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

Nearly 8,000 seniors and Missourians with disabilities could lose at-home care over the next year after a new eligibility algorithm went into effect this week, a spokesperson for the state health department told The Independent.

Starting Oct. 1, Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services implemented a change in the scoring algorithm they use to determine eligibility during annual reviews and enrollment for those receiving help with everyday tasks like going to the bathroom, getting dressed and taking their prescriptions. The assistance is part of a Medicaid-funded program called home and community based services designed to provide an alternative to those who would otherwise need to receive institutional care.&nbsp;

That change, according to the department, is designed to help ensure those who truly need the services receive them, and those who don’t — for instance, because their conditions have improved or they’re not severe enough to qualify — are removed.

“We want to ensure those with higher acuity needs are receiving the care they need,” said DHSS spokesperson Lisa Cox. “That is what this transformation is about—to ensure we are providing the right services, in the right setting, at the right time to those who would go into a facility placement if not for [home and community based services].”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

But advocates are raising alarm that certain people who still need services will lose them, causing their health to decline or forcing them into institutional settings like nursing homes.&nbsp;

Jennifer Gundy, who runs a center for independent living in southwest Missouri, which provides in-home care support for 370 people, estimates 18% of her clients will fall off the rolls.

And most of them will still be in need of services, she said, including cases of those with severe diabetes, mobility issues, complicated medication regimes and other issues that are eased by current assistance but will worsen without it.

“So that’s our concern,” she said. “And we’ve been voicing that concern with the state for probably the last two years,” she said.

Joel Ferber, director of advocacy at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, said there are “truly needy folks who are going to lose services.”&nbsp;

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri has been working with national advocacy groups to analyze the new algorithm and its effects,&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WH2Erz4P2IzLdAONZPBliiStb0hKM9dx6EJrMYtRo5o/edit" target="_blank">and provide guidance.</a>&nbsp;One client they identified, a 70-year-old woman who receives 40 hours of weekly paid help, won’t be eligible after her review, according to LSEM. She weighs under 100 pounds and has had a stroke.

Without a caretaker, she won’t be able to make herself meals or bathe, and has no family in the area. She may have to be hospitalized or go to a nursing home.

State Rep. Deb Lavender, a Democrat of Manchester, said thousands will lose services, “without any support from the state” to fill in the gap.

“They’re going to be people who have received services for years,” she said, “and we have provided that for them — to then drop them because they don’t meet the new algorithm doesn’t seem right.”

Cox said 7,818 people are at risk of losing services, but she didn’t provide an estimate of any possible net change, saying the program will “continue to add more participants every month due to the increase in needs of our population.”&nbsp;

There were around 68,000 people monthly on the program last fiscal year, Cox said.

The new algorithm has been years in the making.&nbsp;

The legislature in 2017 grew concerned with the home and community based services program “just blossoming” in participation and cost, said Jessica Schaefer, program director for home and community based services in a&nbsp;<a href="https://stateofmo.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/stateofmo/recording/8d5b5ed15984103dbfd6d6c4b67e734f/playback" target="_blank">recent training.&nbsp;</a>

To cut the budget, the legislature in 2017 raised the threshold for eligibility. It also capped costs for services at a lower level.&nbsp;

The program is jointly funded by the state and federal government, and states vary widely in how they run the programs.

The department found those changes weren’t entirely effective, Schafer said — that some people who needed services most didn’t qualify anymore — so they launched a “transformation” of the eligibility criteria. It was designed to be more accurate at directing limited services to the correct people.

The “transformation is about ensuring those most in need of care receive the services needed to remain independent in their community,” Cox said.

There have been several delays in implementing the new algorithm — most recently because of federal rules tied to accepting American Rescue Plan Act funds. Since 2021, the department has used both the new and old algorithm, so that anyone who qualified on either basis could qualify for the program.

The state has generally characterized those who will lose coverage as people who don’t have needs significant enough to qualify in the first place.

In a slideshow for providers during a recent training, the state recommended when delivering the news of ineligibility to individuals, that they “exude confidence” and “put a positive spin on ineligibility,” along with connecting them to other resources and expressing sympathy.

Because the department has been providing two scores, advocates can see which clients will not qualify under the new algorithm and have been able to track it.

Advocates say they’ve repeatedly brought up concerns with the state based on clients they see are desperately in need of services who will no longer qualify.

“The only thing that we can do is just go ahead and allow them to do this, and then if there’s enough people that fall off the services and end up going to the nursing home, going in the hospital, having lots of problems because they’re not getting the services, then we can look at doing a class action lawsuit,” said Gundy, the southwest Missouri advocate.

“Which is really sad, because those people have to get hurt or have really bad health problems for something to get done.”

States across the country have made similar cuts to the program, based on automated decisions, including in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/02/algorithm-crucial-healthcare-decisions" target="_blank">Arkansas</a>, where the algorithm was successfully&nbsp;<a href="https://www.btah.org/case-study/arkansas-medicaid-home-and-community-based-services-hours-cuts.html" target="_blank">challenged</a>&nbsp;in court.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and a group of national advocates published a&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WH2Erz4P2IzLdAONZPBliiStb0hKM9dx6EJrMYtRo5o/edit" target="_blank">toolkit for providers and participants to understand the changes</a>&nbsp;and track those who lose services.

Emily Paul, project director at Upturn, a national organization that advocates for equity and justice in technology, has been involved in that analysis.

“What we understand in general is that automation is a tool that states are using to deal with inadequate funding for these programs, and to create a rationale for who doesn’t get services,” Paul said.

