By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3i9bPhO7zPKMOKlKaN6K91?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

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

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=422" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;passed by the state legislature Tuesday and on its way to the governor will require school districts to create a policy banning cell phone usage throughout the school day, including during breaks between classes and at lunch.

A majority of U.S. adults support cell phone bans during class time, or 68%&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/14/most-americans-back-cellphone-bans-during-class-but-fewer-support-all-day-restrictions/" target="_blank">as recorded in a Pew Research Center poll</a>. But restricting mobile phone use for the entire school day is less popular, with 36% in support.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed the cell-phone-ban legislation with restrictions only during instructional time. She&nbsp;wanted to give school boards and charter schools the ability to decide whether or not to place further limitations on cell phones, she told The Independent.

Lawmakers decided to pursue the more restrictive policy, and Steinhoff believes students will see benefits academically and socially.

“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell, that’s going to have the biggest turnaround,” she said.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp" target="_blank">the National Center for Education Statistics</a>, roughly 53% of school leaders believe that cell-phone usage has hurt students’ learning abilities. And 72% say it has negatively impacted mental health.

Many school districts have chosen to enact bans, and states around the country have been increasingly writing bans into law with restrictions passed in at least nine states and 10 states testing the policy in a pilot program since 2023.

Missouri’s full-day ban would be one of the more restrictive laws, but there are exceptions.

Students who need a mobile device to accommodate a disability are exempted, and cell phones would be allowed if there is a safety emergency at school.

The legislation also gives school districts and charter schools the ability to decide if teachers may allow students to use cell phones during class.

The bill does not require phones to be locked up. School boards will have to decide whether devices will be stowed in designated areas or allowed in students’ backpacks.

Districts will have to enact a policy during the 2025-2026 school year.

The legislation is part of a sweeping education package negotiated in the final weeks of the legislative session.

It began as a three-page bill prescribing reporting requirements for school safety incidents. Now, at 138 pages, it contains bipartisan legislation, with multiple provisions aimed at school safety.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747217604807.png" alt=" State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, speaks March 5 in the Missouri House (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, speaks March 5 in the Missouri House (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=422" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;passed by the state legislature Tuesday and on its way to the governor will require school districts to create a policy banning cell phone usage throughout the school day, including during breaks between classes and at lunch.A majority of U.S. adults support cell phone bans during class time, or 68%&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/14/most-americans-back-cellphone-bans-during-class-but-fewer-support-all-day-restrictions/" target="_blank">as recorded in a Pew Research Center poll</a>. But restricting mobile phone use for the entire school day is less popular, with 36% in support.State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed the cell-phone-ban legislation with restrictions only during instructional time. She&nbsp;wanted to give school boards and charter schools the ability to decide whether or not to place further limitations on cell phones, she told The Independent.Lawmakers decided to pursue the more restrictive policy, and Steinhoff believes students will see benefits academically and socially.“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell, that’s going to have the biggest turnaround,” she said.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp" target="_blank">the National Center for Education Statistics</a>, roughly 53% of school leaders believe that cell-phone usage has hurt students’ learning abilities. And 72% say it has negatively impacted mental health.Many school districts have chosen to enact bans, and states around the country have been increasingly writing bans into law with restrictions passed in at least nine states and 10 states testing the policy in a pilot program since 2023.Missouri’s full-day ban would be one of the more restrictive laws, but there are exceptions.Students who need a mobile device to accommodate a disability are exempted, and cell phones would be allowed if there is a safety emergency at school.The legislation also gives school districts and charter schools the ability to decide if teachers may allow students to use cell phones during class.The bill does not require phones to be locked up. School boards will have to decide whether devices will be stowed in designated areas or allowed in students’ backpacks.Districts will have to enact a policy during the 2025-2026 school year.The legislation is part of a sweeping education package negotiated in the final weeks of the legislative session.It began as a three-page bill prescribing reporting requirements for school safety incidents. Now, at 138 pages, it contains bipartisan legislation, with multiple provisions aimed at school safety.

Missouri lawmakers pass ban on cell phones in public school classrooms

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m.Monday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Arctic Cat ATV driven by a 14-year-old Hopkins boy was backing up on E Barnard Street at 3rd Street in Hopkins.&nbsp; The vehicle turned too sharply and overturned on the driver.&nbsp;

Nodaway County EMS transported the boy to Mosaic in Maryville.&nbsp; The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m.Monday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Arctic Cat ATV driven by a 14-year-old Hopkins boy was backing up on E Barnard Street at 3rd Street in Hopkins.&nbsp; The vehicle turned too sharply and overturned on the driver.&nbsp;Nodaway County EMS transported the boy to Mosaic in Maryville.&nbsp; The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

14-year-old Missouri boy injured in ATV accident

The state would help cover up to half of the cost of a new stadium for the Royals and a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs

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

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/"></a>Gov. Mike Kehoe’s last-minute plan to convince the Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri cleared the state House Tuesday, though its fate in the Senate remains murky with only days left before the legislature adjourns for the year..

