A concert series that has filled downtown with music for over a decade is returning this weekend.   

Several area churches came together in 2013 to form the Imagine 11 concert series, helping fill Sundays at Coleman Hawkins Park with a variety of music.  

Director Roger Lenander says when the event was originally planned, he thought it would just be once or twice a month, but it became much more 

"Turned out to be 11 weeks, from the first Sunday in June to the second Sunday in August, so that's where the 11 comes out," Lenander tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

Lenander says the theme of Imagine centers around imagining being the community St. Joseph wants to be 

"That is people who are generous, who are caring, and are supportive of one another and really celebrate that spirit in the community," Lenander explains. 

When the concert series began, it was difficult to find enough bands to fill the 11 weeks, but Lenander says in recent years, that hasn't been a problem. 

"Every year some get excluded because we have so many within the region," Lenander says. "We draw from throughout the Kansas City region and northwest region, but also this year we ventured into Kansas and have a Topeka favorite coming in." 

Lenander says the concerts draw several people downtown during the series 

"We always get about 300 to 400 out there but we've swelled up to 1,000+ at times for groups in years past," Lenander points out.  "A group that played was Liverpool, a Beatles tribute group, and one year they drew 1,200 out there." 

The concerts are held rain or shine every Sunday from 6 to 8pm between June 2nd and August 11th. The first band featured this coming Sunday will be Revelation: A tribute to Journey. 

If a concert is moved inside, it will be held at the First Lutheran Church downtown. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716999980187.jpeg" alt="The Imagine 11 concert series draws several hundreds of people to Coleman Hawkins Park every Sunday between the first Sunday of June and the second Sunday of August/ Photo courtesy of Imagine 11" />
 <figcaption>The Imagine 11 concert series draws several hundreds of people to Coleman Hawkins Park every Sunday between the first Sunday of June and the second Sunday of August/ Photo courtesy of Imagine 11</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A concert series that has filled downtown with music for over a decade is returning this weekend. Several area churches came together in 2013 to form the Imagine 11 concert series, helping fill Sundays at Coleman Hawkins Park with a variety of music. Director Roger Lenander says when the event was originally planned, he thought it would just be once or twice a month, but it became much more "Turned out to be 11 weeks, from the first Sunday in June to the second Sunday in August, so that's where the 11 comes out," Lenander tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Lenander says the theme of Imagine centers around imagining being the community St. Joseph wants to be "That is people who are generous, who are caring, and are supportive of one another and really celebrate that spirit in the community," Lenander explains. When the concert series began, it was difficult to find enough bands to fill the 11 weeks, but Lenander says in recent years, that hasn't been a problem. "Every year some get excluded because we have so many within the region," Lenander says. "We draw from throughout the Kansas City region and northwest region, but also this year we ventured into Kansas and have a Topeka favorite coming in." Lenander says the concerts draw several people downtown during the series "We always get about 300 to 400 out there but we've swelled up to 1,000+ at times for groups in years past," Lenander points out. "A group that played was Liverpool, a Beatles tribute group, and one year they drew 1,200 out there." The concerts are held rain or shine every Sunday from 6 to 8pm between June 2nd and August 11th. The first band featured this coming Sunday will be Revelation: A tribute to Journey. If a concert is moved inside, it will be held at the First Lutheran Church downtown. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D746109497720575%26set%3Da.485376127127248%26type%3D3&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Imagine 11 celebrates 11th year

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

The courts cannot shield Missouri’s biggest vendor of games offering cash prizes from criminal prosecution for gambling violations, the Western District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

In a unanimous decision, the court upheld&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/02/judge-tosses-torch-lawsuit-seeking-to-block-missouri-highway-patrol-gambling-investigations/">last fall’s dismissal</a>&nbsp;of a lawsuit filed by Torch Electronics that sought an order barring the Missouri State Highway Patrol from seizing machines and seeking criminal charges. The civil courts cannot be used to interfere with criminal proceedings, Judge Edward Ardini&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=208380">wrote for the three-judge panel</a>&nbsp;that heard the case.

“It is evident from plaintiffs’ amended petition that their objective in bringing this lawsuit is to enjoin law enforcement from determining the devices are criminal and seizing them,” Ardini wrote. “We are not persuaded by plaintiffs’ attempts to characterize their claim as one seeking declaratory judgment interpreting a civil statute.”

In his October 2023 order, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green also dismissed the claims of the Missouri Gaming Association, which intervened in the case by arguing Torch operations caused “a loss of business for association members (licensed, regulated casinos) and undermines the public policy of legal, regulated, licensed gaming.”

The opinion handed down Tuesday also upheld Green’s dismissal of the Gaming Association claims. Just as the civil courts cannot declare an activity to be protected from prosecution, Ardini wrote, the courts cannot declare that a particular activity is criminal.

“Missouri courts do not provide equitable relief that interferes with the enforcement of criminal law absent a challenge to the law’s constitutionality or validity,” Ardini wrote.

If the court had upheld either challenge to the dismissal, the result would have put the case back in Green’s hands for further proceedings. A final appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court is possible but attorneys for the losing parties said Tuesday they weren’t certain they would continue the case.

“We are reviewing the decision to determine our next steps,” said Chuck Hatfield, attorney for Torch.

Marc Ellinger, attorney for the Gaming Association, said his clients are also reviewing the opinion.

“We will make our decisions in due course,” Ellinger said.

The case decided Tuesday is the first appellate decision involving what vendors call “pre-reveal” or “no-chance” gaming machines that have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/unregulated-gaming-machines-spreading-throughout-columbia/article_7b6e46ee-bd0c-11e8-b55d-a382c7e78e1c.html">proliferated in Missouri since 2018</a>. There was one felony conviction involving non-Torch machines and several misdemeanor convictions but none have been appealed.

Torch&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/02/10/missouri-company-accused-of-illegal-gambling-has-sued-the-state/">filed the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in early 2021 against the patrol, the Department of Public Safety and the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. In it, Torch accused the patrol of a campaign of “harassment and intimidation” targeting its games, which are offered to patrons of convenience stores, truck stops and other locations around the state.

Its games are not illegal, Torch argues, because a “pre-reveal” player can learn the outcome of the upcoming play before putting money at risk. That means they are not games of chance, the company argues.

Opponents argue that it is the unknown results of future plays that make the games illegal. That has led to them being called “gray market” machines because of the uncertainty.

At that time, Torch was facing felony prosecution in Linn County for promoting gambling, a case that has since been dismissed. The company also sued the Linn County prosecuting attorney.

A review by The Independent in 2021 showed the patrol had sent prosecutors 190 cases in 2019 and 2020 requesting charges for illegal gambling and that only a handful of cases were actually filed. Torch has cited that article repeatedly in its court filings to show that there is a consensus among prosecutors that its games are legal.

Torch is not currently a defendant in any criminal case.

Torch is challenging a new ordinance in Springfield outlawing games that offer cash prizes. Torch has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ky3.com/2024/02/29/city-springfield-sued-by-owners-gaming-machines-after-police-start-enforcing-ordinance-bans/">sued the city</a>, arguing that the new ordinance should not be applied to its games.

As of late April, Springfield had issued 36 citations to businesses with the machines that allegedly violate the ordinance,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2024/04/16/springfield-vlt-operators-cited-for-violating-citys-ban-on-devices/73333446007/">the Springfield News-Leader reported</a>.