“Underfunding really drives the need to have this whole rationale for trying to distribute the resources and trying to make claims to fairness and objectivity within a system that is not really set up to actually meet people’s needs,” she said. “And so that’s the fundamental issue. States can still try to make better or worse choices about how they allocate the resources.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647707989275.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Nearly 8,000 seniors and Missourians with disabilities could lose at-home care over the next year after a new eligibility algorithm went into effect this week, a spokesperson for the state health department told The Independent.Starting Oct. 1, Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services implemented a change in the scoring algorithm they use to determine eligibility during annual reviews and enrollment for those receiving help with everyday tasks like going to the bathroom, getting dressed and taking their prescriptions. The assistance is part of a Medicaid-funded program called home and community based services designed to provide an alternative to those who would otherwise need to receive institutional care.&nbsp;That change, according to the department, is designed to help ensure those who truly need the services receive them, and those who don’t — for instance, because their conditions have improved or they’re not severe enough to qualify — are removed.“We want to ensure those with higher acuity needs are receiving the care they need,” said DHSS spokesperson Lisa Cox. “That is what this transformation is about—to ensure we are providing the right services, in the right setting, at the right time to those who would go into a facility placement if not for [home and community based services].”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But advocates are raising alarm that certain people who still need services will lose them, causing their health to decline or forcing them into institutional settings like nursing homes.&nbsp;Jennifer Gundy, who runs a center for independent living in southwest Missouri, which provides in-home care support for 370 people, estimates 18% of her clients will fall off the rolls.And most of them will still be in need of services, she said, including cases of those with severe diabetes, mobility issues, complicated medication regimes and other issues that are eased by current assistance but will worsen without it.“So that’s our concern,” she said. “And we’ve been voicing that concern with the state for probably the last two years,” she said.Joel Ferber, director of advocacy at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, said there are “truly needy folks who are going to lose services.”&nbsp;Legal Services of Eastern Missouri has been working with national advocacy groups to analyze the new algorithm and its effects,&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WH2Erz4P2IzLdAONZPBliiStb0hKM9dx6EJrMYtRo5o/edit" target="_blank">and provide guidance.</a>&nbsp;One client they identified, a 70-year-old woman who receives 40 hours of weekly paid help, won’t be eligible after her review, according to LSEM. She weighs under 100 pounds and has had a stroke.Without a caretaker, she won’t be able to make herself meals or bathe, and has no family in the area. She may have to be hospitalized or go to a nursing home.State Rep. Deb Lavender, a Democrat of Manchester, said thousands will lose services, “without any support from the state” to fill in the gap.“They’re going to be people who have received services for years,” she said, “and we have provided that for them — to then drop them because they don’t meet the new algorithm doesn’t seem right.”Cox said 7,818 people are at risk of losing services, but she didn’t provide an estimate of any possible net change, saying the program will “continue to add more participants every month due to the increase in needs of our population.”&nbsp;There were around 68,000 people monthly on the program last fiscal year, Cox said.The new algorithm has been years in the making.&nbsp;The legislature in 2017 grew concerned with the home and community based services program “just blossoming” in participation and cost, said Jessica Schaefer, program director for home and community based services in a&nbsp;<a href="https://stateofmo.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/stateofmo/recording/8d5b5ed15984103dbfd6d6c4b67e734f/playback" target="_blank">recent training.&nbsp;</a>To cut the budget, the legislature in 2017 raised the threshold for eligibility. It also capped costs for services at a lower level.&nbsp;The program is jointly funded by the state and federal government, and states vary widely in how they run the programs.The department found those changes weren’t entirely effective, Schafer said — that some people who needed services most didn’t qualify anymore — so they launched a “transformation” of the eligibility criteria. It was designed to be more accurate at directing limited services to the correct people.The “transformation is about ensuring those most in need of care receive the services needed to remain independent in their community,” Cox said.There have been several delays in implementing the new algorithm — most recently because of federal rules tied to accepting American Rescue Plan Act funds. Since 2021, the department has used both the new and old algorithm, so that anyone who qualified on either basis could qualify for the program.The state has generally characterized those who will lose coverage as people who don’t have needs significant enough to qualify in the first place.In a slideshow for providers during a recent training, the state recommended when delivering the news of ineligibility to individuals, that they “exude confidence” and “put a positive spin on ineligibility,” along with connecting them to other resources and expressing sympathy.Because the department has been providing two scores, advocates can see which clients will not qualify under the new algorithm and have been able to track it.Advocates say they’ve repeatedly brought up concerns with the state based on clients they see are desperately in need of services who will no longer qualify.“The only thing that we can do is just go ahead and allow them to do this, and then if there’s enough people that fall off the services and end up going to the nursing home, going in the hospital, having lots of problems because they’re not getting the services, then we can look at doing a class action lawsuit,” said Gundy, the southwest Missouri advocate.“Which is really sad, because those people have to get hurt or have really bad health problems for something to get done.”States across the country have made similar cuts to the program, based on automated decisions, including in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/02/algorithm-crucial-healthcare-decisions" target="_blank">Arkansas</a>, where the algorithm was successfully&nbsp;<a href="https://www.btah.org/case-study/arkansas-medicaid-home-and-community-based-services-hours-cuts.html" target="_blank">challenged</a>&nbsp;in court.Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and a group of national advocates published a&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WH2Erz4P2IzLdAONZPBliiStb0hKM9dx6EJrMYtRo5o/edit" target="_blank">toolkit for providers and participants to understand the changes</a>&nbsp;and track those who lose services.Emily Paul, project director at Upturn, a national organization that advocates for equity and justice in technology, has been involved in that analysis.“What we understand in general is that automation is a tool that states are using to deal with inadequate funding for these programs, and to create a rationale for who doesn’t get services,” Paul said.“Underfunding really drives the need to have this whole rationale for trying to distribute the resources and trying to make claims to fairness and objectivity within a system that is not really set up to actually meet people’s needs,” she said. “And so that’s the fundamental issue. States can still try to make better or worse choices about how they allocate the resources.”

Missourians with disabilities and seniors could lose at-home care under new eligibility algorithm

Whether or not the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans
Memorial Airport in St. Joseph lands the latest C-130 cargo planes remains up
in the air.

Competition among Air National Guard wings remains fierce.

The 139th currently flies C-130H model planes. The
wing has applied for the new “J” models, but was passed over during the initial
allocation made by the Pentagon.

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves succeeded in getting
funding added to the Defense Budget for two additional C-130J planes, hoping 10
new planes will be located to St. Joseph.

“We’re working on that and I know that the 139th has
done everything they can, too, to fix all of the problems that the team that
came out and evaluated all the different bases around the country and set that
priority list for getting C-130Js,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They
fix all their problems. So, we’re just going to continue to move forward and
continue to push.” 

The Air Guard base at Rosecrans fell short in that evaluation,
mostly due to the outdated facilities at the St. Joseph airport. Those are
being addressed. A new terminal with a new air traffic control tower are being
built. A new landing strip has been constructed. Other improvements are
underway as an unprecedented amount of money has been pouring in to Rosecrans
from the city, Buchanan County, and the state of Missouri. The tens of millions
being spent all have the same mission:&nbsp;
address the deficiencies that cost the 139th from getting the
new cargo planes during the first round.

Graves has been making the case in Washington, saying the 139th
can make a strong argument for getting the latest, modern cargo planes.

“The best thing we’ve got going for us is the Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Center,” Graves says, pointing to the center that trains crews
from across the country as well as NATO.&nbsp;
“Because we are training crews in C-130Js, yet our crews are in C-130Hs.
And so, we need to make sure that they have the latest technology as well.”

Other Air Guard bases are also pressing their needs.

“Reno is one of the areas we’re competing with and one of
their missions is a firefighting mission,” Graves says. “I think our mission is
more important, but obviously they’re pushing their side of it. We’re competing
against bases all over the country and they’re all trying to make their case
the same as us. It’s hard to handicap it and the military keeps their cards very
close to their chest, too, when it comes to those decisions.”

