By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4tc358iZXElFtWTFVhpxxi?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4yFaHXOW2krOsLV8CePqWx?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 ceremony
at St. Joseph’s Word of Life Church will recognize Vietnam War veterans and
officially thank them for their service during a very divisive time in United States
history.

St. Joseph City
Manager, Mike Schumacher, calls the Vietnam Era Commemoration Ceremony Monday morning the right thing to do.

“Many of our
veterans from the Vietnam era didn’t receive a thank you and they deserve a
thank you for their service,” Schumacher tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

This isn’t just
for St. Joseph residents, but for veterans throughout the region.

The Association of
the United States Army, Henry Leavenworth Chapter and the Veterans Home in
Cameron are participating in the ceremony.

Schumacher says
this ceremony goes beyond the divisive politics at the time of the Vietnam War.

“What’s really
important is that the people that served our country during that era and during
that time are welcomed home and receive a thank you for what they did and that’s
the real goal,” Schumacher says. “It’s a very apolitical conversation, so to
speak. It’s all about making sure they get a thank you.”

The City of St.
Joseph is partnering with veterans from Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas as well as
the Veterans Administration Clinic in Cameron, which has about 130 Vietnam War
veterans.

Schumacher says
the ceremony grows from federal legislation formally recognizing the
contributions of the veterans who served in the Vietnam War. President Barack
Obama signed into law the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
program in 2012.

The pin veterans
will receive Monday morning is an official pin from the federal government.

“Kind of backs
that legislation, where I think the government, the federal government, has
recognized that we could have done this better and it’s time to make it right," Schumacher says.

The Vietnam Era
Commemoration Ceremony will begin at 10 o’clock Monday morning at Word of Life
Church on Riverside Road in St. Joseph. Veterans who served from November 1st
of 1955 to May 15th of 1975 will be honored.

More than 55
veterans have registered. Advance registration is requested, but not required. You
can email Kaycee Garton at <a href="mailto:kgarton@stjosephmo.gov">kgarton@stjosephmo.gov</a>
or call 816-271-4680 to register. You can also go online at <a href="https://stjosephmo.gov/">stjosephmo.gov</a>.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA special ceremony
at St. Joseph’s Word of Life Church will recognize Vietnam War veterans and
officially thank them for their service during a very divisive time in United States
history.St. Joseph City
Manager, Mike Schumacher, calls the Vietnam Era Commemoration Ceremony Monday morning the right thing to do.“Many of our
veterans from the Vietnam era didn’t receive a thank you and they deserve a
thank you for their service,” Schumacher tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.This isn’t just
for St. Joseph residents, but for veterans throughout the region.The Association of
the United States Army, Henry Leavenworth Chapter and the Veterans Home in
Cameron are participating in the ceremony.Schumacher says
this ceremony goes beyond the divisive politics at the time of the Vietnam War.“What’s really
important is that the people that served our country during that era and during
that time are welcomed home and receive a thank you for what they did and that’s
the real goal,” Schumacher says. “It’s a very apolitical conversation, so to
speak. It’s all about making sure they get a thank you.”The City of St.
Joseph is partnering with veterans from Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas as well as
the Veterans Administration Clinic in Cameron, which has about 130 Vietnam War
veterans.Schumacher says
the ceremony grows from federal legislation formally recognizing the
contributions of the veterans who served in the Vietnam War. President Barack
Obama signed into law the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
program in 2012.The pin veterans
will receive Monday morning is an official pin from the federal government.“Kind of backs
that legislation, where I think the government, the federal government, has
recognized that we could have done this better and it’s time to make it right," Schumacher says.The Vietnam Era
Commemoration Ceremony will begin at 10 o’clock Monday morning at Word of Life
Church on Riverside Road in St. Joseph. Veterans who served from November 1st
of 1955 to May 15th of 1975 will be honored.More than 55
veterans have registered. Advance registration is requested, but not required. You
can email Kaycee Garton at <a href="mailto:kgarton@stjosephmo.gov">kgarton@stjosephmo.gov</a>
or call 816-271-4680 to register. You can also go online at <a href="https://stjosephmo.gov/">stjosephmo.gov</a>.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph ceremony will honor and thank area Vietnam War veterans

MERCER COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Harley Davidson driven by a 42-year-old Princeton, was southbound on Route U five miles west of Princeton. The motorcycle struck a deer, overturned and both occupants were ejected.

Mercer County ambulance transported the driver and a 39-year-old female passenger to Wright Memorial Hospital of Trenton. They were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

MERCER COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Mercer County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Harley Davidson driven by a 42-year-old Princeton, was southbound on Route U five miles west of Princeton. The motorcycle struck a deer, overturned and both occupants were ejected.Mercer County ambulance transported the driver and a 39-year-old female passenger to Wright Memorial Hospital of Trenton. They were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Two injured after motorcycle, deer crash

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Jeep Wrangler driven by a 37-year-old Savannah man was southbound on Business 71 four miles south of Savannah.&nbsp; The Jeep traveled off the east side of the road, struck an embankment, became airborne, crossed a cross over, rolled and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; The vehicle came to rest in the median.

Andrew County EMS to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Jeep Wrangler driven by a 37-year-old Savannah man was southbound on Business 71 four miles south of Savannah.&nbsp; The Jeep traveled off the east side of the road, struck an embankment, became airborne, crossed a cross over, rolled and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; The vehicle came to rest in the median.Andrew County EMS to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man hospitalized after violent rollover accident

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/08/repub/usda-chief-outlines-plan-to-block-china-from-u-s-farmland-ownership/?emci=a0a6edf5-6c5c-f011-8f7c-6045bda9d96b&amp;emdi=f6f16413-a35c-f011-8f7c-6045bda9d96b&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/"></a>President Donald Trump’s administration will pursue a ban on Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland as part of an effort to strengthen farm security, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Tuesday.

Appearing alongside other Cabinet officials, Republican governors and members of Congress at an event outside the U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters in Washington, D.C., Rollins announced a department initiative to block “foreign countries of concern” from owning U.S. agriculture lands.

Rollins said officials will even try to revoke lands already owned by China-backed entities.

The administration will “take swift legislative and executive action to ban the purchase of American farmland by Chinese nationals and other foreign adversaries,” she said.

The executive branch will also work with state and local officials “to do everything within our ability, including presidential authorities, to claw back what has already been purchased by China and other foreign adversaries.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the nation’s food supply was a national security issue on par with energy and water supplies.

The seven-part initiative, titled the National Farm Security Action Plan, is based on the idea that “farm security is national security,” according to a preamble to USDA’s written plan.

U.S. farmers dominate the global industry, the preamble said.

“Because that dominance is earned and not assured, it is critical we continuously adapt our approach to American agriculture security and elevate it to the top echelon of national security priorities,” the document read.

To protect U.S. farmland, the USDA, with help from the Justice Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and cooperative state and local governments, will seek to block investment by foreign adversaries and launch an online tool to help farmers report on potential unknown foreign ownership.

