HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Mack semi driven by Nicholas C. Anders, 23, Sedalia, was southbound on Interstate 35 three miles north of Bethany.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road, struck a guardrail, a concrete barrier and a bridge pillar.

NTA ambulance transported Anders to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Cameron ambulance later transportedhim to Truman Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Mack semi driven by Nicholas C. Anders, 23, Sedalia, was southbound on Interstate 35 three miles north of Bethany.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road, struck a guardrail, a concrete barrier and a bridge pillar.NTA ambulance transported Anders to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Cameron ambulance later transportedhim to Truman Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized after violent semi crash

Missouri was among the states who filed a lawsuit last week to block the Biden administration program

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — A Texas federal judge late Monday sided with 16-Republican led states to temporarily block a Biden administration program that grants deportation protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and a potential pathway to citizenship.

The ruling by Judge J. Campbell Barker&nbsp;of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, is&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.232527/gov.uscourts.txed.232527.27.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">an administrative stay</a>, meaning no applications can be processed while the case is ongoing. The Department of Homeland Security began accepting applications last week.

“The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date,” Barker, who former president Donald Trump appointed, wrote in his order.

A DHS spokesperson said the agency will defend the program, known as Keeping Families Together, in court.

“Keeping Families Together enables U.S. citizens and their family members to live without fear of separation, consistent with fundamental American values,” a DHS spokesperson said. “The Department of Homeland Security will comply with the court’s decision, including continuing to accept applications, while we defend Keeping Families Together in court.”

DHS is still allowed to collect applications for the program, but not allowed to approve them, according to the order from Barker.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-131f" target="_blank">Applications that have already been processed</a>&nbsp;and a parole in place granted, are not impacted by the current stay.

The states,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-states-aim-halt-biden-program-protecting-undocumented-spouses-deportation" target="_blank">which filed the suit last week</a>, are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.

They are being represented by American First Legal, an organization established by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller — the architect of Trump’s hard-line immigration policies.

Those states argue that the Biden administration overreached its authority in creating the program and they argue the program would financially harm them if that group of undocumented people — roughly 500,000 — are allowed to remain in the country.

In his order, Barker set a court timeline that could deliver a decision by mid-October, right before the presidential election. Both sides have until Oct. 10 to submit their briefs.

“The court does not, however, express any ultimate conclusions about the success or likely success of those claims,” Barker wrote. “As with most administrative stays, the court has simply undertaken a screening, ‘first-blush’ review of the claims and what is at stake in the dispute.”

President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/06/18/biden-to-unveil-protections-for-some-undocumented-spouses-easier-daca-work-visas/" target="_blank">in June unveiled the program</a>, which is a one-time action that applies to long-term undocumented people married to U.S. citizens for 10 years as of June 17 this year. It also applies to their children. It’s expected to roughly include 50,000 children who are undocumented but have an immigrant parent married to a U.S. citizen.

The program allows for those undocumented spouses and their children to apply for a green card under certain requirements, which DHS will review on a case-by-case basis.

Under current U.S. immigration law, if a noncitizen enters the country without authorization, they are ineligible for permanent legal status and would need to leave the U.S. and then reenter through a green card application by their U.S. spouse. It’s a lengthy process that can take years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724510077030.png" alt="President Biden during the announcement in June-White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during the announcement in June-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Missouri was among the states who filed a lawsuit last week to block the Biden administration program</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — A Texas federal judge late Monday sided with 16-Republican led states to temporarily block a Biden administration program that grants deportation protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and a potential pathway to citizenship.The ruling by Judge J. Campbell Barker&nbsp;of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, is&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.232527/gov.uscourts.txed.232527.27.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">an administrative stay</a>, meaning no applications can be processed while the case is ongoing. The Department of Homeland Security began accepting applications last week.“The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date,” Barker, who former president Donald Trump appointed, wrote in his order.A DHS spokesperson said the agency will defend the program, known as Keeping Families Together, in court.“Keeping Families Together enables U.S. citizens and their family members to live without fear of separation, consistent with fundamental American values,” a DHS spokesperson said. “The Department of Homeland Security will comply with the court’s decision, including continuing to accept applications, while we defend Keeping Families Together in court.”DHS is still allowed to collect applications for the program, but not allowed to approve them, according to the order from Barker.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-131f" target="_blank">Applications that have already been processed</a>&nbsp;and a parole in place granted, are not impacted by the current stay.The states,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-states-aim-halt-biden-program-protecting-undocumented-spouses-deportation" target="_blank">which filed the suit last week</a>, are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.They are being represented by American First Legal, an organization established by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller — the architect of Trump’s hard-line immigration policies.Those states argue that the Biden administration overreached its authority in creating the program and they argue the program would financially harm them if that group of undocumented people — roughly 500,000 — are allowed to remain in the country.In his order, Barker set a court timeline that could deliver a decision by mid-October, right before the presidential election. Both sides have until Oct. 10 to submit their briefs.“The court does not, however, express any ultimate conclusions about the success or likely success of those claims,” Barker wrote. “As with most administrative stays, the court has simply undertaken a screening, ‘first-blush’ review of the claims and what is at stake in the dispute.”President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/06/18/biden-to-unveil-protections-for-some-undocumented-spouses-easier-daca-work-visas/" target="_blank">in June unveiled the program</a>, which is a one-time action that applies to long-term undocumented people married to U.S. citizens for 10 years as of June 17 this year. It also applies to their children. It’s expected to roughly include 50,000 children who are undocumented but have an immigrant parent married to a U.S. citizen.The program allows for those undocumented spouses and their children to apply for a green card under certain requirements, which DHS will review on a case-by-case basis.Under current U.S. immigration law, if a noncitizen enters the country without authorization, they are ineligible for permanent legal status and would need to leave the U.S. and then reenter through a green card application by their U.S. spouse. It’s a lengthy process that can take years.

Federal judge pauses program that grants protections for undocumented spouses

A 74-year-old resident of the Chillicothe women’s prison has
died of what appears to be natural causes.

The Missouri Department of Corrections reports the death of
Connie Sanders-Ford who was serving a life sentence from McDonald County for
first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Corrections officials report Sanders-Ford was pronounced dead
shortly before five o’clock Monday morning.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 74-year-old resident of the Chillicothe women’s prison has
died of what appears to be natural causes.The Missouri Department of Corrections reports the death of
Connie Sanders-Ford who was serving a life sentence from McDonald County for
first-degree murder and armed criminal action.Corrections officials report Sanders-Ford was pronounced dead
shortly before five o’clock Monday morning.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Corrections officials report death at Chillicothe prison

The Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph welcomes everyone to the museum this (TUE) evening for free. 