If lawmakers fail to send the bill to his desk this week, Kehoe said he’s ready to call them back to the Capitol for a special session later this year.

The bill passed on a 108-40 vote in the House, despite never having been introduced as a formal bill or ever having a public hearing. Instead, it was added as an amendment Tuesday afternoon to a Senate bill pertaining to student athletes.

Under the plan, the state would help pay up to half the cost of a new stadium for the Royals and a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs, though the overall cost of the plan was not clear as the House was debating the proposal Tuesday.

The money would cover annual bond payments for the stadium projects up to the amount a team generated in state tax revenue the year prior to applying for the incentives.

“This is the exact same funding Missouri would lose out on if the teams moved to Kansas,” said state Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican.

The teams would also be eligible for up to $50 million in tax credits for investing in their stadiums. A clawback provision would be triggered if either team relocates stadium, headquarters or a training facility to another state. Missouri will keep all of the new state revenue generated by the team for the duration of the program.

While a plan floated last week would have been<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/09/missouri-lawmakers-eye-late-push-to-move-kansas-city-royals-to-clay-county/">&nbsp;targeted at helping the Royals move to Clay County</a>, Kehoe’s proposal would allow the team to decide where it wants to build its new stadium.

“As long as it’s in Missouri,” Kehoe said of the new stadium. “The plan works as long as they stay in Missouri.”

Both the Chiefs and Royals have publicly expressed interest in moving from Missouri to Kansas after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal last year to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead.

Kansas lawmakers responded by expanding a tax incentive program in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate. The leases for both teams’ Jackson County stadiums run through the end of the 2030 season.

“We live in a world of competition,” Brown said. “Business to business. State to state. Country to country… We need to compete with Kansas, and we need to compete now.”

The Royals and Chiefs are major economic engines for Missouri, said state Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat.

“We would be crazy to let this team get away from us,” he said. “I can’t believe we even have to debate this.”

State Rep. Jim Murphy, a St. Louis County Republican, estimated losing both teams would cost the state $50 million in tax revenue. Instead, the plan presented by the governor would allow Missouri to take that $50 million and invest in the teams.

“We lose that money either way,” he said.

Several legislators expressed concerns about the rushed nature of the debate, arguing that the proposal hasn’t been properly vetted.

“This is a tough one,” said state Rep. Emily Weber, a Kansas City Democrat, later adding the governor and GOP leadership should have brought everyone to the table sooner.

“I’m extremely disgusted and disappointed with this process,” Webber said.

State Rep. Del Taylor, a St. Louis Democrat, said lawmakers shouldn’t pass something if they don’t know what it will cost.

And state Rep. Richard West, a Wentzville Republican, accused the legislature of “playing Russian roulette with the people’s money.”

“This is not a good economic decision,” West said.

State Rep. Jeff Coleman, a Grain Valley Republican, said the last-minute nature and the lack of details on the price are concerns he can’t ignore.

“I’m a no on this bill,” he said. “And I’m sad to be, because no one loves the Chiefs more than I do.”

Others noted that just last week, House leaders stunned their colleagues and the Senate by refusing to allow a vote on a $500 million spending bill that would have funded projects for health care, education and law enforcement across the state.

But state Rep. Keri Ingle, a Lee’s Summit Democrat, said that while she shares in the frustration with the House’s decision last week, she hoped it wouldn’t cost her community its professional sports teams.

“I can talk for hours about what these teams do for the economy of this state and of the Kansas City region,” she said, later adding: “Please don’t punish the Kansas City region and the state of Missouri for generations.”

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, shared in the frustration with how the stadium funding debate has played out.

“We are being asked to provide a vote on something that we have only been able to vet for the last 12 hours, for some of us. Three for others of us. And that’s hard. That’s hard to do,” she said. “It’s a big ask for the legislature, but I think that when we get 10 years down the line, I don’t think any of us wants to be part of a General Assembly that lost the Chiefs or the Royals.”

In the end, 40 Democrats joined with 68 Republicans in support, while four Democrats and 36 Republicans voted against.

Resentment over the House’s decision, however, colored reaction to the stadium proposal in the Senate.

