A bill that would improve health care access for Missouri women almost died in the House after some lawmakers conflated birth control legislation with abortion medication

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx%3Fbill%3DHB2413%26year%3D2024%26code%3DR&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjDk5y_wfyFAxUH5MkDHbmaDeYQFnoECBEQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ClNNgrpszDRIiUdHV-j8-">A wide-ranging women’s health care bill</a>&nbsp;that stalled in the House for months over concerns about expanding coverage for birth control is a step away from the governor’s desk — though&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/06/missouri-senate-stalls-out-quickly-on-return-after-41-hour-filibuster/">dysfunction in the Senate</a>&nbsp;could derail its chances of becoming law.&nbsp;

The bill, an effort by a bipartisan group of five women lawmakers across the House and Senate, would be “a game changer” for women’s health, said state Rep. Melanie Stinnett, a Republican from Springfield.

With provisions focused on annual supply birth control, congenital syphilis, mammograms, STI treatment and rape test kits, the legislation is sponsored by Stinnett; state Sen. Elaine Gannon, a DeSoto Republican; State Rep. Tara Peters, a Rolla Republican; State Sen. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat; and state Rep. Patty Lewis, a Kansas City Democrat.

“We need to focus on women’s health, children’s health, babies’ health,” Gannon said. “We have to do whatever we can do to produce healthy people.”

Though it got its initial committee hearing in January, the House didn’t pass the bill and send it to the Senate until late April. The delay was caused by a number of Republicans expressing concerns that birth control could be used as an abortifacient, the bill’s sponsors said.

Since passing the House with approval from 60 Republicans and 45 Democrats, it has moved quickly in the Senate and was approved unanimously by the chamber’s emerging issues committee on Monday.&nbsp;

“This bill was on life support several times as it moved its way forward,” Lewis said. “But no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, it’s politically advantageous to support women’s health care right now.”

The sponsors remain hopeful the bill can make it across the finish line before session ends on May 17.

But progress in the Senate is stalled as infighting between the Freedom Caucus and Senate Republican leadership has left the chamber with little to show as they run up against a deadline to pass the state budget.&nbsp;

Also hanging in limbo is a bill that would make it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/missouri-initiative-petition-bill-ballot-candy-reinstated/">more difficult to pass citizen-led constitutional amendments</a>, legislation Democrats have staunchly opposed, fearing it could inhibit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/03/missourians-signatures-abortion-amendment-viability/">an abortion rights proposal</a>&nbsp;expected to land on the November ballot.&nbsp;

The sponsors of the women’s health care bill argue that unlike other legislation, theirs should not be controversial and thus shouldn’t be a casualty of Senate gridlock.&nbsp;

“If the supermajority knew how to govern, they could bulldoze anything through,” Lewis said.&nbsp; “But they are too busy fighting amongst themselves and ultimately playing games with people’s lives.”&nbsp;

Peters said if there’s one thing she’s learned in her freshman term in the House, it’s that all it takes to mount a campaign to kill a bill is the word “abortion.”

The legislation, which would&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/29/birth-control-poll-missouri-contraceptives/">allow women on private insurance to pick up an annual supply of contraceptives</a>&nbsp;rather than going to the pharmacy every few months, is already law in 26 states. Studies show this increase in access and continuity can help prevent unintended pregnancy. It does not apply to abortifacients.

Stinnett, who has a master’s degree in health care administration and who serves as vice chair of the House Healthcare Reform Committee, said several Republican colleagues had questions about hormonal contraceptives and whether drugs that induce abortions fall under the statute.&nbsp;

“At every turn we either had to educate or deflate or talk against what wasn’t true,” Peters said, adding that some lawmakers were spreading inaccurate information that the bill had to do with abortion drugs.

After whipping the bill several times, Peters said she ultimately won over the needed support, finally moving the bill out of the House in late April, despite it receiving an initial House committee hearing in January.

Only the Missouri Insurance Coalition and America’s Health Insurance Plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City were present to testify in opposition of the birth control policy.

<a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/1dKPOmnypv">A recent survey released by The Right Time</a>, a family planning initiative through the Missouri Family Health Council Inc., showed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/29/birth-control-poll-missouri-contraceptives/">Missourians overwhelmingly support access to contraceptives,&nbsp;</a>but some fear their lawmakers could pass laws limiting that availability.

Of the 1,000 Missourians polled between the ages of 18 and 35, 77% said they believed there should be access to annual supplies of birth control.

“I would have to dig pretty deep to find out when the last proactive sexual and reproductive health care legislation of a ‘women’s health type’ passed,” said Mandy Hagseth, the council’s director of policy and external affairs. “So it does not come often and it does not come easy.”

Hagseth previously told The Independent that in conversations with women around Missouri, the council learned that access to clinics, lack of consistent transportation and balancing work and children are often barriers to picking up their contraception consistently, which can create gaps in use and increase the chances of an unintended pregnancy.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://powertodecide.org/what-we-do/contraceptive-deserts">More than 373,000 Missouri women live in contraceptive deserts,&nbsp;</a>which they define as a place where there’s not reasonable access to a full range of contraceptive methods, according to data compiled by Power to Decide. Most are in rural counties.

“The Senate has an opportunity to pass a really important, pro-active women’s health bill,” Hagseth said. “At a time that it’s woefully needed sort of generally and politically.”

In 2022,<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/emergencies/ert/alertsadvisories/pdf/update022724-1.pdf">&nbsp;Missouri recorded 81 congenital syphilis cases</a>&nbsp;— the most in 30 years, the state health department said in an alert distributed earlier this year.&nbsp;

From 2017 to 2021, congenital syphilis cases rose 219% across the country; in Missouri, they rose 593%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 2012 and 2015, one stillbirth from a congenital syphilis case was reported in Missouri. Since then, there’s been at least one infant death every year, with 18 deaths reported between 2016 and 2022, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.&nbsp;

Mothers can pass along congenital syphilis in utero at any point in pregnancy. But if caught before the baby passes through the birth canal, the disease is reversible in the womb.

For adults, the symptoms, if there are any, can include a rash on the palms of a person’s hands or on the soles of their feet, hair loss, swollen lymph nodes or sores. Often these symptoms go away on their own, even though they are still contagious.&nbsp; If a mother is infected within four weeks of delivering their baby and doesn’t get treatment, the infant has a 40% chance of dying at birth or shortly after, according to the CDC.

Right now, only two syphilis tests are required in pregnancy: one in the first trimester and one at birth. The bill would also require a third trimester test for HIV and hepatitis C and hepatitis B, which can cause liver damage in infants.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This legislation hopes to address this outbreak by adding additional optional testing for women around 28 weeks of pregnancy during their regularly-scheduled appointment.&nbsp;

“Anything we can do to ensure that baby is born healthy, that’s what we need to be doing,” Gannon said.

Mammograms, STI treatment and forensic exams

McCreery said after she went in for a mammogram at the start of the year, she received a “weird form letter” that left her thinking she needed additional testing to ensure she didn’t have breast cancer.&nbsp;

New federal regulations for mammograms are now at odds with Missouri’s statute, so this bill would update the language given to patients after a cancer screening to be less confusing, as the current language may cause unnecessary concern.

