Gov. Mike Kehoe
has appointed two more members of the Missouri Western State University Board of
Governors.

Kehoe has
appointed Scott Albers of Country Club to the board.

Albers is the
president of Public Refrigerated Warehousing at Nor-Am Cold Storage and has
served in leadership roles at the company since 2009. Albers serves on the
board of the Global Cold Chain Alliance and previously held roles with the
Greater St. Joseph United Way and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

Albers earned a
Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master
of Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Business.

Kehoe also
appointed Todd Michalski of St. Joseph to the Missouri Western Board of
Governors.

Michalski is the
senior vice president of sales and marketing at Gray Manufacturing Company. He
serves as a board member for the Missouri Western State University Foundation
and the Automotive Lift Institute.

Michalski is an
alumnus of Missouri Western. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration and minor in Marketing and Management from MWSU. 

Kehoe earlier
appointed Bill Severn to the MWSU Board of Governors.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostGov. Mike Kehoe
has appointed two more members of the Missouri Western State University Board of
Governors.Kehoe has
appointed Scott Albers of Country Club to the board.Albers is the
president of Public Refrigerated Warehousing at Nor-Am Cold Storage and has
served in leadership roles at the company since 2009. Albers serves on the
board of the Global Cold Chain Alliance and previously held roles with the
Greater St. Joseph United Way and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.Albers earned a
Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master
of Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Business.Kehoe also
appointed Todd Michalski of St. Joseph to the Missouri Western Board of
Governors.Michalski is the
senior vice president of sales and marketing at Gray Manufacturing Company. He
serves as a board member for the Missouri Western State University Foundation
and the Automotive Lift Institute.Michalski is an
alumnus of Missouri Western. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration and minor in Marketing and Management from MWSU. Kehoe earlier
appointed Bill Severn to the MWSU Board of Governors.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Gov. Kehoe appoints 2 more to MWSU Board of Governors

Bitter cold
ushered in the new year. Now, the bill comes due.

Area customers are
experiencing various forms of sticker shock as they open their heating bills
this month, after the second extremely cold month to usher in 2025.

Venita Rodgers,
Community and Agency Services Manager for Spire, says the utility has payment
plans through a customer’s online account, where they can also find energy
efficiency tips as well as enroll in budget billing.

“Just so that they
know what options are available to them,” Rodgers tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Every
account is different, of course, but those are really good starting points for
them to see how they can manage their bill moving forward.”

Rodgers advises
customers worried about paying their bill following the sub-zero temperatures
of February to go online and explore options or to call customer service.

“We have a lot of
good options that are available 24/7 to manage their account, like our online
My Account,” Rodgers says. “So, I would encourage customers if they look at
their bill and they’re looking for options on how to manage that that they explore
our My Account system.”

A spokesperson for
<a href="https://www.evergy.com/ways-to-save/resources-link/energy-tips/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips">Evergy</a>, Courtney Lewis, encourages customers who worry about paying their bill
to call.

“We can walk you
through the steps,” Lewis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We can take a look at
what your bill is and your payment history, etc. And we can really work with
you to set up a payment plan and then kind of get back to a level setting, just
to help you get through these few months.”

Spire has budget
billing, in which customers pay the average price each month. Evergy has an
Average Payment Plan.

“If you don’t like
those ups and downs of energy usage and the bill that comes with it, this can
really help you have a very even, sort of predictable, payment that you’re
going to have each month,” Lewis says.

Rodgers says those
high bills can prove to be a motivator to make homes more energy efficient and
to switch to a budget billing plan.

“I would just
recommend that any customer that’s looking for ways to make sure that their
home is energy efficient or looking for options regarding bill payment for them
to visit our website we have specifically designated for this time of year, which
is <a href="https://www.spireenergy.com/coldweather">spireenergy.com/coldweather</a>,” Rodger says.

Both Spire and
Evergy caution that the wrong thing to do if you are worried about paying your
bill is to do nothing. Both companies say they will work with customers facing
higher-than-normal bills.

Lewis cautions
customers against ignoring a bill they might have trouble paying. Lewis wants
customers to contact Evergy.

“We don’t want you
to ignore it and then the problem compounds,” Lewis says. “We want to work with
you. Our goal is really to make sure that our customers are able to keep the
lights on in their home. We don’t want you being cold. We don’t want you being
hot during the summer. We to make sure you’re able to safely be in your home.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741110311351.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Spire Energy" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Spire Energy</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBitter cold
ushered in the new year. Now, the bill comes due.Area customers are
experiencing various forms of sticker shock as they open their heating bills
this month, after the second extremely cold month to usher in 2025.Venita Rodgers,
Community and Agency Services Manager for Spire, says the utility has payment
plans through a customer’s online account, where they can also find energy
efficiency tips as well as enroll in budget billing.“Just so that they
know what options are available to them,” Rodgers tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Every
account is different, of course, but those are really good starting points for
them to see how they can manage their bill moving forward.”Rodgers advises
customers worried about paying their bill following the sub-zero temperatures
of February to go online and explore options or to call customer service.“We have a lot of
good options that are available 24/7 to manage their account, like our online
My Account,” Rodgers says. “So, I would encourage customers if they look at
their bill and they’re looking for options on how to manage that that they explore
our My Account system.”A spokesperson for
<a href="https://www.evergy.com/ways-to-save/resources-link/energy-tips/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips">Evergy</a>, Courtney Lewis, encourages customers who worry about paying their bill
to call.“We can walk you
through the steps,” Lewis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We can take a look at
what your bill is and your payment history, etc. And we can really work with
you to set up a payment plan and then kind of get back to a level setting, just
to help you get through these few months.”Spire has budget
billing, in which customers pay the average price each month. Evergy has an
Average Payment Plan.“If you don’t like
those ups and downs of energy usage and the bill that comes with it, this can
really help you have a very even, sort of predictable, payment that you’re
going to have each month,” Lewis says.Rodgers says those
high bills can prove to be a motivator to make homes more energy efficient and
to switch to a budget billing plan.“I would just
recommend that any customer that’s looking for ways to make sure that their
home is energy efficient or looking for options regarding bill payment for them
to visit our website we have specifically designated for this time of year, which
is <a href="https://www.spireenergy.com/coldweather">spireenergy.com/coldweather</a>,” Rodger says.Both Spire and
Evergy caution that the wrong thing to do if you are worried about paying your
bill is to do nothing. Both companies say they will work with customers facing
higher-than-normal bills.Lewis cautions
customers against ignoring a bill they might have trouble paying. Lewis wants
customers to contact Evergy.“We don’t want you
to ignore it and then the problem compounds,” Lewis says. “We want to work with
you. Our goal is really to make sure that our customers are able to keep the
lights on in their home. We don’t want you being cold. We don’t want you being
hot during the summer. We to make sure you’re able to safely be in your home.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Bitter cold ended. Now, the huge heating bills come due.

A new resource for men is launching in St. Joseph beginning today.  

Good Dads offers support, encouragement, and training to help men up their game in the area of fathering.  

Organizer Tim Doyle says the program helps provide the confidence to men heading into fatherhood, that it's something they can do 

"Many of us did not have a great example growing up, we weren't mentored well, maybe our fathers were present, but they weren't engaged emotionally," Doyle explains to KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "So, Good Dads comes along with just some very masculine, couched language and approach, it's guys getting together and just as the Proverb says iron sharpens iron, and that's what Good Dads is all about." 

Good Dads is the only organization in Missouri solely focused on increasing engagement between fathers and their children.  

Doyle says as he's spoken with agencies in St. Joseph who work with at-risk families 

"I'm finding that there are very few, sometimes no resources for the men," Doyle says.  "We do a lot for the women, we do a lot for single moms, we do a lot for children, we do a lot for at risk teens, but there are so few programs for men." 

