LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —A school bus driver and students avoided injury after an accident that occurred just after 7a.m. Friday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Freightliner school bus for the USD 453 Leavenworth School District and driven by 80-year-old William Bay of Leavenworth was southbound on 20th Street and turning westbound onto Choctaw Street.

The bus rear-ended a legally parked Leavenworth Police Department 2023 Dodge Charger conducting a traffic stop. Bay and the twenty students on board the bus were not injured.&nbsp; The KHP released no additional details.&nbsp; 

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —A school bus driver and students avoided injury after an accident that occurred just after 7a.m. Friday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Freightliner school bus for the USD 453 Leavenworth School District and driven by 80-year-old William Bay of Leavenworth was southbound on 20th Street and turning westbound onto Choctaw Street.The bus rear-ended a legally parked Leavenworth Police Department 2023 Dodge Charger conducting a traffic stop. Bay and the twenty students on board the bus were not injured.&nbsp; The KHP released no additional details.&nbsp;

Kan. school bus rear-ended police vehicle on traffic stop

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month. 

Law enforcement has worked to combat the nationwide problem of human trafficking.  And while it's a problem nationwide, being a transportation hub there are a large number of cases in Missouri. 

St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster says we have not been immune to the problem, and the training to combat it for officers is critical

"What to look for, what laws apply when you do run across it, what resources are available for victims, and so the more information, the more training you can get the officers and even the community of what to look for is a really good thing to combat this issue," Luster tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. 

Luster says many times these investigations will lead to things that happened online, so things quickly become a computer forensic type of investigation

"Where you're trying to get data extracted from a cell phone or computer, and so you can see just from me saying that how that could really start to tax a local agency," Luster explains.  "We're lucky here in St. Joseph we have an Electronic Crimes Unit, we have a cell phone examiner and a computer examiner, but there's a lot of smaller agencies in Missouri that don't have that."

Luster says training officers, as well as the community, on what to look for is also key in helping combat human trafficking

Some of the warning signs of potential trafficking situation include signs of physical abuse, branding tattoos, wearing clothing inappropriate for the weather or location, not being in possession of their money or identification, body language indicating discomfort, lack of eye contact with anyone except their trafficker, or not being allowed to speak for themself.

Luster says while there are resources to help law enforcement agencies combat human trafficking, it can also become a very complex investigation.

"It can get very large, it can start crossing jurisdictional boundaries, city limits, county lines, state lines, even sometimes outside of the country, so you can see how if we opened an investigation in St. Joseph and we started getting something that big, that could really tax our resources," Luster says.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 249 human trafficking cases identified in Missouri in 2023, involving 356 victims.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726152715337.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Police Department R.jpg" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Police Department R.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostJanuary is Human Trafficking Awareness month. Law enforcement has worked to combat the nationwide problem of human trafficking. And while it's a problem nationwide, being a transportation hub there are a large number of cases in Missouri. St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster says we have not been immune to the problem, and the training to combat it for officers is critical"What to look for, what laws apply when you do run across it, what resources are available for victims, and so the more information, the more training you can get the officers and even the community of what to look for is a really good thing to combat this issue," Luster tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Luster says many times these investigations will lead to things that happened online, so things quickly become a computer forensic type of investigation"Where you're trying to get data extracted from a cell phone or computer, and so you can see just from me saying that how that could really start to tax a local agency," Luster explains. "We're lucky here in St. Joseph we have an Electronic Crimes Unit, we have a cell phone examiner and a computer examiner, but there's a lot of smaller agencies in Missouri that don't have that."Luster says training officers, as well as the community, on what to look for is also key in helping combat human traffickingSome of the warning signs of potential trafficking situation include signs of physical abuse, branding tattoos, wearing clothing inappropriate for the weather or location, not being in possession of their money or identification, body language indicating discomfort, lack of eye contact with anyone except their trafficker, or not being allowed to speak for themself.Luster says while there are resources to help law enforcement agencies combat human trafficking, it can also become a very complex investigation."It can get very large, it can start crossing jurisdictional boundaries, city limits, county lines, state lines, even sometimes outside of the country, so you can see how if we opened an investigation in St. Joseph and we started getting something that big, that could really tax our resources," Luster says.According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 249 human trafficking cases identified in Missouri in 2023, involving 356 victims.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Law enforcment continues work to combat human trafficking

Missouri Chamber
of Commerce officials say Missouri must become more competitive to expand its
manufacturing industry.

Chair of the state
chamber, Stet Schanze, president of Gray Manufacturing in St. Joseph, says while manufacturing
makes up 30% of the local workforce, it is only 10% of the state workforce. 

“In my mind, it is
absolutely the cornerstone of a healthy economy is the manufacturing that you
have in the city, the region, or the state that you’re talking about,” Schanze
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And as a state, we’ve just got to do better.”

The Missouri
Chamber Foundation says research by Economic Leadership LLC ranks Missouri 28th
in overall manufacturing competitiveness. The neighboring states of Nebraska,
Kentucky, and Tennessee rank in the top 15. Kansas ranks close to Missouri.

Schanze says the
COVID-19 pandemic exposed a flaw in the strategy of United States manufacturers.
Many had their supply chains disrupted, because they had moved them overseas.
Schanze says Gray Manufacturing kept its suppliers close and took market share,
because production in St. Joseph could continue.

Schanze says a
changing geo-political climate should encourage the country to consider ways to
bolster the manufacturing sector.

“We’re basically
in a hot economic war with China right now,” according to Schanze. “I think it
makes a lot of sense to get supply chains back. So, thus, we’re going through
this time, and I think it’s a good time to bring manufacturing back to the United
States, and in that environment, I think Missouri has to make itself more
competitive.”

First, the state
needs to expand the workforce, in particular skilled workers, such as welders,
so in demand by manufacturers. Incentives and technical assistance need to be
provided to increase capital investment. The state, according to the Chamber, should
invest in the infrastructure needed by modern factories, such as transportation,
energy, and broadband. Other recommendations made by the Chamber include
supporting the recruitment of new manufacturers and expansion of existing
operations, increasing exports, strengthening the state legal climate, and
address public safety.

Schanze says the
state needs to consider its current ranking unacceptable.

“I just think the
state’s got to do a much better job,” Schanze says. “We shouldn’t be happy with
28th. That’s not even in the top 50% there and particularly with the
threat of those close by states that are always nipping at us and in many cases
right now ranking higher than us. We’ve just got to improve there.”