“We need to speak in clear, easy to understand terms when we’re communicating with somebody after they’ve had an exam like that,” McCreery said.

The bill also hopes to make treatment easier for trichomoniasis, an infection that’s more common in women then men.&nbsp;

Under current state statute, if someone is diagnosed with gonorrhea and chlamydia, their doctor is allowed to also treat the patient’s sexual partner in a process called expedited partner therapy. Under this legislation, trichomoniasis would also be added to that list, and it would open the door for syphilis to also be added if federal guidelines change as syphilis rates rise.

The final piece of the legislation would smooth out a law passed in 2022 that requires survivors of rape or sexual assault be given&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=71259740">the option to ask for a forensic exam.</a>

Right now, speciality hospitals without emergency departments are not exempt from the statute, meaning survivors can be taken to health care providers without access to rape test kits. This statute would require that patients initially seen at specialty hospitals be transferred to a hospital with an emergency department equipped to do a forensic exam.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715250625846.png" alt=" Sen. Elaine Gannon (photo courtesy of Senate Communications)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Elaine Gannon (photo courtesy of Senate Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A bill that would improve health care access for Missouri women almost died in the House after some lawmakers conflated birth control legislation with abortion medication</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx%3Fbill%3DHB2413%26year%3D2024%26code%3DR&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjDk5y_wfyFAxUH5MkDHbmaDeYQFnoECBEQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ClNNgrpszDRIiUdHV-j8-">A wide-ranging women’s health care bill</a>&nbsp;that stalled in the House for months over concerns about expanding coverage for birth control is a step away from the governor’s desk — though&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/06/missouri-senate-stalls-out-quickly-on-return-after-41-hour-filibuster/">dysfunction in the Senate</a>&nbsp;could derail its chances of becoming law.&nbsp;The bill, an effort by a bipartisan group of five women lawmakers across the House and Senate, would be “a game changer” for women’s health, said state Rep. Melanie Stinnett, a Republican from Springfield.With provisions focused on annual supply birth control, congenital syphilis, mammograms, STI treatment and rape test kits, the legislation is sponsored by Stinnett; state Sen. Elaine Gannon, a DeSoto Republican; State Rep. Tara Peters, a Rolla Republican; State Sen. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat; and state Rep. Patty Lewis, a Kansas City Democrat.“We need to focus on women’s health, children’s health, babies’ health,” Gannon said. “We have to do whatever we can do to produce healthy people.”Though it got its initial committee hearing in January, the House didn’t pass the bill and send it to the Senate until late April. The delay was caused by a number of Republicans expressing concerns that birth control could be used as an abortifacient, the bill’s sponsors said.Since passing the House with approval from 60 Republicans and 45 Democrats, it has moved quickly in the Senate and was approved unanimously by the chamber’s emerging issues committee on Monday.&nbsp;“This bill was on life support several times as it moved its way forward,” Lewis said. “But no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, it’s politically advantageous to support women’s health care right now.”The sponsors remain hopeful the bill can make it across the finish line before session ends on May 17.But progress in the Senate is stalled as infighting between the Freedom Caucus and Senate Republican leadership has left the chamber with little to show as they run up against a deadline to pass the state budget.&nbsp;Also hanging in limbo is a bill that would make it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/missouri-initiative-petition-bill-ballot-candy-reinstated/">more difficult to pass citizen-led constitutional amendments</a>, legislation Democrats have staunchly opposed, fearing it could inhibit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/03/missourians-signatures-abortion-amendment-viability/">an abortion rights proposal</a>&nbsp;expected to land on the November ballot.&nbsp;The sponsors of the women’s health care bill argue that unlike other legislation, theirs should not be controversial and thus shouldn’t be a casualty of Senate gridlock.&nbsp;“If the supermajority knew how to govern, they could bulldoze anything through,” Lewis said.&nbsp; “But they are too busy fighting amongst themselves and ultimately playing games with people’s lives.”&nbsp;<h2>Annual supply birth control</h2>Peters said if there’s one thing she’s learned in her freshman term in the House, it’s that all it takes to mount a campaign to kill a bill is the word “abortion.”The legislation, which would&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/29/birth-control-poll-missouri-contraceptives/">allow women on private insurance to pick up an annual supply of contraceptives</a>&nbsp;rather than going to the pharmacy every few months, is already law in 26 states. Studies show this increase in access and continuity can help prevent unintended pregnancy. It does not apply to abortifacients.Stinnett, who has a master’s degree in health care administration and who serves as vice chair of the House Healthcare Reform Committee, said several Republican colleagues had questions about hormonal contraceptives and whether drugs that induce abortions fall under the statute.&nbsp;“At every turn we either had to educate or deflate or talk against what wasn’t true,” Peters said, adding that some lawmakers were spreading inaccurate information that the bill had to do with abortion drugs.After whipping the bill several times, Peters said she ultimately won over the needed support, finally moving the bill out of the House in late April, despite it receiving an initial House committee hearing in January.Only the Missouri Insurance Coalition and America’s Health Insurance Plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City were present to testify in opposition of the birth control policy.<a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/1dKPOmnypv">A recent survey released by The Right Time</a>, a family planning initiative through the Missouri Family Health Council Inc., showed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/29/birth-control-poll-missouri-contraceptives/">Missourians overwhelmingly support access to contraceptives,&nbsp;</a>but some fear their lawmakers could pass laws limiting that availability.Of the 1,000 Missourians polled between the ages of 18 and 35, 77% said they believed there should be access to annual supplies of birth control.“I would have to dig pretty deep to find out when the last proactive sexual and reproductive health care legislation of a ‘women’s health type’ passed,” said Mandy Hagseth, the council’s director of policy and external affairs. “So it does not come often and it does not come easy.”Hagseth previously told The Independent that in conversations with women around Missouri, the council learned that access to clinics, lack of consistent transportation and balancing work and children are often barriers to picking up their contraception consistently, which can create gaps in use and increase the chances of an unintended pregnancy.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://powertodecide.org/what-we-do/contraceptive-deserts">More than 373,000 Missouri women live in contraceptive deserts,&nbsp;</a>which they define as a place where there’s not reasonable access to a full range of contraceptive methods, according to data compiled by Power to Decide. Most are in rural counties.“The Senate has an opportunity to pass a really important, pro-active women’s health bill,” Hagseth said. “At a time that it’s woefully needed sort of generally and politically.”<h2>Congenital syphilis testing</h2>In 2022,<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/emergencies/ert/alertsadvisories/pdf/update022724-1.pdf">&nbsp;Missouri recorded 81 congenital syphilis cases</a>&nbsp;— the most in 30 years, the state health department said in an alert distributed earlier this year.&nbsp;From 2017 to 2021, congenital syphilis cases rose 219% across the country; in Missouri, they rose 593%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 2012 and 2015, one stillbirth from a congenital syphilis case was reported in Missouri. Since then, there’s been at least one infant death every year, with 18 deaths reported between 2016 and 2022, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.&nbsp;Mothers can pass along congenital syphilis in utero at any point in pregnancy. But if caught before the baby passes through the birth canal, the disease is reversible in the womb.For adults, the symptoms, if there are any, can include a rash on the palms of a person’s hands or on the soles of their feet, hair loss, swollen lymph nodes or sores. Often these symptoms go away on their own, even though they are still contagious.&nbsp; If a mother is infected within four weeks of delivering their baby and doesn’t get treatment, the infant has a 40% chance of dying at birth or shortly after, according to the CDC.Right now, only two syphilis tests are required in pregnancy: one in the first trimester and one at birth. The bill would also require a third trimester test for HIV and hepatitis C and hepatitis B, which can cause liver damage in infants.&nbsp;&nbsp;This legislation hopes to address this outbreak by adding additional optional testing for women around 28 weeks of pregnancy during their regularly-scheduled appointment.&nbsp;“Anything we can do to ensure that baby is born healthy, that’s what we need to be doing,” Gannon said.<h2>Mammograms, STI treatment and forensic exams</h2>McCreery said after she went in for a mammogram at the start of the year, she received a “weird form letter” that left her thinking she needed additional testing to ensure she didn’t have breast cancer.&nbsp;New federal regulations for mammograms are now at odds with Missouri’s statute, so this bill would update the language given to patients after a cancer screening to be less confusing, as the current language may cause unnecessary concern.“We need to speak in clear, easy to understand terms when we’re communicating with somebody after they’ve had an exam like that,” McCreery said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715250580053.png" alt=" Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, prepares to introduce a bill during the 2024 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, prepares to introduce a bill during the 2024 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>The bill also hopes to make treatment easier for trichomoniasis, an infection that’s more common in women then men.&nbsp;Under current state statute, if someone is diagnosed with gonorrhea and chlamydia, their doctor is allowed to also treat the patient’s sexual partner in a process called expedited partner therapy. Under this legislation, trichomoniasis would also be added to that list, and it would open the door for syphilis to also be added if federal guidelines change as syphilis rates rise.The final piece of the legislation would smooth out a law passed in 2022 that requires survivors of rape or sexual assault be given&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=71259740">the option to ask for a forensic exam.</a>Right now, speciality hospitals without emergency departments are not exempt from the statute, meaning survivors can be taken to health care providers without access to rape test kits. This statute would require that patients initially seen at specialty hospitals be transferred to a hospital with an emergency department equipped to do a forensic exam.