Communications Manager Dansare Lawrence says the museum tries to make it a fun event. . . 

"This month we are going to have an artist trading card swap, there will be a meal you can purchase, a cash bar, and we’re also asking all the summer camp families to come and visit and do one last final look through of the children’s art exhibition of everything they created during summer camp this year,” Lawrence tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. “They’re welcome to pick up their artwork that day as well.” 

Lawrence says the artist trading card swap is a fun event for aspiring and veteran artists alike 

"A lot of people start building up their collections of artist trading cards that they make, and some people come with whole books full of little art cards, and we just invite people to trade with another artist” Lawrence explains.  “It’s really inspiring for the young ones who are beginning to kind of look through the more developed artists books and get a work of theirs to trade, so it’s a really fun project.” 

The free Museum After Hours will be held from 5 to 7pm this evening.   

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph welcomes everyone to the museum this (TUE) evening for free. Communications Manager Dansare Lawrence says the museum tries to make it a fun event. . . "This month we are going to have an artist trading card swap, there will be a meal you can purchase, a cash bar, and we’re also asking all the summer camp families to come and visit and do one last final look through of the children’s art exhibition of everything they created during summer camp this year,” Lawrence tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. “They’re welcome to pick up their artwork that day as well.” Lawrence says the artist trading card swap is a fun event for aspiring and veteran artists alike "A lot of people start building up their collections of artist trading cards that they make, and some people come with whole books full of little art cards, and we just invite people to trade with another artist” Lawrence explains. “It’s really inspiring for the young ones who are beginning to kind of look through the more developed artists books and get a work of theirs to trade, so it’s a really fun project.” The free Museum After Hours will be held from 5 to 7pm this evening.

Check out the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art for free today

St. Joseph School District
officials are trying something different to increase classroom attendance at
four schools that had the lowest attendance in the district last year.

Assistant Superintendent for
Academics, Ashly McGinnis, says the effort is targeted at parents of students
at Lindbergh Elementary, Carden Park Elementary, Robidoux Middle School, and
Lafayette High School.

“This attendance incentive is
strictly focused on parents. And at the end of the day, parents are the ones
who get their kids to school,” McGinnis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp; “Whether that be physically driving them to
school or walking them to the bus or even just getting them out of bed and forcing
them to go to school.”

Past financial incentives to
increase school attendance had targeted the students.

McGinnis says a generous donor
provided $4,000 to the district to pay for incentives to increase attendance. One
parent of students at each of the four schools will be awarded a $500 gift card.
Schools throughout the district also have a budget dedicated to increasing
attendance.

Last school year, Lindbergh
Elementary School had the lowest attendance rate at only 63.52%. Nearby
Lafayette High School had an attendance rate of 64.25% last year with Carden
Park Elementary at 69.98% and Robidoux Middle School at 71.74%.

Many factors can play a role in
poor student attendance, but one common thread seems to run through those four
schools.

“St. Joe has a high free and
reduced lunch rate across the district, but I would say it’s more prevalent in
those four schools, just some unique challenges with poverty,” McGinnis says. “There
may be some other variables with parents not seeing the value of education as
opposed to some of the other schools.”

There is a financial incentive
for the St. Joseph School District to increase its attendance rate. The state
of Missouri expects a 90% attendance rate and penalizes district that don’t
achieve that goal. The St. Joseph district had improved student attendance with
its Stive for Five program a few years ago, but then came COVID-19. Attendance
rates plummeted. Even an improvement in 2023, when the attendance rate hit
78.9%, couldn’t be sustained, falling to 77.56% in 2024.

Yet, the biggest incentive
McGinnis sees is academic. Poor attendance and poor academic performance go
hand-in-hand.

“I’m a former math teacher and
math concepts constantly build on top of each other,” McGinnis says. “So, when
students miss those foundational lessons, it makes it that much more difficult
to come back.”

That applies to teaching reading
and writing as well, McGinnis says.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724773694595.jpeg" alt="Lindbergh Elementary School/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Lindbergh Elementary School/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph School District
officials are trying something different to increase classroom attendance at
four schools that had the lowest attendance in the district last year.Assistant Superintendent for
Academics, Ashly McGinnis, says the effort is targeted at parents of students
at Lindbergh Elementary, Carden Park Elementary, Robidoux Middle School, and
Lafayette High School.“This attendance incentive is
strictly focused on parents. And at the end of the day, parents are the ones
who get their kids to school,” McGinnis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp; “Whether that be physically driving them to
school or walking them to the bus or even just getting them out of bed and forcing
them to go to school.”Past financial incentives to
increase school attendance had targeted the students.McGinnis says a generous donor
provided $4,000 to the district to pay for incentives to increase attendance. One
parent of students at each of the four schools will be awarded a $500 gift card.
Schools throughout the district also have a budget dedicated to increasing
attendance.Last school year, Lindbergh
Elementary School had the lowest attendance rate at only 63.52%. Nearby
Lafayette High School had an attendance rate of 64.25% last year with Carden
Park Elementary at 69.98% and Robidoux Middle School at 71.74%.Many factors can play a role in
poor student attendance, but one common thread seems to run through those four
schools.“St. Joe has a high free and
reduced lunch rate across the district, but I would say it’s more prevalent in
those four schools, just some unique challenges with poverty,” McGinnis says. “There
may be some other variables with parents not seeing the value of education as
opposed to some of the other schools.”There is a financial incentive
for the St. Joseph School District to increase its attendance rate. The state
of Missouri expects a 90% attendance rate and penalizes district that don’t
achieve that goal. The St. Joseph district had improved student attendance with
its Stive for Five program a few years ago, but then came COVID-19. Attendance
rates plummeted. Even an improvement in 2023, when the attendance rate hit
78.9%, couldn’t be sustained, falling to 77.56% in 2024.Yet, the biggest incentive
McGinnis sees is academic. Poor attendance and poor academic performance go
hand-in-hand.“I’m a former math teacher and
math concepts constantly build on top of each other,” McGinnis says. “So, when
students miss those foundational lessons, it makes it that much more difficult
to come back.”That applies to teaching reading
and writing as well, McGinnis says.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph School District launches pupil attendance incentive program

Four lawsuits filed since mid-July argue that the state has intruded on interstate commerce and violated federal property rights protections

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

Three major pharmaceutical companies and their national lobbying organization are suing Missouri to block&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/13/billions-at-stake-as-national-battle-over-drug-pricing-plays-out-in-missouri/">enforcement of a new state law</a>&nbsp;requiring them to give medical providers unlimited access to discounted drugs for their pharmacies.