The administration will look for vulnerabilities in the agricultural supply chain and attempt to ensure crop and nutrition programs are not being used to fund terrorist or criminal activity, while cutting down on fraud and abuse. The plan instructs the administration to strengthen biosecurity measures.

The initiative also calls for making sure foreign governments cannot access USDA research grants or other department funding programs.

The USDA will continue to work with the national security establishment and law enforcement to protect the agriculture sector’s critical infrastructure, according to the plan.

After Republican Sens. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Roger Marshall of Kansas at the event criticized the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an executive branch agency, for not having a spot for the Agriculture secretary, Rollins said she would be joining the panel as of Tuesday afternoon.

At the Tuesday event, speakers offered few specifics about the initiative but praised the administration for elevating the issue of foreign investment in farmland.

“A country has to be able to feed itself, fuel itself, and fight for itself to truly be free,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “We now have a president who understands it and is willing to do everything within his power to make sure the United States continues to be the greatest country on the face of the planet.”

“Our farmland is not just dirt, it is our national security, it is our economic future, it is our children’s heritage,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said. “And it is under threat, and the leaders here recognize that.”

Speakers emphasized what they called the threat of Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland.

“Today, we tell China to get the hell out of American agriculture,” Marshall said.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said his state had moved to ban Chinese equipment from telecommunications infrastructure and has worked to deny Chinese companies from owning farmland. He related a story of stonewalling Chinese-owned Syngenta, which sought a meeting with the governor.

“I said, ‘I have no interest in having a meeting,’” he said. “‘Have no interest in you being in Nebraska. My suggestion would be to leave. My suggestion would be to get a different job.’”

The company later sold their assets in Nebraska, Pillen said.

Tuberville, who is running in the state’s gubernatorial race next year, appeared to say China owned 2.2 million acres of farmland in his state alone – a number that actually describes the acres of land owned by all foreign entities in the state. Chinese entities own no acres in Alabama, according to USDA data.

“China is a threat,” he said. “They’re not a threat. They are dominating us in almost everything that they do because we’ve sat back and the politicians have been counting their money instead of doing what’s right and helping this country stay in the front. We’ve got to be number one. We can’t be number two. We’ve got to fight back.

“They are coming into our country and buying our farmland. In my state of Alabama alone, they own 2.2 million acres of farmland. That’s right in Alabama. Foreign adversaries.”

Asked about the comment, Tuberville spokesperson Mallory Jaspers said he was referring not only to Chinese ownership but all foreign adversaries and indicated that he opposed any foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.

“Sen. Tuberville believes American farmland should be owned by Americans,” she wrote in an email.

The most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/economic-policy-analysis/afida/annual-reports/foreign-holdings-us-agricultural-land-december-31-2023" target="_blank">recent year-end USDA report</a>&nbsp;on foreign investment, in 2023, showed Chinese-linked investors held about 276,000 acres of U.S. farmland nationwide.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fb.org/market-intel/foreign-footprints-trends-in-u-s-agricultural-land-ownership" target="_blank">analysis</a>&nbsp;from the American Farm Bureau, an advocacy group, estimated Chinese investors accounted for only about .02% of all foreign owned U.S. agricultural land.

In addition to Lee, Huckabee Sanders and Pillen, who spoke outside of USDA, the Republican governors of Indiana, Idaho, Iowa, South Dakota and Oklahoma&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.sd.gov/doc/Governors-Council_Letter-to-Secretary-Rollins.pdf" target="_blank">signed a Tuesday letter</a>&nbsp;to Rollins in support of the plan.

“As America First Governors, we firmly stand together in our unwavering support of President Donald J. Trump and his administration’s National Farm Security Action Plan,” they wrote. “This plan is a critical and decisive response to the invasion of our land, food system, and sovereignty by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752079873551.jpeg" alt="A farmer on a tractor sprays soybean crops. Photo by Westend61/Getty Images" />
 <figcaption>A farmer on a tractor sprays soybean crops. Photo by Westend61/Getty Images</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/08/repub/usda-chief-outlines-plan-to-block-china-from-u-s-farmland-ownership/?emci=a0a6edf5-6c5c-f011-8f7c-6045bda9d96b&amp;emdi=f6f16413-a35c-f011-8f7c-6045bda9d96b&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/"></a>President Donald Trump’s administration will pursue a ban on Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland as part of an effort to strengthen farm security, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Tuesday.Appearing alongside other Cabinet officials, Republican governors and members of Congress at an event outside the U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters in Washington, D.C., Rollins announced a department initiative to block “foreign countries of concern” from owning U.S. agriculture lands.Rollins said officials will even try to revoke lands already owned by China-backed entities.The administration will “take swift legislative and executive action to ban the purchase of American farmland by Chinese nationals and other foreign adversaries,” she said.The executive branch will also work with state and local officials “to do everything within our ability, including presidential authorities, to claw back what has already been purchased by China and other foreign adversaries.”Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the nation’s food supply was a national security issue on par with energy and water supplies.<h2>Plan details</h2>The seven-part initiative, titled the National Farm Security Action Plan, is based on the idea that “farm security is national security,” according to a preamble to USDA’s written plan.U.S. farmers dominate the global industry, the preamble said.“Because that dominance is earned and not assured, it is critical we continuously adapt our approach to American agriculture security and elevate it to the top echelon of national security priorities,” the document read.To protect U.S. farmland, the USDA, with help from the Justice Department, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and cooperative state and local governments, will seek to block investment by foreign adversaries and launch an online tool to help farmers report on potential unknown foreign ownership.The administration will look for vulnerabilities in the agricultural supply chain and attempt to ensure crop and nutrition programs are not being used to fund terrorist or criminal activity, while cutting down on fraud and abuse. The plan instructs the administration to strengthen biosecurity measures.The initiative also calls for making sure foreign governments cannot access USDA research grants or other department funding programs.The USDA will continue to work with the national security establishment and law enforcement to protect the agriculture sector’s critical infrastructure, according to the plan.After Republican Sens. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Roger Marshall of Kansas at the event criticized the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an executive branch agency, for not having a spot for the Agriculture secretary, Rollins said she would be joining the panel as of Tuesday afternoon.<h2>Farmland security</h2>At the Tuesday event, speakers offered few specifics about the initiative but praised the administration for elevating the issue of foreign investment in farmland.“A country has to be able to feed itself, fuel itself, and fight for itself to truly be free,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “We now have a president who understands it and is willing to do everything within his power to make sure the United States continues to be the greatest country on the face of the planet.”“Our farmland is not just dirt, it is our national security, it is our economic future, it is our children’s heritage,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said. “And it is under threat, and the leaders here recognize that.”Speakers emphasized what they called the threat of Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland.“Today, we tell China to get the hell out of American agriculture,” Marshall said.Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said his state had moved to ban Chinese equipment from telecommunications infrastructure and has worked to deny Chinese companies from owning farmland. He related a story of stonewalling Chinese-owned Syngenta, which sought a meeting with the governor.“I said, ‘I have no interest in having a meeting,’” he said. “‘Have no interest in you being in Nebraska. My suggestion would be to leave. My suggestion would be to get a different job.’”The company later sold their assets in Nebraska, Pillen said.<h2>Alabama and China</h2>Tuberville, who is running in the state’s gubernatorial race next year, appeared to say China owned 2.2 million acres of farmland in his state alone – a number that actually describes the acres of land owned by all foreign entities in the state. Chinese entities own no acres in Alabama, according to USDA data.“China is a threat,” he said. “They’re not a threat. They are dominating us in almost everything that they do because we’ve sat back and the politicians have been counting their money instead of doing what’s right and helping this country stay in the front. We’ve got to be number one. We can’t be number two. We’ve got to fight back.“They are coming into our country and buying our farmland. In my state of Alabama alone, they own 2.2 million acres of farmland. That’s right in Alabama. Foreign adversaries.”Asked about the comment, Tuberville spokesperson Mallory Jaspers said he was referring not only to Chinese ownership but all foreign adversaries and indicated that he opposed any foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.“Sen. Tuberville believes American farmland should be owned by Americans,” she wrote in an email.The most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/economic-policy-analysis/afida/annual-reports/foreign-holdings-us-agricultural-land-december-31-2023" target="_blank">recent year-end USDA report</a>&nbsp;on foreign investment, in 2023, showed Chinese-linked investors held about 276,000 acres of U.S. farmland nationwide.An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fb.org/market-intel/foreign-footprints-trends-in-u-s-agricultural-land-ownership" target="_blank">analysis</a>&nbsp;from the American Farm Bureau, an advocacy group, estimated Chinese investors accounted for only about .02% of all foreign owned U.S. agricultural land.<h2>GOP governors back plan</h2>In addition to Lee, Huckabee Sanders and Pillen, who spoke outside of USDA, the Republican governors of Indiana, Idaho, Iowa, South Dakota and Oklahoma&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.sd.gov/doc/Governors-Council_Letter-to-Secretary-Rollins.pdf" target="_blank">signed a Tuesday letter</a>&nbsp;to Rollins in support of the plan.“As America First Governors, we firmly stand together in our unwavering support of President Donald J. Trump and his administration’s National Farm Security Action Plan,” they wrote. “This plan is a critical and decisive response to the invasion of our land, food system, and sovereignty by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).”