Fate of ‘game changer’ women’s health care bill in hands of Missouri Senate

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Atchison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 New Holland T640 driven by Timothy J. Oswald, 43, Fairfax, was westbound on 270th at Kettle Avenue four miles west of Fairfax.

The driver fell asleep. The tractor traveled off south side of the road down an embankment and overturned. Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Oswald to Fairfax Community Hospital.&nbsp;

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Atchison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 New Holland T640 driven by Timothy J. Oswald, 43, Fairfax, was westbound on 270th at Kettle Avenue four miles west of Fairfax.The driver fell asleep. The tractor traveled off south side of the road down an embankment and overturned. Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Oswald to Fairfax Community Hospital.&nbsp;

Mo. man injured after he fell asleep while driving a tractor 

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for allegedly skipping court.

On Tuesday, police arrested 26-year-old Jeremiah D. Holliday of&nbsp; Broken Arrow Oklahoma, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Holliday is being held without bond on a State of Oklahoma warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715202771133.png" alt="Holliday-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Holliday-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for allegedly skipping court.On Tuesday, police arrested 26-year-old Jeremiah D. Holliday of&nbsp; Broken Arrow Oklahoma, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Holliday is being held without bond on a State of Oklahoma warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp;

Man jailed in Kansas for skipping court in Oklahoma

St. Joseph’s new executive director of the
Performing Arts Association is eager to get started.

Paul Storiale comes to St. Joseph after stints in
Los Angeles, Wyoming, and Alabama. Storiale says he checked out St. Joseph
before interviewing with Performing Arts Association board members.

“We met at a coffee shop and we sat there and I
just felt like these are my people, this is where I belong, I hope they like
me,” Storiale tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.&nbsp; “A few days later, maybe a week-and-a-half
later, they made me an offer.”

Storiale has been shadowing Executive Director
Beth Sharp. Sharp retires at the end of June after 19 years in the position.

Storiale comes to St. Joseph with quite a
background. He produced and directed plays in Chicago and Los Angeles. It was
on the way to LA that Storiale stopped at Littleton, Colorado and interviewed
survivors of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. That stop and those
interviews led Storiale to write and produce the award winning docu-drama “The
Columbine Project.”

Storiale has served as Performing Arts Manager at
the Heritage Center Theatre in Gillette, Wyoming and Assistant General Manager
of the Montgomery Performing Arts Center in Alabama.

Storiale says the opening in St. Joseph had a
strong attraction for him.

“I think it’s the opportunities, the
opportunities both within the arts arena and the ‘living life to your fullest.’”

Not just through the job, but personally.
Storiale says he’s tired of living in apartments and appreciates that he can
own a house in St. Joseph.

Storiale says St. Joseph has something special in
the Missouri Theater.

“I was warned that a lot of people here don’t
know what they have. And I hope that they do. I don’t know if that’s true,”
Storiale says. “But I know that the people that I’ve talked to are very proud
of it. And I’ve talked to people who aren’t interested in theater and they know
the Missouri Theater and they are very proud of it, but maybe they’ve never been
in it.”

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715183861904.jpeg" alt="Missouri Theater complex/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Theater complex/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph’s new executive director of the
Performing Arts Association is eager to get started.Paul Storiale comes to St. Joseph after stints in
Los Angeles, Wyoming, and Alabama. Storiale says he checked out St. Joseph
before interviewing with Performing Arts Association board members.“We met at a coffee shop and we sat there and I
just felt like these are my people, this is where I belong, I hope they like
me,” Storiale tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.&nbsp; “A few days later, maybe a week-and-a-half
later, they made me an offer.”Storiale has been shadowing Executive Director
Beth Sharp. Sharp retires at the end of June after 19 years in the position.Storiale comes to St. Joseph with quite a
background. He produced and directed plays in Chicago and Los Angeles. It was
on the way to LA that Storiale stopped at Littleton, Colorado and interviewed
survivors of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. That stop and those
interviews led Storiale to write and produce the award winning docu-drama “The
Columbine Project.”Storiale has served as Performing Arts Manager at
the Heritage Center Theatre in Gillette, Wyoming and Assistant General Manager
of the Montgomery Performing Arts Center in Alabama.Storiale says the opening in St. Joseph had a
strong attraction for him.“I think it’s the opportunities, the
opportunities both within the arts arena and the ‘living life to your fullest.’”Not just through the job, but personally.
Storiale says he’s tired of living in apartments and appreciates that he can
own a house in St. Joseph.Storiale says St. Joseph has something special in
the Missouri Theater.“I was warned that a lot of people here don’t
know what they have. And I hope that they do. I don’t know if that’s true,”
Storiale says. “But I know that the people that I’ve talked to are very proud
of it. And I’ve talked to people who aren’t interested in theater and they know
the Missouri Theater and they are very proud of it, but maybe they’ve never been
in it.”Storiale begins his new duties July 1st.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/New-St--Joseph-Performing-Arts-Association-Executive-Director-e2je2b6" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

New St. Joseph Performing Arts director likes what he sees

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

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=244">legislation</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that boosts the minimum salary for teachers, changes the formula for funding public schools and expands a tax-credit scholarship for private schools.