Legislative efforts to rewrite state gambling laws have been stymied by strong lobbying by Torch as well as disagreements over what kind of new gambling, if any, to allow in the state. Attempts to legalize sports wagering have failed, as has a push to allow video games operated by the Missouri Lottery.

Major league sports teams banded together with online gambling companies for an initiative petition drive that could put&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-sports-teams-submit-petition-signatures-to-legalize-sports-gambling-in-missouri/">sports betting on the ballot</a>&nbsp;later this year. Casino gambling, the state lottery, and parimutuel wagering on horse races are currently legal, along with raffles and bingo for nonprofit organizations.

In Tuesday’s decision, Ardini wrote that it is bad policy for the civil courts to take on challenges to enforcement of criminal laws.

“There are sound policy reasons why courts should not be used to civilly enforce criminal laws, including the difference in the burden of proof between a criminal prosecution and an action for equitable relief,” Ardini wrote. “Further, courts should avoid encroaching on the constitutional and statutory duties of prosecutors to enforce the criminal laws by permitting private litigants to seek enforcement through a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696350548337.png" alt=" Two “no-chance” gambling machines await customers in a Columbia convenience store (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Two “no-chance” gambling machines await customers in a Columbia convenience store (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>The courts cannot shield Missouri’s biggest vendor of games offering cash prizes from criminal prosecution for gambling violations, the Western District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.In a unanimous decision, the court upheld&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/02/judge-tosses-torch-lawsuit-seeking-to-block-missouri-highway-patrol-gambling-investigations/">last fall’s dismissal</a>&nbsp;of a lawsuit filed by Torch Electronics that sought an order barring the Missouri State Highway Patrol from seizing machines and seeking criminal charges. The civil courts cannot be used to interfere with criminal proceedings, Judge Edward Ardini&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=208380">wrote for the three-judge panel</a>&nbsp;that heard the case.“It is evident from plaintiffs’ amended petition that their objective in bringing this lawsuit is to enjoin law enforcement from determining the devices are criminal and seizing them,” Ardini wrote. “We are not persuaded by plaintiffs’ attempts to characterize their claim as one seeking declaratory judgment interpreting a civil statute.”In his October 2023 order, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green also dismissed the claims of the Missouri Gaming Association, which intervened in the case by arguing Torch operations caused “a loss of business for association members (licensed, regulated casinos) and undermines the public policy of legal, regulated, licensed gaming.”The opinion handed down Tuesday also upheld Green’s dismissal of the Gaming Association claims. Just as the civil courts cannot declare an activity to be protected from prosecution, Ardini wrote, the courts cannot declare that a particular activity is criminal.“Missouri courts do not provide equitable relief that interferes with the enforcement of criminal law absent a challenge to the law’s constitutionality or validity,” Ardini wrote.If the court had upheld either challenge to the dismissal, the result would have put the case back in Green’s hands for further proceedings. A final appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court is possible but attorneys for the losing parties said Tuesday they weren’t certain they would continue the case.“We are reviewing the decision to determine our next steps,” said Chuck Hatfield, attorney for Torch.Marc Ellinger, attorney for the Gaming Association, said his clients are also reviewing the opinion.“We will make our decisions in due course,” Ellinger said.The case decided Tuesday is the first appellate decision involving what vendors call “pre-reveal” or “no-chance” gaming machines that have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/unregulated-gaming-machines-spreading-throughout-columbia/article_7b6e46ee-bd0c-11e8-b55d-a382c7e78e1c.html">proliferated in Missouri since 2018</a>. There was one felony conviction involving non-Torch machines and several misdemeanor convictions but none have been appealed.Torch&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/02/10/missouri-company-accused-of-illegal-gambling-has-sued-the-state/">filed the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in early 2021 against the patrol, the Department of Public Safety and the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. In it, Torch accused the patrol of a campaign of “harassment and intimidation” targeting its games, which are offered to patrons of convenience stores, truck stops and other locations around the state.Its games are not illegal, Torch argues, because a “pre-reveal” player can learn the outcome of the upcoming play before putting money at risk. That means they are not games of chance, the company argues.Opponents argue that it is the unknown results of future plays that make the games illegal. That has led to them being called “gray market” machines because of the uncertainty.At that time, Torch was facing felony prosecution in Linn County for promoting gambling, a case that has since been dismissed. The company also sued the Linn County prosecuting attorney.A review by The Independent in 2021 showed the patrol had sent prosecutors 190 cases in 2019 and 2020 requesting charges for illegal gambling and that only a handful of cases were actually filed. Torch has cited that article repeatedly in its court filings to show that there is a consensus among prosecutors that its games are legal.Torch is not currently a defendant in any criminal case.Torch is challenging a new ordinance in Springfield outlawing games that offer cash prizes. Torch has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ky3.com/2024/02/29/city-springfield-sued-by-owners-gaming-machines-after-police-start-enforcing-ordinance-bans/">sued the city</a>, arguing that the new ordinance should not be applied to its games.As of late April, Springfield had issued 36 citations to businesses with the machines that allegedly violate the ordinance,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2024/04/16/springfield-vlt-operators-cited-for-violating-citys-ban-on-devices/73333446007/">the Springfield News-Leader reported</a>.Legislative efforts to rewrite state gambling laws have been stymied by strong lobbying by Torch as well as disagreements over what kind of new gambling, if any, to allow in the state. Attempts to legalize sports wagering have failed, as has a push to allow video games operated by the Missouri Lottery.Major league sports teams banded together with online gambling companies for an initiative petition drive that could put&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-sports-teams-submit-petition-signatures-to-legalize-sports-gambling-in-missouri/">sports betting on the ballot</a>&nbsp;later this year. Casino gambling, the state lottery, and parimutuel wagering on horse races are currently legal, along with raffles and bingo for nonprofit organizations.In Tuesday’s decision, Ardini wrote that it is bad policy for the civil courts to take on challenges to enforcement of criminal laws.“There are sound policy reasons why courts should not be used to civilly enforce criminal laws, including the difference in the burden of proof between a criminal prosecution and an action for equitable relief,” Ardini wrote. “Further, courts should avoid encroaching on the constitutional and statutory duties of prosecutors to enforce the criminal laws by permitting private litigants to seek enforcement through a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.”

Court: Torch Electronics had no grounds to sue over Mo. gambling enforcement

Fire engulfed an occupied house on Clay Street, near the
intersection with 22nd, early Tuesday evening, leaving one injured.

St. Joseph Fire Inspector Steve Henrichson says the fire
department got the call shortly after 6:30. Henrichson says when crews arrived,
they found heavy fire and smoke in the back of the building.

“They made sure everyone was evacuated,” Henrichson tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Did a secondary search because they weren’t sure about
one person. We didn’t find anybody in the building. Other than that, the damage
was mainly in the back.”

The one-time single-family house has been divided into four units,
two on the first story and two on the second. The landlord told Henrichson 12
people lived in the house. All escaped without injury except for one who was treated
on the scene and then taken to the hospital.

Firefighters had the fire extinguished well before eight o’clock.