USDA chief outlines plan to block China from U.S. farmland ownership

The InspireU Children's Discovery Center in downtown St. Joseph opened six months ago, and in that time have been blown away by the community support.  

Director Katherine Patterson Paronto says the museum has seen 49,663 visitors through its doors, which she says is phenomenal 

"We did all our calculations based on 60,000 people coming through the doors a year," Patterson Paronto tells the KFEQmunnity.  "And so, we're almost at 50,000, which means we've just been doing way better than we expected, the response has been fabulous." 

Patterson Paronto says many of those visitors are members who bring in their children sometimes once or twice a week.  

And Patterson Paronto says there is one consistent thing they have seen from the parents bringing their children in  

"One of the things that we noticed as a staff is we don't see a lot of people on their phones, they're really playing together," Patterson Paronto explains.  "And we've got lots of great experiences where the adult can sit down and relax and the kid can play with them and both of them are just getting this wonderful experience together and growing and connecting." 

Patterson Paronto has worked in other museums and says one thing that makes this one great is the community support, but also says it's unique because it can't really be anywhere else 

"It's very, very much St. Joe and the region, and that really sets it apart from a lot of other discovery centers," Patterson Paronto says. 

And there's another aspect to the discovery center that sets it apart she adds 

"Not only are we talking about high quality play for families to connect and enjoy each other's company and grow, but also we have health related goals," Patterson Paronto points out.  

InspireU is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from noon to 5pm.  You can find more information on tickets on their website.

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The InspireU Children's Discovery Center in downtown St. Joseph opened six months ago, and in that time have been blown away by the community support. Director Katherine Patterson Paronto says the museum has seen 49,663 visitors through its doors, which she says is phenomenal "We did all our calculations based on 60,000 people coming through the doors a year," Patterson Paronto tells the KFEQmunnity. "And so, we're almost at 50,000, which means we've just been doing way better than we expected, the response has been fabulous." Patterson Paronto says many of those visitors are members who bring in their children sometimes once or twice a week. And Patterson Paronto says there is one consistent thing they have seen from the parents bringing their children in "One of the things that we noticed as a staff is we don't see a lot of people on their phones, they're really playing together," Patterson Paronto explains. "And we've got lots of great experiences where the adult can sit down and relax and the kid can play with them and both of them are just getting this wonderful experience together and growing and connecting." Patterson Paronto has worked in other museums and says one thing that makes this one great is the community support, but also says it's unique because it can't really be anywhere else "It's very, very much St. Joe and the region, and that really sets it apart from a lot of other discovery centers," Patterson Paronto says. And there's another aspect to the discovery center that sets it apart she adds "Not only are we talking about high quality play for families to connect and enjoy each other's company and grow, but also we have health related goals," Patterson Paronto points out. InspireU is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from noon to 5pm. You can find more information on tickets on their website.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

InspireU Discovery Center seeing great success in first six months

The legislation would also ban child marriage and void non-disclosure agreements in child sex abuse cases

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>

After Aug. 28, Missouri will end the state’s longstanding practice of seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits to cover the cost of foster care.

Gov. Mike Kehoe on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB737&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">signed a bill</a>&nbsp;that would also ban child marriage and stop child sex abusers from using non-disclosure agreements to silence their victims. The bill was sponsored by Republican state Rep. Melissa Schmidt of Eldridge, and handled by Republican state Sen. Jamie Burger of Benton&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">in the upper chamber</a>.

Missouri’s child welfare agency takes millions of dollars each year in foster children’s benefits and uses the money to help pay for foster care. In fiscal year 2024, the Children’s Division spent more than $10.6 million recovered from children’s benefits. Over 1,200 foster kids were receiving benefits in Missouri of late last year, or just over 10% of all kids in care.

As a result, kids who are orphaned or have disabilities are responsible for paying toward the cost of their care in state custody.&nbsp;

The bill would ban the state from using those benefits to pay itself back for routine foster care expenses. Instead, the division could use the funds for the child’s “unmet needs” beyond what the division is obligated to pay, such as housing as the child prepares to age out of foster care.

The effort to ban the practice won bipartisan support during the 2024 session and was on the verge of passing. But it&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/23/lawmakers-adjourn-without-banning-state-from-seizing-benefits-from-missouri-foster-kids/">died when GOP infighting</a>&nbsp;forced the state Senate to adjourn early.&nbsp;

The foster benefits ban was the starting point for the bill, with other provisions, including the ban on child marriage added when it reached the state Senate.&nbsp;

Other&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=4958086" target="_blank">provisions</a>&nbsp;include:

Under current Missouri law, anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting married. But 16 and 17 year olds can get married with parental consent to anyone under 21.&nbsp;

Under the new law, which goes into effect Aug. 28, marriage for anyone under age 18 will be illegal.&nbsp;

The bill garnered bipartisan support, but an&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/29/sweeping-missouri-child-welfare-bill-including-child-marriage-ban-heads-to-governors-desk/">outspoken group of Republican lawmakers&nbsp;</a>condemned the child marriage ban — saying they knew couples who were married as teens and are still together and warning that more teens would get abortions if they couldn’t marry.