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727809258428.jpeg" alt="C-130 cargo plane/Photo courtesy of the Air Guard 139th Airlift Wing" />
 <figcaption>C-130 cargo plane/Photo courtesy of the Air Guard 139th Airlift Wing</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWhether or not the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans
Memorial Airport in St. Joseph lands the latest C-130 cargo planes remains up
in the air.Competition among Air National Guard wings remains fierce.The 139th currently flies C-130H model planes. The
wing has applied for the new “J” models, but was passed over during the initial
allocation made by the Pentagon.Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves succeeded in getting
funding added to the Defense Budget for two additional C-130J planes, hoping 10
new planes will be located to St. Joseph.“We’re working on that and I know that the 139th has
done everything they can, too, to fix all of the problems that the team that
came out and evaluated all the different bases around the country and set that
priority list for getting C-130Js,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They
fix all their problems. So, we’re just going to continue to move forward and
continue to push.” The Air Guard base at Rosecrans fell short in that evaluation,
mostly due to the outdated facilities at the St. Joseph airport. Those are
being addressed. A new terminal with a new air traffic control tower are being
built. A new landing strip has been constructed. Other improvements are
underway as an unprecedented amount of money has been pouring in to Rosecrans
from the city, Buchanan County, and the state of Missouri. The tens of millions
being spent all have the same mission:&nbsp;
address the deficiencies that cost the 139th from getting the
new cargo planes during the first round.Graves has been making the case in Washington, saying the 139th
can make a strong argument for getting the latest, modern cargo planes.“The best thing we’ve got going for us is the Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Center,” Graves says, pointing to the center that trains crews
from across the country as well as NATO.&nbsp;
“Because we are training crews in C-130Js, yet our crews are in C-130Hs.
And so, we need to make sure that they have the latest technology as well.”Other Air Guard bases are also pressing their needs.“Reno is one of the areas we’re competing with and one of
their missions is a firefighting mission,” Graves says. “I think our mission is
more important, but obviously they’re pushing their side of it. We’re competing
against bases all over the country and they’re all trying to make their case
the same as us. It’s hard to handicap it and the military keeps their cards very
close to their chest, too, when it comes to those decisions.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Graves says 139th still competing for new cargo planes

The St. Joseph School District recently completed an expansion of the Hillyard Technical Center that added space for new programs and expansion of others.  

Superintendent Gabe Edgar says the expansion was designed to help address employment needs in the community, from manufacturing to healthcare.  

Edgar says the school district worked with a special advisory board to figure out where those needs were prior to the expansion 

"What kind of welding employees they needed, what kind of precision manufacturing employees they needed, what kind of mechanics they needed, all of that stuff has kind of come to fruition," Edgar tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

Edgar says these partnerships will not only benefit the school district, but also the area employers and the community as a whole.  

One program that the facility has helped expand is the diesel tech program.  School Board Vice President Mike Moore says when that program began, there wasn't even room for a shop for students to work.  

Since the expansion however, several partnerships have helped enhance the capabilities of the program.  One in particular Moore says, was with Daimler Truck North America to provide a diesel truck for students to work on 

"So, we're talking a $100,000 plus vehicle that has got the latest control systems, the latest hydraulics, braking, everything that the students need that's very relevant for the trucks that are being made today," Moore explains. 

Moore says that just recently they had an opportunity to deliver the truck to Hillyard 

"They filled the driveway, they clapped for the truck as it came in, they immediately crawled underneath it and started asking questions and looking at it," Moore says. "And so, yeah I think there's strong evidence that kids are responding to this." 

The partnership with Daimler is one of many to provide state of the art equipment to the facility, so students can work on the equipment that they would work on once they are out of school.  

Since the expansion, Edgar says students in the welding programs have nearly doubled. But what the best part of the expansion is, Edgar says, is that the space is a simulated facility 

"So, all these specialized training centers are right next to each other, so these kids can actually learn a little bit of everything," Edgar explains. "So, if somebody didn't like welding and they wanted to try precision machines, they can move right over there and try precision machines, so it's more of a partnership." 

Edgar says a space like this will be good for students as they explore interests at Hillyard which will help expand future workforce endeavors in the community. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677777811928.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The St. Joseph School District recently completed an expansion of the Hillyard Technical Center that added space for new programs and expansion of others. Superintendent Gabe Edgar says the expansion was designed to help address employment needs in the community, from manufacturing to healthcare. Edgar says the school district worked with a special advisory board to figure out where those needs were prior to the expansion "What kind of welding employees they needed, what kind of precision manufacturing employees they needed, what kind of mechanics they needed, all of that stuff has kind of come to fruition," Edgar tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Edgar says these partnerships will not only benefit the school district, but also the area employers and the community as a whole. One program that the facility has helped expand is the diesel tech program. School Board Vice President Mike Moore says when that program began, there wasn't even room for a shop for students to work. Since the expansion however, several partnerships have helped enhance the capabilities of the program. One in particular Moore says, was with Daimler Truck North America to provide a diesel truck for students to work on "So, we're talking a $100,000 plus vehicle that has got the latest control systems, the latest hydraulics, braking, everything that the students need that's very relevant for the trucks that are being made today," Moore explains. Moore says that just recently they had an opportunity to deliver the truck to Hillyard "They filled the driveway, they clapped for the truck as it came in, they immediately crawled underneath it and started asking questions and looking at it," Moore says. "And so, yeah I think there's strong evidence that kids are responding to this." The partnership with Daimler is one of many to provide state of the art equipment to the facility, so students can work on the equipment that they would work on once they are out of school. Since the expansion, Edgar says students in the welding programs have nearly doubled. But what the best part of the expansion is, Edgar says, is that the space is a simulated facility "So, all these specialized training centers are right next to each other, so these kids can actually learn a little bit of everything," Edgar explains. "So, if somebody didn't like welding and they wanted to try precision machines, they can move right over there and try precision machines, so it's more of a partnership." Edgar says a space like this will be good for students as they explore interests at Hillyard which will help expand future workforce endeavors in the community.

Hillyard expansion tries to fit community needs

An Overland Park, Kansas man suffered serious injuries in a
fiery crash on Interstate 29 north of St. Joseph in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 46-year-old Martin
Kinni was driving south on I-29 late Monday night when he attempted to pass
another vehicle, went off the east side of the road and began to slide. Kinni
got his SUV back on the road, but it slid off the west side, struck a concrete
barrier and an overhead sign post before catching fire.

The patrol reports Kinni was taken to Mosaic Life Care with
serious injuries.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn Overland Park, Kansas man suffered serious injuries in a
fiery crash on Interstate 29 north of St. Joseph in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 46-year-old Martin
Kinni was driving south on I-29 late Monday night when he attempted to pass
another vehicle, went off the east side of the road and began to slide. Kinni
got his SUV back on the road, but it slid off the west side, struck a concrete
barrier and an overhead sign post before catching fire.The patrol reports Kinni was taken to Mosaic Life Care with
serious injuries.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Kansas man seriously injured in fiery I-29 crash north of St. Joseph

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Monday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by Abdirahin S. Abdullahi, 26, Faribault, Minnesota, was southbound on Interstate 35 a mile marker 47 in a construction zone.

The semi rear-ended a 2020 Chevy Traverse driven by Allen C. Haupt, 63, Edwards.&nbsp; Cameron ambulance transported Haupt to Liberty Hospital. Abdullahi was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Monday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by Abdirahin S. Abdullahi, 26, Faribault, Minnesota, was southbound on Interstate 35 a mile marker 47 in a construction zone.The semi rear-ended a 2020 Chevy Traverse driven by Allen C. Haupt, 63, Edwards.&nbsp; Cameron ambulance transported Haupt to Liberty Hospital. Abdullahi was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Mo. man hospitalized after construction zone rear-end crash

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on child sex crime allegations.