Manufacturing
contributes $50 billion a year to the Missouri gross domestic product,
employing 287,000 workers.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Chamber
of Commerce officials say Missouri must become more competitive to expand its
manufacturing industry.Chair of the state
chamber, Stet Schanze, president of Gray Manufacturing in St. Joseph, says while manufacturing
makes up 30% of the local workforce, it is only 10% of the state workforce. “In my mind, it is
absolutely the cornerstone of a healthy economy is the manufacturing that you
have in the city, the region, or the state that you’re talking about,” Schanze
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And as a state, we’ve just got to do better.”The Missouri
Chamber Foundation says research by Economic Leadership LLC ranks Missouri 28th
in overall manufacturing competitiveness. The neighboring states of Nebraska,
Kentucky, and Tennessee rank in the top 15. Kansas ranks close to Missouri.Schanze says the
COVID-19 pandemic exposed a flaw in the strategy of United States manufacturers.
Many had their supply chains disrupted, because they had moved them overseas.
Schanze says Gray Manufacturing kept its suppliers close and took market share,
because production in St. Joseph could continue.Schanze says a
changing geo-political climate should encourage the country to consider ways to
bolster the manufacturing sector.“We’re basically
in a hot economic war with China right now,” according to Schanze. “I think it
makes a lot of sense to get supply chains back. So, thus, we’re going through
this time, and I think it’s a good time to bring manufacturing back to the United
States, and in that environment, I think Missouri has to make itself more
competitive.”The Chamber has
some suggestions.First, the state
needs to expand the workforce, in particular skilled workers, such as welders,
so in demand by manufacturers. Incentives and technical assistance need to be
provided to increase capital investment. The state, according to the Chamber, should
invest in the infrastructure needed by modern factories, such as transportation,
energy, and broadband. Other recommendations made by the Chamber include
supporting the recruitment of new manufacturers and expansion of existing
operations, increasing exports, strengthening the state legal climate, and
address public safety.Schanze says the
state needs to consider its current ranking unacceptable.“I just think the
state’s got to do a much better job,” Schanze says. “We shouldn’t be happy with
28th. That’s not even in the top 50% there and particularly with the
threat of those close by states that are always nipping at us and in many cases
right now ranking higher than us. We’ve just got to improve there.”Manufacturing
contributes $50 billion a year to the Missouri gross domestic product,
employing 287,000 workers.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Chamber says state must improve its manufacturing competitiveness

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">SUZANNE KING</a>&nbsp;

If your mail-order prescription landed in a pile of snow on your doorstep last week, you may want to proceed with caution.

Pharmacists warn that extreme temperatures — cold or hot — can change the chemical makeup of medicine, often making it less effective. But medicine coming through the mail in overheated UPS trucks or ending up in frozen mailboxes has little in the way of temperature control — and not much regulatory oversight.

A revised prescription delivery rule in Missouri, which took effect Dec. 30, aims to address that.

The new&nbsp;<a href="https://pr.mo.gov/boards/pharmacy/20131224.pdf" target="_blank">Missouri Board of Pharmacy rule</a>&nbsp;gives pharmacies licensed in the state a list of requirements to follow when mailing prescriptions to patients, a practice that became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2024, just over 4% of the country’s prescriptions were delivered by mail, according to the health care research company IQVIA. The number has declined from around 5% at the height of the pandemic.

But factors like more independent drug stores and chain pharmacies&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/09/23/communities-lose-health-care-with-pharmacies-closing-in-kansas-and-missouri/" target="_blank">closing&nbsp;</a>and online giant Amazon&nbsp;<a href="https://drugstorenews.com/amazon-pharmacy-bringing-same-day-medication-delivery-20-more-cities" target="_blank">moving</a>&nbsp;deeper into the business could drive growth in mailed prescriptions.

Missouri’s rule change is a major expansion of state regulations related to pharmacy delivery. For starters, the old rule didn’t mention mail — only delivery.

Under the new rule, pharmacies must attempt to contact the patient before shipping medication. The package they send also has to include information about how to contact state regulators, how to detect if medicine has been compromised in transit and what to do if it has.

In addition, Missouri’s new rule states that pharmacies must have “policies and procedures” for mailing medicine, including using “proper packaging containers and materials to maintain physical integrity and stability of package contents.”

Kansas does not have regulations specifically related to mailed prescriptions.

Kimberly Grinston, executive director of the Missouri Board of Pharmacy, said the change is a response to public feedback and part of the board’s routine review of rules.

“The rule overall adds new requirements and new safeguards for pharmacies that are mailing medications,” she said.

‘Anybody’s best guess’ if medicine is safe

But critics said it doesn’t go far enough to protect medications from extreme transit temperatures.

“These policies and procedures should already be in place,” said Loretta Boesing, a Missouri mom who founded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uniteforsafemedications.org/" target="_blank">Unite for Safe Medications</a>&nbsp;after her son nearly rejected a transplanted liver when his mail-order medication arrived damaged from extreme heat.

“The problem is it’s not being demanded of them,” she said. “I guarantee you there are still patients here in Missouri, where we’re having temperatures below freezing, (whose) medications are still going to be shipped mostly in bags.”

Boesing said regulators should require pharmacies to be sure medications stay within safe temperature ranges by doing things like shipping them with temperature sensors that could indicate if a delivery has endured extreme temperatures.

“Right now, it’s anybody’s best guess if their medications are safe,” she said.

Lori Croy, a spokesperson for the Missouri Board of Pharmacy, said in an email that the board has not made a decision about temperature sensors. Their use, she said, is being considered by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the national organization that establishes standards for drug handling, and “the board will continue to monitor circumstances and USP recommendations/guidance to protect Missouri patients.”

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates many aspects of medications, states deal with pharmacies. The “last mile” when a medication is shipped by mail or commercial carrier directly to a consumer has had little oversight.

Regulations generally lay out temperatures required for storing drugs, but not necessarily for shipping them.

Medications that must be refrigerated have the same temperature requirements during shipping. But drugs that can be stored at room temperature have no stipulations about shipping temperatures, said Paul Abato, a pharmaceutical expert witness.

That means a prescription that should be stored at room temperature could be exposed to temperatures well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit going through the mail on summer days in Missouri.

“All bets are off when drugs that are meant to be stored at room temperature get shipped,” Abato said.

Experts agree that heat or cold can compromise the efficacy of medication.

“If you have a drug that’s exposed to temperature extremes whether hot or cold, there’s a chance the drug could not be as potent,” said Kendall Guthrie, a professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy. “That could mean the drug may not be as effective.”

Patients can’t always tell that a medicine has been affected just by looking at it. They might think they’re taking the dose their doctor prescribed, but actually extreme temperature exposure has made the pill they got in the mail much less powerful, Guthrie said.

Boesing, who lives in Park Hills in the eastern part of the state, had a sense that her son’s medication was too warm when it arrived in the mail a few years ago. He needs it every 12 hours to prevent his body from rejecting a donated liver.

After she gave her now 14-year-old the medicine, it didn’t take long for his body to begin rejecting the liver. Luckily, the worst didn’t happen and her son is fine, but Boesing believes the close call wouldn’t have happened at all if her son’s medication had been protected from the heat. Or if her family’s insurance hadn’t forced her to get the drug by mail in the first place.

That’s why she dedicates so much of her time to advocating for safeguards.

“People are getting hurt because the regulators fail to enact policies and rules that have teeth,” Boesing said.

Medicine coming by mail should be protected, she said. And people should always have the choice not to get medicine by mail.

Guthrie, who also serves as president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.morx.com/" target="_blank">Missouri Pharmacy Association</a>, agreed. She said the Board of Pharmacy’s rule changes are a good step toward mail-order drug safety. But the more important change, she said, needs to come from lawmakers.

Legislation introduced in Jefferson City and backed by the pharmacy association would stop pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the middlemen who administer pharmacy insurance benefits, from forcing patients to use mail-order pharmacies in the first place.

<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/09/25/an-overland-park-pharmacist-avoids-pbms-and-cuts-costs/" target="_blank">PBMs</a>, which also own mail-order pharmacies, do this by giving patients a better deal through mail order or by refusing to cover medicine dispensed by another pharmacy.

That leaves many patients with no choice but getting their drugs through the mail, whether or not it’s a medication that can withstand the resulting uncertainty.