Doyle says while there are agencies like Community Action Partnership that do work with families, this program is really exclusive to the guys 

"And it's so rare to see a program that can come along, get men together not approaching it from a there's something wrong with you, we're not shaming men, we're saying no we can coach each other up in this important effort," Doyle explains. 

Doyle says the program covers a vast array of information through the 16-week program 

"Including how to express love to your children, how to discipline in a healthy way, how to handle conflict, we cover from toddlers to teens, so all those scenarios between," Doyle says.  "And it's not just lecture, it is hands on in class processing, small groups, interactive group discussion, role-playing, I mean we hit it all." 

The program begins today at 7pm at the Restoration Natatorium at 2nd and Francis.  Registration is required and you can contact 816 558 0508 to register. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741103403236.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A new resource for men is launching in St. Joseph beginning today. Good Dads offers support, encouragement, and training to help men up their game in the area of fathering. Organizer Tim Doyle says the program helps provide the confidence to men heading into fatherhood, that it's something they can do "Many of us did not have a great example growing up, we weren't mentored well, maybe our fathers were present, but they weren't engaged emotionally," Doyle explains to KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "So, Good Dads comes along with just some very masculine, couched language and approach, it's guys getting together and just as the Proverb says iron sharpens iron, and that's what Good Dads is all about." Good Dads is the only organization in Missouri solely focused on increasing engagement between fathers and their children. Doyle says as he's spoken with agencies in St. Joseph who work with at-risk families "I'm finding that there are very few, sometimes no resources for the men," Doyle says. "We do a lot for the women, we do a lot for single moms, we do a lot for children, we do a lot for at risk teens, but there are so few programs for men." Doyle says while there are agencies like Community Action Partnership that do work with families, this program is really exclusive to the guys "And it's so rare to see a program that can come along, get men together not approaching it from a there's something wrong with you, we're not shaming men, we're saying no we can coach each other up in this important effort," Doyle explains. Doyle says the program covers a vast array of information through the 16-week program "Including how to express love to your children, how to discipline in a healthy way, how to handle conflict, we cover from toddlers to teens, so all those scenarios between," Doyle says. "And it's not just lecture, it is hands on in class processing, small groups, interactive group discussion, role-playing, I mean we hit it all." The program begins today at 7pm at the Restoration Natatorium at 2nd and Francis. Registration is required and you can contact 816 558 0508 to register. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Good Dads encourages embracing fatherhood

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-Sports-e2vml46/a-abqhsp7" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div></div>

KFEQ Morning News

St. Joseph, MO –&nbsp;As marketing and media evolve at lightning speed, Eagle
Media&nbsp;is stepping up to help local businesses stay ahead. On March 11, the
company will host a free Lunch &amp; Learn&nbsp;at the Albrecht Kemper Museum
of Art, focusing on AI’s growing influence on search, SEO, and modern marketing
strategies.

“Marketing and media are moving so quickly,”
said Liby Waltemath, General Manager of Eagle Media. “I’m glad we can host
these free events to support our local business community. They’re informative,
and fun. I love hearing the growth strategies people are using.”

The session begins at 11 AM&nbsp;in the museum’s
lower-level theater, where attendees will gain insights from local business
leaders&nbsp;who have successfully adapted their digital marketing strategies.
A catered lunch will follow at 12 PM, providing a great opportunity to network
and discuss innovative approaches in today’s fast-changing marketing landscape.

Seats are limited, so early registration is
encouraged. For more details or to reserve your spot, Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/c2fae922-e85f-48d7-b81b-13dc71325700#//">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739543724297.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>St. Joseph, MO –&nbsp;As marketing and media evolve at lightning speed, Eagle
Media&nbsp;is stepping up to help local businesses stay ahead. On March 11, the
company will host a free Lunch &amp; Learn&nbsp;at the Albrecht Kemper Museum
of Art, focusing on AI’s growing influence on search, SEO, and modern marketing
strategies.“Marketing and media are moving so quickly,”
said Liby Waltemath, General Manager of Eagle Media. “I’m glad we can host
these free events to support our local business community. They’re informative,
and fun. I love hearing the growth strategies people are using.”The session begins at 11 AM&nbsp;in the museum’s
lower-level theater, where attendees will gain insights from local business
leaders&nbsp;who have successfully adapted their digital marketing strategies.
A catered lunch will follow at 12 PM, providing a great opportunity to network
and discuss innovative approaches in today’s fast-changing marketing landscape.Seats are limited, so early registration is
encouraged. For more details or to reserve your spot, Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/c2fae922-e85f-48d7-b81b-13dc71325700#//">HERE</a>.

Eagle Media Hosts Free Lunch & Learn on AI and Modern Marketing

Rain today will
likely turn to snow tonight. That, combined with high winds, will create
hazardous weather conditions.

The National Weather
Service has issued a High Wind Warning from late Tuesday evening until six o’clock
Wednesday evening. The NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning for late this evening
until 5am Wednesday. Snow accumulations of only one to two inches are expected,
but the wind could create whiteout conditions.

It should clear
fairly quickly tomorrow. The Weather Service forecast blowing snow Wednesday
morning. Then, gradually clearing. Colder on Wednesday, with a high of only 38.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWinter isn’t done
with us.Rain today will
likely turn to snow tonight. That, combined with high winds, will create
hazardous weather conditions.The National Weather
Service has issued a High Wind Warning from late Tuesday evening until six o’clock
Wednesday evening. The NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning for late this evening
until 5am Wednesday. Snow accumulations of only one to two inches are expected,
but the wind could create whiteout conditions.It should clear
fairly quickly tomorrow. The Weather Service forecast blowing snow Wednesday
morning. Then, gradually clearing. Colder on Wednesday, with a high of only 38.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Winter returns:  blizzard warning issued for area

As they revise the $54 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, lawmakers are striking out money unused in major programs, trimming others as they pack new items into spending bills

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

A Missouri House budget subcommittee slashed more than $300 million from agency budgets Monday, which the chairman said is intended to align spending authority with actual spending.

Another budget subcommittee, also meeting Monday, cut $59.5 million more in general revenue from several agencies, earmarking the money instead for local projects that include&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-governor-slashes-1-billion-from-state-budget-approved-by-lawmakers/">several that were vetoed last year</a>.

The Subcommittee on Appropriations – Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources and Economic Development went first and state Rep. Darin Chappell, the chairman, said most of the cuts target lapsed funds — money appropriated but not actually spent — and should have no impact on agency operations.

Other cuts, he said, target earmarked funds that agencies say they do not need and did not request.

“Our job is to go through and find out where the money is being spent, where it’s actually going, and what it’s returning on the investment,” said Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville. “There is no ability for us to exercise legislative oversight if the budget is so muddied that we cannot see where the funds are actually going.”

The subcommittee was the first of five that are recommending changes to the $53.7 billion budget&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">submitted in January</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Mike Kehoe. When they are finished, the full House Budget Committee will decide whether to accept the changes as part of the spending plan sent to the House for debate.

Subcommittees meeting Tuesday will make recommendations for funding education, social services and health programs, among others.

The budget, which must be completed one week before the session ends, is moving faster than many recent years. The House gave first-round approval Monday to a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/27/budget-committee-sends-2-billion-supplemental-spending-bill-to-missouri-house/">$2 billion supplemental spending bill</a>&nbsp;for the current fiscal year, which includes $14 million for Area Agencies on Aging, which could run out of funds for senior meals and transportation by the end of the month.

