Week 2 of high school football in Missouri is here and high school football in Kansas are now in the books. Below is a list of all of the scores of games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!

Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!

-Week 3: Cameron vs St. Pius X - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Maryville vs Chillicothe - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Lafayette vs Benton - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Benton @ Lafayette - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Central vs Grandview - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Savannah @ Kirksville - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: East Buchanan @ Lawson - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Chillicothe @ Maryville - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

Bishop Leblond 72&nbsp; Schuyler County 12

-Week 3: Bishop Leblond @ Knox County -Sat. Sept 13th @1pm

-Week 3: East Buchanan @ Lawson- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Savannah @ Kirksville- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

Lathrop @ Christ Preparatory Academy (Kan.)- Sat. @ 1:30pm

-Week 3: Lathrop @ North Platte- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Lawson vs East Buchanan- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Mid-Buchanan vs Centralia (Kan.)- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: North Platte vs Lathrop- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

Hamilton 58&nbsp; Crest Ridge with Chilhowee 6

-Week 3: Hamilton vs West Platte- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Plattsburg @ Schuyler County- Fri. Sept 12 @6pm

West Platte vs Liberty (Mountain View)- Sat. @ 1pm

-Week 3: West Platte @ Hamilton- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Trenton vs Putnam County- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: South Harrison @ Marceline- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Maysville vs Milan- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Gallatin @ Polo- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

Nodaway Valley (West Nodaway) 38&nbsp; King City 20

-Week 3: King City @ Stanberry- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Nodaway Valley @ East Atchison- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: East Atchison vs Nodaway Valley - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: North Andrew @ Worth County- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Dekalb @ South Holt- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Worth County vs North Andrew- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Mound City @ Platte Valley- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Platte Valley vs Mound City- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 3: Stanberry vs King City- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

St. Joseph Christian 54&nbsp; Stewartsville Osborn 0

-Week 3: St. Joseph Christian vs Albany- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

 St. Joseph Christian 54&nbsp; Stewartsville-Osborn 0

-Week 3: Stewartsville-Osborn vs Rock Port- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm

-Week 2: Atchison @&nbsp;Kansas City-JC Harmon HS

-Week 2: Riverside @&nbsp;Effingham-Atchison Co Community HS 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWeek 2 of high school football in Missouri is here and high school football in Kansas are now in the books. Below is a list of all of the scores of games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!MECWarrensburg 49&nbsp; Cameron 14-Week 3: Cameron vs St. Pius X - Fri. Sept 12 @7pmMaryville 35&nbsp; Pleasant Hill 0-Week 3: Maryville vs Chillicothe - Fri. Sept 12 @7pmRichmond 30&nbsp; Lafayette 0-Week 3: Lafayette vs Benton - Fri. Sept 12 @7pmSt. Joseph Central 21&nbsp; Benton 14-Week 3: Benton @ Lafayette - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm-Week 3: Central vs Grandview - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Benton-Head-Coach-Corey-Bertini-e2o3rd1/a-abh0u3e" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Savannah 20&nbsp; East Buchanan 0-Week 3: Savannah @ Kirksville - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm-Week 3: East Buchanan @ Lawson - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Savannah-Head-Coach-Anthony-Hays-e2o3rf3/a-abh0u6h" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div> Kirksville 42&nbsp; Chillicothe 7-Week 3: Chillicothe @ Maryville - Fri. Sept 12 @7pmBishop Leblond 72&nbsp; Schuyler County 12-Week 3: Bishop Leblond @ Knox County -Sat. Sept 13th @1pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Bishop-LeBlond-Head-Coach-Chuck-Davis-e2o3rci/a-abh0u32" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>KCISavannah 20&nbsp; East Buchanan 0-Week 3: East Buchanan @ Lawson- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm-Week 3: Savannah @ Kirksville- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmLathrop @ Christ Preparatory Academy (Kan.)- Sat. @ 1:30pm-Week 3: Lathrop @ North Platte- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmLafayette County 57&nbsp; Lawson 20-Week 3: Lawson vs East Buchanan- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmMid-Buchanan 42&nbsp; Lexington 8-Week 3: Mid-Buchanan vs Centralia (Kan.)- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Mid-Buchanan-Head-Coach-Aaron-Fritz-e2o3rgj/a-abh0u8l" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Milan 47&nbsp; North Platte 27-Week 3: North Platte vs Lathrop- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmHamilton 58&nbsp; Crest Ridge with Chilhowee 6-Week 3: Hamilton vs West Platte- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmPlattsburg 68&nbsp; Knox County 32-Week 3: Plattsburg @ Schuyler County- Fri. Sept 12 @6pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Plattsburg-Head-Coach-Brandon-Boswell-e2o3rdd/a-abh0u45" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>West Platte vs Liberty (Mountain View)- Sat. @ 1pm-Week 3: West Platte @ Hamilton- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmGRC 11-man (East Division) Polo 35&nbsp; Trenton 14-Week 3: Trenton vs Putnam County- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmSouth Harrison 41&nbsp; Putnam County 7-Week 3: South Harrison @ Marceline- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmBrookfield 46&nbsp; Maysville 0-Week 3: Maysville vs Milan- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmMarceline 41&nbsp; Gallatin 12-Week 3: Gallatin @ Polo- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmGRC 8-man (West Division)Nodaway Valley (West Nodaway) 38&nbsp; King City 20-Week 3: King City @ Stanberry- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm-Week 3: Nodaway Valley @ East Atchison- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmAlbany 58&nbsp; East Atchison 48-Week 3: East Atchison vs Nodaway Valley - Fri. Sept 12 @7pmNorth Andrew 56&nbsp; Dekalb 0-Week 3: North Andrew @ Worth County- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm-Week 3: Dekalb @ South Holt- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmWorth County 44&nbsp; Mound City 14-Week 3: Worth County vs North Andrew- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm-Week 3: Mound City @ Platte Valley- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Worth-County-Head-Coach-Jon-Adwell-e2o3rfg/a-abh0u7a" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Platte Valley 74 Princeton 34-Week 3: Platte Valley vs Mound City- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmRock Port 44&nbsp; Stanberry 22-Week 3: Stanberry vs King City- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmSt. Joseph Christian 54&nbsp; Stewartsville Osborn 0-Week 3: St. Joseph Christian vs Albany- Fri. Sept 12 @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/St--Joseph-Christian-Head-Coach-James-Schoonover-e2o3rha/a-abh0u9d" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>275 Conference St. Joseph Christian 54&nbsp; Stewartsville-Osborn 0-Week 3: Stewartsville-Osborn vs Rock Port- Fri. Sept 12 @7pmGreater KC SuburbanSt. Joseph Central 21&nbsp; Benton 14-Week 3: Central vs Grandview - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm-Week 3: Benton @ Lafayette - Fri. Sept 12 @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Central-Head-Coach-Sheldon-Farrell-e2o3rc3/a-abh0u2k" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Northeast KansasOttawa 24&nbsp; Atchison 14-Week 2: Atchison @&nbsp;Kansas City-JC Harmon HSRoyal Valley 18&nbsp; Hiawatha 13-Week 2: Hiawatha @&nbsp;Marysville HSTroy 42&nbsp; Republic County 8-Week 2: Troy @&nbsp;McLouth HS<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Troy-Head-Coach-Derek-Jasper-e2o3rec/a-abh0u5e" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Jackson Heights 35&nbsp; Riverside 7-Week 2: Riverside @&nbsp;Effingham-Atchison Co Community HS