“There are legitimate reasons for people 16, 17 to become married,” state Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Savannah Republican, said during an April House debate. “A pregnancy could be a legitimate reason to become married, for one thing.”&nbsp;

Last year, the bill stalled due to GOP critics.

In 2023 Republican state Sen. Mike Moon’s opposition to the child marriage ban garnered national attention when he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article274244525.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">said</a>: “Do you know any kids who have been married at age 12? I do. And guess what? They’re still married.”

The bill also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/22/missouri-bill-to-void-ndas-in-child-sex-abuse-cases-approved-by-house/">voids nondisclosure agreements in childhood sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;cases and expands access to legal counsel for families in child abuse and neglect cases.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752081620289.png" alt=" Rep. Melissa Schmidt, R-Eldridge, speaks on the House floor in February about her foster benefits bill (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Rep. Melissa Schmidt, R-Eldridge, speaks on the House floor in February about her foster benefits bill (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The legislation would also ban child marriage and void non-disclosure agreements in child sex abuse cases</h2>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>After Aug. 28, Missouri will end the state’s longstanding practice of seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits to cover the cost of foster care.Gov. Mike Kehoe on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB737&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">signed a bill</a>&nbsp;that would also ban child marriage and stop child sex abusers from using non-disclosure agreements to silence their victims. The bill was sponsored by Republican state Rep. Melissa Schmidt of Eldridge, and handled by Republican state Sen. Jamie Burger of Benton&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">in the upper chamber</a>.Missouri’s child welfare agency takes millions of dollars each year in foster children’s benefits and uses the money to help pay for foster care. In fiscal year 2024, the Children’s Division spent more than $10.6 million recovered from children’s benefits. Over 1,200 foster kids were receiving benefits in Missouri of late last year, or just over 10% of all kids in care.As a result, kids who are orphaned or have disabilities are responsible for paying toward the cost of their care in state custody.&nbsp;The bill would ban the state from using those benefits to pay itself back for routine foster care expenses. Instead, the division could use the funds for the child’s “unmet needs” beyond what the division is obligated to pay, such as housing as the child prepares to age out of foster care.The effort to ban the practice won bipartisan support during the 2024 session and was on the verge of passing. But it&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/23/lawmakers-adjourn-without-banning-state-from-seizing-benefits-from-missouri-foster-kids/">died when GOP infighting</a>&nbsp;forced the state Senate to adjourn early.&nbsp;The foster benefits ban was the starting point for the bill, with other provisions, including the ban on child marriage added when it reached the state Senate.&nbsp;Other&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=4958086" target="_blank">provisions</a>&nbsp;include:<ul>
 <li>Increasing a tax credit for donations to certain youth programs.</li><li>Stating that the state Children’s Division cannot hold itself harmless in contracts with private service providers when there are issues resulting from the state’s negligence.</li><li>Requiring Children’s Division caseworkers to present identification of themselves when conducting investigations of child abuse and neglect, and inform parents of their rights.</li><li>Requiring the Children’s Division to take into consideration the religion of the foster child when determining placement, in order to ensure children are in households of a similar religion to their families’ when practicable.</li>
 </ul><h2>Child marriage ban</h2>Under current Missouri law, anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting married. But 16 and 17 year olds can get married with parental consent to anyone under 21.&nbsp;Under the new law, which goes into effect Aug. 28, marriage for anyone under age 18 will be illegal.&nbsp;The bill garnered bipartisan support, but an&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/29/sweeping-missouri-child-welfare-bill-including-child-marriage-ban-heads-to-governors-desk/">outspoken group of Republican lawmakers&nbsp;</a>condemned the child marriage ban — saying they knew couples who were married as teens and are still together and warning that more teens would get abortions if they couldn’t marry.“There are legitimate reasons for people 16, 17 to become married,” state Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Savannah Republican, said during an April House debate. “A pregnancy could be a legitimate reason to become married, for one thing.”&nbsp;Last year, the bill stalled due to GOP critics.In 2023 Republican state Sen. Mike Moon’s opposition to the child marriage ban garnered national attention when he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article274244525.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">said</a>: “Do you know any kids who have been married at age 12? I do. And guess what? They’re still married.”The bill also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/22/missouri-bill-to-void-ndas-in-child-sex-abuse-cases-approved-by-house/">voids nondisclosure agreements in childhood sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;cases and expands access to legal counsel for families in child abuse and neglect cases.

Missouri governor signs bill banning state from seizing foster kids’ benefits

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4Ezr5fxd9aKWE5UiOlvnfk?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7dHcdQSdr3xsEANUsW9cPT?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

St. Joseph
firefighters responded to a house fire at South 19th and Olive early
Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters were
able to contain the fire, but unable to save a dog inside the house.

No other injuries
were reported. The investigation into the fire continues.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph
firefighters responded to a house fire at South 19th and Olive early
Tuesday afternoon.Firefighters were
able to contain the fire, but unable to save a dog inside the house.No other injuries
were reported. The investigation into the fire continues.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph firefighters battle blaze; dog found dead in structure

Now, St. Joseph city officials and
councilmembers work to act on them.

St. Joseph city councilmembers and
officials have much to digest as they pore over results from a city-wide
survey.

City Manager, Mike Schumacher, says the
top concern of citizens returning the survey is code enforcement, which grows
from concern about the city’s appearance.

“People who choose to own a property and
not maintain is really impacting the livability,” Schumacher says during an appearance
on KFEQmmunity. “They’re impacting the property values of those around them.
They’re adding to blight.”

Schumacher says responsibility comes with
property ownership and the city plans to help residents understand their
responsibility.

“We want to educate them so they
understand, hey, this is what the code says,” Schumacher says. “This is what we
need to do. And, if they so choose, then we’ll be forced to hold them
accountable. That’s the path we’re going to take.”

Schumacher says the city received more than
600 responses from the 4,000 mailers sent to residents. He says that is a
strong response that is statistically relevant, representing all areas of the
city.

While code enforcement came out as the
top concern, law enforcement and crime came in second, with communication third.

Schumacher says the St. Joseph Police
Department is filling its vacancies which should help address a concern about
crime. The city manager says the city is working to improve its communication
with residents.

“We need to work on our branding, our
consistency, and messaging,” according to Schumacher. “And we need to be
strategic on what we put out there and make sure it’s always, 100% accurate and
make sure that the community sees that we are completely transparent.”

City councilmember, Marty Novak, isn’t
surprised that code enforcement is a big concern, saying the city cannot have
selective code enforcement.

“There are a lot of things we’re trying
to do to try to move that needle and really try to make St. Joseph better and
to grow St. Joseph,” Novak says during a separate appearance on KFEQmmunity.