“Seems a little hypocritical to me,” said state Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Springfield Republican and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

State Sen. Brian Williams, a University City Democrat, said he can’t support stadium funding after the House’s decision last week killed so many needed projects across the state.

“If we take care of the most vulnerable Missourians,” he said, “then we can start talking about helping billionaires keep a stadium in Missouri.”

A two-page handout circulated among lawmakers in preparation for Kehoe’s Tuesday morning presentation made the case for the incentive package. It claimed the Chiefs generate $28.8 million in annual tax revenue for Missouri and $572.3 million of economic activity within Jackson County alone.

The stakes are high, Kehoe said, and Missouri must act — either now, or later this year in a special session.

“It’s an economic development proposal… any time the state has seen a major economic development proposal, whether that’s been Boeing or GM or Ford, governors of both parties have called special sessions to do that,” Kehoe said. “I think an economic development proposal on the west side of the state is that significant.”

State Sen. Ben Brown, a Washington Republican, said with so little time before adjournment, getting a stadium deal done will be “a heavy lift.”

“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “But you know, the governor, he’s been excellent at forming relationships with people within the legislature, and I know that his opinion carries a lot of weight. So we’ll just have to see if it can make it across the finish line before time runs out.”

The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this story.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709142006045.jpeg" alt="Aerial view of Arrowhead Stadium. Courtesy image." />
 <figcaption>Aerial view of Arrowhead Stadium. Courtesy image.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The state would help cover up to half of the cost of a new stadium for the Royals and a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/"></a>Gov. Mike Kehoe’s last-minute plan to convince the Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri cleared the state House Tuesday, though its fate in the Senate remains murky with only days left before the legislature adjourns for the year..If lawmakers fail to send the bill to his desk this week, Kehoe said he’s ready to call them back to the Capitol for a special session later this year.The bill passed on a 108-40 vote in the House, despite never having been introduced as a formal bill or ever having a public hearing. Instead, it was added as an amendment Tuesday afternoon to a Senate bill pertaining to student athletes.Under the plan, the state would help pay up to half the cost of a new stadium for the Royals and a refurbished Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs, though the overall cost of the plan was not clear as the House was debating the proposal Tuesday.The money would cover annual bond payments for the stadium projects up to the amount a team generated in state tax revenue the year prior to applying for the incentives.“This is the exact same funding Missouri would lose out on if the teams moved to Kansas,” said state Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican.The teams would also be eligible for up to $50 million in tax credits for investing in their stadiums. A clawback provision would be triggered if either team relocates stadium, headquarters or a training facility to another state. Missouri will keep all of the new state revenue generated by the team for the duration of the program.While a plan floated last week would have been<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/09/missouri-lawmakers-eye-late-push-to-move-kansas-city-royals-to-clay-county/">&nbsp;targeted at helping the Royals move to Clay County</a>, Kehoe’s proposal would allow the team to decide where it wants to build its new stadium.“As long as it’s in Missouri,” Kehoe said of the new stadium. “The plan works as long as they stay in Missouri.”Both the Chiefs and Royals have publicly expressed interest in moving from Missouri to Kansas after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal last year to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead.Kansas lawmakers responded by expanding a tax incentive program in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate. The leases for both teams’ Jackson County stadiums run through the end of the 2030 season.“We live in a world of competition,” Brown said. “Business to business. State to state. Country to country… We need to compete with Kansas, and we need to compete now.”The Royals and Chiefs are major economic engines for Missouri, said state Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat.“We would be crazy to let this team get away from us,” he said. “I can’t believe we even have to debate this.”State Rep. Jim Murphy, a St. Louis County Republican, estimated losing both teams would cost the state $50 million in tax revenue. Instead, the plan presented by the governor would allow Missouri to take that $50 million and invest in the teams.“We lose that money either way,” he said.<h2>Rushed process inspires resistance</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747170708089.png" alt=" Emily Weber, a Democrat from Kansas City, speaks in the House in February (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Emily Weber, a Democrat from Kansas City, speaks in the House in February (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>Several legislators expressed concerns about the rushed nature of the debate, arguing that the proposal hasn’t been properly vetted.“This is a tough one,” said state Rep. Emily Weber, a Kansas City Democrat, later adding the governor and GOP leadership should have brought everyone to the table sooner.“I’m extremely disgusted and disappointed with this process,” Webber said.State Rep. Del Taylor, a St. Louis Democrat, said lawmakers shouldn’t pass something if they don’t know what it will cost.And state Rep. Richard West, a Wentzville Republican, accused the legislature of “playing Russian roulette with the people’s money.”“This is not a good economic decision,” West said.State Rep. Jeff Coleman, a Grain Valley Republican, said the last-minute nature and the lack of details on the price are concerns he can’t ignore.“I’m a no on this bill,” he said. “And I’m sad to be, because no one loves the Chiefs more than I do.”Others noted that just last week, House leaders stunned their colleagues and the Senate by refusing to allow a vote on a $500 million spending bill that would have funded projects for health care, education and law enforcement across the state.But state Rep. Keri Ingle, a Lee’s Summit Democrat, said that while she shares in the frustration with the House’s decision last week, she hoped it wouldn’t cost her community its professional sports teams.“I can talk for hours about what these teams do for the economy of this state and of the Kansas City region,” she said, later adding: “Please don’t punish the Kansas City region and the state of Missouri for generations.”House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, shared in the frustration with how the stadium funding debate has played out.“We are being asked to provide a vote on something that we have only been able to vet for the last 12 hours, for some of us. Three for others of us. And that’s hard. That’s hard to do,” she said. “It’s a big ask for the legislature, but I think that when we get 10 years down the line, I don’t think any of us wants to be part of a General Assembly that lost the Chiefs or the Royals.”In the end, 40 Democrats joined with 68 Republicans in support, while four Democrats and 36 Republicans voted against.<h2>Doomed in Senate?&nbsp;</h2>Resentment over the House’s decision, however, colored reaction to the stadium proposal in the Senate.“Seems a little hypocritical to me,” said state Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Springfield Republican and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.State Sen. Brian Williams, a University City Democrat, said he can’t support stadium funding after the House’s decision last week killed so many needed projects across the state.“If we take care of the most vulnerable Missourians,” he said, “then we can start talking about helping billionaires keep a stadium in Missouri.”A two-page handout circulated among lawmakers in preparation for Kehoe’s Tuesday morning presentation made the case for the incentive package. It claimed the Chiefs generate $28.8 million in annual tax revenue for Missouri and $572.3 million of economic activity within Jackson County alone.The stakes are high, Kehoe said, and Missouri must act — either now, or later this year in a special session.“It’s an economic development proposal… any time the state has seen a major economic development proposal, whether that’s been Boeing or GM or Ford, governors of both parties have called special sessions to do that,” Kehoe said. “I think an economic development proposal on the west side of the state is that significant.”State Sen. Ben Brown, a Washington Republican, said with so little time before adjournment, getting a stadium deal done will be “a heavy lift.”“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “But you know, the governor, he’s been excellent at forming relationships with people within the legislature, and I know that his opinion carries a lot of weight. So we’ll just have to see if it can make it across the finish line before time runs out.”The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this story.&nbsp;