In four federal lawsuits filed over the past month, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Abbvie and PhRMA, the lobbying arm of the pharmaceutical industry, argue that Missouri lawmakers unconstitutionally intruded into interstate commerce with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=186" target="_blank">the bill passed this year</a>.

Under the bill, drugmakers must accept orders to deliver medications to providers eligible for discounts under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa" target="_blank">the 340B program</a>, named for the section of law where it is authorized. The bill allows eligible providers to have an unlimited number of contracts with pharmacies to dispense their prescriptions of drugs purchased under the program.

“Under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, Missouri has no authority to define who has access to 340B-priced drugs,” states the lawsuit filed last week by PhRMA in the Western District of Missouri.

The law takes effect on Wednesday. The plaintiffs in each case have asked for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement, but no hearings on the requests have been scheduled and only one case, filed Aug. 2 by Novartis, has had enough activity for the judge to schedule any proceedings.

Abbvie went first, filing its lawsuit July 22 in the Eastern District&nbsp; — 10 days after Gov. Mike Parson declined to sign the bill and instead&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/12/missouri-governor-allows-flawed-bill-on-drug-discounts-to-become-law/">allowed it to become law</a>&nbsp;despite his misgivings. The other three cases are filed with the Western District, which includes Jefferson City.

The lawsuits name Attorney General Andrew Bailey and members of the state Board of Pharmacy, which is responsible for enforcing the law. The board is given authority to investigate violations of the law and the attorney general has enforcement powers through the state Merchandising Practices Act.

“It is difficult to convincingly argue that doing what a federal program requires is an irreparable harm,” Maria Lanahan, deputy solicitor general in the attorney general’s office, wrote in a filing arguing against a preliminary injunction in the Novartis lawsuit. “To the contrary, when Novartis complies with S.B. 751, it is helping covered entities that serve vulnerable populations.”

Bailey’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment on the cases.

The board is relying on Bailey to respond to the lawsuit. The law is self-enforcing and while the board could write rules about how it is to be followed, Executive Director Kimberly Brinston said.

“The board does not have a timeline to promulgate rules and has not made a decision on whether rules would be promulgated,” she said.

The Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Primary Care Association have asked to intervene in the Novartis lawsuit and will likely seek to join the other three, hospital association spokesman Dave Dillon said Monday.

“We are evaluating each case and intend to reinforce the work done by the General Assembly on behalf of Missouri’s hospitals, other providers and the communities they serve,” Dillon said.

The 340B program was created in 1992. It had two components — drug manufacturers had to deliver their products at a discount to eligible providers and eligible providers could only use the program to provide prescriptions to patients they treated directly.

Eligible providers included children’s hospitals, as well as hospitals that were sole providers in their community or designated “critical access hospitals” by providing care that would otherwise be absent, and those serving large numbers of indigent patients known as “disproportionate share hospitals.”

Other qualifying providers include federally qualified health care centers — clinics that receive grants to support operations so they can base charges on ability to pay — as well as clinics that serve AIDS patients, black lung victims and other debilitating diseases.

The use of contract pharmacies started in 1996, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began allowing one contractor per provider as recognition that many providers did not have in-house pharmacies. But a change to allow unlimited contracting increased the number of contract pharmacies from 2,321 in 2010 to 205,340 in 2024, according to data from PhRMA provided to The Independent in June.

Nationally, pharmaceutical manufacturers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/updates/2022-340b-covered-entity-purchases" target="_blank">sold nearly $100 billion in discounted drugs</a>&nbsp;in 2021 and 2022. Discounts averaged 60% from regular wholesale prices, the lobbying organization stated.

The pharmaceutical companies focus their criticism on the disproportionate share hospitals, who often contract with for-profit pharmacies to dispense the drugs. Those hospitals account for about 80% of all drugs purchased through the 340B program, $41.8 billion in 2022 and $34.3 billion the year before.

Pharmaceutical companies complain that the discounts are rarely passed on to patients. Instead, insurance companies and consumers pay retail prices and the extra profit is often split between the pharmacy and the provider.

“Make no mistake, the boom in contract pharmacies has been fueled by the prospect of outsized profit margins on 340B-discounted drugs,” AstraZeneca’s lawyers wrote in the complaint filed last week. “In short, the widespread proliferation of contract pharmacy arrangements since 2010 has transformed the 340B program from one intended to assist vulnerable patients into a multi-billion-dollar arbitrage scheme.”

The drugmakers have fought the expansion of contract pharmacies in a variety of ways. When Novartis sought in 2020 to limit the contracts to pharmacies within 40 miles of an eligible provider, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a notice that it considered the limit a violation of the program’s rules.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/sites/default/files/hhs-guidance-documents/340B-AO-FINAL-12-30-2020_0.pdf" target="_blank">advisory opinion on contracting</a>, later withdrawn, said the 340B program required delivery to a pharmacy on “the lunar surface, low-earth orbit, or a neighborhood…”

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania ruled in January 2023 in a case against the federal agency that pharmaceutical companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/213167p.pdf" target="_blank">could impose limits</a>&nbsp;on the number of pharmacies they would allow to purchase the discounted drugs.

After the 2023 ruling, Novartis tightened its rules to allow only one contracted pharmacy per covered provider, but only if the provider did not have an in-house pharmacy. Other manufacturers have imposed variations on the Novartis policies.

State efforts to counter the limits have ramped up in the past two years. Missouri is one of eight states to pass laws requiring drugmakers to deliver discounted medications to contract pharmacies.

Arkansas was one of the first. In March, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis upheld the Arkansas law requiring drugmakers to allow covered providers to have an unlimited number of contract pharmacies.

In the motion to dismiss the Novartis lawsuit, the Missouri attorney general’s office relied heavily on that ruling, writing that it shows federal law does not prevent Missouri from passing a similar law.

The four lawsuits use a variety of legal theories to assail Missouri’s new law. Along with allegations of interfering with interstate commerce and regulating in an area reserved for federal action, the Abbvie lawsuit argues that its property rights are being violated.

“These abuses of the federal 340B program raise obvious concerns because the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from forcing the transfer of property at confiscatory prices to private parties for their own private benefit,” the lawsuit states.

In the filing seeking to intervene in the Novartis case, the hospitals and primary care associations argued that the revenue from profits on 340B medications are essential support for their operations.