Area High School Football Scoreboard for September 6th, 2024

BUCHANAN COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Friday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy pickup driven by William T. White, 46, Helena, was northbound on U.S. 169 one mile north of St. Joseph. The pickup and a 2011 Chevy Tahoe driven by Yalena A. Olivares, 60, St. Joseph, who was turning southbound onto U.S. 169 from Woodbine Road collided head-on.

Buchanan County EMS transported both drivers to Mosaic Life Care. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

BUCHANAN COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Friday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy pickup driven by William T. White, 46, Helena, was northbound on U.S. 169 one mile north of St. Joseph. The pickup and a 2011 Chevy Tahoe driven by Yalena A. Olivares, 60, St. Joseph, who was turning southbound onto U.S. 169 from Woodbine Road collided head-on.Buchanan County EMS transported both drivers to Mosaic Life Care. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

Woman from St. Joe among 2 injured in pickup, SUV crash

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.&nbsp;

On August 31, a sheriff's deputy was on routine patrol in the vicinity of US 75 Highway in rural Brown County stopped a vehicle for speeding, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While making contact with the driver, later identified as 45-year-old Christopher Carr of Elyria, Ohio, it was discovered he had an outstanding&nbsp; Michigan Warrant for Larceny.&nbsp;

 At the conclusion of the traffic stop, the deputies arrested Carr on a requested charge of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; 

The passenger 29-year-old Laurie Carr of Elyria, Ohio was arrested on requested charges of Possesssion of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725569004004.png" alt="Carr photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Carr photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.&nbsp;On August 31, a sheriff's deputy was on routine patrol in the vicinity of US 75 Highway in rural Brown County stopped a vehicle for speeding, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725568967606.png" alt="Carr photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Carr photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>While making contact with the driver, later identified as 45-year-old Christopher Carr of Elyria, Ohio, it was discovered he had an outstanding&nbsp; Michigan Warrant for Larceny.&nbsp; At the conclusion of the traffic stop, the deputies arrested Carr on a requested charge of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; The passenger 29-year-old Laurie Carr of Elyria, Ohio was arrested on requested charges of Possesssion of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Michigan couple jailed in Kansas for drugs and a warrant

St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster has requested the Missouri
State Highway Patrol investigate an incident in which a young man shot himself
while riding with a St. Joseph police officer.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports that the officer
provided transportation for a 24-year-old man in a non-criminal matter shortly
before 10:30 Thursday night. Shortly after the ride began the man “severely
injured himself,” according to the department. The department says the officer
rushed the man to the Mosaic Life Care emergency room where he was treated for
a life-threatening injury.

The department reports the man is in critical condition.

Police Chief Luster asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s
Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate the matter. The St. Joseph
Police Department will also conduct an internal investigation into the matter.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster has requested the Missouri
State Highway Patrol investigate an incident in which a young man shot himself
while riding with a St. Joseph police officer.The St. Joseph Police Department reports that the officer
provided transportation for a 24-year-old man in a non-criminal matter shortly
before 10:30 Thursday night. Shortly after the ride began the man “severely
injured himself,” according to the department. The department says the officer
rushed the man to the Mosaic Life Care emergency room where he was treated for
a life-threatening injury.The department reports the man is in critical condition.Police Chief Luster asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s
Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate the matter. The St. Joseph
Police Department will also conduct an internal investigation into the matter.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Patrol to investigate St. Joseph self-inflicted wounding

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;Ms. Wheelchair America&nbsp;Tamara Blackwell.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GBIy1dfbVY4?si=k3AZxslDQdFrhyJr" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;Ms. Wheelchair America&nbsp;Tamara Blackwell.

🎤Forward Ever: Ms. Wheelchair America Tamara Blackwell

An annual adoption event will help get pets from a crowded animal shelter find their new homes.  

Friends of the Animal Shelter's Melanie Barnes says the third annual adoption event is a collaboration between Friends of the Animal Shelter, the St. Joseph Animal Shelter, and St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue 

"To pay for a lot of upfront spay and neuter, heartworm testing, leukemia and aids testing for cats, et cetera, pretty much vetting almost every pet we can possibly have, whether it be located at the shelter or in foster care that is adoptable, to have them ready to go and set up a huge adoption event,” Barnes tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

Barnes says with everything done pets will be ready during the adoption event for people to fill out paperwork and take their new friend home. 