Novak says the city council will
seriously consider the comments from the survey.

“I can see where the citizens were coming
from with all the results,” Novak says. “Again, I take it as a barometer. This
is our benchmark here. Now we can see where we can go, moving that up or down
as we move forward.”

Novak says Schumacher and his staff have
compiled a 24-page document on how best to implement the survey’s findings.
Department heads will address the city council during its meetings on how each
department plans to act on the survey results.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe survey results are in.Now, St. Joseph city officials and
councilmembers work to act on them.St. Joseph city councilmembers and
officials have much to digest as they pore over results from a city-wide
survey.City Manager, Mike Schumacher, says the
top concern of citizens returning the survey is code enforcement, which grows
from concern about the city’s appearance.“People who choose to own a property and
not maintain is really impacting the livability,” Schumacher says during an appearance
on KFEQmmunity. “They’re impacting the property values of those around them.
They’re adding to blight.”Schumacher says responsibility comes with
property ownership and the city plans to help residents understand their
responsibility.“We want to educate them so they
understand, hey, this is what the code says,” Schumacher says. “This is what we
need to do. And, if they so choose, then we’ll be forced to hold them
accountable. That’s the path we’re going to take.”Schumacher says the city received more than
600 responses from the 4,000 mailers sent to residents. He says that is a
strong response that is statistically relevant, representing all areas of the
city.While code enforcement came out as the
top concern, law enforcement and crime came in second, with communication third.Schumacher says the St. Joseph Police
Department is filling its vacancies which should help address a concern about
crime. The city manager says the city is working to improve its communication
with residents.“We need to work on our branding, our
consistency, and messaging,” according to Schumacher. “And we need to be
strategic on what we put out there and make sure it’s always, 100% accurate and
make sure that the community sees that we are completely transparent.”City councilmember, Marty Novak, isn’t
surprised that code enforcement is a big concern, saying the city cannot have
selective code enforcement.“There are a lot of things we’re trying
to do to try to move that needle and really try to make St. Joseph better and
to grow St. Joseph,” Novak says during a separate appearance on KFEQmmunity.Novak says the city council will
seriously consider the comments from the survey.“I can see where the citizens were coming
from with all the results,” Novak says. “Again, I take it as a barometer. This
is our benchmark here. Now we can see where we can go, moving that up or down
as we move forward.”Novak says Schumacher and his staff have
compiled a 24-page document on how best to implement the survey’s findings.
Department heads will address the city council during its meetings on how each
department plans to act on the survey results.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph works to implement results from citizen surveys

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Tuesday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford F350 driven by a 76-year-old Spokane, Washington man was parked on the shoulder of Interstate 29 just south of U.S. 59/71 exit.&nbsp; The driver put the pickup in drive. 

It bolted forward and struck&nbsp; a 72-year-old a Cusick, Washington man who was outside the vehicle.&nbsp; The pickup then traveled off the west side of the road, struck a traffic sign and came to rest in the ditch.

Andrew County EMS transported the pedestrian to Mosaic Life Care. The pickup driver was not injured. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Tuesday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford F350 driven by a 76-year-old Spokane, Washington man was parked on the shoulder of Interstate 29 just south of U.S. 59/71 exit.&nbsp; The driver put the pickup in drive. It bolted forward and struck&nbsp; a 72-year-old a Cusick, Washington man who was outside the vehicle.&nbsp; The pickup then traveled off the west side of the road, struck a traffic sign and came to rest in the ditch.Andrew County EMS transported the pedestrian to Mosaic Life Care. The pickup driver was not injured. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Pickup bolted, struck man outside vehicle in Andrew County

Firefighters responded
to an apartment fire in eastern St. Joseph very early Tuesday morning.

The fire at the
Meadows Apartments on South Leonard Road forced occupants to flee the
structure shortly before four o'clock Tuesday morning. The fire spread to the roof of the complex and rendered six apartments
uninhabitable. The local Red Cross chapter has responded.

The St. Joseph
Fire Department reports no injuries. The cause of the fire remains under
investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751998289321.jpeg" alt="Fire damaged apartments in the Meadow Apartments complex in St. Joseph./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Fire damaged apartments in the Meadow Apartments complex in St. Joseph./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFirefighters responded
to an apartment fire in eastern St. Joseph very early Tuesday morning.The fire at the
Meadows Apartments on South Leonard Road forced occupants to flee the
structure shortly before four o'clock Tuesday morning. The fire spread to the roof of the complex and rendered six apartments
uninhabitable. The local Red Cross chapter has responded.The St. Joseph
Fire Department reports no injuries. The cause of the fire remains under
investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751998352182.jpeg" alt="Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Firefighters respond to St. Joseph apartment complex fire

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce hopes to help young professionals expand their network, build friendships, and get more involved in the community with new events.  

Kristi Bailey with the Chamber says the new young professionals' events are designed for people in the business community between 20 and 40 years old 

"There's networking opportunities, but also educational opportunities," Bailey tells KFEQmunnity host Brent Martin.  "We had a group like this in the past that was very popular, but it kind of just was dwindling and then COVID happened and that really just kind of killed it, so we thought it's definitely time to bring it back, some of our larger employers think that it would be a benefit." 

Bailey says if the community wants to keep young people working and living here, it's important to provide opportunities for them 

"This is the Chambers way of trying to help that, so we're publicizing it with our larger employers so they know, hey let your employees know about this, these events are going on, we want to help you keep these employees here so they know St. Joseph is a great place to live while they work for you," Bailey explains. 

Bailey says networking is an important factor for these professionals the event caters too, because networking helps keep the person top of mind 

"Like oh yeah I know Kristi, she can help me this or that, and just in my private life the people I meet through the Chamber, I do use them, like oh I need this dry cleaned I'm going to call Tanya because I know her through the Chamber and I've met her at a Lunch and Learn, or whatever the case may be," Bailey says. 

Events will be held once a month through December, with the first coming on July 16th at the Parkway Distillery from 6 to 7:30pm.  Most events will be free to attend. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce hopes to help young professionals expand their network, build friendships, and get more involved in the community with new events. Kristi Bailey with the Chamber says the new young professionals' events are designed for people in the business community between 20 and 40 years old "There's networking opportunities, but also educational opportunities," Bailey tells KFEQmunnity host Brent Martin. "We had a group like this in the past that was very popular, but it kind of just was dwindling and then COVID happened and that really just kind of killed it, so we thought it's definitely time to bring it back, some of our larger employers think that it would be a benefit." Bailey says if the community wants to keep young people working and living here, it's important to provide opportunities for them "This is the Chambers way of trying to help that, so we're publicizing it with our larger employers so they know, hey let your employees know about this, these events are going on, we want to help you keep these employees here so they know St. Joseph is a great place to live while they work for you," Bailey explains. Bailey says networking is an important factor for these professionals the event caters too, because networking helps keep the person top of mind "Like oh yeah I know Kristi, she can help me this or that, and just in my private life the people I meet through the Chamber, I do use them, like oh I need this dry cleaned I'm going to call Tanya because I know her through the Chamber and I've met her at a Lunch and Learn, or whatever the case may be," Bailey says. Events will be held once a month through December, with the first coming on July 16th at the Parkway Distillery from 6 to 7:30pm. Most events will be free to attend. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

St. Joseph Chamber getting young professionals involved in community

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0UtWqwDuO76aqfvk8kqjym?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4LYdadZX9UlQYT0IRuV9L1?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KANSAS CITY —The celebration of July 4th has led to an alarming number of deaths and injuries in fires and explosions in Missouri that investigations show appear to be related to fireworks, according to a statement from the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

The State Division of Fire Safety is currently investigating five fires in which fireworks are suspected and in which three people have died. There have also been multiple serious injuries.