“Reducing access to those savings,” the filing states, “means hospitals are unable to underwrite critical but under-reimbursed services lines.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572037176389.png" alt="File photo -Missouri is being sued over a new law requiring drugmakers to deliver prescriptions discounted under the 340B program to any pharmacy contracting with a qualified provider.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo -Missouri is being sued over a new law requiring drugmakers to deliver prescriptions discounted under the 340B program to any pharmacy contracting with a qualified provider.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Four lawsuits filed since mid-July argue that the state has intruded on interstate commerce and violated federal property rights protections</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Three major pharmaceutical companies and their national lobbying organization are suing Missouri to block&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/13/billions-at-stake-as-national-battle-over-drug-pricing-plays-out-in-missouri/">enforcement of a new state law</a>&nbsp;requiring them to give medical providers unlimited access to discounted drugs for their pharmacies.In four federal lawsuits filed over the past month, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Abbvie and PhRMA, the lobbying arm of the pharmaceutical industry, argue that Missouri lawmakers unconstitutionally intruded into interstate commerce with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=186" target="_blank">the bill passed this year</a>.Under the bill, drugmakers must accept orders to deliver medications to providers eligible for discounts under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa" target="_blank">the 340B program</a>, named for the section of law where it is authorized. The bill allows eligible providers to have an unlimited number of contracts with pharmacies to dispense their prescriptions of drugs purchased under the program.“Under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, Missouri has no authority to define who has access to 340B-priced drugs,” states the lawsuit filed last week by PhRMA in the Western District of Missouri.The law takes effect on Wednesday. The plaintiffs in each case have asked for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement, but no hearings on the requests have been scheduled and only one case, filed Aug. 2 by Novartis, has had enough activity for the judge to schedule any proceedings.Abbvie went first, filing its lawsuit July 22 in the Eastern District&nbsp; — 10 days after Gov. Mike Parson declined to sign the bill and instead&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/12/missouri-governor-allows-flawed-bill-on-drug-discounts-to-become-law/">allowed it to become law</a>&nbsp;despite his misgivings. The other three cases are filed with the Western District, which includes Jefferson City.The lawsuits name Attorney General Andrew Bailey and members of the state Board of Pharmacy, which is responsible for enforcing the law. The board is given authority to investigate violations of the law and the attorney general has enforcement powers through the state Merchandising Practices Act.“It is difficult to convincingly argue that doing what a federal program requires is an irreparable harm,” Maria Lanahan, deputy solicitor general in the attorney general’s office, wrote in a filing arguing against a preliminary injunction in the Novartis lawsuit. “To the contrary, when Novartis complies with S.B. 751, it is helping covered entities that serve vulnerable populations.”Bailey’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment on the cases.The board is relying on Bailey to respond to the lawsuit. The law is self-enforcing and while the board could write rules about how it is to be followed, Executive Director Kimberly Brinston said.“The board does not have a timeline to promulgate rules and has not made a decision on whether rules would be promulgated,” she said.The Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Primary Care Association have asked to intervene in the Novartis lawsuit and will likely seek to join the other three, hospital association spokesman Dave Dillon said Monday.“We are evaluating each case and intend to reinforce the work done by the General Assembly on behalf of Missouri’s hospitals, other providers and the communities they serve,” Dillon said.The 340B program was created in 1992. It had two components — drug manufacturers had to deliver their products at a discount to eligible providers and eligible providers could only use the program to provide prescriptions to patients they treated directly.Eligible providers included children’s hospitals, as well as hospitals that were sole providers in their community or designated “critical access hospitals” by providing care that would otherwise be absent, and those serving large numbers of indigent patients known as “disproportionate share hospitals.”Other qualifying providers include federally qualified health care centers — clinics that receive grants to support operations so they can base charges on ability to pay — as well as clinics that serve AIDS patients, black lung victims and other debilitating diseases.The use of contract pharmacies started in 1996, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began allowing one contractor per provider as recognition that many providers did not have in-house pharmacies. But a change to allow unlimited contracting increased the number of contract pharmacies from 2,321 in 2010 to 205,340 in 2024, according to data from PhRMA provided to The Independent in June.Nationally, pharmaceutical manufacturers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/updates/2022-340b-covered-entity-purchases" target="_blank">sold nearly $100 billion in discounted drugs</a>&nbsp;in 2021 and 2022. Discounts averaged 60% from regular wholesale prices, the lobbying organization stated.The pharmaceutical companies focus their criticism on the disproportionate share hospitals, who often contract with for-profit pharmacies to dispense the drugs. Those hospitals account for about 80% of all drugs purchased through the 340B program, $41.8 billion in 2022 and $34.3 billion the year before.Pharmaceutical companies complain that the discounts are rarely passed on to patients. Instead, insurance companies and consumers pay retail prices and the extra profit is often split between the pharmacy and the provider.“Make no mistake, the boom in contract pharmacies has been fueled by the prospect of outsized profit margins on 340B-discounted drugs,” AstraZeneca’s lawyers wrote in the complaint filed last week. “In short, the widespread proliferation of contract pharmacy arrangements since 2010 has transformed the 340B program from one intended to assist vulnerable patients into a multi-billion-dollar arbitrage scheme.”The drugmakers have fought the expansion of contract pharmacies in a variety of ways. When Novartis sought in 2020 to limit the contracts to pharmacies within 40 miles of an eligible provider, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a notice that it considered the limit a violation of the program’s rules.An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/sites/default/files/hhs-guidance-documents/340B-AO-FINAL-12-30-2020_0.pdf" target="_blank">advisory opinion on contracting</a>, later withdrawn, said the 340B program required delivery to a pharmacy on “the lunar surface, low-earth orbit, or a neighborhood…”The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania ruled in January 2023 in a case against the federal agency that pharmaceutical companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/213167p.pdf" target="_blank">could impose limits</a>&nbsp;on the number of pharmacies they would allow to purchase the discounted drugs.After the 2023 ruling, Novartis tightened its rules to allow only one contracted pharmacy per covered provider, but only if the provider did not have an in-house pharmacy. Other manufacturers have imposed variations on the Novartis policies.State efforts to counter the limits have ramped up in the past two years. Missouri is one of eight states to pass laws requiring drugmakers to deliver discounted medications to contract pharmacies.Arkansas was one of the first. In March, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis upheld the Arkansas law requiring drugmakers to allow covered providers to have an unlimited number of contract pharmacies.In the motion to dismiss the Novartis lawsuit, the Missouri attorney general’s office relied heavily on that ruling, writing that it shows federal law does not prevent Missouri from passing a similar law.The four lawsuits use a variety of legal theories to assail Missouri’s new law. Along with allegations of interfering with interstate commerce and regulating in an area reserved for federal action, the Abbvie lawsuit argues that its property rights are being violated.“These abuses of the federal 340B program raise obvious concerns because the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from forcing the transfer of property at confiscatory prices to private parties for their own private benefit,” the lawsuit states.In the filing seeking to intervene in the Novartis case, the hospitals and primary care associations argued that the revenue from profits on 340B medications are essential support for their operations.“Reducing access to those savings,” the filing states, “means hospitals are unable to underwrite critical but under-reimbursed services lines.”