Barnes says the large adoption event will give reduced adoption fees to potential pet owners 

"In the past I can tell you usually like it just depends on what we have the most of, if we have a lot of kittens maybe they’ll be like $1 or $10, or maybe adult dogs will be $10, something along those lines,” Barnes explains.  

During this year's event, there will be $25 fees for dogs and puppies, $10 fees for kittens, and grown cats going for free.  

Barnes says during the event people will get a chance to know the animals more, and even take them on a walk if they'd like 

"Understand how it’s interacting with the other shelter dogs around, understand how it’s interacting with people or sometimes there’s even kids down there,” Barnes says. “So, you are getting a small glimpse into a little bit more of their personality and behaviors.” 

The event will take place from 1 to 6pm tomorrow at Civic Center Park in downtown St. Joseph. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostAn annual adoption event will help get pets from a crowded animal shelter find their new homes. Friends of the Animal Shelter's Melanie Barnes says the third annual adoption event is a collaboration between Friends of the Animal Shelter, the St. Joseph Animal Shelter, and St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue "To pay for a lot of upfront spay and neuter, heartworm testing, leukemia and aids testing for cats, et cetera, pretty much vetting almost every pet we can possibly have, whether it be located at the shelter or in foster care that is adoptable, to have them ready to go and set up a huge adoption event,” Barnes tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Barnes says with everything done pets will be ready during the adoption event for people to fill out paperwork and take their new friend home. Barnes says the large adoption event will give reduced adoption fees to potential pet owners "In the past I can tell you usually like it just depends on what we have the most of, if we have a lot of kittens maybe they’ll be like $1 or $10, or maybe adult dogs will be $10, something along those lines,” Barnes explains. During this year's event, there will be $25 fees for dogs and puppies, $10 fees for kittens, and grown cats going for free. Barnes says during the event people will get a chance to know the animals more, and even take them on a walk if they'd like "Understand how it’s interacting with the other shelter dogs around, understand how it’s interacting with people or sometimes there’s even kids down there,” Barnes says. “So, you are getting a small glimpse into a little bit more of their personality and behaviors.” The event will take place from 1 to 6pm tomorrow at Civic Center Park in downtown St. Joseph.

Large pet adoption event happening this weekend in downtown St. Joseph

The state has banned transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity, but student handbooks and board policies have yet to add the change

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>

It has been a year since a&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/pdf-bill/tat/SB39.pdf" target="_blank">state law</a>&nbsp;required Missouri schools to have athletes compete according to their sex as assigned at birth, and few student manuals and school-board policies reflect the change.

Enforcement,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/21/enforcement-unclear-as-missouri-approaches-transgender-athlete-restrictions/">which was murky last year</a>, remains unprescribed with many districts stating that they will follow the law without describing how.

The law, which bars transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity, penalizes noncompliant schools by revoking their state funding. It calls for state education officials to create any rules necessary for enforcement.

But the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education “is not involved in school athletics and activities,” its spokeswoman Mallory McGowin told The Independent.&nbsp;

The Missouri High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), which is not a state entity, oversees eligibility for extracurricular events.

The association has eligibility standards that schools statewide require their athletes to adhere to in order to compete in MSHSAA-sanctioned events. One such requirement is a semiannual physical, in which doctors clear athletes to compete.

The paperwork provided by MSHSAA for the sports physical asks the student’s sex as assigned at birth and gender identity for the medical history provided to the doctor. The form submitted to schools only includes sex as assigned at birth.

But MSHSAA is not the enforcer of the law, said Andrew Kauffman, the association’s spokesman. Individual schools are.

When asked if MSHSAA has provided guidance to schools, he said it “has advised its (member) schools to follow the law.”

According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/youth/sports_participation_bans" target="_blank">Movement Advancement Project</a>, which maps policies affecting LGBTQ people in the U.S., 25 states ban transgender athletes from participating according to their gender identity.

When a Missouri Senate committee was hearing the bill in 2023, a swath of advocates warned lawmakers that the legislation would harm transgender youth.

“Bills, such as (this one), communicate not just to the LGBTQ community but to all people that our very existence can and should be rejected and devalued,”&nbsp;<a href="https://promomissouri.org/over-20-missourians-compromised-of-former-collegiate-athletes-educators-and-clergy-voice-opposition-to-senate-bill-42/" target="_blank">said Shira Berkowitz</a>, senior director of public policy and advocacy of PROMO, Missouri’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group.

School had brief answers to questions about their policies, with most unwilling to grant requests for an interview.

“We follow the state statute with regard to what gender is listed on a birth certificate and MSHSAA guidelines in terms of student participation in sports based on gender. We have worked effectively with families and student athletes to comply with the state law and we will continue to do so,” Rockwood School District’s spokesperson said.

In a review by The Independent of Missouri’s 10 largest school districts’ student manuals, Rockwood was one of two to cite state law in policies around athletic eligibility.

“The district complies with all relevant state law regarding participation in athletic competitions,” the policy says, citing&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=163.048" target="_blank">the section that restricts participation based on sex at birth</a>.

Wentzville School District based its policy on the law, copying phrases out of state statute and noting a loss of funding if the district does not comply.

The other districts lacked mention of the statute, or gender identity, in their athletics eligibility policies.

The policy in North Kansas City High School says: “Participation… can be granted to those who meet the eligibility standards of the school and the state of Missouri.”

MSHSAA is widely pointed to in eligibility policies.

Fort Zumwalt School District, in O’Fallon, determines eligibility “in accordance with the MSHSAA regulations and school district policies and regulations.”