“I think mail is a really good option for some patients,” Guthrie said. “But I think there’s also a really big percentage of patients who want to use a community pharmacy.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/01/15/new-missouri-mail-order-pharmacy-rule-aims-to-protect-patients/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Missouri</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737123147081.png" alt="A revised Missouri Board of Pharmacy rule aims to protect mail-order medications (Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption>A revised Missouri Board of Pharmacy rule aims to protect mail-order medications (Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">SUZANNE KING</a>&nbsp;If your mail-order prescription landed in a pile of snow on your doorstep last week, you may want to proceed with caution.Pharmacists warn that extreme temperatures — cold or hot — can change the chemical makeup of medicine, often making it less effective. But medicine coming through the mail in overheated UPS trucks or ending up in frozen mailboxes has little in the way of temperature control — and not much regulatory oversight.A revised prescription delivery rule in Missouri, which took effect Dec. 30, aims to address that.The new&nbsp;<a href="https://pr.mo.gov/boards/pharmacy/20131224.pdf" target="_blank">Missouri Board of Pharmacy rule</a>&nbsp;gives pharmacies licensed in the state a list of requirements to follow when mailing prescriptions to patients, a practice that became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic.In 2024, just over 4% of the country’s prescriptions were delivered by mail, according to the health care research company IQVIA. The number has declined from around 5% at the height of the pandemic.But factors like more independent drug stores and chain pharmacies&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/09/23/communities-lose-health-care-with-pharmacies-closing-in-kansas-and-missouri/" target="_blank">closing&nbsp;</a>and online giant Amazon&nbsp;<a href="https://drugstorenews.com/amazon-pharmacy-bringing-same-day-medication-delivery-20-more-cities" target="_blank">moving</a>&nbsp;deeper into the business could drive growth in mailed prescriptions.Missouri’s rule change is a major expansion of state regulations related to pharmacy delivery. For starters, the old rule didn’t mention mail — only delivery.Under the new rule, pharmacies must attempt to contact the patient before shipping medication. The package they send also has to include information about how to contact state regulators, how to detect if medicine has been compromised in transit and what to do if it has.In addition, Missouri’s new rule states that pharmacies must have “policies and procedures” for mailing medicine, including using “proper packaging containers and materials to maintain physical integrity and stability of package contents.”Kansas does not have regulations specifically related to mailed prescriptions.Kimberly Grinston, executive director of the Missouri Board of Pharmacy, said the change is a response to public feedback and part of the board’s routine review of rules.“The rule overall adds new requirements and new safeguards for pharmacies that are mailing medications,” she said.<h2>‘Anybody’s best guess’ if medicine is safe</h2>But critics said it doesn’t go far enough to protect medications from extreme transit temperatures.“These policies and procedures should already be in place,” said Loretta Boesing, a Missouri mom who founded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uniteforsafemedications.org/" target="_blank">Unite for Safe Medications</a>&nbsp;after her son nearly rejected a transplanted liver when his mail-order medication arrived damaged from extreme heat.“The problem is it’s not being demanded of them,” she said. “I guarantee you there are still patients here in Missouri, where we’re having temperatures below freezing, (whose) medications are still going to be shipped mostly in bags.”Boesing said regulators should require pharmacies to be sure medications stay within safe temperature ranges by doing things like shipping them with temperature sensors that could indicate if a delivery has endured extreme temperatures.“Right now, it’s anybody’s best guess if their medications are safe,” she said.Lori Croy, a spokesperson for the Missouri Board of Pharmacy, said in an email that the board has not made a decision about temperature sensors. Their use, she said, is being considered by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the national organization that establishes standards for drug handling, and “the board will continue to monitor circumstances and USP recommendations/guidance to protect Missouri patients.”While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates many aspects of medications, states deal with pharmacies. The “last mile” when a medication is shipped by mail or commercial carrier directly to a consumer has had little oversight.Regulations generally lay out temperatures required for storing drugs, but not necessarily for shipping them.Medications that must be refrigerated have the same temperature requirements during shipping. But drugs that can be stored at room temperature have no stipulations about shipping temperatures, said Paul Abato, a pharmaceutical expert witness.That means a prescription that should be stored at room temperature could be exposed to temperatures well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit going through the mail on summer days in Missouri.“All bets are off when drugs that are meant to be stored at room temperature get shipped,” Abato said.<h2>No longer the prescribed dose</h2>Experts agree that heat or cold can compromise the efficacy of medication.“If you have a drug that’s exposed to temperature extremes whether hot or cold, there’s a chance the drug could not be as potent,” said Kendall Guthrie, a professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy. “That could mean the drug may not be as effective.”Patients can’t always tell that a medicine has been affected just by looking at it. They might think they’re taking the dose their doctor prescribed, but actually extreme temperature exposure has made the pill they got in the mail much less powerful, Guthrie said.Boesing, who lives in Park Hills in the eastern part of the state, had a sense that her son’s medication was too warm when it arrived in the mail a few years ago. He needs it every 12 hours to prevent his body from rejecting a donated liver.After she gave her now 14-year-old the medicine, it didn’t take long for his body to begin rejecting the liver. Luckily, the worst didn’t happen and her son is fine, but Boesing believes the close call wouldn’t have happened at all if her son’s medication had been protected from the heat. Or if her family’s insurance hadn’t forced her to get the drug by mail in the first place.That’s why she dedicates so much of her time to advocating for safeguards.“People are getting hurt because the regulators fail to enact policies and rules that have teeth,” Boesing said.Medicine coming by mail should be protected, she said. And people should always have the choice not to get medicine by mail.Guthrie, who also serves as president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.morx.com/" target="_blank">Missouri Pharmacy Association</a>, agreed. She said the Board of Pharmacy’s rule changes are a good step toward mail-order drug safety. But the more important change, she said, needs to come from lawmakers.Legislation introduced in Jefferson City and backed by the pharmacy association would stop pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the middlemen who administer pharmacy insurance benefits, from forcing patients to use mail-order pharmacies in the first place.<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/09/25/an-overland-park-pharmacist-avoids-pbms-and-cuts-costs/" target="_blank">PBMs</a>, which also own mail-order pharmacies, do this by giving patients a better deal through mail order or by refusing to cover medicine dispensed by another pharmacy.That leaves many patients with no choice but getting their drugs through the mail, whether or not it’s a medication that can withstand the resulting uncertainty.“I think mail is a really good option for some patients,” Guthrie said. “But I think there’s also a really big percentage of patients who want to use a community pharmacy.”This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/01/15/new-missouri-mail-order-pharmacy-rule-aims-to-protect-patients/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Missouri</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

New Missouri rule tries to protect mail-order medications from extreme cold and heatUntitled

&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14235QQQ9458859QQQ8237397QQQ8115301&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fyoutu.be%2fAxomQVQkLOM&amp;redir_log=503280802604190" target="_blank">hearing</a>&nbsp;on Thursday with Office of Management and Budget nominee Russ Vought, Senator Josh Hawley asked a series of questions ranging from disentangling the United States from the Chinese Communist Party to championing pro-life regulations, according to a statement from the Senator's office.