It also allows charter schools in Boone County and requires a public vote for districts seeking to go to a four-day school week.

When fully implemented, the legislation is estimated to cost roughly $468 million a year.

Parson signed the bill a day before the constitutional deadline to take action. His weekly schedule did not announce his intention to sign the legislation.

In a brief press release, he focused on the raise for teachers, which would boost minimum salary from $25,000 to $40,000 a year.

“I have and always will support Missouri teachers. Since the beginning of our administration, we’ve looked at ways to increase teacher pay and reward our educators for the hard work they do, and this legislation helps us continue that progress,” he said. “We ask a lot of our educators when it comes to teaching and caring for our children.”

Dean Johnson, CEO of K-12 education policy group Quality Schools Coalition, focused on investments in pre-k and teacher pay in a statement sent to the press following Parson’s signature.

“For too many years, Missouri education policy has been stagnant, lacking both a commitment to reform and a lack of resources,” he said. “The law signed by Gov. Parson today smartly brings new investments in Missouri’s educational future and will directly lead to better paid teachers and better prepared students.”

Johnson is one of few advocates for public education that has spoken in favor of the legislation.

A collaborative of 41 school districts called the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence wrote a letter to the governor, first&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://webbcity.net/area-educators-urge-gov-parson-to-veto-sb-727/">reported by the Webb City Sentinel</a>, raising concerns about raising minimum teacher pay.&nbsp;

The districts worried that the mandate to increase pay did not come with guaranteed funding to make it happen.

“Increasing the minimum salary yearly per the consumer price index or inflation does not allow for a guarantee for state funding to follow indefinitely,” the school districts wrote. “Our member school districts are in complete agreement with this provision, except for the lack of any guarantees in the bill for required future funding.”

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.votervoice.net/MOSBA/Campaigns/110233/Respond">Missouri School Boards’ Association crafted letters</a>&nbsp;for school board members to send to the governor. For school districts paying teachers under $40,000, the letter addresses fears that the raise is an unfunded mandate.

“While there are provisions in this bill that increase statutory minimum teacher pay, the bill does not ensure state funding will be appropriated this year or any subsequent year to support such an increase,” the sample letter says. “Our district is funded in large part by local taxes, and I fear that if the teacher pay increase is funded at the expense of the foundation formula or school transportation or not funded at all, we as the board may be left to make up the difference with budget cuts or local tax increases.”

Seven Boone County school superintendents, representing all the local districts but Centralia, wrote to Parson on Friday asking for a veto.

The legislation authorizes charter schools&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/01/caleb-rowden-pushes-for-charter-schools-in-his-county-over-objections-from-local-districts/">in Boone County</a>. Otherwise, charter schools are only allowed by state statute in Kansas City and St. Louis and in areas with unaccredited school districts. All of Boone County’s districts are currently accredited.

“Our districts include a tremendous range in student size and local revenue,” the superintendents wrote “The opening of a charter school and the depletion of state and local funds from our urban and rural districts will have a devastating effect on some of our continued ability to operate.”

They argue carving out Boone County might not pass legal muster.

Much of the opposition from public schools and associated organizations centers on the K-12 tax-credit scholarship expansion. The law, when enacted, will open the program statewide and increase the low-income qualifications from 200% of the free-and-reduced-lunch eligibility to 300%.&nbsp;

The income cap, for a family of four, would be $166,500, under this school year’s reduced lunch eligibility.

The legislation began as a 12-page proposal to expand the tax-credit scholarship program, called MOScholars. Lobbyists representing public education entities testified in opposition to the legislation throughout the session.

<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/12/missouri-senate-strikes-deal-to-boost-public-school-funding-in-private-school-tax-credit-bill/">Senate Democrats led a filibuster</a>&nbsp;of the legislation, leading to a compromise and a 167-page education package.

The House did not amend the bill, since any changes would send the legislation back to the Senate for renegotiation. Lawmakers found a way to make requested changes by adding them to a separate House bill, clarifying things such as that homeschools are exempt from the state law that prohibits guns on school grounds.

This fix calmed the Missouri homeschool advocacy organization Families for Home Education, which posted on Facebook that it now had a neutral stance on the bill. It had previously opposed the legislation, with many homeschooling families asking to be written out of the tax-credit scholarship program to avoid the potential of government oversight.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715169376917.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">ANNELISE HANSHAW</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=244">legislation</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that boosts the minimum salary for teachers, changes the formula for funding public schools and expands a tax-credit scholarship for private schools.It also allows charter schools in Boone County and requires a public vote for districts seeking to go to a four-day school week.When fully implemented, the legislation is estimated to cost roughly $468 million a year.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We ask a lot of our educators when it comes to teaching &amp; caring for our children. This legislation supports students, teachers, &amp; families with more educational opportunities to succeed – including additional investments in pre-k – while ensuring our teachers earn a better wage.&mdash; Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovParsonMO/status/1788001022922678372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Parson signed the bill a day before the constitutional deadline to take action. His weekly schedule did not announce his intention to sign the legislation.In a brief press release, he focused on the raise for teachers, which would boost minimum salary from $25,000 to $40,000 a year.“I have and always will support Missouri teachers. Since the beginning of our administration, we’ve looked at ways to increase teacher pay and reward our educators for the hard work they do, and this legislation helps us continue that progress,” he said. “We ask a lot of our educators when it comes to teaching and caring for our children.”Dean Johnson, CEO of K-12 education policy group Quality Schools Coalition, focused on investments in pre-k and teacher pay in a statement sent to the press following Parson’s signature.“For too many years, Missouri education policy has been stagnant, lacking both a commitment to reform and a lack of resources,” he said. “The law signed by Gov. Parson today smartly brings new investments in Missouri’s educational future and will directly lead to better paid teachers and better prepared students.”Johnson is one of few advocates for public education that has spoken in favor of the legislation.A collaborative of 41 school districts called the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence wrote a letter to the governor, first&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://webbcity.net/area-educators-urge-gov-parson-to-veto-sb-727/">reported by the Webb City Sentinel</a>, raising concerns about raising minimum teacher pay.&nbsp;The districts worried that the mandate to increase pay did not come with guaranteed funding to make it happen.“Increasing the minimum salary yearly per the consumer price index or inflation does not allow for a guarantee for state funding to follow indefinitely,” the school districts wrote. “Our member school districts are in complete agreement with this provision, except for the lack of any guarantees in the bill for required future funding.”The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.votervoice.net/MOSBA/Campaigns/110233/Respond">Missouri School Boards’ Association crafted letters</a>&nbsp;for school board members to send to the governor. For school districts paying teachers under $40,000, the letter addresses fears that the raise is an unfunded mandate.“While there are provisions in this bill that increase statutory minimum teacher pay, the bill does not ensure state funding will be appropriated this year or any subsequent year to support such an increase,” the sample letter says. “Our district is funded in large part by local taxes, and I fear that if the teacher pay increase is funded at the expense of the foundation formula or school transportation or not funded at all, we as the board may be left to make up the difference with budget cuts or local tax increases.”Seven Boone County school superintendents, representing all the local districts but Centralia, wrote to Parson on Friday asking for a veto.The legislation authorizes charter schools&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/01/caleb-rowden-pushes-for-charter-schools-in-his-county-over-objections-from-local-districts/">in Boone County</a>. Otherwise, charter schools are only allowed by state statute in Kansas City and St. Louis and in areas with unaccredited school districts. All of Boone County’s districts are currently accredited.“Our districts include a tremendous range in student size and local revenue,” the superintendents wrote “The opening of a charter school and the depletion of state and local funds from our urban and rural districts will have a devastating effect on some of our continued ability to operate.”They argue carving out Boone County might not pass legal muster.Much of the opposition from public schools and associated organizations centers on the K-12 tax-credit scholarship expansion. The law, when enacted, will open the program statewide and increase the low-income qualifications from 200% of the free-and-reduced-lunch eligibility to 300%.&nbsp;The income cap, for a family of four, would be $166,500, under this school year’s reduced lunch eligibility.The legislation began as a 12-page proposal to expand the tax-credit scholarship program, called MOScholars. Lobbyists representing public education entities testified in opposition to the legislation throughout the session.<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/12/missouri-senate-strikes-deal-to-boost-public-school-funding-in-private-school-tax-credit-bill/">Senate Democrats led a filibuster</a>&nbsp;of the legislation, leading to a compromise and a 167-page education package.The House did not amend the bill, since any changes would send the legislation back to the Senate for renegotiation. Lawmakers found a way to make requested changes by adding them to a separate House bill, clarifying things such as that homeschools are exempt from the state law that prohibits guns on school grounds.This fix calmed the Missouri homeschool advocacy organization Families for Home Education, which posted on Facebook that it now had a neutral stance on the bill. It had previously opposed the legislation, with many homeschooling families asking to be written out of the tax-credit scholarship program to avoid the potential of government oversight.