On Sept. 26, Olathe Police arrested 69-year-old&nbsp;Carlos A. Rondon of Olathe on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The charges are the result of an Atchison Police Department investigation that began on July 30, involving three victims that were under the age of 14 at the time of the crimes. 

The crimes against these victims occurred between 2012 and 2020 in Atchison. Rondon was taken to the Johnson County Kansas Jail with a bond set at one million dollars.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727705884029.png" alt="Rondon photo Johnoson Co." />
 <figcaption>Rondon photo Johnoson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on child sex crime allegations.On Sept. 26, Olathe Police arrested 69-year-old&nbsp;Carlos A. Rondon of Olathe on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.The charges are the result of an Atchison Police Department investigation that began on July 30, involving three victims that were under the age of 14 at the time of the crimes. The crimes against these victims occurred between 2012 and 2020 in Atchison. Rondon was taken to the Johnson County Kansas Jail with a bond set at one million dollars.

Kansas sex crime suspect held on a $1 million bond

ANDREW COUNTY —Five people were injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Monday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Honda Accord driven by Amy Sue M. Jackson, 28, Savannah, was southbound on Route K at Route T in the Amazonia city limits.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the center of the road and struck a northbound 2023 Hyundia Santa Fe driven by Larry W. Etzler, 71, Amazonia. After impact the Hyundia traveled off the road, overturned and struck a tree.

EMS transported Jackson and two passengers in the Honda, a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old, girl both from St. Joseph to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp;

Andrew County EMS transported Etzler and a passenger Karen S. Etzler, 69, Amazonia, to Mosaic. The occupants of the Honda were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —Five people were injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Monday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Honda Accord driven by Amy Sue M. Jackson, 28, Savannah, was southbound on Route K at Route T in the Amazonia city limits.The driver failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the center of the road and struck a northbound 2023 Hyundia Santa Fe driven by Larry W. Etzler, 71, Amazonia. After impact the Hyundia traveled off the road, overturned and struck a tree.EMS transported Jackson and two passengers in the Honda, a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old, girl both from St. Joseph to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp;Andrew County EMS transported Etzler and a passenger Karen S. Etzler, 69, Amazonia, to Mosaic. The occupants of the Honda were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Three adults, two juveniles injured in Andrew Co. crash

An organization dedicated to introducing youth to the outdoors
through hunting hopes to hold a clinic in northwest Missouri, if it can get the
volunteers it needs.

Executive Director Colton Zirkle with the <a href="https://www.mhhf.us/">Missouri Hunting
Heritage Foundation</a> says the foundation holds weekend clinics for youth who
might not otherwise get out and go hunting.

“We gauge the entire clinic, the entire thing is made for
people who don’t have a hunting background,” Zirkle says during an appearance
on the KFEQ Hotline.&nbsp; “It’s certainly open
to people who do, but we’re best suited for those people who don’t really have
much experience in the outdoors.”

Zirkle says he has a sponsor and a landowner to hold a clinic
in northwest Missouri, he only needs the volunteers.

Zirkle says there is just something about teaching a young
person who might have never fired a gun or gone on a hunt the proper way to go
about it.

“And then we put a live firearm in their hands with the range
safety officer and the instructors and to watch them break a clay target, a
moving clay target, and just to see their faces change and it’s like, oh you
know, this is so cool,” Zirkle says.

Zirkle says youth who participate can earn their Missouri
Hunter Education Certificate. The weekend clinics teach firearm safety on
Saturday and lead youth on a mentor-guided hunt on Sunday.

Zirkle says it’s a joy to see youth get excited about hunting.

“And that’s a huge reason why a lot of our mentors are
involved. Some of our partners talk about being unplugged and outdoors,” Zirkle
says. “We never see a cell phone come out during our clinics with these kids.”

If you are interested in volunteering, you are urged to
contact Zirkle at the Missouri Hunting Heritage Foundation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727719084135.jpeg" alt="Missouri Heritage Hunting Foundation photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Heritage Hunting Foundation photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn organization dedicated to introducing youth to the outdoors
through hunting hopes to hold a clinic in northwest Missouri, if it can get the
volunteers it needs.Executive Director Colton Zirkle with the <a href="https://www.mhhf.us/">Missouri Hunting
Heritage Foundation</a> says the foundation holds weekend clinics for youth who
might not otherwise get out and go hunting.“We gauge the entire clinic, the entire thing is made for
people who don’t have a hunting background,” Zirkle says during an appearance
on the KFEQ Hotline.&nbsp; “It’s certainly open
to people who do, but we’re best suited for those people who don’t really have
much experience in the outdoors.”Zirkle says he has a sponsor and a landowner to hold a clinic
in northwest Missouri, he only needs the volunteers.Zirkle says there is just something about teaching a young
person who might have never fired a gun or gone on a hunt the proper way to go
about it.“And then we put a live firearm in their hands with the range
safety officer and the instructors and to watch them break a clay target, a
moving clay target, and just to see their faces change and it’s like, oh you
know, this is so cool,” Zirkle says.Zirkle says youth who participate can earn their Missouri
Hunter Education Certificate. The weekend clinics teach firearm safety on
Saturday and lead youth on a mentor-guided hunt on Sunday.Zirkle says it’s a joy to see youth get excited about hunting.“And that’s a huge reason why a lot of our mentors are
involved. Some of our partners talk about being unplugged and outdoors,” Zirkle
says. “We never see a cell phone come out during our clinics with these kids.”If you are interested in volunteering, you are urged to
contact Zirkle at the Missouri Hunting Heritage Foundation.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Hunting Heritage Foundation seeks volunteers for NW Missouri clinic

St. Joseph city officials are continuing to explore building a new indoor athletics facility designed for youth sports.  

A site has been decided on near the Missouri Western campus, and the city has put out a proposal to select a developer for the project.  

Interim City Manager Clint Thompson says the idea for the project came with several families having to leave St. Joseph to take their children to sporting events. 

"And they always ask how come we couldn't have something similar like that in St. Joseph? And so as a result of that conversation it transpired into the city considering the availability of creating a youth sports facility," Thompson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

Thompson says originally there were two sites in mind, the one at Missouri Western and another at the Sears location at East Hills Mall.  that plan had called for the indoor sports facility to be at the Sears location 

"However, the shift now has changed to having all of those options on one property as an events just from an economy of the scale," Thompson explain.  

Thompson says the facility will be a joint partnership with Missouri Western 

"In an effort to not only attract outside tourism to St. Joseph, but it would be an amenity that the university itself would be able to utilize in attracting additional enrollment potentially with the availability of this amenity on their campus," Thompson says. "But also, existing students would have an opportunity to utilize the facilities when they're not hosting events as well." 

