temporary housing for veterans in St. Louis and $1 million for a veterans housing program in Columbia.Williams said one consideration for earmarked appropriations of general revenue should be where the money is generated in taxes. Kansas City and St. Louis need to be treated fairly as the richest areas of the state, he said.“Jackson County makes up a significant amount of the economy in our state, we need to ensure that our budget reflects that,” Williams said.Deaton said one factor in the decision was the amount being dedicated to veterans programs and the limited nature of state funds.“There’s the give and the take, there’s money in, money out,” Deaton said. “We can’t do everything, unfortunately and be all things for all people at all times. We’re doing a lot for veterans in this budget.”The final budget will have $500,000 for the Kansas City urgent care program and $500,000 for the St. Louis temporary housing program.No one challenged Hough or Deaton when they said they were approving earmarked spending that was in or near their districts. Fogle, however, challenged Hough when he cut $4 million from an economic development organization called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.innovatesomo.org/about-us" target="_blank">Innovate SOMO</a>.&nbsp;“I know you feel like you gotta give a little bit, but I would rather not give with our community,” Fogle said.“I think,” Hough replied, “our community is fairly well served in this legislature.”

Lawmakers negotiating Missouri budget add $300M to public schools spending

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7cUc8cHVptfX70L3OQ5Msd?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2Foq7kfVlxj2o6nlZf35O3?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville has announced a restructuring of its academic units to meet the changing needs of higher education.  

Provost Jamie Hooyman says the goal of the restructuring was to increase collaboration in units and help to delineate roles for people in each area 

"We had people doing multiple different tasks, some were able to accomplish those, some had too much on their plate, so really looking at roles and responsibilities," Hooyman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "Also looking at the student learning process and how do we make that better, that's why we're here, higher education is all about the learning experience for the students." 

Effective July 1, Northwest’s academic schools and departments will be reorganized within four colleges, each led by a dean charged with ensuring the quality of academic programs, research, faculty development and student outcomes. 

Hooyman says the restructuring is to help meet the everchanging needs of higher education.  Hooyman says the change will also help encourage collaboration in departments 

"Take for example the Agriculture and Natural Sciences, by putting those together there are a lot of different ways those two units can collaborate more effectively, because when you're talking soils and working through that and then you have the agricultural side, there are a lot of ways they complement each other," Hooyman explains.  

The academic restructure returns Northwest to a structure in place before its current arrangement was implemented in 2016. 

Along with a restructuring of academics at Northwest Missouri State University next semester, the school will be bringing a brand-new center for students.  

The Center for Engagement and Community Connections will help offer resources for students in several areas including financial concerns, academics, and professional development.  

Hooyman says often times students may not know where all of the offices are on campus that can help them 

"So this office will help, it's right in the middle of the union which is easy access for a lot of our students, so they will also collaborate with a lot of different offices to make sure the services are available and the students know where they're at and how we can help them, things like that," Hooyman says.  

Hooyman says the center will also help broaden first-year peer mentoring and other mentorship programs, including those for first-generation and transfer students. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville has announced a restructuring of its academic units to meet the changing needs of higher education. Provost Jamie Hooyman says the goal of the restructuring was to increase collaboration in units and help to delineate roles for people in each area "We had people doing multiple different tasks, some were able to accomplish those, some had too much on their plate, so really looking at roles and responsibilities," Hooyman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Also looking at the student learning process and how do we make that better, that's why we're here, higher education is all about the learning experience for the students." Effective July 1, Northwest’s academic schools and departments will be reorganized within four colleges, each led by a dean charged with ensuring the quality of academic programs, research, faculty development and student outcomes. Hooyman says the restructuring is to help meet the everchanging needs of higher education. Hooyman says the change will also help encourage collaboration in departments "Take for example the Agriculture and Natural Sciences, by putting those together there are a lot of different ways those two units can collaborate more effectively, because when you're talking soils and working through that and then you have the agricultural side, there are a lot of ways they complement each other," Hooyman explains. The academic restructure returns Northwest to a structure in place before its current arrangement was implemented in 2016. Along with a restructuring of academics at Northwest Missouri State University next semester, the school will be bringing a brand-new center for students. The Center for Engagement and Community Connections will help offer resources for students in several areas including financial concerns, academics, and professional development. Hooyman says often times students may not know where all of the offices are on campus that can help them "So this office will help, it's right in the middle of the union which is easy access for a lot of our students, so they will also collaborate with a lot of different offices to make sure the services are available and the students know where they're at and how we can help them, things like that," Hooyman says. Hooyman says the center will also help broaden first-year peer mentoring and other mentorship programs, including those for first-generation and transfer students. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