Both subcommittees meeting Monday made cuts based on lapsed funds. Unlike Chappell’s subcommittee, which did not spend its cuts in other areas, the Subcommittee on Appropriations – Public Safety, Corrections, Transportation and Revenue redirected most of its cuts to earmarks.

During fiscal 2024, which ended June 30, lawmakers appropriated $52.4 billion for day-to-day operations of state government but agencies only spent $41.1 billion, or 78.4% of the total.

The cuts approved in Chappell’s subcommittee include:

The water infrastructure grants and loans are financed with dedicated funds that cannot be spent anywhere else.&nbsp;

“Is DNR ok with this or not?” state Rep. Jim Kalberloh, a Republican from Lowry City asked Chappell.

“Probably not,” Chappell replied. “I’ve talked to them, and I’m sure I’ll be talking to them very shortly here.”

The $15 million cut to the Department of Economic Development was on a list of items, totaling $144 million, that Chappell said the agency did not request or want.&nbsp;

“They’ve been moved around the budget, and I’m going after all of them,” Chappell said.

The $9.6 million grant was included last year for the&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/2025/01/27/api-innovation-center-funding-from-missouri-department-of-economic-development/" target="_blank">University of Missouri-St. Louis</a>&nbsp;to partner with a not-for-profit to develop processes for making pharmaceutical ingredients that are mainly made overseas. The $5.4 million was directed&nbsp;<a href="https://engineering.missouri.edu/2022/mizzou-engineers-develop-new-method-to-design-semiconductors/" target="_blank">to the university’s Columbia campus</a>&nbsp;to promote computer chip manufacturing in the state.

When departments point out places where they have excess spending authority or unwanted earmarks, the subcommittee’s job is easier, Chappell said.

“If the departments would bring me the squishy stuff, I’m happy to not dig into the heavier stuff if I don’t have to right away,” he said.

The general revenue cuts made in the second subcommittee to meet, chaired by Republican state Rep. Donnie Brown of New Madrid, were generally less than $1 million from any single budget line. The exceptions include $30.7 million for rail grade crossing improvements and $4 million from a transportation cost-share program.

The 32 earmarked items added include $1.15 million for grants to 16 volunteer fire departments, as well as $37.5 million for projects vetoed last year, including $8 million for a police training facility in O’Fallon and $5 million for the New Madrid Port Authority.

The subcommittee also tapped the state Highway Fund to earmark $88 million for improvements to U.S. Highway 412 in the Bootheel and $100 million for rural routes.

Brown’s subcommittee also recommended a major change in the language controlling how $1.4 billion of state tax funds are used for highway improvements. When first set aside in 2023, the money was part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/05/missouri-lawmakers-approve-largest-budget-in-state-history-almost-51-billion/">$2.8 billion plan</a>&nbsp;for widening Interstate 70.

The language change, proposed by state Rep. Don Mayhew, a Republican from Crocker, would make the money generally available for any road project.

Very little of the $1.4 billion has actually been spent because current work is being financed with bonds. The original set-aside has grown by $40 million because of accrued interest.

The change means the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may keep the money in the I-70 project or redirect it, Mayhew said.&nbsp;

“We have a new (federal) highway act that will be coming out in the next couple of years, and we will need significant match money to be able to achieve some of the things, the goals that are going to be directed to us,” Mayhew said.

In an interview after the subcommittee meeting, Chappell said he will continue to push to reduce lines where a substantial amount of money isn’t being spent.

“When I see it year over year over year, they’re clearly not spending it, and that budget should reflect what we’re actually doing,” Chappell said.

During the subcommittee meeting, Chappell said he will listen if departments show why the money should remain in the budget.

“If I see any department that has lapse year over year over year, and I suggest that half of that be pulled away in appropriation authority, it’s not the equivalent of me trying to sacrifice somebody’s child on the courthouse steps,” he said, “but I’m open to discussion when the hearing is over.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741093253664.png" alt=" State Rep. Darin Chappell of Rogersville speaks in March 2024 during Missouri House floor debate (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Darin Chappell of Rogersville speaks in March 2024 during Missouri House floor debate (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>As they revise the $54 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, lawmakers are striking out money unused in major programs, trimming others as they pack new items into spending bills</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A Missouri House budget subcommittee slashed more than $300 million from agency budgets Monday, which the chairman said is intended to align spending authority with actual spending.Another budget subcommittee, also meeting Monday, cut $59.5 million more in general revenue from several agencies, earmarking the money instead for local projects that include&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/28/missouri-governor-slashes-1-billion-from-state-budget-approved-by-lawmakers/">several that were vetoed last year</a>.The Subcommittee on Appropriations – Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources and Economic Development went first and state Rep. Darin Chappell, the chairman, said most of the cuts target lapsed funds — money appropriated but not actually spent — and should have no impact on agency operations.Other cuts, he said, target earmarked funds that agencies say they do not need and did not request.“Our job is to go through and find out where the money is being spent, where it’s actually going, and what it’s returning on the investment,” said Chappell, a Republican from Rogersville. “There is no ability for us to exercise legislative oversight if the budget is so muddied that we cannot see where the funds are actually going.”The subcommittee was the first of five that are recommending changes to the $53.7 billion budget&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">submitted in January</a>&nbsp;by Gov. Mike Kehoe. When they are finished, the full House Budget Committee will decide whether to accept the changes as part of the spending plan sent to the House for debate.Subcommittees meeting Tuesday will make recommendations for funding education, social services and health programs, among others.The budget, which must be completed one week before the session ends, is moving faster than many recent years. The House gave first-round approval Monday to a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/27/budget-committee-sends-2-billion-supplemental-spending-bill-to-missouri-house/">$2 billion supplemental spending bill</a>&nbsp;for the current fiscal year, which includes $14 million for Area Agencies on Aging, which could run out of funds for senior meals and transportation by the end of the month.Both subcommittees meeting Monday made cuts based on lapsed funds. Unlike Chappell’s subcommittee, which did not spend its cuts in other areas, the Subcommittee on Appropriations – Public Safety, Corrections, Transportation and Revenue redirected most of its cuts to earmarks.During fiscal 2024, which ended June 30, lawmakers appropriated $52.4 billion for day-to-day operations of state government but agencies only spent $41.1 billion, or 78.4% of the total.The cuts approved in Chappell’s subcommittee include:<ul>
 <li>$280 million from Department of Natural Resources water and energy projects. Most of the cut, $250 million, is from water infrastructure grants and loans, where between $405 million and $695 million has been unspent in each of the past three years.</li><li>$15 million from the Department of Economic Development, with $9.6 million from a program to promote pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing and $5.4 million from a program to promote semiconductor manufacturing. Both items were added as&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/27/state-budget-loaded-with-earmarks-nears-deadline-for-action-by-missouri-gov-mike-parson/">earmarks in last year’s budget</a>.</li><li>$20 million from administration at the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.</li>
 </ul>The water infrastructure grants and loans are financed with dedicated funds that cannot be spent anywhere else.&nbsp;“Is DNR ok with this or not?” state Rep. Jim Kalberloh, a Republican from Lowry City asked Chappell.“Probably not,” Chappell replied. “I’ve talked to them, and I’m sure I’ll be talking to them very shortly here.”The $15 million cut to the Department of Economic Development was on a list of items, totaling $144 million, that Chappell said the agency did not request or want.&nbsp;“They’ve been moved around the budget, and I’m going after all of them,” Chappell said.The $9.6 million grant was included last year for the&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/2025/01/27/api-innovation-center-funding-from-missouri-department-of-economic-development/" target="_blank">University of Missouri-St. Louis</a>&nbsp;to partner with a not-for-profit to develop processes for making pharmaceutical ingredients that are mainly made overseas. The $5.4 million was directed&nbsp;<a href="https://engineering.missouri.edu/2022/mizzou-engineers-develop-new-method-to-design-semiconductors/" target="_blank">to the university’s Columbia campus</a>&nbsp;to promote computer chip manufacturing in the state.When departments point out places where they have excess spending authority or unwanted earmarks, the subcommittee’s job is easier, Chappell said.“If the departments would bring me the squishy stuff, I’m happy to not dig into the heavier stuff if I don’t have to right away,” he said.The general revenue cuts made in the second subcommittee to meet, chaired by Republican state Rep. Donnie Brown of New Madrid, were generally less than $1 million from any single budget line. The exceptions include $30.7 million for rail grade crossing improvements and $4 million from a transportation cost-share program.The 32 earmarked items added include $1.15 million for grants to 16 volunteer fire departments, as well as $37.5 million for projects vetoed last year, including $8 million for a police training facility in O’Fallon and $5 million for the New Madrid Port Authority.The subcommittee also tapped the state Highway Fund to earmark $88 million for improvements to U.S. Highway 412 in the Bootheel and $100 million for rural routes.Brown’s subcommittee also recommended a major change in the language controlling how $1.4 billion of state tax funds are used for highway improvements. When first set aside in 2023, the money was part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/05/missouri-lawmakers-approve-largest-budget-in-state-history-almost-51-billion/">$2.8 billion plan</a>&nbsp;for widening Interstate 70.The language change, proposed by state Rep. Don Mayhew, a Republican from Crocker, would make the money generally available for any road project.Very little of the $1.4 billion has actually been spent because current work is being financed with bonds. The original set-aside has grown by $40 million because of accrued interest.The change means the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may keep the money in the I-70 project or redirect it, Mayhew said.&nbsp;“We have a new (federal) highway act that will be coming out in the next couple of years, and we will need significant match money to be able to achieve some of the things, the goals that are going to be directed to us,” Mayhew said.In an interview after the subcommittee meeting, Chappell said he will continue to push to reduce lines where a substantial amount of money isn’t being spent.“When I see it year over year over year, they’re clearly not spending it, and that budget should reflect what we’re actually doing,” Chappell said.During the subcommittee meeting, Chappell said he will listen if departments show why the money should remain in the budget.“If I see any department that has lapse year over year over year, and I suggest that half of that be pulled away in appropriation authority, it’s not the equivalent of me trying to sacrifice somebody’s child on the courthouse steps,” he said, “but I’m open to discussion when the hearing is over.”