“Tragically, we have seen more fires, explosions, injuries and deaths this July 4th holiday that appear to be related to fireworks than any other Independence Day holiday in recent memory,”&nbsp;State Fire Marshal Tim Bean&nbsp;said. “Many Missourians still have fireworks that they intend to use even after July 4th. I urge everyone to be extremely cautious and responsible if they intend to use consumer fireworks, and to never attempt to make their own fireworks, which is extremely dangerous. Many people fail to understand the risk involved in fireworks because they can be purchased at retail stores and stands. The flash powder in fireworks is highly sensitive to a variety of ignition sources, including static electricity, friction and heat. They must be handled with extreme care.”

DFS is currently involved in these investigations in which fireworks appear to be involved:

July 3 – Joplin:&nbsp;A shed exploded on the afternoon of July 3 on the property of a home at 2501 S. Virginia Avenue, killing a 47-year-old man. A juvenile female sustained serious injuries. The DFS investigation has not ruled out fireworks as the cause of the explosion. (Assisting Joplin Fire Department in investigation.)

July 4 – Buckner (Jackson County): Early on the morning of July 4, the Independence Fire Department responded to a fire at a residence at 1101 North Lake City Valley Road that has killed two people. A 13-year-old girl died in the fire. A second person later succumbed to his injuries. At least one other remains hospitalized. The DFS investigation showed the fire originated on the residence’s covered back deck. Consumer-grade fireworks being used the night before could not be eliminated as the cause of the fire. (Assisting Independence Fire Department in investigation.)

July 4 – Hannibal:&nbsp;At about 2 p.m. on July 4, the Hannibal Fire Department responded to a fire&nbsp; at 923 Center Street, which caused heavy fire and smoke damage to the structure’s four units. The DFS investigation found that an individual had been shooting off consumer-grade fireworks in the backyard and one ignited a fire in the structure, which quickly spread. (Assisting Hannibal Fire Department in investigation.)

July 4 – Sibley (Jackson County):&nbsp;At about 4:30 p.m. on July 4, there was an explosion in the garage of the house at 30500 Hunter Road that quickly spread throughout the residence and left three people with serious burns that required hospitalization. DFS has not been able to eliminate a large quantity of consumer-grad fireworks as being the cause of the explosion and fire. (Assisting Fort Osage Fire Protection District in investigation.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

July 4 – Leadwood (St. Francois County):&nbsp;An explosion occurred at about 9:40 p.m. on July 4 at 535 Birch Street during a large private fireworks display put on by a resident that was being viewed by people across the street in Leadwood City Park. Six people were reportedly injured, including an elderly woman who was transported with a serious injury. (Assisting Leadwood Fire Protection District in investigation.)

The circumstances of these cases vary widely, and all remain under investigation. Fire Marshal Bean urges those who choose to use consumer fireworks to remember these vitally important safety measures:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751971847693.png" alt="Fatal fire on July 4 in rural Jackson County, Mo. -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Fatal fire on July 4 in rural Jackson County, Mo. -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The celebration of July 4th has led to an alarming number of deaths and injuries in fires and explosions in Missouri that investigations show appear to be related to fireworks, according to a statement from the Missouri Department of Public Safety.The State Division of Fire Safety is currently investigating five fires in which fireworks are suspected and in which three people have died. There have also been multiple serious injuries.“Tragically, we have seen more fires, explosions, injuries and deaths this July 4th holiday that appear to be related to fireworks than any other Independence Day holiday in recent memory,”&nbsp;State Fire Marshal Tim Bean&nbsp;said. “Many Missourians still have fireworks that they intend to use even after July 4th. I urge everyone to be extremely cautious and responsible if they intend to use consumer fireworks, and to never attempt to make their own fireworks, which is extremely dangerous. Many people fail to understand the risk involved in fireworks because they can be purchased at retail stores and stands. The flash powder in fireworks is highly sensitive to a variety of ignition sources, including static electricity, friction and heat. They must be handled with extreme care.”DFS is currently involved in these investigations in which fireworks appear to be involved:July 3 – Joplin:&nbsp;A shed exploded on the afternoon of July 3 on the property of a home at 2501 S. Virginia Avenue, killing a 47-year-old man. A juvenile female sustained serious injuries. The DFS investigation has not ruled out fireworks as the cause of the explosion. (Assisting Joplin Fire Department in investigation.)July 4 – Buckner (Jackson County): Early on the morning of July 4, the Independence Fire Department responded to a fire at a residence at 1101 North Lake City Valley Road that has killed two people. A 13-year-old girl died in the fire. A second person later succumbed to his injuries. At least one other remains hospitalized. The DFS investigation showed the fire originated on the residence’s covered back deck. Consumer-grade fireworks being used the night before could not be eliminated as the cause of the fire. (Assisting Independence Fire Department in investigation.)July 4 – Hannibal:&nbsp;At about 2 p.m. on July 4, the Hannibal Fire Department responded to a fire&nbsp; at 923 Center Street, which caused heavy fire and smoke damage to the structure’s four units. The DFS investigation found that an individual had been shooting off consumer-grade fireworks in the backyard and one ignited a fire in the structure, which quickly spread. (Assisting Hannibal Fire Department in investigation.)July 4 – Sibley (Jackson County):&nbsp;At about 4:30 p.m. on July 4, there was an explosion in the garage of the house at 30500 Hunter Road that quickly spread throughout the residence and left three people with serious burns that required hospitalization. DFS has not been able to eliminate a large quantity of consumer-grad fireworks as being the cause of the explosion and fire. (Assisting Fort Osage Fire Protection District in investigation.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;July 4 – Leadwood (St. Francois County):&nbsp;An explosion occurred at about 9:40 p.m. on July 4 at 535 Birch Street during a large private fireworks display put on by a resident that was being viewed by people across the street in Leadwood City Park. Six people were reportedly injured, including an elderly woman who was transported with a serious injury. (Assisting Leadwood Fire Protection District in investigation.)The circumstances of these cases vary widely, and all remain under investigation. Fire Marshal Bean urges those who choose to use consumer fireworks to remember these vitally important safety measures:<ul>
 <li>Purchase fireworks only from a properly licensed retailer and never attempt to make or combine fireworks;</li><li>Only use fireworks in open spaces, never near structures;</li><li>Always have water nearby and dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can;</li><li>Never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned;</li><li>Never have any part of your body over fireworks;</li><li>Keep young children away from fireworks;</li><li>Never throw or point fireworks at other people;</li><li>Never carry fireworks in your pocket;</li><li>Never light fireworks indoors;</li><li>Don't use fireworks while consuming alcohol;</li><li>Store fireworks in a cool, dry place;</li><li>Don't save fireworks from season to season.</li>
 </ul>

MDPS: Deaths, injuries appear to have involved fireworks

A
Grain Belt Express spokesman accuses Attorney General, Andrew Bailey,
of playing politics with his latest legal maneuver to cancel the green energy
transmission line.