Thompson says the facility will focus on sports such as basketball, baseball, and soccer having no type of aquatic component at this time. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph city officials are continuing to explore building a new indoor athletics facility designed for youth sports. A site has been decided on near the Missouri Western campus, and the city has put out a proposal to select a developer for the project. Interim City Manager Clint Thompson says the idea for the project came with several families having to leave St. Joseph to take their children to sporting events. "And they always ask how come we couldn't have something similar like that in St. Joseph? And so as a result of that conversation it transpired into the city considering the availability of creating a youth sports facility," Thompson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Thompson says originally there were two sites in mind, the one at Missouri Western and another at the Sears location at East Hills Mall. that plan had called for the indoor sports facility to be at the Sears location "However, the shift now has changed to having all of those options on one property as an events just from an economy of the scale," Thompson explain. Thompson says the facility will be a joint partnership with Missouri Western "In an effort to not only attract outside tourism to St. Joseph, but it would be an amenity that the university itself would be able to utilize in attracting additional enrollment potentially with the availability of this amenity on their campus," Thompson says. "But also, existing students would have an opportunity to utilize the facilities when they're not hosting events as well." Thompson says the facility will focus on sports such as basketball, baseball, and soccer having no type of aquatic component at this time.

St. Joseph and MWSU join together on youth sports facility 

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Saturday in Livingston County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Pontiac G6 driven by Blayze R. Stains, 18, St. Joseph, was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles west of Mooresville. The car traveled off the south side of the road into the median. It overturned, crossed eastbound lanes of U.S. 36 and came to rest on its top off the south side of the road.

Chillicothe EMS transported Stains to Hedrick Medical Center. A 17-year-old female passenger from St. Joseph refused treatment at the scene for minor injuries. Stains was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Saturday in Livingston County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Pontiac G6 driven by Blayze R. Stains, 18, St. Joseph, was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles west of Mooresville. The car traveled off the south side of the road into the median. It overturned, crossed eastbound lanes of U.S. 36 and came to rest on its top off the south side of the road.Chillicothe EMS transported Stains to Hedrick Medical Center. A 17-year-old female passenger from St. Joseph refused treatment at the scene for minor injuries. Stains was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

St. Joe teen hospitalized after rollover accident

CALDWELL COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Saturday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ford Expedition driven by Lawson J. Brown, 33, Mooresville, was westbound on Old U.S. 36 at Northeast Litton Road&nbsp; two miles east of Breckenridge.

The SUV traveled off the north side of the road, returned to the road, began to slide, traveled off the south side of the road, struck an embankment, overturned, struck a barbed wire fence and came to rest on its top.

EMS transported Brown to Liberty Hospital and a. passenger Shalai E. Brown, 31, Mooresville to Hedrick Medical Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Saturday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ford Expedition driven by Lawson J. Brown, 33, Mooresville, was westbound on Old U.S. 36 at Northeast Litton Road&nbsp; two miles east of Breckenridge.The SUV traveled off the north side of the road, returned to the road, began to slide, traveled off the south side of the road, struck an embankment, overturned, struck a barbed wire fence and came to rest on its top.EMS transported Brown to Liberty Hospital and a. passenger Shalai E. Brown, 31, Mooresville to Hedrick Medical Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Missouri couple hospitalized after SUV rollover crash

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chrysler Aspen driven by Mary J. Nauman, 66, Mound City was eastbound on Route C four miles west of Maitland.

The SUV traveled off the north&nbsp; side of the road and struck a ditch. Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Nauman to Mosaic. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Friday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chrysler Aspen driven by Mary J. Nauman, 66, Mound City was eastbound on Route C four miles west of Maitland.The SUV traveled off the north&nbsp; side of the road and struck a ditch. Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Nauman to Mosaic. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

Missouri woman hospitalized after SUV crash

A St. Joseph native who has published numerous novels returns
to her home town for a forthcoming book.

Lee Ann Sonthemeier Murphy now lives in Neosho, but grew up in
St. Joseph. Murphy published her first novel in 2010 and explores a variety of
subjects.

“I like to say I write everything from sweet to heat,” Murphy
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I also write historical romance. For those books,
I write those under Patrice Wayne, a pen name because my publisher thought to
keep them different, separate, from my contemporary romance. But I write, pretty
much I write whatever ideas that come up.”

Murphy has been busy this year. “The Legacy of Boone Wilson”
came out earlier this year. “Venganza” came out earlier this month. “The
Cowboy’s Last Chance” comes out next month with “Homeward Bound Hearts” set in
St. Joseph and Savannah is due out in mid-December. An earlier work, “Urban
Renewal,” was set in St. Joseph.

Murphy says she dreamed of being a novelist since she was a
little girl, growing up in north St. Joseph.

“I hope they get a good story that they enjoy. I hope it’s a
story that sticks with them awhile. I occasionally get some fan mail, not a
lot, but some,” Murphy says. “If they tell me my work really touched them or
they really related to it, that makes me feel good.”

Murphy, who now lives in Neosho, has published more than 50
novels or novellas over the years. She published her first novel in 2010 after
working as editor of the Neosho Daily News and the Aurora Advertiser. Murphy even
worked for a time as a broadcast reporter.

And while Murphy says some fantasize about the glamorous life
of a writer, reality is much different.

“My Dad used to say there is no perfect job and I think he was
right,” Murphy says. “I love what I do, but it’s maybe not what people envision
it to be. At the end of the day, I’m still me. I’m still Lee Ann from north St.
Joe, spinning my stories.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727461183355.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph native who has published numerous novels returns
to her home town for a forthcoming book.Lee Ann Sonthemeier Murphy now lives in Neosho, but grew up in
St. Joseph. Murphy published her first novel in 2010 and explores a variety of
subjects.“I like to say I write everything from sweet to heat,” Murphy
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I also write historical romance. For those books,
I write those under Patrice Wayne, a pen name because my publisher thought to
keep them different, separate, from my contemporary romance. But I write, pretty
much I write whatever ideas that come up.”Murphy has been busy this year. “The Legacy of Boone Wilson”
came out earlier this year. “Venganza” came out earlier this month. “The
Cowboy’s Last Chance” comes out next month with “Homeward Bound Hearts” set in
St. Joseph and Savannah is due out in mid-December. An earlier work, “Urban
Renewal,” was set in St. Joseph.Murphy says she dreamed of being a novelist since she was a
little girl, growing up in north St. Joseph.Murphy says her aim is simple.“I hope they get a good story that they enjoy. I hope it’s a
story that sticks with them awhile. I occasionally get some fan mail, not a
lot, but some,” Murphy says. “If they tell me my work really touched them or
they really related to it, that makes me feel good.”Murphy, who now lives in Neosho, has published more than 50
novels or novellas over the years. She published her first novel in 2010 after
working as editor of the Neosho Daily News and the Aurora Advertiser. Murphy even
worked for a time as a broadcast reporter.And while Murphy says some fantasize about the glamorous life
of a writer, reality is much different.“My Dad used to say there is no perfect job and I think he was
right,” Murphy says. “I love what I do, but it’s maybe not what people envision
it to be. At the end of the day, I’m still me. I’m still Lee Ann from north St.
Joe, spinning my stories.”<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/St--Joseph-native-returns-to-hometown-for-latest-book-e2ov008" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph native returns to home town in Christmas romance

A tailgate party at River Bluff Brewery will help raise money for the St. Joseph Animal Shelter, and also give pets a chance to find a new home. 