Henrichson says he has narrowed the cause of the fire to three
possibilities. He does not believe the fire was set.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716948337062.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph firefighters wrap up work on Clay Street near the intersection of 22nd./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph firefighters wrap up work on Clay Street near the intersection of 22nd./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFire engulfed an occupied house on Clay Street, near the
intersection with 22nd, early Tuesday evening, leaving one injured.St. Joseph Fire Inspector Steve Henrichson says the fire
department got the call shortly after 6:30. Henrichson says when crews arrived,
they found heavy fire and smoke in the back of the building.“They made sure everyone was evacuated,” Henrichson tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Did a secondary search because they weren’t sure about
one person. We didn’t find anybody in the building. Other than that, the damage
was mainly in the back.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716948444912.jpeg" alt="Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>The one-time single-family house has been divided into four units,
two on the first story and two on the second. The landlord told Henrichson 12
people lived in the house. All escaped without injury except for one who was treated
on the scene and then taken to the hospital.Firefighters had the fire extinguished well before eight o’clock.Henrichson says he has narrowed the cause of the fire to three
possibilities. He does not believe the fire was set.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716948478025.jpeg" alt="Fire did heavy damage to the back of the building./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Fire did heavy damage to the back of the building./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=420&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstjoepost%2Fvideos%2F1553354728621016%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="535" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

One injured as fire engulfs occupied St. Joseph house

Summer in St. Joseph means one thing for certain - the Mustangs are back at Phil Welch Stadium.

The eight-time MINK League Champions start up their 15th season this week.

The Mustangs went 33-18 last year, getting all the way to the final game of the championship series, but they lost to Jefferson City 4-0 in the deciding game to end the season, denying the Mustangs what would have been four consecutive titles.

Johnny Coy, entering his sixth year as the Mustangs’ head coach, says that season-ending loss has resonated with the team, especially with the 13 guys returning from last season.

"Just the fact we weren't able to (win a title) last year lit a fire in a lot of these guys," Coy said. "The guys who haven't been here at all know nothing about it, but they're starting to learn already that's what's expected of them and that's what we're going to shoot for."

The start of the 2024 season is somewhat bitter sweet, as the Mustangs mourn the loss of the team’s founder and former owner Dan Gerson. <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/aba99d62-678a-4ec6-94a1-0f86b496bb8a">Gerson died this past September at the age of 68</a> at his home in Chicago.

 Ownership of the team transferred to team president Ky Turner following the 2021 season. As he gets ready for the first season without Dan, Turner says much is planned to honor the man who made summers at Phil Welch possible.

"We want to make sure we reach that standard that Dan helped us set," Turner said. "This year, we're always going to continue to honor Dan and his legacy and the impact he had on the things we do. Dan was a fun guy, so we want to have fun with it."

"Dan also hated the spotlight, so he's pry going to hate some of the things we're going to do this season."

The Mustangs will play 26 home games in all this summer. A lot of the usual traditions are back. Bark in the Park, $1.50 beer night on Friday, the St. Joseph Tenderloins, Fireworks on Saturdays and so on

 But, Turner says this year especially will feature a lot of new family fun at the park.

"There's a lot," he said. "Sometimes, I just have to sit down and remind myself of what's happening. Aesthetically, we have some really nice things here that's going to make the stadium experience a little bit better. This is going to be a fun year."

New at the stadium right now is new netting along the first and third base lines.

As for the team itself, the Mustangs are primed to win another MINK League title. The team features six players from Division I universities, nine from MIAA member schools and 12 players from St. Joseph and the immediate surrounding area.

Back for his fourth season is Fort Hays State pitcher and Benton graduate Tanner Schmidt, whose little brother Carson will be on the team for the first time this summer. Schmidt says it’s the friendships and the bonds he’s made over the years that’s kept him coming back each of the last few years.

"Not only the players, but (coach) Johnny (Coy)," Schmidt said. "Lifelong friend, you know. I know I can go to him in any amount of time, five years, 10 years. If I need something, he'll try to help me get whatever I need. It's the bonds you build. The friends you make."

Back for a second season is pitcher, infielder and Lafayette alum Jayden Little. Little says the opportunity to play in front of thousands at Phil Welch Stadium makes the experience that much better.

"I mean, it's a feeling a lot of these guys don't get to feel all year," Little said. "Playing in front of 4-5,000 people a night here. No matter where you go to all of the different colleges we come from, you just don't get that. Getting in here, playing in front of all of these people, it kind of gives you an edge. Makes you want to play that much harder. Kind of show what you got and show off."

First-year Mustang Bronco Whitt, a pitcher and East Buchanan graduate, says he's excited to get to work with this bunch.

"Yeah, a lot of excitement, you know," Whitt said. "Everyone always wants to play for the Mustangs. The fans are great. The town is great. It's going to be a lot of fun and I'm ready for it."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716922949222.jpeg" alt="Members of the St. Joseph Mustangs gather in the clubhouse on Monday, hearing words from head coach Johnny Coy and team owner Ky Turner. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Members of the St. Joseph Mustangs gather in the clubhouse on Monday, hearing words from head coach Johnny Coy and team owner Ky Turner. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSummer in St. Joseph means one thing for certain - the Mustangs are back at Phil Welch Stadium.The eight-time MINK League Champions start up their 15th season this week.The Mustangs went 33-18 last year, getting all the way to the final game of the championship series, but they lost to Jefferson City 4-0 in the deciding game to end the season, denying the Mustangs what would have been four consecutive titles.Johnny Coy, entering his sixth year as the Mustangs’ head coach, says that season-ending loss has resonated with the team, especially with the 13 guys returning from last season."Just the fact we weren't able to (win a title) last year lit a fire in a lot of these guys," Coy said. "The guys who haven't been here at all know nothing about it, but they're starting to learn already that's what's expected of them and that's what we're going to shoot for."The start of the 2024 season is somewhat bitter sweet, as the Mustangs mourn the loss of the team’s founder and former owner Dan Gerson. <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/aba99d62-678a-4ec6-94a1-0f86b496bb8a">Gerson died this past September at the age of 68</a> at his home in Chicago. Ownership of the team transferred to team president Ky Turner following the 2021 season. As he gets ready for the first season without Dan, Turner says much is planned to honor the man who made summers at Phil Welch possible."We want to make sure we reach that standard that Dan helped us set," Turner said. "This year, we're always going to continue to honor Dan and his legacy and the impact he had on the things we do. Dan was a fun guy, so we want to have fun with it.""Dan also hated the spotlight, so he's pry going to hate some of the things we're going to do this season."The Mustangs will play 26 home games in all this summer. A lot of the usual traditions are back. Bark in the Park, $1.50 beer night on Friday, the St. Joseph Tenderloins, Fireworks on Saturdays and so on But, Turner says this year especially will feature a lot of new family fun at the park."There's a lot," he said. "Sometimes, I just have to sit down and remind myself of what's happening. Aesthetically, we have some really nice things here that's going to make the stadium experience a little bit better. This is going to be a fun year."New at the stadium right now is new netting along the first and third base lines.As for the team itself, the Mustangs are primed to win another MINK League title. The team features six players from Division I universities, nine from MIAA member schools and 12 players from St. Joseph and the immediate surrounding area.Back for his fourth season is Fort Hays State pitcher and Benton graduate Tanner Schmidt, whose little brother Carson will be on the team for the first time this summer. Schmidt says it’s the friendships and the bonds he’s made over the years that’s kept him coming back each of the last few years."Not only the players, but (coach) Johnny (Coy)," Schmidt said. "Lifelong friend, you know. I know I can go to him in any amount of time, five years, 10 years. If I need something, he'll try to help me get whatever I need. It's the bonds you build. The friends you make."Back for a second season is pitcher, infielder and Lafayette alum Jayden Little. Little says the opportunity to play in front of thousands at Phil Welch Stadium makes the experience that much better."I mean, it's a feeling a lot of these guys don't get to feel all year," Little said. "Playing in front of 4-5,000 people a night here. No matter where you go to all of the different colleges we come from, you just don't get that. Getting in here, playing in front of all of these people, it kind of gives you an edge. Makes you want to play that much harder. Kind of show what you got and show off."First-year Mustang Bronco Whitt, a pitcher and East Buchanan graduate, says he's excited to get to work with this bunch."Yeah, a lot of excitement, you know," Whitt said. "Everyone always wants to play for the Mustangs. The fans are great. The town is great. It's going to be a lot of fun and I'm ready for it."Interviews<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Johnny-Coy---St--Joseph-Mustangs-e2k7fd4/a-abae1dv" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Ky-Turner---St--Joseph-Mustangs-e2k7feq/a-abae1hb" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716923571405.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mustangs set to open their 15th season, team plans to honor its late founder

St. Joseph state Rep. Brenda Shields will try again next year,
after two years of frustration trying to push a package of child care tax
credits through the legislature.