New stadium funding plan for Chiefs, Royals clears Missouri House

As the legislative session wraps up this week, a late push is being considered that would keep the Kansas City Royals in Missouri.   

Missouri lawmakers are considering a $300 million incentive package aimed to build a new Royals stadium in Clay County, a plan which seems to have Governor Mike Kehoe's support.  

Kehoe has been vocal about keeping the Royals in Missouri and says it needs to be looked at like any economic development opportunity 

"We're going to use the economic development tools we have in our toolbox, probably have to modify a few of those a little bit, to where it's a good return on investment for the taxpayers and it keeps the teams in Missouri to where we continue to where we continue to have that economic result that we get from those teams being here," Kehoe tells reporters. 

Kehoe says there have been multiple leadership meetings happening to figure things out ahead of Friday's deadline 

"Meetings with county commissioners from both counties, or legislators I should say from Jackson County, elected officials, it takes more than just one person to figure something out," Kehoe says.  "So, you want to try to get as many people on the team to figure out what the best ideas are and what it actually takes again to keep them here but also be responsible to the taxpayers that sent us to that building." 

All signs seem to point to Clay County as the preferred location for a new stadium.   

While Kehoe has been vocal about keeping the Royals in Missouri, will he push lawmakers to get something done before Friday's deadline? 

"Yeah, they'll have some options, I'm pretty confident they'll get something done," Kehoe says. 