Purina will be wrapping up their month long Raise a Pint for Pups event with the party, that will feature adoptable dogs and puppies, and also an appearance from KC Wolf.  

Nikki Olt with Purina says also to help raise money for the shelter there will be two raffles, a basket raffle and a raffle for a Chiefs experience 

"The winner will receive four Chiefs tickets with a parking pass and a tailgate bundle, including a $200 Clark's Custom Meats card, and this is for the Chiefs vs Saints game and it's in section 106," Olt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "The Animal Shelter will be doing hot dogs for donations, and we'll be selling shirts and glassware." 

During the event dogs and puppies will be on site starting at 1pm, Purina will help cover the adoption fees of those dogs during the event.  

Olt says during the tailgate at River Bluff will also have a way to benefit the animal shelter 

"For every Arrowhead Red that is purchased at River Bluff Brewing there's also going to be $1 donated to the animal shelter as well," Olt says. "So, the shirts, glassware, raffle tickets, everything that day as well as what we've been selling the 5th through now, will be going to the animal shelter." 

The St. Joseph Animal Shelter will also have food available for purchase during the event to raise money.  KC Wolf will be there at 1pm.  

The tailgate will kick off at 11am on Sunday at River Bluff Brewery in downtown St. Joseph 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A tailgate party at River Bluff Brewery will help raise money for the St. Joseph Animal Shelter, and also give pets a chance to find a new home. Purina will be wrapping up their month long Raise a Pint for Pups event with the party, that will feature adoptable dogs and puppies, and also an appearance from KC Wolf. Nikki Olt with Purina says also to help raise money for the shelter there will be two raffles, a basket raffle and a raffle for a Chiefs experience "The winner will receive four Chiefs tickets with a parking pass and a tailgate bundle, including a $200 Clark's Custom Meats card, and this is for the Chiefs vs Saints game and it's in section 106," Olt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "The Animal Shelter will be doing hot dogs for donations, and we'll be selling shirts and glassware." During the event dogs and puppies will be on site starting at 1pm, Purina will help cover the adoption fees of those dogs during the event. Olt says during the tailgate at River Bluff will also have a way to benefit the animal shelter "For every Arrowhead Red that is purchased at River Bluff Brewing there's also going to be $1 donated to the animal shelter as well," Olt says. "So, the shirts, glassware, raffle tickets, everything that day as well as what we've been selling the 5th through now, will be going to the animal shelter." The St. Joseph Animal Shelter will also have food available for purchase during the event to raise money. KC Wolf will be there at 1pm. The tailgate will kick off at 11am on Sunday at River Bluff Brewery in downtown St. Joseph

Raise a Pint for Pets at River Bluff Brewery this weekend

Trial over 2023 law turns to impact of ban after first days dive into expert testimony on effect of treatments

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

After three days of battling over&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/23/battling-experts-qualifications-of-witnesses-a-key-in-missouri-gender-affirming-care-case/">scientific papers and expert testimony</a>, the trial of a lawsuit challenging Missouri’s restrictions on gender-affirming treatments on Thursday turned to the impact the law has on patients and providers.

Nicole Carr, a nurse practitioner at Southampton Community Healthcare in St. Louis, said anxiety, fear and depression first increased in transgender patients when Attorney General Andrew Bailey published an emergency rule that established barriers to care in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/13/emergency-rule-seeks-to-limit-access-to-certain-procedures-for-transgender-missourians/">April 2023</a>.

“No one thinks about how these laws affect the actual people they are supposed to protect and they are supposed to serve,” she said.

Patients were crying in the clinic in fear, she testified.

“I’m trying to give them hope that they don’t have to fear being in Missouri, that they don’t have to fear coming to me as a provider, that they can move past this,” Carr said. “It’s sad because I’m referring a lot of people to therapy that, before these rules, were fine.”

She worries about youth in foster care, which she worked with frequently in a previous position. Transgender teenagers in foster care often must wait until they turn 18 to go to the doctor alone for assessment to obtain hormone-replacement therapy.

But if they are on Medicaid, as most are soon after foster care, Missouri won’t pay for the treatment.

“(The law) has impacted the quality of care I can give my patients when I know the solution to their problem is out there and I can’t do anything about it,” she said.

Carr and Southampton healthcare are among 11 plaintiffs hoping to block enforcement of a 2023 law banning&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-restrictions-for-trans-athletes/">gender-affirming medical treatments for minors</a>. Other plaintiffs include parents of transgender children, transgender adolescents, other medical care providers and organizations supporting gender-affirming care.

Their attorneys began putting witnesses on the stand Monday in the Cole County Circuit Court trial scheduled to continue through next week. The lawsuit asks Judge Craig Carter, assigned to the case from Wright County, to declare the law unconstitutional,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Petition.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=2861307" target="_blank">alleging violations of equal protection</a>, due process and other rights guaranteed by the Missouri Constitution.

Although the law does not ban counseling or the continuation of treatments begun before it passed, several providers ceased all gender-affirming treatments for minors soon after it took effect on Aug. 28, 2023. First University of Missouri Health, then&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/washington-university-the-second-missouri-provider-to-stop-transgender-care-for-minors/">Washington University&nbsp; in St. Louis</a>, ended their programs, citing the threat of future litigation allowed in the law.

Neither provider is a party to the lawsuit.

Over the first three days of the trial, assistant attorney generals defending the law have repeatedly sought to discredit plaintiffs’ expert witnesses. The painstaking cross examinations have slowed the pace of the trial to two experts per day and led to a late recess on Wednesday.

Carter, however, has declined to limit the cross-examination, despite arguments from plaintiffs’ attorneys that it means the trial will exceed the time allotted to complete it.

During cross-examination, members of the defense team have read scientific articles, news articles and editorials on gender-affirming care. Almost invariably, that leads to objections that the exhibits are new.

Carter has allowed reading as a way to challenge the credibility of witnesses by&nbsp; showing deficiencies in their testimony, such as bias or poor memory.

“They seem to be reading a lot of newspaper articles and a lot of opinion pieces,” Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, an attorney for plaintiffs, told reporters. “If they wanted to introduce the opinion of some random person in the United Kingdom, they could have called them.”

During one question to Dr. Armand Matheny Antommaria from Solicitor General Joshua Divine, plaintiffs’ attorney Nora Huppert objected, arguing that it was as if Divine was testifying himself.

It came as Antommaria, a pediatric hospitalist and bioethicist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, answered questions slowly, often with a “yes sir” or “no sir,” correcting Divine’s questions.

“If you go to the key findings, the statement you’ve pulled out is not part of the key findings,” he said, after a question in which Divine asked about a singular sentence of a scientific article. The context is important, Antommaria told him, saying the overall report was the opposite of Divine’s characterization.

Divine also asked&nbsp; if Antommaria’s religious beliefs or divinity degree should disqualify him as an expert.

“Given the nature of that particular degree, that does not disqualify myself,” he said.

Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, an adolescent medicine physician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and medical director of the hospital’s center for transgender youth health and development, testified about her research linking distress about breast development to depression and anxiety. She also discussed benefits of gender-affirming care she has seen in her clinical experience.

Hal Frampton, senior counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom, brought one of the 11 three-ring binders prepared for the Olson-Kennedy testimony to the podium. He flipped through the approximately three-inch binder, presenting studies and articles to question Olson-Kennedy’s research and concluding with videos from talks she gave years ago.

In one talk, she said people “get worked up” about certain surgical procedures that are part of gender affirming care.

Frampton asked if she doesn’t like people that get worked up. Olson-Kennedy said she was emphasizing the difference between gender-affirming surgeries.

“The seriousness of getting a sterilizing surgery is more severe than someone who needs a chest surgery,” she said.

He also asked about an interview she gave in which she spoke about being involved in social justice efforts.

“People being able to get access to medically necessary care is an advocacy issue,” she responded.

The defense is scheduled to begin arguments Monday, with a scheduled final day of Oct. 4.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727446832059.png" alt=" Judge Craig Carter, a Wright County judge serving in Cole County for Missouri’s gender-affirming care trial, listens to a nurse practitioner testify Thursday afternoon (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Judge Craig Carter, a Wright County judge serving in Cole County for Missouri’s gender-affirming care trial, listens to a nurse practitioner testify Thursday afternoon (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Trial over 2023 law turns to impact of ban after first days dive into expert testimony on effect of treatments</h2>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>After three days of battling over&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/23/battling-experts-qualifications-of-witnesses-a-key-in-missouri-gender-affirming-care-case/">scientific papers and expert testimony</a>, the trial of a lawsuit challenging Missouri’s restrictions on gender-affirming treatments on Thursday turned to the impact the law has on patients and providers.Nicole Carr, a nurse practitioner at Southampton Community Healthcare in St. Louis, said anxiety, fear and depression first increased in transgender patients when Attorney General Andrew Bailey published an emergency rule that established barriers to care in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/13/emergency-rule-seeks-to-limit-access-to-certain-procedures-for-transgender-missourians/">April 2023</a>.“No one thinks about how these laws affect the actual people they are supposed to protect and they are supposed to serve,” she said.Patients were crying in the clinic in fear, she testified.“I’m trying to give them hope that they don’t have to fear being in Missouri, that they don’t have to fear coming to me as a provider, that they can move past this,” Carr said. “It’s sad because I’m referring a lot of people to therapy that, before these rules, were fine.”She worries about youth in foster care, which she worked with frequently in a previous position. Transgender teenagers in foster care often must wait until they turn 18 to go to the doctor alone for assessment to obtain hormone-replacement therapy.But if they are on Medicaid, as most are soon after foster care, Missouri won’t pay for the treatment.“(The law) has impacted the quality of care I can give my patients when I know the solution to their problem is out there and I can’t do anything about it,” she said.Carr and Southampton healthcare are among 11 plaintiffs hoping to block enforcement of a 2023 law banning&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-restrictions-for-trans-athletes/">gender-affirming medical treatments for minors</a>. Other plaintiffs include parents of transgender children, transgender adolescents, other medical care providers and organizations supporting gender-affirming care.Their attorneys began putting witnesses on the stand Monday in the Cole County Circuit Court trial scheduled to continue through next week. The lawsuit asks Judge Craig Carter, assigned to the case from Wright County, to declare the law unconstitutional,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Petition.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=2861307" target="_blank">alleging violations of equal protection</a>, due process and other rights guaranteed by the Missouri Constitution.Although the law does not ban counseling or the continuation of treatments begun before it passed, several providers ceased all gender-affirming treatments for minors soon after it took effect on Aug. 28, 2023. First University of Missouri Health, then&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/washington-university-the-second-missouri-provider-to-stop-transgender-care-for-minors/">Washington University&nbsp; in St. Louis</a>, ended their programs, citing the threat of future litigation allowed in the law.Neither provider is a party to the lawsuit.Over the first three days of the trial, assistant attorney generals defending the law have repeatedly sought to discredit plaintiffs’ expert witnesses. The painstaking cross examinations have slowed the pace of the trial to two experts per day and led to a late recess on Wednesday.Carter, however, has declined to limit the cross-examination, despite arguments from plaintiffs’ attorneys that it means the trial will exceed the time allotted to complete it.During cross-examination, members of the defense team have read scientific articles, news articles and editorials on gender-affirming care. Almost invariably, that leads to objections that the exhibits are new.Carter has allowed reading as a way to challenge the credibility of witnesses by&nbsp; showing deficiencies in their testimony, such as bias or poor memory.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727446795351.png" alt=" Plaintiffs’ attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan listens to testimony Thursday afternoon in Missouri’s gender-affirming care trial (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Plaintiffs’ attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan listens to testimony Thursday afternoon in Missouri’s gender-affirming care trial (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>“They seem to be reading a lot of newspaper articles and a lot of opinion pieces,” Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, an attorney for plaintiffs, told reporters. “If they wanted to introduce the opinion of some random person in the United Kingdom, they could have called them.”During one question to Dr. Armand Matheny Antommaria from Solicitor General Joshua Divine, plaintiffs’ attorney Nora Huppert objected, arguing that it was as if Divine was testifying himself.It came as Antommaria, a pediatric hospitalist and bioethicist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, answered questions slowly, often with a “yes sir” or “no sir,” correcting Divine’s questions.“If you go to the key findings, the statement you’ve pulled out is not part of the key findings,” he said, after a question in which Divine asked about a singular sentence of a scientific article. The context is important, Antommaria told him, saying the overall report was the opposite of Divine’s characterization.Divine also asked&nbsp; if Antommaria’s religious beliefs or divinity degree should disqualify him as an expert.“Given the nature of that particular degree, that does not disqualify myself,” he said.Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, an adolescent medicine physician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and medical director of the hospital’s center for transgender youth health and development, testified about her research linking distress about breast development to depression and anxiety. She also discussed benefits of gender-affirming care she has seen in her clinical experience.Hal Frampton, senior counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom, brought one of the 11 three-ring binders prepared for the Olson-Kennedy testimony to the podium. He flipped through the approximately three-inch binder, presenting studies and articles to question Olson-Kennedy’s research and concluding with videos from talks she gave years ago.In one talk, she said people “get worked up” about certain surgical procedures that are part of gender affirming care.Frampton asked if she doesn’t like people that get worked up. Olson-Kennedy said she was emphasizing the difference between gender-affirming surgeries.“The seriousness of getting a sterilizing surgery is more severe than someone who needs a chest surgery,” she said.He also asked about an interview she gave in which she spoke about being involved in social justice efforts.“People being able to get access to medically necessary care is an advocacy issue,” she responded.The defense is scheduled to begin arguments Monday, with a scheduled final day of Oct. 4.

Patients hurt by Missouri’s ban on gender-affirming care, providers testify

Residents will have a chance to hear several area bands perform at Coleman Hawkins Park in St. Joseph this weekend during the 15th annual 'Bluegrass Battles Hunger' food drive to benefit Second Harvest Community Food Bank.