Mo. governor signs $468M education bill that boosts teacher pay, expands charters

ANDREW COUNTY —Five people were injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Tuesday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Ford F150 driven by Dennis M. Newman, 71, Kansas City, Missouri, was at an intersection on Highway T two miles west of Savannah.

The driver failed to yield to a westbound 2003 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Robin L. Bowman, 40, Savannah.&nbsp; The pickup struck the drivers side of the car.&nbsp;

Andrew County EMS transported Newman, Bowman and three children age 8, 12, and 14 in the car to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —Five people were injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Tuesday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Ford F150 driven by Dennis M. Newman, 71, Kansas City, Missouri, was at an intersection on Highway T two miles west of Savannah.The driver failed to yield to a westbound 2003 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Robin L. Bowman, 40, Savannah.&nbsp; The pickup struck the drivers side of the car.&nbsp;Andrew County EMS transported Newman, Bowman and three children age 8, 12, and 14 in the car to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 adults, 3 children hospitalized after Andrew Co. crash

PLATTE COUNTY—Storm Damage Survey Teams have confirmed two tornadoes from the storms on Monday&nbsp; night. An EF-0 in northeastern Platte Co. and an EF-1 from Blue Springs to Grain Valley, Missouri.

The Platte County tornado was on the ground from 10:59 to 11:06p.m., according to the National Weather Service. It traveled 6 miles, had peak winds of 80 miles per hour and a width of 50 yards.

The Blue Springs tornado was on the ground from 11:26 to 11:35p.m.&nbsp; It traveled five and one half miles, had peak winds of 100 miles per hour and a width of 75. yards.&nbsp; There were no injuries from the tornadoes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715120754953.png" alt="NWS Photo of storm damage in Platte County." />
 <figcaption>NWS Photo of storm damage in Platte County.</figcaption>
 </figure>PLATTE COUNTY—Storm Damage Survey Teams have confirmed two tornadoes from the storms on Monday&nbsp; night. An EF-0 in northeastern Platte Co. and an EF-1 from Blue Springs to Grain Valley, Missouri.The Platte County tornado was on the ground from 10:59 to 11:06p.m., according to the National Weather Service. It traveled 6 miles, had peak winds of 80 miles per hour and a width of 50 yards.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715120732131.png" alt="NWS photo of storm damage from the Blue Springs-Grain Valley tornado" />
 <figcaption>NWS photo of storm damage from the Blue Springs-Grain Valley tornado</figcaption>
 </figure>The Blue Springs tornado was on the ground from 11:26 to 11:35p.m.&nbsp; It traveled five and one half miles, had peak winds of 100 miles per hour and a width of 75. yards.&nbsp; There were no injuries from the tornadoes.

NWS confirms tornadoes in Platte and in Jackson County

One of the largest food drives benefiting Second Harvest Community Food Bank is happening this weekend across St. Joseph.  

The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is on Saturday. Second Harvest CEO Chad Higdon says this drive is a great way to reach all the 19 counties the food bank serves. 

Higdon says for the most part all of the food collected locally, stays local 

"So, whatever, if it's here in St. Joseph or a small rural community that we serve, that foods being collected locally and then distribute to a local pantry," Higdon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "So, it's really a great event and we're lucky to be a part of it." 

Higdon says this food drive comes at a critical time; A time when donations are typically down. 

"Donations are typically lower in the summer months and food donations are down, and then you have kids at home with school out and those kinds of things make it a little tougher on families, so this is a critical time," Higdon explains. 

Bags of food will be collected by mail carriers all day on Saturday.   

It's been a fruitful few months for Second Harvest.  A $10,000 donation from Metronet, local Mcdonalds raised money for its Backpack Buddies program, and now this upcoming drive.  

Higdon says the food bank can't run itself, so volunteers as well as corporate sponsorships, and events are important. 

"We purchase a tremendous amount of food so the donations that come in really support that, we can't get it out ourselves, so it takes volunteers helping in our mobile pantries and brick and mortar pantries throughout the region, and we're just thankful to have that support to help families that really need us," Higdon says. 

Mail carriers will collect food from people's mailboxes on Saturday during the Stamp Out Hunger Food drive.  This is the 31st year for the food drive. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715111886451.jpeg" alt="Mail carrier Dustin Hassler (left), Second Harvest CEO Chad Higdon (middle), and Evergy's Dan Hegeman (right) announced the upcoming Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive at the downtown St. Joseph Post Office Tuesday morning/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Mail carrier Dustin Hassler (left), Second Harvest CEO Chad Higdon (middle), and Evergy's Dan Hegeman (right) announced the upcoming Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive at the downtown St. Joseph Post Office Tuesday morning/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post One of the largest food drives benefiting Second Harvest Community Food Bank is happening this weekend across St. Joseph. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is on Saturday. Second Harvest CEO Chad Higdon says this drive is a great way to reach all the 19 counties the food bank serves. Higdon says for the most part all of the food collected locally, stays local "So, whatever, if it's here in St. Joseph or a small rural community that we serve, that foods being collected locally and then distribute to a local pantry," Higdon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, it's really a great event and we're lucky to be a part of it." Higdon says this food drive comes at a critical time; A time when donations are typically down. "Donations are typically lower in the summer months and food donations are down, and then you have kids at home with school out and those kinds of things make it a little tougher on families, so this is a critical time," Higdon explains. Bags of food will be collected by mail carriers all day on Saturday. It's been a fruitful few months for Second Harvest. A $10,000 donation from Metronet, local Mcdonalds raised money for its Backpack Buddies program, and now this upcoming drive. Higdon says the food bank can't run itself, so volunteers as well as corporate sponsorships, and events are important. "We purchase a tremendous amount of food so the donations that come in really support that, we can't get it out ourselves, so it takes volunteers helping in our mobile pantries and brick and mortar pantries throughout the region, and we're just thankful to have that support to help families that really need us," Higdon says. Mail carriers will collect food from people's mailboxes on Saturday during the Stamp Out Hunger Food drive. This is the 31st year for the food drive. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Largest food drive benefiting Second Harvest, Stamp Out Hunger, this weekend

A creative solution is being sought to replace the swimming
pool that failed at the St. Joseph Aquatic Park in 2019.