Senator Hawley explained how consulting firms like&nbsp;McKinsey &amp; Company receive multi-million-dollar contracts with the U.S. military while also doing business with some of our most lethal opponents.&nbsp;

“My view is that if they want to do business with China, I don’t recommend it, but I suppose it’s fine so long as it’s not illegal,”&nbsp;Senator Hawley said.&nbsp;“But I don’t think they should simultaneously be getting hundreds of millions, approaching a billion dollars, in federal contracts–military contracts–from our own government.”&nbsp;

Senator Hawley has a&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14235QQQ9458859QQQ8237397QQQ8115301&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fhawley-blasts-mckinseys-ties-to-china-rebukes-witness-for-equating-consulting-firms-with-soybean-farmers%2f&amp;redir_log=942608336509953" target="_blank">record</a>&nbsp;of raising concerns about McKinsey’s conflicts of interests that endanger American security. Last year, he introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14235QQQ9458859QQQ8237397QQQ8115301&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2024%2f09%2fHawley-Time-to-Choose-Act.pdf&amp;redir_log=154658648464577" target="_blank">Time to Choose Act</a>, which would restrict firms like McKinsey from receiving government contracts while, at the same time, advising U.S. adversaries like China. Additionally, it would prohibit federal agencies from contracting with consulting firms that hold a contract with certain foreign entities including the CCP.

Senator Hawley also outlined the regulatory authority Vought would have including the ability to enforce the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding for abortions.He questioned Vought as to whether family planning funds under Title X should be used for abortion, whether pregnancy resource centers should be eligible to receive funds through federal grants, and whether he would support the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy which blocks foreign&nbsp;aid from being spent on abortions overseas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Senator Hawley has long been a champion for the sanctity of life.&nbsp;This week, he introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-bill-defunding-planned-parenthood/">End Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Providers Act</a>&nbsp;which would&nbsp;defund Planned Parenthood and abortion providers across the nation.

&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14235QQQ9458859QQQ8237397QQQ8115301&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fyoutu.be%2fAxomQVQkLOM&amp;redir_log=503280802604190" target="_blank">hearing</a>&nbsp;on Thursday with Office of Management and Budget nominee Russ Vought, Senator Josh Hawley asked a series of questions ranging from disentangling the United States from the Chinese Communist Party to championing pro-life regulations, according to a statement from the Senator's office.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AxomQVQkLOM?si=lfZxCRczz7t9lcjU&amp;start=1" 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>Senator Hawley explained how consulting firms like&nbsp;McKinsey &amp; Company receive multi-million-dollar contracts with the U.S. military while also doing business with some of our most lethal opponents.&nbsp;“My view is that if they want to do business with China, I don’t recommend it, but I suppose it’s fine so long as it’s not illegal,”&nbsp;Senator Hawley said.&nbsp;“But I don’t think they should simultaneously be getting hundreds of millions, approaching a billion dollars, in federal contracts–military contracts–from our own government.”&nbsp;Senator Hawley has a&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14235QQQ9458859QQQ8237397QQQ8115301&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fhawley-blasts-mckinseys-ties-to-china-rebukes-witness-for-equating-consulting-firms-with-soybean-farmers%2f&amp;redir_log=942608336509953" target="_blank">record</a>&nbsp;of raising concerns about McKinsey’s conflicts of interests that endanger American security. Last year, he introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14235QQQ9458859QQQ8237397QQQ8115301&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2024%2f09%2fHawley-Time-to-Choose-Act.pdf&amp;redir_log=154658648464577" target="_blank">Time to Choose Act</a>, which would restrict firms like McKinsey from receiving government contracts while, at the same time, advising U.S. adversaries like China. Additionally, it would prohibit federal agencies from contracting with consulting firms that hold a contract with certain foreign entities including the CCP.Senator Hawley also outlined the regulatory authority Vought would have including the ability to enforce the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding for abortions.He questioned Vought as to whether family planning funds under Title X should be used for abortion, whether pregnancy resource centers should be eligible to receive funds through federal grants, and whether he would support the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy which blocks foreign&nbsp;aid from being spent on abortions overseas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Senator Hawley has long been a champion for the sanctity of life.&nbsp;This week, he introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-introduces-bill-defunding-planned-parenthood/">End Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Providers Act</a>&nbsp;which would&nbsp;defund Planned Parenthood and abortion providers across the nation.

🎥Missouri U.S. Senator questions Trump OMB nominee 

A 27-year-old Savannah man has been taken into
custody after shooting and hitting another vehicle Wednesday morning on I-29
near St. Joseph.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports Amouir
Standiford has been charged with one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
Standiford is being held in the Buchanan County jail on $10,000 bond.

The patrol reports a vehicle was damaged but no one
was hurt.

The patrol says the St. Joseph Police Department
alerted it to reports that shots had been fired on northbound I-29 near mile
marker 49 around eight o’clock Wednesday morning.

Troopers took Standiford into custody. The
investigation continues.

This article has been updated since first published.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737112319976.png" alt="Amouir Standiford/Buchanan County Sheriff's Office photo" />
 <figcaption>Amouir Standiford/Buchanan County Sheriff's Office photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA 27-year-old Savannah man has been taken into
custody after shooting and hitting another vehicle Wednesday morning on I-29
near St. Joseph.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports Amouir
Standiford has been charged with one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
Standiford is being held in the Buchanan County jail on $10,000 bond.The patrol reports a vehicle was damaged but no one
was hurt.The patrol says the St. Joseph Police Department
alerted it to reports that shots had been fired on northbound I-29 near mile
marker 49 around eight o’clock Wednesday morning.Troopers took Standiford into custody. The
investigation continues.This article has been updated since first published.

UPDATE:  MSHP releases identity in I-29 road rage shooting

An important step has been cleared in the redesign of the I-229 double decker bridge in downtown St. Joseph.  

Missouri Department of Transportation District Design Engineer Shannon Kusilek says the findings by the federal highway commission that the proposed realignment would have of no significant environmental impact is a big step. 

"Moving forward now that means we can use that alignment, and we can start looking to work on a project to replace the existing bridge, as per the preferred alternate, and move forward with that," Kusilek tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Kusilek says the next step will be to get the project designated as a design-build project with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. 

"There's some things we have to do like risk analysis assessment and determine some of the things we need to look at, and identify a team to lead the project, it will be a project director and a few other staff members to lead the project," Kusilek explains. "And then, once we get that approved as a design-build project, then the first item of business would probably be to start working on getting design-build teams together and ideally then de-designating I-229 as an interstate." 

Kusilek says there is still funding needed for the project, and there is no set timeline at this time 

"I think in the next five years it's quite possible this is going to move forward with construction, probably sometime maybe in that five-year time frame," Kusilek says.  "The whole process for the design-build, to get that team going does take a couple years for that process, and then they'll have to start with their proposals and then actually start the construction, I'd say five years is quite possible and maybe sometime within the next five years." 

The alternative plan for I-229 is to move the road to four lanes rather than the current double decker bridge. It would also lose its interstate designation and become a federal highway. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680807589405.jpeg" alt="I-229 Double decker overpass/ File photo" />
 <figcaption>I-229 Double decker overpass/ File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post An important step has been cleared in the redesign of the I-229 double decker bridge in downtown St. Joseph. Missouri Department of Transportation District Design Engineer Shannon Kusilek says the findings by the federal highway commission that the proposed realignment would have of no significant environmental impact is a big step. "Moving forward now that means we can use that alignment, and we can start looking to work on a project to replace the existing bridge, as per the preferred alternate, and move forward with that," Kusilek tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Kusilek says the next step will be to get the project designated as a design-build project with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. "There's some things we have to do like risk analysis assessment and determine some of the things we need to look at, and identify a team to lead the project, it will be a project director and a few other staff members to lead the project," Kusilek explains. "And then, once we get that approved as a design-build project, then the first item of business would probably be to start working on getting design-build teams together and ideally then de-designating I-229 as an interstate." Kusilek says there is still funding needed for the project, and there is no set timeline at this time "I think in the next five years it's quite possible this is going to move forward with construction, probably sometime maybe in that five-year time frame," Kusilek says. "The whole process for the design-build, to get that team going does take a couple years for that process, and then they'll have to start with their proposals and then actually start the construction, I'd say five years is quite possible and maybe sometime within the next five years." The alternative plan for I-229 is to move the road to four lanes rather than the current double decker bridge. It would also lose its interstate designation and become a federal highway. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

I-229 reconfiguration takes big step forward

Missouri Western State University
President Elizabeth Kennedy says the university based in St. Joseph has
undergone a significant transformation over the last five years.