CEO of Second Harvest, Chad Higdon, is looking forward to this year's event, "We're really excited about the bands and the lineup and people coming out to support Second Harvest."

While the event is free, Second Harvest Community Food Bank will accept nonperishable food items, such as peanut butter, cereal, and pastas, as well as monetary donations.

Higdon says there are some limitations on what can and cannot be accepted, "We can't take fresh proteins or anything cold because there is no refrigeration on site. And we try to avoid glass containers."

Higdon notes that in past years the event has raised anywhere between 1,000 - 2,000 pounds of food. He emphasizes the food bank always utilizes both food and monetary donations. "We know through their buying power that they are really able to make those dollars go far."

Second Harvest serves approximately 40,000 individuals throughout eighteen counties in Northwest Missouri.

The lineup for Friday evening includes performers, Beth and Brandon, Dewpew and Morris, and Boxcar Brethren. The music begins at 6:00.

Beginning at 4:00 Saturday afternoon the event includes performances by, The St. Joseph Fine Arts Academy, Natalie Prausser, Rural Grit Allstars, Cameron Keeling and the Runaway Train, and True North.

Food vendors will be on site throughout the event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695315372867.jpeg" alt="Bluegrass Battles Hunger 2" />
 <figcaption>Bluegrass Battles Hunger 2</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostResidents will have a chance to hear several area bands perform at Coleman Hawkins Park in St. Joseph this weekend during the 15th annual 'Bluegrass Battles Hunger' food drive to benefit Second Harvest Community Food Bank.CEO of Second Harvest, Chad Higdon, is looking forward to this year's event, "We're really excited about the bands and the lineup and people coming out to support Second Harvest."While the event is free, Second Harvest Community Food Bank will accept nonperishable food items, such as peanut butter, cereal, and pastas, as well as monetary donations.Higdon says there are some limitations on what can and cannot be accepted, "We can't take fresh proteins or anything cold because there is no refrigeration on site. And we try to avoid glass containers."Higdon notes that in past years the event has raised anywhere between 1,000 - 2,000 pounds of food. He emphasizes the food bank always utilizes both food and monetary donations. "We know through their buying power that they are really able to make those dollars go far."Second Harvest serves approximately 40,000 individuals throughout eighteen counties in Northwest Missouri.The lineup for Friday evening includes performers, Beth and Brandon, Dewpew and Morris, and Boxcar Brethren. The music begins at 6:00.Beginning at 4:00 Saturday afternoon the event includes performances by, The St. Joseph Fine Arts Academy, Natalie Prausser, Rural Grit Allstars, Cameron Keeling and the Runaway Train, and True North.Food vendors will be on site throughout the event.

'Bluegrass Battles Hunger' food drive this weekend to benefit Second Harvest

Missouri has begun distributing summer food benefits for children and aims to finish by the end of the year, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services told The Independent this week.

The aid was intended to be distributed during summer break, to help vulnerable kids avoid a drop-off in nutrition while they were out of school.

Missouri didn’t begin issuing the benefits until Sept. 19.

That’s faster than the state issued summer 2022 emergency benefits that were tied to the COVID-19 pandemic — those were not&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/15/missouri-begins-distributing-summer-2022-food-benefits-as-deadline-for-2023-application-looms/">distributed until the following summer</a>. And in 2023, Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/14/missouri-has-decided-to-turn-down-millions-in-federal-food-aid-for-low-income-children/">did not accept</a>&nbsp;federal pandemic summer food aid for children.

This year’s benefits are part of a federal program in its first year called Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer, or SUN Bucks, which is administered by states.

Each eligible child receives a one-time benefit of $120, loaded onto a card that can be used like a debit card to buy groceries.

<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/06/27/13-states-with-republican-governors-opt-out-of-summer-food-program-for-kids/" target="_blank">Thirteen Republican-led states, but not Missouri,</a>&nbsp;opted out of participating in the program.

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri has begun distributing summer food benefits for children and aims to finish by the end of the year, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services told The Independent this week.The aid was intended to be distributed during summer break, to help vulnerable kids avoid a drop-off in nutrition while they were out of school.Missouri didn’t begin issuing the benefits until Sept. 19.That’s faster than the state issued summer 2022 emergency benefits that were tied to the COVID-19 pandemic — those were not&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/15/missouri-begins-distributing-summer-2022-food-benefits-as-deadline-for-2023-application-looms/">distributed until the following summer</a>. And in 2023, Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/14/missouri-has-decided-to-turn-down-millions-in-federal-food-aid-for-low-income-children/">did not accept</a>&nbsp;federal pandemic summer food aid for children.This year’s benefits are part of a federal program in its first year called Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer, or SUN Bucks, which is administered by states.Each eligible child receives a one-time benefit of $120, loaded onto a card that can be used like a debit card to buy groceries.<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/06/27/13-states-with-republican-governors-opt-out-of-summer-food-program-for-kids/" target="_blank">Thirteen Republican-led states, but not Missouri,</a>&nbsp;opted out of participating in the program.Benefits for the program have so far been issued to 9,500 Missouri kids, out of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt/implementation#Missouri" target="_blank">490,000 kids</a>&nbsp;estimated to receive benefits that amount to $58.8 million.“[The Family Support Division]&nbsp;remains committed to disbursing benefits as swiftly and accurately as possible,” DSS spokesperson Chelsea Blair said, “with the goal of completing all disbursements by the end of the year.”State officials said they dealt with technical issues that delayed federal approval and hindered earlier launch of the program.&nbsp;One issue is that “much of the data collection process for children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program is still manual at this time,” another DSS spokesperson, Baylee Watts, said — the department needs schools to submit data before they can determine eligibility for many of the kids.The children who will be automatically eligible for the program are:<ul>
 <li>Students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch during the school year;</li><li>Households already enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or temporary assistance; and</li><li>Students who are in foster care, are experiencing homelessness or are migrants.</li>
 </ul>Missouri has so far issued benefits to foster kids, Watts said, and is next turning to kids whose families are already on SNAP or temporary assistance.It won’t be until after Oct. 10 that the benefits for kids on free or reduced-price lunch will begin to be issued, she said, because that’s the deadline for schools to submit eligibility data to the department.Benefits will be issued on an existing card if the family is enrolled in SNAP benefits or temporary assistance, or on a new mailed card if they are not. Families who need a new EBT card can request one&nbsp;<a href="https://mydss.mo.gov/missouri-sun-bucks-faqs" target="_blank">by phone or the ebtEDGE mobile app.</a>SUN Bucks benefits&nbsp;<a href="https://mydss.mo.gov/missouri-sun-bucks-faqs" target="_blank">will expire</a>&nbsp;122 days after they are issued, regardless of usage, so families must act quickly once the benefits are distributed. They should also keep the cards for next summer’s program, the state’s website advises.Those who aren’t automatically eligible were required to submit an application. The window for applications closed Aug. 31, and any received thereafter will be considered for next summer’s program, the department said. The agency received 17,000 applications.Next summer, Watts said,&nbsp;the agency is expecting benefits to be distributed during the summer months, because the proper infrastructure will be in place.

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