The measure once again failed to get anywhere in the Senate.

Shields, a Republican, couldn’t get passed opposition from fellow
Republicans who make up the ultra-conservative Senate Freedom Caucus.

“They just really wanted to cut all of the tax credits out of
it, so that it would not have made it a bill worth passing or would have done
what we are looking for is to create access to child care that is quality, reliable,
safe, and affordable,” Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

“I think that for Missouri’s economy to grow, which we know we
lost over $1.35 billion in Missouri’s economy, which would have been about $280
million in General Revenue as people pay their taxes, I think it’s really
necessary,” Shields says. “If we don’t have a workforce we can’t grow the
economy.”

Shields got backing from Gov. Mike Parson as well as from the Missouri
Chamber of Commerce. Both saw it as necessary for state economic growth.

Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan blames the Senate
for failing to address what the Chamber considers a very real economic problem.

“State Rep. Brenda Shields did a fantastic job getting the child
care bill through the House and into the Senate,” Mehan tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post in a phone interview. “For two years running, the Senate failed to vote it
out of the Senate and deliver it to the governor’s desk for signature.”

Mehan is frustrated by antics in the Missouri Senate that have
killed the bill.

“Last year, it was the vote that would have been taken on the
last day. It was the next vote up and we endured a filibuster for the last four
hours of the session,” Mehan says. “This year, we pretty much lost that whole
week, that last week of session. So, they never brought it up for a vote on the
floor.”

Mehan says a lack of child care or the expense of child care
have prevented some women from returning to the workforce post-COVID.

The measure sponsored by Shields would have provide tax
credits for businesses helping to offset the cost of child care for their
employees, for donors to child care centers, and for child care providers
expanding their business.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph state Rep. Brenda Shields will try again next year,
after two years of frustration trying to push a package of child care tax
credits through the legislature.The measure once again failed to get anywhere in the Senate.Shields, a Republican, couldn’t get passed opposition from fellow
Republicans who make up the ultra-conservative Senate Freedom Caucus.“They just really wanted to cut all of the tax credits out of
it, so that it would not have made it a bill worth passing or would have done
what we are looking for is to create access to child care that is quality, reliable,
safe, and affordable,” Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Shields will try again next year.“I think that for Missouri’s economy to grow, which we know we
lost over $1.35 billion in Missouri’s economy, which would have been about $280
million in General Revenue as people pay their taxes, I think it’s really
necessary,” Shields says. “If we don’t have a workforce we can’t grow the
economy.”Shields got backing from Gov. Mike Parson as well as from the Missouri
Chamber of Commerce. Both saw it as necessary for state economic growth.Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan blames the Senate
for failing to address what the Chamber considers a very real economic problem.“State Rep. Brenda Shields did a fantastic job getting the child
care bill through the House and into the Senate,” Mehan tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post in a phone interview. “For two years running, the Senate failed to vote it
out of the Senate and deliver it to the governor’s desk for signature.”Mehan is frustrated by antics in the Missouri Senate that have
killed the bill.“Last year, it was the vote that would have been taken on the
last day. It was the next vote up and we endured a filibuster for the last four
hours of the session,” Mehan says. “This year, we pretty much lost that whole
week, that last week of session. So, they never brought it up for a vote on the
floor.”Mehan says a lack of child care or the expense of child care
have prevented some women from returning to the workforce post-COVID.The measure sponsored by Shields would have provide tax
credits for businesses helping to offset the cost of child care for their
employees, for donors to child care centers, and for child care providers
expanding their business.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Senate gets blame for blocking child care tax credits

Camp Haven, a camp for youth who have lost a parent or a sibling to cancer, is expanding to include more youth.  

Feedback during registration helped organizers realize other youth should be included 

Organizer Tony Martinez says youth who have suffered any form of loss of a parent or sibling are suffering from the same sort of grief 

"Because these children have to face life without one of their parents or one of their siblings that they've been used to seeing day in, day out, week after week, month after month, and all of a sudden that perso is pulled from thier lives," Martinez tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And there's a certain amount of grief that goes through their minds, even questions in their minds about what happens after death or how do we go about doing things now." 

Camp Farwesta Marketing Director Trish Heath says the camp is designed to help provide a distraction from grief for those youth 

"We'll have folks there for that support, it's not really a counseling, we'll have some chaplains and some people to have the comfort support," Heath explains. "And really that's what it is, is more of that." 

Camp Haven will run June 9th through the 14th at Camp Farwesta near Stewartsville.   

Heath says the camp will provide a variety of activities for youth 

"We've got some therapy dogs coming, lots of different things that will be available throughout the week just probably once, doing some tye dye shirts, some stepping stones and creating those," Heath says. "Then there will be lots of things in the evening and one of them being that we're taking them to the St. Joe Mustangs game." 

Heath says KC Wolf will also be at the camp for the opening on June 9th. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Camp Haven, a camp for youth who have lost a parent or a sibling to cancer, is expanding to include more youth. Feedback during registration helped organizers realize other youth should be included Organizer Tony Martinez says youth who have suffered any form of loss of a parent or sibling are suffering from the same sort of grief "Because these children have to face life without one of their parents or one of their siblings that they've been used to seeing day in, day out, week after week, month after month, and all of a sudden that perso is pulled from thier lives," Martinez tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And there's a certain amount of grief that goes through their minds, even questions in their minds about what happens after death or how do we go about doing things now." Camp Farwesta Marketing Director Trish Heath says the camp is designed to help provide a distraction from grief for those youth "We'll have folks there for that support, it's not really a counseling, we'll have some chaplains and some people to have the comfort support," Heath explains. "And really that's what it is, is more of that." Camp Haven will run June 9th through the 14th at Camp Farwesta near Stewartsville. Heath says the camp will provide a variety of activities for youth "We've got some therapy dogs coming, lots of different things that will be available throughout the week just probably once, doing some tye dye shirts, some stepping stones and creating those," Heath says. "Then there will be lots of things in the evening and one of them being that we're taking them to the St. Joe Mustangs game." Heath says KC Wolf will also be at the camp for the opening on June 9th. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Camp Haven expanding to include more youth 

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

Fifth-three percent of Missouri voters signed off on a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana on Nov. 8, 2022&nbsp;

Since recreational weed was legalized in 2022, it has led to more than $19 million going towards three causes — supporting veterans, expanding substance use treatment programs and adding to the Missouri Public Defenders System’s budget.