“To really take a focus on that important
intersection between what students’ interests are, what they want to pursue,
and what our region, our community, our state needs in terms of workforce,”
Kennedy tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

Kennedy, who taught in the classroom and
recruited for 17 years, says students once told her they attended college to
learn.

“If you go up to prospective students of
any age, right, and/or their families and you ask the same question, ‘Why do
you want to go to college?’ the answer that you get back is something to the
effect of I want to see what I can earn? How much money am I going to make?”

Kennedy says though the change in the
answer has changed the core values of Missouri Western have not.

“But what we’ve done is to shift our
value proposition to demonstrate here’s the tangible outcome,” Kennedy says.

Kennedy says the university has had to
adjust to changes in student attitudes and suggests higher education embrace
the change.

“Higher education is not a static
entity,” according to Kennedy. “If it’s not dynamic, if it’s not reflective of
what societal needs are, then what’s the purpose of it?”

Kennedy says the university now must
assure students a degree has tangible benefits and assure the greater St.
Joseph area that Missouri Western students will contribute to the regional
economy.

“When I talk about making sure that the
university is lined up with what students and their families and the school
districts and our community and our business and industry are looking for to
advance that’s what’s going to keep us relevant.”

Kennedy says this is just the latest in
the ongoing debate about the proper role of higher education.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University
President Elizabeth Kennedy says the university based in St. Joseph has
undergone a significant transformation over the last five years.“To really take a focus on that important
intersection between what students’ interests are, what they want to pursue,
and what our region, our community, our state needs in terms of workforce,”
Kennedy tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.Kennedy, who taught in the classroom and
recruited for 17 years, says students once told her they attended college to
learn.“If you go up to prospective students of
any age, right, and/or their families and you ask the same question, ‘Why do
you want to go to college?’ the answer that you get back is something to the
effect of I want to see what I can earn? How much money am I going to make?”Kennedy says though the change in the
answer has changed the core values of Missouri Western have not.“But what we’ve done is to shift our
value proposition to demonstrate here’s the tangible outcome,” Kennedy says.Kennedy says the university has had to
adjust to changes in student attitudes and suggests higher education embrace
the change.“Higher education is not a static
entity,” according to Kennedy. “If it’s not dynamic, if it’s not reflective of
what societal needs are, then what’s the purpose of it?”Kennedy says the university now must
assure students a degree has tangible benefits and assure the greater St.
Joseph area that Missouri Western students will contribute to the regional
economy.“When I talk about making sure that the
university is lined up with what students and their families and the school
districts and our community and our business and industry are looking for to
advance that’s what’s going to keep us relevant.”Kennedy says this is just the latest in
the ongoing debate about the proper role of higher education.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU shifts to meet changing student expectations

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy 2500 driven by a 38-year-old Plattsburg man and a 2017 Dodge Durango driven by a 33-year-old Cameron woman were eastbound on MO 116 at Vandeau Road two miles east of Plattsburg.

The SUV stopped to wait for a vehicle to turn northbound.&nbsp; The Chevy cleared a hill crest and struck the Dodge. Tri-County EMS transported the SUV driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. The pickup driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy 2500 driven by a 38-year-old Plattsburg man and a 2017 Dodge Durango driven by a 33-year-old Cameron woman were eastbound on MO 116 at Vandeau Road two miles east of Plattsburg.The SUV stopped to wait for a vehicle to turn northbound.&nbsp; The Chevy cleared a hill crest and struck the Dodge. Tri-County EMS transported the SUV driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. The pickup driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman injured after pickup, SUV crash

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph is asking for volunteers to help get into St. Joseph elementary schools to read with children.  

United Way Reading Adventure, a program launched in 2011, works to help students maintain and improve their reading skills.  

Director of Community Investment Jodi Flurry says the program began as a summer reading program but has grown in recent years.  

"Probably about 2013 we expanded into reading with school age children in the schools during the school year, so that's what we're here to recruit volunteers for right now, is we need volunteers to read with children in the elementary schools here in the St. Joseph School District," Flurry tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. 

Flurry says after serving five St. Joseph schools in the fall, starting on the 27th volunteers will go into nine elementary schools.  

"This is our first time we've ever been able to reach all of the St. Joseph School District elementaries with United Way Reading Adventure, so that means we need a lot of volunteers," Flurry says. 

Volunteers will help students read at Coleman, Ellison, Gene Field, Hyde, Lindbergh, Oak Grove, Parkway, Pickett and Skaith elementary schools.  

Flurry says this program is an easy way to start if you've never volunteered before or are looking for a volunteer opportunity with a short time commitment.  

"Most reading sessions last an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes, that's total, the entire amount of time that you are on site at a school, so it's a short time commitment," Flurry explains.  "And you volunteer for the sessions that work for you, so maybe you want to read at Lindbergh Elementary School, but one of the days you have a doctor's appointment, that's fine, you just don't register for that session it's based on the availability of the volunteer." 

To volunteer to read you can contact Flurry at the United Way offices or register online.  Books can also be donated to be given to students through the program. 

The program will begin on January 27th with the Oak Grove first grade class. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The United Way of Greater St. Joseph is asking for volunteers to help get into St. Joseph elementary schools to read with children. United Way Reading Adventure, a program launched in 2011, works to help students maintain and improve their reading skills. Director of Community Investment Jodi Flurry says the program began as a summer reading program but has grown in recent years. "Probably about 2013 we expanded into reading with school age children in the schools during the school year, so that's what we're here to recruit volunteers for right now, is we need volunteers to read with children in the elementary schools here in the St. Joseph School District," Flurry tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Flurry says after serving five St. Joseph schools in the fall, starting on the 27th volunteers will go into nine elementary schools. "This is our first time we've ever been able to reach all of the St. Joseph School District elementaries with United Way Reading Adventure, so that means we need a lot of volunteers," Flurry says. Volunteers will help students read at Coleman, Ellison, Gene Field, Hyde, Lindbergh, Oak Grove, Parkway, Pickett and Skaith elementary schools. Flurry says this program is an easy way to start if you've never volunteered before or are looking for a volunteer opportunity with a short time commitment. "Most reading sessions last an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes, that's total, the entire amount of time that you are on site at a school, so it's a short time commitment," Flurry explains. "And you volunteer for the sessions that work for you, so maybe you want to read at Lindbergh Elementary School, but one of the days you have a doctor's appointment, that's fine, you just don't register for that session it's based on the availability of the volunteer." To volunteer to read you can contact Flurry at the United Way offices or register online. Books can also be donated to be given to students through the program. The program will begin on January 27th with the Oak Grove first grade class. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Joseph reading program expands to all elementary schools; needs volunteers

St. Joseph is
wrapping up several capital improvement projects spurred by federal COVID-19
recovery funds.

Fourth District
Councilmember Michael Grimm says the council intends for the improvements to
make an impact, such as improvements soon to come to Krug Park.

Grimm says the
park in north St. Joseph will be undergoing a transformation.