Prior to the state law, there were only five transgender athletes eligible to compete in MSHSAA events.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725571026542.png" alt=" A teenager speaks during a Senate hearing during the 2023 legislative session, donning a vest with a transgender flag (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> A teenager speaks during a Senate hearing during the 2023 legislative session, donning a vest with a transgender flag (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The state has banned transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity, but student handbooks and board policies have yet to add the change</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>It has been a year since a&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/pdf-bill/tat/SB39.pdf" target="_blank">state law</a>&nbsp;required Missouri schools to have athletes compete according to their sex as assigned at birth, and few student manuals and school-board policies reflect the change.Enforcement,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/21/enforcement-unclear-as-missouri-approaches-transgender-athlete-restrictions/">which was murky last year</a>, remains unprescribed with many districts stating that they will follow the law without describing how.The law, which bars transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity, penalizes noncompliant schools by revoking their state funding. It calls for state education officials to create any rules necessary for enforcement.But the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education “is not involved in school athletics and activities,” its spokeswoman Mallory McGowin told The Independent.&nbsp;The Missouri High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), which is not a state entity, oversees eligibility for extracurricular events.The association has eligibility standards that schools statewide require their athletes to adhere to in order to compete in MSHSAA-sanctioned events. One such requirement is a semiannual physical, in which doctors clear athletes to compete.The paperwork provided by MSHSAA for the sports physical asks the student’s sex as assigned at birth and gender identity for the medical history provided to the doctor. The form submitted to schools only includes sex as assigned at birth.But MSHSAA is not the enforcer of the law, said Andrew Kauffman, the association’s spokesman. Individual schools are.When asked if MSHSAA has provided guidance to schools, he said it “has advised its (member) schools to follow the law.”According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/youth/sports_participation_bans" target="_blank">Movement Advancement Project</a>, which maps policies affecting LGBTQ people in the U.S., 25 states ban transgender athletes from participating according to their gender identity.When a Missouri Senate committee was hearing the bill in 2023, a swath of advocates warned lawmakers that the legislation would harm transgender youth.“Bills, such as (this one), communicate not just to the LGBTQ community but to all people that our very existence can and should be rejected and devalued,”&nbsp;<a href="https://promomissouri.org/over-20-missourians-compromised-of-former-collegiate-athletes-educators-and-clergy-voice-opposition-to-senate-bill-42/" target="_blank">said Shira Berkowitz</a>, senior director of public policy and advocacy of PROMO, Missouri’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group.School had brief answers to questions about their policies, with most unwilling to grant requests for an interview.“We follow the state statute with regard to what gender is listed on a birth certificate and MSHSAA guidelines in terms of student participation in sports based on gender. We have worked effectively with families and student athletes to comply with the state law and we will continue to do so,” Rockwood School District’s spokesperson said.In a review by The Independent of Missouri’s 10 largest school districts’ student manuals, Rockwood was one of two to cite state law in policies around athletic eligibility.“The district complies with all relevant state law regarding participation in athletic competitions,” the policy says, citing&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=163.048" target="_blank">the section that restricts participation based on sex at birth</a>.Wentzville School District based its policy on the law, copying phrases out of state statute and noting a loss of funding if the district does not comply.The other districts lacked mention of the statute, or gender identity, in their athletics eligibility policies.The policy in North Kansas City High School says: “Participation… can be granted to those who meet the eligibility standards of the school and the state of Missouri.”MSHSAA is widely pointed to in eligibility policies.Fort Zumwalt School District, in O’Fallon, determines eligibility “in accordance with the MSHSAA regulations and school district policies and regulations.”Prior to the state law, there were only five transgender athletes eligible to compete in MSHSAA events.

Missouri schools lack public enforcement policies for transgender athlete restrictions

Week 2 of high school football in Missouri is here and high school football in Kansas kicks off. Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!

Lathrop @  Christ Preparatory Academy (Kan.)

St. Joseph Christian vs Sewartsville Osborn

Stewartsville-Osborn @ St. Joseph Christian

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWeek 2 of high school football in Missouri is here and high school football in Kansas kicks off. Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!MECCameron @ WarrensburgMaryville vs Pleasant HillLafayette @ RichmondBenton vs St. Joseph CentralSavannah @ East BuchananChillicothe @ KirksvilleBishop Leblond vs Schuyler CountyKCIEast Buchanan vs SavannahLathrop @ Christ Preparatory Academy (Kan.)Lawson @ Lafayette CountyMid-Buchanan vs LexingtonNorth Platte @ MilanHamilton @ Crest Ridge with ChilhoweePlattsburg vs Knox CountyWest Platte vs Liberty (Mountain View)GRC 11-man (East Division)Trenton vs PoloSouth Harrison @ Putnam CountyMaysville @ BrookfieldGallatin vs MarcelineGRC 8-man (West Division)King City vs Nodaway ValleyEast Atchison @ AlbanyNorth Andrew vs DekalbWorth County vs Mound CityPlatte Valley @ PrincetonStanberry vs Rock PortSt. Joseph Christian vs Sewartsville Osborn275Stewartsville-Osborn @ St. Joseph ChristianGreater KC SuburbanSt. Joseph Central @ BentonNortheast KansasAtchison vs OttawaHiawatha @ Hoyt-Royal Valley HSTroy vs Belleville-Republic County HSRiverside vs Holton-Jackson Heights HS

Area High School Football schedule for September 6th, 2024

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Thursday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Suzuki Quad driven by Raymond W. Rinehart, 75, Spickard was southbound on the shoulder of U.S. 65 six miles west of Trenton.&nbsp; The ATV overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Grundy County EMS transported Rinehart to Wright Memorial Hospital.&nbsp;

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Thursday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Suzuki Quad driven by Raymond W. Rinehart, 75, Spickard was southbound on the shoulder of U.S. 65 six miles west of Trenton.&nbsp; The ATV overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp;&nbsp; Grundy County EMS transported Rinehart to Wright Memorial Hospital.&nbsp;

Missouri man injured after ejected when ATV overturns

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month and to help celebrate, the St. Joseph Public Library has a lot going on.