Drugmakers sue to block Missouri law on federal prescription discounts

With temperatures back in the 90s for the first part of the week, local group Friends of the Animal Shelter, has some tips to help keep your pets safe.

Kathy Ermler, with Friends of the Animal Shelter, recommends watching for symptoms of heat ailment, especially in dogs. "If you notice your dog is heavy panting and restless, if they have 'brick red' gums or a very fast pulse rate, those are cues to watch out for," says Ermler.

Ermler notes other signs to watch for are drooling, diarrhea, and nausea.

If your pet is experiencing symptoms due to heat ailments, such as heat stroke, you can sprinkle them with water or wrap wet towels around them to help cool off.&nbsp;

Ermler says, "The breed of dogs and cats is also dependent on how quickly they may suffer heat stroke." For example, pug nose dogs have more difficulty handling high temperatures. 

Ermler notes that cat breeds, such as Persians or Himalayans, are more prone to heat ailments than other breeds.

Ermler adds, "The best way to treat outdoor animals for heat stroke is to get them into a shady area and call the vet."

Temperatures in Northwest Missouri are expected to be in the 90s through Thursday. The forecast calls for cooler weather and a chance of rain towards the end of the week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632967379845.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostThe dog days of summer are here. With temperatures back in the 90s for the first part of the week, local group Friends of the Animal Shelter, has some tips to help keep your pets safe.Kathy Ermler, with Friends of the Animal Shelter, recommends watching for symptoms of heat ailment, especially in dogs. "If you notice your dog is heavy panting and restless, if they have 'brick red' gums or a very fast pulse rate, those are cues to watch out for," says Ermler.Ermler notes other signs to watch for are drooling, diarrhea, and nausea.If your pet is experiencing symptoms due to heat ailments, such as heat stroke, you can sprinkle them with water or wrap wet towels around them to help cool off.&nbsp;Ermler says, "The breed of dogs and cats is also dependent on how quickly they may suffer heat stroke." For example, pug nose dogs have more difficulty handling high temperatures. Ermler notes that cat breeds, such as Persians or Himalayans, are more prone to heat ailments than other breeds.Ermler adds, "The best way to treat outdoor animals for heat stroke is to get them into a shady area and call the vet."Temperatures in Northwest Missouri are expected to be in the 90s through Thursday. The forecast calls for cooler weather and a chance of rain towards the end of the week.

Friends of the Animal Shelter tips for keeping pets safe in high temps

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Monday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Ford Escape driven by Mary J. Runyan, 18, Stewartsville, was northbound on Route K at Route Y in Stewartsville.&nbsp;

The Ford struck a southbound 2008 Subaru driven by Larry D. Melton, 82, Stewartsville, who was making a left turn on to Route K. After impact the Subaru spun and struck a westbound 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Ray D. Veale, 67, King City.

DeKalb-Clinton EMS transported Melton to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The other drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Monday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Ford Escape driven by Mary J. Runyan, 18, Stewartsville, was northbound on Route K at Route Y in Stewartsville.&nbsp;The Ford struck a southbound 2008 Subaru driven by Larry D. Melton, 82, Stewartsville, who was making a left turn on to Route K. After impact the Subaru spun and struck a westbound 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Ray D. Veale, 67, King City.DeKalb-Clinton EMS transported Melton to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The other drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man hospitalized after 3-vehicle DeKalb Co. crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas felon is back in custody on new allegations.

On Saturday, police arrested 31-year-old Trevor L. Kiehl of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He remains in custody on requested charges that include for theft that occurred in the 1000 block Main Street in Atchison and possession of marijuana.&nbsp; Kiehl has three previous drug conviction and on for interference with law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724679242306.png" alt="Kiehl from a 2022 arrest in Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Kiehl from a 2022 arrest in Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas felon is back in custody on new allegations.On Saturday, police arrested 31-year-old Trevor L. Kiehl of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.He remains in custody on requested charges that include for theft that occurred in the 1000 block Main Street in Atchison and possession of marijuana.&nbsp; Kiehl has three previous drug conviction and on for interference with law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon jailed for alleged theft, drug possession

He doesn’t call himself a historian, but retired Army Lt.
Colonel Milt Toratti does his best to keep the oral histories of veterans
alive.

In fact, Toratti calls himself a local veteran, experiential,
biographical historian.

“Experiential meaning that I look for the veteran’s
experiences and developed an interview process that I’ve been doing for 68
years in recording the veteran’s accurate oral histories so he or she can then
gift them to their grandkids, family, and friends,” Toratti tells host Barry
Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

Toratti has put together a couple of new books, one on World
War II and one on the Korean War, available at various book signings.

“This year, because of the Veterans Home Assistance League
fundraising, I said, ‘Well, what if I now do a publishing of books?’ So, I did
a book on the secret war on World War II and the Korean War,” Toratti says. “And
those books are available now with the book signings and the proceeds go to the
veterans home.”

Toratti has helped write 154 books, oral histories by veterans
for their family and friends. He is working on 14 more. Toratti says many
veterans are reluctant to talk about their experiences.

“And I never recruit anybody,” Toratti says. “They find me.
And the reason is because they’re ready then. And then they’ll say now it’s
time to tell my story so my grandkids know what happened.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Toratti is in the middle of the book signing tour in which the
sale of books will benefit the Cameron Veterans Home Assistance League.

He has appearances scheduled for Hamilton Sporting Clays, the
St. Joseph Eagles Lodge, the Joyce Raye Patterson Activity Center, the Jesse
James Antique Mall, and at Cameron Regional Hospital on Veterans Day.