“The castle will
be redone. The inside will be set up so that if vendors want to use that for
say a wedding or a picnic of some sort, (for) a company, it’ll be set up so they’ll
have refrigeration and they’ll have heating and cooling,” according to Grimm.

St. Joseph is
spending a total of $10 ½ million on the renovations at Krug Park. Some of the
money comes from the federal funds, some from capital improvement money, and
some from the parks sales tax.

St. Joseph has
received a total of $39 million in federal COVID-19 money. The previous city
council distributed $18 million to non-profits and charities. The current city
council took a different take and decided to spend the money on capital
improvements.

Grimm believes
residents appreciated the new focus.

“I think the
people of the city realize that we’ve got a lot of problems and we can help
rectify some of that, whether it be Civic Arena or whether it be City Hall. We’re
spending a lot of money at City Hall.”

Money spent on
upgrading City Hall comes just before it celebrates its 100th
anniversary in 2027.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736955782107.jpeg" alt="Krug Park Castle/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Krug Park Castle/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph is
wrapping up several capital improvement projects spurred by federal COVID-19
recovery funds.Fourth District
Councilmember Michael Grimm says the council intends for the improvements to
make an impact, such as improvements soon to come to Krug Park.“We hope that
people say, ‘Wow’”Grimm says the
park in north St. Joseph will be undergoing a transformation.“The castle will
be redone. The inside will be set up so that if vendors want to use that for
say a wedding or a picnic of some sort, (for) a company, it’ll be set up so they’ll
have refrigeration and they’ll have heating and cooling,” according to Grimm.St. Joseph is
spending a total of $10 ½ million on the renovations at Krug Park. Some of the
money comes from the federal funds, some from capital improvement money, and
some from the parks sales tax.St. Joseph has
received a total of $39 million in federal COVID-19 money. The previous city
council distributed $18 million to non-profits and charities. The current city
council took a different take and decided to spend the money on capital
improvements.Grimm believes
residents appreciated the new focus.“I think the
people of the city realize that we’ve got a lot of problems and we can help
rectify some of that, whether it be Civic Arena or whether it be City Hall. We’re
spending a lot of money at City Hall.”Money spent on
upgrading City Hall comes just before it celebrates its 100th
anniversary in 2027.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736882954278.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph City Hall/file photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph City Hall/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

New focus spends federal funds on St. Joseph capital improvement projects

The court sided with former state vendor EngagePoint, which was hired to help implement the state’s public benefits case management system

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

The Western District of Missouri Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a $23 million ruling against the Department of Social Services for breach of contract.

The appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=216533" target="_blank">sided</a>&nbsp;with EngagePoint, a technology company that sued the state in 2016 alleging it was owed millions for work it conducted but was never paid for. The company was hired to help implement the state’s software system for managing public benefits cases, including Medicaid.

The state in 2017 countersued EngagePoint for breach of contract.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/16/former-state-vendor-awarded-23m-in-lawsuit-over-missouri-medicaid-system-implementation/">2022</a>, Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ordered the state to pay a little over $4 million that the company argued it was owed, and a jury awarded $18.9 million on additional claims.&nbsp;

The state challenged the constitutionality of the award for extra work, along with the award for interest payments and a specific claim for repayment — arguing those were all outside the scope of the contract. The state also argued one of the jury instructions violated part of the contract and led the trial court to err in its decision.

On Tuesday the appeals court sided with EngagePoint on all four points, arguing the award was justified under Missouri law.&nbsp;

“EngagePoint performed substantial additional work at the state’s direction,” the court noted.

Neither the Department of Social Services nor the attorney general’s office responded to requests for comment. Chris Moreland, a spokesperson for the Office of Administration, declined to comment and said the office is currently reviewing the court’s decision.

EngagePoint, a Florida-based firm,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/engagepoint-awarded-eligibility-enrollment-and-case-management-system-contract-by-state-of-missouri-213209911.html" target="_blank">was hired by the state in 2013</a>&nbsp;as a vendor to implement the Missouri Human Services Eligibility, Enrollment and Case Management System, a comprehensive, fully-integrated system for Department of Social Services’ programs, like Medicaid.

EngagePoint was hired over competitors such as IBM, and alleged in its lawsuit that the state ignored the company’s advice and licensed a software known as Cúram directly from IBM. The state later held EngagePoint accountable for flaws with the software, which was “unstable and not functionally ready.”

The state directed EngagePoint to perform extra work to correct issues with&nbsp;Cúram&nbsp;and integrate it into the case management system, according to Tuesday’s decision.

IBM was eventually hired to complete the contract after EngagePoint was terminated by the state in May 2015. At least $37 million was owed to the company, EngagePoint argued in its 2016 lawsuit.

The state argued EngagePoint sought “money for work not performed” and that the company breached its contract and “repeatedly failed to deliver, and those failures cost the state tens of millions of dollars,” or a total of roughly $84 million.

As a result, the state was justified in terminating its contract and hiring IBM, it argued.

“From January of 2014 forward, EngagePoint’s failures brought the eligibility determination and enrollment operations of the State’s Medicaid program to the brink of dysfunction,” the state wrote in its 2017 counterclaim, arguing overtime work of temporary staff was one of the only reasons that operations remained in place for nearly 18 months through a manual by-pass system.

DSS and Office of Administration officials highlighted those issues and placed blame on EngagePoint in 2015 legislative hearings scrutinizing the backlog and delays in the Medicaid system,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/2015/aug/26/mo-house-committee-examines-new-medicaid-system/" target="_blank">the Jefferson City News Tribune reported at the time</a>.

The Missouri Eligibility Determination and Enrollment System that EngagePoint was hired to implement continued to come under scrutiny as part of the Department of Social Services’ delays in enrolling newly eligible participants under expanded Medicaid. The state cited updates to the state’s Medicaid system to make eligibility determinations&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/11/missouri-to-accept-medicaid-expansion-applications-full-approval-likely-weeks-away/">as the reason applications wouldn’t be processed</a>&nbsp;for 60 days after the state&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/10/judge-orders-state-to-immediately-allow-missourians-to-enroll-in-expanded-medicaid/">was court-ordered to implement expanded Medicaid</a>&nbsp;in 2021.

In 2022, the federal government initiated a formal&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/09/federal-government-steps-in-to-help-pull-missouri-out-of-medicaid-backlog/">mitigation plan</a>&nbsp;with the state to get the processing time of Medicaid applications down. Wait times improved then worsened: Last summer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/feds-to-scrutinize-missouris-worst-in-the-nation-medicaid-application-delays/">again intervened,</a>&nbsp;saying it was concerned the state was not doing enough to “achieve and sustain” compliance with federal rules on Medicaid. The federal government said in the May letter it was concerned “particularly given the prolonged period of the state’s noncompliance.”&nbsp;

Medicaid applications for low-income Americans are required to be reviewed within 45 days,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/feds-to-scrutinize-missouris-worst-in-the-nation-medicaid-application-delays/">but early last year</a>&nbsp;72% of Missouri applications took more than 45 days to process, per federal data.&nbsp;

The numbers appear to have improved: The average processing time for low-income Medicaid applications was down to 16 days in November, according to the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fsd_mhdmr/1124-family-support-mohealthnet-report.pdf" target="_blank">state data</a>. According to the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/downloads/medicaid-chip-unwinding-oper-snap-july2024.pdf" target="_blank">federal data</a>, which covers July 2024, 27% of applications in Missouri were processed in violation of the federal limit.