Director of St. Joseph Public Library, Mary Beth Revels, says the library is offering prizes to anyone who uses their library card during the month of September. Infants to age six can register to win a Frog and Toad plush animal and book set. While people over the age of 18 could win a $25 Visa gift card.

Revels says a library card can unlock a lot of resources and programs the library offers, "You&nbsp; can check out books, movies, and online material. We have e-books and movies that can be streamed online."

In addition to books and films, Revels emphasizes the St. Joseph Public Library also provides access to car repair databases, legal forms, and genealogy information.

Revels says the library offers programs for residents of all ages, "We have programming for babies to senior adults."

Some of those programs and services include local history resources, book clubs, and story times.

In September, the usual $1.00 replacement fee for lost library cards will be waived.

The St. Joseph Library system includes four locations; Carnegie Library, Downtown Library, East Hills Library, and Washington Park Library.

For more information about programs and services offered, visit the <a href="https://sjpl.lib.mo.us/">St. Joseph Public Library's website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720729481189.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Public Library R" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Public Library R</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostSeptember is Library Card Sign-Up Month and to help celebrate, the St. Joseph Public Library has a lot going on.Director of St. Joseph Public Library, Mary Beth Revels, says the library is offering prizes to anyone who uses their library card during the month of September. Infants to age six can register to win a Frog and Toad plush animal and book set. While people over the age of 18 could win a $25 Visa gift card.Revels says a library card can unlock a lot of resources and programs the library offers, "You&nbsp; can check out books, movies, and online material. We have e-books and movies that can be streamed online."In addition to books and films, Revels emphasizes the St. Joseph Public Library also provides access to car repair databases, legal forms, and genealogy information.Revels says the library offers programs for residents of all ages, "We have programming for babies to senior adults."Some of those programs and services include local history resources, book clubs, and story times.In September, the usual $1.00 replacement fee for lost library cards will be waived.The St. Joseph Library system includes four locations; Carnegie Library, Downtown Library, East Hills Library, and Washington Park Library.For more information about programs and services offered, visit the <a href="https://sjpl.lib.mo.us/">St. Joseph Public Library's website</a>.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month at St. Joseph Public Library

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Thursday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Taurus driven by Rosara J. Picone, 50, Liberty, was eastbound on MO 116 at U.S. 169 four miles south of Gower.

The car traveled across U.S. 169. A southbound 2016 Chevy 2500 driven by Jason P. Newman, 33, Kearney, Mo. struck the rear of the Ford.

EMS transported Picone to Liberty Hospital. Newman was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Thursday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Taurus driven by Rosara J. Picone, 50, Liberty, was eastbound on MO 116 at U.S. 169 four miles south of Gower.The car traveled across U.S. 169. A southbound 2016 Chevy 2500 driven by Jason P. Newman, 33, Kearney, Mo. struck the rear of the Ford.EMS transported Picone to Liberty Hospital. Newman was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman hospitalized after pickup, car crash

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

This week, police began an investigation focusing on unlawful sexual contact involving a victim under the age of 10, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, police arrested 40-year-old Jeffery W. Bowen of Atchison at his home.&nbsp; He is being held on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725550710990.png" alt="Bowen photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Bowen photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.This week, police began an investigation focusing on unlawful sexual contact involving a victim under the age of 10, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;On Wednesday, police arrested 40-year-old Jeffery W. Bowen of Atchison at his home.&nbsp; He is being held on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Kan. man jailed for alleged sex crimes with victim under the age of 10

Minor League Baseball has announced that Omaha Storm Chasers, and St. Joseph's Noah Cameron, has been named the International League Pitcher of the Month for August. .

Cameron went 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA over five starts in August, allowing only six earned runs on 20 hits across 31.2 innings.  The left hander struck out 36 while holding batters to an average of .180. He ranked third in the league in strikeouts and was tied for first among qualified International League pitchers in WHIP and was third in ERA. 

All five starts for Cameron were quality starts, with one scoreless outing. 

Drafted by Kansas City in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Central Arkansas, Cameron joined Triple-A Omaha in late July and made his Storm Chasers debut July 31 at Rochester , a 10-strikeout performance. 

All six of Cameron’s Triple-A starts to date have been quality starts and the southpaw has worked a 1.64 ERA (7 ER in 38.1 IP) with 46 strikeouts to just 8 walks. 

Since his debut, Cameron is first among Triple-A pitchers in ERA and strikeouts, the only Minor League pitcher with 6 quality starts in that span.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725564576908.jpeg" alt="Noah Cameron was named the International League Pitcher of the Month in August/ Photo courtesy of the Omaha Storm Chasers on X" />
 <figcaption>Noah Cameron was named the International League Pitcher of the Month in August/ Photo courtesy of the Omaha Storm Chasers on X</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostMinor League Baseball has announced that Omaha Storm Chasers, and St. Joseph's Noah Cameron, has been named the International League Pitcher of the Month for August. .Cameron went 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA over five starts in August, allowing only six earned runs on 20 hits across 31.2 innings. The left hander struck out 36 while holding batters to an average of .180. He ranked third in the league in strikeouts and was tied for first among qualified International League pitchers in WHIP and was third in ERA. All five starts for Cameron were quality starts, with one scoreless outing. Drafted by Kansas City in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Central Arkansas, Cameron joined Triple-A Omaha in late July and made his Storm Chasers debut July 31 at Rochester , a 10-strikeout performance. All six of Cameron’s Triple-A starts to date have been quality starts and the southpaw has worked a 1.64 ERA (7 ER in 38.1 IP) with 46 strikeouts to just 8 walks. Since his debut, Cameron is first among Triple-A pitchers in ERA and strikeouts, the only Minor League pitcher with 6 quality starts in that span.