911 Ceremony: Sept. 11th, at St. Joseph City Hall, 11am

Central High School- 1st FB game, Sept. 13th, 6pm

Jesse James Antique Mall: Sept. 28th 8am-4pm

Joyce R. Patterson Sr Ctr:  Galen Johnson-“Appreciation of History” Oct. 14th 1:00-3:30pm

                                                                                                               Pronto Café: Sept. 25th (Wed.) 9am-1pm

Office Depot  (TBA)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Reed Auto Center, St. Joseph: Veterans Appreciation Nov 9th

                                                                                                                                                                                Cameron Regional Hospital, Cameron:  Nov., 11th (Veterans Day)                       

Secret
War Soldiers…Abandoned But Not Forgotten

Serendipity
Stories From The Greatest Generation

This article as been updated since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostHe doesn’t call himself a historian, but retired Army Lt.
Colonel Milt Toratti does his best to keep the oral histories of veterans
alive.In fact, Toratti calls himself a local veteran, experiential,
biographical historian.“Experiential meaning that I look for the veteran’s
experiences and developed an interview process that I’ve been doing for 68
years in recording the veteran’s accurate oral histories so he or she can then
gift them to their grandkids, family, and friends,” Toratti tells host Barry
Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.Toratti has put together a couple of new books, one on World
War II and one on the Korean War, available at various book signings.“This year, because of the Veterans Home Assistance League
fundraising, I said, ‘Well, what if I now do a publishing of books?’ So, I did
a book on the secret war on World War II and the Korean War,” Toratti says. “And
those books are available now with the book signings and the proceeds go to the
veterans home.”Toratti has helped write 154 books, oral histories by veterans
for their family and friends. He is working on 14 more. Toratti says many
veterans are reluctant to talk about their experiences.“And I never recruit anybody,” Toratti says. “They find me.
And the reason is because they’re ready then. And then they’ll say now it’s
time to tell my story so my grandkids know what happened.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Toratti is in the middle of the book signing tour in which the
sale of books will benefit the Cameron Veterans Home Assistance League.He has appearances scheduled for Hamilton Sporting Clays, the
St. Joseph Eagles Lodge, the Joyce Raye Patterson Activity Center, the Jesse
James Antique Mall, and at Cameron Regional Hospital on Veterans Day.Book signings:911 Ceremony: Sept. 11th, at St. Joseph City Hall, 11amCentral High School- 1st FB game, Sept. 13th, 6pmEagles Lodge: Sept. 20th, 5–8 pmJesse James Antique Mall: Sept. 28th 8am-4pmJoyce R. Patterson Sr Ctr: Galen Johnson-“Appreciation of History” Oct. 14th 1:00-3:30pm Pronto Café: Sept. 25th (Wed.) 9am-1pmTractor Supply Co. (TBA)Office Depot (TBA) Reed Auto Center, St. Joseph: Veterans Appreciation Nov 9th Cameron Regional Hospital, Cameron: Nov., 11th (Veterans Day) Book Titles
Include:Secret
War Soldiers…Abandoned But Not ForgottenClose to Frozen Earth, Closer to DeathSerendipity
Stories From The Greatest GenerationThis article as been updated since first published.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph veteran story chronicler now raising money for Cameron Vet Home

The state constitution now requires regulators to put more rules in place to protect children from accidental consumption and poisoning

By REBECCA RIVAS &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Marijuana companies face a hard deadline to meet Missouri’s new plain packaging requirements on Sept. 1 — more than a year after the rule was initially put in place.&nbsp;

For decades, there’s been a&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120320142534/http://www.acosh.org/resources/GenericPackaging.pdf" target="_blank">global movement</a>&nbsp;urging “plain packaging” on tobacco products — or packaging with limited colors and frills — after numerous studies found it makes cigarettes less appealing to young people.&nbsp;

Missouri is now a<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/22/missouri-to-be-testing-ground-on-plain-packaging-for-cannabis-products/">&nbsp;testing ground</a>&nbsp;to see if plain packaging has the same impact for recreational marijuana.

When voters passed the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022, it included a provision that labels and packaging for marijuana-related products, “shall not be made to be attractive to children.”

Now under new state rules, packaging can only be one primary color, and it can have up to two logos or symbols that can be a different color or several different colors.

“This approach to packaging is familiar to all of us,” said Amy Moore, director of Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation, during a legislative committee hearing last year. “You think about the cereal aisle versus tobacco packaging or over-the-counter medicines.”

The initial deadline for compliance was May 1, but regulators heard from licensees that potential delays in global shipping could impact their ability to receive the packaging in time.&nbsp;

Now starting on Sept. 1, marijuana manufacturers must package and label all products in division-approved designs before sending them to a dispensary.&nbsp;

Dispensaries can continue to sell non-compliant products they already have in the store until Nov. 1.

The new rules also require the division to pre-approve the labels, a process that didn’t exist under medical marijuana rules.&nbsp;

Nick Rinella,&nbsp;CEO of Hippos Cannabis, said companies have seen delays in the state’s approval of their submitted designs.

“The state just doesn’t have the manpower to go through and approve them,” Rinella said. “And until they’re approved, they can’t go onto the shelves in their new packaging.”

Since the approval process opened on Sept. 1, 2023, the division has received nearly 150,000 submissions, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the division.

Half of those were submitted within the last 60 days.

“Licensees have had a year to submit applications for approval,” Cox said, “and five months’ notice that they should not expect another extension.”

Cox said all applications are being processed within 60 days.

The constitution says that no marijuana facility can sell edible marijuana-infused candy in shapes or packages that are attractive to children or that are easily confused with commercially sold candy that does not contain marijuana. Penalties include fines of up to $5,000 and a loss of a business license.&nbsp;

The packaging requirements are part of Missouri’s new&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/19csr100-proposed-rules-filed-051523.pdf" target="_blank">cannabis regulation rules&nbsp;</a>that went into effect on July 30, 2023.&nbsp;

In the division’s first draft of proposed rules last year, it required companies to have only one color on the label.&nbsp;

That&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/08/marijuana-industry-state-regulators-at-odds-over-rules-targeting-packaging-aimed-at-kids/">caused an uproar</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which argued in a letter to lawmakers that marijuana businesses had already invested “many millions” in packaging designs. And companies did so, the trade association contends, because “attractive, interesting, and attention-grabbing packaging is essential to effectively advertise and promote marijuana product sales.”

After the pushback from both MoCann Trade and some legislators, the agency changed the rule to allow “limited colors.” Another compromise, Moore told lawmakers, was allowing for QR codes on the labels to send consumers to their website for more information.&nbsp;

Missouri becomes one of few states that require plain packaging in the adult-use cannabis market, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.networkforphl.org/resources/cannabis-regulation-resource-collection/" target="_blank">Network for Public Health Law</a>. The others include Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey.&nbsp;

Moore said the rules align with what voters asked for in the constitutional amendment. The requirements regarding children’s safety are more stringent than what was included in the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV++++1&amp;bid=51540&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana</a>&nbsp;in 2018.