HHS Technology acquired EngagePoint’s claims for the contract dispute lawsuit and was substituted as the plaintiff. It&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/17/missouris-department-of-social-services-sued-for-alleged-sunshine-law-violations/">sued DSS in another case in 2023</a>, alleging the state violated Missouri’s Sunshine Law. Late last year, a judge sided with HHS,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/sunshine-law-violations-by-social-services-agency-will-cost-missouri-120000/">ordering the state to pay $120,000.</a>&nbsp;According to online court records, Missouri filed its notice of appeal in that case in December.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708341005704.png" alt="&nbsp;In 2022, Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ordered the state to pay a little over $4 million that the company argued it was owed, and a jury awarded $18.9 million on additional claims (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;In 2022, Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ordered the state to pay a little over $4 million that the company argued it was owed, and a jury awarded $18.9 million on additional claims (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The court sided with former state vendor EngagePoint, which was hired to help implement the state’s public benefits case management system</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>The Western District of Missouri Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a $23 million ruling against the Department of Social Services for breach of contract.The appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=216533" target="_blank">sided</a>&nbsp;with EngagePoint, a technology company that sued the state in 2016 alleging it was owed millions for work it conducted but was never paid for. The company was hired to help implement the state’s software system for managing public benefits cases, including Medicaid.The state in 2017 countersued EngagePoint for breach of contract.In&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/16/former-state-vendor-awarded-23m-in-lawsuit-over-missouri-medicaid-system-implementation/">2022</a>, Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ordered the state to pay a little over $4 million that the company argued it was owed, and a jury awarded $18.9 million on additional claims.&nbsp;The state filed an appeal.&nbsp;The state challenged the constitutionality of the award for extra work, along with the award for interest payments and a specific claim for repayment — arguing those were all outside the scope of the contract. The state also argued one of the jury instructions violated part of the contract and led the trial court to err in its decision.On Tuesday the appeals court sided with EngagePoint on all four points, arguing the award was justified under Missouri law.&nbsp;“EngagePoint performed substantial additional work at the state’s direction,” the court noted.Neither the Department of Social Services nor the attorney general’s office responded to requests for comment. Chris Moreland, a spokesperson for the Office of Administration, declined to comment and said the office is currently reviewing the court’s decision.EngagePoint, a Florida-based firm,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/engagepoint-awarded-eligibility-enrollment-and-case-management-system-contract-by-state-of-missouri-213209911.html" target="_blank">was hired by the state in 2013</a>&nbsp;as a vendor to implement the Missouri Human Services Eligibility, Enrollment and Case Management System, a comprehensive, fully-integrated system for Department of Social Services’ programs, like Medicaid.EngagePoint was hired over competitors such as IBM, and alleged in its lawsuit that the state ignored the company’s advice and licensed a software known as Cúram directly from IBM. The state later held EngagePoint accountable for flaws with the software, which was “unstable and not functionally ready.”The state directed EngagePoint to perform extra work to correct issues with&nbsp;Cúram&nbsp;and integrate it into the case management system, according to Tuesday’s decision.IBM was eventually hired to complete the contract after EngagePoint was terminated by the state in May 2015. At least $37 million was owed to the company, EngagePoint argued in its 2016 lawsuit.The state argued EngagePoint sought “money for work not performed” and that the company breached its contract and “repeatedly failed to deliver, and those failures cost the state tens of millions of dollars,” or a total of roughly $84 million.As a result, the state was justified in terminating its contract and hiring IBM, it argued.“From January of 2014 forward, EngagePoint’s failures brought the eligibility determination and enrollment operations of the State’s Medicaid program to the brink of dysfunction,” the state wrote in its 2017 counterclaim, arguing overtime work of temporary staff was one of the only reasons that operations remained in place for nearly 18 months through a manual by-pass system.DSS and Office of Administration officials highlighted those issues and placed blame on EngagePoint in 2015 legislative hearings scrutinizing the backlog and delays in the Medicaid system,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/2015/aug/26/mo-house-committee-examines-new-medicaid-system/" target="_blank">the Jefferson City News Tribune reported at the time</a>.The Missouri Eligibility Determination and Enrollment System that EngagePoint was hired to implement continued to come under scrutiny as part of the Department of Social Services’ delays in enrolling newly eligible participants under expanded Medicaid. The state cited updates to the state’s Medicaid system to make eligibility determinations&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/11/missouri-to-accept-medicaid-expansion-applications-full-approval-likely-weeks-away/">as the reason applications wouldn’t be processed</a>&nbsp;for 60 days after the state&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/10/judge-orders-state-to-immediately-allow-missourians-to-enroll-in-expanded-medicaid/">was court-ordered to implement expanded Medicaid</a>&nbsp;in 2021.In 2022, the federal government initiated a formal&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/09/federal-government-steps-in-to-help-pull-missouri-out-of-medicaid-backlog/">mitigation plan</a>&nbsp;with the state to get the processing time of Medicaid applications down. Wait times improved then worsened: Last summer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/feds-to-scrutinize-missouris-worst-in-the-nation-medicaid-application-delays/">again intervened,</a>&nbsp;saying it was concerned the state was not doing enough to “achieve and sustain” compliance with federal rules on Medicaid. The federal government said in the May letter it was concerned “particularly given the prolonged period of the state’s noncompliance.”&nbsp;Medicaid applications for low-income Americans are required to be reviewed within 45 days,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/feds-to-scrutinize-missouris-worst-in-the-nation-medicaid-application-delays/">but early last year</a>&nbsp;72% of Missouri applications took more than 45 days to process, per federal data.&nbsp;The numbers appear to have improved: The average processing time for low-income Medicaid applications was down to 16 days in November, according to the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/fsd_mhdmr/1124-family-support-mohealthnet-report.pdf" target="_blank">state data</a>. According to the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/downloads/medicaid-chip-unwinding-oper-snap-july2024.pdf" target="_blank">federal data</a>, which covers July 2024, 27% of applications in Missouri were processed in violation of the federal limit.HHS Technology acquired EngagePoint’s claims for the contract dispute lawsuit and was substituted as the plaintiff. It&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/17/missouris-department-of-social-services-sued-for-alleged-sunshine-law-violations/">sued DSS in another case in 2023</a>, alleging the state violated Missouri’s Sunshine Law. Late last year, a judge sided with HHS,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/sunshine-law-violations-by-social-services-agency-will-cost-missouri-120000/">ordering the state to pay $120,000.</a>&nbsp;According to online court records, Missouri filed its notice of appeal in that case in December.

Appeals court upholds $23M judgment against Missouri DSS in contract dispute

DEKALB COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy Impala driven by an 84-year-old Albany man was westbound on MO 6 just west of Weartheby.

The driver became blindsided by the sun. The car traveled off the road and overturned.

DeKalb-Clinton Ambulance transported the driver and an 87-year-old female passenger to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy Impala driven by an 84-year-old Albany man was westbound on MO 6 just west of Weartheby.The driver became blindsided by the sun. The car traveled off the road and overturned.DeKalb-Clinton Ambulance transported the driver and an 87-year-old female passenger to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man, woman injured after car overturns

St. Joseph leaders have targeted housing
as a real need if the city is to grow.

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President
Natalie Hawn says the Chamber is working with the city on a housing initiative.

“We have a study that will be rolling
out, hopefully about the first of April, that will be an info housing study.
And really what that is going to be designed to do is to look at areas of town
that have potential for redevelopment,” Hawn says. “So, not necessarily looking
at areas that are already getting development, like a Greystone, but looking at
areas in maybe midtown that are really on the cusp of having potential for redevelopment.”