City Manager Bryan Carter says the Parks Tax Committee
proposed spending $7.7 million to reconstruct a lap pool, but then had second
thoughts on whether that was a wise expenditure.

“The problem that we ran into is the numbers that we were
seeing and hearing for construction of a new pool, going from dirt to pool and building,
was between $25 and $30 million,” Carter says. “We have $8 million to solve a
$25 million problem.”

Carter says the price tag caused the city to back off and reconsider
building a pool that would only be used during the summer months.

“So, before we take that jump, we need to evaluate other
alternatives, including how we can develop an indoor aquatic center that will
meet the needs of the community year-round,” Carter says, “so we’re not just
using it during that short term.”

Carter says YMCA officials approached the city about working
together to build a pool at the new Y facility near the Shoppes at North
Village. The St. Joseph City Council has approved a resolution to contribute $7
million to building a new pool at the Y contingent on the YMCA raising the
additional money needed to build a pool by the end of the year.

“We are in the early stages of working with the YMCA to identify
if that’s feasible,” Carter says. “If we can contribute the capital money that
we have into a facility that they would build and operate and then, of course,
if they can do the rest of the fundraising that will be necessary to build a
facility.”

The St. Joseph City Council has pledged $7 million toward a “modern
indoor aquatic facility on the YMCA Community Campus, contingent on the YMCA
raising the rest of the money needed to build a pool. Under the agreement, the
city would contribute $270,000 a year to operate the pool.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715100626709.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Aquatic Park/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Aquatic Park/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA creative solution is being sought to replace the swimming
pool that failed at the St. Joseph Aquatic Park in 2019.City Manager Bryan Carter says the Parks Tax Committee
proposed spending $7.7 million to reconstruct a lap pool, but then had second
thoughts on whether that was a wise expenditure.“The problem that we ran into is the numbers that we were
seeing and hearing for construction of a new pool, going from dirt to pool and building,
was between $25 and $30 million,” Carter says. “We have $8 million to solve a
$25 million problem.”Carter says the price tag caused the city to back off and reconsider
building a pool that would only be used during the summer months.“So, before we take that jump, we need to evaluate other
alternatives, including how we can develop an indoor aquatic center that will
meet the needs of the community year-round,” Carter says, “so we’re not just
using it during that short term.”Carter says YMCA officials approached the city about working
together to build a pool at the new Y facility near the Shoppes at North
Village. The St. Joseph City Council has approved a resolution to contribute $7
million to building a new pool at the Y contingent on the YMCA raising the
additional money needed to build a pool by the end of the year.“We are in the early stages of working with the YMCA to identify
if that’s feasible,” Carter says. “If we can contribute the capital money that
we have into a facility that they would build and operate and then, of course,
if they can do the rest of the fundraising that will be necessary to build a
facility.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715100734601.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph YMCA/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph YMCA/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>The St. Joseph City Council has pledged $7 million toward a “modern
indoor aquatic facility on the YMCA Community Campus, contingent on the YMCA
raising the rest of the money needed to build a pool. Under the agreement, the
city would contribute $270,000 a year to operate the pool.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

City and St. Joseph YMCA might team up to build new pool

A familiar face to education in northwest Missouri is taking over as Dean of the Savannah campus of North Central Missouri College.  

Clarence Green, former interim President and Chief of Police at Northwest Missouri State has been named Dean of the Savannah campus.  

Green says the opportunity at North Central matched up with many of his ideals of working with first generation students and students looking to advance their skills.  

"I have a certificate, which is a law enforcement certification, excited to work with folks who are seeking certifications, skilled up, two-year associate degrees, workforce center, they have a strong student success mission, vision is part of their strategic plan," Green tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "All of those things identified with me and what North Central stands for." 

Green says his immediate goal will be to listen to the people on the ground of the Savannah campus.  

"The faculty, staff, and students, so I can make sure that I'm putting myself, as well as the organization and institution, with the best foot forward to make sure we're continuing to grow them," Green says.  

Another priority for Green will be on campus enrollment 

"We want to make sure that we have a strong student experience, we want to grow North Central in all facets," Green explains. 

Green says the transition from an established campus like Northwest to a newer campus in Savannah is a great opportunity, and one he feels will be easy 

"If you look at that facility and tour that facility, it is world class, first class, it's going to kind of sell itself," Green says. "It's not going to take very much lifting from my standpoint, I just have to be a person who's willing to get out and get into the community and get into anyplace I can just to tell folks about what we're doing there at Savannah, and hopefully they'll come take a look." 

Green will take over for Sue Nichols who has served as the campus director since the Savannah campus was completed.  Green will start his duties July 1st.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715099581798.jpeg" alt="Clarence Green has been named the new Dean of the Savannah campus for North Central Missouri College/ Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Clarence Green has been named the new Dean of the Savannah campus for North Central Missouri College/ Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A familiar face to education in northwest Missouri is taking over as Dean of the Savannah campus of North Central Missouri College. Clarence Green, former interim President and Chief of Police at Northwest Missouri State has been named Dean of the Savannah campus. Green says the opportunity at North Central matched up with many of his ideals of working with first generation students and students looking to advance their skills. "I have a certificate, which is a law enforcement certification, excited to work with folks who are seeking certifications, skilled up, two-year associate degrees, workforce center, they have a strong student success mission, vision is part of their strategic plan," Green tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "All of those things identified with me and what North Central stands for." Green says his immediate goal will be to listen to the people on the ground of the Savannah campus. "The faculty, staff, and students, so I can make sure that I'm putting myself, as well as the organization and institution, with the best foot forward to make sure we're continuing to grow them," Green says. Another priority for Green will be on campus enrollment "We want to make sure that we have a strong student experience, we want to grow North Central in all facets," Green explains. Green says the transition from an established campus like Northwest to a newer campus in Savannah is a great opportunity, and one he feels will be easy "If you look at that facility and tour that facility, it is world class, first class, it's going to kind of sell itself," Green says. "It's not going to take very much lifting from my standpoint, I just have to be a person who's willing to get out and get into the community and get into anyplace I can just to tell folks about what we're doing there at Savannah, and hopefully they'll come take a look." Green will take over for Sue Nichols who has served as the campus director since the Savannah campus was completed. Green will start his duties July 1st.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Clarence-Green-named-Dean-of-NCMC--Savannah-e2jc8dv" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Clarence Green takes on new challenge at North Central Missouri College

A meth bust during a traffic stop in Buchanan County resulted
in the seizure of 20 pounds of methamphetamine as well as the arrest of a
37-year-old woman who had a three-month-old baby in the car with her.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports the Drug Strike
Force worked with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Joseph Police
Department in making the bust. Puett says K9 Blaize led officers to the
methamphetamine located in the vehicle, approximately 20 pounds worth. The
woman has been taken into custody.