NWMSU reorganizing academics, opening new center come fall semester

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office is reporting that over the last week instances of drug smuggling into the jail have had to be stopped. 

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports that just in the last week alone three seperate incidents involving people bringing illegal drugs into the jail concealed on their body have been stopped.  Seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and pills have been made.

Charges have been submitted to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office on all individuals involved, including other inmates in the jail.

Specific charges filed, and case information will be released from Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Davidson's office.

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

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Buchanan County Sheriff's Office is reporting that over the last week instances of drug smuggling into the jail have had to be stopped. Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports that just in the last week alone three seperate incidents involving people bringing illegal drugs into the jail concealed on their body have been stopped. Seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and pills have been made.Charges have been submitted to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office on all individuals involved, including other inmates in the jail.Specific charges filed, and case information will be released from Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Davidson's office.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Buchanan County Sheriff's Office stops drug smuggling into jail

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

Local laws prohibiting landlords from discriminating against tenants who receive public assistance would be unenforceable under&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB595&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;sent to the governor’s desk Wednesday.

The bill passed by a final vote of 23 to 10 on Wednesday in the Senate, over the opposition of Democrats. It previously passed the House&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB595&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">103 to 37.&nbsp;</a>

The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/23/bill-overturning-protections-for-section-8-renters-a-step-away-from-missouri-governors-desk/">legislation takes aim at ordinances</a>&nbsp;passed in several Missouri cities to protect tenants from discrimination based on the source of their income — especially tenants who use federal housing choice vouchers, known as Section 8 vouchers, to pay rent.

The bill was co-sponsored by state Reps. Chris Brown, a Republican from Kansas City, and Ben Keathley, a Republican from Chesterfield. In the Senate, it was carried by state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance.&nbsp;

“Various municipalities are trying to force landlords to put their homes into Section 8 programs,” Brown said during House debate Monday. “We feel like that is overstepping their authority.”

Schroer on Wednesday called it a “common sense bill that was just limiting what political subdivisions can do when it comes to property rights.”

Kansas City passed a source of income discrimination ban&nbsp;<a href="https://nlihc.org/resource/kansas-city-passes-source-income-discrimination-ordinance#:~:text=Lawmakers%20in%20Kansas%20City%2C%20Missouri,8%20Housing%20Choice%20Voucher%20program." target="_blank">last year</a>, though it was in large part&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article300295239.html" target="_blank">paused by the courts</a>&nbsp;in February.

<a href="https://www.prrac.org/columbia-missouri-ordinance-amended-to-include-source-of-income-discrimination-language-march-2023/" target="_blank">Columbia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/city-laws/ordinances/ordinance.cfm?ord=69953" target="_blank">St. Louis</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/city-passes-changes-to-fair-housing-code/article_781c0820-f0e4-11e9-bfbd-cb1232da5b2f.html" target="_blank">Webster Groves</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://ecode360.com/27565605" target="_blank">Clayton</a>&nbsp;have similar protections on the books. The laws make it illegal for landlords to discriminate based solely on the fact of renters’ lawful sources of income, including Section 8, veterans’ benefits and Social Security.

An amendment previously added by Democrat state Sen. Patty Lewis of Kansas City, would have carved out most of Kansas City from the legislation. But that language was removed in the final bill.

“The amendment that we stripped out would have excluded Kansas City from the bill,” Brown said.&nbsp;“Kansas City was a big reason we originated this bill.”

Schroer said there were also constitutional concerns that carving out Kansas City could get “litigated and thrown out” in court.

“This was the only path forward to make it through both chambers,” Schroer said.

Lewis said she was frustrated not to be consulted during the final negotiations.