St. Joseph's Noah Cameron named International League Pitcher of the Month

United Way of Greater St. Joseph has kicked off its
fundraising campaign announcing the Pacesetter campaign has raised nearly $900,000.

Campaign co-chair, Doug Walter, says the United Way is
important, because its agencies touch so many lives.

“It could be you. None of us know when our time of need is
going to be. United Way reaches out to everybody in our community. From cradle
to grave, there’s an opportunity to find help and find support through United Way,”
Walter tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We support United Way, because we believe
that’s a way to make a tremendous difference in our community.”

The United Way held its official campaign kickoff event
Thursday morning during an event on the Missouri Western State University
campus.

The campaign theme this year is “Better Days made by You.”

A preliminary Pacesetter campaign number of $873,278.80 was
announced though more money from the various Pacesetter companies is expected
to come in.

Walter says though the campaign is now officially underway, it
has been going on behind the scenes for a while.

“It’s been going on for about 60 days, maybe 90 days, as we kind
of get with CEOs and kind of get this thing started,” Walter says. “But the
pacesetters are organizations that have just said we’d like to run the campaign
early; we’d like for you to be able to announce the results as an encouragement
to others.”

Walter, who is lead pastor at Ashland United Methodist Church,
co-chairs the campaign with his wife, Carol.

Carol Walter says the Greater St. Joseph United Way no longer
sets a campaign raising goal.

“Our goal is just to raise as much as possible. Two-point-five
million was (raised) last year. We hope to do at least that,” Carol Walter
says. “So, there’s not a goal, but we always want to just do as much as
possible in the community.”

The $2.5 million raised last year supports the United Way’s 17
member agencies, which provide a wide range of services. The Greater St. Joseph
United Way fundraising campaign wraps up November 7th.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725557841164.jpeg" alt="United Way kickoff event on the MWSU campus/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>United Way kickoff event on the MWSU campus/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostUnited Way of Greater St. Joseph has kicked off its
fundraising campaign announcing the Pacesetter campaign has raised nearly $900,000.Campaign co-chair, Doug Walter, says the United Way is
important, because its agencies touch so many lives.“It could be you. None of us know when our time of need is
going to be. United Way reaches out to everybody in our community. From cradle
to grave, there’s an opportunity to find help and find support through United Way,”
Walter tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We support United Way, because we believe
that’s a way to make a tremendous difference in our community.”The United Way held its official campaign kickoff event
Thursday morning during an event on the Missouri Western State University
campus.The campaign theme this year is “Better Days made by You.”A preliminary Pacesetter campaign number of $873,278.80 was
announced though more money from the various Pacesetter companies is expected
to come in.Walter says though the campaign is now officially underway, it
has been going on behind the scenes for a while.“It’s been going on for about 60 days, maybe 90 days, as we kind
of get with CEOs and kind of get this thing started,” Walter says. “But the
pacesetters are organizations that have just said we’d like to run the campaign
early; we’d like for you to be able to announce the results as an encouragement
to others.”Walter, who is lead pastor at Ashland United Methodist Church,
co-chairs the campaign with his wife, Carol.Carol Walter says the Greater St. Joseph United Way no longer
sets a campaign raising goal.“Our goal is just to raise as much as possible. Two-point-five
million was (raised) last year. We hope to do at least that,” Carol Walter
says. “So, there’s not a goal, but we always want to just do as much as
possible in the community.”The $2.5 million raised last year supports the United Way’s 17
member agencies, which provide a wide range of services. The Greater St. Joseph
United Way fundraising campaign wraps up November 7th.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Greater St. Joseph United Way campaign off to fast start

A group of volunteers has been helping make the dreams of chronically ill children come true since 1980 

The Dream Factory began in Kentucky in 1980 with one chapter and has since stemmed into the largest all volunteer children's wish granting organization in the country with 37 chapters.  

The Dream Factory is similar to Make-A Wish, but Northwest Missouri chapter volunteer Rita Hook says there is one key difference 

"We grant dreams to children between the ages of three and 18 with a chronic or critical illness, our children do not have to be terminal, critical and chronic,” Hook tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr.  

Hook says the organization grants all kinds of dreams for these children 

"The biggest one by far is Disney World, we do have shopping sprees occasionally, right now we have a 15-year-old girl that wants a she shed, so we’re working on that,” Hook explains. 

Hook says some of the more common requests also revolve around going to sporting events or meeting athletes.  

Hook says the organization has made several dreams possible, and the guidelines to provide that dream is around $6,500. 

Hook says there has been a struggle in raising funds for the group, but several fundraising efforts have helped raise money.  

"We had a volunteer in Trenton in last year that put on a concert of Rhonda Vincent, he had been with the Dream Factory over 30 years and he had come to know her personally, long story short he pretty much single handedly raised over $40,000 for our chapter, that was the money that was cleared after the concert, and that’s a huge thing for us,” Hook says. 