Bailey
is demanding documents from Invenergy, the
utility behind the project, claiming concerns have arisen about whether
Invenergy misled the Missouri Public Service Commission. Bailey also is asking
the PSC to reconsider its approval of Grain Belt.

“We should be building energy
infrastructure in America, but the Missouri Attorney General is instead playing
politics with U.S. power,” said project spokesperson, Martin Grego, in a
written statement released by Grain Belt. “His last-ditch and obviously
politically-driven attempt to delay construction of a critical American power
project comes&nbsp;at a time when our country is facing a national energy
emergency—declared by the Administration. Electricity demand is rising across
the country, and we urgently need transmission infrastructure to deliver power.
Projects like Grain Belt Express are the answer to providing all forms
of&nbsp;affordable and reliable electricity to U.S. consumers.”

Grain Belt, in a statement sent to
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post, said it is reviewing
the Investigative Demand, and project development is continuing. While Grain
Belt has pending eminent domain actions against around 50 landowners, the
utility says it has reached 1,500 agreements with landowners totaling $86
million.

Utility officials noted that Grain Belt Express has been approved by all four states,
including Missouri. It claims the transmission line could save Missouri customers
as much as $18 billion.

In a separate action, U.S. Sen. Josh
Hawley has written Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, asking him to cancel the $4.9
billion loan that Invenergy secured during the Biden Administration.

This article has been updated to eliminate a duplicate word.&nbsp;

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA
Grain Belt Express spokesman accuses Attorney General, Andrew Bailey,
of playing politics with his latest legal maneuver to cancel the green energy
transmission line.Bailey
is demanding documents from Invenergy, the
utility behind the project, claiming concerns have arisen about whether
Invenergy misled the Missouri Public Service Commission. Bailey also is asking
the PSC to reconsider its approval of Grain Belt.“We should be building energy
infrastructure in America, but the Missouri Attorney General is instead playing
politics with U.S. power,” said project spokesperson, Martin Grego, in a
written statement released by Grain Belt. “His last-ditch and obviously
politically-driven attempt to delay construction of a critical American power
project comes&nbsp;at a time when our country is facing a national energy
emergency—declared by the Administration. Electricity demand is rising across
the country, and we urgently need transmission infrastructure to deliver power.
Projects like Grain Belt Express are the answer to providing all forms
of&nbsp;affordable and reliable electricity to U.S. consumers.”Grain Belt, in a statement sent to
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post, said it is reviewing
the Investigative Demand, and project development is continuing. While Grain
Belt has pending eminent domain actions against around 50 landowners, the
utility says it has reached 1,500 agreements with landowners totaling $86
million.Utility officials noted that Grain Belt Express has been approved by all four states,
including Missouri. It claims the transmission line could save Missouri customers
as much as $18 billion.In a separate action, U.S. Sen. Josh
Hawley has written Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, asking him to cancel the $4.9
billion loan that Invenergy secured during the Biden Administration.This article has been updated to eliminate a duplicate word.&nbsp;You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Grain Belt spokesman accuses AG of playing politics in latest action

Missouri State
Highway Patrol troopers worked eight fatal crashes during the long Independence
Day holiday weekend.

Among those, a
71-year-old woman who walked into the path of an eastbound vehicle on U.S. 136
Highway west of I-35 in Bethany. The patrol reports the woman from Santee,
California walked in front a vehicle driven by a 61-year-old Bethany man just
before 11:30 Saturday night.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer identifies crash victims.

Statewide, troopers
worked 246 traffic crashes, which resulted in 115 injuries and eight
fatalities. Troopers also made 114 DWI arrests.

Troopers worked
nine boating crashes, which included four injuries. No one died in the boating
crashes. Troopers made 13 boating while intoxicated arrests. No one drowned
during the counting period.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri State
Highway Patrol troopers worked eight fatal crashes during the long Independence
Day holiday weekend.Among those, a
71-year-old woman who walked into the path of an eastbound vehicle on U.S. 136
Highway west of I-35 in Bethany. The patrol reports the woman from Santee,
California walked in front a vehicle driven by a 61-year-old Bethany man just
before 11:30 Saturday night.The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer identifies crash victims.Statewide, troopers
worked 246 traffic crashes, which resulted in 115 injuries and eight
fatalities. Troopers also made 114 DWI arrests.Troopers worked
nine boating crashes, which included four injuries. No one died in the boating
crashes. Troopers made 13 boating while intoxicated arrests. No one drowned
during the counting period.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Eight highway fatalities, no boating deaths in Missouri's long Independence Day holiday

The Mosaic Life Care Foundation is offering some fun hands-on learning opportunities to students this summer at EmpowerU in downtown St. Joseph.  

EmpowerU will offer three weeklong STEAM camps, starting July 14th and running through August 1st. Camps run from 9am to noon and 12:30 to 3:30 for the week. 

Director of Program Operations Devran Brower says these camps are very focused 

"So, they can learn about the fun of science, technology, engineering, and we add the arts in there, and mathematics as well," Brower tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "We have a variety of things including Lego robots, we have a couple modules for the young students and then older for those who are more advanced, that way they get to build cool contraptions but they also get to make them do things, so we love the robots but we also do everything from Minecraft education, that's something newer we've added over the past couple of years." 

STEAM Camps will be held at EmPowerU twice a day, starting next week for students in the third through eighth grades.  

Brower says he feels having that age range of students fits the program, because that's a key time in a student’s life 

"When a certain level of maturity starts coming in, a certain level of mental development comes in, but really things start to interest students," Brower explains.  "And if we can peak the interest early I think they'll learn a lot." 

And with eighth graders one step away from high school, Brower says getting them interested could be key, especially with high schools focus on career readiness 

"Not that we all don't change from time to time, but I think it's fun when that interest is sparked and they kind of say yeah I want to do that, then learning continues to be fun for them throughout their academic career," Brower says. 

Brower says with an everchanging workforce and career opportunities, it's important to get some of these activities during the camp in front of students 

"You see the statistics on the percentage of jobs that don't even exist today but will be a significant part of the workforce, so it's important we not only have exposing these students to all these fun technologies, fun things to do, but hopefully spark a passion in them that helps them choose a path that someday they'll want to follow in their career," Brower says. 