Puett reports the baby was unharmed and has been placed in the
care of the state.

The department has turned the case over to prosecutors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715087814640.jpeg" alt="Buchanan County Drug Strike Force K9 Blaize sits next to meth seized during traffic stop/Photo courtesy of Buchanan County Sheriff's Dept." />
 <figcaption>Buchanan County Drug Strike Force K9 Blaize sits next to meth seized during traffic stop/Photo courtesy of Buchanan County Sheriff's Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA meth bust during a traffic stop in Buchanan County resulted
in the seizure of 20 pounds of methamphetamine as well as the arrest of a
37-year-old woman who had a three-month-old baby in the car with her.Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports the Drug Strike
Force worked with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Joseph Police
Department in making the bust. Puett says K9 Blaize led officers to the
methamphetamine located in the vehicle, approximately 20 pounds worth. The
woman has been taken into custody.Puett reports the baby was unharmed and has been placed in the
care of the state.The department has turned the case over to prosecutors.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Woman arrested with baby on board during Buchanan CO meth bust

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Fentanyl deaths among Missouri babies, toddlers and teens spiked as child welfare officials struggled to adequately investigate the cases, a state panel found in a newly released report.

Forty-three youth died — 20 of them under the age of 4 — in 2022 alone from the infamously powerful drug, according to a new state report. That reflected an overall doubling of child fentantly deaths, with the spike among the youngest victims even steeper, according to the Missouri Department of Social Services, which convened the panel of social workers, health officials, law enforcement and child advocates.

Called the Fentanyl Case Review Subcommittee, the group's&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fentanyl-report-may-2024.pdf">report</a>&nbsp;said that child welfare “missed warning signs and left vulnerable children at risk” as fentanyl became a main driver of the U.S. overdose epidemic in recent years.

Children are especially vulnerable to overdosing, as ingesting even small amounts of the opioid’s residue can be fatal.

“The loss of a child to a drug-related incident is a heartbreaking occurrence that should never transpire,” said DSS Director Robert Knodell in a letter included in the report. “It is imperative that we collectively strive for improvement on both a personal and communal level.”

Knodell formed the subcommittee after The Kansas City Star reported late last year in a series titled, “Deadly Dose,” that babies and toddlers in Missouri were dying from fentanyl at an alarming rate.

The group's report also described a lack of substance abuse treatment options, inconsistency in drug testing, gaps in training and inadequate integration between the mental health and child welfare system.

Among the changes the panel is recommending is better debriefing after something goes wrong so policies and practices can be tweaked. The panel also stressed the need to remove children out of environments in which there is a potential for exposure because of how lethal the drug is.

Emily van Schenkhof, executive director of the Children’s Trust Fund, was a part of the subcommittee and told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article288313460.html">The Star</a>&nbsp;she was surprised by much of what she read in the case reports. The Children’s Trust Fund is the state’s foundation for child abuse prevention.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Fentanyl deaths among Missouri babies, toddlers and teens spiked as child welfare officials struggled to adequately investigate the cases, a state panel found in a newly released report.Forty-three youth died — 20 of them under the age of 4 — in 2022 alone from the infamously powerful drug, according to a new state report. That reflected an overall doubling of child fentantly deaths, with the spike among the youngest victims even steeper, according to the Missouri Department of Social Services, which convened the panel of social workers, health officials, law enforcement and child advocates.Called the Fentanyl Case Review Subcommittee, the group's&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fentanyl-report-may-2024.pdf">report</a>&nbsp;said that child welfare “missed warning signs and left vulnerable children at risk” as fentanyl became a main driver of the U.S. overdose epidemic in recent years.Children are especially vulnerable to overdosing, as ingesting even small amounts of the opioid’s residue can be fatal.“The loss of a child to a drug-related incident is a heartbreaking occurrence that should never transpire,” said DSS Director Robert Knodell in a letter included in the report. “It is imperative that we collectively strive for improvement on both a personal and communal level.”Knodell formed the subcommittee after The Kansas City Star reported late last year in a series titled, “Deadly Dose,” that babies and toddlers in Missouri were dying from fentanyl at an alarming rate.The group's report also described a lack of substance abuse treatment options, inconsistency in drug testing, gaps in training and inadequate integration between the mental health and child welfare system.Among the changes the panel is recommending is better debriefing after something goes wrong so policies and practices can be tweaked. The panel also stressed the need to remove children out of environments in which there is a potential for exposure because of how lethal the drug is.Emily van Schenkhof, executive director of the Children’s Trust Fund, was a part of the subcommittee and told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article288313460.html">The Star</a>&nbsp;she was surprised by much of what she read in the case reports. The Children’s Trust Fund is the state’s foundation for child abuse prevention.

Children are dying of fentanyl by the dozens in Missouri. A panel is calling for changes

NODAWAW COUNTY—A Missouri driver was injured and later arrested following an accident that occurred just after 12:30p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Dwmwigi electric tri-cycle driven by Irina V. Younger, 64, Maryville, was westbound on 282nd Street one mile south of Maryville.

The driver attempted to made a right turn on 282nd Street. The vehicle slid overturned and the driver struck the ground.

Law enforcement arrested Younger on requested charges of misdemeanor DWI; prior offender and careless, imprudent driving involving a motor vehicle crash.&nbsp; Nodaway County EMS then transported Younger to Mosaic in Maryville for treatment of moderate injuries. The MSHP report on the crash lists Younger as a woman. The arrest report lists Younger as a man.

NODAWAW COUNTY—A Missouri driver was injured and later arrested following an accident that occurred just after 12:30p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Dwmwigi electric tri-cycle driven by Irina V. Younger, 64, Maryville, was westbound on 282nd Street one mile south of Maryville.The driver attempted to made a right turn on 282nd Street. The vehicle slid overturned and the driver struck the ground.Law enforcement arrested Younger on requested charges of misdemeanor DWI; prior offender and careless, imprudent driving involving a motor vehicle crash.&nbsp; Nodaway County EMS then transported Younger to Mosaic in Maryville for treatment of moderate injuries. The MSHP report on the crash lists Younger as a woman. The arrest report lists Younger as a man.

Driver injured, arrested after electric tricycle crash in Nodaway Co.

A fledgling small business in St. Joseph has
leaned heavily on the expertise of the <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/services/sbdc/">Northwest Missouri State Small Business
Development Center</a>.

Rachel Neil says when she first went to the Small
Business Development Center, she had a lot of questions.

“How am I able to get all of my ideas into a
business and have it thrive? How am I able to market my business? How am I able
to even just jump start this idea?”

The idea Neil has is to start a business called
Heirloom Diaries, in which she helps families preserve family history in a form
that can be passed down from one generation to another.

Neil says the center more than answered her
questions. She came away with the answers she needed to get started.