There will be fundraisers coming up next month with a Music Bingo at the Eagles on October 11th and a tenderloin dinner on October 18th. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA group of volunteers has been helping make the dreams of chronically ill children come true since 1980 The Dream Factory began in Kentucky in 1980 with one chapter and has since stemmed into the largest all volunteer children's wish granting organization in the country with 37 chapters. The Dream Factory is similar to Make-A Wish, but Northwest Missouri chapter volunteer Rita Hook says there is one key difference "We grant dreams to children between the ages of three and 18 with a chronic or critical illness, our children do not have to be terminal, critical and chronic,” Hook tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. Hook says the organization grants all kinds of dreams for these children "The biggest one by far is Disney World, we do have shopping sprees occasionally, right now we have a 15-year-old girl that wants a she shed, so we’re working on that,” Hook explains. Hook says some of the more common requests also revolve around going to sporting events or meeting athletes. Hook says the organization has made several dreams possible, and the guidelines to provide that dream is around $6,500. Hook says there has been a struggle in raising funds for the group, but several fundraising efforts have helped raise money. "We had a volunteer in Trenton in last year that put on a concert of Rhonda Vincent, he had been with the Dream Factory over 30 years and he had come to know her personally, long story short he pretty much single handedly raised over $40,000 for our chapter, that was the money that was cleared after the concert, and that’s a huge thing for us,” Hook says. There will be fundraisers coming up next month with a Music Bingo at the Eagles on October 11th and a tenderloin dinner on October 18th.

Dream Factory helping make dreams across northwest Missouri into reality

Avenues to enhance the St. Joseph area skilled workforce have
expanded.

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn points
out 35% of St. Joseph’s economy is manufacturing based and local manufacturers
are in great need of more skilled workers. Hawn says the opening of the Skilled
Manufacturing Center at Hillyard Technical Center has been a great addition in
training those workers and fits with the traditional college degrees offered at
Missouri Western State University.

“Maybe you want to go back to school and become an engineer
and get a four-year degree or a masters,” Hawn says. “It just allows you some
more options and flexibility and it’s great to have that just right here in our
backyard.”

Hawn says the addition of the North Central Missouri College
campus in Savannah and North Central’s work with Missouri Western State
University to build the Convergent Technology Alliance Center on the St. Joseph
campus will also help train the high-skilled workers local manufacturers need.

Hawn says the Chamber will host its Manufacturing Day in early
October with around 800 area high school students expected to visit local manufacturers.
Hawn says the day focuses on the good paying jobs local manufacturers offer.

“And to see their eyes just light up and for it to really connect
the dots that education, and it doesn’t have to be a four-year education, it
can start with something as simple as a certificate or graduating high school,”
according to Hawn. “It was just really great to see that connect with the
students and sometimes they have to see it, feel it, touch it.”

Hawn says the opportunity for workers to obtain more education
and training to advance will be available.

“From maybe just working the line to being a welder or getting
that forklift certificate or learning CNC, becoming a diesel machinic where it
significantly raises your salary and you just maybe need a little skill up to
be able to do that.”

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will host a Career Fair September 17th from 3pm to 6pm at Stoney Creek Hotel.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAvenues to enhance the St. Joseph area skilled workforce have
expanded.St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn points
out 35% of St. Joseph’s economy is manufacturing based and local manufacturers
are in great need of more skilled workers. Hawn says the opening of the Skilled
Manufacturing Center at Hillyard Technical Center has been a great addition in
training those workers and fits with the traditional college degrees offered at
Missouri Western State University.“Maybe you want to go back to school and become an engineer
and get a four-year degree or a masters,” Hawn says. “It just allows you some
more options and flexibility and it’s great to have that just right here in our
backyard.”Hawn says the addition of the North Central Missouri College
campus in Savannah and North Central’s work with Missouri Western State
University to build the Convergent Technology Alliance Center on the St. Joseph
campus will also help train the high-skilled workers local manufacturers need.Hawn says the Chamber will host its Manufacturing Day in early
October with around 800 area high school students expected to visit local manufacturers.
Hawn says the day focuses on the good paying jobs local manufacturers offer.“And to see their eyes just light up and for it to really connect
the dots that education, and it doesn’t have to be a four-year education, it
can start with something as simple as a certificate or graduating high school,”
according to Hawn. “It was just really great to see that connect with the
students and sometimes they have to see it, feel it, touch it.”Hawn says the opportunity for workers to obtain more education
and training to advance will be available.“From maybe just working the line to being a welder or getting
that forklift certificate or learning CNC, becoming a diesel machinic where it
significantly raises your salary and you just maybe need a little skill up to
be able to do that.”The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will host a Career Fair September 17th from 3pm to 6pm at Stoney Creek Hotel.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Skilled workforce training options expanding in St. Joseph

Wednesday’s bench trial focused on a provision in the abortion-rights amendment pertaining to provider immunity

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

A judge could decide as early as Thursday whether Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s “fair ballot language” summary for an abortion-rights amendment is truly fair.&nbsp;

Missouri voters will be asked on Nov. 5 whether they support Amendment 3, which would establish a constitutional right to an abortion up until fetal viability and protect other reproductive rights, including access to in-vitro fertilization and birth control. Abortion became illegal in Missouri in June 2022, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother.

Posted at every polling station around the state, next to sample ballots, is&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=116.025" target="_blank">“fair ballot language”</a>&nbsp;that summarizes the questions that voters will be asked to decide on. State law requires that this language, written by the secretary of state, be “true and impartial.”

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/20/missouri-secretary-state-ashcroft-lawsuit-abortion/">In a lawsuit filed two weeks ago,&nbsp;</a>organizers behind Amendment 3 claimed that Ashcroft’s summary was “intentionally argumentative” and could create confusion among voters.&nbsp;

The same day Ashcroft&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified the measure for the November ballot,&nbsp;</a>his office also published to its website a “fair ballot language” summary statement for the amendment which reads:&nbsp;

“A ‘yes’ vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”&nbsp;

The abortion rights campaign is asking the court to issue new “fair ballot language” and order that Ashcroft remove his current language from his government website.

A brief bench trial Wednesday afternoon in Cole County Circuit Court focused in particular on the last sentence of Ashcroft’s summary, and how a court could interpret subsection 5 of the amendment, which reads: “No person shall be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action based on their actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, including but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. Nor shall any person assisting a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with that person’s consent be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action for doing so.”