For instance, one activity during the camp will be Rocket League Esports, which Brower says he would have never dreamed of being the industry that it is today 

You can register on the <a href="https://www.mlcfoundation.com/steamcamps/">Mosaic Life Care Foundations website</a>.

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Mosaic Life Care Foundation is offering some fun hands-on learning opportunities to students this summer at EmpowerU in downtown St. Joseph. EmpowerU will offer three weeklong STEAM camps, starting July 14th and running through August 1st. Camps run from 9am to noon and 12:30 to 3:30 for the week. Director of Program Operations Devran Brower says these camps are very focused "So, they can learn about the fun of science, technology, engineering, and we add the arts in there, and mathematics as well," Brower tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We have a variety of things including Lego robots, we have a couple modules for the young students and then older for those who are more advanced, that way they get to build cool contraptions but they also get to make them do things, so we love the robots but we also do everything from Minecraft education, that's something newer we've added over the past couple of years." STEAM Camps will be held at EmPowerU twice a day, starting next week for students in the third through eighth grades. Brower says he feels having that age range of students fits the program, because that's a key time in a student’s life "When a certain level of maturity starts coming in, a certain level of mental development comes in, but really things start to interest students," Brower explains. "And if we can peak the interest early I think they'll learn a lot." And with eighth graders one step away from high school, Brower says getting them interested could be key, especially with high schools focus on career readiness "Not that we all don't change from time to time, but I think it's fun when that interest is sparked and they kind of say yeah I want to do that, then learning continues to be fun for them throughout their academic career," Brower says. Brower says with an everchanging workforce and career opportunities, it's important to get some of these activities during the camp in front of students "You see the statistics on the percentage of jobs that don't even exist today but will be a significant part of the workforce, so it's important we not only have exposing these students to all these fun technologies, fun things to do, but hopefully spark a passion in them that helps them choose a path that someday they'll want to follow in their career," Brower says. For instance, one activity during the camp will be Rocket League Esports, which Brower says he would have never dreamed of being the industry that it is today You can register on the <a href="https://www.mlcfoundation.com/steamcamps/">Mosaic Life Care Foundations website</a>.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

STEAM camps prepare young people for future

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post <div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/76VjZR2FJQhJeCr0y8nRoD?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7HkUzIoLkdR4HumpjfRRHu?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating multiple thefts and burglaries that occurred in Atchison over the past week in Atchison.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 22-year-old victim reported the theft of a Glock .40 caliber handgun from a vehicle in the 1500 block Commercial Street on July 2.

A 26-year-old victim reported the theft of a pocket book and contents from a vehicle in the 1400 block Commercial on July 2.

An 18-year-old victim reported forced entry was made into a vehicle in the 300 block North 16th Street on July 3.&nbsp;

A 42-year-old victim reported the theft of a Taurus .38 caliber handgun from a vehicle in the 1300 block Kansas Avenue on July 3.

A 32-year-old victim reported the rear glass was broken out of a vehicle in the 200 block North 15th Street on July 4. A spare tire was taken, the tire was recovered in a nearby yard.

Victims reported a burglary that occurred during the early morning hours on July 4th at a residence in the 1400 block Kansas Avenue. Forced entry was made into the residence where clothing, jewelry, and a television were taken. Forced entry was also made into an outside shed where tools were taken which included two big tool boxes.

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating multiple thefts and burglaries that occurred in Atchison over the past week in Atchison.According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 22-year-old victim reported the theft of a Glock .40 caliber handgun from a vehicle in the 1500 block Commercial Street on July 2.A 26-year-old victim reported the theft of a pocket book and contents from a vehicle in the 1400 block Commercial on July 2.An 18-year-old victim reported forced entry was made into a vehicle in the 300 block North 16th Street on July 3.&nbsp;A 42-year-old victim reported the theft of a Taurus .38 caliber handgun from a vehicle in the 1300 block Kansas Avenue on July 3.A 32-year-old victim reported the rear glass was broken out of a vehicle in the 200 block North 15th Street on July 4. A spare tire was taken, the tire was recovered in a nearby yard.Victims reported a burglary that occurred during the early morning hours on July 4th at a residence in the 1400 block Kansas Avenue. Forced entry was made into the residence where clothing, jewelry, and a television were taken. Forced entry was also made into an outside shed where tools were taken which included two big tool boxes.

Polic investigating series of burglary, thefts in Atchison

Missouri Attorney General, Andrew
Bailey, is demanding documents and information from Grain Belt Express,
claiming the utility behind the green energy transmission line might have
misled the Missouri Public Service Commission.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Attorney General, Andrew
Bailey, is demanding documents and information from Grain Belt Express,
claiming the utility behind the green energy transmission line might have
misled the Missouri Public Service Commission.Bailey says his office is moving to
stop Grain Belt Express from constructing its line across north-central
Missouri.“I am dead set against foreign
corporations abusing eminent domain when there’s no benefit to the people of
the state of Missouri,” Bailey tells KFEQmmunity in a guest appearance.Bailey claims Invenergy has
considerable foreign backing. The Attorney General says Invenergy either
presented speculative evidence to the PSC that shouldn’t have been used.“Or, a fraud was perpetrated on the
people of the state of Missouri,” Bailey asserts, “But at the end of the day,
we’re going to get to the bottom of it and hold any wrongdoers accountable.”Bailey has issued a Civil
Investigative Demand to Grain Belt Express, which demands documentation from
Invenergy.“Well, we certainly need to understand
the evidence that they used when estimating the job-creation numbers that they
presented to the Public Service Commission and the public,” Bailey says. “We
want to know why they estimate that they’re going to reduce energy costs for
Missouri.”The action is being taken under the
Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, which prohibits false promises, fraud,
and overall deceptive business practices.Bailey says the proposal to send
wind-generated energy from Kansas through Missouri to the East Coast won’t
benefit Missouri, but will burden Missouri landowners. “I reject the notion that eminent domain
can be used for purely corporate interests that don’t serve Missourians,”
Bailey says. “That coastal elites, coming in to take farmland in Missouri,
destroy family livelihoods and legacies, to pad the pockets of coastal elites.
That’s not good for Missouri. I reject that that should ever be allowed under
our laws.”Bailey also has written the PSC, urging
the commission to reevaluate its decision to approve the Grain Belt Express. The
letter points out Invenergy made reference to a potential carbon tax that has
not been approved on either the state or federal level.“Because, again, I think one of two
things happen:&nbsp; either the PSC relied on
bad information or Grain Belt lied, and either way that Certificate of
Convenience and Necessity should have never (been) issued, because they can’t
demonstrate a benefit for Missourians and they based everything on faulty
assumptions,” according to Bailey.This latest action against the Grain Belt
Express might be coming late in the game.“This project was underway before I took
office and so, we’re running to catch up with the train, but certainly we feel that
we have a strong case to make.”In a separate action, U.S. Sen. Josh
Hawley has written Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, asking him to cancel the $4.9
billion loan that Invenergy secured during the Biden Administration.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Local