“It is so rewarding to see the impact of this voter-approved program on organizations that provide vital services to Missourians,” said Amy Moore, director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation, which is within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The constitutional amendment Missouri voters approved in November 2022 to legalize recreational marijuana also&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/31/where-does-the-revenue-from-missouri-marijuana-sales-and-license-fees-go/#:~:text=By%3A%20Rebecca%20Rivas%20%2D%20May%2031%2C%202023%209%3A00%20am&amp;text=Since%20Missouri's%20marijuana%20sales%20began,first%20stop%20is%20operational%20costs.">established funds for the three causes</a>.

Last fall, each of these three programs received&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/f54471cc-001a-4be3-95cc-fac209e3dcd8/funds-transferred-to-beneficiaries-of-state-s-marijuana-programs">$1.3 million</a>. Then earlier this month, DHSS transferred an additional $5.1 million for each.&nbsp;

The funds going to the Missouri Veterans Commission are specifically meant to pay for health care and other services for military veterans and their dependent families, according to the division.&nbsp;

The public defender system’s funds will pay for legal assistance for low-income Missourians.&nbsp;

And, DHSS will use its fund to operate a grant program to increase access to drug addiction treatment with an emphasis on reintegrating recipients into their local communities by supporting job placement, housing and counseling.

In January,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-marijuana-revenue-will-mean-nearly-20-million-to-support-veterans-this-year/">Moore told state lawmakers</a>&nbsp;that recreational cannabis sales had generated $58 million in revenue, which includes sales tax and annual fees marijuana businesses pay the state.&nbsp;

So far, $8.2 million has gone to pay for the state’s operation costs of regulating the recreational marijuana industry — for things like salaries or professional services.

After operational costs, the next draw on the fund is expenses incurred by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/17/missouri-courts-request-3-7-million-to-continue-arduous-marijuana-expungement-process/">court system for expunging certain marijuana offenses</a>&nbsp;from people’s criminal records.&nbsp;

After that, revenues are split between veterans, substance use treatment programs and public defenders.

“We look forward to watching this impact grow,” Moore said,&nbsp;“and are grateful to be a part of it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692273868300.png" alt="Fifth-three percent of Missouri voters signed off on a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana on Nov. 8, 2022&nbsp; photo" />
 <figcaption>Fifth-three percent of Missouri voters signed off on a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana on Nov. 8, 2022&nbsp; photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By REBECCA RIVAS,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Fifth-three percent of Missouri voters signed off on a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana on Nov. 8, 2022&nbsp;Since recreational weed was legalized in 2022, it has led to more than $19 million going towards three causes — supporting veterans, expanding substance use treatment programs and adding to the Missouri Public Defenders System’s budget.“It is so rewarding to see the impact of this voter-approved program on organizations that provide vital services to Missourians,” said Amy Moore, director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation, which is within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.The constitutional amendment Missouri voters approved in November 2022 to legalize recreational marijuana also&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/31/where-does-the-revenue-from-missouri-marijuana-sales-and-license-fees-go/#:~:text=By%3A%20Rebecca%20Rivas%20%2D%20May%2031%2C%202023%209%3A00%20am&amp;text=Since%20Missouri's%20marijuana%20sales%20began,first%20stop%20is%20operational%20costs.">established funds for the three causes</a>.Last fall, each of these three programs received&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/f54471cc-001a-4be3-95cc-fac209e3dcd8/funds-transferred-to-beneficiaries-of-state-s-marijuana-programs">$1.3 million</a>. Then earlier this month, DHSS transferred an additional $5.1 million for each.&nbsp;The funds going to the Missouri Veterans Commission are specifically meant to pay for health care and other services for military veterans and their dependent families, according to the division.&nbsp;The public defender system’s funds will pay for legal assistance for low-income Missourians.&nbsp;And, DHSS will use its fund to operate a grant program to increase access to drug addiction treatment with an emphasis on reintegrating recipients into their local communities by supporting job placement, housing and counseling.In January,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-marijuana-revenue-will-mean-nearly-20-million-to-support-veterans-this-year/">Moore told state lawmakers</a>&nbsp;that recreational cannabis sales had generated $58 million in revenue, which includes sales tax and annual fees marijuana businesses pay the state.&nbsp;So far, $8.2 million has gone to pay for the state’s operation costs of regulating the recreational marijuana industry — for things like salaries or professional services.After operational costs, the next draw on the fund is expenses incurred by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/17/missouri-courts-request-3-7-million-to-continue-arduous-marijuana-expungement-process/">court system for expunging certain marijuana offenses</a>&nbsp;from people’s criminal records.&nbsp;After that, revenues are split between veterans, substance use treatment programs and public defenders.“We look forward to watching this impact grow,” Moore said,&nbsp;“and are grateful to be a part of it.”

Legal cannabis in Mo. has generated $19 million for veterans, treatment, public defenders

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 11:30p.m.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Kia Optima driven by Tammy K. Claerhout, 52, Warsaw, was southbound on U.S. 65 one mile south of Farmersville.

The car struck a deer that had earlier been hit by another vehicle. The car came to a controlled stop.&nbsp; Chillicothe EMS transported Claerhout to Hedrick Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 11:30p.m.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Kia Optima driven by Tammy K. Claerhout, 52, Warsaw, was southbound on U.S. 65 one mile south of Farmersville.The car struck a deer that had earlier been hit by another vehicle. The car came to a controlled stop.&nbsp; Chillicothe EMS transported Claerhout to Hedrick Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized after 2nd vehicle strikes deer

HARRISON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Sunday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford F250 driven by Bryson D. Nalle, 18, Pattonsburg, was southbound on U.S. 69 south of Mitchelville Church five miles south of Bethany.

The pickup struck a guard rail. A northbound 2021 Ram 2500 driven by Ciaria J. Eivins, 26, Bethany, then struck the side of Ford. After impact the Ford overturned onto its top.

NTA ambulance transported a passenger in the Ford Alexander J. Arnold, 18, McFall, to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp; Nalle and Eivins were not injured

Nalle and Arnold were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Sunday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford F250 driven by Bryson D. Nalle, 18, Pattonsburg, was southbound on U.S. 69 south of Mitchelville Church five miles south of Bethany.The pickup struck a guard rail. A northbound 2021 Ram 2500 driven by Ciaria J. Eivins, 26, Bethany, then struck the side of Ford. After impact the Ford overturned onto its top.NTA ambulance transported a passenger in the Ford Alexander J. Arnold, 18, McFall, to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp; Nalle and Eivins were not injuredNalle and Arnold were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen hospitalized after pickups collide

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Sunday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Focus driven by Jenna R. Lamb, 22, Odessa, was northbound on Business 71 three miles north of St. Joseph.&nbsp;

The driver failed to yield and made a left turn onto the northbound Interstate 29 on ramp.&nbsp;

A southbound 2017 Chevy Colorado driven by Corey M. Blevins, 52, St. Joseph struck the front passenger door of the Ford.&nbsp; After impact the car traveled off the west side of the road and came to rest down an embankment.

Andrew County EMS transported Lamb and a 17-year-old boy from Lee's Summit to Mosaic Life Care. Blevins was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Sunday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Focus driven by Jenna R. Lamb, 22, Odessa, was northbound on Business 71 three miles north of St. Joseph.&nbsp; The driver failed to yield and made a left turn onto the northbound Interstate 29 on ramp.&nbsp;A southbound 2017 Chevy Colorado driven by Corey M. Blevins, 52, St. Joseph struck the front passenger door of the Ford.&nbsp; After impact the car traveled off the west side of the road and came to rest down an embankment.Andrew County EMS transported Lamb and a 17-year-old boy from Lee's Summit to Mosaic Life Care. Blevins was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 hospitalized after Andrew County car, pickup crash

Perhaps this time, it will actually become law.