Andrew Crane, representing Ashcroft on behalf of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, argued Wednesday that this subsection would result in “effectively neutering the government’s ability to enforce any effective regulations” on abortion.&nbsp;

Tori Schafer, an attorney with the ACLU of Missouri, which is representing the plaintiff, called this claim “politically-charged” and unfounded, as it fails to take into account other language in the amendment protecting patients.

“The amendment will provide greater independence from the government,” she told the court. “But it does not create the boundless, limitless, unregulated right the secretary continues to make it to be.”&nbsp;

Schafer said Ashcroft in the latest language “resurrects his false claims” that have already been denounced by the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Ashcroft was sued last year by the abortion-rights campaign over the initial ballot summary he drafted, which would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”&nbsp;

Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled a year ago that Ashcroft’s language was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/judge-rejects-rewrites-summary-for-missouri-abortion-initiative-petition/">“problematic” and inaccurate.</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725532637576.png" alt=" Cole County Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker listens to arguments during a Sept. 8, 2022, hearing (pool photo courtesy of Emily Manley/Nexstar Media Group)." />
 <figcaption> Cole County Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker listens to arguments during a Sept. 8, 2022, hearing (pool photo courtesy of Emily Manley/Nexstar Media Group).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Wednesday’s bench trial focused on a provision in the abortion-rights amendment pertaining to provider immunity</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A judge could decide as early as Thursday whether Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s “fair ballot language” summary for an abortion-rights amendment is truly fair.&nbsp;Missouri voters will be asked on Nov. 5 whether they support Amendment 3, which would establish a constitutional right to an abortion up until fetal viability and protect other reproductive rights, including access to in-vitro fertilization and birth control. Abortion became illegal in Missouri in June 2022, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother.Posted at every polling station around the state, next to sample ballots, is&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=116.025" target="_blank">“fair ballot language”</a>&nbsp;that summarizes the questions that voters will be asked to decide on. State law requires that this language, written by the secretary of state, be “true and impartial.”<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/20/missouri-secretary-state-ashcroft-lawsuit-abortion/">In a lawsuit filed two weeks ago,&nbsp;</a>organizers behind Amendment 3 claimed that Ashcroft’s summary was “intentionally argumentative” and could create confusion among voters.&nbsp;The same day Ashcroft&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified the measure for the November ballot,&nbsp;</a>his office also published to its website a “fair ballot language” summary statement for the amendment which reads:&nbsp;“A ‘yes’ vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”&nbsp;The abortion rights campaign is asking the court to issue new “fair ballot language” and order that Ashcroft remove his current language from his government website.A brief bench trial Wednesday afternoon in Cole County Circuit Court focused in particular on the last sentence of Ashcroft’s summary, and how a court could interpret subsection 5 of the amendment, which reads: “No person shall be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action based on their actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, including but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. Nor shall any person assisting a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with that person’s consent be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action for doing so.”Andrew Crane, representing Ashcroft on behalf of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, argued Wednesday that this subsection would result in “effectively neutering the government’s ability to enforce any effective regulations” on abortion.&nbsp;Tori Schafer, an attorney with the ACLU of Missouri, which is representing the plaintiff, called this claim “politically-charged” and unfounded, as it fails to take into account other language in the amendment protecting patients.“The amendment will provide greater independence from the government,” she told the court. “But it does not create the boundless, limitless, unregulated right the secretary continues to make it to be.”&nbsp;Schafer said Ashcroft in the latest language “resurrects his false claims” that have already been denounced by the Missouri Court of Appeals.Ashcroft was sued last year by the abortion-rights campaign over the initial ballot summary he drafted, which would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”&nbsp;Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled a year ago that Ashcroft’s language was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/judge-rejects-rewrites-summary-for-missouri-abortion-initiative-petition/">“problematic” and inaccurate.</a>&nbsp;An appeals court agreed, ruling that it is “not a probable effect” that the amendment would allow unrestricted abortion in all nine months of pregnancy or that it would toss aside health and safety regulations, “including requirements that physicians perform abortions and that they maintain medical malpractice insurance.”However, Crane on Wednesday argued that the appeals court ruling didn’t specifically address the immunity provisions of subsection 5.Ashcroft, who recently lost a bid for the GOP candidate for governor, has been open about his opposition to abortion.&nbsp;During the Midwest March for Life outside in May, he told The Independent of the abortion initiative petition: “I just want to make sure that people know what this amendment will actually do. That it’s abortion from conception until the very last second that the last toenail leaves the birth canal.”Cole County Circuit Judge Cotton Walker, who is overseeing the current case, said he intends to rule on Thursday.&nbsp;Walker recently upheld the “fair ballot language” summary written by Ashcroft for a proposed constitutional&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-upholds-ballot-language-to-ban-noncitizen-voting-already-illegal-in-missouri/">amendment that would ban ranked-choice voting</a>&nbsp;after two voters sued over the language. The voters called the language imprecise, in part because it doesn’t state that it’s currently illegal for non-citizens to vote in Missouri.&nbsp;The Amendment 3 lawsuit was filed by retired physician Dr. Anna Fitz-James, who initially filed the abortion rights initiative petition in spring 2023 on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the amendment.&nbsp;The campaign has raised millions of dollars this election cycle, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/index.php" target="_blank">recent polling by St. Louis University/YouGov&nbsp;</a>showed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/29/poll-shows-missouri-voters-back-trump-hawley-abortion-rights-and-minimum-wage-hike/">52% of Missouri voters supported Amendment 3.&nbsp;</a>The poll surveyed 900 voters across nine days in August.Meanwhile, a second lawsuit regarding Amendment 3 is also pending in Cole County after a number of anti-abortion activists and lawmakers asked a judge to block the amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot. Their lawsuit claims Amendment 3 violates the state constitution by including more than one subject and&nbsp;fails to specify which laws and constitutional provisions would be repealed if it was approved.A bench trial in that lawsuit is scheduled for Friday.

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