The legislative session wraps up Friday at 6pm. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post As the legislative session wraps up this week, a late push is being considered that would keep the Kansas City Royals in Missouri. Missouri lawmakers are considering a $300 million incentive package aimed to build a new Royals stadium in Clay County, a plan which seems to have Governor Mike Kehoe's support. Kehoe has been vocal about keeping the Royals in Missouri and says it needs to be looked at like any economic development opportunity "We're going to use the economic development tools we have in our toolbox, probably have to modify a few of those a little bit, to where it's a good return on investment for the taxpayers and it keeps the teams in Missouri to where we continue to where we continue to have that economic result that we get from those teams being here," Kehoe tells reporters. Kehoe says there have been multiple leadership meetings happening to figure things out ahead of Friday's deadline "Meetings with county commissioners from both counties, or legislators I should say from Jackson County, elected officials, it takes more than just one person to figure something out," Kehoe says. "So, you want to try to get as many people on the team to figure out what the best ideas are and what it actually takes again to keep them here but also be responsible to the taxpayers that sent us to that building." All signs seem to point to Clay County as the preferred location for a new stadium. While Kehoe has been vocal about keeping the Royals in Missouri, will he push lawmakers to get something done before Friday's deadline? "Yeah, they'll have some options, I'm pretty confident they'll get something done," Kehoe says. The legislative session wraps up Friday at 6pm. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Kehoe hopes to keep Royals from crossing over to Kansas

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6ZXUlSK0ADegHBd3OXRAva?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTIN&nbsp;St. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6goSQuDUxXtqRn1gRWLBFz?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

LYON COUNTY—A St. Joseph man died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Monday in Lyon County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Mazda CX3 driven by&nbsp; Josue Javier Chapa, 26, Rio Grande, Texas, was northbound at in the left lane of Interstate 35 in Lyon County due to a right lane closure.

The SUV rear-ended a 2004 Honda CL1800 driven by Richard Schroeder, 60, St. Joseph, Missouri.&nbsp; The impact caused Schroeder to fall off the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Charter Funeral Home. Chapa was not injured.&nbsp; Schroeder was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

LYON COUNTY—A St. Joseph man died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Monday in Lyon County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Mazda CX3 driven by&nbsp; Josue Javier Chapa, 26, Rio Grande, Texas, was northbound at in the left lane of Interstate 35 in Lyon County due to a right lane closure.The SUV rear-ended a 2004 Honda CL1800 driven by Richard Schroeder, 60, St. Joseph, Missouri.&nbsp; The impact caused Schroeder to fall off the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Charter Funeral Home. Chapa was not injured.&nbsp; Schroeder was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

St. Joe man killed after SUV rear-ends motorcycle on Kansas Turnpike

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend arrest.

Just before 5p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to a disturbance call at a residence in the 1000 block South 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Officers made contact with 34-year-old Michael Bethea who was wanted on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.

Bethea resisted the arrest and there was a struggle with officers. During that arrest an officer was bitten by a dog in the residence. The officer was treated and released from Amberwell Hospital for the treatment of several dog bites. 

Police took Bethea was taken on requested charges of failure to appear in court, for inference with law enforcement and assault and battery on a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747070779427.png" alt="Bethea photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Bethea photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a weekend arrest.Just before 5p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to a disturbance call at a residence in the 1000 block South 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Officers made contact with 34-year-old Michael Bethea who was wanted on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.Bethea resisted the arrest and there was a struggle with officers. During that arrest an officer was bitten by a dog in the residence. The officer was treated and released from Amberwell Hospital for the treatment of several dog bites. Police took Bethea was taken on requested charges of failure to appear in court, for inference with law enforcement and assault and battery on a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;

Suspect's dog attacked Kansas police officer during arrest

Daily Premium Meats in St. Joseph will build a sizeable expansion, that will double its bacon production and bring more jobs to the city.  

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe applauds the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce for understanding the mission of creating opportunities for Missourians 

"Whenever you have a Chamber that's that involved, that's that integrated into the community, you see good success like we have here with Daily's," Kehoe tells reporters following the groundbreaking.  "And we couldn't be happier with their $100 million expansion and the over 100 jobs they're adding to the area." 

Kehoe says a key to expansions like this, not just in St. Joseph, but around the state is continuing to develop the workforce to go towards it 

"Making sure that Daily's and Triumph and other people in the St. Joe area have access to great quality trained workforce." Kehoe explains.  "You have a great University here with us today in Missouri Western, so there's things they're working on as you know with the innovation center to make that happen." 