“Affordable housing is extremely important to me, and that’s the basis of what they were trying to do with the ordinance,” Lewis said. “And I’m just trying to protect the local control.”

An amendment added by Democratic state Sen. Stephen Webber of Columbia was kept in the bill to clarify protections for renters receiving veterans’ benefits.&nbsp;

The legislation had the&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/-testimony/witnesses-hb595.pdf?c=34589" target="_blank">support</a>&nbsp;of landlords groups, apartment associations, the realtors’ association and the conservative think tank Show Me Institute. Proponents characterized localities’ source-of-income protections as an overreach into property owners’ rights.

Opponents said the bill infringed on local control and would hurt affordable housing availability, exacerbating homelessness. The city of Kansas City has been opposed along with the anti-poverty nonprofit Empower Missouri and an association of&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/testimony/30ac2530ca5d2f6efc3863113c35adae.pdf?c=53409" target="_blank">public housing</a>&nbsp;authorities in Missouri.

The legislation will go into effect Aug. 28 if signed into law by the governor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746701237857.png" alt=" Missouri state Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican, speaks in the House in February (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri state Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican, speaks in the House in February (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Local laws prohibiting landlords from discriminating against tenants who receive public assistance would be unenforceable under&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB595&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;sent to the governor’s desk Wednesday.The bill passed by a final vote of 23 to 10 on Wednesday in the Senate, over the opposition of Democrats. It previously passed the House&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB595&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">103 to 37.&nbsp;</a>The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/23/bill-overturning-protections-for-section-8-renters-a-step-away-from-missouri-governors-desk/">legislation takes aim at ordinances</a>&nbsp;passed in several Missouri cities to protect tenants from discrimination based on the source of their income — especially tenants who use federal housing choice vouchers, known as Section 8 vouchers, to pay rent.The bill was co-sponsored by state Reps. Chris Brown, a Republican from Kansas City, and Ben Keathley, a Republican from Chesterfield. In the Senate, it was carried by state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance.&nbsp;“Various municipalities are trying to force landlords to put their homes into Section 8 programs,” Brown said during House debate Monday. “We feel like that is overstepping their authority.”Schroer on Wednesday called it a “common sense bill that was just limiting what political subdivisions can do when it comes to property rights.”Kansas City passed a source of income discrimination ban&nbsp;<a href="https://nlihc.org/resource/kansas-city-passes-source-income-discrimination-ordinance#:~:text=Lawmakers%20in%20Kansas%20City%2C%20Missouri,8%20Housing%20Choice%20Voucher%20program." target="_blank">last year</a>, though it was in large part&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article300295239.html" target="_blank">paused by the courts</a>&nbsp;in February.<a href="https://www.prrac.org/columbia-missouri-ordinance-amended-to-include-source-of-income-discrimination-language-march-2023/" target="_blank">Columbia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/city-laws/ordinances/ordinance.cfm?ord=69953" target="_blank">St. Louis</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/city-passes-changes-to-fair-housing-code/article_781c0820-f0e4-11e9-bfbd-cb1232da5b2f.html" target="_blank">Webster Groves</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://ecode360.com/27565605" target="_blank">Clayton</a>&nbsp;have similar protections on the books. The laws make it illegal for landlords to discriminate based solely on the fact of renters’ lawful sources of income, including Section 8, veterans’ benefits and Social Security.An amendment previously added by Democrat state Sen. Patty Lewis of Kansas City, would have carved out most of Kansas City from the legislation. But that language was removed in the final bill.“The amendment that we stripped out would have excluded Kansas City from the bill,” Brown said.&nbsp;“Kansas City was a big reason we originated this bill.”Schroer said there were also constitutional concerns that carving out Kansas City could get “litigated and thrown out” in court.“This was the only path forward to make it through both chambers,” Schroer said.Lewis said she was frustrated not to be consulted during the final negotiations.“Affordable housing is extremely important to me, and that’s the basis of what they were trying to do with the ordinance,” Lewis said. “And I’m just trying to protect the local control.”An amendment added by Democratic state Sen. Stephen Webber of Columbia was kept in the bill to clarify protections for renters receiving veterans’ benefits.&nbsp;The legislation had the&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/-testimony/witnesses-hb595.pdf?c=34589" target="_blank">support</a>&nbsp;of landlords groups, apartment associations, the realtors’ association and the conservative think tank Show Me Institute. Proponents characterized localities’ source-of-income protections as an overreach into property owners’ rights.Opponents said the bill infringed on local control and would hurt affordable housing availability, exacerbating homelessness. The city of Kansas City has been opposed along with the anti-poverty nonprofit Empower Missouri and an association of&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/testimony/30ac2530ca5d2f6efc3863113c35adae.pdf?c=53409" target="_blank">public housing</a>&nbsp;authorities in Missouri.The legislation will go into effect Aug. 28 if signed into law by the governor.