“We have to notice that,” she said, “and say, ‘Apparently we’re to do more, we’re to do better for children and for health.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724690719448.png" alt=" Under Missouri’s new cannabis regulations, labels and packages for marijuana-related products must have limited colors and can’t appeal to children or resemble candy. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> Under Missouri’s new cannabis regulations, labels and packages for marijuana-related products must have limited colors and can’t appeal to children or resemble candy. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The state constitution now requires regulators to put more rules in place to protect children from accidental consumption and poisoning</h2>By REBECCA RIVAS &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Marijuana companies face a hard deadline to meet Missouri’s new plain packaging requirements on Sept. 1 — more than a year after the rule was initially put in place.&nbsp;For decades, there’s been a&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120320142534/http://www.acosh.org/resources/GenericPackaging.pdf" target="_blank">global movement</a>&nbsp;urging “plain packaging” on tobacco products — or packaging with limited colors and frills — after numerous studies found it makes cigarettes less appealing to young people.&nbsp;Missouri is now a<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/22/missouri-to-be-testing-ground-on-plain-packaging-for-cannabis-products/">&nbsp;testing ground</a>&nbsp;to see if plain packaging has the same impact for recreational marijuana.When voters passed the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022, it included a provision that labels and packaging for marijuana-related products, “shall not be made to be attractive to children.”Now under new state rules, packaging can only be one primary color, and it can have up to two logos or symbols that can be a different color or several different colors.“This approach to packaging is familiar to all of us,” said Amy Moore, director of Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation, during a legislative committee hearing last year. “You think about the cereal aisle versus tobacco packaging or over-the-counter medicines.”The initial deadline for compliance was May 1, but regulators heard from licensees that potential delays in global shipping could impact their ability to receive the packaging in time.&nbsp;Now starting on Sept. 1, marijuana manufacturers must package and label all products in division-approved designs before sending them to a dispensary.&nbsp;Dispensaries can continue to sell non-compliant products they already have in the store until Nov. 1.The new rules also require the division to pre-approve the labels, a process that didn’t exist under medical marijuana rules.&nbsp;Nick Rinella,&nbsp;CEO of Hippos Cannabis, said companies have seen delays in the state’s approval of their submitted designs.“The state just doesn’t have the manpower to go through and approve them,” Rinella said. “And until they’re approved, they can’t go onto the shelves in their new packaging.”Since the approval process opened on Sept. 1, 2023, the division has received nearly 150,000 submissions, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the division.Half of those were submitted within the last 60 days.“Licensees have had a year to submit applications for approval,” Cox said, “and five months’ notice that they should not expect another extension.”Cox said all applications are being processed within 60 days.The constitution says that no marijuana facility can sell edible marijuana-infused candy in shapes or packages that are attractive to children or that are easily confused with commercially sold candy that does not contain marijuana. Penalties include fines of up to $5,000 and a loss of a business license.&nbsp;The packaging requirements are part of Missouri’s new&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/19csr100-proposed-rules-filed-051523.pdf" target="_blank">cannabis regulation rules&nbsp;</a>that went into effect on July 30, 2023.&nbsp;In the division’s first draft of proposed rules last year, it required companies to have only one color on the label.&nbsp;That&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/08/marijuana-industry-state-regulators-at-odds-over-rules-targeting-packaging-aimed-at-kids/">caused an uproar</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which argued in a letter to lawmakers that marijuana businesses had already invested “many millions” in packaging designs. And companies did so, the trade association contends, because “attractive, interesting, and attention-grabbing packaging is essential to effectively advertise and promote marijuana product sales.”After the pushback from both MoCann Trade and some legislators, the agency changed the rule to allow “limited colors.” Another compromise, Moore told lawmakers, was allowing for QR codes on the labels to send consumers to their website for more information.&nbsp;Missouri becomes one of few states that require plain packaging in the adult-use cannabis market, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.networkforphl.org/resources/cannabis-regulation-resource-collection/" target="_blank">Network for Public Health Law</a>. The others include Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey.&nbsp;Moore said the rules align with what voters asked for in the constitutional amendment. The requirements regarding children’s safety are more stringent than what was included in the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV++++1&amp;bid=51540&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana</a>&nbsp;in 2018.“We have to notice that,” she said, “and say, ‘Apparently we’re to do more, we’re to do better for children and for health.”

Deadline for Missouri’s new marijuana plain packaging is Sept. 1

Editor's note: The KHP crash log originally indicated the child had died. The story has been updated.

ATCHISON COUNTY—A child was critically injured an accident during a police pursuit just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Maria&nbsp; Papalas, 28, Atchison, was southbound on Sherman Road at&nbsp; 244th Road five miles south of Atchison at a high rate of speed. 

The driver was attempting to elude law enforcement. Due to the speed, the driver lost control on a curve. The car entered the west ditch and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.

EMS transported a passenger identified as 1-year-old Mixalis&nbsp;Papalas-Schulpz of Atchison to Children's Mercy for treatment of critical injuries.

&nbsp;EMS transported Papalas to Stormont Vail for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Editor's note: The KHP crash log originally indicated the child had died. The story has been updated.ATCHISON COUNTY—A child was critically injured an accident during a police pursuit just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Atchison County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Maria&nbsp; Papalas, 28, Atchison, was southbound on Sherman Road at&nbsp; 244th Road five miles south of Atchison at a high rate of speed. The driver was attempting to elude law enforcement. Due to the speed, the driver lost control on a curve. The car entered the west ditch and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.EMS transported a passenger identified as 1-year-old Mixalis&nbsp;Papalas-Schulpz of Atchison to Children's Mercy for treatment of critical injuries.&nbsp;EMS transported Papalas to Stormont Vail for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

1-year-old Kan. boy hospitalized after crash during police chase

HOLT COUNTY—One person died and two were injured in an accident in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Sunday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Malibu driven by Chelsey J. Guyer, 21, Fillmore, was northbound on U.S. 59

The car crossed the center line and struck a southbound 2018 Ford Ecosport driven by Angela S. Woods, 57, Oregon, Missouri.&nbsp; After impact both vehicles traveled into the ditch.

Woods was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Chamberlin Funeral Home in Oregon.&nbsp; Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Guyer to Mosaic in St. Joseph. She was later air-lifted to Truman Medical Center.

Andrew County EMS transported a passenger in the Chevy Peyton A. Ohnemus, 28, Oregon, Missouri, to Mosaic Life Care. Guyer was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—One person died and two were injured in an accident in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Sunday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Malibu driven by Chelsey J. Guyer, 21, Fillmore, was northbound on U.S. 59The car crossed the center line and struck a southbound 2018 Ford Ecosport driven by Angela S. Woods, 57, Oregon, Missouri.&nbsp; After impact both vehicles traveled into the ditch.Woods was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Chamberlin Funeral Home in Oregon.&nbsp; Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Guyer to Mosaic in St. Joseph. She was later air-lifted to Truman Medical Center.Andrew County EMS transported a passenger in the Chevy Peyton A. Ohnemus, 28, Oregon, Missouri, to Mosaic Life Care. Guyer was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman dead, 2 injured after car, SUV crash

A new class of individuals and one legendary team have been officially inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame.  