Daily's will construct another production bay on the east side of its manufacturing facility. Currently 2.5% of the nation’s bacon is manufactured in St. Joseph, Missouri. With the expansion, 5% of the nation’s bacon will be manufactured in St. Joseph.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747076932258.jpeg" alt="Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe spoke during a groundbreaking event for an expansion project at Daily's Premium Meats in St. Joseph/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe spoke during a groundbreaking event for an expansion project at Daily's Premium Meats in St. Joseph/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Daily Premium Meats in St. Joseph will build a sizeable expansion, that will double its bacon production and bring more jobs to the city. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe applauds the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce for understanding the mission of creating opportunities for Missourians "Whenever you have a Chamber that's that involved, that's that integrated into the community, you see good success like we have here with Daily's," Kehoe tells reporters following the groundbreaking. "And we couldn't be happier with their $100 million expansion and the over 100 jobs they're adding to the area." Kehoe says a key to expansions like this, not just in St. Joseph, but around the state is continuing to develop the workforce to go towards it "Making sure that Daily's and Triumph and other people in the St. Joe area have access to great quality trained workforce." Kehoe explains. "You have a great University here with us today in Missouri Western, so there's things they're working on as you know with the innovation center to make that happen." Daily's will construct another production bay on the east side of its manufacturing facility. Currently 2.5% of the nation’s bacon is manufactured in St. Joseph, Missouri. With the expansion, 5% of the nation’s bacon will be manufactured in St. Joseph.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Daily's Premium Meats breaks ground on significant expansion project

The Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents has approved some new programs for students heading into a new school year.  

Starting in the fall semester, Northwest will offer a Bachelor of Science in Technology Systems Management degree in agricultural mechanics and manufacturing.  

Provost Jamie Hooyman says Northwest has always had a strong ag mechanics program, but this is about changing with demands of the workforce 

"Mechanics aren't the same now as they were 50 years ago, so this also gives the students abilities to get some course work in robotics, technologies, safety, AC/DC," Hooyman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Hooyman says it's advancing what was a staple in ag mechanics 

"They're also bringing in what's a lot of the requirements, what's nowadays to be able to continue in those fields," Hooyman says.  

The new program will be solely offered on campus.  Also starting in the fall, Northwest will offer a new Master of Science degree in management science, which will be available online or on campus 

Hooyman says this course is about data collection and teaching students how to use AI responsibly in this world where it's part of everyday life 

"How do you use it and how do you use critical thinking tools to make sure that the information that you're getting is good?" Hooyman asks.  "So, what this degree will do is focus a lot on the analytical tools and deciphering information to make sure that the corporation is able to move forward using good data." 

Hooyman says the new program is huge because when you're basing decisions to determine people's future on data, you need to make sure the data you find is correct.  

In the spring semester, a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration will be offered to students.  Hooyman says this degree is incredibly important to help keep young leaders in the area 

"And help build the communities to make them stronger so we don't lose all of our youth to the cities," Hooyman explains.  "But they can also go work in large cities and things like that, public administration has been a high request area for many years, and we're excited to finally be able to launch it." 

The program will be available both online and on campus and is designed to increase readiness in areas such as accounting, economics, or media. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents has approved some new programs for students heading into a new school year. Starting in the fall semester, Northwest will offer a Bachelor of Science in Technology Systems Management degree in agricultural mechanics and manufacturing. Provost Jamie Hooyman says Northwest has always had a strong ag mechanics program, but this is about changing with demands of the workforce "Mechanics aren't the same now as they were 50 years ago, so this also gives the students abilities to get some course work in robotics, technologies, safety, AC/DC," Hooyman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Hooyman says it's advancing what was a staple in ag mechanics "They're also bringing in what's a lot of the requirements, what's nowadays to be able to continue in those fields," Hooyman says. The new program will be solely offered on campus. Also starting in the fall, Northwest will offer a new Master of Science degree in management science, which will be available online or on campus Hooyman says this course is about data collection and teaching students how to use AI responsibly in this world where it's part of everyday life "How do you use it and how do you use critical thinking tools to make sure that the information that you're getting is good?" Hooyman asks. "So, what this degree will do is focus a lot on the analytical tools and deciphering information to make sure that the corporation is able to move forward using good data." Hooyman says the new program is huge because when you're basing decisions to determine people's future on data, you need to make sure the data you find is correct. In the spring semester, a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration will be offered to students. Hooyman says this degree is incredibly important to help keep young leaders in the area "And help build the communities to make them stronger so we don't lose all of our youth to the cities," Hooyman explains. "But they can also go work in large cities and things like that, public administration has been a high request area for many years, and we're excited to finally be able to launch it." The program will be available both online and on campus and is designed to increase readiness in areas such as accounting, economics, or media. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

NWMSU Board of Regents approves new programs to launch in new school year

While 2024 was a good year for tourism in Buchanan County, there was still one major problem area, the number of available hotels in St. Joseph.  