Missouri House budget writers target unspent funds for cuts, new earmarks

For a second consecutive season, and just the third time in school history, the East Buchanan Bulldog boys' basketball team is advancing to the Class 3 State Quarterfinals after beating the Lexington Minutemen 73-56.  

After a tough district championship just two days prior, where the Bulldogs didn't take the lead back until the fourth quarter, East Buchanan got off to a quick start against Lexington racing to a 6-0 lead before the Minutemen called a timeout with 5:49 left in the first quarter.  

The timeout helped and Lexington made the adjustments they needed too, going on to take the lead at the buzzer with a layup by Damario Moss, who got fouled but missed the and one free throw, giving the Minutemen a 21-20 lead at the end of one.

East Buchanan and Lexington continued trading blows throughout the second quarter, the Bulldogs only ever leading by as much as five points, but a late three by the Minutemen made the score 38-36 at the halftime break.   

Once the second half began though, it was all East Buchanan.  The Bulldogs started the second half on an 8-3 run before a timeout was called.  With one minute remaining in the quarter, East Buchanan had outscored Lexington 14-3 and ended the third with a 55-44 lead.  

East Buchanan continued their dominant second half, outscoring Lexington in the fourth quarter 18-12 on way to the 73-56 victory.

Senior Seth Spencer led five Bulldogs in double digit scoring with 14 points.  Junior Ben Rhoad scored 13, senior Clark Scott put up 12, while seniors Isaiah Watkins and Dylan Davidson added 11 and 10 points respectively  

Spencer says as a team, the Bulldogs just focus on moving the ball around and finding the best shot 

"Get inside the paint, get it out, just try to get as many shots as we can and try to get inside," Spencer tells reporters following the game. "That's all we kind of do, that's what we praise at practice.  

East Buchanan made it to the quarterfinals last year, falling in a heartbreaker to Summit Christian Academy 66-64.   

Head Coach Michael Carpenter says, with a group of five seniors who played in that game, his team, and particularly those guys, are very driven to take the next step and get to Columbia.  

"They've played really hard, that group they've been together since elementary school, they've come up together and you can really see that when they go out there and make those runs and stuff because they kind of know where everyone is going to be at and they know what they've done they played together for a long time," Carpenter says "And so it means a lot." 

East Buchanan will face KIPP KC Legacy in the Class 3 Quarterfinals on Friday.  MSHSAA has yet to announce the tip off time or the location.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059503419.jpeg" alt="Seth Spencer puts back a shot over Lexington's Daymon Slater (23)/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Seth Spencer puts back a shot over Lexington's Daymon Slater (23)/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostFor a second consecutive season, and just the third time in school history, the East Buchanan Bulldog boys' basketball team is advancing to the Class 3 State Quarterfinals after beating the Lexington Minutemen 73-56. After a tough district championship just two days prior, where the Bulldogs didn't take the lead back until the fourth quarter, East Buchanan got off to a quick start against Lexington racing to a 6-0 lead before the Minutemen called a timeout with 5:49 left in the first quarter. The timeout helped and Lexington made the adjustments they needed too, going on to take the lead at the buzzer with a layup by Damario Moss, who got fouled but missed the and one free throw, giving the Minutemen a 21-20 lead at the end of one.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059548738.jpeg" alt="Isaiah Watkins lays the ball up on a breakaway in the first quarter of East Buchanan's sectional matchup with Lexington/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Isaiah Watkins lays the ball up on a breakaway in the first quarter of East Buchanan's sectional matchup with Lexington/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>East Buchanan and Lexington continued trading blows throughout the second quarter, the Bulldogs only ever leading by as much as five points, but a late three by the Minutemen made the score 38-36 at the halftime break. Once the second half began though, it was all East Buchanan. The Bulldogs started the second half on an 8-3 run before a timeout was called. With one minute remaining in the quarter, East Buchanan had outscored Lexington 14-3 and ended the third with a 55-44 lead. East Buchanan continued their dominant second half, outscoring Lexington in the fourth quarter 18-12 on way to the 73-56 victory.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059585958.jpeg" alt="Clark Scott (24) physically goes up against Lexington's Colten Sawyer (2)/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Clark Scott (24) physically goes up against Lexington's Colten Sawyer (2)/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>Senior Seth Spencer led five Bulldogs in double digit scoring with 14 points. Junior Ben Rhoad scored 13, senior Clark Scott put up 12, while seniors Isaiah Watkins and Dylan Davidson added 11 and 10 points respectively Spencer says as a team, the Bulldogs just focus on moving the ball around and finding the best shot "Get inside the paint, get it out, just try to get as many shots as we can and try to get inside," Spencer tells reporters following the game. "That's all we kind of do, that's what we praise at practice. East Buchanan made it to the quarterfinals last year, falling in a heartbreaker to Summit Christian Academy 66-64. Head Coach Michael Carpenter says, with a group of five seniors who played in that game, his team, and particularly those guys, are very driven to take the next step and get to Columbia. "They've played really hard, that group they've been together since elementary school, they've come up together and you can really see that when they go out there and make those runs and stuff because they kind of know where everyone is going to be at and they know what they've done they played together for a long time," Carpenter says "And so it means a lot." East Buchanan will face KIPP KC Legacy in the Class 3 Quarterfinals on Friday. MSHSAA has yet to announce the tip off time or the location.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059619171.jpeg" alt="Kolten Woodside (11) goes for three against Lexington's Chael Lichte (30)/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Kolten Woodside (11) goes for three against Lexington's Chael Lichte (30)/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741059640939.jpeg" alt="Aidan Smith/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Aidan Smith/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

East Buchanan makes easy work of Lexington 73-56 to advance to Class 3 Quarterfinals

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after an arrest.