Hawn says a Housing Task Force will be
reviewing ways to attract developers willing to take on the redevelopment of
entire blocks, rather than individual houses. Hawn says several sections of the
city have a lot of potential for redevelopment.

Hawn says housing is a vital piece in the
development of downtown St. Joseph.

“We have to have more market-rate housing
downtown if we ever want to continue to grow downtown,” according to Hawn. “So,
you’ve got to create the walkability. So, you have to have projects like the
market and the Children’s Discovery Center to get people downtown, but then you
also have to have housing, where you have people that are everyday; that’s two
blocks from their house, that’s where they go for their coffee or for their
groceries or whatever it might be.”

Hawn says the task force will be working
with a consultant to pinpoint areas ripe for development.

“We can then put a playbook together to go
after some developers who are developing, but maybe don’t necessarily see the
potential in downtown or midtown and with the help of community resources as
far as like helping navigate the process, make it easier for them, really
helping make it a win-win for our community,” Hawn says.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph leaders have targeted housing
as a real need if the city is to grow.St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President
Natalie Hawn says the Chamber is working with the city on a housing initiative.“We have a study that will be rolling
out, hopefully about the first of April, that will be an info housing study.
And really what that is going to be designed to do is to look at areas of town
that have potential for redevelopment,” Hawn says. “So, not necessarily looking
at areas that are already getting development, like a Greystone, but looking at
areas in maybe midtown that are really on the cusp of having potential for redevelopment.”Hawn says a Housing Task Force will be
reviewing ways to attract developers willing to take on the redevelopment of
entire blocks, rather than individual houses. Hawn says several sections of the
city have a lot of potential for redevelopment.Hawn says housing is a vital piece in the
development of downtown St. Joseph.“We have to have more market-rate housing
downtown if we ever want to continue to grow downtown,” according to Hawn. “So,
you’ve got to create the walkability. So, you have to have projects like the
market and the Children’s Discovery Center to get people downtown, but then you
also have to have housing, where you have people that are everyday; that’s two
blocks from their house, that’s where they go for their coffee or for their
groceries or whatever it might be.”Hawn says the task force will be working
with a consultant to pinpoint areas ripe for development.“We can then put a playbook together to go
after some developers who are developing, but maybe don’t necessarily see the
potential in downtown or midtown and with the help of community resources as
far as like helping navigate the process, make it easier for them, really
helping make it a win-win for our community,” Hawn says.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph city leaders hope to develop housing in 2025

Temperatures remain extremely cold, and at times below freezing, which can threaten the water pipes in your home.  

To help prevent the danger frozen pipes could cause, Missouri American Water is giving residents tips to avoid the disaster that could cause. 

Spokeswoman Christie Barnhart says newer homes don't need to shut off their water if pipes freeze, but if you live in an older home. 

"It might not be a bad idea to shut the water off and then periodically check," Barnhart tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "Just because if you have older pipes and you know that you do, and that water comes back on and the pipe bursts, obviously that can accumulate in the home very, very quickly." 

Barnhart says there are a few simple steps people can take to help prevent frozen pipes.  

"The first thing, and I actually did this myself before the cold snap, is I went to a home improvement store and basically purchased some inexpensive wrap for my pipes, there are certain areas of my home that are cooler than others and I wrapped those pipes," Barnhart explains.  "And then I started leaving the cabinet doors open so the pipes could get exposed to warmer air in the house." 

Another tip from Missouri American is to let a small trickle flow from the faucet while temperatures are below freezing.  

Barnhart says while homeowners worry how that could impact on their water bills, that is far less expensive than having pipes burst. 

"Not only are you looking at, if your pipes burst, a higher water bill, which we do have a program where after repairs are made your bills can be adjusted," Barnhart says.  "But it's the mess and the inconvenience of not having water, having water standing in your home, water is very damaging to homes if its standing for any period of time." 

Barnhart says letting that water trickle from the faucet is one of the top three things people can do in terms of prevention 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671211286987.jpg" alt="icicles, frozen pipe, frozen" />
 <figcaption>icicles, frozen pipe, frozen</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Temperatures remain extremely cold, and at times below freezing, which can threaten the water pipes in your home. To help prevent the danger frozen pipes could cause, Missouri American Water is giving residents tips to avoid the disaster that could cause. Spokeswoman Christie Barnhart says newer homes don't need to shut off their water if pipes freeze, but if you live in an older home. "It might not be a bad idea to shut the water off and then periodically check," Barnhart tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Just because if you have older pipes and you know that you do, and that water comes back on and the pipe bursts, obviously that can accumulate in the home very, very quickly." Barnhart says there are a few simple steps people can take to help prevent frozen pipes. "The first thing, and I actually did this myself before the cold snap, is I went to a home improvement store and basically purchased some inexpensive wrap for my pipes, there are certain areas of my home that are cooler than others and I wrapped those pipes," Barnhart explains. "And then I started leaving the cabinet doors open so the pipes could get exposed to warmer air in the house." Another tip from Missouri American is to let a small trickle flow from the faucet while temperatures are below freezing. Barnhart says while homeowners worry how that could impact on their water bills, that is far less expensive than having pipes burst. "Not only are you looking at, if your pipes burst, a higher water bill, which we do have a program where after repairs are made your bills can be adjusted," Barnhart says. "But it's the mess and the inconvenience of not having water, having water standing in your home, water is very damaging to homes if its standing for any period of time." Barnhart says letting that water trickle from the faucet is one of the top three things people can do in terms of prevention

Simple steps can keep your pipes from freezing

Two St. Joseph
elementary schools welcomed students back today after faulty heating systems forced
the cancelation of classes on Monday.

St. Joseph School Superintendent
Gabe Edgar says issues weren’t confined only to Edison and Eugene Field.

“We actually had
five schools that faced some issues in regards to the heat,” Edgar tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Fortunately, in three of those, we got to have in-person
classes and unfortunately, two of those we had to cancel.”

Maintenance
personnel were able to get the heat working enough at Central High School,
Robidoux Middle School, and Spring Garden Middle School to hold classes, though
Edgar joked that the buildings were pretty cool to start the day.

Repairs took too
long for Edison and Eugene Field to hold classes. The heat is on today and both
schools are holding classes.

Edgar says that in
each school the heating systems just aren’t equipped to handle such cold days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736872797454.jpeg" alt="Eugene Field Elementary/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Eugene Field Elementary/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTwo St. Joseph
elementary schools welcomed students back today after faulty heating systems forced
the cancelation of classes on Monday.St. Joseph School Superintendent
Gabe Edgar says issues weren’t confined only to Edison and Eugene Field.“We actually had
five schools that faced some issues in regards to the heat,” Edgar tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Fortunately, in three of those, we got to have in-person
classes and unfortunately, two of those we had to cancel.”Maintenance
personnel were able to get the heat working enough at Central High School,
Robidoux Middle School, and Spring Garden Middle School to hold classes, though
Edgar joked that the buildings were pretty cool to start the day.Repairs took too
long for Edison and Eugene Field to hold classes. The heat is on today and both
schools are holding classes.Edgar says that in
each school the heating systems just aren’t equipped to handle such cold days.“It’s just a unit
that does not work when it gets below 20 degrees,” according to Edgar. “Why
they were put in, I can’t answer that question. But, in April of 2024 you know we
did pass a bond issue and some of those dollars will be put towards that.”Edgar says that
while it takes no time for the temperature in the school buildings to dropped,
it takes quite a while for the temperature to get back up to a range acceptable
for students to return to class.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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