Max’s Law is once again on the governor’s desk.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville has hope that this
year will be the year.

“This is the third year now that I’ve sponsored Max’s Law,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Luetkemeyer first carried the legislation in the session
following the death of K-9 Max. The St. Jospeh police dog was shot and killed
by a suspect he was chasing June 21st of 2021. It was discovered
after the death that under Missouri law the killing of a police animal was no
more significant than a property crime.

“What Max’s Law does is it raises the offense of killing a law
enforcement canine to a felony offense so that somebody who does that they can actually
spend time in prison,” Luetkemeyer says.

In the 2022 Missouri legislative session, the anti-crime
measure that included Max’s Law ran out of time on the last day of the session.

In the 2023 Missouri legislative session, the anti-crime
package cleared the legislature only to be vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson on an
unrelated manner.

In the just concluded, 2024 session the anti-crime bill once
again passed the legislature and once again sits on Gov. Parson’s desk.

Luetkemeyer says he made sure this year to remove the
provisions that prompted the veto last year.

“The provisions that are left in the legislation from this
year, those are all things that in the governor’s veto letter last year he said
he wished the General Assembly would send back to him and put back on his desk
and Max’s Law was one of those things,” Luetkemeyer says.

Luetkemeyer says getting the bill through the legislative
session honors both the memory of Max and the St. Joseph police officer
assigned to Max.

“I got to have a call with Max’s handler, Lucas Winder, who is
still a police officer with the St. Joseph Police Department. He’s come down
the last several years to testify in support of the legislation. So just a
great day of celebration with Lucas who has been through a lot, obviously,”
Luetkemeyer says. “Happy that we were able to, A, get this bill in place to
protect our police canines, but also to memorialize Max.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716573823008.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostPerhaps this time, it will actually become law.Max’s Law is once again on the governor’s desk.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville has hope that this
year will be the year.“This is the third year now that I’ve sponsored Max’s Law,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Luetkemeyer first carried the legislation in the session
following the death of K-9 Max. The St. Jospeh police dog was shot and killed
by a suspect he was chasing June 21st of 2021. It was discovered
after the death that under Missouri law the killing of a police animal was no
more significant than a property crime.Luetkemeyer sought to change that.“What Max’s Law does is it raises the offense of killing a law
enforcement canine to a felony offense so that somebody who does that they can actually
spend time in prison,” Luetkemeyer says.In the 2022 Missouri legislative session, the anti-crime
measure that included Max’s Law ran out of time on the last day of the session.In the 2023 Missouri legislative session, the anti-crime
package cleared the legislature only to be vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson on an
unrelated manner.In the just concluded, 2024 session the anti-crime bill once
again passed the legislature and once again sits on Gov. Parson’s desk.Luetkemeyer says he made sure this year to remove the
provisions that prompted the veto last year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716573887559.jpeg" alt="A memorial was held for K-9 Max at St. Joseph City Hall/file photo" />
 <figcaption>A memorial was held for K-9 Max at St. Joseph City Hall/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“The provisions that are left in the legislation from this
year, those are all things that in the governor’s veto letter last year he said
he wished the General Assembly would send back to him and put back on his desk
and Max’s Law was one of those things,” Luetkemeyer says.Luetkemeyer says getting the bill through the legislative
session honors both the memory of Max and the St. Joseph police officer
assigned to Max.“I got to have a call with Max’s handler, Lucas Winder, who is
still a police officer with the St. Joseph Police Department. He’s come down
the last several years to testify in support of the legislation. So just a
great day of celebration with Lucas who has been through a lot, obviously,”
Luetkemeyer says. “Happy that we were able to, A, get this bill in place to
protect our police canines, but also to memorialize Max.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Could this be the year Max's Law actually becomes law?

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

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has given no indication his name will ever appear on a ballot again after he leaves office at the end of this year.&nbsp;

But the political action committee set up by his supporters to bankroll his political career continues raising and spending money.&nbsp;

During the first three months of 2024, the PAC — called Uniting Missouri — reported raising $307,000. The biggest chunk of that money came in a $250,000 check from a St. Louis-based law firm.

The law firm’s founding partner, Eric Holland,&nbsp;also gave the PAC $50,000 in December.&nbsp;

Uniting Missouri also received $25,000 this year from a committee connected to his longtime friend and adviser, lobbyist Steve Tilley.&nbsp;

The PAC spent $73,000 during the first quarter. Of that, around $64,000 went to credit card payments. The charges appear to be for an early February “fundraising event,” which includes a $56,000 payment to the Kansas City Chiefs; $8,400 to Ticketmaster; and $650 to the NFL Experience.&nbsp;

The governor attended this year’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas, where the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers.&nbsp;

Uniting Missouri reported having roughly $320,000 cash on hand.&nbsp;

During that same period, Parson’s campaign committee — Parson for Missouri — reported only raising $304. But it has $241,000 cash on hand.&nbsp;

The spending by Uniting Missouri around a Chiefs Super Bowl is similar to last year’s game, which Parson also attended. The PAC paid $56,000 in February 2023 to the Chiefs for a “fundraising event.” It also paid more than $110,000 during the first three months of 2023 to an aviation company connected to Tilley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700840547628.jpeg" alt="File photo Mo. Governor Mike Parson" />
 <figcaption>File photo Mo. Governor Mike Parson</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has given no indication his name will ever appear on a ballot again after he leaves office at the end of this year.&nbsp;But the political action committee set up by his supporters to bankroll his political career continues raising and spending money.&nbsp;During the first three months of 2024, the PAC — called Uniting Missouri — reported raising $307,000. The biggest chunk of that money came in a $250,000 check from a St. Louis-based law firm.The law firm’s founding partner, Eric Holland,&nbsp;also gave the PAC $50,000 in December.&nbsp;Uniting Missouri also received $25,000 this year from a committee connected to his longtime friend and adviser, lobbyist Steve Tilley.&nbsp;The PAC spent $73,000 during the first quarter. Of that, around $64,000 went to credit card payments. The charges appear to be for an early February “fundraising event,” which includes a $56,000 payment to the Kansas City Chiefs; $8,400 to Ticketmaster; and $650 to the NFL Experience.&nbsp;The governor attended this year’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas, where the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers.&nbsp;Uniting Missouri reported having roughly $320,000 cash on hand.&nbsp;During that same period, Parson’s campaign committee — Parson for Missouri — reported only raising $304. But it has $241,000 cash on hand.&nbsp;The spending by Uniting Missouri around a Chiefs Super Bowl is similar to last year’s game, which Parson also attended. The PAC paid $56,000 in February 2023 to the Chiefs for a “fundraising event.” It also paid more than $110,000 during the first three months of 2023 to an aviation company connected to Tilley.

PAC backing term-limited Mo. governor keeps raising, spending campaign cash

Health care professionals and parents of transgender youth are raising concerns about use of private medical records in the statewide probe

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

A state investigation of the Washington University Transgender Center in St. Louis expanded to include therapists and social workers across the state who work with minors seeking gender-affirming care.

Documents made public as part of various lawsuits show that Attorney General Andrew Bailey has obtained a collection of unredacted and loosely redacted records of transgender children, including a list of patients that received care at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.&nbsp;

He is also seeking untethered access to the university’s digital medical records system.