Just before 5p.m. March 1, an officer on patrol observed in Atchison observed 59-year-old Gregory Winfield in the 500 block South 6th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 Winfield was taken into custody on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. During that arrest, officers found methamphetamine&nbsp; on his person.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741016681429.png" alt="Winfield photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Winfield photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after an arrest.Just before 5p.m. March 1, an officer on patrol observed in Atchison observed 59-year-old Gregory Winfield in the 500 block South 6th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;&nbsp; Winfield was taken into custody on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. During that arrest, officers found methamphetamine&nbsp; on his person.

Police found meth on wanted Kansas man after arrest

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735837804688.jpeg" alt="Mayor John Josendale/ File Photo" />
 <figcaption>Mayor John Josendale/ File Photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Hotline-St--Joseph-Mayor-John-Josendale-e2vlet1/a-abqgbup" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Hotline: Barry Birr sits down with St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale

An on again, off again requirement for small businesses is back on again and the Small Business Development Center in St. Joseph wants to help owners avoid penalties. 

Rebecca Lobina says the Beneficial Ownership Information, or BOI, went into effect last year, but went through the court systems before going back into effect last month.  

Lobina says the form is pretty simple to fill out and can be done online, there are just a few things you will need 

"Before you do that you need to make sure that you have information like your social security number, your federal employer ID number which you get through the IRS, and the addresses of anyone that is an owner in your business and the front and back of their driver's license or passport," Lobina tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. 

The BOI is a federal requirement introduced under the Corporate Transparency Act that mandates businesses share information to help enhance transparency and combat financial crimes.  

Lobina says many business owners she talks to about this form believe that it's something they have already filled out 

"Like well I probably did that when I started my business," Lobina explains.  "And I'm like no if you started your business more than a year ago you probably did not do this, because it didn't exist before that." 

Lobina says owners need to get this done by the deadline. . .  

"You may disagree with it or think that it's silliness, but either way it is a requirement and therefore as a business owner you need to be responsible and do what you've got to do in order to stay compliant so that you don't get yourself in a bind later on with some serious penalties, which include jail time as well as fines and fees," Lobina says. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post An on again, off again requirement for small businesses is back on again and the Small Business Development Center in St. Joseph wants to help owners avoid penalties. Rebecca Lobina says the Beneficial Ownership Information, or BOI, went into effect last year, but went through the court systems before going back into effect last month. Lobina says the form is pretty simple to fill out and can be done online, there are just a few things you will need "Before you do that you need to make sure that you have information like your social security number, your federal employer ID number which you get through the IRS, and the addresses of anyone that is an owner in your business and the front and back of their driver's license or passport," Lobina tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. The BOI is a federal requirement introduced under the Corporate Transparency Act that mandates businesses share information to help enhance transparency and combat financial crimes. Lobina says many business owners she talks to about this form believe that it's something they have already filled out "Like well I probably did that when I started my business," Lobina explains. "And I'm like no if you started your business more than a year ago you probably did not do this, because it didn't exist before that." Lobina says owners need to get this done by the deadline. . . "You may disagree with it or think that it's silliness, but either way it is a requirement and therefore as a business owner you need to be responsible and do what you've got to do in order to stay compliant so that you don't get yourself in a bind later on with some serious penalties, which include jail time as well as fines and fees," Lobina says. The deadline to file is March 21st.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Court challenge failed,  small businesses will have to fill out BOI

Missouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe has appointed an executive with the News Press and Gazette Company to the
Missouri Western State University Board of Governors.

Bill Severn, who
is from Country Club, serves as the executive vice president for the News Press
and Gazette, where he has worked for nearly 15 years.

Severn holds a
Bachelor of Science in Park Resource Management from Kansas State University.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe has appointed an executive with the News Press and Gazette Company to the
Missouri Western State University Board of Governors.Bill Severn, who
is from Country Club, serves as the executive vice president for the News Press
and Gazette, where he has worked for nearly 15 years.Severn holds a
Bachelor of Science in Park Resource Management from Kansas State University.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Gov. Kehoe appoints Severn to MWSU Board of Governors

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-Sports-e2vl0f9/a-abqfprp" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-7am-Newscast-e2vl06q/a-abqfphs" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Newscast

It could be crowded at the Buchanan County
Courthouse today.

Today marks the first day Buchanan County
senior citizens can file to have their property tax rates frozen.

The Buchanan County Commission
unanimously voted to participate in the freeze created by state law.

Western District Commissioner, Ron Hook,
says the legislature stumbled the first time it passed the law, but made
corrections in its second attempt.

“The idea’s great, but the design on how
to get to that point and who’s going to qualify and just so on and so forth.,” Hook
explains to host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. &nbsp;“It’s pretty generic now.”

Buchanan County residents who were at
least 62 on January first are eligible for the property tax freeze. Under the
program, senior citizens who own property in Buchanan County can apply to have
their property tax rates kept at the 2024 level as long as they own the
property.

Hook says the commission sought input
before devising the application process.

“Not only the commissioners being
involved in trying to do the matrix on getting this done, but we’ve had the
Auditor, we’ve had the Assessor, we’ve had the Collector, and we’ve had the
Recorder of Deeds all involved,” according to Hook.

Hook says a property owner only has to
apply once, but will likely have to notify the county each year that they
remain at that property.

“It’s going to be kind of like your
personal property where you have to justify that you still own that car and that
car’s still licensed to you, so on and so forth,” Hook says. “That process we’re
still working on and we’ve got about a year to do it.”

Hook expects a lot of senior citizens
will apply today at the courthouse. But he points out the application period
runs through June 30th.

The state law is officially called the Senior Citizen Property Tax Credit. Buchanan County homeowners who
are at least 62 will see the amount owed for most of the taxes on their primary
residence held stable at the 2024 amount. For citizens who do not yet qualify, the
amount owed will freeze in whatever year they do become eligible and apply.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt could be crowded at the Buchanan County
Courthouse today.Today marks the first day Buchanan County
senior citizens can file to have their property tax rates frozen.The Buchanan County Commission
unanimously voted to participate in the freeze created by state law.Western District Commissioner, Ron Hook,
says the legislature stumbled the first time it passed the law, but made
corrections in its second attempt.“The idea’s great, but the design on how
to get to that point and who’s going to qualify and just so on and so forth.,” Hook
explains to host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. &nbsp;“It’s pretty generic now.”Buchanan County residents who were at
least 62 on January first are eligible for the property tax freeze. Under the
program, senior citizens who own property in Buchanan County can apply to have
their property tax rates kept at the 2024 level as long as they own the
property.Hook says the commission sought input
before devising the application process.“Not only the commissioners being
involved in trying to do the matrix on getting this done, but we’ve had the
Auditor, we’ve had the Assessor, we’ve had the Collector, and we’ve had the
Recorder of Deeds all involved,” according to Hook.Hook says a property owner only has to
apply once, but will likely have to notify the county each year that they
remain at that property.“It’s going to be kind of like your
personal property where you have to justify that you still own that car and that
car’s still licensed to you, so on and so forth,” Hook says. “That process we’re
still working on and we’ve got about a year to do it.”Hook expects a lot of senior citizens
will apply today at the courthouse. But he points out the application period
runs through June 30th.The state law is officially called the Senior Citizen Property Tax Credit. Buchanan County homeowners who
are at least 62 will see the amount owed for most of the taxes on their primary
residence held stable at the 2024 amount. For citizens who do not yet qualify, the
amount owed will freeze in whatever year they do become eligible and apply.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Buchanan CO senior citizens can begin applying for property tax freeze

Facing thousands of lawsuits and seeking protection from lawmakers, Bayer is using ads, lobbying and third-party mouthpieces to sway opinion in its favor

German chemical giant Bayer is improperly using a court order to hide details of a “propaganda” campaign targeting Missouri lawmakers and potential jurors, an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Plaintiffs%20Emergency%20Motion%20to%20De-Designate%20Forty-Six%20Documents%20Marked%20Confidential.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3493767" target="_blank">emergency motion</a>&nbsp;to lift the confidentiality cloak claims.