Two of those individuals are Charlie Shields and Dirck Clark, who had a large role in bringing Chiefs Training Camp to St. Joseph back in 2010.  

Both Chiefs President Mark Donovan and CEO Clark Hunt have said if it wasn't for Shields and Clark, the Chiefs would not be in St. Joe.  Shields says while that's nice to hear, it was a true team effort. 

"Not just myself, but Dirck Clark who was President of the Board of Governors at Missouri Western, a bunch of people made this happen and the Chiefs realize that and it's great that they recognize the accomplishment for this community," Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post following the enshrinement ceremony. 

Shields says no one ever thought the Chiefs would be in St. Joseph for 14 years, but the way the community has embraced camp keeps them coming back.

One legendary St. Joseph basketball team has also found its way to its rightful place, among the greats in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. 

The 2007 Benton Girls basketball team made history, going an unprecedented 30-0 and winning a state championship, the first ever in Benton history. 

Current Benton Athletic Director and coach of that team Brett Goodwin says what made that group of girls so special was how determined they were on the court 

"There was no telling them that they can't do this, or they can't do that, they truly felt like every single time that they walked on the floor that they were better than everybody that they were going to play," Goodwin explains.  "And they did that by showing up every day, working hard, making no excuses, and just playing to the best of their abilities." 

The '07 Cardinals team was also inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame last year, but Goodwin says this one feels a bit more special having everyone who supported them in attendance.

Along with a new group of area athletes and coaches being inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame, two individuals were also honored with awards. 

One of those awards was the Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award, presented to Bishop LeBlond Volleyball Coach and Principal Kimberly Huss.  

Huss says she was honored to represent the community in being presented with the award.  

"I think I go quietly about my day just doing things with kids every day and didn't expect anything big like this," Huss says.  

Huss says she feels it's important to understand the impact that you have. . .  

"It stands as a great reminder for me of the work that I do every day to know that that is such an important part of lots of lives," Huss says.  

Also honored was Savannah's Charlie Phillips with the Special Olympics Area Athlete of the Year Phillips earned four medals during the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin.  

10 individuals and one team were enshrined into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638029505.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Sports Commision Director Brett Esely speaks to a crowd gathered at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Sports Commision Director Brett Esely speaks to a crowd gathered at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A new class of individuals and one legendary team have been officially inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. Two of those individuals are Charlie Shields and Dirck Clark, who had a large role in bringing Chiefs Training Camp to St. Joseph back in 2010. Both Chiefs President Mark Donovan and CEO Clark Hunt have said if it wasn't for Shields and Clark, the Chiefs would not be in St. Joe. Shields says while that's nice to hear, it was a true team effort. "Not just myself, but Dirck Clark who was President of the Board of Governors at Missouri Western, a bunch of people made this happen and the Chiefs realize that and it's great that they recognize the accomplishment for this community," Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post following the enshrinement ceremony. Shields says no one ever thought the Chiefs would be in St. Joseph for 14 years, but the way the community has embraced camp keeps them coming back.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638068155.jpeg" alt="Charlie Shields and Dirck Clark/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Charlie Shields and Dirck Clark/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>One legendary St. Joseph basketball team has also found its way to its rightful place, among the greats in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. The 2007 Benton Girls basketball team made history, going an unprecedented 30-0 and winning a state championship, the first ever in Benton history. Current Benton Athletic Director and coach of that team Brett Goodwin says what made that group of girls so special was how determined they were on the court "There was no telling them that they can't do this, or they can't do that, they truly felt like every single time that they walked on the floor that they were better than everybody that they were going to play," Goodwin explains. "And they did that by showing up every day, working hard, making no excuses, and just playing to the best of their abilities." The '07 Cardinals team was also inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame last year, but Goodwin says this one feels a bit more special having everyone who supported them in attendance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638285799.jpeg" alt="Coach Brett Goodwin (at podium) and members of the 2007 Benton Girls basketball team" />
 <figcaption>Coach Brett Goodwin (at podium) and members of the 2007 Benton Girls basketball team</figcaption>
 </figure>Along with a new group of area athletes and coaches being inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame, two individuals were also honored with awards. One of those awards was the Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award, presented to Bishop LeBlond Volleyball Coach and Principal Kimberly Huss. Huss says she was honored to represent the community in being presented with the award. "I think I go quietly about my day just doing things with kids every day and didn't expect anything big like this," Huss says. Huss says she feels it's important to understand the impact that you have. . . "It stands as a great reminder for me of the work that I do every day to know that that is such an important part of lots of lives," Huss says. Also honored was Savannah's Charlie Phillips with the Special Olympics Area Athlete of the Year Phillips earned four medals during the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin. 10 individuals and one team were enshrined into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638106411.jpeg" alt="United States Figure Skater Ryan Bradley" />
 <figcaption>United States Figure Skater Ryan Bradley</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638124719.jpeg" alt="Missouri Southern Softball coaching legend Pat Lipira" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Southern Softball coaching legend Pat Lipira</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638138376.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Mustangs Owner and General Manager Ky Turner with Brett Esely. Turner spoke on behalf of the late Dan Gerson who was part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class." />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Mustangs Owner and General Manager Ky Turner with Brett Esely. Turner spoke on behalf of the late Dan Gerson who was part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class.</figcaption>
 </figure>

New class of Hall of Famers enshrined into St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Saturday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 GMC Canyon driven by 17-year-old boy from Weatherby was northbound on Route D near NE King Road five miles west of Old Pattonsburg.

The driver failed to negotiate a left curve. The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.

DeKalb-Clinton ambulance transported the teen to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Saturday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 GMC Canyon driven by 17-year-old boy from Weatherby was northbound on Route D near NE King Road five miles west of Old Pattonsburg.The driver failed to negotiate a left curve. The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.DeKalb-Clinton ambulance transported the teen to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Mo. teen hospitalized after ejected in pickup rollover crash

ANDREW COUNTY —Two women died in an accident just after 10a.m. Saturday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Dodge Caravan driven by Christie L. Petersen, 70, Sheridan, was northbound on U.S. 71 at CR 36 twenty-two miles south of Maryville.

ANDREW COUNTY —Two women died in an accident just after 10a.m. Saturday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Dodge Caravan driven by Christie L. Petersen, 70, Sheridan, was northbound on U.S. 71 at CR 36 twenty-two miles south of Maryville.The van traveled off the right side of the road, struck an embankment, became airborne, struck a road sign, struck the ground and rolled onto its top.Peterson and a passenger Kelly A. Taute, 47, Merced, California, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Bram Funeral Home. Taute was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

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