The attorney general’s use of private medical records, and the targeting of therapists and counselors, has interrupted the health care of LGBTQ Missourians and has families worrying about their children’s privacy.

Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director for Missouri LGBTQ advocacy organization PROMO, told The Independent she fears that the pressure will drive health care providers out of the state, especially impacting rural Missourians.

“The attorney general has created a hostile environment for medical providers where they are afraid to stay and practice medicine,” she said.&nbsp;

The saga began last year when Bailey launched an investigation based on an affidavit from Washington University whistleblower Jamie Reed. Bailey is using the affidavit to question other gender-affirming-care providers like Planned Parenthood, which he has said he hopes to “<a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-bailey-files-suit-against-planned-parenthood-for-trafficking-children-out-of-state-to-obtain-abortions-without-parental-consent/">eradicate</a>.”

The probe involves the Missouri Division of Professional Registration, which oversees medical licensing in the state. According to records obtained by The Independent, the agency interviewed 57 health professionals as part of the inquiry and had 16 cases open as of early May.

While Bailey announced the division would assist in the investigation when he first announced it, therapists did not expect to be included — or have their license to practice put at risk.&nbsp;

The division’s chief legal counsel, Sarah Ledgerwood, told The Independent that the division and its boards can’t join other officials’ investigations. When asked about Bailey’s investigation, she said the boards “can only complete investigations based on receipt of a complaint.”

Division Director Sheila Solon said last year that she anticipated complaints as part of the attorney general’s investigation.

Kelly Storck, a licensed clinical social worker with a focus on LGBTQ-positive therapy, was interviewed last year and expressed grave concerns about unredacted medical records of minors being in the hands of a state official who has repeatedly opposed gender-affirming care.

When the division contacted Storck for an interview, she hired a lawyer before meeting with the investigator.

During the meeting, she says the investigator had a small stack of unredacted letters Storck had sent the Transgender Center to recommend clients for gender-affirming care.

Storck recalled senior investigator Nick McBroom telling her he wasn’t fully sure what he was doing, saying she was taking the interview more seriously than it was. He questioned why she had a lawyer.

McBroom asked about the process of writing letters of support, Storck said, opening a file with just a portion of the letters she had sent to the Transgender Center. She said she noticed the documents had green underlines added and asked McBroom if they were his edits. He didn’t seem to know the source of the underlines.

After a 30-45 minute interview, McBroom asked her to write up her process. Through her attorney, she declined, and her case was closed soon after.

McBroom declined to speak to The Independent about the case.

“I still have a lot of distrust about who initiated it,” Storck said, “and who was in my documents.”&nbsp;

Parents of transgender children told The Independent they have heard whispers of other therapists facing investigation.

Multiple providers declined to be interviewed about the investigation out of fear of retaliation. Storck, though, had already faced the attorney general as one of the plaintiffs attempting to block an emergency rule targeting transgender care filed by Bailey last year.

A legal battle between Washington University and the attorney general’s office shows the records used in the interviews may have directly come from the university itself.

In the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Answer%20and%20Counterclaim%20to%20Washington%20Universitys%20Petition%20to%20Modify%20Civil%20Investigative%20Demands%20Nos.%2023-19,%2023-52%20and%2023-53.PDF?courtCode=22&amp;di=13207690">attorney general’s office’s response&nbsp;to the litigation,</a>&nbsp;a timeline is laid out of the university turning over three sets of documents. In its second document production, Washington University gave the attorney general a list of patients in a spreadsheet.

“The supplemental production included a spreadsheet titled ‘Transgender Patient data,’” the attorney general’s office wrote. “Which included various workbooks chronicling patient names, encounters and medications, among other information.”

The attorney general’s office has declined to comment about the scope of the investigation and the source of investigative documents. Washington University also declined comment.&nbsp;

People who have received care at the Transgender Center have asked to be notified if their health records are accessed, but many assume some of their information is already in the attorney general’s hands.

The Independent asked Reed if she provided any of the documents to the attorney general.&nbsp;

“I cannot definitively say what the therapists are being handed (or) where it came from,” she said. “We just don’t really know where those things directly came from. The one thing I will add is that any documents that were provided to the attorney general’s office from me were redacted.”

Reed said she did not give any documents that would be stored in the electronic health records software Epic. When asked where else the records could come from, she said, “email or shared drive.”

The records investigators had of Storck’s patients included names, something Reed said she redacted before providing to the attorney general.

Becky Hormuth and her 17-year-old son Levi, who was a patient at the Transgender Center, have been hearing about the scope of Bailey’s investigation for months.

They learned that the attorney general’s office had been looking into Levi’s psychologist’s records and heard about other providers that had interviews related to their support for gender-affirming care.

Levi said the attorney general’s work seemed like “complete government overreach.”

Bailey’s actions, like a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-bailey-launches-tip-line-for-reports-of-questionable-gender-transition-interventions/">tip line</a>&nbsp;about gender-affirming care and an emergency rule that sought to limit access to certain procedures and prescriptions, prompted Hormuth to prepare to move out of state.

“It is very invasive, what he’s doing,” she told The Independent. “The state has already basically disrupted our lives. They’ve disrupted our families, our children’s lives with the legislation that has passed. Then for him to continue going on is even more invasive and damaging.”

When lawmakers passed a ban on gender-affirming care for minors that included a provision that allowed broad medical malpractice claims, the Transgender Center stopped providing Levi’s medication.