At a hearing on Thursday in Cole County Circuit Court, attorney Matt Clement will argue that 46 “public relations” documents designated as confidential by Bayer’s attorneys contain no proprietary information.&nbsp;

Instead, Clement wrote in the motion filed last week, the records — included among 20,000 delivered under discovery — detail the methods Bayer has used to influence opinion, including radio, television and print ads.

Bayer acquired Roundup — and the liability that may accrue in lawsuits over its health effects — when it took over St. Louis-based Monsanto in 2018. There are approximately 25,000 lawsuits pending in Cole County alleging that Roundup causes cancer and the label failed to warn consumers of the risk.

“Cole County has been especially inundated with Monsanto’s propaganda,” Clement wrote in the motion seeking to unseal the records. “Legion are its billboards, radio and television ads, social media pop ups and other communications seeking to convince both the jury pool and the legislature that the lawsuits involving Roundup are somehow illegitimate and that Bayer/Monsanto needs legislative protection.”

Clement represents Ronald Jackelen of Somerset, Wisconsin, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=22AC-CC00964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19&amp;inputVO.isTicket=false#header" target="_blank">case filed in Cole County</a>&nbsp;in 2022. Jackelen has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma he blames on Roundup and its main ingredient, glyphosate.

Clement declined to comment on the filing.

Legislation that&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB544&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">passed the Missouri House</a>&nbsp;last month to protect Bayer would make the label mandated by the EPA for all chemicals classified as pesticides — weed killers, bug killers and fertilizers — “sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a warning label regarding cancer.”&nbsp;

The bill is awaiting assignment to a state Senate committee.

Several lawsuits are scheduled for trial this year. Bayer has already been through a 2023 trial where a Cole County jury&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Gunther%20Judgment.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=2991162" target="_blank">awarded three plaintiffs $1.56 billion</a>, including $1.5 billion in punitive damages. The verdict was reduced to $622 million and is under appeal, with arguments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=WD87059&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0001_WAP#header" target="_blank">scheduled for April 10</a>&nbsp;in Kirksville.

Two organizations are making direct public appeals seeking support for legislation protecting glyphosate.&nbsp;

One set of messages, running on Jefferson City-area radio stations, is from an organization called the Modern Ag Alliance. The ads present glyphosate as a benign, beneficial chemical essential to modern agriculture.&nbsp;

The other, from the Protect America Initiative, includes television ads in central Missouri and a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/25/political-attacks-stiffen-opposition-to-missouri-bill-to-protect-pesticide-makers/">direct mail campaign</a>&nbsp;accusing nine Republican state senators of betraying President Donald Trump’s agenda by allowing “Chinese Communist Party chemicals” to take over the market.

The Modern Ag Alliance has spent almost $100,000 on its ad campaign since mid-November, Federal Communications Commission records show. The ads are designed to educate the public, not influence potential jurors, said Jess Christiansen, spokeswoman for Bayer Crop Science at its U.S. headquarters in St. Louis County.

“That’s not the business we’re in,” Christiansen said. “Those campaigns are nothing more than that, just to educate and inform.”

Bayer doesn’t hide that it is part of the Modern Ag Alliance, which Christiansen said has about 90 other partners.&nbsp;

The Protect America Initiative has spent almost $175,000 since late January — including a $75,000 ad during the Super Bowl — in addition to the direct mail effort.

If they were intended to boost support for the legislation, the ads and mailers have backfired, with the nine senators holding a joint news conference last week denouncing the attacks. They said they were convinced Bayer was responsible and would ask the Missouri Ethics Commission to investigate.

“It’s dark money, through and through,” said state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance.

Bayer has no connection with the politically charged ads, Christiansen said.

“There’s lots of misinformation swirling around,” she said. “We are willing to sit with whomever it is. I don’t care if it’s a Republican, a Democrat, a libertarian, a Freedom Caucus member. We need to work together.”

In the motion to be argued Thursday, Clement wrote that the documents that should be unsealed detail how Bayer crafted its messaging, who it has enlisted to deliver it from a seemingly neutral position and how much it has paid for advertising and lobbying.

“Monsanto’s motivation for its abuse of the protective order to blanket-designate these documents as ‘confidential’ is clear — to hide Monsanto’s ongoing attempts to improperly influence the public, as well as its legislative efforts concerning the safety of glyphosate, such that it can continue to sell and profit from the product without a warning,” Clement wrote.

Bayer is the only U.S. manufacturer of glyphosate, with a production facility in Luling, Louisiana, that is the world’s largest single producer. Other production facilities are in Idaho and Iowa. China is the world’s other main supplier of glyphosate. China and India are major world suppliers of a variety of farm chemicals.

Along with the U.S. corporate headquarters, Bayer has its research and development facilities in St. Louis County. Its total Missouri employment is about 5,000, Christiansen said.

Along with Missouri, legislation to designate the EPA label as the only label needed on Roundup and other regulated farm chemicals is being pushed in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa,&nbsp;

Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming, Christiansen said.

“The purpose of the legislation is to really protect access to critical crop protection tools that farmers need to safely, effectively and affordably produce the food we all need,” Christiansen said.

Winning passage of the legislation in Missouri is especially important because most state-level cases are filed here because it is the national home of Bayer. When a Missouri-based corporation is sued by someone for injuries that occurred outside the state, the case must be filed in the court covering the location&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=508.010&amp;bid=47727&amp;hl=" target="_blank">of the company’s registered agent</a>.&nbsp;

Bayer’s registered agent was in St. Louis County, and thousands of cases were filed there before the company shifted its agent to Jefferson City in October 2021. Last year, following the massive jury award in Cole County, the registered agent was moved again, back to St. Louis County.

Thousands of new cases have been filed in St. Louis County since the shift. There are also a multitude of federal lawsuits pending in the&nbsp;<a href="https://cand.uscourts.gov/judges/chhabria-vince-vc/in-re-roundup-products-liability-litigation-mdl-no-2741/" target="_blank">U.S. District Court for Northern California</a>.&nbsp;

Bayer has set aside about $16 billion to deal with Roundup lawsuits, including more than $10 billion it has already paid out in settlements, Christiansen said.

“This failure to warn claim just is not valid, because, No. 1, glyphosate doesn’t cause cancer,” Christiansen said. “And No. 2, we’re labeling according to how we’re legally required to label.”

Glyphosate is listed as a probable cause of cancer by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iarc.who.int/" target="_blank">International Agency on Research of Cancer</a>, a part of the World Health Organization.

“There is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of glyphosate,” stated a&nbsp;<a href="https://publications.iarc.fr/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-Identification-Of-Carcinogenic-Hazards-To-Humans/Some-Organophosphate-Insecticides-And-Herbicides-2017" target="_blank">2016 report</a>&nbsp;evaluating research worldwide. “A positive association has been observed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.”