In fact, due to the low supply, hotel rates were almost $11 higher than in 2023.  Which in turn made occupancy drop nearly a full percentage point from year to year, and the total rooms booked dropped over 3,000. 

Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesman Christian Mengel says often businesses bring up the lack of hotels when bringing in businesspeople, who might end up having to stay in Kansas City 

"If they stay down there, what are they going to do? They're going to get Starbucks in the morning down there, they're going to come in do their work here, they're going to leave early because they're like oh I've got a little bit of a drive back to my hotel, they drive down there, and they eat dinner down there," Mengle says on the KFEQmunnity show.  "And so now we are losing dollars to a community down south of us that didn't earn it, that's our businesses that earned that business being here." 

Mengel says more hotels could be added on top of some recently developed hotels but doesn't feel like too many more are needed.  Mengel says ultimately the goal with this is just to bring more people into St. Joseph 

"So, there's that balance of if you have a lower occupancy but a lot of hotels, you can still have a lot of people, but if you have really high occupancy and not a lot of hotels. that can still be the same number of people," Mengle explains.  "So, it's that balance of what's the absolute most people we can get into town? What's that balance of hey we are an affordable price." 

Two hotels are being developed near Frederick Avenue, one at the site of the old Ramada Inn, with another on land next to Stoney Creek Inn.  One hotel was recently completed in the North Village Shoppes, while another is being developed.  Could there be room for more? 

Mengle says one obvious answer is a hotel downtown 

"So you're not getting that foot traffic of actual people walking to the restaurant, walking to the bar, walking to take their kids to the candy store, walking to the Civic Arena to see a sporting event, walking to the Missouri Theatre to see a show, walking to the Trail Theatre to see a show," Mengle says.  "We have so many cool things that people can't walk to, they've got to drive all the way across town, we've got to convince them to come all the way across town." 

Mengle says when people spend most of their trip driving, the last thing they want to do is spend more time in the car finding something to do, so a downtown hotel would help allow people to walk from place to place. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post While 2024 was a good year for tourism in Buchanan County, there was still one major problem area, the number of available hotels in St. Joseph. In fact, due to the low supply, hotel rates were almost $11 higher than in 2023. Which in turn made occupancy drop nearly a full percentage point from year to year, and the total rooms booked dropped over 3,000. Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesman Christian Mengel says often businesses bring up the lack of hotels when bringing in businesspeople, who might end up having to stay in Kansas City "If they stay down there, what are they going to do? They're going to get Starbucks in the morning down there, they're going to come in do their work here, they're going to leave early because they're like oh I've got a little bit of a drive back to my hotel, they drive down there, and they eat dinner down there," Mengle says on the KFEQmunnity show. "And so now we are losing dollars to a community down south of us that didn't earn it, that's our businesses that earned that business being here." Mengel says more hotels could be added on top of some recently developed hotels but doesn't feel like too many more are needed. Mengel says ultimately the goal with this is just to bring more people into St. Joseph "So, there's that balance of if you have a lower occupancy but a lot of hotels, you can still have a lot of people, but if you have really high occupancy and not a lot of hotels. that can still be the same number of people," Mengle explains. "So, it's that balance of what's the absolute most people we can get into town? What's that balance of hey we are an affordable price." Two hotels are being developed near Frederick Avenue, one at the site of the old Ramada Inn, with another on land next to Stoney Creek Inn. One hotel was recently completed in the North Village Shoppes, while another is being developed. Could there be room for more? Mengle says one obvious answer is a hotel downtown "So you're not getting that foot traffic of actual people walking to the restaurant, walking to the bar, walking to take their kids to the candy store, walking to the Civic Arena to see a sporting event, walking to the Missouri Theatre to see a show, walking to the Trail Theatre to see a show," Mengle says. "We have so many cool things that people can't walk to, they've got to drive all the way across town, we've got to convince them to come all the way across town." Mengle says when people spend most of their trip driving, the last thing they want to do is spend more time in the car finding something to do, so a downtown hotel would help allow people to walk from place to place. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Buchanan County sees good tourism numbers in 2024, but still lacks hotel space

NODAWAY COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford Ranger driven by a 66-year-old Lenox, Iowa man was eastbound on Jade Road one half mile north of Maryville and stopped at the posted stop sign at U.S. 71. The driver failed to yield to a northbound 2018 Dodge Durango driven by a 40-year-old Maryville woman.

The Dodge struck the front passenger side of the Ford. After impact, both vehicles struck the front drivers side of a 2007 Kia Spectra driven by a 70-year-old Hopkins man who was westbound on MO 148 and stopped at the posted stop sign at U.S. 71.