“I was able to come up with a sales pitch, a
summary, creating milestones, creating budgets,” Neil tells host Barry Birr on
the KFEQ Hotline. “So that was a huge resource.”

Neil says she has toyed with the business model
for quite a while.

“All the way back from college days, I realized
just how important my family’s story was to me,” Neil says. “And I want to be
able to connect others with their family the way I have connected with mine.”

Neil hasn’t established a brick-and-mortar
business, yet, but says that might be coming.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA fledgling small business in St. Joseph has
leaned heavily on the expertise of the <a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/services/sbdc/">Northwest Missouri State Small Business
Development Center</a>.Rachel Neil says when she first went to the Small
Business Development Center, she had a lot of questions.“How am I able to get all of my ideas into a
business and have it thrive? How am I able to market my business? How am I able
to even just jump start this idea?”The idea Neil has is to start a business called
Heirloom Diaries, in which she helps families preserve family history in a form
that can be passed down from one generation to another.Neil says the center more than answered her
questions. She came away with the answers she needed to get started.“I was able to come up with a sales pitch, a
summary, creating milestones, creating budgets,” Neil tells host Barry Birr on
the KFEQ Hotline. “So that was a huge resource.”Neil says she has toyed with the business model
for quite a while.“All the way back from college days, I realized
just how important my family’s story was to me,” Neil says. “And I want to be
able to connect others with their family the way I have connected with mine.”Neil hasn’t established a brick-and-mortar
business, yet, but says that might be coming.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

New entrepreneur got big boost from Small Business Development Center

Legendary Oklahoma women's basketball coach Sherri Coales says the growth of women's college basketball is something she believes can be sustained, despite the loss of players like Iowa's Caitlin Clark

Coales spoke at an event hosted by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. 

Coales says while people watched the product, it wasn't just Clark that they were seeing.

"People were tuning in to see Caitlin (Clark) shoot from the logo, or they were tuning in Angel Reese get a rebound, or they tuned in to see JuJu (Watkins) break somebody's ankles, they were watching for all that but while they were watching for that they saw all these other players who will continue to fuel the collegiate game," Coales tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Coales coached the Sooners for 25 years, winning six Big 12 Championships and reaching the Final Four three times. 

Coale's says there has been a natural explosion of young girls becoming interested in basketball.

"That circle just grows like a ripple, just wider and wider and wider, so there will be an influx of little girls who are putting their hair up in a ponytail and heading to basketball camp this summer, that will continue," Coales says.

Coales says playing sports can be difficult, but difficult things in life breed confidence, and confidence is the root of success. 

"Boys, girls, whatever work you're doing, sports business, parenting, whatever it is confidence is at the root of success of all that," Coales explains. "And sports gives you a trial run and gives you a chance to fail and succeed and figure out how to handle both of them, it's not always fair but neither is life, so you get that experience and you just take what you've been exposed to and it makes you a better human."

Coales retired from coaching in 2021.  In her post coaching career, she's a speaker as well as an author. 

Coales signed copies of her book 'Rooted to Rise' following the St. Joseph event, a book where she tells stories about all the people who impacted her life.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715008399987.jpeg" alt="Sherri Coales speaks to a crowd in St. Joseph during an event hosted by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Sherri Coales speaks to a crowd in St. Joseph during an event hosted by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostLegendary Oklahoma women's basketball coach Sherri Coales says the growth of women's college basketball is something she believes can be sustained, despite the loss of players like Iowa's Caitlin ClarkCoales spoke at an event hosted by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Coales says while people watched the product, it wasn't just Clark that they were seeing."People were tuning in to see Caitlin (Clark) shoot from the logo, or they were tuning in Angel Reese get a rebound, or they tuned in to see JuJu (Watkins) break somebody's ankles, they were watching for all that but while they were watching for that they saw all these other players who will continue to fuel the collegiate game," Coales tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Coales coached the Sooners for 25 years, winning six Big 12 Championships and reaching the Final Four three times. Coale's says there has been a natural explosion of young girls becoming interested in basketball."That circle just grows like a ripple, just wider and wider and wider, so there will be an influx of little girls who are putting their hair up in a ponytail and heading to basketball camp this summer, that will continue," Coales says.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715008539378.jpeg" alt="Sherri Coales speaks to a crowd at the Word of Life Church/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Sherri Coales speaks to a crowd at the Word of Life Church/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>Coales says playing sports can be difficult, but difficult things in life breed confidence, and confidence is the root of success. "Boys, girls, whatever work you're doing, sports business, parenting, whatever it is confidence is at the root of success of all that," Coales explains. "And sports gives you a trial run and gives you a chance to fail and succeed and figure out how to handle both of them, it's not always fair but neither is life, so you get that experience and you just take what you've been exposed to and it makes you a better human."Coales retired from coaching in 2021. In her post coaching career, she's a speaker as well as an author. Coales signed copies of her book 'Rooted to Rise' following the St. Joseph event, a book where she tells stories about all the people who impacted her life.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715008499689.jpeg" alt="Sherri Coales signed copies of her book 'Rooted to Rise' after speaking to a crowd at the Word of Life Church/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Sherri Coales signed copies of her book 'Rooted to Rise' after speaking to a crowd at the Word of Life Church/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Former-Oklahoma-coach-believes-womens-sports-popularity-can-be-sustained-e2jak7c" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Veteran women's basketball coach says game will continue to rise post- Clark

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman for an alleged violent crime.

On May 3, police arrested 65-year-old Vicki L. Bennett of&nbsp; Atchison in the 1000 Block of South 6th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

She was jailed on a requested charge for domestic battery, physical contact;&nbsp; 2nd within five. years of the first, according to online jail recored.

&nbsp;Bennett met the requirement for the $2500 bond and is not longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715004591565.png" alt="Bennett-photo Athchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Bennett-photo Athchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman for an alleged violent crime.On May 3, police arrested 65-year-old Vicki L. Bennett of&nbsp; Atchison in the 1000 Block of South 6th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.She was jailed on a requested charge for domestic battery, physical contact;&nbsp; 2nd within five. years of the first, according to online jail recored.&nbsp;Bennett met the requirement for the $2500 bond and is not longer in custody.

Kansas woman accused of domestic battery

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Sunday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Jason D. Conn, 51, Tarkio, was northbound on Lakeshore Drive in the city limits of Big Lake.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The motorcycle traveled off the right side of the road and struck a ditch. Atchison-Holt EMS transported Conn to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Sunday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Jason D. Conn, 51, Tarkio, was northbound on Lakeshore Drive in the city limits of Big Lake.The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The motorcycle traveled off the right side of the road and struck a ditch. Atchison-Holt EMS transported Conn to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man hospitalized in St. Joe after motorcycle accident

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged drug crimes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714761186739.png" alt="Thomas-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged drug crimes.Just before 3:30p.m. May 2, the Brown County Drug Task Force conducted&nbsp;a search warrant at 409 E. 11th Street in Horton, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Deputies arrested 29-year-old Dylan Thomas of Horton on a Felony Jackson County Probation Violation Warrant and on requested charges through Brown County for Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Criminal Possession of aWeapon by a Felon.&nbsp;

Local