There are four categories of public relations documents Clement is asking Circuit Judge Daniel Green to unseal. They are records showing correspondence with journalists or third parties, with talking points for use in public interviews; plans for advertising and media buys; lobbying strategies; and how it enlists third parties to deliver messages the public would mistrust if it came from Bayer.

“These documents are important to this litigation because they demonstrate Monsanto’s efforts to manipulate and mislead the public,” Clement wrote.

In the filing, Clement noted that in a pretrial order for a California case, denying Monsanto’s motion for summary judgment, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria focused on the company’s efforts&nbsp;<a href="https://cand.uscourts.gov/filelibrary/3626/PTO_101.pdf" target="_blank">to sway the public</a>&nbsp;as it contested the allegations that Roundup causes cancer.

“Although the evidence that Roundup causes cancer is quite equivocal,” Chhabria wrote, “there is strong evidence from which a jury could conclude that Monsanto does not particularly care whether its product is in fact giving people cancer, focusing instead on manipulating public opinion and undermining anyone who raises genuine and legitimate concerns about the issue.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593022262288.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Facing thousands of lawsuits and seeking protection from lawmakers, Bayer is using ads, lobbying and third-party mouthpieces to sway opinion in its favor</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>German chemical giant Bayer is improperly using a court order to hide details of a “propaganda” campaign targeting Missouri lawmakers and potential jurors, an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Plaintiffs%20Emergency%20Motion%20to%20De-Designate%20Forty-Six%20Documents%20Marked%20Confidential.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3493767" target="_blank">emergency motion</a>&nbsp;to lift the confidentiality cloak claims.At a hearing on Thursday in Cole County Circuit Court, attorney Matt Clement will argue that 46 “public relations” documents designated as confidential by Bayer’s attorneys contain no proprietary information.&nbsp;Instead, Clement wrote in the motion filed last week, the records — included among 20,000 delivered under discovery — detail the methods Bayer has used to influence opinion, including radio, television and print ads.Bayer acquired Roundup — and the liability that may accrue in lawsuits over its health effects — when it took over St. Louis-based Monsanto in 2018. There are approximately 25,000 lawsuits pending in Cole County alleging that Roundup causes cancer and the label failed to warn consumers of the risk.“Cole County has been especially inundated with Monsanto’s propaganda,” Clement wrote in the motion seeking to unseal the records. “Legion are its billboards, radio and television ads, social media pop ups and other communications seeking to convince both the jury pool and the legislature that the lawsuits involving Roundup are somehow illegitimate and that Bayer/Monsanto needs legislative protection.”Clement represents Ronald Jackelen of Somerset, Wisconsin, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=22AC-CC00964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19&amp;inputVO.isTicket=false#header" target="_blank">case filed in Cole County</a>&nbsp;in 2022. Jackelen has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma he blames on Roundup and its main ingredient, glyphosate.Clement declined to comment on the filing.Legislation that&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB544&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">passed the Missouri House</a>&nbsp;last month to protect Bayer would make the label mandated by the EPA for all chemicals classified as pesticides — weed killers, bug killers and fertilizers — “sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a warning label regarding cancer.”&nbsp;The bill is awaiting assignment to a state Senate committee.Several lawsuits are scheduled for trial this year. Bayer has already been through a 2023 trial where a Cole County jury&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Gunther%20Judgment.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=2991162" target="_blank">awarded three plaintiffs $1.56 billion</a>, including $1.5 billion in punitive damages. The verdict was reduced to $622 million and is under appeal, with arguments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=WD87059&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0001_WAP#header" target="_blank">scheduled for April 10</a>&nbsp;in Kirksville.Two organizations are making direct public appeals seeking support for legislation protecting glyphosate.&nbsp;One set of messages, running on Jefferson City-area radio stations, is from an organization called the Modern Ag Alliance. The ads present glyphosate as a benign, beneficial chemical essential to modern agriculture.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741010314879.png" alt="State Sen. Brad Hudson of Cape Fair speaks at a news conference Feb. 25 about flyers sent to his constituents attacking his opposition to a bill limiting lawsuits against Bayer over its herbicide Roundup. Joining Hudson, from left, are Sens. Nick Schroer of Defiance, Ben Brown of Washington, Joe Nicola of Independence, Mike Moon of Ash Grove, Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Adam Schnelting of St. Charles, Jill Carter of Joplin and David Gregory of Chesterfield (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Brad Hudson of Cape Fair speaks at a news conference Feb. 25 about flyers sent to his constituents attacking his opposition to a bill limiting lawsuits against Bayer over its herbicide Roundup. Joining Hudson, from left, are Sens. Nick Schroer of Defiance, Ben Brown of Washington, Joe Nicola of Independence, Mike Moon of Ash Grove, Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Adam Schnelting of St. Charles, Jill Carter of Joplin and David Gregory of Chesterfield (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>The other, from the Protect America Initiative, includes television ads in central Missouri and a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/25/political-attacks-stiffen-opposition-to-missouri-bill-to-protect-pesticide-makers/">direct mail campaign</a>&nbsp;accusing nine Republican state senators of betraying President Donald Trump’s agenda by allowing “Chinese Communist Party chemicals” to take over the market.The Modern Ag Alliance has spent almost $100,000 on its ad campaign since mid-November, Federal Communications Commission records show. The ads are designed to educate the public, not influence potential jurors, said Jess Christiansen, spokeswoman for Bayer Crop Science at its U.S. headquarters in St. Louis County.“That’s not the business we’re in,” Christiansen said. “Those campaigns are nothing more than that, just to educate and inform.”Bayer doesn’t hide that it is part of the Modern Ag Alliance, which Christiansen said has about 90 other partners.&nbsp;The Protect America Initiative has spent almost $175,000 since late January — including a $75,000 ad during the Super Bowl — in addition to the direct mail effort.If they were intended to boost support for the legislation, the ads and mailers have backfired, with the nine senators holding a joint news conference last week denouncing the attacks. They said they were convinced Bayer was responsible and would ask the Missouri Ethics Commission to investigate.“It’s dark money, through and through,” said state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance.Bayer has no connection with the politically charged ads, Christiansen said.“There’s lots of misinformation swirling around,” she said. “We are willing to sit with whomever it is. I don’t care if it’s a Republican, a Democrat, a libertarian, a Freedom Caucus member. We need to work together.”In the motion to be argued Thursday, Clement wrote that the documents that should be unsealed detail how Bayer crafted its messaging, who it has enlisted to deliver it from a seemingly neutral position and how much it has paid for advertising and lobbying.“Monsanto’s motivation for its abuse of the protective order to blanket-designate these documents as ‘confidential’ is clear — to hide Monsanto’s ongoing attempts to improperly influence the public, as well as its legislative efforts concerning the safety of glyphosate, such that it can continue to sell and profit from the product without a warning,” Clement wrote.Bayer is the only U.S. manufacturer of glyphosate, with a production facility in Luling, Louisiana, that is the world’s largest single producer. Other production facilities are in Idaho and Iowa. China is the world’s other main supplier of glyphosate. China and India are major world suppliers of a variety of farm chemicals.Along with the U.S. corporate headquarters, Bayer has its research and development facilities in St. Louis County. Its total Missouri employment is about 5,000, Christiansen said.Along with Missouri, legislation to designate the EPA label as the only label needed on Roundup and other regulated farm chemicals is being pushed in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa,&nbsp;Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming, Christiansen said.“The purpose of the legislation is to really protect access to critical crop protection tools that farmers need to safely, effectively and affordably produce the food we all need,” Christiansen said.Winning passage of the legislation in Missouri is especially important because most state-level cases are filed here because it is the national home of Bayer. When a Missouri-based corporation is sued by someone for injuries that occurred outside the state, the case must be filed in the court covering the location&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=508.010&amp;bid=47727&amp;hl=" target="_blank">of the company’s registered agent</a>.&nbsp;Bayer’s registered agent was in St. Louis County, and thousands of cases were filed there before the company shifted its agent to Jefferson City in October 2021. Last year, following the massive jury award in Cole County, the registered agent was moved again, back to St. Louis County.Thousands of new cases have been filed in St. Louis County since the shift. There are also a multitude of federal lawsuits pending in the&nbsp;<a href="https://cand.uscourts.gov/judges/chhabria-vince-vc/in-re-roundup-products-liability-litigation-mdl-no-2741/" target="_blank">U.S. District Court for Northern California</a>.&nbsp;Bayer has set aside about $16 billion to deal with Roundup lawsuits, including more than $10 billion it has already paid out in settlements, Christiansen said.“This failure to warn claim just is not valid, because, No. 1, glyphosate doesn’t cause cancer,” Christiansen said. “And No. 2, we’re labeling according to how we’re legally required to label.”Glyphosate is listed as a probable cause of cancer by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iarc.who.int/" target="_blank">International Agency on Research of Cancer</a>, a part of the World Health Organization.“There is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of glyphosate,” stated a&nbsp;<a href="https://publications.iarc.fr/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-Identification-Of-Carcinogenic-Hazards-To-Humans/Some-Organophosphate-Insecticides-And-Herbicides-2017" target="_blank">2016 report</a>&nbsp;evaluating research worldwide. “A positive association has been observed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.”There are four categories of public relations documents Clement is asking Circuit Judge Daniel Green to unseal. They are records showing correspondence with journalists or third parties, with talking points for use in public interviews; plans for advertising and media buys; lobbying strategies; and how it enlists third parties to deliver messages the public would mistrust if it came from Bayer.“These documents are important to this litigation because they demonstrate Monsanto’s efforts to manipulate and mislead the public,” Clement wrote.In the filing, Clement noted that in a pretrial order for a California case, denying Monsanto’s motion for summary judgment, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria focused on the company’s efforts&nbsp;<a href="https://cand.uscourts.gov/filelibrary/3626/PTO_101.pdf" target="_blank">to sway the public</a>&nbsp;as it contested the allegations that Roundup causes cancer.“Although the evidence that Roundup causes cancer is quite equivocal,” Chhabria wrote, “there is strong evidence from which a jury could conclude that Monsanto does not particularly care whether its product is in fact giving people cancer, focusing instead on manipulating public opinion and undermining anyone who raises genuine and legitimate concerns about the issue.”