Hormuth learned from other parents to make her son’s medication stretch, just in case it would be a long time before a refill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716664584561.png" alt=" A group of over 200 protesting MU Health's cancelation of transgender minors' prescriptions approaches Columbia City Hall Sept. 15. MU Health backed out of gender-affirming care for minors after the passage of a new state law including broad medical malpractice provisions (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> A group of over 200 protesting MU Health's cancelation of transgender minors' prescriptions approaches Columbia City Hall Sept. 15. MU Health backed out of gender-affirming care for minors after the passage of a new state law including broad medical malpractice provisions (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Health care professionals and parents of transgender youth are raising concerns about use of private medical records in the statewide probe</h2>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>A state investigation of the Washington University Transgender Center in St. Louis expanded to include therapists and social workers across the state who work with minors seeking gender-affirming care.Documents made public as part of various lawsuits show that Attorney General Andrew Bailey has obtained a collection of unredacted and loosely redacted records of transgender children, including a list of patients that received care at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.&nbsp;He is also seeking untethered access to the university’s digital medical records system.The attorney general’s use of private medical records, and the targeting of therapists and counselors, has interrupted the health care of LGBTQ Missourians and has families worrying about their children’s privacy.Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director for Missouri LGBTQ advocacy organization PROMO, told The Independent she fears that the pressure will drive health care providers out of the state, especially impacting rural Missourians.“The attorney general has created a hostile environment for medical providers where they are afraid to stay and practice medicine,” she said.&nbsp;The saga began last year when Bailey launched an investigation based on an affidavit from Washington University whistleblower Jamie Reed. Bailey is using the affidavit to question other gender-affirming-care providers like Planned Parenthood, which he has said he hopes to “<a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-bailey-files-suit-against-planned-parenthood-for-trafficking-children-out-of-state-to-obtain-abortions-without-parental-consent/">eradicate</a>.”The probe involves the Missouri Division of Professional Registration, which oversees medical licensing in the state. According to records obtained by The Independent, the agency interviewed 57 health professionals as part of the inquiry and had 16 cases open as of early May.While Bailey announced the division would assist in the investigation when he first announced it, therapists did not expect to be included — or have their license to practice put at risk.&nbsp;The division’s chief legal counsel, Sarah Ledgerwood, told The Independent that the division and its boards can’t join other officials’ investigations. When asked about Bailey’s investigation, she said the boards “can only complete investigations based on receipt of a complaint.”Division Director Sheila Solon said last year that she anticipated complaints as part of the attorney general’s investigation.Kelly Storck, a licensed clinical social worker with a focus on LGBTQ-positive therapy, was interviewed last year and expressed grave concerns about unredacted medical records of minors being in the hands of a state official who has repeatedly opposed gender-affirming care.When the division contacted Storck for an interview, she hired a lawyer before meeting with the investigator.During the meeting, she says the investigator had a small stack of unredacted letters Storck had sent the Transgender Center to recommend clients for gender-affirming care.Storck recalled senior investigator Nick McBroom telling her he wasn’t fully sure what he was doing, saying she was taking the interview more seriously than it was. He questioned why she had a lawyer.McBroom asked about the process of writing letters of support, Storck said, opening a file with just a portion of the letters she had sent to the Transgender Center. She said she noticed the documents had green underlines added and asked McBroom if they were his edits. He didn’t seem to know the source of the underlines.After a 30-45 minute interview, McBroom asked her to write up her process. Through her attorney, she declined, and her case was closed soon after.McBroom declined to speak to The Independent about the case.“I still have a lot of distrust about who initiated it,” Storck said, “and who was in my documents.”&nbsp;Parents of transgender children told The Independent they have heard whispers of other therapists facing investigation.Multiple providers declined to be interviewed about the investigation out of fear of retaliation. Storck, though, had already faced the attorney general as one of the plaintiffs attempting to block an emergency rule targeting transgender care filed by Bailey last year.<h2>A fight for patient privacy</h2>A legal battle between Washington University and the attorney general’s office shows the records used in the interviews may have directly come from the university itself.In the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Answer%20and%20Counterclaim%20to%20Washington%20Universitys%20Petition%20to%20Modify%20Civil%20Investigative%20Demands%20Nos.%2023-19,%2023-52%20and%2023-53.PDF?courtCode=22&amp;di=13207690">attorney general’s office’s response&nbsp;to the litigation,</a>&nbsp;a timeline is laid out of the university turning over three sets of documents. In its second document production, Washington University gave the attorney general a list of patients in a spreadsheet.“The supplemental production included a spreadsheet titled ‘Transgender Patient data,’” the attorney general’s office wrote. “Which included various workbooks chronicling patient names, encounters and medications, among other information.”The attorney general’s office has declined to comment about the scope of the investigation and the source of investigative documents. Washington University also declined comment.&nbsp;People who have received care at the Transgender Center have asked to be notified if their health records are accessed, but many assume some of their information is already in the attorney general’s hands.The Independent asked Reed if she provided any of the documents to the attorney general.&nbsp;“I cannot definitively say what the therapists are being handed (or) where it came from,” she said. “We just don’t really know where those things directly came from. The one thing I will add is that any documents that were provided to the attorney general’s office from me were redacted.”Reed said she did not give any documents that would be stored in the electronic health records software Epic. When asked where else the records could come from, she said, “email or shared drive.”The records investigators had of Storck’s patients included names, something Reed said she redacted before providing to the attorney general.Becky Hormuth and her 17-year-old son Levi, who was a patient at the Transgender Center, have been hearing about the scope of Bailey’s investigation for months.They learned that the attorney general’s office had been looking into Levi’s psychologist’s records and heard about other providers that had interviews related to their support for gender-affirming care.Levi said the attorney general’s work seemed like “complete government overreach.”Bailey’s actions, like a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-bailey-launches-tip-line-for-reports-of-questionable-gender-transition-interventions/">tip line</a>&nbsp;about gender-affirming care and an emergency rule that sought to limit access to certain procedures and prescriptions, prompted Hormuth to prepare to move out of state.“It is very invasive, what he’s doing,” she told The Independent. “The state has already basically disrupted our lives. They’ve disrupted our families, our children’s lives with the legislation that has passed. Then for him to continue going on is even more invasive and damaging.”When lawmakers passed a ban on gender-affirming care for minors that included a provision that allowed broad medical malpractice claims, the Transgender Center stopped providing Levi’s medication.Hormuth learned from other parents to make her son’s medication stretch, just in case it would be a long time before a refill.She had requested an appointment with a provider in Illinois prior to the law’s passage, and Levi was on a waiting list. The center told her at the time that they weren’t taking new out-of-state patients because there was already a large influx from multiple states.But eventually, Hormuth got a call that they were ready to take out-of-state patients. So, she and Levi make periodic trips to Chicago to go to the doctor.Levi is old enough to receive hormone-replacement therapy at the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region’s clinics, which accept transgender patients 16 and up for gender-affirming care.But Hormuth wanted to take her son someplace outside of Bailey’s reach.“I was absolutely dead set against going to Planned Parenthood locally because I knew that as soon as we would establish ourselves at Planned Parenthood… that (Bailey) was going to come there and start digging through those papers and those personal records,” she said. “I absolutely was not going to give him the chance at any other aspect of our family’s life.”Both branches of Planned Parenthood in Missouri are also subjects of Bailey’s investigation, according to court filings, despite the attorney general’s office&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/missouri-attorney-general-andrew-bailey-confirms-launch-of-multi-agency-investigation-into-st/">only publicly announcing an investigation into the Transgender Center</a>.The attorney general is not allowed to investigate medical malpractice claims, but it can look into false advertising under the state’s consumer protection law, known as the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.&nbsp;Bailey used that law to file an emergency rule, which he later rescinded before a court case could decide its bounds, and he is utilizing it again to dig into gender-affirming-care providers.In a case in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Bailey’s office admits the investigation into the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital has multiple subjects.Planned Parenthood Great Plains filed a lawsuit to avoid the attorney general’s civil investigative demands which it argued sought sweeping information about its practice and patients.In court documents, Solicitor General Josh Divine wrote that the civil investigative demand was looking into the organization and others in addition to the Transgender Center.“The attorney general is investigating (the Transgender Center) and ‘others in the state’ who ‘may have used deception, fraud, false promises, misrepresentation, unfair practices, and/or the concealment, suppression, or omission of material facts within the scope of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act,’” Divine wrote. “The attorney general has already made unequivocally clear that (Planned Parenthood) is under investigation.”Similar arguments are on display in a case between the Planned Parenthood affiliate in St. Louis and the attorney general’s office.“(Bailey’s) request encompasses hundreds, if not thousands, of patient records concerning treatment decisions, discussions with physicians, mental health assessments and prescription information, among other areas,” Planned Parenthood’s attorney wrote in its lawsuit.Judges ruled in favor of the attorney general’s office in both cases, which have been recently appealed.A case filed by Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City against Bailey’s investigative demands also went in favor of the attorney general.Washington University’s case against the attorney general’s office is yet to be decided.This fall, the attorney general’s office will defend the state in a case that seeks to reverse a ban on gender-affirming care for minors passed last legislative session.Storck said the inquiry has compounded anxieties about access to gender-affirming care that patients have following the passage of the ban.“I really was so afraid that some of my clients were going to be in absolute emergent situations and really struggle to get access to health care,” she said. “My patients have connected with what they need, but it is now an all-day or multiple-day event to get medical care. Previously, they could have gotten it (within two hours).”

Local