Nodaway County EMS transported the Missouri drivers to Mosaic in Maryville. A private vehicle transported the Iowa driver to Mosaic in Maryville. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

NODAWAY COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford Ranger driven by a 66-year-old Lenox, Iowa man was eastbound on Jade Road one half mile north of Maryville and stopped at the posted stop sign at U.S. 71. The driver failed to yield to a northbound 2018 Dodge Durango driven by a 40-year-old Maryville woman.The Dodge struck the front passenger side of the Ford. After impact, both vehicles struck the front drivers side of a 2007 Kia Spectra driven by a 70-year-old Hopkins man who was westbound on MO 148 and stopped at the posted stop sign at U.S. 71.Nodaway County EMS transported the Missouri drivers to Mosaic in Maryville. A private vehicle transported the Iowa driver to Mosaic in Maryville. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 hospitalized after 3-vehicle Nodaway County crash

DAVIESS COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Sunday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F150 driven by an 18-year-old Albany man was southbound on Route DD. The driver failed to. yield at the stop sign at MO 6. The pickup struck an eastbound 2015 Chrysler 300 driven by a 37-year-old Gallatin man.&nbsp;

EMS transported both drivers to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DAVIESS COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Sunday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F150 driven by an 18-year-old Albany man was southbound on Route DD. The driver failed to. yield at the stop sign at MO 6. The pickup struck an eastbound 2015 Chrysler 300 driven by a 37-year-old Gallatin man.&nbsp;EMS transported both drivers to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 Missouri men injured after pickup, car crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run incident and asking the public for help to locate a vehicle.

Just before 5p.m Saturday, police responded to an injury accident at 16th and Santa Fe in the City of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. 

An eight year old boy was ridding his bicycle east on Santa Fe when a southbound vehicle on 16th Street failed to stop at the stop sign at 16th and Santa Fe and struck the bicycle in the intersection.

 The vehicle then fled the area without stopping. A private vehicle transported the eight-year old bicyclist to Amberwell Hospital where he was treated for injuries and released. Police continue to search for the driver of the vehicle which has been described as a smaller gray SUV, according to Wilson.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run incident and asking the public for help to locate a vehicle.Just before 5p.m Saturday, police responded to an injury accident at 16th and Santa Fe in the City of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. An eight year old boy was ridding his bicycle east on Santa Fe when a southbound vehicle on 16th Street failed to stop at the stop sign at 16th and Santa Fe and struck the bicycle in the intersection. The vehicle then fled the area without stopping. A private vehicle transported the eight-year old bicyclist to Amberwell Hospital where he was treated for injuries and released. Police continue to search for the driver of the vehicle which has been described as a smaller gray SUV, according to Wilson.

8-year-old bicyclist injured after hit-and-run incident

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Friday in Atchison.

A 1997 Chevrolet pick up driven by Jeremiah Mullins, 20, Atchison, was southbound in the 1000 Block of Price Boulevard, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole.

EMS transported Mullins to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries. He was cited for no driver’s license, illegal tag and no proof of insurance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746992588512.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Friday in Atchison.A 1997 Chevrolet pick up driven by Jeremiah Mullins, 20, Atchison, was southbound in the 1000 Block of Price Boulevard, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole.EMS transported Mullins to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries. He was cited for no driver’s license, illegal tag and no proof of insurance.

Police: Kan. man with no driver's license injured in crash

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Sunday in DeKalb County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Chevy Malibu driven by a Carson B. Francis, 26, Stewartsville was eastbound on MO P at SW Thorton Road two miles west of Clarksdale.

The driver lost control of the car. It traveled off the north side of the road, through a fence and struck a tree.&nbsp; The Patrol arrested him for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. He was properly restrained at the time of the crash. DeKalb County EMS transported Francis to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of serious injuries.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Sunday in DeKalb County.&nbsp; The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Chevy Malibu driven by a Carson B. Francis, 26, Stewartsville was eastbound on MO P at SW Thorton Road two miles west of Clarksdale.The driver lost control of the car. It traveled off the north side of the road, through a fence and struck a tree.&nbsp; The Patrol arrested him for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. He was properly restrained at the time of the crash. DeKalb County EMS transported Francis to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of serious injuries.

Missouri man accused of DWI after crash into a tree

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7jh5mnkRLLagVyKcGgVzR7?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Week in Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bill funding newborn rescue boxes heads to Missouri governor

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

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

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

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

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

Mo. woman injured after crash due to distracted driver

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

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

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

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

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

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

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