Lawyer demands records of Bayer’s Roundup ‘propaganda’ campaign in Missouri

The East Buchanan Bulldog boy's basketball team overcame being down by as many as 14 points to defeat the Mid-Buchanan Dragons 73-66 in the Class 3 District 15 championship game, winning their second straight district title.  

East Buchanan opened the scoring in the first quarter, a three pointer by Seth Spencer, but after that it was all Mid-Buchanan with the Dragons going on a 12-0 run until Bulldogs head coach Michael Carpenter called a timeout.  The timeout allowed the right time to adjust and for East Buchanan to start clawing back, ending the first quarter trailing 23-18.  

Both teams continued going back and forth in the second quarter, a strong and physical effort by the Dragons forcing the Bulldogs into several turnovers, and Mid-Buchanan held their lead at halftime 41-31.

Things continued to go bad for East Buchanan to start the second half, falling behind by 14 points at one point to Mid-Buchanan.  But the Bulldogs did not stop fighting, as senior Isaiah Watkins turned a switch and took the game into his own hands, helping to pull East Buchanan back to within five at 54-49.  

Watkins hot hand continued into the final quarter, scoring the first five points to tie the game up, before East Buchanan took their first lead since the start of the game, leading 61-58 with just under five minutes remaining and forcing Dragons head coach Bryce Kemper to call a timeout.  

The Bulldogs and Dragons exchanged the lead a couple more times before East Buchanan pulled away for good and earned the win.

"I don't even know, I've been telling our assistant coaches I'm not sure how we came back and got that," Carpenter told reporters following the game.  "I know Isaiah got hot and then we kind of cut it back and our boys did an awesome job of fighting, I couldn't be more proud of them." 

"There's been a lot of times we're playing MId-Buchanan and we get down and they just keep us there, but to show that fight and do that I couldn't be more proud, that was a crazy game." 

Watkins led East Buchanan with 21 points.  Clark Scott scored 17 and Spencer added 12.  For Mid-Buchanan Chris Kowalewcyz led with 17. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740810199472.jpeg" alt="East Buchanan's boys brought home their second straight division title, beating Mid-Buchanan 73-66/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>East Buchanan's boys brought home their second straight division title, beating Mid-Buchanan 73-66/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe East Buchanan Bulldog boy's basketball team overcame being down by as many as 14 points to defeat the Mid-Buchanan Dragons 73-66 in the Class 3 District 15 championship game, winning their second straight district title. East Buchanan opened the scoring in the first quarter, a three pointer by Seth Spencer, but after that it was all Mid-Buchanan with the Dragons going on a 12-0 run until Bulldogs head coach Michael Carpenter called a timeout. The timeout allowed the right time to adjust and for East Buchanan to start clawing back, ending the first quarter trailing 23-18. Both teams continued going back and forth in the second quarter, a strong and physical effort by the Dragons forcing the Bulldogs into several turnovers, and Mid-Buchanan held their lead at halftime 41-31.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740810245174.jpeg" alt="Mid Buchanan's Chris Kowalewycz (0) goes up for a shot/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Mid Buchanan's Chris Kowalewycz (0) goes up for a shot/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>Things continued to go bad for East Buchanan to start the second half, falling behind by 14 points at one point to Mid-Buchanan. But the Bulldogs did not stop fighting, as senior Isaiah Watkins turned a switch and took the game into his own hands, helping to pull East Buchanan back to within five at 54-49. Watkins hot hand continued into the final quarter, scoring the first five points to tie the game up, before East Buchanan took their first lead since the start of the game, leading 61-58 with just under five minutes remaining and forcing Dragons head coach Bryce Kemper to call a timeout. The Bulldogs and Dragons exchanged the lead a couple more times before East Buchanan pulled away for good and earned the win.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740810400507.jpeg" alt="Isaiah Watkins/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Isaiah Watkins/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>"I don't even know, I've been telling our assistant coaches I'm not sure how we came back and got that," Carpenter told reporters following the game. "I know Isaiah got hot and then we kind of cut it back and our boys did an awesome job of fighting, I couldn't be more proud of them." "There's been a lot of times we're playing MId-Buchanan and we get down and they just keep us there, but to show that fight and do that I couldn't be more proud, that was a crazy game." Watkins led East Buchanan with 21 points. Clark Scott scored 17 and Spencer added 12. For Mid-Buchanan Chris Kowalewcyz led with 17. It will be a short turnaround for East Buchanan as they play Lexington on Monday in Gower for sectionals. Tipping off at 6:30pm. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740810465971.jpeg" alt="Carder Campbell (3) goes for three as East Buchanan's Dylan Davidson defends/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Carder Campbell (3) goes for three as East Buchanan's Dylan Davidson defends/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740810483299.jpeg" alt="Kolten Woodside (11) defends against Ian Wegenga (5)/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Kolten Woodside (11) defends against Ian Wegenga (5)/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740810500954.jpeg" alt="Seth Spencer/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Seth Spencer/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

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