Bill overturning protections for Section 8 renters sent to Missouri governor

Springtime brings the farmer's market to Maryville and Downtown Marville will kick it off by hosting a Spring into Fun event this weekend.  

DeAnn Davison with Downtown Maryville says the second annual event is the kickoff to the farmers market season in downtown 

"We focus on our local vendors, but then we also have kids' games, we have some live music performances going on in our park downtown, so there's just a lot of activities and things to try to bring vibrancy to our downtown," Davison tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "And it is a free event, so we just welcome everybody to come downtown and hopefully enjoy a beautiful spring day." 

Last year the event saw 1,400 people visit downtown Maryville and several local vendors selling their goods filling the Nodaway County Courthouse Square during the inaguaral kickoff event.  

Davison says over 70 vendors will participate in this year's event with several types of goods for sale 

"So definitely we have produce and as the growing season continues there gets to be more variety, so we definitely have produce that's available this time of year," Davison explains. "We have flower bouquets, a lot of baked goods, cookies, cakes, pies, cinnamon rolls, things like that but then we focus on anything that's homemade as well." 

Davison says there are local artisans that may make jewelry, candles, leatherwork, or custom gifts and it's really a hodgepodge of items for sale 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746556256118.jpeg" alt="The Spring into Fun event in downtown Maryville kicks off the farmers market season.&nbsp; The second annual event will be held on Saturday in the Nodaway County Courthouse Square from 12 to 6 pm and is free to attend/ Photo courtesy of Downtown Maryville Facebook&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Spring into Fun event in downtown Maryville kicks off the farmers market season.&nbsp; The second annual event will be held on Saturday in the Nodaway County Courthouse Square from 12 to 6 pm and is free to attend/ Photo courtesy of Downtown Maryville Facebook&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Springtime brings the farmer's market to Maryville and Downtown Marville will kick it off by hosting a Spring into Fun event this weekend. DeAnn Davison with Downtown Maryville says the second annual event is the kickoff to the farmers market season in downtown "We focus on our local vendors, but then we also have kids' games, we have some live music performances going on in our park downtown, so there's just a lot of activities and things to try to bring vibrancy to our downtown," Davison tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And it is a free event, so we just welcome everybody to come downtown and hopefully enjoy a beautiful spring day." Last year the event saw 1,400 people visit downtown Maryville and several local vendors selling their goods filling the Nodaway County Courthouse Square during the inaguaral kickoff event. Davison says over 70 vendors will participate in this year's event with several types of goods for sale "So definitely we have produce and as the growing season continues there gets to be more variety, so we definitely have produce that's available this time of year," Davison explains. "We have flower bouquets, a lot of baked goods, cookies, cakes, pies, cinnamon rolls, things like that but then we focus on anything that's homemade as well." Davison says there are local artisans that may make jewelry, candles, leatherwork, or custom gifts and it's really a hodgepodge of items for sale The event will also feature live music, games for kids, food trucks, and new this to this year's event will be a classic car show. Davison says the idea for a car show came from volunteers who have done the work to put together the car show "They reached out to some local car clubs and some different groups and so we're hoping Saturday morning we'll have a great variety of some classic cars," Davison says. The event runs from 12 to 6pm on Saturday May 10th on the Nodaway County Courthouse Square in downtown Maryville and is free to attend. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746556348291.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Downtown Maryville Facebook&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Downtown Maryville Facebook&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;